Can't change the channel (IR Receiver)

[KingJ92]

For the first few weeks of using Windows 7 RC it seemed to work fine, but a few days ago the IR Receiver won’t change the channel on my set top box (the IR booster doesn’t do anything) I can’t figure out what is wrong. Anyone else have this problem and/or found a solution?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Josh

 

[KingJ92]

Any ideas?

 

[DemonSeed]

Have you tried removing it and drivers and then redoing? A lot of times that will fix the problems with things like that.

 

[KingJ92]

Nope still won't change

 

[KingJ92]

Any other ideas?

 

[Crunchy Doodle]

As I understand how these types of controls work, when you use your MC remote to change channels, an IR beam goes from the remote to the little IR MC remote receiver. When I use mine, I see a red flash indicating it has received something. From inside your HTPC, a command is sent out to your set-top-box (STB) via an IR transmitter that's usually placed very close to that STB. Sometimes that IR transmitter is integrated into the same physical module as the remote receiver, and sometimes it's a separate little gadget that you stick right on the front of the STB with double-back tape. All of these pieces have to function for the STB to change channels. I would be looking at replacing the IR transmitter, or be doubly sure it's plugged in and appears to work, if that's even possible.

Bye.

 

[bullfights]

I want to ask a stupid question! hehe....

Is the IR transmitter supposed to point AT the STB or away, or in the direction of its own

I have a STB from Mexico, and the IR transmitter is a WinTV HVR-1600, Been trying to sync these things out but it just wont work. I go back and run the reconfig, and same thing everytime.

What else could I try out?

 

[maorhassan]

Hi All
i dont know if this is still relevant
but i have exactly the same issue with my Windows 7 and MC
i cant change channels
i had it on windows vista as well.
i tried reconfiguring every thing
my IR is flashing red light when i try to change but it just stays on the same channel
HELP!!!

 

[krezol]

problem solution

before you replace ir emiter do what is described at http://www.hack7mc.com/2009/09/clearing-guide-data-and-tuner-setup-from-windows-7-media-center.html

 

[dsperber]

Is the IR transmitter supposed to point AT the STB or away, or in the direction of its own

Generally, since the IR transmitter is actually a bulb, you should face it toward the IR receiver (i.e. the front panel of your STB). They often have a flat back, maybe with a removable cover over a sticky surface so that they can be fastened to some surface... but the bulb side of the emitter should be facing the IR receiver, for best results.

These IR bulbs really do flash brightly (although we can't see that) and can actually reflect off of walls and ceilings, if they face "outward" toward reflective surfaces. This actually allows them to control multiple devices in the room (with appropriate separate and unique IR codes, of course, probably based on a "device" button on the remote) though they may physically be on a shelf adjacent to just one device.

If it's not working any more, it's unlikely that the IR emitter bulb is gone. More likely there is some issue with WMC not sending out the proper output to the emitter, or whatever the "relay" is from when you push buttons on your remote pointing at the IR receiver on your desk (which presumably plugs into a USB port on the PC allowing communication with WMC) which is then supposed to send out the proper signal to the IR transmitter near the STB... that system is not working properly.

Did this work before? Just stopped suddenly? Or is there more to the story?