Does AT&T Uverse work with Sage?

[bradlewa]

I'ven seen a few posts talking about AT&T Uverse, but nothing ever seemed definitive. Does anyone actually have Uverse working with Sage? Is there any more to it, than setting up any other STB? On a side note, do the people that have Uverse like it? I'm thinking of switching from my Comcast Digital Starter package to the U200 package since it gets like twice the channels for the same price. Even though it comes with a 4 channel DVR for free, I'd like to be able to use SageTV as well.

Any comments/thoughts/etc?

[Jynxed]

I actually just got Sagetv working with U-verse tonight. So far everything is fine. I did run into some problems though. Here are a few thoughts about the service.

• Best picture I've had in years from cable TV (SD only though )
  
• It's IPTV so you'll never be able to just plug a tuner into the feed. You will always need a STB for channel tuning.
  
• No firewire or serial channel changing available that I know of. I had to go buy a USB-UIRT for it. The STB it self changes the channel in under 1 sec for me, but the UIRT sends the channel numbers pretty slow. I still need to look around for a way to speed that up. The good news here is that Sage setup the UIRT perfectly I just plugged it in and taught it numbers 0-9.
  
• Zap2it the company that provides guide data didn't have the channel line up for my zip code. I had to run about 20 zip codes through their website until I found something close to me. The good news is the channel line up I found matched mine exactly, so no need to remap any channels.
  
• The STB turns it self off after 8 hours of inactivity. So if you don't do something about that you may end up recording nothing from time to time. I think I'll be setting up a timed 1 min recording at certain times during the day then having Dirmon delete the files so I never have to see it in the recorded programs menu.

Outside of those things it nothing really different to me. I don't really care that I need a STB for each tuner.

Even though it comes with a 4 channel DVR for free, I'd like to be able to use SageTV as well.

Keep in mind that's 1 HD show and 3 SD shows. The DVR also doesn't share the recordings with the rest of your house, and there is no way to get the files off the DVR onto a computer. My roommate uses the DVR so I don't care.

Finally keep in mind I only use it for SDTV and I'm very close to the fiber node.

Now if I could only get my VNC client working with the damn router they gave us I would be done.....

[Ryokurin]

I don't know about recording, but you should be able to watch two HD feeds now, or if not very soon. They have been pushing the software out for that for a few months.

[bradlewa]

jinxed - do you have any other info/step by step you could post. i've never used usb-uirt. is it difficult to setup? i've been using the linux version of sage, so it would be nice if it's linux compatible. but i also have a windows license, so i could just switch everything over to that if i had to.

[mayamaniac]

The USB-UIRT is simple to set up. You plug it in, install the driver. You also need the remote codes for the U-Verse STB, this one works for me. Unzip and place the .ir file in "C:\Program Files\SageTV\Common\RemoteCodes\USB-UIRT Transceiver\"

Go to SageTV tuner setup, pick the tuner and pick the source, I use S-Video. Note: to get video you have to go to the U-Verse STB's menu and set it to output to 480p or SD. I think the default is 720P, which disables the S-video and composite outputs. Set to 420P will enable those ports.

Next pick the external tuning option, and you should see the USB-UIRT listed. Select that and you should see the STB listed. Select the STB and go to the guide setup.

I find that U-verse only list the guide for large cities, but it is the same guide for that region or neighboring cities. So if you live in a small town, SageTV might not find a lineup for your zip code. Try entering the nearest biggest city's zip code, like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas, etc.

Complete the tuner setup and place the USB-UIRT in front of the STB's remote sensor, pointing at it. If you don't know where the sensor is located, use a flashlight to locate it on the STB.

Go into the SageTV guide and select a channel to watch, if all goes well, you should be able to receive video and change channels.

[Jynxed]

jinxed - do you have any other info/step by step you could post. i've never used usb-uirt. is it difficult to setup?

There really isn't much to it. It took me longer to figure out the cables then it did to configure Sage. After I switched cable services I just removed my old tuner from sources and put it back in. During the tuner setup you just choose something like "Use external tuning device." If you have the drivers for the USB-UIRT then it should show up on a list of deivces to use for tuning. After that Sage just asked that I hold the remote to the IR receive and hold down the 1 button until it said stop, then 2, then 3....all the way till 0. After that I was done. I didn't need to use any remote codes from anywhere else. Keep in mind this was in windows.

I've been using the linux version of sage, so it would be nice if it's linux compatible. but i also have a windows license, so i could just switch everything over to that if i had to.

I don't think the sage setup will be any different for Linux but I would assume that you need drivers for it first. I don't know anything about Linux but I hear LIRC referenced a lot in regards to the USB-URIT with Linux.

I find that U-verse only list the guide for large cities, but it is the same guide for that region or neighboring cities. So if you live in a small town, SageTV might not find a lineup for your zip code. Try entering the nearest biggest city's zip code, like Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas, etc.

I encounter this also. I went to www.zap2it.com and ran a bunch of area codes until I found one I could use for my line up.

Since your using Sage I doubt it matters to you, but the software in the STB is designed by Microsoft so you'll never be able to pull out recordings done by the ATT DVR.

[shadeblue.com]

I have also just finished converting the sources on my SageTV server to AT&T UVERSE.

I have two Uverse Motorola VIP1200 STBs and an OTA tuner as sources for my system. I am using 2 Hauppauge HD-PVRs with the two Uverse STBs to capture the Uverse HD & SD.

I am using a single USBUIRT to control all the receivers. (Thank You 'sleonard' and 'jrhees' for the detailed instructions on how to do this!)
I have achieved pretty fast channel changes modifying the USBUIRT settings to require 4 digits and only 1 millisecond between digits.

I am having the problem where the STBs will go into standby if no activity after about 8 hours. I am working on a standalone program to send the 'OK' command to the UVerse STBs on a timed schedule via the USBUIRT.

[Jynxed]

I am using a single USBUIRT to control all the receivers. (Thank You 'sleonard' and 'jrhees' for the detailed instructions on how to do this!)
I have achieved pretty fast channel changes modifying the USBUIRT settings to require 4 digits and only 1 millisecond between digits.

I looked very briefly for something like this but didn't easily find anything. Can you point me in the right direction so I can do the same?

[shadeblue.com]

Originally Posted by Jynxed

I looked very briefly for something like this but didn't easily find anything. Can you point me in the right direction so I can do the same?

Hi Jynxed,

If you are looking for the information on how to use the USB-UIRT to control multiple zones, these take a look at these threads:

Here is the main thread and about the ninth post down is the specific info from 'sleonard' on how to modify the IR files in SageTV to direct their output to specific zones.
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5291

Here is a post that I made that shows a wiring diagram on how wire the USB-UIRT for the two additional zones:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...173#post301173

(Note, if you purchase the correct 1/8" mini stereo to mono 'Y' adapter and you have 2 IR bugs that already have a 1/8" mono jack, then you don't have to break out a soldering iron, you can just plug and play.)

[wado1971]

Originally Posted by Jynxed

It's IPTV so you'll never be able to just plug a tuner into the feed. You will always need a STB for channel tuning.

U-verse just came into the area and thinking of switching. One question/clarification....
I currently have my cablevision feed split to 2x-pvr-150's and an HD-pvr connected thru a single STB. The statement above indicates that I would need 3 u-verse STB's to match my current setup. Is this correct?

[shadeblue.com]

Originally Posted by wado1971

U-verse just came into the area and thinking of switching. One question/clarification....
I currently have my cablevision feed split to 2x-pvr-150's and an HD-pvr connected thru a single STB. The statement above indicates that I would need 3 u-verse STB's to match my current setup. Is this correct?

Yes, if you want 3 tuners in Sage recording Uverse content, you will need 3 Uverse STBs. I am running 2 at my location. The video quality would be significantly better than your current analog cable, I'm guessing it would be on par with the quality your Cable provider's Digital STB.

So far my experience with Uverse has been very positive. I was previously using Time Warner cable and while their service and digital quality was great, I was not getting the channels that I wanted for the money I was paying. Switching to Uverse gave me more of the channels I care about at a lower price.

FYI, I did run all CAT5 wiring inside my house from the Uverse gateway box to the STBs to avoid the Uverse over existing cable (RG6) solution that the installers would have used by default.

[shadeblue.com]

Originally Posted by wado1971

U-verse just came into the area and thinking of switching. One question/clarification....
I currently have my cablevision feed split to 2x-pvr-150's and an HD-pvr connected thru a single STB. The statement above indicates that I would need 3 u-verse STB's to match my current setup. Is this correct?

Oh, one other note ...

If you do go with Uverse, note that their STB's go into standby mode after 6-8 hours of inactivity. Not so good for an external PVR solution ... However, I have posted a program that sends the 'OK' button to the STBs on a schedule to prevent them from going to sleep. My program works with the USB-UIRT, so you would have to have one of those for my solution to work for you. Other with this same problem have simply created some 1 minute manual recordings a few times a day to get around this problem.

You can find it here:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/down...do=file&id=246

Cheers!

[mistergq]

Originally Posted by wado1971

U-verse just came into the area and thinking of switching. One question/clarification....
I currently have my cablevision feed split to 2x-pvr-150's and an HD-pvr connected thru a single STB. The statement above indicates that I would need 3 u-verse STB's to match my current setup. Is this correct?

how do you have a single STB with three tuners? Are the 2 PVR 150 connected directly to STB or 2 coax connections?

[shadeblue.com]

Originally Posted by mistergq

how do you have a single STB with three tuners? Are the 2 PVR 150 connected directly to STB or 2 coax connections?

I don't. I have 2 dedicated Uverse STBs each attached to a dedicated Hauppauge HD-PVR. I also have a third tuner, a Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600 that is acting as a additional tuner for over the air digital broadcasts for local stations. (Uverse does carry the local channels, but I record a lot of programs on local channels so I have the HVR-1600 as a third tuner and have it set as the highest merit so that Sage will use it before using the Uverse STBs for local channel recording.)

Look at the picture in this post, you will see the 2 Uverse STB's that I have:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...63&postcount=7


For your situation, to match your current setup, you would need ...

- 1st Uverse STB connected to HD-PVR
- 2nd Uverse STB connected via SVideo to 1st PVR 150
- 3nd Uverse STB connected via SVideo to 2nd PVR 150

Note, the 2nd and 3rd tuners will have lesser quality (non-HD) recording capability, but I'm sure you knew that

You will also need a way to control each of the STB's via IR. The Hauppauge IR emitters may work, I don't know as I use the USB-UIRT device for mine. If you have or get a USB-UIRT device, it can control up to three zones. 1 zone via the built in blaster and 2 additional via the 1/8" mini jack. You will need to build or buy the 2 additional IR emitters and a special stereo to 2 mono adapter 1/8" "Y" cable, they are not included with the USB-UIRT. Here is a diagram of how I created mine:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...&postcount=105

[wado1971]

Yes, the 2 PVR-150's are connected via coax connections.

The uvirse $99 introductory bundle saves me about $35 over cablevision but I'd have to add $10 for HD service & another $10 for two additional STB's ($5 ea.). So a $15/mo savings in the end ....... improved PQ for the 150's but no firewire support - I may just stay put for now and wait till I have a couple more hd-pvr's to make the move.

Thanks for all the great info shadeblue. btw - love the setup picture

[shadeblue.com]

Originally Posted by wado1971

Yes, the 2 PVR-150's are connected via coax connections.

The uvirse $99 introductory bundle saves me about $35 over cablevision but I'd have to add $10 for HD service & another $10 for two additional STB's ($5 ea.). So a $15/mo savings in the end ....... improved PQ for the 150's but no firewire support - I may just stay put for now and wait till I have a couple more hd-pvr's to make the move.

Thanks for all the great info shadeblue. btw - love the setup picture

Uverse is currently offering $200 plus 1 month free for switching in my area. That may help offset the up front costs, but if you are happy with the cable setup and the monthly savings is not significant or the channel lineup does not matter, then I would stay with the cable service for now.

When I had Time Warner cable, I was also hesitant about switching to Uverse and loosing my reliable firewire channel changing, but I have to admit that my Uverse STB (Motorola VIP1200) controlled via IR is much faster then the firewire channel changing on the Cable STB (SA Explorer 8300 / SA Explorer 4250). So far using the USB-UIRT it has been 100% reliable.

[mistergq]

Originally Posted by wado1971

Yes, the 2 PVR-150's are connected via coax connections.

The uvirse $99 introductory bundle saves me about $35 over cablevision but I'd have to add $10 for HD service & another $10 for two additional STB's ($5 ea.). So a $15/mo savings in the end ....... improved PQ for the 150's but no firewire support - I may just stay put for now and wait till I have a couple more hd-pvr's to make the move.

Thanks for all the great info shadeblue. btw - love the setup picture

Not to confuse you more, but I would consider picking up an antenna and an HD homerun. That way, you can get all your network channels in HD by OTA. then pick up 1 hd pvr now for 1 hd box. Get 1 sd box for one of your 150s. And then when you are ready, pickup a 2nd hd pvr for a second hd box and return the sd box. That is what I did when I switched to FiOS.

[bluce]

I've installed the WinTv HVR 1600. Everything is working ok, except – I cannot get the Hauppauge IR blaster to work with the Uverse Motorola VIP1200 STB. Any suggestions?

[shadeblue.com]

Originally Posted by bluce

I've installed the WinTv HVR 1600. Everything is working ok, except – I cannot get the Hauppauge IR blaster to work with the Uverse Motorola VIP1200 STB. Any suggestions?

Hi bluce,

I have never tried getting the Hauppauge IR blaster to work with the UVerse STB. I originally did try to get it to work with another satellite box and never had any luck. If you are not able to get it working, I would suggest the USB-UIRT, it made things a lot simpler for me plus it can control up to 3 separate zones.

[bluce]

Originally Posted by shadeblue.com

Hi bluce,

I have never tried getting the Hauppauge IR blaster to work with the UVerse STB. I originally did try to get it to work with another satellite box and never had any luck. If you are not able to get it working, I would suggest the USB-UIRT, it made things a lot simpler for me plus it can control up to 3 separate zones.

Thank you for your reply. After doing a little more research on the web, I found a post that revealed some helpfull information about using the Hauppauge IR blaster with the Motorola VIP 1200 STB.

I downloaded the latest version of the IR Blaster setup program (irblastwiz_70_26021.exe) from the Hauppage support web site http://www.hauppauge.com/site/suppor...t_hvr1600.html. I ran the configuration program and selected AT&T 0130. This works.