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         jeremybe Newbie 
          
 
  Joined: March 15 2007
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           | Posted: May 09 2007 at 12:46 | IP Logged
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Hi -
 I'm moving all of my home theatre equipment to my Family room and I have been working on controlling my Insteon lights from my MX3000 remote control - Originally I was going to utilize the IR X10 bridge, but I have decided I would like to keep everything X10 free (My Neighbors X10 signals keep jumping into my house!) - I purchase an Amplifed Xantech IR block and thought I would install a Xantech 490 IR receiver in my cabinet - The thought is I would connect the output of the the IR block to my USB-UIRT and have the USB-UIRT with Powerhome software control  the lights - My problem is that the Xantech block is located in my family room and my PC running Powerhome is locate across the house maybe 100 feet away - I would have no problem running a wire that distance, but can I have an emitter that far away?  How would I do this?
 
 Any help would be appreciated 
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         ginigma Senior Member 
          
 
  Joined: June 18 2006 Location: United States
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           | Posted: May 09 2007 at 16:24 | IP Logged
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Not sure where your USB-UIRT is located.  Can you move that to the Xantech block?  You can get USB cable extenders which run over Cat5 wire.  I'm using one that Dave recommended.
 
  __________________ Insteon (40 devices) ^ PowerHome (435 links) ^ Logitech Harmony 880
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         nadler Super User 
          
 
  Joined: February 25 2006 Location: United States
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           | Posted: May 10 2007 at 07:14 | IP Logged
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I just started to use speakercraft ir which is similar to xantech.  I run an emitter from the amplified speakercraft block from the second floor to the basement and then one flight up to where my computer and USB-UIRT are located.  This is done over Cat 5e and altho I don't think it's quite 100 feet, it's pretty close.  Works well, with no false signals. I use my Harmony remote to control the lights in my bedroom.
 You could always try it, just using 100 feet of wire, without running it through the walls yet.
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         jeremybe Newbie 
          
 
  Joined: March 15 2007
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           | Posted: May 10 2007 at 11:48 | IP Logged
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I'm about 100 Ft away - I could use a USB extender I guess... Does it really work??? What brand did dave reccommend?
 
  
ginigma wrote: 
   
    
    
      
       Not sure where your USB-UIRT is located.  Can you move that to the Xantech block?  You can get USB cable extenders which run over Cat5 wire.  I'm using one that Dave recommended.
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         jeremybe Newbie 
          
 
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           | Posted: May 10 2007 at 11:50 | IP Logged
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nadler wrote: 
   
    
    
      
       I just started to use speakercraft ir which is similar to xantech.  I run an emitter from the amplified speakercraft block from the second floor to the basement and then one flight up to where my computer and USB-UIRT are located.  This is done over Cat 5e and altho I don't think it's quite 100 feet, it's pretty close.  Works well, with no false signals. I use my Harmony remote to control the lights in my bedroom.
 You could always try it, just using 100 feet of wire, without running it through the walls yet. | 
       
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 I'm a little confused, is the IR emitter spliced into the cat5???
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         nadler Super User 
          
 
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           | Posted: May 10 2007 at 12:44 | IP Logged
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Exactly.  I cut the emitter wire in half and spliced the Cat5 in between. (I actually have it connected to cat5 plugs and it plugs into the wall, since each room has a Cat5 homerun to the basement.  But the same idea, just a little neater).
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         ginigma Senior Member 
          
 
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           | Posted: May 10 2007 at 15:44 | IP Logged
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jeremybe wrote: 
   
    
    
      
       | I'm about 100 Ft away - I could use a USB extender I guess... Does it really work??? What brand did dave reccommend? | 
       
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 Here are links to 2 different threads with links to cat5 USB extenders.  I'm pretty sure I got the one from Cyberguys, and I got one with a 4-port hub.  I'm only using one port for now though.  Using more than one port requires a wall wart to power the hub (at the far end, not at the PC end).  I have no problems.
 Link 1
 Link 2
 
  __________________ Insteon (40 devices) ^ PowerHome (435 links) ^ Logitech Harmony 880
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