HD PVR Blaster Issues

[bgrieb]

I recently switched from an HVR-1600 to an HD PVR for captures on my 64-bit Windows 7 installation and have had all sorts of problems with the IR blaster either hanging or failing to initialize properly. Whenever that occurs the recording is tanked. I have the same problems regardless of whether I use GB-PVR (preferred) or the Hauppauge software.

I never had problems with the blaster for the HVR-1600 in the same system (same OS). That being said, I was considering the concept of putting that card back in the system and using it strictly for the channel changing ability. Is anyone aware of any conflicts or problems that would be created by doing this? Is it even possible and/or has anyone tried it?

Thank you in advance for any input.

BG

[sub]

I'd try getting putting that HVR-1600 in there for blasting, or find another blaster. There is definitely issues with the HD-PVR blaster.

[bgrieb]

Thanks for your reply. I kind of figured as much about the HD-PVR as I've seen a lot of people reporting problems but no real solutions outside of "try the newest driver". I'll try using the HVR-1600 as a blaster host and see what happens.

[steveum]

When I was having this problem, I switched to using a firewire to change channels. I don't know if this is an option for you since you are using 64 bit windows 7. I too am using windows 7, but 32 bit. If want to know more, search for "firestb" or "tim moore".

[mvallevand]

If you are using an STB that support firewire, you can't go wrong using Timmmoore's channel.exe instead of a blaster. It has been flawless for me on the three Scientific Atlanta cable boxes (SA 8000, SA 8300, SA 4250HD) that I've tried.

Martin

[bgrieb]

Putting the HVR-1600 back in didn't work. After various attempts at changing up the order of hardware and driver installation the end result was always that whenever the HD-PVR unit is on it fields all blaster calls regardless of whether there's one plugged into the unit.

I may end up going the USB-UIRT route. It seems fairly straight forward to setup and there are drivers available for Windows 7 64-bit.

[hexibot43]

I'm using GBPVR, just got the HD-pvr-1212, and already use the usb-uirt. I'm having a terrible time getting it working. I can control the gb-pvr with the hauppauge remote very well. I scanned the buttons in using the routine in gb-pvr. But getting the uirt to control a Sonicview, or CNX box hasn't proven very successful. I have yet to every see LiveTV work with the HD-pvr. as I have seen stated by some others it just returns to the main menu.
Once I finish writing this I'm going to remove the usb-uirt control for HD-pvr, and just set it to record whatever channel I have my box on. I wish I had a box I could try the firwire controls. I'm working on the USB-UIRT. I was having trouble getting another remote to control gb-pvr using the USB-UIRT. When I switched to the one that comes with the HD-PVR suddenly I had real control of GB-PVR. I'm wondering if this is why USB-UIRT is having trouble controlling my SAT box. I was using a spare controller from a like SAT box in my first attempts at controlling GB-PVR. It wasn't happening.
I truly have high hopes for the HD-Pvr. I'm guessing it will all come together sooner or later.

Good Luck. I'll let you know if I get USB-UIRT to correctly control my SAT box.

[hexibot43]

The HD-PVR is working perfectly to record from my SAT box if I already have the SAT box tuned to the right channel, and ensure I don't point the IR blaster at the box. I have tested the recorded program using VLC player. So the ability of GB-PVR to be started and stopped from GB-PVR is working perfectly. One caveat is the player used by PVRX2 doesn't appear able to use the Codec H.264 to playback the video. When you go to play it back you get a black screen with audio. VLC plays it nicely. I just did some reading on a different forum, and they talked about having to have the remote you are learning within an inch of reciver of the USB-UIRT. I was able to scan in the hauppauge remote without a problem. But my other two remotes don't seem to learn correctly. Or something with the routine that sends out the codes to the blaster has a problem. I'm doing single keystrokes to control GB-pvr so it is rather simple. But the codes for channel changes are a little more complex. I'm hoping this is. If the player in PVRX2 is updated to play using the codec for the recordings, and signals sent out start to work this will be fantastic. I have no doubt these are two very simple problems. I'm going to make some recordings of the irblaster signals being send out, and analyze them. I've got a logic analyzer somewhere around here that could easily make recording of the signals being delievered to the IR transmitter. Sorry if I've kinda-of-taken over your thread. I bet if the signals to the SAT Box are slowed down it would work perfectly. In the reading I've done of other forums I seen very mixed results trying to control a Sat Box with USB-UIRT. But I'm guessing it has more to do with the software sending out the signals to the device. I think in the end this will be a good setup.

[hexibot43]

Just found a clue, and a fix! USB-UIRT working perfectly now! And consistently too!

In the GB-PVR folder there is a subfolder for USB-UIRT. You will have saved your codes in a file you've named when you did the learn of the remote. I checked my file against the those of other SAT boxes, like Coolsat, and ViewSAT. I noticed all the codes for those boxes had the same amount of codes for each character being sent. When I looked at the file I had created for my SAT box they were not!

"You don't have any interference around? UV-lights? Plasma screen? Other ir emitters?" - quoted from another thread.

My God I've got a 50" plasma right behind the USB-UIRT. Moved away from the screen and did a relearn. Working perfectly now! So I can now say the USB-UIRT will do the job! I bet a lot of people are having this same problem. I didn't think a Plasma screen posed any interference. Shows what I know.

If you have any problems open the file you've learned, and compare it to others. I used notepad, it is a common text file.

[bgrieb]

Thanks for all the replies. I've ordered the USB-UIRT and hope to have the same level of success.