MCE2005 ir blaster

[stefan]

Great job on the new release!

I saw that you added support for the MCE2005 ir blaster. This seems nice, as I can get one of those cheaper than I can get a USB-URIT. A few questions though. Some of these I guess Sub is more suited to answer, others might be more aimed at other readers =)

a) Can I use GBPVR to learn my STB remote, or do I need another program for that (previously people have used HIP, if I understand correctly)

b) Can I use the ir blaster from the MCE2005 only, and still use my universal remote that I use today? Alternatively, is the MCE2005 a learning remote in the meaning that I can teach it the remote codes of my TV, Surround system, etc?

c) Would I have an equal chance to teach the MCE2005 the remote of my STB as I would have with the USB-UIRT, or would I have a greater chance with the USB-UIRT? The remote I'm using is in the 56 KHz band, so it's not in the "normal" 32 KHz.

[ricklous]

this only applies to the old release as ive not used the new one yet.

a) you need another program to do the learning. you then set the 'channel changer' element of your capture source (in GBPVRs config screen) to the relevant program. GBPVR tells the program what channel it wants and the program uses the IR codes you taught it to change the channel on your stb for GBPVR. At least with the previous release of GBPVR you did...

b) (if i understand the question) the MCE 2005 receiver/blaster *should* be able to receive codes from your universal remote, which HIP/girder can then translate into commands to send to GBPVR or IR codes to send to either (or both) of the devices that have a mce blaster attached.

For example, I wanted to try the hauppague remote but couldnt due to their rubbish software not working when you have multiple tuners installed, so i used the MCE receiver/blaster as a receiver for the hauppage remote rather than using the hauppage IR receiver. basicly, if the mce receiver blinks its red light when you point your remote at it and press a button, you should be able to use them together. Maybe if you found a shop that had one hooked up you could take your remote in and give it a sly test before buying. the light will blink regardless of the software/driver you are using.

C) dunno about that one, but maybe the guys over at http://www.thegreenbutton.com will have a better idea of the bands the MCE receiver works with.

[stefan]

Thank's for your reply

b) (if i understand the question) the MCE 2005 receiver/blaster *should* be able to receive codes from your universal remote, which HIP/girder can then translate into commands to send to GBPVR or IR codes to send to either (or both) of the devices that have a mce blaster attached.

Nah... that's not quite what I want. I don't want the MCE2005 to be involved in receiving anything at all, because that would mean AnotherThingThatNeedsToWork™. My universal remote already works perfectly well, sending Hauppauge signals to my Hauppauge receiver, and talking to GBPVR. What I want to know (and I think it shouldn't be a problem, but I'm not sure) is if I can use *only* the ir blaster part of the MCE2005.

basicly, if the mce receiver blinks its red light when you point your remote at it and press a button, you should be able to use them together. Maybe if you found a shop that had one hooked up you could take your remote in and give it a sly test before buying. the light will blink regardless of the software/driver you are using.

Good idea, I might try that one if I can find such a shop.

C) dunno about that one, but maybe the guys over at http://www.thegreenbutton.com will have a better idea of the bands the MCE receiver works with.

Thank's.

[sub]

a) Can I use GBPVR to learn my STB remote, or do I need another program for that (previously people have used HIP, if I understand correctly)

The new release of GB-PVR contains everything you need to learn you STB's remote.

b) Can I use the ir blaster from the MCE2005 only, and still use my universal remote that I use today? Alternatively, is the MCE2005 a learning remote in the meaning that I can teach it the remote codes of my TV, Surround system, etc?

Yes, you can choose to just use the MCE2005 blaster and totally ignore the remote. No, the MCE2005 remote is not a learning remote in the normal sense.

c) Would I have an equal chance to teach the MCE2005 the remote of my STB as I would have with the USB-UIRT, or would I have a greater chance with the USB-UIRT? The remote I'm using is in the 56 KHz band, so it's not in the "normal" 32 KHz

To be honest, I dont know. I've not really spent much time investigating this. You should be able to find more info on the http://www.thegreenbutton.com site.

[stefan]

They don't really want to tell me. They just point me to the list of supported brands, saying: "but even if your brand is on that list, your model may or may not be supported" =)

Oh, well, if I can't get it to work with my serial blaster (I doubt I will) I'll probably be better off getting the usb-uirt.