Change SA4250HDC channels by firewire

[TomH]

I have a new SageTV setup that is working well.
Time Warner HD cable -> SA Explorer4250HDC STB
-> Happauge HD PVR (hd tuner)
-> Dell hybrid studio pc (mid-power vista)

I use it to record hd cable broadcasts and play them back on my tv. New SageTV software and 200 box.

Channel changing is by IR blaster, reliable but slow. The STB and the pc have 1394 firewire jacks, and when I plug them together the pc sees the STB and tries to install the new hardware but fails (it sees it as a panasonic tuner but can't find a driver).

Is there a fairly easy way to get channel changing working via 1394 cable?

[Brent]

I haven't tried it yet, but I hear this app works pretty well for firewire channel changing in SageTV. Let me know how it goes as I plan on trying it out soon also.

[aflat]

Try the updated drivers here

http://exdeus.home.comcast.net/~exdeus/stbfirewire/

And on the command line, use

channel.exe -f -a4 <device_number> <channel>

That all worked for me.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by TomH

Is there a fairly easy way to get channel changing working via 1394 cable?

Since you are new to the forum, I suggest that you take a few minutes to check out the various sticky topics at the top of each forum section. This Hardware section has one called Tuner Configuration Tips & Instructions, which leads to Firewire Recording & Channel Changing. At the top of the first post there are some links to info you could use to try using firewire channel changing.

Originally Posted by aflat

And on the command line, use

channel.exe -f -a4 <device_number> <channel>

BTW: you are much better off using the device ID instead of the device number, because the ID for the device is constant, but the number can change, especially if you add more firewire devices. Sending a command to the wrong device number after they've been changed can crash Windows.

- Andy

[Clift]

Originally Posted by aflat

Try the updated drivers here

http://exdeus.home.comcast.net/~exdeus/stbfirewire/

And on the command line, use

channel.exe -f -a4 <device_number> <channel>

That all worked for me.

For me, the -a4 worked for a while then stopped one day. I about pulled my hair out troubleshooting it, but in the end -a6 ended up working. So if -a4 doesn't work for you, try -a6. Good Luck. PM me if you have questions.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by Clift

For me, the -a4 worked for a while then stopped one day. I about pulled my hair out troubleshooting it, but in the end -a6 ended up working. So if -a4 doesn't work for you, try -a6.

Yeah, that happened to me too back in Oct 2008 & is also in the instructions I linked to (in the link that leads to what I did for firewire channel changing on my 4250HD).

- Andy