How can I make a TV remote control more directional?
Asked by
MellowBirch27
I work at a media organisation with dozens of TVs in the newsroom, arranged in pairs, with each screen showing a different channel. Changing the channel or adjusting the volume on one TV is difficult because nearby TVs often receive the same infrared signal. Is there an attachment for the remote, or a modification for the TVs, that would narrow the signal so it only reaches the intended screen?
Answers
The best long-term solution may be to stop using individual remotes. Professional AV systems can route multiple broadcast or streaming sources to many displays and control everything through a central web interface. It would be worth asking your AV or engineering team whether the TVs can be managed this way, especially in a newsroom with so many screens.
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You can also improve the physical aiming by shielding the emitter with small shutters or by standing closer to the target screen and blocking the remote with your hand. These tricks can reduce reflections, but they’re less reliable than remote IDs or a centralized AV-control system.
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Some professional and commercial TVs support remote-control IDs or paired remotes. If these models have that feature, each display can be assigned an identifier so one remote only controls the selected TV. Check the model’s installation or hospitality settings, since the option may not appear in the normal menu.
MellowBirch27: I hadn’t checked whether the TVs support individual IDs. That would be much cleaner than modifying the remotes, so I’ll look into it.
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Infrared remotes are line-of-sight, but the beam spreads out and reflects off nearby surfaces. A short tube or hood over the remote’s IR emitter can make it more directional. Use a narrow tube with a matte-black interior so it blocks stray light and reflections. A piece of black tubing or a modified pen casing may work better than cardboard.
MellowBirch27: We’re already using a cardboard attachment, but it looks awkward and doesn’t work very well. Switching to something with a black interior and a tighter opening might improve it.
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MellowBirch27: I’m not part of the engineering department, but I agree it seems strange that there isn’t already a better system. I’ll ask whether a centralized setup is possible.