We have had this box for at least two years now and find it excellent apart from the remote which on the odd occasion fails to achieve a response from the box. The strange aspect though is, as you say, you're still 'winked' at as if the box itself might be to blame.
Anyway I found that if the batteries are removed and left for about 20 minutes before being replaced again, everything works as it should.
Simon King
January 2007