How to blast IR to an antenna rotator box when changing a TV channel (1 Viewer)

[GJC]

Hi Valdi,

I found that in order to include a Python script, I needed to have an event attached, so I don't think there's much I can do about the action tree. Hopefully it's not too much of a pain.

Regarding the box not disappearing, yes, I've noticed that on occasion. I added a bit of bulletproofing over the weekend and will try to post a fix here tonight.

I'm afraid that I can't help with the emitter issue, don't have a clue. It sounds like you have more experience than I regarding setting up Eventghost, so hopefully there's something that can be done there to specify which port emits the IR.

 

[GJC]

Give the Python script in this file a try. It seemed to fix my issue with the progress window not disappearing.

 

[GJC]

Hi Valdi,

Did you get a chance to try the script yet?

 

[valdi]

Sorry, GJC....I didn't get a alert thru email so I haven/t been checking. Well, that and the fact that I'm on vacation. Scratch that, my kids are on vacation and I'm looking after them for 2 weeks. Oi... Anyways, I will load this up now and let it do its thing for a few days and I'll let you know by Sunday if this works. Again, sorry for not checking. email alerts usually work.

Just tried it, I just copy and pasted, but at the moment no message box is being displayed at all.

 

[GJC]

Hi Valdi,

I added some stuff to the script to support notifying remote clients that the antenna is rotating. There are a couple of new parameters in the TODO section at the top. The parameters allow me to use the same script on both the TV Server machine and client machines. You probably just need to set those up to get the message box to display properly.

No worries about the email notifications. I've noticed that problem too.

 

[valdi]

Sorry GJC, I'm full of apologies today,

The following is new? Interesting, don't think I even noticed it. Good thing your using me as your Beta tester. I'm blind as a bat and refuse to read instructions.

IRBlasterConnectedToThisMachine = True #Set to False if your IR blaster (ex. USB_UIRT) is connected to a different machine
UseThisMachineToWatchTV = False #Set to False if this is simply a server machine

Sorry, I just blindly went into the light without asking...I changed UseThisMachineToWatchTV = True, then worked like a charm. Either screen I use the msgbox comes up and then disappears promptly.

 

[GJC]

Glad to hear that it works Valdi, I really appreciate your testing.

I think that in the end the MP community is going to ask (like you did) for better integration with MP where the message box is generated by MP and not by Windows. This will require a companion MP plug-in that will talk to the TV Server. This will take a bit of work and I don't have time in the forseeable future to do it. I'm a bit hesitant to formally release the plug-in because of this, what do you think?

 

[valdi]

Hey, My opinion is that I'd love to have it integrated. BUT...who's gonna tell you how to communicate to MP via TV Server if you've already asked once? On top of that you have no more time to invest in this in the foreseeable future. I suggest that you release it under the proviso that it is user beware and no support will be given. Honestly, how many people have been using this plugin except for you and I? The least you can do is release it for no other reason that the newbie just got started with MP and OTA and googles within MP website ChannelMaster or Aspen or rotator and this shows up. The documentation is top notch so modify at your own risk. You did what you needed to do with the plugin, now let the community is required mod it further. Just a thought. Although, if I could get that darn message box skinned to look like avalon. That would be very nice.

Anyways, all the work you did is very appreciated and will not be forgotten in this household. Rogers who?

Valdi,

btw steve is the name, I use valdi for screen names.

 

[GJC]

Thanks for your opinion Steve, my name is Geoff by the way.

I think you're right. I should release it as it is. It's actually more generic this way as XBMC users that have MP TV Server as their backend will also be able to use the plugin.

I'll be able to work out communication details at a future date. All I need to do is create a companion MP plug-in that uses Windows Sockets to talk to my TV Server plug-in. Not a big deal, but it just will take a few dedicated days which I don't have. I'm in a big crunch at work for the next month or so, and after that I want to finally get my HTPC out of my office and in to the family room for the family to try (so I can finally give Rogers the boot!). Perhaps by November I'll get some time to do more plug-in work.

I'm very happy that at least you're finding the plug-in useful. It seems to be working flawlessly for me, so I'm pleased all-round.

Hopefully we'll meet someday. Let me know the next time you'll be in the Waterloo area!

 

[Alex739]

Hi,
I've got a question. I'm a ham radio operator and I use the Channel Master 9537 to control my rotator. I have a generic USB-IR interface called MOSCHIP\MCS7780. Can this device be used to control the position of my antenna rotator with your beat software. I downloaded it and set it up per your directions. But it does not find my USB-IR device. /do I need to spend the extra $50 to get the correct USB-IR box in order to make this work? You see instead of TV channels I use my rotator to point my antenna towards different repeaters around the country. It wold be really nice to use this application to be able to do that. You can email me direct at KK4KHK@cox.net if you like.
Thanks,
Alex