Xantech IR extenders.

- L
- lostaussie
  
  Contact options for registered users
posted
17 years ago

Fri, Feb 24, 2006 3:19 AM

I am interested in knowing more about the different Xantech IR extenders.

Can anyone explain the differences between the CPL10 RF/IR Coupler and the INJ94 RF/IR Injector / CPL94B RF/IR Coupler.

I have a Media Center Edition MCE computer in one room but the Dual Tuner Satellite Set Top Box STB that provides the signal is in a different room and due to wiring I can't easily put the two together. I have COAX going from the STB to the MCE computer.

The MCE needs to be able to send IR commands to the STB in order to change channel etc. My initial thought was to use an pyramid style IR extender which would mean sticking the blaster cable onto the IR sensor of the transmitter and putting the receiver in front of the STB. This should work but I have not heard great things about these devices.

I have seen some people mention Xantech products but am unable to find easy information on which units I would need.

The MCE uses a mono headphone type adaptor for the IR blaster cable which I believe is similar to Tivo. Ideally I would like to take a male to male cable from the MCE box and plug straight into a Xantech COAX distribution transmitters sending the signal back up the COAX to a receiver where I could plug the actual IR Blaster cable in and attach to the STB.

Is this possible?

If so which devices do I need. Two CPL10 RF/IR Coupler's seems to take a mono mini plug but does not do voltage input which I suspect is needed.

INJ94 RF/IR Injector / CPL94B RF/IR Coupler seems to take a stereo mini plug so I do not know how I would connect my MCE computer to it.

If you need more information please let me know as I am new to all this.

Loading thread data ...

- L
- Lewis Gardner
  
  Contact options for registered users
Vote on answer
posted
17 years ago

Fri, Feb 24, 2006 6:47 PM

The CPL10 is a universal input/output RF/IR device. It can either inject or output IR from a coax cable. As such it requires a external connecting block (typically a CB12) to get power into the system.

The INJ94 is essentially a CPL10 with a CB12 built in.

The CPL94 is essentially a CPL10 with 2 emitter jacks.

Here are some data sheets:

formatting link

If you have a unused coax that goes between the two locations then you could just use that coax to extend the IR emitter wire. No couplers required.

You could try a direct connection using either a INJ94 or a CPL10/CB12 and a power supply on the MCE end and a CPL10 on the STB end.

If you use the INJ94 you will need to make a custom cable. Connect the tip of a 1/8" mono plug to the tip of a 1/8" stereo plug. This is the signal path. For ground connect the ring of the 1/8" mono plug to the ring of the 1/8" stereo plug. The ring on the stereo plug is the small part between the tip and sleeve. Plug the power supply into the INJ942.

If you use a CPL10/CB12 combination get a 1/8" mono plug and connect the tip to the CB12 "S" terminal and the ring to the "G" terminal. Plug the power supply into the CB12. This is the easiest to wire option if you don't have the soldering skills to make a custom cable. Here is the parts list:

2 CPL10 couplers 1 CB12 connecting block 1 781RG power supply 1 1/8" mono plug on a wire 1 283M emitter?

A better option which maintains electrical isolation is to use a IR receiver at the MCE end. A 291-10 would be my choice. Simply stick the MCE emitter to the front of the 291-10 which would be connected to a INJ94. The coax would carry the signal to either a CPL10 or a CPL94 at the STB end. In some cases the MCE emitter may overload the 291-10 in which case unsticking the emitter from the 291-10 and moving it away can cure the problem. Here is the parts list:

1 INJ94 injector 1 CPL10 coupler 1 291-10 IR receiver 1 781RG power supply 1 283M emitter

I have not mentioned emitters in any of these descriptions but obviously you will need one for the STB (unless you reuse the one you have which may or may not work properly with the Xantech parts). I like the 283M emitters since you can see them blink.

Best of luck!