Remote and IR extender advice

[Doctor_AB]

My sons flat has the following equipment. Sony Bravia LCD, Yamaha amp, digifusion PVR, ps2 and dvd to be added yet. The equipment is all (except LCD) in a closed cupboard. I was thinking off getting him a harmony 525 and and IR extender. Does this sound the best soloution to get rid of lots of remotes? Any alternatives on rc front? Any recommendations on IR extender to get as there seem to be so many? Thanks as always, sure to get some knowledgeable people along in a bit.

[veryexcellent]

The harmony range is great and certainly a brilliant solution to the stack of remotes! They all work almost exactly the same, which one in the range you get depends if you want to pay extra for more features really, colour screen, rechargeable battery etc. I've had 2 now and can highly recommend them.

As you want to control equipment inside a cupboard the 895 would be the obvious choice, this comes with an rf extender to allow control without line of sight, i have this system and its faultless, i can control my equipment from the other side of the house! This may however be out of your budget and you could prob get one of the cheaper harmony and a separate IR repeater setup cheaper, i know very little about these (ir repeaters) so maybe someone else can assist.

Hope some of that helps!

[Doctor_AB]

Thanks. Probably lookin at a 525 hence need to buy a seperate extender.

[marksimonwright]

Hi, I've had an 525 which I used with a Keane IR extender.

The problem with this solution is that you still need line of sight to the IR extender and (as I found) the wire from the IR magic eye to the extender was not long enough to reach under my cupboards, plus it an extra extender.

By my maths a 525 will cost you £30 - £40 (second hand) although difficult to get a good condition one, unlike the 885, 895 and 100 the 525 and 555 do suffer even from light use e.g. words and numbers do rub off the buttons) and brand new extender will cost in the region of £40 plus delivery.

If you can afford approx, another £40 you could get a second hand 895 (As it is RF you will not need a wire from the IR magic eye to the extender, you will also have the option of adding z wave remote control plug sockets for lounge lamps and switches for ceiling lights, you can also creat scenes, e.g. reading = all lights on, movie - lights dimmed etc, etc, you also get a much more programable remote with colour LCD.

I've nothing against the 525 and, if you were not wanting to control items in a cabinet, then it would be ideal, but, as the RF is so much better (no line of sight required e.g. if any of the sources in the cabinet are watched say in a bedroom, you can control them with the same remote, saves having to set the DVD playing and then run into the bedroom.

Hope this helps.

[Doctor_AB]

sounds promising. Amazon are doing 525 for about £45 so would need to source a second hand 895 at a good price, hm. much thinkin, thanks for the advice.

[marksimonwright]

Originally Posted by Doctor_AB

sounds promising. Amazon are doing 525 for about £45 so would need to source a second hand 895 at a good price, hm. much thinkin, thanks for the advice.

But don't forget you would then need to spend £40 - £50 on a IR extender.

I've had 525, 885, 895, 1000, Nevo Sl and Philipls TSu9400.

THe 895 (due to its RF) is a great control.

Mark

[Markatlarks]

Can I jump in with a question which seems to be on topic?

I have a similar need - All my kit is behind cupboard doors. All the remotes are IR.

I would just love to control all of them from one remote. If you have an IR extender then how does this actaully work - My kit is in various cupboards (Welsh type dresser) so I need to 'send' the IR signal to 6 different locations. How can I achieve thsi - please?

Cost is not a big issue. I just want the best neatest solution.

Thanks

Mark

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by Markatlarks

Can I jump in with a question which seems to be on topic?

I have a similar need - All my kit is behind cupboard doors. All the remotes are IR.

I would just love to control all of them from one remote. If you have an IR extender then how does this actaully work - My kit is in various cupboards (Welsh type dresser) so I need to 'send' the IR signal to 6 different locations. How can I achieve thsi - please?

Cost is not a big issue. I just want the best neatest solution.

Thanks

Mark

The RF bases have IR emmitter on leads and you put the little emiiters near the kit or on it do you need 6 locations or is it you have 6 items to control on seperate shelves as long a headphone lead type wire can go between the items its dead easy)
Harmony 895/1000 or pronto can do this

[Markatlarks]

HornyDragon - Thank you for youtr prompt response!! I do so love AVForums..

I have Receiver / Amp, DVD Player, HTPC, Projector, CD Player (Arcam) and Humax HDD TV recorder and TV.

They are all - if we are talking distance from the centre about 4 foot max apart except for the Projector which is 20 ft away. Not sure the Projector will be easilly sorted but the rest of the kit should be ok. Every thing is behind closed doors except the TV and Projector.

I notice - following a little research - that the Harmony extender has four ports. I need at least 6.

Can you advise on a suitable solution that 'her in doors' will take to.

She says that if I die she will have to sell up and move on as she has no idea about how anything workis in our jhome - We have an 8 zone heating system and that is just one step to far for her. Give me a remoye to handle the above and uou will be my saviour!!

[veryexcellent]

The extender has 8 small emitters, there are 4 leads that plug into the unit that each split into 2. Can't remember exact lengths but I would of thought you'd be able to get these to reach, you can prob extend them somehow anyway. The unit itself also acts as an IR 'blaster' firing IR signals all over the place, this could be useful for the projector? If not you can always set it up to control the projector directly from the remote.

Edit: My Girlfriend can use it no problem :D

[Doctor_AB]

would really like an 895 but seems just too expensive. I have just bought myself a harmony 1000 and am playing with that. Might put a wanted ad for an 895.

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by Markatlarks

HornyDragon - Thank you for youtr prompt response!! I do so love AVForums..

I have Receiver / Amp, DVD Player, HTPC, Projector, CD Player (Arcam) and Humax HDD TV recorder and TV.

They are all - if we are talking distance from the centre about 4 foot max apart except for the Projector which is 20 ft away. Not sure the Projector will be easilly sorted but the rest of the kit should be ok. Every thing is behind closed doors except the TV and Projector.

I notice - following a little research - that the Harmony extender has four ports. I need at least 6.

Can you advise on a suitable solution that 'her in doors' will take to.

She says that if I die she will have to sell up and move on as she has no idea about how anything workis in our jhome - We have an 8 zone heating system and that is just one step to far for her. Give me a remoye to handle the above and uou will be my saviour!!

TV and PJ will be direct control from handset, RF base will cater for the rest it has 4 ports 4 emmitter cables each with 2 eyes and a high power blaster so an 895 will do it all and if the missus can cope with a button thats says "watch TV" and another that says "watch DVD" thats all there is to it (from her point of view)

[Doctor_AB]

do all 895's come with an RF extender? What is the difference between the 885 and 895? sorry for all the questions.

[marksimonwright]

Originally Posted by Doctor_AB

do all 895's come with an RF extender? What is the difference between the 885 and 895? sorry for all the questions.

I currently use a 895 and can confirm 100% that all 895's do come with a RF Extender and the emitters.

Mark

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by Doctor_AB

What is the difference between the 885 and 895?

THE extender and the RF technology in the handset thats it nothing else