USB-UIRT IR Blaster, and cable box syncing, I'm lost

[Pochrist]

This is the definition I got for and IR Blaster the FAQ

An IR blaster is simply an IR emitter that hooks up to your PC so that your PC can send IR signals/commands to your Home Theater equipment, generally your digital cable box or satellite receiver

Clear enough, here's are my specs:

AMD Thunder Bird 900mhz
1 gig PC133 memory
WinXP Pro
256 Nvidia FX5200 AGP Video card
Sound Blaster Live PCI
10/100 NIC PCI
(1) 30 gig IDE Maxtor HD (5200 rpm) - for OS and Apps
(1) 80 gig IDE IBM HD (7200 rpm) - For Capture / Storage
LG DVD Writer (All formats)
Happauge WinTV 250 & Hauppauge MediaMVP
USB-UIRT IR Blaster

Using IO Digital cable (NY)

Here's my problem:

I installed the USB-UIRT IR Blaster, went into GBPVR and set it up there, trained my Happauge WinTV 250 & Hauppauge MediaMVP Remote too work with GBPVR (They use the same remote)

Should I have set up the Cable box remote instead?

Also as much as tried to keep this a low budget PVR, I went $50.00 over when I realized I needed the IR blaster and was even more disappointed when I went to set it up last night and the IR blaster instructions told me down load Girder which is now $50.00 (and was free - right?)
I'm not even sure if I need Girder - Do I and if so can some one e-mail the "Free" 3.x version ro suggest an alternative? Thanks

[sub]

I installed the USB-UIRT IR Blaster, went into GBPVR and set it up there, trained my Happauge WinTV 250 & Hauppauge MediaMVP Remote too work with GBPVR (They use the same remote)

Should I have set up the Cable box remote instead?

Yeah, it should be learning the remote of the set to box you need to control.

Also as much as tried to keep this a low budget PVR, I went $50.00 over when I realized I needed the IR blaster and was even more disappointed when I went to set it up last night and the IR blaster instructions told me down load Girder which is now $50.00 (and was free - right?)
I'm not even sure if I need Girder - Do I and if so can some one e-mail the "Free" 3.x version ro suggest an alternative? Thanks

You dont need Girder to control a set top box with GB-PVR. You'd only need Girder if you want to do custom stuff.

[wtg]

If you have the Hauppauge IRRemote software loaded and the IR receiver attached to your system, GB-PVR will use it. (You do need to click the "Fix Hauppauge Remote" button in Config). And when you enable the USR-UIRT for use with GB-PVR, GB-PVR goes through a training process to learn your [/b]cable box's[/b] remote.

The Hauppauge remote will control GB-PVR and GB-PVR will use the USB-UIRT to change the channel on the cable box. You do not need additional software like Girder to use the USB-UIRT just for changing the channel - GB-PVR takes care of it all.

You would only need Girder if you wanted to do something more sophisticated with your USB-UIRT, like control other apps with other remotes, control your cable box's On Demand or PPV menus, etc.

[Pochrist]

Whew! thats a relief, I got a silly question. The USB UIRT has a 1/8 mini plug in the back do I need to connect the IR emitter to USB UIRT or leave it plugged to the back of my TV tunner card.

Also I imagine that the USB UIRT has to have a line of sight with the IR emitter right?

[wtg]

This can be a bit confusing. The USB UIRT is both a receiver and emitter all in one box, but in the configuration you're talking about, you'll just be using the receiver to train it - nothing else. It's emitter you'll use for controlling the cable box. If memory serves the PVR-250 doesn't come with an emitter, just a receiver.

The USB UIRT will need to be trained with your cable box's remote, and needs to be aligned with your cable box to control it, but it has no relationship with the IR receiver from your tuner card. The Hauppauge receiver will use commands from the Hauppauge remote to control GB-PVR, and GB-PVR will use the USB-UIRT to control the cable box.

[Pochrist]

Thanks that clears up alot, Now I'm good till the next cloud comes in my exploration into PVR land.