Can Bluetooth Replace IR in TV Remotes?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of using Bluetooth technology as a replacement for infrared (IR) signals in television remotes. Participants explore the technical, practical, and economic implications of such a transition, considering various aspects of both technologies.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether Bluetooth can effectively replace IR in TV remotes, noting that current devices do not receive Bluetooth signals.
  • Others highlight potential advantages and disadvantages of Bluetooth, including directionality, power consumption, bandwidth, frequency congestion, and costs associated with receivers and licensing.
  • One participant mentions the complexity of using Bluetooth, including the need for additional protocols and compliance with regulatory bodies like the FCC.
  • Cost and power consumption are raised as significant factors, with some arguing that IR is cheaper and consumes less power than Bluetooth.
  • There is a rhetorical question about the necessity of changing from IR, suggesting that the current system works well for most users.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the practicality and necessity of replacing IR with Bluetooth in remotes. There is no consensus on whether Bluetooth is a viable alternative, as various technical and practical concerns are raised.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations regarding the current compatibility of devices with Bluetooth, as well as the potential regulatory hurdles associated with using Bluetooth technology for remote controls.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in electronics, remote control technology, and the comparative analysis of communication protocols may find this discussion relevant.

bhaazee
Messages
79
Reaction score
0
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
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
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!
 

Similar threads

Man, I hate Bluetooth
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Possible to turn Android phone into Wii style remote?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Bluetooth components selection? Any already made devices?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
DIY project of WiFi device communicating with smartphone
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Getting data from Wii remote signal
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
How can i receive Bluetooth signal in tiny robot ?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Kids Ride on Toy Car Battery/Voltage
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
Create a Wireless AV Switch for Simple RCA Audio Input Toggling
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Programmable Bluetooth Transmitter for Extended Range - No Cellphone Required!
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
InfraRed Detector Mystery (but not Elementary....)
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K