Channel changing on UK Digibox

[jeffcora]

Can anyone out there give me some advice on using GBPVR in the UK. I've just got a PVR350, and I'm downloading the EPG using GrabEPG. What I'm looking for is a way for GBPVR to automatically change the Sky channel on my standard UK Sky Digibox. So when a recording comes up on a Sky channel, GBPVR will change the sky box to the correct Sky channel, then start recording off the co-ax connection. This way I can select any program to record from the TV Listing, and GBPVR will record it, without having to remember to make sure that the sky box is set to the correct channel manually. This would mean that when selecting a channel to watch from the TV Guide, or when a recording is going to start, the correct channel on the PVR tuner must be selected (68 in my case) AND something then changes the Sky Digibox to say 107 for Sky One Mix.

I could use Sky's built in reminder/channel changer so GBPVR just records "Sky" on channel 68, and the Digibox ensures that the correct channel is changed, but that's two places to set up a recording and it's not very integrated. (I actually have a co-ax and composite connection into my PC so would really like to record SKY from the composite, and terrestrial TV from the co-ax).

I've read the info out there but still don't get it. I assume I need a IR Blaster to send IR signals out to the Digibox, any advise on which one (the cheaper the better, some look like their about £60-£70, seems a bit high), which will work with GBPVR. What is the ".exe" option about? Is that a viable alternative?  

Thanks for any advice, Rob

[phuturetech]

I've just bought a USB-UIRT from Frey Technologies. Total cost including shipping was $68 which came out at £38.

Another option is the Actisys IR200 which I think ships for about £20 but can be quite hard to get hold of. Be careful that you dont get the IR220 as thats an irDA device and won't work.

I think the .exe means that GBPVR will pass the channel change commands to another program to then pass to an ir blaster. This is similar to how you would use Girder to change the channels.

[sub]

The .exe option could also be used for control via other mechanisms such as serial cable connection, but the details of this up to the user.

[MaNIaCv1]

You could also try Red-Eye Serial remote control, it works with Pace Digital Cable and Sky Digital Receivers. Only £27.50

http://www.redremote.co.uk/serial/index.html

I use one on my Telewest STB.

MaNIaC

[jeffcora]

Guys,

Thanks very much for the response, I'll try and track one of these down.

Cheers, Rob

[mjp]

Hi,

I use the USB-UIRT to change over my NTL PACE decoder and it works fine (once in a while it sends 933 instead of 930 for sky one mix) - but besides that , it works great. I got USB-UIRT online from the US for about 70 dollers including delivery.

Cheers

Mark

[paulrking]

Just to expand to yet another product I am using the RedRat3 from http://www.redrat.co.uk. I wrote a little .net exe which I use in the .exe channel changer in GBPVR. £67.00 inc VAT and excellent tech support and of course they are based in the UK.

Cheers
PK

[Mdou]

I have a PVR350 & wonder if you can replace the IR receiver that links into the back of device with these rec/transmitters?
If so can you still use the remote that comes with the PVR350?

Also how good are they at transmitting? I have my PVR on the shelf below my digibox - sticking the USB transmitter on top the PVR, will the digibox actually get the IR signals?

[sub]

mdou, no sorry you cant do that to the PVR350 IR receiver. It wouldnt work. This IR jack on the PVR350 would need to have been designed for that purpose.

[Mdou]

Quote[/b] (Mdou @ June 05 2004,16:40)]Also how good are they at transmitting? I have my PVR on the shelf below my digibox - sticking the USB transmitter on top the PVR, will the digibox actually get the IR signals?

Anyone got anything to say?