I didn't know where to put this, so here goes.

I got a new HDTV set and, unfortunately, the best place for the center channel in this setup is directly in front of the television's remote control sensor below the screen.

What I'd like to do is set up a different sensor that I can point at that sends the signal to the TV, similar to those things that allow televisions to send a signal to a cable box or cable box to tivo. Pretty mich the only thing I need to hit the tv with the remote for is to turn it on or change inputs.

I'm not looking for an expensive universal system that controls everything, just a simple cheap device that lets me get the signal around the speaker. Obviously this would work with either a universal remote or the tv remote. Anyone?

You can purchase an OmniMount A/V Component Shelf at Best Buy, or from any other electronic store. This accessory is specifically constructed for components to be securely placed on top of an HDTV. It's one size fits all, very easy to mount, and their perfect for a center channel speaker stand. I've bought one for my HDTV, that I'm using for my center channel speaker too. I love it!

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1099395889869

I believe what you're looking for is called an IR Repeater.

Thank you. My searches for remote sensor redirecty thingamajigger were mostly unsuccessful. I'll see what I can track down cheap.

Thanks again.

Edit: No luck so far. Most of the IR repeaters I've found are either big and bulky or do far more (for more money) than what I need to do.

I also research using the IR port on the cable box to try to use that to control the tv, but no luck there either.

X10 has one for $40. I've used it before and it works well. I haven't purchased anything from X10 in a long time, but back in the day you could sign up for their newsletter and get a $20 off coupon, but I have no idea of they still do that.

http://www.x10.com/automation/pm5900_s.html

Those pyramids would have to fit between the speaker and TV in this case. Xantech is the best IR system around, but it is pricey if you just have a simple setup. Hot Link Pro is pretty popular for a basic system at $100.

http://www.smarthome.com/8225p.html

The pyramid has an 1/8 inch IR out jack, so you can stick it somewhere else and run the IR repeater to the TV.

Since my comcast remote can control the TV, I was hoping I could use the IR port on the cable box to send a signal through those handy IR flashers, which are the perfect size here (just stick them to the back of the center channel, run the cord along the speaker wire, done.)

Unfortunately I don't think I can get the cable box to output a power signal through that cord, at least from my initial efforts.

It's not that bad to get up to change inputs and turn the tv on, but obviously a remote solution would be nice.

Best case right now would be a remote unit next to the television or on the cable box that I can plug an IR flasher into (I have one than came with my tv to go out to a vcr and one that came with my tivo).

That sounds about right.

So with their PowerMid Extender, could i run that cable around the TV and place the sensor directly in front of the IR sensor?

Their web site simply sucks so it's hard to figure out exactly how this extender behaves/looks.

The other down-side to this is it requires 2 A/C outlets, and the units will be only a couple feet apart to begin with.

It seems like there should be a single unit that takes the signal and fires it back out through an IR flasher cord.

My research so far leads me to far more complex room-to-room systems, etc.

You're right - X10's website is truly awful. I would call them before ordering to make sure the pyramid still has the 1/8th inch jack. I haven't owned one in a few years, so it's possible it could have changed. You might want to post on the remotecentral.com forums - I bet someone there has an easy and cheap fix to your problem.

You're right - X10's website is truly awful. I would call them before ordering to make sure the pyramid still has the 1/8th inch jack. I haven't owned one in a few years, so it's possible it could have changed. You might want to post on the remotecentral.com forums - I bet someone there has an easy and cheap fix to your problem.

If possible, an IR --> IR system would be the way to go. All the room to room systems (including the one from X10) convert IR to RF, then back to IR. This works great sometimes, not so great other times. IR to IR would be much more reliable.

IR -> RF -> IR sucks ass unless you're in a vacuum. I use a system to control my primary TiVo from various rooms, and it's a real pain in the ass most of the time.

das

It should still have the connection, that is why they have always been preferred over the Radio Shack models.

Typically, you can run wired IR for hundreds of feet without signal loss. I don't know much about this system, but I'm sure the 6-10' you need are not a problem.

It shouldn't require much power, and won't be electrically connected to anything. So you can just plug in a crappy extension cord for both of them. It wouldn't have to run through your surge protector or anything like that.

My only question for this is: is it safe to put a A/v receiver up there due to the heat generated by a tv?

Not sure where you're getting that idea. There's no receiver run by the TV.

Here's the best thing I've found so far, thanks to a bbit of help from remotecentral
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/Xan.../Item/291-KIT/

Errr I meant in reference to this product: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...d=1099395889869

The Xantech is excellent, I have 3 rooms wired in various ways with Xantech equipment, including the kit you linked. If it is cheaper than the HotLinkPro, then it is certainly a better buy. And can be expanded if you ever had need, like getting a cabinet with a door. If you never will, then it could be overkill.

As I recall, I bought from this company:
http://www.asihome.com/ASIshop/produ...roducts_id=669

No, because the top of the TV monitor is fully enclosed. The heat vent(s) are constructed on the bottom rear cabinet where the bulb is located. This accessory will not obstruct the heat ventilation to properly disperse, and prevent from overheating. The OmniMount Component Shelf contains air holes over the entire surface for the purpose to allow air circulation.
When mounted, there will be a clearance between the TV monitor, and the shelf. It's not positioned directly on the TV.

Nice I am thinking about investing in one of these for my bedroom where I have a flat screen, not panel Television its a little bulky but a nice tv and I have no room for components, this might solve my problems.

Would I use something like this if I wanted to control my receiver, DVD Player and projector if they are positioned behind me?

I'm building out my home theater now, and we already have inhouse audio installed (it was here when we moved in) but the cables are at the opposite side of the room from the projection screen. I'd love to point my universal remote at the screeen and have it shoot the signal to the other side of the room.

Or is this overkill for that?

I'd recomment the 490 Kit from Xantech. Look it up at one of those sites above. Or there are RF options.

Does anyone know how the Powermid Receiver RE549 connects to the IR emitters, and if it's possible to connect at least 4 dual IR emitters?

The universal connector is a miniplug. Like headphones. I presume they follow the standard. I doubt very much that 8 emitters will run off this. I can't even run 8 off my Xantech amplifier made for 6. But I have not used the Powermids, so these are only semi-intelligent guesses.

Um, I should explain. I mean the Powermid shouldn't be able to run all 8 with its own power. Adding amps and whatnot, you can run as many as you choose.

Gawd, it's so confusing at times. I want a IR extender solution for a rack enclosed in a closet that will be literally less then 4 feet from the IR/RF transmitter in the room, but behind the closet door. So I guess the close proximity of the closet makes the IR blaster of the receiver hard to hit the remote sensors on the HT components in a tall rack. So I would be stuck having to tape some IR emitters to each component.

I was looking at this package:

http://www.x10.com/products/x10_pm5900.htm

X10 lists an extender cable, but not clear on how it hooks up to the receiver. I guess it has just one 1/8" plug.

It's also not really clear how to daisy-chain or parallel more than one 1/8" emitter extender, and would want to install these dual-emitters (4 of them for 8 emitters):

http://www.pigselectronics.com/products/irdual.htm

that page claims the RE549 will drive up to 5 of the dual-emitters, but I am just confused as to how they all connect to the RE549.

Okay, now I have my answer:

2-in-1 adapters:

http://www.pigselectronics.com/products/CBMS2FS.htm

I'd need 3 of these adapters to get 4 jacks from the single jack on the RE549 receiver.

So this will be my intended solution if I can't live with leaving the door open on the closet while the components are in use, but are not easily remote-accessible due to the angle of remote use at times, depending on where I'm sitting in the room.