Ive had a hell of a time getting a Cisco 9856 under IR control from Crestron automation. I have read a LOT of posts where people have had horrible issues even using learning remotes and IR repeater systems.
So. Ive done Crestron home automation 27 years. Ive never come across a box this annoying. Most people tell me the box cant be controlled IR. That would be insane as nothing in consumer electronics has lacked support for automation for decades. Surely some brand new device thats all high tech would have controls ? Right ? Surely someone tested a $20 learning remote on these boxes before shipping right ? STandard for every device in consumer electronics to be controllable right ?? Ive now read over and over that its not controllable via automation or learning remotes. Cant be true right ?!. Wellllll.....
You cant just stick a IR emitter on it and send codes. That does not work. Why I dont know. You can see the IR rcvr in the right side area of the box. But trust me, after spending hours on this, you cant put a emitter on the box and control it. I used a powerful Xantech blaster placed directly in front of the unit set to high and this made it work. However, weirdest thing, you close the door to the cabinet and it stops working. The IR must reflect around and plop, no more control. I did, after hours, figure out a EXACT spot for the blaster about 6" in front of it and a bit off center, that worked even with the cabinet door closed. Now mind you this blaster works on devices at 75 feet.
I thought at times maybe I was sending too strong a IR signal via the emitter and blaster. NO. It needed HELLA strong signals..
This was the most freaky IR ive seen in my whole automation career, and Ive seen a lot of freaky IR.
Now there is a IR jack on the back of this box. Or course I tried using that with a 2 cond std 1/8" mini jack but that did not work at all.
So. My question is,,, that mini jack on the back, what is it. Is it maybe a 3 cond with the middle ring a IR in ?
So.. I also want to complain that ALL STUFF GOING INTO HOMES NEEDS TO BE AUTOMATION FRIENDLY. Its gotta be controable via IR, RS232 or TCP. Bluetooth is NOT a automation friendly protocol. As EVERY device that goes into homes *IS* controllable, this Cisco Countour box is really not acceptable as it wont even work with $20 learning remotes.
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