Customer Reviews

Next Generation Remote Control Extender

5 star:		(675)
4 star:		(123)
3 star:		(31)
2 star:		(38)
1 star:		(81)

 

 

Length:: 3:16 Mins

Next Generation Remote Control Extender

I had a need to remote control my TiVo HD and DVD player that are located inside a closed cabinet. I tried to use an inexpensive RF remote control but I hated the remote and there is a significant amount of lag when I push the button on the remote. Sometimes the component didn't register the command at all. Very frustrating.

I did a little more research on how to control my components that were hidden inside this cabinet and I ran across this Next Generation Remote Control Extender. At first I thought this was the same thing as those stupid X-10 Pyramid remote extenders or IR repeaters, but as I read more about it I realized this was something different. In short, this system will allow you to convert your standard remote into a powerful RF remote. This is a very unique solution.

I used this system to convert my favorite Logitech/Harmony 676 universal remote into a RF remote that can control my TiVo HD and DVD player while hidden out of sight in my cabinet. It totally works and there no lag from when I push a button to the action on the screen. Love it!!!

This is, without a doubt, the best remote control extender I've ever used. I have used three before this one. I have the X-10 Powermid in my bedroom and bought this one for my basement. I have a 50 inch plasma in my basement and I didn't want to put my cable box right underneath it or buy a media cabinet. I think it defeats the whole purpose of putting a plasma on the wall. I read the reviews on this RCE and figured I'd try another brand. I was very happy to see that the positive reviews were right on the money. I hooked it up in about 5 minutes. It was simple. My cable box is now located in the closet behind the TV. This RCE puts the transmitter inside the remote control. You replace one of your batteries with their battery shaped transmitter. The transmitter could care less in which direction you aim the remote control. This is so much better than the X-10 and others that require you to point your remote control at a receiver. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't and I'm always wondering if my remote control batteries are dead. This RCE works every time. I'm going to get another one for my bedroom.

Bottom Line: Finally a remote control extender that works! I love this product.

** UPDATE ** I'm going on 4+ years of using this RCE and it still works fantastic. It needs the battery in the transmitter recharged about once every 4-5 months, which I find totally acceptable. To recharge it, you put the battery in the back of the reception unit, very easy and simple, plus nothing to lose or misplace.

Pros:

I primarily intended to use this with a Harmony 768 universal remote (4xAAA) and, once I figured out the idiosyncrasies, it has worked great & how I'd hoped; from anywhere in my apartment on more than a dozen components that make up my complex system, and with just as quick and reliable a response as with the direct original remotes. I don't even need to extend the telescoping antenna on the receiver (RF-receiver/IR-relay), and just lay it horizontally flat against the "saucer", which is placed in an inconspicuous location with nearby line-of-sight to my IR components.

Although I don't need the "eye extender" cable (since I have no components hidden in cabinets or out of line-of-sight for the receiver), I did test it. I was surprised how well it worked even from several feet from component IR sensors, regardless of its directional orientation. I imagine that the optional "triple-eye" accessory, selectively oriented in a cabinet rather than attached directly to individual sensors, could probably emit enough IR to control quite a bit more than 3 components & maybe as many as a dozen? Even an optimally placed single-eye could possibly supplement the receiver if there were several components in the same location but out of direct line-of-sight from the receiver.

Cons and idiosyncrasies:

It comes in plastic "bubble"-container packaging. Fortunately, the package edges can be peeled apart without requiring a "machete" or damaging the product, but it still can't be fully resealed. Of course this style packaging makes it unlikely you'd be able to return it if it didn't work out for you, which is a major reason manufacturers use these insidious packages.

It can be a bit quirky, depending on the remote with which it's used. I tested it with close to 20 original remotes as well as several universal remotes, AAA & AA battery usage. Most worked just fine, but I experienced the following issues:

- Harmony 768, universal remote (4xAAA); sensitive to which battery location for the transmitter (lower 2 battery chambers, farthest from 768's IR emitters, seem to work best); on occasion it suddenly stopped working until I spun the transmitter a bit inside the battery chamber - whether this was due to poor contact or an orientation issue, I don't know.

- HTM MX-500, universal remote (4xAAA); no response from the receiver, & with transmitter/battery in slot "1" the remote doesn't even "turn on" (ie, can't be used with this universal remote.)

- Mitsubishi HS-HD2000U, D-VHS (2xAA); no response on the receiver or otherwise when used with the original remote *OR* with the Harmony 768 sending HS-HD2000U commands (ie, won't control this component - A/B/C settings on the receiver made no difference.)

Other:

- be sure to observe the feedback LED on the receiver. If it responds to your remote, you're likely good to go. (I first tested this with the Harmony 768, and until I determined its idiosyncrasies, had *no* response. I can see how someone could quickly conclude this doesn't work.)

- some components don't respond as well (or even at all for one of my components) when both the remote's IR and the receiver's IR is beamed to the component at the same time. When I'm in a line-of-sight location with the remote, I have much better response when I point the remote away or cover its IR, restricting it to sending RF to the receiver. When I'm *not* in a line-of-sight location with the remote, it makes no difference where I point it, as I'd expect with RF transmission.

- The receiver's IR beam strength & coverage seems typical to other IR remotes. If you're using receiver line-of-sight rather than via directly attached "eye(s)", it may take a bit of trial and error to find the best convenient receiver placement location and direction to operate all your system components.

- the receiver's power adaptor *may* have to be plugged to a different outlet to avoid interference from other components plugged to a power strip.

- The aspect ratio of the Amazon product-image is width-stretched (actual "saucer" seems smaller than perceived from the Amazon image); you'll see the proper proportion in images at the NGHP web-site.

- I primarily use NiMH rechargeable batteries on my remotes, but wherever I ran into issues I also tried using standard alkalines. Battery type never made any difference in my testing results and all had full charges.

- check the NGHP web-site FAQs, where it recommends such things as charging the batteries 24-36 hours before using the 1st time (which I did for these test results.) You *may* find that the mini-battery charges somewhat faster when it's in its dedicated charge slot than when in the charge slot for the combined mini-battery/transmitter.

- mini-battery charge seems to be lasting similar to the "normal" rechargeables, so far, but I've only had this for a few weeks. It's still going on the 1st charge and quite a bit of usage.

- Yes, the instructions were written by someone whose 1st language is likely not English, but they're still quite understandable & easy to follow.

- This product is so useful for me that I bought a 2nd as a backup. Both exhibited the same quirks.

Although I have been a home theatre enthusiast for close to twenty years, I had never heard of the Next Generation Remote Control Extender; it was inexpensive enough that I figured it would be worth a try, but did not have very high expectations; all the competing solutions are much more expensive and require some sort of external stick-on transmitter for the remote, so how good could this possibly be?

I just installed it in a new inexpensive remote I purchased (Sony RM-VL600) and it works spectacularly well. I was suspicious of the range, but was surprised to discover that it works throughout my entire house.

The principle is simple: you replace one of the batteries in your remote with a clever little gadget that picks up the RF signal as you press the keys and transmits it to the base station, which converts it into infrared signals that are blasted to the component you want to control.
The transmitter is shaped like a AAA battery; a part of it is hollow so you can stick a 2/3 AAA-sized battery into it, which lets it serve the dual function of transmitter and battery. The package comes with two of these rechargeable batteries and one AA sleeve for remotes that use AA batteries.

The receiver base is shaped like a flying saucer and about the size of a coaster. It is powered by a small wall DC power adapter. The bottom hides a door under which you will find a battery trickle charger with two slots, one AAA and one 2/3AAA. This lets you keep the spare 2/3AAA battery always charged and ready to go. There is also a sensitivity switch for "special cases".
The dome contains a blaster that you point at the device to control; in the back a jack lets you connect a remote blaster (supplied) if you need to control a second component out of reach of the base.

After having serious problems with other RF remote extenders costing several times the price of this one, I'm thrilled to have found an inexpensive product that works so well. Highly recommended.

On another site I saw an earlier set of instructions for this product that included the line "If signal seems weak you may need to move the transmitter to another battery slot in your remote." This was critical in my case to get any kind of distance transmission in my Tivo Series 3 remote (4 AAAs). In one slot I got only about 6 feet. After switching to another slot it works great from all over the house. I don't think I would have thought of this myself. 4 stars instead of 5 for leaving out this information in the instructions included with the product I received.

I have 5 remotes I tried this with in my house and it worked on two of them (my Panasonic TV and Pioneer audio reciever remotes). The other three (DVD player, Sage DVR, HD Extender remotes) did not work at all. The DVR was obviously the primary remote I needed to work so this quickly turned into a paper weight.
To be fair the two remotes it did work for worked very well. I tested it running around the house and the range and accuracy were very good - only a few misses here and there. Certainly much better than the IR "pyramids" from RCA/Radio Shack that I have around the house.
It's a bit annoying they don't have a definitive list of remotes that they've tested with handy - you'd think such info would be critical for such a device dependant product. Their web site proudly proclaims they work with remotes from various vendors but the careful reader will notice not _all_ remotes from those vendors - as noted by another reviewer at least one such remote from Sony does not. So short story is you'll pay your money and takes your chances.
Clever implementation and if your remote is supported it'll work well, if not, you're out of luck.

I recently purchased an inexpensive digital converter box, to upgrade my analog sets into the digital age. The converter is in the den, and is supplying a signal to three sets, two of which are in other rooms, out of remote control range...not a convenient setup.

I needed some sort of remote control extender, and decided to give this one a try based upon the price and the many positive recommendations.

Simply put, this unit deserves the praise that it has been getting! It's functioning flawlessly...the remote for the new converter now works in any room of the house, with no stumbling or hesitation.

One caveat to keep in mind--the supplied batteries (one of which has to be inserted into the remote that you wish to use) do come with a charge, and as such the instruction sheet didn't recommend charging them before the initial use. That initial charge that these batteries come with may not be strong enough to work with all remotes, as I quickly found out. The converter box remote, which uses a single battery, would not work at first, unless you were in the same room and pointed it directly at the converter. A VCR remote, which uses two batteries, would work though. This led me, initially, to the erroneous conclusion that the converter box remote was somehow incompatible with this product.

If you're anxious to start using the remote control extender upon receipt, and if you find that your remote isn't functioning properly with it, don't give up immediately. Charge the supplied batteries for a few hours and then try again...that's all that was needed over here.

Excellent, affordable, and so tiny that it's unobtrusive...am VERY happy!

I love having all my AV equipment out of sight in an AV cabinet- and this gizmo is what makes it possible. I ordered one on the strength of the glowing reviews, and was pleased to find that it works exactly as others have said. I can control the AV equipment from literally anywhere in my house.

Also, in my own use, I found a few unique things I hadn't seen mentioned in other reviews.

First off, in the tight space of my AV closet, the unit didn't send signals perfectly to all my equipment- probably because it needs to be located a little farther away from the devices than space inside the cabinet would allow.

I solved this by adding the "3Eye Triple IR Mouse Emitter" (which is 3 separate IR bulbs on a wire, you stick over the IR ports on your AV gear, then attach to the mini plug on the Remote Extender). Voila! With the direct connection to my devices, this thing never misses! If you have trouble, and can't locate the RCE far enough away from your gear, or there's interference in the IR signal, try the 3Eye device, it'll likely solve the problem. (Note: The RCE comes with a single IR cable, but it can only control one device).

Then I had another challenge arise- I have an audio receiver located almost 50 feet from the AV closet, in another cabinet. I wondered could I run an IR emitter cable that far, and have this control that device also? (And of course, without giving up control of the AV closet devices).

The answer: YES!

The Remote Control Extender only has one minijack, but a simple $2 dual-headphone adapter jack that you can get at any electronics store works to make it 2 jacks.

More of a challenge, I wondered would the IR emitter work via the dual adapter with the triple Eye, PLUS attached to 50 feet of headphone extension cable with mini-jacks.

The answer: YES!

So little signal strength goes through the cables, that you can extend modestly long distances, adapt with a splitter, and run as many IR bulbs as you need off the same mini jack, with no loss of IR performance.

So I merely ran the long cable through the wall to my stereo cabinet, plugged both IR emitter sends into Remote Extender (via the adapter), and now my universal remote controls literally EVERYTHING- even devices over 50 feet apart- with just this one extender!

This is a product that simply WORKS, and works well. An amazing product for the price. If you're looking for a way to hide all your AV gear and still be able to control it, and even if you need odd control options that require extended IR cables, this is the gizmo that will handle it!

If you have a need to control devices from a distance, this is the product for you.
Install the transmitter in the battery compartment of your standard remote, place the receiver near the devices to be controlled, and you are done!

No need to spend more money on a new remote, train a remote and no need to position a relay component in the room that you are controlling the device from.

This thing is amazing that it internally picks up the remote signal, and turns it into RF for transmission to the extender receiver.

The IR is strong on the receiver end, and basically just needs to be in the same room as the devices to control. (it also comes with the wired extender if you need to place the control on the front of a device.

You can control multiple devices from the same receiver, and use the original remote controls too.

I am controlling a Direct Tivo from a room 3 floor's up on the opposite end of the house, and from 3 separate locations with 3 separate remotes. Distance is great.
I use the same receiver to control an outdoor sound system, using the factory remote.

If you want to use more devices, just purchase the additional transmitters to put in your remote controls.

This is an outstanding device that is extremely simple to setup and use.

Two thumbs up!!

Let me get right to the point: This product gets 1 star not because it is a 1-star product but because it is marketed by a 1-star company that provides no customer support in the form of included product documentation, online instruction, or responses to e-mail. Next Generation gives every indication that it is a company that doesn't give a cr@p about its customers.

Of course, this point has already been made in other reviews and you may be thinking -- much as I did -- that if this product works it doesn't matter anyway.
Indeed, there are plenty of reviews extolling the virtues of this product. It does work as described in the right situation. However, it would be a mistake to view this product as "plug and play" or assume that "the right situation" is most situations.

If you've got a newer DirecTV receiver, this version won't work. If you've got FIOS, this version won't work. If you've got AT&T, don't even order before calling the company first (their instructions, not mine). You get the idea: sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't. There are many situations where this product becomes nothing more than an overpriced paper weight. This is the point at which you will regret ever purchasing a Next Generation product. Is the product defective? Are you doing something wrong? Or is your configuration incompatible with the product? Good luck finding out.

There is simply no where to turn for help when the product does not work as described. The included "owner's manual" is no help. As of this date, Next Gen's simplistic website has no support link or troubleshooting information. The company does provide e-mail addresses but, as others have pointed out, you will not get a response. You could call their toll-free company phone number -- if they had one. They don't. It is easy to wonder if the company has gone out of business.

Let me conclude by suggesting that you don't take my word for it. Find Next Generation's website, look around, and then e-mail a question. Discover for yourself how you will be treated should you experience a problem. Don't do what I did; don't assume that the problems people report with this product and the negative experiences with this company are simply the result of technically incompetent users with no problem-solving skills.

You've been warned!