Technology has obviously come a long way. In fact, it is enabling us to store all the TV components, including the cable box, in a closed door cabinet behind the TV wall and still use the remote.
It is called an IR repeater or extender. Essentially we put one sensor behind the TV that acts just like the sensor that the TV has. When you use the remote, that signal is taken from the sensor (via a cable through the wall) and back to the central unit. That unit has extenders that essentially do the opposite of the first one on the wall and they broadcast the signal that the first IR sensor picked up and broadcast it to the AV equipment inside the cabinet. There is also a PS3 module that receives IR signals from the remote and converts those to Bluetooth so that the PS3 can run off of the same single sensor at the TV. The photo below shows the TV area sensor (the small black box) hidden right behind the TV.
By the way, here's what the cabinetry in our butler's pantry looks like with the inside painted black. I had originally thought I'd need to cover the glass with fabric or wallpaper, but the black paint so completely disguises the TV components that I won't have to.
UPDATE FROM CHRIS:
Based on some questions with regard to types of IR transmitters and what I used, here are some links to the products:
The Extender Kit is The IR Extender Kit from Logitech:
This kit has everything you need to connect multiple devices to the main "receiver" point hidden near the front of your TV. You could use all of your existing remotes with this device, it just transmits the signal through. One comment asked if you could turn everything off at once, which would be unlikely unless you had a "learning" remote for your TV/Cable Box/Satellite that could handle all of your devices.
Because of this I chose to buy a universal remote so we have one remote for everything. I picked the Logitech Harmony One:
I would rate the remote 3/5 stars due to a difficult setup and cheap feel. The IR extender gets high marks, very easy to set up, 5/5 stars.
17 comments:
I love magic!
How cool that the black paint hides everything! Bonus!
P.S. I am digging your childhood hair! ;)
Fantastic! You are fortunate to have the cabinet in the butler's pantry and to have the vision to use it in this manner as well as your husband knowing what he is doing.
Ha,ha - you made me laugh with having hubby explain the magic. I love new technology and the best thing ever is a universal remote that handles every piece of equipment.
We had a TV back in the day that was so sensitive that a fly could change the channel - not cool when you have to get up to change the channel b/c a fly messed with your program!
Tha
That is just amazing, and if I ever get my own home, I'm doing that.
So, basically magic. Haha. It is perfect that you had the unused cabinet space to hide these electronics!
Pure genius - both the magic to make it work and the black paint to make it all disappear!
Just dropping in to say I LOVE your home and blog. As an east coast transplant to Colorado, I miss the beauty of the vintage homes of the east (and lots of other things too). I also refer to technology as magic. Thanks for sharing your home's rebirth w/us.
I think Chris should start a blog. :)
I have no idea what Chris just said, so I'll just go ahead and agree with the other girls and call it magic. Which, by the way, is how I would describe your new black-painted disguising the equipment! Awesome job. Can't wait to see more on this whole room!
We're looking to do the same thing with the future TV in our bedroom. Do you know what brand of IR repeater you have? Any recommendations of what to look for? I understand the science behind it I've just never bought one before. We're just going to have a DVD player and the cable box on a shelf in our closet because it's a tight area. Nothing fancy.
Also how do you know when a piece of equipment has been left off? Or does the repeater turn everything off at once too?
Isn't magic just awesome!! I am still in owe over simple things like cell phones and the internet etc.......so needless to say even the simpliest things with technology totally blow me away TV's included!
OMG, you still look exactly the same, so cute!!!
I was lost too, but I know when something looks good and that looks great. BTW, are those foamy pink curlers in your hair? I used to beg my mom to put those in my hair because I wanted curls so bad-usually I couldn't take it and would pull them out in the middle of the night.
What a great solution! I'm going to bookmark this info in case we need it for the future!
Wow! You're taking that old house in to the 22nd century! (yes i know it's only the 21st now) That's crazy. My husband would be so jealous.
Sorry, I don't understand that strange language that Chris speaks but I do think whatever he is saying must be brilliant 'cause I love what you've done with this. We called it a clicker as well and I sometimes find myself saying that and getting blank stares from my kids.
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