Help the Noob, PVR500MCE & Directv

[diesel9129]

I forgot to add, I use zap2it to get the EPG.

[sub]

I'm in USA (Illinois) with Directv and it appears that this one channel entry will finally give my pvr the ability to "see" all of the channels (I hope that makes sense).

Yes, assuming your Directv box outputs on CH3, and you've configured your capture source to use an external tuner, constant channel 3.

[diesel9129]

I tried setting up gbpvr on the External tuner fixed channel setting, which did give me a picture (finally) but the picture was horrible, completely useless. The audio on the other hand was excellent. So at this point, after all I've tried today, I still cannot get any audio or video to come up in GBPVR. I've also tried both S-Video, and both composite connections with no luck. WinTv2000 (crappy app btw) has worked with all connections with minor config here and there, so again, I know the card physically works. Well, I'm pissed and I'm rambling, so if anyone can make sense of this weird problem please let me know. At this point I'm even open to Windows remote assistance if anyone would like to take a look..:mad: :mad: :mad:

[sub]

I tried setting up gbpvr on the External tuner fixed channel setting, which did give me a picture (finally) but the picture was horrible, completely useless.

Post a screen shot so we can take a look.

[diesel9129]

The following post comes from the byopvr forum:

Like I said, you have a signal running into a tuner that in fact, does not need to be tuned (It's just a normal video signal... Think of the different inputs on your tv... Do you ever change a channel on your tv? No, you use the STB to do that, and it displays on your tv, that is all your tv EVER does when using an STB, it is completely passive and at the whim of said STB). You need an IR blaster to change the channel on the STB. All you have right now, is picture from the STB. That picture will always be on channel three in this current set up, any other channel on your TUNER will always be blank. If you change the channel on the STB, your channel three (The TUNER's that is) will display whatever you changed to on the stb, notice that it then behaves exactly as your tv does, passively displaying video. You cannot change the channel on your tuner and expect it to magically get the signal to your STB to do the actual channel changing.

You need an IR blaster. One should have come with the pvr 500. You need to place that IR blaster in front of the IR port on your STB so that GBPVR can send the correct channel changing signal to your STB and change the channel that way.

Here's another analogie: Your set top box is like the old atari or original nintendo systems, you always had to put the tv (or tuner, in this case) on channel three to recieve the picture.

If you need any more clarification, let me know. It's almost counter intuitive to think that your tuner will never actually tune, but that is the case when used in conjunction with an STB. Were you to have normal cable your tuner would tune, but alas, an STB complicates things mildly.

He makes sense and has a grasp on the problem, my only question is I have the ATI Remote Wonder 2 working through Girder currently. I can navigate the GBPVR screens with the remote. Is the ATI Remote Wonder the problem here? If so, I'm totally open to advice/suggestions.

[sub]

The following post comes from the byopvr forum:

Like I said, you have a signal running into a tuner that in fact, does not need to be tuned (It's just a normal video signal... Think of the different inputs on your tv... Do you ever change a channel on your tv? No, you use the STB to do that, and it displays on your tv, that is all your tv EVER does when using an STB, it is completely passive and at the whim of said STB). You need an IR blaster to change the channel on the STB. All you have right now, is picture from the STB. That picture will always be on channel three in this current set up, any other channel on your TUNER will always be blank. If you change the channel on the STB, your channel three (The TUNER's that is) will display whatever you changed to on the stb, notice that it then behaves exactly as your tv does, passively displaying video. You cannot change the channel on your tuner and expect it to magically get the signal to your STB to do the actual channel changing.

You need an IR blaster. One should have come with the pvr 500. You need to place that IR blaster in front of the IR port on your STB so that GBPVR can send the correct channel changing signal to your STB and change the channel that way.

Here's another analogie: Your set top box is like the old atari or original nintendo systems, you always had to put the tv (or tuner, in this case) on channel three to recieve the picture.

If you need any more clarification, let me know. It's almost counter intuitive to think that your tuner will never actually tune, but that is the case when used in conjunction with an STB. Were you to have normal cable your tuner would tune, but alas, an STB complicates things mildly.

Yes, thats all correct.

He makes sense and has a grasp on the problem, my only question is I have the ATI Remote Wonder 2 working through Girder currently. I can navigate the GBPVR screens with the remote. Is the ATI Remote Wonder the problem here? If so, I'm totally open to advice/suggestions.

I dont really understand the questions. The is no built in support the ATI Remote Wonder remotes, but they should work fine via Girder, or one of the availble ATI plugins: http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post116011 http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=16953

[diesel9129]

Thanks for the plugins. I've installed the GBPVR plugin into the ATIRW software. Only question I have now is, what do I configure the channel changer option to in the GBPVR config utility. Also, if I use this plugin, do I even need to use girder or HIP to control GBPVR?

[sub]

So that GB-PVR can tell your set top box to change channels, you'll need an IR Blaster. With this, GB-PVR pretends to be the original remote for the set top box, sending the required channel number each time it needs to change channels.

The channel changer option will depend on what IR Blaster you end up buying.

[diesel9129]

That explains everything. I have been under the assumption that the two were one in the same. Sub I really appreciate the explainations and your patience. I'll get the device and end this madness.

[diesel9129]

Ok, I purchased the USB-UIRT and set it up using the plugin that's in GBPVR. I thought using the plugin instead of HIP would be an easier solution. After a few attempts I got the IR file properly setup. I was also sure to position the USB-UIRT directly in front of the STB (hughes SD-HBH). When I try to see any channels, I still get no video no matter what connection I use!! I also downloaded the Irnhelper utility to make sure the USB-UIRT is receiving commands from the remote. Is there anything else I could have done wrong? I've attached the USB-UIRT file that I created when I setup the USB-UIRT. If any additional info is needed please ask. I'm so close I can taste it!!