"How To" set up the Hauppauge HD-PVR with blaster (Instructions Inside)

[sic0048]

Perhaps it will work in some situations. Maybe the fact that you installed the QAM tuner drivers first, then the HD-PVR and then installed the IR software made the difference. I'll change the wording again in the first post to not be so strong.

Please keep us informed if things stop working however.

Thanks!

[AJ Bertelson]

Originally Posted by UgaData

My solution was to follow the directions in this thread. Uninstall SageTV, uninstall the IR Blaster, WinTV scheduler, and HD-PVR driver. I then ran the HCW Clear and rebooted.

I loaded the latest driver for the HVR-1600 first. I loaded the latest driver for the HD-PVR next, followed by the scheduler, IR Blaster setup, IR remote programs. Last I reloaded SageTV. (basically, I loaded any/all other tuners before loading the HD-PVR and the IR Blaster software.)

I may try this also. I initially got the HDPVR to work when I installed it for the very first time, the PVR150's were all ready installed on the system. I ran into issues with what I believed to be the blaster because the blaster would transmit but the moto box wouldn't pick it up. I figured it was a software configuration but after I ran the OP's instructions I was running into the same issue, with out the PVR150 drivers installed.

"The HDPVR blaster would send the signal but the box wouldn't pick it up"
Turns out that the hauppage blaster is really weak, and I mean really weak. It has to be placed almost directly on the moto box for me.

So currently I have the HDPVR working and recording pretty controlled through the exemultituner plugin and the sd box controlled through the USBUIRT(which doesn't have zone control according to the serial number). The 1394 is fairly good but I have noticed it will switch to the music channels if it records the same channel in a row for some reason, so I want to get the hauppage blaster working again.

I am going to try the hwclear, PVR150 driver install, then the HDPVR driver, then the 3 hauppage programs, and finally sageTV like UGdata did. This seems to have worked the time when I first installed the HDPVR, I just didn't have the blaster lined up correctly.

Then of course I will have to fight with the nodata epg, ah the bleeding edge of tech.

[mattdcknsn]

I am confused (happens alot).

I thought that the HD-PVR IR blaster wouldn't work if you had more than one Hauppauge card installed? Then I read a couple of posts here contradicting that. So does anybody have an IR blaster working from an HD-PVR with multiple Hauppauge capture devices?

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by mattdcknsn

I am confused (happens alot).

I thought that the HD-PVR IR blaster wouldn't work if you had more than one Hauppauge card installed? Then I read a couple of posts here contradicting that. So does anybody have an IR blaster working from an HD-PVR with multiple Hauppauge capture devices?

That is what I have always understood, but UgaData seems to have gotten the Hauppauge blaster to work with a HVR-1600. So I guess it is one of those situations where you can never say "never"

I'd love to hear more success stories of people getting it to work with other Hauppauge tuners. I know I've heard about a lot of failures, but perhaps there is an order of installation that CAN make it all work nicely together.

Originally Posted by UgaData

I found this thread looking for something about istalling the HD-PVR and another Hauppauge tuner and was still able to use the IR Blaster.

I have 2 Motorola DCH-3200s, one uses firewire for tuning and capture, the other has an HD-PVR using the Hauppauge IR Blaster.

I ran into problems when I added an HVR-1600 for QAM. Everything seemed to work OK until I tried tuning a channel on the HD-PVR. It would record just fine but it wouldn't change the channel.

My solution was to follow the directions in this thread. Uninstall SageTV, uninstall the IR Blaster, WinTV scheduler, and HD-PVR driver. I then ran the HCW Clear and rebooted.

I loaded the latest driver for the HVR-1600 first. I loaded the latest driver for the HD-PVR next, followed by the scheduler, IR Blaster setup, IR remote programs. Last I reloaded SageTV. (basically, I loaded any/all other tuners before loading the HD-PVR and the IR Blaster software.)

All 3 sources are currently working as expected. Perhaps I am misunderstanding something from the quote. It could also be that I got lucky and the Blaster won't continue working after a day or so.

[sic0048]

FYI - I'm still planning on adding pictures to the instructions. I've just been a little too busy to get it done. Hopefully I can add them soon. Sorry for the delay.

[gplasky]

It's not that the IR drivers won't work if you have multiple cards. You can't specifiy what card it will work on. So if you have a HD-PVR and a HVR2250 and you want to use the IR on the HD-PVR it may not work. But it can be working on the HVR2250. So you may need to plug the blaster into all the cards to see which one it is working on and configure it from there.

Gerry

[mattdcknsn]

Ok, that makes sense. If I get some time tonight I'll give this a shot and see what I can get going. Thanks

Originally Posted by gplasky

It's not that the IR drivers won't work if you have multiple cards. You can't specifiy what card it will work on. So if you have a HD-PVR and a HVR2250 and you want to use the IR on the HD-PVR it may not work. But it can be working on the HVR2250. So you may need to plug the blaster into all the cards to see which one it is working on and configure it from there.

Gerry

[AJ Bertelson]

the uninstall sagetv->HWclear->restart->install PVR150 drivers->restart->install HD PVR drivers->restart->install 3 hauppage programs(PVR scheduler, IR drivers, IRblast)->restart->then install sagetv

seems to work so far. Its black magic working with the hauppage cards but I am learning a little bit on how to trick it and some of their software works and what it breaks.

[pez]

I have no problem getting the IR on the HD-PVR working from Sage but its not stable. It will work for a day, a week, a month, or so, and then just stop tuning.

The HD-PVR still records but Sage can't make it tune the STB. The Hauppaugge IR app still works though. I have to stop Sage and sometimes turn off the HD-PVR. (Thinking about it, i probably only need to unplug/replug the usb so that the driver stops and restarts.)

Is everyone who follow the OP's steps seeing IR stable for more than a month?

Thanks,
Pez

[sic0048]

On my original machine, I had my set up rock solid. I found myself checking it if the machine had rebooted for some reason (which was rare), but even then it generally worked without any issues.

My new setup with the new WHS machine hasn't been quite as stable. For example, the HD-PVR locked up last night. But I suspect that was due to heat issues - I found a piece of paper laying on my DishSTB covering up the vent holes. That was causing it to run hotter than normal (if that is even possible ) and the HD-PVR is near the STB and could easily been affected.

But your point is very valid. It seems like getting the built in blaster to consistantly work takes a little luck sometimes. I haven't had my new set up running long enough to be able to comment yet, but I am very open to hearing other people's experiences.

Hopefully working together we can get something that works consistently.

[AJ Bertelson]

Turn your HDPVR on its side.

[qanzark]

Originally Posted by sic0048

Do you mean removing the HD-PVR as a source in SageTV and then adding it back in as a source in SageTV? I'm just trying to figure out exactly what you are referring too.

Thanks,

Sorry for the delayed response.
The Thing I'm referring to in SageTV is when you uninstall Sage and then reinstall it, the config is still kept. Which for the most part is a good thing.

But, when you install the PVR again you need to make sure you remove the source and add it again. It seems to be that that SageTV doesn't grab all the parts of the driver to make it work. Until you make a new source.

Plus, I changed the permissions on the SageTV folder, not sure if that made a difference or not, but it might be something to add to the Tutorial.

Thanks again.

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by sic0048

On my original machine, I had my set up rock solid. I found myself checking it if the machine had rebooted for some reason (which was rare), but even then it generally worked without any issues.

My new setup with the new WHS machine hasn't been quite as stable. For example, the HD-PVR locked up last night. But I suspect that was due to heat issues - I found a piece of paper laying on my DishSTB covering up the vent holes. That was causing it to run hotter than normal (if that is even possible ) and the HD-PVR is near the STB and could easily been affected.

But your point is very valid. It seems like getting the built in blaster to consistantly work takes a little luck sometimes. I haven't had my new set up running long enough to be able to comment yet, but I am very open to hearing other people's experiences.

Hopefully working together we can get something that works consistently.

I guess I should note that by switching back to the HD-PVR 1.5.0.301 drivers, my WHS setup is rock solid again. When I rebuilt my machine, I experimented with some of the newer drivers and got lockups. Going back to the older driver (which was also the version I was using on my previous XP Pro setup which was also sable) made all the difference in the world.

[mikel]

Posted this to the wrong thread...
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...3&postcount=40


I have it working with 3 hauppagge devices. irBlaster is dumb and will try to use ONLY the MOST RECENT INSTALLED hauppage device. EVEN if they don't have IR blaster hardware.

I have HD-PVR, HVR850 and HVR950q. Simply manually select 'remove drivers' from device manager properties page and reboot. That's it. Windows will auto-install the drivers after reboot and sage worked fine. No other reinstalls for me.

A simple test to confirm this is your issue? For me, USB devices, just unplug the other tuners except the one you would like to use. irBlaster will say No HW found... stupid sw.

[joe123]

A million thank YOU for putting this together and with the nice pictures for reference.

My new HD PVR was crashing SageTV until I followed all of the steps you outlined.

Fantastic JOB!

[sic0048]

I've updated the first post with the link to the older 1.0.5.301 drivers. I've also updated the directions strongly urging people to try the older drivers first.

[superdodge]

I also can't get the HDPVR IR Blaster to work consistently. After a few days to a week it will simply stop working through Sage until I restart the computer and power cycle the HDPVR.

Anyone else have any leads on what may be causing this?

[joe123]

Originally Posted by superdodge

I also can't get the HDPVR IR Blaster to work consistently. After a few days to a week it will simply stop working through Sage until I restart the computer and power cycle the HDPVR.

Anyone else have any leads on what may be causing this?

I am one of the few that the HD PVR IR blaster worked perfectly from day one.

I have noticed that if I play with the "BlastCFG" program that comes with the HD PVR, that this will lock-up SageTV from being able to use the HD-PVR IR blaster.

Make sure you are not using any other IR program manually once SageTV is running.

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by superdodge

I also can't get the HDPVR IR Blaster to work consistently. After a few days to a week it will simply stop working through Sage until I restart the computer and power cycle the HDPVR.

Anyone else have any leads on what may be causing this?

When the IR is locked up next time, open the BlastCFG program and see if the IR blaster is found. Look at the lower right corner and see if the hardware is listed.

[korben_dallas]

Originally Posted by pez

I have no problem getting the IR on the HD-PVR working from Sage but its not stable. It will work for a day, a week, a month, or so, and then just stop tuning.

The HD-PVR still records but Sage can't make it tune the STB. The Hauppaugge IR app still works though. I have to stop Sage and sometimes turn off the HD-PVR. (Thinking about it, i probably only need to unplug/replug the usb so that the driver stops and restarts.)

Is everyone who follow the OP's steps seeing IR stable for more than a month?

Thanks,
Pez

Pez,

Looks like you're having the same IR Blaster issue that I was having. So far, it appears to be a reboot / hardware initialization issue on my PC. If my PC gets powered off, shutdown, or just rebooted, sometimes the IR Blaster will not work on next boot. If I have to take the machine down for any reason, when it comes up 1) make sure the HD PVR is behaving as a USB device and 2) unplug then replug the IR Blaster then make sure it is working in BlastCFG then start SageTV and make sure it can tune.