A/V remote question

[dalhorn1]

I need some help with an A/V problem I'm running into. Due to a weird design, the corner fireplace is the only area where I can relocate my TV in order to get a better flow in the living room area. After I lower the mantel and re-sheetrock the mounting wall, I'm not going to have the depth needed to stack any DVR, DVD player, PS3 systems. I was thinking of placing the boxes somewhere else in the living room, but I can't find those little IR eyes that you wire into a different location to change channel, run controls, etc. Anyone know what they're called/where to find them?

 

[Pogo]

I got one at Target that works just fine. I think it is a Phillips IR Extender. I definitely remember that it was half the price at Target than it was at Best Buy.

 

[brntorng]

Google "infrared remote repeater" and you'll find many choices. Crutchfield or SmartHome are reputable choices, but others may be as well. Depending on the location of the equipment, often you can just reflect the remote off another wall and it works fine.

BTW, consider a Logitech Harmony remote to consolidate your remotes. They work pretty well. Another option is to use one of the iPod Touch/iPhone universal remote solutions, but I'm not sure how mature those are at this point. The Harmony platform has been around a good while.

 

[dalhorn1]

thanks for the help. I had no idea what the name of those items are. I know mounting a TV over the fireplace isn't ideal, but until I buy a home, it's all I can do. This IR repeater should hopefully be an easy issue to scratch off the list.

 

[scottsins]

Get a Nevo remote if you go universal. it shits all over logitech. I just discovered them and they are amazing.

 

[A. BETTIK]

Nevo? I just got a logitech, and it seems to get some stuff wrong. It recovers as well as possible by asking if it got it right, and tweaking the setting until you say it did get it right. Still, it is a sign of a not quite perfected device. Certainly not worth $250.

 

[brntorng]

If the Logitech is getting something wrong, it's most likely programmed wrong. Observe what it's missing and check that out in the programming. Should be able to fix it. I've had a couple for a few years and they work great. The Nevo may be fine, but I have no experience with it.

 

[halsteadfrost]

My Logitech works perfectly. All I might recommend is make sure it's pointed where it needs to be to turn everything on (I just sit it on the arm of my chair and don't move it or block it, but when I have people over, they tend to do the standard hit ON, and then move it somewhere so it doesn't get to turn everything on)

And if it misses on something, just hit off and try again, usually that fixes it quicker than going through the 'Help' stuff.

To the OP: Can you not run everything through a receiver, and then just have a single HDMI cable run to the TV? Then you only need to point the remote wherever the receiver is except to turn the TV on or off.