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Help - Remote Control That Works Thru Cabinets (for Newbie)

post #1 of 6
10/14/07 at 5:18am
Thread Starter 
I am purchasing an entertainment center (wood cabinets) - to hold our TV (DLP) and other equipment (Denon 2807 receiver, Onkyo AMP, Cable Box - HD, DVD player and a power unit). The cabinets have wood doors and the equipment goes behind them on shelves.

I am looking to use a universal remote control. The equipment I have will be located in the cabinet (behind the wood doors). We are sitting approximately 12 feet away from the unit.

It sounds like RF would be for me - rather than going thru the expense of IR. But, I really don't know the difference and would like to make this as simple as possible. Can someone recommend what I should use. Thank you.
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post #2 of 6
10/15/07 at 1:15pm

Re: Help - Remote Control That Works Thru Cabinets (for Newbie)

You might want to check out the Logitech Harmony 890 universal remote.

Jrockbrook
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post #3 of 6
10/16/07 at 4:46am

Re: Help - Remote Control That Works Thru Cabinets (for Newbie)

There are also dozens of IR extenders on the market. Some $20 wireless ones that work about 90% of the time to $200 wired ones that work 100% of the time. Parts Express and Smart Home have the best selections.

-Robert
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post #4 of 6
10/18/07 at 6:40pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Help - Remote Control That Works Thru Cabinets (for Newbie)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert_J
There are also dozens of IR extenders on the market. Some $20 wireless ones that work about 90% of the time to $200 wired ones that work 100% of the time. Parts Express and Smart Home have the best selections.

-Robert

Why would I need an IR extender. Wouldn't a RF remote control suit me best?
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post #5 of 6
10/18/07 at 6:57pm

Re: Help - Remote Control That Works Thru Cabinets (for Newbie)

Your equipment most likely all receive IR signals from their remote controls. RF is rarely used for remotes.

What you need is a product like this:
http://www.smarthome.com/59500.html
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post #6 of 6
10/19/07 at 4:03am

Re: Help - Remote Control That Works Thru Cabinets (for Newbie)

I work as an A/V installer, so here are my extended thoughts-

I think what the poster means by RF is a remote system that sends and receives RF through the cabinet, and a base station inside that converts the RF to IR. The base station then sends the IR via an emitter that is attached to the front of each piece of equipment.

I use the MX-850 in such situations, and it works quite well.

It is especially useful when you are using remote speakers, so you can change volume from anywhere(an IR repeater system still requires you to point at an eye to receive the signal). It will also allow you to change sources, tracks, etc., away from the equipment. There is also one less wire to run- the IR eye requires a wire from it to the connecting block from which the emitters are plugged into.

Another issue is one of cost- you MUST use a plasma-proof eye when using an IR repeater where a plasma TV is present- they emit tons of IR signal and will frequently interfere with the repeater system. The plasma-proof receiver (eye) is probably twice as expensive as a non-plasma-proof one.

I am a fan of RF in closed cabinet situations, though the guy I work for prefers IR repeater systems, as he thinks they are more reliable. I myself have not had issues with RF based systems.

Having said that, either will work in your situation...
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