Can Bluetooth Replace IR in TV Remotes?

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SUMMARY

Bluetooth technology cannot currently replace infrared (IR) in TV remotes due to compatibility issues; most TVs and related devices do not receive Bluetooth signals. While Bluetooth offers advantages such as directionality and potentially higher bandwidth, it also presents significant disadvantages including higher power consumption, increased complexity in implementation, and regulatory hurdles from the FCC. The cost of Bluetooth components is generally higher than that of IR, making IR a more economical choice for remote controls.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of infrared (IR) communication technology
  • Basic knowledge of Bluetooth technology and its applications
  • Familiarity with electronic device compatibility issues
  • Awareness of regulatory considerations for wireless transmission
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the differences between IR and Bluetooth communication protocols
  • Explore the power consumption metrics of Bluetooth devices
  • Investigate the regulatory requirements from the FCC for wireless devices
  • Examine the cost analysis of implementing Bluetooth versus IR in consumer electronics
USEFUL FOR

Electronics enthusiasts, product designers, and engineers interested in remote control technology and wireless communication standards.

bhaazee
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My knowledge in electronics is limited. In general, the television remote use IR for sending signals. I would like to know if the same signals can be transmitted using bluetooth. If so are there any disadvantages in using bluetooth technology in television remote?

Regards
 
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Hopefully, a mod will be by to move this to the electrical engineering sub-forum.

The biggest problem with using Bluetooth in a TV / DVD / sound system / VCR(?) remote is that none of these devices receive Bluetooth signals!

If you're asking in a more general sense, as in replacing all of these, I'll leave it as an exercise to the Forumer what advantages and disadvantages Bluetooth might bring. Consider the impacts of:
  • directionality,
  • power consumption,
  • the bandwidth / throughput and how much data actually needs to be sent,
  • how much "congestion" there is in the frequency bands of use,
  • how much the receiver / transmitter / transceiver cost (in bulk), and
  • what licensing fees and regulatory bodies apply.
 
I don't see why not. It'll work. The question is why?! It is more complicated to use BT as you are dealing with microwave, all the protocode, software and all. On top, you might have to deal with FCC when you transmit EM into air.
 
One thing is cost. IR s are lot cheaper than Bluetooth. Also, transmitting IR signals also consume lot less power.
And top off all, why change at all? what's bad about IR ? Do you really want to change the channel of your living room television from your bed-room? :)
 
yungman said:
I don't see why not. It'll work. The question is why?! It is more complicated to use BT as you are dealing with microwave, all the protocode, software and all. On top, you might have to deal with FCC when you transmit EM into air.

Infrared light is also EM wave :-p
 
likephysics said:
Infrared light is also EM wave :-p

Yeh Yeh Yeh!
 
Most likely this can only be answered by an "old timer". I am making measurements on an uA709 op amp (metal can). I would like to calculate the frequency rolloff curves (I can measure them). I assume the compensation is via the miller effect. To do the calculations I would need to know the gain of the transistors and the effective resistance seen at the compensation terminals, not including the values I put there. Anyone know those values?

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