Plextor MX-402U & Remote Control

[tealcomp]

Hi Fellow Sage Enthusiasts:

I am about to buy the Plextor PX-M402U to add to my existing system (a Hauppage 350). I like the Plextor's drives, read the review on this unit, liked what I read, so as I am about to push the FINAL button, I forget that oh yeah it doesn't have a remote. So, I guess that in order to control this device, I will need the StreamZap, which as I understand from researching will control the Plextor with no problems? I have an MX-700 which I pretty much use for EVERYTHING on the AV system and I love it, so I would just teach it the controls of the Streamzap. I do have the USB-UIRT as well but I do not have Girder. Would someone mind confirming for me that all I really need is Streamzap to make the Plextor work in my setup??

Thanks,
-Dan

[Opus4]

How do you control SageTV currently? By remote? If so, it will continue to work, since you use the remote to control SageTV, not the tuner.

Now, if you need SageTV to change the channel on an external converter box, then you might need something like a USB-UIRT (or a serial cable, if the box can use that), but there is no remote control needed for the tuner itself.

- Andy

[tealcomp]

Originally Posted by Opus4

How do you control SageTV currently? By remote? If so, it will continue to work, since you use the remote to control SageTV, not the tuner.

Now, if you need SageTV to change the channel on an external converter box, then you might need something like a USB-UIRT (or a serial cable, if the box can use that), but there is no remote control needed for the tuner itself.

- Andy

Andy:



Now I knew that LOL Sometimes you just have to pass this by someone else to confirm it; yes everything is controlled through my MX-700 Universal Remote. Seems like I may go ahead and get the StreamZap anyway, just so I can control some of my other APPS...I guess I will get to ordering my new tuner then...Thanks again for your help!


-Dan

[ptaylor]

Have you looked at SnapStream's FireFly remote?.. It's really sweet, supports a bunch of apps out of the box (including Sage), and I think it's pretty easy to configure..

I have two Remote Wonders for our HTPC (and remote client) and would have bought FireFly if it were out sooner... Will probably get one when one of my RWs dies.

Paul

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by tealcomp

everything is controlled through my MX-700 Universal Remote. Seems like I may go ahead and get the StreamZap anyway, just so I can control some of my other APPS.

What IR receiver do you currently use on your PC with that MX-700? If you are using that MX-700 (which is what I use) with the Hauppauge receiver... you do know that you can use it to control other programs, right? Unless you really want to spend some more money, there isn't any need to buy another remote or receiver. See my sig lines for Hauppauge remote info, if you haven't already done so.

- Andy

[tealcomp]

Originally Posted by Opus4

What IR receiver do you currently use on your PC with that MX-700? If you are using that MX-700 (which is what I use) with the Hauppauge receiver... you do know that you can use it to control other programs, right? Unless you really want to spend some more money, there isn't any need to buy another remote or receiver. See my sig lines for Hauppauge remote info, if you haven't already done so.

- Andy

I am using the USB-UIRT in conjunction with the MX-700; I will take a look at what you mentioned; seems like I overlooked this about controlling other apps; and no I already own more remotes than the law should allow, so if I don't need another one, so much the better

-Dan

[Opus4]

I missed that you said you had the USB-UIRT. If you don't want to spend any more money, you _could_ switch to the Hauppauge IR receiver, but another option (as I'm sure you know) would be to simply get Girder and use that to control just about anything with the USB-UIRT still being the receiver.

I would _not_ get a StreamZap remote to replace what you already have, because what you have is more flexible -- you have more remote buttons available and more of them are customizable. You could use the StreamZap remote w/Girder too in order to customize all of its buttons... but then you've limited the number of buttons again.

- Andy

[tealcomp]

Originally Posted by Opus4

I missed that you said you had the USB-UIRT. If you don't want to spend any more money, you _could_ switch to the Hauppauge IR receiver, but another option (as I'm sure you know) would be to simply get Girder and use that to control just about anything with the USB-UIRT still being the receiver.

I would _not_ get a StreamZap remote to replace what you already have, because what you have is more flexible -- you have more remote buttons available and more of them are customizable. You could use the StreamZap remote w/Girder too in order to customize all of its buttons... but then you've limited the number of buttons again.

- Andy

Yes, I looked into Girder before, but didn't see a need for it with what I currently have; however, now adding the Plextor (and with it another SAT recvr I will need to control) it may become a requirement. One thing I absolutely hate about the way my remote works with SAGE though (and I suspect I did something wrong with the linkage) I always have to press the digits 2x for example to get 500 I would have to use this sequence, 550000..and I remember reading something about the dual function the Hauppage uses for some buttons; does that sound like my problem? Also, with my new setup, I presume I will need Girder to work in conjunction with the MX-700 and SAGE to control the Plextor and 350 device otherwise I will need to use the Hauppage remote? Well the good news is, Girder is the least expensive solution (since I already have the remote I like)...

-Dan

[korben_dallas]

The StreamZap is a good little remote, so if you were putting the SageTV Client in a family area, it is a family-friendly remote. But, like Andy said, it is by no means very customizeable, due to a lack of buttons.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by tealcomp

Yes, I looked into Girder before, but didn't see a need for it with what I currently have; however, now adding the Plextor (and with it another SAT recvr I will need to control) it may become a requirement.

You can use th USB-UIRT to control more than 1 STB directly from SageTV, so there is still no _need_ for Girder.

One thing I absolutely hate about the way my remote works with SAGE though (and I suspect I did something wrong with the linkage) I always have to press the digits 2x for example to get 500 I would have to use this sequence, 550000..and I remember reading something about the dual function the Hauppage uses for some buttons; does that sound like my problem?

It depends on the codes emitted by the device the MX-700 is set to use. If the codes are toggling, simply teach the same button to each SageTV command twice in a row w/o pressing any other remote button in between.

Also, with my new setup, I presume I will need Girder to work in conjunction with the MX-700 and SAGE to control the Plextor and 350 device otherwise I will need to use the Hauppage remote?

Unless you are talking about something new, I thought we covered that above. SageTV will control the tuners & it will use the USB-UIRT to send IR codes to the STBs, so all your remote does is talk to SageTV. The fact that you are adding a tuner doesn't enter the equation in terms of controlling SageTV. In terms of controling SageTV AND additional apps, you can use Girder with the USB-UIRT or use the Hauppaure receiver with its software. I never spent much time with Girder, so I don't know which of the 2 is more diffuclt to set up, but Girder is ultimately more powerful.

- Andy

[tealcomp]

Andy:

Yes we did discuss it; however I got the impression that you were saying that I needed to use the Hauppage IR which i currently DO not use..I obviously misunderstood So, I am checking out Girder, seems like a really COOL program! Thanks for your help..

-Dan

Originally Posted by Opus4

You can use th USB-UIRT to control more than 1 STB directly from SageTV, so there is still no _need_ for Girder.

It depends on the codes emitted by the device the MX-700 is set to use. If the codes are toggling, simply teach the same button to each SageTV command twice in a row w/o pressing any other remote button in between.

Unless you are talking about something new, I thought we covered that above. SageTV will control the tuners & it will use the USB-UIRT to send IR codes to the STBs, so all your remote does is talk to SageTV. The fact that you are adding a tuner doesn't enter the equation in terms of controlling SageTV. In terms of controling SageTV AND additional apps, you can use Girder with the USB-UIRT or use the Hauppaure receiver with its software. I never spent much time with Girder, so I don't know which of the 2 is more diffuclt to set up, but Girder is ultimately more powerful.

- Andy