Continue using USB-UIRT or will MCE blast channels now? Win7?

[Torque]

Hey all, long time, no see...

I'm rebuilding my PVR with new motherboard/RAM/CPU and wondering if things have changed since a few years ago with regards to the MCE hardware being able to change channels on my Dish Network's STB.

I am currently using a USB-UIRT and blasting bud to change channels, but if I can eliminate it and use the MCE hardware for both Rx and Tx duties, that would simplify the config and wiring. I don't want to use any intermediary software, like HIP/Girder etc. Is this possible now? I read pBS excellent posts on the progress he's made with changing the function of the MCE remote buttons (nice work!) but didn't get a clear indication if MCE hardware can be used to change channels natively now.

Also, I have a Windows 7 Home license burning a hole on my shelf that I'd like to put to use. How's the stability of GBPVR under Win7? See any glaring issues of replicating my configuration (see my Sig) under 7? Since there is a RAM limitation with the Haup PVR-150, I'll be using only 2GB RAM. I will probably just install 32bit unless anyone has recommendations because of issues with Haup PVR-150, HDhomerun, USB-UIRT drivers to go with 64bit instead.

[pBS]

gbpvr works great in win7.. of course don't install into program files and you won't have most of the vista/7 issues with permissions etc..
as far as blasting, they changed the ir service's security, so only a service can ask it to blast now..
but good news is you can use the alternate driver and all works as usual..
can then use built-in blasting facilities..for a no-software solution..
can even use hip if wanted then..[but not necessary]
i do notice it's not quite as zippy as using the native driver, but it's close..
i added an 'enter' before sending channels to make it rock solid..but i use hip so that was easy..
not sure if built-in blast can do that...i know it can add enter after tho..
i don't notice any diff with 64bit and for stabiulity i'd say 32 bit's a good choice for exactly the things you mentioned..

[mikeh49]

I'm running Win7 32 bit with a PVR150 and the latest (as of last December) drivers off the Hauppauge site. No problems, and these drivers seem to have fixed the too loud audio I had with XP. Also, these drivers work fine with 4GB of RAM; I think the issue is more than 4 GB.

I second pBS recommendation to not install in Program Files. I got tripped up by the new security features, as have many others.

The EVR renderer works by far the best for me, but you'll be disappointed if you like to view letterboxed analog broadcasts in full screen. EVR can't/won't remove the letterbox like VMR9.

My Avermedia card sometimes gets "lost" after resuming from standby, so I use hibernate. Hibernate is buried fairly deeply in the power options menu, just keep digging in the Advanced (I think) section. Win7 is really quick to resume from Standby though.

[Torque]

Thanks for the info pBS.

Mikeh49, I wonder if the 4GB limitation with the PVR150 has to do with using 64bit Win7. My friend never could get his to work with 4GB with Win7 64bit, but it worked fine if he used 2GB.

What are the problems with installing GBPVR in Program Files? In the past, things worked very quirky if it wasn't installed in the default c:\program files.

[mikeh49]

Regarding 64 bit Win7, I think you're right. I just got whatever Haup recommended for Win7 32 bit and it works just fine.

Long story, but as I understand it, Win7 (and Vista, I think) protect the Program Files (and Windows) directory and, in general, do not let the user make changes to files in this directory and sub-directories. You need Administrator privileges to make changes. I have never set up my XP computers with user accounts, administrators etc so was incompetent with this. In addition, Win7 creates a "Virtual Store" where changes you think you have made to files in Program Files are kept. So, for example, you will have two versions of config.xml, one in program files and one with your changes in the virtual store. Also, very painful to edit irremote.ini in the Windows directory if you want to tweak your remote settings.

Sub tries to give everyone privileges in the GBPVR directory, but I still had problems. Google on Virtual Store to read more. Perhaps someone here can give a more intelligent and concise description.

Sub says the next version of GBPVR will be more Win7 friendly by putting the configuration files in a different place.

[Torque]

Ahh, yeah, I've run into this before with other custom applications. Most of the time the developers move the config files into either the user profile or the ProgramData folder. Thanks.