Hide components in a cabinet & still control them?

Question

I want to move my satellite receiver and mini system inside our hutch but then I wont be able to control them with the IR remotes. Im looking for a CHEAP IR "extender" so I can put the receiver outside the cabinet and put the transmitter inside the cabinet. I found some wireless models (some up to $200) but I don't need wireless. Any suggestions? Thanx.

Answer 1

Yeah. I agree, Xantech is good. Reliable and priced better than some less reliable products. "Cheap" IR repeaters will drive you nuts when you have to keep pushing the same button over and over to make your stuff work.

Answer 2

It's going to cost about the same to build a reliable IR repeater. Xantech is a reliable choice. I'm sure there are some Chinese brands for less money that will mostly work.

Be careful about running your equipment without ventilation. If your doors are going to be closed, and your hutch has a back, you should consider a cooling fan exhausting out the back. Satellite receivers are basically Linix computers, computers with no cooling fan.

Answer 3

i made a cheap 1 once using mirrors

using mirrors on the back of cabinet doors and placed on wall behind cabinet and it reflected the ir

cost about 50p for sticky mirrors how cheap is that

Answer 4

There is no need to build a repeater system for your purposes.  I've used the powermid remote extenders from X-10 before.  You can also check out this product:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl...

Best of luck to you...