Behind Closed Doors

Post by **vickyg2003** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 10:52 am

Is the NextGen the only option for an AV system behind closed doors? Or is there a simple IR repeater?

Post by **The Robman** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 1:25 pm

There are IR repeaters, they consist of an IR receiver which you place somewhere in line of sight with the remote and an IR transmitter that you place in line of sight of the device.

tranx · Post by **tranx** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 2:58 pm

Hi Vicky. May I recommend URC RF10, because of its simple but powerful configuration options and extra buttons?
http://www.amazon.com/URC-MasterControl ... words=rf10

and PowerBlaster URC MRF100B
http://www.amazon.com/MRF100B-PowerBlas ... gy_e_img_y

Only trouble might be that the system does not have radio channels and so could interfere with, or suffer interference from, another local system

Regards
Chris

Post by **vickyg2003** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 3:14 pm

I think the IR repeater will be the way to go for this remote. I was looking at the nextgen, but the cost gets really high when you add extra remotes.

tranx · Post by **tranx** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 3:22 pm

Just thought you might like another remote too

Post by **vickyg2003** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 3:36 pm

Well I would prefer to use IR instead of RF, and seeing the cost is going to be about 1/4 of what I was going to spend on a repeater system.

All the frequencies are in the 36k range, so this will probably work great. I just need to see the actual cupboards to make sure line of sight is going to be okay.

tranx · Post by **tranx** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 3:48 pm

Perhaps I misunderstood you but URC RF10 always sends both IR and RF together. URC MRF100B is an RF receiver and IR emitter for inside a cupboard or another room.

Post by **vickyg2003** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 4:29 pm

tranx wrote:Perhaps I misunderstood you but URC RF10 always sends both IR and RF together. URC MRF100B is an RF receiver and IR emitter for inside a cupboard or another room.

Nope, I was thinking of using a nextgen RF thingy with 2 RCA remotes, but that was going to be a bit pricey.

The RCA remotes are $12 each. The nextgen was 40, and the extra battery was 20, leading to $84

The two RC10's and a power blaster base 112

With the IR Repeater 2 rca remotes and three lead repeater is going to be about $44

tranx · Post by **tranx** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 4:47 pm

big difference!

Post by **The Robman** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 5:08 pm

Basically, Vicky's looking to set something up where, no matter which remote she's using, it will connect with the devices behind closed doors. Using the Nextgen will work for one remote, but you'd need to buy another one for each additional remote that you might want to use.

UEI makes the perfect device, but I don't know how you go about buying one...

http://www.uei.com/category.php?page_id ... roduct=113

Post by **vickyg2003** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 6:06 pm

The Robman wrote:Basically, Vicky's looking to set something up where, no matter which remote she's using, it will connect with the devices behind closed doors. Using the Nextgen will work for one remote, but you'd need to buy another one for each additional remote that you might want to use.

yes, its another $20 for every remote you want to convert with the little battery sensor.

UEI makes the perfect device, but I don't know how you go about buying one...

http://www.uei.com/category.php?page_id ... roduct=113

Yes, I didn't realize that something like this was available. I had read about the nextgen in the forum, but I didn't know that there were standalone non-RF ir-repeaters.

pH7_jp1 · Post by **pH7_jp1** » Tue Dec 25, 2012 1:27 pm

If you search for "ir repeater" on Amazon you will get many hits. This is just one example. $38 and it just blasts out anything it receives. Previous HDTVs that I have owned actually had plugs on the back that you just plugged in IR cords. This was especially nice, since the remote was always pointed at the TV and the IR signals were echoed out to all devices in my cabinet. My recent TV does not have this feature and I really miss it.

Post by **vickyg2003** » Tue Dec 25, 2012 1:35 pm

Looks like prelude at diygadget.com is selling these too

http://www.diygadget.com/jp1-1-1-1-2-1- ... 2-121.html

I have had really good luck with my diygadget cable. I will probably get it from our vendors.

pH7_jp1 · Post by **pH7_jp1** » Tue Dec 25, 2012 3:28 pm

The powered by USB is a convenient plus if your TV has USB on it.

Vyrolan · Post by **Vyrolan** » Fri Dec 28, 2012 12:30 pm

I'd personally be wary of super cheap IR kits. The theory is good that IR is simple and easy, but it can be pretty problematic. Sometimes the receivers are not that great or the frequency range is not good. Sometimes they can't handle longer signals or don't understand repeats properly (end up having to hit volume over and over instead of holding). I checked a couple of the brands I trust, but they'd both seemingly be over your budget. Hopefully you have good luck with one of those kits and it doesn't give you any problems. =)