I want to get a simple solution for controlling 3 components behind closed doors and am looking at the xantech 291 kit. Is seems to be priced much lower than products from Niles for example. Is there a reason for this? Does the Xantech work as reliably as similiar products from other companies. I realize the IR box in the 291 is larger than some other ones so maybe this explains the price difference? Thanks for any input.

As far as I'm concerned xantech is the king of IR land. The 291 kit is a good choice if you only have a gew components and a CRT TV. The receiver however will not work with some digital cable boxes. You may want to upgrade to a Dinky-link receiver.

[Link: audio-direct.com]

I will second that, we use Xantech for all IR related needs, as well as alot of the rest of their lines. I know a few of the guys here would pitch the channel plus IR gear, and even though I have never used CP(at least the IR gear), I know alot of the engineers at CP came from Xantech, so they can't be that bad.

I do only have a few components including a Mitsubishi DLP. I am concerned about the cable box though. I have a Motorola 6412 from Comcast. Have people used the 291 kit with it and if so how has it worked out?

I know the SA boxes would have problems. Not sure about the Motorola

I use Xantech IR equip and it works flawlessly. Not sure if I bought the exact 291 kit, but it looks similar.

Xantech invented IR need I say more

Xantech didnt invent IR........ They were the first company to build and patent an IR repeating system........


ANd if being first in something automatically makes you the best why would anyone every build a product that similar to someone elses??

AUdioPlex makes the BEST Ir repeating products..... Speakercraft (Who emplyes the people who originally designed the first Xantech system) make some pretty damn good stuff as well.... Ahead of xantech now...

Xantech is stil the King of the black box...... But their IR repeaters are staring to lag behind some of the other companies.

I also just noticed that Xantech hasnt won ANY Infra-Red related awards for anything they've built since 1998.... Its ALL been MRC related since then..... Kinda sad for the company that put IR distribution on the map originally.

How so? I am interested, as I have always had good success with their IR products, what would you recommend/what do you use?

What is sad about their focus on the MRC related products? We are WAVE dealers, and am very impressed with the improvements and developments that they have made to their product line. I will say they do have a few issues to iron out, like not specifing power requirements of certain devices, and having really bad info on a couple of manuals, but I think they are working through that, and the more I work with the product the more I understand the engineering logic, and think that they are on the right track for a really sucessful product line, or they would not be getting the awards that they have been getting. I know you work with alot of other higher end control systems, but what do you see about Xantech that you don't like? Just curious. With that being said, what would you go to product wise, if you were to look at something other than Xantech, that is comparable in price, features, control capabilities?

The MRC Stuff is fine.... GOod even..... I just mean their focus USED to be on IR, and now it is clearly on the Multi-Room audio stuff....

I've had scenarios (Plasma applications especially) that simply would NOT work with the Xantech system... Of course, I refused to use that Icredibly Ugle, Huge, overpriced Plasa IR Receiever they had(Still have?)

When I replaced the xantech receivers with AUdioplex the system worked without a problem. and now, in similar situations, I'm using Speakercraft without Problems... and they cost significantly less than the Xantech.

Outdoor is another area where Xantech has let me down.... The AUdioplex IR Receiever that looks like a Bullet Camera is Awesome Outdoors! Remotes just should NOT work in Bright sunlight from 20-30 feet away.... I was amazed.....

I sometimes had to get within 1ft toget the Xantech CFL Friendly receievrs to pick up when they're mounted outside... Not very friendly if you ask me...

Their AUdio stuff is good, and they have some of the coolest black box solutions out there.... I use their stuff often.... Just no the IR stuff anymore.......

Of the thousands of IR products I've installed over the years. They have ALL been great. No problems with Xantech or anybody else. I would never even think of doing a compatibility study before installing a component. It would be a waste of my time and money. (but then again.. I have boxes full of fixes)

If somebody were asking about wireless IR repeaters... ?? That sounds funny... The type with the little black pyramids... I'd suggest they buy local and hold onto their receipt and all te packing materials.

Use good hardwired components, and in 10 years when the system becomes hopelessly outdated... At least the IR repeater should still be usable.

Use the 291 and don't look back.

If you have a problem. Pop back on the board and it will be solved.

Audioplex and Speakercraft are good alternatives to Xantech. Stay away from Niles though they have some new stuff that I haven't tried. One thing to be carefull about is not to use Xantech emmitters with Audioplex IR bugs and processors. The Speakercraft stuff seems to play well with Xantech.

Why would anybody have to stay away from Niles because you had not yet tested it?

Remember. he's talking about controling 3 pices of equipment behind closed doors.

likely.. DVD - RCVR - Cable box

One thing

Why would he be mixing components if he has acess to Xantech? What would he be processing?

I love when an answer gets over complicated...

Five brand variations!? why? Do I hear six?

I use them together all the time with no problems. Any specifics?

Just go buy the 291kit and it will work.

PS. I have never experienced any prolems with anything Xantech makes. We do alot of Xantech and the only thing I have seen go bad is a couple of emitters.

Mike