Serial channel changer/directv (1 Viewer)

[mikildemion]

USB Serial port. You can pick them up for about 10 bucks or less. You will need 2 one on the receiver and one on your machine. Or you could get a PCI Serial port card, but you will still need the USB Serial port for the receiver.

Last but not least is an IR (infrared) blaster. Where it will transmit the codes from the computer to the receiver. I didn't have much luck with mine, but I'm the odd ball out on those. Do a search for IR blaster on the forums and you should get some good info.

 

[antonehenry]

IR Blaster won't work with my setup, but can you send me a link to what you mean by "USB Serial Port" I need to change the connection on each end???

Can I just go USB to USB?

thanks for your quick reply!

 

[mikildemion]

Info about Receiver and USB serial adapter

USB serial adapter from Newegg

 

[antonehenry]

Thank you so much again.

Now as far as the USB serial adapter goes.... My computer doesn't have the hardware to accept that cable into it. I have no serial port. I'd probably have to buy a PCI card? Or is there another solution to this problem.

Thanks!

Edit: What about this:
http://www.cables.ie/computer-cables...r-changer.html


usb>serial cable ==> this adapter i linked ====> serial>usb cable


is that my option??? =]

 

[mikildemion]

Actually you will need 2 USB Serial adapters 1 null modem cable and that's it. It will flow like so:

Computer -> USB Serial -> Null Modem cable -> USB Serial -> H20 Receiver

The USB Serial plugs into one of your USB ports on the computer, and then the other plugs into the USB port on the back of the receiver. Then the null cable brings the 2 together. With the USB serial installed on your machine, your computer will see it as a serial port. (COM1, 2, 3 or 4) and you use it just like a serial port. So the steps above will work for you.

 

[antonehenry]

Actually you will need 2 USB Serial adapters 1 null modem cable and that's it. It will flow like so:

Computer -> USB Serial -> Null Modem cable -> USB Serial -> H20 Receiver

The USB Serial plugs into one of your USB ports on the computer, and then the other plugs into the USB port on the back of the receiver. Then the null cable brings the 2 together. With the USB serial installed on your machine, your computer will see it as a serial port. (COM1, 2, 3 or 4) and you use it just like a serial port. So the steps above will work for you.

I can't thank you enough.

Thank you! I will give this a try, after I wait for stupid cables to ship to me.

There really should be a strictly cable store. (Maybe I should start one)

Thanks for real. Thank you thank you.

 

[spachti]

Hi there....

I have an older Directv receiver, but it should work the same. Download and install the IR Server Suite Here. Choose the newer version 1.4.2 RC1. Make sure you select the TV3 Blaster Plugin. I unselected almost everything else. Download directv.zip from GBPVR web site Here. Extract to the directory of your choice. Enable the plugin in the tv server configuration. Choose the STB setup button. Select the tab that corresponds to your directv tuner card. Check the box for pre-change command. Highlight pre-change from the commands window. Below the commands window, choose Run Program and click the Set button. Navigate to the location of directv.exe for program and for parameters enter -box D10200 #%2. Make sure that Shell execute is selected and choose Hidden. That should do it.

Budda,
Thanks for the information! I was struggling to get my Directv H21 & H23 receivers with paterson devices set up with a serial connection, and your information provided the key. I did have to make a few 'tweeks' to make mine work and maybe its because my recievers are a little newer. I played around with the directv.exe command line until I got it working, and ended up having to use the -key %2clear command instead of the channel command #CHANNEL OR *CHANNEL. Not sure why the regular channel command wouldnt work with my receiver, but I was just happy to get the -key command working.

Here are the steps I followed, VERY similar to (and copied from) yours. Again, this works for the Directv H21 & H23 recievers with Paterson Tech serial to USB devices. For instructions on setting up the Paterson device visit the web site here .


1.) Download and install the IR Server Suite Here. Choose the newer version 1.4.2 RC1.

2.) Install the IR Server Suite. I only selected the TV3 Blaster Plugin. I unselected everything else.

3.) Download directv.zip from GBPVR web site Here.

4.) Extract directv.zip to the directory of your choice.

5.) Open MP TV Server Configuration.

6.) Enable the plugin under plugins.

7.) Configure the TV3 Blaster Plugin (I selected 'localhost' on the pop-up, Ignore message about not being able to find 'localhost'.)

8.) Choose the STB setup button.

9.) Select the tab that corresponds to your directv tuner card.

10.) Check the box for pre-change command.
10a.) Check the box for Send select command.

11.) Highlight pre-change from the commands window.

12.) Below the commands window, choose Run Program and click the Set button.

13.) Navigate to the location of directv.exe for program.

14.) For parameters enter -box D10200 -port com3 -key %2clear (be sure to enter the correct port number.)

15.) Make sure that Shell execute is selected and choose Hidden.

Thanks again Budda!

Maybe i can bug you with my problem, LOL.
I have an older Hughes directv receiver which i use only to get OTA digital tv. With older versions from MP i could use the serial command, it's not longer working with 1.0. When i use the utility from DirecTV Serial Control Utility it still works like a charm. The settings are for the 10-100 box with the old command. Is there any way to make this work again? I never got the blasters to work right.

 

[WileECoyote]

Maybe i can bug you with my problem, LOL.
I have an older Hughes directv receiver which i use only to get OTA digital tv. With older versions from MP i could use the serial command, it's not longer working with 1.0. When i use the utility from DirecTV Serial Control Utility it still works like a charm. The settings are for the 10-100 box with the old command. Is there any way to make this work again? I never got the blasters to work right.

Have you tried the Test in the TV3 Blaster plugin? Have you checked the commands in the STB Setup? Make sure you still have an entry under PreChange for Run Program...

Wile E.

 

[spachti]

I've tried all of the above,

even running the directv from GBPVR program in a dos window to see if there is any reaction. Nothing at all. It seems the program doesn't recognise the box at all.

Btw, thanks for answering.

 

[WileECoyote]

even running the directv from GBPVR program in a dos window to see if there is any reaction. Nothing at all. It seems the program doesn't recognise the box at all.

Btw, thanks for answering.

It seems like it is being blocked for some reason...

Okay, try this... From Windows Explorer double click the Directv.exe and see if you are prompted to run the program. If so, check the 'Always trust this program blah, blah' checkbox and say Yes, then try your tests again.