Remote Control Extender

[DMcV]

I would like to know what others are using to 'extend' their remote controls with?
I have been using the "PowerMids" for several years and needed an additional transmitter for my stereo to control it from another room.
My older PowerMid is starting to act up and the new unit I bought does not have the same range as the old one, mostly the Transmitter having to be closer than I want it to be. I tried a brand called "Jensen" and they had even less range.
Anyone have any suggestions for Wireless Remote Control Extender?
Looking forward to some good choices.
Thanks
DMcV

 

[MDS]

How much are you willing to spend for a reliable RF remote? Home Theater Master has a new line up (RF10/20/30) that includes the remote AND the RF basestation and they can be found for $100-125.

I've been using HTM remotes for years and they are excellent. They can control absolutely anything IR and the RF range is at least 150 feet. A true RF solution is far better than repeating IR.

http://www.universalremote.com

 

[DMcV]

remote extender

Thank you for your reply....MDS
My older PowerMid has excellent range , from remote to transmitter, but I recently bought another Powermid, because they are compatible to use in other rooms, the new one has about a 6 foot range, remote to transmitter, which is very short. The transmitter to receiver has good range in both units. The HTM's look good, but how is the range for 'remote to transmitter' ?
Otherwise ...I'm hoping someone using 'LeapFrogs' might pipe in with a review.
DMcV

 

[MDS]

RF remotes work differently than IR repeaters. The remote sends the command via radio frequency and the basestation picks it up and retransmits it as IR. The basestation can either be placed with its front panel facing the equipment to be controlled so you can 'blast' the IR at the components (remember IR needs line of sight or at least something to bounce off) or you can use emitters that attach to the basestation and positioned near the equipment.

RF has a range in the worst case of at least 100 feet. Typically you get more like 150-200 feet and of course RF goes through walls, doors, glass, etc. So there will be no issues with remote to transmitter distance.

IR repeaters come in two flavors:

- The simple kind that just repeat the IR after amplifying it. They still require line of sight because the command from the remote starts out as IR and you end up having to strategically place lots of them around the room for good coverage.

- The 'better' kind that transmit between each other via RF. These still require line of sight to at least one of them because the remote command originates as IR.

I'm not sure which type the PowerMids are but in any case an RF solution is far more reliable with greater range, not to mention that you can place your equipment in another room, behind wood/glass doors, etc with no hiccup in reliability.

 

[DMcV]

Control range

I understand the difference between IR and RF.
The PowerMids that I have receive IR from the remote, line of sight, convert it to RF sent to the receiver and back to IR, which can be up to 100+ feet away and not line of sight, which is placed in front of all my components. It works very well with the exception that the newer PowerMid I bought... the "transmitter" will only receive from the remote within the range of 6 feet or less, my LayZboy is 12 feet from the receiver. The RF signal it sends to the "receiver" works just fine. It's the distance of the signal sent to the "transmitter" I am questioning(?)
I think that my older PowerMid is on the way out. The 'red light' which flashes when the remote is pressed is now staying on for periods of time and requires extra remote pressing to make it go out then it will receive the IR from the remote. I can't use the type of Extender that has the sending unit inside the remote (replaces a battery type) as we have 2 identical remotes, his & hers.
Thanks for your input.
DMcV