Very Slow Response when not in "Mouse Mode"

[civerson4]

I have contacted SS support with this issue..but I am hopeful someone on the forums can help me with this problem.....

I own 2 firefly remotes. 1 I use in my office/den and it works great. This is the machine with the BTV server. I use the other firelfy (
the one having probelms) with my HTPC setup in the living room. This machine is a Pentium 1.7 running BTV Link (server is a Pentium 3.0 with HT). I moved homes this weekend and prior to moving everything worked perfectly.

In my new home, when using the firefly, the response to the remote control is extremely sluggish when it is "directed" to an application like BTV Link, Beyond Media or Windows Media Player. When using the firelfy in mouse mode, the response is perfect--no lag whatsoever.

I have tried relocating the firefly receiver (both with and without a USB extension cable). Even when the remote receiver is 10' away from my TV/HTPC and the firefly remote is literally right next to the receiver, the response is slugglish. I have also tried to reinstall the firefly drivers--but this did not effect the sluggish response. Both fireflys are set to work on different remote channels.

The strange part of this (and the reason I do not believe it is RF interference) is that the remote works perfectly in "Mouse Mode". No delayed response at all. It is only when the remote is directly controlling an application that the response is very slow (4-5 seconds between pushing any button on the remote and seeing the command executed by the computer (i.e. volume increase, move up/down a menu, etc). Obviously, this situation has made the mouse almost useless.

Any help would be appreciated.

Chad

[DanielS]

You know Chad, one of my Firefly's behaves in a similar fashion to yours though not on the order of 4-5 seconds, more like 2 seconds, but intolerable nonetheless. The other works flawlessly. Thing is, they are right next to each other, connected to two HTPCS that are right next to each other, over 10' USB extensions. ALL IDENTICAL. I would love to see the answer to this.

[nanook105]

Did you try new batteries ? How about trying different channels

[DanielS]

Well, mine did it with the factory batteries, but no I just assumed THEY were fresh. And I do use 2 different channels. Thanks.

[nanook105]

Never know with batteries. I wasn't asking if you were using two channels. Have you tried different channels with the one that has a weak signal ?

[DanielS]

Oh, right. I'll try a fresh set of batteries and a different channel.

[civerson4]

I have tried both using a different channel and a fresh set of batteries--no change. The remote works perfectly (ie. no lag whatsoever) when in "Mouse Mode"--it is just very sluggish when using it to directly control an application--like BTV or BM.

[bnflaherty]

Try shutting down and restarting the FireFly application -- see if that makes any difference.

[civerson4]

OK, I tired stopping and starting the Firefly app..no change.

I then uninstalled all Snapstream apps--Firefly, BTV Link and BM. I then rebooted and re-installed Firefly with BM Basic. The remote worked perfectly--no lag whatsoever. I then re-installed BTV Link and the lag (probably closer to 2 seconds as DanielS is experiencing) came right back. So, I havent' solved anything. But the lag is only in BTV link--not in mouse mode or even BM Basic.

Any other ideas? I am at a loss right now.

[nanook105]

Originally Posted by civerson4

OK, I tired stopping and starting the Firefly app..no change.

I then uninstalled all Snapstream apps--Firefly, BTV Link and BM. I then rebooted and re-installed Firefly with BM Basic. The remote worked perfectly--no lag whatsoever. I then re-installed BTV Link and the lag (probably closer to 2 seconds as DanielS is experiencing) came right back. So, I havent' solved anything. But the lag is only in BTV link--not in mouse mode or even BM Basic.

Any other ideas? I am at a loss right now.

Interesting. I have not tried using a FF with Link. I can certainly move one of mine to a link to see if I get the same results.

[civerson4]

Anyone have any other ideas on this issue? I am at a total loss. I have 2 fireflys--both work fine on my BTV server machine--but both are "sluggish" on the link machine. As I said, the Frielfy on my Link machines works fine in BM Basic--just not in BTV Link or BM.

It has to be some kind of software issue--but I don't know what else to try (I have reinstalled everything twice to no avail).

On another note, if I can't get this to work properly, can anyone recommend another RF remote that works well in BTV and BM?

Thanks

[softnerd]

I was having this problem too. I don't use my Firefly anymore (mostly so I can use my Harmony remote for everything). Are you using the Firefly software or Girder? Since the BM Basic app is running in the background and handling the Firefly input, I'm wondering if it might have something to do with the Automation between the apps.

Another question would be whether it's even using Automation or if it's just sending keystrokes to the app being controlled. I'm sure it is with other apps (just sending keystrokes), but maybe not with Snapstream apps. I've always thought that running BM Basic in the background was a really inefficient way to handle the interface with the Firefly. You might try using Girder instead just to see if it makes a difference...

[civerson4]

I am using the firefly software.

I have never tried girder--but that is a good idea. I'll give it a try. I will try searching the boards for info on setting up girder...but if you know of any guide "noob guides" please point me in the right direction.

[nanook105]

Try this link:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118395

[civerson4]

Thanks for the girder suggestion...this appears to have solved my issue (using girder). Of course, now I have to figure out how to use girder...more HTPC fun!

Civerson4