Hauppague IR Blaster Problem

[beard6]

Hello, my Hauppauge IR blaster won't change channels on my directv set top box with the sagetv. However, when I first boot up the "watch live tv" on the sagetv software, it will indeed actually change the channel on my directv set top box to the channel defaulted on the sagetv. But when I try to change it, the channel number will change on sagetv, but it won't change the directv set top box. Any help would be appreciated.

[sic0048]

What Hauppauge tuner are you trying to accomplish this with?

You might want to check out the thread that I have linked in my signature. It is specifically written for the HD-PVR, but the IR portion may be of interest even for different tuners.

[beard6]

Hi, I actually came across your thread and tried what you said prior to my post, but it didn't work.

It's so strange. In my hauppauge wintv software, it changes the channel on my directv, but in sagetv, it only changes the savetv channel and not on my directv.

If sagetv is selling a product, why do they make it so difficult to set up and offer no customer phone support? I have read so many people having trouble and wanting to give up on sagetv (which I am almost at that point - what a waste!!!). In opinion it's almost like cheating people.

[davephan]

You still didn't post any details about your system and which Hauppauge tuner you are using.

I found that using the built-in IR blaster on the HD-PVR caused the HD-PVR to be unstable. Using the USB-UIRT to change channels resolved that problem. The USB-UIRT works with a variety of set top boxes, so it is easier to change providers every 2 - 3 years to get better prices.

The included software might work with their IR blaster, but their free Hauppauge software is basically garbage compared to SageTV.


Dave

[beard6]

Thanks for your reply and yes I forgot to mention what I have. I have the PVR-150.

Is there a way to buy the USB-IRT remote and if it doesn't work, return it for a refund?

[davephan]

Originally Posted by beard6

Thanks for your reply and yes I forgot to mention what I have. I have the PVR-150.

Is there a way to buy the USB-IRT remote and if it doesn't work, return it for a refund?

When I first started using SageTV, I did have trouble getting my Hauppauge PVR-350 IR blaster to work. I purchased the USB-UIRT, and it solved the channel control problem.

I didn't see anything on the USB-UIRT web site about a warranty. They probably have some sort of warranty. I've been using a USB-UIRT for about five years, and it is a reliable way to change channels. You can even use one USB-UIRT to control up to three separate set top boxes. If each set top box can be set to a different remote code, such as 4 different codes, then you could control up to 3 x 4 = 12 set top boxes with one USB-UIRT. The USB-UIRT IR file might need a bit of tweaking to get it to work reliably, but after that it dependably changes the channels.

http://www.usbuirt.com/overview.htm

Dave

[beard6]

Ok, then my next question is.......
I primarily want to use the sagevtv for placeshifting purposes. Will buying the USB-UIRT make it so that the channels will change from a remote location using the placeshifting software?

[davephan]

I re-read your first post. Since you have DirecTV, you could use serial control. You can use the inexpensive products in this link:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...directv+serial

The USB-UIRT could also be used, especially if you switch between providers periodically.

I don't use placeshifter, so that question would need to be answered by someone else. You will need something to change the set top box channel in any event, such as the serial cable, a Patterson device, a USB-UIRT, or the IR blaster on the tuner card (if you can get the tuner card IR blaster to work).

Dave

[Tiki]

Placeshifter is just another client to the main Sage Server. It works pretty much like the Extenders do. The main difference is that with Placeshifter the server is going to be transcoding most things for playback across the internet, whereas with the extenders you are usually connected via the local LAN network and the server does not need to transcode most programming.

So, the IR Blaster gets installed on the same computer that is running the main SageTV installation and has the capture devices. You can use the Placeshifter to tell the server to schedule a recording (and it will use the IR blaster at the appropriate time to change the channels on your STB). You can also use the Placeshifter to watch something that is recorded on the server (and the server will transcode it and stream it over the internet to your placeshifter). You can also request to watch live tv from the placeshifter, but what is really happening is that you are combining the first two items I just mentioned (1-schedule a recording for right now, 2-playback that recording right now while it is still recording).