Serial control problem Sony DTV SAT-A50

[z3scott]

I have had serial control working 4 times with the sig system and Sage 2.0.20 (and client!) up to two days before losing it. I have been in contact with Sage support as well but can't get it back up a 5th time, ( maybe Viagra for serial? ) . Need your help out there if possible. I really like the Sage interface and iq and the Client function is great...when my serial has worked. Recordings I've made using SageTV play fine and the Hauppauge Silver remote function flawlessly. I'm running hardware only on the PVR-350 out to my AUX in on my home theater Marantz 9000 pre-pro. My Win destoptop is on my LD source and DTV is going into the DSS source on the Marantz.

I believe I've perused most of the posts regarding the issues and have tried two different cables. Both work on my Replay/Sat-A50 2nd system fine.

I downloaded the dtvcon 1.72 per posts/supports suggestion, set it to non-new command, it opens the com1 serial port but after that it doesn't seem to communicate at all with the Sony. "unexpected command" "timeout". I'm unsure if I need to do any additional setup with it? It doesn't indicate any signal strength and doesn't even hint at changing the channel like Sage does. SageTV seems to partially hook in the channel will momentarily "freeze" but not actually change but the Sage interface obviously changes.

Device Manager shows no conflicts.

The only serial cable is the Sony connection. I don't have a modem in the system.

I run the system with no standby/hibernation modes enabled.

I am running a Logitech Bluetooth keyboard/mouse (Com3) and a ATI Remote Wonder II and had them running when the system has worked before.

When I was able to get the system restarted and working it was without any rhyme or reason. I have unplugged (power), restarted Sage, etc and somehow got it back but have been unable to do so for the past week.

I have a Ghost image of the the system prior to Sage which I could revert to if necessary but if I need to do that on a regular basis just to get back up that's obviously not a long term solution. I am not versed on regediting but am willing to try things if needed to test or troubleshoot.

TIA for any suggestions
Scott

[kny3twalker]

well I would try to use the newest drivers posted in the hardware section since you are running a pvr 350
and I guess you are using the native support built in sage
first try this
unplug the DirecTV box and try to get it to reset
or plug the card out of the back of the DirecTV box that also may reset it
make sure you do not have the DTVcon running
I would try to uninstall it

[z3scott]

Originally posted by kny3twalker
well I would try to use the newest drivers posted in the hardware section since you are running a pvr 350
and I guess you are using the native support built in sage
first try this
unplug the DirecTV box and try to get it to reset
or plug the card out of the back of the DirecTV box that also may reset it
make sure you do not have the DTVcon running
I would try to uninstall it

The driver set for the PVR-350 I used was the SHS Full Kit 1.8.22035? if that is the driver you are referring to? Although the PVR-350 function seems to be working perfectly. Picture quality is excellent and the Sage interface and Haupaugge remote function (with the exception of channel changes) exactly as they should.

I have been attempting to use the native SageTV support and that has been what initially worked and "revived" three additional times. I downloaded the dtvcon app at the suggestion of Frey/Sage support. It doesn't seem to hook in at all. I will remove it. When attempting subsequent test with SageTV native support I have made sure that dtvcon was not active.

I have previously "unplugged" the Sony SAT A-50 attempting to clear it with out success. I have not pulled the access card but will try that as well.

Thank you for the suggestions. I know you had previously encountered issues with serial control also.

[carlgar]

Originally posted by z3scott
The driver set for the PVR-350 I used was the SHS Full Kit 1.8.22035? if that is the driver you are referring to? Although the PVR-350 function seems to be working perfectly. Picture quality is excellent and the Sage interface and Haupaugge remote function (with the exception of channel changes) exactly as they should.

I think he was referring to the 1.18.21.22162 (from device manager) drivers. See the New Hauppauge Beta Drivers for IVAC15/16 Combination thread.

[z3scott]

Originally posted by carlgar
I think he was referring to the 1.18.21.22162 (from device manager) drivers. See the New Hauppauge Beta Drivers for IVAC15/16 Combination thread.

Sorry if this is a dumb response... but why would I want to update the drivers on my PVR-350 if I'm not experiencing any issues with the TV out, UI or the color bar problem that is mentioned in the thread?

Perhaps I need something relating to the IR control?

The Hauppaugge remote is working w/o issues controlling the SageTV interface with the exception of the channel change on both my desktop and the TV out.

Thanks

I have shutdown both the comp and the Sony Sat-A50, (tried removing and re-install of the access card too as previously suggested), unplugged both. I removed the WinTV capture setup in the SageTV Wizard and will restart the systems and set up using the wizard once again and see if I can get it working again.

[carlgar]

I would think that it is a very reasonable response. I would think that he was just making a general statement about the 350. The 350 seems to be the cause of a lot of problems. However, I think he should have listed it as one of the last things to try instead of the first since you did not seem to have any direct 350 issues. I also think that if you reported the problem to Frey support their initial response would be to make sure all your drivers are the most current.

[z3scott]

Well the reinstall of SageTV hasn't worked.

I also then uninstalled my Logitech Bluetooth keyboard and mouse and the ATI Remote Wonder II. Reinstalled SageTV w/o success.

Short of a total reformat and WinXP install I am now going to use my Ghost image made prior to the Hauppage install and use the "FULL KIT so here it is the very latest 1.8.22170" from SHS' WinTV & Media MVP board and rebuild from the ground up. I will do a full format of the 'C' drive.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

[z3scott]

I used my Ghost image of pre-PVR-350 & SageTV system (new system build with all XP updates and DX9, no ATI Remote, no Logitech Bluetooth Keyboard/Mouse, minimal apps) and setup the Hauppauge PVR-350 using the SHS current "FULL KIT so here it is the very latest 1.8.22170" driver and app set.

I got the PVR-350 running smoothly once again and loaded and setup SageTV. Restarted and once up and running (I had left the Sony Sat A-50 unplugged for awhile) started Sage and got back up and running with serial control working! I was getting the color bars mentioned in the 350 post during channel changes? But it was working... until I brought up Task Manager to save screenshots of the processes running for verification in case the problems were to return. Attempting to save the second image of the processes Sage froze and I had to do a warm restart.

On restart things weren't running properly (remote) so I uninstalled Sage using the control panel add/remove and deleted the Frey folder rebooted and installed Sage, reboot, set up SageTV once again using the wizard, detailed setup for my recordings (all while the Sony Sat A-50 was unplugged again) then restarted, started Sage, plugged in the Sony and turned it on and I'm back in business, now w/o color bars on channel changes??? I've got Sage set to make a recording on a different channel while in sleep mode to see if it truly working then will need time to see how stable it is going to be. Once I verify stability over a few days I plan on reinstalling the Logitech BT keyboard/mouse and see if that is interfereing with the serial control. If it crashes Sage I'll likely seek a refund on the SageTV/Client and PVR250 I got sitting in the box.

Heres to hoping

[z3scott]

All hope is over...

Sage ran for aprox a day and half. Sometime in the evening it dropped the picture out of the PVR-350 and restarting Sage didn't bring it back. I restarted the system (While it was working no one else accessed the system and the comp had no power management function running) and let Sage startup, tried to change channels and no go.

I decided to try one more time and ran Ghost to restore my 'C' partition to a clean pre-Hauppage, pre- SageTV configuration. This config is a couple day old's with all current WinXP updates and DX9. I once again installed the SHS 1.8.22170 latest Hauppage software, rebooted and setup the PVR-350 working correctly. Then installed SageTV for the umpteenth time, configured it as working before. Rebooted, started Sage and got NO channel change.

I quit. I emailed my Frey tech support person requesting proper procedure for RMA/Refund on the SageTV, Sage Client and unused PVR-250. I'm jealous of those that have it working succesfully but cannot continue this ridiculous circle of reinstalls, partial success, defeat. I obviously have some mysterious issue that won't allow my config to work for more than a day or so.

[Grey_Goose]

Did you ever get it working? I'm having the same problem w/ my RCA D10... the serial cable works... then stops...

[z3scott]

Originally posted by Grey_Goose
Did you ever get it working? I'm having the same problem w/ my RCA D10... the serial cable works... then stops...

I'm sorry to report I finally RMA'd. I was unable to keep it running consistently. When I had the serial working it worked great, including the client!

Once I lost it there was no rhyme or reason to getting it back up. Sometimes I'd reinstall Sage and use the wizard again. Sometimes no reinstall I could get it back but never with any consistent approach.

I am bummed because it showed such great potential. Thankfully Frey has supported the RMA although I am waiting to see the credit on my CC bill.