Choose and Install External Tuner

After connecting the receiver box and computer, a second "tuning" connection must be established to enable Beyond TV to tune to the channels available on the receiver box. Use one of the following methods:

Option 1: Infrared Transceiver ("IR Blaster") Connection

This option involves employing a device known as an "IR Blaster," which changes channels by mimicking the receiver box's own remote control. Refer to the pictures below to aid in selecting an appropriate device. Two popular IR Blasters shown below are the USB-UIRT and the ACTiSYS IR200L, which are both available from the SnapStream online store at store.snapstream.com.

USB Infrared Connection (USB-UIRT)

Beyond TV Computer External Receiver Box   USB Port (PC) External Receiver Port USB Plug External IR blaster (USB-UIRT)

Installation:

Install the USB-UIRT (and its drivers) according to the manufacturer's instructions before installing Beyond TV.

Note: As of the writing of this document, the use of multiple USB-UIRT's on a single computer is not supported.

Integrated Infrared Connection (Hauppauge WinTV PVR-150)

Beyond TV Computer External Receiver Box PVR-150 "IR" port (PVR-150) External Receiver Port PVR-150 IR Blaster plug External IR blaster (PVR-150)

Installation:

Follow the manufacturer's directions for installing and configuring the PVR-150's IR Blaster before installing Beyond TV 4.

Notes:

·

See this Knowledge Base Article for a complete list of external receiver boxes supported in the PVR-150 IR Blaster's code library.

·

Due to a driver limitation, the use of multiple PVR-150 IR Blasters on a single computer is not supported.

The USB-UIRT IR blaster is available in a cable pack in the SnapStream Store.

IMPORTANT NOTE: SnapStream does not officially support the ACTiSYS IR-200L. In-house testing has shown it works well with many receivers, but not at all with others.

Option 2: Serial Cable Connection

This option involves connecting the computer directly to the receiver box with a specific type of cable.

Note: This option only works with certain receiver boxes. In particular, serial tuning works with

·

most DirecTV set-top boxes (check SnapStream Knowledge Base article #75 for a list of receivers known to be compatible))

·

Motorola DCT-2000 series (with 7.54 or above firmware)

Serial Port to Serial Port Connection

This type of connection is common for Sony receivers and can be used for some older RCA receivers.

Beyond TV Computer External Receiver Box

Serial Port (PC) Serial Port (Receiver Box) Serial Plug Serial Plug

Installation

Connect one end of the serial cable to the desired serial port connector on the computer, and the other end to the data port located on the back of the receiver box. No driver installation is necessary for this device.

Serial Port to RJ-11 Port Connection

This type of connection is common when using newer, "Fifth and Sixth" generation RCA receivers.

Beyond TV Computer External Receiver Box

Serial Port (PC) RJ-11 Port (Receiver Box) Serial Plug RJ-11 Plug

Installation

Connect the serial end of the cable to the desired serial port connector on the computer, and the RJ-11 connector other end to the data port located on the back of the receiver box. No driver installation is necessary for this device.

Other external tuning options are available, although they are not officially supported by SnapStream. For example, methods of tuning receiver boxes that work with Girder can be made to work with Beyond TV.

Cable packs for serial tuning are available for sale in the SnapStream Store.