Awesome alternative to IR distribution

[signal15]

http://www.amazon.com/Next-Generation-Remo...3334&sr=8-2

My buddy picked one up, and it works awesome. I guess it monitors the battery current flow for each pulse in an IR command, and then sends those over RF to the base. No wires, just pop this little battery thing into your remotes. It's brilliant.

 

[WayneW]

I agree, I have been using mine for a couple years.

http://www.nextgen.us/

 

[Rupp]

These types of devices have been around for ever. X10 had the powermid line. I use these all over the house.

 

[WayneW]

These types of devices have been around for ever. X10 had the powermid line. I use these all over the house.

BS. This thing is unique and patented. This is NOT an IR in-RF-IR out system.

 

[jwilson56]

Nice device... seen them myself... however having a Logitech 880 with rechargeable batteries prevented me from using it.

 

[PaulD]

Any specific reason for the flying saucer shape? Looks like it would make it harder to stow away in a hidden spot

 

[WayneW]

Any specific reason for the flying saucer shape? Looks like it would make it harder to stow away in a hidden spot

True the shape is not subtle, but it is pretty small. The antenna is also not real subtle. Mine sits under the coffee table so it can blast IR to my devices since I didn't get the 3 or 6 eye wired extender. I saw it at EHX when they were exhibiting next to the AO booth a few years ago and it was an impulse buy. I really should get the wired extender and hide my flying saucer.

The flying saucer also contains the battery charger for the tiny battery you use with it (in your existing remote). It comes with two batteries, so one charges while one is in use.

http://www.nextgen.us/ProductDetails.asp?P...xtenderplus3eye

 

[PaulD]

True the shape is not subtle, but it is pretty small. The antenna is also not real subtle.

How tall is the antenna when extended? Is it sensitive to vertical vs horzontal position? A tall vertical antenna would make it really hard to put in my entertainment cabinet.

I like the idea. I tried a IR receiver with blaster to my hidden A/V components but I have never been able to make that approach work well because my large TV emits enough IR on its own to cause problems.

 

[gatchel]

Nice device... seen them myself... however having a Logitech 880 with rechargeable batteries prevented me from using it.

You beat me to it (by a few hours or so)

I was thinking the exact same thing. I don't want to buy another Harmony yet (900) until I can confirm the button issue has been resolved.

 

[Dave X10]

http://www.amazon.com/Next-Generation-Remo...3334&sr=8-2
My buddy picked one up, and it works awesome. ......... It's brilliant.

It is always nice to read good results about a new product... it adds options. Thanks for sharing signal15.

 

[WayneW]

How tall is the antenna when extended? Is it sensitive to vertical vs horzontal position? A tall vertical antenna would make it really hard to put in my entertainment cabinet.

The total height with antenna extended is 10 inches. I have not tried it with the antenna horizontal.

 

[fcwilt]

Does the replacement battery last as long in use as the original battery?

 

[az1324]

Does the replacement battery last as long in use as the original battery?

Battery life varies depending on the remote and how many other batteries it uses. I was pretty disappointed in the performance of the included batteries but have been much more impressed by the performance after this mod.

 

[apostolakisl]

That's crazy! I had no idea such a thing existed. I read the patent and as I understand a very weak RF signal is produced by IR remotes as a byproduct of producing the IR output. This gizmo, being in very close proximity to the remote control's electronics, detects that weak RF signal and repeats it with sufficent strengh to travel a distance of up to 100 feet where the receiver detects the signal and retransmits it as an IR code.

I don't know what part of an IR remote creates the weak RF signal. Perhaps the IR LED itself creates the RF signal. Since this thing is supposed to work with just about any remote, the componant that creates the weak RF signal must be common to all IR remotes. I would be interested if anyone knows for sure what part of the remote produces that weak rf signal.

 

[signal15]

It's probably just a 555 timer that generates the RF. Most IC's generate RF when they run, there was actually a trick a long time ago with a specific model of Pentium processor to get it to broadcast a weak RF signal modulated on an FM frequency for audio transmission. Probably circa 1999-2000 or so.