Automatic Channel Switching

[Jgart]

Tried four years ago to solve this problem. Used MCE IR, then tried HIP after 40 hrs trying to get that to work and two years to recover from an nervous breakdown I'm ready to try again. I still have the Hauppauge 500 but now working with Windows 7 on a DELL XPS 8100. It was recommended that I get a USB-UIRT(IR Blaster). I've noticed that some are specific to Beyond TV.
Two questions:
1. Will I need one for each cable box?
2. Any suggestions on USB-UIRT to purchase?
Jgart

[Fuzzy]

I dont' think there are any 'beyondtv specif' usb-uirts. Just buy it straight from the manufacturer (www.usbuirt.com). By itself, a single USB-UIRT will control one 'zone' or IR devices. If your devices can have programmable remote adresses (dish network boxes are about the only ones I think), then that is enough to control MANY devices. However, most other boxes all use the same IR codes, so you'll have to go with a multi-zone setup (A single USB-UIRT has 3 zones, therefore can control 3 separate et top boxes). This requires external emitters attached to the USB-UIRT's rear jack. Two emitters can be attached there, representing zones Z1 and Z2. the internal emitter in the USB-UIRT is Z3.

the trick is isolating the emitters so that each one can only send IR to it's desired STB.