Remote Control Repeater Advice?

[Bonzo]

So for the first time in my life I'm interested in hooking up a remote control repeater. I'm thinking about tucking my DirecTV box inside my cabinet to make some room for other things, and I'm afraid I may lose signal trying to go through the perfed metal door. I've also found that certain components (like the before mentioned DirecTV box) don't receive signals as well as others, and it gets a bit frustrating trying to aim the remote specifically when for other things I don't have to. I'm thinking an inexpensive repeater might do the trick to kill 3 birds with one stone.

So is it as simple as getting something like this?
www.amazon.com/dp/B01N674PE9/ref=asc_df_B01N674PE95104644/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B01N674PE9&linkCode=df0&hvadid=194024095585&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16215428447177526546&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015735&hvtargid=pla-312923447038

Or are there particular brands that are better? Or are there better ways to go about it? Like some sort of RF version? Or Alexa? (Not sure I want to go down that road). What about components that have hard wire connections on the backs called "remote?" How do those work?

Anyone here with experience that can give me a few pointers and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks for any help you can give in advance.

Cheers --- Bonzo

[USNRet]

What remote are you using?

[jlafrenz]

There isn't much to it with an IR kit. Put the receiver eye in a place that is visible so remotes can point at it. Make sure you get the other flashers over the remote sensor of each component and you should be good to go. You can use hot glue to attach them once you know they are in the right place.

[Bonzo]

Aug 2, 2017 18:30:26 GMT -5 USNRet said:

What remote are you using?

Two of the exact same old Sony Commanders. Love these remotes, and dread the day they go out and we have to find something new. Not a fan of the Harmony options at all. And yes, I said TWO remotes. Best thing we ever did. That way I have one and my wife has one, and we can share duties. No kids in our house, so it works great.

These Sony's also have a strong HUGE wide IR dispersion pattern, so for most things we don't even need to lift them off the table or aim them. The DirecTV box in its current location is a another story, and that's part of what I want to change.

[Bonzo]

Aug 2, 2017 19:46:35 GMT -5 jlafrenz said:

There isn't much to it with an IR kit. Put the receiver eye in a place that is visible so remotes can point at it. Make sure you get the other flashers over the remote sensor of each component and you should be good to go. You can use hot glue to attach them once you know they are in the right place.

That's what I started gathering from my limited research. I guess I was wondering if there was some new better tech in today's modern world.

[jlafrenz]

Aug 3, 2017 9:42:56 GMT -5 Bonzo said:

Aug 2, 2017 19:46:35 GMT -5 jlafrenz said:

There isn't much to it with an IR kit. Put the receiver eye in a place that is visible so remotes can point at it. Make sure you get the other flashers over the remote sensor of each component and you should be good to go. You can use hot glue to attach them once you know they are in the right place.

That's what I started gathering from my limited research. I guess I was wondering if there was some new better tech in today's modern world.

There are RF options, but they will generally come at a more premium price. They will also require some more work on your end for programming. A lot of people like the Harmony option as they are affordable and can be end user programmed fairly simply.

[Bonzo]

Aug 3, 2017 12:37:46 GMT -5 jlafrenz said:

There are RF options, but they will generally come at a more premium price.

Good to know.

They will also require some more work on your end for programming.

Fine by me. I'd rather be able to fine tune than not.

A lot of people like the Harmony option as they are affordable and can be end user programmed fairly simply.

I know I'm a rarity here, but I don't care much for the Harmony remotes. Actually, I don't like them much at all.

[jlafrenz]

Harmony isn't my personal choice either, but they fit the bill for most. There are some good solutions out there, but not all are end user programmable.

I think there are a few here using iRule and possibly a couple others. Hopefully they will chime in with their experiences.