USB-UIRT

[can3gxw]

I've already emailed "support" - but can anyone tell me if the USB-UIRT from their site comes with any blasters, or are they extra?

There is the basic USB-UIRT for $50, or for $55 it shows "w/ additional 56khs IR sensor"

What does it all mean? What do I need to buy?

Thanks folks!

[can3gxw]

Here's the response from USB-UIRT

We do not include or sell the 'emitters' (the USB-UIRT's jack is designed to run stick-on style emitters). The USB-UIRT has built-in blasters.

You can use any Xantech-style emitter cable.

OK - so what does this mean? The "built in blasters" refers to what?

I want to use this to control my Bell STB instead of my Hauppauge IR Blaster.

Can anyone tell me what else I would need to buy along with the USB-UIRT?

Thanks again.

[dadof4]

If you are only going to control one device then you can just use the USB-UIRT without add on blasters, The USB-UIRT base unit has an internal blaster you can point toward your device. You only require the extra blasters if you want to control more than one device.

[Tiki]

The USBUIRT has 1 transmitter and 1 receiver built in to the "front" side of the unit. On the back of the unit is the USB connector and a jack where you can plug in 1 or 2 additional transmitters (emitters).

The jack is similar to what would be used for connecting a pair of stereo headphones and both emitters share the same jack (one is like the left headphone and the other is the right. There are instructions on how to make your own with parts from Radio Shack and also where to buy the emitters in a few posts on this forum.

If you are only controlling one device, you don't need the extra emitters, but they still may come in handy since they give you more flexibility in where and how you position the USBUIRT in your room.

Even if you need to control multiple devices, you don't need the extra emitters as long as each device uses unique remote control codes. If you have multiple set top boxes that all work with the same remote control, you will need the emitters.

If you connect the extra emitters, by default all three will blast the same commands at the same time unless you take extra steps to set-up Sage for Zone Control. With Zone control, each emitter can send a different signal.

There is the basic USB-UIRT for $50, or for $55 it shows "w/ additional 56khs IR sensor"

The sensor (receiver) in the USBUIRT is capable of receiving the signals from most infrared remote controls. However, there are a few remotes that operate at a higher frequency. The 56k sensor will work with a wider variety of remote controls. If you don't know what you need, its probably worth spending the extra $5 or $10 to get the 56k sensor.

Most remotes are infrared, but there are some that are RF. USBUIRT will not work with RF. If you have a multi-room remote (one that works anywhere in your house without a special repeater) it is probably RF (Radio Frequency). If you have to point your remote at your TV (or whatever device you are controlling) it is probably infrared (IR).