Using Sage to change channels on UK NTL/Telewest Set top box

[newschapmj1]

You want to be able to set SageTV to record 6 programs on 6 different channels with no manual intervention.

These notes apply to the NTL Pace Di4000N and to the Telewest Pace 4000.
No attempt has been made to change any other functions on the STB.

There are alternative solutions see section 10 below

Thanks to those who have patiently answered my questions on the forum and by email.

Particular thanks to bmadgett.


Assumption
You have got XMTLV working and providing you with reliable listing for all your TV channels.
You are using the latest SageTV 2.020.

Solution

1 Buy a lead.
http://www.redremote.co.uk/serial
Be careful to buy the serial lead ie plugs into 9 pin com port There is another lead designed for remote controls which does a different job!

This is a 3M lead which should give you flexibility in siting your SageTV PC near TV and STB.
You stick one of the lead on the receiver of the STB and the other in your com port.
(it is well documented on the redremote web site)

2 Download the driver (no extra cost)
http://www.redremote.co.uk/serial

download bottom option "Command-Line driver"
unzipped eg to c:\redeye

3 Download the Sage exeTunerPlugIn (no extra cost)
http://www.freytechnologies.com/configuration.html
(More downloads: ExeTunerPlugIn )

http://www.freytechnologies.com/2_pa...unerPlugin.zip
Unzip to a temp directory.
Move EXETunerPlugin.dll Program Files\Frey Technologies\Common

(Note the lack of documentation in readme.txt and be grateful for the forum and its members! <g>)

4 Create a registry entry
in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Sage\EXETunerPlugin
In this folder create new string value named "command" of type REG_SZ.

In the data string type "c:\redeye\redeye2.exe" "!!%CHANNEL%!!!!!!!!B"
(note the 4 quotation marks should be present)

"This pauses a short bit, performs the channel change, pauses another couple
of seconds, then presses the blue button (on Telewest this will get rid of
the "Press Red" indicator at the top of some channels, which doesn't always
vanish by itself). I put the pauses in because it just seems to be a bit
more reliable with them there - somehow it got ahead of itself or something
if I didn't have them" (bmadgett)

I'm assuming that you are using com port 1
(if not, you need a parameter for -port=COM2)

5 TV source
You can no longer use the tuner to pick up the 5 terrestial, and 1 NTL channel (52) on mine.

Obtain a scart to svideo conversion lead eg Maplins

Take the scart output from the NTL box (TV out or VCR) with converter and plug into the Svideo port of your TV card
(mine is a PVR-350).


6 Reconfigure your video sources
ie setup, setup wizard,
"Add new source"
Pick your capture card,
setup wizard, Please Select the input on the video capture device:
SVideo selected
tuning option, Use External Cable or Satellite receiver... selected
Select Tuning Plugin, EXE Tuner Plugin selected
Programming Guide, Use programming guide with this source
Programming Guide Data Provider, Cable or Satellite
Use the Zip code 00000
Select XMLTV lineup
Level of service, selected Basic service (in my case- I do not use detailed RT listings at the moment)

7 Channel setup
Displays list of channels based on your XMLTV setup
You need to each channel remapped to the channel number on your NTL/Telewest STB
eg for me Sky One should say "30 - Sky One..."
If does not use the remap comand, map to a different channel number, type 30
Exit the Channel setup screen and return and the Sky One channel should now say "30 - Sky One.."
Repeat the remapping with each channel
It is this number that gets sent to the Registry entry and then by the redeye2.exe to the NTL tuner.
Exit SageTV and return to make sure all settings are in place.

8 Testing
Test it out by going to the Live TV Guide
Select a channel.
You should get a DOS window appearing "Wrote 14 bytes". The NTL box should retune and the preview window
show the new channel. The DOS window closes automatically.
This takes say 5-10 secs to complete.

9 Obvious debugging.
a Checking the redeye software works outside Sage
Go to the command prompt
paste c:\redeye\redeye2.exe "!!30!!!!!!!!B"

This should set NTL to channel 30 and get message "Wrote 13 bytes"
If not check syntax, lead plugged in and stuck in the correct place.

b Check the registry entry is correct

10 Alternative Hardware for changing channels
Red-rat more expensive and probably overkill if you just want to change channels
http://www.redrat.co.uk/ (£57.02 (ex. VAT & deliv)
Not seen anyone post about this one and NTL

USB-UIRT works (slightly more expensive, but I think USB is definitely more trendy <g>)
http://forums.freytechnologies.com/f...?threadid=5168
You can order direct from the UK now.
http://www.usbuirt.com/order.htm $63


11 Different PACE boxes
If it's a 4001 then it looks like you need to send a command string to the RedRemote to tell it to
switch to RC5 rather than IrDA commands. IrDA is the shipped default and
that's what you need for the 4000.
-this is untested by me

Hope this helps.