USB-UIRT + Comcast DTA

[cumak]

Does anybody have reliable settings for using a USB-UIRT to control a Comcast DTA box? Comcast just started eliminating analog channels in my area so I'm trying to switch over. I've tinkered with everything, but it still only sets the channel correctly about 80% of the time.

My current settings are:

Digits per channel: 0
Channel change prefix: none
Channel change confirm: <enter>
Delay btwn codes: 500 msec
Delay btwn channel changes: 2000 msec
IR blaster repeat factor: 1

If anyone has reliable settings, or suggestions for improving my settings, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Mark

[cumak]

I'm going to reply to my own post because I've managed to make things a bit more stable, but I'm still confused about one thing.

My original .ir file, which was created by SageTV when I set up the video source, did not have a "RepeatCount" line. I saw some other examples of .ir files with this line, so I added it manually ("RepeatCount 4").

When I navigate through the SageTV menus to the "IR blaster repeat factor", which I assume is the same thing, it does not necessarily show the same number that I have in the .ir file. I can set it via the SageTV menus to whatever I want, but it does not update the .ir file. It appears to be completely unrelated.

So my question is, which of these actually sets the repeat count? The "RepeatCount" line in the .ir file, or the "IR blaster repeat factor" in the SageTV menus?

Or, should they really be the same and I have a different problem?

Thanks.

[cumak]

I finally came up with a reliable configuration. It's only been running for a few days, but I've exercised it quite a bit and so far haven't missed any channels.

I've attached my IR file in case anyone else is having problems with this box.

-Mark

[ethomas999]

What model of DTA did that work with? I have the Thomson DCI1011 -- would like some confirmation before spending $58 on the USB-UIRT.

Thanks
--ET

[cumak]

Originally Posted by ethomas999

What model of DTA did that work with? I have the Thomson DCI1011 -- would like some confirmation before spending $58 on the USB-UIRT.

I have the same DTA model. Two of them, in fact, both using the same USB-UIRT and tuning has been very reliable.

[ethomas999]

Thanks for the info. I got the USB-UIRT and I have it working with the Comcast DTA DCI1011. It didn't want to work with your ".ir" file, but after I did the "learn" function for each button it worked. The ".ir" file I ended up with is attached.

What did you have to do to get a single USB-UIRT to control two DTA boxes? Is there a forum post somewhere on this?

Thx
--ET

P.S.: 'cumak', I'm not the ET you were thinking of. (This forum won't let me send private messages or "visitor" replies.)

[davephan]

I just setup two Comcast DTA boxes. I tried connecting the outputs of both boxes to a splitter in reverse to feed one coax line into a Hauppauge HVR-2250. That failed, both signals cancelled each other out. I found an old Tru Spec Model SC-3 signal combiner, which worked to combine both DTA outputs into one coax feeding the HVR-2250 dual tuner. One DTA set for channel 3, the other set for channel 4.

I tried the IR file posted here, but it didn't work for me. I selected re-learning the codes and tweaked them for zones 1 and 2.

So far the channels switch reliabily, but I'll need to give it more time to make sure it is reliable. I will post both codes here in case it might help. The file name extensions will need to be changed from txt to ir.

Dave

[ethomas999]

Are you controlling both DTA boxes with a single USB-UIRT? I'm wondering how that would be setup in terms of hardware and SageTV settings (assuming it's possible).

--ET

[davephan]

Originally Posted by ethomas999

Are you controlling both DTA boxes with a single USB-UIRT? I'm wondering how that would be setup in terms of hardware and SageTV settings (assuming it's possible).

--ET

Yes, I am controlling both DTA boxes and a HD-PVR box with a single USB-UIRT. The USB-UIRT can control three zones. You put the USB-UIRT next to one set top box. Plug in a set of two IRs into the jack on the USB-UIRT for the other two set top boxes. If the set top boxes use different IR codes, you can control more than 3 set top boxes.

For example, I could control one DTA box with one zone. Then shield the IR device with black electrical tape so the IR light is isolated to only the first DTA box. Then put the other DTA box near the HD-PVR. The second zone will then control both the DTA and the HD-PVR, since each device uses a different IR code. I have to physically isolate one of the DTA boxes since each DTA box uses the same IR code. I have a third USB-UIRT that can be use to control a fourth box if I got another box in the future.

If you were controlling set top boxes that could be configured to 8 IR channels each, then one USB-UIRT could theoretically control up to 24 boxes. However, maybe you could have other problems if you try to control too many boxes, like contention between the boxes, unless the software only tries to send the IR code to one box at a time when you try to control that many boxes with one USB-UIRT.

The IR file that I posted above is for zone 1. To make it for zone 2, change the "z1" to "z2" on each line, and change the first line to read zone 2. To make it for the 'third' zone, or the 'main' zone, just remove the "z1" on each line.

I had trouble getting the DTAs configured to use the USB-UIRT. I first set up the DTAs for Input Type: Tuner and RF Channel 3 (or 4). The "Tuner Control" parameter was locked at "N/A". I could not change it to "USB-UIRT". I then deleted the Tuner, then added it once with "Component" (even though I won't use component). I could then add the "Tuner Control: USB-UIRT Transceiver Comcast-DTA_Zone1 (or Zone2). I then deleted the tuner and re-added it as a "Tuner" again. This time the "Tuner Control: USB-UIRT Transceiver Comcast-DTA_Zone1 (or Zone2) could be added. Each time you delete tuners, make sure to click on "Finish" before re-adding the tuner again.

Shade Blue posted a couple of diagrams that will be helpful to hooking up the extra zones to the USB-UIRT. I will post them here.

Dave

USB-UIRT Multi Zone Wiring Diagram.png

USB-UIRT Multi Zone Wiring Diagram2.png

[KarylFStein]

Originally Posted by davephan

I had trouble getting the DTAs configured to use the USB-UIRT. I first set up the DTAs for Input Type: Tuner and RF Channel 3 (or 4). The "Tuner Control" parameter was locked at "N/A". I could not change it to "USB-UIRT". I then deleted the Tuner, then added it once with "Component" (even though I won't use component). I could then add the "Tuner Control: USB-UIRT Transceiver Comcast-DTA_Zone1 (or Zone2). I then deleted the tuner and re-added it as a "Tuner" again. This time the "Tuner Control: USB-UIRT Transceiver Comcast-DTA_Zone1 (or Zone2) could be added. Each time you delete tuners, make sure to click on "Finish" before re-adding the tuner again.

Hmmm, I think SageTV has some bugs here. I had to do some weird things to get the "control from external tuner" to take. When I set "tuner" as the input and then entered 3 for the channel, it just took me back to the input selection menu. When I moved the menu bar, it deleted items on the menu and I couldn't select anything or go back. I had to shut down Sage then go back to tuner setup. This time, there was an option for Tuner Channel 3 and selecting that let me proceed to configure the USB-UIRT.

I have one DTA and one STB, but I'm using the RF output on the STB because the only other option is composite. I'm feeding two 1800s, so should be able to use Ch3 for both. However, that causes problems when I finally get to the channel setup. (The DTA gets less channels than the STB so I need separate lineups.) If I use channel 3 for both tuners, it totally screws up the EPG. It'll show duplicates of each channel with the second tuner defined saying "Tuner Channel 3" under it and no EPG data for it. I think I'll try changing the DTA to use Ch4 and see if that fixes things, (the STB doesn't have a channel output switch that I can see...)

Anyway, my issues were different from what you saw, but guessing related. I've been meaning to create a support request .

[davephan]

Originally Posted by KarylFStein

Hmmm, I think SageTV has some bugs here. I had to do some weird things to get the "control from external tuner" to take. When I set "tuner" as the input and then entered 3 for the channel, it just took me back to the input selection menu. When I moved the menu bar, it deleted items on the menu and I couldn't select anything or go back. I had to shut down Sage then go back to tuner setup. This time, there was an option for Tuner Channel 3 and selecting that let me proceed to configure the USB-UIRT.

I have one DTA and one STB, but I'm using the RF output on the STB because the only other option is composite. I'm feeding two 1800s, so should be able to use Ch3 for both. However, that causes problems when I finally get to the channel setup. (The DTA gets less channels than the STB so I need separate lineups.) If I use channel 3 for both tuners, it totally screws up the EPG. It'll show duplicates of each channel with the second tuner defined saying "Tuner Channel 3" under it and no EPG data for it. I think I'll try changing the DTA to use Ch4 and see if that fixes things, (the STB doesn't have a channel output switch that I can see...)

Anyway, my issues were different from what you saw, but guessing related. I've been meaning to create a support request .

I also saw some of the same flaky things in the menu bar. After initially trying to setup the Hauppage HVR-2250 card as analog "Tuner", there were four menu items, which disappeared on the screen, and the last of the four items moved to the first menu bar position. I thought that was very erratic, and I think it is a bug in the SageTV code.

The other flaky thing in the SageTV software was being locked out from selecting the tuner channel control parameter when initially setting up the card as an analog tuner card. After configured the card for composite, then deleted the composite tuner, setup the USB-UIRT device, then configured the Hauppauge HVR-1800 tuner card as a "Tuner" I was no longer channel control parameter and could setup the USB-UIRT for the analog "Tuner" without being locked out of the option.

The second tuner in the Hauppauge HVR-2250 behaved the same way. I was locked out of the tuner control with the analog "Tuner" configuration until I first setup composite, the USB-UIRT, deleted composite, then setup the analog "Tuner" configuration with the USB-UIRT.

There is definitely some bugs in that part of the SageTV code. I don't see bugs like that in other areas of the SageTV software.

Dave

[PiX64]

Hey Everyone, I am interested in doing this for 2 Comcast DTA.

I just recently purchased a USB-UIRT from the sage store, and it came in the mail today.

I also decided to purchase an HVR2250 from a friend. The HVR came with a USB IR blaster and it has 2 outputs i assume for 2 different devices. My questions here are (and i apologize if I am posting this in the wrong section)

1) Can i use the HVR2250 to accept input from both DTA's one into each input of the card? I want to make absolutely sure that I can record on both tuners of this card simultaneously.

2) Will the HVR2250 dual IR Blaster work, or do i have to use the USB-UIRT?

Thanks everyone.

[davephan]

Originally Posted by PiX64

Hey Everyone, I am interested in doing this for 2 Comcast DTA.

I just recently purchased a USB-UIRT from the sage store, and it came in the mail today.

I also decided to purchase an HVR2250 from a friend. The HVR came with a USB IR blaster and it has 2 outputs i assume for 2 different devices. My questions here are (and i apologize if I am posting this in the wrong section)

1) Can i use the HVR2250 to accept input from both DTA's one into each input of the card? I want to make absolutely sure that I can record on both tuners of this card simultaneously.

2) Will the HVR2250 dual IR Blaster work, or do i have to use the USB-UIRT?

Thanks everyone.

The HVR-2250 has two RF connectors, one for TV, the other for FM.

I also have Comcast cable with two DTA boxes hooked up to one HVR-2250. Since the HVR-2250 only has one RF connector for TV, you will need a 'signal combiner'. A splitter in reverse will not work. If you try using a splitter, both signals will cancel each other, leaving you with nothing.

I used a Tru-Spec SC-3 Signal Combiner I picked up years ago at a flea market. I found a picture of one on the internet. I don't know anything about this site, but it is a good picture of the unit:

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

The Comcast cable hooks up to both the DTA box inputs. I use a splitter to hook up the Comcast cable to the DTA boxes. Set one DTA box output for channel 3 and connect to the SC-3 'CH 3 IN' connector. Set the other DTA box output for channel 4 and connect to the SC-3 'ANT IN' connector. Connect the SC-3 'TO TV SET' to the HVR-2250 'TV' connector.

Setup one HVR-2250 tuner in SageTV to use channel 3 as an input. Setup the other HVR-2250 tuner in SageTV to use channel 4 as an input.

Select the USB-UIRT has the channel controlling device. One USB-UIRT can control three set top boxes (or DTAs). The USB-UIRT box itself controls one zone. The connector on the USB-UIRT can control two more zones with two additional IR devices. I wired up two extra Hauppauge IRs that were laying around for my extra IR zones. You could control even more set top boxes with one USB-UIRT. For example you could control 3 DTA boxes and 3 HD set top boxes with only one USB-UIRT if each DTA / HD set top box pair is optically isolated from the other box pairs.

There are examples of IR files in earlier posts. You might need to tweak the "Repeatcount" parameter number for best results.

If you switch to satellite TV later, you can always use the HVR-2250 for OTA HD TV. Make sure you have a PCI-e slot available for the HVR-2250. I have two HVR-2250's, they both are reliable and work great. One connected to the two DTA boxes. The other connected to an OTA outside antenna for OTA HD.

I've never tried using the Hauppauge IR blaster on the HVR-2250. I never could get the Hauppauge IR blaster to work on my first card, a PVR-350. The Hauppauge IR blaster on the HD-PVR made it unstable. So, I just don't bother using Hauppauge IR blasters, except for the emitters, which I use with the USB-UIRT.

Dave

[PiX64]

Perfect, thank you so much for the very detailed advice. I will take your suggestion and use the USB-UIRT, and will try out the signal combiner for my HVR2250.

Thank again!

[Sacedog]

Originally Posted by ethomas999

Thanks for the info. I got the USB-UIRT and I have it working with the Comcast DTA DCI1011. It didn't want to work with your ".ir" file, but after I did the "learn" function for each button it worked. The ".ir" file I ended up with is attached.

What did you have to do to get a single USB-UIRT to control two DTA boxes? Is there a forum post somewhere on this?

Thx
--ET

P.S.: 'cumak', I'm not the ET you were thinking of. (This forum won't let me send private messages or "visitor" replies.)

Thanks! This worked great with mine...I had spent a while trying to get it working; even learning the remote that came with it, but nothing worked. Your ir file did though!