Channel Vision IR-4000 & IR-4100 — IR Distribution Over Coax

Instructions and application overview for the Channel Vision IR-4000 (IR Coax Engine) and IR-4100 (IR Coax Adaptor) — a matched pair that inserts infrared remote control signals onto a coax cable at one location and extracts them at another, allowing whole-house IR repeating over existing coax wiring.

Overview

The IR-4000 and IR-4100 work together to allow IR remote signals to travel on a coax cable from one room to another — for example, letting a user aim a remote at a TV in a bedroom and control source components (DVD player, cable box, etc.) located centrally in another room. The IR-4000 and IR-4100 are sold separately; a complete system requires at least one of each.

Features

• Creates an IR control system using existing coax wiring
• One power supply can power up to 4 IR receivers
• Quick, easy installation — no new wiring required in most retrofits

Specifications

How IR Repeating Works

An IR receiver (IR-4100, mounted near the TV) picks up the signal from a handheld remote and sends it down the coax to an IR hub, which routes the signal to IR emitters (from the IR-4000) placed directly over the IR receiver window of each source component in the equipment closet. The emitter repeats the IR signal onto the component, so the user never has to be in line-of-sight of the actual equipment.

Basic IR Setup

A basic IR system is commonly used when an audio/video signal is distributed to a remote TV location using an RF modulator:

• The IR-4100 is located near the TV, providing a connection point for an IR receiver.
• The IR-4000 is located near the audio/video source, providing an IR emitter output.
• The IR-4000 also has an input for RF signal from cable, antenna, or a modulator, and passes RF output through to the TV location alongside the IR data.

The IR-4000's onboard power adaptor connection accepts a 12VDC power supply (included) which also feeds DC voltage onto the coax to power the connected IR-4100 receiver(s).

Joining Your Modulator with CATV

The system can also distribute regular CATV signal along with a modulated source and IR control throughout the house — the IR-4100 combines the return IR path with the incoming CATV feed so a single coax run to each room carries both video and IR control.

Other IR Components (Compatible Accessories)

• IR-2301 — Table-top IR receiver; can be placed on any flat surface such as a TV or entertainment center.
• IR-2105 — Stick-type IR receiver with variable field of view; an adjustable blinder swivels around the pickup to prevent interference from light sources.
• IR-2202 — Tube-type IR receiver with variable field of view; the pickup slides in and out of the tube to adjust field of view.
• IR-3003 — Single-head IR emitter with expansion jack; up to 3 units can be chained together to a single emitter output.
• AB500 — Universal remote control that learns IR codes for up to 6 sources.
• HS-2 / HS-4 — 2-Way and 4-Way splitter/combiners, 5MHz–1GHz, all-port DC passing (needed to preserve the DC voltage that carries IR data across coax splits).

Troubleshooting

• If your IR system isn't working, check that the IR engine is feeding approximately 12 Volts DC onto the coax between shield and center pin (any voltage 8–12VDC is OK). If there's no voltage, check the connectors on each end of the coax.
• If you measure ~8–12 VDC on the output of the IR engine, but 0 VDC on the output of your RF splitter, check the following:
  1. Make sure you are using a DC-passing splitter. Traditional splitters short out DC voltage traveling on the coax and prevent the IR system from working.
  2. Add DC blocks (model 3109) on any splitter output that will NOT be connected to an IR-4100. If an output is connected directly to a TV without going through an IR-4100 or DC block, the system voltage will be shorted out by the TV's input.
  3. Double check the fittings at the ends of coax cables — if shielding touches the center pin, voltage will be shorted and the system won't work.
• The IR-4000 engine has a current-limiting circuit — if the engine is shorted (bad connection or non-DC-passing splitter), nothing will be harmed.

Warranty

Channel Vision Technology warrants this product against defects in material or workmanship for two years from the date of original purchase (no mail-in card required). This warranty does not cover shipping damage, use with non-Channel Vision products, or damage from accident, misuse, abuse, or alteration. Mail-in service requires a Return Authorization number obtained in advance by calling (800) 840-0288.

Channel Vision Technology, 234 Fischer Avenue, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 — (714) 424-6500 / (800) 840-0288 — www.channelvision.com