PVR-250 and STB question

[richrowland]

Hello to all!

I am attempting to build a PVR as a Christmas (2008!) gift for a friend using GB-PVR 1.3.11 and a Hauppauge PVR-250 card that came out of a PC that I took in trade. Since I didn't have a remote, I ebayed a Hauppauge PVR-250 remote, which came with an IR receiver only.

I am trying to test with an analog Dish 322 STB at my house, and will be installing to an analog Comcast STB of unknown make/model at my friend's.

The problem that I am having is in controlling the STB. I have looked on ebay for a Hauppauge PVR-150 combo IR Blaster/IR receiver cable without success. A link I found on a Beyond TV forum seems to suggest that you can control the STB using S-Video.

Do I have any other options? I have looked at USB-UIRT and will go that route if necessary, but I thought I should beseech expect opinion before I make my wife mad by spending any further money without guidance.

TIA for all replies.

-- Richard

[johnsonx42]

.. installing to an analog Comcast STB of unknown make/model at my friend's.
...suggest that you can control the STB using S-Video.

Control via S-Video? Not likely. S-Video is strictly an analog video feed, there's no data connection at all. Some STB's can be controlled by serial (many DirecTV receivers, probably others), others by Firewire (some cable co boxes and dvr's). I'd suggest you find out the exact model of STB and search the forum.

As to your test with the Dish 322, AFAIK you have to have an IR Blaster, nothing else will do (and that will only control one of the two tuners, the other is UHF only with no known means of control).

[wtg]

Definitely check on the STB model. If it can be controlled via firewire, this is the best option by far. It's fast and flawless - much quicker and more reliable than a blaster. I use it for controlling one of my cable boxes.

Re: the blaster cable though, you might try calling Hauppauge support. While I don't see it for sale on their website, they might be able to order one for you. I'd kind of be surprised if they couldn't.

The USB-UIRT's work very well too, and since gbpvr has support for it built-in, you don't need any other software to use it. I use this to control my other cable box.

Finally, one other option to consider is the MCE remote and blaster. I don't have one of these but plenty of people use them. Supposedly they work very well.

Good luck.

[richrowland]

I checked on the model of my buddy's STB, and it is a Motorola DCT2244/1161.

It has a serial port on the back, so I am hoping a serial cable and Girder will work.

Thanks for all the help!