DirecTV D12 STB control?

[newyankee]

Does anyone have any experience controlling a DirecTV model D12 STB. It is standard def, has a usb port, but no Ethernet.

Thanks... still looking at options since DirecTV will soon retire my current receivers with serial control.

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by newyankee

Does anyone have any experience controlling a DirecTV model D12 STB. It is standard def, has a usb port, but no Ethernet.

Thanks... still looking at options since DirecTV will soon retire my current receivers with serial control.

IIRC the usb port is the serial port. Also, if you get the "media connect" interface from dtv that connects to your router it will give all of your receivers an IP without the need for an ethernet cable so you can use the HTTP tuning method. Whether or not that receiver is compatible is another question.

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by newyankee

Does anyone have any experience controlling a DirecTV model D12 STB. It is standard def, has a usb port, but no Ethernet.

Thanks... still looking at options since DirecTV will soon retire my current receivers with serial control.

I've got 2 D12-100's SD boxes working with serial control with the Paterson devices. Never could get serial control working with my HD boxes so I was really glad when I was able to use HTTP tuning on them. Wish I'd known about the "media connect" interface before I spent the money on getting the serial tuning working tho.

[newyankee]

I have determined that the media connect option does not exist for the D12 receiver. I'm now trying to find a Patterson serial/usb converter.... anyone know where to find one?

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by newyankee

I have determined that the media connect option does not exist for the D12 receiver. I'm now trying to find a Patterson serial/usb converter.... anyone know where to find one?

You could try this method. I already had the Patterson cable so never tried this method myself.

[newyankee]

@BobPhoenix
Thanks for the link, looks promising. I'll try it and report back.

[newyankee]

Thanks again to BobPhoenix for pointing me to the solution.

If anyone else has this problem in the future, the solution is just to use two usb to serial converters, connected with a serial null modem connector.

I did a quick test with Comika brand, Y-105A converters because I had them in stock, and an old 1980's vintage laplink serial transfer (null modem) cable. Works great with a DirecTV D12-100 receiver.

Now I don't have to switch to Comcast, thanks to Bob.