I have a new Soundstream 7" 'headrest' monitor that I have mounted replacing my rearview mirrir for use with a camera. It has a remote eye on the edge of it for receiving signal from the remote control, but it is very directional, so the remote has to be lifted up to my shoulder level to use with the monitor.
The monitor does have a wire/plug for an external I/R repeater, I'm guessing for an external eye that I could mount below my radio or in the center console to help with the remote control aiming.
Anyone know where I can get an external eye to connect? Soundstream has nothing on their site and does not respond to email. Is there any other brand that I could try to widen my search?
If the external remote jack is a 1/8 inch jack such as a walkman headphone jack, and you have some soldering skills and access to a volt meter, the 2 following pieces make this a simple project for you.
Cut the female end of the extension cable. Strip the outer insulation off to expose the 2 center conductors and a shield or ground wire. Strip a tiny piece of the insulation off of the 2 insulated wires. Spread the wires apart so they will not touch each other or the shield. Power up the DVD or Monitor. Plug the cable into the unit. Set your meter to the DC volts selection. If it is not an autoranging meter, set it to the 20 volts setting. Place and hold the black meter lead to the shield wire. Touch the red lead to one wire at a time and notice the DC voltage reading. One wire will have 5 volts on it. The other wire will not. Notice which one has 5 volts. Disconnect the wire from the unit. Get to your soldering equipment. There is a picture on the back of the package of the remote sensor. There are 3 connections on the sensor, ground, +5 volts and output. Attach the shield of the cable to the ground connection. Attach the wire that you found to have 5 volts on it to the appropriate pin. Attach the remaining wire to the remaining connection on the sensor.
https://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productid=2049727&cp=&sr=1&origkw=infrared&kw=infrared&parentPage=search
There may be a shorter cable than the 20 foot unit. Just make sure it is a stereo cable. 2 Black rings on the male part of the plug.
https://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productid=2049727&cp=&sr=1&origkw=infrared&kw=infrared&parentPage=search