In case this is of benefit to others:

I've at last found the reason MCE 2005 could not control the channels
on my Samsung STB, as supplied ny NTLworld cable in the UK.

First I had an interesting time persuading MCE to output an IR
blaster signal at all - apparently a common problem. Switching output
socket and twiddling the setup fixed it.

With the IR blaster diode located about 10cm (4 inches) from the STB
front panel, not working. Moved it progressively closer until it was
in contact but it still wouldn't work.

MCE recognised the output from the STB remote OK, so clearly the code
was compatible. Lots of searching the web gave no clues.

Suddenly it started to work! ... and I found I'd accidently dislodged
it to be much further away from the STB. Experimentation showed that
30cm (12 inches) distance is the minimum for reliable operation.

As that distance is not convenient I'll experiment with translucent
filter materials to reduce the IR output to allow closer placement.

I don't use a STB, so I am only going by what I have read, but could the
issue be multiple sensors on the STB and when the blaster is too close it is
only hitting one?

I thought I remember someone saying that some STB's have more than one
sensors and the IR needs to hit both for the box to accept the signal, so if
you lower the power and move it closer, you'll still have the problem.

I don't know, maybe I dreamed that.
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), Florida

"McSpreader" <invalid@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns96E8DADB2B1CFMcP@62.253.170.163...
> In case this is of benefit to others:
>
> I've at last found the reason MCE 2005 could not control the channels
> on my Samsung STB, as supplied ny NTLworld cable in the UK.
>
> First I had an interesting time persuading MCE to output an IR
> blaster signal at all - apparently a common problem. Switching output
> socket and twiddling the setup fixed it.
>
> With the IR blaster diode located about 10cm (4 inches) from the STB
> front panel, not working. Moved it progressively closer until it was
> in contact but it still wouldn't work.
>
> MCE recognised the output from the STB remote OK, so clearly the code
> was compatible. Lots of searching the web gave no clues.
>
> Suddenly it started to work! ... and I found I'd accidently dislodged
> it to be much further away from the STB. Experimentation showed that
> 30cm (12 inches) distance is the minimum for reliable operation.
>
> As that distance is not convenient I'll experiment with translucent
> filter materials to reduce the IR output to allow closer placement.

"Jaime" <jaimelobo@hotmail.com> wrote in
news:eIAA2a4yFHA.552@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl:

> I don't use a STB, so I am only going by what I have read, but
> could the issue be multiple sensors on the STB and when the
> blaster is too close it is only hitting one?
>
> I thought I remember someone saying that some STB's have more
> than one sensors and the IR needs to hit both for the box to
> accept the signal, so if you lower the power and move it closer,
> you'll still have the problem.
>
> I don't know, maybe I dreamed that.

Thanks for that, interesting thought. I can't yet tell where exactly
the IR receiver(s) is/are on the STB.

I'll report back on my experiments.

Humm what a missleading post subject ! doh!

By the way the location of the ir reciever in the Samsung NTL 2100C stb is :

The black smoked out platic on the front :
It's at the far top right
eg.
___________________________________
| 00 <-|----- IR
Reciever
| |
| |
<--- Frosted Black Plastic
|___________________________________|

KEY:
00 = Infrared Reciever.
__ = Black bit of Plastic on front of stb.


PS if you find out how to fix this issue. well the one that
doesnt like repeating codes like 112 = 12 and 122 = 12 ?!?! siiiigh...
Please let me know

i cant be reached here :
newsgrouptemp0311 (a.t) allegisgroup.co.uk

Remove the " (a.t) " from email address!!

Mike

"McSpreader" wrote:

> "Jaime" <jaimelobo@hotmail.com> wrote in
> news:eIAA2a4yFHA.552@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl:
>
> > I don't use a STB, so I am only going by what I have read, but
> > could the issue be multiple sensors on the STB and when the
> > blaster is too close it is only hitting one?
> >
> > I thought I remember someone saying that some STB's have more
> > than one sensors and the IR needs to hit both for the box to
> > accept the signal, so if you lower the power and move it closer,
> > you'll still have the problem.
> >
> > I don't know, maybe I dreamed that.
>
> Thanks for that, interesting thought. I can't yet tell where exactly
> the IR receiver(s) is/are on the STB.
>
> I'll report back on my experiments.
>

"=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
news:C289AE47-3602-4D71-8537-F07D547CCA3F@microsoft.com:

> Humm what a missleading post subject ! doh!

It isn't misleading wrt the problem I experienced, whereas

> ... the one that
> doesnt like repeating codes like 112 = 12 and 122 = 12 ?!?!

....is NOT the same problem.

Erm yea.. thanks do you know the solution for my problem then ? please
!!

PS my diagram got messed up ! it wrapped the text! thats not on..

Cheers, mike

"McSpreader" wrote:

> "=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> news:C289AE47-3602-4D71-8537-F07D547CCA3F@microsoft.com:
>
> > Humm what a missleading post subject ! doh!
>
> It isn't misleading wrt the problem I experienced, whereas
>
> > ... the one that
> > doesnt like repeating codes like 112 = 12 and 122 = 12 ?!?!
>
> ....is NOT the same problem.
>
>
>
>

Ah well cheers for looking, but i cant give up just yet..
appart from anything else, my house mate works for
NTL and so we get a bargin

I cant believe no one else has come accross this yet,
these samsung 2100c boxes are everywhere in the UK.

I guess people are just not going the MCE route !

mike

"Nigel Barker" wrote:

> On Thu, 3 Nov 2005 14:38:05 -0800, "Mike" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com>
> wrote:
>
> >Erm yea.. thanks do you know the solution for my problem then ? please
> >!!
>
> Sorry, I did try Google & the only solution that I found is for you to dump NTL
> & have Sky satellite service installed.
>
> --
> Nigel Barker
> Live from the sunny Cote d'Azur
>

On Thu, 3 Nov 2005 14:38:05 -0800, "Mike" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote:

>Erm yea.. thanks do you know the solution for my problem then ? please
>!!

Sorry, I did try Google & the only solution that I found is for you to dump NTL
& have Sky satellite service installed.

--
Nigel Barker
Live from the sunny Cote d'Azur

"=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
news549B889-CC41-46E8-A485-94737F6B61DF@microsoft.com:

>
> Erm yea.. thanks do you know the solution for my problem then
> ? please !!
>
Just double-checked on my system and I don't have that problem. I'm
using MCE 2005 with Roll-up 2 installed.

me too..

are you using the samsung 2100c STB with NTL UK ?

Cheers,

Mike


"McSpreader" wrote:

> "=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> news549B889-CC41-46E8-A485-94737F6B61DF@microsoft.com:
>
> >
> > Erm yea.. thanks do you know the solution for my problem then
> > ? please !!
> >
> Just double-checked on my system and I don't have that problem. I'm
> using MCE 2005 with Roll-up 2 installed.
>
>

Yes, the very same. I understood that this problem had been fixed
in an MCE update.

"=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
news:43CA0E6D-D683-4E84-B037-D49812B6B3A1@microsoft.com:

> me too..
>
> are you using the samsung 2100c STB with NTL UK ?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Mike
>
>
> "McSpreader" wrote:
>
>> "=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
>> in news549B889-CC41-46E8-A485-94737F6B61DF@microsoft.com:
>>
>> >
>> > Erm yea.. thanks do you know the solution for my problem
>> > then ? please !!
>> >
>> Just double-checked on my system and I don't have that problem.
>> I'm using MCE 2005 with Roll-up 2 installed.
>>
>>

ah man how come its not workin for me ?

Can you think of anything else that i might have messed up ?

Im thinking a reinstall might be in need... but surley the update should
have just fixed it..

Humm, did you learn the remote by learning each key seperatly or did the
first wizard work for you ? eg press 0 .. then ok... then page up.. and it
recognises the remote ?

This is looking promising :-) even if a rebuild is needed, just want it to
work.
MCE is f**ing excellent normally

Nice....

Mike.



"McSpreader" wrote:

> Yes, the very same. I understood that this problem had been fixed
> in an MCE update.
>
> "=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> news:43CA0E6D-D683-4E84-B037-D49812B6B3A1@microsoft.com:
>
> > me too..
> >
> > are you using the samsung 2100c STB with NTL UK ?
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Mike
> >
> >
> > "McSpreader" wrote:
> >
> >> "=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
> >> in news549B889-CC41-46E8-A485-94737F6B61DF@microsoft.com:
> >>
> >> >
> >> > Erm yea.. thanks do you know the solution for my problem
> >> > then ? please !!
> >> >
> >> Just double-checked on my system and I don't have that problem.
> >> I'm using MCE 2005 with Roll-up 2 installed.
> >>
> >>
>
>

"=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
news:E5B9CF7B-1C2A-4E67-8E36-0A0DDFDFABD9@microsoft.com:

> ah man how come its not workin for me ?
>
> Can you think of anything else that i might have messed up ?
>
> Im thinking a reinstall might be in need... but surley the
> update should have just fixed it..
>
> Humm, did you learn the remote by learning each key seperatly or
> did the first wizard work for you ? eg press 0 .. then ok...
> then page up.. and it recognises the remote ?
>
> This is looking promising :-) even if a rebuild is needed, just
> want it to work.
> MCE is f**ing excellent normally
>
> Nice....
>
> Mike.

The wizard did the trick for me: specified no Enter key.

BTW: I'm on my third installation after BSOD problems with graphics
drivers screwed things royally in earlier attempts.

Welcome to the MCE Beta programme :-)

Lol well i was happy to be a beta tester until this latest issue !
i have to take the stb up stairs every everning to try and figure this
out, then every morning my house mate moves it back down stairs ..

(MCE in spare room.... a few long extention leads down to the louge/TV/AMP
:-) )

As im sure you can appreciate this has driven me insane!

Anyways, i think ill give the rebuild a go, not like its useable at the
moment
Would you recommend installing the update before i start configuring the
remote etc after initial OS installor configure all then update ?

Many thanks,
Mike
PS my MSN address is mikeebooo (at) hotmail.com if ur up for another
"contact".


"McSpreader" wrote:

> "=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> news:E5B9CF7B-1C2A-4E67-8E36-0A0DDFDFABD9@microsoft.com:
>
> > ah man how come its not workin for me ?
> >
> > Can you think of anything else that i might have messed up ?
> >
> > Im thinking a reinstall might be in need... but surley the
> > update should have just fixed it..
> >
> > Humm, did you learn the remote by learning each key seperatly or
> > did the first wizard work for you ? eg press 0 .. then ok...
> > then page up.. and it recognises the remote ?
> >
> > This is looking promising :-) even if a rebuild is needed, just
> > want it to work.
> > MCE is f**ing excellent normally
> >
> > Nice....
> >
> > Mike.
>
> The wizard did the trick for me: specified no Enter key.
>
> BTW: I'm on my third installation after BSOD problems with graphics
> drivers screwed things royally in earlier attempts.
>
> Welcome to the MCE Beta programme :-)
>

"=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
news:04AC3CCB-DE1F-4D0A-A3F1-470912D9CFD9@microsoft.com:

> Would you recommend installing the update before i start
> configuring the remote etc after initial OS installor configure
> all then update ?
>

I installed all of the available updates (this was just prior to
Roll-Up 2 release) before any config. Dunno if that makes a
difference, but ...

Ok cheers, well hopfully tomorrow i'll be able to make some time
to do a full rebuild. ive managed to back everything up including some
recorded
shows... well my fingers are firmly crossed as this is the last resort ! im
getting well
and truley fed up with it..

Cheers for your help on this one .. much appreciated.

I'll let you know what happens..

Have a nice Sunday!
Mike


"McSpreader" wrote:

> "=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> news:04AC3CCB-DE1F-4D0A-A3F1-470912D9CFD9@microsoft.com:
>
> > Would you recommend installing the update before i start
> > configuring the remote etc after initial OS installor configure
> > all then update ?
> >
>
> I installed all of the available updates (this was just prior to
> Roll-Up 2 release) before any config. Dunno if that makes a
> difference, but ...
>

Right, im fu**ing insanely pissed off now.. after a full
rebuild of media center 2005 plus all available updates
including rollup 2.. the channels on the Samsung 2100c stb
is S T I L L no changing correclty when it inculdes repeated digits!!!!
wtf is going on here ?!!??!

MICROSOFT !!!???? wtf am i doing wrong...

A very pi$$ed off MCE user...

( E.G. channel "112" appears as "12" on the STB.. )

"McSpreader" wrote:

> "=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> news:04AC3CCB-DE1F-4D0A-A3F1-470912D9CFD9@microsoft.com:
>
> > Would you recommend installing the update before i start
> > configuring the remote etc after initial OS installor configure
> > all then update ?
> >
>
> I installed all of the available updates (this was just prior to
> Roll-Up 2 release) before any config. Dunno if that makes a
> difference, but ...
>

Hi Mike,

while I've seen some discussion over the blaster placement early in this
thread, it didn't seem to be in the context with the double-digits issue.
So - have you tried _slighty_ varying the position of the IR blaster glued
to the front of your STB to see if that makes any difference wrt this
issue?

Regards,«
--
Robert Schlabbach
e-mail: robert_s@gmx.net
Berlin, Germany

"Mike" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:5B62B10A-0F90-4BA5-B139-38745C44BA80@microsoft.com...
> Right, im fu**ing insanely pissed off now.. after a full
> rebuild of media center 2005 plus all available updates
> including rollup 2.. the channels on the Samsung 2100c stb
> is S T I L L no changing correclty when it inculdes repeated digits!!!!
> wtf is going on here ?!!??!
>
> MICROSOFT !!!???? wtf am i doing wrong...
>
> A very pi$$ed off MCE user...
>
> ( E.G. channel "112" appears as "12" on the STB.. )
>
> "McSpreader" wrote:
>
> > "=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> > news:04AC3CCB-DE1F-4D0A-A3F1-470912D9CFD9@microsoft.com:
> >
> > > Would you recommend installing the update before i start
> > > configuring the remote etc after initial OS installor configure
> > > all then update ?
> > >
> >
> > I installed all of the available updates (this was just prior to
> > Roll-Up 2 release) before any config. Dunno if that makes a
> > difference, but ...
> >

Hi Robert,
yes ive tried lots of different placements and still nothing.

Do you use the samsung 2100c stb ?

Cheers,
Mike

"Robert Schlabbach" wrote:

> Hi Mike,
>
> while I've seen some discussion over the blaster placement early in this
> thread, it didn't seem to be in the context with the double-digits issue.
> So - have you tried _slighty_ varying the position of the IR blaster glued
> to the front of your STB to see if that makes any difference wrt this
> issue?
>
> Regards,«
> --
> Robert Schlabbach
> e-mail: robert_s@gmx.net
> Berlin, Germany
>
> "Mike" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:5B62B10A-0F90-4BA5-B139-38745C44BA80@microsoft.com...
> > Right, im fu**ing insanely pissed off now.. after a full
> > rebuild of media center 2005 plus all available updates
> > including rollup 2.. the channels on the Samsung 2100c stb
> > is S T I L L no changing correclty when it inculdes repeated digits!!!!
> > wtf is going on here ?!!??!
> >
> > MICROSOFT !!!???? wtf am i doing wrong...
> >
> > A very pi$$ed off MCE user...
> >
> > ( E.G. channel "112" appears as "12" on the STB.. )
> >
> > "McSpreader" wrote:
> >
> > > "=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> > > news:04AC3CCB-DE1F-4D0A-A3F1-470912D9CFD9@microsoft.com:
> > >
> > > > Would you recommend installing the update before i start
> > > > configuring the remote etc after initial OS installor configure
> > > > all then update ?
> > > >
> > >
> > > I installed all of the available updates (this was just prior to
> > > Roll-Up 2 release) before any config. Dunno if that makes a
> > > difference, but ...
> > >
>
>
>

Nope, I don't use any STB at all. I won't settle with anything less than
direct digital reception Primarily from satellite.

I'm afraid I'm out of ideas wrt your issue, though. I've heard that the
placement of the IR blaster can be quite tricky, but if you already covered
that, there's no more I can think of ATM...

Regards,«
--
Robert Schlabbach
e-mail: robert_s@gmx.net
Berlin, Germany

"Mike" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:6B42B4C3-8D0D-44AB-94DC-0C2968119EFD@microsoft.com...
> Hi Robert,
> yes ive tried lots of different placements and still nothing.
>
> Do you use the samsung 2100c stb ?
>
> Cheers,
> Mike
>
> "Robert Schlabbach" wrote:
>
> > Hi Mike,
> >
> > while I've seen some discussion over the blaster placement early in this
> > thread, it didn't seem to be in the context with the double-digits issue.
> > So - have you tried _slighty_ varying the position of the IR blaster glued
> > to the front of your STB to see if that makes any difference wrt this
> > issue?
> >
> > Regards,«
> > --
> > Robert Schlabbach
> > e-mail: robert_s@gmx.net
> > Berlin, Germany
> >
> > "Mike" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:5B62B10A-0F90-4BA5-B139-38745C44BA80@microsoft.com...
> > > Right, im fu**ing insanely pissed off now.. after a full
> > > rebuild of media center 2005 plus all available updates
> > > including rollup 2.. the channels on the Samsung 2100c stb
> > > is S T I L L no changing correclty when it inculdes repeated digits!!!!
> > > wtf is going on here ?!!??!
> > >
> > > MICROSOFT !!!???? wtf am i doing wrong...
> > >
> > > A very pi$$ed off MCE user...
> > >
> > > ( E.G. channel "112" appears as "12" on the STB.. )
> > >
> > > "McSpreader" wrote:
> > >
> > > > "=?Utf-8?B?TWlrZQ==?=" <Mike@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> > > > news:04AC3CCB-DE1F-4D0A-A3F1-470912D9CFD9@microsoft.com:
> > > >
> > > > > Would you recommend installing the update before i start
> > > > > configurin
g the remote etc after initial OS installor configure
> > > > > all then update ?
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > I installed all of the available updates (this was just prior to
> > > > Roll-Up 2 release) before any config. Dunno if that makes a
> > > > difference, but ...
> > > >
> >
> >
> >