Windows Media Center & DSTV SD PVR1

Cornedp

Cornedp

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Hi Guys and Girls,

I am in need of some assistance. I recently decided to get rid of all my media players (and I had a couple of then) and go for the Windows Media Center. So, I installed a new PC, bought a Hauppauge Win TV HVR-1900 and proceeded to set up this baby. I ran into some issues and I will detail it here.

1. In setting up the TV signal, it does not pick it up as DSTV. The work around that I have is to use the RCA connectors from the SD PVR1 decoder to my TV Tuner card. When going through the motions, it picks it up as composite video on my MCE. Still need to know if this is the correct setup?

2. Getting past step 1 it then asks you to setup your IR blaster for the MCE remote. This is where I am REALLY stumped. No matter what I try, it does not pick up the IR receiver on the PVR1. I really need help from the experts here...PLEASE

I am at the stage where I am willing to pay someone for his/ her time to come and help me set this up.

Thanks,

Corne
 
1. Yes it is, I think...I've used that setup before but my TV card kept failing.

2. Google is your friend. I've been able to sort this out but I can't remember/find the site that had the walkthrough, unfortunately. But look around you should find it. Don't pay anybody!!
 
Joe_Moer said:
Pop across to mceguide.co.za. You will find all your answers there!
Click to expand...

Been there and no answers. Read all the guides and it is still a mystery, and yes, I am technically minded.

Here is what I have done;

Ok, let me start at the begining :)

1. I installed a new PC and purchased the Hauppauge HVR 1900.
2. I installed the drivers for the Hauppauge device
3. I connected the RCA cables from the SD PVR1 decoder to the Hauppauge device
4. I fire up MCE and go to setting, TV, Setup TV Signal
5. It then askes for Region and I make sure it is South Africa
6. It then askes for my postal code and I add that and press enter
7. It then comes back saying it failed to download the "guide". Looking at your setup guide it should have picked up DSTV, but it does not.
8. It then askes the question of Cable, Sattelite or Antenna, I choose Satelite and it then scans and picks up composite video and shows the signal in a little picture.
9. Looking at your guide there should be an option to say do not use Set Top box remote, but it is not there and takes you imediatly to the IR page and says it did not pick up the IR Blaster.
10. no matter where I move the IR blaster in the front pannel of the decoder, it just does not pick it up. I have gone sofar as to get a seperate MCE remote to see if it was not maybe the IR that was faulty, but still nothing.
11. I have moved that little IR thingy over evry inch of that infernal decoder and still nothing.

I am at wits end. I got rid of my Xtreamer, my Mede8er and my Mvix HD to go to Media Center and to be honest, I nver thought it would be this much trouble...


Corne
 
Last edited:
i remember i did this a while back to play my ps2 in mc. i pointed the eye at d ps2 ir receiver and it picked up. it then gives an option of learning the commands from the remote itself. try different models of stb jus to get to the remote learning option. what make remote are u using?
 
Hi Corne,
Download MCEGuide 7.1 from mceguide.co.za (If you hav'nt done so already) There is a free version available. If I remeber correctly (did this some time ago!) there are instructions under the diagnostic tab in MCEGuide. Run the guide and then open media centre to set up the TV signal. (5,6,7&8 as you have done before.
Here is also a link to some info around setting of the remote (http://forum.mceguide.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=593) Maybe something in there is of use?
Joe
 
Which version of Windows are you running?

Cornedp said:
7. It then comes back saying it failed to download the "guide". Looking at your setup guide it should have picked up DSTV, but it does not.
Click to expand...
This step is fine. It wont pickup DSTV guide because microsoft does not offer one. You need to install and download the guide using mceguide 7.1

Cornedp said:
8. It then askes the question of Cable, Sattelite or Antenna, I choose Satelite and it then scans and picks up composite video and shows the signal in a little picture.
Click to expand...
I also use composite video on mine

Cornedp said:
10. no matter where I move the IR blaster in the front pannel of the decoder, it just does not pick it up. I have gone sofar as to get a seperate MCE remote to see if it was not maybe the IR that was faulty, but still nothing..
Click to expand...

1. When you press the “green” button on your Hauppauge MCE Remote, does Windows Media Center load?

If YES, then the problem is selecting the right code for your setup box

If No, then it means Windows has not installed drivers for the remote.

2. Another question, when using Hauppauge WinTV Application, can you control volume, channel change with your Hauppage Remote?
 
dlk001 said:
Which version of Windows are you running?

This step is fine. It wont pickup DSTV guide because microsoft does not offer one. You need to install and download the guide using mceguide 7.1

I also use composite video on mine



1. When you press the “green” button on your Hauppauge MCE Remote, does Windows Media Center load?

If YES, then the problem is selecting the right code for your setup box

If No, then it means Windows has not installed drivers for the remote.

2. Another question, when using Hauppauge WinTV Application, can you control volume, channel change with your Hauppage Remote?
Click to expand...

Hi dlk001,

1. I use Windows 7 Ultimate
2. I have MCE guide downloaded and installed as well as paid my subs
3. Yes, green button works :) , Where do you add / select the right code?
4. Have not tested the remote to that extent yet...so not sure
 
Cornedp said:
Hi dlk001,

1. I use Windows 7 Ultimate
2. I have MCE guide downloaded and installed as well as paid my subs
3. Yes, green button works :) , Where do you add / select the right code?
4. Have not tested the remote to that extent yet...so not sure
Click to expand...

Hey Cornedp,

From your response, it looks like the issue is communication between your IR Blaster and DSTV PVR. Can we try the following?

In windows media center, go to "Settings", "TV", "Setup TV Signal" and follow the YES prompts

Follow the procedure until you reach "TV Signal Type" and select “Satellite” as you did before

The next step is "TV tuner selection", you should have your 'Hauppuage TV Card' selected here

Next step is “Prepare for Set-top Box Setup”, “Select a Working TV Signal”. Here select 'Composite Video' as you have done already

Next step is "Set-top Box Configuration", “How do you want to configure set-top box?”. Here you must select “Select the set-top box from a list”

Follow the procedure until you reach the step “Select Your Set-top Box Brand”. Here browse down and select “Multichoice”.

Next screen is “Select Remote Control Code”. Here you will get 11 remote codes listed e.g. S0642, S0879 etc. Select the first one and proceed to next screen. If channels do not change, go back and select another code until you get a code that responds.

If all the codes do not work, then go back to “Set-top Box Configuration”: and select "Manual Set-up". This method will teach your Hauppage IR Blaster remote commands using your current DSTV remote. Follow the procedure and hopefully this will sort out the problems.

Good luck, hope to hear how it works out.
 
dlk001 said:
It wont pickup DSTV guide because [-]microsoft[/-] DSTV does not offer one. You need to install and download the guide using mceguide 7.1
Click to expand...

Fixed that for you ;)

(Microsoft tried, in vein to get guide data from DSTV)
 
Not sure why you'd want to run it through your media centre if you already have a PVR, seems like a lot more trouble than necessary.
 
Fudzy said:
Such as?
Click to expand...

Advantages
  • Single point of media access (not media player here, dstv box here, dvd player there, etc)
  • No PVR access fee
  • 'Unlimited' HDD space
  • Series recording (although I believe this is now resolved on the dstv pvrs)
  • Media sharing to as many areas in the house as you want
  • Content remains watchable (decrypted) forever.
  • Central Movie Library
  • Personal Videos and Photos are displayed in a great format. Makes a great talking point when the photo's screen saver starts to rotate the photos - re-live memories (Think really large digital photo frame)
  • Online content (Youtube, etc)

Disadvantages
  • HD is a bit of a hassle
  • IT factor (mom and pop can't set it up)
  • More $$$ in initial outlay (unless you already have a spare PC)
 
Last edited:
dlk001 said:
Hey Cornedp,

From your response, it looks like the issue is communication between your IR Blaster and DSTV PVR. Can we try the following?

In windows media center, go to "Settings", "TV", "Setup TV Signal" and follow the YES prompts

Follow the procedure until you reach "TV Signal Type" and select “Satellite” as you did before

The next step is "TV tuner selection", you should have your 'Hauppuage TV Card' selected here

Next step is “Prepare for Set-top Box Setup”, “Select a Working TV Signal”. Here select 'Composite Video' as you have done already

Next step is "Set-top Box Configuration", “How do you want to configure set-top box?”. Here you must select “Select the set-top box from a list”

Follow the procedure until you reach the step “Select Your Set-top Box Brand”. Here browse down and select “Multichoice”.

Next screen is “Select Remote Control Code”. Here you will get 11 remote codes listed e.g. S0642, S0879 etc. Select the first one and proceed to next screen. If channels do not change, go back and select another code until you get a code that responds.

If all the codes do not work, then go back to “Set-top Box Configuration”: and select "Manual Set-up". This method will teach your Hauppage IR Blaster remote commands using your current DSTV remote. Follow the procedure and hopefully this will sort out the problems.

Good luck, hope to hear how it works out.
Click to expand...

I was a bit out of it last night with being snowed under with work.
I will test it tonight and give you feedback :)
 
dlk001 said:
Cool man. Let us know how it goes!
Click to expand...

dlk001,

Your advise is spot on. Thank you. I seem to have a bit of an issue with the remote though.
I have selected DSTV and it gives me 3 numbers that I can use with "teaching" my MCE remote. Problem is that is does not work.
I tried the manual way as well, but also no joy there. I am thinking it might be the remote.

I will pop in to Pinecale Micro today to pick up a new remote.
 
Ok, I have tried just about everything with the remote, I tried the DSTV option, only 3 of them and not working, I tried the Multichoice one (all 11 of them) and not working.
I tried Auto setup, no go. I tried the manual route, but it seems as if the remote is not "learning", although it seems as if there is communications between IR and remote.
The MCE remote works fine in MCE to scroll and all that...

Any Ideas?
 
Cornedp said:
Ok, I have tried just about everything with the remote, I tried the DSTV option, only 3 of them and not working, I tried the Multichoice one (all 11 of them) and not working.
I tried Auto setup, no go. I tried the manual route, but it seems as if the remote is not "learning", although it seems as if there is communications between IR and remote.
The MCE remote works fine in MCE to scroll and all that...

Any Ideas?
Click to expand...

You mentioned you had a hauppauge card? Do you use the Hauppauge MCE Remote kit, or do you use one in the case? What case do you have BTW?
(I have a thermaltake dh101 case and I use the receiver on the case and the transmitter of my hauppauge mce remote kit and it works on the dsd990 decoder and now the new baby HD pvr.)

My hauppauge remote kit came with a little black box which houses an ir receiver and two plugs for the IR transmitter beans. Have you tried a different plug for the transmitter bean ? Perhaps your transmitter bean is stuffed, I once pinched the cable (which is rather thin) in some trunking and it actually broke it. Try a different bean, if you can.

A windows media center is a really cool device, but a takes effort to set up.
 
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