Are IR Blaster devices generic?

I recently bought a new DVD Recorder. It is supposed to come with a
'IR Blaster' which, if I get this right, is supposed to trigger (power
on) my cable box when I setup a programmed recording. However, the DVD
Recorder was an open box item (which is why I got an excellent deal on
it) but, as it turns out, the IR Blaster was not in the box. I do
have the option to return the unit but don`t really want to because it
was a very good deal (essentially got a unit with a 160 HDD for the
price of a unit without a HDD).

I do have a couple of IR Blasters at home (which I got with... my big
screen TV I think, not sure) and I have never used them. I was
wondering if this is likely to work with my new Toshiba DVD Recorder.
I guess, it depends if the IR Blaster is simply a device through which
a triggering signal is sent or... if it is a device that is
pre-programmed to run on a specific frequency or whatever.

Any idea if these IR Blaster are essentially generic and therefore
likely to work when I connect it to my DVD recorder and place it to
face my Motorola HDTV cable box?

Andre

Melandre

On 9 Aug 2006 14:13:14 -0700, Melandre wrote:
> Any idea if these IR Blaster are essentially generic and therefore
> likely to work when I connect it to my DVD recorder and place it to
> face my Motorola HDTV cable box?

USUALLY, they're just wires connected to an IR LED. If the plug fits and is
the right polarity for the LED, it'll likely work for a suitable value
of "work". (IR blasters are always a little touchy and subject to
environmental influence.) If the plug doesn't fit, you've gotten your
(unhappy) answer.

Peter H. Coffin

The plug fits perfectly so hopefully it will work. Thanks for the
reply. I plan to hok up the DVD Recorder to the TV, Cable Box and
Audio system tomorrow night so I'll fnd out quickly enough if it works.


Thanks again. andre
Peter H. Coffin wrote:
> On 9 Aug 2006 14:13:14 -0700, Melandre wrote:
> > Any idea if these IR Blaster are essentially generic and therefore
> > likely to work when I connect it to my DVD recorder and place it to
> > face my Motorola HDTV cable box?
>
> USUALLY, they're just wires connected to an IR LED. If the plug fits and is
> the right polarity for the LED, it'll likely work for a suitable value
> of "work". (IR blasters are always a little touchy and subject to
> environmental influence.) If the plug doesn't fit, you've gotten your
> (unhappy) answer.

Melandre