PVR-150 Media Center Kit: IR Blaster Problem

[Subscription_Free]

Hi All,

I am having problems with my rig recognizing the IR Remote / Blaster hardware. I downloaded the latest driver's from Hauppauge for my card, followed the instructions installing them, and then continued to install the IR Remote Control App. However, towards the end of the IR Remote Control App installation I get a message "Hauppauge WinTV Infrared Remote has been successfully installed", followed quickly with a "Failed to initialize Infrared Remote Hardware". Just for fun, I went ahead an ignored the error, and installed the IR Blaster setup program. When I run the IR Blaster Configuration I get a error "Could not find IR hardware" just before the program loads. Once it loads, everything is greyed out. When I run "BlastCfg" in the bottom right corner of the program I see "No IR Blaster HWFound". Even with the "Allow External IR Blaster App" box checked, I get the same "Falied to initialize Infrared Remote Hardware" error.
I've done a lot of searching and reading up even this thread:

http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=7089

(apparently, I am definitely not the only one to have this problem), but most people's problem is initialization after hibernation or some length of time. They can resolve the problem by restarting, however, I can't get it to work even with a restart.
I've tried all the fixes from what I've read (short of contacting Hauppauge) like copying over a couple .dll files from the install, or running HCWclear.exe, and re-installing the hardware and drivers, etc. The IR blaster that I got with the kit is the one that plugs into the back of the IR receiver (mini jack into port 1 or 2), and the receiver in turn plugs via USB into my computer. Yes, I've tried every single port on my computer (swapping keyboard with USB IR receiver) and still get the same error. However, when I channel up or channel down, for example, using the remote for my DISH Network 301 receiver, a little red light flashes on the IR Receiver, so I know that there is power, and the receiver is able to acknowledge and receive an IR signal.
I also looked under my device manager profile, and while there were no "yellow question marks beside the HID devices root, I did notice that under HID, 2 instances of "HID-compliant consumer control device", and 4 instances of "HID-compliant device" and 1 instance of "Microsoft eHome Infrared Transceiver". I read that I should have 1,3,1 instances respectively? So maybe this is the root of the problem. Each copy of each instance share the exact same driver ver.
Otherwise, when GB-PVR is installed, it records and views like a dream. The problem is, I have to manually change the channel due to non-working IR Blaster / Receiver transmission.

I'm really sorry this is so long.... I just wanted to get as much down as possible. I really hope someone can help me out there.... I'm so close to nirvana I can taste it!!

[martint123]

What card do you have?. You say "media centre kit" Looking at the docs the Media Centre Edition one doesn't have the IR Blaster hardware - it relies on the MCE devices.

[snume]

It seems as though you have the MCE Remote & blaster but are trying to configure the Hauppauge IR Blaster. :p

You need to dl the replacement MCE remote/blaster drivers and upgrade your eHome Infrared Transceiver with them. Then you can configure GBPVR to use the MCE channel changer or install HIP and use it as your channel changer in GBPVR. Make sure you update the driver on the device in the USB section of device manager, or it won't work.

Check out this link for more info: http://www.byremote.com.au/Hip/mce_remot...0shortcuts

BTW, is your receiver grey or black? if it's black, you have a V2 remote, if it's grey most likely have a V1. a V2 is preferred, but if you have a V1, you will only be able to change channels with it. Hip doesn't support it (yet). Check your remote against this page: http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Hardware/MCERemotes

You can also PM me for more help if you need.

Steve

[Subscription_Free]

martint123,

this is exactly what I have (model 1062), thanks to snume for the link:
http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Hardw...50#PVR1062
it's called "Media Center Kit" on the box.

[snume]

So I see you have the Hauppauge MCE Remote & Blaster. It should still work with the new drivers and in GBPVR. Let me know if you need any help setting it up.

Steve

[martint123]

I'm not too sure now, but does the IR receiver use USB and the transmitter plug into the receiver??. If so then I still think the IR is controlled by MCE rather than Hauppauge. On mine (like the 1045 above your picture) there is IR hardware on the board and the IR devices plug into the board.

Hopefully someone with the same hardware, but working, will be along soon.

Martin

[snume]

He for sure has the Hauppauge branded MCE remote, USB receiver & Blaster. So he should be able to use the updated MCE remote drivers and have GBPVR native support. He should be able to at least change the channels on his dish with this setup.

[zed]

So are you saying that the HIP MCE replacement driver is needed in order for the Hauppauge branded MCE remote, USB receiver & Blaster to work with GB-PVR native support? The standard Microsoft eHome IR drivers won't work with it? I also have one that was bundled with a PVR500 and I can't seem to get the blaster to work. I have a Microsoft unit on my other system and it works fine with the standard eHome drivers.

[ddrum2000]

I ahev the same problem as you where I have the Hauppauge remote but the MCE reciever. what combination of GBPVR and HID do I need to use to get the remote to control GBPVR and GBPVR to control my set top box. thanks...

[snume]

Well, I am speculating that that's the case. On your other system, what is your OS? What model MCE Remote are you using there? V1 or V2? I never tried my V2 without the replacement drivers so I can't say that it would've if I hadn't updated them. But it does work in XP with them. It changes the channels just fine on my receiver, but's that all it does. I think HIP is needed to have the remote actually control anything. I don't use it. I watch all my TV on the XBOX.