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kemist1117
Limp Gawd
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2005
- Messages
- 506
So like most people on here I have been waiting for an MCE HD solution that actually works. I recently saw that people were finally starting to get success in this with the HD-PVR by using the dvblink software (link) so i figured I would give it a shot. Well i ordered an HD-PVR, set it up, and its working beautifully, so I thought it would be nice to post how I got it working as it is a bit technical and you MUST follow the installation process listed on dvblink's website or you will have problems.
My HTPC:
E4600 proc 2.4gz allendale
dfi 975xg motherboard
hd3870 vid card
2gb ram
Installation
1.) Install the newest Hauppauge drivers.
2.) Windows 7 UAC is different than Vista's, because of this I thought I would be fine without changing it but you HAVE to lower the UAC slider all the way down and reboot before installing the DVBlink software. Make sure you do this, reboot, then install the dvblink server with MCE closed. Reboot. Install HD-PVR bridge.
3.) Perform the tv setup as listed on the dvblink website. For me canceling out of the tv scan would end the setup so you will likely have to wait a bit. Again, make sure you follow the guide and install ONLY ONE DVBlink tuner at a time. Uncheck all the others and repeat one after another. Also be sure to install your SD/QAM tuners as well.
4.) Perform the configuration as listed on the website. If you have problems at this point it is likely that you screwed up the installation in some way (like i did) and should probably just uninstall all of the dvblink software and start over again.
5.) Channel changing. I have an SA 4250HD box that has a firewire port. I wanted to use firestb for channel changing so had to play around a bit to figure out how to get it to work.
First, firestb is here and the guide is on this website as well. That will come in handy if you have problems.
Second, you will need this updated driver set for the 4250hd for firestb to work, directions are on the site for what you will need to do.
Third, this step may or may not be necessary to get it to work. I think channel.exe will work without the step, but for MCE to change channels it is necessary.
Finally, you should run channel.exe to verify channel changing. When you run it you will basically get a dos box and will have to enter command line parameters. At the line type "channel -v" without the quotes and hit enter, you will get a list. One of these entries, probably number 2, will be your cable box. If this is the case try typing the following for a 4250hd: "channel -f -a0 2 704"
What this means:
-f = force channel change
-a0 = specifies how the channel change command is sent, more explanation is in the firestb guide, however -a0 works for the 4250hd, this may have to be altered if you have a different cable box.
2 = the number of the cable box in the list from channel -v
704 = any number for a channel that you want the box to change to, you can change the 704 to anything you want to test if the changing is functioning.
If it is functioning you can then add the address of the channel.dll into the hd-pvr channel changing section, and the command line parameters that you determined above e.g. -f -a0 etc.
6.) At this point you should be able to configure your line up. In windows 7 go to Extras, then in extras go to extras library. You should see the channel configuration utility which will set up your lineup. This worked beautifully for me just going through the default settings, however it set the priority for the HD-PVR highest for all the channels including SD, so I will have to go back and change the priorities for my sd tuners.
Basically thats it. A little bit involved but its working beautifully for me so far. If anyone has any questions I can try to help.
My HTPC:
E4600 proc 2.4gz allendale
dfi 975xg motherboard
hd3870 vid card
2gb ram
Installation
1.) Install the newest Hauppauge drivers.
2.) Windows 7 UAC is different than Vista's, because of this I thought I would be fine without changing it but you HAVE to lower the UAC slider all the way down and reboot before installing the DVBlink software. Make sure you do this, reboot, then install the dvblink server with MCE closed. Reboot. Install HD-PVR bridge.
3.) Perform the tv setup as listed on the dvblink website. For me canceling out of the tv scan would end the setup so you will likely have to wait a bit. Again, make sure you follow the guide and install ONLY ONE DVBlink tuner at a time. Uncheck all the others and repeat one after another. Also be sure to install your SD/QAM tuners as well.
4.) Perform the configuration as listed on the website. If you have problems at this point it is likely that you screwed up the installation in some way (like i did) and should probably just uninstall all of the dvblink software and start over again.
5.) Channel changing. I have an SA 4250HD box that has a firewire port. I wanted to use firestb for channel changing so had to play around a bit to figure out how to get it to work.
First, firestb is here and the guide is on this website as well. That will come in handy if you have problems.
Second, you will need this updated driver set for the 4250hd for firestb to work, directions are on the site for what you will need to do.
Third, this step may or may not be necessary to get it to work. I think channel.exe will work without the step, but for MCE to change channels it is necessary.
Finally, you should run channel.exe to verify channel changing. When you run it you will basically get a dos box and will have to enter command line parameters. At the line type "channel -v" without the quotes and hit enter, you will get a list. One of these entries, probably number 2, will be your cable box. If this is the case try typing the following for a 4250hd: "channel -f -a0 2 704"
What this means:
-f = force channel change
-a0 = specifies how the channel change command is sent, more explanation is in the firestb guide, however -a0 works for the 4250hd, this may have to be altered if you have a different cable box.
2 = the number of the cable box in the list from channel -v
704 = any number for a channel that you want the box to change to, you can change the 704 to anything you want to test if the changing is functioning.
If it is functioning you can then add the address of the channel.dll into the hd-pvr channel changing section, and the command line parameters that you determined above e.g. -f -a0 etc.
6.) At this point you should be able to configure your line up. In windows 7 go to Extras, then in extras go to extras library. You should see the channel configuration utility which will set up your lineup. This worked beautifully for me just going through the default settings, however it set the priority for the HD-PVR highest for all the channels including SD, so I will have to go back and change the priorities for my sd tuners.
Basically thats it. A little bit involved but its working beautifully for me so far. If anyone has any questions I can try to help.
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