jhh1@ra.MsState.Edu (Jim H. Harfst) (07/03/90)
Does anyone know if anybody makes a converter to convert infrared remote signals to radio(AM,FM,shortwave or what)? What I want to do is to be able to control my VCR from my bedroom with my remote. My vision of how this thing should be is to have two devices. One that sits in my bedroom, or any other room, that converts the signals from the remote to radio. And another unit sitting in my living room in front of my VCR to convert the radio signals from the other unit back into infrared for the VCR. If anyone makes such a product, I would be grateful if you would give an address or phone number or both of where I could get one. Also, would this device let me have more that one infrared--> radio boxes? i.e. one in the bedroom and one in the other bedroom, and would this device work on all my remotes (stereo, TV, VCR, CD,etc) without having to modify it? Any replies would be appreciated. Thanks, Jim Harfst Mississippi State University jhh1@ra.msstate.edu
donm@hpnmdla.HP.COM (Don Montgomery) (07/10/90)
Maybe one of the offerings from Radio Shack could solve your problem. They have a gadget called an "INFRA-RED REMOTE CONTROL EXTENDER" and is pictured on page 110 of their 1990 catalog. Part number is 15-1289. Don't let the picture fool you; the box is actually about the size of a pack of king-size cigarettes. After looking at the instruction book, it appears to be an infra-red detector that bias tees into the coaxial cable. A 9 volt wall transformer supplies the power. At the other end of the cable is an IR LED that is placed in the vicin- ity of the instrument to be controlled. The manual warns the user that you must retain DC continuity throughout the cable system, thereby precluding the use of splitters, amplifiers, etc. Unfortunately, they don't mention how far away one can mount the IR LED from your VCR, etc. If it were strong enough, you could conceivably place the transmitter IR LED nearly anywhere in the room, pointed at the device to be controlled. You can also get the extender with a second IR LED on special order so you can control yet another remote instrument. Check it out. At $49.95, I don't see how you can go wrong. If you're looking for a true RF unit that can go thru walls, this thing won't help, but such con- trollers are available. Don Montgomery,K6LTS donm@hpnmdla.HP.COM