As we adopt numerous pieces of technology in our homes, our entertainment areas accumulate a wide variety of devices. It’s not uncommon to have more than a few boxes such as your DVD player, bluray, CD, amplifier and more stacked near the television or on shelves in entertainment units below the TV, which can become messy and unattractive.
It’s easy to achieve an uncluttered look where all you can see is your flat screen TV mounted neatly on the wall using an Infrared Repeater (IR) Kit. An IR kit is a simple wired system which will allow you to control all your entertainment components from behind a wall or cabinet doors.
To get started, you will need a few things:
1. A Repeater, which is the controller or brains of the system
2. An IR Receiver, which is what you will point your remote control at, also known as a target. These can be found in many shapes and sizes. 
3. An Emitter, which often come in pairs, controls each individual device. (One emitter per device) 
4. Power supply, which powers the repeater 
So how does it work?
a. Place the IR Receiver in front of where you sit (eg: near your TV)
b. Place the IR emitter(s) over the IR receiver / sensor of your device(s)
c. Plug the IR Receiver and the IR Emitter into the IR Repeater (controller)
d. Plug the power adaptor into a mains power outlet and into the IR Repeater (controller)
- Then all you have to do is point your remote control forwards (at the IR Receiver), which will automatically send the signal through to your devices!
IR wiring can be tracked along walls or skirting, however you may prefer to make this system a fully integrated part of your setup by running the wiring through your walls as you would any electrical cable.
You may even like the professional finish of an in-wall kit, which means you would install the included wall plate near your television. (see image below)
Depending on how many devices you are going to control, you can purchase kits ready to go with the ability to expand at a later date, or build your own with individual components to suit your personal situation.
If your devices are being housed more than a couple of meters away from your television, such as in another room, extension cables are available in many lengths to ensure a custom solution is achieved.
Now if you’re loving this, next you might consider investing in a universal remote control to help reduce the rest of the clutter. Check out our blog here on Universal Remotes
It’s also worth noting that if you are planning on using IR repeaters with your Foxtel system, the only system that you will be able to use is the Resi-Linx range.
