Hauppauge blaster plugin - updated for SVN (1 Viewer)

[ixian]

This isn't actually my plugin - it was originally done by Ralphy, who posted it here:

https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/newcomers-forum-240/using-hauppauge-ir-blaster-mp-49578/

in the Newcomers forum, where it's since been buried.

I've been more or less maintaining it for the last month, tweaking things (I am working on muti-blaster use, but Hauppauge's irblaster isn't very elegant in that regard) and keeping it up to date with the latest SVN's/1.01. Since it really belongs here, here you go This is built against the 3-22.09 svn and I will try to keep it up to date. Let me know if you have any problems.

To use: Copy it to your TVServer/Plugins folder - I recommend making a backup of the existing dll by renaming it to .bak, also you'll need to stop the TVService first if it's running - then load up the TV server config, enable the plugin, select Hauppauge, and away you go.

IMPORTANT: You *need* to have the Hauppauge IRBlaster software installed and set up to work with your STB first - this plugin calls that, it's not built in to it.

This is primarly aimed at HDPVR users although it should work with any Hauppauge blaster.

 

[bazzz]

Great work. Is there any reason this can't replace the current blaster plugin distributed with TV server? I must admit I was very surprised by this omission when I upgraded from 0.2.3.

 

[ixian]

As written, it's really more or less a hack (although a well done one by Ralphy). It does replace the existing one but it's not fully integrated - for example, if you use this, and later switch back to the original, you will have problems unless you set this one to one of the two supported blasters first. It needs work in that area.

I'd also frankly prefer to find a way to integrate the actual blasting setup inside of the plugin instead of relying on Hauppauge's, but there's closed source issues there.

I guess what I'm trying to say is for now this will stay a as-needed replacement plugin instead of something committed to the repository

 

[ixian]

I will still have some use for this, so I'll keep it up to date through 1.01/2, but I realized something yesterday - the blaster built in to Hauppauge units, or at least the one in the HD-PVR, isn't very good. Perhaps it's their software. Whatever the case: 1) Channel changes just aren't very fast - in working with this plugin I discovered that there appears to be some sort of minor (but noticeable) delay before the command to blast a code is even sent to the unit, and 2) There is simply no way to get the Hauppauge blaster software to work reliably with more than one Hauppauge device. Dual HD-PVR's, for example, are unworkable.

I was still plugging away at this thing until yesterday when, while digging around my "old PC parts" bin for a cable, I found a USB-UIRT that I had bought all the way back in 2003. One driver update away and it was installed and working. I installed and configured IRServer Suite to use it as a blaster, configured it's TVE3 plugin, and the difference is tremendous. Channel changes on my STB are lightning fast now, within a half-second of being as fast as my actual STB. The USB-UIRT will also control multiple STB's for multiple tuners/capture devices from different vendors.

The plugin I have attached works, and it's a decent enough solution if the blaster in the Hauppauge unit you have is all you've got. If you get a chance though I highly recommend the USB-UIRT as a blaster/IR Receiver - 6 years after buying it and the thing works like a charm.

 

[bazzz]

Thanks for keeping this going! We don't actually watch that much TV, so I don't know if I can justify $60 for a 1-second saving. Blasting actually seems a bit faster for me in the current SVN compared with 1.0.0.0. I think there might be settings you can tweak in the Hauppauge blaster software to make it faster? (I could be imagining this).

 

[ixian]

Wow, I didn't know they had gotten that expensive. Either it was cheaper in 2003 when I got mine or I just don't remember.

As for the plugin, I experimented with all manner of settings and got it to the point where it was as fast as it was going to get while still working at all, but I only have one STB to test with, a Dish receiver, so it's possible it works better with others. I can tell you that with my STB the USB-UIRT is considerably faster, in the 1.5 second channel change range. The main issue seems to be the delay actually sending the blast command from the Hauppauge IR Blaster software - with the USB-UIRT, the command is sent instantly as you press the button on the remote, the Hauppauge lags by a second or more, and on top of that is slower to blast in general once it does receive the command.

I also have a Microsoft MCE remote (the newer eHome one) that can blast two separate units, I'll try that as well to see if it really is just the Hauppauge. If that works well that might be a better option for you since you get get those off Amazon for around $22.

 

[bazzz]

Oops, nothing to see here.