new plugin for changing channels (DirecTV w/serial port) (2 Viewers)

[astrocreep]

Thanks!

Thanks! I am making a cable as we speak. I have had nothing but trouble with the IR blaster I was attempting to use, so this may solve all of my problems.

I know this is a long shot, but does the DirecTV protocol support downloading the guide from the STB via serial?

 

[garry]

Nope, DirectTV boxes only support most of the commands that are on the remote and few others like get current channel, get time, etc. Here is a bit of documentation:

http://www.dtvcontrol.com/index.aspx?content=cmds

BTW, my plugin speaks the "new" protocol so it may not work with some older receivers.

 

[astrocreep]

Just got it working. I had to make some modifications in order for it to work on my D10-200. I guess it uses the same command set, but formats it a little differently. Still needs some testing (which I intend to do now..), but here is the code.

And did I mention how nice it is to be blaster-less?



private const byte COMMAND_PARSER_RESET = 0xFF;
private const byte D10_200_DEVICE_TYPE = 0x0D;

public bool TuneD10_200(Int32 channelNum)
{
string hexString = channelNum.ToString("x4");
byte[] bytes = new byte[7]{COMMAND_PREFIX, COMMAND_CHANNEL_SET, getByte(hexString, 0), getByte(hexString, 2), COMMAND_PARSER_RESET, COMMAND_PARSER_RESET, D10_200_DEVICE_TYPE};

_serialPort.Write(bytes, 0,7);

byte returnVal = (byte)_serialPort.ReadByte();

if (returnVal == RETURN_PROCESSING)
{
returnVal = (byte)_serialPort.ReadByte();
}


if (returnVal == RETURN_COMPLETE)
{
return true;
}

return false;
}

 

[mzemina]

Has anyone seen or spoken with garry? I have a PM that I need answered.

Mike Zemina

 

[garry]

I'm around, must have missed the PM. What was the question? Thanks.

-garry

 

[mzemina]

Let me ask in a PM. It has been sent.

Mike

 

[CodeMonkey]

Very nice garry. Could you please post the cable pinouts for the serial cable? I assume it is a db9 on both ends?

 

[Tech Geek]

Older Dish network receivers have a "High Speed Data Port" but I've never seen anything published that would indicate you can control the receiver through it.

 

[ktbst]

Just created a new install of RC3 and I cannot get this plug-in to work. The DTVcontrol program will control my dtv stb through the serial port when run seperately. Is this plug-in based on the same protocols? I know my receiver uses the 'New' command set. Anyone else having issues with RC3? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[garry]

Codemonkey - use can use a regualt db9 serial cable if your receiver has a db9 connector. If not, you need a cable like this:

http://www.dtvcontrol.com/page.aspx?content=cable