I decided to buy the xantech dinky link lcd/cfl proof kit to pass the infrared signal through my wood doors of my cabinet. Since making that decision, I've not found one for sale, anywhere. They all say that there is a problem in manufacturing and therefore have been back-ordered till next month. I know from experience that if they replenish stock next month to the entire nation, or maybe world, they will sell out fast and take another month to finally catch up. I just can't wait, so I went on the hunt again...

I don't know about stock availability on any other brand, but that aside, I thought the only other thing out there was Sonance. I just found that there are a few other choices, but I don't know. What would you do?

I definitely would like your opinion on the Sonance system as well as Channelvision. I currently have a rear projection TV that is a few years old. I plan to replace it in another year or two at the most. Unless I change my mind, I will probably go with an LCD, so thinking ahead, I want a IR system that will play well with LCD TVs.

I would like to either hide the receiver behind a cloth speaker grill, or stuff it in a small crack between my TVs screen and it's speakers, right beside my stuffed wii sensor bar. I don't need much distance. I sit about 12' from my TV and cabinet.

• My TV is a Hitachi Ultravision 46" widescreen - model 46f500.


• My receiver is a Yamaha RX-V661 (will be controlled via the IR kit in question)


• My DVD is a Panasonic DMR-ES46V DVD Recorder/VHS (will be controlled via the IR kit in question)


• My satalite receiver is a JVC from Dish Network (will be controlled via the IR kit in question)


• My remote is a Logitech Harmony 880


• I also have a Lutron MIR-600THW IR dimmer in the room and of course the Wii

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Gary

Check into Niles

Dave

You can also check out Jobsite... I can't remember which, but they are basically the same as another well known company. I want to say Niles, but don't quote me on that.
Elan makes Ir systems as well.

Well, I went to the local high-end audio store today to order the Niles simply because their site says it is compatible with plasma and lcd too. They carried both Niles and Sonance. They had the Sonance in stock and would have to order the Niles. Sonance's site doesn't really claim that it is compatible with both types, but the included documentation does. I bought it and it's working beautifully. Woohoo!!!

I placed all the individual emitters and got my daughter to hold the receiver while I tested it in several positions. I didn't like the performance behind my speaker grills, so I tried it out on a black piece of plastic on the TV, between the screen and the speakers below it. Worked great. The plastic piece is about 2 inches tall. She was holding it at the top. When I started hiding the wire in a crack, I liked it better at the bottom, so that's where I put it, less than 2 inches down from where we tested it. It was getting some noise interference and not working well. I moved it back up to the top, again less than 2 inches up, and it works like a charm.

Summary:
Play around with the placement of the receiver before committing to the final placement. There were other places that worked well, but my final position receives great and less than 2 inches away works horribly. (I'm sure this is true with all brands). The reason it didn't work behind my speaker grills might have been an interference as well. I'm told that acoustically transparent grills only cut down on the performance a little bit.

Properly placed, I love the Sonance.

It comes with 4 emitters and that would max out the kit, however you can get dual emitters. If you do that, you can control up to 8 devices.

$200 plus tax is more than I wanted to spend, but I got tired of waiting for the Xantech, which was $150. The Niles is $250.

Hope this info helps someone else. Thanks for the input.


Gary

FYI, I got the Sonance IR PKG 3 which is part number 92441.

Comes with:
1 OPTILINQ FSMR1 Full Spectrum IR Receiver - PN 92222
1 OPTILINQ PS1 Basic Power Supply
1 OPTILINQ CB1 One Zone Connecting Block - PN 91353
4 OPTILINQ E1 Mini Emitter - PN 91348

i've been looking into one of these systems myself, great info gary, thanks for the posts!

Jobesite is a brand of Niles that is geared to the market that doesn't buy through AV_D. from from what I know they are the same gear!!
And you won't find a more reliable IR system than Niles or Jobsite for that matter!!