I'm trying to come up with a way to hide the electronics accessories for the HDTV that I'll be getting. I don't like the way any glass front cabinets look, so I'd like to try to use a cabinet with solid wood doors.

The only devices I'm trying to hide are a DVR cable box and an upconverting DVD player.

It sounds like I can use an RF Remote for this, but a local electronics shop has a "low end" Universal Remote Control (MX350) for ~$150 and the RF base station (MRF260) is ~$150. I'm pretty new at this and am unaware of any other RF remote options.

Are there any other approaches in existence that I could take? I'd even be happy with a separate IR sensor that I could affix to the outside of the cabinet that pipes the signal directly to the devices, assuming that something like this exists.

Or to make this a reality do I really have to shell out for an expensive RF remote?

Thanks

For an IR solution something like the HotLink Pro IR repeater would work (search Amazon.com). I had issues with it due to IR noise from my plasma so I went with a RF solution using the Harmony 890.

With an IR only solution you can continue to use existing remotes or any universal remote. With a RF solution you have to match the RF base with the correct remote as you noted in your post. An additional benefit to a RF remote is that you don't have to point it at anything. With the IR repeater you still have to aim for its receiving eye.

I'm trying to come up with a way to hide the electronics accessories for the HDTV that I'll be getting. I don't like the way any glass front cabinets look, so I'd like to try to use a cabinet with solid wood doors.

The only devices I'm trying to hide are a DVR cable box and an upconverting DVD player.

It sounds like I can use an RF Remote for this, but a local electronics shop has a "low end" Universal Remote Control (MX350) for ~$150 and the RF base station (MRF260) is ~$150. I'm pretty new at this and am unaware of any other RF remote options.

Are there any other approaches in existence that I could take? I'd even be happy with a separate IR sensor that I could affix to the outside of the cabinet that pipes the signal directly to the devices, assuming that something like this exists.

Or to make this a reality do I really have to shell out for an expensive RF remote?

Thanks

Next Generation IR extender...at Buy.com or Amazon. Works flawlessly.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FL9E6U******pd_cp_e_1?pf_rd_p=250314601&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000FL9E6K&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1TAPWD3CW1J8MPB4QZA4

URC RF-20 w/ 100B IR blaster as shown in link. (I’m not promoting Amazon or their supplier. The link is just convenient.)

This is a great deal if you need/want a very good inexpensive LCD universal with excellent ergonomics (IMO) and functionality, in addition to IR repeating. The blaster works great for the price (again IMO) and also has multiple wired IR flashers if need be.

Thank you. Exactly the information I was looking for.

With a RF solution you have to match the RF base with the correct remote as you noted in your post. An additional benefit to a RF remote is that you don't have to point it at anything.
I too am looking to remote some of my equipment. I like the idea of using RF and not having to point it at the device. However I still don't know how this works. Is there some base that picks up the signal and from there a wire goes to each component?

What good RF remotes are out there these days? I realize that question can generate a lot of answers, just looking for a few so that I can start looking them over. I was in BestBuy the other day and was asking about the Harmony (don't really know anything about it except that I see a lot of posts about it). The man suggested going with a universal remote instead because it supported discrete codes (I think that's what he said). I figured they all supported this type of functionality.

Thanks,
Nick

I too am looking to remote some of my equipment. I like the idea of using RF and not having to point it at the device. However I still don't know how this works. Is there some base that picks up the signal and from there a wire goes to each component?

What good RF remotes are out there these days? I realize that question can generate a lot of answers, just looking for a few so that I can start looking them over. I was in BestBuy the other day and was asking about the Harmony (don't really know anything about it except that I see a lot of posts about it). The man suggested going with a universal remote instead because it supported discrete codes (I think that's what he said). I figured they all supported this type of functionality.

Thanks,
Nick

With Best Buy they have the Harmony 890 which has RF, but they probably don't have the base on display so it wouldn't do you much good just to look. Best Buy would be the most expensive place to buy it as well. You could pick one up at Best Buy to try it out, but I'd order it off of Amazon for the best price.

You are correct that the remote talks to a base. The base has wires with IR emitters that you stick on to the IR receiver of each device. The 890 has eight of these emitters. You can also directly wire the base to a component that supports IR input through a 3.5mm mono cable. Additionally the RF base can flash the IR signals without needing to wire anything. You just have to maintain line-of-sight with the base and device IR receiver.

There are other solutions from URC and some other companies, but the cost starts to quickly increase. Do some research and come up with a budget.

Thanks, that explains things a bit more. For the 3.5mm mono cable, does the base also support 8 of those?

Nick

Thanks, that explains things a bit more. For the 3.5mm mono cable, does the base also support 8 of those?

Nick

There are four 3.5mm ports on the base. You may be able to use splitters on a port to get more direct connections. However, it is unlikely that you have eight devices that have direct IR in so you would use a combination of direct IR in and IR stick-on emitters.

With the IR repeater you still have to aim for its receiving eye.
Not necessarily true. I have the HotLink Pro IR repeater, the remote can be aimed in any direction and it still works, showing almost full signal strength. The key is placing the IR Eye in 'view' of the remote. (Mine is on the furniture.) Actually, it can even work with the IR Eye behind the TV is certain locations.

I bought a Next Generation IR Extender. I use it with my Xantech Hot Link Pro. I have a 25' extended eye for the Hot Link Pro and it requires a good aim. Using the NG IR Extender, I simply place the whole thing behind my screenwall with the Hot Link receiver eye in front and I can operate equipment from upstairs.

Can anyone recommend a system which is wired, rather than wireless?