Total Newbie question: STB channel changing

[Alphadawg]

My cable company, Comcast, recently changed the signal they send and each TV now requires a cable box. I had been running the cable straight to the computer before. So, I run the cable to the cable box, out of there to the computer, out to the TV. I finally got Sage to show the signal but I can't get it to change the channel and record my shows. I use the 34 (?) button remote from Hauppage which worked great before. Now I have to change the channel with the cable box remote.

What am I doing wrong? I don't even know where to start

[PiX64]

If you have a hauppauge tuner depending on the model you can use the IR blaster which is built in to a lot of cards (check your product documentation or the hauppauge website to see if you have a built in IR blaster). If you bought the card retail it most likely would have come with a ir emitter cable. I have read that others on the forums are using usb-uirt or irmon devices which effectively do the same thing, except better from what I read.

~Mike

[Alphadawg]

What do I need to do though? Is there a setting in Sage or is this just a function of the Hauppage card?

[PiX64]

When you set up the tuner in sagetv you will be given a set of options. you can use it to tune cable tv, composite, svideo, etc. you would need to select the correct input type which of course varies depending on your hook up. One the next set of screens there will be an option which says something along the lines of "use this card to tune external device" when you select that option the subsequent next screen will allow you to pick the ir transmitter device (hauppauge, irmon, girder, etc)

Hope that helps.

~Mike

*EDIT* If you look at the user guide for SageTV check out the "Source Setup" section "Chapter 5: Configuring SageTV" starting roughly on page 149. That should help you out tremendously.

[reggie14]

It's a bit more complicated than that. The manual does have instructions, but they're not terribly detailed. As PiX64 noted, the first thing to do is make sure you have an IR blaster. The PVR-250, which is quite popular for people that have been using Sage for a while, does not have a blaster, as far I know (it's possible MCE versions had one, but I don't think so). I think most of them from the PVR-150 had them.

You first have you set up the blaster in the Hauppauge software. In my case, I wasn't originally using the IR blaster (or the remote), so I didn't even have that software installed. So, first I had to install the IR blaster driver/configuration software. I don't think installing it automatically invokes the configuration wizard, so I think you have to go to the Hauppauge folder in the start menu and find the IR blaster configuration software. I remember the configuration being much easier than I expected, since my set-top box was already in their list (meaning, I didn't have to train it to remember the IR codes for the number buttons on the remote).

After getting the configuration set up in the Hauppauge program, then you do what PiX64 was talking about in Sage. Of course, the particular steps will depend on if you're using the Hauppauge blaster, or one of the others.

[davephan]

Some more details are needed. What type of cable set top box are you using? What is the brand and model number? Does the set top box have a USB connector on it? If the set top box has a USB connector, you might be able to use either a USB to serial cable or the Patterson device. If the set top box does not have a USB connector, then you could use the USB-UIRT.

I have a Hauppauge PVR-350, which includes a IR remote control, however, I could never get it to work, so I went the USB-UIRT route. The USB-UIRT connects to your computer's USB connector, and can receive IR signals from the remote control, and transmit IR signals to the set top box. If you are using a media extender, then the USB-UIRT only needs to transmit IR signals from your computer to switch channels on you set top box. There is also a free program called "IRLearner" which can help you get your USB-UIRT working. The USB-UIRT needs an "IR" configuration file. The "IR" file can take some tweaking to get it to work reliably. If your set top box is a Motorola DCT-2000, I have a "IR" file for you. Others in the forum likely will have "IR" files for other set top cable boxes.

Dave

[reggie14]

Originally Posted by davephan

I have a Hauppauge PVR-350, which includes a IR remote control, however, I could never get it to work, so I went the USB-UIRT route.

Did any models of the PVR-350 include an IR blaster? They had remotes, but I didn't think any of the PVR-350s (or PVR-250s) included a blaster.

I mainly say that because I thought the Hauppauge IR blaster setup was pretty painless. I'm not sure how difficult the USB-UIRT setup is. I actually bought a USB-UIRT, but while I was waiting I got inpatient and just set up the Hauppauge blaster. I quickly glanced at USB-UIRT instructions and it looked like it was more involved. My Hauppauge blaster works fine, and I don't need to hook up a second since I tune my other STB over firewire.

[davephan]

Originally Posted by reggie14

Did any models of the PVR-350 include an IR blaster?

The PVR-350 does have an IR jack and an IR sensor with a cable to hook up to the jack. I don't know if the PVR-350 can transmit IR signals to a set top box, or only receive IR signals. I used the USB-UIRT when I first started using SageTV with Dish Network, Cable TV, and DirecTV. The nice thing about the USB-UIRT is that it will work with different set top boxes, so it is easier to switch between providers. Although I think I will try a USB cable for controlling the DirecTV box I have now since it has a USB connector on it.

Dave

[voorhees]

Originally Posted by reggie14

The PVR-250, which is quite popular for people that have been using Sage for a while, does not have a blaster, as far I know (it's possible MCE versions had one, but I don't think so).

Just to clarify, I have a PVR-250 (non-MCE version) and it did come with an IR blaster. I used it for several months, however it did cause problems if I added/moved around Hauppauge tuners. The Hauppauge software kept wanting to switch which tuner was being controlled by the blaster which was a pain in the neck sometimes. I went to the USB-UIRT a couple of months ago, and it was easy to setup and eliminates the problems I had with using the Hauppauge IR blaster and having multiple Hauppauge tuner cards.