Controlling More Than One Identical Receiver

[plawlor]

I've done many a search on this topic and found a few good threads. But, I also found many different opinions and many of the discussions went in circles. So, I thought I'd get a current "state of the union" on controlling more than one satellite receiver of the same make and model.

My situation: I have two Bell ExpressVu receivers so serial control is not an option. I'm currently controlling the first with a USB UIRT. Works very well although a little slow to change the channel. How can I control the second? It is exactly the same and no, there is no ability to set different IDs for each - it isn't available in this model. Do I need a second IR transmitter? Can it also be a USB UIRT or does it have to be different than the first? Can the second one be USB? Can Sage tell the difference between two identical USB transmitters? Any guidance would be appreciated.

BTW, I spent $50 U.S. on the first USB UIRT, so I'm not too keen on replacing it with some $100+ silver bullet solution. Thanks in advance.

[heffe2001]

If you check the USB-UIRT forums, they offer a beta plugin so you can run 2 of them at once, so you could use one for one receiver, and the other for the 2nd receiver. It should work, but not sure how well it'd be supported in Sage..

[Crowdx42]

Forgive my ignorance, BUT if he sends a signal to one receiver surely the other one will change also, would he not have to isolate teh two receivers and so have only one receiver receiving a signal?
Have seen here I think it was, people using homemade tunnels to stop both receivers from receiver the same channel change messages.
I would think that is the main issue here, stopping both receivers from changing at the same time, maybe one USB-UIRT and the other serial (if available on the receiver?)
Patrick

[salsbst]

You can just stick an IR emitter to the STB and put electrician's tape over it. Simple and 100% effective.

[plawlor]

Originally posted by heffe2001
If you check the USB-UIRT forums, they offer a beta plugin so you can run 2 of them at once, so you could use one for one receiver, and the other for the 2nd receiver. It should work, but not sure how well it'd be supported in Sage..

Heffe2001,

I've been to the USB-UIRT forums and cannot locate a plugin. Do you know where I can find it? Will this plugin allow me to use multiple USB-UIRTs using Sage's native support or will I need to start using Girder? Thanks.

[sleonard]

How long ago did you get your UIRT? Since Feb they have been supporting 3 separate zones (3 identical STB's) with a single UIRT. I don't know how the new ones work natively in Sage yet but there is a Girder plugin for them. Hopefully Sage will have native support soon. See my post about halfway down this forum for a link.