new plugin for changing channels (DirecTV w/serial port) (1 Viewer)

mackandall

Portal Member
October 20, 2006
17
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mzeminia,
No offence taken. Thanks for the response. The thing is that I am using the stable release with all the plugins you suggested. I take the file linked above. I extract DirectTV.Serialnterface.dll to the general MP folder and the other file provided to the processes folder. When my guide loads and i try to change channel nothing happens. Did in get the install wrong? Is there something I am missing?
 

mackandall

Portal Member
October 20, 2006
17
0
Still no luck. But does anyone know what this means?

10/22/2006 5:42:46 PM mpeg2:demux video out connected
10/22/2006 5:42:46 PM Exception: System.InvalidOperationException: Unable to send command to DirecTV box
at DirecTV.SerialInterface.SendCommand(Command cmd, Byte[]& receivedData)
at DirecTV.SerialInterface.SendCommand(Command cmd)
at DirecTV.SerialInterface.TuneWithRemoteKeys(Int32 channel)
at DirecTV.SerialInterface.TuneToChannel(Int32 channel)
at DirecTV.TunerPlugin.TunerPlugin.OnThreadMessage(GUIMessage message)
at MediaPortal.GUI.Library.SendMessageHandler.Invoke(GUIMessage message)
at MediaPortal.GUI.Library.GUIWindowManager.SendMessage(GUIMessage message)
 

mackandall

Portal Member
October 20, 2006
17
0
I have a d10-300.

Help anyone? If you have the serial port working with such a direct tv box could you tell me what version of media portal and of the plug in you are using please?
 

natrlhy

Retired Team Member
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  • August 2, 2006
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    I'd like to update this thread by saying that the DirecTV serial channel changing plugin I am still using is working with 0.2.0.0 + SVN Rev11316! I couldn't be happier that it is still working after the SVN updates and the feature release of 0.2.1.0.

    I have decided to post the working .dll files I have been using. I have included a readme as well:

    1. Navigate into the bin folder in this zip file
    2. Copy the DirecTV.SerialInterface.dll file into your MediaPortal folder
    3. Copy the DirecTV.TunerPlugin.dll file into the MediaPortal/plugins/process folder


    Run the MediaPortal configuration and enable this plugin and configure it.

    ENJOY!

    Thanks to opusnut for the updated DirecTV.SerialInterface.dll file (he got it working for my DirecTV HTL-HD receiver)
    Also thanks to scoop (Michel) (micheloe on IRC) for the original source code!


    NOTE: In configuring this plugin to work with my setup, I have to do the following:

    Run the "MediaPortal Setup" and configure the DirecTV tuner plugin
    Model: RCA (New) and click OK

    This works for my DirecTV HTL-HD receiver. By default the RCA (New) model is selected but I select it again since my receiver uses the old command set channel code.

    Hope this helps anyone else...

    Again, all the credit to scoop and opusnut! :D
     

    jburnette

    Portal Pro
    August 24, 2006
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    The more I use this plugin, the more I wonder if this problem affects just me. Does changing channels take anyone else about 3 seconds per channel? When I type in the channel number or even hit channel up, the screen blanks and then goes back to the channel I was on, pauses about 2 seconds, and then changes to the correct channel. Is this something I have done wrong in the configuration? Don't get me wrong, it's fine the way it is. I'm just wondering if I have something setup incorrectly.
     

    natrlhy

    Retired Team Member
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  • August 2, 2006
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    jburnette,

    I experience the same channel changing "lag" as you have described as well. With TiVo it was much more instant, but with this plugin I see the same 3-4 second "lag" or pause as well. So it's not just you :) I wonder if someone could look into speeding up the channel chaning process with the serial plugin? :D
     

    opusnut

    Portal Pro
    February 22, 2006
    109
    0
    The more I use this plugin, the more I wonder if this problem affects just me. Does changing channels take anyone else about 3 seconds per channel? When I type in the channel number or even hit channel up, the screen blanks and then goes back to the channel I was on, pauses about 2 seconds, and then changes to the correct channel. Is this something I have done wrong in the configuration? Don't get me wrong, it's fine the way it is. I'm just wondering if I have something setup incorrectly.

    I think some of the problem lies in the delay that your computer has in the signal it has captured to the live signal from your STB. Try changing the channel with you STB's remote while watching the picture through MP; You will notice the same offset or delay. Unfortunetly, i dont hink there is anything that can be done about this... but i would love to be proven wrong... i suffer from the same thing! :)

    opusnut
     

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