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What is this??

CKalis

Aug 15, 2013
3
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Aug 15, 2013
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Hello! I was rummaging through my box of wires and such and found a 3'-long, 3.5mm to sensor thing. I'm not sure if it is a sensor, though. When I plugged it into the headphone jack, nothing happened. When plugged into the mic jack, the noise level goes up as a light gets closer to it. If it gets too bright, the noise level goes back down to zero. If you need any more info, please ask! :) And, sorry if this is in the wrong section. This is the first time I've actually used a forum.

Here's the front of the "sensor":

photo.jpg

Here's the back of the "sensor":

photo (1).jpg

Moral of post: What is this??
 

(*steve*)

¡sǝpodᴉʇuɐ ǝɥʇ ɹɐǝɥd
Moderator
Jan 21, 2010
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25,510
It is probably an IR sensor.

The noise you're picking up will be the switching of your lights (if incandescent it will be 100Hz, other sources may differ). (it is seeing the difference between bright and not quite so bright)

It stops when the light intensity gets too high because the sensor is saturated and it can no longer distinguish between very bright and not quite so very bright.
 

CKalis

Aug 15, 2013
3
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Aug 15, 2013
Messages
3
Thank you very much for the info! I also want to know one more thing. How would I use it on a normal PC (if it is meant to work on a computer at all)? Would I use the mic jack, or would it require a special pci device?
 

davenn

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Sep 5, 2009
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yes , its an IR sensor

these are used in the A/V field for system control of TV's DVD players sound gear etc

I have used 100's of them when in a former job

usually the controlling signal is sent to the IR diode inside the molded package and it sits over the sensor on the TV/DVD etc

Dave
 

(*steve*)

¡sǝpodᴉʇuɐ ǝɥʇ ɹɐǝɥd
Moderator
Jan 21, 2010
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25,510
They are used with software which uses them as an audio input for the sound card. They process the "sound" and decode the signal coming from their IR remote control.
 

CKalis

Aug 15, 2013
3
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Aug 15, 2013
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Thank you once again for quick and informative answers. Now I'm going to go look for some software! :D
 

shrtrnd

Jan 15, 2010
3,876
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I think they're now installed in the equipment itself.
I used to get them years ago in the boxes of new entertainment gear I bought, for
remote control. I think they were issued with new equipment when they were an add-on
to already existing entertainment gear. Kind of a stop-gap, add-on, until they were
fully integrated into the new product line.
 
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