IR200L problem

[tankd0g]

My Actisys IR200L arrived today, I pluged it into com1 and ran the channel changer settings for it. It learned the remote no problem. But I can not get it to do anything beyond that, in live TV I change the channels and nothing happens on the satelite receiver it is supposed to be controling. What am I missing here?

[tankd0g]

Quote[/b] (tankd0g @ Sep. 01 2004,21:28)]My Actisys IR200L arrived today, I pluged it into com1 and ran the channel changer settings for it.  It learned the remote no problem.  But I can not get it to do anything beyond that, in live TV I change the channels and nothing happens on the satelite receiver it is supposed to be controling.  What am I missing here?

This is the most frustrating peice of hardware I've ever purchased. Witht he windows driver installed I can't do anything with it, with no driver installed at all, GBPVR compunicated with it and learns my remote no problem but I can't change channels with the IR200L. Has anyone else installed one of these on XP pro?

[sub]

I'm using mine on XP pro. My IR200L transmitter is only about an inch from the cable box IR receiver.

Yes, you cant have the Windows driver installed for these. This driver effectively takes exclusive control of the device and only allows programs to use it for IrDA (which isn't compatible with TV IR signals).

If you're trying to control a device with non standard IR signals like really old cable boxes, or possibly non standard frequency like 56khz you may find the IR200L can do the job.

Does your cable/sat box have a channel number display on it? Do you see any digits display as it tries to send? Also, have you tried controlling something else to see whether its just specifically you cable/sat box?

[tankd0g]

Quote[/b] (sub @ Sep. 02 2004,13:23)]I'm using mine on XP pro. My IR200L transmitter is only about an inch from the cable box IR receiver.

Yes, you cant have the Windows driver installed for these. This driver effectively takes exclusive control of the device and only allows programs to use it for IrDA (which isn't compatible with TV IR signals).

If you're trying to control a device with non standard IR signals like really old cable boxes, or possibly non standard frequency like 56khz you may find the IR200L can do the job.

Does your cable/sat box have a channel number display on it? Do you see any digits display as it tries to send? Also, have you tried controlling something else to see whether its just specifically you cable/sat box?

Ok so you say don't install the driver, that narrows it down. I have the IR-200L about an inch from the IR eye on my Bell/Dishnet/Echostar 3100 satelite receiver. It does not have channel display on it but it does have on screen display and that is not showing any signs of life. As I said it learned the remote control no problem but that's as far as I got. I have a 2700 receiver also I will try but it uses the same remote. Failing that I will try to control my TV with it and see what happens. Is there any way to modify the 200L for 56khz if necessary or will I have to try to get my hands on an USB-UIRT?

Is there any option in GBPVR I need to turn on that I might have missed that is not on the channel changer property screen?

[sub]

Quote[/b] ]Is there any option in GBPVR I need to turn on that I might have missed that is not on the channel changer property screen?

No, but there are some log messages in the gbpvrrecordingservice.exe.log

[tankd0g]

Quote[/b] (sub @ Sep. 02 2004,14:01)]

Quote[/b] ]Is there any option in GBPVR I need to turn on that I might have missed that is not on the channel changer property screen?

No, but there are some log messages in the gbpvrrecordingservice.exe.log

Alright well I'll experiment some more, maybe I am just unlucky and purchased this thing assuming it would work with my Sat box when it will not. So much for saving $30

Thanks for the info sub you are a handy guy to have around. Saved me from ripping apart my PVR to try and hook up the auxillary com port

[sub]

Just so you know, I havn't personally seen a device it wont control. I was just speculating on possible reasons.

I suspect the USB-UIRT would also not be able to control some of the really old cable boxes still in use. Some of the GI/Jerrold boxes uses wierd proprietary IR signalling.

[tankd0g]

Quote[/b] (sub @ Sep. 02 2004,14:16)]Just so you know, I havn't personally seen a device it wont control. I was just speculating on possible reasons.

I suspect the USB-UIRT would also not be able to control some of the really old cable boxes still in use. Some of the GI/Jerrold boxes uses wierd proprietary IR signalling.

This from the guy that sold it to me:

"One thing about Dish - their remote control sequences are very long. If your software allows for a setting for the Learn scan period, I would set that as long as possible. 1/3 of a second is what we use forMyBlaster."

I assume that is what the ms delay box is for in the channel changer settings, I will try adjusting that also.

[tankd0g]

Quote[/b] (tankd0g @ Sep. 02 2004,15:28)]

Quote[/b] (sub @ Sep. 02 2004,14:16)]Just so you know, I havn't personally seen a device it wont control. I was just speculating on possible reasons.

I suspect the USB-UIRT would also not be able to control some of the really old cable boxes still in use. Some of the GI/Jerrold boxes uses wierd proprietary IR signalling.

This from the guy that sold it to me:

"One thing about Dish - their remote control sequences are very long. If your software allows for a setting for the Learn scan period, I would set that as long as possible.  1/3 of a second is what we use forMyBlaster."

I assume that is what the ms delay box is for in the channel changer settings, I will try adjusting that also.

Well it works to control my TV so everything is working ok, it is just not compatible with my satelite receiver Is there any way to increase the scan period as the vendor described?

[tankd0g]

Well double , I downloaded sage TV 2.0 and with the supplied dishnet settings it works perfectly, so I guess something would have to be changed in the GBPVR plugin to fix this.

Incidentally Sage TV's overlay hasn't crashed my 350 yet but I haven't played with it much yet.