What is a "Blink Emitter"? Do I need one?

[Straycat]

Hello all-

Searched the forums, but could not find a definitive answer on this.

My cable company is going all digital in the next month, so I understand I will need an IR blaster to keep my trusty BTV rig going. I was looking at the USB-UIRT cable pack. I noticed that there are two versions--one that comes with the "blink emitter" and one that doesn't.

Can anyone tell me what the "blink emitter" does and why I might need it? I'd rather order the right cables the first time, so I thought I would ask.

Thanks in advance!

[Mamba]

From the SS cable pack product description:
The USB-UIRT also includes a "Blink Emitter" add-on. One end of the Blink Emitter plugs into the back of the UIRT, while the other end can be securely fastened directly to the front of your cable box or satellite receiver. Using the Blink Emitter means higher success rate when changing channels on the external tuner since the signal is being blasted directly into the tuner's IR receiver.

[Mistergq]

a blink emitter is an ir emitter. Basically, its an light you stick over the eye of the box and that gives the signal to the box to change channels.

If you are going to be using multiple boxes, you are probably going to need more than one emitter. I use emitters because I find them more reliable.

[Straycat]

Thank you for the answers.

It looks like the blink emitter adds an extra $15-$20, so I didn't want to spend that unless I needed one.

So Mistergq--if I understand right, the USB-UIRT cable already has an emitter on it, and I would only need to buy the "blink emitter" if I was using more than one cable box? If so, that should answer my question since I will only be using one box.

So the blink emitter enables you to send commands to a second cable box, is that right?

[Mistergq]

Originally Posted by Straycat

Thank you for the answers.

It looks like the blink emitter adds an extra $15-$20, so I didn't want to spend that unless I needed one.

So Mistergq--if I understand right, the USB-UIRT cable already has an emitter on it, and I would only need to buy the "blink emitter" if I was using more than one cable box? If so, that should answer my question since I will only be using one box.

So the blink emitter enables you to send commands to a second cable box, is that right?

I have never set it up to do it, but its my understanding usb-uirt does have an emitter, but you have to have it pointed in the right direction and hope that it works. If you take a look at their web page about it, it shows it has an emitter.
http://usbuirt.com/overview.htm

I used an emitter for one box. I just ordered a second emitter because I will be controlling two boxes now.