Need help with MCE IR blaster and GBPVR

[usctrojan]

This is the setup I am trying: WHS running GBPVR and a WinTV PVR150MCE card that I borrowed from a MCE2005 machine to try. The client is a PCH which will display the gbpvr using mvpmcx2.

I am still trying to get past the VMR9 error on the WHS server itself but have not tried to solve it because my main goal is to have the WHS in a closet and use PCH next to TV.

I am trying to figure out how to use the MCE2005 USB IR blaster in the WHS with GBPVR. I do not really need to control GBPVR using the remote on WHS. Only via the PCH remote via the network.

However, I do need the GBPVR to change channels using the MCE2005 IR blaster on the comcast cable box and this is where I am stuck. I have tried to work through the full HipGuide on the wiki but the Testing IR codes does not seem to send anything over the blaster. If I only need GBPVR -> HipSend -> HIP -> IR blaster to work. Is there any easier way? Is there any other easier way without needing HIP?

[pBS]

i have an easier way to blast to HIP...net2hipsend...
it uses http to blast to HIP, so needs less setup..
see the link in my sig...all the setup for blasting is there with pics..
i haven't tried it on whs, but if hip runs and mce remote driver installs, it should work...let us know...
do the arrow keys do anything in regular apps? they should...
[use the built-in whs driver for the remote, not the 'alternate driver'...not needed..]

it's also much faster and more reliable...
and also doesn't suffer the rights restrictions hipsend will...
as long as the mce dongle driver is installed it should work fine without much setup..
[just the numbers in 'edit ir commands' and start the web server]
and it even works over network..

oh and use EVR in whs, i think it'll work even better for you there..

[usctrojan]

Thanks. Looks like another night of experiments.

However, I think my problem might be downstream in HIP not blasting out to the STB correctly or at all. I don't know how to figure out the problems there. My IR setup came from my MCE2005 machine where it used to work.

I do not know how to check it is working in WHS even before checking in gbpvr. It really needs an app to take commands from mce to USB and to blaster so I do not know how to check if it is working without an app in the middle.

I got VMR9 working on whs after finding nVidia drivers for my board. Now gbpvr works fine on local machine also. If I can just change the channels then I am set.

[pBS]

set remote type in config to MCE remote...
then you should see some movementwith the arrow keys...
if not, driver's not installed or working...
[including blasters..]

device shows up in device manager ok?

it may even work with gbpvr built-in blasting facilities..
[set to mce 2005 blaster in config]

[usctrojan]

Maaan, do I feel stupid for wasting a whole night. I realized I should be making HIP learn my comcast STB codes for changing channels and not my MCE remote. I think I got it all working now with net2hipsend.

[pBS]

cool...glad it works in WHS....i know nothing about that one...
was looking for a good 'future proof' way to remote, and looks like i can stick with my trusty HIP/MCE setup for a long time to come...
i use my MVP remote with it and it's wonderfull...high performance...
[you can use different remotes with HIP as well...nearly any remote really]

there is an update/fix for HIP for key repeat rates, that isn't out yet..really speeds up HIP...
[search here for 'HIP repeat']

Enjoy!

[usctrojan]

It works but not very reliably. Any tips?

http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=43959

[markbb1]

It works but not very reliably. Any tips?

http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=43959

As I have said in other posts, maybe the blaster bud is not close enough to the ir receiver on the stb. I had a stb once that wouldn't change channels at all unless the blaster was dead center over the receiver eye, and oreinted correctly. If I had the bud turned "backwards", the stb sometimes missed a digit or something. (I had taped the bud on because the double sided tape needed to be replaced, if it was backwards, less power seemed to get to the eye). Also not sure why you are using HIP and not the native GBPVR capability to use the MCE 2005 hardware. I don't use HIP or IR Server Suite or anything. I just set mine up in GBPVR. (XP Pro, PVR-350, MCE-2005 IR "beanbag" and "bud".) It changes the channel fine on my Dish Network STB.