Help with setting up Set Top Box and TvEngine3

[BigBuddha]

I am trying to setup my external STB with my Hauppauge pvr 150 mce and TvEngine.

So far all I have been able to get it to do is to add the SVHS/VHS channels in the hauppauge card screen. However when I go to these channels there is no "External" tab like there is in MP.

I just can't seem to see a way of configuring the tvengine for the diffrent channels on the set top box and any help would be GREATLY appreaciated!

BB

[Marcusb]

I'm pretty sure the TV engine doesn't support external STB's in these very early stages. I know work is being done on the blaster plug in for these features, but you are best off sticking with the original TV engine if you absolutely must have STB control.

Of course I'm happy to be proved wrong...

[frodo]

External STB's are not supported at this moment.
But... someone is currently porting the blaster plugin to the tvserver
When its done, life should be good again

[joboehl]

Actually, from what I saw in the new configuration, it appears to be easier to setup a multi-stb configuration since now when you set a channel to go to composite1 for example, this is independent of the card.

Haven't got to the point of testing multiple STBs since I have only one tuner on the server machine, but life should be easier.

Just can't quite figure how a setup with multiple providers trough analog with same channel name would be handled.

Julio

PS: Ohh, and by the way, there should be at least one option of using STBs with the new TV engine this week.

[joboehl]

If anyone has a STB and a MCE Blaster, I adapted the MyBlaster plug-in so it can be used in the new TVEngine v3.

All you have to do is put the ServerBlaster plug-in in the PlugIn directory inside the TVServer directory. Also put your myblaster.dat and rename it to serverblaster.dat.

The serverblaster.dat should be in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MediaPortal TV Server. This should make it compatible with Vista.

If you don't have a MyBlaster.dat already, create a new one using Blaster.exe to learn your remote codes.

All the setup of the plug-in (including the equivalent of forceport) needs to be done inside the TVServer Gui. Click on the ServerBlaster plug-in and you can change the basic settings.

If you wan't to force your card to use port2, just choose your TVCard in the Card Using Blaster 2 combo box. This will forward all the channel changes in this card to the specified port.

Hope this helps someone testing while the MCE Replacement get's it's way to the TVServer.

Julio

BTW: Thx to smirnuff and scoop by the MyBlaster code.

[frodo]

let me know when this is good enough to put it into svn ok?

Some small notes:
1. the card id is a database id, it doesnt need to start at 1
Perhaps a selection would be more user friendly then typing in a database id?

2. Would it be possible to control multiple stb's ?

3. Could the blaster.exe also be integrated into the plugin setup ?

4. could you put all application data in the folder returned by this:

Log.WriteFile(@"{0}\MediaPortal TV Server\yourfilename", Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonApplicationData));

Reason: Vista does not allow applications to read/write files in the c:\program files folder
so all app data should go into that folder

[Smirnuff]

create a new one using Blaster.exe

Since you've had some exposure to MP's GUI code joboehl I think it would be a good idea to retire that rather boring Blaster.exe in favour of an in GUI learning app. Come on you know you want to!!! .

[joboehl]

Originally Posted by frodo

let me know when this is good enough to put it into svn ok?

Frodo, I've done limitted testing but it appears to be working fine. I did this more as a proof-of-concept. I think and-81 excelent MCE replacement will be ported soon to the Server Engine.

Originally Posted by frodo

Some small notes:
1. the card id is a database id, it doesnt need to start at 1
Perhaps a selection would be more user friendly then typing in a database id?

Good idea, will take a look into it.

Originally Posted by frodo

2. Would it be possible to control multiple stb's ?

In theory, yes. But havent tested.

Originally Posted by frodo

3. Could the blaster.exe also be integrated into the plugin setup ?

Don't know, never really touched it. Let me take a look.

Originally Posted by frodo

4. could you put all application data in the folder returned by this:

Log.WriteFile(@"{0}\MediaPortal TV Server\yourfilename", Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.CommonApplicationData));

Reason: Vista does not allow applications to read/write files in the c:\program files folder
so all app data should go into that folder

Sure, will do it.


Thanks for the feedback.

Julio

[joboehl]

Originally Posted by Smirnuff

Since you've had some exposure to MP's GUI code joboehl I think it would be a good idea to retire that rather boring Blaster.exe in favour of an in GUI learning app. Come on you know you want to!!! .

Blaster.exe scares me.

I think this is indeed a good suggestion. In the other hand, It appears that and-81 is porting the MCE Replacement to the tvengine, so I don't know how much time I'll spend improving myblaster.

I think it would be good to "merge" the two projects, what do you think?

and-81? Are you there?

Julio

BTW: Yes, I wan't it too.

[sbp]

Hi, I'm happy to se development in this area. Lack of control of the STB is the issue keeping me from trying the new TV-engine.

I just wonder, the blaster replacement for the new TV-engine is only for MCE-150 cards?
I have a PVR-150 card which previously worked right out of the box - could support of this card be included in the Blaster plugin - or is there a better way?

Steen