Weird Usb-uirt blaster problem

[Lightarrow]

Hi everyone, after searching the forums and trying all sorts of configurations, i am close to having a fully working Sagetv HTPC, but i just can't figure out this last issue.

First of all, here is my configuration / hardware:
AMD X2 5200+
1x320gig + 1x500gig
2gig of ram
ATI X1950 PRO
Windows XP sp3
USB-UIRT (using receiver + blaster)
Hauppauge HD-PVR
Sagetv 6.4.8 (latest) with no extenders, just 1 computer in the living room.
All latest drivers for usb-uirt, hd-pvr, the video card. Windows update shows no updates possible.

No shuttering of video occurs, quality is great, HD-PVR does not overheat.

I have Bell expressvue 6141 receiver, which is the echostar 6141. This receiver uses a 56Khz remote called the 5.3 IR i sucessfully learned the codes with the USB-UIRT receiver (great device btw)

At first, i had alot of trouble setting up the IR blaster to sucessfully change channels on the 6141 receiver but i finally got it working with the "RepeatCount 5 " line in the IR file.

Now, here is my problem:

I've setup some recordings and tried getting them to work. but here is what happens.

1.When the computer is running and sagetv is running. i can change channels in sage and the 6141 responds within 5 seconds, which i think is normal. Sage changes channels correctly on its own when i have a recording and the compuer is running (sagetv also running, no service)

2. I setup a recording and put the computer to hibernate or sleep.

3.the computer starts 2 minutes prior to the recording. which is normal.

4. Sagetv sends the ir signal to the 6141 but it seems to be ignoring the "RepeatCount 5" command. The length of the blinks on the USB-UIRT seems to be shorter than before, when everything was working at step1. So i do not get the correct recording. The 6141 simply does not change channels correctly.

5. I try to watch live tv right after the recording failed to switch the channel correctly, and the channels on the 6141 does not change at all. I looked at the ir file and it is exactly as i left it before.

6. I restart sage tv (still no service) and everything works great again, as if nothing ever happened, i can watch live tv, channels switch like a dream.
7. Go back to sleep and problem reoccurs, i have to restart SageTv again !


Can someone help me, i can't understand why everyting works, then the computer goes into sleep mode, restarts and the usb-uirt blaster does not change channel correctly. I restart sage, and it works again !! This is really annoying because i don't want to leave the computer running all day wasting lots of power only to record show on different channels !

Any suggestions ? Has anyone ever had a problem like this ?

[Slugger]

I've had the same behaviour with Bell receivers myself (4100s), but I don't think it's the receiver type. Some other thread suggested to make sure the power management is turned off on the USB ports and this seemed to help, but not 100% consistent. In the end, I decided to just forget hibernation (except in cases where the UPS needs to hibernate the system) and leave the system running 24x7. Much more reliable channel changing this way. Since you're on Bell I guess that implies you're also in Canada so at ~$0.05/kWh it's not going to break the bank to leave the system on 24x7 anyway.

[Lightarrow]

Hey, thanks for the reply.
I don't think it's the bell receivers, since everything works great except when i sleep/hibernate. The repeat count gets erased or something.

Maybe a usb-uirt problem ?

Anyone ?

[Lightarrow]

Anyone has any other ideas ?

[Lightarrow]

I sorta have found a fix.
To use a batch file and run it at startup. The batch file stops and restarts the sagetv service. Usb-uirt works like a charm after that.

Now my only problem is that sometimes (not all the time) the hd-pvr becomes unavalible and my guide goes blank. I then have to shut it down(hd-pvr) manually, stop the sagetv service, restart hd pvr, then restart sagetv service, then it works. I think this is some sort of problem with usb devices and wake from s3-s4.

Anyone has other ideas ???

Thanks

[vexhold]

I believe that is a known issue for the HD-PVR. I am getting mine replaced soon and they swear the new model will fix it.