Users in this thread describe various problems: (a) slow response, (b) problem with a specific transponder, (c) fading menu screen (??), (d) speculation about defective transistors...
Thanks to those who point out the problems with Tr 11836 and 12152... I cannot confirm this, but it seems that others have.
I can offer a solution for SOME of those who report 'slow response time'.
The symptom: You must wait 3-8 seconds before trying to enter a second
remote control command or channel change, otherwise the system will not respond. There is no way to 'cycle' through menu commands; you must dutifully wait 3-8 seconds before attempting to press a remote button. Failure to wait the required amount of time will mean that you will AGAIN have to wait 3-8 seconds before making a second attempt. This is particularly grievesome if you wish to change a channel name; the input mode will time out before you can cycle to the next character (A-B-C-a-b-c, etc.).
The good news: This is not a problem with the STB itself.
The Solution: Change the batteries in the remote !!
I've never seen anything like this with another remote, including the Lifetime Ultra; but it solves the problem with the
Mercury II. Going back and forth between the old batteries and a set of freshly recharged batteries has confirmed that this was indeed the problem -- and the solution.