I appologize for posting in the "pros" area, but I do a fair amount of installation for friends, have done some pretty advanced installs, but I do have a few questions on routing IR that I hope you can help me with:

I currently have an IR system in place that follows the image below. I'd like to connect an IR output from that 2nd room to the whole system, so that when I'm in the room I can control any connected component, and I have some questions related to that.

Background on IR System:

I curently have a Xantech 10 port amplified IR connecting block which receives its principal signal from a Xantech 291 receiver on top of the TV and connects to the IR block via stereo minijack cable. I also have a Lutron SPS-5WCR which has an IR emitter that fires to the rest of the system that can be actuated by a direct hit of IR, by pressing a button on the unit, and by sending a signal to the 291. I have this unit currently configured not to do IR rebroadcasting, so there is no IR loop.

Specific Questions
1. I'd like to connect an IR output from that 2nd room to the IR input cables I've brought down to the crawlspace. Given that I have a single output from the Lutron unit, can I connect another input there? I believe that it is something that is allowed, but I wonder whether having the IR output from either the Lutron or the bedroom firing into each other would cause problems.
2. I'm considering using a BNC/RCA connection at at least the bedroom location and would like to run IR over that. I was thinking about getting a Panamax In Wall unit with 5RCA module, which says it supports IR, but I wouldn't know how to make connections on both ends or if it would degrade the signal, rendering it useless. It's just a thought, what do you think?
3. I have a 4 emitter connecting block that came with my Xantech 291-Kit I originally used. Now that I have the 10 emitter unit, this one is available for the 2nd room. I'm thinking that if I puy a power supply and the 291 receiver that I could use this to provide both a nice connection to the TV at many angles and an output to the main connecting block through an emitter port. Do you see any reason that would not work?
4. I don't think there's a need to broadcast IR
5. As previously mentioned, I'm considering using an RCA/BNC interface at the wall. Should I consider using an RCA cable the full distance, or should I go back to the 14 AWG cable I'll need to connect to anyway from the start. I assume the 14 AWG cable is cheaper and I have some sitting in my garage anyway.

Thanks for any thoughts you have!

Aww, no one? I can't imagine that this is that hard for some of you, so if you could please help out, that'd be great! :-)

mabey i dont understand your post, but why dont you just add another IR receiver in the 2nd room paralelled with the main one(receiver)?

Too easy??? ;-)

It's hard to do much for you if I have no idea what you're really trying to accomplish. BNC/RCA/RG-6/wall plate terminations, amplified 10 port block? Lutron what? where?

If it's just ir, use the wire recommended in the xantech and lutron diagrams: it's a sheilded 22/2 w/drain from the connecting block in the main room to a receiver in the bedroom. Xantech makes adapters etc. for RG-6 but why? You can make it look like rocket science but it's not.

I'm glad to see that emoticon smile, because it is a little weird to be disappointed that the pros are not available to answer your question smack in the middle of business hours on a Monday!

I second the suggestion that you add a second receiver. Xantech receivers can be paralleled.

What I was suggesting was to add a second receiver in the other room, which it sounds like everyone recommends, and doesn't expect will have a difficulty with connecting into the IR connecting block that's already connected to the other receiver.

How do you interface with the walls in your installations? That's probably my principal concern at this point. Do you use minijack connections? if so, what parts? I've been looking around and having trouble finding them.

Thanks!


It was a whole day worth, but that's ok. I know that people are here all the time. I of course appreciate any comments. I know that this isn't that difficult, as others suggested, and if there were a custom install forum that wasn't specified for just pros, I'd ask my questions there.