GBPVR with IR Blaster

[twinfrey]

I have a Hauppauge 150. The setup for the remote was very easy and I can set up recordings and everything else very easily. Does GBPVR also send a signal to the IR blaster to change channels on my STB? I have Dish network.

Also, my Dish receiver is too far away from my computer to put the blaster on it directly. Is there any way to extend the IR blaster? I was thinking about some way to maybe extend the cable itself or maybe buying a product that resends the signal out.

If anybody has experience with this, It would be appreciated.

[stefan]

Does GBPVR also send a signal to the IR blaster to change channels on my STB?

Yes, if your STB is supported by the hauppauge software, and you configure gbpvr correctly

Also, my Dish receiver is too far away from my computer to put the blaster on it directly. Is there any way to extend the IR blaster? I was thinking about some way to maybe extend the cable itself or maybe buying a product that resends the signal out.

I think there has been some discussion about this in the past. Try and search the forums and see if you can find anything.

If everything fails, you could always get an USB-UIRT

[twinfrey]

How does the USB-IRT work? Does it work with the Hauppauge remote? Also, what kind of range does its signal have? I would be able to put it within probably 5 feet (1.5 meters) of the STB. Would that be close enough? Thanks.

[stefan]

How does the USB-IRT work?

Did you find their homepage? http://www.usbuirt.com/

Does it work with the Hauppauge remote?

Yes.

Also, what kind of range does its signal have? I would be able to put it within probably 5 feet (1.5 meters) of the STB. Would that be close enough?

Absolutely. It has really strong signal. Several meters is no problem. I have mine sitting directed away from the STB, and it works anyway.

[pastro]

A friend at work had a dish network 311 and was having quite a bit of problems getting the hauppauge supplied LED to work. The LED has to be placed directly on the receiver in exactly the right spot for it to work. This worked ok, but the dish network remote didn't work as well since he basically covered up the receiver. For whatever reason, Hauppauge used a visible LED on their blaster so we swapped in an IR diode and now the range is 4 ft. At the same time we added about 6ft of extra cable. The IR diode was one that I had from a different blaster but you might try using one from an old remote.

[twinfrey]

how did you add 4 extra feet of cable? What kind of cable was it?

[Braklet]

Hauppauge used a visible LED on their blaster so we swapped in an IR diode and now the range is 4 ft.

Yeesh, sounds like a cost-of-materials tradeoff. I wonder if the same problem applies to the SMK-produced MCE remote equipment?

Anyway, if you guys want to experiment with IR emitters, they are available in retail at least in North America:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index....Id=2062565

1.2vdc, 29mA draw is pretty typical for standard 5mm LEDs.

[soccerdad]

I extended my Hauppauge blaster about 40 feet with basic thin wire, kind of like cat5. I even added mini jacks on both ends. It works fine. I have also tried a diode from an old dead remote. It works much better than the Hauppauge one. I am sure you can just use one from almost anywhere. If you use the Hauppauge one, it must be on top of the sensor. Also, beware of dead Hauppauge blasters. They may blink, but sometimes they don't work.

[Braklet]

I extended my Hauppauge blaster about 40 feet with basic thin wire, kind of like cat5. I even added mini jacks on both ends. It works fine. I have also tried a diode from an old dead remote.

Do you know if the blaster has a current-limiting resistor embedded in the pod, or is the current limited by the beanbag?

The reason I ask is because I'd like to know if I could just make my own IR blaster out of a 1/8" jack, some wire, and a good strong LED. It's no big deal if I have to solder in an extra resistor, but easier if I don't.

Thanks!

[pastro]

how did you add 4 extra feet of cable? What kind of cable was it?

Actually the four feet is the range of the blaster now, not the length of the cable added. The cable got extended about 6 feet and it is a single twisted pair something like 24 or 26 gauge.