Config Remote help

[kaydigi]

I have the black remote that came with the PVR 250, in Sage TV all I can do is sleep, mute and control volume. I can't fast foward, pause or change the channel. The remote works perfectly in WINTV.
When I try to config the remote in detailed settings it seems that all the key strokes do not work. Also how can I config my cable remote to work with actisys IR?

[justme]

When you first go thru the SageTV setup wizard there is a check box to add support for the PVR remote. Basically SageTV rewrites some of the presets in a file that the Haupauge IR software uses. I've found that if I update my Hauppauge IR driver it seems to undo Sage's modifications. I don't know if this is what happened in your case or what.

As for mapping IR signals to SageTV commands you need to have a supported IR reciever. The Hauppauge IR reciever is not supported since it can be used by the method mentioned above, and Hauppauge never shares info on how their stuff works. The two devices that are currently natively support by SageTV for IR recieving are the IRman and the USBUIRT. (As of beta 1.4.3 SageTV supports the USBUIRT as an IR reciever. Jeff is currently working on IR transmit support for the USBUIRT, since it is both a IR reciever and transmitter).

The Actisys is an IR transmitter not a IR reciever. If instead you were asking how to control your cable with your Actisys. That is done in the setup wizard as well. Just modify your capture device and tell Sage you have an IR transmitter.

[kaydigi]

Okay this is what I want.

I can record, pause, play, navigate the guide by remote. Is that as far as the remote can go.

Can the actisys and Irman work together with no conflicts?

[justme]

I personally can't say how much functionality the black remote has is SageTV. I long ago moved on to another remote setup. Basically because of what you are talking about "more control". I used the black remote when I first bought SageTV over 3 monthes ago and can't remember it's exact capabilities. Sorry.

Hopefully someone still using the Black remote will read this thread and post exactly what the black remote can do. Jeff?

As for the Actisys and IRman working together several people on this site are using both in SageTV. So the answer is Yes. SageTV was origanally built largely around the Actisys. The only posts that I have seen of problems with the two is the usual serial port garbage. You know "move this device to port one and that device to port X stuff". Even so it seems like all those situations were easily worked out. So if you have the free serial ports you should be fine.

[kaydigi]

You know what I realized, I only have one serial port and that is occupied by the actisys. So am I out of luck? Should I just buy a wireless mouse?

[olyar15]

You can use a USBUIRT.

[justme]

Wow you really only have one serial port? All my machines came with two serial ports. If you have a free internal card slot you could add more serial ports, but why buy more of a technology that is on the way out.

You are definitely not out of luck. There are still options.

Since you already have the Actisys(an IR transmitter). You could buy the USBUIRT. It uses USB port and I guess you have a free USB port or a USB hub? Like I said above it's both an IR reciever and transmitter. SageTV1.4.3 added support for the USBUIRT as an IR reciever, so you could use it just like you would have used the IRman. My USBUIRT works great with SageTV and my two remotes. Of course it's more money than the IRman since it's really two devices, but if SageTV later adds support for the USBUIRT as an IR transmitter(alls signals from Jeff and Dan are that they are commited to full USBUIRT support if possisble). Then you wouldn't even need the Actisys. You could sell it or use it on another machine or just leave it as your IR transmitter.

As for the wireless mouse question it all depends on what you're planning to watch SageTV on. I'm guessing from the question that your TV is your desired veiwing device. I personally have never really had good luck with wireless mice for long distance control. I have a wireless Logitech KB/mouse combo and it has very poor range(IMO). Although I have seen some interesting presentation style mice. They are nice and small and designed for long distance use, but the price could be an issue. In the end it all comes down to personal preference. For me when I'm watching TV a remote is really the only thing that feels natural in my hand.

[kaydigi]

Okay I'm going to look into adding another serial port via PCI slot and i'll get the IRMAN.

Thanks for taking the time to answer all my questions.

I have one more question.

I installed windows ME on top of win98 SE. Would I really have any problems installing XP on top of ME?

[olyar15]

You should be able to install XP over ME, but I strongly advise you to do a clean install.

[justme]

I strongly agree with olyar15. WinXP is a much more stable OS and it's best to abandon all that old debris from your 16bit OS. Also a clean install would give you the chance to setup seperate partitions for the OS and your SageTV recordings. This would make it easier to keep fragmentation on your Sage partition to a mininum and protect your OS from the fragmentation. SageTV isn't really bad at causing fragmentation. It's just that anytime an app is constantly making and deleting files frag can build up fast. I would also suggest going with an NTFS partition format as well since it supports larger file sizes more easily.

Best of luck.

PS:No need to thank me for answering your questions. Lots of great people on this site have helped me out. I just feel I should give something back. And helping out newer members is one way I can help.

[mangriotis]

Before you go adding more hardware... I am using the IR receiver included with the PVR-250 and a Pronto remote. I have all the functionality I need with this setup.

The black remote is limited but the silver one that comes with the PVR-350 is much better and has nearly full functionality with SageTV. The IR receiver that comes with the PVR-250 is capable of receiving and interpreting these signals.

I have a .ccf file (pronto screen and codes) for the PVR-350 keys which work with the included IR receiver. Let me know if you need it...

Is your cable remote a learning remote?? Or just a universal? If it can learn IR commands, you could use your Actisys to emit the correct PVR-350 commands and learn them with the remote...

Also, I have ordered an IR keyboard (with included trackball) which has 16 programmable keys that I assume I can also assign to my pronto, so this will take care of waking from sleep, extended menus, etc...

[ikarus79m]

I would be interested in that file! Can I just install that file and my PVR-350 silver remote will be configured perectely for SagetTV?

[mangriotis]

Here is the file. There is a text file with the raw IR codes, and a .ccf file with the buttons all on one page. You will still have to move things around to get it to look the way you want it.

I am going to revamp my setup once v2 is released...

Hope the file helps.

[ethune]

I didn't install the remote software until after I configured Sage. Is there a way to update the Hauppauge remote driver to include the codes? The remote doesnt do much now and I would like to get it to work. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Eric

[ethune]

OK - Fixed it... thanks!