IR Xantech

Summary: IR Xantech

ProAV SmartWire for Commercial and Industrial Installations
Windy City Wire supplies low-voltage SmartWire® purpose-built for professional AV environments. From control lines and balanced audio to speaker and RF distribution, our pro av cable options are engineered for consistent performance on commercial and industrial jobs where reliability, code compliance, and installation efficiency matter.

Why SmartWire for ProAV

• Consistent electrical performance for audio, control, and RF paths that demand low noise and dependable signal integrity.
• Faster pulls with SmartWire Glide Technology® lubrication applied to the cable jacket during manufacturing; it reduces friction and is included at no additional cost. SmartWire Glide Technology is Windy City Wire’s name for the lubrication and is not a technology.
• Project standardization with a wide range of jacket and stripe color combinations; custom color options help identify systems, zones, and trades on site.
• Broad selection of constructions to support microphones, line-level audio, speakers, IR, RS‑232/RS‑485, DMX512, AES/EBU, and 75 Ohm video/RF runs.
• SmartWire is the registered trademark brand name of the low-voltage cable Windy City Wire manufactures in the United States.

Where SmartWire fits in your ProAV system

• Audio: microphone and line-level paths, distributed audio, and powered speakers.
• Control and automation: RS‑232/RS‑485, contact closures, sensors, and IR repeater systems.
• Video and RF distribution: 75 Ohm coax and mini‑coax for head‑ends, tuners, and backbones; commonly specified as digital antenna wire and cable in commercial AV.
• Lighting and show control: balanced pairs for DMX512 and AES/EBU.
• Conferencing and UC spaces: reliable runs between endpoints, wall plates, and racks.

For IR control scenarios that require a discreet footprint at the component’s IR window, our low-voltage control cables pair well with field accessories used by integrators, including non-visible, high-output designer emitters that mount with clear adhesive film and terminate to 3.5 mm mono mini plugs. Selecting the right conductor count and jacket color supports clean, serviceable installs across racks and equipment bays.

How Windy City Wire adds value to your next project

• Comprehensive low-voltage ProAV portfolio that covers control, audio, speaker, and RF use cases with a single specification.
• Installation efficiency driven by cable designs that pull smoothly and route cleanly in conduit, trays, and racks.
• Repeatable results across jobs with consistent constructions and color standards that streamline design, installation, and service.
• Custom jacket and stripe colors available to match your organization’s standards and enhance cable identification on site.
• Responsive support from a focused team who understands the demands of commercial and industrial AV work.

Summary
Choosing SmartWire for ProAV gives you a reliable, low-voltage cabling platform that helps crews work efficiently while protecting signal integrity from rack to endpoint. Specify SmartWire pro av cable to standardize installations, simplify troubleshooting, and support long-term system performance across commercial and industrial sites.

Solutions: IR Xantech

IR Xantech Control Solutions for Professional AV

Windy City Wire supports reliable infrared (IR) control across demanding ProAV environments with low-voltage solutions designed for repeatable installation, consistent device response, and streamlined service. Our IR components and control wiring help integrators bridge control systems to source devices and displays, even when equipment is concealed in racks or behind glass. From conference rooms and classrooms to large-scale hospitality and retail deployments, we provide the infrastructure that keeps AV systems responsive and easy to operate.

How IR Fits Into Modern AV Integrations

• Device control where IP or serial isn’t available: IR emitters deliver dependable on/off, input switching, and transport commands to legacy and current devices that expose an IR window.
• Hidden equipment, visible control: A non-visible, high-output emitter can trigger components mounted in credenzas, behind smoked glass, or inside racks without distracting light spill in the room.
• Interference mitigation: Shield covers and precise emitter placement reduce crosstalk between adjacent components and block ambient light that can disrupt IR reception.
• Fast, serviceable installs: A 3.5 mm mono mini plug termination and a practical 10-foot lead provide flexible routing from connecting blocks or controllers to the target device. Clear adhesive film and spare pre-cut backings simplify positioning and future replacements.

Product Highlights for the IR Xantech Category

• Non-visible, high-output emitter design helps maintain clean rack aesthetics while ensuring consistent command delivery.
• Durable deep purple Lexan shell and a low-profile black finish blend into equipment racks and AV furniture.
• Clear adhesive film adheres directly to a component’s IR window; three pre-cut adhesive backings are included for quick service swaps.
• Lead terminated with a 3.5 mm mono mini plug for straightforward integration with common IR distribution blocks and controller IR ports.
• Optional shield cover (approximately 1" x 2") effectively covers component IR eyes to prevent stray IR reception and improve reliability in multi-device bays.

Typical Systems That Benefit from IR Control

• Conference and meeting rooms: Control displays, soft-codec appliances, and source switchers from table touchpanels without line-of-sight limitations.
• Lecture halls and training spaces: Standardize control of projectors and media players across rooms to simplify support.
• Hospitality and guest rooms: Manage TVs and set-top boxes discretely within furniture while minimizing confusion from visible indicators.
• Retail and QSR: Centrally command digital signage players and TVs positioned behind enclosures or above ceilings.
• Houses of worship: Quietly operate projectors, scalers, and recording devices without distracting the congregation.
• Healthcare: Enable reliable control of displays in patient rooms and signage in public areas while keeping equipment secure.
• Government and public sector: Standardize control for briefing rooms, courtrooms, and training suites where simplicity and reliability are essential.
• Command-and-control and NOC: Reduce IR bleed in dense racks; ensure each device receives only the intended command.

Integration Best Practices

1. Identify the exact IR receiver window on each component, then use the clear adhesive film to mount the emitter directly over that location for maximum responsiveness.
2. Use the shield cover when multiple devices are stacked to prevent IR splash and unintended device triggers.
3. Route the 10-foot emitter lead to avoid sharp bends or pinch points; secure with cable management to maintain signal integrity.
4. Terminate into IR distribution blocks or controller ports using the 3.5 mm mono connection; verify polarity and port assignment where applicable.
5. Test command sets at commissioning and keep the included pre-cut backings on hand for quick repositioning during service.

Where Low-Voltage Cabling Complements IR Control

• Use structured control cabling to tie IR connecting blocks back to head-end racks, alongside your pro av cable for audio and video transport.
• In venues that also distribute RF signals to displays, coordinate pathways for IR control alongside digital antenna wire and cable to keep infrastructure organized and serviceable.
• Pair IR with network-based control, serial, and power cabling in unified bundles to reduce installation time and future truck rolls.

Why Specify Windy City Wire for IR Xantech Projects

• Consistency across large rollouts: Standardized emitter form factors, trusted adhesives, and common 3.5 mm terminations reduce site-to-site variability.
• Service-friendly design: Replace adhesive interfaces quickly without re-running leads; use shield covers to fix interference without hardware changes.
• Designed for professional environments: Materials and finishes are chosen to perform in commercial racks and cabinets without drawing attention in public spaces.

Get Support for Your Next Deployment

Whether you’re outfitting a single conference room or standardizing hundreds of locations, our team can help you plan IR control paths, choose the right emitters and shields, and coordinate them with the low-voltage cabling that supports the rest of your AV system. Talk with us about specifying IR Xantech solutions alongside your preferred pro av cable to streamline integration and service across all your projects.

Frequently Asked Questions: IR Xantech

• What AWG conductors are available with this SmartWire IR Xantech cable?

  This SmartWire IR Xantech item is offered in a single configuration; alternate AWG options are not listed for this product. For project-specific SmartWire ProAV builds requiring a particular conductor size, please contact Windy City Wire.

• What other colors is this SmartWire IR Xantech cable available in?

  Black is the standard color for this IR Xantech item. No additional stock colors are listed at this time. Custom SmartWire jacket and stripe colors may be available to standardize your installations—contact our team for details.

• Is this SmartWire IR Xantech cable made with solid or stranded copper conductors?

  It is built with stranded copper conductors to maximize flexibility and durability for ProAV IR connections.

• What length is this SmartWire IR Xantech cable sold in?

  1,000 ft is the standard length. At Windy City Wire we manufacture and stock SmartWire Building Wire in 1,000 ft length as our standard length.

• How is your SmartWire ProAV cable sold on spools or in boxes?

  SmartWire ProAV cable is packaged in our patented RackPack carton to help maximize labor savings and on‑site efficiency. Learn more about our RackPack: https://windycitywire.com/solutions/rackpack-overview

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• Learn more about our SmartWire Cable
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