Blaster code for Sky UHF

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Frandrew

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#20244 17-Mar-2008 21:32

Hi geeks and gurus

Have got MediaPortal set up and ticking along nicely...

What I want to be able to do is control my Sky UHF decoder (cheapskate, I know) from MediaPortal using the Microsoft Media Centre remote I have. Problem is, the Microsoft receiver doesn't seem to pick up the remote codes to learn them - works fine for other remotes, but not the old Sky UHF remote. Has anyone got Sky UHF + Microsoft receiver working for IR blasting?

Appreciate any help,

Andrew

BarTender

3606 posts

Uber Geek

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#117292 18-Mar-2008 10:14

I didn't know anyone still paid for Sky UHF these days granted Sky still do have 50k UHF subscribers as per their annual report. Have you tried googling for the box to see if the IR codes are anywhere online. I am sure there is a way to do it.

Frandrew

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#117294 18-Mar-2008 10:40

Well actually we have the UHF as a second decoder to keep the kids happy (much cheaper than multiroom). It carries the main channels I want to record, so I thought it best to use this as the input to my PVR rather than the digital box which is always being used. Have tried Googling (naturally), but to no avail. All it says on the bottom of the box is VideoCrypt, which is hardly enlightening as that is the technology rather than the manufacturer. I thought there must be someone out there who is controlling a UHF Sky box from a PVR!!?

catdog

107 posts

Master Geek

#117330 18-Mar-2008 14:35

Sky UHF decoders use a different (older) protocol than most other remote controls, which makes it very difficult to learn and emulate with a PVR.

To keep it short, new remotes use IR light which is modulated (turned on and off) at around 40kHz, and the receiver measures the duration of the bursts and the gaps between bursts. In contrast, the sky UHF remote only uses single light pulses, and uses the timing between each pulse. Learning remotes expect to see a continuous burst at 40kHz, so ignore the single light pulse from the sky remote, making it difficult to learn. Similarly, the PVR software will want to send bursts of light pulses at 40kHz, not a single pulse.

Hope this helps.

Frandrew

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#117356 18-Mar-2008 17:52

So, short answer, I'm not going to have much success with this?

catdog

107 posts

Master Geek

#117398 18-Mar-2008 21:01

It might be easier to build a motorised robot out of lego, and program it to press the buttons on the sky remote