I'm looking for a remote (IR extender) that I can use to control a DVD jukbox, VCR and DVD surround sound system that is inside a cabinet. I don't want to have to open the cabinet doors every time I want to use this equipment, and I don't necessarily need to control all the equipment with one remote. Any ideas?

You didn't describe your cabinet. If it has glass "doors" then you really shouldn't need anything special, sunce IR signals will penetrate glass. You may lose a little of the "power" of the signal, which basically is manifested in just how far away you can be.

If, however, the cabinet's construction is more solid (not glass), then it would be more akin to having your components in a "closet". RF signals will "penetrate" normal wood or composite materials (non-metallic). Since you said "cabinet", I'll assume that depth is greatly restricted, thus most or all the components are just barely behind the cabinet's face. That precludes putting the "command center" in front of the components such that all the components would get a "good shot" of the IR signals from the command center. Therefore, you'd likely require the use of "emmitters" or "bugs" or "IR blasters". These are small IR emmitters at the end of cords which plug into the command center. You tape or use the self-adhesive the small emmiters over the "IR Windows" (sensors, receivers" on each of the devices you need to control.

That leaves you 2 options: an RF/IR remote w/command center, or a set of one of the various "pyramid" schemes available. The pyramid schemes you simply use a normal IR remote aimed at the transmitter pyramid, that sends an RF signal to the receiver pyramid (in the cabinet) which converts the rf signal back to IR to control the components.
The IR/RF w/command center would possibly gain 2 advantages: 1. No transmitter pyramid, since the remote itself sends the RF signal that the command center receives which in turn converts to the IR for the components to actually use. 2. You wouldn't neccessarily be restricted to the same room as you would with the dual pyramid scheme; ie., you could change tracks on the CD from the kitchen or bathroom. Since the remote is essentially non-directional, you wouldn't have to "aim" at the cabinet. If your receiver is also in the cabinet, and also IR controlled, you could also control it's functions with it as well. If the receiver is not in the cabineet, since the remote also sends IR, you could control the receiver IR direct.
2 currently marketed remotes that sell for ~70.00 for the remote and command center that should easily handle your needs are ueic's (One-For-All) 9910, and Radio Shack's 15-2117. A further advantage is they are both JP-1 ready. That would let you control all your IR devices with just one remote, from virtually anywhere in the house/apartment.
The dual pyramids would also probably "work" but you'd be restricted to one room, and a multitude of remotes to keep track of and keep around. Your choice and decision.
Jim

Jim,

Thanks for the help.

My cabinet is made of wood.

I saw the Radio Shack 15-2117. So would I have to install the cammand center inside the cabinet, with the IR transmitter facing the IR "eye" of each one of my components? I notice this equip. comes with one IR extender cable; it seems to me I would need 3 or 4 of these to ensure the equipment is receiving the signal from the command center. Unless I can manage to mount the command center facing the eye of each one of my peices of equipment.

Not neccessarily if you used "bugs" for everything IN the cabinet. ie route the bug cables into the cabinet, one for each sensor window needing control. You didn't specify that everything you have that's IR controlled is IN the cabinet. I assume then that other components, perhaps a TV and receiver may be OUTside of the cabinet. I don't know how long of "extension" cables the command center would have adequate power for, but I'm *sure* it is limited (due to line loss in the cable, and I'm sure the "power" is pretty minute to begin with.


The command center would have to have a clear line of site shot at each components "eye" or window. I would think that inside the cabinet that would be pretty tough to do considering the command center doesn't have a real wide "spread" of IR. I'd *guess* with three "thin" units totalling maybe 10" of height, you'd need somewhere around 3' of distance from the command center to the front-line of the units. The more the number of units, and the taller the "stack", the further it'd have to be to "reach" all of them.

You can find "bugs" with at least 2 "emitters" on one cable, perhaps more. I *Think* command centers have 2 outlets that you can plug into. 2 "Y"'s,then, would control 4 units. The 2117 also sends IR signals so it should adequatly control the devices that are outside of the cabinet on it's own, with the command center inside the cabinet, obviously the RF feature of being able to operate devices from other rooms would be defeated (for those outside the cabinet). Since all the ueic OFA and RS) remotes use the same command centers, it's possible to pick up a "loose" command center on ebay or otherwise, and you could have one inside, and one outside.

|I notice this equip.

Jim

The repeater cable is about three feet long, the jack it plugs into accepts a 3/32 plug, not the usually 1/8 minipug.

Jim,

Thanks a ton for your help.

"You can find "bugs" with at least 2 "emitters" on one cable, perhaps more. I *Think* command centers have 2 outlets that you can plug into. 2 "Y"'s,then, would control 4 units"

Can you explain this? What are "bugs"?

It's the emitter on the end of the repeater cable. And NO the basestations only have one jack on them, for one repeater wire.