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Topic:
New home IR distribution
This thread has 23 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 10:14
lucasbuck
Long Time Member
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I'm starting to build a new home and could use some advice on IR distribution. Currently, I'm using a Hotlink pro and it works fine, but wanted to do something a little cleaner in the new construction.

I'm going to have a media closet in the basement, and two rooms in the house where I need control. In the media closet I'll have about 4-5 devices to control with my current HTPC setup.

Can someone recommend a hub, receivers, emitters? I was thinking about those keystone jacks.

Or, if I'm totally behind the times and should be thinking in another direction, feel free to let me know. Any and all help greatly appreciated.
Post 2 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 10:25
FASTLs
Long Time Member
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480
How about a remote with remote base station?

FASTLS
Post 3 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 10:40
longshot16
Super Member
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3,442
Please just have a CI come design a proper system with RF.
The Unicorn Whisperer
Post 4 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 10:43
GotGame
Super Member
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4,022
RTI and URC have RF remotes with addressable base stations. You would save a lot of wiring trouble for what you are doing.
I may be schizophrenic, but at least I have each other.
Post 5 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 11:09
ichbinbose
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definatly look into an RF base system. It is more reliable and more fexible than a traditional IR based system
Post 6 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 11:20
iimig
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RF>IR
The less I say, the smarter I will appear
Post 7 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 11:21
highfigh
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RF, in addition to IP-based control will be a lot more reliable and you won't need to worry about compatibility.
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 8 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 13:06
Ernie Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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I agree with the recommendation that you find a custom installer to help you work out what you want. That said, if they don't suggest a control system that uses RF from the handheld device to an RF receiving station, they are behind the times. IP control give you great possibilities too, but think about how you use a remote and be clear that a remote with buttons can be used without looking at it, because you can learn to feel which button you want to push, but one without buttons has to be looked at EVERY TIME you want to do anything (my basic argument with pad type remotes).

On July 17, 2012 at 10:14, lucasbuck said...
I was thinking about those keystone jacks.

Yes, they are neat, but thinking about them at this point is like thinking what kind of wheel nuts you want on your vehicle -- I like the big chrome pointy ones you occasionally see on big rigs -- before you work out whether you're going to have a big rig or an SUV. Or a Jaguar. Frinstance.

You might indeed end up with keystones, but just RJ45 jacks!
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
OP | Post 9 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 13:07
lucasbuck
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Thanks, I figured there might be a newer way of doing it. Could someone point me to a system so I can read some more about how it works? Are they really hard to setup yourself?
Post 10 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 14:12
longshot16
Super Member
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www.rticorp.com

www.universalremote.com

www.Crestron.com

All require a professional installer to program them.
The Unicorn Whisperer
Post 11 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 14:52
Ernie Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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On July 17, 2012 at 13:07, lucasbuck said...
Thanks, I figured there might be a newer way of doing it. Could someone point me to a system so I can read some more about how it works? Are they really hard to setup yourself?

They are not really hard to set up yourself unless it's your first one. And that's the rub, for you.

That is exactly why those products are only available to dealers. The manufacturers cannot possibly field all the questions that end users would have about how to make ONE SYSTEM work correctly. They will, however, field questions from installers who do system after system -- that represents a much smaller amount of HELP! calls, as each good answer will be remembered and used in another system later.
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 12 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 15:12
ichbinbose
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On July 17, 2012 at 13:07, lucasbuck said...
Thanks, I figured there might be a newer way of doing it. Could someone point me to a system so I can read some more about how it works? Are they really hard to setup yourself?

most of the better systems are not DIY, but are dealer sold and installed product.

take a look at URC, Crestron, Control4, Savant, AMX, RTI to name a few
Post 13 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 15:54
iimig
Senior Member
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If you really want to tackle it yourself, Logitech Harmony RF remotes like the 900 can technically do what we are talking about here. I hate them and would never sell one because of their limitations, but they are a decent solution for a DIYer because the learning curve is much gentler.
The less I say, the smarter I will appear
Post 14 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 16:05
eastonaltreee
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The Harmony really is a good solution for the DIY crowd.
Post 15 made on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 16:43
charris
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On July 17, 2012 at 11:09, ichbinbose said...
definatly look into an RF base system. It is more reliable and more fexible than a traditional IR based system

To be honest I would dare say that in the long long term an IR based system is more reliable than any RF based remote or control system. That said when you you live with an automation remote you do not go back to several remotes - until problems start of course.

This is debate for another thread and please all that recommended RF remotes above do not take this personally or too seriously... :) I would actually recommend the same thing...
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