External IR receiver for remote? (also a pic why I need one!)

Question

Level 3

525 points

External IR receiver for remote? (also a pic why I need one!)

I have a problem. When at home I use my MacBook Pro in clamshell mode and it is sitting on a "laptop riser stand." It fits the stand perfect, and matches nice, however, the IR receiver is blocked! The only way I can use the IR receiver is if I prop it up with something, or move the MBP off to the side of the stand.

I was thinking, there has to be a better solution. Is there such a thing as a EXTERNAL IR reviver? Something I could plug into my USB port that would let me use that as my remote receiver instead of the one that is covered? I want to be able to use my regular Apple remote, just with an external receiver.

UPDATE: would something like this work?
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=usbIRreceiver&hl=en&cid=3253107803896350337&sa=title#p

Thanks,
Scott

13" MacBook Pro/4GB RAM/320GB HD - 500MHz iBook G3/640 RAM/160GB HD/WiFi, Other OS, OS X 10.5.x Leopard on the MacBook Pro, and OS X 10.4.11 Tiger on the iBook

Posted on Jul 29, 2009 3:07 PM

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Answer 1

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Jul 29, 2009 3:43 PM in response to sdschramm

Why not drill a hole in the stand that acts as an aperture opening to the remote sensor on the MBP?

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Answer 2

khassani

Level 3

952 points

Jul 29, 2009 5:17 PM in response to sdschramm

I don't think that product will work. I don't know the technical reasons, but the remote won't work with the old G3 PowerBooks w/ their infrared, and I imagine this is similar. I don't know if there's just no software or the hardware is incompatible, but 3 years after the remote came out, no one's been able to connect them.

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Answer 3

sdschramm Author

Level 3

525 points

Jul 29, 2009 6:20 PM in response to BSteely

LOL, drilling wholes would work, however, I would still need to aim the remote directly at it (the "holder" would be blocking the "onmi-direconness" of the sensor) If I had an external USB sensor, I could put it in anywhere like into the side of my LCD monitor (has side USB ports) and then I could use the remote all over the place without having to worry about direction!

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Answer 4

BSteely

Level 5

7,643 points

Jul 30, 2009 8:06 AM in response to sdschramm

About "omni-direconness", I think you might be surprised at how well light is able to bounce into a drilled hole to the receiver, even at off angles. I can sometimes fire my remote backwards, over my shoulder, and it still triggers the Mac from light that's bounced off the rear wall of the room.

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Answer 5

Jul 31, 2009 3:52 AM in response to sdschramm

Cut those monster tabs down until they are just high enough to prevent the MBP from sliding off.

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Answer 6

sdschramm Author

Level 3

525 points

Jul 31, 2009 6:59 PM in response to Retired Engineer

Retired Engineer wrote:
Cut those monster tabs down until they are just high enough to prevent the MBP from sliding off.

Not possible.
I would have to "cut" them down too much and the MBP would fall.

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Answer 7

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Aug 1, 2009 5:56 AM in response to sdschramm

Not possible.
I would have to "cut" them down too much and the MBP would fall.

Nonsense. If you cut just the right end of the right tab off entirely, the sensor would be exposed and you'd be in business with no greater risk of your machine falling down. Drilling a hole would work just as well and be easier, but you don't believe that would work for some reason, so Retired Engineer has given you an alternative suggestion. The tabs don't need to be anywhere near as large as they are to give your MBP excellent, safe support.

Your machine is in more danger of falling off with the funky arrangement shown in your upper photo than it would be if half the right tab were removed.

Message was edited by: eww

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Answer 8

sdschramm Author

Level 3

525 points

Aug 1, 2009 10:58 AM in response to eww

Ok, I don't think you understand what I am asking.
I am not asking for a way I can hack or mod my stand for it to work.
I am asking for an external IR senor that I can hook up via USB to my MacBook Pro.
Although those hacks may work, I am not interested. I just want someone to recommend a product that will do what I want!

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Answer 9

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Aug 1, 2009 11:32 AM in response to sdschramm

I understand what you asked for, and since no one seems to know of a product that will do what you want, you've received suggestions for ways to accomplish your purpose (using an IR remote) a different way (and, I might point out, at no cost). Oftentimes such suggestions are welcomed. Good luck to you.

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Answer 10

Aug 1, 2009 12:02 PM in response to sdschramm

Well. I have seen solutions for this type of thing in more high end entertainment systems. I am not sure what they are called but I am sure if you checked with a big box place like best buy or went to a home theatre installer, they could tell you exactly what they are called. Basically, there is a central IR input that is exposed and you place it wherever you want (maybe on the clip holding the laptop) and then a cord runs to the IR input on the device. (Usually, these are stuck to the actual device. However, you might be able to stick it to the stand where your IR input is so when you place your computer on the stand it makes contact. You wouldn't need a long cord or anything.

It may be a little more complicated than the other suggestions, but after some clever hiding of cords and stuff, it may work for you. Do a Google search for IR repeater system. It may provide you with a little more info.

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Answer 11

sdschramm Author

Level 3

525 points

Aug 2, 2009 9:40 AM in response to Tyler Parker

Tyler Parker wrote:
Well. I have seen solutions for this type of thing in more high end entertainment systems. I am not sure what they are called but I am sure if you checked with a big box place like best buy or went to a home theatre installer, they could tell you exactly what they are called. Basically, there is a central IR input that is exposed and you place it wherever you want (maybe on the clip holding the laptop) and then a cord runs to the IR input on the device. (Usually, these are stuck to the actual device. However, you might be able to stick it to the stand where your IR input is so when you place your computer on the stand it makes contact. You wouldn't need a long cord or anything.

It may be a little more complicated than the other suggestions, but after some clever hiding of cords and stuff, it may work for you. Do a Google search for IR repeater system. It may provide you with a little more info.

I know exactly what you are talking about and have thought of doing that.
I do have a similar setup that uses two "pyramids" that converts the IR to RF and then back it IR. I problem is, the sensor is still covered! Thats why I need an EXTERNAL senor and not just a repeater.

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Answer 12

Aug 2, 2009 9:52 AM in response to sdschramm

yeah you might just have to try it and see if the external works.

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Answer 13

sdschramm Author

Level 3

525 points

Aug 8, 2009 11:22 AM in response to Tyler Parker

so no one has tried this? I was hoping someone could give me the name of something specific that they said would work instead of me buying things, trying them, and returning them.

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