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timjet · 10-10-2019, 05:41 AM

I installed a Visio TV on a homemade lift located behind the drivers side couch. The bottom of the TV where I believe the remote receiver is located (infrared) is just below the top of the couch. This requires us to stand up and aim the remote down onto the TV for it to work. I want to change to a RF remote. Is this possible?

Podivin · 10-10-2019, 05:49 AM

If you get a different remote you can make it work.
I use a Logitech Harmony universal remote at home, it will work anywhere in the house - I don't recall now if it works over RF or the house WiFi, but it works.

There is an infrared sending unit for the remote that you place in front of the TV, that's what actually controls the TV (so no change to your TV), and the remote controls the sending unit.
There is also an app for a smart phone that controls the sending unit, but I don't use that. For me it's much more handy to use the remote.

There are multiple Harmony remotes, you'll want to make sure you get the one of the ones with the separate sending unit.

Edit: looking at the current Logitech offerings, the companion looks to be what I have, or at least the current version of what I have.
https://www.logitech.com/en-us/harmo...versal-remotes

clifford j · 10-10-2019, 06:01 AM

A couple ways to skin the cat,,, Some tv box's have a remote IR jack on the back ,you can plug in an remote adapter,( a short wire with a IR sensor on one end and a plug on the other. Normally used when box's are behind entertainment doors. Another method is to get an extender,,, this method consists of two tiny devices ,,,a sender and receiver, about the size of an Oreo cookie. They extend IR. I have one tv box in my living area and a second tv in my bedroom. I set the receiver in my bedroom and the sender in view of my box IR in the living room. The cost was 30 bucks. My tv remote is not available with RF . I know Direct TV remotes are available in RF or IR .

CLIFFORD

aether_one · 10-10-2019, 06:14 AM

Or get an IR repeater. $10

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters...qid=1570709612

timjet · 10-10-2019, 06:15 AM

Wow, didn't want to spend that much money! I don't want something that requires an internet connection. A LAN maybe OK though.

I looks like anything I get will require a device that sits in front of the TV that converts the IR signal from the remote to an IF signal the TV can read. Due to the TV location in front of the couch that would require positioning the device on the couch back in front of the TV blocking our viewing of the TV.

MRUSA14 · 10-10-2019, 06:23 AM

An IR repeater has a very small emitter, sometimes about the size of a pea or a lima bean, that attaches adhesively to the front of your TV. Then there is a receiver that can be placed anywhere that you can point your remote towards. Look for these online. They are available for $25 or less. The one that TFRYMAN recommended above for only $10 looks perfect.

Road Pilot · 10-10-2019, 06:29 AM

Here's an IR repeater powered from USB that's $6.99 on Amazon Prime.

https://www.amazon.com/USB-IR-Repeat...KRWBVNAD5J5AAC

timjet · 10-10-2019, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfryman

Or get an IR repeater. $10

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters...qid=1570709612

OK, this looks promising. So I attach the IR transmitter right over the TV IR receiver and point my remote at the IR receiver.

aether_one · 10-10-2019, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timjet

OK, this looks promising. So I attach the IR transmitter right over the TV IR receiver and point my remote at the IR receiver.

Yep, pretty simple.

Waiter21 · 10-10-2019, 12:34 PM

Yup, the repeaters will work. As mentioned, Amazon sells a couple. I think the one Road Pilot linked to will do the job.

docj · 10-12-2019, 09:04 AM

I use a similar repeater to operate several devices that I have inside closed cabinets. The repeater has outputs for several IR "emitters" each of which can be attached to a device you wish to control. I use a Logitech Harmony so I don't need to deal with multiple remote controls.

RustyTools · 10-16-2019, 04:39 AM

Not exactly what you asked for, but another possibility...

Because of her low vision, my mother had to sit very close to the tv, blocking the remote eye and driving my father crazy because he couldn't surf channels.

So, I opened the tv back, removed the little infrared-remote circuit board and extended its wires to reach the top of the tv. That way, it was over her head and the eye could then 'see' the remote transmitter.

timjet · 10-16-2019, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyTools

Not exactly what you asked for, but another possibility...

Because of her low vision, my mother had to sit very close to the tv, blocking the remote eye and driving my father crazy because he couldn't surf channels.

So, I opened the tv back, removed the little infrared-remote circuit board and extended its wires to reach the top of the tv. That way, it was over her head and the eye could then 'see' the remote transmitter.

That might be a good option. I ordered an IR repeater but my TV is on a lift and a wire from the TV IR receiver on the bottom of the TV to the IR receiver I bought could get tangled in the lift mechanism as the TV goes up and down or at least the wire would be dangling and would not look good.

I won't be able to get to this immediately, but I think the possibility that I could remove the TV IR receiver from the bottom of the RV and attach the IR repeater to it, hidden in the back of the TV and then run the IR repeater receiver to the top of the TV might eliminate all but one wire, that wire going to the IR repeater receiver sitting on top of the RV lift.