Help setting up IRSS with Hauppauge winTv 418 (1 Viewer)

[gossman]

It's working now. Thank you for the fix. Onto entering all my channels and getting WebEPG to work.

I added a few channels, then exporting them to an XML file. Was going to manually edit it (well, write a perl script to populate the XML file) and have a few questions on the format....

I understand the Servers and cards sections. i.e.:

<tvserver version="1.0">
<servers> <server HostName="media-center" IdServer="1" IsMaster="True"> <cards> <card IdCard="1" DevicePath="(builtin)" Name="RadioWebStream Card (builtin)" Priority="6" GrabEPG="True" LastEpgGrab="2000-1-1 0:0:0" RecordingFolder="T:\Recordings" Enabled="False" CamType="0" TimeShiftFolder="V:\TimeShiftBuffer" RecordingFormat="0" DecryptLimit="0" PreloadCard="False" CAM="False" netProvider="0" StopGraph="True" /> <card IdCard="2" DevicePath="@device:sw:{083863F1-70DE-11D0-BD40-00A0C911CE86}\{D3DD4C59-D3A7-4B82-9727-7B9203EB67C0}" Name="MediaPortal IPTV Source Filter" Priority="5" GrabEPG="True" LastEpgGrab="2000-1-1 0:0:0" RecordingFolder="T:\Recordings" Enabled="False" CamType="0" TimeShiftFolder="V:\TimeShiftBuffer" RecordingFormat="0" DecryptLimit="0" PreloadCard="False" CAM="False" netProvider="0" StopGraph="True" /> <card IdCard="3" DevicePath="@devicenp:\\?\pci#ven_14f1&amp;dev_5b7a&amp;subsys_74040070&amp;rev_00#4&amp;31815d7d&amp;0&amp;28a4#{a799a800-a46d-11d0-a18c-00a02401dcd4}\{ebe24d78-f037-4932-b879-ccefefe78750}" Name="Hauppauge WinTV 418 Tuner" Priority="4" GrabEPG="True" LastEpgGrab="2000-1-1 0:0:0" RecordingFolder="V:\BeyondTV" Enabled="True" CamType="0" TimeShiftFolder="V:\TimeShiftBuffer" RecordingFormat="0" DecryptLimit="0" PreloadCard="False" CAM="False" netProvider="0" StopGraph="True" /> <card IdCard="4" DevicePath="@devicenp:\\?\pci#ven_14f1&amp;dev_8880&amp;subsys_d4391461&amp;rev_0f#4&amp;11bdb759&amp;0&amp;00a8#{a799a800-a46d-11d0-a18c-00a02401dcd4}\{5618011c-a4da-455b-a448-ec2af3dccb02}" Name="AVerMedia 23888 Tuner" Priority="3" GrabEPG="True" LastEpgGrab="2000-1-1 0:0:0" RecordingFolder="T:\Recordings" Enabled="True" CamType="0" TimeShiftFolder="V:\TimeShiftBuffer" RecordingFormat="0" DecryptLimit="0" PreloadCard="False" CAM="False" netProvider="0" StopGraph="True" /> <card IdCard="5" DevicePath="@devicenp:\\?\pci#ven_14f1&amp;dev_5b7a&amp;subsys_74040070&amp;rev_00#4&amp;31815d7d&amp;0&amp;28a4#{71985f48-1ca1-11d3-9cc8-00c04f7971e0}\{e01e1072-3df3-4c23-b99f-6a27a7cc7cd2}" Name="Hauppauge WinTV 418 BDA Tuner" Priority="2" GrabEPG="True" LastEpgGrab="2000-1-1 0:0:0" RecordingFolder="T:\Recordings" Enabled="False" CamType="0" TimeShiftFolder="V:\TimeShiftBuffer" RecordingFormat="0" DecryptLimit="0" PreloadCard="False" CAM="False" netProvider="0" StopGraph="True" /> <card IdCard="6" DevicePath="@devicenp:\\?\pci#ven_14f1&amp;dev_8880&amp;subsys_d4391461&amp;rev_0f#4&amp;11bdb759&amp;0&amp;00a8#{71985f48-1ca1-11d3-9cc8-00c04f7971e0}\{e01e1072-3df3-4c23-b99f-6a27a7cc7cd2}" Name="AVerMedia 23888 BDA Tuner/Demod" Priority="1" GrabEPG="True" LastEpgGrab="2000-1-1 0:0:0" RecordingFolder="T:\Recordings" Enabled="False" CamType="0" TimeShiftFolder="V:\TimeShiftBuffer" RecordingFormat="0" DecryptLimit="0" PreloadCard="False" CAM="False" netProvider="0" StopGraph="True" /> </cards> </server> </servers>

Here is where I have questions:
So, for each channel, I am assuming that there has to be a 'mappings' and 'TuningDeltails' section.
But, in the channel definition, are all the fields required? I assume the IdChannel for the channel definition, mappings and tuning details must match.
But, in the tune definition, since I am using an analog capture, most of those fields do not matter... which are required? Which can I just fill in as they are listed below?

What about the IdChannelMap... can't figure out how that ties into everything.

I get all my stations from DirectTV... Anyone have this already in the XML format? Then all I have to do is add my local stations.

<channels> <channel GrabEpg="True" IdChannel="3" IsRadio="False" IsTv="True" LastGrabTime="2000-1-1 0:0:0" SortOrder="0" TimesWatched="0" TotalTimeWatched="2000-1-1 0:0:0" VisibleInGuide="True" DisplayName="S-Video#1 on 3" ChannelNumber="5">
<mappings>
<map IdCard="3" IdChannel="3" IdChannelMap="3" />
</mappings>
<TuningDetails>
<tune IdChannel="3" IdTuning="3" Bandwidth="8" ChannelNumber="5" ChannelType="0" CountryId="213" Diseqc="0" FreeToAir="True" Frequency="0" MajorChannel="-1" MinorChannel="-1" Modulation="0" Name="S-Video#1 on 3" NetworkId="-1" PmtPid="-1" Polarisation="0" Provider="" ServiceId="-1" SwitchingFrequency="0" Symbolrate="0" TransportId="-1" TuningSource="0" VideoSource="4" AudioSource="0" IsVCRSignal="False" SatIndex="-1" InnerFecRate="-1" Band="0" Pilot="-1" RollOff="-1" Url="" Bitrate="0" />
</TuningDetails>
</channel>
<channel GrabEpg="True" IdChannel="11" IsRadio="False" IsTv="True" LastGrabTime="2000-1-1 0:0:0" SortOrder="1" TimesWatched="0" TotalTimeWatched="2000-1-1 0:0:0" VisibleInGuide="True" DisplayName="ESPN" ChannelNumber="206">
<mappings>
<map IdCard="3" IdChannel="11" IdChannelMap="10" />
</mappings>
<TuningDetails>
<tune IdChannel="11" IdTuning="39" Bandwidth="8" ChannelNumber="206" ChannelType="0" CountryId="213" Diseqc="0" FreeToAir="True" Frequency="0" MajorChannel="-1" MinorChannel="-1" Modulation="0" Name="ESPN" NetworkId="-1" PmtPid="-1" Polarisation="0" Provider="" ServiceId="-1" SwitchingFrequency="0" Symbolrate="0" TransportId="-1" TuningSource="0" VideoSource="4" AudioSource="0" IsVCRSignal="False" SatIndex="-1" InnerFecRate="-1" Band="0" Pilot="-1" RollOff="-1" Url="" Bitrate="0" />
</TuningDetails>
</channel>
</channels>
<channelgroups>
<channelgroup GroupName="All Channels" SortOrder="9999">
<mappings>
<map ChannelName="S-Video#1 on 3" SortOrder="-1" />
<map ChannelName="ESPN" SortOrder="10000" />
</mappings>
</channelgroup>
</channelgroups>
</tvserver>

 

[mm1352000]

If I were you I'd install the SchedulesDirect plugin, sign up for a trial, set up your lineup, then it can create your channels automatically.
Get it from the MediaPortal Extensions Installer link on your desktop or in your start menu Team MediaPortal\MediaPortal folder.

So, for each channel, I am assuming that there has to be a 'mappings' and 'TuningDeltails' section.

Yes.
Mappings link the channels to tuners.
Group mappings link the channels to channel groups.
Tuningdetail + channel is what you'd think of as a channel (though a channel can actually have multiple tuning details, which would imply it can be received in different ways).

But, in the channel definition, are all the fields required?

Yes.

I assume the IdChannel for the channel definition, mappings and tuning details must match.

Yes.

But, in the tune definition, since I am using an analog capture, most of those fields do not matter... which are required? Which can I just fill in as they are listed below?

You have to fill them all in. The fields that aren't actually used should be set to the defaults, as per your example channels.

What about the IdChannelMap... can't figure out how that ties into everything.

It is probably faster and easier to create the mappings - both to tuners and channel groups - from within the UI. Focus on the channel and tuning detail records. They're the most important.

I get all my stations from DirectTV... Anyone have this already in the XML format? Then all I have to do is add my local stations.

As above: use the SD plugin. That's what the majority of people in the US and Canada use to do this task. You don't have to pay them if you decide not to extend the trial, but it saves a bunch of time with this setup.

 

[gossman]

SD would not install. Says it requires 1.3.*.*

 

[mm1352000]

SD would not install. Says it requires 1.3.*.*

Hmmm, odd.
You could try the latest version here:
http://code.google.com/p/mp-schedulesdirect/downloads/list

 

[gossman]

OK. Installed it, signed up for it and created a channel lineup. MP downloaded it and I mapped these new stations to 1 of my cards... what about the other card? Is there a way to duplicate the lineup and map it to my other card (so I have 2 options for recording)?

Do I create another lineup in SD?

 

[mm1352000]

Is there a way to duplicate the lineup and map it to my other card (so I have 2 options for recording)?

If the inputs are the same for both cards (eg. s-video #2) then just map the channels to both cards. The only difference in configuration would be the IR codes in the TVE 3 blaster plugin.
If the inputs are not the same for both cards... then that may be problematic.

Do I create another lineup in SD?

No, one lineup for all cards, then map the channels to the cards that can receive them.

 

[gossman]

Got some time to work on this again....

So, I think I have everything setup.... I have 2 STB's connected to 2 analog input capture cards. Using a trial period of SchedulesDirect - downloaded the complete lightup and have that mapped to the 2 cards.

I have IRSS configured (learned the unique commands on the 2 different remotes I use to control the STB's and have those setup for the individual cards in TVE3 Blaster Plugin). I have USBUIRT as my IR Blaster. I have 1 dual emitter plugged into the back and each emitter is taped to the IR receiver on the STB (this is the exact same setup I use with BeyondTV). I have TVE3 blaster setup to blast to all the ports since I have unique remote cmd codes.

I can start MP and watch live TV... I can set one to record and watch another program. AWESOME (to this point). Now onto the problem..... It won't change the channel on one of the STB's. The other STB seems to work (so for now, I have changed the priority of the cards to use my software based encoder first and hardware based encoder second... I don't like that option). I have gone thru the setup of IRSS and plugin multiple times resulting in the same issue.

What is the best way to debug? I can't even tell if the codes are being transmitted.

 

[mm1352000]

I have TVE3 blaster setup to blast to all the ports since I have unique remote cmd codes.

I'm no expert on blasters but I don't think this is ideal.
Your USBUIRT has two ports right - one port for each STB. Ideally you should set the port on the IRSS IR command definitions to match the STB that the commands are intended for. So for example, the "1" command for STB A should be assigned to port 1 (assumption: port 1 is the USB UIRT port that is connected to the blaster for STB A). Otherwise you're blasting to both STBs when you change channel on either of the tuners. You might get away with this configuration due to the different remote control codes... but I'd strongly recommend not using "both" if you can help it. Up to you I guess...

Now onto the problem..... It won't change the channel on one of the STB's. The other STB seems to work (so for now, I have changed the priority of the cards to use my software based encoder first and hardware based encoder second... I don't like that option). I have gone thru the setup of IRSS and plugin multiple times resulting in the same issue.
What is the best way to debug? I can't even tell if the codes are being transmitted.

There are lots of things you can do to debug.
In the TVE 3 blaster plugin there is a "test" button which allows you to test sending commands. I'd suggest you start there and confirm that you can manually cause the STBs to change channels that way.

If that doesn't work you know you haven't got your IR codes learnt correctly or the STB is not receiving the commands for some reason. To check that commands are being sent, view the blaster through a digital camera. IR can be seen as visible light that way. You should see the blaster blink when you test commands. If you don't you'll know something is wrong with your USB UIRT and/or port configuration.

On the other hand, if test commands work already first thing to do would be to restart the PC to ensure that IRSS and TV Server have both picked up any changes in config. Retest. If test still works and changing channel from MP doesn't work then please post all your log files again (zipped would be helpful - I don't have a large internet cap). I'll start looking in the TV service log to confirm the TVE 3 blaster is attempting to send commands, and see if sending is successful or not.