I've asked this is some other forums and can't get a good answer. I thought I'd come back to the pros!

I have components in a cabinet behind doors. Is there an easy (read inexpensive) solution for keeping my regular IR remote? I don't want to convert to RF, just have something inside the cabinet and an eye outside to relay the IR.

I've seen IR receivers, blocks, emitters, blasters, etc and I am now confused. What do I need? I have two DVD players, a DVD burner, and a SA cable box. How do I control them.

Please list all the items I need!

Thanks!

I had the same problem myself. I have my equipment in a closet behind my seating area and my projector mounted on the ceiling also behind the seats.
I'm controling the following components in the closest (PC - for lighting control and automation, DVD, Receiver) and then the projector on the ceiling.

What I used was the following

1 - IR Receiver/Distrbution block
- http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?&Webpage_ID=3&CAT_ID=65&ObjectGroup_ID=693&SO=2

1 - Power supply for the IR Receiver/Distrbution Block.
- http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=182-317

1 - Triple eye Flasher
- http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=180-825

1- Single Flasher
- http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=182-305

1 - IR Repeater
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=182-314

1 - 50 ft of Cat 5e (from Home Depot)

It all hooks up like this

http://www.partsexpress.com/pdf/imagine.pdf

I've got about a $100 in my IR system and now I never miss a signal from the remote to my system.

Hope this helps.

Mike

That looks like what I need! I didn't know that this would be so difficult. I can't find this stuff locally anywhere and I am in Houston. I hate this town sometimes.....

Is this a rare need? I actually thought I could go to Best Buy or CC and get something now. Even Radio Shack only carries the stupid pyramid IR-RF-IR solution.

Well the pyramid thingies work ok if you don't have alot of other RF traffic or your don't have a plasma that will cause IR interference. I personally have both with multiple wireless routers, wireless phones, intercomms, baby monitors etc etc etc.. so hardwiring an IR system was the only way to get a functional and reliable system. It can be frustrating. I live in the burbs outside of Chicago and it's the same thing here. Everyone wants to talk about Home Theater but few really know what it really is or takes to do it right. Avs forum has proven me with an invaluable resource.

Mike

The Buffalo is a decent product. I personally prefer the Xantech. Both will do what you need. To find locally, you'll likely have to go to a HT shop/home automation shop and see if they'll just sell it to you. Many won't unless they do the installation too.

You can always buy it off the web though. Not sure but I think AVS carries Xantech.

Bryan

I found what I need in one kit, ready to go. It's from HotLink Pro.
http://asihome.com/ASIshop/product_info.php?ref=2&products_id=548

And it's on sale!! What a deal! I can add the overnight shipping and still be at $100. I didn't have to worry about mismatched cables--it's all one kit.

A local installer said this is the kit they use. He wanted $220 for it! I'm happy.

Any difference in the buffalo vs. the Channel Vision unit. The Channel Vision comes with a power supply I believe but is more expensive. I thought of using this with a wall target.

There's a Xantech kit there also, and cheaper $72.02 (okay.... by a little).
Xantech remote IR kit (http://www.asihome.com/ASIshop/product_info.php?products_id=669&osCsid=7a48626eed61e49f225e8073baeca733)
Looking at that too. Thanks for the heads up.

The Xantech kit has a shelf top receiver. I don't want the receiver to show. The HotLink kit has a small, "pen type" receiver that can be hidden.

My local installer said the ProLink is more sensitive as well.

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=182-458&sm=1&so=1&dotd=011007&orefer=dotd

Theres a Xantech kit that is the deal of the day today at Partsexpress. They must be watching.....

Tboy

That's still a set top receiver. The hotlink receiver is so small that it can fit into the space between the doors of the cabinet and not be seen at all. Or it can be run up the back of the plasma and sit inside the stand mount.

I'll check out the Hotlink also, thanks.

I use the Hotlink and I have never had a problem with it.

I also use the Wireless RF Remote Control Extender from Next Generation Home Products, Inc. This one is great, since you don't need any eye. The only down sides is the amount of emitters and it does not work with all remotes.

Okay, here's a quick question. If I get a Harmony brand RF remote, can I control my equipment that came with IR remotes? Is there some kind of converter involved with that?

I believe the Harmony Rf remote comes with a block that will send out your IR signals. The one thing that has been holding me up on this. Is whenever you update the remote. You also have to update that block also. That means digging it out and taking all the wires off of it.

I believe the Harmony Rf remote comes with a block that will send out your IR signals. The one thing that has been holding me up on this. Is whenever you update the remote. You also have to update that block also. That means digging it out and taking all the wires off of it.

Are you sure about that? I have always assumed that the repeater/ converter just translates the rf codes to light codes, and that there would be no updating required of the repeater, as it just repeats what it has received.

Allen

Okay. Further research (Logitech's website) shows the Harmony 890 comes with a RF-IR convertor. Problem is it uses a standard called Z-wave. You can only use a Harmony remote with it. By using the Hotlink setup, you can save a few bucks on the Harmony, by going with an IR model. Additionally, you can still use your equipment supplied IR remotes.