First Time MP User - Remote problems (1 Viewer)

[MeGandalf]

Hello,
After 5 years WMC, I would like to try something different. Especially the DRM and issues with streaming is drivign me away from WMC. I found MP and since I am a windows and not a linux guy, I want to give this a chance. I downloaded 1.2.1 and was able to install it - not without fall backs, i have to admit. Anyway, it is installed and I can even watch on channel 3 whatever the STB is sending. Now, that's my problem.
I can't get MP to change the STB.
System:
MP 1.2.1 Final
IRSS 1.4.2.4290
Hauppauge HVR 1600
WMC Remote with IR Blaster for STB
Charter Digital STB
STB connected to TV Tuner via coax
AMD64 X2
RAM 2GB
...

What I did:
Installed MP 1.2.1
Installed IRSS

MP Configuration
-------------------
Activated the MCE Remote
Activated in IRS the MCE Remote control (deleted the generic which i found in there)
(btw, cant use the learn feature - different posting)

MP TV Server Configuration:
-------------------------------
TV Channels: Created two entries:
- Name: ABC / channel 3 / Input Type: Cable / Video Source: Tuner / Audio Source Tuner
- Name: Life / channel 26 / Input Type: Cable / Video Source: Tuner / Audio Source Tuner
(preview on ABC works, on Life it tells me: "Preview failed: No Signal detected")
I mapped both to the card: Hauppauge TV 418 Tuner

I tried to follow: Set Top Box Blasting - MediaPortal Wiki

I cant see the plugin: TV3BlasterPlugin and don't know from where to download.

Any help anyone?

M.

 

[rekenaar]

Hi there and welcome

That plugin is part of IR Server Suite, so you need to install it first:
https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/ir-server-suite-irss-165/ir-server-suite-aka-irss-releases-75092/

 

[mm1352000]

Hi and welcome MeGandalf

I can't get MP to change the STB.

Okay, so we need to get you set up with a blaster.

Activated the MCE Remote

The guide that you linked says you need to *deactivate* that.

MP TV Server Configuration:
-------------------------------
TV Channels: Created two entries:
- Name: ABC / channel 3 / Input Type: Cable / Video Source: Tuner / Audio Source Tuner
- Name: Life / channel 26 / Input Type: Cable / Video Source: Tuner / Audio Source Tuner
(preview on ABC works, on Life it tells me: "Preview failed: No Signal detected")
I mapped both to the card: Hauppauge TV 418 Tuner

All good except... (and this might get a little complicated - apologies in advance )
That channel number field is used for two purposes:
1. By the blaster as the channel number that the blaster tells the STB to switch to.
2. In the tuning process for an analog tuner. Channel number + country ==> frequency.

That is a conflict right there if you're using the tuner (as opposed to the s-video or composite input) to receive the signal from the STB like you are. Why? The STB is providing its feed on a single frequency, so you want to tune the tuner to that frequency and make it stay there but still have the blaster send the channel numbers. Problem is that if you have different channel numbers (as you should to get the blaster working) then the tuner will change frequency, and if you have the same channel numbers then the blaster won't work.

Solutions?
1. Enter the frequency of the STB output in the tuning detail. This overrides the channel number and manually sets the frequency that the tuner tunes to. In case you're not sure of what frequency the STB is using, you can find the channel number in the tv.log. I can also give it to you if you post the logs here (use the watchdog with option 3 "export all currently present logs" to create the zip file to post here).
2. Use the s-video or composite output of the STB instead.

In practice solution 1 doesn't work so well. I really *strongly* recommend that you take solution 2 if at all possible.

I cant see the plugin: TV3BlasterPlugin and don't know from where to download.

It should have been installed with IRSS, but you need to enable it. Open TV Server configuration, click "plugins" on the left - it should be listed there - and then tick it. Note that you do *not* want the "serverblaster" plugin. When you tick the plugin you should notice that the "plugins" node on the left becomes expandable. Expand it and click on the "TVE3 Blaster Plugin" and you should now see the plugin configuration.

Note: you will need the updated plugin DLL from -->here<-- for MP 1.2.1.

mm

 

[MeGandalf]

Thank you two for the warm welcome.
@ rekenaar. I have installed the IRss, but maybe missing some steps.
@ mm1352000, funny name. you gave some things to try out - thanks.
1. I (played around with it and had it on and off) will deactivated the MCE remote
2. keep in mind "Channel number + country ==> frequency." I think i have this correct already - will check again
3. solution 2: 2. Use the s-video or composite output of the STB instead. => will hunt down a S-video cable
4. Will check: "Note that you do *not* want the "serverblaster" plugin. " I think this is On in mu case and might be the reason I don't see the tv3blaster plugin?
5. update the dll with your link
.. will do so tonight my time. hopefully I have better news tomorrow
Thanks for responding so quick and detailed. I can see ppl here do care.

M.

 

[MeGandalf]

@ rekenaar. I have installed the IRss, but maybe missing some steps.
=> after selecting all options, during the installation, i got to see the TV3Blaster plugin.
@ mm1352000, funny name. you gave some things to try out - thanks.
1. I (played around with it and had it on and off) will deactivated the MCE remote
=> deactivated
2. keep in mind "Channel number + country ==> frequency." I think i have this correct already - will check again
=> Name: ABC / channel 3 / Input Type: Cable / country: US / Video Source: CVBS#1 / Audio Source Tuner
- Name: Life / channel 26 / Input Type: Cable / country: US / Video Source: CVBS#1 / Audio Source Tuner
3. solution 2: 2. Use the s-video or composite output of the STB instead. => will hunt down a S-video cable
=> connected video signal with S-Video input
4. Will check: "Note that you do *not* want the "serverblaster" plugin. " I think this is On in my case and might be the reason I don't see the tv3blaster plugin?
=> Turned server blaster off
5. update the dll with your link
=> done

...

I made progress, but i think i have a problem with the MCE remote. When I run a test: Plugins -> TV3 Blaster -> Plugin Setup -> STB setup -> Test ==> I get the message:
test failed:
cannot blast, not registered to an active IR server

similar, when I go to: Plugins -> TV3 Blaster -> IR commands -> NEW -> The port field is inactive

I have just done the MCE set up on this PC as well. The remote works fine with MCE. Can watch ancd change channels with MCE.
? Anything i can post here, which would help ?
I will see if I can find some log information in:
"c:\ProgramData\IR Server Suite\Logs"
and mediaportal logs using watchdog which you can find in start>programs>team mediaportal.