IR (Infrared) Ports

Some Extron IP Link® products have one or more IR Ports that can interface with a variety of AV devices.

"IR Port" and other related terms are defined below.

Infrared (IR) – Light waves just outside the visible spectrum, slightly longer than those visible to the human eye.  Infrared light is sometimes filtered out to reduce heat on film or slides.

Infrared control – A wireless medium of remote control, which sends signals to a device via pulses, transmitted in the infrared light spectrum.  Its use is restricted to equipment within line-of-sight or reflections off a wall or ceiling.  This is sometimes called "IR remote."

Infrared Remote – A device used to operate audio and video equipment within a room using wireless transmission in the infrared (IR) range.  Such devices require line of sight from the remote to the receiving device over a maximum distance of about 25 feet.  The distance limitation can be removed using extenders that can transmit throughout the house.  Using very low data rates, typically no more than 1,000 bits/sec, infrared remotes send a different code for each function on the unit (such as TV, VCR, and CD player).  There are hundreds of remote control formats in use, and there are thousands of code sets for the myriad of AV devices manufactured over the years.

IR Ports – Output IR signals with or without the carrier signal, using a wired IR emitter or through an IR broadcaster.  IR control data can be collected and stored in two ways:

• IR data file download

• IR learning

Extron maintains a library of IR data files that can be downloaded from our website for storage in an IP Link device.  In addition, some IP Link devices have the ability to learn IR commands for virtually any IR controllable device.  IR learning is a simple and easy process using Extron IR Learner software and the IR remote provided with the device.  See IR Learner for more information.