[kenreau]

Looking for a cost effective recommendation (under $200) for an IR extender system (receiver. brain. flashers). I use a Harmony 880 that is IR only with rechargeable battery. Looked at the Next Gen rf system but doesn't fly with the rechargeable battery system. Very appealing approach otherwise.

I have a Dish DVR, HT Pre, Plasma TV, etc. roughly 5 components to cover. All items are in the same room in cabinets. Primary problem is some components are behind front speakers and difficult to get IR beam to control.

Read about Xantech, Buffalo, SmartHome, Hot Link, Channel Vision and even Salamander. I have my components in Salamander cabinets.

Any clear cut choices or ones to avoid? Is it mandatory to get one that is specifically Plasma friendly?

Thanks,
Kenreau

[Alwayswantmore]

I bought an extender recommended by Tweeter. I've read the manuals and looked at the product, but have not hooked it up yet. I really like the concept though because it uses radio frequencies to communicate with the base unit (the remote also has IR if you are in line of sight of equipment). The advantage is the remote will work between walls or operate equipment inside a cabinet. For my wife's bedroom TV, I intend to put my equipment in a cabinet in the great room, and run an HDMI through the adjoining wall to the bedroom for the TV. That way the bedroom is not junked up with DVRs and such.

Again, going through walls is cool, and everything I've read in the manual sounds great. Here is the purchase info:

Universal Mastercontrol RF20 Powerblaster MRF100B. 100 foot range for radio signal, then the base unit interacts with your equipment via IR.

[JP78]

they use speakercraft ir flashers at the a/v integrator i work at...these things work great and are rock solid...in a lot of the homes that we're upgrading / renovating we find these same ir kits 10 years old...still working great.  a friend of mine works at another a/v shop and they use xantech over there...he swears by them.  both brands offer solutions for about 200-230 msrp...i'm sure if you shop around online or befriend a local a/v guy you'll be fine meeting your budget .

i think as long as you stay with a solid product without too many bells or whistles you will enjoy many years of use. 

good luck,

[kenreau]

Thanks guys.  I just picked up a xantech kit to try out.  It is a kit tailored for LCD's and unfortunately I have a plasma.  The HT shop did not have the "plasma" kit in stock but offered to swap it out if it did not work.

Thanks,
Ken