BlastIR Classic

It all started when we decided to remodel and my wife said, "Is there any way to hide all these things (stereo/AV units)?" An interior designer told us we could put all the equipment in the nearest closet (kitchen pantry) by hooking up an IR repeater. I went to Best Buy and they had a unit for $150. I went online and saw this one with great reviews, and got it for $50. I bought the 50' of headphone jack cable and ran everything through the ceiling. The repeater was easy to install and controls all the components. The little IR eye is mounted on the bezel of the TV and is barely visible. The other part is in the closet. It works perfectly! As they say, "Happy wife; Happy life!"

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.

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)

the receiver has a very wide field of view. both the box and receiver have a blue light to identify when a signal is received. no perceivable delay between transmit and receive. IR signals work on the scientific Atlanta boxes (8300HD tested) cons, can't seem to purchase additional dual transmitters from amazon.ca, wires are very thin but seem to work for now. very happy with this purchase as it did exactly what I needed

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

This was easy to set up and worked great on my audio receiver and dvd player. On my Telus Optik TV tuner / PVR, DVR, it works pretty well for the first several minutes then it becomes intermittent, then stops working. I have to keep one cabinet door open for the TV tuner. I'm not sure if the tuner is just not compatible with the IR receiver.