Troubleshoot the remote ir receiver in the tv set.
Odds are they are simply liquid damaged from someone spraying liquid on
the face of the tube to clean in and let some drip down the front of
the set, seen many many times.

Swoop wrote:
hi group,

I have two 32 inch VTEL teleconfering TVs. This is basically a
Sony
Trinitron (KV-32S22, made in 1998).
(got this information from the label on the back). The TVs come
with
Sony RM-Y135A remote.

The problem is that the remote works only when it is very close
to the
TV (6 inches). I bought 2 universal
remotes and had the same problem which leads me to think the
problem is
on the TV side.

has anyone come across something like this? Any inputs are
greatly
appreciated.

Thanks.