How to get MediaPortal to work with Direct TV (3 Viewers)

[luchalibre38]

TV-Server Version[]:The Newest Stable version
MediaPortal Version: The Newest Stable version
MediaPortal Skin: The default skin
Windows Version: XP
CPU Type: Athlon XP2800
HDD: 120 gig
Memory: 1 gig
Motherboard: Shuttle Nforce 2
Motherboard Chipset: Nvidia
Motherboard Bios: Phoenix????
Video Card: 5600 Ultra
Video Card Driver:Newest Stable Nvidia driver
Sound Card: motherboard
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: Hauppgauge 150 MCE
1. TV Card Type:
1. TV Card Driver:
2. TV Card:
2. TV Card Type:
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec:
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider: Direct TV
HTPC Case:
Cooling:
Power Supply: 500 Watt
Remote: Hauppgauge
TV: Sanyo 32
TV - HTPC Connection: s-video

I am new to Mediaportal and installed it on a clean install along with the required drivers and all codecs. The output from the computer to the television is great and worked perfect without any problems.
My problem is how to receive the video signal from my Direct TV box to my computer. I have an Hauppgauge MCE 150 that has RCA Input for the tv signal. I have the cords plugged in and I do not receive a signal. The signal is coming out of the direct tv box to the computer.
I know that I need an IR Blaster to change channels on the computer with the remote. I choose this tv card because it has ir blaster. Has anybody got this feature to work?

Thanks for your help

 

[jburnette]

luchalibre38,

Have you added the "SVHS" input (fancy way of saying composite/RCA) in your tuner's configuration within MP setup? That should allow you to recieve the video from those inputs. You'll then setup your IR blaster as the channel changer in the same menu. Have you tried any of that and it's still not working, or is that what you were needing to know?

 

[luchalibre38]

I have not done that, the only option, I ever saw was for a cable or antenna

Do you have Direct TV?

That worked, nopw how do i get the channel guide into the system?

 

[jburnette]

Download the zap2it plugin (it's in the plugins section of this forum and then the zap2it subforum). Read the directions in it's post, set up an account with zap2it, choose your local directv lineup and you'll be good to go for now. BUT, zap2it is discontinuing their free service at the end of this month. I would look for a new option in the next few weeks but for now that is the simplest way for us DirecTV users.

 

[Spragleknas]

"..."SVHS" input (fancy way of saying composite/RCA) .."

What do you mean? The PVR-series can capture s-video, right?

 

[jburnette]

"..."SVHS" input (fancy way of saying composite/RCA) .."

What do you mean? The PVR-series can capture s-video, right?

Yes but the poster said he was using composite cables, not s-video.

 

[luchalibre38]

i clicked the button and the composite cables did work. Now I have to figure out how to change channels and get the satellite info. What is everybody else using since the zap two is no longer going to be offered?

 

[Spragleknas]

Well... I'm not the right person to ask about american EPG-stuff, but I think you should have a look here: https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/zap2it_replacement-t25463.html

 

[jburnette]

Yeah, at this point I'm not sure what I'm going to use. I'm just going to get the max possible amount of days on the last day it's available. Perhaps we can grab at least a months worth on the 31st. What Spragleknas posted is looking good (I guess?). As far as channel changes go I'm not familiar with IR blasters. Do you have the IR blaster all connected and in front of your receiver? If so, have you enabled the IR blaster plugin? I assume you are using the Hauppage IR Blaster. Let me know if you've done that and we'll take it from there.