Remote control from another room

[StarvingForHDTV]

What's the best way to control a device from another room?  

I was thinking about using my home stereo to listen to music while at the computer.  I need a way to change stations from a different room in the house.

Thanks in advance,

Starving

[Paul S.]

Originally posted by StarvingForHDTV
What's the best way to control a device from another room?  

 

Yell at the kids to do it.:drink:

[Gregg Lengling]

Actually there are IR repeaters.  2 different types...1 type actually you have to place the units in sight of each other....not very good.  The other type which I use is a RF repeater.  You have a receiver in the room with the equipment that actually has to see the equipment like your remote would so it can control it.  Then you have the transmitter in the room you want to be in and you just aim your remote at that unit and it converts it over RF to the other unit and fires a new IR sequence at your device.

I've been using a combo unit for years that I use to send the one Directv box audio/video to other TV's in the house (garage/kitchen ect) which also has the IR repeater function.  So even though the Directv box is in the bedroom I can still change channels from the garage or kitchen.

[jkane]

I have had varying success with RF based repeaters.  Sometimes they work great, other times they don't work at all.  I've tried 3 different kinds.  (I have one set left that I no longer use.)

In the end, I now use a Xantech Xtra Link 2.  http://www.xantech.com/  Shop around, you can find them for full price a few places on the internet, but if you search, you will find them for a small discount at a couple less well known places.

They require a coax to be between the two locations.  In a regular TV installation, that isn't a problem since you use the same coax going between your reciever and the TV.  There are blockers needed if you split the signal to a TV without a transmitter on it's end.  That makes this a more expensive solution, but I have been so much happier with this than the previous RF versions that always seemed to be worst during prime time viewing.

Not sure if coax will work for you since you want to go to a radio instead of a TV.

[StarvingForHDTV]

Hmm.  How much money are we talking about for these solutions?  I don't have a kid to do the work for me....

Really I just want to listen to FM while at the computer.  I looked into some cheap FM tuner cards, and their tuners don't seem to be of high quality.  I have a nice sound card, and a good computer speaker system.  Maybe a digital tuning Walkman to feed my sound card?  I do want presets for sure.

What do you guys think is the best option for me?

Thanks for your help,

Starving

[mhz40]

Take a look at the Radio Shack RF Wireless Remote Extender
Catalog #: 15-1950 Model: 15-1950

MHz40

[Mrtanner]

This is a $39 programmable remote control that comes with a repeater station.  It is both IR and RF which is very, very nice.  I use it to control my receiver, DVD and cable box which are behind a closed door in a closet.

[sdn10s]

Originally posted by StarvingForHDTV
Hmm.  How much money are we talking about for these solutions?  I don't have a kid to do the work for me....

Really I just want to listen to FM while at the computer./B]

Have you considered downloading Apple's iTunes software? Besides the music store and audio books, the site has a ton of streaming radio stations to listen to at no charge. Versions are available for both Mac and Windows.

[StarvingForHDTV]

Great suggestions, thanks.  I will look into them.  What about wirelessly sending my audio output from the home receiver in the living room to my computer in my spare bedroom?  Is that possible?  Then I could have the best of both worlds I think.  It would be from pre-amp Out on my Yamaha to the mini jack In on my Soundblaster Audigy card.

With the iTunes, are the radio stations the same sound quality or better than FM stereo?  Any dropouts, and if so, how frequent?  I have had really bad experiences with internet radio up to this point.

Thank you everyone for your help.

Starving

[Gregg Lengling]

I use X10 modules to send Directv Video and Audio all over the house...you don't have to use the video input just use the stereo audio inputs.  The audio quality is excellent.  Then you can actually send from one source to many different receivers in different rooms feeding different amps or sound cards.

[StarvingForHDTV]

Are "X10 Modules" at Radio Shack too?  I'm getting the remote that Mrtanner suggested.  That was a tough one to track down.  I have to drive across town to get it.  If the X10 module is there, I would like to get it too.  I'll search their website for that keyword.

Thanks,

Starving

Originally posted by Gregg Lengling
I use X10 modules to send Directv Video and Audio all over the house...you don't have to use the video input just use the stereo audio inputs.  The audio quality is excellent.  Then you can actually send from one source to many different receivers in different rooms feeding different amps or sound cards.

[Gregg Lengling]

Different part of their product line.  I buy it all at x10.com

[StarvingForHDTV]

Excellent, thank you!  I will buy it there too.

Starving

[sdn10s]

Originally posted by StarvingForHDTV
With the iTunes, are the radio stations the same sound quality or better than FM stereo?  Any dropouts, and if so, how frequent?  I have had really bad experiences with internet radio up to this point.

Believe it or not, the sound is basically C.D. quality, with no dropouts at all. I should add, though, that I do have Road Runner which certainly does help.

One other thing.... I just did a quick check and there are 20 different variety "categories" to choose from and a total of 348 "streams" or stations to listen to. Not bad for free.

[mhz40]

Musicmatch.com is also another radio site.  It was originally only an mp3 player, but as everything else, they have expanded.
You can get 60 min of cd quality sound each day just for signing up.  For unlimited access to CD quality, it's 4-5/month.

MHz40