Having mixed results with Terk IR remote control repeaters, I stumbled
onto Channel Vision and Xantech who "inject" the IR signal onto
existing house-wired coax and reproduce it at some point down the cox.

Unfortunately they don't (seem to) have parts that address how my
house is wired...

My system is "home-run"... all coax goes to a central closet and are
connected to a distribution amplifier... five separate output ports.

Anyone know how the Channel Vision or Xantech systems work so I could
roll my own (or modify)?

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona Voice480)460-2350 | |
| E-mail Address at Website Fax480)460-2142 | Brass Rat |
| http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

Beware of any of these products when using a cable box or satellite
receiver. I bought a "Hidden IR" system from Smarthome last year and
found out that my cable remote used a 56 kHz subcarrier which was higher
than the frequency response of the "Hidden IR" system. Ultimately I was
able to exchange for different hardware that worked, but the
incompatibility was not well advertised in the marketing by Smarthome
and I spent several days trying to figure out why the cable remote only
worked in a narrow angle from the IR pick up.

Jim Thompson wrote:

Having mixed results with Terk IR remote control repeaters, I stumbled
onto Channel Vision and Xantech who "inject" the IR signal onto
existing house-wired coax and reproduce it at some point down the cox.

Unfortunately they don't (seem to) have parts that address how my
house is wired...

My system is "home-run"... all coax goes to a central closet and are
connected to a distribution amplifier... five separate output ports.

Anyone know how the Channel Vision or Xantech systems work so I could
roll my own (or modify)?

...Jim Thompson



--
Joe Leikhim K4SAT
"The RFI-EMI-GUY"©

"Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason."

"Follow The Money" ;-P

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:16:02 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:

Beware of any of these products when using a cable box or satellite
receiver. I bought a "Hidden IR" system from Smarthome last year and
found out that my cable remote used a 56 kHz subcarrier which was higher
than the frequency response of the "Hidden IR" system. Ultimately I was
able to exchange for different hardware that worked, but the
incompatibility was not well advertised in the marketing by Smarthome
and I spent several days trying to figure out why the cable remote only
worked in a narrow angle from the IR pick up.

[snip]

Thanks for the caveat!

Looking at the pricing, it seems high enough to entice _even_me_ to
roll my own ;-)

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona Voice480)460-2350 | |
| E-mail Address at Website Fax480)460-2142 | Brass Rat |
| http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

Jim Thompson wrote:

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:16:02 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:

Beware of any of these products when using a cable box or satellite
receiver. I bought a "Hidden IR" system from Smarthome last year and
found out that my cable remote used a 56 kHz subcarrier which was higher
than the frequency response of the "Hidden IR" system. Ultimately I was
able to exchange for different hardware that worked, but the
incompatibility was not well advertised in the marketing by Smarthome
and I spent several days trying to figure out why the cable remote only
worked in a narrow angle from the IR pick up.

[snip]

Thanks for the caveat!

Looking at the pricing, it seems high enough to entice _even_me_ to
roll my own ;-)


http://www.mcminone.com/search.asp?keyword=&restrict=1000201&MODE=1


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

Michael A. Terrell wrote:
Jim Thompson wrote:
On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:16:02 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:

Beware of any of these products when using a cable box or satellite
receiver. I bought a "Hidden IR" system from Smarthome last year and
found out that my cable remote used a 56 kHz subcarrier which was higher
than the frequency response of the "Hidden IR" system. Ultimately I was
able to exchange for different hardware that worked, but the
incompatibility was not well advertised in the marketing by Smarthome
and I spent several days trying to figure out why the cable remote only
worked in a narrow angle from the IR pick up.

[snip]

Thanks for the caveat!

Looking at the pricing, it seems high enough to entice _even_me_ to
roll my own ;-)


http://www.mcminone.com/search.asp?keyword=&restrict=1000201&MODE=1


Or just chuck it all, put a nice bottle of wine on the table and play a
card game ;-)

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:11:27 GMT, Joerg
wrote:

Michael A. Terrell wrote:
Jim Thompson wrote:
On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:16:02 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:

Beware of any of these products when using a cable box or satellite
receiver. I bought a "Hidden IR" system from Smarthome last year and
found out that my cable remote used a 56 kHz subcarrier which was higher
than the frequency response of the "Hidden IR" system. Ultimately I was
able to exchange for different hardware that worked, but the
incompatibility was not well advertised in the marketing by Smarthome
and I spent several days trying to figure out why the cable remote only
worked in a narrow angle from the IR pick up.

[snip]

Thanks for the caveat!

Looking at the pricing, it seems high enough to entice _even_me_ to
roll my own ;-)


http://www.mcminone.com/search.asp?keyword=&restrict=1000201&MODE=1


Or just chuck it all, put a nice bottle of wine on the table and play a
card game ;-)

Or hop in the sack ;-)

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona Voice480)460-2350 | |
| E-mail Address at Website Fax480)460-2142 | Brass Rat |
| http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:16:02 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:

Beware of any of these products when using a cable box or satellite
receiver. I bought a "Hidden IR" system from Smarthome last year and
found out that my cable remote used a 56 kHz subcarrier which was higher
than the frequency response of the "Hidden IR" system. Ultimately I was
able to exchange for different hardware that worked, but the
incompatibility was not well advertised in the marketing by Smarthome
and I spent several days trying to figure out why the cable remote only
worked in a narrow angle from the IR pick up.

[snip]

I forgot to ask... which brand ultimately worked with the 56KHz
subcarrier?

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona Voice480)460-2350 | |
| E-mail Address at Website Fax480)460-2142 | Brass Rat |
| http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

Jim Thompson wrote:

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:16:02 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:



Beware of any of these products when using a cable box or satellite
receiver. I bought a "Hidden IR" system from Smarthome last year and
found out that my cable remote used a 56 kHz subcarrier which was higher
than the frequency response of the "Hidden IR" system. Ultimately I was
able to exchange for different hardware that worked, but the
incompatibility was not well advertised in the marketing by Smarthome
and I spent several days trying to figure out why the cable remote only
worked in a narrow angle from the IR pick up.



[snip]

I forgot to ask... which brand ultimately worked with the 56KHz
subcarrier?

...Jim Thompson



From my order to replace the hidden IR system: Part numbers are from
Smarthome site.

1 8134 - 1-Zone Connecting Block (4 Emitter Outs)
1 8194A - 12v Regulated Power Supply
1 CL-8108PP2 - Plasma Proof 40 & 56khz IR Target
3 8170S - Stick-On IR Emitter

Note; this is not an "over coax" system. You can hook these up with twisted wire. I suggest you download the instructions from their website to see how far you can extend the IR target. The IR Target device is the "critical" piece as far as operating with most remotes. The connecting block I beleive has the emitter coupled amps to drive up to 4 IR emitters for the cable boxes and receivers.

Beware, when you use such a system, you need to make sure that the remote control is not "seen" by both the IR target and the device you are controlling simultaneously or there will be "delay spread" which will corrupt the signalling. In my case, since the devices I am controlling are inside a teak wall cabinet, unless the doors are open, all works fine. If the target were remotely installed in another room, then conceivably, the devices *cable box etc) could be out in the open and the remote would work fine locally.

--
Joe Leikhim K4SAT
"The RFI-EMI-GUY"©

"Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason."

"Follow The Money" ;-P

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:14:26 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:



Jim Thompson wrote:

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:16:02 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:



Beware of any of these products when using a cable box or satellite
receiver. I bought a "Hidden IR" system from Smarthome last year and
found out that my cable remote used a 56 kHz subcarrier which was higher
than the frequency response of the "Hidden IR" system. Ultimately I was
able to exchange for different hardware that worked, but the
incompatibility was not well advertised in the marketing by Smarthome
and I spent several days trying to figure out why the cable remote only
worked in a narrow angle from the IR pick up.



[snip]

I forgot to ask... which brand ultimately worked with the 56KHz
subcarrier?

...Jim Thompson



From my order to replace the hidden IR system: Part numbers are from
Smarthome site.

1 8134 - 1-Zone Connecting Block (4 Emitter Outs)
1 8194A - 12v Regulated Power Supply
1 CL-8108PP2 - Plasma Proof 40 & 56khz IR Target
3 8170S - Stick-On IR Emitter

[snip]

OK. Those are Xantech parts.

What DIDN'T work?

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona Voice480)460-2350 | |
| E-mail Address at Website Fax480)460-2142 | Brass Rat |
| http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

Jim Thompson wrote:

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:14:26 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:



Jim Thompson wrote:



On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:16:02 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:





Beware of any of these products when using a cable box or satellite
receiver. I bought a "Hidden IR" system from Smarthome last year and
found out that my cable remote used a 56 kHz subcarrier which was higher
than the frequency response of the "Hidden IR" system. Ultimately I was
able to exchange for different hardware that worked, but the
incompatibility was not well advertised in the marketing by Smarthome
and I spent several days trying to figure out why the cable remote only
worked in a narrow angle from the IR pick up.





[snip]

I forgot to ask... which brand ultimately worked with the 56KHz
subcarrier?

...Jim Thompson




From my order to replace the hidden IR system: Part numbers are from
Smarthome site.

1 8134 - 1-Zone Connecting Block (4 Emitter Outs)
1 8194A - 12v Regulated Power Supply
1 CL-8108PP2 - Plasma Proof 40 & 56khz IR Target
3 8170S - Stick-On IR Emitter



[snip]

OK. Those are Xantech parts.

What DIDN'T work?

...Jim Thompson


Correct, Xantech. Those worked fine, it was another product Smarthome
sells called the "Hidden IR System" (much cheaper) that won't work with
56 kHz remotes. The above equipment I bought to piece together a working
replacement for the Hidden IR system which did not work. In my
application, I am concealing the video devices and need to remote the IR
outside a wall cabinet system.

--
Joe Leikhim K4SAT
"The RFI-EMI-GUY"©

"Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason."

"Follow The Money" ;-P

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:14:26 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:



Jim Thompson wrote:

On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:16:02 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:



Beware of any of these products when using a cable box or satellite
receiver. I bought a "Hidden IR" system from Smarthome last year and
found out that my cable remote used a 56 kHz subcarrier which was higher
than the frequency response of the "Hidden IR" system. Ultimately I was
able to exchange for different hardware that worked, but the
incompatibility was not well advertised in the marketing by Smarthome
and I spent several days trying to figure out why the cable remote only
worked in a narrow angle from the IR pick up.



[snip]

I forgot to ask... which brand ultimately worked with the 56KHz
subcarrier?

...Jim Thompson



From my order to replace the hidden IR system: Part numbers are from
Smarthome site.

1 8134 - 1-Zone Connecting Block (4 Emitter Outs)
1 8194A - 12v Regulated Power Supply
1 CL-8108PP2 - Plasma Proof 40 & 56khz IR Target
3 8170S - Stick-On IR Emitter

Note; this is not an "over coax" system. You can hook these up with twisted wire. I suggest you download the instructions from their website to see how far you can extend the IR target. The IR Target device is the "critical" piece as far as operating with most remotes. The connecting block I beleive has the emitter coupled amps to drive up to 4 IR emitters for the cable boxes and receivers.

Beware, when you use such a system, you need to make sure that the remote control is not "seen" by both the IR target and the device you are controlling simultaneously or there will be "delay spread" which will corrupt the signalling. In my case, since the devices I am controlling are inside a teak wall cabinet, unless the doors are open, all works fine. If the target were remotely installed in another room, then conceivably, the devices *cable box etc) could be out in the open and the remote would work fine locally.

What I'm wanting to do is control the cable box (in the great room)
from both the kitchen and my office ;-)

Which is why, after the less-than-stellar-performing RF-link Terk
experience, I'm looking into the insert-IR-on-coax systems.

...Jim Thompson
--
| James E.Thompson, P.E. | mens |
| Analog Innovations, Inc. | et |
| Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus |
| Phoenix, Arizona Voice480)460-2350 | |
| E-mail Address at Website Fax480)460-2142 | Brass Rat |
| http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 |

America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave

Jim Thompson wrote:

On Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:14:26 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:



Jim Thompson wrote:



On Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:16:02 -0500, **THE-RFI-EMI-GUY**
wrote:





Beware of any of these products when using a cable box or satellite
receiver. I bought a "Hidden IR" system from Smarthome last year and
found out that my cable remote used a 56 kHz subcarrier which was higher
than the frequency response of the "Hidden IR" system. Ultimately I was
able to exchange for different hardware that worked, but the
incompatibility was not well advertised in the marketing by Smarthome
and I spent several days trying to figure out why the cable remote only
worked in a narrow angle from the IR pick up.





[snip]

I forgot to ask... which brand ultimately worked with the 56KHz
subcarrier?

...Jim Thompson




From my order to replace the hidden IR system: Part numbers are from
Smarthome site.

1 8134 - 1-Zone Connecting Block (4 Emitter Outs)
1 8194A - 12v Regulated Power Supply
1 CL-8108PP2 - Plasma Proof 40 & 56khz IR Target
3 8170S - Stick-On IR Emitter

Note; this is not an "over coax" system. You can hook these up with twisted wire. I suggest you download the instructions from their website to see how far you can extend the IR target. The IR Target device is the "critical" piece as far as operating with most remotes. The connecting block I beleive has the emitter coupled amps to drive up to 4 IR emitters for the cable boxes and receivers.

Beware, when you use such a system, you need to make sure that the remote control is not "seen" by both the IR target and the device you are controlling simultaneously or there will be "delay spread" which will corrupt the signalling. In my case, since the devices I am controlling are inside a teak wall cabinet, unless the doors are open, all works fine. If the target were remotely installed in another room, then conceivably, the devices *cable box etc) could be out in the open and the remote would work fine locally.



What I'm wanting to do is control the cable box (in the great room)
from both the kitchen and my office ;-)

Which is why, after the less-than-stellar-performing RF-link Terk
experience, I'm looking into the insert-IR-on-coax systems.

...Jim Thompson


I tried those Pyramid IR- RF links and they were terrible. Far better to
go with a wired in approach. The insert IR approach is going to require
some sort of "DC" injector to get signal onto and off the coax. Then you
have to deal with supplying power at the IR Target's amplifier as well
as the IR splitter amp. Personally, I would pull some new wires.

--
Joe Leikhim K4SAT
"The RFI-EMI-GUY"©

"Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason."

"Follow The Money" ;-P