Comcast DTA / win7 x64 SP1 + Hauppauge HVR-1800 w/ MCE remote and IR blaster

[feniks]

WMC doesnt do it either. They just download channel lists from their web service. ie, not scanning your set top box.

Presumably you're going to want an EPG anyway, so all you have to do is click import and point it at your xmltv file, or enter your schedules direct info and it'll automatically import all your channels and set them up. This pretty much the same as WMC is doing, except they're providing the listing service for you.

true, win7 MC does that automatically.

anyways, I tried importing the mc2xml.xml list to analog device in NPVR (and setting source as fixed ch.3 with haupbalst.exe), but in live TV it still can't change the channels at all (Channel up/down on MCE remote do nothing).
I'm stuck with some Spanish lang channel which I cannot change. On top of that pressing the Volume up/down on MCE remote causes video&audio stutter like channels were about to change, but they don't anyways.

[sub]

anyways, I tried importing the mc2xml.xml list to analog device in NPVR (and setting source as fixed ch.3 with haupbalst.exe), but in live TV it still can't change the channels at all (Channel up/down on MCE remote do nothing).

Did you config Hauppauge's BlastCFG for you STB, and test it works? This needs to be done before HaupBlast.exe will be able to change channels.

I'm stuck with some Spanish lang channel which I cannot change.

If BlastCFG is not configured for you STB, then you'll get whatever channel the STB was last tuned to (which sounds like it was a Spanish channel). If you get BlastCFG configured, then the app will be able to tell the STB to change channels when it needs to, an the CH+/- buttons will be able to switch between channels.

[feniks]

OK, we are getting somewhere. I haven't configured BlastCFG, how do I do that?

Did you config Hauppauge's BlastCFG for you STB, and test it works? This needs to be done before HaupBlast.exe will be able to change channels.

If BlastCFG is not configured for you STB, then you'll get whatever channel the STB was last tuned to (which sounds like it was a Spanish channel). If you get BlastCFG configured, then the app will be able to tell the STB to change channels when it needs to, an the CH+/- buttons will be able to switch between channels.

[sub]

I haven't configured BlastCFG, how do I do that?

I haven't used Hauppauge's BlastCFG software in years, so I'm not well placed to answer questions on ir, but run it up and hopefully it'll be self explanatory. ie, either select your set top box or try learning it, test it works, then it should also work in NextPVR.

[feniks]

I've been using this card for a few years, but haven't ever come across the BlastCFG anywhere... You are the first person telling me about such thing. Where do you get it from?
It's not on my hard drive in WinTV7 folders, it's not in the Start Menu shortcuts, and it's not on the HVR1800 support pages of Hauppauge website either ... so where is it?

I haven't used Hauppauge's BlastCFG software in years, so I'm not well placed to answer questions on ir, but run it up and hopefully it'll be self explanatory. ie, either select your set top box or try learning it, test it works, then it should also work in NextPVR.

[sub]

I'm not making it up . If you google "blastcfg" you'll find a load of hits about it. It's usually installed with WinTV. It'd typically be in "c:\program files (x86)\wintv" or "c:\program files (x86)\wintv\wintv7". If it's not there, then it's possible they're not installing it by default because you have an MCE version of the card.

With an MCE version of the card you are also able to use other IR blaster software like HIP or EventGhost or IR Server Suite. All of these are compatible with NextPVR too.

[feniks]

LOL!
I see google hits about it, but can't find the download link anywhere ... it's not been installed with wintv7, checked that. as you said, probably because it's an MCE card it wasn't included. need to dig deeper...

I'm not making it up . If you google "blastcfg" you'll find a load of hits about it. It's usually installed with WinTV. It'd typically be in "c:\program files (x86)\wintv" or "c:\program files (x86)\wintv\wintv7". If it's not there, then it's possible they're not installing it by default because you have an MCE version of the card.

With an MCE version of the card you are also able to use other IR blaster software like HIP or EventGhost or IR Server Suite. All of these are compatible with NextPVR too.

[feniks]

I have found the Hauppauge IR blaster config software finally
It was under Accessories section of my card support on their website.

here's a direct link (it contains the BlastCFG) if anybody interested:
http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/software/..._28025.exe

edit:
no luck with blastcfg

I first tried installing just the IR blaster software and it says the IR HW was not found. then after some googling I found out that I need 3 apps to make it work, so downloaded the TV scheduler (for wintv6 even though I have ver 7 here), IR Blaster and IR remote panel from support page of my card (Accessories tab):
http://www.hauppauge.com/site/support/su...r1800.html

still same problem, "no IR Blaster HW found" in BlastCFG

Uninstalled all of the 3, googled more and found out that I may need those apps from the HD-PVR version, so downloaded all 3 from here:
http://www.hauppauge.com/site/support/su...hdpvr.html

... and same problem! "no IR Blaster HW found"

I checked Hauppauge support for this error and all they recommend is using the latest IR Blaster software (I am using it)...

now I am wondering if maybe one of those apps (IR remote control panel) is maybe not running right on x64 windows? the installer is named IR32.exe, so maybe that is the culprit ... but then how Media Center can operate my IR Blaster with no trouble (even without those apps) while manufacturer software can't ...

EDIT2:
all clear, IR32 doesn't work with the MCE remote and eHome USB blaster.

I'm giving up, will use the win7 Media Center for watching analog channels (from DTA) and keep NextPVR for QAM and unencrypted digital feed. it's too much hassle to make it work, I have no time for such experiments... after visiting 3 different forums and googling for several hours I found al the info on HIP, MCE remote driver modification and such, but it all makes me want to puke actually. got better things to do