Bought WiFi MVP & having problems

[limpbzkit]

I recently bought a wireless STV MVP Extender and simply put, I couldn't get it to work or maybe I am doing it wrong. I am currently using STV v5.x and here are the steps I did to install the MVP. Btw, I scoured the boards and I can't find a straight solution to my problem. I am really hoping someone from SageTV will give me an answer here, or anyone from the forums would. I hope you all will graciously give me your knowledge and help.

1. Made sure that SageTV server, Placeshifter and Media Extender server options are Enabled under Detailed Setup.
2. Register the license on my STV box by going to All Programs > SageTV > Register SageTV Media Extender and enter my license.
3. After entering my license, just for my peace of mind, I rebooted my machine so that SageTV wouldn't have any problems before I setup the STV MVP.
4. Plugged in the composite outputs of the MVP to my TV (I used the RCA cables).
5. Turned on my TV.
6. Plugged in my MVP's power cord.

Note: This is where it got tricky for me because the instructions that Sage has on the STV manual and on the handout that came with the MVP are INSTRUCTIONS FOR WIRED MVPs. I think that it's about time Sage modified these documents for clarity especially for non-technical people. SCREENSHOTS would also be appreciated because not everyone who buys STV is very good at configuring software and hardware.

7. My TV screen shows a Setup window with the message "Configuring wireless device..." Eventually it won't connect to my WiFi router because I haven't plugged in my WEP key yet. It will display a message that says "MediaMVP is unable to connect to the previously saved wireless access..." I just clicked on any button on the remote to move forward to the next screen.
8. The next screen was the Network Name / SSID Setup. I promptly found my SSID and clicked on OK on the remote to confirm.
9. This brought me to the MediaMVP Wireless Settings where I keyed in my WEP Key. Clicked on OK then Apply to save my configuration. My MVP connected to my router and it brought me to the Main Menu of the MVP.
10. Now this is where I get lost again. After being brought to the Main Menu of the MVP where it shows 5 items (Wireless Setup, Network Status, Server Profile, Options, Go!), it's not really clear on what I have to do next to connect to my STV box.

According to the original instructions (the handout and STV manual), step 6 and 7 basically tells me that the MVP should automatically (or should I say magically) connect to my STV box. So while I am at the Main Menu, I gave the MVP a good 30 mins to do anything, something, whatever to connect in someway to my STV box. I felt like an idiot because, I haven't told the MVP to connect to anything yet but the instructions from STV aren't so clear. So after 30 mins of the MVP performing no connections, I got tempted and clicked on Go!

After clicking on Go! the MVP gave me a message that I haven't selected a Server Profile/Server to connect to so it brought me to the MediaMVP Preferred Server screen. On this screen, I see my STV box, highlighted it and clicked on OK on the remote. Just an FYI, this screen has 3 columns, and on the Preferred column, my STV box has an "X" mark on it. After selecting my box and clicking OK on the remote, that mark changed to "0" which is so bizarre, I don't even know what that means. Confirmed again and the next screen I see is a screen with a status of "Connecting to Server..."

Again this is where I got stuck. I left the darn thing to connect for a good 45 mins and nothing is happening. This is how I exactly installed the STV MVP and I would be grateful if someone could tell me if I am doing something wrong or if I am missing anything.

Thanks all!

[sainswor99]

I don't have a wireless MVP, but since you've entered the WEP key at this point, have you tried powering down the MVP and seeing if the connection will be made at this point?

[limpbzkit]

These are the steps I've done when it comes to rebooting/powering down my STV box and MVP.

1. Reboot STV box and power down MVP. Once STV box is up and running the SageTV service, I power up the MVP and try to see if any connection is being made by the MVP on its own. Nothing happens.
2. While my STV box is running, I simply power down the MVP for a good couple of seconds and turn it back on again. I still get the same results.

My question is, should it all be instantaneous? From the steps I detailed on my original post, should my MVP detect my STV box on it's own and connect without me pressing anything else on the MVP, like clicking on <Go!>? Is that how it worked with you?

FYI, I didn't install any MVP programs, including the one that came with the MVP.

[sainswor99]

I have a wired MVP hooked to a wireless bridge, so obviously my setup is different. In my case, I simply plugged in the MVP to the bridge, and plugged in the power. After I powered it up, it found my Sage server and away it went. I've never even seen the Go button.

One thing you should be aware of is the fact that turning the power off on the MVP's merely puts them into sleep mode; in order to truly reboot them, you need to pull the plug and replug it. You may want to try it (leave your Sage TV server running) just so you've exhausted all of the possibilities.

If no one else offers any suggestions, I'd revisit the screen where you

On this screen, I see my STV box, highlighted it and clicked on OK on the remote. Just an FYI, this screen has 3 columns, and on the Preferred column, my STV box has an "X" mark on it. After selecting my box and clicking OK on the remote, that mark changed to "0" which is so bizarre, I don't even know what that means.

See if you can get that X back on the STV box. After that, I'm out of ideas.

Stu

[limpbzkit]

I can't believe that this is it for my problem. That there isn't anyone out there that had the same problem that I have. Maybe someone might have a reply for my problem later on, but regardless, thank you very much for your help Stu.

[rickgillyon]

Not used the wireless mvp myself, but there are lots of reports of the wireless card being a bit flakey. There are a number of things you could check.
Can you check the signal strength at that location?
How about installing the Hauppauge software (shut down Sage) and seeing if you can connect with that?
Turn on debug logging in Sage and see if there's anything in the log at connect.
Check on the router if it registers a wireless client.
Have you connected to the wireless with other devices?
Why not try v6? MUCH better than v5 with MVP...

Good luck!

[belleboyd]

I have a wired MVP with a wireless bridge.. but sometimes the MVP is flakey about connecting. My steps are as follows:

Check to see if the MVP is listed on the network (thru the router)
if yes - ping it to be sure it's a real connection
restart the MVP (unplug it)
if no - turn off the MVP (unplug it) & the bridge & Reboot the router.
turn on the bridge
turn on the MVP

This usually works. In your case - skip the bridge steps. But the principle applies. Posts I have read indicate the wireless MVPs have DHCP issues.

hope that helps.

PS: You didn't mention if you tried this with any firewalls turned off?

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by limpbzkit

I recently bought a wireless STV MVP Extender and simply put, I couldn't get it to work or maybe I am doing it wrong. ...

You didn't install the software that comes with the Hauppague MVP did you? If you did you need to uninstall that software, reboot your server and then let the MVP connect to your Sage server.

Gerry

[mdnttoker]

Originally Posted by limpbzkit

Preferred Server screen. On this screen, I see my STV box, highlighted it and clicked on OK on the remote. Just an FYI, this screen has 3 columns, and on the Preferred column, my STV box has an "X" mark on it. After selecting my box and clicking OK on the remote, that mark changed to "0" which is so bizarre, I don't even know what that means. Confirmed again and the next screen I see is a screen with a status of "Connecting to Server..."

Again this is where I got stuck. I left the darn thing to connect for a good 45 mins and nothing is happening. This is how I exactly installed the STV MVP and I would be grateful if someone could tell me if I am doing something wrong or if I am missing anything.

Thanks all!

Yeah, the MVP isn't seeing the server machine.

I would make sure you turned off the windows software firewall, and also try connecting w/o WEP (I don't have a wireless MVP, is this possible?)

[limpbzkit]

All,

Sorry for being quiet for a bit. I had to fly out to Portland for training with my company and I am training right now. I have some break moments so I will try to answer questions that I compiled from the last 3 posts

> Can you check the signal strength at that location?- My signal strength fluctuate between 2 and 3 bars, out of five from the MVP.

> How about installing the Hauppauge software (shut down Sage) and seeing if you can connect with that?- I don't want to do that because it might mess up STV. I don't want the MVP and my STV box to get too confused as it is right now.

> Turn on debug logging in Sage and see if there's anything in the log at connect.- Haven't done this but I will as soon as I fly back home.

> Check on the router if it registers a wireless client.- I did and it does see my wireless MVP

> Have you connected to the wireless with other devices?- No, I might have to plug the darn thing in using CAT45 when I get home just to see if it actually works.

> Why not try v6? MUCH better than v5 with MVP...- I am cheap. I have a serial for v4.x and it will only work up until v5.x. Plus, I don't see any business value in migrating to the next version. The bottom line is, v6.x is more of the same.

> if yes - ping it to be sure it's a real connection- I can ping the MVP and it is connected.

> restart the MVP (unplug it)- Done this so many times. I've done the rebooting the STV box/MVP/Router and it's not the problem I believe. I have updates though that I will detail later in this post.

> You didn't mention if you tried this with any firewalls turned off?- My Windows XP firewall is indeed turned off.

You didn't install the software that comes with the Hauppague MVP did you? - No I did not.


Now for the updates. I mentioned previously that my MVP is stuck at the "Connecting Server..." status. Before I flew out, I tried to troubleshoot the darn thing again and give it a go. This time, I went quickly past "Connecting Server..." to "Loading Application..." and this is now where I am stuck at. Any ideas anyone? I will still do some more troubleshooting when I get back. Thanks for the responses everyone!

[rickgillyon]

Originally Posted by limpbzkit

> How about installing the Hauppauge software (shut down Sage) and seeing if you can connect with that?- I don't want to do that because it might mess up STV.

Easy to uninstall after, and would isolate if it's a Sage or networking issue.

Originally Posted by limpbzkit

> Why not try v6? MUCH better than v5 with MVP...- I am cheap. I have a serial for v4.x and it will only work up until v5.x. Plus, I don't see any business value in migrating to the next version. The bottom line is, v6.x is more of the same.

It's not. It's far more stable and responsive with regard to MVPs. If you want to use MVPs, it's well worth the upgrade.

[limpbzkit]

Rick, any opinions on the "Application Loading..." message I get?

[jsmcwilliams]

For what it's worth, I have the exact same issue. The only thing I would add, is that when I get to the "Loading..." page my tv begins to flicker like crazy.

I have tried the same solutions as you so far. My next step, when I have the patience, will be to try the MVP software just to see if it works. If it does then I might remove the mvp software and wire it up to see if Sage v5 is the issue. If that doesn't work, from what I am reading, I'll have to try the v6 upgrade...but I have a lot of the customisations like 16x9 and I am scared of screwing those up....

Anyone else chime in here on possible solutions?

[mdnttoker]

Yes everyone, upgrade to v6: much better MVP connectivity.

Upgrade, then get back to us!

[limpbzkit]

I really appreciate everyone's responses and I can't wait to get back home to try troubleshooting my STV and MVP. I have a couple of ideas on how fix my problems now and I will share my findings as soon as I try to implement them.

As far as upgrading to v6.x, I just don't like the idea of solving problems by trying to fix it with simply "buying/getting something better." There are situations where that is definitely a solution but it isn't for my situation. A good analogy would be, I bought a new stereo for my old car but I can't hear the sound that well when I roll down my windows. Now I can try and see if there is a wiring issue or I can bring it to a specialist and maybe he can suggest something but there is a solution to my problem without doing anything drastic like buying another new stereo or buying a new car, which like STV v6.x, something I can't afford right now.

Simply put I am satisfied with v5.x right now. Just like my car, it gets me to where I need to go, it does what I expect it to do. I'm a technical person but at the end of the day, when it comes to things like these, I just want the bottomline. Sage has been making sure at least since v4.x that the MVP will work on it so to me, it is irrelevant to say that upgrading v6.x would be a solution. This is just my humble opinion, I hope nobody bashes me for it or stops helping me out here.

I respect and thank the people, from advanced users to new members, who have replied to my post. This is not a thread about the benefits of the WiFi MVP on v6.x and I don't want it to be and to me it's not a solution. Again, I will try to come up with a solution that would apply to v5.x and post it here ASAP when I get back home. Thanks again!

[sainswor99]

Just a couple of more thoughts for you to try:

1. Disable WEP. See if that gets you connected and then try to re-enable it.

2. Make sure that your router/DHCP server serves the same address to the MVP every time it boots up.


Keep us posted.

[heffe2001]

Originally Posted by jsmcwilliams

For what it's worth, I have the exact same issue. The only thing I would add, is that when I get to the "Loading..." page my tv begins to flicker like crazy.

I have tried the same solutions as you so far. My next step, when I have the patience, will be to try the MVP software just to see if it works. If it does then I might remove the mvp software and wire it up to see if Sage v5 is the issue. If that doesn't work, from what I am reading, I'll have to try the v6 upgrade...but I have a lot of the customisations like 16x9 and I am scared of screwing those up....

Anyone else chime in here on possible solutions?

My MVP is wired, but for what it's worth, I used to see this alot. When it flickers, I just hold the power button in on the remote until the box turns off, then turn it back on and it goes from there. Worked like 95% of the time.

[mdnttoker]

Originally Posted by limpbzkit

I really appreciate everyone's responses and I can't wait to get back home to try troubleshooting my STV and MVP. I have a couple of ideas on how fix my problems now and I will share my findings as soon as I try to implement them.

As far as upgrading to v6.x, I just don't like the idea of solving problems by trying to fix it with simply "buying/getting something better." There are situations where that is definitely a solution but it isn't for my situation. A good analogy would be, I bought a new stereo for my old car but I can't hear the sound that well when I roll down my windows. Now I can try and see if there is a wiring issue or I can bring it to a specialist and maybe he can suggest something but there is a solution to my problem without doing anything drastic like buying another new stereo or buying a new car, which like STV v6.x, something I can't afford right now.

Simply put I am satisfied with v5.x right now. Just like my car, it gets me to where I need to go, it does what I expect it to do. I'm a technical person but at the end of the day, when it comes to things like these, I just want the bottomline. Sage has been making sure at least since v4.x that the MVP will work on it so to me, it is irrelevant to say that upgrading v6.x would be a solution. This is just my humble opinion, I hope nobody bashes me for it or stops helping me out here.

I respect and thank the people, from advanced users to new members, who have replied to my post. This is not a thread about the benefits of the WiFi MVP on v6.x and I don't want it to be and to me it's not a solution. Again, I will try to come up with a solution that would apply to v5.x and post it here ASAP when I get back home. Thanks again!

It's a free trial...dl and try it out.

Don't see why you'd be wasting people's time here if v.6 would fix your problems. It fixed my problems with the MVP over Netgear powerline routers.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by limpbzkit

I really appreciate everyone's responses and I can't wait to get back home to try troubleshooting my STV and MVP. I have a couple of ideas on how fix my problems now and I will share my findings as soon as I try to implement them.

As far as upgrading to v6.x, I just don't like the idea of solving problems by trying to fix it with simply "buying/getting something better." There are situations where that is definitely a solution but it isn't for my situation. A good analogy would be, I bought a new stereo for my old car but I can't hear the sound that well when I roll down my windows. Now I can try and see if there is a wiring issue or I can bring it to a specialist and maybe he can suggest something but there is a solution to my problem without doing anything drastic like buying another new stereo or buying a new car, which like STV v6.x, something I can't afford right now.

Simply put I am satisfied with v5.x right now. Just like my car, it gets me to where I need to go, it does what I expect it to do. I'm a technical person but at the end of the day, when it comes to things like these, I just want the bottomline. Sage has been making sure at least since v4.x that the MVP will work on it so to me, it is irrelevant to say that upgrading v6.x would be a solution. This is just my humble opinion, I hope nobody bashes me for it or stops helping me out here.

I respect and thank the people, from advanced users to new members, who have replied to my post. This is not a thread about the benefits of the WiFi MVP on v6.x and I don't want it to be and to me it's not a solution. Again, I will try to come up with a solution that would apply to v5.x and post it here ASAP when I get back home. Thanks again!

Not here to bash.
If you truly have a version 5 then an upgrade to version 6 is free. If upgrading to version 6 fixes your issue it is neither irrelevant nor "not a solution".


Gerry

[sainswor99]

> Why not try v6? MUCH better than v5 with MVP...- I am cheap. I have a serial for v4.x and it will only work up until v5.x. Plus, I don't see any business value in migrating to the next version. The bottom line is, v6.x is more of the same.

He'll have to pay; he doesn't want to pay. He wants the solution that he already paid for to work as promised.

Don't get me wrong; I think version 6 is a LOT better than version 5 in terms of stability, handling of MVP's, music, etc. But I can also see his point of view of not wanting to pay for the latest and greatest when there's no guarantee that it will work any better than what you already have (and I understand the trial is free, but the trial will expire sometime).