Totally LOST on MCE Compatible IR Blaster

[Mongo]

Is there a "How To" to get MCE Compatible IR Blaster installed and/or working??

This is on Win7 64bit, DVBLink 2.4, I'm using an early Microsoft MCE IR reciever and blaster with 2 IR Blasters, the receiver/blaster installs with native Win7 drivers and works fine as a receiver for the remote. In HDPVR Properties, when I select MCE-compatible IR Blaster and press the Config MCE IR... button, I get an error that it can NOT find MCEIR.exe. I found a late version of MCEIR.exe on a forum, where they poster said it can be used with the Windows drivers, I copied it to the directory it recommended, now I get an error message that Config.xml can NOT be found. I've gotten a copy of MCEIRapi.rar (the one with MCEIRrecord.exe, MCEIRplay.exe, MCEIR.sys and MCEIR.inf) and tried to install the drivers like it recommended, but Win7 64bit refused to load the drivers, most likely because they are NOT 64bit.

I've installed DVBLink for HD PVR 2.0 twice, 2nd time on a fresh install of Windows 7 64bit. I have the one HD PVR installed and working with the HD PVR Ir Blaster internal to the HD PVR with my Dish Network Vip211K. I'd like to get the HD PVR running a little more stable and install a 2nd HD PVR with my 2nd Vip211k, which Hauppauge's software will NOT support using two IR Blasters at the same time.

I've searched, found various home made applications, from forum posts and Readme's or faq, that don't really give an explanation of what is the purpose or how to really install the one device, I have no idea if I've found the right application or if I'm doing the right thing to install and configure MCE IR Blaster, etc. I'm thoroughly confused on how to get this up an working?

Can anyone can give me a link or short explanation on how to get started?

[philibert]

Is there a "How To" to get MCE Compatible IR Blaster installed and/or working??

This is on Win7 64bit, DVBLink 2.4, I'm using an early Microsoft MCE IR reciever and blaster with 2 IR Blasters, the receiver/blaster installs with native Win7 drivers and works fine as a receiver for the remote. In HDPVR Properties, when I select MCE-compatible IR Blaster and press the Config MCE IR... button, I get an error that it can NOT find MCEIR.exe. I found a late version of MCEIR.exe on a forum, where they poster said it can be used with the Windows drivers, I copied it to the directory it recommended, now I get an error message that Config.xml can NOT be found. I've gotten a copy of MCEIRapi.rar (the one with MCEIRrecord.exe, MCEIRplay.exe, MCEIR.sys and MCEIR.inf) and tried to install the drivers like it recommended, but Win7 64bit refused to load the drivers, most likely because they are NOT 64bit.

I've installed DVBLink for HD PVR 2.0 twice, 2nd time on a fresh install of Windows 7 64bit. I have the one HD PVR installed and working with the HD PVR Ir Blaster internal to the HD PVR with my Dish Network Vip211K. I'd like to get the HD PVR running a little more stable and install a 2nd HD PVR with my 2nd Vip211k, which Hauppauge's software will NOT support using two IR Blasters at the same time.

I've searched, found various home made applications, from forum posts and Readme's or faq, that don't really give an explanation of what is the purpose or how to really install the one device, I have no idea if I've found the right application or if I'm doing the right thing to install and configure MCE IR Blaster, etc. I'm thoroughly confused on how to get this up an working?

Can anyone can give me a link or short explanation on how to get started?

MceIr.exe IS PACKAGED AND INSTALLED as part of the installer. Do not use a different version from somewhere else unless we advise you to. Now I understand that your have the version 2.4 installed. The MceIr.exe file HAS to be in your "source" folder (%ProgramFiles%\DVBLogic\DVBLink\Sources\<yoursource>\), and it is copied there from the installation folder (%ProgramFiles%\DVBLogic\DVBLink\Templates\HDPVR\) when you create a source using the source configuration tool.

Can you confirm the presence/absence of the MceIr.exe file at these locations?

Because otherwise it should be pretty much straight forward, especially using version 2.4.

[Mongo]

MceIr.exe IS PACKAGED AND INSTALLED as part of the installer. Do not use a different version from somewhere else unless we advise you to. Now I understand that your have the version 2.4 installed. The MceIr.exe file HAS to be in your "source" folder (%ProgramFiles%\DVBLogic\DVBLink\Sources\<yoursource>\), and it is copied there from the installation folder (%ProgramFiles%\DVBLogic\DVBLink\Templates\HDPVR\) when you create a source using the source configuration tool.

Can you confirm the presence/absence of the MceIr.exe file at these locations?

Because otherwise it should be pretty much straight forward, especially using version 2.4.

Yes, the original MceIr.exe file in the "source" folder like you describe. I think I have MceIr.exe working now, especially since I got rid of another version of MceIr.exe in the DVBLink folder.

What was confusing me was the first attempts did NOT launch MceIr.exe, instead I got a dialog box pop up that states, "Failed to open configuration file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\DVBLogic\DVBLink\Config/xml':(0x00000002) The system cannot find the file specified."

I figured the DVBLink folder must be the location for MceIr.exe, based on the dialog box that popped up above, and when I used explorer to look inside the folder, there was NO MceIr.exe in the folder and I went searching for an MceIr.exe to download and put in there. I've corrected that now by removing the foreign MceIr.exe.

BUT, I STILL HAVE PROBLEM MceIr.exe is NOT learning the codes from my DishNetwork Remote. It just doesn't respond to button presses as I try learn the codes, when I hit escape to exit, the program crashes. BUT, it might NOT be MceIr.exe, it may be my remote or the receiver.

My IR receiver, with 2 IR blaster leads, has a red led that lights when it receives an IR signal. The red led lights up for all my TV remote commands, it does for all my WMC Remote commands, but it will NOT light up for any of my Dish Network Remote commands, except for the few TV commands that are programmed into the Dish Network remote, i.e. volume, TV power. I suspect my Dish Network Remote transmits on a frequency that my IR receiver can NOT receive.

Does anyone know if there is anything unique about the Dish Network Remotes for the Vip211k, or the frequency it transmits on?

The IR receiver is an older Microsoft MCE Remote receiver, it uses the Win7 64bit native support.

I've ordered an USB-UIRT, with the optional 56khz sensor, will this help me?

[philibert]

Yes, the original MceIr.exe file in the "source" folder like you describe. I think I have MceIr.exe working now, especially since I got rid of another version of MceIr.exe in the DVBLink folder.

What was confusing me was the first attempts did NOT launch MceIr.exe, instead I got a dialog box pop up that states, "Failed to open configuration file 'C:\Program Files (x86)\DVBLogic\DVBLink\Config/xml':(0x00000002) The system cannot find the file specified."

I figured the DVBLink folder must be the location for MceIr.exe, based on the dialog box that popped up above, and when I used explorer to look inside the folder, there was NO MceIr.exe in the folder and I went searching for an MceIr.exe to download and put in there. I've corrected that now by removing the foreign MceIr.exe.

Some weird installation issue that I cannot pinpoint really. Good thing it is fixed.

BUT, I STILL HAVE PROBLEM MceIr.exe is NOT learning the codes from my DishNetwork Remote. It just doesn't respond to button presses as I try learn the codes, when I hit escape to exit, the program crashes. BUT, it might NOT be MceIr.exe, it may be my remote or the receiver.

My IR receiver, with 2 IR blaster leads, has a red led that lights when it receives an IR signal. The red led lights up for all my TV remote commands, it does for all my WMC Remote commands, but it will NOT light up for any of my Dish Network Remote commands, except for the few TV commands that are programmed into the Dish Network remote, i.e. volume, TV power. I suspect my Dish Network Remote transmits on a frequency that my IR receiver can NOT receive.

That is a very surprising thing. Just for your/our sake, are you sure this remote is IR-based and not Wifi-based?

Also, when learning we learn on a wider range of frequencies. Make sure you are within 1" of your IR Receiver when you press the keys.

Does anyone know if there is anything unique about the Dish Network Remotes for the Vip211k, or the frequency it transmits on?

Have you checked for other users with the VIP211 set-top-box on the forum? I also seen people posting their codes for the VIP211, though I don't know if there are any difference with your K-version.

The IR receiver is an older Microsoft MCE Remote receiver, it uses the Win7 64bit native support.

That should normally be the "best" model to use.

I've ordered an USB-UIRT, with the optional 56khz sensor, will this help me?

We do not natively support the USB-UIRT yet. Though, while its a long path, some people on this forum have had success to make it work.

[Mongo]

That is a very surprising thing. Just for your/our sake, are you sure this remote is IR-based and not Wifi-based?

Also, when learning we learn on a wider range of frequencies. Make sure you are within 1" of your IR Receiver when you press the keys.

Yep, its IR based, says so on the Remote, looked up the remote model on Dish Network and its states its IR based and this is an IR only remote, some of Dish's dual receiver remotes can be switched between IR and RF, but this one is just IR.

I have the IR Blaster in the HD-PVR working the Vip211k just fine. I tried learning codes for the Vip211k remote, using the IR receiver in the HD-PVR, it learned codes, but they didn't work, selecting the Vip311 from the code sets for the Hauppauge IR Blaster program worked.

The fact the MCE Remote Receiver lights the red LED for all my IR remotes except the Dish Network, leads me to believe that its NOT able to receive the Dish Remote. I'm guessing the wrong frequency.

The IR receiver is an older Microsoft MCE Remote receiver, it uses the Win7 64bit native support.

That should normally be the "best" model to use.

Yea, I've got to figure out why it won't receive my Dish Remote Signal.

I've ordered an USB-UIRT, with the optional 56khz sensor, will this help me?

We do not natively support the USB-UIRT yet. Though, while its a long path, some people on this forum have had success to make it work.

Ouch, thats discouraging. I may give it try and see what I can do.

[kapusta]

The 3.x HDPVR Beta 3 is very stable for me. I had no problem setting up VIP222K with it and two HDPVRs connected to it and using both of its tuners at the same time. My old MCE IR blaster works fine for both sets of dish remotes. The only issue I ran into was this issue during MCEIR setup, but otherwise it's a solid setup. Maybe you should give 3.x a try if you can.

[philibert]

The 3.x HDPVR Beta 3 is very stable for me. I had no problem setting up VIP222K with it and two HDPVRs connected to it and using both of its tuners at the same time. My old MCE IR blaster works fine for both sets of dish remotes. The only issue I ran into was this issue during MCEIR setup, but otherwise it's a solid setup. Maybe you should give 3.x a try if you can.

MceIr.exe is the same for both versions.

Mongo, you should try just using someone else's codes. And skip the "learning".

Also, try changing the remote batteries. I know this sounds like I am completely off. But I did have a case where a remote wasn't working anymore with one of the devices I had, but was still working with another one. I did tore apart the remote trying to see if something was broken. And when I re-assembled it, out of sheer luck, I did not use the same batteries and bingo it worked.

[Mongo]

The 3.x HDPVR Beta 3 is very stable for me. I had no problem setting up VIP222K with it and two HDPVRs connected to it and using both of its tuners at the same time. My old MCE IR blaster works fine for both sets of dish remotes. The only issue I ran into was this issue during MCEIR setup, but otherwise it's a solid setup. Maybe you should give 3.x a try if you can.

This is exactly the configuration I want to go to; but I have to get the MceIr.exe working with my IR receiver/blaster. Right now I'm working off 1 HD-PVR and it's built in IR Blaster. I may upgrade to ver 3.0 and try that.

What IR Receiver/Blaster are you using? I have a Microsoft UVO4003/00


I really think my problem is really my IR Receiver/Blaster. The RED LED lights for all IR signals I transmit in its direction, even if they are NOT directed at the HTPC, all except the Dish Remote, it won't light the RED LED, except for the programmed TV functions (Volume, etc), that will light the RED LED every time. I can load other people's IR files and see if that works.

Philbert, I'll try new batteries, I've noticed this as well. My hypothesis, weak batteries, voltage drops, which causes problems with the semi-conductor circuits.

[kapusta]

What IR Receiver/Blaster are you using? I have a Microsoft UVO4003/00

I really think my problem is really my IR Receiver/Blaster. The RED LED lights for all IR signals I transmit in its direction, even if they are NOT directed at the HTPC, all except the Dish Remote, it won't light the RED LED, except for the programmed TV functions (Volume, etc), that will light the RED LED every time. I can load other people's IR files and see if that works.

Make sure your dish remote is in IR and not UHF mode. From your description it sounds like it's in UHF (it will still send IR to your TV, but UHF to the receiver) I have the same exact IR receiver/blaster and it does work (light turns red) with the dish remotes.

[Mongo]

Thanks, but I've confirmed its IR mode.

I've found my Dish Remote will light the response LED on the receiver, I just have to tilt the remote back, the IR signal does NOT emit directly forward, it emits downward about at 30°, so it has to be tilted back when close to the IR receiver.

I've narrowed down the problem, when I start the learn process, the IR receiver locks up, no response from the LED while that dialog box is up instructing me to press the button. I hit escape, which stops the learn process, and asks me to press any remote button to exit the dialog box, but since the IR receiver is locked up, if won't receive any press of a button on the remote. So I have to kill the IR Blaster program with task manager.

SUCCESS, I have at least a 95% solution that works, thanks guys! I downloaded the IR files for Dish VIP211 and copied them to the correct folder and they seem to be working correctly. Still can't figure out why my IR Receiver locks up while I try to learn codes, but I've at least you guys gave me a way around that.

Unfortunately, I succeed at this just as my HTPC decides to stop working with the HDPVR completely, see my other thread. They do NOT look related, the "source NOT locked" problem happened before this, just out of frustration of trying to fix that did I come back and work on this as a break, and got it working.