View Full Version : Audio/Video Transmitter question?
Do you use a A/V transmitter to watch satellite TV in another room?
I use this kind of setup and find it very convenient. Do you? :rolleyes:
Chris Blount
05-28-02, 09:46 PM
I'm using a wired system called the "Rabbit". Along with the video signal, the infared remote is also relayed to give total control from another room. I've had the system for almost 15 years and can't seem to get rid of it since it works so well. A wireless system would be nice though.
Well, that is great. If it is working so well, I don't see a need to upgrade. Do you still get a clear picture and sound? or do you loose some of that?
With today's new technology (2.4 Ghz) wireless transmission and higher, wireless is best for new users.
Since I am using a UHF remote (the blue button remote that comes with Dishnetwork), my trsanmitter transmits the A/V signal only. It works fine.
I am planning to sell this type of units on my online store when I find a reliable supplier with good quality and affordable transmitters.
Chris Blount
05-28-02, 09:58 PM
Actually, I just figured out that I would do fine with a wireless transmitter. I just picked up a Dish 501 receiver which has a UHF remote. This replaced my DP in the main room which uses infared.
Actually I should thank you for reminding me of this fact. Guess I'm going shopping tomorrow. :)
BTW: Welcome to DBSTalk.Com :hi:
Hey, wait a minute..... I get the benefit for this reminder... ;-) Wait until I carry it on my store, hopefully soon, then shop with me... I'll give ya a good discount, I promise...
Cheers
Sadoun
I got rid of my DP. The darn thing was awfull. Takes for ever to switch channels and when it turns on and off. How is the 501 working for ya? I hear that the 301 is out-selling the 501 by a great margin. Anyone here selling Dishnetwork receivers?
Chris Blount
05-28-02, 10:12 PM
Sure, but I can't promise anything. I already hear Best Buy and Radio Shack calling.
Oh God..Best Buy and Radio Schack?...Hmmm... I will definitely save you some big bucks.
Well, if you are urgent about it, I guess the nearest store will do. Make sure the receiving unit has a coax outlet, just in case your TV doesn't have RCA inputs.
Some units don't have coax outlet, and you would need a modulator for it to hook it to older TVs.
Best of luck
Chris Blount
05-28-02, 10:46 PM
I'm not in a BIG hurry. You are right though. The prices are quite high a Best Buy and Radio shack for this kind of stuff. If you have a good deal, I'm all ears.
Duh! I've been using two 2.4 GHz X10 (www.x10.com/products/x10_vk57a.htm ) a/v units for some time now. $69.95 online + a freebie, + a $20 GC + free shipping.
TX -
Inputs: video, L/R audio (RCA),
IR to UHF
4-ch selectable
on/off sw
RX -
Outputs: video, L/R audio (RCA), RF
UHF to IR blaster
4-ch selectable
on/off sw
They work very well with no interference except when the microwave oven is on. That must be an FCC requirement to once again screw the consumer.
Caution: There are a few 900MHz units still around, but stay away from those.
I have my old rabbit system (1-tx, 2-rx) if anyone wants it.
Nick :smoking:
dankimjohn
05-29-02, 09:38 AM
I have a zenith 2.4 wirless and it is great and a 501 however sometimes changing the channels takes awhile. Does the 501 remote use infrared 1st for the sat. and then use UHF if it can't find it with the infrared?
I think the 501 has the same problem (slow channel switching due to built-in hard disk) as the old Dishplayer 7200. I haven't tried a 501, but this is my guess.
Jacob S
05-29-02, 02:14 PM
The rabbit wired system, how far can you take the wire to another room and get the video and change it with the remote with the wired system? I want to get something I can turn the channels 300-400 feet away and supply video as well to go to another building we have on our property without having to have a receiver in every single building we have, dont need a receiver in each building as someone can only be in one place at a time.
I dont know of a wireless way I can do this since UHF only goes 100 ft unless there is a way I can boost the UHF signal or repeat it, is there a UHF repeater that you can get to extend the UHF range? Is there a way I can use the same coax for video to also supply a remote comand to the receiver from the room the coax is going to?
"Do you use a A/V transmitter to watch satellite TV in another room? "
Heck we even use it for another house! We have a system on our "block" (actually a rural area) which allows us to view each others "distant nets". Since the gubbamint allows us to have only two sets of distant nets, three of us who all have Dish accounts have different sets of distant nets. I have Chicago and Denver, another neighbor has NYC and LA, and a third has Dallas and LA. If something unique is on one of our distants, we put it on a wireless transmitter.
RichW, That is the coolest thing I heared today. :D
Chris Blount
05-31-02, 10:38 AM
Well, I ended up with the Terk WaveMaster 20 I purchased from someone on E-Bay. This setup runs $99 at Best Buy but I got it for $50. Now I just hope this guy comes through and it works. Here is more info about the setup:
http://www.terk.com/multiroom/product/wavemaster.html
I like the fact that it broadcasts both video and STEREO audio and has connections for both A/V and RF.
I see this outfit on eBay and seems to be a very good price ($24.95) No RF output and I can't verify the transmitter inputs.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1356290474
I checked it somewhere else and this unit sells from $49-$105 online.
Bob Haller
06-01-02, 01:05 PM
Originally posted by Jacob S
The rabbit wired system, how far can you take the wire to another room and get the video and change it with the remote with the wired system? I want to get something I can turn the channels 300-400 feet away and supply video as well to go to another building we have on our property without having to have a receiver in every single building we have, dont need a receiver in each building as someone can only be in one place at a time.
I dont know of a wireless way I can do this since UHF only goes 100 ft unless there is a way I can boost the UHF signal or repeat it, is there a UHF repeater that you can get to extend the UHF range? Is there a way I can use the same coax for video to also supply a remote comand to the receiver from the room the coax is going to?
You can use a TV AMPLIFIER to extend the remote range this works greatr for me, as I used to have flakey remote operation. All but one of my receivers are in my living room, with feeds all over the house. The radio shack amplifier made a HUGH difference, but are house isnt that big.
Richard King
06-01-02, 02:16 PM
I use wireless for something totally different than most people. I have a Dell computer sitting beside my main computer that I use as an MP-3 server. The audio outs and monitor out (set to 640x480) feed into a device that X-10 used to make called "Big Picture". It takes those signals and converts them to RF. The RF receiver is sitting near my JVC Dish Network D-VHS unit. I have the output of the receiver going into the front panel inputs of the D-VHS unit. Selecting channel 000 on the DVHS brings up my computer on my Toshiba 35" television and feeds the audio through my home theater system. With a wireless keyboard/mouse I can sit on the sofa and select the songs I want to listen to or I can pull up music directories that I have created and have over 70 hours of uninterrupted non-repeating music. The ch. 3 out of the D-vhs also feeds to the bedroom allowing me to have music there also. I haven't tried to control the computer from the bedroom yet though.
Jacob S
06-01-02, 04:59 PM
How much farther can I get the range of the UHF remote with a amplifier? What type of amplifier should I get? What mhz/ghz range should I use that would work best? Where would I get this device at? I would like something to extend UHF remote range even if I have to run a wire to operate it. Would I get better range where I use a coax to send the signal to the receiver instead of wirelessly? How would I go about this and what would I need to do this and where would I get that at?
jegrant
06-02-02, 04:28 PM
I have an actual UHF TV transmitter (rather low power; 300ft nominal range) that is tunable to any channel I like across the UHF band. (IIRC, ch 14 - 69)
When I want to watch my Dish system in another room, I just grab a small UHF "bow tie" antenna which I have already attached an F connector to, and my Dish remote (UHF, on my 4900 receiver). Then at the receiving end, I unscrew the cable TV coax from the back of the TV and tune it to Cable 67 (IIRC, equivalent to UHF OTA 15).
The other very nice benefit is that I can carry a small portable 5 inch TV up to the roof when it's time to re-aim my dishes, and just tune it to ch 15 to get my signal strength screen.
I got my unit off ebay; they seem to have 3 units out there: 100ft range, 300ft and 1000ft.
Jegrant
Your setup is nice. I could see this to be very useful for dish installers also who don't have a spectum analyser or high end signal meters.
Who did you get it from on eBay?
BTW, I guess my original post brought out a lot of ideas. More than anticipated. Great forum guys.
Jamal Sadoun
Chris Blount
06-12-02, 08:47 AM
Originally posted by Chris Blount
Well, I ended up with the Terk WaveMaster 20 I purchased from someone on E-Bay. This setup runs $99 at Best Buy but I got it for $50. Now I just hope this guy comes through and it works. Here is more info about the setup:
http://www.terk.com/multiroom/product/wavemaster.html
Just as a follow up, I finally received the above mentioned setup. Wow! It works great. I hooked the transmitter up to my 501 receiver and have the receiver to a TV in the another room. The PQ is crystal clear with no interference at all. I'm very impressed. Works much better than the Rabbit wired system. What's really cool is that I have a Dolby Pro-Logic surround system in the back room and since the Terk transmits in stereo, the viewers in the back room can also enjoy the programming in surround sound. I also tried it with the DVD player and that works great too. Only problem is that I can't have the DVD player in progressive scan mode. The Terk doesn't like that :) .
Scott Greczkowski
06-12-02, 09:24 AM
I got to pick me up one of those Chris :) Sounds like a nice unit! And it just plugs into your phone line right?
Chris Blount
06-12-02, 09:42 AM
I believe there is a wired model that hooks into the phone lines. This one is wireless.
Mark Lamutt
06-12-02, 11:05 AM
Chris - how far are you transmitting? Are you transmitting across floors (like from basement to upstairs)? Does a microwave oven cause interference?
Chris Blount
06-12-02, 12:12 PM
It's transmitting about 50 feet through 2 walls. The units are also inside cabinets and not on top.
I haven't tested the microwave oven theory. Will try tonight.
jegrant
06-20-02, 08:03 PM
Originally posted by sadoun
Jegrant
Your setup is nice. I could see this to be very useful for dish installers also who don't have a spectum analyser or high end signal meters.
Who did you get it from on eBay?
BTW, I guess my original post brought out a lot of ideas. More than anticipated. Great forum guys.
Jamal Sadoun
I searched through my eBay history and unfortunately, couldn't recall who I bought it from. I do remember it was somebody in Florida. Apparently, though, whoever it was isn't selling them now. I went through and checked the "for sale" lists of anyone it could have been, and most of them weren't even selling anything anymore.
However, rest assured that I have seen such units for sale recently on Yahoo Auctions, and a search on eBay might also be fruitful. The brand name is "LEXON" and the product is made in China. It has an integrated power supply (no wall wart); plugs right into a regular outlet, and has RCA video and (mono) audio inputs on the back. The antenna is a whip style, integrated into the top of the unit. On the front, it says in block-style yellow print - "LEXON" and on the next line "VIDEO SENDER". On the right side of the front, there is an on/off switch.
Just added 2 more X10 w/l receivers; now
feeding each of 2 DPs wirelessly to 4 TVs.
Nick :smoking:
Chris Blount
06-21-02, 02:00 PM
The Terk WaveMaster 20 is still working well. The microwave oven definitely has an effect on it. Whenever the oven runs, the pictures gets scrambled.
Antenna positioning is also a big factor.
Jacob S
06-28-02, 05:06 PM
The leapfrog system, when it says it can get a range up to 500 feet is that just for audio/video or is that also for the remote control range? If it is not for the remote control range then how far of a range can you get for the remote?
Also I tried looking up Lexon on google and had no luck finding out info on the Lexon devices that can broadcast in UHF and send remote commands being three different types each having a longer range.
Also what can I get that uses coax to broadcast video/audio/IR or UHF signals over a long range such as 300 to 500 ft? If a wire has to be run to the location then one might as well use the wire for the IR signals as well to operate the device from there as well if the wire unless one was going to transmit video/audio wirelessly as well.
I am also wondering if the wireless audio/video transmitters will work for cable or if it just works for one specific channel. Is there a set-up one could get for it to work with cable?
jegrant
06-30-02, 06:13 PM
To clarify: the LEXON devices do not do anything one way or the other with remote control signals of any type. I am easily able to use this with my Dish receiver because I have a 4900 which has a UHF remote system (which works through walls). If I wanted to use my digital cable box on my transmitter, I'd have to also set up the "IR pyramids" - I have a pair for this purpose.
Also, I am not aware of any consumer-level wireless system which could transmit a whole cable system's worth of channels simultaneously. Most if not all consumer systems transmit only one or perhaps two channels simultaneously.
Jacob S
07-03-02, 12:26 AM
If I did get a UHF pyramid from Dish which converts it to UHF then could I use the LEXON devices to work far away using uhf? Where would I find this product at?
The new TERK Leapfrog system transmits audio/video and infrared remote signals thru the phone line.
http://www.terk.com (TERK)
Is this what you need?
Jacob S
07-04-02, 12:29 AM
Is there a system that uses coax instead of phone line? Wouldnt coax work better than the phone line system bc of the wires being thicker? What is the delay in the response of the remote commands to the receiver with this type of set-up? I already have a coax to the location.
Originally posted by Jacob S
Is there a system that uses coax instead of phone line? Wouldnt coax work better than the phone line system bc of the wires being thicker? What is the delay in the response of the remote commands to the receiver with this type of set-up? I already have a coax to the location.
Sure. Channel Plus, Channel Vision & some other companies (XanTech?) have digtal stereo modulators w/IR pass-thru.
:cool:
Jacob S
07-06-02, 03:00 PM
So maybe its a matter of what to look for when I go and search for these particular things, is there another name they give this type of device when I go and perform a search such as IR pass-thru or digital stereo modulators? It would be nice to have a system that had both capabilities of providing Video/Audio and remote control operation at a considerable distance away such as 300-500 ft through coax.
Can I change the leapfrog system to run off of coax instead of phone lines by rigging it up connect up a coax to a phone line? Would I get better performance that way since coax is thicker than phone lines?
What about these IR emitters and Ir in the wall plates all of that type of stuff? I dont know much about this kind of stuff, where can I learn more about operating IR/UHF at a longer distance in other rooms and distributing them to other places? Do they always have to be amplified when done that way?
vBulletin® v3.7.6, Copyright ©2000-2012, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.