9 replies to this topic

[colebatchd]

Hi All,

It's been a while since I've done anything to my MCE (Windows 7), but I'm trying to hide a couple of things and need some help. I currently use the old style MS remote control receiver (see attached) with a basic Logitech harmony (very satisfied for anyone looking for a basic replacement for the MS one once the kids drop it one time too many). So my setup is:

1. IR receiver (MS A9O-00007) stuck to the bottom of the TV which is wall mounted (see picture)

2. AV Receiver (Yamaha RX-V671 http://au.yamaha.com...1_g/?mode=model) sitting on top of our sideboard
3. PC sitting inside our sideboard
4. PC outputs go into the receiver
5. AV Receiver display out goes to TV
6. I have programmed the remote control to use the AV receiver for volume +/-/mute, power is for the TV, and everything else goes to the PC via the IR receiver (I don't use multiple devices on the remote control - they confuse people)
7. When watching TV, we point the remote at the sideboard (where the AV receiver is) for volume, and to the IR receiver under the TV for everything else. This works ok, but I'd rather not have the AV receiver visible.

My objective is to get the AV receiver inside the sideboard.

My thought is that I should be able to use the IR emitter cable (?) that came with the MCE IR receiver initially (see picture), and run that cable to the AV receiver. If this works I can move the AV receiver inside the sideboard.

What I've done is plugged what I think is the cable that came with the MCE remote into the back of the IR receiver (there are two mini-jacks labeled 1 & 2, I've tried them both), and then put the emitter end of it in front of the AV receiver. I was then expecting that I could point the remote control at the MCE IR receiver, and it would emit the IR beam through the IR emitter thingy on the end of the cable. ie I could put the remote at the TV, and control the volume on the AV receiver. However this isn't working.

This feels hard to explain - do people understand what I'm saying? And if so, does anyone have any suggestions? Would be grateful for any advice - either along the lines of the above, or a different approach.

Cheers,
Dim

[logifuse]

Yeah, I get what you're trying to do.

By default, the emitters that come with the MS remote receiver don't so that. They output commands to set top boxes to change channels (when you setup WMC to capture the input of one of them).

However, I remember back in the XPMC days you could use a replacement driver & add functionality to the buds to do the kind of thing you're after. You then used something like HIP or there's WinLIRC these days.

Hardware wise you can get IR repeater systems that will also do it. Guessing you're looking at around $100. Jaycar have some wireless options to do it too.

Justin

[colebatchd]

Thanks Justin, much appreciated. I'm now looking at the "remote in" jack on the back of the AV receiver to see if that is a better approach.

[colebatchd]

Ok, am going to give this a go:

http://jaycar.com.au...19&form=KEYWORD

Not entirely sure if it will work, but worth a shot I figure. I'll stick this next to the MCE IR receiver under the TV, and run the cable back the AV receiver.

If anyone knows this won't work, I'd be grateful for a warning before I get to Jaycar.

Edited by colebatchd, 04 May 2012 - 11:05 PM.

[logifuse]

Ok, am going to give this a go:

http://jaycar.com.au...19&form=KEYWORD

Not entirely sure if it will work, but worth a shot I figure. I'll stick this next to the MCE IR receiver under the TV, and run the cable back the AV receiver.

If anyone knows this won't work, I'd be grateful for a warning before I get to Jaycar.

Are you going to plug that in to the AV receiver? Might work if the input on the receiver is expecting just plain IR.

If not, something like this IR Extender Kit is what you need.

Justin

[colebatchd]

Yep - I knew the extender kit would work, but figured I'd give the cheaper option a go first. Didn't work, I assume the Yamaha frequencies mustn't fit (http://i1073.photobu...nstructions.jpg). Will go back tomorrow and upgrade. You were right with your ~$100 call.

Thanks.

Cheers,
Dim

[logifuse]

Why not have a look at WinLIRC - might save $90 odd.

Justin

[colebatchd]

Thanks - will have a read. Looks like I need to read at a time when the kids are asleep!

[colebatchd]

Justin - from my reading, I don't see where I can use WinLIRC to (re)transmit. Am I missing something?

Cheers,
Dim

[logifuse]

I had a quick look. It seems to need some extra software & possibly a different blaster device (USB-UIRT), so it's probably back to a hardware solution. Sorry.

This was what was possible under XP: http://www.byremote...._remote_faq.htm but it doesn't seem to have been updated to Vista/W7.

Justin