Is there any gadget out there that bends remote control infrared signals?

Question

My living room is setup such that all the A/V equipments are facing the side of the room. (there's no TV in front of me, I use an overhead projector). So everytime I have to walk over to the side of the room to change channels, etc. Is there anything out there that can reflect my IR signals 90 degrees?

Answer 1

No. IR signals are basically a frequency of light and really can't be bent (without some super particle accelerator or a flux capacitor). However, to echo Richy, you can get a universal remote from Philips, Logitech, Universal Remote Products, etc. which emits both IR and RF (radio frequency). RF does penetrate walls. A companion RF receiver in the equipment closet picks up the signals, converts them to IR, and sends the signals out through IR "blasters" which are little doohickys attached to the IR windows on the front of your a/v equipment. This should do the trick. Or, like my parents did, have kids that can get up and do the things a remote does.

Answer 2

You can also get a remote that uses an 'RF' signal, (radio) that transfers the signal to infrared, so you can control it from anywhere in the room without pointing it at anything!!! I have seen them at 'Tweeter'... The remote sends a radio signal to a pyramid shaped box that sends out the appropriate infrared signal to control your equipment!!

Answer 3

A mirror is the cheapest option, but you might need to use a big one so that you can hit it from any angle.

A better option might be an IR relay or even better and IR to RF converter so that you can actually use your remotes through walls.

Answer 4

in case your remotes have "tuning" transformations in them then i'm guessing they seem to be a incredibly previous style (probably over 15 years previous). on account that replacing the batteries made no distinction it may properly be that the receiver unit (many times a small container fixed someplace on the outdoors of the motor on older fashions) is going undesirable. If all the remotes are giving the same hardship jointly then i could surely start up there.

Answer 5

Hi,

How about a mirror? You could also try a crystal of somekind. this might fire the infrared signal about enough to operate your equipment at the different angle.

Hope that helps!

Rod

Answer 6

Try this.
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Tf8Md0vhVFq/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?g=195050
it's an IR repeater. It's only 20-40 bux depending, NOT 110 bux.

Answer 7

yes, go to radio shack and ask for a remote ir extender. they cost 109.99.

Answer 8

You can try this: http://www.smarthome.com/8210.HTML