OT:? Testing IR Extender Cable?

[DavidEC2955]

What is the best way to test an IR extender cable..
What is the best way to find just where the IR receiver is on A/V hardware? To make sure that the cable is set in front of the receiver and not 'just in the area'?

I am talking about the little cable that has the LED/IR on one end and at plug on the other end that plugs into a IR/RF extender cone such as the ones sold by X-10/RCA/Radio(s)Hack...

I know that the 'Kenwood' receiver that I have uses some high signal's that some learning remotes do not support..

But the repeater cone works.. but just don't have room for it to sit out in front of the receiver.. but it seems that the "IR CABLE" is not repeating the signal's?

[Capn Trips]

What is the best way to test an IR extender cable..

To see if it is sending ANYTHING the simplest test is to look at the emitter through a camcorder or digital camera viewfinder while you are attempting to send an IR signal. Most of these viewfinders will show the IR LED lighting up as it transmits. This will, of course, NOT tell you if the IR signal is precisely what you expect to be transmitted, just a simple "yes" or "no" whether IR energy is being emitted.

What is the best way to find just where the IR receiver is on A/V hardware? To make sure that the cable is set in front of the receiver and not 'just in the area'?

I wouldn't know, although, in my experience, most higher-end components' manuals have various front and rear panel diagrams/illustrations that point out where major components are located, including the IR "receive" window. Kenwood ought to have a pretty decent owner's/user's manual.

I am talking about the little cable that has the LED/IR on one end and at plug on the other end that plugs into a IR/RF extender cone such as the ones sold by X-10/RCA/Radio(s)Hack...

Similar IR "dongles" are also used by a number of UEI remotes that have RF extenders. I'm unfamiliar with X10, but I can tell you that the IR "dongle" emits the same IR signal as the pyramid, and as the original signal you are sending, neither of those components "creates" the signal on its own from a protocol/device combination, or from some processsor logic. They simply repeat what they receive, so that ought not be your problem (if the IR dongle is transmitting at all)

I know that the 'Kenwood' receiver that I have uses some high signal's that some learning remotes do not support..

I'm no expert, but don't believe the experts here have ever failed to replicate a (properly) learned IR signal. Do you have a learning JP1 remote? If you do, and use fresh batteries in both remotes, and use proper learning technique, even if IR doesn't decode the signals for you, the knowledge level in this forum is such that you are likely to get it decoded and replicated. On the other hand, if you mean that the Kenwood receiver uses an RF remote, then you're SOL on any remote learning its signals.

But the repeater cone works.. but just don't have room for it to sit out in front of the receiver.. but it seems that the "IR CABLE" is not repeating the signal's?

If the dongle is repeating ANYTHING (see the test at the top) it seems extremely unlikely that it will be repeating something OTHER THAN what the pyramid is sending. The only way to really be sure, is to
(1) use a learning remote to learn the original signal,
(2) use the learning remote to learn the signal emanating from the pyramid, and
(3) use the learning remote to learn the signal emanating from the dongle

and then compare them (or post them here in the diagnosis area with a link to the file in this thread) and see if the signal is being replicated correctly.

[DavidEC2955]

What is the best way to test an IR extender cable..

To see if it is sending ANYTHING the simplest test is to look at the emitter through a camcorder or digital camera viewfinder while you are attempting to send an IR signal. Most of these viewfinders will show the IR LED lighting up as it transmits. This will, of course, NOT tell you if the IR signal is precisely what you expect to be transmitted, just a simple "yes" or "no" whether IR energy is being emitted......

Thanks I will give this try ...

--David

[zaphod7501]

There is also a "speaker test" for the base unit that was discussed in the thread on the 9910's RF extender (many thanks to Tommy Tyler for the research). Substituting a small speaker for the IR LED lets you "hear" the output of the base unit to verify that you have a good output if there is no blinking when you look the IR output with a digital camera (any digital imaging device).
http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4221

[underquark]

What is the best way to find just where the IR receiver is on A/V hardware? To make sure that the cable is set in front of the receiver and not 'just in the area'?

If the manual isn't helpful, there are usually visual clues on the surface of the device. It's pretty obvious on all of my equipment where the receivers are but I suppose you could create a mask (big strip of thick card with a hole in it) and place it in different positions until you find the "sweet spot". If you did place the IR blaster directly in front of a particular receiver you would risk a) no signal to other devices (although this might be desirable in certain situations) and b) obscuring the IR receiver from direct IR beam (might or might not matter depending upon your circumstances).

Are you planning something unusual such as lots of little mirrors placed at the IR recievers so that you can mount the IR blaster in the corner of a cabinet or something? Or is there another reason why you can't just place the IR blaster a reasonable distance away from the receiving devices?

[DavidEC2955]

What is the best way to find just where the IR receiver is on A/V hardware? To make sure that the cable is set in front of the receiver and not 'just in the area'?

Are you planning something unusual such as lots of little mirrors placed at the IR recievers so that you can mount the IR blaster in the corner of a cabinet or something? Or is there another reason why you can't just place the IR blaster a reasonable distance away from the receiving devices?

In short.. closed wooden cabinet doors...

And the two devices that I am having the most trouble with are:

Kenwood receiver.. large 'Dark Plastic'/"LED" face plate....
My ReplayTV..... other than the two LED's POWER/RECORD I can not tell for sure where the RECEIVING LED is... my VCR's, TIVO's and DVD+R/RW devices are easy to tell where the receiving LED's are.

--David

[underquark]

Did you try masking off the fascia to narrow down the location of the IR receiver? What about a piece of card half the width of the unit and then half of the remaining space etc.: