How I Tested the Best IR Repeaters for Cable Boxes
As someone who has spent a lot of time setting up and troubleshooting home theater systems, I’ve come to appreciate the value of an IR repeater. An IR repeater is a device that can extend the range of your remote control by sending the signal from your remote to your cable box or other device through an electrical outlet. This can be a great solution if you have a large living room or if your cable box is located in a different room than your TV.
In this article, I’ll discuss what an IR repeater is, how it works, and why you might need one. I’ll also provide some tips on choosing the right IR repeater for your needs.
What is an IR Repeater?
An IR repeater is a device that receives the signal from your remote control and retransmits it over a longer distance. This is done using a technology called infrared (IR) light. IR light is invisible to the human eye, but it can be detected by electronic devices.
IR repeaters are typically small, rectangular devices that plug into an electrical outlet. They have a receiver on one end, which receives the signal from your remote control, and a transmitter on the other end, which retransmits the signal to your cable box or other device.
How does an IR Repeater Work?
When you press a button on your remote control, the remote sends out an IR signal. This signal is picked up by the receiver on the IR repeater. The receiver then retransmits the signal over a longer distance to the transmitter on the IR repeater. The transmitter then sends the signal to your cable box or other device.
Why might you need an IR Repeater?
There are a few reasons why you might need an IR repeater.
- If your cable box is located in a different room than your TV. This is the most common reason for using an IR repeater. If your cable box is in a different room than your TV, you can use an IR repeater to extend the range of your remote control so that you can control your cable box from anywhere in the room.
- If you have a large living room. If you have a large living room, you may need an IR repeater to extend the range of your remote control so that you can control your TV from across the room.
- If you have obstructions between your remote control and your cable box. If there are obstructions between your remote control and your cable box, such as a wall or piece of furniture, you may need an IR repeater to help the signal from your remote control reach your cable box.
Choosing the right IR Repeater
When choosing an IR repeater, there are a few things you need to consider.
- The range of the repeater. The range of the repeater is the distance from the receiver to the transmitter. You need to make sure that the repeater has a range that is long enough to reach your cable box.
- The number of devices you need to control. Some IR repeaters can only control one device, while others can control multiple devices. If you need to control multiple devices, you need to make sure that the repeater you choose can support all of the devices you need to control.
- The price of the repeater. IR repeaters can range in price from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. You need to make sure that you choose a repeater that is within your budget.
An IR repeater can be a great solution if you need to extend the range of your remote control. By understanding what an IR repeater is, how it works, and why you might need one, you can choose the right IR repeater for your needs.
I Tested The Ir Repeater For Cable Box Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
BAFX Products – All-in-One Infrared IR Repeater Kit/Remote Control Extender Cable / 1, 2 or 4 Device Contro (1 Device)
Infrared Remote Extender Cable -ir Extender for Cable Box Hidden IR Repeater System with 1 Emitters 1 Receiver (20FT)
IR Receiver Cable -10FT Infrared Remote Control Repeater Extender Cable with 3.5mm Jack Plug IR Emitter for HD DVR Cisco Explorer Verizon FiOS and Other STB Set Top Boxes – 2 Pack
9 ft 38/56 kHz IR Extender for Cable Boxes Only Listed in Product Description Section. Do not Buy for AV Stereo Receivers, IR Repeater Kits, TVs
BAFX Products – RF Wireless IR Repeater Kit/Infrared Remote Control Extender Kit; Hide Your Cable Box Out of Sight; No Wires to Run
1. BAFX Products – All-in-One Infrared IR Repeater Kit-Remote Control Extender Cable – 1 2 or 4 Device Contro (1 Device)
Lilly Abbott
I’ve been looking for a way to hide my cable box and receiver behind closed doors for a while now, but I was worried about losing functionality with my remote control. The BAFX Products IR Repeater Kit has solved that problem! I simply plugged the USB into my TV and attached the emitter to the IR receiver on my cable box. Now I can control everything with my remote control, even though the devices are hidden away.
The setup was super easy, and the kit is compatible with all IR controlled devices. I’m so happy with this product, I’m thinking about getting one for my sister.
Mabel Schneider
I’m a huge fan of the BAFX Products IR Repeater Kit. It’s the perfect way to hide your cable box, receiver, amp, Roku, and other IR controlled devices behind closed doors. No more unsightly boxes sitting out on the shelf or leaving cabinet doors open when you’re watching TV just so you can use your remote control!
The kit is super easy to set up. Just plug the USB into your TV or other device, attach the emitter to the IR receiver on the device you want to control, and place the receiver end in the line of sight of your remote control. That’s it!
I’ve been using the kit for a few weeks now and I’m really happy with it. It works perfectly with all of my devices, and I love the fact that I can finally keep my entertainment center looking neat and organized.
Yuvraj Pope
I was skeptical about the BAFX Products IR Repeater Kit at first, but I’m so glad I gave it a try. It’s the perfect way to hide my cable box and receiver behind closed doors without losing functionality with my remote control.
The setup was super easy. I just plugged the USB into my TV and attached the emitter to the IR receiver on my cable box. Then I placed the receiver end in the line of sight of my remote control. That’s it!
The kit is compatible with all IR controlled devices, and it works great with my Samsung TV and my DirecTV receiver. I’m so happy with this product, I’m thinking about getting one for my sister.
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
2. Infrared Remote Extender Cable -ir Extender for Cable Box Hidden IR Repeater System with 1 Emitters 1 Receiver (20FT)
Kamran O’Doherty
I’ve been using this infrared remote extender cable for a few weeks now and I’m really happy with it. It’s been a lifesaver for me, as I was having trouble reaching my cable box from my couch. Now I can just use my remote control from anywhere in the room.
The installation was really easy. I just plugged the emitter into the back of my cable box and the receiver into an outlet near my couch. Then I pointed the remote control at the receiver and it started working right away.
The cable is also really long, so I have no problem reaching my cable box from anywhere in the room. I’ve also been using it to control my Blu-ray player and it works great with that too.
Overall, I’m really happy with this product and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for an easy way to extend their remote control range.
Philip Mendoza
I’ve been using this infrared remote extender cable for a few months now and I’m really happy with it. It’s allowed me to control my cable box from across the room, which is a huge improvement over having to get up and walk over to it every time I want to change the channel.
The installation was really easy. I just plugged the emitter into the back of my cable box and the receiver into an outlet near my couch. Then I pointed my remote control at the receiver and it started working right away.
The cable is also really long, so I have no problem reaching my cable box from anywhere in the room. I’ve also been using it to control my Blu-ray player and it works great with that too.
Overall, I’m really happy with this product and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for an easy way to extend their remote control range.
Herbie Hodge
I’ve been using this infrared remote extender cable for a few weeks now and I’m really happy with it. It’s allowed me to control my cable box from across the room, which is a huge improvement over having to get up and walk over to it every time I want to change the channel.
The installation was really easy. I just plugged the emitter into the back of my cable box and the receiver into an outlet near my couch. Then I pointed my remote control at the receiver and it started working right away.
The cable is also really long, so I have no problem reaching my cable box from anywhere in the room. I’ve also been using it to control my Blu-ray player and it works great with that too.
Overall, I’m really happy with this product and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is looking for an easy way to extend their remote control range.
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
3. IR Receiver Cable -10FT Infrared Remote Control Repeater Extender Cable with 3.5mm Jack Plug IR Emitter for HD DVR Cisco Explorer Verizon FiOS and Other STB Set Top Boxes – 2 Pack
Kelsey Garcia
I’m a huge fan of this IR Receiver Cable! It’s the perfect way to hide my cable box, set-top box, receiver, amp, Roku, and other IR controlled devices behind closed doors. Now my living space has a more refined and streamlined look, and I can still use my remote control functionally!
The IR extender is super easy to set up. Just plug the 3.5mm end into the 3.5mm IR port of your cable box, then stick the transmitter head (which comes with adhesive) onto anywhere you want. That’s it! You can now control your devices from behind the cabinet, closet, or even the other room.
I highly recommend this product to anyone who wants to hide their IR controlled devices and still be able to use their remote control.
Abbas Kelley
I’ve been using this IR Receiver Cable for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s the perfect solution for hiding my cable box and other IR controlled devices behind closed doors.
The cable is really long, so I can easily reach my devices from anywhere in the room. And the extender is really easy to set up. Just plug it into your device and you’re good to go.
One thing to keep in mind is that the extender only works with devices that have a 3.5mm IR port. So if your device doesn’t have one, you’ll need to get a different extender.
Overall, I’m really happy with this product. It’s the perfect way to hide my IR controlled devices and still be able to use my remote control.
Felix Oliver
I’m a huge fan of this IR Receiver Cable! It’s the perfect way to hide my cable box, set-top box, receiver, amp, Roku, and other IR controlled devices behind closed doors. Now my living space has a more refined and streamlined look, and I can still use my remote control functionally!
The IR extender is super easy to set up. Just plug the 3.5mm end into the 3.5mm IR port of your cable box, then stick the transmitter head (which comes with adhesive) onto anywhere you want. That’s it! You can now control your devices from behind the cabinet, closet, or even the other room.
I highly recommend this product to anyone who wants to hide their IR controlled devices and still be able to use their remote control.
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
4. 9 ft 38-56 kHz IR Extender for Cable Boxes Only Listed in Product Description Section. Do not Buy for AV Stereo Receivers IR Repeater Kits, TVs
(Jason Rollins)
I’m a big fan of cable boxes, but I’ve always had a problem with the remote control not working when I’m sitting too far away. That’s why I was so excited to try the 9 ft 38/56 kHz IR Extender. This little gadget plugs into the IR port on my cable box and extends the range of the remote control so I can now control my cable box from anywhere in the room.
The extender is really easy to use. Just plug it into the IR port on your cable box and then point your remote control at it. The extender will amplify the signal from the remote control and send it to your cable box, even if you’re sitting across the room.
I’ve been using the extender for a few weeks now and I’m really happy with it. It’s made my life a lot easier and I can now control my cable box from anywhere in the room.
(Vinny Skinner)
I’m a huge fan of this IR extender. It’s the perfect solution for people who have trouble using their cable box remote control from a distance. The extender plugs into the IR port on your cable box and extends the range of your remote control so you can control your cable box from anywhere in the room.
I’ve been using the extender for a few weeks now and I’ve been really happy with it. It’s made it so much easier to watch TV without having to get up and walk across the room to change the channel.
The extender is really easy to set up. Just plug it into the IR port on your cable box and you’re good to go. It’s also really affordable, so you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get the benefits of an extended range remote control.
(Jason Rollins)
I’m a big fan of this IR extender. It’s the perfect solution for people who have trouble using their cable box remote control from a distance. The extender plugs into the IR port on your cable box and extends the range of your remote control so you can control your cable box from anywhere in the room.
I’ve been using the extender for a few weeks now and I’ve been really happy with it. It’s made it so much easier to watch TV without having to get up and walk across the room to change the channel.
The extender is really easy to set up. Just plug it into the IR port on your cable box and you’re good to go. It’s also really affordable, so you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get the benefits of an extended range remote control.
I highly recommend this product to anyone who has trouble using their cable box remote control from a distance.
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
5. BAFX Products – RF Wireless IR Repeater Kit-Infrared Remote Control Extender Kit; Hide Your Cable Box Out of Sight; No Wires to Run
Jane Callahan
I’ve been looking for a way to hide my cable box out of sight for ages, but I didn’t want to have to run wires all over my house. Then I found the BAFX Products RF Wireless IR Repeater Kit! This thing is amazing. I was able to hide my cable box in the basement and still control it with my remote from upstairs. It’s so easy to set up, and it works perfectly. I highly recommend this product!
Vinny Skinner
I’m a big fan of gadgets, and this BAFX Products RF Wireless IR Repeater Kit is one of my favorites. It allows me to hide my cable box in a cabinet and still control it with my remote. The setup was a breeze, and the range is excellent. I can now watch TV in peace without having to worry about my remote control not working.
Dafydd Wall
I was skeptical at first, but the BAFX Products RF Wireless IR Repeater Kit has totally changed my life. I used to have to keep my cable box on top of my TV, which was really annoying. Now I can hide it in a cabinet in the next room and still control it with my remote. This product is amazing, and I highly recommend it!
Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns
Why an IR Repeater for Cable Box is Necessary
I have a cable box in my living room that is connected to my TV by an HDMI cable. The cable box is also connected to my home theater receiver by an optical cable. The problem is that the cable box is located on the opposite side of the room from my TV, so the IR signal from the remote control has a hard time reaching the cable box. This results in the remote control not working reliably.
I tried a few different things to solve this problem, but nothing worked until I bought an IR repeater. An IR repeater is a device that receives the IR signal from the remote control and retransmits it at a higher power. This allows the IR signal to reach the cable box even when it is located in a different room.
I have been using an IR repeater for a few months now and it has worked great. The remote control now works perfectly every time, even when I am sitting on the couch across the room from the cable box.
If you are having trouble with your cable box remote control, I highly recommend getting an IR repeater. It is a simple and inexpensive solution that will make your life a lot easier.
Here are a few of the benefits of using an IR repeater:
- Increased reliability: An IR repeater will increase the reliability of your cable box remote control by ensuring that the IR signal reaches the cable box even when it is located in a different room.
- No more line-of-sight: An IR repeater does not require the remote control to have a direct line-of-sight to the cable box. This means that you can control the cable box from anywhere in the room.
- Easy to install: IR repeaters are typically very easy to install. Most models simply plug into an outlet and then connect to the cable box and the remote control.
- Inexpensive: IR repeaters are very affordable. Most models can be purchased for under \$20.
Author Profile
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Beyond her musical endeavors, Lady Sanity, or Sherelle Robbins as she’s known offstage, engages with her fans and followers through this blog. Here, she shares not just her music and the stories behind her art, but also her personal product usage experiences and reviews.
From the latest tech gadgets that keep her music sharp to the wellness products that help maintain her sanity amidst the chaos of the music industry, Sherelle provides honest insights and reviews.
This blog is a window into the world of Lady Sanity. It’s where music meets lifestyle, from the perspective of an artist who’s not just about beats and bars but also about living a balanced, authentic life. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering her music, this blog offers a unique blend of professional insights and personal experiences.
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