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  • #1

    Home Theater Remote Question

    So now that I have my media room set up the way I want I would like to 'perfect' one aspect. I have all of my equipment in a custom rack directly behind and to the right of viewing position. I can successfully operate all said equipment with my Harmony remote, but for the most part it has to be pointed in the general direction of the rack.

    My question is, what are my options for extending the range of the IR line-of-sight? IR extender, blaster, emitter, etc.? I always get them confused . Also, where is the best place to buy these products locally? Futureshop, Bestbuy, Visions, and Soundsaround all seemed to have limited options (and terrible knowledge of what I was asking for)...
    Last edited by Smarty39; 01-17-2011, 02:42 PM.
    Kyle
    2000 Audi S4
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Home Theater Remote Question

    I just got this for my setup
    http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...sim/7240428-20
    $78 shipped to Calgary.. Works perfect and is very sleek looking!
    I'd like to make a statment!
    2012 Q5
    2011 A5

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    • #3
      Re: Home Theater Remote Question

      Since IR is line of sight, I think you are limited to adding an IR receiver at the point you want to be able to use your remote that is either hard wired, or radio frequency to another IR transmitter that is within sight of your entertainment unit. They have little stick on IR transmitters that you can hide in your entertainment stand within sight of the amp, or whatever you are controlling.

      I have my zone 2 from my receiver running 2 speakers in my basement for music. I have a cheap IR receiver in the basement to point at and a transmitter upstairs with a tiny IR transmitter that is stuck to the inside of my media rack, hardly visible. There are much nicer versions than what I have, where you can install IR receivers in to various light switch/wall outlets. Mine is the cheapest version, with the 'extender cable' seen here... but it works.

      PS, that aartech.ca site has a lot of home automation stuff, and they are pretty good to deal with.
      Stefan
      -> '19 Deep Black Pearl Alltrack
      -> '05 Urban Grey Passat Wagon TDI.
      -> Past rides: '14 Allroad, 06 Mazda5, '98 Jetta K2, '01 Jetta TDI, '91 Mazda B2200, '81 Toyota Cressida
      -> FutuRe Ride...??!

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      • #4
        Re: Home Theater Remote Question

        http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/co...r-systems-work
        Good write up for you. The Niles systems are from what I remember the most expensive but with the most features, Xantec is another and also smarthome. Some units you can get multiple sensors for multi-room too. I have been lazy and still haven't decided what to do for my setup, I am likely just going to build it myself.
        I should note that Harmony has a RF remote now that has an IR emitter base that you put in with your equipment. It saves on a lot of wiring.
        Name: Brent
        His: '04 TDI Golf Mods: None If it's smoken it ain't broken
        Family: '15 Jetta Sportwagon
        Fun car: '92 Blue Karmann Crabby Cabby Mods: Coils, front and rear swaybars, LED interior lights and some other old things.

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        • #5
          Re: Home Theater Remote Question

          thanks for the feedback guys...

          Brent - that link just confused me more lol!

          I may just live with it for now as it still works fine, I just need to 'direct' the remote towards the rack...not a huge deal I guess.

          Are RF remotes better for line-of-sight issues? I assume so as they are radio but not sure...
          Kyle
          2000 Audi S4

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          • #6
            Re: Home Theater Remote Question

            RF dont require a line of sight whatsoever

            Pat

            His
            1989 Porsche Carrera 4 // 5 Speed // Guards Red

            Hers
            1987 VW Cabriolet // 20VT // O2J // Recaros // Porsche Slate Grey // Ronal Turbos // FK Coilovers

            2005 Porsche Cayenne S

            Theirs
            1977 VW Type 2 Westfalia

            Gone
            2004 Audi A4 1.8T // quattro // 6 Speed // Brilliant Red
            Fully built 1.8T || AEB || Motoza tuned || ID1000 || S4 MAF || GT3076R

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            • #7
              Re: Home Theater Remote Question

              Originally posted by Smarty39 View Post
              Brent - that link just confused me more lol!
              Try this video then:
              Name: Brent
              His: '04 TDI Golf Mods: None If it's smoken it ain't broken
              Family: '15 Jetta Sportwagon
              Fun car: '92 Blue Karmann Crabby Cabby Mods: Coils, front and rear swaybars, LED interior lights and some other old things.

              Comment

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