What do I need to control a vm box housed in a cupboard?

[devs]

Hi guys I'm going to wall mount my tv and wanted to hide all my gear away in a cupboard. What do I need to control a vm box thats out of sight?

Something discrete would be ideal!

Many thanks,

Devs.

 

[ianuk2011]

Take a look at PowerMid. I tried a couple without sucessful. This one has worked perfect on my Tivo.

 

[devs]

Thanks Ian, they seem to be well reviewed. However I'm not sure if its over kill for what I'm trying to do. Please see the below diagram the proximity from tv to box is very close..

I'm converting my loft and the av stuff will be hidden in a cupboard within the eaves.

My original plan was to have a roller door that could be opened when watching tv but they are hard to buy and expensive.

If I used the PowerMid it would basically be sat right next to the TV and VM box. Is there not some kind of an extender that would go directly into the back of the vm box?

 

[devs]

Anyone know if this would work with virgin? Labgear MRX955 Micro Eye for Lcd Tv: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Many thanks, devs

 

[devs]

Anyone have descret option for this? Surly there must be something??

 

[Mark_E]

Have you thought of using a fibre optic light guide cable and experimenting to see of it can be flush mounted through to the wall suface with cable bundle opposite end fed to where the sensor is on the TiVo??Suitable cable crops up on eBay often.

 

[devs]

Hi Mark, I hadn't considered that and have taken a look on eBay and couldn't find any thing suitable. Would the fiber not need to be pointing at the sensor on the front of the tv?

It amazes me that there is no simple and discreet way to do this?

 

[Mark_E]

You are going to have to do quite a bit of bodge and bash about - I can't guarantee it will work this is the sort of cable you could try- http://*******/Mp3bJs

 

[Mark_E]

Sorry for the bad link--the link shortener I use doesn't survive pasting here!

This is the plastic light guide material - you would feed a wrapped bundle from your door surface to the Tivo ir sensor (no need to involve your TV -only Tivo operations)

3 MTR FIBRE OPTIC STRAND/FILAMENT LIGHT GUIDE 1.5mm Dia | eBay

But I found an accessory for the Pyramid extender designed for in-cupboard use here:
3 MTR FIBRE OPTIC STRAND/FILAMENT LIGHT GUIDE 1.5mm Dia | eBay

MARMITEK Powermid XS 2x IR LED Eyes 8717185626827 | eBay

 

[devs]

Many thanks for the help Mark. I'm swaying to the Pyramid route. Am I right in thinking the following...

I would need to purchase the Marmitek PowerMid XL infrared extender set (Marmitek PowerMid XL infrared extender set: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics)

and

the Marmitek IR Eye universal IR extender cable (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marmitek-Eye-universal-extender-cable/dp/B000MBY1FC/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top)

Would I only use one of the Pyramids from the kit? Ie connect and house within the cupboard and route the extender from it to the tv? Or would they both need to be in the cupboard?

Cheers,

Devs.

 

[CC1977]

sounds daft I know - but have you checked that the box defo wont get the signal with the door closed? - mine can cope ok with a bit of screening

 

[RobTi]

Can't you use glass door on the cupboard you could go smoked or coloured and it would work

 

[benji2909]

something like this would also work well for your needs and includes additional blasters incase you add extra equipment in there or have another cupboard...
Keene Retail Ltd, Electronics making AV happen, Products and accessories for video, photography, home cinema and AV

or there is always the harmony remotes with RF extenders.

Benji

 

[Mark_E]

Problem solved!

Having now lived with the Virgin anywhere app for a few days and found that my tivo is faster in response to my phone than my vm remote ever was, then as long as you have a tivo in a cupboard or hidden anywhere else this problem no longer exists!