1066, Remote, & IR Repeaters

[efarstad]

Ok...some of you may have watched my journey as I built my HT. Well, I just finished connecting my IR-Repeater system which consists of the following:

Stealth IR Sensor


of which is connected to this:

Connecting Block


of which I have these connected into:



I programmed the Rotel remote to control all my equipment, dvd player, tv, etc...and all works flawless on those components except I literally have to stand RIGHT INFRONT of the IR sensor to get it to accept the signals that go to my 1066? DVD player, TV, etc...all work fine from far away and extreme angles.

Anyone using repeaters and having problems? Perhaps my remote is buggy?

Thanks for any input....

E





The Norwegian A/V Nut!
E-Cinema

[Todd S]

The IR sensor is a IR receiver IC that is narrowly tuned for a certain frequency. The IC also discriminates against noise caused by ambient light. There are different ICs that work best with different types of remote code protocols. I am guessing that particular IR receiver that Audioplex's StealthIR uses is not best suited for the type of code protocol that the Rotel uses. My advice would be to buy and use a wideband IR receiver! Look at SpeakerCraft's IR receivers.




Todd

[efarstad]

Thanks Todd...I'll keep looking into it. Figured it had to be the signals being sent for the Rotel...because the unit accepts signals from almost all remotes in the 40kHz range and has a pick-up range of 110 ft. indoors (15-20 feet in direct sunlight). So perhaps the Rotel is not in that range?

E





The Norwegian A/V Nut!
E-Cinema

[efarstad]

arty:

Believe I found the root of the problem...I just got off the phone with Tech support and they said I have the wrong powersupply hooked up to my block. I'm only using a 9 volt which is good for most equipment but the Rotel signals need a bit more power to boost the signal...so I'll be trying out a 12 volt power supply which should fix my problem. They said many "high end" manufacturers like Rotel (that was a nice compliment huh?) need the larger power supplies for transmitting their IR signals!

I was so bummed I could not control the Rotel very easily! Hope this works...I'll let you all now! Cause that Stealth IR is SWEET...I'll be showing pics of all this stuff shortly too! 8)

E





The Norwegian A/V Nut!
E-Cinema

[Andrew Pratt]

E! what sort of price are we looking at for your repeaters?

[efarstad]

Here's what I paid:


$99.95


$29.95


$8.99 for Single, $15.95 for Dual Pack


You'll need a 12volt power supply so add another $12-20 (I'd recommend a "regulated" one for Rotel Equipment...since most power supplied don't actually supply their stated power...but the regulated one's do!)

Hope that helps! It can be done Cheaper...I just loved the stealth IR...you can't even see it on my center channel speaker stand!

E





The Norwegian A/V Nut!
E-Cinema

[Todd S]

I am curious if the power supply voltage was the problem. If it was, I do not know why bringing the remote closer to the receiver would all of a sudden work.

Todd

[Kevin D]

IR systems amplify and repeat signals. The farther away the signal is the weaker it is. From 15' the signal reaching the IR receiver wasn't strong enough to be amplified at 9V and sent over, but was from 5'. More power = more amplification = more signal back to the 1066.

(All figurative distances, but the theory is there... )

Kevin D.

[Todd S]

That would be true if the sensor was a fixed gain amplifier. But I am pretty sure that the IR sensor in question is an IR receiver IC, not just plain photodiode. The IC runs off of 3-5V, and inside there is basically an AGC circuit fed into a buffer. The output of this IC is demodulated and always either low or high, no in between (digital not analog). Then that signal gets modulated with carrier. So therefore I do not see why increasing the power supply from 9V to 15V would make any difference.

Maybe when he got close to the IR receiver, the 1066 was the one that was actually picking up the remote signal?????

Todd

[efarstad]

Todd, the 1066 was behinds a closed door so there's NO WAY the signal could have reached it. Once I got the stronger power supply, the signal was boosted enough to be sent to the 1066...all I know is that it worked!

E





The Norwegian A/V Nut!
E-Cinema

[Todd S]

Gosh , who needs theory when empirical evidence gives the answer? Anyways, glad to hear it works.

Todd