New Annoying Hauppauge Remote Problem

[daidavel]

I have the new 45 button silver remote that came with the PVR-350. It works fine EXCEPT that when I'm in the guide, I can only use the same key 2 or 3 times in a row, then I must use a different key before I can use the original one again. For example, I press down twice to move down two spaces in the guide ... then the down key will refuse to work ... if I go up once (or left or right once), I will then be allowed to go down 2 or 3 more times, and so on. So in order to scroll throught the guide a line at a time I need to use the controller like: D-D-D-U-D-D-D-U-D-D-D-U ... I searched the 3 pages of Hauppauge remote posts here and didn't find anyone else with this issue. Hope someone can help me!
Running a P4 1.4 with 512MB, Windows XP Media Center 2005 Edition, GeForce FX5200, Hauppauge PVR-350. I have analogue cable with no set-top box.

Thanks for any suggestions,
Dave

[dvd_maniac]

I have the 45 button and do not have that problem, However when viewing Scheduled recordings by capture device I can scroll down to the end of the last show showing and then it will not go down anymore. I have to use the channel down button, which is Page Down.

[Opus4]

Perhaps I have bad memory, but I don't remember hearing about that problem before either. (Anyone else?)

You are using the remote w/the 350's IR sensor, right? I don't know if any of these things will help, but...

Does this happen in the menus too, or just in the Guide?

I'm guessing at some sort of problem with the remote, its receiver, or its software. (Doesn't that narrow it down a lot? ) But, what happens when you use the remote with another program, perhaps WinTV? Or, restart ir.exe and load an empty file named "Debug.txt" in Windows' notepad. You should be able to see the button names in notepad as you press them.

A couple things to check: try reseating the IR receiver plug on the 350 and/or putting new batteries in the remote.

Has anything been customized in irremote.ini, other than the SageTV section?

If no one here comes up with anything, don't forget to see if Hauppauge knows what it is.

- Andy

[RedR]

Heya,

Yup, ran into this a bit ago. This is either a driver problem with the IR, or the machine needs to be rebooted. Either way Sage isn't in sync with the IR program. Try this, reboot the machine and see if it has the same problem. If its still happening, then uninstall Sage (make sure you back things up first i.e. wiz.bin, properties file so on), and install Stage again, see if that clears it up, making sure on the install to check support for the Hauppauge IR remote. And of course once Sage is installed, make sure you restart the IR program from Hauppauge. If that doesn't do it, then confirm your driver version to what's on the SHS site.
When I had this problem it was a driver issue. I updated the IR driver (blew out the old, then installed the new) and all was well.

Hope this helps,
RedR

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by RedR

uninstall Sage (make sure you back things up first i.e. wiz.bin, properties file so on), and install Stage again, see if that clears it up, making sure on the install to check support for the Hauppauge IR remote.

SageTV doesn't do anything with the IR program other than modify the ini to add a SageTV section so the remote sends appropriate commands while using SageTV. It just acts as a passive recipient of the commands that the remote software sends. Also, checking the box to install support for the Hauppauge remote when you install SageTV won't do a lot here, since it installs support for the older style remote, which will not work properly with the new 45-button remote (unless that has been changed & I haven't yet noticed it).

That reminds me... an appropriate ini file that works with the new remote for SageTV has been installed, right?

I'm not going to say reinstalling SageTV won't do any good, since it could be worth trying, but I'm not sure how it would affect anything & would lean towards a problem with the remote or its software.

- Andy

[dvd_maniac]

I am using it with a PVR-USB2 device. I am using the latest driver from Hauppauge website. Should I use one from SHS's site instead?

I tried rebooting, and since this is on Client and was a fresh install I already tried un-reinstall of SageClient, USB2 drivers and irremote application. I wiped out my irremote.ini file and rebuilt it per OPUS's instructions.

All works great except going down in the guide. I can live with it since channel down acts as page down and that's usually what I use anyways.

Thanx for the tips, and I hope it works for daidavel...

[src666]

I had something similar. I have a bunch of old Sony remotes for different devices, and I was able to build a complete Sage command map by combining them, then teaching my universal remote the critical codes.

When I was programming my remote commands, I noticed that sometimes, but not always, some of the keys produced different codes on different presses. This wasn't one of the "alternating code" remotes, just something that was more of a repeatable aberration. I just made sure to map each command multiple times - it would ignore the codes it had already seen, and add any new codes. This eliminated all of my "dead key" problems.

Not sure if it would work for you, but it never hurts to try. Just remap multiple times, hitting the same key on the remote each time. If a new code pops up, you will see it.

[Opus4]

src666: The thing is -- if you are using the Hauppauge remote + receiver combo, there are no codes to learn. The remote is hard-coded with a specific protocol & the receiver only responds to that protocol. You don't actually teach any IR codes to SageTV.

For those having problems here, I would like to hear whether the same thing happens a) with the keyboard on the same screen, b) on other menus using the remote, and/or c) with other programs using the remote.

dvd_maniac: When in the Recording Schedule, viewing parallel style, my up/down arrows just move the display by 1/2 hour increments, even once I get to the last recording. What SageTV version + STV are you using? (I'm using 2.2.7.)

- Andy

[dvd_maniac]

@OPUS

I am using 2.2.6 because of the Library Bug. On mine, it does go down. But as soon as it hits the bottom of the show it stops scrolling.
Example:
I have 5 tuners hooked up, in the parallel view if there is a show on tuner 1 being recorded at 4-5pm and another on tuner 2 from 4:30-9:30pm, then the remote will scroll until 9:30 hits the bottom of the screen. It scrolls until it hits the end of the last show showing. Does this make sense to you or am I not explaining it right?
If you do understand, why (in your opinion) would it scroll at all if it was a remote problem? Doesn't make sense to me.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by dvd_maniac

On mine, it does go down. But as soon as it hits the bottom of the show it stops scrolling.
...
why (in your opinion) would it scroll at all if it was a remote problem? Doesn't make sense to me.

If it is scrolling at all, it shouldn't be a remote problem... does the keyboard do the same thing? If so, then it may be a version difference thing. If not, then what command is shown in Detailed Setup -> Commands -> Show command for the remote's down arrow vs. the keyboard?

- Andy

[dvd_maniac]

it's only on the Client and I do not have access to that over internet. I will check when I get home.

If so, then it may be a version difference thing.

What version difference do you mean Sage and SageClient?

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by dvd_maniac

What version difference do you mean Sage and SageClient?

No - I mean comparing my results to yours.

- Andy

[dvd_maniac]

I found the problem. I accidentally linked an extra command to the Channel up.



I feel stupid.

[daidavel]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback! Here is where I am at:

1) the problem exists everywhere, not just in the guide (e.g. on the main menu too)

2) when I load a debug.txt into notepad and start pressing the down arrow on my remote, I get the command NAVDOWN and it works EVERY time. This makes me think there is not a problem with the remote, batteries, or version of IR drivers, but maybe that is not safe to assume?

3) I have rebooted and restarted the IR service

4) my ini file is one that I downloaded from a link on this site for the new remote. I have not opened to look at it, let alone change it, but I will probably take a peek in there now to see if I see anything funny.

5) Navigation in Sage works fine using the computer keyboard

What would you do next? Should I look into the IR driver version just in case? How can I tell what version I'm using currently?

Thanks!!
Dave

[Opus4]

I think you can check the version of ir.exe by looking at the properties of the file & checking the Version tab. (Hovering the mouse over it seemed to work too for me.) You could try installing the latest version, if it is different -- that's what RedR said worked for him. Hauppauge told me a while back that you can just run the installer after stopping ir.exe. Save your current ini file first, though, because it will get reset. RedR also commented on reinstalling SageTV... I don't know if that would fix it, but stranger things have happened & I don't want my previous comments to sound like reinstalling SageTV cannot possibly fix this.

From your description, it sounds like it should be working OK, though, especially since debug.txt gives the proper results every time. Was the test done while closer to the IR receiver than when you use SageTV?

You could put .txt on the end of your ini file & upload it. If it was one of my files, are you starting SageTV with the Green power button? Are you sleeping it in the system tray or in full-screen screen-saver mode? The ini is set to be used by starting it with the green power button & sleeping it in the system tray.

Oh -- and go to Detailed Setup -> Commands -> Show command to confirm what command the down arrow is actually used for.

- Andy

[daidavel]

I am using version 2.45.22267.0 of irremote.exe.

I am using an un-modified ini file from the
basic_irremote-ini_New_Remote.zip attachment to your post #3 in this thread: http://forums.freytechnologies.com/f...7105#post47105

When I use the "Show Command" feature in Sage it seems to show the correct result for the navigation buttons (e.g. "Up", "Down", "Right").

I'm sitting in the same spot for the "notepad" test and the Sage test. In fact, I can switch the focus back and forth and see notepad reporting NAVDOWN for each press at the same time that Sage is stuck.

Incidentally, its not just the "down" key ... no key can be pressed more than 3 times in a row without a different key being pressed first. For example, I can press Up-Down alternating all day and the cursor will move up and down fine. But up, up, up, then stuck. Once stuck, I can press any key other than up, after which I'll be allowed to use up 3 more times.

I have Sage set to auto-start in full screen mode when Windows starts, so I'm not starting it with the green button. I also have it showing the screen saver in sleep mode. I use the green button to wake it from sleep mode, however the remote doesn't work at all after returning from sleep mode, even though Sage has focus. Once in this state, the remote won't work again until ir.exe is restarted. So there is a setting I need to change for the remote if I wish to use the screen saver instead of minimizing to the system tray?

Btw, I appreciate your time in trying to help me out with this!

Thanks,
Dave

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by daidavel

I am using version 2.45.22267.0 of irremote.exe.

Same here. Maybe a new version of IR will work better with your system. (But, it already works with notepad, so who knows.)

What version of SageTV?

I am using an un-modified ini file from the
basic_irremote-ini_New_Remote.zip attachment to your post #3 in this thread: http://forums.freytechnologies.com/f...7105#post47105

I just loaded that & had no problems.

When I use the "Show Command" feature in Sage it seems to show the correct result for the navigation buttons (e.g. "Up", "Down", "Right").

Does it stay locked after using the keyboard? If so, once locked, get to the Show Comamnd dialog via keyboard/mouse & then press the remote button again to see if it reports anything.

I have Sage set to auto-start in full screen mode when Windows starts, so I'm not starting it with the green button. I also have it showing the screen saver in sleep mode. I use the green button to wake it from sleep mode, however the remote doesn't work at all after returning from sleep mode, even though Sage has focus. Once in this state, the remote won't work again until ir.exe is restarted. So there is a setting I need to change for the remote if I wish to use the screen saver instead of minimizing to the system tray?

You can remove the {mode(xxx)} commands in both places in the [SageTV] section and one in the [Default] section where it runs the exe. It will then simply function according to whatever program has focus instead of forcing SageTV mode. (If you don't do those mode forces, you can't use the remote to wake SageTV from the system tray... but since you don't put it there...)

Btw, I appreciate your time in trying to help me out with this!

Um... I don't think I'm helping you get anywhere, though. If reinstalling both SageTV and the IR software like RedR said solves it, I'm just delaying you.

Hmmm... you could always try the ini file that works w/o SageTV needing focus. It sends event codes instead of keystrokes. I have no idea whether it will help, but trying it it is easier than reinstalling everything. See post 15 in Hauppauge link 3 in my sig lines. You may need to check those {mode(xxx)} commands there too.

- Andy

[mitchgibbs]

I just found this thread because I'm having a very similar problem. I've got the silver Hauppauge remote on a PVR 250 running on my SageTV box. It works just fine with other applications, just not with Sage (MyHTPC, MCE, BeyondTV). If I pause a second between each key press, it works okay. It like there is a buffer filling up after three key presses. I'm running 2.2.7 with the latest drivers from Hauppauge's website.

Mitch