Vista Media Center will not allow me to set up TV tuner

"Curious" wrote:

> You only need a MS IR and blaster if you are going to use S-video from the
> box. If you connect it via RF/Coax then you just tell MC that you have an
> antenna and you manually tune to channel 3or4 which ever is coming from the
> box.
>
> "blake2415" <> wrote in message
> news32FC956-4B73-4DF1-9E75-...
> > Nigel,
> >
> > I know this is an old post but I too am looking at this setup.
> >
> > I can not install my STB as it requires a physical IR blaster in order to
> > finish the setup. It's not required. I have the MONSOON hava box and it
> > receives the channel change info through the network connection. In fact
> > the
> > only way to make the HAVA work is to buy an IR blaster in order to let WMC
> > "think" one is in place but the HAVA doesn't even use it, it's just there
> > to
> > trick WMC into finishing the setup.
> >
> > The PVR products from SAGE TV and even the Free MEDIAPORTAL product simpy
> > allow one to skip this setting and I suppose by default they still act as
> > if
> > there is an IR blaster because the chanels do change through the HAVA box.
> >
> > I could solve my problem if I could open an INI file or edit the registry
> > to
> > indicate an IR blaster is in place and then I could use my setup.
> > ANything
> > is better than having to add yet anothere USB contraption to my system
> > when
> > it's not functionally needed except for WMC won't configure without it.
> >
> > Is there some way to get around this? As a thought, my laptop has the
> > IR
> > built in and it controls the HAVA box fine. Can I copy the configuration
> > settings from my laptop to my desktop to get around this?
> >
> > Bill
> >
> >
> >
> > "Nigel Barker" wrote:
> >
> >> On Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:55:01 -0700, Kindred Industrialite <Kindred
> >> > wrote:
> >>
> >> >I have the exact same problem right now.. I have two freaking ir
> >> >devices, but
> >> >they are in storage... and it won't let me skip the ir, to finish the
> >> >config... Dammed annoying... I don't have access to storage right now,
> >> >just
> >> >to get a damned receiver... Freaking silly... Why would it not just let
> >> >you
> >> >SKIP that step???? I don't plan on changing the channel with media
> >> >center
> >> >anyway.....
> >> >
> >> >GRRRR..... Is there NO Config file, or INI setting that I can change,
> >> >simply
> >> >to tell media center to use my SVIDEO input, instead of the built in
> >> >tuner???
> >> >
> >> >Even Being able to manually config a File, would be acceptable...
> >> >Jeasus...
> >>
> >> This must be in the Top Three Most Popular Questions on this forum & the
> >> answer
> >> as always the same. If you have a Set Top Box then you need a IR
> >> remote/receiver/bug combo to control the STB otherwise how is Media
> >> Center to
> >> change channels for unattended recording?
> >>
> >> You say that you don't plan on changing the channel with media center so
> >> I am
> >> wondering why you want to hook the STB up to Media Center in any case.
> >> However
> >> if you really want to & if the STB has an RF out then you can use coaxial
> >> cable
> >> to connect that to the antenna input of your TV tuner card.
> >> --
> >>
> >> Cheers
> >>
> >> Nigel Barker
> >> Live from the sunny Cote d'Azur
> >> MCE MVP
> >>
>

Sorry for the blank append - first tries sometimes do not work as expected.

I would also like to view composite or s-video without an IR blaster. I
have a TV card with antenna and composite inputs. I use the antenna input
for local TV channels & want to use the composite input for a security
camera. I have no need for a remote. I also cannot use an RF modulator
(extra cost) because it interferes with my normal TV reception. RF is also
significantely poorer quality than composite or s-video.

"LoxDon" wrote:

>
>
> "Curious" wrote:
>
> > You only need a MS IR and blaster if you are going to use S-video from the
> > box. If you connect it via RF/Coax then you just tell MC that you have an
> > antenna and you manually tune to channel 3or4 which ever is coming from the
> > box.
> >
> > "blake2415" <> wrote in message
> > news32FC956-4B73-4DF1-9E75-...
> > > Nigel,
> > >
> > > I know this is an old post but I too am looking at this setup.
> > >
> > > I can not install my STB as it requires a physical IR blaster in order to
> > > finish the setup. It's not required. I have the MONSOON hava box and it
> > > receives the channel change info through the network connection. In fact
> > > the
> > > only way to make the HAVA work is to buy an IR blaster in order to let WMC
> > > "think" one is in place but the HAVA doesn't even use it, it's just there
> > > to
> > > trick WMC into finishing the setup.
> > >
> > > The PVR products from SAGE TV and even the Free MEDIAPORTAL product simpy
> > > allow one to skip this setting and I suppose by default they still act as
> > > if
> > > there is an IR blaster because the chanels do change through the HAVA box.
> > >
> > > I could solve my problem if I could open an INI file or edit the registry
> > > to
> > > indicate an IR blaster is in place and then I could use my setup.
> > > ANything
> > > is better than having to add yet anothere USB contraption to my system
> > > when
> > > it's not functionally needed except for WMC won't configure without it.
> > >
> > > Is there some way to get around this? As a thought, my laptop has the
> > > IR
> > > built in and it controls the HAVA box fine. Can I copy the configuration
> > > settings from my laptop to my desktop to get around this?
> > >
> > > Bill
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > "Nigel Barker" wrote:
> > >
> > >> On Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:55:01 -0700, Kindred Industrialite <Kindred
> > >> > wrote:
> > >>
> > >> >I have the exact same problem right now.. I have two freaking ir
> > >> >devices, but
> > >> >they are in storage... and it won't let me skip the ir, to finish the
> > >> >config... Dammed annoying... I don't have access to storage right now,
> > >> >just
> > >> >to get a damned receiver... Freaking silly... Why would it not just let
> > >> >you
> > >> >SKIP that step???? I don't plan on changing the channel with media
> > >> >center
> > >> >anyway.....
> > >> >
> > >> >GRRRR..... Is there NO Config file, or INI setting that I can change,
> > >> >simply
> > >> >to tell media center to use my SVIDEO input, instead of the built in
> > >> >tuner???
> > >> >
> > >> >Even Being able to manually config a File, would be acceptable...
> > >> >Jeasus...
> > >>
> > >> This must be in the Top Three Most Popular Questions on this forum & the
> > >> answer
> > >> as always the same. If you have a Set Top Box then you need a IR
> > >> remote/receiver/bug combo to control the STB otherwise how is Media
> > >> Center to
> > >> change channels for unattended recording?
> > >>
> > >> You say that you don't plan on changing the channel with media center so
> > >> I am
> > >> wondering why you want to hook the STB up to Media Center in any case.
> > >> However
> > >> if you really want to & if the STB has an RF out then you can use coaxial
> > >> cable
> > >> to connect that to the antenna input of your TV tuner card.
> > >> --
> > >>
> > >> Cheers
> > >>
> > >> Nigel Barker
> > >> Live from the sunny Cote d'Azur
> > >> MCE MVP
> > >>
> >

=?Utf-8?B?TG94RG9u?= <> wrote in
news:7B6D6DF0-213A-48F8-AE8D-:

> Sorry for the blank append - first tries sometimes do not work as
> expected.
>
> I would also like to view composite or s-video without an IR blaster.
> I have a TV card with antenna and composite inputs. I use the antenna
> input for local TV channels & want to use the composite input for a
> security camera. I have no need for a remote. I also cannot use an
> RF modulator (extra cost) because it interferes with my normal TV
> reception. RF is also significantely poorer quality than composite or
> s-video.
>

It is not possible to use the S-video or Composite input in Media Center
without a Media Center IR remote control transcevier.

It is a hardware requirement.

I don't know why you are so against getting a MCE remote control.

They are cheap in comparison to the amount of frustration you will
experience to try to use MCE Video input.

MCE does not allow you to setup the Video input at all without the IR
hardware.

Once the Hardware is installed, MCE will setup the Video input.

That does not mean you have to stick the IR Blaster on anything. You lie
in the setup about the channel changing. You say YES, and go to the next
step.

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--

> "LoxDon" wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> "Curious" wrote:
>>
>> > You only need a MS IR and blaster if you are going to use S-video
>> > from the box. If you connect it via RF/Coax then you just tell MC
>> > that you have an antenna and you manually tune to channel 3or4
>> > which ever is coming from the box.
>> >
>> > "blake2415" <> wrote in message
>> > news32FC956-4B73-4DF1-9E75-...
>> > > Nigel,
>> > >
>> > > I know this is an old post but I too am looking at this setup.
>> > >
>> > > I can not install my STB as it requires a physical IR blaster in
>> > > order to finish the setup. It's not required. I have the
>> > > MONSOON hava box and it receives the channel change info through
>> > > the network connection. In fact the
>> > > only way to make the HAVA work is to buy an IR blaster in order
>> > > to let WMC "think" one is in place but the HAVA doesn't even use
>> > > it, it's just there to
>> > > trick WMC into finishing the setup.
>> > >
>> > > The PVR products from SAGE TV and even the Free MEDIAPORTAL
>> > > product simpy allow one to skip this setting and I suppose by
>> > > default they still act as if
>> > > there is an IR blaster because the chanels do change through the
>> > > HAVA box.
>> > >
>> > > I could solve my problem if I could open an INI file or edit the
>> > > registry to
>> > > indicate an IR blaster is in place and then I could use my setup.
>> > > ANything
>> > > is better than having to add yet anothere USB contraption to my
>> > > system when
>> > > it's not functionally needed except for WMC won't configure
>> > > without it.
>> > >
>> > > Is there some way to get around this? As a thought, my laptop
>> > > has the IR
>> > > built in and it controls the HAVA box fine. Can I copy the
>> > > configuration settings from my laptop to my desktop to get around
>> > > this?
>> > >
>> > > Bill
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > "Nigel Barker" wrote:
>> > >
>> > >> On Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:55:01 -0700, Kindred Industrialite
>> > >> <Kindred > wrote:
>> > >>
>> > >> >I have the exact same problem right now.. I have two freaking
>> > >> >ir devices, but
>> > >> >they are in storage... and it won't let me skip the ir, to
>> > >> >finish the config... Dammed annoying... I don't have access to
>> > >> >storage right now, just
>> > >> >to get a damned receiver... Freaking silly... Why would it not
>> > >> >just let you
>> > >> >SKIP that step???? I don't plan on changing the channel with
>> > >> >media center
>> > >> >anyway.....
>> > >> >
>> > >> >GRRRR..... Is there NO Config file, or INI setting that I can
>> > >> >change, simply
>> > >> >to tell media center to use my SVIDEO input, instead of the
>> > >> >built in tuner???
>> > >> >
>> > >> >Even Being able to manually config a File, would be
>> > >> >acceptable... Jeasus...
>> > >>
>> > >> This must be in the Top Three Most Popular Questions on this
>> > >> forum & the answer
>> > >> as always the same. If you have a Set Top Box then you need a IR
>> > >> remote/receiver/bug combo to control the STB otherwise how is
>> > >> Media Center to
>> > >> change channels for unattended recording?
>> > >>
>> > >> You say that you don't plan on changing the channel with media
>> > >> center so I am
>> > >> wondering why you want to hook the STB up to Media Center in any
>> > >> case. However
>> > >> if you really want to & if the STB has an RF out then you can
>> > >> use coaxial cable
>> > >> to connect that to the antenna input of your TV tuner card.
>> > >> --
>> > >>
>> > >> Cheers
>> > >>
>> > >> Nigel Barker
>> > >> Live from the sunny Cote d'Azur
>> > >> MCE MVP
>> > >>
>> >
>

There was an IR driver floating around that fooled MC into thinking that the
IR equipment was attached. However beside the issue of needing the IR
equipment for s-video or composite, the other problem using MC is that MC
only allows one type of TV connection at a time. You can't have the coax and
the composite connected and switch back and forth, you would have to run
signal setup wizard each time you wanted to change.

You might check to see if you got a viewing/capture application with the
tuner card and use that for the composite instead of MC.
--
James
Orlando, FL

"LoxDon" <> wrote in message
news:7B6D6DF0-213A-48F8-AE8D-...
> Sorry for the blank append - first tries sometimes do not work as
> expected.
>
> I would also like to view composite or s-video without an IR blaster. I
> have a TV card with antenna and composite inputs. I use the antenna input
> for local TV channels & want to use the composite input for a security
> camera. I have no need for a remote. I also cannot use an RF modulator
> (extra cost) because it interferes with my normal TV reception. RF is
> also
> significantely poorer quality than composite or s-video.
>
> "LoxDon" wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> "Curious" wrote:
>>
>> > You only need a MS IR and blaster if you are going to use S-video from
>> > the
>> > box. If you connect it via RF/Coax then you just tell MC that you have
>> > an
>> > antenna and you manually tune to channel 3or4 which ever is coming
>> > from the
>> > box.
>> >
>> > "blake2415" <> wrote in message
>> > news32FC956-4B73-4DF1-9E75-...
>> > > Nigel,
>> > >
>> > > I know this is an old post but I too am looking at this setup.
>> > >
>> > > I can not install my STB as it requires a physical IR blaster in
>> > > order to
>> > > finish the setup. It's not required. I have the MONSOON hava box
>> > > and it
>> > > receives the channel change info through the network connection. In
>> > > fact
>> > > the
>> > > only way to make the HAVA work is to buy an IR blaster in order to
>> > > let WMC
>> > > "think" one is in place but the HAVA doesn't even use it, it's just
>> > > there
>> > > to
>> > > trick WMC into finishing the setup.
>> > >
>> > > The PVR products from SAGE TV and even the Free MEDIAPORTAL product
>> > > simpy
>> > > allow one to skip this setting and I suppose by default they still
>> > > act as
>> > > if
>> > > there is an IR blaster because the chanels do change through the HAVA
>> > > box.
>> > >
>> > > I could solve my problem if I could open an INI file or edit the
>> > > registry
>> > > to
>> > > indicate an IR blaster is in place and then I could use my setup.
>> > > ANything
>> > > is better than having to add yet anothere USB contraption to my
>> > > system
>> > > when
>> > > it's not functionally needed except for WMC won't configure without
>> > > it.
>> > >
>> > > Is there some way to get around this? As a thought, my laptop has
>> > > the
>> > > IR
>> > > built in and it controls the HAVA box fine. Can I copy the
>> > > configuration
>> > > settings from my laptop to my desktop to get around this?
>> > >
>> > > Bill
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > "Nigel Barker" wrote:
>> > >
>> > >> On Sat, 19 Jul 2008 20:55:01 -0700, Kindred Industrialite <Kindred
>> > >> > wrote:
>> > >>
>> > >> >I have the exact same problem right now.. I have two freaking ir
>> > >> >devices, but
>> > >> >they are in storage... and it won't let me skip the ir, to finish
>> > >> >the
>> > >> >config... Dammed annoying... I don't have access to storage right
>> > >> >now,
>> > >> >just
>> > >> >to get a damned receiver... Freaking silly... Why would it not just
>> > >> >let
>> > >> >you
>> > >> >SKIP that step???? I don't plan on changing the channel with media
>> > >> >center
>> > >> >anyway.....
>> > >> >
>> > >> >GRRRR..... Is there NO Config file, or INI setting that I can
>> > >> >change,
>> > >> >simply
>> > >> >to tell media center to use my SVIDEO input, instead of the built
>> > >> >in
>> > >> >tuner???
>> > >> >
>> > >> >Even Being able to manually config a File, would be acceptable...
>> > >> >Jeasus...
>> > >>
>> > >> This must be in the Top Three Most Popular Questions on this forum &
>> > >> the
>> > >> answer
>> > >> as always the same. If you have a Set Top Box then you need a IR
>> > >> remote/receiver/bug combo to control the STB otherwise how is Media
>> > >> Center to
>> > >> change channels for unattended recording?
>> > >>
>> > >> You say that you don't plan on changing the channel with media
>> > >> center so
>> > >> I am
>> > >> wondering why you want to hook the STB up to Media Center in any
>> > >> case.
>> > >> However
>> > >> if you really want to & if the STB has an RF out then you can use
>> > >> coaxial
>> > >> cable
>> > >> to connect that to the antenna input of your TV tuner card.
>> > >> --
>> > >>
>> > >> Cheers
>> > >>
>> > >> Nigel Barker
>> > >> Live from the sunny Cote d'Azur
>> > >> MCE MVP
>> > >>
>> >

set up TV tuner
set up S-Video
set up Composite
You Need To KNOW FIRST

TV tuner you Channel Surf @ PC
S-Video you Channel Surf @ VCR or DVD
you Channel Surf @ CABLE BOX or Satiate BOX

If VCR or DVD or CABLE BOX or Satiate BOX is set for ch 3/4 you set TV tuner
on PC to ch 3/4 and Channel Surf @ VCR or DVD or CABLE BOX or Satiate BOX

see OK
Hmm will not allow
S-Video and Composite have not TV tuner
The VCR or DVD or CABLE BOX or Satiate BOX is the TV tuner