Mark, thanks for the update on the WhisperLift. Couldn't imagine why the remote would be a "press-and-hold". I want to stay with ordering thru Thermwood as much as possible. Not to mention it's the least expensive unit around...
Got the deposit for the project last week so it's a 'go'. If I finnd an easy/inexpensive way to add "TV power off when down" I'll
let y'all know.
Joe Harkin
Italian Renaissance Credenza
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Joe Harkin
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Mark Taylor
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Re: Italian Renaissance Credenza
Joe...
I would guess it should be easy enough to find a reed switch or pressure switch from grainger which could be set to detect the unit in the lower position to disconnect the electricity.
Mark
I would guess it should be easy enough to find a reed switch or pressure switch from grainger which could be set to detect the unit in the lower position to disconnect the electricity.
Mark
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DanEpps
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Re: Italian Renaissance Credenza
Can the remote be programmed to turn off the TV (or the TV remote pregrammed to operate the lift)?
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Mark Taylor
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Re: Italian Renaissance Credenza
that would be clearly beyond my capabilities....I can't even figure out how to program the buttons on the radio in my car - when did they stop pulling out? Hell, I can't even get a hold of them with my fingernails... 
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DanEpps
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Re: Italian Renaissance Credenza
Buttons? On a car radio? What are you driving mark, a 1963 Falcon? 
Seriously, giving this some thought, simply cutting power to the TV when the lift is lowered probably won't provide the desired results. Many TVs revert back to channel 2 and a default audio volume when they lose power so the only viable soultion is to have the same remote operate both the TV and lift.
Most newer TV remotes have several buttons that can be programmed to operate othe pieces of equipment such as home theater, DVD player, etc. One of these buttons might be able to operate the lift. It would require the user to turn off the TV then press the lift button to lover the lift unless they can be programmed to operate simultaneously.
Most of the newer universal "super remotes" can do anything you want up to, but not including, pop the popcorn for the movie.
I think it would pay to investigate just what type of signal the lift uses and whether a universal remote can be programmed for it. That would be an attractive option for the unit.
Seriously, giving this some thought, simply cutting power to the TV when the lift is lowered probably won't provide the desired results. Many TVs revert back to channel 2 and a default audio volume when they lose power so the only viable soultion is to have the same remote operate both the TV and lift.
Most newer TV remotes have several buttons that can be programmed to operate othe pieces of equipment such as home theater, DVD player, etc. One of these buttons might be able to operate the lift. It would require the user to turn off the TV then press the lift button to lover the lift unless they can be programmed to operate simultaneously.
Most of the newer universal "super remotes" can do anything you want up to, but not including, pop the popcorn for the movie.
I think it would pay to investigate just what type of signal the lift uses and whether a universal remote can be programmed for it. That would be an attractive option for the unit.
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DanEpps
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Re: Italian Renaissance Credenza
Okay, here's a question: is the WhisperLift the same as Wood Technology's WhisperRide?
What I see about this unit (the WhisperRide) is that it is nothng more than an automotive power window regulator with a VESA bracket replacing the window mounting jaw. It has an RF remote unit and most TVs use IR for remote operation.
What I see about this unit (the WhisperRide) is that it is nothng more than an automotive power window regulator with a VESA bracket replacing the window mounting jaw. It has an RF remote unit and most TVs use IR for remote operation.
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Mark Taylor
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Re: Italian Renaissance Credenza
Yes, Dan, I believe they are both one in the same.
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DanEpps
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Re: Italian Renaissance Credenza
Before someone gets the bright idea to use an automotive electric window regulator for a TV lift, bear in mind that the TV lift is obviously much heavier in construction than its automotive cousin (unless you are driving, say, a bullet-proof Hummer, car windows don't normally weigh 200 pounds ).
There are numerous IR/RF universal remotes on the market, ranging in price from about $50 to well over $1000. There are also RF to IR converters that can be placed inside the credenza. These receive an RF signal from the remote and relay it to the TV as an IR signal, usually with the aid of a mirror mounted inside the cabinet.
Another idea I had was to use an IR repeater in conjunction with a motion sensor mounted inside the cabinet. When the motion sensor detects movement from the lift, either up or down, it sends a signal to turn the TV on or off. The signal for on or off is the same as it is simply a toggle, changing to the opposite value (if its on, turn it off, otherwise turn it on).
Several companies have very inexpensive motion sensors and IR/RF repeaters.
Another solution would be to mount an IR receiver "eye" somewhere in the millwork of the cabinet. One could pretty easily cut an opening between two "teeth" in dentil molding and place a thin smoked lens in the opening.
).There are numerous IR/RF universal remotes on the market, ranging in price from about $50 to well over $1000. There are also RF to IR converters that can be placed inside the credenza. These receive an RF signal from the remote and relay it to the TV as an IR signal, usually with the aid of a mirror mounted inside the cabinet.
Another idea I had was to use an IR repeater in conjunction with a motion sensor mounted inside the cabinet. When the motion sensor detects movement from the lift, either up or down, it sends a signal to turn the TV on or off. The signal for on or off is the same as it is simply a toggle, changing to the opposite value (if its on, turn it off, otherwise turn it on).
Several companies have very inexpensive motion sensors and IR/RF repeaters.
Another solution would be to mount an IR receiver "eye" somewhere in the millwork of the cabinet. One could pretty easily cut an opening between two "teeth" in dentil molding and place a thin smoked lens in the opening.
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Joe Harkin
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Re: Italian Renaissance Credenza - TV lift
Dan u r right. Power-off will reset the TV completely, which will be a permanent PITA, so that's out. I've query'd Wood Tech to see if the unit can be operated by a multifunction remote but not confident the answer will be positive - the lift remote is RF, and most TV/Cable/etc units are IR. Since most folke seem to have rooms full (roomfulls ?) of remotes anyway, the simple answer may just be "use both"
The high-priced lifts may have integrated electronics built in to put the TV to "sleep" - that'll be for the "I don't care what it costs, just do it" client.....
This is getting more complicated than designing/building the furniture. I used to think that more information wa a good thing, but I'm beginning to understand what my kids meant when they would say "I didn't want to know that much" !
The high-priced lifts may have integrated electronics built in to put the TV to "sleep" - that'll be for the "I don't care what it costs, just do it" client.....
This is getting more complicated than designing/building the furniture. I used to think that more information wa a good thing, but I'm beginning to understand what my kids meant when they would say "I didn't want to know that much" !
