2x FIOS Cable Box and HD-PVR --- IR or FireWire Tuning Control

[srothwell]

Now that I've found out how to have multiple zones on USBUIRT.... I know there are some here who feel pretty stongly about using firewire to control a cable box instead of IR.

If I have two or three FIOS cable boxes (I think someone earlier said it works with 1394) how would I get all three to change their channels from the firewire port and why is better than using USBUIRT?

Thanks for the help.... I'm just in new territory here....

[spacecadet]

I have Fios and use Firewire to change channels. No particular reason I chose to go this route aside from it seemed like a fun project. In general, it's more stable and faster than the USB-UIRT (but I also have some USB-UIRT controlled boxes that are tented and perfectly stable).

If the USB-UIRT is working for you, there's no reason (that I see) to change.

But, if you are interested, the instructions I used are in this post:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...postcount=1496

[mayamaniac]

Firewire is 3 times faster and 100% accurate. Also it's cheaper since you don't have to buy a USB-UIRT ($50 - not for you since you already own one), and no taping or mounting of IR blasters.

[srothwell]

My Sage server is running Windows 7 32-Bit Any issues with that? I take it theres no daisy-chaining Firewire. I just take a cable form each port into the FIOS box, right?

[mayamaniac]

Works fine in win7 32bit. 64bit is impossible since there's no channel changing firewire drivers for it. I only have one STB so I don't know how to set up multiple STBs. Look at the link spacecadget posted, that's the same instruction I used to get it working.

[spacecadet]

Originally Posted by mayamaniac

I only have one STB so I don't know how to set up multiple STBs. Look at the link spacecadget posted, that's the same instruction I used to get it working.

I'm only running one STB with firewire as well, but I believe the logistics of setting up multiple boxes are included in the link from my first post.

[sic0048]

I'd personally choose firewire over IR all day long. Firewire should be 100% reliable once it is set up and working correctly. I have to use IR and I still get a incorrect show every once in a while because the IR code wasn't received correctly by the STB. Perhaps 1 in 50 or 100 shows, but it does happen with IR.

[srothwell]

Originally Posted by spacecadet

I have Fios and use Firewire to change channels. No particular reason I chose to go this route aside from it seemed like a fun project. In general, it's more stable and faster than the USB-UIRT (but I also have some USB-UIRT controlled boxes that are tented and perfectly stable).

If the USB-UIRT is working for you, there's no reason (that I see) to change.

But, if you are interested, the instructions I used are in this post:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...postcount=1496

I can't seem to get the Moto QIP-7100's that I got today with my FIOS install to be regognized in Device Mangler. I just get the yellow exclamation mark.

when I install timore's stuff and run channel -v , I do not see the QIP-7100 anywhere to try to change the channel.

how did you do it with the FIOS box?

[spacecadet]

Originally Posted by srothwell

I can't seem to get the Moto QIP-7100's that I got today with my FIOS install to be regognized in Device Mangler. I just get the yellow exclamation mark.

when I install timore's stuff and run channel -v , I do not see the QIP-7100 anywhere to try to change the channel.

how did you do it with the FIOS box?

I'm using a QIP-6xxx box, but I don't see why the QIP-7100 wouldn't work. Did you install the drivers (http://home.comcast.net/~exdeus/stbfirewire/) from the post I referenced? The yellow exclamation point in the Device Manager sounds to me like it can't find any drivers installed for your device.

[srothwell]

Yes I did install the drivers. It finds all except the av/c panel drivers. Must be something particular with the newer 7100 box.

I have looked everywhere to see if the guy that wrote the drivers has updated them at all, but I've had no luck.

I got multi-zone usbuirt to work but it is bailing wire, scotch tape and bubble gum holding the wires together.

Oh, well..... Thanks anyway

[mayamaniac]

What OS are you running?

Edit: nevermind. Just realize it's win7.

I don't think the STB is any different. Check your FireWire port any sure it's functioning normally. And make sure you follow instruction carefully.

[srothwell]

Working perfectly. Can hook a hdd to it and all works.

I've cruised around the net and seen others with the same issue but never seen a single resolution other than one guy that said he figured it out by editing the drivers .inf file. But, of course he didn't bother to share the procedure or post the inf file to help anyone else!