I am installing an MRX from Audioaccess - the device learns IR codes from nearly any handheld remote, stores them and then after receiving commands in it's own lingo it outputs the learned IR codes via two (2) IR flasher jacks and one (1) IR blaster jack on the rear panel. By design IR emitters are then affixed to the front IR panels of the components to be controlled.

***Here's my question***: Although they are from different manufacturers all of my components have 3.5mm "mini-phono" jacks for A/V networking. Can I hardwire one of the flasher jacks on the MRX to an IR connector block and then cable directly to the rear of the various "slaved" components? Anyone have any experience/success trying this. It seems to make perfect sense but questions of voltage and milliamperage keep surfacing.

Thanks, The Sheik

(I know this thread appears to be redundant but I have not seen my question answered as I search the various "IR Repeater" threads.)

Well, those jacks would have to be specifically for IR input. Some jacks may be audio/video in's and outs. If in fact they are for hardwired IR inputs (not wired remote controls) I would probably work, although, some devices need the IR 'code' stripped from the carrier frequency before you input into these IR inputs. I believe the AudioAccess can do this. Although, the MRX is no longer made, this must be an older unit. An upgrade to the PX700 is probably a good bet.

Hello All:

I too had trouble searching the forum for answers on hardwire IR connections. If I'm using an Marantz RC9200 with RF to a base.......and I want to control a sony650 dvd player, an onkyo898 reciever and a sony cd mega changer....all with hardwire connections(IR mini-phono plugs on the back). What type of emmiting block would I need that would hook up to the marantz (RF to IR) base? Any suggestions? Is this typically the best connection you can achieve....even more reliable than IR emmiters??

I checked out www.smarthome.com , but they only sell emmiters and blocks that stick on the IR sensors of components, where do you get mini-phono IR connecting blocks for rear IR connections (1/8" mini-phono)? Is there a problem mixing companies....ie (sony,onkyo,marantz,toshiba)?

I'll be purchasing the RC9200 next month.....does it have IR mini-phono outputs for connecting emitting blocks? How does this type of setup go about ....?

Thanks.

John



This message was edited by jonathanR on 04/22/02 13:20.14.

Yeah, count on the jacks taking IR inputs only if the manuals say they will. Lexicon and McIntosh have IR signal input jacks. I have no idea if other brands do, but Sony and Marantz require signals that are not plain IR with carrier, like you would get from a remote. Xantech has a box, the 792-10, I think, that "conditions" a signal so it can control components on these jacks. Call them or at least look at the site to see what components can be run by putting IR signals through these boxes. I have used them with Adcom and Pioneer.

If you try the approach of connecting to mini-jacks in several components, Xantech IR distribution will work and Niles will not. Other brands may work. The key is that with Xantech, the power ground is the same as the (-) terminal on the LED. With Niles, the LED (-) terminal floats above ground or has a transistor between it and ground, so if you connect IR outputs to different components whose grounds are interconnected via audio and video cables, then those outputs, and maybe the IR system as a whole, will not work.

Frankly, if you really really hate the IR bug idea (I sometimes describe these to clients as "you know, those things that are always falling off the front of the component," then get brave: open up the component and work out a way to put the LED inside near the IR sensor.

You might want to be sure that you have a good relationship with a warranty repair house before you do this, so you will not have someone saying, "nope, you opened the chassis, no warranty."

The only components that I have seen where you could not fit the LED (sometimes you have to take it out of the plastic box to make it fit) were Pioneer disc players, and they happened to have an input that can be used if you run the signal through the Xantech box.

P.S.

Love yer handle.

That's the way (uh-huh, uh-huh) I like people to use their senses of humor.

Matt: (Or anyone else with input)

IR JACKS ON THE MRX: All of the IR output jacks on the MRX are ONLY for the control of other components and they ONLY output IR commands that are taught at the MRX's front IR input.

IR JACKS ON SOURCE EQUIPMENT: The intended purpose of the IR input jacks on the source equipment was to be networked with network enabled devices from the exact same manufacturer. Example: A Sony TV with IR output will control (pass IR commands to) a Sony video device which has the S-Link input capability.

The MRX in effect learns the exact IR codes of other devices at it's front panel, and definitely WILL pass commands on to those devices through IR emitters. It is not however a repeating system. MRX will accept only MRX commands and then like a translator, it sends canned, pre-stored commands (via emitters) to the controlled devices.

**MY (insulation) BURNING QUESTION IS:** Taking into consideration the MRX "talks" to the other devices in their "native tongue", can I throw out the emitters and control these devices directly by hardwiring the appropriate outputs/inputs? (Without smelling smoke.)

Thanks to Ernie Bornn-Gilman for the Xantech\Niles grounding info. I was also looking at an all-in-one kit from Buffalo (??) Electronics:

I will definitely have to sniff out Buffalo tech support to find out if they are configured like Xantech or Niles.
Ernie:
RE: "if you really really hate the IR bug idea "
Your idea of going inside the chassis is where I'm headed if I don't get rock solid answers/results with hardwiring the IR network. I'm going to crash test on my own system. I am aware that Xantech and other devices can "strip off" the carrier frequency, but not entirely convinced that I need this functionality at this point.
**I'd like to say that I won't do any upgrades until all available equipment is HAVI compliant, but that'd be fibbing.**

Well, S-link and IR are not the same thing. I say give it a shot, if it works, then great. If not, and you didn't break anything....then open it up and put the emitter inside. But try not to strip the screws, the manufacturers have a hard time trying to warrenty replace or repair an opened device.

I have worked with a number of devices and some require the Xantech 792 series stuff and some do not. I know that the AudioControl Director is a great peice. It will allow you to strip the carrier or not inside the Directors unit itself. By the way, dosen't the MRX have discrete outputs for each device? This wouldn't require a connecting block of any type.

As mentioned by othes, different manufacturers implement IR input there own way, there is no standard.

Xantech makes 794 and 797 UNIVERSAL INTERFACE MODULES that can be used to interface to almost any type of component. Check out www.xantech.com.


This message was edited by Hector on 04/23/02 01:48.43.

S-link was a bad example for my situation, but Matt makes a good point - S-link is a mixed pedigree with SOME IR content thrown into the protocol gumbo. Even if I was successful in communicating IR signals to a Sony device through it's S-link input, some intended functionality would never manifest itself. All this has solidified my opinion that either self-adhesive "bugs" or internal mounting of the same is my best bet. Flogging the dog in other directions is.. well, flogging the dog. What was I thinking? I'd never do this in production so why even pursue it?
Matt: If perchance the screws I do strip, My penance shall be done elsewhere in this forum: I will devote a week to helping NDBEER hone his password entry skills in the well thought out (well worn) "BULL S**** PASSWORD" thread. Thanks to all for the input.

Well, even so much as a mar on the screw head is enough. I've had them refuse because the paint was gone. Just inside the philips part of the screw head.