DirecTV Channel Control Utility release

[cheval]

I just released a plugin utlity to control changing channels from an external DirecTV RCA set top box using the low speed data port. The utility can be used as a .exe plugin and will work through any serial port.

You can grab the latest version at: DirecTV Channel Control Utility

Please let me know if you have any problems with the utility. I will be releasing the source code shortly (once I clean it up a little bit ).

Channel changing is extremely fast as I hope you all will see.

If enough people are interested in getting a cable directly from me. I may be willing to put together a bulk set for very cheap! If so I will talk to the local electronics outlet and see what I can do.

[vbharry]

Great utility! I am trying to get it working with my Hughes HTL-HD box. So far it powers on and off, and changes channel fine. However, I am trying to figure out how to change to a digital OTA station (i.e. 7-1, 11-2, etc). I tried using -key 7dash1, but that doesn't work. In fact the -key option doesn't seem to work at all, even though the debug output indicates that it was successful. chavel, could this be implemented in your code? I am willing to help out any way that I can. As a start, I ran through the debug tests listed on the Wiki, and I will send you my output.

Thanks for your help!

[User]

Works great here on RCA DRD-480RE using the old command set. I really appreciate your work on this utility.

[nitrogen_widget]

Hello,
I've got a DirecTV D10-100 & built my cable & can control the satellite with the app from directvcontrol.com & also using text commands with the directv.exe app, but I can't get GBPVR to change the channels.
I know I’m missing something silly but I just couldn't figure it out.

I've got the path set for the channel changer.
I've also put in arguments for my box type, baud rate, COM port, & the #{channel} command.

Can anyone shed some light?
Does the baud rate make a difference since there really isn’t that much data transferred?
Is there another part of GBPVR I need to configure?

[User]

These are the parameters I use in gbpvr:
-port com1 -box RCA -set OLD #{channel}
zero pad and use three digit channels are both checked.
Change them as needed but it gives you an idea of what works for me.
You say it works at the command line but port settings are 9600 8/N/1 and no flow control.
I have also seen talk of a firmware upgrade procedure for the D10, if the above does not help then maybe that is the answer.
Hope it helps.

[nitrogen_widget]

I feel like such a dummy.
I had #{channel]
Instead of #{channel} :mad:

It works!

That's what I get for staying up past my bed time.

[User]

Took me a few tries to get it working too so don't feel bad.
Glad you got it going.

[Daxx]

cheval,

Do you think I could get your plugin working on GB-PVR with a new DirecTV D11-300 using this USB -> Serial cable?

http://www.mythtv.info/moin.cgi/DirecTV_..._20Control

Daxx

[dreed47]

I'm having trouble getting this utlilty to work with my RCA box. I've been through all the docs and have tried running it on both my com ports to no avail. I'm trying to run the debugversion but I can't seem to find the debug output. Where should it be going and what should I look for?

[damon_register]

I have been searching for info on controlling an RCA satellite receiver through the low speed data port. Except for this forum, I have not found any info about this. I downloaded and tested your DirecTV Channel Control Utility. It really worked which was encouraging. I would like to respond to your help needed section but I am not sure I understand exactly what you need. The first line for RCA with new command set you have "yes" for Testing output received. Does this mean that someone has already provided this one?

According to the Usage information at http://www.gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/U...nelControl I can use -key info but the info option does not work while most of the other (I haven't tried them all) -key options do work. This is what I get:
directv -port com1 -box RCA -sest NEW -key info

Setting DSS Box Type: 0 (RCA)
Setting DSS Command Hex Set to: 0 (NEW)
Setting DSS Box Type: 0 (RCA)
Setting DSS Command Hex Set to: 0 (NEW)
Sending Key: info
Settings:
Port: COM1 Baud: 9600 Box: RCA Retries: 0 Hex Command Set: NEW
Open port to receiver
Openning Command Start: 0XFA ...SUCCESS
Sending Command: 0XA5 ...SUCCESS
Reading Reply Status For Command: (valid status [0xf0])...SUCCESS
Sending Command Data [00 00 00]...(command wrote (3 bytes) status [0x1])...SUCCESS
Expecting to receive In Process Reply For Command: (received [0xf2])SUCCESS
Sending Command Complete: 00 ...SUCCESS
Reading Command Status: ...(read status 0xf5)...FAILED
Failed to send dss command
Clearing Data Port: .SUCCESS

I would also like to do a little programming but I don't find any info about that low speed data port. Can you tell me where to find info about the data to and from that port?