How to set up cable box PVR

[buckhorn250]

Thanks everyone. Am i asking the wrong question ? Is there a better way to get my cable channels from my box into NextPVR?

[Graham]

Is there a better way to get my cable channels from my box into NextPVR?

Better than what? You said in an earlier post ...

I do have MS Media Center setup on...so I know the hardware config works

Are you having a specific problem? What are the symptoms?

[buckhorn250]

MS Media Center works great, but I'm looking for a PVR that works with XBMC

[Graham]

I'm looking for a PVR that works with XBMC

NextPVR works with XBMC. My advice would be get NextPVR fully operational so that NPVR.exe is working well ... and then get XBMC and NextPVR working together.

Do you have a specific problem with NextPVR right now?

[johnsonx42]

@buckhorn250 -

Sorry, I'm sure no one is actually trying to confuse you with partial and irrelevant answers, but if they were they could hardly do a better job!

First, yes, you are correct, there is no integrated hand-holding procedure for setting up a connection to a cable box using a blaster like there is in MS media center. NextPVR is largely DIY software (as free software written by one guy in New Zealand, which yet supports TV for the entire world), and no part of the basic setup is more DIY I think than setting up blaster control.

Next, as Martin pointed out, you do need WinTV7 installed - it provides a software multiplexor that is required for NextPVR's analog capture support. It will also likely provide the support for the IR receiver & blaster.

At this point, sub's post becomes most relevant:

The only tricky bit is setting up the IR Blasters. It's not done in NextPVR, but whatever blaster software you're using. If your 2250 has a retail blasters (ie small 3.5mm socket), then you need to set up blaster in the Hauppauge IR Blaster software, check it works etc, then in the NextPVR device settings screen set your blaster to "c:\program files\npvr\haupblast.exe", then import your channels.

If you're using USB blaster instead, then you need to configure the blaster in HIP or EventGhost or IRSS or something like that.

So the key thing to understand is that YOU have to get your blaster working with your cable box. NextPVR will not do any of that for you. Once you have your blaster working and can control your cable box with it, THEN you can provide your blaster command line to NextPVR, and NextPVR will call it when it wants to change channels. As sub said, if you're using the "plugged into the card" version of the Hauppauge blaster, then the Haupblast.exe provided with NextPVR will do the blasting; if it's the USB version then you're on your own.

Hope that helps a little.

[buckhorn250]

Thank you appreciate the support !!