Need help with serial channel change via directv.exe w/ a DirectTV H20

[troutct]

Has anyone had success using Cheval's directv.exe program and usb-serial cable to change channels on a DirecTV H20 receiver ?

I've read notes elsewhere on the web indicating successful useage of an IOGear GUC232A USB to Serial adapter plugged into the H20's USB port plus a null modem cable plugged into serial port...but not necessarily with Cheval's program. I've used his directv.exe program for years w/ no problems but just upgraded to the H20 receiver and can't get it to receive a response from the receiver. Can anyone provide any input on:

1) BAUD RATE - I've seen varying reports..use 115200 vs 9600
2) COM port settings - FLOW CONTROL, BAUD RATE, etc.
3) Do I need to install the drivers for the IOGear adapter? (seems to be for using the USB end in the COMPUTER..no vice-versa)
4) DirecTV receiver updates-I've read that perhaps the USB port is disabled or the baud rate is changed via most recent software updates. I have an H20-600 and my software version is 0F14.

ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated !

[cheval]

Here is a link on wikipedia that talks about the H20. It seems like the Buad rate has changed to 9600.
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Con...TB_via_USB

I'm toying with a new version of the control program right now that implements the OFFICIAL documented DirecTV serial control protocol. Since I have recently received the document. However, its an old copy an does not have the H20 listed. It does confirm however all the quirks in the various other models that I worked around.

I can't get access to my setup right now since the kids are watching cartoons but I will tonight and let you know what settings for flow control, etc. I have set on the port.

[cheval]

Okay. Here is the official information from DirecTV.
All new DIRECTV STBs have USB 2.0 data ports replacing the DB-9F or RJ22 data port connectors. The STB USB port has a host configuration. Serial commands are interfaced through the data port using a USB-Serial adapter. The following RS-232-compatible serial port adapters: IOGEAR (GUC232A), ATEN (UC-232A), BAFO (BF-810).
The USB port on most STBs support hot-plug. That means USB ports will work any time when a USB-serial adapter is plugged in. Only the HR20’s USB port works differently. The USB-serial adapter must be plugged before the STB is booted. If the USB connector is plugged in when the HR20 is running, it must be reset.
All STBs have a default baud data rate of 9600. The data format is 1 start bit, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and no handshaking.

[cheval]

I don't know what an HR20 versus H20 is. They make no reference to the H20 so I assume these are the same receiver.

[troutct]

Cheval, glad to see you around. Thanks for the info....all similar to what I've seen at various spots as well.

Are you aware of any success using your program w/ the H20 ?

I've tried using it as follows but still no dice:

directv -baud 9600 -box H20 -set new #206

(on a side note..do I need both BOX and SET parms or does it know the SET based on the BOX ?)

Have also tried commands other than channel change and those don't work either. I've tried a little of everything trying to get this to work..also made sure I did reset after connecting the cable.

You mention writing a new version for the H20. Should the exising one work or no ? Either way, let me know if there's anything I can do on my end to help with the new version...I'd be MORE than happy to help !

[cheval]

I would try setting the box type to one of the known STB boxs. Either D10100 or D10200. It ignoring the H20 and defaulting back to the RCA protocol which I guess is part of the problem.
The current version should work is my guess but you might want the try the debug version from the wiki to get some information out regarding where the problem is.

[troutct]

Cheval,

I tried the debug version with both D10100 and D10200...here's the output:

for D10200:

Setting DSS Box Type: 0 (RCA)
Setting DSS Command Hex Set to: 0 (NEW)
Setting DSS Box Type: 2 (D10200)
Setting DSS Command Hex Set to: 0 (NEW)
Setting channel: 206 (00-0xce-0xff-0xff)
Sending Key: 2
Settings:
Port: COM1 Baud: 9600 Box: D10200 Retries: 0 Hex Command Set: NEW
Open port to receiver
Openning Command Start: 0XFA ...SUCCESS
Sending Command: 0XA5 ...SUCCESS
Sending Command Data [00 0X01 0XE2]...(command wrote (3 bytes) status [0x1])...SUCCESS
Sending Command Complete: 0X0D ...SUCCESS
Reading Reply Status For Command: (valid status [0])...FAILED
Failed to get reply status for command
Clearing Data Port: .SUCCESS
Sending Key: 0
Openning Command Start: 0XFA ...SUCCESS
Sending Command: 0XA5 ...SUCCESS
Sending Command Data [00 0X01 0XE0]...(command wrote (3 bytes) status [0x1])...SUCCESS
Sending Command Complete: 0X0D ...SUCCESS
Reading Reply Status For Command: (valid status [0])...FAILED
Failed to get reply status for command
Clearing Data Port: .SUCCESS
Sending Key: 6
Openning Command Start: 0XFA ...SUCCESS
Sending Command: 0XA5 ...SUCCESS
Sending Command Data [00 0X01 0XE6]...(command wrote (3 bytes) status [0x1])...SUCCESS
Sending Command Complete: 0X0D ...SUCCESS
Reading Reply Status For Command: (valid status [0])...FAILED
Failed to get reply status for command
Clearing Data Port: .SUCCESS
Sending Key: select
Openning Command Start: 0XFA ...SUCCESS
Sending Command: 0XA5 ...SUCCESS
Sending Command Data [00 0X01 0XC3]...(command wrote (3 bytes) status [0x1])...SUCCESS
Sending Command Complete: 0X0D ...SUCCESS
Reading Reply Status For Command: (valid status [0])...FAILED
Failed to get reply status for command
Clearing Data Port: .SUCCESS

for D10100:

Setting DSS Box Type: 0 (RCA)
Setting DSS Command Hex Set to: 0 (NEW)
Setting DSS Box Type: 1 (D10100)
Setting DSS Command Hex Set to: 0 (NEW)
Setting channel: 206 (00-0xce-0xff-0xff)
Sending Key: 2
Settings:
Port: COM1 Baud: 9600 Box: D10100 Retries: 0 Hex Command Set: NEW
Open port to receiver
Openning Command Start: 0XFA ...SUCCESS
Sending Command: 0XA5 ...SUCCESS
Sending Command Data [00 0X01 0XE2]...(command wrote (3 bytes) status [0x1])...SUCCESS
Sending Command Complete: 00 ...SUCCESS
Reading Reply Status For Command: (valid status [0])...FAILED
Failed to get reply status for command
Clearing Data Port: .SUCCESS
Sending Key: 0
Openning Command Start: 0XFA ...SUCCESS
Sending Command: 0XA5 ...SUCCESS
Sending Command Data [00 0X01 0XE0]...(command wrote (3 bytes) status [0x1])...SUCCESS
Sending Command Complete: 00 ...SUCCESS
Reading Reply Status For Command: (valid status [0])...FAILED
Failed to get reply status for command
Clearing Data Port: .SUCCESS
Sending Key: 6
Openning Command Start: 0XFA ...SUCCESS
Sending Command: 0XA5 ...SUCCESS
Sending Command Data [00 0X01 0XE6]...(command wrote (3 bytes) status [0x1])...SUCCESS
Sending Command Complete: 00 ...SUCCESS
Reading Reply Status For Command: (valid status [0])...FAILED
Failed to get reply status for command
Clearing Data Port: .SUCCESS
Sending Key: select
Openning Command Start: 0XFA ...SUCCESS
Sending Command: 0XA5 ...SUCCESS
Sending Command Data [00 0X01 0XC3]...(command wrote (3 bytes) status [0x1])...SUCCESS
Sending Command Complete: 00 ...SUCCESS
Reading Reply Status For Command: (valid status [0])...FAILED
Failed to get reply status for command
Clearing Data Port: .SUCCESS

It looks like no response back from the box...does this tell you anything ?
FYI..I'm around all day tomorrow and then gone for 4 days so if you respond and don't hear from me, that's why. Again, any help you can provide is GREATLY appreciated !

[cheval]

Can you try something simpler like getting the current channel or the signal quality. It looks like nothing is being sent back from the STB.

[troutct]

directv.exe -box D10200 -set new -get channel returned the following:

Setting DSS Box Type: 0 (RCA)
Setting DSS Command Hex Set to: 0 (NEW)
Setting DSS Box Type: 2 (D10200)
Setting DSS Command Hex Set to: 0 (NEW)
Sending Command: 0x87
Settings:
Port: COM1 Baud: 9600 Box: D10200 Retries: 0 Hex Command Set: NEW
Open port to receiver
Openning Command Start: 0XFA ...SUCCESS
Sending Command: 0X87 ...SUCCESS
Sending Command Complete: 0X0D ...SUCCESS
Reading Reply Status For Command: (valid status [0])...FAILED
Failed to get reply status for command
Clearing Data Port: .SUCCESS
FAILED TO GET CHANNEL NUMBER

[troutct]

All,

Last night I forced a download of the CE (Cutting Edge) version of software for the H20 from DirecTV which ENABLED THE USB PORT FOR SERIAL CONTROL.

As you can see from my prior posts, I'd tried everything prior to this download and nothing worked; THIS SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD IS THE MAGIC PIECE.

The CE versions of the software are only made available in specific windows..one being last night from 11pm until 2 am. This same CE version will be available again TONIGHT in the same time window. Check out the Directv CE forum on DBSTalk (http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=118) for details (you need to register to view this specific forum). Be sure to note the warnings on the CE versions (it's basically BETA software). This version seems to be only cleaning up issues w/ prior CE releases so at least it's not version 1.0. I haven't had any problems thus far with my model H20-600 (knock on wood) so it seems pretty stable. (the software is also available for the H20-100).

PS: The software also enables the interactive features on the H20

Good luck !