IR blaster issue for my htpc... Help!

[fl4wless]

I have Win MCE edition, a hauppauge pvr 500MCE dual tuner, and teh snapstream Firefly remote.

I have digital cable using a DCT700 box (which i think hauppage doesnt support, so tomorrow im going to exchange it for the dct2000). However, even when setting up Beyond TV... it asks me to choose an IR blaster to tune my external device. I dont think i have one? I know some tuners come with one.... do i need to get one seperately?

Im even having troubles running the MCE setup wizard (after clicking the green MEDIA CENTER button), it wont let me set up my tv tuner saying i need to check my IR controler cable.

So i did some googling and found this:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/using/setup/settop.mspx

So im a bit lost, where can i get an IR blaster. Should i take back this remote and get one that has it. Perhaps the one on sale at dell today. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

thanks.

[pfbmgd]

I have the same problem as you .Did you mannage to get Media to use your tuner card .I`m still trying .

[fl4wless]

well i got my tuner working now, but without my cable box. Just using straight Coax from the wall. So im gonna have to get that dct2000 tomorrow and try it out, as the dct700 isnt supported by hauppauge.

But i think im going to have the same issue in terms of the IR blaster issue. Anyone?>?

[mp328]

well i got my tuner working now, but without my cable box. Just using straight Coax from the wall. So im gonna have to get that dct2000 tomorrow and try it out, as the dct700 isnt supported by hauppauge.

But i think im going to have the same issue in terms of the IR blaster issue. Anyone?>?
the hauppauge 500 doesnt come with the IR Blaster (which is controling ur Cable box)
the 150 (Retail version only - NOT OEM) comes with the remote and IR Blaster.

Retail versions on ncix that come with remote and blaster http://search.ncix.com/displayproductdetail.php?sku=17372&vpn=232&manufacture=HAUPPAUGE or http://search.ncix.com/displayproductdetail.php?sku=14156&vpn=1047-CANADA&manufacture=HAUPPAUGE

i'm not sure if u can buy the IR Blaster anywhere separate. maybe ebay!!

and other thing with the 500, which is a dual tuner card. ur gonna have to setup the cable box thru the s-video or the rca plugs. and still feed the analog coax signal to the card if u wanna record 2 channels at the same time.
if u connect the cable box thru the coax. u can only record whatever channel is currently playing on the box, the 2nd tuner is gonna record the same show. cuz that is the only signal coming into the card.

[fl4wless]

hmm, thanks for the reply.

What are other people doing with their PVR500's... do u guys just use straight coax, and not use a digital box? I dont understand the point of a PVR if you cant control your set top box.

Maybe i should just get a retail pvr 150, comes with remote and ir blaster.

:confused:

[DRDubya]

Just a quick note. Your snapstream Firefly is a Radio Frequency remote not InfraRed. The remote should have come with an USB receiver.

http://www.snapstream.com/products/firefly/faq.asp#1_9

I dont have any experience with MCE ( I use GBpvr because its free) but you can probably get excellent help at http://www.byopvr.com/

[fl4wless]

yes, it came with the usb receiver, but isnt that just to communicate with the firefly remote it self. Im looking for a way to control my settop box with the firefly remote... is this not possible?