IR Blasts from only one channel (1 Viewer)

[gtfreymann]

Where should I post to discuss my issue of my MCE IR blaster only blasting from one channel?

It has two jacks on it, and I need it to control two external set top boxes. If only one channel blasts then MP becomes useless to me.

My test project has gone great, I've got pretty well everything I need set up and running on the 'new' HTPC server, other than this weird IR Blaster issue.

This is going to replace my current SageTV setup.

Master server in basement, 2 dishes, 2 PVR-150's, 3 hard drives (75GB OS, 1TB RecordedTV, 2TB Media), 6 core AMD, 4GB Ram, LCD TV, etc.
Slave in basement office, etc.
Slave in upstairs Living Room, 42" LCD TV
Slave in upstairs Master Bedroom, 32" LCD TV
Slave in upstairs spare bedroom, 28" LCD TV
Two wireless notebooks

Completely impressed with MP and looking forward to switching over and becoming an active member here in the Forums.

 

[mm1352000]

Hi gtfreymann

Here is as good a place as any for questions like this I guess. I'm a little confused about your setup though, specifically this (from your earlier thread):

I have an MCE IR Transceiver with two IR transmitters, although only one channel with transmit. In my devices it shows up as the eHome Infrared receiver.

If only one channel transmits, how do you independently control the STBs?

mm

 

[gtfreymann]

Hi gtfreymann

Here is as good a place as any for questions like this I guess. I'm a little confused about your setup though, specifically this (from your earlier thread):

I have an MCE IR Transceiver with two IR transmitters, although only one channel with transmit. In my devices it shows up as the eHome Infrared receiver.

If only one channel transmits, how do you independently control the STBs?

mm

Sorry. I have two machines. The existing SageTV server is using an MCE IR Transceiver and it has the two IR plugs and has always blasted to either IR independently.

The MediaPortal server is a new box with different hardware, and a different MCE IR Transceiver. My test build, although having two PVR-150's installed, is only connected to one dish, while I have been testing and trying MP out.

I'm unsure if the MCE IR Tx I'm using on my test build is faulty as it's new to me (it's used). It's also smaller than the larger black MCE IR Tx used on the Sage box.

When/if I switch things around, I'll be using the MCE IR Tx that Sage is currently using.

I hope that clarifies a few things.

 

[mm1352000]

What port did you select when you set up the IR commands (here)?

 

[gtfreymann]

What port did you select when you set up the IR commands (here)?

I used Port_1 on one card, and Port_2 on the other.

Ok, this is really weird but very nice!

This morning I fire up the box and test the channel send. Worked on Port 1 as usual. Then I switched over to the other card and did a channel change test, and the other IR blinked!

Amazing.

This issue is solved.

Thanks for digging in though. The forums here are very helpful.

 

[mm1352000]

Nice
So does that mean it is time to changeover to MP???
I'm only kidding - take your time and pick the best option for you. Happy HTPC'ing!

mm

 

[gtfreymann]

Nice
So does that mean it is time to changeover to MP???
I'm only kidding - take your time and pick the best option for you. Happy HTPC'ing!

mm

LOL. It means I'm getting closer!! I'm waiting on delivery of my new 2TB drive and when that gets here I can indeed switch out the SageTV and go with the new MP.

I've done a lot of playing with HTPC systems over the last 5 years.

I started with LinuxMCE 7.10 Beta but started a bit too early as nothing worked. After a week of hassles I gave up on it.

I then installed MythBuntu 7.10 and it went in very easily. I had to tinker a bit with the IR Blasting there too, but even so in one day I had it working with the master in the basement and clients throughout the house.

I then had a chance to do what I'm doing now, play with a spare box and tried LinuxMCE 7.10 when it was released and this time everything worked. It was more fun (to me) and I switched over to it for about a year. The wife hated it. It took a week to make the slightest change and unfortunately I found their forums to be the worst I've ever participated in. I gave up on LinuxMCE not so much because their software was bad, but because their people were horrible.

We went with VistaMCE and Linksys Extenders after that. That worked out well except for the cost of buying all the extenders. When Linksys stopped supporting the extenders and the codecs started to change (upgrade) the extenders started to fall behind. Eventually one failed and I had to think of something else.

In came SageTV. Again, I had to outlay some money at the start, but we did get the 30 day trial period and everything worked great so I bought a bunch of licenses and one HD300 extender.

I was about to buy another HD300 extender but then Google bought them up and the store was closed. Now we're all in limbo wondering what is going to happen to SageTV.

I'm pretty sure a lot of us SageTV users are giving Media Portal a good look over.

My setup is pretty simple. Even though every TV in the house supports HD and wide screen we still have 3 SD satellite receivers and don't feel like buying new receivers and paying Bell even more money each month.

The PVR-150 cards work well and are supported by every piece of software I've ever tinkered with. I bought a couple for spares just in case one in the server ever fails. That's how I"ve been able to 'test' with the new box.

I will sell the HD300 and use the money to buy a Zotac MAG to replace it. I'll also have the old SageTV server computer to sell off. And I'll have some extra parts in case of failures.

The new media drive is coming Friday so who know, on Sunday (when I actually have some free time) I may make the swap!