Terk Technologies Leapfrog LF-30S Wireless 2.4 GHz A/V Distribution System
by Terk
List Price:
Our Price: $61.00
You Save: $38.99 (39%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: CE
See more product details
Customers in the UK,
buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: TerkModel: LF-30S
Product features:
- Wirelessly transmits audio and video from any AV source (like a DVR, DVD player, or MP3 player) to another indoor device up to 150 feet away
- Plug-and play-installation--connect your gear without running extra wires from room to room
- Transmits via 2.4 GHz frequency for clear, stable signals; signals penetrate walls, doors, ceilings, and floors
- Multiple channel selection lets you select the best possible signal from four different channels
- Built-in modulator ensures easy connection to any TV, new or old, without special connections
- Terk Weatherproof Splitter 2-Way
- Compression Tool Kit with Case
- Rotary Coaxial Cable Cutting Tool
- Dayton Audio RCAV-6 RCA Audio/Video Cable 6 ft.
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Terk Technologies Leapfrog LF-30S Wireless 2.4 GHz A/V Distribution System
Customer Review: Works great, even with WiFi (instructions here)
Summary: 5 Stars
The comments on the Terk LF-30S seem to run in two distinct camps. It either works great, or won't work at all, usually due to WiFi interference. You can beat the WiFi problem, and I'll show you how.
First, my experience with the Terk has been positive. It was easy to set up and everything you need is included. We use it to send a signal from our Comcast DVR (hooked to our main big-screen TV) to a secondary TV in our kitchen / family room area. We use a secondary output on the DVR to hook up the Terk sending unit. The signal is sent between two floors of my house. I did a little measuring on the two floors, and with a little basic geometry, was able to aim the antennas acceptably on the first pass. Its not like a satellite antenna - aim in the correct general direction will be fine. It is a wood frame house. Your mileage may vary.
The IR extender function works well. The IR emitter (at the sending unit to control the source Comcast DVR) is quite strong. I never figured out exactly where the IR "eye" is on the Comcast box, but no matter, the IR emitter works as long as I put it anywhere on the right side of the box. As with the antenna aim, close is good enough. The IR commands miss about 5% of the time, but I can't be sure that isn't just my poor aim with the remote (the Terk receiver is not right next to the TV).
Picture and sound quality are excellent, as many others have noted. I was surprised. I am also impressed by the Terk's ability to handle wide-screen content coming off the cable box. It appropriately displays that content with black bars top and bottom on the secondary TV, which is the old style 4:3, even though the Comcast DVR is set up for a 16:9 widescreen format.
Our large dog likes to sit in the signal path, which sometimes creates both audio and visual static. Better antenna aim helped, but usually we just ask her to move. Static also occurs when using a Bluetooth headset close to the receiver, which also uses the 2.4 GHz band, but this is an infrequent occurrence. But you are probably reading this to find out how to handle static from WiFi and other 2.4 GHz devices. So here's the story on how to handle this problem.
First, some people have panned the product because its not 5.8 GHz. That is silly. You need to assess what 2.4 and 5.8 GHz products are already in your home, and then decide which frequency spectrum is less crowded given what you already have.
Phones: In our home, we got rid of our old 2.4 GHz phones because they interfered with the WiFi. Most modern wireless phones automatically try to chose the clearest channel - you can't restrict this operation, and the problem is worse if you use a phone with Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) security. So we opted for 5.8 GHz phones. If you have 2.4 GHz phones, the Terk may not work well for you depending on the proximity of phones, base units, etc. to the receiving unit. (And if you have 5.8 GHz phones, then a 5.8 GHz version of the this product will have similar problems you won't be able to control. Note that Terk doesn't make a 5.8 GHz version, but other manufacturers do.)
Microwave ovens: These interfere in the 2.4 GHz spectrum, and make a mess of the Terk product if the receiving unit is in the same room as the microwave. The microwave also made a mess of the our old 2.4 GHz phones, another reason we switched to 5.8 GHz phones. When we use the microwave, we turn of the TV momentarily due to extreme static, but remember that our microwave is close to the Terk receiver. If you want to cook and watch TV at the same time, the Terk may not be for you. Find a 5.8 GHz product instead.
WiFi: Here is how to make the Terk work with your WiFi. First, understand your WiFi. Although there are 11 WiFi channels in the USA (more in Europe), these channels overlap. There are only 3 non-overlapping channels: 1, 6, and 11. You should choose one of these channels, based on what is in use by your neighbors. (Using only these 3 channels is also more polite to the neighbors too as it leaves more room for them.) Now, knowing what channel your WiFi uses, choose a Terk channel that won't interfere as follows:
Terk channel A: Interferes with WiFi 1, OK with 6 and 11.
Terk channel B: Interferes with WiFi 6, OK with 1 and 11.
Terk channel C: Interferes with WiFi 6 and 11, OK with 1.
Terk channel D: Interferes with WiFi 11, OK with 1 and 6.
The information above was gleaned from the Terk manual and a website that listed the frequencies used by WiFi channels. (Google it or try www.moonblinkwifi.com/2point4freq.cfm)
This should get you where you need to go. The Terk doesn't reject signals as well as I would like. When using my laptop at the kitchen table, it sometimes causes interference with the Terk receiver in the same room, even though I'm not using an interfering channel. However, simply changing the orientation of the laptop usually does the trick. Our WiFi router isn't that far from the Terk receiver, but its far enough that there isn't a problem. Having the WiFi router in the same room as the Terk RECEIVER could be a problem. Having the router in close proximity to the Terk sender wouldn't cause a static problem (but it might cut the range of both the Terk and the WiFi).
Sorry if I got too geeky. Hopefully your WiFi router and/or computers are far enough away from the Terk receiver that you won't have this problem, but if you do, there is a way around it. I'd also be sure to get the Terk from somewhere that has a good return policy. That way, if you can't resolve the RF interference problems, you can return it for a 5.8 GHz version from another manufacturer.
More Terk Technologies Leapfrog LF-30S Wireless 2.4 GHz A/V Distribution System reviews:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Description of Terk Technologies Leapfrog LF-30S Wireless 2.4 GHz A/V Distribution System
Leapfrog by terk lf30s wavemaster 30 2.4 ghz a/v distribution system with remote control extender.The Leapfrog LF-30S from Terk Technologies is a wireless transmitter/receiver system that eliminates the need--and the expense--of running extra wires from room to room in order to enjoy your audio/video entertainment from multiple in-home locations. Using the system's IR blaster, you can even control your first-room components from your second-room locations. It's as good as having two or more of everything.
By transmitting across the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the LF-30S gives you the clearest possible signal with a range of up to a 150 feet. The Leapfrog's signals penetrate walls, doors, ceilings, and floors with no interference. Multiple channel selection lets you select the best possible signal from four different channels. The LF-30S is easy to install, requiring no tools for setup.
A built-in modulator ensures easy connections with any TV, either new or old. The LF-30S system is expandable, too: with the purchase of additional receivers, you can use it with multiple TVs or other components throughout your home.
What's in the Box
Transmitter, receiver, IR remote control transmitter, remote control receiver, 2 AC power adapters, and a user's manual.
Digital Cameras and Photo Categories
Similar digital cameras and accessories
VideoSecu Articulating LCD LED TV Wall Mount Full Motion Tilt Swivel Mount Bracket for 22" to 37" Flat Screen with VESA 100 200 Mount Pattern 1XEVideoSecu; CE
Best price: $26.50
Price in other shops:
PC To TV Video ConverterLKV-2000; CE
Best price: $14.73
Belkin RF ModulatorBelkin Inc.; Belkin; Belkin Inc.; Release date: 2011-11-29; Electronics; Receiver or Amplifier
Best price: $12.50
Price in other shops:
X-10 POWERMID Remote Control Extender Kit - Model 5900X-10 (USA) Ltd; CE
Best price: $39.99
Audiovox Acoustic Research AW880 Portable Wireless Indoor Speakers (Black)Acoustic Research; Acoustic Research; Acoustic Research; Electronics; Network Media Player
Best price: $139.72
Price in other shops:
Next Generation Remote Control ExtenderNext Generation; Next Generation; Next Generation; Electronics; Speakers
Price in other shops:
VideoSecu Articulating TV Wall Mount Bracket for VESA 100 LCD LED Flat Screen Monitor TV 1E9VideoSecu; CE
Best price: $19.00
Price in other shops:
Terk Leapfrog Remote Control Extender Kit LFIRXTerk; CE
Best price: $27.27
Price in other shops:
Nyrius NY-GS3200 5.8GHz 6 Channel Wireless Audio/ Video Sender Transmitter & Receiver System with IR Remote ExtenderNyrius; CE
Best price: $99.99
Price in other shops:
RF-Link AVS-5811 5.8GHz Audio and Video Transmission System with IR RepeaterRF LINK; RF Link; RF LINK; Electronics; Speakers
Best price: $94.54
Price in other shops: