new plugin for changing channels (DirecTV w/serial port)

garry · 2005-12-12, 19:13

For US users with DirectTV - I wrote a plugin that will allow MediaPortal to change channels on your DirecTV box via serial port instead of using an IR blaster. Plugin requires .NET 2.0/MediaPortal 0.2.0.

It uses the "new" DirecTV serial command set and may require a a DB9 to modular cable (email me if you need one).

binary and source available here:
http://www.obsolution.net/DirecTVTune.zip

ASiDiE · 2005-12-12, 20:54

I just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work you put into this product. I don't subscribe to Directv but to Dishnetworks. There are not a lot of testers here in the states so when something comes out for something close to home... I welcome that. Keep up the good work.

garry · 2005-12-12, 21:35

Thanks! It actually wasn't hard work, took about 20min. One of my goals was actually to make MediaPortal easier for US users since DirecTV is pretty common here. Does your Dish Network receiver have a serial control port?

ASiDiE · 2005-12-12, 21:42

Actually I don't think it does... it has a larger port for printing or something. I will need to double check to see exactly what that port does.

rusten · 2005-12-19, 10:53

Wow - garry, thanks for doing this. I haven't had a chance to test it yet (not running 0.2 yet) but this has always been at the top of my wish list!

Thanks again!

tsamb. · 2005-12-21, 08:13

Hey Garry, sounds like a great improvement over IR blasters -- a direct connection is much more reliable.

A quick question -- how hard would it be for you to program something similar for a Sky Digital set top box from New Zealand. (Or even for me to do it.) I just went and checked the back of the box and it has a serial input.

garry · 2005-12-21, 16:12

Should be easy to do for any set top box that can be controlled via serial port *if* you know the protocol. The DirecTV box protocol is well documented, if you can find documentation for your box I'd be happy to help out.

RugbyKP · 2006-01-09, 15:02

The link above is dead. Anyone still have a copy? Is there any word of this being merged into the plugin list of MP 0.2.0?

Garry, I don't know if you've had anyone test this yet, but I'd be able to with no problem since I've got the Low Speed Data to Serial port cable for my DirecTV D10 Receivers. Let me know. Thanks.

garry · 2006-01-09, 16:38

My web server is down right now, it should be back up tomorrow at the latest.

garry · 2006-01-10, 17:46

Ok, the link works again.

2005-12-12, 19:13	#1 (permalink)
garry Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Posts: 166 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts Country:	new plugin for changing channels (DirecTV w/serial port) For US users with DirectTV - I wrote a plugin that will allow MediaPortal to change channels on your DirecTV box via serial port instead of using an IR blaster. Plugin requires .NET 2.0/MediaPortal 0.2.0. It uses the "new" DirecTV serial command set and may require a a DB9 to modular cable (email me if you need one). binary and source available here: http://www.obsolution.net/DirecTVTune.zip

2005-12-12, 20:54	#2 (permalink)
ASiDiE Portal Tester Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Age: 32 Posts: 891 Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My System	I just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work you put into this product. I don't subscribe to Directv but to Dishnetworks. There are not a lot of testers here in the states so when something comes out for something close to home... I welcome that. Keep up the good work. __________________ I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE!

2005-12-12, 21:42	#4 (permalink)
ASiDiE Portal Tester Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: USA Age: 32 Posts: 891 Thanks: 6 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts My System	Actually I don't think it does... it has a larger port for printing or something. I will need to double check to see exactly what that port does. __________________ I SEE WHAT YOU DID THERE!

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2005-12-12, 21:35	#3 (permalink)
garry Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Posts: 166 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts Country:	Thanks! It actually wasn't hard work, took about 20min. One of my goals was actually to make MediaPortal easier for US users since DirecTV is pretty common here. Does your Dish Network receiver have a serial control port?

2005-12-19, 10:53	#5 (permalink)
rusten Portal Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wow - garry, thanks for doing this. I haven't had a chance to test it yet (not running 0.2 yet) but this has always been at the top of my wish list! Thanks again!

2005-12-21, 08:13	#6 (permalink)
tsamb. Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Auckland Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	Hey Garry, sounds like a great improvement over IR blasters -- a direct connection is much more reliable. A quick question -- how hard would it be for you to program something similar for a Sky Digital set top box from New Zealand. (Or even for me to do it.) I just went and checked the back of the box and it has a serial input.

2005-12-21, 16:12	#7 (permalink)
garry Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Posts: 166 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts Country:	Should be easy to do for any set top box that can be controlled via serial port if you know the protocol. The DirecTV box protocol is well documented, if you can find documentation for your box I'd be happy to help out.

2006-01-09, 15:02	#8 (permalink)
RugbyKP Portal User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wilmington, NC, USA Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The link above is dead. Anyone still have a copy? Is there any word of this being merged into the plugin list of MP 0.2.0? Garry, I don't know if you've had anyone test this yet, but I'd be able to with no problem since I've got the Low Speed Data to Serial port cable for my DirecTV D10 Receivers. Let me know. Thanks.

2006-01-09, 16:38	#9 (permalink)
garry Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Posts: 166 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts Country:	My web server is down right now, it should be back up tomorrow at the latest.

2006-01-10, 17:46	#10 (permalink)
garry Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: California Posts: 166 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 5 Posts Country:	Ok, the link works again.