two hauppauge units IR Blaster software

[tvmaster2]

Is there any way to install two, seperate instances of Hauppauge IR Blaster software to independently control two different hauppauge cards? Sage can handle the two set-top box tv guides, but only one instance of irremote.ini seems to be installed.
any idea how to get around that, without using additional hardware like UI remote, or whatever it's called?

[sic0048]

No. You cannot use more than one instance of the Hauppauge IR program. It is a Hauppauge limitation.

You'll need to find an alternative option to run the 2nd unit. There are two options.

1) Buy another IR blaster - something like the USB-UIRT. Of course if you buy one of the USB-UIRTs you can control both units with it and not use the Hauppauge unit at all. I think this is the simplest solution. However..........

2) Some providers allow you to change the IR codes of the STB. I know Dish has several sets of codes built in, so it is relatively easy to change the code. However, the Hauppauge unit cannot learn IR codes even though the program says it can. That is to say that I have NEVER seen anyone be successful at training the Hauppuage IR blaster. So in order to work, the 2nd set of IR codes must be already in the Hauppauge database. I'm not sure if they are or not.

If you can change the 2nd STB to another set of codes, then 1 blaster will work. It will send out a unique set of codes for each box. Each box will act on the set of codes they are programmed for and simply ignore the other codes. So "123 - code set A" on the first box will change the channel, but won't do anything on the 2nd box and "123 - code set B" will change the channel on the 2nd box and won't do anything on the 1st box, etc, etc, etc.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by sic0048

No. You cannot use more than one instance of the Hauppauge IR program. It is a Hauppauge limitation.

You'll need to find an alternative option to run the 2nd unit. There are two options.

1) Buy another IR blaster - something like the USB-UIRT. Of course if you buy one of the USB-UIRTs you can control both units with it and not use the Hauppauge unit at all. I think this is the simplest solution. However..........

2) Some providers allow you to change the IR codes of the STB. I know Dish has several sets of codes built in, so it is relatively easy to change the code. However, the Hauppauge unit cannot learn IR codes even though the program says it can. That is to say that I have NEVER seen anyone be successful at training the Hauppuage IR blaster. So in order to work, the 2nd set of IR codes must be already in the Hauppauge database. I'm not sure if they are or not.

If you can change the 2nd STB to another set of codes, then 1 blaster will work. It will send out a unique set of codes for each box. Each box will act on the set of codes they are programmed for and simply ignore the other codes. So "123 - code set A" on the first box will change the channel, but won't do anything on the 2nd box and "123 - code set B" will change the channel on the 2nd box and won't do anything on the 1st box, etc, etc, etc.

I know I can change the code base on my satellite box, however, Hauppauge will only understand code 0000, so that is out. my cable box has 1394, so could try that, but all the links I've found for FireWire channel changes seem a bit above my technical expertise

[sic0048]

I forgot about the wirewire option if you are on a provider whose STB is compatible. I'm on Dish and cannot use firewire, so out of sight out of mind....

I think those three options are really the only available:

1) buy IR blaster like USB-UIRT

2) try to change STB code to another one that the Hauppauge IR blaster likes and can use

3) use firewire instead of the IR blaster.

Basically you HAVE to find an alternative for the 2nd box since the Hauppauge IR program will only work with one Hauppauge tuner, regardless of how many tuners are installed.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that is about it.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by sic0048

I forgot about the wirewire option if you are on a provider whose STB is compatible. I'm on Dish and cannot use firewire, so out of sight out of mind....

I think those three options are really the only available:

1) buy IR blaster like USB-UIRT

2) try to change STB code to another one that the Hauppauge IR blaster likes and can use

3) use firewire instead of the IR blaster.

Basically you HAVE to find an alternative for the 2nd box since the Hauppauge IR program will only work with one Hauppauge tuner, regardless of how many tuners are installed.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that is about it.

that's what I was afraid of. If only Hauppauge would build in changeable address code capabilities, or allow for multiple instances of BlastCfg, then we'd be laughing. Eventually I will have to submit to yet another piece of hardware i suppose, namely the USB-UIRT

[jptheripper]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

that's what I was afraid of. If only Hauppauge would build in changeable address code capabilities, or allow for multiple instances of BlastCfg, then we'd be laughing. Eventually I will have to submit to yet another piece of hardware i suppose, namely the USB-UIRT

Unfortunately i came to this same conclusion after going back and forth with hauppauge support. They (at least at the time) had no plans to modify blastcfg to support multiple tuners.

very frustrating. I purchased an usb-uirt and never looked back.

[stanger89]

Of course it shouldn't be lost on anyone that the USB-UIRT is just a way better solution, supporting multiple zones and none of the flakyness with getting it working like the Hauppauge solution has.