SAGETV and FTA- coolsat 5000

[perrin_wolf]

I am new to SAGETV. (I'm looking move to sage from replaytv) Does SAGETV work with a FTA (free to air) Coolsat 5000?

TIA!

[mickj64]

Just wondering if you or anyone else got it to work with a coolsat. I planning on making a attempt. If anyone would have some pointers. Let me know.

[hemicuda]

Most FTA boxes I've seen do have a serial port although I have no idea if software exists to tune channels via that port. If not then an IR Blaster will be required. Other than that, all you should need is an analog card or the new Hauppauge HD PVR to record the broadcasts.

[majortom]

I know it will work with the pansat 3500 fta, so the coolsat should work. You will need a usb-uirt in order to make it work like you want it to.

[mickj64]

why would you need a UART-IR? I thought I could use the blaster eye attached to the tuner cards IR reciever, just put it over the coolsats IR eye.

[mikesm]

This is interesting. How do you get channel mapping and guide data to work in an FTA setup? Do you have to configure all the channels manually in Sage?

In the US, what channels do you get that you can't get via cable or DBS? HD is probably a no go, though I though at least DVB-S had that capability.

thx
mike

[azmouse]

I have used Sage with iPro1000's and it worked perfectly. USB UIRT is essential, but the program guides work perfectly.

[Tiki]

Originally Posted by mickj64

why would you need a UART-IR? I thought I could use the blaster eye attached to the tuner cards IR reciever, just put it over the coolsats IR eye.

You may be able to use the blaster attached to your tuner card, but there are several reasons why you may need to use USB-UIRT (or a similar device) instead:

1. not all tuner cards come with a blaster.
2. If you have multiple Hauppauge cards that come with the blasters and plan to use them to control multiple STBs (Set Top Boxes), the Hauppauge drivers only support using 1 blaster.
3. The Hauppauge blaster has pre-programmed remote codes for many different boxes, but doesn't provide a way to "learn" new codes, so you can't use it if your STB isn't in the list of supported devices. The USB-UIRT can be trained to mimic any remote.