1. STB needs line of sight to remote control
Hence we can’t keep STB in cabinets or back side of TV hidden (even if we
don’t need any physical access to it (like DVD players)

2. STB hanging below TV (aesthetics is a problem)

3. External IR
detector
Set-top boxes can provide a connector where external IR detector can also be connected
This helps in hiding the STB behind TV or in cabinets. Only IR detector need to be exposed
Note: With latest WiFi & Bluetooth access to Home entertainment systems, IR is fading away.
But this is going to be a slow fadeout (similar to a floppy drive in computers)
This needs to come from OEM. When we don’t have this, we can find a solution

4. Related Links:
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/cable%20box

5. An Assignment to Engineering college students
uC (eg: 8051)
IR detector
IRED
College Mini project
Hide inside cabinet (or) back side of TV
GPIO pin GPIO pin
(eg: TSOP1738)
(eg: TSAL6200)

6. Related links:
http://www.oreillynet.com/etel/blog/2005/09/using_a_xantech_ir_emitter_for.html
http://support.tivo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/115
http://forums.toshiba.com/t5/Televisions-Knowledge-Base/Universal-System-IR-Blaster/ta-p/361502

7. Now we can hide STB for better aesthetics.