Issue using 3 zones along with USBIRT reciver

[mdomain]

I am currently using the USB-UIRT in a 3 zone configuration to control three SAT boxes with SageTV. That part of the config has worked flawlessly until I also started to use the USB-UIRT to also control SageTV. Now whenever I manually change channels with the remote and Sage in turn changes those channels using the zone 3 emitter digits are dropped and the channel is not changed correctly. Zone 1 & 2 are handled via separate emitters plugged in to the back of the USB-UIRT. Sage changes channels on those boxes without issue. Zone 3 utilizes the emitter on the front of the USB-UIRT.

My thought is that maybe the IR from the remote (which is another emitter sitting in front of the USB-UIRT) is somehow interfering with the IR that the USB-UIRT is trying to send to the cable box. I have tried moving the remote emitter to different locations in front of the USB-UIRT but the same problem exists. Also this problem only exists when manually changing channels with the remote. In other words if Sage is scheduled to record a show on that box it is always able to change the channel successfully.

Has anyone else seen this issue? My next step is to disassemble the USB-UIRT and build a fort around the remote emitter and the USB-UIRT receiver so its IR is shielded from the USB-UIRT’s emitter(s).


Thanks,
Tom

[jrhees]

Yes, I think you're right on.

The remote emitter is probably still sending IR when the USB-UIRT starts to transmit. Is the remote emitter an IR extender? If so, this problem is probably exaggerated, since IR extenders employ a squelch circuit which takes some time to mute, and therefore IR 'dirt' usually follows the IR transmission.

Have you tried tapping the remote control's buttons very short durations to see if it improves the issue?

-Jon

[mdomain]

The remote IR signal is actually coming from an emitter that is plugged into an IR connecting block. It is part of a whole house hardwired IR solution.

Last evening I disasembled the USB-UIRT and built a tunnel between the USB-UIRT's IR emitters and the SAT box. This will shield that IR from the remote emitter IR. So far that appears to have solved the problem. If time shows that this approach is solid I might explore removing the IR emitters from the USB-UIRT and adding a 1/8" jack in their place for an additional enternal emitter. That will provide for a much more professional looking install. If anyone has any better ideas or some tips on how I might accomplish an additional external emitter I'm all ears.

Maybe what we need here is another model of USB-UIRT where all of the emitters are external. That would give us lots more control over their use.

Thanks,
Tom