How To Check Your Infrared Remote's Output

Posted by Ed Sagnella on Saturday, April 02, 2005 - 11:33 pm:

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Not sure if you infrared remote conrtol for your TV, VCR, Stereo etc. is working or outputting signals?

You already replaced the batteries in it but...

Try this!

Take an AM radio and tune it to an unused channel. Inbetween bands.

While listening to static, point the remote at the AM antenna or somewhere close to the radio, and press a button on the remote.

You should hear a pulsing or oscillating sound.

As you press different buttons on the remote the sound should change.

Different remotes use different infrared frequencies. Each remote will have a unique sound.

Worked for me more than once.

Author	Comments
djrichard Unregistered guest	Posted on Monday, July 11, 2005 - 11:38 pm:    Cool! I'm assuming that the AM band detects electromagnetic interference, rather than interference from infrared light. In which case, I'm wondering if I have a remote where the electronics are good (I can detect interference in the AM band), but the LED is still bad.
djrichard Unregistered guest	Posted on Thursday, July 21, 2005 - 06:11 pm:    OK, I found a test which confirms the infrared itself here: http://forums.vnunet.com/thread.jsp?forum=18&thread=63091 If that link is broken, this is what it says, "I have just read a blisteringly easy way to test your remote in the Summer 05 edition of Elektor magazine. Digital Cameras are sensitive to IR, so switch it on, view the LED business end of the remote on the cameras TFT display and press any button, and the LED should flash a blue/white colour. If it does, its OK. If it doesn't, change the batteries."