Controlling Comcast digital converter box with hauppauge card

[LWM4P]

Hello everyone and thanks for the help in advance. I know there are many threads on this and some help threads, but I can't seem to find exactly what is wrong with my setup.

I have sage installed and all works fine there. I have a Hauppage 2250 installed. I would like to use the 2250 to control my comcast digital converter box, but the channel does not change. This is the steps I have taken:

- Installed all the IR software associated with the 2250.
- Configured the 2250 using the blastcnfg.exe to learn from the comcast remote.
- Add this as a video source to Sage, choosing 'TV Tuner Channel 3' and the Hauppage IR blaster for control.
- Plugged in the IR cable and taped it to the front of the comcast box.

The picture comes through clearly and when I select a channel through Sage, the IR blaster is emitting a sequence as if it is trying to change the channel. But the channel does not change. If I use the comcast remote (same one I used in the learning process), the channel changes correctly.

Can anyone help me figure out why the IR blaster will not change the channel on the comcast box?

[paulbeers]

Are you sure the emitter is over the IR sensor on the cable box?

[ccsmoke]

A flashlight helps to see the ir sensor inside the cable box.

[LWM4P]

Originally Posted by paulbeers

Are you sure the emitter is over the IR sensor on the cable box?

I can see the small area that is the receiving part on the front of the cable box and I have taped it right on top of that...

I will attempt to move it around some more and make sure I am not missing it, but I am pretty doubtful that is it.

[blade]

It might help if you told us what box you have.

I have the RNG110 and the remote it comes with can't be used to teach IR codes. At least not to many devices including the USB-UIRT and Hauppauge blaster. Fortunately Comcast updated the firmware so that older remotes like those used with their Motorola boxes could also control the RNG110. So I'm able to change channels on mine by using the codes for the DCT2000.

If you have the same box that is likely your problem. I think I've also read about some other boxes exhibiting the same behavior.

[LWM4P]

Originally Posted by blade

It might help if you told us what box you have.

I have the RNG110 and the remote it comes with can't be used to teach IR codes. At least not to many devices including the USB-UIRT and Hauppauge blaster. Fortunately Comcast updated the firmware so that older remotes like those used with their Motorola boxes could also control the RNG110. So I'm able to change channels on mine by using the codes for the DCT2000.

If you have the same box that is likely your problem. I think I've also read about some other boxes exhibiting the same behavior.

The box is just a digital converter and is labelled DTA 100/2305/000. The IR config tool seems to successfully learn each button from the remote, but you are saying it could be a remote that other things can't learn from?

[davephan]

I am using two of the Comcast DTA converter set top boxes. The DTA converter boxes have RF inputs and RF outputs. No other I/O connections. So, the quality is marginal, but watchable.

I control both DTA boxes plus a HD cable box with one USB-UIRT. I have experienced a lot of trouble trying to use Hauppauge IR devices in the past, so I never bother using them. I also own a USB-UIRT, so I just use the USB-UIRT. The USB-UIRT easily learns the remote codes for the DTA boxes.

Since the HVR-2250 is a dual tuner, you can feed the HVR-2250 with two DTA boxes. One DTA box is set for channel 3, the other DTA box is set for channel 4. I feed both DTA RF outputs into a Tru Spec model SC-3 signal combiner. The output of the signal combiner feeds the single RF input connection on the HVR-2250. A simple, cheaper splitter will not work. Both channel 3 and channel 4 RF signals will cancel each other out, leaving your with nothing.

Here is more information about the SC-3 signal combiner:
http://www.altex.com/Tru-Spec-Channe...3-P142591.aspx

I bought the signal combiner a swap fest more than a decade ago. The SC-3 is a passive device, and requires no power. I do not know anything about Altex.com. The web site does have a good picture of the device. I think I bought the SC-3 for less than $20.

There is a very nice USB-UIRT 3 zone wiring diagram by ShadeBlue.com on post number 105 of this link:
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...?t=5291&page=6


Dave

[LWM4P]

Thanks. I had read a lot about the USB-UIRT and that it worked well, I guess I will just go that route.

Just a shame that I basically have an IR blaster right here and it won't do the job.