Serial channel changer/directv (1 Viewer)

[spachti]

In case it helps a bit

Attached Files DirecTV.TunerPluginTVE2-MPv0.2.2-Release.zip (14.5 KB, 12 views)
DirecTV.TunerPluginTVE2-MPv0.2.2-SVN.zip (14.5 KB, 13 views)

Those were the two working. Actually i used the one non svn version because i couldn't install any svn at that time.
The whole thread is here the ineteresting part is from page 12 on:

https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...nnels-directv-w-serial-port-4025/index12.html

When i double click directv.exe i can see for a split second a dos window, well i assume it's one, but no further reaction. That's why i tried to do it in a dos window with CMD. I'm running XP Prof on the machine.

i think it has to do somehow with the change inside MP. Earlier i had to put the plugin into the process folder inside MP. Now when i put it in the tv server config, it complains about some Core problem. Inside the main program it simply crashes.
Sorry for the confusions, but i'm in my office right now and have no access to the machine. If needed i will report later on again.

 

[WileECoyote]

Hey Spachti,
If the dos window just opens and closes then that part is okay.

I dont know if I can be of further assistance, because I use a special build for the HD-PVR and have not installed the 'real' MP 1.0 software. Mine fortunately has been working without an issue.

No worries on the confusion.... We're here to try to help each other

 

[spachti]

At least you tried to help...

thanks for that.

 

[ajp8164]

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!

Hey WileECoyote -

I just got my new USB Translator and it works great - thanks for the setup instructions!

One question though (I have a H21) - how can I send an "enter" button the STB to get channels to change faster. I tried everything I could think of but the STB just sits there through the delay until it changes channels (~2 secs). I guess I would love to have the source code for directv.exe... Have you been able to eliminate this delay?

-Andy

 

[WileECoyote]

Hey WileECoyote -

I just got my new USB Translator and it works great - thanks for the setup instructions!

One question though (I have a H21) - how can I send an "enter" button the STB to get channels to change faster. I tried everything I could think of but the STB just sits there through the delay until it changes channels (~2 secs). I guess I would love to have the source code for directv.exe... Have you been able to eliminate this delay?

-Andy

Hey Andy,

In the TV Blaster Plugin configuration, under the STB setup you can check the "Send Select Command" checkbox and that should do it.

Glad you got it working!

 

[ajp8164]

Hey WileECoyote -

I just got my new USB Translator and it works great - thanks for the setup instructions!

One question though (I have a H21) - how can I send an "enter" button the STB to get channels to change faster. I tried everything I could think of but the STB just sits there through the delay until it changes channels (~2 secs). I guess I would love to have the source code for directv.exe... Have you been able to eliminate this delay?

-Andy

Hey Andy,

In the TV Blaster Plugin configuration, under the STB setup you can check the "Send Select Command" checkbox and that should do it.

Glad you got it working!

WileECoyote -

I could not get the select command to work with directv.exe (tried from the plugin and command line). So, I started poking around and found this page:

Controlling DirecTV Set Top Box (STB) via USB or Serial - MythTV

You can download a perl script that does essentially the exact same thing that directv.exe does. I used the activestate pdk to compile the perl script to an exe and put it on my htpc in place of the GBPVR downloaded directv.exe and it works great - out of the box you can send it the "enter" key and it works very fast. So, this issue is solved - and, I have the source code in case I ever want to make any changes (which I might, see below)

Next issue - let me know if you're experiencing this... if I suspend my PC and then resume, the directv program (both the original exe and the perl version) fail to open the serial port - this only happens after suspend and resume. To correct the problem I have to reboot (until I suspend again). In looking through the perl code (which uses

Win32::SerialPort

to access the port) the program does close the SerialPort as it exits but I presume it is not releasing all of its resources or something since I am getting an error opening the port after the PC resumes. The specific error is "access denied". I'm not sure what's going on and I have not yet seen any posts discussing this.

-Andy

 

[mguebert]

Could you provide the exe compiled from the perl script. I have tried unsuccessfully to get the script to run on my machine