Bluetooth vs Infrared - Which is Better for Remote Control?
Remote control is an essential tool for many electronic devices. It allows us to manage our electronic devices from afar, without the need to be near the equipment. There are different types of remote controls available, with Bluetooth and Infrared being the most common. In this blog post, we'll compare these two technologies and see which one is better.
Bluetooth vs Infrared - What’s the Difference?
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that allows communication between devices over short distances. It operates on radio waves in the 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz range and uses low power consumption. It's used in many devices such as laptops, smartphones, smartwatches and more.
Infrared is also a wireless technology that uses light to transmit signals. It is commonly used in remote controls for home entertainment systems, among others. Infrared signals cannot penetrate solid objects, which is why they need a clear line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver.
Range
Bluetooth has a range of about 10 meters (30 feet), making it suitable for use in small rooms or for personal use. In contrast, Infrared has a range of about 5 meters (16 feet), which is limited due to its line-of-sight technology.
Data Transfer
Bluetooth has a faster data transfer rate than Infrared, with a maximum potential speed of 2 Mbps. Infrared has a much slower speed of 115 kbps. However, Infrared has the advantage of being more reliable when it comes to transmitting data since it requires a clear line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver.
Power Consumption
Bluetooth has a relatively higher power consumption than Infrared. Bluetooth uses batteries faster, which means that it may need battery replacements more often than infrared remotes.
Compatibility
Bluetooth is compatible with various devices, including smartphones, laptops, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. Infrared, on the other hand, is only compatible with Infrared-enabled devices, which limits its compatibility.
Conclusion: Which is Better?
It’s clear that Bluetooth and Infrared have their advantages and disadvantages. Infrared is more reliable and has better compatibility with older devices. Bluetooth, on the other hand, has a faster data transfer rate and a longer range. For remote control, it's safe to say that Bluetooth is better when it comes to modern smart devices, while Infrared is still an excellent option for older electronic devices.