Got my cam yesterday and the only thing that seems to be an issue is my IR remote seems not to work. I took out the protective film and re-inserted and replaced the battery. Tried from multiple locations and it didn't work. Then I realized I hadn't turned on the IR Remote switch in the menu :S

After turning that on though, it still didn't work.

Any thoughts? I may just have a dud remote, but thought I'd check here first.

Thanks

Howdy...

There is a setting in the menu system to turn on the IR remote. If it's set to 'off' that could be why your remote doesn't work...

-Ben
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neo-fight.tv - {The Weekly Technology Podcast}

Jamie,
You're right, you have to turn it on in the menu settings. Actually this parameter shuts off when powering down the camera.
I'm not sure why Sony chose to have it shut off. Probably for safety during recording.
I'm not sure why yours is not working?

You have to turn it on in camera and the camera sensor is in the front (for ENG types).

Yesterday though, I discovered my remote stopped working (I hadn't used it in a couple of weeks). I need to check whether it's the remote's battery, the remote, the camera at fault.

So Jamie, there may well be an issue. Do try turning it on and standing in front the camera. The sensor is near the built in stereo mic.

If indeed it works like the full size camera I have, the remote is disabled by default every time the camera is powered on. I have an assignable switch set up for enabling the remote.

Steven is exactly right. Here is the reason for that. The EX-1 is a professional camera and as such, it's believed that it will be shooting footage that would be costly to the owner if interfered with. Therefore, the IR remote is not something to be left active unless its specifically needed at that time.

I specifically taught that issue in my NAB class for Sony last year. Also, as I stated elsewhere, you should be able to point the remote at the flip out LCD and have it sensed by the camera.

-gb-

Greg, Adam Wilt in his review just posted found as I did, the remote ONLY works when in front of the camera unless maybe we both missed something. It did not work pointing at the LCD when my remote was last working.

My remove, like Jamie's apparently, does not work AT ALL now even with IR Enabled in the menu. Pout.

If indeed it works like the full size camera I have, the remote is disabled by default every time the camera is powered on. I have an assignable switch set up for enabling the remote.

Steven is exactly right. Here is the reason for that. The EX-1 is a professional camera and as such, it's believed that it will be shooting footage that would be costly to the owner if interfered with. Therefore, the IR remote is not something to be left active unless its specifically needed at that time.

I specifically taught that issue in my NAB class for Sony last year. Also, as I stated elsewhere, you should be able to point the remote at the flip out LCD and have it sensed by the camera.

-gb-

Thanks for the replies all,

Unfortunately, it looks like I just have a dud. Stood in front of the cam and nothing. That's after turning on the IR switch in camera menu.

Thanks anyways.

Mine did work for a bit and apparently died. It does seem that EX1 problems happen in groups.

Maybe this is something others haven't tested yet.

Please do since two of us apparently have non working remotes.

Thanks for the replies all,

Unfortunately, it looks like I just have a dud. Stood in front of the cam and nothing. That's after turning on the IR switch in camera menu.

Thanks anyways.

try flipping the battery or getting a new one. Maybe its in upside down.

Mine worked from behind the camera. I think its great because your tech can use it to paint the camera just like with "real" equipment.

Greg, Adam Wilt in his review just posted found as I did, the remote ONLY works when in front of the camera unless maybe we both missed something. It did not work pointing at the LCD when my remote was last working.

Okay Craig, perhaps not. Leonard says his remote works from behind the camera.

It is beginning to sound as if there may be some issues with some of the IR units but even that is kind of strange because it's the exact same remote that ships with the larger cameras AFAICT from outward appearance.

-gb-

Yes,
If you have a DVM, check to see if the battery has some life.

Tried...my remote does NOT work from behind the camera. Bear in mind that IR signals reflect off of surfaces that one wouldn't judge to be reflective, based on optical wavelengths.

I was very close to the camera when I tried it so that m,ay have bearing. i hope you can be behind the camera as that is whjat makes sense. It's almost pointless the other way.

It WILL work when you are behind the camera only if you hold the front of the IR remote at the top front of the built-in microphone. It's a bit awkward as you need hold out your arm over the camera but you can easily use use it to control zooms etc without touching the camera.

Hi Folks,

When you get your IR Remote's working, then set them up to use via fiberoptic cable. You can then have the Remote pretty much anywhere you want it. I've done this for all 5 of my Cams. Been using it for years.

Check my posts for Pics and explanation of how too. Or PM me for info.

Harold

You can check if the remote works (battery check) by simply pointing it at the lens and look in the lcd while pressing some buttons, you should then see it light up the ir led.

I often use my cell phone camera to check if a remote has any battery left or not this way.

/Andy

Harold: Where?

Hi,

Do a search on my name, you should find all my posts and a number of Pic's of my Mods.

You might find some of them useful. They all work for me, and have for years.

Harold

Is there an initialisation process you need to go through with the remote first or is it a case of just selecting IR on in the menu and off you go?

I thought I liked it at first, but it does seem to work way better in front and it doesn't work more than 6 feet away or so. Its been disappointing for me. I'd rather have it wired so a tech could paint with it.

I have used the remote once before, but yesterday I tested it again and it stopped working.


Could it be that the small battery drains very fast on these remotes?


regards,
Erwin

I like being cordless with my remote control - 20 feet of cable gives you quite a bit of latitude, but you've got all that cable to tote around and keep untangled. I would just like to be able to use the remote from the back of the camera (even a few or several feet behind it while viewing on the LCD or a monitor) as easily as you can from the front.

I'm surpised nobody has built a little plastic reflector that can snap on under the onboard mic. Granted, if you used the onboard mic, this would most likely affect the audio, but I believe that most people don't use that mic much in the first place.

I just cut up a CD Jewel Case and made this little prototype to test the theory - works fine from the back of the camera. Also, because it is clear, the remote still works from the front too - kinda like a tele-prompter. Seems like a small company that made accessories could bang out this little thing and sell it for a few bucks and make a profit. Of course, it's probably too cheap to manufacture as they probably would only ever sell a couple hundred at most - maybe only a few dozen!

And, because it reflects off of two surfaces, the signal is not backwards when reaching the sensor. Otherwise, the Zoom, REW and FF, REC and REC Pause would all be reversed and it could get confusing as rear operation would be inverted from front operation - unless, of course, you held the remote upside down. Okay, this last paragraph is all BS, but it's Saturday and I'm at the computer still, what do you expect?