Sunday, March 28, 2010

IR Repeater for all Verizon FiOS Set Top Boxes

irblaster.info now has ir repeater solutions for every make and model of Verizon FiOS set top boxes.  No matter what model you have there is an inexpensive way to hide the set top box behind closed doors.  If you have the 7XXX series box including the QIP 7216 and QIP 7100 you can use the $13 motorola style IR extender cable.  This cable just plugs in the back of your set top box to the jack marked "IR Remote Input" or "IR Ext IN"  You'll then route the receiving end of the cable to a location within line of site of your remote.  You can see the receiver stuck to a plasma tv in the photo attached to this blog post.

If you don't have a 7XXX box you will need a generic IR Repeater solution.  These IR Repeaters have three components: IR Receiver, IR Amplifier, and IR Blaster.  You locate the IR Receiver within line of site of your remote control just like the previously described motorola style ir extender, but instead of plugging it directly into the sret top box you plug it into the IR amplifier.  The IR amplifier will amplify the signal and send it to an IR blaster which you will stick on to the front panel of your hidden set top box.  This way, infrared signals are converted from optical to electrical and then back to optical before sending to your STB.  irblaster.info always carried generic IR repeaters that will work for set top boxes such as the FiOS QIP 2500, 2708, 6416, or QIP 6200 on their IR Distribution page, but these units were expensive and a bit complicated to install since the IR Receiver was built into a single gang low voltage box. Most would consider these more professional models than do it yourself ir repeater models.

Now, however, there is a cost optimized solution specific for cable tv and verizon FiOS set top boxes that use 38KHz remotes (all the boxes mentioned here as well as most boxes by comcast and cox communications).  By cost optimizing for 38KHz they are able to offer a generic ir repeater solution for these boxes at an extremely attractive price. 

So now, no matter what FiOS box you have it can be located behind closed doors starting at just $13!

EDIT Sept 5, 2015: The motorola style IR extender also works with newer FIOS boxes including the Cisco CHS435HD and CHS335HD as well as the Arris boxes VMS1100 and IPC1100.  It's great that FiOS supports the motorola IR extender on their complete line of high definition set top boxes.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Get an IR Blaster for $10 off

It looks like paypal is running a special to get $10 off a purchase of $10 or more if you are new to paypal. According to the site the special is running until March 22, 2010.  So, if you don't already have a paypal account you can go and get yourself an IR Blaster for $10 off!

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

FTDI LIRC IR Receiver

There are now low cost FTDI Based LIRC IR Receiver circuit boards available at irblaster.info.  This is a great way to add a low cost USB IR Receiver to your PC.