Harmony Remote

[ARES24]

I am having troubles with my Harmony Remote (510). Since I have moved my components to a closet I have installed an IR repeater (this one). Everything worked well with direct line of sight. The harmony doesn't go through the repeater very well (if at all). The original remotes go through the repeater almost always so I assume the problem is with the harmony remote. There must be a solution to this problem but I am too stupid to figure it out

Any solutions that are cheaper then buying a new remote?

 

[ReUpRo]

Does the Harmony work when you are closer to the IR receiver? Maybe the signal is not strong enough and you need new batteries?

 

[ARES24]

Yeah I have tried changing the batteries.

Apparently there is an issue with using harmony remotes with IR repeaters. I have read about people having problems with it but haven't seen fixes, I will keep looking though.

 

[Adam]

I'm not trying to derail - but the idea that one brand of remotes doesn't work as well with repeaters is baffling to me. Doesn't a repeater just pass along the incoming signal? Why would it matter what the source of the signal is? Btw, I'm not saying that it doesn't matter, as you're experiencing an issue...I'd just love to hear folks opinions (or facts) as to why it would.

 

[budbrande]

Have you tried moving your IR receiver eye around such as away from your television or tried it with the television off? Some of the less expensive IR repeater systems can get interference from the television, reducing range or killing it all together.

 

[ARES24]

The repeater is below the tv, below a shelf, not in direct line of sight of any lights.
I think that I have just got an IR repeater that has issues..... It's just so random!! Sometimes it works with the AVR, sometimes the Bluray player. It is damaging my calm. Maybe I will just have to play with EVERY setting in the damn options... Go technology...I want an 'easy' button for this.

 

[ARES24]

The IR in on the back of devices is for what? Could I direct connect my repeater to the components?

 

[jotham]

The IR in on the back of devices is for what? Could I direct connect my repeater to the components?

If you have the option, you should certainly directly plug into the components using mono 1/8 cables. The challenge is that some IR repeaters blast the IR in the cabinet plus the direct connection. It seems that components do not like get the same signal twice. I would definitely try a direct connection.

IR signals seem to be in a few different frequencies, sometimes things like Plasma tvs and fluorescent lights mess with the signal. I know that my flourescent bulbs messed with all IR. You can see the IR indicator light blinking randomly if that's the case.

Also, IR "eyes" are not all the same. The whole thing is a monster hassle.

I used to use this and it worked well for all but one device.
Amazon.com: Next Generation Remote Control Extender: Electronics

Eventually I bought an RF remote and that solved all problems but that is an expensive option.

 

[Grador]

The IR in on the back of devices is for what? Could I direct connect my repeater to the components?

Those are usually for adding an additional emitter.

 

[ARES24]

Mono cables are a pain in the *** to find. (even south of the border) Stereo ones won't work I'm guessing?