Hello everyone!

I recently received my main speakers and given the logistics of the room, the 990 is no longer within the line of sight of my remote. Without changing the room all around, is there a solution to the problem?

thanks,

John

I'm not sure what the cheapest solution would be, but you could get a remote with RF to IR extender.

Basically the remote talks to the extender over radio frequency which then sends signals to the infrared receiver on the 990.

Harmony (and Monster) and Universal as well as others make remotes that do this. Not sure what the cheapest will cost though. If memory serves, typically the RF remotes tend to start at around $300, but you can probably find them cheaper. At that price point you also typically have to buy the RF extender separate.

I have the Monster AVL 300 and 1 Monster Optilink and it works well...but that remote is $600 retail. Similar in design and function to the upper end Harmony (actually OEMed for Monster by Harmony/Logitech).

It would be around $450 retail if you bought the Logitech Harmony 890 and one RF extender.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/remotes/universal_remotes/&cl=us,en&page=1&filter=505&sort=0

For about $150 retail you could get a Universal RF 10 remote

http://www.universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=99

and one of their IR extenders

http://www.universalremote.com/product_detail.php?model=101

If you have more pieces of equipment than what the RF 10 can handle, you'd have to jump up to one of their more expensive models. A lot of people here seem to like their Universal brand remotes.

I have no experience with them. I can tell you that programming one of the Harmony remotes can be a bit tedious to get things just right.

BloggingITGuy,

thanks for the explanation and for the links. I had hoped a more simple solution might surface, but if I need buy a universal remote, then, that's what I'll do.

I know the Harmony 1000 is on sale, locally; but, at this point, I think it might be wise to wait until after the holidays.

Again, thank you!

John

There might be...you could use mirrors to bounce the IR signal from your couch to where your 990 is.

And someone else might have a better idea as well.

The 990 docs explain that you can get an IR remote sensor that plugs into the back of the 990. Depending on the length of its cable, it may be the easiest answer.

I had the same problem when I set up my system- I tried a small mirror against the wall (to sort of bounce the signal around the speaker)-it worked quite well; then I got rid of the mirror and now I just bounce the signal off the wall where the mirror was perched-it still works no problem (that's with original remote)...

RF remotes are one option, certainly. Another is an IR repeater such as the Xantech system that I use . Because the 990 requires an interface module with devices like this when using the rear IR input, you may want to just use an IR emitter stuck to the sensor (which is what I do).

I just purchased a Universal Remote Control MX-850 for 195.00 from
HiDef Lifestyle It is an RF/IR unit.
That included taxes and shipping. They have the MRF-350 base station for 140.00 which you would need.

Their customer service is excellent and they are an authorized dealer so you get the software to program the unit.

I purchased the RCA remote signal sender cones for around 20.00 It comes withe 2 small cones...One I put inside my entertainment area and the other sits on top of my wall mounted speaker and it transfers the signal. It may not work as well as the remotes listed above but it is much less expensive. Might be worth giving it a try.

You may also want to look into the Radio Shack remote extender set they sell. I have the previous version but the current version still looks very similar, two small pyramids. Had mine from one end of the house to the other (almost fifty feet away) and worked great to control my satellite receiver. Checked the Radio Shack web site and they sell for about $40. Have you tried aiming your remote at a wall to bounce the signal to the Outlaw? Used to have to do that in order for one of my components to work.

I'd recommend the Radio Shack pyramids mentioned above. I've been using a couple of sets for about 5 years now for communicating between rooms and never had a problem. They don't really require anything except that the remote be pointed at the sending unit and the recieving unit/blaster be in line of sight of the sensor on the receiving device, or in my case devices, and they're very forgiving on both requirements.
This may be one of those rare cases where the cheapest solution works best.

Wow,

thank you all for these recommendations. Yes, I've tried bouncing the signals off the walls and ceiling, but it doesn't work well, given the walls are surrounded with book cases and books and/or my audio equipment. I may take a look at the pyramids from Radio Shack, later today.

Again, thank you all!

John