I'm not sure if an IR repeater is what I am looking for or not.

In my kitchen I am going to be mounting a 20" LCD on the wall by the table. Unfortunately there is no place to put the cable STB, I certainly don't want to put a shelf up which will ruin the whole idea of mounting a flat TV to the wall.

It seems like my only choice is to put the STB on the other side of the kitchen, I have access to the attic above and I ordered a 25' S-Video cable bundled with 2 RCA cables for sound from Monoprice. I will probably end up putting the STB either on top of or inside of a cabinet behind the sitting area.

I would like to use the remote that comes with the STB. What are my options? Would I need an IR repeater since the STB will be behind me or inside of a cabinet? What type should I look for? I just want something inexpensive and basic.

Thanks!

I used a Xantech IR system from SmarthomeUSA.COM and It works great.

Xantech 291-kit (http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufacturer/Xantech/Item/291-KIT/)

Good luck

THanks for the link, however that is quite a bit more than I was expecting to pay. Anything cheaper that will work?

Look at the Buffalo IR stuff at Automatedoutlet.com.

I'm not seeing anything that I think will work on a limited budget. Basically, I just want to be able to control the cable companies STB with their remote from the opposite direction- without having to point the remote over my shoulder.

Not sure what your budget is, but from automatedoutlet.com:

http://www.automatedoutlet.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=39

One IR-100 - 4 Emitter Connecting Block - 26.40
One DV9-500 - 9-VOLT DC 500MA POWER SUPPLY - 9.99
One IR-350 - Round Micro IR Sensor - 28.00
Four IR-E1 - System IR Flasher - 24.00
oh and some Cat5E to run from the Sensor to the block ~5.00

Total is about 94.00 plus shipping to control four devices. About the same as Freddypd's post. Most IR stuff is a few hundred. You could try ebay.

Bud

Those are some good suggestions..

Not sure what your budget is, but from automatedoutlet.com:

http://www.automatedoutlet.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=39

One IR-100 - 4 Emitter Connecting Block - 26.40
One DV9-500 - 9-VOLT DC 500MA POWER SUPPLY - 9.99
One IR-350 - Round Micro IR Sensor - 28.00
Four IR-E1 - System IR Flasher - 24.00
oh and some Cat5E to run from the Sensor to the block ~5.00

Total is about 94.00 plus shipping to control four devices. About the same as Freddypd's post. Most IR stuff is a few hundred. You could try ebay.

Bud

Those are some pretty decent prices. You could save yourself a couple of bucks by only ordering one 'system IR flasher', but i'd order two because you may want to add a dvd player or something to your set up someday. :rolleyes:
I used Cat5E with my IR set-up and it didn't work the best. It wasn't heavy enough gauge for me, so it would only work intermittently.... I opted for some heavier guage sprinkler wire (5 wires) from HD. It was pretty cheap stuff too!!

Google HotLink Pro for other options.

Right now everything you need in one kit is $76 with free shipping from Amazon.

Wireless Remote Extender (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049642&cp=&sr=1&origkw=remote+extender&kw=remote+extender&parentPage=search) $40 (for a pair) at Radio Shack.

http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2110633w345.jpg

http://www.smarthomeusa.com/search.php?q=powermid

Here's another option from X10. They work great as an IR repeater system. $52.95 for the pair is a good price and you can add additional transmitters, you might be able to do a little better on ebay. Great reviews on them and they are consistent. The powermid receiver is a blaster, but you can also add an IR bug to the back and connect that bug to your cable box IR receiver.

I use a pair to control my cable box downstairs from my bedroom. I have a dual head IR bug one to the cable box the other to my receiver for deck music. I just bring the transmitter to the deck with me.

Wireless Remote Extender (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049642&cp=&sr=1&origkw=remote+extender&kw=remote+extender&parentPage=search) $40 (for a pair) at Radio Shack.

http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2110633w345.jpg
That's more like it. All that stuff that people listed in other posts is greek to me, what do I do once I buy all those parts??

ETA: oman321, your set looks great too, I'd rather spend the few extra bucks on the X-10 since I hate radio shack.

The only problem is that I need something a little more low profile since there will only be an LCD tv on the wall and nothing else to hide it.

']THanks for the link, however that is quite a bit more than I was expecting to pay. Anything cheaper that will work?

I put my Xantech stystem together from ebay for well under 100 bucks. Works beautifully.

']All that stuff that people listed in other posts is greek to me, what do I do once I buy all those parts??


http://www.automatedoutlet.com/manu...nufacturerid=39

All the stuff listed here is actually very easy to hook up.

Basically you run a length of Cat5E (you'll only need 3 of the wires) from you IR sensor eye to the 'emitter connecting block". you could probably run this wire with your S-video wire because your 'emitter connecting block' will be next to your STB. Once you have those wires run and the eye connected to the block it's as easy as plugging in power to the 'block' and plugging in one IR flasher and putting it over the IR eye on your STB. I would think the hardest thing about that is finding a spot to hang your IR eye because you may not want to drill a hole in your cabinets, but the eye is very low profile.....probably won't even notice it once it's installed.... :p

hope that helps. :)

']
ETA: oman321, your set looks great too, I'd rather spend the few extra bucks on the X-10 since I hate radio shack.

I will never buy anything from X10 after all of the flashing popup and banner ads X10 used to run all over the internet. :mad:

I will never buy anything from X10 after all of the flashing popup and banner ads X10 used to run all over the internet. :mad:
That's very true, you've helped change my mind.


http://www.automatedoutlet.com/manu...nufacturerid=39

All the stuff listed here is actually very easy to hook up.

Basically you run a length of Cat5E (you'll only need 3 of the wires) from you IR sensor eye to the 'emitter connecting block". you could probably run this wire with your S-video wire because your 'emitter connecting block' will be next to your STB. Once you have those wires run and the eye connected to the block it's as easy as plugging in power to the 'block' and plugging in one IR flasher and putting it over the IR eye on your STB. I would think the hardest thing about that is finding a spot to hang your IR eye because you may not want to drill a hole in your cabinets, but the eye is very low profile.....probably won't even notice it once it's installed.... :p

hope that helps. :)
Running the wires is no problem (I do that for a living), it's the setup that I was worried about. After looking at it closer, it does seem as easy as you explained. I guess I just got overwelmed by the pictures of all the home automation that people here have, and I mistakenly thought that the IR repeater setup recommended by previous posters was going to be that technical.

So other than wiring it up, there is no other setup process? Just power it up and go?

I have a question, tho. Why do people need multiple IR flashers? Can't you just mount one flasher in front of 2 components? It was recommended above that I get 4 IR flashers, is there any other reason I would need 4 of them? I only plan on having the STB.

']So other than wiring it up, there is no other setup process? Just power it up and go?

I have a question, tho. Why do people need multiple IR flashers? Can't you just mount one flasher in front of 2 components? It was recommended above that I get 4 IR flashers, is there any other reason I would need 4 of them? I only plan on having the STB.

That's pretty much it, like you said, power up and go!

Each flasher has a self adhesive side that sticks directly to the component (over the IR sensor, of course) and is only about the size of a dime (except square), give or take a little.... I don't think you'd have too much luck dangling it infront of two components and trying to get it work both. The flashers are the cheap part anyway but I don't think you need 4. I'd recommend having a spare though because then it allows you to add at least one more component right away since you already paid for the vast majority of the setup.

Worthington Distribution sells the Xantech stuff quite a bit cheaper. You probably have to call them to order though.

www.worthdist.com

']So other than wiring it up, there is no other setup process? Just power it up and go?

I have a question, tho. Why do people need multiple IR flashers? Can't you just mount one flasher in front of 2 components? It was recommended above that I get 4 IR flashers, is there any other reason I would need 4 of them? I only plan on having the STB.

That's pretty much it, like you said, power up and go!

Each flasher has a self adhesive side that sticks directly to the component (over the IR sensor, of course) and is only about the size of a dime (except square), give or take a little.... I don't think you'd have too much luck dangling it infront of two components and trying to get it work both. The flashers are the cheap part anyway but I don't think you need 4. I'd recommend having a spare though because then it allows you to add at least one more component right away since you already paid for the vast majority of the setup.[/QUOTE] Excellent, thanks to you and everyone else!

You'll likely use them later, saves a few bucks on shipping. You use one for a receiver, one for a DVD player, one for a cable box... that's three already. The block allows you to connect four only, but you can also get dual emitters (two IR flashers on one connector, so you could get get the equivalent of 8 total if you really need them later). Hookup is pretty simple. You can go to the Buffalo site for more info: http://buffaloelectronics.com/prod-ir.htm

Bud