Hopefully someone with a little more custom install experience than myself can help me out here. I have an Anthem AVM-20 and I am hoping to set up a distibuted IR repeater system with the built in IR input/outputs on it. I know how to set up the emitters to control all my components, my question is about IR recievers. I have looked at a bunch of the different IR recievers on smarthome.com and other sites, and I would like to know if there are schematics to build your own receivers, as I see it, the signals need to be sent as they are transmitted from the actual remote, not just the code with the carrier signal stripped out. Does this mean I can simply use an IR phototransistor and resistor to create the circuit, or do I need to purchase one of these (expensive) IR recievers. I know that there would be circuitry around noise reduction, RF rejection, etc. but if it was in a controlled environment, would it be necessary. Maybe another question is does anyone have a good line on 12 volt IR receivers for less than the $50 smarthome charges?

My sample circuit:

+12 V
|
<
> ...220 Ohm Res
<
|
|---- ...signal out
|
|/
| ...npn phototransistor
|\
|
-
Gnd

IR outputs? As far as I know the AVM20 has no IR outputs (of course I could be wrong) only 12V triger outputs. It does have an IR input for controlling the unit itself without an ugly immiter on the front pannel.

The AVM-20 has 3 powered IR repeaters, as well as 2 IR emitter outputs. It is designed to be used as both an IR extension, as well as to provide extended control of other devices in the same room. You can hook up a remote IR reciever to one of three inputs, this will allow you to control the AVM-20 from a different room. Then, if you connect an IR emitter to one of the two outputs, it will repeat any IR signal it gets on the IR repeater input. It is basically the same as having an IR extender system such as the xantec or similar, but it is built right in. This is the most flexible/configurable pre/pro on the market today. I am just looking for an alternative rather than ordering IR repeaters from smarthome, paying $50 USD (which will be over $100 by the time I get them in Canada) and waiting 3 weeks to get them delivered. Thanks in advance!