Set top PVR control from mediaportal? (1 Viewer)

[i2ambler]

I would like to begin using MediaPortal for all of my media. Currently I have a set-top hdtv PVR box from brighthouse that I watch all my TV from. When I watch movies and listen to movies I switch to Mediaportal. (I cant watch dvds from mediaportal, as it just freezes, or does nothing.. but thats a different story) What is the easiest, way to get mediaportal to do the recording and playback of my hdtv? Id like to be able to record 2 shows at once, and get full HDTV capability. Im thinking that I will need a way to control the set top box from mediaportal in some way. Sorry for such a newbie question, but I have not found the information I need from a search. I guess Im a search newbie as well. Thanks

 

[kiwijunglist]

search "IR Blaster"

 

[Fotohacker]

search "IR Blaster"

If you have one of these Hauppauge cards like the HVR-2250 with the IR blaster built in, does that count?

I've also heard that connecting Firewire to the STB and back to your media center would allow you to control channels, if the STB's firewire port isn't disabled. True?