I just plugged this little guy in, so I can't comment on the battery life, but since it comes with a 2nd battery that stays charged in the base unit, I imagine it will not be an issue. But as far as first impressions:
I hid my simple components (cable box and DVD) in a cabinet to the side of my fireplace after mounting a plasma over the fireplace. Problem was, I had to open the cabinet to watch TV because of the IR remotes. The guy who installed the TV (that is a whole other story...pick your AV guy carefully or better yet, do it yourself) tried to sell me a $300+ dollar, complex, RF remote system. While I'm sure that system is great for a true video nut, my need was simple: watch cable with the cabinet closed.
Enter the Next Generation Extender. You charge the two batteries in the base for 36 hours, then put one of them in your remote. Next, place the "flying saucer" base where it can "see" your IR sensors, and plug it in. Works like a charm, and as simple as anything I've seen.
The unit comes with a little eye you can tape to the IR sensor if you put the flying saucer behind the component, but I had enough room in my cabinet to set it right in front of the cable box and DVD player, so I didn't even need that part.
I am amazed and thrilled with this little gem, especially after listening to all the head-spinning, complex, expensive solutions the AV guys tried to pitch me.
UPDATE November 23, 2009: After almost 2 months, I've had to swap the battery one time. Pretty impressive. And since they are rechargeable and there is a spare, it takes about 30 seconds and I was back in business. This remains one of the most useful, simplest electronic products I've ever owned.
UPDATE April 16, 2010: I still haven't had to swap the battery yet. It's been 5 months. And when I do, the newly charged one is just waiting. I am so impressed with this little product I put a 2nd one in my basement.
YET ANOTHER UPDATE, August 9, 2010: DO NOT BUY TWO!! Okay, I still love this device, but you can't use two of them at the same time, even in different rooms. I have a TV in the basement pretty far from the one where the original unit was installed, and if both TV's are being used, the remotes change channels on both TV's at the same time. For example, I was watching a baseball game in the basement, and when my kids upstairs changed channels, it changed the channel on my TV too. The RF works too well....it goes through walls and everything else.
UPDATE, February 11, 2011. The little guy still works great, can't believe how long the batteries last; but I've got a problem now. Someone else in my neighborhood must have one too, because every so often the TV just starts changing channels. I unplug the extender and it stops; so the device is clearly picking up a radio signal from something. Kind of frustrating, but it doesn't happen all the time, and for the money you can't beat it.
UPDATE, April 21, 2011. So I guess you get what you pay for, because as much as I love the functionality of this little guy, every evening about the same time, my channels just start changing. It is therefore not working for me anymore, which is a bummer. They should have a way to use different channels like a cordless phone, but not sure infrared works that way. So alas, I can't say with confidence to buy one anymore, unless you live in a very isolated area where there is no chance someone else's remote will change your channels.
UPDATE: They sent me a new one on a different channel. I'm back up and working great. They need to make one with the ability to change channels.
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Product Description
Effectively change your infrared remote to a more powerful radio-frequency signal.
How It Works
NextGen includes rechargeable batteries which slide into RF transmitters, to fit the standard AAA battery compartment on your existing remote. An adaptor is also included for AA compartments.
Replace one of your remote's batteries with this device, and it picks up the hint of radio-frequency signals emitted by IR remotes, amplifies it, and sends it to the base station. The base station emits the IR signal, effectively turning your IR remote into a long-range RF model.
The base station has a built-in charger for powering up the custom batteries. Brilliant, effective, and effortless.
Compare with similar items
This Item  Nextgen IR Remote Repeater 100 ft Range Infrared Extender Kit, Radio Frequency IR Blaster Extends Control for Cable Box, Chromecast, Roku, Fire Stick |  |  |  | |
| Price | Currently unavailable. | $59.99 | $33.00 | $8.45 |
| Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Friday, Aug 30 | Get it as soon as Friday, Aug 30 | Get it as soon as Monday, Sep 2 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||
| Sold By | — | e-TekDepot | Unique Products Online | CreativeState |
| compatible devices | Television | A/V or IR enabled equipments | Universal | Television, DVD/Blu-ray Player, Home Theater |
| connectivity tech | Infrared | wireless | Infrared Wireless | USB |
| maximum range | 100 feet | 656 feet | 40 feet | 10 meters |
Reviews with images
Love these things!!
I bought the 433 after my ir repeater started to fail. I keep all my AV equipment in a cabinet in back of living room and tv is mounted in front. I have one unit with emitters going to a scientific Atlanta cable box and a Yamaha receiver. I'm using TiVo emitters rather than the ones that came with it because I like it better. And I have another unit in front of my Blu-ray player. The only trouble I had which was a simple fix was my Blu-ray player had to be on frequency B and my other devices had to be on A. No big deal just took a second to figure out. This is a lot better than paying an AV guy $1000 for setup.
Top reviews from other countries
johnfromen6
... far as I am aware there is no product like it in the UK
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2015Cory
Amazing product. I use it in my theater room ...
Reviewed in Canada on April 21, 2015
