Voice Remote weak Bluetooth

[traviscrazy]

The new voice remote for the cloud PVR has terrible Bluetooth range.

Sitting 8ft from my box, the remote signal strength is 40%.

Placing the remote directly next to the box gets me to 67%.

Doesn’t this seem a little odd?

Model is 2855-001, firmware 6.3.36

[BellPatricia]

Hi there @traviscrazy, Thanks for your post, and welcome to the Bell Community 🙂

Do you notice any specific issue when you use the Voice Remote? 

Is there anything in the area which could cause interference such as large objects or any metal appliances? 

You can also try changing the batteries in the remote incase they are low. 
Keep the Community posted.

- Patricia

[traviscrazy]

The remote is in a cabinet with a glass front. While I understand there might be some signal degradation, the signal is only 67% when the remote is sitting on top of the Fibe box.

Batteries are brand new, as this was my first suspicion. 

[BellPatricia]

Hey @traviscrazy, thanks for your reply.

Just to clarify, do you notice any issues when using the Voice Remote to control your equipment? 

- Patricia

[AlexS]

You might need to wait a little while and try to stay as stable as possible.

Do you remember how did you position the remote when you got 40%? My Bluetooth remote’s signal will decrease if I put it on my long johns instead of raising it to my chest while sitting on the sofa about 2m away. Nevertheless, my remote works all the time even from my bed room. When the screen appears to be stuck, it was always the box’s fault lol.

[traviscrazy]

No. Just terrible signal. 
Sometimes when you push a channel number, it registers that button 20 times.

No issues with voice control. This box is not off to a good start.

[PictureFanatic]

I have the same problem. Switched to Bell from Rogers (which was great!) last week and the bluetooth remotes are very poor, erratically working with long latency with the cabinet door closed. Google assistant is particularly bad, often not working at all. My bluetooth strength is 68% 5cm from the Bell Fibe box, 46% at 1 metre and about 30% from 3 metres with the cabinet closed. Very disappointing.

Model 2855-001  Firmware 6.3.87 

[PictureFanatic]

I'm feeling the same! I think the issue is the stylish remote looking but functionally poor remote rather than the Arris TV box. I had Rogers Ignite until last week, which uses an older version of the same(ish) Arris TV box with a different remote and that worked really well. 

[PictureFanatic · Accepted solution]

I have been playing with the VIP7802 box and 2802 remote for a few days now. As mentioned above, the performance of this remote is poor, but I think I at least understand what is happening now. First, be aware that the remote flashes green when issuing an IR command and red when communicating via bluetooth. IR is sufficient for Bell menu commands, but Bluetooth is essential for search using Google assistant.

I set up my VIP7802 box inside a cabinet with a solid door. Although the Bluetooth signal is weak (about 30%), the bluetooth will work through the door at my seating position 2m away. However, it seems there is an important flaw: Presumably to save energy, the bluetooth function in the remote goes to sleep after a few minutes disuse and the remote reverts to IR. This is no issue if there is line of sight between the remote and the TV box, since on receiving the first IR command, the VIP7802 restarts Bluetooth pairing and Google Assistant works. However, if your TV box is behind a door, the IR signal doesn't reach the TV box and can't restore the bluetooth pairing, so the remote and TV box can't establish a Bluetooth connection and the remote can't function.

This is a real pain. The Rogers remote is less stylish and uses AA batteries (versus the 2802 remote AAA), so can presumably handle always on Bluetooth. Bell clearly view Bluetooth primarily as a way of providing voice search and haven't thought about the additional benefit it brings of being potentially able to hide your devices.

I hope this will help others.

[SimonSeize]

Same issue here. Tv box is hidden inside a cabinet. 

Should Bell recommend or supply a IR extender to resolve the issue ?

 We have no option other than installing the tv box behing a cabinat door. 

If no option are offered, i will contact my Bell sales rep to discuss the issue further . 

Be aware that previous receiver was working 100% fine.

Suggestion is to have Bell to develop a Android tool / app to increase bluetooth signal or fix bluetooth sleep mode.

[SimonSeize]

Solution : infrared extender. Some TV set have one already in the box.

Or , it can bought anywhere in electronics store. 

https://youtu.be/yHZ7H2qjQ7Y?si=y969DVCkrhabnloE

[WelshTerrier]

Good Day.

Thank you for reaching out to the Bell Community by posting your concern with the signal strength on the VIP7802 TV box voice remote control.

Bluetooth signal strength and connection stability are affected by physical obstacles like walls and metal, the human body, distance from the device, and signal interference from other devices operating on the same 2.4 GHz frequency band. 

To improve your signal strength with the remote today, I can only offer up the following:

1. I will assume you have checked & replaced the batteries.
2. Can the cabinet door be modified or replaced with something else, left open or even slightly ajar?
3. Can the TV box be relocated and the HDMI cable extended to the TV?
4. Are there any other devices nearby that may interfere with the signal?
5. Are there any other Bluetooth or wireless devices nearby that can impede the signal? E.g. wireless phone, microwaves ovens, charging devices, etc.
6. Something so simple as the pointed direction, distance, & obstacles around the remote & TV box will influence & affect the Bluetooth signal range of coverage.

There are no bad ideas. Your suggestions is worth consideration and will be reviewed by the Bell developmental team. Whether a change, such as this, can be introduced is not something that can be decided on this website.

Once again, thank you for your input.

Take care.