2 HD-PVRs controlling 2 Directv HD tuners

[dislecksea]

I now am in possession of what will become my WHS and I have two hd-100s on their way (sorry, they are still not in stock - I got these two used). I plan on purchasing 2 HD-PVRs to add to the setup and I plan on getting 2 HD tuners from Directv once we move into our new house with the fancy CAT6 network running through the walls.

However, I am still having trouble wrapping my head around the best way to control the Directv recievers. What is the current preferred option:
1. I see that the HD-PVRs have a built in IR transmitter. However, I have heard that it is pretty slow (5 second delay - not good for WAF).
2. I could use USB-UIRT. However, I just cannot quite seem to grasp how it will control two identical Directv boxes sitting right next to each other.
3. I have seen the Patersen Tech product. However, I don't understand if Sagetv requires something else to work it.
4. I read somewhere (I think it was Linux related but cannot seem to find it) how to cobble together a bunch of parts to do the same thing as #3. However, in addition to my needing to find it, I again don't know how Sagetv would utilize it (i.e., is the functionality built into Sage?).

Any help you folks can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Miles

[Chriscic]

The Paterson Tech serial device is what you want. I believe once you have that Sage has the functionality built in. But someone else will be able to answer more definitively.

For what it's worth, the IR blaster that comes with the HD-DVR changes channels quickly on my Comcast box; I just reduced the setting for pause between digits. YMMV on a DirecTV box. I'm sure serial changing is a little faster regardless.

[paulbeers]

Originally Posted by dislecksea

However, I am still having trouble wrapping my head around the best way to control the Directv recievers. What is the current preferred option:
1. I see that the HD-PVRs have a built in IR transmitter. However, I have heard that it is pretty slow (5 second delay - not good for WAF).
2. I could use USB-UIRT. However, I just cannot quite seem to grasp how it will control two identical Directv boxes sitting right next to each other.
3. I have seen the Patersen Tech product. However, I don't understand if Sagetv requires something else to work it.
4. I read somewhere (I think it was Linux related but cannot seem to find it) how to cobble together a bunch of parts to do the same thing as #3. However, in addition to my needing to find it, I again don't know how Sagetv would utilize it (i.e., is the functionality built into Sage?).

Any help you folks can provide would be greatly appreciated!

Miles

1. You will not be able to use two IR blasters from the HDPVR. It is not a Sage limitation but a limitation to the device by Hauppauge (can't use more than one HP IR Blaster)
2. The USB UIRT can use IR emitters that plug into it so that it can control upto 3 devices (Dish Network uses can just use different remote codes for their boxes there for it is not needed).
3. This is your best bet if it works for HD boxes. I haven't kept up with the DTV boxes and their serial controllers but this will be the fastest and best way to go.
4. I can't help you here. I have seen the devices you are talking about, but I am not sure if Sage can utilize them. Someone else can chime in.

2 and 3 are your best bets for fully integrated devices within Sage.

[newmedia42]

Originally Posted by paulbeers

1. You will not be able to use two IR blasters from the HDPVR. It is not a Sage limitation but a limitation to the device by Hauppauge (can't use more than one HP IR Blaster)
2. The USB UIRT can use IR emitters that plug into it so that it can control upto 3 devices (Dish Network uses can just use different remote codes for their boxes there for it is not needed).
3. This is your best bet if it works for HD boxes. I haven't kept up with the DTV boxes and their serial controllers but this will be the fastest and best way to go.
4. I can't help you here. I have seen the devices you are talking about, but I am not sure if Sage can utilize them. Someone else can chime in.

2 and 3 are your best bets for fully integrated devices within Sage.

I actually just setup my system today (I've been running SageTV for years, but I just moved and upgraded to HD) - originally I was controlling the old D10 SD boxes from DirecTV using the USB-UIRT and a splitter. The USB-UIRT support two unique outputs, so I just put one of the IR repeaters over the IR sensor on the box and covered it with black masking tape. Worked fine for years.

This time I decided to do something a bit different - if you go into the setup menu on the DirecTV HD box, you can change it to receive messages on AV1/AV2 - it will no longer answer to IR on the DirecTV switch on your remote, only when it's set to AV1. Then leave the other box configured as normal and voila! You can program your USB-UIRT to use only one IR output (which I just mounted on the opposite wall which is very close). As I said, I haven't used this long, so I don't know if it's better, but it means less cables and I like that.

I'm sure you could probably do this with something other than the USB-UIRT, I just don't have any experience with it. Good luck!

[Beefcake550]

Hot topic today...

#4 - get 2 usb to serial converts and a null modem adapter @ monoprice.com for $15. Save $5-6 if you already have a serial port.

Use the exetuner plugin to call and executable that will change the channel (do a search on "directv serial control" and you'll find the executable.
Works very easy......I love it.

You can also search for my other posts on this subject for direct links to monoprice devices that are proven to work (by me).