In a rush and need suggestions: IR repeater. Already wired room with cat5.

[ErinH]

Alright, fellas. I'm sorry to have to do this, but I"m in a real bind here and need some advice ASAP on which IR repeater to buy.

I ran cat5 per previous suggestions just for an IR repeater from a spot in the HT room and around to the A/V closet. I thought I had time this week to research myself but I found out the drywall will be going up Wednesday! That means I need to have this thing in hand by no later than Thursday, because they'll probably be in the HT room by Friday.

IOW, I screwed up.

So, here's the breakdown:
IR repeater will work with Harmony universal remote (model 550, iirc). I only plan to use it for BD DVD, Denon Receiver, and (maybe) a Wii/PS3.
Cat5 is ran.
Budget of $100... the cheaper the better.
I could go wireless, but have heard of some issues with various wireless systems (interference, neighbor's stuff, etc). I don't know how warranted these are, but I'm just throwing this out there.

Please, any suggestions/links you can provide would be great. I started the review process but I KNOW there's something I'm missing somewhere. I'll have to buy this no later than tomorrow.


Thanks for your mercy. :/

- Erin

 

[highfigh]

Alright, fellas. I'm sorry to have to do this, but I"m in a real bind here and need some advice ASAP on which IR repeater to buy.

I ran cat5 per previous suggestions just for an IR repeater from a spot in the HT room and around to the A/V closet. I thought I had time this week to research myself but I found out the drywall will be going up Wednesday! That means I need to have this thing in hand by no later than Thursday, because they'll probably be in the HT room by Friday.

IOW, I screwed up.

So, here's the breakdown:
IR repeater will work with Harmony universal remote (model 550, iirc). I only plan to use it for BD DVD, Denon Receiver, and (maybe) a Wii/PS3.
Cat5 is ran.
Budget of $100... the cheaper the better.
I could go wireless, but have heard of some issues with various wireless systems (interference, neighbor's stuff, etc). I don't know how warranted these are, but I'm just throwing this out there.

Please, any suggestions/links you can provide would be great. I started the review process but I KNOW there's something I'm missing somewhere. I'll have to buy this no later than tomorrow.


Thanks for your mercy. :/

- Erin

This ought to do it.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=182-851

 

[ErinH]

Thanks. Looks like that’s a good ‘un, too.

Quick question, and maybe you know this. I’ve never used an IR repeater. I’ve never held one in my hand. So, I’m trying to imagine the connection. I just was taking the advice from others here on using cat5 so I just want to make sure I understand this: the cat5 goes to the IR splitter box and also to the sensor plate (that attaches to the wall), correct? The splitter box can then be put wherever you want and the sensors that tap into the box are put in front of the components.
I assume most all wired sensors work like this?


Edit: Nevermind. I found the answer in the manual. Who woulda’ thunk?

Thanks again.

 

[ErinH]

I totally forgot about my projector. *smacks forehead*

I’m not sure that the 10’ runs that this comes with is going to be enough. :/
Can’t seem to find sources to buy an extended version either.

From the quick research I've done, these plugs seem to be mono. If that's the case, then a simple mono cable extender (m/f) should do the trick, but I don't know.
May just have to order a longer one somewhere else.

 

[bpape]

Sometimes (not always), you can get by with a standard 1/8"-2.5mm male to female extension cable. Works fine on Xantech products. Can't say on this one.

Or, if you're brave, you could actually just splice in an extension, solder, and heat shrink.

Bryan

 

[ErinH]

If I had the time I’d definitely just solder an extension in, but then there’s the ‘what if’ factor that could cost me delays if for some reason I hit a dead end. I already don’t have a solder gun because I left it at a friend’s house a few hours away.

I see xanatech makes a 50ft extender:
http://www.asihome.com/ASIshop/product_info.php?products_id=683


I guess that’s an option. I just don’t like ordering from different places. Shipping bites me hard.
Oh, well. That’s the price I pay for not getting this done sooner. Man, building a house is stressful!

Thanks, fellas.

 

[highfigh]

I totally forgot about my projector. *smacks forehead*

I’m not sure that the 10’ runs that this comes with is going to be enough. :/
Can’t seem to find sources to buy an extended version either.

From the quick research I've done, these plugs seem to be mono. If that's the case, then a simple mono cable extender (m/f) should do the trick, but I don't know.
May just have to order a longer one somewhere else.

Mono or stereo- it doesn't matter because you still have both connections at the ends. Radio Shack and computer stores all sell these.

Your projector should be able to see the IR commands. If you have a 12V trigger input on the PJ and a 12V trigger output on your receiver, you can use that if you ran a Cat5e to the PJ from the equipment. I sell Denon and if you're using one of their receivers that has this, you would just add a Zone 2 input command and in the setup menu, you would assign one of the 12V triggers to that command.

If you don't have the 12V trigger, you can put an emitter somewhere in the room, in front of the PJ and it will work as long as the PJ can see it. For that matter, as long as the PJ can see a reflection of the emitter, it should work, unless you have Compact Florescent lights, sunlight or a plasma TV in the way.

 

[highfigh]

If I had the time I’d definitely just solder an extension in, but then there’s the ‘what if’ factor that could cost me delays if for some reason I hit a dead end. I already don’t have a solder gun because I left it at a friend’s house a few hours away.

I see xanatech makes a 50ft extender:
http://www.asihome.com/ASIshop/product_info.php?products_id=683


I guess that’s an option. I just don’t like ordering from different places. Shipping bites me hard.
Oh, well. That’s the price I pay for not getting this done sooner. Man, building a house is stressful!

Thanks, fellas.

It doesn't need to be Xantech- they buy them from a supplier, just like everyone else. You can use 2 25' cables, too. Just make sure they can't pull apart where you won't be able to get at it.
Also, if you find that you need to use another emitter (they're generally compatible but some companies use a different plug or jack), you can use a 3.5mm Y cord.

If the PJ has a 3.5mm jack (and many do), buy this if 50' is enough:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=240-102

The fact that it's stereo won't matter.

While you're at it:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=370-340

 

[ErinH]

Think I understand. The pj I plan to use is an epson 1080ub. Receiver would probably be a newer ci model denon (2xxx or 3xxx). So the 12v turn on is simply a 1/8" plug? And that would turn on the pj; the only function I really need from the universal remote. Correct? If that's the case then I can head to ratshack and grab that cable and get that ran today rather than ordering an ir sensor extender and worrying about it being here in time.

 

[ErinH]

I just pulled up specs for the PJ I was going to use and see it has a 12v trigger output for use with motorized screens, but can't find anywhere that it has a 12v input.

So, it looks like I will indeed need to run this via an IR sensor and buy one of these:
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=240-082

to extend the IR cable.

 

[Bryce_H]

When I installed my IR repeater system, I spliced 4-22 (4strand, 22 gauge) wire to extend the distances from my component closet to the projector and the light switch (Grafix Eye). Works like a charm.

 

[highfigh]

Think I understand. The pj I plan to use is an epson 1080ub. Receiver would probably be a newer ci model denon (2xxx or 3xxx). So the 12v turn on is simply a 1/8" plug? And that would turn on the pj; the only function I really need from the universal remote. Correct? If that's the case then I can head to ratshack and grab that cable and get that ran today rather than ordering an ir sensor extender and worrying about it being here in time.

Both Denon models have two 12V triggers and as I posted, you go into the setup menu and in Options, Trigger Assignment is there. If you plan to use most of the sources for Zone 2, just select one of the ones you won't use and then choose Trigger 1 or 2. How you send the command for this source will depend on how you want to turn the projector on. As long as the projector can take a 12V trigger, you're fine but even if it takes a remote trigger that's like the IR commands, you can still hardwire it from the module that comes with the repeater. As a matter of fact, that's how I would connect the Denon receiver, so you don't have to put a stick-on emitter on the front.