DirecTV USB Control

[chstuart]

I have been happily running Sage almost flawlessly since the Spring of 2002. My family loves it. However we are getting ready to take the HD plunge and upgrade to DirecTV’s HD DVR. From what I have read there is no way to integrate these DVR boxes into Sage. Please correct me if I am wrong here.

Unfortunately, DirecTV is forcing us to also upgrade our existing SD boxes too. I like the old boxes because I can easily control them via a serial cable. From what I have read there is some way to control the new D12 boxes via USB. Would someone please help me out and let me know how this is done. I have searched the forum and have not been able to find out how this is done. Thank you for your help.

[vexhold]

Forcing you to upgrade them? How are they doing that?

As for DirecTV DVR... dont need it if you have Sage..

[chstuart]

DirecTV will not let me keep my old boxes with there new promotion. I have to upgrade to get the deal.

Please tell me how I can record HD content from DirecTV with Sage. Everything I have read says it cannot be done.

I still need help with the USB solution. Is it as easy at a Serial to USB active adaptor?

[HelenWeathers]

I have two HiDef DirecTV boxes hooked up to my system. I use two of the HD PVRs to record in HiDef but you can also use the s-video out on the STB (set top box) and two analog tuners with s-video inputs to record in 16x9 standard def. I control my STBs with serial cables but many here use the USB-UIRT IR controlers.

When you take the plunge, you'll get lots of help right here.

In the meantime, search thru the forums for DirecTV and you should find lots of info.

[vexhold]

Are you leasing your receivers? If so I understand the upgrade.

If you own them, make sure they dont take them.

I moved to SageTV and HD in June.

I have a h21-100 HD receiver and control it using Serial to USB and capture the signal using the HD-PVR

I strongly recomend getting a HD Theater (HD200) to minimize the HD codec and filter hassle.

HD-PVR 200.00-250.00

HD Theater 199.00

Serial to USB 10.00-15.00

[chstuart]

So the answer to controlling the D12 boxes is a simple Serial to USB adaptor and not some special woopty-do Patterson 4 TV adaptor?

[vexhold]

Yeah, I purchased the Paterson and a cheap one from Monoprice and ended up returning the Paterson.

This is basically what you need..


http://www.monoprice.com/products/se...d=1204&x=0&y=0
http://www.monoprice.com/products/se...d=2276&x=0&y=0

[BFisher]

Just an endorsement for the Patterson - it works great, never had an issue. I do have a problem receiving ESPN2 in HD, so Patterson is smart enough to automatically tune in the SD version of that channel (no, there is no way to do it in Sage... I spent many hours trying - and it took 5 seconds with Patterson).

[Beefcake550]

vexhold...not even gonna give me credit for those links? just kidding....spread the wealth.

Seriously, get that usb to serial adapter to plug into the new DirecTV box, the F/F null modem adapter, and if your copmuter doesn't have a COM port, get another USB->serial adapter fro the PC.

That's what I did and for $10-$15, it just works.

That said, I've never used the new-er petterson cable, but got borked from them once with an old replay TV and I had just bought a cable from them to find out DirecTV changed things, so the cable I just paid $50 for was worthless since they couldn't upgrade it without basically making me buy the new one. After that burnage, I left them. I hear this is not the policy any longer. It sounds like the owner makes changes and doesn't charge for them.

-Brian

[vexhold]

LOL Brian

Sorry man...

I thought I would catch this one for you and give you a break from your USB to Serial Soapbox.

You still need to make a sticky on this.

But Paterson now has a "If it dont work for you return it" Policy


Of course you will be out the shipping costs.

[Beefcake550]

no prob vexhold. I appreciate the offer to give me a break! I do have to admit that my ears perk up when I see mention of serial control. I guess that shows my passion for the subject (however silly that may seem!)

Glad to hear Paterson has changed their policy. Given that, it definitely seems like you get a feeling of security, which I'm not down playing...it definitely has value.

nice tv vexhold, I have the 46" a650 and wish I had gotten the 52", but at the time the 46" was on a "super sale" and was $700 cheaper than the 52.....

-B

[vexhold]

Heh, I cheated on the TV

I work just enough hours at Best Buy (Geek Squad) to get the discount.

Paid just over 1k for the 52"

[Beefcake550]

oh man... you suck I wish I had thought of that......

Actually, now that I think about it, maybe it's a good way to make a few extra bucks during the holidays. NOT! I don't think I could handle the BS the isntallers have to put up with.

[vexhold]

Hey, Im a 32 year old Network Administrator. I just dumb myself down when I am working there. Kinda... float..

I mean its only like 12 hours a week @ $14/hr

but I've saved thousands with my discount.

I'd like to quit but the wife wants a new kitchen.. lol

[Beefcake550]

hehe looks like you read my psot before the edit.

hehehehe. you may actually be onto something. the pay may not be great, but the discount is (what is it anyway - if you can divulge).

-Brian

[vexhold]

5% over cost

its really good for addons like cables, mounts, remotes, mice, keyboards, etc.

Its bad with Game consoles, games, and anything REALLY popular.

TVs are good, appliances are good.

Computers are mmm ok I guess, but nothing spectacular.


Example 6' HDMI cable -- retail: $80 employee: $4.20

[chstuart]

Ok, got all new equipment and got the serial to USB parts from monoprice.com. Every thing worked flawlessly for about two weeks, but now I cannot get Sage to change channels.

I have rebooted, restated Sage, reset the D12 Sat receivers, but nothing. I am dead in the water. Any suggestions?

[Beefcake550]

yeah.. you need to determine what is the point of failure...
1) Sage not sending the command out
2) the serial port not working
3) the DTV box not working

I'd use directv_control (nice GUI) to find out 2+3 and then if they work, at least you know the hardware is good.

[lynnejohn]

Beefcake,
Can you tell me what OS you are using and which usb to serial converters as well.
I have Vista home premium running as the server controlling a Direct TV HD receiver and a Hauppauge HD-PVR. I originally tried to use a couple different usb to serial converters with my trusty Paterson devices (had them running from my old Replay TVs) but neither worked (no channel change.) Contacted support and they said that the serial ports were getting garbage. I bought a small cable to take the only serial header on my motherboard and break it out to the db9. Once I plugged the Paterson into this, the channels would change. My problem is when I move it all to the basement, I will need to control two DirectTV Sat receivers and I will need to use the usb to serial converter or purchase a serial port card or go with the IR crowd.
Appreciate the feedback.

Thanks,
John C.

[Beefcake550]

I've used Vista 32bit Ultimate (though I doubt the ultimate matters). I also tried WHS with the WinXP drivers and that worked. I tried Vista 64 bit, but the drivers I tried (everything I could find) did not work.