I've got a customer (BIG ONE!) with an Audioaccess system. First let me tell you what a POS this stuff is!!!! Anyway... the IR out is unbelievably weak. I need to give it a shot in the arm so it can control a Scientific Atlanta cable box (another nightmare).

Anything out there that will ramp up an IR signal? Cheesy work arounds are ok, its in a rack in the basement.


TIA,
Andy

NEW BATTERIES?!

thanks... been down that road.... many times.

The audioaccess (PX-600) just has a gutless... weak IR output. I need to amplifi it.

POS!?... that's harsh!

I'll admit the Audio Access is limited in functionality in today's terms, but both the MRX & the PX series *always* worked for us as advertised. We still have all kinds of these systems in the field chugging away. Not exactly sexy, but very reliable.

* Do you have problems on *all* IR outputs or just the cable box?
* Did you try the blaster/common output or learn the commands to another port?
* Bad flasher? Flasher in the wrong spot? What kind of flasher?
* Incompatible frequency? Which SA box?

I'll bet my lunch money "weak" isn't the issue here. What's the specific problem?

It is an SA Box... They've been known to have IR issues with learning remotes, which is, after all, what the AA is doing here...

Disagree with your designation of the Audio Access

Xantech 791-44 is an amplified connecting block

Sounds likely to me, but can't confirm... both our local providers use Motorola boxes.

What's for Lunch!?

The first problem is that the house (The customers weekend home) is about an hour and half drive, so it's almost always a full day to do some minor service stuff. The system was installed by our company in another lifetime... we had some shady characters working for us, that were long gone before I got here. I've inherited a system I know nothing about. Through my trials I have found it to be very simple in its operation... just really slow. All I need the AA system to do is fire the "Fav" button when you single click.

The CD players and tuner work well with standard emitters on them, but you have to have them absolutely PERFECT for them to catch the signal. I've tried relearning the codes from the cable box remote a zillion times with no luck. I've taken the Cable box apart, to get an unimpeded shot at the IR receiver, with no luck. The only thing I haven't tried is using a blaster (one of those silly things that used to come with VCRs), because I didn't have one with me (DOH!).

The reason I say that the IR signal is week, is by using the old "Look at it through a camera" trick. If you compare the output of the PX-600 to... say an RTI RP-6, they are night and day. I simply thought that maybe if I boost the IR output, then maybe the cable box will respond. I'll gladly entertain other suggestions.

One of my other options is to try a different box form Adelphia... but thats a whole other batch of nightmares! ;-) I'm looking into this as we speak.

Here's what we've got:

4 PX-600's
2 Sony CD players
Sony AM'FM tuner
and Scientific Atlantic cable box (I don't know the model, off hand)

Everything but the cable box works the way it is supposed to (after several hours of tweaking)

My goal is to have as many options as possible for the next drive down... so I don't have to tell the property manager that I have to come back... again. I'm starting to feel like an idiot... on top of my frustration.

Sorry if I offended anyone with the POS comment... I'd love to know more about the systems, as we have a few o'm out there. Tips and tricks in the programming?

Thanks,
Andy


Lunch?... I'm confused.

This message was edited by AndyM on 10/26/05 19:44 ET.

My bet is that it's not from a weak signal, but from being off frequency.

There's a Russound piece that will correct this problem.

Been there way too many times.....I now keep the Russound piece in the "black magic" box on the service truck....

You might want to try a repeater system with variable output. Take a receiver and some eyes, and repeat the outputs of the AA to the units. At least have one with you when you drive back out.

I think the funny carrier is going to be your culprit, and I don't think there's going to be a work-around. Give them a call, I've had good luck with their tech support in the past.

Good luck

I've got TSS's back here. I too keep them on the truck for the damned SA boxes. Did an install a few months ago where one SA box was fine and the other one (same exact model 8300 HD DVR) didn't work for crap on the IR system. I forget the Russound model number and its not on their damn website. I think its called a remodulator or something and it goes inline between the emitter and connectiong block. It needs a power supply too. Pretty sure it strips the carrier from the signal.

Whatever it does, it works on the SA boxes.

TSS... could you dip into the "bag o' tricks" and get me a model number? That sounds like it could be a winner.

If it matters, I believe this Cable box to be an older model... definitely not an HD. I'm gonna dig around and see if I can find the model number... I'll know it when I see it.


Thanks,
Andy

Russound IR Remod 56k is what it says in my computer.

Good call, Ken.

The only note on the 56K ir remodulator is that it requires a 12v trigger output to power it. But it works well on Direct TV boxes, so it should work on your SA Box. This has to do with some new PCM? technology that uses the upper (and only the upper) portion of the IR band for transmission. Good Luck.

PN 5100-119347 Remodulator

PN 5100-480034 Power Supply


Fred, you should sell these as a "get out of jail" kit.....lol