# Question about IR remote control ability **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 9, 2009, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ir-remote-control-ability/485059 "2009-02-09T14:38:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HumanMonkeyGod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c67d28/32.png) [@HumanMonkeyGod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HumanMonkeyGod)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ir-remote-control-ability/485059/1 "2009-02-09T14:38:32Z")
My current home set up involves everything (vcr, stereo etc) hooked up in the lounge, although there is a TV feed to the bedroom. However if I want to watch a DVD I’ve gotta get up and sort shit out in the lounge and walk up and down, so I had an idea for a solution: what if I use a carefully placed series of mirrors so that I can use the DVD remote in the bedroom and have it reach the player in the lounge. I don’t know if this is workable, but it seems the first question is what sort of maximum range will an infra red remote have for something like a DVD player? I would imagine not much, and I need about 10m. I suspect there may well be a cunningly designed device to achieve my objectives, but I’m looking to do this on the cheap 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ir-remote-control-ability/485059/2 "2009-02-09T14:45:51Z")
> **[Amazon.com: X10 Powermid PM5900 Remote Control Extender Kit - Includes a...](https://www.amazon.com/X10-Powermid-PM5900-Control-Extender/dp/B00023KG40)** > > Extend your remote's reach with this two-piece system from X10. It can transmit your remote's signals through walls, floors, and furniture. It's perfect for folks who want to conceal their A/V gear inside a cabinet or closet for a clean, stylish... ---
**Author:** ![HumanMonkeyGod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c67d28/32.png) [@HumanMonkeyGod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HumanMonkeyGod)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ir-remote-control-ability/485059/3 "2009-02-10T20:01:15Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > [Amazon.com: X10 Powermid PM5900 Remote Control Extender Kit - Includes a Transmitter and Receiver - (Infrared Only No Video) : Electronics](http://www.amazon.com/X10-POWERMID-Control-Extender-PM5900/dp/B00023KG40) Thanks mate > [@humanmonkeygod](#): > > but I’m looking to do this on the cheap ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ir-remote-control-ability/485059/4 "2009-02-10T20:23:43Z")
The only way to find out is by experimentation. I’ve bounced the light from a remote off a mirror to reach the front of my camera. And for aiming and angling the mirrors… that’s where the laser pointer and a target drawn on a sheet of paper come in handy. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ir-remote-control-ability/485059/5 "2009-02-10T20:24:16Z")
What about a couple of strategically placed mirrors? (I think that would work.) ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-ir-remote-control-ability/485059/6 "2009-02-10T20:58:47Z")
I have bounced an IR signal off of a single reflective surface before, to turn a stereo off that was around a corner (it didn’t work if I didn’t aim at the mirror), so in theory, it should work, but using more than one mirror means you will need to get the angle of the remote pretty dead on or it will scatter and miss the target.