[mythtv-users] IR Blaster Inconsistencies With Recordings Only

[scott at tbwifi.ca]

> scott at tbwifi.ca wrote:
>>> On Jan 23, 2009, at 10:45 AM, scott at tbwifi.ca wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>>
>>>> I am running 0.21 fixes on a Mandriva 2008.1 box with an Asus M2N-
>>>> Sli MB.
>>>> My satellite receiver is an Expressvu 4100 (Dish).  I am having
>>>> trouble
>>>> getting my ir blaster arrangement to work consistently.  Oddly if I
>>>> request a channel number using the script from the command line
>>>> everything
>>>> works fine.  Also if I manually key in a channel number and hit enter
>>>> using the keyboard while watching live tv in the frontend, it works
>>>> too.
>>>> The issues seem to always occur with programmed recordings.  Is it
>>>> possible for the database to be scrambled somehow causing this?  Does
>>>> anyone have any other tips to look for?
>>> It's possible that the permissions aren't appropriate for the use that
>>> is running mythbackend. Try logging in as that user and executing the
>>> channel change script from the command line. At least, without backend
>>> log files or more of a description of what "trouble...to work
>>> consistently" means that would be where I would start.
>>>
>>
>> My mention of success running commandline entries was done using the
>> mythtv user, and permissions aren't a problem.
>>
>> The trouble I mention seems to usually be missed digits or what appears
>> to
>> be that.  If the intended program is on 210, sometimes two digits get
>> through and the sat box just assumes an error and flips to a totally
>> non-related default.  On one occasion last night it seems to flip to a
>> three digit channel correctly, but not the channel that was expected.
>> As
>> I mentioned, if I key in 210 in the frontend using the keyboard, I get
>> tuned to 210.  I'm not sure if this is something people have run into
>> before.
>>
>> Take note that about 50% of the recordings do get recorded correctly.
>>
>> I cannot guarantee that my commandline successes are a fluke, but they
>> do
>> seem to show an almost flawless success rate.
>
> You might want to look into the timing of the numerals being sent by the
> blaster, but since the script works from the command line this is
> probably not the problem.
>
> In any case, you might try inserting delays and see what happens, or
> reduce the delay if you are using them now.
>


I've played with those timings extensively and have also tried adding
variations of requesting the guide first, adding cancels, and selects  You
name it, I've done some serious muddling in the script with little or no
improvement.

One thing I did wonder is how one requests a longer illumination time as
opposed to the delays inbetween.


I should also note that I am feeding the signal from the satellite box in
through the coax input of a PVR-350 if that provides and ideas for anyone.