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

[exponent]

Another user posted

"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 did this and it worked flawlessly (so far -24 hours)

[exponent]

I changed nothing after getting the channel changing working with IR blaster. I scheduled a show to be recorded and it didn't change channels although Sagetv thought the channel had changed. The IR blaster works - if I go to IRblaster config I can change channels on my STB no problem. Most of the buttons on the remote work but no matter what it now wont change channels. This is driving me crazy. Deinstalling, reinstalling and the channel changin keeps stopping.

[sic0048]

OK - so it sounds like the Hauppauge software is set up correctly and working. That leaves Sage as the potential problem (I'm not suggesting that Sage is broken, but it probably isn't set up correctly).

I assume you have set up the HD-PVR inside of Sage to use the Hauppauge IR Blaster. But where is the IR file for your STB? Sometimes it needs to be moved to the Hauppauge Device folder in order for Sage to be able to read and use the correct IR codes.

[exponent]

I saw a post that says there is a conflict between using SPDIF with the remote. Sure enough I unplugged the optical cable and the channel changing started working.

[sic0048]

Just an FYI - I tried changing my IR file from the Stub device to a real ir device file. What I mean by that is the stub file simply has the "header" line with the frequency and timings, but no device codes. I assume this is because it gets the device codes from the Hauppauge IRConfig software. I wanted to use an IR file that has device codes in it.

To make a long story short, it didn't immediately work, so I decided to go back to the stub file. I removed the IR file I had made so the stub device would show up again in the SageTV Device setup which worked fine. I selected the stub device but still the IR blaster would not work. I cycled the HD-PVR and the Sage service, and even tried rebooting. No joy. On a hunch, I uninstalled and reinstalled SageTV and the blaster started working again without any further intervention.

This leads me to believe that there is some setup/communication done between SageTV and the Hauppauge IR software that only occurs when you install SageTV. That is why the installation order does make a difference when you want to use the Hauppauge blaster.

Now that I know this, I am going to try to substitute the Stub device for a real IR file (one with the device codes in addition to the header line) again. But this time I will uninstall and reinstall SageTV to see if it works.

I'll post my findings when I have a chance.

[wit713]

I just wanted to say thanks again for the great instructions. I just used them to update my driver to the 1.5.7 version.

[thopkin1]

Thank you to the OP for this detailed posting. It made my install of the HD-PVR go flawless!
Thanks again!

[franklinmchris]

I had the situation described above on Sage 7, Windows 7 where BlastCfg works, recording works, Sage even flashes the IR blaster but to no avail.

Knowing that my previous Win 7 worked I scratched my head until I decided to install the blaster software in the HD PVR Windows 7 Media Center support install. (I did not install the part of the support that enables HD PVR to be used and Media Center tuner in Windows 7, as I've had some problems with it on my previous Windows 7 + SageTV + HD PVR install.

Voila! Problem solved. Perhaps these installs tweak the permissions or something to enable Media Center to use the HD PVR.

[hb4]

Check the last post of this thread for a link to modified .inf files. These need to be downloaded and substituted for those found in the link to the HDPVR 1.0.5.301_whql driver in Step 2 of the first post above.

[Malfunction]

This worked well for me on Windows 7. Where is the blastcfg program?

[JustFred]

Originally Posted by Malfunction

This worked well for me on Windows 7. Where is the blastcfg program?

It might have been installed when you installed Hauppauge's WinTv, so check the Hauppauge WinTv program group.

If not, Google to the rescue: Hauppauge IR Blaster Configuration program. Click on "IR Blaster" near the top of the page.

[Malfunction]

Originally Posted by JustFred

It might have been installed when you installed Hauppauge's WinTv, so check the Hauppauge WinTv program group.

If not, Google to the rescue: Hauppauge IR Blaster Configuration program. Click on "IR Blaster" near the top of the page.

I might find it on an old install disk.

[Malfunction]

I got it working. It's not too bad. Don't download/install WinTV 8.*. Use the WinTV 7 disk that comes with the HD-PVR2. Unplug any WinTV antenna tuners from USB. The install will remind you to do this if you haven't.

Uninstall old HD-PVR software and drivers. Unplug and replug HD-PVR2 power. Reboot. Install WinTV7 and drivers. That's 2 separate installs. Run Blastcfg from the Windows menu. Pick your CATV box from the list and try it in Blastcfg. If it changes channels, you're good to go. Exit/save this config and add your cable box/tuning device.