STB channel changing using firewire

[pvrnewb]

I am pretty sure I know the answer to this but here goes.

I have a couple of comcast (motorola) STB's and want to control the channel changing (for recording) over firewire. So far I have browsed the forums and found 4 options.

1) Low tech - use IR blaster
Using the IR blaster is not an option as I see it as it will change both STB's at the same time which defeat the purpose of having multiple stb's for recording multiple shows.

2) USB UIRT
Haven't found that in any stores, and I hate byuing something without the option of returning it if it doesn't work.

3) FireSTB/Channel.exe
This program seems outdated and seems to only work on XP. Since I am on win 2k (yes I know "outdated") then I can't use it. Several people across several forums has had problems with this on windows 7 so updating the OS may not solve the issue.

4) GraphEdit
I have noticed several posts on this plugin, however using this plugin for channel chaning is like hunting quails with an atom bomb. Overkill en masse.

I am hoping someone has a simple alternative to the above. I really find it hard to believe that it would be that difficult to change the channel on an STB using firewire.

Thanks

[mvallevand]

Step 1. Upgrade from Win2k. Realistically why should you expect any support on it from anyone? The Timmmoore drivers should work on 32 bit Win 7.

Martin

[collin]

Doing anything with Windows 2000 these days is unrealistic. Even XP is getting more obsolete by the day. That said, I use IR Server Suite to control two set top boxes independent of each other using IR blasters. The MCE remote and Ir receiver I use are Win7 only i'm told.

[pvrnewb]

I know I need to upgrade, so that would be a given . However 32 bit is obsolete too so it would be the 64 bit version which leaves out FireSTB.
I had hoped not to put $600 more into my box but it looks like I will have to (1 win7 and 2 HD PVR)

Does anyone know if HD PVR controls in other ways than IR Blaster? I only see that option listed.

[mikeh49]

I have used Firewire channel changing in both XP and 32 bit Win7. In Win7, you need to set the firewire hardware in device manager to legacy mode. This is well covered in other forums. Do you know for a fact that the channel.exe (or channelw.exe) will not work in Win2K? I'm not sure you even need the timmmoore drivers if you're not capturing, but only channel changing. They install quick, so why not give it a try. Maybe channel.exe works on 64 bit Win7. Also, look for the updated install files by exdeus.

[whurlston]

It won't work on x64. Channel.exe may run but without the drivers installed, channel.exe has no device to control and the drivers will not load on x64.

[markbb1]

I am pretty sure I know the answer to this but here goes.

I have a couple of comcast (motorola) STB's and want to control the channel changing (for recording) over firewire. So far I have browsed the forums and found 4 options.

1) Low tech - use IR blaster
Using the IR blaster is not an option as I see it as it will change both STB's at the same time which defeat the purpose of having multiple stb's for recording multiple shows.

You can use IrServerSuite to control multiple set top boxes independently with an MCE "beanbag". The "beanbag" has a transmitter built in and two blaster ports, each can be controlled separately, giving you control over as many as THREE set top boxes, even if they are closely colocated. I bought my MCE remote kit for my XP box for about $20 (USD) off E-Bay (you don't need the Media Center Edition of XP to use it, it may work with Win2K, I dunno). USBUIRT is supposed to have similar capability (at least TWO set top boxes), but I never tried one.
[QUOTE]

[pvrnewb]

Thanks guys.
I will try to upgrade in a week or so and see how it goes.
For now I think the plan will be to upgrade to 1 HD PVR since I recently was forced (comcast) to upgrade to digital, so it only makes sense to make the best of it.
I might try the beanbag and see if that will work when I move beyond the 1 HD PVR, but I assume I can get the initial HD PVR to work with the IR blaster provided.

Once again thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

[steveum]

When I setup my 32 bit windows 7 box for firestb, I just installed the drivers from exdeus and then just installed the tools from tim moore's installer. I don't recall any setting up of a legacy device mode. It was pretty quick to setup and if it works, it works great. There is a thread on the SageTV forums geared dedicated toward getting the firestb working with different STBs. This was helpful getting the correct parameters for the channel.exe.