Failed to learn IR - times out (1 Viewer)

[HKMe]

Hi Aaron,

I use XP MCE but would like to switch to MediaPortal so I can access multiple sources. I was excited to see your plug-in as I've had all sorts of trouble with MyBlaster in the past.

The problem I'm having is that I can't learn an IR codes. The plug-in installs correctly and I can access the configuration, but after creating a new command on the "IR Commands" tab and selecting "Learn IR", it doesn't detect my remote. The red LED in the detector flashes but the dialog continues to display "Press the button to learn now". It eventually times out with "Failed to learn IR". I've tried various remotes.

I'm using the MS eHome Infrared Receiver driver (5.1.2600.2709) but get the same result even if I switch to the driver provided in your package (although then my MCE keyboard stops working). Have also tried setting the manufacturer to MS (my receiver is the SMK version, came with Hauppauge PVR500MCE in Asia). I stopped all the MCE services and killed the MCE processes before testing.

The remote works fine in MP and MCE so not sure what the problem is, any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks for what looks like a great plug-in.

p.s. Using MP 0.2.2.0 (no SVN) and selected that when installing the plugin although I noticed the bottom of the configuration dialog reads "1.0.31 for MediaPortal 0.2.2.0 + SVN"

 

[and-81]

Does the plugin work for receiving button presses, or does it not work at all?

I've discovered that in Vista (this may or may not be that same in XP MCE) the MS MCE software uses a very different way to control the IR device. Nothing like the way MyBlaster and this plugin do. It could be that your device only works the way the MS code accesses it...

If this theory is true then you might be stuck until I finish writing a new interface to the IR device. I started working on something to improve the learning of IR codes about 5 weeks ago, but I haven't had any time to work on it in the last couple of weeks.

I don't know what else to suggest ... If MyBlaster doesn't work and my plugin doesn't work then I doubt there is much I can do to help you ... Although ... I am releasing a new app/plugin suite shortly that might work for you ... so when you see an announcement about "IR Server Suite" give that a try.

If that doesn't work, then you might have to wait until I finish my new MCE IR Interface...

Good luck,

 

[HKMe]

Thanks for the quick response. If I turn MCE remote support off in MP config and enable it in your plug-in, then i can use the MCE remote in MP, but it interprets every button press twice (i.e. press up, selection moves up two menu items and I hear two beeps).

Not sure if that's what you meant, I haven't tried any of the more advanced receive functionality. I'll do so on the weekend and let you know if it works (out of town at the moment).

Not sure if it's relevant, but MyBlaster does learn correctly on my system, I just had some issues with the myblaster.dat file not saving the data.

Thanks

 

[and-81]

You need to click "Map Buttons" and then "Remove Replacement Mappings" if you are not using the replacement driver. Which it sounds like you're not.

If MyBlaster works but MCE Replacement Plugin doesn't then you might need to wait for my next plugin.

good luck,

 

[kabiki]

Hi!

I've got a similar problem. I'm using the replacement driver and can use mediaportal with my remote with no problems except that the Aspect-button did'nt work so I went to the Different Remote-tab in your plugin and used it to learn what the code for Aspect was from my remote. Now it worked out just fine to press the Aspect button in mediaportal.

Now here's my real problem. I can use the Different Remote-tab to learn the keys from all sorts of remotes but if I want to use the IR Commands-tab to set up buttons for my satbox the Learn ir times out and does'nt seem to recieve any ircode from the remote. How can that be? It worked fine to recieve the ircode in the Different Remote-tab but not in IR Commands-tabs. Am I doing something wrong?

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Kabiki

 

[and-81]

I must say, that is strange. But there are a few bugs in the learning process... I've done a lot of research, reading, trial and error, but I can't seem to get the learning process reliable. I'd be interested to see how Girder or HIP do it. I don't know of any open source software that uses the MceIr.dll so I can't check what others are doing. I think it might be something to do with my P/Invoke calls.

I'll make a big effort next week to sort out some of the learning problems. I'll see what I can do ...

Cheers,

 

[HKMe]

I've just confirmed the same behaviour on my system. The Different Remote tab detects the IR commands (using either MS or replacement driver) but the learning via the IR Commands tab times out. Not sure if it's important, but the timeout takes about 30 seconds, regardless of what the Learn IR code timeout value is on the options tab.

There also seems to be another issue specific to my cable box - the Different Remote tab recognises my other remotes (Sony TV, Onkyo receiver, MCE) but not my cable tv remote. The onkyo remote can correctly learn the cable tv remote buttons, but plugin doesn't recognise either the cable tv remote or the onkyo remote using the learned commands (cable box recognises both).

FYI, MyBlaster, MCE and HIP are able to learn this remote. Not really expecting a solution to these issues, but hope the feedback helps with future development

Cheers

 

[and-81]

Thanks for the information, I'll see what I can do.

 

[dmatch]

Hi and-81

I don't know that this will help but....There seems to be some SNAFU on my system (HP Z556 XP MCE 2005 / Mediaportal 0.2.2.0) that requires me to exit the plugin configuration between each attempt at learning buttons. My situation is a little different from described above in that when you click "Learn" it immediately replies "Failed to Learn." It is as if a timer was not reset and therefore it appears to the plugin that the timer interval has already passed so.... "Failed to Learn". If I exit the configuration and come right back in then I can learn a button, but only 1 button.

Like I say this probably doesn't help, but sometimes when considering one problem I find that another problem may relate to the same issue and wind up fixing both on a really good day ;-).

On another issue I am having. Will the plugin work with the Microsoft eHome IR Transmitter? When I use the "Test" button (anywhere it is available in the plugin) I get no results at my STB (light doesn't flash). MCE will control this same STB (light flashes) via the same connections.

Mediaportal + MCE Replacement Plugin is such a great replacement for MCE I dearly would like to get this working.

Thanks for you hard work,

dmatch

 

[and-81]

Thanks for the feedback dmatch,

The plugin should work with the standard microsoft driver, but because of problems people have had in the past I have started working on special Microsoft only version of the plugin.

I'll post back when that's done.

In the meantime I'm also looking at how to make the learning process work properly...

Cheers,