I have a Niles A4.6ci in a room about 80 feet from the family room where three components are located that I would like to use in the multizone system. These components are behind a cabinent door, and I'm using a xantech block with a sensor and emitters to control the equipment (the block only has one IR in).

The niles will control 4 pieces of equipment, it has 4 individual IR outputs for each component. Would it be possble to combine three of the ouputs into a single cable that would input into the xantech block in the faily room, so I can use the emitters that are already there? (I would need to get a xantech block that can handle two inputs)

What type of equipment would be necessary to accomplish this?
thanks
Roger

I'm sure someone will have a better idea, but you can always put the four emitters onto the face of a Xantech IR receiver, and blast away...

Thanks, I had not thought of this. What if a connecting block was used to combine the outputs fron the niles (using miniplugs), then split in the family room with the xantech? And also, how far can you send an IR signal before you have to worry about signal loss?
Thanks
Roger

a 791-44 should do the trick.

a 791-44 should work, the other option is to diode isolate and connect all the outputs in series, then you only have one cable. This circuit is how the connecting block would combine them anyways, so who needs the block? 3 diodes, some b-connectors, and you're done.

thanks for the solutions to my problems...as you can tell, I'm not an IR pro, and I think i'm missing something on the 791-44. Looking at the website photo, it has 10 emitter outputs, a high IR out, and a sensor in. There is also a status terminal for connection of Xantech IR Receivers and Keypads that have status indicator LED's.

So would I hardwire three outputs from the Niles into the status terminal, then route 100 feet from the high IR output, and into the 789-44? The only other way I can see to use this block would be to connect the three outputs from the niles into emitter port, and use the High IR out to get to the 789. but that would be backwards, right?

Thanks for your patience :0

Not the status.

You want to come out of the flasher out into the 791-44. Use the Gnd and IR in terminals on the 791.

As far as where you put the 791, you can try to put it in the equipment rack (wire your dinky link or whatever into it as well) and use the emitter ports on the 791 to flash your components. This might work as long as the voltage drop on the run from the 6.4 isn't too bad.

If it dosen't work, you had it right before with the high ir out going into the 789, but still go into the Gnd and IR in (not the status).

You will need to use a meter to figure out which lead comming out of the 6.4 emitter port is IR and which is ground.

Hope this helps!

Yes, that helps a lot. I've got two racks, one with the Niles preamp and amps, and one with the components, escient dvdm-100, denon avr3803, and audiorequest. The two racks are about 50 feet apart. I was guessing 100 foot run max. If I put the 791 in the rack with the niles, I would have three short runs into the block, and one long run into the 789/dinkylink which works the denon, etc. If I put the 791 in the denon rack, I would need three long runs out of the niles, but I could get rid of the 789. This is what your'e saying, if I'm getting it right?

I was hoping I could find a block that would take three mini plug inputs for the Niles for just the reason you stated, ie I will have to figure out how the Niles outputs IR and ground when hardwiring to a connecting block.

Am I wrong in assuming there is an industry standard when using the miniplugs? In other words will a niles emitter or receiver work on a Xantech block?

thanks

If you have 6 conductors to the components, just "extend" the emitters.
This will allow you to "manage" the ir outputs better.

Yep


I haven't seen any connecting blocks that have 3 mini jack in ports. But with a meter, it's pretty easy to figure out the polarity.


As far as mimi plugs go, the tip is usually the ground, if I remember it correctly. But you'll still need a meter to be sure.

Two more questions...sorry. The 12v pinout on the block is used to power a receiver, and shouldn't be needed for my purpose?

If the Niles send out simultaneous commands from all four ports, such as a system power off, will this be a problem?

thanks

geraldb
would cat5 work?
thanks

yes, cat5 will work.

You're correct, you don't need the 12v hooked up to anything UNLESS you are using the connecting block to power an IR receiver that needs 12v to operate.

Thanks very much for everybody's help!!!