VBrick Systems Portal Server ETV v4.2.1 - Manual (Page 56)

44 © 2008 VBrick Systems, Inc.
Control Device VBIRs
EtherneTV Portal Server Control Devices use SpitFIRE model VBIRs to manipulate DVDs,
VCRs or other devices controlled by IR commands. The VBIR contains an internal library of
several hundred IR command sets stored in flash memory. The internal library is accessed by
a three digit code. The VBIR internal library supports a wide range of devices from many,
but not all, device manufacturers. If the IR command set for a particular device is not stored
in the internal library there are two ways that the VBIR can be enhanced to control the
device.
Learning IR Commands
The VBIR can be set to learn and store IR commands like a universal remote. Once learned
IR commands are stored on a VBIR they can be written as an external library file on a PC.
The IR commands in an external library file can be learned by other VBIRs through the
process of cloning. For more information, see the application note Learning IR Commands
on the VBIR on the www.vbrick.com/documentation page.
Downloading External Libraries
The VBIR can be upgraded by downloading an external library file. External library files
contain IR command sets for a specific device or devices. External library files are supplied
by a third party or created using the SpitFIRE VBIR learning mode. For more information,
see the application note Downloading External Libraries to the VBIR on the
www.vbrick.com/documentation page.
Set Top Boxes
STBs (Set Top Boxes) must be configured in ETV Portal Server before they can be managed
and used for scheduled events. (STB version must also be 3.7.1 or higher.) Once configured,
all STBs in the system are shown on the following window. The
Select STB
panel in the next
screen shows STBs that have announced their presence on the network but have not been
configured for use in the Portal Server.