Need Help with Blaster Executable Path

[jaydub222]

I had to re-install NextPVR v5 from scratch and everything is working fine, except I forgot how to configure the blasting.  I'm using a Hauppauge Colossus 2 and a DirectTV STB.  The IR Blaster is connected to the Hauppauge and STB, and I can change channels in WinTV10, so the basic setup is fine.  But I'm having trouble getting the blaster to work in NPVR.  I enter in C:\Program Files (x86)\NPVR\HaupBlast.exe and then type in {channel}, and then save.   I think it set things correctly because I can see (HaupBlast.exe x) in the details column for each channel, where x = the channel number.  But blaster remains inoperable...no red lights light up on the emitter.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[three6zerocool]

Hi, I have both Colossus 1 and Colossus 2 cards, and use NextPVR v5 in Windows 10 64bit.
My path for blaster config is in the Program Files folder, and not Program Files (x86)
ie. C:\Program Files\NextPVR

My blast config string being 'C:\Program Files\NextPVR\HaupBlast.exe {channel}

Also, make sure to run 'BlastCFG' from the Hauppauge WinTV folder in Start Menu, and see that it is recognized and running.
(it should say information under the Version tab, and say something like API=2.4 and FW=2.1.0)

I think you are probably ok there tho, as you indicate that you can fire IR from the Hauppauge learning utility itself.

..good luck..

[three6zerocool]

Sorry, just re-read your post, and saw you can fire IR from WinTV.
It might be the same, but I don't use WinTV.

However, If you run 'BlastCFG',  it allows you to learn and save the IR commands from your original remote.
It also has pre-configured commands for various STB's if your lucky enough to have one that is supported.
Otherwise, just learn the digits 0 thru 9.

[jaydub222]

Oh I see.  Duh.  Thanks for the guidance. 

The IR is now blasting successfully.  However, there was some initial stuttering on the new channel and then video froze while the audio continued.  I changed my decoders  for H.264 Video from Microsoft to LAV and AAC Audio from Microsoft to LAV.  That seems to have corrected the problem for the most part.  When I change a channel direclty by right clicking and then choosing "Channel", it still stutters for about 4 seconds on the changed channel, but then rights itself.  There is no stuttering when I change the channel from "TV Guide" though.  Interesting.   

I see that for NPVR, Microsoft is the recommended decoder and Arcsoft is considered a good alternative.  I wonder why these are not working on my install.

[three6zerocool]

If you are using the native NextPVR.exe as your client on PC,  I have noticed similar audio issues using my STB.

The Hauppauge Colossus cards require time after a channel change for the audio to stabilize, especially when the audio stream swaps audio types.
(eg 2 channel to 5.1)
Some have found a delay script when channel changing helps, but having your STB output PCM really seems to solve a lot of audio issues with the native NextPVR.exe.

To accomplish this, go into the audio settings on your STB, and see if there are audio options such as Dolby Digital and PCM/Mpeg.
If there are, change the audio output to PCM/Mpeg.

I just use LAV filters with NextPVR.exe, but with my STB as source, I have audio issues changing channels with different audio types, so had to use the above PCM audio output tweak option on my STB, and then things work really well with NextPVR.exe.

If you want to use a different client, Kodi Matrix 19.1, using the NextPVR pvr-addon works really well, and does not seem to have the audio switching issue at all, so can use Dolby Digital from an STB.

Sub would tell you that not many shows are in 5.1 audio, and he is right.  There are movies tho that have DD 5.1, but most of the DD TV content is 2 channel.

Anyway, good to see you can IR blast now.