SageTV + Hauppauge IR Blaster + Comcast DTA PacerDC50X

[Mizpah]

Hi all,

I have a new Hauppauge 2250 card and a Comcast DTA. I am trying to use the IR blaster for turning channels, and I can't figure out how to get it to work. I can manually flip through channels using the remote that comcast provided as long as I keep SageTV on channel 3.

I have noticed that this is a common problem and I am wondering if there have been any solutions since Comcast made the switch months ago. All I would like to do is have SageTV be able to change channels when it is time to record a program. I do have the IR blaster over the sensor of the DTA box.

I have downloaded the latest IR Blaster software from Hauppauge, and I am having a difficult time learning how to use it properly. Maybe I am using it correctly, but it just doesn't work too. Any help is appreciated. I am also asking over on the Hauppauge site too, hopefully one of them turns out some results.

Thanks in advance!!!

[sic0048]

Look at the thread in my signature. It is for the HD-PVR, but the parts relating to the Hauppauge IR blaster should be the same. There are actually several programs that you need to make it all work. Hopefully that will help.

[Mizpah]

OK, I uninstalled everything, used the Hauppauge cleaner and then followed the steps until step #7. WinTV7 nor SageTV is installed yet. Open Blaster Configuration and my window is different than in your screenshot.

Version = 7.2.27323
API=1.0, FW=0.1.0

Region = Learning (no other choices)
Device Type = Setup Box (no other choices)
Vendor/Model = UserLearned1 (choices 1 - 9)
CodeSet = 0 or 10001
Blaster Port = Port 1, cannot choose 2
IR Channel Test = 123
Advanced Config Button is greyed out.
Then lots of other choices underneath it related to learning and delays.

Any Advice?

Thanks

[mike_15]

I was able to get the blaster program to work with these settings, now to get sage to work with them

[ArcAiN6]

this didn't work for me... the main problem is the blastcgf application ' ALWAYS ' says " FAILED " when trying to " learn " the signal from the remote...


after HOURS of googling and reading crap from everyone else's projects (tivo, mythtv, orb, blah blah blah)

It seems that i'm not the only person having problems working with the hauppauge blaster and the DTA box...

I've still not been able to contact hauppauge through thier online form, or via the long distance phone number.

If i would have known this was going to be the issue, i never would have even bothered with hauppauge card

btw, i recieved the DCI 1011 model DTA box.

[davephan]

I have two Comcast DTA boxes working with one HVR-2250. One DTA box is set for channel 3, the other DTA box is set for channel 4. Both outputs run into a channel combiner. A simple splitter just cancels out both channels 3 and 4. One 2250 tuner is set for channel 3, the other for channel 4. A USB-UIRT controls both DTA boxes, plus a HD cable box. I've never been able to get the Hauppauge IR blasters to work correctly, so I never use Hauppauge IR blasters, I only use the USB-UIRT, which is reliable and has multiple zones.

The quality is not as good as a standard cable box that has component video or S video.

Dave

[sic0048]

Originally Posted by ArcAiN6

this didn't work for me... the main problem is the blastcgf application ' ALWAYS ' says " FAILED " when trying to " learn " the signal from the remote...

I've never been successful at getting the Hauppuage IR software to "Learn" any commands either. I've only tried it with the HD-PVR. Luckily, if you can get the IR command structure, you can cut and paste it into the IR files, so learning hasn't been that critical - but that is work around. It certainly would be easier if the software worked as expected.

[davephan]

Originally Posted by ArcAiN6

this didn't work for me... the main problem is the blastcgf application ' ALWAYS ' says " FAILED " when trying to " learn " the signal from the remote...


after HOURS of googling and reading crap from everyone else's projects (tivo, mythtv, orb, blah blah blah)

It seems that i'm not the only person having problems working with the hauppauge blaster and the DTA box...

I've still not been able to contact hauppauge through thier online form, or via the long distance phone number.

If i would have known this was going to be the issue, i never would have even bothered with hauppauge card

btw, i recieved the DCI 1011 model DTA box.

I gave up on Hauppauge IR control years ago. Instead, use the USB-UIRT for IR control. The downside is it is another thing to buy. The upside is that it works and it is reliable. The USB-UIRT can control a minimum of three set top boxes. More than three set top boxes can be controlled by one USB-UIRT if the set top boxes use different IR codes.

Dave

[VCRUser]

Originally Posted by davephan

Both outputs run into a channel combiner. A simple splitter just cancels out both channels 3 and 4.
Dave

Could you provide more info about the channel combiner? That is, where they can be bought, how much they cost, and any issues with getting them to work?

[davephan]

Originally Posted by VCRUser

Could you provide more info about the channel combiner? That is, where they can be bought, how much they cost, and any issues with getting them to work?

Here is the channel combiner I bought:

http://www.altex.com/%2FTru-Spec-Cha...3-P142591.aspx

I did not buy it from the URL. I bought it at a swapfest at least 10 years ago. So, I don't know anything about the company that is selling it in the link. There are probably many companies that sell it. The SC-3 has been around for many years though.

Before you buy a SC-3, you should try hooking up each of the DTA boxes to the cable TV coax and a TV (one DTA box at a time). Activate the DTA box with the cable company. Next, try hooking up the channel 3 or channel 4 output to your tuner card. Try recording something and check the quality level of the video and audio. The quality level will be lower than a set top box with S-video or component video. If the quality level is good enough, then order a SC-3 from somewhere.

The SC-3 requires no power and has three connections. Coax from the cable TV is hooked to each DTA set top box. One set top box is set for channel 4 output and is hooked to the "Ant IN" connector. The other DTA box is set for channel 3 and is hooked to the "CH3 IN" connector. The "To TV Set" connector is hooked up to your single TV RF connector on a HVR-2250, or any other card that has analog dual tuners with only one TV RF connector. If you have a dual tuner card with dual TV RF connectors, or separate single tuner cards, you don't need the SC-3.

You could try hooking up the connectors to a simple splitter instead of the SC-3. I found that when I tried using a simple 3-way splitter, the channel 3 and 4 outputs canceled each other out, leaving me with no signals at all into the tuner card.

To change the channels on the DTA boxes, you can use the USB-UIRT. I have a single USB-UIRT that controls two DTA boxes and a HD cable box. Since the DTA boxes and the HD cable boxes use different IR codes, I would control 3 DTA boxes and 3 HD cable boxes with only one USB-UIRT. Each of the three USB-UIRT would then be setup in DTA/HD cable box pairs, optically shielded from the other pairs.

DTA box 1 USB-UIRT zone 1 IR code

ComcastDTA_Zone1 0 0 0 500 3000 Enter
RepeatCount 2
0 z10000 0069 0000 0024 0008 0024 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 006A 0008 01FD 0008 0024 0008 0044 0008 004A 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0CAA 0008 0024 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 006A 0008 01FD 0008 0024 0008 0044 0008 004A 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C80
1 z10000 006B 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006D 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002E 0008 0068 0008 01F4 0008 0023 0008 003E 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0023 0008 001E 0008 001D 0008 0C46 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006D 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002D 0008 0068 0008 01F4 0008 0023 0008 003E 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0023 0008 001E 0008 001D 0008 0C46
2 z10000 0069 0000 0024 0008 0024 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 006A 0008 01FD 0008 0024 0008 0039 0008 004A 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0029 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0CAA 0008 0024 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 006A 0008 01FD 0008 0024 0008 0039 0008 004A 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0029 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C80
3 z10000 006B 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006D 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002D 0008 0068 0008 01F4 0008 0023 0008 0033 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 002E 0008 001E 0008 001D 0008 0C46 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006D 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002D 0008 0068 0008 01F4 0008 0023 0008 0033 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 002E 0008 001E 0008 001D 0008 0C46
4 z10000 006B 0000 0012 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006E 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01F6 0008 0023 0008 002E 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0033 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C57
5 z10000 006C 0000 0012 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001D 0008 006D 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002D 0008 0068 0008 01F2 0008 0023 0008 0028 0008 0048 0008 001D 0008 001D 0008 0038 0008 001D 0008 001D 0008 0C3C
6 z10000 006B 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006E 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01F6 0008 0023 0008 0023 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 003E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C78 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006E 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01F6 0008 0023 0008 0023 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 003E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C57
7 z10000 006A 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01FA 0008 0023 0008 001E 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C78 0008 0023 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01FA 0008 0023 0008 001E 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C6D
8 z10000 006A 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 006A 0008 01FC 0008 0023 0008 006F 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C78 0008 0023 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 006A 0008 01FC 0008 0023 0008 006F 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C78
9 z10000 006A 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01FA 0008 0023 0008 0069 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 004E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C78 0008 0023 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01FA 0008 0023 0008 0069 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 004E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C6F
Enter z10000 006B 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006E 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002E 0008 0068 0008 01F4 0008 0023 0008 001E 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 0028 0008 0038 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C78 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006E 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002E 0008 0068 0008 01F4 0008 0023 0008 001E 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 0028 0008 0038 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C49

DTA box 2 USB-UIRT zone 2 IR code

ComcastDTA_Zone2 0 0 0 500 3000 Enter
RepeatCount 2
0 z20000 0069 0000 0024 0008 0024 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 006A 0008 01FD 0008 0024 0008 0044 0008 004A 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0CAA 0008 0024 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 006A 0008 01FD 0008 0024 0008 0044 0008 004A 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C80
1 z20000 006B 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006D 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002E 0008 0068 0008 01F4 0008 0023 0008 003E 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0023 0008 001E 0008 001D 0008 0C46 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006D 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002D 0008 0068 0008 01F4 0008 0023 0008 003E 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0023 0008 001E 0008 001D 0008 0C46
2 z20000 0069 0000 0024 0008 0024 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 006A 0008 01FD 0008 0024 0008 0039 0008 004A 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0029 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0CAA 0008 0024 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 006A 0008 01FD 0008 0024 0008 0039 0008 004A 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0029 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C80
3 z20000 006B 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006D 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002D 0008 0068 0008 01F4 0008 0023 0008 0033 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 002E 0008 001E 0008 001D 0008 0C46 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006D 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002D 0008 0068 0008 01F4 0008 0023 0008 0033 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 002E 0008 001E 0008 001D 0008 0C46
4 z20000 006B 0000 0012 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006E 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01F6 0008 0023 0008 002E 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0033 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C57
5 z20000 006C 0000 0012 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001D 0008 006D 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002D 0008 0068 0008 01F2 0008 0023 0008 0028 0008 0048 0008 001D 0008 001D 0008 0038 0008 001D 0008 001D 0008 0C3C
6 z20000 006B 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006E 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01F6 0008 0023 0008 0023 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 003E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C78 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006E 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01F6 0008 0023 0008 0023 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 003E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C57
7 z20000 006A 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01FA 0008 0023 0008 001E 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C78 0008 0023 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01FA 0008 0023 0008 001E 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C6D
8 z20000 006A 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 006A 0008 01FC 0008 0023 0008 006F 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C78 0008 0023 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 006A 0008 01FC 0008 0023 0008 006F 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C78
9 z20000 006A 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01FA 0008 0023 0008 0069 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 004E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C78 0008 0023 0008 0044 0008 001E 0008 006F 0008 0034 0008 0034 0008 002E 0008 0069 0008 01FA 0008 0023 0008 0069 0008 0049 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 004E 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C6F
Enter z20000 006B 0000 0024 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006E 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002E 0008 0068 0008 01F4 0008 0023 0008 001E 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 0028 0008 0038 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C78 0008 0023 0008 0043 0008 001E 0008 006E 0008 0033 0008 0033 0008 002E 0008 0068 0008 01F4 0008 0023 0008 001E 0008 0048 0008 001E 0008 0028 0008 0038 0008 001E 0008 001E 0008 0C49

Dave

[VCRUser]

Thanks, Davephan, that was a very complete explanation, and I'm ! I think the other device I might need if I get a 2250 is an RF-to-composite converter, since I'd want to use one antenna input for ATSC or QAM and the other for a pair of DTAs. I'm currently using a DTA with the analog tuner on my 1600 (and find the signal acceptable for my purposes), but may need to add another DTA and tuner if/when Comcast takes away the QAM versions of the handful of extended-basic channels I typically record.

Or, would it be possible to send the DTA and an antenna through the combiner and then to the RF-in on the 2250, and let it pick channel 3 for analog/DTA and the appropriate other channel for ATSC or QAM? Then the analog input on the 1600 could receive signal from the 2nd DTA.

[hufnagel]

mostly related (I think) but how are you convincing the 2250's to stay on channel 3 (or 4), have the DC50x's tune the channels and still have the guide work? would love to learn the background on that. (oh hamster wheel, how I love thee...)

[davephan]

Originally Posted by hufnagel

mostly related (I think) but how are you convincing the 2250's to stay on channel 3 (or 4), have the DC50x's tune the channels and still have the guide work? would love to learn the background on that. (oh hamster wheel, how I love thee...)

That's easy. Setup, Setup Video Sources, set "RF channel" to channel 3 for one tuner, set "RF channel" to channel 4 for the other tuner. The USB-UIRT changes the channels on the DTA boxes.

[ace007]

Dave,

I ordered the parts in your diagram including the Radio Shack splitter and some IR blasters that have mono connections on them. In my initial testing with a .ir file with Zone 1 indicated in it, it seems like the USB-UIRT was still transmitting through the main transmitter and not through the external leads.

Your post indicated that Zone 1 and Zone 2 are external and Zone 3 is the internal one. I have not had time yet to do a bunch more testing.

Also with the IR transmitters I got that have a mono connection on them hooking to the Radio shack stereo to mono splitter do I need to modify them at all?

Thanks a bunch

Robert

[wbarber69]

Okay I have a few questions here.

If your using DTA boxes and a 2250 is that kind of redundant since the 2250 can decode atsc and qam.

I'd like to use my 2250 for rf recording from my HD cable box, will this work and will it work with a signal combiner

[teedublu]

The point of using DTA is that they're free, but you're limited to RF modulated StdDef (last I heard/saw). At least that's my take on it. I've tried one, but not to record from.

Recording HD content from a HD STB means using a HD-PVR (as of today).
If you're STB has an RF output, then yes you can probably use it for a SD recording, but you'll get a cleaner picture if you use an encoder with a composite video input. My two Comcast STBs output letterbox SD video on the composite output when tuned to a HD program. If your HD STB has an RF output, it probably does that letterbox conversion on the RF output too. I prefer the letterbox vs chopped, which most broadcasters have resorted to chopping SD programs -- probably to remind you what you're missing.

edit: I see the 2250 supports 2ch of composite including SVHS inputs.

TW