Support for Tira-2

[3dnice]

Are there any plans for native support of the Tira-2 Infrared transmitter/reciever?

If not, does anyone know how to set up Sage and Girder to use a Tira-2 to change channels on my cable box? There is not a serial connection on my cable box so this is my only option.

Thanks.

[justme]

The Tira-2 seems like a nice product. I almost bought a Tira instead of a USB-UIRT. However you are the first person I've seen post here about this product, so far. There has been talk of intergrating other remote device into Sage.ie StreamZap. But it takes a large user base to make it worth adding native support to Sage. Also Girder works so well with almost everything out there. So Girder is the way to go for you.

I'm by no means a Girder expert but this page has a link to a dll that allows Sage to comunicate it's channel changes to Girder supported hardware/software. Look near the bottom for "Tuner Plugin DLLs" You want the "here" link. This will have a EXETunerPlugin file with the neccessary software and info(there's registry setting involved) to allow Sage to comunicate channel changes to Girder. As for controlling Girder you want the SageTV plugin from the Girder site. I think they even have one for channel changes but I haven't tested it myself.

If you want really good advice search for some posts by salsbst. He's made multiple Girder GML files available on this site and is a great reference for using Girder and Sage together. Sorry I couldn't help more, but hopefully these links/pointers will get you started until someone more knowledgable posts.

[3dnice]

I've got everything talking now. However I don't understand how to make Girder send commands when using the TV guide in Sage. I can learn a DSSTUNE command but how does girder know what channel I selected in the guide? Furthermore, How do I make it take that info and send the right ir commands to my cable box? Thanks for your help.

[justme]

I can learn a DSSTUNE command but how does girder know what channel I selected in the guide? Furthermore, How do I make it take that info and send the right ir commands to my cable box?

I honestly wish I could give you the exact answers you need. I can say that the way Girder knows what channel Sage is on is explained in a readme file in the "here" link in my last post. Basically there is a dll in the zip file that Sage uses to set a registry key. Whenever Sage changes channels the registry key is changed to reflect the channel #. As for getting girder to pass that info off to your IR transmitter maybe this link to an exported Girder group will help explain more. It's from this page on the Girder site. The link is to the first SageTV related girder group on the list, the one called just "sage". This group deals just with getting Sage's channel changes to be passed by girder. There are two other groups as well, an older one for Sage 1.x something and a newer one for 1.4. Both of these are designed to allow you to control SageTV with your IR reciever. Keep in mind these are mainly usefull as templates since your harware will vary slightly from the creator of the group.

I hope this explains a little more. This is a little like the blind leading the blind since I don't use Girder myself. I'm just feeding back info I've read from other more knowledgable people. Normally there would have been a post by someone who knows much more about Girder, by now. But with the Sage2 beta out many people are focusing on it. If you still need more info besides what these links provide. I'd do a forum search for some good threads about Girder. Also you could start a new thread about setting up Sage to work with Girder in the SageTV Software forum. That forum gets alittle more traffic and your questions go beyond just the Tira. Also I think the Tira in the Thread title is causing some helpfull people to miss your post. As last another option you could contact salsbst directly and ask for help. He seems to know just about everything Girder related. I would maybe hold off on the direct contact til after you post a new thread, since I don't know how salsbst would feel about a direct contact. My gut tells me he wouldn't mind, I know I wouldn't mind, but better safe than sorry.

I hope something I've said helps you out. I'm sorry that I can't talk you right thru it all. I went with the USB-UIRT to avoid needing to learn Girder. Good luck.

[3dnice]

Thanks for your help. You pointed me in the right direction. I'm sure the answers I need are in the forum already. Thanks again for taking the time to answer my question.