Remote Control Magic

[so lucky]

My kitchen TV's remote has always been tricky, but it seems the last year or so it has gotten downright cranky. The volume works fine, but trying to change channels or select the guide function results in absolutely nothing happening. Pointing it at the TV never works. Occasionally pointing at the wall beside the TV works, but not often. Not an old battery issue, same deal with brand new batteries.

So I was listening to PBS, an old Click and Clack program; you know, the mechanic brothers who crack up all the time? (or at least did; one of them died) They talked about this very thing, starting with an issue with a keyless remote entry on a guy's car. He said if he points the remote at the car it doesn't work, but if he points it at his jaw, it works. So then one of the brothers on the program said he does that with his TV remote: he can point it at the TV with no results, but if he points it at his jaw, or head, it works just fine.

So I tried it and it works! The remote control channel change feature does not work when I point it at the TV or in the general area of the TV, but if I point it at my jaw, it works. Any ideas why this works?

 

[Nyboy]

ESP

 

[Beekissed]

Fillings? I've heard you can get better radio reception if you wire the antenna and bite down on the wire with jaw teeth that have fillings.

 

[journey11]

That's what I was thinking, lol.

Unless you have a steel plate in your head, I can't imagine why else...

 

[Nyboy]

Going to try this when alone

 

[canesisters]

First.. why not just get a universal remote and toss the old one?
Second.. The one that came with the Dish TV box started acting up like that. If I pointed it at the TV.. nothing. But if I pointed it at the window it worked great. I assumed it was something to do with the reflected signal - possibly being spread further in the reflection and getting around some sort of obstruction right at the little bulb??? I cleaned the remote and changed the battery and it went back to working.

 

[so lucky]

Aw, Cane, why spoil the mystery with practicality?
Cooincidentally, much like the Murphy's law I live in, since I posted about this, the remote is working like it's supposed to.