[mythtv-users] Troubles controlling multiple cable boxes

[Brian Wood]

On Apr 10, 2006, at 7:38 AM, obscure information. wrote:

>
>
> On 4/10/06, Brian Wood <beww at beww.org> wrote:
>
> On Apr 10, 2006, at 6:54 AM, obscure information. wrote:
>
>> On 4/9/06, Kichigai Mentat <kichigai at comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Doesn't Linux identify serial ports as /dev/stty#? I'd check that out
>> myself, but that's kind of hard with an iBook (no serial ports to
>> test!).
>>
>> Also, can't you try to off-set the problem by using the IR port on
>> your PVR-150? Or did you get one without the IR port?
>>
>>
>> Yes, and there are four listed: /dev/stty1-4.  By my understanding  
>> from a serial port howto I found online, Linux automatically tries  
>> to configure the first four serial ports, but I could be mistaken.
>>
>> The issue is that I am unable to locate the base address and IRQ  
>> in use for the serial ports to properly configure lirc, and using  
>> the defaults results in an irexec error.
>>
>>
>> As far as the IR port on the PVR-150, I am already using that for  
>> my remote control input, so I'm stuck there.
>
> The newer PVR-150s come with an IR receiver and an IR blaster, I  
> think the reference above was to using the "blaster" not the  
> receiver. I think they added an additional conductor to the mini  
> connector, and I've seen patched LIRCs that can use that blaster.
>
> I am also a bit confused as to why you need a separate serial port  
> for each STB ? In the case of satellite receivers you can set the  
> receiver to use one of several code sets to prevent interference if  
> you have more than one receiver, thus you can use a single IR  
> transmitter to control several receivers.
>
> Have you checked to see if your cable boxes have this capability?  
> I'd think that they would have made some provision for multiple  
> boxes, the cable companies certainly wouldn't want to preclude your  
> paying for more than one box :-)
>
> I see - I didn't know the newer PVR-150's came with an IR  
> blaster... I don't think mine has a connector for that.
>
> I'm on an older analog cable system using GI CFT2200 cable boxes.   
> I'm fairly certain that they don't have the ability to use  
> differing code sets, but I haven't been able to confirm or deny  
> this.  That certainly would make things easier, but I have no idea  
> where to obtain that information.

I just googled for CFT-2200 and found some info, but nothing about  
changing remote codes.

This doesn't mean it can't be done, if possible you should just ask  
your cable company about using multiple boxes. If it turns out you  
can do this it will make oyur life much simpler because even if you  
work out using multiple serial ports you will still have to isolate  
the boxes from each other optically.
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