Directv H21-100 Serial Control

[scb147]

I am trying to control my H21-100 receiver using a USB --> Serial --> Null Modem --> Serial --> USB cable.

Using the Directv Channel Control utility, I have been semi-successful using the command line of:

Code:

directv.exe -port COM2 -baud 9600 -set NEW -box D10100 -get channel

But when I try to change the channel, using

Code:

directv -port COM2 -baud 9600 -set NEW -box D10100 *6

I get the following output:

Code:

Setting DSS Box Type: 0 (RCA)
Setting DSS Command Hex Set to: 0 (NEW)
Setting DSS Command Hex Set to: 0 (NEW)
Setting DSS Box Type: 1 (D10100)
Setting channel: 6 (00-0x06-0xff-0xff)
Sending Key: 0
Settings:
  Port: COM2  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 0XE0]...(command wrote (3 bytes) status [0x1])...SUCCESS
Sending Command Complete: 00 ...SUCCESS
Reading Reply Status For Command: (valid status [0xf0])...SUCCESS
Expecting to receive In Process Reply For Command: (received [0xf2])SUCCESS
Reading Command Status: ...(read status 0xf4)...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 [0xf0])...SUCCESS
Expecting to receive In Process Reply For Command: (received [0xf2])SUCCESS
Reading Command Status: ...(read status 0xf4)...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 [0xf0])...SUCCESS
Expecting to receive In Process Reply For Command: (received [0xf2])SUCCESS
Reading Command Status: ...(read status 0xf4)...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 [0xf0])...SUCCESS
Expecting to receive In Process Reply For Command: (received [0xf2])SUCCESS
Reading Command Status: ...(read status 0xf4)...SUCCESS
Clearing On Screen Display
Sending Key: clear
Openning Command Start: 0XFA ...SUCCESS
Sending Command: 0XA5 ...SUCCESS
Sending Command Data [00 0X01 0XF9]...(command wrote (3 bytes) status [0x1])...SUCCESS
Sending Command Complete: 00 ...SUCCESS
Reading Reply Status For Command: (valid status [0xf0])...SUCCESS
Expecting to receive In Process Reply For Command: (received [0xf2])SUCCESS
Reading Command Status: ...(read status 0xf5)...FAILED
Failed to send dss command
Clearing Data Port: .SUCCESS

Any ideas to why it won't change channels? I can power off/on, channel up/down, but I cannot directly change channels.

My COM Port settings are as follows:
Bits per second: 9600
Data Bits: 8
Parity: None
Stop Bits: 1
Flow Control: None
Use FIFO Buffers: Enabled
Receive Buffer: 1 (Low)
Transmit Buffer: 1 (Low)

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, is there anyway we can get the EXE updated with the latest script found here: http://www.pdp8.net/directv/directv.shtml

As it has some new features (setup_channel_sd_hd), which I would like to use. I can try out the Perl script itself, but I'd like the simplicity of this EXE.

Thanks!
Shawn

[scb147]

This command:

Code:

Clearing On Screen Display
Sending Key: clear
Openning Command Start: 0XFA ...SUCCESS
Sending Command: 0XA5 ...SUCCESS
Sending Command Data [00 0X01 0XF9]...(command wrote (3 bytes) status [0x1])...SUCCESS
Sending Command Complete: 00 ...SUCCESS
Reading Reply Status For Command: (valid status [0xf0])...SUCCESS
Expecting to receive In Process Reply For Command: (received [0xf2])SUCCESS
Reading Command Status: ...(read status 0xf5)...FAILED
Failed to send dss command

Does not work with my receiver. My remote doesn't even have a "clear" command. It has an "exit" command, which I am assuming is the same. That is what the error is, but even if I try changing just the channel, it still doesn't work. The Perl script seems to be working for the most part, I just have to tweak some settings to get it working more reliable.

[scb147]

It seems that the newer receivers, the H21-100 in my case doesn't work using "select" to enter the channel numbers, i.e. 659select does not change to 659. I have to use 659enter. But the directv channel control doesn't allow me to use enter as a key. It is unidentified.

Now, I've tried using the Perl script with almost a perfect success rate, but sometimes my STB gets into a non-responsive state, where it always gives me timeout errors. But for some reason, when I use the Directv Channel Control utility, it is able to "reset" the box and get it to respond. Then the Perl script works again.

So, cheval, can you provide me some input on what you are doing with your directv utility, or can you add the "enter" button to your utility? If you could even provide your source code and I could look at it to see what command I am missing. I'm really not ready to switch my HTPC over fulltime w/ Directv with this timeout issue. I really don't know who else to ask as the Perl script writer is a Linux/MythTV guy and really has no input for the Windows side of it.

Thanks for any help.