Experience with Infrared Extender

[mjs]

I want to get an IR extender in the form of a sensor mounted discreetly on my AV cabinet somewhere which is then wired to several "mouse" IR emitters which can be stuck over the IR sensors of various bits a equipment in the cabinet. This enables the devices to be controlled using the normal remotes, but the cabinet doors don't need to be open.

Has anyone installed anything similar and care to comment. I'm not talking about an AV sender which sends audio and video between RF transmitter and receiver units, although some of these do have IR extender capability.

Xantech and Knoll are a couple of possible brands.

thks

[Digital Addict]

I have purchased a Jaycar Kit (<$30) which worked well (it is easy to put together, even for a novice!!). You will find that IR has a tendency to bounce around enclosed spaces, and so you may find that placing IR emitters on each device is not necesssary.

If you have the $$$ though, the best solution is the MX600. I ordered one for a friend from Bluedo.com and this works a treat. This is combined RF/IR remote which talks to a base station that can re-transmit the IR. It comes with additional 6 LEDs. The only thing I had to do was to replace the supplied (US) power supply for the remote extender. The version I purchased was the "open box" variety which seems to be a way for BlueDo to sell for a lower price (this unit was untouched).

[Sjonsoneononeoneo oneo osb]

For reference, I went down the Jaycar kit path when I first installed my plasma/HT setup. That involved placing a sensor discretely on the side of my centre channel speaker (wall mounted), running cabling to the IR extender circuitry in the equipment cupboard then running a couple of IR LEDs as outputs which were stuck over the IR sensor on my equipment. The whole system worked fairly well though the IR sensor on my centre channel speaker was a bit picky about having the remote control pointed directly at it.

I ended up scrapping that system once I got into X10 home automation equipment. The wholesaler I get my X10 gear from distributes a brand called Marmitek, who make (amongst other things) an 8-in-1 learning remote with IR and RF support. For around $90 you can get a pack which includes the learning remote (which sends learnt signals by both IR and RF) and a reciever module which sits in your cupboard, recieves the RF signals and sends them out using a broad-spread type IR emitter. You can also connect optional 'mouse' IR emitters to the reciever module if you have devices which require a more focussed IR signal.

The beauty of that system aside from the price is that it is easily expandable (multiple remotes talking to multiple emitters) and that it also is capable of sending signals to an X10 RF reciever for controlling lights, appliances and other household what-not. There is also a version of the remote with an LCD touchscreen which will add about $90 to the price, though I have found the basic remote works just fine.

Happy to provide more info on the setup I'm using if required.

Caveat - I am a reseller for the X10 / Marmitek products in the ACT so my opinions may be (read are very likely to be) baised.

James

[J.D]

I use a Xantech 291 kit, which enables me to control 4 components in my cabinet. It works without fail and has been very handy. I purchased it when I lived in the US, but I am sure you could get something online.

An example of the kit (although you should be able to get it cheaper) is:

Xantech 291 kit

If you purchased it from the States, you would need another adaptor, which is simple, but increases the cost. I guess you should be able to find a local distributor of the kit.

I would second the alternative of the MX-600. It sounds like a great package. I have the MX500 and its great.

Edited September 28, 2004 by J.D