Teaching USB-UIRT

[dc9mm]

Ok Iam about to switch to new TV provider. On Verizon FIOS now switching to Time Warner. I have Sage TV 6.6.1. Windows XP pro.

I have 3 Hauppauge cards. 2 are connected to antenna one is to STB via S-video.

I use USB-UIRT to both recieve signals from my 45 button Hauppauge remote and the USB-UIRT also send signals to STB to change channels. I have used this setup for 2 years now. I was able to get a IR code off these forums for the STB but the new STB i was told I will get this coming friday from Time Waner is a Cisco 4642HDC and cant find an IR code for it yet. In the past I have NEVER been able to teach the USB-UIRT .

So before i get the new STB i wanted to try again at making a IR code for current STB iam using now. Now when i say make I mean how to modify an old IR code i have. I dont see how to create a IR file from scratch in Sage TV. I shot a video of me trying to modify an old IR code for the current STB i have just to see if its possable. This way if I know how to do it on the STB I have now come this Friday I will be able to make a IR file that will work with new STB I will be getting.

The link to video on youtube is here. WHAT am I doing wrong??? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozQHT9BjMaU

[gplasky]

I can't see the link from work. But you have to almost stick your remote physically to the window of the USB-UIRT if you're trying to teach it code. In other words, less than an inch away.

Gerry

[dc9mm]

I did have the remote right near window of USB-UIRT plus it does say code learned. I would think if it was to far away it would say error. Which it does if i hold remote to far away from USB-UIRT. I held it about 1 to 2 inches away.

If you can look at video maybe see something elese i might be doing wrong. I don't think it was distance from USB-UIRT to remote.

[KryptoNyte]

I currently have SageTV + HD-PVR (USB) + USBuirt, using that same set top box. I used Sage to teach the uirt the remote's commands. If there is a file or data within Sage that has stored this info, and someone can tell me where that is, I'll give you my config.

I can also tell you that if you land on a channel that sleeps or goes off the air (dropping to 480p), that you will need one keypress to bring it back to life prior to entering the channel (this is with the STB's sleep functions completely disabled, set to never sleep). I have Sage adding this one keypress before the 4 digit channel entry.

I had all kinds of stray IR in this room, and the light on the uirt was flashing even before I was hitting keys on the remote. Make sure that you've isolated/shielded the learning from any other stray IR.

[The Truth]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

I currently have SageTV + HD-PVR (USB) + USBuirt, using that same set top box. I used Sage to teach the uirt the remote's commands. If there is a file or data within Sage that has stored this info, and someone can tell me where that is, I'll give you my config.

I can also tell you that if you land on a channel that sleeps or goes off the air (dropping to 480p), that you will need one keypress to bring it back to life prior to entering the channel (this is with the STB's sleep functions completely disabled, set to never sleep). I have Sage adding this one keypress before the 4 digit channel entry.

I had all kinds of stray IR in this room, and the light on the uirt was flashing even before I was hitting keys on the remote. Make sure that you've isolated/shielded the learning from any other stray IR.

Also sometimes it takes a few times to get the each number to work... I would try each number then see if it works, if it does move to the next if it doesnt try again. There is a program to chek ir codes, i forget what its called i dont use usbuirt anymore

[dc9mm]

Well if you have the USB-UIRT working on the Cisco 4642HDC then yes I could use the IR file your using. First we would have to figure out what the name of the IR file that you are using. If you go to "setup" then "setup video sources" then you will see what recording cards you have. If you only have one card that records just whats off the STB then just click on that card then at the bottom you will see by tuner control: USB-UIRT Transceiver and the name of the IR file will follow. I have taken pictures to show you exactly what iam talking about. Now the location of the IR files might NOT be the same it depends on What Operating system your using. Iam on windows XP but you can do a search for the IR file once you know the name of it. If you need for me to tell you how to do a search I can tell you what to do. But hopefuly it is in same location as mine. Only differance if say useing Windows 7 64 bit it might be under Program Files (x86) rather than just Program Files.

I would really appreciate it if you could email me the IR file.

my email is dc9mm at verizon dot net

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

I currently have SageTV + HD-PVR (USB) + USBuirt, using that same set top box. I used Sage to teach the uirt the remote's commands. If there is a file or data within Sage that has stored this info, and someone can tell me where that is, I'll give you my config.

I can also tell you that if you land on a channel that sleeps or goes off the air (dropping to 480p), that you will need one keypress to bring it back to life prior to entering the channel (this is with the STB's sleep functions completely disabled, set to never sleep). I have Sage adding this one keypress before the 4 digit channel entry.

I had all kinds of stray IR in this room, and the light on the uirt was flashing even before I was hitting keys on the remote. Make sure that you've isolated/shielded the learning from any other stray IR.

[KryptoNyte]

There is only one file in that directory, "motorolaDCT2000.ir" and it has a modified date of 2007, so that can't be it. Does anyone know where Sage saves the custom taught remote configs?

[dc9mm]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

There is only one file in that directory, "motorolaDCT2000.ir" and it has a modified date of 2007, so that can't be it. Does anyone know where Sage saves the custom taught remote configs?

Humm in the picture below were it says Tuner Control it should say USB-UIRT Transceiver then right after that were i have it circled should be the name of the IR file that your useing. If it is the "motorolaDCT2000 then that is the right ir file and email it to me if you can. Maybe the motoralaDCT2000 file is the one that you modified to make it work.

Another option is just search the C drive for any ir files just type *.*.ir if useing win 7 in explorer click on C drive then in upper right hand corner there is a search box. Win XP click start and there should be a search then just type the *.*.ir under the search. It will find any ir files on C drive then just email any you find and i will just try them all. I doubt you will find many ir files on your c drive. Maybe just the one.

[gplasky]

Are you running SageTV as a service? I think I remember (and this may have way back) that I had to not run it as a service and start it from the executable to be able to get the USB-UIRT to actually create that file. Now that may have change and I could be completely wrong.

Gerry

[dc9mm]

Originally Posted by gplasky

Are you running SageTV as a service? I think I remember (and this may have way back) that I had to not run it as a service and start it from the executable to be able to get the USB-UIRT to actually create that file. Now that may have change and I could be completely wrong.

Gerry

Humm Iam not sure what "service" means? Iam not home now but will look to see if i see anything about service. Its only connected to one TV and only records off either the STB or antenna with two other cards. I think but not sure service is if you have multiple TVs connected to the computer? if so no.

Iam hoping Kryponite will be able to email his working IR file to me.

[gplasky]

Service as in running it as a Windows service. You can run sage as a windows service or you just run the executable. If you don't know what service is you probably aren't running it as that.

Gerry

[dc9mm]

then probably as an executable.

Not sure if anyone has taken a look at the video of me trying to make a IR file yet. I wanted to know if iam doing it wrong somehow?
here is that video again
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozQHT9BjMaU

Iam actually try to modify an existing IR file for the STB i have now from an IR file that was for a old STB i no longer have. I see no were in Sage to make a new IR file from Scratch. Maybe thats whats wrong? If so how to create a IR file from scratch. IR files seem to be just text files except with IR as the file extension. Maybe if i create a new text file with nothing in it and change its file extension to IR then put that IR file into folder were sage stores IR files and then try and modify that new IR file it will work?? I will give that a shot tonight when i get home.

It seems like iam doing it correctly. But since i have never been able to make a working IR file maybe it is the way iam trying to modify one? In the past I have always been able to get a working IR file of the web. My luck when Time Warner comes this Friday to install new TV service they wont bring the STB they said they were going too.

[KryptoNyte]

Yeah, there is no ir file that was modified after 2007, at least not in SageTV V7.

Regarding the remote learning process, when you have the uirt and the remote lined up, is there any light blinking on the uirt BEFORE you press the button on the remote? (pivot the setup around the room a bit, the uirt light will blink if it receives *any* stray ir)

I will admit that the programming was hokey, but what you are doing in the video looks about like what I did, but I had both devices sitting on the table, about 1/2" apart, and after each digit recorded, I would exit the recording screen and actually test it until I got comfortable with the method. In the video, it looks like you're doing everything correctly. I did have to hold the numeric button down on the remote for a few seconds before the learn would occur.

[dc9mm]

Well that must be the IR file then. If you could email to me at dc9mm at verizon.net that would be great. I just dont think for what ever reason I can make one. Maybe there is something wrong with the USB-UIRT itself as like I said i have never been able to make a IR file with it.

Oh you have Sagetv version 7, iam on older 6.6.1

I just dont want to end up this Friday with a non working USB-UIRT.

Really apreciate if you could email the IR file. It must be the correct one. I cant see Sage putting the IR file in aother location so that must be the one your useing on your Cisco STB.

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

Yeah, there is no ir file that was modified after 2007, at least not in SageTV V7.

Regarding the remote learning process, when you have the uirt and the remote lined up, is there any light blinking on the uirt BEFORE you press the button on the remote? (pivot the setup around the room a bit, the uirt light will blink if it receives *any* stray ir)

I will admit that the programming was hokey, but what you are doing in the video looks about like what I did, but I had both devices sitting on the table, about 1/2" apart, and after each digit recorded, I would exit the recording screen and actually test it until I got comfortable with the method. In the video, it looks like you're doing everything correctly. I did have to hold the numeric button down on the remote for a few seconds before the learn would occur.

[KryptoNyte]

DC9, give the attached ir file a shot. This is the manually created ir file. It was in the following path (yours may vary a bit depending on OS);

c:\program files (x86)\SageTV\Common\RemoteCodes\USB-UIRT Transceiver

I do not know why earlier searches did not show this file. I have my Sage USB-UIRT setup to send the "Enter" command prior to a forced 4-digit channel, to ensure that the STB would be ready for channel input (as it was frequently missing the first digit of the 4-digit channel input).

[electron]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

DC9, give the attached ir file a shot. This is the manually created ir file. It was in the following path (yours may vary a bit depending on OS);

c:\program files (x86)\SageTV\Common\RemoteCodes\USB-UIRT Transceiver

I do not know why earlier searches did not show this file. I have my Sage USB-UIRT setup to send the "Enter" command prior to a forced 4-digit channel, to ensure that the STB would be ready for channel input (as it was frequently missing the first digit of the 4-digit channel input).

Your IR file shows an entry for the OK/Return button. How did you add this? SageTV only wants to learn 0-9, and between the box needing to be woken up (not sure how to do that), and not being able to send an Ok/Return, my recordings keep screwing up. Have an SA box myself, so would love to know this little trick. Thanks!

[KryptoNyte]

Going off memory here. I recall Sage V7 giving the option of defining your own tag for any STB remote function, and then performing the actual programming of the function.

I hesitate to get too deep into that menu system in Sage, because I've had that go wonky in the past which forced a re-program.

[KryptoNyte]

Just wanted to mention ...

Over the past couple weeks I've noticed that the USB-UIRT started entering the SageTV channel change digits twice. I have no idea why or what changed, but I ended up having to re-enter the tuner setup, into the options for the USB-UIRT for how many times the digits are sent, and change that to a (1). It was set to (2), I don't know why.

This appears to have fixed the issue.

[dc9mm]

No problems with mine. Not sure what mine is set too.

[wayner]

Originally Posted by electron

Your IR file shows an entry for the OK/Return button. How did you add this? SageTV only wants to learn 0-9, and between the box needing to be woken up (not sure how to do that), and not being able to send an Ok/Return, my recordings keep screwing up. Have an SA box myself, so would love to know this little trick. Thanks!

This is a very delayed response but I am pretty sure that you can manually add whatever IR command that you want. I have an older SA box (3200) but I am pretty sure that the IR codes are the same. Here are some of the "extra" lines in my .ir file:

guide Z20000 0048 0000 0018 00C0 00C1 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0868
ch+ Z20000 0048 0000 0018 00C0 00C1 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0868
Power Z20000 0048 0000 0018 00C0 00C1 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0868
ChPrev Z20000 0048 0000 0018 00C0 00C1 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0031 0030 0092 0030 0092 0030 0868

Note that there is a program called lrnhelper.exe that helps you learn IR codes.

Note that I use these codes, at least the Power code, in SJQv4 to send a power toggle to my box when it appears to be powered off.

See this code that Slugger wrote that shows you how to send any IR command to the USB-UIRT in Sage. I call the subroutine that he wrote with the args "SA3200" and "Power" and this sends the power command to my box.