No IR sensor on Mitsubishi TV

[Guiria]

My father received a Universal Remote RF20 with the RF module for Christmas. I got everything working well the other day with the IR blasters except on the TV. He owns a 55" Medallion series Mitsubishi rear projection TV purchased in 2000. I can't find the IR sensor on it and am beginning to believe that it's somewhere in the screen.

Any quick fixes...like you know where the IR sensor is???

Does anyone have any experience setting up IR blasters on TV's where this is an issue?

Any creative ideas using an IR blaster to control the TV via RF with this specific remote?

I am not at the point to tell them to just "point the remote at the TV"... There has got to be a way.

 

[MDS]

IR requires line of sight to the IR sensor. If you are using the IR blaster you have to make sure the front panel of the base station is situated in front of the TV. You could also use emitters from the base station and place the emitter in front of the TV.

The IR signal from Home Theater Master remotes is very strong so it should work if you can get it even close to the TV; it doesn't necessarily need to be placed directly over the IR sensor on the TV.

 

[Hi Ho]

The IR sensor is inside the screen. It is on the chassis with the CRT's. You could remove the screen (only a few screws) and stick the blaster on.

 

[Guiria]

So Hi Ho...if you don't mind me asking, have you done this before or where did you get your information about the IR sensor being on the CRT chassis? I'm not too excited to start unscrewing that beast of a tv but if that's what it takes...so be it.

The IR blasters work awesome on the other components, having the TV done as well will really make the remote system awesome.

 

[MDS]

There is no need to dissect the TV and paste an emitter over the IR eye. If the original remote for the TV works correctly, then the Universal Remote itself or the IR blaster from the base station will work as well...unless the Mitsubishi remote uses an IR frequency or protocol that the universal remote does not support.

 

[Guiria]

I believe you are misunderstanding the problem. I'm using a remote that will control the TV via RF and IR, however I want the RF to function 100%. The IR blaster from the RF module needs to be placed directly over the IR sensor on the TV to send the TV the IR commands when the module receives them through RF from the remote. There is no IR sensor on the face of the TV...I believe dissassembly is required.

 

[Hi Ho]

So Hi Ho...if you don't mind me asking, have you done this before or where did you get your information about the IR sensor being on the CRT chassis? I'm not too excited to start unscrewing that beast of a tv but if that's what it takes...so be it.

I work as an installer and the store I work at is also a service center for virtually all brands of TV. I have seen the guts of all sorts of TV's and many rear projection CRT's have the IR sensor inside the screen.

Removing a screen on a Mitsubishi is a very simple process involving just a few screws (one reason the screen cannot be used as a grip point when carrying the TV ) but I have not actually done it for the purpose of installing an IR blaster. If you're not in a hurry, I could ask our remote programmer, who installs RF systems every day, how he deals with this when I go back to work on Monday.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I can tell you, though it's been a few years since I've dealt with a Mits TV directly, that it may even be easier than described.

While the IR receiver is indeed inside the TV and if you want to go RF to a base station and use IR emitters (not blasters) to control the gear, then the first, and easiest thing to do is to see if you have access to the base of the TV through the front where the speakers are. Typically you can pull the speaker grill off, then there may be an access panel that requires just a few screws to pull off. Stick the IR emitter inside and move it around a bit to test it.

I have done this and once I get it in a good spot (usually just a minute of testing) I tape the emitter in place, then screw the cover down so it helps to hold everything in place. Double check to ensure the IR isn't floating between the lens and the screen and casting a shadow.

This whole process may take 30 minutes and can be done with one person and one screwdriver.

As a programmer my rule is simple: I carry a Leatherman. If the project that must be done can't be done with my Leatherman than it is not something that I should be doing.

Installing IR bugs in CRT RPTVs was SOP for me. (enough anacronyms?)

 

[Hi Ho]

I didn't even think about the access panel behind the grill. That is probably a better/easier way to get inside.

 

[Guiria]

well during lunch today I removed the front base panel (just pops off reveiling the speakers). Then I noticed two brackets each with two screws anchoring the screen onto the TV, I took the screws out and with very little force lifted the screen up and off the TV. Sure enough the IR sensor was located inside on a little PCB. The sensor itself was dome shaped however, and the blaster wouldn't just stick to the top of the dome...so I electrical taped the IR blaster directly to it. Testing proved to work flawlessly.

Disassembly, IR blaster taping, and Reassembly was done in probably 20 minutes, very simple...Thanks for the advice.

Everyone thought I was crazy to disassemble the TV just to hook up "some new remote control" but it was well worth it and they all thought the functionality of not pointing was pretty cool.

Audioholics rules.