USB-UIRT IR Blasters...where do you get them?

[tvmaster2]

The USB-UIRT only seems to have a single IR connector. What if you've got two or three boxes to blast to? Do people buy these, or make them. If the former, where do you get them?
If you make them, does anyone have a writing schematic?

[peternm22]

The USB-UIRT essentially has 3 "zones". The 1st zone is just the built in transmitter. The second two zones are from the mini jack port on the USB-UIRT. This mini jack port is a stereo connector, so two different zones can be used via the single jack.

There are cables available for sale that work with the port, but you need to be sure they are wired correctly. See here for some more information: https://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4634

There is another option depending on your cable/satellite box. Some of them allow you to setup different remote addresses for each box. The Shaw Direct boxes in Canada allow this (I think they support 3 different remote addresses). After setting the addresses on the cable/satellite box, you would teach SageTV (via the USB-UIRT) the codes for each box (since each box now has different codes). Then you would just position the USB-UIRT so that it can send IR codes to all the boxes at once, this way you don't need any external emitters connected to the USB-UIRT. Each box would have different IR codes, so they won't interfere with one another. Again, this depends on whether or not your cable/satellite box supports this feature.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by peternm22

The USB-UIRT essentially has 3 "zones". The 1st zone is just the built in transmitter. The second two zones are from the mini jack port on the USB-UIRT. This mini jack port is a stereo connector, so two different zones can be used via the single jack.

There are cables available for sale that work with the port, but you need to be sure they are wired correctly. See here for some more information: https://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4634

There is another option depending on your cable/satellite box. Some of them allow you to setup different remote addresses for each box. The Shaw Direct boxes in Canada allow this (I think they support 3 different remote addresses). After setting the addresses on the cable/satellite box, you would teach SageTV (via the USB-UIRT) the codes for each box (since each box now has different codes). Then you would just position the USB-UIRT so that it can send IR codes to all the boxes at once, this way you don't need any external emitters connected to the USB-UIRT. Each box would have different IR codes, so they won't interfere with one another. Again, this depends on whether or not your cable/satellite box supports this feature.

As far as I know, only Shaw Direct/Echostar/Dish Network boxes support the multiple remote addresses (8 of them I think). Of course, if I was using Dish network today, I'd be using UPnP tuning via ethernet instead of IR.

[SteveW]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

As far as I know, only Shaw Direct/Echostar/Dish Network boxes support the multiple remote addresses (8 of them I think). Of course, if I was using Dish network today, I'd be using UPnP tuning via ethernet instead of IR.

And Bell Canada, which uses basically the Dish equipment.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by SteveW

And Bell Canada, which uses basically the Dish equipment.

Yeah, I think I was confusing Shaw with Bell.

[KryptoNyte]

You can purchase them direct from John, or via Amazon.

http://www.usbuirt.com/order.htm

https://www.amazon.com/Jon-Rhees-USB.../dp/B005TX3LOU

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

You can purchase them direct from John, or via Amazon.

http://www.usbuirt.com/order.htm

https://www.amazon.com/Jon-Rhees-USB.../dp/B005TX3LOU

I already have the unit, I just need the cables/IR emitters. Do you recommend one that would feed two, seperate, independent boxes?

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

As far as I know, only Shaw Direct/Echostar/Dish Network boxes support the multiple remote addresses (8 of them I think). Of course, if I was using Dish network today, I'd be using UPnP tuning via ethernet instead of IR.

do you have an answer to the original question?

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by peternm22

The USB-UIRT essentially has 3 "zones". The 1st zone is just the built in transmitter. The second two zones are from the mini jack port on the USB-UIRT. This mini jack port is a stereo connector, so two different zones can be used via the single jack.

There are cables available for sale that work with the port, but you need to be sure they are wired correctly. See here for some more information: https://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4634

There is another option depending on your cable/satellite box. Some of them allow you to setup different remote addresses for each box. The Shaw Direct boxes in Canada allow this (I think they support 3 different remote addresses). After setting the addresses on the cable/satellite box, you would teach SageTV (via the USB-UIRT) the codes for each box (since each box now has different codes). Then you would just position the USB-UIRT so that it can send IR codes to all the boxes at once, this way you don't need any external emitters connected to the USB-UIRT. Each box would have different IR codes, so they won't interfere with one another. Again, this depends on whether or not your cable/satellite box supports this feature.

Thanks, that should get me started. I saw there were some two and three emitter cables on Amazon, but wasn't sure if they'd work properly, as they appear to be mono, aka one IR emitter.
As a Shaw user, the eight addresses come in quite handy. Surprised more companies who use RF don't realize this.
As would be expected, most of the links in those threads are dead. The joys of internet history. Essentially, the 1/8" plug is a tip-ring-sleeve type plug, so to drive two independent boxes, a stereo-to-left-right cable would work, feeding two IR emitter cables, correct?

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

Essentially, the 1/8" plug is a tip-ring-sleeve type plug, so to drive two independent boxes, a stereo-to-left-right cable would work, feeding two IR emitter cables, correct?

When I had two cable boxes to control that's how I did it. Had a stereo splitter that fed two emitters.

[wayner]

It would also be pretty easy to wire this up yourself. Step 1 is to cut off a plug from an old set of headphones and you could then either wire it up to two female jacks for the IR emitters, or cut the plugs off of the IR emitters and twist the wire onto the plug that you created in step 1 using the ground for both emitters, tip for one channel and ring for the other.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by Taddeusz

When I had two cable boxes to control that's how I did it. Had a stereo splitter that fed two emitters.

The Hauppauge Blaster cables I have are smaller, 2.5mm I think, but the output of the USB-UIRT is 3.5mm ( 1/8") does that sound right?

[JustFred]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

The Hauppauge Blaster cables I have are smaller, 2.5mm I think, but the output of the USB-UIRT is 3.5mm (1/8") does that sound right?

Hauppauge uses 2.5mm. The jack on USB-UIRT is 3.5mm ( 1/8"). But be careful not to buy the dual (or triple) emitter listed on Amazon, as all of those emitters would be controlled via a single zone.

Instead, what's needed is a 1/8" Y splitter to take the "stereo" tip-ring-sleeve output to two separate "left" and "right" (tip-sleeve) connectors, which connect to two SINGLE emitters (Zone 1 & 2). Zone 3 continues to blast from the USB-UIRT's internal emitter.

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

The Hauppauge Blaster cables I have are smaller, 2.5mm I think, but the output of the USB-UIRT is 3.5mm ( 1/8") does that sound right?

The stuff I had was all 3.5mm.

[TechBill]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

As far as I know, only Shaw Direct/Echostar/Dish Network boxes support the multiple remote addresses (8 of them I think). Of course, if I was using Dish network today, I'd be using UPnP tuning via ethernet instead of IR.

Dish Network have Ethernet tuning now??

I know DirectTV boxes supported it for a long time since I used to tune it with Ethernet


Bill

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by TechBill

Dish Network have Ethernet tuning now??

I know DirectTV boxes supported it for a long time since I used to tune it with Ethernet


Bill

Yes. It's not the same protocol/method as the DirecTV boxes, and I'm not sure what all boxes are supported, but it utilizes UPnP to do it. Some info over here: https://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63608

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by JustFred

Hauppauge uses 2.5mm. The jack on USB-UIRT is 3.5mm ( 1/8"). But be careful not to buy the dual (or triple) emitter listed on Amazon, as all of those emitters would be controlled via a single zone.

Instead, what's needed is a 1/8" Y splitter to take the "stereo" tip-ring-sleeve output to two separate "left" and "right" (tip-sleeve) connectors, which connect to two SINGLE emitters (Zone 1 & 2). Zone 3 continues to blast from the USB-UIRT's internal emitter.

so you CAN have a third box, but it needs to be line-of-sight to the UIRT?

[Paul H]

so you CAN have a third box, but it needs to be line-of-sight to the UIRT?

OR, if you don't mind voiding the UIRT warranty and are handy with an soldering iron, you can:
open the UIRT case
remove the PC board
locate the IR emitter (flasher)
(note the polarity emitter)
replace it with standard IR flasher with the plug cut and leads tinned. (cut the cable length as required)
route the cable out the rear of the case
BTW you can check the operation of the flashers with the camera on your cell phone.

if you want to isolate the emissions from other devices, you the can mask the IR with electrical tape. I have (old) Xantech 'mouse' emitters and blocking covers you may be able to find covers for your brand of emitter.

[mgpaulus]

Using the aforementioned splitter (Make sure you are using a stereo to mono splitter, that breaks out Left and Right channels, and NOT a stereo/stereo "Y" splitter), and these cables http://www.ebay.com/itm/TiVo-to-DTA-...QAAOSw7aBVJGPl, I am controlling 2 Xfinity STBs w/o using emitters.

[wayner]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

so you CAN have a third box, but it needs to be line-of-sight to the UIRT?

Yes, exactly, and you will have to shield the IR receivers on your other boxes so that it doesn't hit them as well.