Hauppage IRBlaster simply will not work

[jmilcher]

Thanks i will give that a try. i know it can't be this difficult, just gotta find the right combination of software.

Thanks again

If you read my prior threads, I was very frustrated also, but now that I am learning the ropes, its easy.

It worked perfect after I did what I said above.

[Ppsychling]

Hello,

I am experiencing similar problems like firstblackboy. Everything thing is working flawlessly on my PVR150 except for the IRblaster. The remote works fine and I can initiate a WinTV session (also works with PVRX2) without a hitch but of course I can't change channels because the IRblaster portion just isn't responding. The IRBlaster and the IR reader for the remote are one piece in the same and I can't understand why one half works and the other half doesn't.

I am very familiar with the IRblaster and if you watch it closely when you change channels or when you are in the IRblaster setup menu, a red light flashes if it is functioning properly. If you don't see the red flash then your channels will not change and it is NOT working properly. Regardless as to whether you have the correct code or not it should flash!

Hmmm . . . Anyone have any ideas on this one? :confused:


Thanks,
Ppsychling

[pvrdude]

Hey, this thread is excellent! Jmilcher and pastro's posts really helped clear some things up for me. I haven't started yet (with GBPVR) but I will soon.

I currently am working on configuring a MythTV portion on my computer as my new install also has problems with the PVR 150 and IR Blaster part.

I might be able to help Ppsychling and anybody else if my understanding is correct or near correct.

I think you have to think of it in a series of steps regarding the IR blaster. If you use the PVR 150 and the blaster receiver and transmitter is built together, then you should concentrate first on the initial step or process. Ppsychling, I think you need the code for the initial step of when you hit a button on the remote (for e.g., you are trying to change channels) and then a code should be initialized somewhere. You need that log to see what is going on. If everything is working as it should, you go on to the next process.

In summary, I believe it to be something like this:
Process #1: buttons pressed on remote sends signal to IR receiver
Process #2: code is sent from receiver to TV card. Check log.
Process #3: TV card receives code and sends the code to the set top box via the IR transmitter. Check log
Process #4: Code is given to set top box from the transmitter and the set top box changes the channel.

This is a simplified explanation and I could even be wrong or misunderstanding so if anyone knows for sure, please correct me or add to the explanation.

I will be interested in learning about anyone simplifying the steps (to get a PVR 150 and IR blaster working) for GB-PVR. If (or when) I ever get it to work in GB-PVR, I will pass it along. I'm not there yet, though. I am learning more about mpeg/avi/video encoding and then I will try the GB-PVR installation.

[sub]

I think you have to think of it in a series of steps regarding the IR blaster. If you use the PVR 150 and the blaster receiver and transmitter is built together, then you should concentrate first on the initial step or process. Ppsychling, I think you need the code for the initial step of when you hit a button on the remote (for e.g., you are trying to change channels) and then a code should be initialized somewhere. You need that log to see what is going on. If everything is working as it should, you go on to the next process.

In summary, I believe it to be something like this:
Process #1: buttons pressed on remote sends signal to IR receiver
Process #2: code is sent from receiver to TV card. Check log.
Process #3: TV card receives code and sends the code to the set top box via the IR transmitter. Check log
Process #4: Code is given to set top box from the transmitter and the set top box changes the channel.

This is a simplified explanation and I could even be wrong or misunderstanding so if anyone knows for sure, please correct me or add to the explanation.

Actually you really need break those steps into two entirely separate processes.

The first is use a remote and IR Reciever to control the GB-PVR user interface.

The second is GB-PVR using an IR Blaster to control an external set top box.

These two processes are unrelated, though if you're watching live tv then first process is often followed by the second process, but they're still separate.

[Ppsychling]

Actually you really need break those steps into two entirely separate processes.

The first is use a remote and IR Reciever to control the GB-PVR user interface.

The second is GB-PVR using an IR Blaster to control an external set top box.

These two processes are unrelated, though if you're watching live tv then first process is often followed by the second process, but they're still separate.

Hi,

The first and second processes mentioned by Sub were working fine until recently.

#1.) The remote controls the GB-PVR interface. No problem there. It works just fine and I have no issues watching TV. It's changing the channel that's causing me grief.

#2.) The IR Blaster has unresponsive and I don't know why. I know exactly what code was prior to my troubles. So the code I have chosen is definitely not the issue because it hasn't changed.

Regards,

[#66]

Fact, these go off! Im on my 4th blaster! The first one my son snapped off the jack! the 3 other have just stopped working!. The receiving bit works, just the blaster stops sending. According to Hauppage Scandinaviana they send out these all the time!

[Ppsychling]

Fact, these go off! Im on my 4th blaster! The first one my son snapped off the jack! the 3 other have just stopped working!. The receiving bit works, just the blaster stops sending. According to Hauppage Scandinaviana they send out these all the time!

Thanks for the tip 66! I'll give Hauppauge USA a call tomorrow and see if they will send me out a new one! Actually to think of it I am on my second IR Blaster / Receiver and it looks as if I am going for #3.

In the meantime I would like to know if anyone has had any experience using an USB UIRT as opposed to the IR Blaster / Receiver provided with certain Hauppauge cards. Their filmsy IR Blaster construction is starting to annoy me.

Regards,
Ppsychling

[pvrdude]

Would anyone be interested in helping me configure my remote and Blaster? I have confidence that it would work if I knew what I was doing! I even had instructions from sub but I'm still way too confused.

Here's my situation:
In Config, I have 1) Channel Changer as .exe Channel Plug-in. I believe it should be: Hauppauge IR Blaster Plug-in. Settings show the executable as 'HaupBlast.exe.' I am not sure what I am doing wrong. Maybe someone who has done this before would know?

2) I have the IR Blaster drivers downloaded but I'm not sure what to do with them. I thought there was a way of getting the drivers and Hauppauge software to config based on your set top box and install codes based on that. I'm not there yet but would like to get to that point.

[sub]

In Config, I have 1) Channel Changer as .exe Channel Plug-in. I believe it should be: Hauppauge IR Blaster Plug-in. Settings show the executable as 'HaupBlast.exe.' I am not sure what I am doing wrong. Maybe someone who has done this before would know?

Thats correct, and all you need to do from the GB-PVR side of things. You do need to have the Hauppauge blaster software configured for the set top box type before this will do anything useful though.

2) I have the IR Blaster drivers downloaded but I'm not sure what to do with them. I thought there was a way of getting the drivers and Hauppauge software to config based on your set top box and install codes based on that. I'm not there yet but would like to get to that point.

Usually after you install the Hauppauge software, there is an utility called BlastCfg which needs to be run. In there you select your set top box type, and test that it can change channels successfully.

Usually when you get a new card and put it in your machine, then put in the CD that came with the card, you run the setup application and it will install the drivers, and give you the options for various hauppauge software like WinTV, remote software, blaster software etc. After setup completes, you'd normally have start menu icons for things like WinTV, BlastCFG etc. Its usually pretty straight forward installing this stuff.

[pvrdude]

Usually after you install the Hauppauge software, there is an utility called BlastCfg which needs to be run. In there you select your set top box type, and test that it can change channels successfully.

Usually when you get a new card and put it in your machine, then put in the CD that came with the card, you run the setup application and it will install the drivers, and give you the options for various hauppauge software like WinTV, remote software, blaster software etc. After setup completes, you'd normally have start menu icons for things like WinTV, BlastCFG etc. Its usually pretty straight forward installing this stuff.

I ran the IR Blaster Configuration utility.

BlastCFG shows WinTV IR Blaster Source Channel as 'No WinTV Channel Selected!' Is that because I'm not using that portion of the WinTV software but instead using gbpvr? Second question in which I'm more unsure about is the options below that. 'Use Hauppauge IR Blaster HW' and 'Allow External IR Blaster App.' Using the pvr150, I check the first option, right? The second one is for external blasters such as one you might need if you had the PVR 350 in your computer, right?

I still don't see where I configure the '.exe Change Channel' as I thought it should be changed to *something* Hauppauge.