[streekie]

hi,
my humax freesat box is connected via hdmi to a pioneer plasma.
unfortunately the viewing angle on the ir receiver on the freesat box means that you have to walk right across the living room to operate the remote control. i have been looking at the magic eye style of ir extenders but they all seem to rely on a connection to the rf socket is this just to power the re-transmitter or is this system a receiver that gets the signal into the system via some other cunning method and does it require you to actually be using the rf as the method of carrying the picture signal ?

thanks

[Chris Frost]

There are three types of IR repeater.

The first (and cheapest) is the RF connected variety. And no, you don't have to watch via RF for this to work.

The second is the wireless repeater. There's no RF cable involved here. They use radio waves to transmit IR around corners. The best known perhaps is Powermid, which is two pyramid obelisks - one an IR catcher, the second the IR Re-emitter. Still a fairly cheap solution, but the emitter has to be in line of sight of the deck being controlled. That's not always practical.

At the top of the tree is the wired IR relay. Xantec Dinky Link is the best known. A wired IR catcher relays IR to a powered splitter. The signals then distribute on wired IR emitters that stick over the IR window of the devices being controlled. Discrete, very flexible and reliable but top quality means top prices.

Comng back to the RF cable type IR link, just check that your box can be controlled in this way. Sky boxes can, but that doesn't meean to say it's the same for all devices.

[grahamlthompson]

Freesat boxes won't work with Skylink/Magic Eyes without a special converter that retransmits the coax control signals as IR. . Google Powermids for a wireless RF repeater

[streekie]

thanks for those replies, the powermid will do what i want but it it a bit over the top. i can see the face of the humax from where i am sitting but i am at an acute angle of about 30 deg off perpendicular to it, i.e. i would have to move a fair distance across the room to have a square on shot at it with the remote. therefore i dont need a wireless link nor the power to get the signal from a different room, instead all i need is a small wide angle ir receiver and a length of wire running out of the same unit with one of the ir emitter buds on the end to stick in front of the receiver and give me what i want. is there such a thing or do i need to knock the wall down and move the chair lol
thanks in advance and hope this extra info is helpful
cheers

[streekie]

found this and will report back if it does the job and improves the operating angle of the humax remote
http://www.reallycleverhomes.co.uk/a..._receiver.html

[streekie]

absolutely superb bit of kit 1xPP3 battery and did exactly what it said. comes with 2 IR emitter buds so 1 tucked out the way. works perfectly giving full functionality with Humax freesat box and greatly increases the effectiveness and operational angle/range of the OE remote.

[brasero]

The link doesn't work anymore , but is it this one : http://www.reallycleverhomes.co.uk/m...der-cable.html ?

I have a humax freesat box in a cupboard and it's a pain changing channels etc

[grahamlthompson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brasero

The link doesn't work anymore , but is it this one : http://www.reallycleverhomes.co.uk/m...der-cable.html ?

I have a humax freesat box in a cupboard and it's a pain changing channels etc

Assuming it's a Foxsat-hdr, if you install the custom firmware and have your box connected to a home network you can use a computer, tablet or smart phone to control the box without needing infra red at all.

[gomezz]

Note also the two other standard tips for improving remote control response:-

1) Check that you have removed *both* protective films, one on the flap and one behind the flap;

2) Scrape off the dark coating on the back of the flap where it covers where the receiver is.

[soulboy77]

Bounce the signal off of a mirrored surface!