HDPVR and Bult-in blaster problem

[jvl711]

Hi,

I am having an issue with the HDPVR being able to change channels to 2 digit channels (for example channel 47). 3 digit channels work without any issues at all. Here are the settings that I have for the blaster.

Digits per channel: 3
Delay Between Codes: 600 msec
Delay Between Channel Changes: 800 msec
IR Blaster Repeat Factor: 2

When I try to change to a 2 digit channel, and I watch the cable box it looks like the blaster is not even sending any commands. I thought that it may not be putting a 0 in front, or not sending an enter after sending the keys, but I do not think that is the issue. It almost seems like sage is not sending any commands at all. When I send a 2 digit channel using the blaster config program it changes channels without any issues at all. Any help would be appreciated!

I am running:
Sage 7.0.12
Java 1.6.0_17
Windows 2003 R2

[darcilicious]

So this only happens with two-digit channels? And it happens every time with every two-digit channel?

OR once it starts failing (seemingly on a two-digit channel), not even three-digit channels will work?

The reason I ask is because in my experience once the blaster starts failing via SageTV, it fails for all channel changes and I have to reboot the computer. Even though during this same time, the Hauppauge blaster config program will still continue to work and change channels. (I asked SageTV support about this scenario once and they basically shrugged their shoulders and said they didn't know why that would be the case)

If it's always failing on just two-digit channels, then something's up but I'm not sure what. (I rarely use two-digit channels, three and four digit channels used here mostly)

Make sure that you've covered the IR receiver on the HDPVR with electrical tape.

Channel changing is my last remaining issue with the HD-PVR and it only fails about once every two weeks currently and only if I change the channel for live TV alot (I only average about 3-4 recordings in a 24-hour period).

The remedy for this is to purchase and configure an USB UIRT device to do the blasting instead of the Hauppage. You might consider going that route instead of spending time trouble-shooting something that's half broken

[jvl711]

Originally Posted by darcilicious

So this only happens with two-digit channels? And it happens every time with every two-digit channel?

OR once it starts failing (seemingly on a two-digit channel), not even three-digit channels will work?

The reason I ask is because in my experience once the blaster starts failing via SageTV, it fails for all channel changes and I have to reboot the computer. Even though during this same time, the Hauppauge blaster config program will still continue to work and change channels. (I asked SageTV support about this scenario once and they basically shrugged their shoulders and said they didn't know why that would be the case)

If it's always failing on just two-digit channels, then something's up but I'm not sure what. (I rarely use two-digit channels, three and four digit channels used here mostly)

Make sure that you've covered the IR receiver on the HDPVR with electrical tape.

Channel changing is my last remaining issue with the HD-PVR and it only fails about once every two weeks currently and only if I change the channel for live TV alot (I only average about 3-4 recordings in a 24-hour period).

The remedy for this is to purchase and configure an USB UIRT device to do the blasting instead of the Hauppage. You might consider going that route instead of spending time trouble-shooting something that's half broken

Yes... It is only with 2 digit channels, and I can never get them to work when tuning with Sage. It is pretty odd. Besides this issue tuning works great.

[Spectrum]

Originally Posted by darcilicious

The reason I ask is because in my experience once the blaster starts failing via SageTV, it fails for all channel changes and I have to reboot the computer. Even though during this same time, the Hauppauge blaster config program will still continue to work and change channels. (I asked SageTV support about this scenario once and they basically shrugged their shoulders and said they didn't know why that would be the case)

When this happened to me I could get it working again by stopping the SageTV service, power cycling the HDPVR, then restarting the SageTV service.

Originally Posted by jvl711

Yes... It is only with 2 digit channels, and I can never get them to work when tuning with Sage. It is pretty odd. Besides this issue tuning works great.

Have you tried changing the number of digits to 2 (temporarily) to see if it makes a difference? Also what happens for single digit channels?

[darcilicious]

Originally Posted by Spectrum

When this happened to me I could get it working again by stopping the SageTV service, power cycling the HDPVR, then restarting the SageTV service?

This works for me for lock-ups but not for channel changing issues. Not sure why that would be but there it is.

[jvl711]

Originally Posted by Spectrum

Have you tried changing the number of digits to 2 (temporarily) to see if it makes a difference? Also what happens for single digit channels?

Changing the setting to 2 digits did not have an effect. Single digit channels are not working either. Only 3 digit channel changes are working. This is really an odd one!

[Spectrum]

Originally Posted by jvl711

Changing the setting to 2 digits did not have an effect. Single digit channels are not working either. Only 3 digit channel changes are working. This is really an odd one!

Really bizarre! I just (in the past few days) stopped using the Hauppauge blaster on the HDPVR and switched to a USB-UIRT because I kept missing recordings due to the blaster locking up. I never had this problem though.

The fact that it works fine in the Hauppauge app makes it sound like the drivers are ok and it's a Sage issue but I can't think of a way to test it

Only thing I could think of at this point to do is

1. Back up Sage config
2. Uninstall Sage
3. Uninstall all Hauppauge drivers
4. Run hwclear
5. Reinstall HDPVR drivers
6. Reinstall IR Blasting programs
7. Reinstall Sage to the same location so all your settings are restored

Basically do a reload following Sic's tutorial here. I'm using the latest drivers, not the 301s though, YMMV.
I've had that procedure help with some other funkiness with the HDPVR but it is a royal PITA to do.

Hopefully someone chimes in with a less drastic solution...

[jvl711]

Originally Posted by Spectrum

Really bizarre! I just (in the past few days) stopped using the Hauppauge blaster on the HDPVR and switched to a USB-UIRT because I kept missing recordings due to the blaster locking up. I never had this problem though.

The fact that it works fine in the Hauppauge app makes it sound like the drivers are ok and it's a Sage issue but I can't think of a way to test it

Only thing I could think of at this point to do is

1. Back up Sage config
2. Uninstall Sage
3. Uninstall all Hauppauge drivers
4. Run hwclear
5. Reinstall HDPVR drivers
6. Reinstall IR Blasting programs
7. Reinstall Sage to the same location so all your settings are restored

Basically do a reload following Sic's tutorial here. I'm using the latest drivers, not the 301s though, YMMV.
I've had that procedure help with some other funkiness with the HDPVR but it is a royal PITA to do.

Hopefully someone chimes in with a less drastic solution...

I am hoping to try and stay away from doing that. The HDPVR is finally stable (KNOCKS ON WOOD!!!!) execpt for not being able to tune 1 and 2 digit channels. If I mess with it too much I know I am going to be back in lockup hell. The only time I use those channels is when I am using placeshifter mode. Other than that I am all HD.