lefty
12-23-2006, 12:14 PM
IR-Blaster Mod for any IRD
If you use a PVR/DVR and have to use an IR Blaster to control your Dish IRD, you know the hassle of lost recordings, channel changes that just don't change or are slow to change and that really ugly IR Blaster tents of cardboard and clear tape that fall off at the most in-opportune times. Personally I don't use the Dish Guide. The ReplayTV guide is much better IMHO. So these issues are a bother to me.
Here's a 15 minute mod that works great. It can be used on 301's, 501, 508, 510's, 811's and others. The one in my example is an 811.
1. Be prepared to solder and have the needed supplies. Use the normal cautions when doing this kind of work.
2. Purchase at RS the following parts: 274-287 Phone Plug and 274-251 Phone Jack
3. Drill a hole at the rear of the IRD to accomodate the Phone Jack.
4. A spare IR Blaster - (optional - just in case ya screw up.......)
On the IRD, locate the IR reciever module inside the case. C'mon, we know you've been in there before! You may have to disassemble the board from the front cover on some models. Others are right on the motherboard. Secure the red IR blaster head to the IR reciever module - it has three legs on it and will be near the LED's that the remote uses. You can do it like my 811 or use a short soft clear transparent plastic tube to hold it to the reciever module. Use a bit of hot glue to secure the wire leads to the mother board and keep them out of the way. Route the leads toward the back of the IRD. Mount the jack 274-251 on the back of the case (you did drill that hole, didn't you?) anywhere that suits you. Keep the shavings out of the IRD. Now - BEFORE cutting the wires to solder to the jack terminals, use a DVOM and match the continuity for the IR-Blaster and the Jack/Plug combo you just installed. Center terminal to center terminal. Ground to ground. MARK them! If you cross the circuit you get a short and that's not good. Before you plug the IRD into the wall power, plug one end of the new cable you just made (the 274-251) into the IRD. Using the DVOM test for proper continuity of the other end's center terminal of the new cable to the center terminal on the new jack. Check the ground circuit also. Reassemble the IRD.
In your ReplayTV, Tivo, PVR/DVR or whatever.......you may need to adjust the IR Blaster fine tuning numbers for response timing differences. Then again maybe not. It's a variable.
Now you can change channels before the wife comes down the hallway and catches you viewing Channel 495!
Do this mod at your own risk!
Enjoy!
lefty
Pics are in the zip file in the public download area.
Can't get them to post here.
If you use a PVR/DVR and have to use an IR Blaster to control your Dish IRD, you know the hassle of lost recordings, channel changes that just don't change or are slow to change and that really ugly IR Blaster tents of cardboard and clear tape that fall off at the most in-opportune times. Personally I don't use the Dish Guide. The ReplayTV guide is much better IMHO. So these issues are a bother to me.
Here's a 15 minute mod that works great. It can be used on 301's, 501, 508, 510's, 811's and others. The one in my example is an 811.
1. Be prepared to solder and have the needed supplies. Use the normal cautions when doing this kind of work.
2. Purchase at RS the following parts: 274-287 Phone Plug and 274-251 Phone Jack
3. Drill a hole at the rear of the IRD to accomodate the Phone Jack.
4. A spare IR Blaster - (optional - just in case ya screw up.......)
On the IRD, locate the IR reciever module inside the case. C'mon, we know you've been in there before! You may have to disassemble the board from the front cover on some models. Others are right on the motherboard. Secure the red IR blaster head to the IR reciever module - it has three legs on it and will be near the LED's that the remote uses. You can do it like my 811 or use a short soft clear transparent plastic tube to hold it to the reciever module. Use a bit of hot glue to secure the wire leads to the mother board and keep them out of the way. Route the leads toward the back of the IRD. Mount the jack 274-251 on the back of the case (you did drill that hole, didn't you?) anywhere that suits you. Keep the shavings out of the IRD. Now - BEFORE cutting the wires to solder to the jack terminals, use a DVOM and match the continuity for the IR-Blaster and the Jack/Plug combo you just installed. Center terminal to center terminal. Ground to ground. MARK them! If you cross the circuit you get a short and that's not good. Before you plug the IRD into the wall power, plug one end of the new cable you just made (the 274-251) into the IRD. Using the DVOM test for proper continuity of the other end's center terminal of the new cable to the center terminal on the new jack. Check the ground circuit also. Reassemble the IRD.
In your ReplayTV, Tivo, PVR/DVR or whatever.......you may need to adjust the IR Blaster fine tuning numbers for response timing differences. Then again maybe not. It's a variable.
Now you can change channels before the wife comes down the hallway and catches you viewing Channel 495!
Do this mod at your own risk!
Enjoy!
lefty
Pics are in the zip file in the public download area.
Can't get them to post here.