Hi,
I have recently set up my first HTPC running MP using a Hauppauge PVR-150-MCE and a Microsoft Media Centre (v2) remote control. All my TV comes via a Sky (New Zealand) digital settop box connected to the composite in port on the PVR-150 ie. I am not using the TV tuner at all.
I have set MP up to use the MCE remote (in Settings) and it all works fine, except that I currently have to use the Sky remote control to access the Sky on-screen guide and to change channels. Obviously I would rather be able to do everything via the MCE remote, but I need some guidance as to exactly what problem I need to solve.
What I want to be able to do is when I am in fullscreen TV mode, have MP respond to all channel up/down, number keys, arrow keys etc commands from the MCE remote by re-sending the corresponding IR command out via the IR Blasters supplied with the MCE Remote receiver ie. emulate the STB remote control. This will allow me to control the STB as if I was using its own remote. I also want to be able to set MP up so it can change channels on the STB itself (by sending these same commands) so I can schedule recordings and have it change the channel properly.
In MP Setup, I understand I can define channels as 'External' (to indciate they come from the Sky STB) and I can enter an external channel number. However, what I cannot find is anywhere where I define what IR commands MP needs to send (via the IR Blasters) to the STB. Seems to me that unless I define these somewhere, there is no possible way MP can know how to change channels properly surely?
A surf on the forum turns up some leads:
- https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/viewtopic.php?t=17750 discusses how its done when using the Hauppage remote but requires the use of the "Hauppauge myblaster configuration tool" to define the correct settings for my STB. I am using the MCE remote so I dont think this is for me?
- https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/viewtopic.php?t=14481seems closer, as it refers to the MCE remote. However, it states that I should use MyBlaster to teach MP what to do. Now, as far as I can tell "MyBlaster" is an IR transmitter device ( http://store.mytvstore.com/004.html ). However, my MCE remote receiver came with IR blaster out ports and 2 actual blasters, so I dont think I need a MyBlaster?
- So, it seems that I just need to somehow configure MP so it can firstly access the MCE IR Blaster, and then teach it the correct series of IR commands to send. https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/viewtopic.php?t=17681discuses one method of doing this by capturing IR commands from my STB remote and then being able to play them back e.g. via a .bat file. However, what I am missing is how to actually play such .bat files in MP, in response to pushing buttons on the MCE remote? I am thinking that I should just be able to tinker with the MCE remote key mappings to run the .bat files BUT:
1. From memory (I am at work so cant check) I dont think there is currently any way in MP Setup to link keypresses to external .bat files is there? ( I might be wrong on this)
AND
2. According to the MP Wiki Doco on remote controls (and I dont have the direct link sorry) I cannot remap the number keys, clear, enter (and some others) as they are "currently handled by the OS". I am not sure I understand this limitation. I am imagining that it would be a simple matter of the MyTV module (when in fullscreen mode) responding to simple keyboard events (eg. pressing the 1 key etc) much like any other application, so is this actually still a limitation or have I misunderstood things?
Anyway, before I write a novel I will stop! Does anybody have any advice/links/suggestions here please? I am really keen to get this sorted as it will make the HTPC do everything I (and more importantly my wife...!) needs.. It would also seem that I am not the only guy trying to work this out so would be good to write the definitive guide on using STBs with MP so everyone can benefit.
Thanks heaps in advance
Cheers
Brett
Christchurch, New Zealand
I have recently set up my first HTPC running MP using a Hauppauge PVR-150-MCE and a Microsoft Media Centre (v2) remote control. All my TV comes via a Sky (New Zealand) digital settop box connected to the composite in port on the PVR-150 ie. I am not using the TV tuner at all.
I have set MP up to use the MCE remote (in Settings) and it all works fine, except that I currently have to use the Sky remote control to access the Sky on-screen guide and to change channels. Obviously I would rather be able to do everything via the MCE remote, but I need some guidance as to exactly what problem I need to solve.
What I want to be able to do is when I am in fullscreen TV mode, have MP respond to all channel up/down, number keys, arrow keys etc commands from the MCE remote by re-sending the corresponding IR command out via the IR Blasters supplied with the MCE Remote receiver ie. emulate the STB remote control. This will allow me to control the STB as if I was using its own remote. I also want to be able to set MP up so it can change channels on the STB itself (by sending these same commands) so I can schedule recordings and have it change the channel properly.
In MP Setup, I understand I can define channels as 'External' (to indciate they come from the Sky STB) and I can enter an external channel number. However, what I cannot find is anywhere where I define what IR commands MP needs to send (via the IR Blasters) to the STB. Seems to me that unless I define these somewhere, there is no possible way MP can know how to change channels properly surely?
A surf on the forum turns up some leads:
- https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/viewtopic.php?t=17750 discusses how its done when using the Hauppage remote but requires the use of the "Hauppauge myblaster configuration tool" to define the correct settings for my STB. I am using the MCE remote so I dont think this is for me?
- https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/viewtopic.php?t=14481seems closer, as it refers to the MCE remote. However, it states that I should use MyBlaster to teach MP what to do. Now, as far as I can tell "MyBlaster" is an IR transmitter device ( http://store.mytvstore.com/004.html ). However, my MCE remote receiver came with IR blaster out ports and 2 actual blasters, so I dont think I need a MyBlaster?
- So, it seems that I just need to somehow configure MP so it can firstly access the MCE IR Blaster, and then teach it the correct series of IR commands to send. https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/viewtopic.php?t=17681discuses one method of doing this by capturing IR commands from my STB remote and then being able to play them back e.g. via a .bat file. However, what I am missing is how to actually play such .bat files in MP, in response to pushing buttons on the MCE remote? I am thinking that I should just be able to tinker with the MCE remote key mappings to run the .bat files BUT:
1. From memory (I am at work so cant check) I dont think there is currently any way in MP Setup to link keypresses to external .bat files is there? ( I might be wrong on this)
AND
2. According to the MP Wiki Doco on remote controls (and I dont have the direct link sorry) I cannot remap the number keys, clear, enter (and some others) as they are "currently handled by the OS". I am not sure I understand this limitation. I am imagining that it would be a simple matter of the MyTV module (when in fullscreen mode) responding to simple keyboard events (eg. pressing the 1 key etc) much like any other application, so is this actually still a limitation or have I misunderstood things?
Anyway, before I write a novel I will stop! Does anybody have any advice/links/suggestions here please? I am really keen to get this sorted as it will make the HTPC do everything I (and more importantly my wife...!) needs.. It would also seem that I am not the only guy trying to work this out so would be good to write the definitive guide on using STBs with MP so everyone can benefit.
Thanks heaps in advance
Cheers
Brett
Christchurch, New Zealand
Brazil