Another HD-PVR IR issue with Dish

[sic0048]

OK - I just cannot get this to work. I've downloaded a IR file from the forums here and I've put it in the "Happauge IR Blaster" folder. I can choose the file under the Setup\Detailed Setup\Setup Video Sources\Hauppauge HD-PVR\Tuner Control\Change Tuning Device menu, so I have to assume it is set up correctly.

However, I cannot get any IR signal to come through the blaster. I am using a digital camera to verify that no IR signal is coming out. If I use the BlastCfg program that came with the HD-PVR I do see IR commands being blasted out. But nothing from Sage.

Here is the IR code I am using:

DishNetworkVIP211 0 0 3 6 100 
RepeatCount 6
1 0000 0049 0000 0011 0017 0160 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 0061 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 009F
2 0000 0049 0000 0011 0017 015E 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 0060 0017 009F 0017 0060 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009E
3 0000 0049 0000 0011 0017 015E 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 0060 0017 0060 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009F 0017 009E
4 0000 0048 0000 0011 0017 0162 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 0061 0017 00A2 0017 00A2 0017 00A1 0017 00A2 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A2 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A0
5 0000 0048 0000 0011 0017 0162 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 0061 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 0061 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A0
6 0000 0048 0000 0011 0017 0161 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 0061 0017 00A1 0017 0061 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A0
7 0000 0049 0000 0011 0017 0160 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 0061 0017 0061 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 009F
8 0000 0048 0000 0011 0017 0162 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 0061 0017 0061 0017 00A1 0017 0061 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A0
9 0000 0048 0000 0011 0017 0161 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 0061 0017 0061 0017 0061 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 009F
0 0000 0049 0000 0011 0017 015F 0017 00A0 0017 0061 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 0061 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 00A0 0017 009F
ENTER 0000 0048 0000 0011 0017 0162 0017 00A1 0017 0061 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A1 0017 00A0

I've also tried modifying the original file to read

DishNetworkVIP211 1 0 3 6 100

due to someone's suggestion on the forum in another thread
and also adding or removing the RepeatCount line completely.

But again, it's not that it isn't working with my Dish box, it is the fact that there is absolutely no IR signal being blasted when using Sage.

After screwing around with Sage and making changes, eventually Sage will quit allowing me to do anything with the IR menus. It will simply quit Sage unexpectedly. I have experience this on two separate computers (one XP and one Vista machine) and the only way to correct it is to uninstall Sage including deleting the Program Files\SageTV folder and then reinstalling Sage from scratch. Nothing else works including changing the IR file to something completely different.

Any suggestions? Again, this appears to be a situation where Sage is really struggling to utilize the Hauppauge IR blaster while the Hauppauge software seems to work.

Thanks,

[Shield]

Do what I did. I'm temporarily using a Directv HD DVR until I decide whether or not to get another one of these HD-PVR boxes and 2 additional non-dvr Directv boxes.

Since all of my gear is in the basement, I ran the "scan all codes" option in the blaster config and had my wife yell when it shut off the receiver. Then I used that code.
Have you tried that?

[sic0048]

How are you learning the commands?

I forgot to mention that I try to use the Relearn Ir commands option inside Sage and it doesn't work. It allows me to enter a name and goes to the "hold the remote and press the button in front of the HD-PVR, blah, blah, blah" but it immediately switches to an learning error and doesn't take the new command.

It literally changes from the learning screen to the error screen in a fraction of a second.

[wjohn]

Originally Posted by sic0048

How are you learning the commands?

I forgot to mention that I try to use the Relearn Ir commands option inside Sage and it doesn't work. It allows me to enter a name and goes to the "hold the remote and press the button in front of the HD-PVR, blah, blah, blah" but it immediately switches to an learning error and doesn't take the new command.

It literally changes from the learning screen to the error screen in a fraction of a second.

No idea if this applies to you, but I also received this instant error message until I finally realized I was using my remote #2 which is UHF (to be used with the second receiver).

[Shield]

Originally Posted by sic0048

How are you learning the commands?

I forgot to mention that I try to use the Relearn Ir commands option inside Sage and it doesn't work. It allows me to enter a name and goes to the "hold the remote and press the button in front of the HD-PVR, blah, blah, blah" but it immediately switches to an learning error and doesn't take the new command.

It literally changes from the learning screen to the error screen in a fraction of a second.

Are you trying to use the supplied Hauppage remote to control "their" scheduling program? Or do you just want to have the Hauppage box change the channel on your set top box?
I didn't have to "learn" anything...

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by shield

Are you trying to use the supplied Hauppage remote to control "their" scheduling program? Or do you just want to have the Hauppage box change the channel on your set top box?
I didn't have to "learn" anything...

I'm trying to get the HD-PVR to change the channel via Sage. I would agree that I shouldn't have to learn anything, but I tried it out of desperation and found that it wouldn't work either.

I tried the Hauppauge IR program just to make sure it wasn't a hardware issue and it works. So there isn't a problem with the hardware. It has to be some sort of issue within Sage. Either a user error or some deeper problem within Sage.

I have a USB-UIRT, but it is used by another program and it isn't available to Sage. I guess I can try to set it up to work with Sage as a test, but that is not a permanent solution for me. I have to get the Hauppauge IR blaster working.

Would turning on the debug log help? I have not done that yet, but I guess I should.

Originally Posted by wjohn

No idea if this applies to you, but I also received this instant error message until I finally realized I was using my remote #2 which is UHF (to be used with the second receiver).

I have the VIP211 which only has a single tuner. So only one remote and it is IR. I also get the error whether I'm pressing a button on the remote or not. The error pops up so quickly that I don't think it is really even trying to read the IR signal.

This has also occured on two different computers in two different areas of the house, so I think I can rule out some sort of interference screwing the learning aspect up.

Tonight I plan on trying to load another IR file into Sage to see if I can get IR output using any IR file. This will let me know if there is so issue with the IR file that I am using. But I'll have to uninstall SageTV again, delete the program folder, and reinstall. It is currently screwed up again due to this IR issue (see my first post for details) and I was so frustrated last night that I just left it.

[SHS]

The IR Code your try to used only work with USB-UIRT.

Hauppauge IR Blaster
To have SageTV use it, first use the Hauppauge IR Blaster Configuration application to configure the transmitter. Then, when configuring the recording source via the Source Setup, choose the Hauppauge IR Blaster in Step 5: Select the Tuning Plugin.

Notes: Due to Hauppauge driver limitations, multiple blasters can not be used. In addition, it may not be possible to use the blaster if there are multiple encoders and only one has a blaster.
SageTV does not use the MCE IR blaster portion of the Hauppauge MCE kits, which come with the MCE remote + blaster.

[sic0048]

Thanks. At least that explains why I am not getting any IR signal using that IR file and also may explain why it makes Sage crap out after a few trials.

I know I have used the Hauppauge IR application (because I at least get IR emitted using the "test" feature of that software), but perhaps I am not exporting it correctly into Sage.

Does anyone know of a set of instructions on how to do this? I realize we are cutting edge here, but the lack of decent setup instructions is causing a lot of the problems IMHO.

Also, currently the Hauppauge IR program starts automatically at boot and sits in the toolbar (the icon looks like a black cell phone). Should I leave this open or do I need to close out that program and not have it autostart? In other words, does the Hauppauge software prevent Sage from controlling the IR through the HD-PVR or is it actually required to let Sage work?

PS - I wasn't able to work on this at all yesterday - perhaps I'll have some time tonight.

[sic0048]

Well I figured out the problem. Basically the "Test" button on the Sage setup screen doesn't work. But if you exit out and use the guide as normal, the IR blaster works. So it was probably working the whole time.

However, I consider this a bug in Sage. If you are given a test button, it better work or people like me will think there are problems.