MCE blaster support poll

[matrix35]

just to gather momentum to convince the developers

[gplasky]

Since Microsoft has NOT published the API for the blaster can't program to the device. The only way that a program can use the blasting capabilty is to install a replacement driver for the system driver that someone has written. That is how girder and hip use the blaster.

Gerry

[matrix35]

thats true, but i've been able to use HIP without loading the replacing drivers. so i guess it can be done. mind you a copy of those replacement drivers might still be lurking in my system32 directory, but under device manager, the loaded driver is the "eHome .."

btw, those who are voting you're ok with HIP/ExeTuner, do you ever put your HTPC on standby? HIP fails after comming back from standby maybe 90% of the time...

[Mark SS]

Originally Posted by matrix35

btw, those who are voting you're ok with HIP/ExeTuner, do you ever put your HTPC on standby? HIP fails after comming back from standby maybe 90% of the time...

I use HIP and its never failed to work after standby for me.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by matrix35

thats true, but i've been able to use HIP without loading the replacing drivers. so i guess it can be done. mind you a copy of those replacement drivers might still be lurking in my system32 directory, but under device manager, the loaded driver is the "eHome .."

btw, those who are voting you're ok with HIP/ExeTuner, do you ever put your HTPC on standby? HIP fails after comming back from standby maybe 90% of the time...

Of course you can. But we're talking about the blasters. MCE Remote works with Sage without loading anything. So keep in mind we're talking about 2 different things. The MCE remote and receiver works with Sage, HIP, Girder and just with the OS with the normal driver. But you can't access the blasting capabilities of the MCE receiver without installing the different driver. All the documentation that comes with HIP and Girder tells you this.

Gerry

[dagar]

How about, no I use serial because IR is evil

[heffe2001]

Yeah, and where's the 'no, I'm fine with girder/exetuner' option?

[dagar]

lol true

[Fluffdaddy]

Yes..........................why not ?

[matrix35]

Originally Posted by gplasky

Of course you can. But we're talking about the blasters. MCE Remote works with Sage without loading anything. So keep in mind we're talking about 2 different things. The MCE remote and receiver works with Sage, HIP, Girder and just with the OS with the normal driver. But you can't access the blasting capabilities of the MCE receiver without installing the different driver. All the documentation that comes with HIP and Girder tells you this.

Gerry

Gerry, I'm also talking about the blasters... I'm able to run both the blasters and remote with HIP on MS drivers. I was also getting an error of double UP/DOWN button presses in sage whenever HIP is loaded. the only way to fix that problem for me was to delete C_DOWN/C_UP entries under "alternate input" tab... but then again, if you say its in their docs.. i'll try to confirm what i'm saying later tonight.

[paulbeers]

I feel kind of bad, because I had to vote "no, because I have no STB's" although I will say that I think this could be a good feature to Sage. Even if it took sage to "rewrite" the driver for the unit, I can only see this as a bonus feature to Sage (although I am sure the development list is a mile long, so I am not holding my breath).

By the way, isn't it crazy we are now upto Sage 6.0? When I moved into my house just a year and a half ago, weren't we still on 2.2.8?!?!?!?!

[sleonard]

Where's the option for "No, I use a USB_UIRT." That'd be my choice if it were available.

Scott

[MadAxeMan]

Originally Posted by gplasky

Since Microsoft has NOT published the API for the blaster can't program to the device. The only way that a program can use the blasting capabilty is to install a replacement driver for the system driver that someone has written. That is how girder and hip use the blaster.

Gerry

I have a .NET program I use to control my MCE blasters which uses the standard driver.

I needed this because my UK Sky TV STB will not work unless the blaster is set to "FAST" send mode.

I have intended to release this as a solution for a while but "real" work has gotten in the way of polishing a very unfriendly app at this point.

I'm also keen to incorporate this as a sage plugin in a similar vein to the exetuner which will ease any setup issues and also allow the red, blue, etc buttons to be assigned.

So it certainly is possible.

[ke6guj]

I voted YES even though my only STB is controlled via FireWire.

The reason is, I have tried to "sell" friends on setting up Sage boxs, and when I start talking about the remotes and IR blasters, having to order USB-UIRTs or only buying a pvr-150 with hauppauge remote, I can see their eyes roll back into their heads. Too many possibilities and pitfalls to deal with. If I could say, just get the MCE remote and it'll work, receiving and blasting, it would make selling Sage easier.

[rickgillyon]

What's the problem with USB-UIRT? It's east to setup and fairly cheap...

[matrix35]

Originally Posted by rickgillyon

What's the problem with USB-UIRT? It's east to setup and fairly cheap...

nothing really. its just that we've already got the MCE hardware and quite a few ppl do (who didn't build their HTPC by themselves)...

[rickgillyon]

That explains it. I was wondering why someone would buy the MCE hardware with Sage...

Sell the MCE Blaster and with the proceeds, buy a USB-UIRT...

[blade]

Originally Posted by rickgillyon

I was wondering why someone would buy the MCE hardware with Sage...

Because the MCE remote is a great remote for a basic PVR setup. Also the remote with transceiver is quite a bit cheaper than the USB-UIRT by itself. You can get the remote and receiver for around $35 compared to just the USB-UIRT for $48 and you still have the cost of a well laid out PVR remote unless you want to use a poorly laid out piece of junk with it.

I have a USB-UIRT with a MCE remote for one client and the MCE receiver and remote for another. The USB-UIRT is nice, but personally I'd just as soon use the MCE receiver. If I could reprogram the ff/rw buttons to use custom 4 and 5 for the MCE remote with Sage's built in support I'd probably sell my USB-UIRT. That is the only thing I use it for that I really can't do without on my main client.

[ke6guj]

Originally Posted by rickgillyon

That explains it. I was wondering why someone would buy the MCE hardware with Sage...

Why would someone want to use the MCE hardware, because you can just about walk into any Best Buy, Compusa, or Circuit city and buy an MCE remote/receiver. And Hauppauge even sells retail PVR cards bundled with the MCE remote.

The USB-UIRT must be ordered online, costs more, doesn't come with a remote. But is more customizable.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by MadAxeMan

I have a .NET program I use to control my MCE blasters which uses the standard driver.

I needed this because my UK Sky TV STB will not work unless the blaster is set to "FAST" send mode.

I have intended to release this as a solution for a while but "real" work has gotten in the way of polishing a very unfriendly app at this point.

I'm also keen to incorporate this as a sage plugin in a similar vein to the exetuner which will ease any setup issues and also allow the red, blue, etc buttons to be assigned.

So it certainly is possible.

Wow-that is something.
If you could package that up and polish it I would imagine there would be a lot of interest in this. Not only from Sage but every other PVR or Media center type program.

Gerry