Direct TV?

[User]

Try setting it up as fixed channel external tuner, with either channel 2 or 3 as the fixed channel depending on the output of your sat box.

[edhu]

ok thanks

my video works now. i have it on composite 2 and fixed channel (3). all i have to do is get a composite audio cable to a single mini for my sound card and i should have sound no?

also, with the tv guide automatic recording...how does it change channels when I have certain shows on different channels to record? if it has to use the sat/box remote to change channels?

[edhu]

nvm i looked in the wiki config settings and i guess i need a channel changer to do this. i'll have to figure that out.

thanks for all the help so far. i'm glad i switched from meedio to this. going to donate to this cause as soon as i get everything rolling!

[User]

ok thanks

my video works now. i have it on composite 2 and fixed channel (3). all i have to do is get a composite audio cable to a single mini for my sound card and i should have sound no?

also, with the tv guide automatic recording...how does it change channels when I have certain shows on different channels to record? if it has to use the sat/box remote to change channels?

You should have sound now if you got the coax cable connection working to where you have video.
If you want to go with composite or svideo input for a better picture and sound then you would need to hook up your sound as input into your pvr card (same place you input the video).

For changing channels I went with this solution and made my own cable:
http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Utili...nelControl
More reliable than IR in my opinion.

[edhu]

so I go to this site:
http://www.dtvcontrol.com/index.aspx?content=cable

order the Modular 4P4C adaptor only and attach a 4wire phone cable into the end?

download the software and run it in the background so gbpvr can change channels on the sat/box?

[User]

so I go to this site:
http://www.dtvcontrol.com/index.aspx?content=cable

order the Modular 4P4C adaptor only and attach a 4wire phone cable into the end?

download the software and run it in the background so gbpvr can change channels on the sat/box?

First make sure your sat box has a low speed data port on the back. It looks like a wall plate connector (RJ11) but it is actually a handset connector, so you should be able to plug in the end of any coiled handset cord into it.

You can't just attatch any phone cord, that is unless the completed adaptor you see for sale at that site has a handset connector at the serial adaptor and he wired his for a standard cord.

You specify the .exe in the channel changer setup in the config application for gbpvr. It only runs when you change channels.

Here are the parts I used to make my own adaptor using the wiki site for reference.... the phone cord part has an RJ11 on one end and a handset connector on the other (for the Sat box), there is also a crossover in the cable. The serial connector is assembled per the pinout on the wiki and it just snaps together, I crimped the connectors on the phone cord myself. Cost $13.27 including tax, I had the wire on hand.

crimp tool:
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/1645176...IN_RSLT_PG
handset plug:
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/1930171...IN_RSLT_PG
rjll plug:
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/1930182...IN_RSLT_PG
Serial to RJ11 adaptor:
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/2402370...IN_RSLT_PG
And some telephone wire...

[nitrogen_widget]

Hey Thanks.
I was having difficulty locating the handset conectors where the shipping didn't cost more.
I just chopped the end of a handset cable & spliced the wires to the cut end of a serial cable.

[User]

No problem. That sounds like a good solution.

I got my parts at Fry's electronics store, Outpost.com is their web site.

I used this utility for testing function:
http://www.dtvcontrol.com/

and then ran the debug version of directv.exe to further test.

Parameters I use for directv.exe are:
-port com1 -box RCA -set OLD #{channel}
YMMV
and zero pad and three digit channel boxes are both checked.

Took me a while to figure it all out so maybe it will save you some time.

Thanks to Cheval for a great utility!

[edhu]

I have a Hughes Directv sat/box and i'm trying to setup my gbpvr htpc to change channels. However, I do not have a home control plugin. But I do have a IR remote input plug as seen in the below pic:


I know I can use an IR blaster but is there a serial(pc) to IR remote(sat/box) cable out there?

TIA

[sgilani]

looks like from the pic that the label says "RF REMOTE".. sounds like maybe you can get an add-on to your sat box to use a UHF remote + receiver?

I doubt there's going to be any hack to get use out of that port, I would just go with the IR blaster. I have Dish Network and use the IR Blaster and it works flawlessly.