IR Extenders

[Kelemvor]

Howdy,

I'm looking at picking up an IR extender so I can have some electronic equipment in a different room than I'm watching it in. I've seen a few different brands of these things and am wondering if anyone uses them and how well they work...

Here's some common one's I've seen listed:
Powermid IR Extender
Jensen IR Extender
Terk Leapfrog Extender

Does anyone use one of these or something different? And how well do they really work?

Thanks.

 

[So]

Never used one, but it should be a fairly straightforward analog device (in concept)

Capture all the infared signals using a phototransistor tuned for the infared range (bandpass) then use it to modulate an AM or (preferably) FM signal, then decode on the other end using an infared LED.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: So
Never used one, but it should be a fairly straightforward analog device (in concept)

Capture all the infared signals using a phototransistor tuned for the infared range (bandpass) then use it to modulate an AM or (preferably) FM signal, then decode on the other end using an infared LED.

I understand how they are supposed to work, but I don't know anyone that's ever actually used to. Jsut wondering if they are really as simple as they should be or if there are problems with them with big delays or dropped signals or whatever...

 

[So]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior

Originally posted by: So
Never used one, but it should be a fairly straightforward analog device (in concept)

Capture all the infared signals using a phototransistor tuned for the infared range (bandpass) then use it to modulate an AM or (preferably) FM signal, then decode on the other end using an infared LED.

I understand how they are supposed to work, but I don't know anyone that's ever actually used to. Jsut wondering if they are really as simple as they should be or if there are problems with them with big delays or dropped signals or whatever...

If it's an analog device and factory tuned to one freq, I can't imagine lag or not synching up, but interference is certainly possible. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

 

[sohcrates]

i've used a version of one before, worked great. it was associated with an old x10 wireless video transfer. supposed to let you transmit cable wirelessly. the video never worked, but the IR extender part did. i could control my tv from the next room.

 

[StageLeft]

I made a thread a while back on this and some people had had pretty good success with them :thumbsup:

 

[eelw]

I've used one from Radio Shack for at least 8 years now. No problems and extremely simple to use. I just wish I had a single unit instead separate A/V transmitter and IR extender.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: eelw
I've used one from Radio Shack for at least 8 years now. No problems and extremely simple to use. I just wish I had a single unit instead separate A/V transmitter and IR extender.

What is the model you have? I'm not sure what the difference is between them but when I can get one kind for $45 and one for $15 that both look like they'd work... hmm. Just wish I could find places that sell them locally so I can try them out and not have to worry about returning something ordered online.

EDIT: Just found this Rocoton one at Best Buy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp...=2940973&type=product&id=1051384443429
And radio shack has the X10 model: http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=49-1122


Rocoton looks exactly like the Jensen listed model above. I guess I can go try those out and see how they work. ANd then of course return them and buy them for less than half the price on line since BB wants $50 for the pair. heh heh. Good think I just happened to get $20 in GC to BB yesterday and my $25 in RZ certificates. Nice timing.

 

[Justin218]

I have the jensen one and it only works when the remote is within about 6 feet of it.

 

[Syrch]

I am going to be getting one for my pronto...They work wonders

 

[loup garou]

I used the Terk Leapfrog system for a while. Worked great.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: Syrch
I am going to be getting one for my pronto...They work wonders

My main use is (hopefully) going to be for my PVR computer which is going to live in the basement so I don't have to have an ugly computer next to my TV.

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: eelw
I've used one from Radio Shack for at least 8 years now. No problems and extremely simple to use. I just wish I had a single unit instead separate A/V transmitter and IR extender.

Funny enough they have one that does both now.

And no, Radioshack doesn't sell the X-10 version, they sell Radioshack's. Radioshack does a lot of custom manufacturing these days, you'll find a lot of their products carried by other stores, sometimes cheaper than at RS directly. RS doesn't care because they make money on it either way, and people will still go to them rather than an online store because of ease of returns and the fact that most websites don't provide any technical support.

These are very simple devices, no programming or training required, simply turn them on and they go. I've never seen anybody have a problem with them, perhaps one out of every hundred is defective if that.

 

[Kelemvor]

Well, looks like I can get the Jensen/Rocoton model for far less online than the X-10/Powermid model. So I guess I'll pick it up from BB to give it a test run and go from there.

Would anything interfere with these things like wireless network, cordless phones, etc? Hopefully not...

 

[43st]

We use Xantech fairly often in boardrooms and they work well. They need to be mounted so that natural sunlight doesn't blind the sensor, usually not an issue.

 

[Sphexi]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Well, looks like I can get the Jensen/Rocoton model for far less online than the X-10/Powermid model. So I guess I'll pick it up from BB to give it a test run and go from there.

That's because Jensen is basically trash, very little of their product line is worthwhile. As much as I don't like X-10 either, I know who manufactures most of their stuff, so I know it's at least halfway decent.

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: Sphexi

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Well, looks like I can get the Jensen/Rocoton model for far less online than the X-10/Powermid model. So I guess I'll pick it up from BB to give it a test run and go from there.

That's because Jensen is basically trash, very little of their product line is worthwhile. As much as I don't like X-10 either, I know who manufactures most of their stuff, so I know it's at least halfway decent.

And that's exactly why I want to buy it local first to try it out and make sure it works before I go find it online to buy it. If it doesn't work, I'll get the other kind.

 

[Kelemvor]

Update: Looked and found some of these on Amazon.com and they have lots of different ratings.

Jensen/Recoton (2 of 5 average) : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/custom...3626467?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=electronics
LeapFrog (4 of 5 average) : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/custom...3626467?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=electronics

The X10/Powermid ones are on Amazon but don't have any reviews. Maybe I'll look into the Leapfrog one instead since it got rave reviews from everyone.

 

[eelw]

Originally posted by: Sphexi

Originally posted by: eelw
I just wish I had a single unit instead separate A/V transmitter and IR extender.

Funny enough they have one that does both now.

Unfortunately at that time there wasn't a single unit Since it's still working, I'm not going to bother replacing the 2 separate units for a new single 2.4GHz unit.

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior
Would anything interfere with these things like wireless network, cordless phones, etc? Hopefully not...

My 900MHz A/V transmitter actually blocks my 802.11b connection. But since when I'm using the A/V transmitter, I'm not normally using the WiFi connection. So I haven't bothered to try to troubleshoot it and eliminate the interferance problem.