Tuning with IRBlast

[jasonwilliams]

Hello,

I just rebuilt my NPVR server on a fresh install of Windows 10.  Before the rebuild, I had everything working perfectly, and I'm pretty close to getting it back except for tuning.  I'm using an HDPVR device and I'm getting the video stream, but I just can't get it to change channels.  It's not even firing the IRBlaster (I don't see the IR light up).  For the settings, I have the command as:

IRBlast.exe

The passed parameters are:

-channel {channel}

The IRBlast.exe file is in the NPVR root folder and I can run it successfully from a command line from that location.  I see in the logs:

<tuning>
  <type>HDPVR</type>
  <locator>
    <channel>2</channel>
    <input>3</input>
    <audio_input>3</audio_input>
    <blaster_executable>IRBlast.exe</blaster_executable>
    <blaster_args>-channel {channel}</blaster_args>
  </locator>
</tuning>

2024-03-26 14:49:24.347 [INFO][4] HDPVRRecorder.StartStream(LIVE&C:\Buffer\live-TV Ontario-9820-2.ts)
2024-03-26 14:49:24.348 [INFO][4] Running blaster: IRBlast.exe -channel 2
2024-03-26 14:49:24.350 [DEBUG][4] About to tune graph to:
<tuning>
  <type>HDPVR</type>
  <locator>
    <channel>2</channel>
    <input>3</input>
    <audio_input>3</audio_input>
    <blaster_executable>IRBlast.exe</blaster_executable>
    <blaster_args>-channel {channel}</blaster_args>
  </locator>
</tuning>

I seem to remember missing something obvious last time I configured this, but I am once stumped once again.  Any help is much appreciated!

[mvallevand]

Perhaps check this post https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.ph...#pid589836

Martin

[jasonwilliams]

Thanks Martin. I just tried that and still no love. I also tried putting the whole path in the command field and pointing at the original IRBlast folder like this:

'C:\Program Files (x86)\IR Server Suite\IRBlast.exe'

All the DLLs and related files are in that folder, but it still doesn't fire the IR. I also tried using the builtin blaster and using the HaupBlast command that comes with the NPVR, but still not luck. It works from the command line, but doesn't seem to be executing the command even though it says it is in the logs.

[mvallevand]

Sorry I misread I thought you were using BlastCfg and that is what needs the dll.

Can't help with IRBlast.exe sorry again. However look at this

<blaster_executable>IRBlast.exe</blaster_executable>

assumes IRBlast.exe is in the path and maybe you didn't update the path.

Martin

[jasonwilliams]

Thanks again. Even if I specify the path, it doesn't seem to run the executable. Is the default path the NPVR folder? I also tried copying the executable and its DLLs to that folder, but same thing. I'm putting the path in single quotes - that's what I've read elsewhere. Really stuck!

[sub]

Even if I specify the path, it doesn't seem to run the executable.

Once you specified the full path, I'm guessing it is running it, but irblast.exe is having some issue.

I seem to vaguely remember this software stored it's configuration under the current user, and when you run from the NextPVR Service, which runs as the 'localsystem' account, it can't find it's configuration. You might need to try changing the service to run as your account rather than localsystem

(in the distant past, I'm pretty sure this utility used to use the clipboard to send commands to the IR Server Suite executable, which was incompatible with background services etc, but I'm guessing that must have been resolved)

[mvallevand]

Windows want double quotes, you may have read Linux threads.

Maybe call a batch file from the NextPVR scripts folder that calls the exe and the you can test the batch file, paths etc.

Code:

cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\IR Server Suite"
IRBlast.exe -channel %1

Edit: It is was -channel

Martin

[sub]

Are you sure the parameter you want is channel and not -channel?

It is "-channel" in the xml in top post.

[mvallevand]

Oops, thanks trouble with 2160p fonts sometimes.

Martin

[sub]

It looks particularly small with that font too