Sunfire IR jack

paymontna

I see plenty of IR extender kits that do not make use of these jacks provided on my Sunfire TGP 5. What is the advantage of these jacks. Does it just trigger the system on when you use the remote in another room?

unc2701

It's a hardwire input for a remote extender (or distributed system). So instead of sticking an IR emitter to the face of your TGP, you'd just put a mono cable into that jack and a port on the IR block. It uses the xantech standards.

So you could, say, put an IR target on the wall under your plasma TV and have the TGP hidden in a closet. The advantage of the hardwire vs stick on is that:
1)You don't have to stick anything to your nice gear
2)Usually you get more consistent response from the gear that your controlling

The disadvantage is that with the passive, unamplified IR blocks, sometimes the hard wiring pulls too much current and you get intermittent function. The other issue is that you could introduce ground loop and noise into your system via the IR wire. With a stick on, the IR system is isolated from the stereo.

paymontna

unc2701 wrote: »

It's a hardwire input for a remote extender (or distributed system). So instead of sticking an IR emitter to the face of your TGP, you'd just put a mono cable into that jack and a port on the IR block. It uses the xantech standards.

So you could, say, put an IR target on the wall under your plasma TV and have the TGP hidden in a closet. The advantage of the hardwire vs stick on is that:
1)You don't have to stick anything to your nice gear
2)Usually you get more consistent response from the gear that your controlling

The disadvantage is that with the passive, unamplified IR blocks, sometimes the hard wiring pulls too much current and you get intermittent function. The other issue is that you could introduce ground loop and noise into your system via the IR wire. With a stick on, the IR system is isolated from the stereo.

...and the hardwires system is about $50 more

Anyone have any recommendations?


Chris

unc2701

What exactly do you want to do?

paymontna

unc2701 wrote: »

What exactly do you want to do?

I have built a custom stand where everything is hidden behind my 52" Sami.
I want to be able to control my dvd, TGP 5, cable box and DVD player from the seated area and possibly from upstairs.

unc2701

Ok, yeah you just need to pick up a repeater kit. They start around $90 @ partsexpress or you can find them on ebay for under about $50. You'll get a IR target, a few emitters, a connecting block and a power supply. Just stick one emitter to each piece of gear. For the TGP, you'll use an 1/8 inch mono cable from the block to the IR input. If you have issues, go to a emitter.

Plan B would be to get an RF remote like this:
RF Remote

It sounds like you could position it where it'll hit all the gear at once- plus you can use the remote upstairs w/o running wires for IR and buying another target.

bikezappa

Or you could buy the radio shack pyramid repeaters for $20 to $30 on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Radio-Shack-Wireless-IR-Remote-Extender-15-1950_W0QQitemZ120317377896QQihZ002QQcategoryZ50586QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

They sometimes need a little repositioning but NO wires are required.

I have used them for years and even put them out side in the new england weather to control my outdoor speakers from my hot tub.