IR Remote Control Issues

[Kamikaze47]

Hi All,

I'm currently making a PIC controlled Infrared Remote Control so that I can control all the various components of my home entertainment setup from a PIC. So far i've been concentrating on my TV.

I have attached an image of the circuit i've made.

The point marked PIC(PWM) is connected to the PICs hardware PWM output, and generates a constant PWM or 48khz at 50% duty cycle.

The point marked PIC(I/O) is connected to one of the PICs digital I/O pins.

I use the PIC to turn on and off that I/O pin to output the correct sequence to turn on my TV.

And it works. However, the range is quite poor. It only works up to 2m away from the TV and only when the IR LED is pointed directly at the TV, whereas my regular TV remote works from anywhere and even if its not pointed anywhere near the TV.

The IR LED's specs are the following: 1.2V typical (2v max), 20mA typical (50mA max), 14-28 mW/cm2

Anyone have any ideas on what may be wrong?