SageTV Software...Can Only View Channel On Cable Box

[lestat1124]

Hey Everyone. I am pleased to announced that I finally got my HD-PVR set up and working. However, I am really new with this software and still trying to figure it out. The first and most concerning problem is that when I am in program guide and I switch to any channel other than the channel that is set on my cable box, it does not switch for me. It goes right back to the channel on the cable box. Therefore I can only record what is being viewed on the cable box. Is that the way its suppose to be, or perhaps I still have something not configured correctly in the software. I want to set up recordings on multiple channels that record whether I am home or not but it isnt going to be possible if I have to be home to tune into that specific channel. Thanks in advance!

[darcilicious]

Minimally, you need to make sure that the IR blaster from the HD-PVR is configured to work with your cable set-top box. Assuming you have the IR blaster connected to your HD-PVR and the blaster end pointed at your cable box correctly, you then use the Hauppauge BlastCfg program that you should have installed already. You want to make sure that you can change channels via the program first.

However, there are issues with the HD-PVR IR blaster and a better / long-term solution for the HD-PVR and channel changing is to get the USB-UIRT device (though I haven't quite done this myself yet either).

[graywolf]

First off, with cable boxes (set top boxes), you'll only be able to watch/record the channel that the box is set to. Just the way of cable/satelitte boxes.

Second, you need to have some way set for SageTV to change the channels of the box. Firewire (if available) or USB-UIRT http://usbuirt.com/ preferred. Seen to many people with issues with the HD-PVR ir-blaster. but then again, you could be a lucky one.

btw - I do not have an hd-pvr but have read many of the threads in case I ever get an HD receiver then need to get one.

[Spectrum]

There is some good info on setting up the HDPVR here. I had issues with the HDPVR IR Blaster from day one and have a much more stable system now that I have moved to a USB-UIRT, although if you are running linux or 32bit Windows firewire channel changing may be an option.

[lestat1124]

First off Thanks Everyone for the quick responses. I can see what my problem is already. I selected the IR Blaster in the software but havent bother to set it up on the HD-PVR because I assumed it was supplemental for convenience if you didnt want to be next to the PC. I didn't know it had to be set up and working in order to change channels. So I will first admit to not reading enough of the manual to understand this and apologize for not completing my due diligence. I would have never guest the remote control had anything to do with anything.

Ok so now on to the solution. Well Its taken me and Happauge months to finally figure out why my PVR wasnt working so I would really hate to plug in the IR Blaster and go thru another troubleshooting (just shoot me) fiasco. So after listening to you fine gentelmen, I think I will research the USB-UIRT since it seems to be the more stable route. I know nothing about the USB-UIRT so Specturm I will take a look at the link you provided and do some more research throughout the forum and see If I can figure it out.

BTW..is the USB-UIRT another type of remote control that has to be purchased?

[Spectrum]

The USB-UIRT is an IR receiver/transmitter. You can use it to receive remote commands OR to send them. It is really well supported and Jon (the developer) has provided really good support. Sage has them in the online store for ~$50

[lestat1124]

Thanks Spectrum. I will stop by BestBuy on my way home first and if they dont have it...I'll check it out online.

Originally Posted by Spectrum

The USB-UIRT is an IR receiver/transmitter. You can use it to receive remote commands OR to send them. It is really well supported and Jon (the developer) has provided really good support. Sage has them in the online store for ~$50

[Spectrum]

Guaranteed that BB won't have it, don't waste your time stopping unless you have another reason. It's a niche product provided by Jon in his spare time so distribution is very limited.

[graywolf]

usb-uirt is an IR receiver/blaster that connects to the pc via usb.

if you already have your remote working for sagetv control, then you would only use the blaster features of usbuirt.

it can control up to 3 different boxes with IR blasting.

tons of threads regarding the usb-uirt. a couple good ones to get you started would be:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5291

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...41&postcount=1

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48170

[lestat1124]

Originally Posted by Spectrum

Guaranteed that BB won't have it, don't waste your time stopping unless you have another reason. It's a niche product provided by Jon in his spare time so distribution is very limited.

Ahhh! Ok Cool. Thanks. Well in that case... I might as well take the instructions that Im reading about on sic0048 thread and see if the IR works before placing that order. Again everyone...truly appreciated.

[lestat1124]

Thx Graywolf...i will bookmark these and start reading them when Im done going through sic0048 IR Blaster setup!

Originally Posted by graywolf

usb-uirt is an IR receiver/blaster that connects to the pc via usb.

if you already have your remote working for sagetv control, then you would only use the blaster features of usbuirt.

it can control up to 3 different boxes with IR blasting.

tons of threads regarding the usb-uirt. a couple good ones to get you started would be:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5291

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...41&postcount=1

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48170

[graywolf]

I only briefly looked at that thread but think that deals with the hd-pvr ir blaster.

you wouldn't follow those blaster instructions for the usbuirt.

[lestat1124]

That is correct. I figured since I have the blaster in my possession and I would have to wait for the USB-UIRT to be delivered, I might as well see if I can get the Blaster working first and then place the order if it all goes bat-ish on me!

Originally Posted by graywolf

I only briefly looked at that thread but think that deals with the hd-pvr ir blaster.

you wouldn't follow those blaster instructions for the usbuirt.

[lestat1124]

This is just a general question but does the PVR work like DVR where once everything is set up correctly, I can be watching something on one channel while the PVR is recording something on another channel. It is correct to assume that right?

[gplasky]

Your HD-PVR is NOT a tuner. Therefore for whatever channel you want to watch and record another channel you will need another HD-PVR AND another cable box. Now you can watch something previous recorded of course while recording another channel or watching a channel.

Gerry

[lestat1124]

Ahh Ok thanks!

Originally Posted by gplasky

Your HD-PVR is NOT a tuner. Therefore for whatever channel you want to watch and record another channel you will need another HD-PVR AND another cable box. Now you can watch something previous recorded of course while recording another channel or watching a channel.

Gerry

[graywolf]

Originally Posted by lestat1124

This is just a general question but does the PVR work like DVR where once everything is set up correctly, I can be watching something on one channel while the PVR is recording something on another channel. It is correct to assume that right?

Kinda. Depends.

Record 1 channel while watching something previously recorded = yes, no issues.

Record 1 channel while watching another channel LIVE = it depends.
For satellite boxes, definitely not, since only 1 channel comes out of the box.
For cable, does it have QAM (unencrypted channels)? Could you tune them if you connected straight to the coax in the wall, without a box? Then yes, you could set it up to record/watch different channels live at same time. (with a QAM tuner or splitting coax and have 1 to tv and other to hd-pvr - or other configurations)

Otherwise you need a seperate box/tuner set for each concurrent channel you wish to record/watch at same time.

[Naylia]

Before you buy anything, see if you have a firewire connection on the back of your cable box and share what type of cable box you have.

[Tiki]

Originally Posted by lestat1124

I would have never guest the remote control had anything to do with anything.

I think you are confusing the IR Blaster and the IR Receiver...

An IR Receiver is a device that receives the commands sent from a remote control. There is an IR Receiver built into the front of the HD-PVR. There are also many other devices that come with some sort of IR Receiver. If you set things up properly, the IR Receiver plus a remote control can allow you to navigate the Sage TV screens so you don't need a keyboard or mouse. This of course assumes you are viewing Sage from a TV or monitor that is connected directly to your PC. If you are using an extender (like the HD200 that Sage sells), the extender has its own remote control and receiver.

An IR Blaster is a device that impersonates a remote control. You aim it at the front of your cable or satellite box and it sends signals to the box to change channels. Again, your HD-PVR comes with one (you have to plug it in - it looks like a little light bulb on the end of a long cable). You have to put the little bulb (emitter) right up against the cable box because they only have a range of a couple of inches.

The USBUIRT that some have mentioned can be used as both an IR Blaster and an IR Receiver. Many people have reported that it works more reliably than the IR Blaster/Receiver on the HD-PVR. There are some limitations to using the USBUIRT as both a blaster and a receiver if you are running Sage in Service mode and you are using Windows 7, but there is a new beta driver that is supposed to fix this limitation.

Firewire is another solution that can be used instead of an IR Blaster to change the channels on your cable box. However, not all cable boxes support firewire and if you are using a 64bit version of Windows there are no firewire drivers available, so you must use 32-bit windows if you want firewire.

Some cable boxes can also be controlled with a serial cable.

It is possible to mix and match (e.g. you can use the USBUIRT as an IR Blaster and use the HD-PVR as the IR Receiver).

[lestat1124]

I have two IEEE 1394 firewire ports and one eSata port.

Originally Posted by Naylia

Before you buy anything, see if you have a firewire connection on the back of your cable box and share what type of cable box you have.