This may affect only a few RV owners. But it is a very annoying situation to resolve when it's your problem. This should help or certainly guide you to a solution.
PROBLEM: You have a satellite tv receiver, a blue ray/dvd player, and whatever else you may have that operates on a typical IR (line of sight) remote control signal. But your receiver(s)/player(s) are housed behind a closed door. The only way to use your equipment is to leave the door open all the time. No problem if it's not in a hallway or behind the TV you're watching. But often times creates a real nuisance (code for PIB!). Some RV's have built-in IR remote extenders which are supposed to relay the signal into the closed area to operate the equipment. It doesn't always work with all makes and models of equipment. I know. I had that issue.
SOLUTION: There are many solutions actually. But as in my case, running wire was out of the question. The answer came from SewellDirect.Com. They specialize in all kinds of audio & video control systems and have a wide offering of IR remote control extenders. They just came out with a Wireless IR Extender and I managed to get one. I had it operating in 15 minutes and it works flawlessly. I spent another 30-45 minutes cleaning up the installation so it was virtually invisible. Now I have full control over my satellite dish receiver and blue ray player.
I also have a TV on the cabinet door in the bedroom where all the equipment is stored. I used a "wired" IR signal extender on that one since it was less expensive and there was easy access to deal with the minor wiring.
CAVEAT: I use DISH for my Satellite service. My motorhome came with a DISH 211Z (most recent model at this time) receiver. After much trial and error testing, I learned the Sewell Blast IR Pro (wired IR extender) did not work with the DISH 211Z receiver. Fortunately I still had the predecessor DISH 211K receiver. As a last resort, I substituted the 211K and now both the wireless and the wired IR extenders work perfectly. I am highly suspicious of the lens that covers the IR receiver on the 211Z. It may be too thick or too dark or something. The receivers are basically the same. The predecessor 211K has a clear window to the IR receivers. Also (very important) the new Blast IR Wireless extender worked perfectly with both the DISH 211Z and the DISH 211K receivers. The IR signal emitters on the wireless unit are slightly larger and I suspect "flash" the receiver with a brighter/stronger signal.
Sewell Tech Support has been very good to work with. They're a USA based company. They were very cooperative in my efforts and swapped out the wired unit for fear it might be faulty. At this time I can't say that it was.
Hope this helps someone. I was getting a bit anxious before I found SewellDirect.Com. Now it's all good.
Safe travels always.
PROBLEM: You have a satellite tv receiver, a blue ray/dvd player, and whatever else you may have that operates on a typical IR (line of sight) remote control signal. But your receiver(s)/player(s) are housed behind a closed door. The only way to use your equipment is to leave the door open all the time. No problem if it's not in a hallway or behind the TV you're watching. But often times creates a real nuisance (code for PIB!). Some RV's have built-in IR remote extenders which are supposed to relay the signal into the closed area to operate the equipment. It doesn't always work with all makes and models of equipment. I know. I had that issue.
SOLUTION: There are many solutions actually. But as in my case, running wire was out of the question. The answer came from SewellDirect.Com. They specialize in all kinds of audio & video control systems and have a wide offering of IR remote control extenders. They just came out with a Wireless IR Extender and I managed to get one. I had it operating in 15 minutes and it works flawlessly. I spent another 30-45 minutes cleaning up the installation so it was virtually invisible. Now I have full control over my satellite dish receiver and blue ray player.
I also have a TV on the cabinet door in the bedroom where all the equipment is stored. I used a "wired" IR signal extender on that one since it was less expensive and there was easy access to deal with the minor wiring.
CAVEAT: I use DISH for my Satellite service. My motorhome came with a DISH 211Z (most recent model at this time) receiver. After much trial and error testing, I learned the Sewell Blast IR Pro (wired IR extender) did not work with the DISH 211Z receiver. Fortunately I still had the predecessor DISH 211K receiver. As a last resort, I substituted the 211K and now both the wireless and the wired IR extenders work perfectly. I am highly suspicious of the lens that covers the IR receiver on the 211Z. It may be too thick or too dark or something. The receivers are basically the same. The predecessor 211K has a clear window to the IR receivers. Also (very important) the new Blast IR Wireless extender worked perfectly with both the DISH 211Z and the DISH 211K receivers. The IR signal emitters on the wireless unit are slightly larger and I suspect "flash" the receiver with a brighter/stronger signal.
Sewell Tech Support has been very good to work with. They're a USA based company. They were very cooperative in my efforts and swapped out the wired unit for fear it might be faulty. At this time I can't say that it was.
Hope this helps someone. I was getting a bit anxious before I found SewellDirect.Com. Now it's all good.
Safe travels always.
