Just starting....

AtlasStone · #1 08-10-2006, 03:01 PM

I am getting ready to build my DVR and I am looking at the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500MCE package seen here (because I have Dell gift cards):
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...9&sku=A0620089

I will also need to purchase a video card and only have AGP available. I was looking at the ATI cards but want to know what features and outputs I should be looking for.

This system will be going on a 50inch DLP. running from a 1.1G Athlon, ASUS A7A, 640MB DDR.

Are these components going to work for me or do I need anything else?

Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks,

mayamaniac · #2 08-10-2006, 04:42 PM

The PVR-500MCE will work nicely with SageTV. And I think any of the ATI radeon series will do. Just make sure the video card has some way to connect to your DLP, depends on what inputs your DLP comes with, such as DVI or component. That MCE remote will work with SageTV too. Also, if you have an STB (set top box) from your cable or satellite company, then you need a way to hook that up, depends on what type of STB it is.

AtlasStone · #3 08-10-2006, 06:12 PM

Thanks a lot. My DLP has about every connection known to man on it.

I am planning on getting rid of the DVR box I currently have and downgrading to the regular digital box.

Should I connect to the TV through DVI, RGB, RCA, Component or S-video? I have all of them on the TV now.

mayamaniac · #4 08-10-2006, 06:39 PM

I suggest using DVI.

If you get a digital cable box, then you need to find out if it has any inputs such as serial ports to allow your computer to control it. Otherwise, you have to get an infrared transmitter such as a USB-UIRT to control the digital box.

AtlasStone · #5 08-11-2006, 08:51 AM

I'm not sure I follow. Are you saying that the remote that comes in the package ( http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...9&sku=A0620089 ) would not work? Should I just get the regular box and not the digital then? I think I am missing the flow of how this all works. I can buy the part that you mentioned but I'm unclear as to how that will work.

Thanks for the quick replys!

cslatt · #6 08-11-2006, 11:31 AM

In addition to you needing to be able to change the channel on your Set Top Box, Sage needs to be able to change the channel on your Set Top Box. (So that it can record the stuff you tell it to while you aren't there.) An "IR Blaster" like the USB-UIRT connects to your PC and then sits in front of your Set Top Box. Sage then sends commands to the IR Blaster telling it to change the channel and the USB-UIRT then sends the IR commands (just like your remote would) telling the Set Top Box to change the channel.

Opus4 · #7 08-11-2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtlasStone

I'm not sure I follow. Are you saying that the remote that comes in the package ( http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...9&sku=A0620089 ) would not work?

That kit has the MCE remote & blaster included. SageTV can use the MCE remote, but it doesn't directly control the MCE blaster.

You could use that blaster, however, if you use some 3rd party app like HIP or Girder to control it.

On the other hand, SageTV can directly control the USB-UIRT as both a receiver for your remote & as a blaster to control your STBs.

- Andy

AtlasStone · #8 08-17-2006, 04:09 PM

I hate to harp on the same topic but I read the post about MCE blaster and can't seem to get this working. From what I understand, the USB-UIRT should work directly with SageTV but how? Do I still need the other applications? I went ahead and got the USB-UIRT to try and make this easier but I am having difficulty configuring SageTV to control the STB. I have most of the buttons configured in SageTV and I even have one of the IR Transmitters to plug into the back of the USB-UIRT but I do not see where to configure SageTV or the USB-UIRT to "talk" to the STB.

Also, is it normal for the USB-UIRT to flash intermittently?

AtlasStone · #9 08-31-2006, 05:34 PM

bump

Opus4 · #10 08-31-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AtlasStone

From what I understand, the USB-UIRT should work directly with SageTV but how? Do I still need the other applications? I went ahead and got the USB-UIRT to try and make this easier but I am having difficulty configuring SageTV to control the STB. I have most of the buttons configured in SageTV and I even have one of the IR Transmitters to plug into the back of the USB-UIRT but I do not see where to configure SageTV or the USB-UIRT to "talk" to the STB.

See the manual section starting on p. 146 for v5.

Step 5 on p. 149 is where you would choose the USB-UIRT to control your STB and perhaps teach it the IR codes.

- Andy

AtlasStone · #11 08-31-2006, 06:36 PM

Thanks, I had to clear the tuner I had set to get to this menu but now I can't get past trying to teach it "0". The remotes (I tried two different ones) time out before it tells me to release the button. I went through 5 cycles, restarted SageTV, restarted the service and restarted the computer several times and it won't get past 0. Any ideas?

Opus4 · #12 08-31-2006, 06:40 PM

Try doing that config w/o using service mode.

Or, list what STB you are using. If it is difficult to learn those codes, maybe someone around here has a .IR config file you could use.

- Andy

AtlasStone · #13 08-31-2006, 06:51 PM

Got it working after a full uninstall/reinstall without running the service. Thanks for your help.... much appreciated!

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