Some Advice Please

[xbox-ent]

Hi peeps.

After having this forum recomended to me time and time again I finally signed up. I have seen some great setups here and now want to sort out the last few bits of mine. It's nothing compared to most on here but I'm happy with it, except for a few minor bugs.

My components are stored between 2 living rooms in a cupboard which is under the stairs. This is great as my kit is stored safely away from the perils of a 7 yr old, a dog, a cat and few feathered friends.

However, I run into problems using the remotes. I have to leave the cubby hole door open and bend my arm around, madly pressing buttons til my choice is registered with the component, not ideal.

I need an IR reciever/transmitter capable of operating upto 7 components which isn't going to leave me needing a 2nd mortgage. Any Suggestions ?

Also, whilst in Floarida this year the apartment we stayed in had a Phillips Ambilight plasma. The Mrs loved it. Having already bought a HD plasma I am not willing to shell out on a new one for a bit of background lumination.

Can someone please tell me what is a good way on recreating that effect. I have seen numerous back lights that sit behind the screen but do any of them actually change colour reflecting what is visible on screen ?

What sort of cost will I be looking at ?

If you have read this, thanks for your time.

I look forward to receiving any thoughts or comments.

Regards

[GasDad]

The Harmony 895 will do all you need for a remote control. Its RF, so doesn't need line of site (you can place a reciever in your cupboard to control the kit).

As for the ambilight, to emulate that, you are going to need something that takes say the HDMI signal, decodes it, and works out what colours go around the edge and display them. Even if you were mass producing something like this, it would cost a least 150 quid.

James

[DarkKnight]

I have never known of any brands which sync colour changes with the screen.

If you go through graudal transitions with general light bars, it still has that relaxing light effect

See page 2 of the thread in my signiture to see an example.

[Quiznite]

IR repeater . http://www.circuit-innovations.co.uk/

I have used this kit and the chap will build it and post it for about £30.

It is a detector then 3 foot cable to a reapter box that has 2 wires with 2 IR transmitters on each. I use it to control all my av gear hidden behind wooden dorrs with the recevier behind a small piece of material wich picks up the signal.

It works fantasticly and I have not seen anything else anywhere near this price..

I can post some pics if my description makes no sense