Problem with USB-UIRT

[parkimar]

Hi,

I am running Sage 2.2.2 on Win XP (Service Pack 1) and have found a bit of an annoyance.

Basically, I use a USB UIRT to change the channels on my digital decoder.
What I've found, is that sometimes the channel change is too slow for my box and it resets to the channel being watched.

I went into the tuner setup and then into the channel changer, but whenever I try and change the time between signals, max number of digits in a channel, none of the changes are saved.

Does anyone else experience this, or know how to change these values.

Cheers

Mark

[parkimar]

Bump

[Opus4]

The settings for the device that the USB-UIRT is to control are in a <devicename>.ir file found in "Frey Technologies\Common\RemoteCodes\USB-UIRT Transceiver". Is that file read-only for some reason? Does the file listed for Tuner Control on the Source Details screen for the tuner exist?

- Andy

[parkimar]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the reply.

the file does exist, and is not read only.

Here's a copy of it :-

USB-UIRT IR file
RepeatCount 3
0 0000 0073 0000 000B 0020 0021 0040 0021 0020 0041 0040 0041 0040 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0CCE
1 0000 0073 0000 000B 0020 0021 0020 0021 0040 0041 0040 0041 0040 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0041 0020 0CAD
2 0000 0073 0000 000A 0020 0021 0040 0021 0020 0041 0040 0041 0040 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0041 0040 0CCD
3 0000 0073 0000 000B 0020 0021 0020 0021 0040 0041 0040 0041 0040 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0041 0020 0021 0020 0CAE
4 0000 0073 0000 000A 0020 0021 0040 0021 0020 0041 0040 0041 0040 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0041 0040 0021 0020 0CCB
5 0000 0073 0000 000A 0020 0021 0020 0021 0040 0041 0040 0041 0040 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0041 0040 0041 0020 0CAA
6 0000 0073 0000 000A 0020 0021 0040 0021 0020 0041 0040 0041 0040 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0041 0020 0021 0040 0CCD
7 0000 0073 0000 000B 0020 0021 0020 0021 0040 0041 0040 0041 0040 0021 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0041 0020 0021 0020 0021 0020 0CAB
8 0000 0073 0000 000A 0020 0021 0040 0021 0020 0041 0040 0041 0040 0021 0020 0021 0020 0041 0040 0021 0020 0021 0020 0CCC
9 0000 0073 0000 000A 0020 0021 0020 0021 0040 0041 0040 0041 0040 0021 0020 0021 0020 0041 0040 0021 0020 0041 0020 0CAA

Cheers

Mark

[Opus4]

What about the line before RepeatCount? The sample file & my custom created device ir file both have a line before RepeatCount where those delays values are stored.

If it isn't there, have you tried going though the Setup Wizard again for that source & recreate the device for the USB-UIRT to control?

- Andy

[parkimar]

I'll give it a try and get back to you.

Thanks

Mark

[jphhughes]

This is a sample of the first several lines in my USB-UIRT .ir file
SciAtl4200USBUIRT 56000 411 3 600 1000
RepeatCount 4
1 0000 0049 0000 0018 00bf 00b8 0030 008f 0030 008f 0030 0030 0030 008f 0030 008f 0030 0030 0030 0030 0030 0030 0030 0030 0030 008f 0030 0030 0030 0030 0030 0030 0030 008f 0030 0030 0030 0030 0030 008f 0030 008f 0030 008f 0030 008f 0030 0030 0030 0090 0030 076a
2

I would guess that the 600 and 1000 number are the ones to be changed to get faster channel changing. Can you confirm this is correct and suggest a fater setting. Thanks

[Opus4]

As far as I recall, those would be the numbers to change, since they match those shown in the menu where you can change them. If they are not changing from the menu for you too, I'm not sure why those changes are not taking effect, but you could try changing them while SageTV is not running & then restart SageTV.

See p. 121 in the v2.1 manual. Those numbers will affect the delay between codes & between channel changes.

- Andy

[jphhughes]

Andy thanks for the help. I reduced the delay to 500M (from 1000)for channel changes, but it did not seem to make much difference. Are these values retrived by SageTV from these files or are they stored somwhere in the properties file. I made the changes to the ir file with SageTV no running. The USB-UIRT appears to blast the number to the STB quite fast but then the banner comes up on the TV set from the STB and it seems to take a great deal of time before changing the channel. I have cablevision digital service using a Scientific Atlantic 4200 STG. Since you are in the NJ area as well just wounder if you have same situation.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by jphhughes

Are these values retrived by SageTV from these files or are they stored somwhere in the properties file.

Just the ir file, as far as I know.

The USB-UIRT appears to blast the number to the STB quite fast but then the banner comes up on the TV set from the STB and it seems to take a great deal of time before changing the channel.

Maybe the STB is waiting before doing the channel change? Can you add a code to be sent after the channel change to tell the STB that the # is fully entered & to change NOW? Perhaps try adding the code for the STB remote's OK/Enter button & add that as the "Channel Change Confirm Code".

Since you are in the NJ area as well just wounder if you have same situation.

Nope, not at all. I don't use a converter of any kind. (I do have a USB-UIRT, but that was just to allow me to cover using IR blasters in the manual. I taught it my TV's codes & tested having it change those channels.)

- Andy

[jphhughes]

Originally Posted by Opus4

Just the ir file, as far as I know.

Maybe the STB is waiting before doing the channel change? Can you add a code to be sent after the channel change to tell the STB that the # is fully entered & to change NOW? Perhaps try adding the code for the STB remote's OK/Enter button & add that as the "Channel Change Confirm Code".


- Andy

When I enter the channel number to change too , I hit select. The select executes the channel change if I don't enter iselect it just times out without any channel change. When I enter the channel numbers and press the select key you can see the cable box respond very quickly, however it then shows the channel change banner on the tv and then shows the channel change on the TV and then waits a second or two before actually changing the channel. Its almost like it doing the change twice. thanks for the continue help. Quess I will just have to live with the delay . By the way I also use MCE2005 and the channel change is very fast so it must handel it differently.

[Opus4]

Oh -- do you mean the delay you are seeing because the visual feedback of a changed channel is going through SageTV's recording process before being played back? I'm not exactly sure how to speed that up, if there is a way, since I never had to deal with it.

All my previous reply was referring to was adding a code that SageTV would send to the STB to tell it that the channel number is complete & to go ahead & change instead of waiting to be sure there is no more input coming. I'm not sure if this is part of your delay or not. Anyone out there actually doing this who cares to comment? As I said above, I've used & tested things with the USB-UIRT, but not with an actual STB feeding into a tuner. I did add that "Enter" code to make my TV change immediately instead of waiting, though -- w/o the confirm code, the TV would sit for a few seconds before changing the channel; with the code, it would change as soon as SageTV finished transmitting the channel numbers + confirm code.

- Andy

[jphhughes]

After more testing I believe it is the "enter" function that is missing. As you described it the TV will sit for a few seconds before changing the channnel.

I suppose I could just delete the sources and add them and go through the process of creating a new ir file. The reason I am hesitant to do that is that I have two files being used for two STB using the zone control of the UIRT . I had to create these files form the original. Perhaps something got edited out when I did that. Thanks again .

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by jphhughes

After more testing I believe it is the "enter" function that is missing. ...

I suppose I could just delete the sources and add them and go through the process of creating a new ir file.

While adding a new source, you only teach it the number codes (0-9). To add additional codes, you go to Source Details, select Tuner Control, and "Learn New Command". Since you are using zones, you'll probably have to edit the ir file afterwards to add the zone data for the new command. See p. 120 of the v2.1 manual.

So... the good news is that you don't have to reinstall the sources (nor do you even want to).

- Andy

[jphhughes]

Andy thanks to you I am getting closer. I have the ENTER command (which is acutally Select on the remote) learned and added to the ir files. (zone 1 zone2). I then went to the "remote Control Options" the catagory "channel change confirm code:" was blank so I selected it (although nothing higlighed) and got the pop up menu with the avaliable codes, whihc in my case were 0-9 and enter. I selected enter. However nothing still appeared in that entry. Should "enter" appear in the entry? The reason I ask is that the channel changing has not improved still the same. SO maybe the enter command is not taking hold. Any ideas. Thanks

[Opus4]

As far as I know, "Enter" should appear as the selection after you choose it. If it isn't saving it to that ir file, edit it manually: copy the name of that command & place that name at the end of the first line, such as:

SciAtl4200USBUIRT 56000 411 3 600 1000 ENTER

I don't know if it is case sensitive, which is why I suggested copying & pasting the name as it is in the file.

- Andy

[jphhughes]

Ok I noticed when I did remote codes and added enter SageTv creates another ir files which looks like a duplicate of the original and places the enter comand at the end of the first line as it was typed in the remote control setting. So I took that file renamed it zone1 duplicated it and named it zone2. Still no love. The STB changes very quickly but the the tv still sits their for about two seconds before changing the channel. It seems like the enter is not being passed to the Tv. As I said before I have a Tv upstairs that has the same STB and when I hit enter the channel changes instantly. I owoul hve to believe tha other on this forum are using the Scientific Atlantic 4200 so maybe one of those people will help. thanks again.

[reboot_this]

don't know if this will help anyone...

this is the original file contents from my install file:

MotDCT2000USBUIRT 37616 411 3 600 1000
RepeatCount 10
1 0000 006c 0012 0002 0157 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 04a6 0157 0057 0013 0d3c
2 0000 006c 0012 0002 0157 00ac 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 04fc 0157 0057 0013 0d3c
3 0000 006c 0012 0002 0157 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 04a6 0157 0057 0013 0d3c
4 0000 006c 0012 0002 0157 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 0552 0157 0057 0013 0d3c
5 0000 006c 0012 0002 0157 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 04a6 0157 0057 0013 0d3c
6 0000 006c 0012 0002 0157 00ac 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 04fc 0157 0057 0013 0d3c
7 0000 006c 0012 0002 0157 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 04a6 0157 0057 0013 0d3c
8 0000 006c 0012 0002 0157 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 05a8 0157 0057 0013 0d3c
9 0000 006c 0012 0002 0157 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 04a6 0157 0057 0013 0d3c
0 0000 006c 0012 0002 0157 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0654 0157 0057 0013 0d3c
Enter 0000 006c 0012 0002 0157 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 04a6 0157 0057 0013 0d3c
Guide 0000 006c 0012 0002 0157 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 04a7 0157 0057 0013 0d41
Exit 0000 006c 0012 0002 0157 00ac 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 0056 0013 00ac 0013 00ac 0013 04a7 0157 0057 0013 0d41


I changed the parameters in lines one and two only.... I messed around with it alot, I went from a state of "push the button to change the channel, and while it did that I would go get a beer" to a state of "damn that blinks pretty fast now, darnit I need to pause now that I'm on the channel I want so I can go get a beer"

I changed the parameters to :

MotDCT2000USBUIRT 37616 411 3 150 250 Exit
RepeatCount 5

you'll notice that I put "Exit" at the end of line one (this helps get rid of the info bar from the cable company in a matter of nanoseconds rather than the normal 5 seconds)

just play with the settings in increments and work your way down to lower (lower means faster, obviously) until your box hiccups, then go up a notch for better reliability...

hope that helps

[parkimar]

Hi,

thanks for all the help guys.
I changed the parameters in the file manually and sage picks up the changes . (Sage still won't change them itself, but I can live with that).

However I have found another issue, which I believe is related to the USB- UIRT, not sage, but wondered if anyone had any ideas.

When I have codes like 500, the STB ignores the second doubled up digit. e.g. 599 becomes 59, 500 becomes 50.
(I believe these are called RC5-type codes where the second duplicate digit needs transmitting differently so as the STB doesn't interpret it as a held down key press).
I've posted this on the USB-UIRT forum, but wondered if anyone had seen it before ?

Cheers

Mark

[jphhughes]

SUCCESS! It all came down to learning the Select code from the Cable remote correctly. Although this was not easy as the learning that worked just had Sage sitting thir telling me to press the button on the remote until learned , it just seemed to sit their forever. So I gave up looked in the file that was created and used the code and it worked. Guess I got lucky. Thanks everyone. All the bits and pieces provided in this thread led me to the proper understanding to solve this problem.