Sewell BlastIR SW-29311 Infrared (IR) Remote Control Receiver Kit (Black)

I purchased this so I could control my SONY AV receiver from my theater room when the receiver is mounted behind a wall in the adjacent utility room. It works great, and is easy to install. All you need is a power source near buy, connect the IR sensor & mount it somewhere in your room, then connect the transmit cable & mount one or more of the IR emitters near the sensor on your receiver. You don't have to be too terribly precise on how close to your AV sensor you mount the emitter. I even tried just dangling one near the front of my AV receiver, and it worked just fine. I believe this will be compatible with most remotes and receivers, but I didn't take the time to study all of them. Oh, and you can connect multiple remotes to multiple IR receiver devices, so it is pretty handy if you are stuck with more than one remote with audio/visual equipment that is not in the same room.

Just received, and does exactly what I hoped it would do. My Marantz receiver quit taking commands from my remote. After replacing remote and suggested procedures from Marantz. It was concluded that it was an internal issue within the receiver. Connecting the Sewell into flasher input on back on the Marantz it bypassed the internal IR and works beautifully. Though it does not resolve the internal issue on the amp, this works great till I can have receiver fixed.

Needed to solve a problem with a senior who couldn't point their remote in the general direction of the TV. Or practically put it up against the TV screen. Ugh. So sometimes the cable box wouldnt turn on. Or the sound bar... So it would be a frustrated senior. And phone calls to...me that I broke the TV. Solved the problem by using this unit's receiver right near the TV's IR receiver. Told them to point the remote at the corner of the TV. And we locked down the controls for the sound bar and the cable box in a cabinet. And ran the wiring from this unit to those inside the cabinet.. Problems. Solved. Works every time. Happy senior. Happy me. Only minor complaint is the adhesive on the emitters is a little weak. First warm day and they slowly drooped off. Easily rubbed the stock adhesive off by hand. Replaced with high strength clear tape that you can get from a big box home store. A little fussy with some devices to find the IR receiver on the front (cable box) and despite what the internet said, the cable box receiver wasnt where it was suppose to be and couldnt be seen even with a strong flashlight. Solved the problem by best-guessing the locations and applying 2 emitters to the front of the cable box. You'll have quite a few wires to manage (including a power block)if you have a lot of devices you want to hook up. But small price to pay for a very good value unit that has worked well for months now.

I used this to send signals from the TV under the floor to the basement where the A/V center is located and to the BD-player that is on the back wall (about 15'). The result is a small box (ultimately glued to the TV) and all my equipment hidden in the basement or in the cabinet behind the couch. The receiving wire was extended with a 3.5mm extension cable. These seems to work well and I'm happy with the purchase. It does what they claim. I like that all the transmitters and receivers were provided, so I don't have to buy more stuff to make a working solution. Was able to get this up and running in the time it took to get the wires through the walls to there designated locations. I've noticed that volume control is a real problem. You have to press the button for each increase/decrease of volume. This is a real pain because you normally hold the volume button done until you get the sound level you want. Something to be aware of when ordering and configuring your solution. Consider the length of the wires. If your setup is spread out, you might need extension cables. If your equipment is not all located together, you might have an issue. There are two transmitters per connecting wire, which implies two pieces of equipment next to each other. Plan your order so you can get operational right away when you order arrives. It is extremely satisfying experience to get the package, install it in a few minutes and then enjoy a working system while having everything hidden from view. I find setting the transmitters at each unit to be problematic. This is not unique to this product. You have to set the transmitter in front of the sensor on each unit. If it is in an enclosed cabinet, this might be on the door or in front of the unit. I ended up basically just laying the wire on top of the unit and let the transmitter hang down in front of the receiving sensor. This means when things move, the transmitter wire moves and I have to reset it. I can not address different types of remote control frequencies/methods available vs what this handles. All my equipment worked with this unit. Satisfied and would recommend.

The IR frequency compatibility: Works perfect with the following devices: Yamaha RX-V473 Receiver Marantz receiver DirectTV Satellite Receiver Sony BlueRay DVD Player Sewell IR Target (the sensor at the TV) Compatibility: The target that comes with the Sewell BlastIR works perfectly with a Samsung 59" Plasma TV without any problems. Even with a Plasma TV the normal target that comes in the kit works perfect when placed just behind and barely above the top of the TV. I also have another Sewell IR Target on a LG LED TV and it works perfect with it also. My Install: I have an Ethernet CAT5e running from a Ethernet RJ45 Keystone in Patch Panel in a Network Closet to a wall plate (RJ45 Jack) behind the TV. I made a short (3") adapter (CAT5e wire with Ethernet plug to a 3.5mm Jack) that makes it easy to use with any Ethernet Jack. My favorite 3.5mm (1/8") Keystone (Jack) is the ICC brand. Plug the 1/8" target into the jack behind the TV. I used an 1/8" - 3' extension cord to connect the Hub to the RJ45 Keystone in the Patch Panel. Works perfect. Sewell BlastIR compared to Hot Link Pro: When I compare it to the Hot Link Pro, I love the Sewell mounting holes on the hub and the individual emitters whereas the Hot Link Pro emitters are on a ribbon and the Hot Link Pro hub does not have mounting holes. I own both products, one of the Hot Link Pro and two Sewell BlastIR. Sewell BlastIR is about 1/2 the cost of the Hot Link Pro and it very install friendly. In conclusion, I love this little gadget!!!!! So simple. I have used them in 2 different homes so far. Will definitely use again in our new home construction network/media closets.

In short: I couldn't get this to work reliably after months of trying. You keep clicking the remote, maybe 30% of the time the correct signal gets to your device. E.g., You press the button to send, say 302 to your Cable box. What gets sent might be 3 or 30 or 02, etc., you get the idea. The issues in detail: You can buy IR extenders for anywhere from about $8 to $108. This one is in the lower part of midrange. The Sewell signal receiver/sensor and the main/distribution unit both have a blue led that lights up whenever an Infrared signal is received and being processed. Unfortunately, lots of unintended infra red light triggers the receiver unit, e.g., the light in the room from a TV will light the blue signal indicators on the Sewell receiver and central unit--the blue lights flicker on or off depending on the image on the TV. This errant flickering doesn't cause unintended signaling in your devices-- it's too random to be interpreted as genuine signals, but it's unnecessarily distracting to have the blue lights flashing persistently the whole time the TV is on. Covering them over with electrical tape once you have them placed suitably might be a good idea. The blue lights are brighter than any sane person would want anyway. Getting the Blaster (the small bud that retransmits the original IR signal) placed on a unit (BluRay player, TV, etc.) so that it signals accurately and reliably can be a headache. You might have more success placing the blaster near the desired sensor so that it is broadcasting a beam, which doesn't have to be aimed as carefully. Placed up close, the placement must be precise. In either case, sometimes a signal will work and sometimes not. It reminded me of the old TV days with rabbit ear antennas and tinfoil and turning in a million different positions trying to get things to work. Holding a remote button down longer than normal increases the likelihood that the signal will result in the correct behavior, but for some signals this presents a rapid succession of the same signal--so Channel Down once becomes Channel Down with many repeats. So use is frustrating, not just initial setup. One other point. The description on amazon is contradictory about the number of blasters. Sewell's standard packaging for this product, and the way it arrived, is with 4 blaster cords with two blasters on each cord for a total of eight. The blasters on a cord are only about 3 inches apart when delivered, but you can separate them further but pulling them apart. Each cord is really a pair of cords connected along their length like zip cord/lamp cord but easily separable down to the plug. You can buy additional blasters for about $3-$6 depending on whether you buy singles or the paired type that come with the unit. Vendors on amazon seem to be offering them for about 2 - 3 times those prices. Based on the reviews I seen on various web sites, the Sewell is one of the better performing IR extenders. More is the pity. It's like major back surgery--it is preferred only if all other possible options have failed or there are no other options. I.e, if you can get your original device within line of sight of your remote so that you can avoid using an extender, that's a better choice. If you have to use an extender, be prepared for frustration, both while setting up and when using your remote thereafter. I hoped to move the ugly box from Comcast to a discreet location and tried for months to get the sewell to reliably work. Alas, I ended up sending it to the round file.

I had purchased an old 60's magnavox HiFi console on craigslist and gutted it of its old tubes, speakers, and other whatnots. I bought this repeater so I could hide all of my components inside the cabinet. It has worked flawlessly so far (it's been a month). The only visible part is the little black receiver that is about the size of my index finger. As others have mentioned, it has a very bright blue light that lights up whenever it sees a remote's signal. I suppose you could tape over this if you find it bothersome, but since it's the only visual notification that I have when I turn up the volume on my stereo, I have kept it uncovered. Then I know its working. Because it works so well, I would consider buying one of these even if I didn't intend to hide my components. The receiver sees my remote's signal MUCH better than any of my components ever did, and I only have a single point in the room where I need to aim the remote. Definitely a good purchase. UPDATE: I've had this now for 6 months or so, and after moving the little receiver box a million times (I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old) the cord has come lose from the circuit board inside. A replacement costs 20 dollars with shipping :/ Still.. this is a great unit, but you may want to secure the connection between the wire and the receiver unit (the part with the obnoxious blue light) with some electrical tape or something. UPDATE2: It's been like 2 years and this thing is still going strong. I use this with a XBMC/KODI set up and I have taped the repeater IR light to the reciever for my cheap-o Chinavision remote connected to my media center. It has worked flawlessly for all of this time. Well worth the investment.

The socket for IR remote pickup was " arcing " , ( plug to box ) when plug was inserted into the socket which disabled the whole unit . Had to remove box cover and reset the rubber ring in the drilled hole of the box between the socket and the box cover. This eliminated the arcing when inserting the plug pin into the socket. The whole unit works perfectly now, with quick response from the handheld remote. My audio equipment is in an audio/server cabinet in the opposite corner of the room from the TV and all of the ( 5 ) units in the cabinet respond nicely after finding the EXACT location of the IR PICKUPS IN EACH UNIT in the cabinet. This step is VERY IMPORTANT or the handheld remote signal will be, " NOW IT WORKS , NOW IT DON'T ". Also , the extended ( remote pickup receiver has to be placed in a place on the , ( wall, TV frame, etc. ) where it will see the handheld remote signal from most or all of the seating locations in the room. I like it !!!!!!! , It works

Great divice

I had a different IR repeater that I was trying to use and found it to be a pain to use so I bought this in the hopes that it would be better and easier - and it was. I am using it to control about 8 devices behind closed doors and it performs admirably. One small annoyance - the IR receiver blinks with a blue light when it receives a signal - while it is nice to have the visual confirmation, a less bright colour of light would be better (I would suggest red)

If you are a UK buyer, you should be aware that the 12 volt power supply that comes with the unit has a US plug fitting, and is for 110 volts, not 240 volts, so you can't even use a 'shaving adapter' to plug it in :-( Once plugged in with a working 12 volt supply it works fine

Worked Perfect!! We mounted it under the TV and works like a charm from across the room with all of our devices. We had a different brand that didn't work at all so we spent a little more money and got this one. As always you get what you pay for! Worth it!

Works perfectly with my Marantz SR6011 and Oppo UDP-203 located in a cabinet with solid door. Delivered promptly.