Can't get STB external control to work (1 Viewer)

[markbowen]

I've been fiddling around with MediaPortal for several months now, and I have just about got it set up the way I want. However, I cannot for the life of me seem to get any external control for my Sky Digital STB to work, using the MCE IR receiver and blaster. I have tried Michel's MyBlaster and Aaron's MCE Replacement Plug-In to no avail. I do get the picture and sound from the STB, and I can see the receiver blinking, trying to send the signal to the STB, but it will not change the channels.

As a test, I have set up the same config in MediaCenter, where it works flawlessly. However, the picture is much better in MP, and as I am using three sources (analog cable, DVB-S, and the Sky STB) and as MP is better in EVERY other way, I would like to try to get this to work in MP.

Any suggestions? I can provide more info if needed. Thanks!


MediaPortal Version: 0.2.2.0 (no SVN)
MediaPortal Skin: Default
Windows Version: MCE 2005 (all updates)
CPU Type: AMD
HDD: 2x WD 160GB ATA + 2x Seagate 500GB SATA
Memory: 1GB
Motherboard: MSI K8N Neo4
Motherboard Chipset: nVidia4
Motherboard Bios: Latest
Video Card: evga GeForce 7600GS
Video Card Driver: nVidia 93.71
Sound Card: Onboard
Sound Card Driver: Realtek
1. TV Card: Hauppage PVR150MCE
1. TV Card Type: Analog
1. TV Card Driver: Latest Hauppage
2. TV Card: Technisat SkyStar1
2. TV Card Type: DVB-S
2. TV Card Driver: Twinhan BDA
MPEG2 Video Codec: PureVideo
MPEG2 Audio Codec: PureVideo
Satelite/CableTV Provider: Astra/Hotbird freeview + Local cable + Sky Digital STB
HTPC Case: Generic
Cooling: Zalman
Power Supply: Tagan
Remote: MCE
TV: LG Plasma
TV - HTPC Connection: HDMI

 

[geov]

Hi

"Bruno's MCE Replacement Plug-In" is the way to go, I've been using it for months without problems. Perhaps your problem is related to the learning of the IR-commands. When I teach the plug-in the IR-commands I always ignore the first “learned successful” message because for some reason I always pick up interference. You probably know this, but you have to learn the commands in low light, and also keep it away from things like plasma-TV. A good indicator that you have interference is if you see the red-led on the receiver flashing by itself…if this happens move it to a dark area or until the led stops flashing. Something else that caused a problem for me in the past was the remote-blaster’s that were dirty because of the sticky-take picking up stuff. Also you have to make sure that the blasters are directly over the receiver on your STB because they are very weak. I also know that some people have been having problems on some STB’s with the new test version of the plug-in, so try one of the previous versions.

Cheers
GeoV

 

[joboehl]

Don't know if you can change this in MCE Replacement, but I found that changing blaster speeds plays a big deal in making it actually work.

The ServerBlaster in TVE3 has support for changing blasting speed, but if you have a stable TVE2 install, take a look with MCE Replacement first.

Also, keep in mind that not all MCE Blasters are made equal. I have 2 (SMK sold in the Hauppauge kit and Microsoft sold trough OEM), altough both are recognized by Windows as eHome receivers, they actually behave differently in terms of setting them up.

 

[markbowen]

Thanks geov & joboehl for suggestions. Am now trying to mess around with TVE3 to see what I can get going on there. I have two separate installs so I can jump between both TV engines. Hopefully one of them will come out a winner for the STB.

I have a new idea, too, not a solution but a workaround. I have a Harmony programmable remote. I should be able to set up a "punch-through" to allow me to use some keys to change the channels on the STB directly, bypassing the blaster issue altogether.

 

[joboehl]

That might work for live tv, but will not help you for recordings, specially scheduled.

 

[and-81]

Which version of the MCE Replacement Plugin have you been trying?

If you're not using one of the recent test versions you should try that. The version in the download section of the website doesn't support blaster speed changes, but the current test version does. And there is ongoing work on this at the moment. You can download the test version from the MCE Replacement Plugin sub-forum.

Also, and I don't want to nit-pick, but it's not Bruno's plugin.

Cheers,

 

[markbowen]

Also, and I don't want to nit-pick, but it's not Bruno's plugin.

My bad, Aaron. I mistakenly gave credit for your plug-in to someone else. It has been corrected!

I'm new to the community, and didn't realize there was a plug-in development section. I'll give your latest a try. Will also try the one for TV3. Cheers!