DSTV with WinTV PVR2000

[jacauc]

I recently bought a Leadtek WinTV PVR 2000 card for my pc, and i have a cable running from my DSTV decoder to my PC.

I can receive the DSTV signal very well on my PC, and I am using any of the following software: SageTV, Winfast PVR, MCE2005, MythTV.

I would like to find out if it is possible to change channels on the DSTV decoder from my PC, so that i can schedule a recording, and let the PC change the channel before the program starts (thinking of something in the line of Infrared) Is this possible? and if so, what do i need to buy to get this to work?

Thanks
jacauc

[Wanderer]

It is probably possible, but I haven't figured out how to do this. I manually program the dstv box on a regular basis to record all the shows I want to record. I am using Knoppmyth, which works pretty well.

[Obelix]

Have a look at winlirc. Its the Linux InfraRed Control project ported to windows.

[AcidRaZor]

One thing though, you can't really rely 100% on DSTV's schedule. On some channels they have the listings TOTALLY wrong and on some others (like KykNET last night) the schedule is either an hour behind or an hour too early.

Why not use DSTV's autotune feature? :D

[jacauc]

Come to think of it, would it be a wise move to forget about all of this, and rather just wait for the DSTV PVR? (I can still return the WinTV card if i do it before friday)

http://www.dstv.com/Main.aspx?ID=543&ParentId=296&s=

Wonder if there would be a way to get the recorded shows on this DSTV PVR onto PC.

Shot!

[Albereth]

One thing though, you can't really rely 100% on DSTV's schedule. On some channels they have the listings TOTALLY wrong and on some others (like KykNET last night) the schedule is either an hour behind or an hour too early.

You must bear in mind that some of the DSTV content is broadcast from the northern hemisphere and they have daylight savings. When they switch over for winter it throws the schedules out. This does not explain why KykNET was wrong though.

[AcidRaZor]

Yep, same with MK89 and sometimes MTV (which I can understand)

But it does NOT explain why their schedules are out. I mean, it says "Hoenner at 21:00 - 21:30" but sometimes its SO wrong that its like the previous day or the next day's scedules.

[Obelix]

I did an update last night with the za_xml_tvgrabber and i it moved a hole lot of programs around fixing the scheduling for those where the time changed.

[AcidRaZor]

how ya do the update?

[werner]

if you want to change channels on a set top box via the pc via ir then you need a usbuirt, or an mce2005 remote control+receiver combo. It is easily done, lots of info available over at techies.co.za/phpBB2

[jacauc]

Ok, let's turn this question around:p

Obviously, when i connect my cable from DSTV to the PVR, the PVR will only see this as one channel (because all the channel skipping is done on the decoder).

Is it possible to have all the DSTV channels come up seperately? (stupid question i know)
If not, what is the use of the EPG data for DSTV made available on ZAXML?

I would love to be able to switch channels on the PC, and also download the EPG with the information of all the channels and auto channel skipping.

I'm pushing my luck I know. We are in SA after all.

Thanks again!

[werner]

the epg data is so that you and your pvr know what is on at what time and on what channel. If you select to record a series or an individual show, then the pvr will know what channel the dstv decoder would need to be set to for this to happen....are you with me so far? :-)

now, when the time comes, if you have programmed in the ir codes for the dstv remote correctly, and have a suitable ir blaster attached to your pc, the pc will send the ircodes out and the blaster will flash accordingly, effectively emulating the dstv remote control, and changing the channel on the dstv decoder to the one desired so that the show can record.

as far as the dstv decoder is concerned, it "saw" the correct infrared code to change the channel, and it believes these codes came from the remote control, but in fact the pc sent these codes out via the irblaster to enable a particular program on a particular channel to record at a particular time (as dictated by the epg)

tha is why you need an epg, an irblaster, and a tv tuner with a compatable frontend (mce2005, media portal, showshifter etc)

once you have it set up, you can be at work, and your tv will merrily send out ircodes at the correct time, the dstv decoder will change channel as needed because of these codes, and your shows will record.

without an epg, you can only do vcr-style programming, e.g. at 6:30 everyday record on channel 62.
with an epg you can say "I really like rugby and chuck norris films, my wife like egoli, and the kids love spongebob, record anything that features rugby, chuck norris, egoli or spongebob on any channel whenever it is on or only on weekdays, or only first runs, or only repeats, thanks buddy p.s. make sure the rugby takes priority over spongebob if they are on at the same time"

and voila! as if by magic when you get home your pc has "harvested" the daily programming for your favourite items and they are all waiting for you to watch. So you effectively create your own tv channel with your favourite programming to watch when you get home, and you can just ffwd through any commercials. Of course, while you are watching stuff that it recorded for you during the day, the pc and dstv decoder pair and still recording more items so that you always have stuff to watch. You will get to a stage where you no longer use the dstv remote, or watch live tv....the pc will take care of your viewing habits and continually harvest programming you like...putting it into a queue for you to watch when time permits.

that is the basic idea.

as you already have mce2005 all you need is the remote+receiver that ships with it (I believe they are around R600 in s.a., or £20 in a non-ripoff country)...this comes with the required irblaster to enable channel changing.

now stop watching television in the last century:-) pvr's will change your tv habits and give you more free time.

[jmulder01]

Get a PCI DVB-s card or USB box for your PC which will allow you to record the digital transmission without any quality loss.A DVB application called Progdvb does support the DSTV EPG and scheduled recording.Unfortunately you will need a Phoenix interface to read your DSTV smart card for decryption which runs of your com port.I use a "Infinity USB Phoenix" smart card reader and works well.
For years it was almost impossible to buy these DVB cards locally but now they are available from Mustek or online from "Digital Planet" or "Mecerpc.co.za".

[RichardP]

Get a PCI DVB-s card or USB box for your PC which will allow you to record the digital transmission without any quality loss.A DVB application called Progdvb does support the DSTV EPG and scheduled recording.Unfortunately you will need a Phoenix interface to read your DSTV smart card for decryption which runs of your com port.I use a "Infinity USB Phoenix" smart card reader and works well.
For years it was almost impossible to buy these DVB cards locally but now they are available from Mustek or online from "Digital Planet" or "Mecerpc.co.za".

LOL!!! now you are delving in to the DSTV Forbidden Teritory :-) Phoenix is like the F word. Get a Dreambox DM7000 or DM7020 ;-) got all that and a remote control too ;-)

[jacauc]

Thanks Werner, that made it quite clear! Just to confirm then:
1) my TV tuner will always be tuned to the same channel (47 in my case)
2) the Media recording software will send out the IR codes to the DSTV changing the channel accordingly (and the TV tuner still stays on 47)
3) Can i do this IR blasting with the USB-UIRT ?


Shot!
J

[jacauc]

Also, where can I buy a USB-UIRT or any other IR Blaster device suitable (in Gauteng)?

[jacauc]

anyone?

[Angstrom]

You should be able to pick up an IR blaster kit at any audiovisual store. Game, Makro, P&P Hypermarkets, etc. tend to sell them too.

Also: http://www.ellies.co.za/ellies/products/remote_world/remote_blaster.php and http://www.makro.co.za/product.asp?sku=000000000002173795|EA&dept_code=&dept_id=&iPageNum=&

[jacauc]

Thanks, but what I need is a PC connectable remote blaster to send out (and learn) signals.
see www.usbuirt.com
This will complement the "remote blaster"'s capability of extending the signal to another room.