[mythtv-users] Multiple Systems - Multiple Remotes

[Michael T. Dean]

Mercury Morris wrote:

>On 10/31/05, Alberto Alonso <sp-23856721 at ggsys.net> wrote:
>  
>
>>What kind of range are you getting? I am looking for
>>RF keyboard and remotes able to go across floors.
>>Anything with over 15' range seems to be in the >$180
>>range, which I just can't justify for an input device.
>>    
>>
>What kind of range... over 15 feet here in a normal wood frame house.
>
>Since you asked, I tried controling the system from one floor up, and it
>worked quite well. I did find the limit while upstairs, which was kind of a
>surprise.
>The RF receiver is actually right up against the north wall of the house, so
>I took the remote upstairs and went into the bedroom at the southern end of
>the house. From there, the remote had no effect. But coming out of the
>bedroom was close enough for the remote to work. So, I would estimate the
>distance at about 33 feet, -AND- one flight up.
>
>A little more data: on the same floor as the RF receiver, the remote always
>worked which makes the longest straight line distance about 40 feet.
>
>The most recently ordered ATI Remote Wonder, from
>newegg.com<http://newegg.com>,
>was $27.50 plus $3.00 UPS shipping = $30.50. This latest remote is just
>going to be a backup. I think $30.50 is cheap insurance, should one of the
>others fail.
>  
>
Note that you can also improve the range by adding a USB extension cable 
to the receiver (to get it away from your computer).  I have a 10' 
extension, but would probably have better luck with a 6' extension (my 
total cable length is slightly greater than the maximum length for 
reliable USB connections).

I'm not getting the kind of range I would like when working through 
walls, but my house has steel studs.  Also, when sitting on the 
couch--which is full of metal coils/wires--I sometimes have to hold the 
remote away from the couch to get a reliable signal.  However, I would 
also presume some of it may be my configuration.  Unfortunately, it's a 
low-priority fix because it works well enough.

Mike