STB Firewire (IEEE-1394) Support - Page 100

AJ Bertelson · #**1981** 04-27-2010, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoful

If you're using SgraphRecorder you use 'none or external tuning' - the SgraphRecorder.ini file defines what program tunes the channel (like Tim Moore's channel.exe or channelw.exe). Sage just passes the channel number to the network encoder.

Well I understand that the sgraphrecorder just interfaces with timmmoores software.

What I don't understand is how I can use timmmoores software from a command line to change channels but sagetv can't.

scoful · #**1982** 04-28-2010, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ Bertelson

Well I understand that the sgraphrecorder just interfaces with timmmoores software.

What I don't understand is how I can use timmmoores software from a command line to change channels but sagetv can't.

AJ - not sure, but I was reviewing the .INI file you posted - I don't think it supports spaces in the directory path (Program Files). It may support it in quotes or you may need to move it to a simplified path (Like "c:\sgraph\channelw.exe")

or try using 8.3 file paths - like "c:\progra~1\Timmoore\channelw.exe" or whatever.

AJ Bertelson · #**1983** 04-28-2010, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoful

or try using 8.3 file paths - like "c:\progra~1\Timmoore\channelw.exe" or whatever.

I will give this a try tonight, currently my .ini file looks like this.

[; Port is the port number that this network encoder will listen to commands
; from Sage on. Use this when setting up the network encoder in Sage.
[System]
Port=6969

[Graph]
FileName=sgr1.grf
TuningDelay=3200
UnloadGraphOnStop=1
UnloadGraphOnSwitch=0

[ExeTuner]
UseExeTuner=1
ExeTunerPath=C:\Program Files\Timmmoore\MCE 2005 STB
Controller\channelw.exe -v -f -2

I removed the file location for the sgr1.grf (does context matter? I think my sgr file is SGR1.grf) and also removed the a from the -a2 in the exetunerpath. I also added a delay to the tunning and that helped a lot with the encoder kicking in reliably. I still can't change channels though. Its so frustrating because it feels like I am so close.

My sage properties file is copied word for word from the pdf and I can post it tonight. I changed the ip address from 127.0.0.0 to 192.168.0.1 last night to see if it would make a difference as that was my servers address, I didn't have the opportunity to try that out though

nyplayer · #**1984** 04-28-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AJ Bertelson

I will give this a try tonight, currently my .ini file looks like this.

[; Port is the port number that this network encoder will listen to commands
; from Sage on. Use this when setting up the network encoder in Sage.
[System]
Port=6969

[Graph]
FileName=sgr1.grf
TuningDelay=3200
UnloadGraphOnStop=1
UnloadGraphOnSwitch=0

[ExeTuner]
UseExeTuner=1
ExeTunerPath=C:\Program Files\Timmmoore\MCE 2005 STB
Controller\channelw.exe -v -f -2

I removed the file location for the sgr1.grf (does context matter? I think my sgr file is SGR1.grf) and also removed the a from the -a2 in the exetunerpath. I also added a delay to the tunning and that helped a lot with the encoder kicking in reliably. I still can't change channels though. Its so frustrating because it feels like I am so close.

My sage properties file is copied word for word from the pdf and I can post it tonight. I changed the ip address from 127.0.0.0 to 192.168.0.1 last night to see if it would make a difference as that was my servers address, I didn't have the opportunity to try that out though

Why don't you copy the channel.dll, channel .exe and channelw.exe to a directory from C:\Program Files\Timmmoore\MCE 2005 STB
Controller\... for ex mine is in c:\gethd (make it a simple path)... also include the full path of your graph. I always keep it simple avoid long paths with spaces etc....

Code:

; Port is the port number that this network encoder will listen to commands
; from Sage on. Use this when setting up the network encoder in Sage.
[System]
Port=6969

; FileName is the name of graph to use. This graph should contain 1 instance
; of a "dump" filter that implements the IFileSink interface.
; TuningDelay is the number of milliseconds to wait after a channel change with 
; Girder until the graph is started again.
[Graph]
FileName="C:\GETHD\srg1.GRF"
TuningDelay=5000
UnloadGraphOnStop=1
UnloadGraphOnSwitch=1

; Set UseGirder to 1 to use Girder to change channel.
; Event to send to Girder will be string after GirderPrefix + channel number,
; for exampel "Channel1" (without the "" signs).
; The GirderIndividualNumbers controls if the whole channel number is sent in one
; event or if individual events is sent to Girder for each number in the channel.
; set it to 0 for events that looks like this "Channel791" and
; to 1 for "Channel7", "Channel9", "Channel1" with your actual prefix instead 
; of channel of course. If GirderIndividualNumbers=1 the sequence is ended with an 
; extra GirderPrefix without a number as an enter for the stb.
; Set GirderInterNumberTimeSpacing to number of milliseconds to wait between the 
; individual numbers
; Configure host, port and password to Girder settings

[Girder]
UseGirder=0
GirderHost=127.0.0.1
GirderPort=1024
GirderPassword=
GirderPrefix=Channel
GirderIndividualNumbers=1
GirderInterNumberTimeSpacing=10

; The ExeTuner section is used to call another program to change channel.
; Set UseExeTuner to 1 to use this.
; The program indicated in ExeTunerPath will be called with the cannel number as
; the only parameter. Provide the complete path to the Tuner program.

[ExeTuner]
UseExeTuner=1
ExeTunerPath=C:\GETHD\channelw.exe -v -f 2

realdiehl · #**1985** 04-28-2010, 10:57 AM

I apologize if this is considered hi-jacking this thread, but this seemed like the perfect place to post this question.

I have a Motorola DCT6200/2005 STB from Comcast. I am running a HDPVR with Sage and am looking to use firewire to change channels only. I followed the directions that I received when I downloaded the plugin for "Firewire Channel Change + ExeMultiTuner". I realize I don't have multiple tuners, but I figured it wouldn't matter if I didn't connect other tuners.

Long story short, I can change channels using the command-line. However, when I go to configure the sources in Sage, it doesn't give man an option to use firewire. Can anyone help me figure out what I'm doing wrong? I'm so close, yet so far!

Thank you in advance,
Kurt

nyplayer · #**1986** 04-28-2010, 11:20 AM

When you add the source select SGraphRecorder source then 1394 then choose external cable or satellite

realdiehl · #**1987** 04-28-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyplayer

When you add the source select SGraphRecorder source then 1394 then choose external cable or satellite

That's what doesn't display. I see no difference in my source configuration options. Do you have any other suggestions? I'd love to get this working and I have a feeling it's something small that I'm missing. Also keep in mind that I only want to use firewire for changing channels. I have my HDPVR for recording.

nyplayer · #**1988** 04-28-2010, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realdiehl

That's what doesn't display. I see no difference in my source configuration options. Do you have any other suggestions? I'd love to get this working and I have a feeling it's something small that I'm missing. Also keep in mind that I only want to use firewire for changing channels. I have my HDPVR for recording.

You have to edit the sage.properties file and add the tuner copy the code below before you can add it... anywhere in the properties file.

Code:

mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/provider_id=
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/tuning_mode=Cable
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/video_crossbar_type=10
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/tuning_mode=Cable
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/video_crossbar_type=2
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/tuning_mode=Cable
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/video_crossbar_index=1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/video_crossbar_type=2
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/tuning_mode=Cable
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/video_crossbar_type=3
mmc/encoders/12346/audio_capture_device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/audio_capture_device_num=0
mmc/encoders/12346/broadcast_standard=
mmc/encoders/12346/capture_config=2058
mmc/encoders/12346/default_device_quality=
mmc/encoders/12346/delay_to_wait_after_tuning=0
mmc/encoders/12346/device_class=
mmc/encoders/12346/encoder_merit=0
mmc/encoders/12346/encoding_host=127.0.0.1\:6969
mmc/encoders/12346/encoding_host_login_md5=
mmc/encoders/12346/forced_video_storage_path_prefix=
mmc/encoders/12346/last_cross_index=0
mmc/encoders/12346/last_cross_type=10
mmc/encoders/12346/live_audio_input=
mmc/encoders/12346/multicast_host=
mmc/encoders/12346/never_stop_encoding=false
mmc/encoders/12346/video_capture_device_name=SGraphRecorder
mmc/encoders/12346/video_capture_device_num=0
mmc/encoders/12346/video_compressor=
mmc/encoders/12346/video_encoding_params=Best

realdiehl · #**1989** 04-28-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyplayer

You have to edit the sage.properties file and add the tuner copy the code below before you can add it... anywhere in the properties file.

Code:

mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/provider_id=
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/tuning_mode=Cable
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/12346/1/0/video_crossbar_type=10
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/tuning_mode=Cable
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/0/video_crossbar_type=2
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/tuning_mode=Cable
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/video_crossbar_index=1
mmc/encoders/12346/2/1/video_crossbar_type=2
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/available_channels=
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/brightness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/contrast=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/hue=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/last_channel=
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/provider_id=0
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/saturation=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/sharpness=-1
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/tuning_mode=Cable
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/tuning_plugin=
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/tuning_plugin_port=0
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/video_crossbar_index=0
mmc/encoders/12346/3/0/video_crossbar_type=3
mmc/encoders/12346/audio_capture_device_name=
mmc/encoders/12346/audio_capture_device_num=0
mmc/encoders/12346/broadcast_standard=
mmc/encoders/12346/capture_config=2058
mmc/encoders/12346/default_device_quality=
mmc/encoders/12346/delay_to_wait_after_tuning=0
mmc/encoders/12346/device_class=
mmc/encoders/12346/encoder_merit=0
mmc/encoders/12346/encoding_host=127.0.0.1\:6969
mmc/encoders/12346/encoding_host_login_md5=
mmc/encoders/12346/forced_video_storage_path_prefix=
mmc/encoders/12346/last_cross_index=0
mmc/encoders/12346/last_cross_type=10
mmc/encoders/12346/live_audio_input=
mmc/encoders/12346/multicast_host=
mmc/encoders/12346/never_stop_encoding=false
mmc/encoders/12346/video_capture_device_name=SGraphRecorder
mmc/encoders/12346/video_capture_device_num=0
mmc/encoders/12346/video_compressor=
mmc/encoders/12346/video_encoding_params=Best

First off, thank you very much for helping with this...I'm relatively skilled with computers, but PVRs is a somewhat new world for me. With that said, I added the code above to the sage.properties file. I noticed that the new source was added to the list. However, I think my wording in my original question may made you give me advice on something else.

I see the source to record from firewire. That's not exactly what I want. What I want to do is record from the Hauppauge HD PVR and use the firewire to change channels on the Motorola DCT6200. The directions you gave me (I think) allow me to record AND change channels from the 6200. Am I looking at that wrong?

Thanks again for your help and sorry for my ignorance to all of this.

AJ Bertelson · #**1990** 04-28-2010, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyplayer

Why don't you copy the channel.dll, channel .exe and channelw.exe to a directory from C:\Program Files\Timmmoore\MCE 2005 STB
Controller\... for ex mine is in c:\gethd (make it a simple path)... also include the full path of your graph. I always keep it simple avoid long paths with spaces etc....

This worked, thanks a lot. Copy those files over and re-run the regdump, then adding the tuner worked really well. The spaces must have messed up.

realdiehl · #**1991** 04-28-2010, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realdiehl

First off, thank you very much for helping with this...I'm relatively skilled with computers, but PVRs is a somewhat new world for me. With that said, I added the code above to the sage.properties file. I noticed that the new source was added to the list. However, I think my wording in my original question may made you give me advice on something else.

I see the source to record from firewire. That's not exactly what I want. What I want to do is record from the Hauppauge HD PVR and use the firewire to change channels on the Motorola DCT6200. The directions you gave me (I think) allow me to record AND change channels from the 6200. Am I looking at that wrong?

Thanks again for your help and sorry for my ignorance to all of this.

Problem solved. I only read about 30 pages of the 100 that are in this thread. I decided to read one more (the page before this one) and discovered the program FWChannelProxy. That did the trick. Thank you again for your willingness to help!

KryptoNyte · #**1992** 05-02-2010, 01:18 PM

I only have about 10 pages of the thread absorbed so far, but maybe a kind soul can give me a quick summary. I currently use an HDHomeRun device with SageTV, works just fine grabbing unencrypted channels from the wall coax from Time Warner (basically just the local 10 channels in HD).

Is this firewire connection that you folks have nailed down here in the last 100 pages the answer to accessing all the encrypted channels that HDHR is not able to grab and save to hard drive (the other 50 HD channels) using a 4250HDC STB (w/2 firewire ports)? Or are we still locked out of saving any of the encrypted cable channels to any device of our own?

UgaData · #**1993** 05-03-2010, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Is this firewire connection that you folks have nailed down here in the last 100 pages the answer to accessing all the encrypted channels that HDHR is not able to grab and save to hard drive (the other 50 HD channels) using a 4250HDC STB (w/2 firewire ports)? Or are we still locked out of saving any of the encrypted cable channels to any device of our own?

The short answer is YES.

The set top box becomes an external tuner when using firewire to capture/record video. In theory, anything the STB can view you can record. In practice your mileage may vary.

The FCC says if a STB has an IEEE1394 port on it it must be functional. However, that doesn't mean the cable co. can't use copy protection to prohibit the recording of individual channels or individual programs.

The drivers for making this work are getting old. They are some what challenging to install and configure. They only work on 32 bit OS (no 64 bit support, at this time). Some newer STB's are not included in the driver package (I am aware that someone updated the original package to include more STB's but I'm not sure they are continuing to do so)

I apologize if my answer is more than what you're looking for. I do like using firewire for capturing video, however it does have a few drawbacks.

GoodLuck

Taddeusz · #**1994** 05-03-2010, 09:06 AM

After long last I've decided to abandon FireWire channel changing and return to my USB-UIRT. The reason for this is because with FW I had to set my record delay to 7500ms so I wouldn't catch the transition between channels. The reason for the high delay is due to the fact that leading zeros are stripped and in the case of a one or two digit channel number my STB waits for further input before changing the channel. The USB-UIRT sends the leading zeros and as a result the channel always changes immediately so I can have a record delay of 3000ms. Under half the time. Not only that but I've reduced the delay between codes on the USB-UIRT so that it sends the digits faster.

The only advantages that I see for FW channel changing are that if it is a three digit channel changing is notably faster and less complicated wiring. The fact that leading zeros aren't sent is quite a disadvantage when you have to up the record delay to compensate.

chuckctv · #**1995** 05-14-2010, 09:41 PM

i fully understand that i need to read and research prior to asking questions, and I will do that, i promise.
but before i put in the time, i just want to request a yes or no, to what i want to do first, if it can be done and easily or not. Also im very pc knowledgable, i hack many things

I want to use my HDPVR 1250 to record the HD channels from my STB. I have the Motorola 6200 unit (cox Cable).

Im running windows 7 (dedicated computer). I bought the card thinking it had the IR-Blaster port and cable, but did NOT HAVE THAT.

I cant return it either. It only has Svideo input, i think I will be fine with this for recording. My STB has the Firewire port.

So all I need is a firewire to firewire cable (PC to STB), SageTV, and the svideo to svideo cable. And thats it??? besides a bit of configuring????
Or am I missing something??

thank you for your time.

chuck
I have HD-Tvs in 3 rooms, and XBMC on all tvs. I record now unsing WMC, and can watch recorded tv on all my TVS now.. But I want to record the HD-Channels instead. I understand the FW-port would not be unencrypted, so I will have to use the A/V outputs to my tv-card for recording. But instead of buying another card with IR-Blaster, seems like yalls FW to FW cable would do the trick.

rrhorer · #**1996** 05-31-2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brent

Help

Following these instructions I happily re-set up firewire channel changing:

1. Downloaded & installed ExeMultiTuner plugin put it in my <SageTV install path>\Common folder on the server PC
2. Re-installed same drivers I was using with my XP install - the ones found here STB Firewire Drivers for Windows Vista/XP/MCE
and downloaded & installed the firest.msi from here: Timmmoore's site. All files were put in C:/STBFirewire directory
3. I rebooted the PC
4. I ran a command prompt and from the directory where the channel.exe and channelw.exe files are I typed "channel -f -a0 2 60" and like clockwork the channel on the cable box changed. Good so far right???
5. Installed the EXEMultiTunerPlugin directory with the exemultituner.reg file and the exemultitunerplugin.dll file in the common directory.
6. copied the stubdevice.ir into the exemultitunerplugin directory, renamed it to 2.ir (the device number of the panel for me is 2) and changed the 2.ir contents to be "2 38000 400 3" and saved it
7. Registry setting was changed to now say this:
c:\STBFirewire\channelw.exe -f -a0 %DEVICE% %CHANNEL%
8. Started up SageTV (in service mode as always) and added the HD-PVR as a tuner selecting EXEMultiTuner Plugin as the channel changer. Had to go back to select "2" later as it didn't do that for me.

The problem is, it won't change channels in SageTV no matter how many times I go through the instructions. Is there some step I'm missing? Is there something particular to Windows 7 I'm missing?

I would like to know how you finally resolved this problem becasue it is essentially identical to mine. I can tune from the command prompt but not from Sage V7 on a new Win 7 installation. Previouslly, I had this working great with Vista, including the Sage V7 beta. I have several other issues with Win 7: (1) I installed in a C:\SageTV directory to avoid UAC issues; and, now, I can not get the server to start for my server/client computer and (2) I can scan for ~50 clear QAM, but can not play most of them. I doubt that either of these las two problems are related to the tuning issue, but thought I should mention it just in case. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Comitizer · #**1997** 06-15-2010, 01:55 PM

Ok, so I wanted to play with my graph (which I made some time ago) so I open it in Graphedit and I notice that for some reason the Motorola Tuner and SBDARecorderDump will not connect to each other.

I have two tuners and they will connect on one but when I try to create a graph with the second one I get the following message:

"These filters cannot agree on a connection. Verify type compatibility of input and output pin".

The odd thing is that I know I originally configured this and everything worked fine. In fact, I can watch Sage on either of my tuners so I know they are both working but for some reasons Graphedit dosn't think that the second graph should be able to connect.

Anyone have any ideas?

By the way, I was looking into this because I'm trying to improve the stability of my recordings. They always have small pauses and lockups in them and it is SERIOUSLY killing my WAF!

mfowler · #**1998** 06-19-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comitizer

Ok, so I wanted to play with my graph (which I made some time ago) so I open it in Graphedit and I notice that for some reason the Motorola Tuner and SBDARecorderDump will not connect to each other.

I have two tuners and they will connect on one but when I try to create a graph with the second one I get the following message:

"These filters cannot agree on a connection. Verify type compatibility of input and output pin".

The odd thing is that I know I originally configured this and everything worked fine. In fact, I can watch Sage on either of my tuners so I know they are both working but for some reasons Graphedit dosn't think that the second graph should be able to connect.

Anyone have any ideas?

By the way, I was looking into this because I'm trying to improve the stability of my recordings. They always have small pauses and lockups in them and it is SERIOUSLY killing my WAF!

I had the same problem. Once I stopped the running graphs, I was able to connect the filters.

feekill · #**1999** 09-03-2010, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Opus4

I've talked to a couple poeple who are interested in more details about changing channels on the SA 4250HD via firewire, so in case there are others, I'll post what I did.

I loosely based my firewire setup on these downloadable instructions from MeInMaui. (I say loosely because I didn't remove any existing tuners before setting up the new ones & changed the order of how I did things.)

The first thing I did was to do a complete image backup of my system & application drives.
The ExeMultiTuner plugin was downloaded & installed in the server's <SageTV install path>\Common folder.
Firewire drivers were found as part of (1) timmmoore's directions and (2) this site: STB Firewire Drivers for Windows Vista/XP/MCE. I had better luck with the drivers from that 2nd link, but I just realized that I did not try the Vista version of the drivers from timmmoore's site. Maybe that would have worked, but the regular firestb.msi file from timmmoore would not install the drivers for my 4250HD.

Don't forget: you still need the firestb.msi (or Vista version) intaller from timmmoore's site for the channel changing program, even if you get the firewire drivers from the 2nd site I listed.

In order to install firestb.msi on Windows XP instead of MCE, I used the instructions from this post, which said to use this command line:
msiexec /i firestb.msi IDENT="1"

When using channel.exe, be sure to pay attention to the Panel Device number(s) for your STBs -- sending some other device number to channel.exe could BSOD Windows... I did it to see what would happen & Windows instantly crashed. You may not want to be as curious as I was. Or, better yet, use the device's unique ID instead.
As mentioned in my previous post: using channel.exe did not work, at first. After trying the -f -a paramters listed above my previous post, I Googled the 4250HD & found that the colon should not be part of the parameter. This works for my 4250HD:
channel -f -a4 <Device Number> <Channel Number>
or:
Channel –f –a4 –n <Device ID> <Channel Number>

Update: Oct 29, 2008, changed to:
Channel –f –a6 –n <Device ID> <Channel Number>
Deviating from MeInMaui's instructions, I created the EXEMultiTunerPlugin #.ir files before configuring the tuners. They should be placed in the <SageTV install path>\Common\RemoteCodes\EXEMultiTunerPlugin folder. (Note that the subfolder is named 'EXEMultiTunerPlugin', not 'EXEMultiTuner'; the PDF used the wrong folder name at the time of this post.) This might allow choosing the proper device code number during the source setup; if not, you should be able to set it in Source Details later, instead of manaully editing the properties file.

The registry setting for EXEMultiTunerPlugin was configured per MeInMaui's instructions, changing the file path as needed & adding the parameters needed for the 4250HD.
I already knew which tuner & STB were which, so I simply proceeded to configure the sources & enable the channels I wanted.

SageTV was able to change the channel on both of my STBs via firewire after that.

I haven't yet played with any settings to see if the channel change speed could be improved.

Finally: as many other people in this thread have said -- "thanks" to all those who have done this before & documented what needed to be done.

- Andy

is it possible to run a 4240HDC & a 3250HD at the same time? it seems like i can get one or the other to work. -f -a6 works for the 4240, but not the 3250. i can only get the channel/v to work with the 3250. is there a way to put both in the regestry?

Taddeusz · #**2000** 09-03-2010, 09:16 PM

What I would do is create a batch file and do an if-then statement to key off the device ID to execute one or the other command. Call the batch file from the EXEMultiTuner registry entry.

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