DIY emitter

[Dan.]

After suffering from weak transmission -
http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=31554
I tought about attacking the problem from a different direction.
I have the STB's old remote which I'm not using now. It controls it well and from long distance.
Is it possible to cut off the head of the hauppauge emitter and to couple the led from the old remote instead ?
1. Would this configuration send stronger signal?
If yes
2. should i couple the red diode, the transparent one or both (see picture) from the old remote
3. Doe's it matter which one of the 2 wires I attach to the diode or can I do it randomly?

[pastro]

That will probably work better. When you press the button there is likely one you can see and one you can't. It's the one you can't see. The diode does have to be put in the right way, but usually it doesn't hurt it to put it in reverse it just won't work. In which case swap it around.
I use a digital camera to see the led. Not all cameras work, but most do.
There is one worrry but you are probably ok. There is sometimes a resistor in series with the LED, but I'm hoping that is on the pvr150 board so you don't need to add it.

[martint123]

AFAIR there is just the diode in the plastic piece, the current limiting resistor is on the PVR150. Both the digital cameras I've tried show the IR led flashing.

[pastro]

AFAIR there is just the diode in the plastic piece, the current limiting resistor is on the PVR150. Both the digital cameras I've tried show the IR led flashing.

That's good to know that the resistor is on board. Someone here at work had a camera phone that didn't show a Led while mine did.

Edit: Oh yeah, don't couple both in parallel, it won't work. I would just use the one.

[Dan.]

That's good to know that the resistor is on board. Someone here at work had a camera phone that didn't show a Led while mine did.

Edit: Oh yeah, don't couple both in parallel, it won't work. I would just use the one.

what did you mean about coupling both in parallel?

[martint123]

what did you mean about coupling both in parallel?

From your OP "2. should i couple the red diode, the transparent one or both (see picture) from the old remote"

Just use one, not both (in parallel)

[Dan.]

Well, it definitely works better now, i can change channels from about 2 feet away from the STB. I'll get it solder on monday and I hope its the end of finding the wrong channel after record.

[pastro]

what did you mean about coupling both in parallel?

Here is a diagram for resistors in parallel.

[psicotron3]

Here is a diagram for resistors in parallel.

In this case, will it work if I put two diodes (I mean two emitters) serial? Maybe I can reach better range.

[pastro]

In this case, will it work if I put two diodes (I mean two emitters) serial? Maybe I can reach better range.

No probably not. You will likely have worse range because you will cut the current too much with two diodes in series. You would have to change the resistor on the board and I don't think you want to go there.