Need suggestions for IR Repeater for blocked IR Receiver port

[FLMike]

I have a new series 6 DLP TV. I love it, with one very irritating exception. The tv's case and bezel is not strong enough to support a shelf and center channel on top of the TV. This means that the only practical place to locate my center is centered below the screen on the TV cabinet. Works great. But Samsung in its infinite wisdom decided to locate the IR receiver for the remote--you guessed it--dead center, just below the screen. So now the remote signal is blocked unless you walk up and aim the remote behind the CC.

I have heard people with similar issues suggest using an IR repeater. But most of the ones I see online are somewhat expensive and seem to be designed for controlling multiple items. Can anyone recommend a good, compact, and affordable repeater that would solve this issue? Ideally the emitter cable would be long enough for me to be able to hide the receiver and power cables somewhat. Any help and suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[strube]

Don't laugh at me, I have sort of an enginerding idea that may or may not be a good one. I wonder if you could set some sort of small glass prism on top of the CC towards the back, near the TV, that would disperse the IR beam every-which-way, including into your IR receiver on the TV (if it works and you sell my idea, I expect big royalties)...

It may also destroy the signal, but I think it would be an interesting experiment, and much cheaper than an IR repeater system that would be just for the TV.

Additionally, you could raise the TV up a bit with something decent looking (a black box, even DIY maybe) to expose the IR receiver again. Just throwing ideas out there

EDIT: I suppose you can laugh at me, I won't hear it.

 

[phlakvest]

Does your TV have a port on the back for an IR extender?

It will look like a headphone jack. And probably say IR or something like that.

If so you can get a cheap infared extender cable.


If not then you can get something like this. (a google search for IR extender brings up quite a few.)
http://www.amazon.com/Terk-Technologies-LF-IRX-Leapfrog-Extender/dp/B000069EV0

There are tons of similarly priced ones. I don't have any experience with them so you'll have to do some comparisons.

 

[strube]

This one works pretty well too apparently, though it is goofy looking.

http://www.amazon.com/Next-Generation-Remote-Control-Extender/dp/B000C1Z0HA/ref=tag_tdp_sv_edpp_i

 

[FLMike]

Too Goofy looking for me

Ok, the flying saucer is just too goofy for me. Thanks for the other suggestions. I won't laugh (too hard at least ) at the prism sugestion. It might work, but not really practical for me. I had considered raising the TV. Unfortunately it would have to go up over 4" and that is simply too much elevation for viewing angle not to mention that it increases tipping risk. I checked the manual, and there is not an extra IR port.

I did google before the post and see a lot of options, but am not familiar with repeaters at all. I am hoping someone here has dealt with a similar issue and can make a specific recommend that is affordable. This port really is in one of the single worst spots I can think of.

Mike

 

[strube]

I think you can just use Amazon ratings or such to decide if it is a good move for the price.

I'm afraid I won't be much more help than that. I have only had first-hand experience with hard-wired, expensive Niles IR systems and Logitech's IR repeater for their RF-enabled Harmony remotes. They both work great but are a solution for hiding your equipment in a closet or the like, not for your situation.