1 HD DVR, Two Remotes (RF and IR)

[brad880]

I am switching to DirecTV and I was wondering if it was possible to control the HD DVR with one IR remote and an RF remote in another room at the same time?

I will be connecting the DVR to two tvs in separate rooms (HDMI and Component). I read the manual and did a search here but it seems once you set the receiver to RF or IR, the receiver will only recognize commands in that format. If this isn't possible, I will have to go with an IR repeater for the second room.

Edit: I realize the same thing will be on both tvs, I am fine with that.

 

[jcrandall]

yyou'll need to ir convert or use 2 rf's. cant do both at same time (although often requested)

 

[skyviewmark]

And I still don't understand this. Dish was able to accomplish mixing IR and RF. What possesed DirectV to limit the receivers to one or the other. Pure silliness to me

 

[BlueEos]

I will be connecting the DVR to two tvs in separate rooms (HDMI and Component).

I ran into this same problem with the same setup (HDMI and Component). My second room was just too far for me to control the DVR using the RF remote. If I were 10' closer, I think it would have worked.

So, off to Radio Shack where I bought a IR repeater for about $35-$40. Works great. However, to make this work I also had to buy another remote (eBay for less that $10).

IF you can control the DVR from your 2nd room, you might consider buying another RF remote on eBay, etc. That would also solve your problem with less money.

 

[brad880]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to go with two IR remotes with a Terk remote extender (Amazon for ~$30). This will still allow me to control the DVR with my Slingbox.

 

[BlueEos]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to go with two IR remotes with a Terk remote extender (Amazon for ~$30). This will still allow me to control the DVR with my Slingbox.

Just curious. Is your "long" run HDMI?

 

[brad880]

No it is component. Its not really that long either, both rooms are fairly close to one another, less than 50 feet.

 

[Aurora]

Component can run for quite a while, 50' shouldn't be any problem at all.

 

[BlueEos]

Thanks for the reply. I went with HDMI for about a 35' run. Seemed simpler than component + L/R audio. Maybe next time I'll reconsider going with component. Either method is a great way to save $5 a month. In my hookup, it connected the laundry room (read wife) and my office down the hall. Works out great as we're almost never in the 2 rooms at the same time. When I tune in, I see her Home decorating show popup and when she tunes in, she sees ESPN popup.