[mythtv-users] RE: Scientific Atlanta 3250 - Anyone get this to

[jds]

just an FYI... i have a complete "simple IR LED transmitter HOWTO",
including an auto-configuration script and a whole lot of detail at
http://losdos.dyndns.org:8080/public/mythtv-info/MythTV_DISH_IR_LED_TX_via_Modified_LIRC.html

it covers the exact situation that steve describes below -- namely
the implementation of a second instance of LIRC which does not
interfere with the LIRC handling the Hauppauge remote.  in effect,
if you have a PVR-250/350 and use the OEM remote to control MythTV,
the second instance of LIRC (as detailed in the link above) simply
allows you to control an external IR-equipped device (e.g. a cable
or satellite set top box).

note that many/most DirectTV receivers have rear panel RS232 ports
which make interfacing to MythTV trivial.  however, the majority of
DISH receivers and also most cable boxes either lack a documented
control port or the control port has been administratively disabled.
in these cases the simple IR LED transmitter does the job well, for
a few dollars in parts and a half hour of system configuration.

jds



> Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2004 12:32:07 -0400
> From: "Steven Rubano" <srubano at ccap.net>
>
>>Original post:
>
>>Searching old posts, there appears to be a well documented problem
>>with the sa3250 Digital Cable set top box that Time Warner (and
>>others?) are using. Has anyone got this to work with LIRC using a
>>ir blaster?
>
>>SNIP<
>
> I have the SA4200 from Cablevision and I am able to control the
> box using a simple IR transmitter diode that I took out of an old
> remote, a diode and a DB9 serial connector connected to the back
> of my MyTH box. LiRC is using the SA2000 to control it and all is
> fine. I did however had to setup two instances of LiRC to work
> since I am using the Hauppauge grey remote, I need to load two
> separate drivers for the two different devices. If you have both
> Transmitter and Receiver on one serial port then you can get away
> with running one instance.
>
> I did have some problems trying to get Myth to change the channels
> on my box but I was able to clear them up as follows:
>
> 1.	I used an IR transmitter from a remote rather than buying one
> of the Radio Shack ones. The Radio Shack ones weren't "as powerful".
> 2.	Created a script named change_channel.sh (or csh, not near my
> MyTH box at the moment)
> 3.	Putting the name of the script to run in the configuration of
> MyTH to tell it to use that to change the channels.
> 4.
>
> You can also use the script at a command line and a channel number
> to test and see if it is changing the channel..if it is then MyThTV
> isn't configured properly.
>
> Steve