I have my TV on top of a cabinet that has my components in it. From my couch, line of sight is partially blocked by my coffee table. This forced me to hold my remote near teh top of my head to the IR is able to reach the components. Obviously this is annoying as h*ll! =)

However, a few of the components do receive the IR signal without me holding it above my head depending on where I am on the couch.

I am interested in the RF capabilities of the MX-600 and MX-800. AFAIK, both remotes send RF *and* IR signals at the same time. While this is great for controlling devices in other rooms, etc, I'm guessing this is going to cause a problem for my situation since the components will receive both an IR and RF signal?

I believe the MX 800 lets you specify which commands are sent via RF. I haven't made use of that function myself but it appears to be an option in the programming of the unit.

Yes, with the MX-800, you can specify RF, IR or both for each component. The 600 sends both all the time, but it's not a problem for use in the same room. Your components will normally only "see" one signal.

Mike
www.SurfRemote.com

Lets say you have the mx800 set to send both IR and RF. Lets say you pres the tv's power button(a toggle type, not discrete). Will the tv receive the IR signal directly from the remote before the RF gets through the mrf-200 coverted to IR then sent to tv?

If so wouldn't this cause the tv to be turned on then off?

Or is the RF to IR conversion so fast that both reach the tv at the same time, causing the tv to accept one while ignoring the other?

I'm not sure of any lag in the two methods of transmission but unless the TV is in line of sight of the base unit or has a transmitor attached from the base unit, the signal sent via RF would never reach the TV anyway.
Of course with the MX 800 you could just specify that the TV not be sent any signal via the RF thus eliminating any potential for 'double commands'.

Wheelier4:

I'm assuming that the remote would be using discrete codes, so the scenario you are talking about won't occur. If not using discrete codes, I guess this is possible?


Everyone else:
Assuming I get the MX-600. You guys are saying that RF and IR are always sent. So this is not a problem then if the device receives both IR and RF? I don't understand how this won't be and as Mike stated above, "Your components will normally only 'see' one signal." How can this be?

I just can't justify the price of the MX-800!


This message was edited by bobby_t1 on 11/24/03 13:14.

Be it MX 800 or MX 600 the RF signal only moves between the remote and the base unit. The base unit recieves the command via RF, then translates the command back to IR, and then relays the signal to the end component ie; TV, DVD player etc.

Ultimately all components are controlled by IR signal.
So, unless the component to be controlled is within line of sight of the base unit or the base unit has one of it's six wired IR transmitters attached to it's IR reciever, the command sent from the remote via RF will not be 'seen'.

As a happy MX-800 owner (the trick is don't even bother about trying to justify the price - ever hear of denial?)...

I'm using it in a single room with a variety of gear (including a notoriously TOAD Toshiba RPTV) and it's fine - no problems with "double signals". It's great because if somebody blocks the line of sight between a piece of gear and your RF base-station, you still have a good chance of hitting the device with the IR from the remote.

S

I don't have any problem like this. I was just tossing out a hypothetical scenario above using a tv in the line of sight of both the remote and the mrf-200's IR blasters(no IR emitters attached) and using a NON-discrete power on/off signal. With the remote sending both IR and RF signals. :)