[mythtv] channel changing on motorola DCT2000H

[Matt Zimmerman]

On Sun, Nov 03, 2002 at 08:12:19AM -0800, Harondel J. Sibble wrote:

> Anyone have a schematic for building a IR transmitter that can be used
> with Shaw's Digital Cable Box, the DCT2000? I am looking at the LIRC site
> 
> http://www.lirc.org
> 
> and they have a few circuits there, just not sure which of them is the
> easiest/simplest to use.  The unit does have a serial port on the back,
> but in the manual it is listed as a data access port and a connection to a
> high speed serial data interface for HDTV. It explicitly states one
> shouldn't hook 
> a pc up to it.

I have the same unit, but without the serial port or any of the other
optional goodies (including S-video output, unfortunately).  I just started
working on controlling it, and am planning to use the onboard IrDA on my
motherboard if possible, using lirc_sir.  This is supposed to work up to a
range of about 1 meter, which should be plenty if I can get a long enough
dongle.

I'm currently experimenting with the built-in IrDA on my laptop, which last
night I got to the point of being able to transmit signals, but was not able
to test controlling the unit (the laptop has no battery, and was in the
wrong room, and it was late...).  Hopefully I should have some results soon.

> Also,just curious what commercial serial port transmitters people are use
> under similar circumstances, hopefully which are available locally in
> Vancouver.

You may already have IrDA hardware, though you may have to find a dongle for
it (not easy, I am still looking for mine).  According to the information I
have read, controlling consumer IR devices works OK with some irda hardware
devices and not with others; you will have to try and see.

-- 
 - mdz