Clicker Debate: Infrared (IR) vs. Radio Frequency (RF) Remote Controls! And How Can I Hide Those Ugly Components?

So, what is the difference between infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF) remotes? Televisions, receivers, cable boxes, digital video recorders, gaming systems, DVD players, and personal computers are all becoming a part of the home entertainment network. Placing all of these components in an area that is readily seen has long been the requirement to allow the operation of traditional infrared remotes. There are a variety of products, however, that break us free from this limitation. These include IR repeaters, IR extenders, and the integration of radio frequency remotes. It is important to understand the difference between the infrared and radio frequency signal and know what is the proper environment for each. The IR vs. RF debate is not one in the same light as Blu-ray vs. HD DVD, but rather one of co-existence that benefits from an understanding of each signal's capabilities. This discussion of infrared and radio frequency remotes should arm you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about the type of remote to use as well as the placement of unsightly components.


Infrared Remotes
Infrared remotes are devices that use a beam of light to communicate user instructions to an audio/visual component. Because it uses a light source, this type of remote requires line-of-sight. This means that the beam may be interrupted by anything through which light cannot travel. For example, an IR remote may work through glass but not through a wood door. It is also the reason why a remote may not work temporarily when a person walks in front of it.

Infrared remotes are advantageous because they are inexpensive, robust when unobstructed, and readily teachable. By teachable, it is meant that there are inexpensive IR learning remotes that are able to be taught commands from any other IR remote. Once the learning remote is placed in its learning mode, the remotes are simply pointed at each other and the commands are sent (i.e. buttons pressed). The infrared method of remote control has become the de facto standard in the industry of consumer electronics.

Because of the line of site requirement, however, components that are controlled by IR remotes are typically not able to be hidden away. While most folks just accept this shortcoming, there are several alternatives that allow components to be stored out of site in more creative places. These are described below.


Infrared Repeater
When components are located behind a door or in a nearby place that cannot be reached by an IR signal, an infrared repeater may be used. This repeater usually has an "eye" that is connected to the repeater unit. The eye is located in a place that is visible to the IR remote. For example, if the components are behind a wooden door in a piece of furniture, a hole may be bored above the doors that allows the eye to be visible to the remote control. The infrared signal is received by the eye and carried through a wire to the repeater unit. The repeater unit is powered and is able to take the input signal and send it to one or more components. One way this this is done is by using individual wires that have light emitting tips that stick to each of the component's IR receptors. Another method sends the output through a single IR blaster that scatters the signal in an attempt to reach multiple components. If the direct shot of an individual wire is thought to be analogous to a rifle, then the IR blaster is the equivalent of a shot gun.


Infrared Extender
An infrared extender may be used to help signals find hard-to-reach components behind doors or walls. It accomplishes the same task as an IR repeater, except that the components do not need to be in close proximity to a visible eye. The original IR signal is sent to a visible receiver unit that converts the signal to a radio frequency (RF) signal that may pass through walls, floor, and furniture. This RF signal is picked up by a mating IR extender base that then converts the signal back to infrared. This transported infrared signal is then sent back out by the base unit to the component(s). This method requires the receiver to be visible by the remote and the base unit needs to sit in front of the components - with line-of-site available to the component's IR receptor. The receiver and base, however, can be located much further apart.


Radio Frequency Remotes
While almost all components use infrared signals to control them, a radio frequency (RF) signal (like the one used by remote extenders) provides another way to send signals from a remote. An RF remotes is meant to replace traditional IR remote by using a radio frequency signal that is not visual in nature. This allows the signal to go through walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture. Since the components are still expecting an IR signal, however, the RF remote must communicate to a base unit that accepts the RF signal and converts it back it to an IR signal. Much like an extender, the RF remote is advantagous over an IR repeater because no line of site is required between the remote and the components. The components may be stored much further away, such as in a media closet. Additionally, the RF remote is an improvement over the IR extender because the source signal is RF and no IR receiver unit needs to be in sight.

The fact that an RF remote does not require line-of-sight is only a side benefit to what this device can ultimately do. A radio frequency remote can be a much more significant part of a home entertainment system. The repeater and extender discussed previously, can help take the IR signal from each remote to its corresponding hidden component, but a single RF remote can be the means of controlling all of the hidden components. This all-in-one remote is called a universal remote, and the premium universal remotes use the RF method to reach the components. These universal remotes may replace all of the individual remotes that are typically found scattered throughout a home entertainment room. For an in-depth discussion of universal remotes, however, you'll have to wait for the follow-up post. In the meantime, know your IR limitations and RF capabilities - and that you are not trapped in a world where you have to look at those ugly components all of the time.