Two tvs use the same device codes. Is there a workaround?

Raul_Giacoman · Post by **Raul_Giacoman** » Mon May 10, 2004 7:24 am

I have two samsung tv's. One is a Samsung 61" DLP and the other is a Synmaster 192MP which is my computer monitor that also doubles as a tv. I use a remote control extender to control my tivo boxes that are in the same room as the dlp machine. The problem is both tv's appear to use the same device codes. Is there any way to get around this problem?

jon_armstrong · Post by **jon_armstrong** » Mon May 10, 2004 7:36 am

Is the RF extender one of the pyramids with the little mini stereo jack in the rear?

If so, and the only reason you are using the RF extender is to control the TiVos, then you could use a stick-on dual emitter plugged into the mini-jack and then hide or cover the pyramid so it can't be "seen" by the Computer monitor.

Raul_Giacoman · Post by **Raul_Giacoman** » Mon May 10, 2004 8:19 am

No, it is an infrared extender.

Post by **The Robman** » Mon May 10, 2004 8:31 am

I think you misunderstood the question. There's no such thing as an infrared extender, all devices that extend the range of a remote control use some other method to transfer the signal from the source (ie, the remote) to the destination (ie, your Tivo) and the most common method is RF. So when Jon asked about an RF extender, he meant a device that uses RF to transfer the infrared remote signals from one place to another.

If you give us more info on the extender that you are using, we might be able to advise you on how it could be setup so that it doesn't interfere with your second TV.

Raul_Giacoman · Post by **Raul_Giacoman** » Mon May 10, 2004 9:44 am

Sorry. You are correct. I have one of those Radio Shack pyramid extenders. I don't think it has a mini stereo jack in the rear though. What is the purpose of the dual emitter? Currently, I have the pyramid in a different location in the room to avoid sending tv commands to the other tv.

jon_armstrong · Post by **jon_armstrong** » Mon May 10, 2004 10:43 am

I don't know for sure that your RS pyramid has the mini-jack, but every one I have ever seen does. The dual emitters are used for wired IR distribution systems and stick on the equipment itself right on top of the IR sensor. They will plug-in to the RS device (assuming yours has the jack). They are not blasters (high powered IR LED's) like what is in most remotes and the pyramids, but lower powered led's with limited range. Here are some from Smarthome for $9.

Since the blasters still operate in the pyramid, then you would have to hide it in a closet or put electrical tape across the front. The mini-emitters will probably not control the other TV. You may need to put electrical tape over the mini-emitters (after installed), if they still control the TV.

Raul_Giacoman · Post by **Raul_Giacoman** » Mon May 10, 2004 1:53 pm

I will check to see if they have the mini stereo jacks. I am still not sure I understand how this will fix my problem. Right now, if I put the pyramid out of the line of site of the tv, I can control the tivos. Then when I want to control the volume or channel changing on the tv in the room, I will point the remote towards the tv. What I really want to do is not worry that the pyramid is in the line of sight. Is it possible that a tv may support multiple device codes and I just need to find a different set of codes?

Thanks for your help.

Post by **The Robman** » Mon May 10, 2004 2:32 pm

When you have the pyramid positioned in front of your gear, needless to say, it will control everything in your system. However, it sounds like you just need to be able to control the Tivo, so if you were to use an IR blaster cable, you could attach the cable to the front of your Tivo and hide the pyramid. Then, when you use the remote from the other room, it will only control the Tivo from the original room, not the TV.

Raul_Giacoman · Post by **Raul_Giacoman** » Mon May 10, 2004 2:44 pm

I see now. I was thinking you were talking about using the IR blaster cable in the other room.

Thanks guys for the info!

classicsat · Post by **classicsat** » Mon May 17, 2004 9:54 am

Do you wanna get into soldring? If so, you can, in thoery anyway, take the elctronic signal from the receiver and directly wire that into the Tivo.
(That is what I have done, only because that is the sort of RF receiver I have.)