[mythtv-users] Using DirecTV

[Joe]

> I used the blaster method in the very beginning.  It only worked about
> 10% of the time accurately.
> Very annoying.  Once I moved the the serial connection I haven't had any
> issues.
>

Does anyone know if ALL DirecTV receivers have this serial port
capability?  I've heard some reports that newer units may not have
this feature and you must use an IR blaster.  When I spoke to a sales
tech regarding it, they could not give me an answer (no surprise).  In
general I consider an IR blaster to be very undesirable for the
reasons given here and I'd much prefer something hard-wired.

Reason being is that I'd like to get networks like Discovery, etc. -
I'm currently just OTA on my system.  Comcast is out of the question
-- overpriced and encryption issues are likely (discussed at length on
this list).  DirecTV and Dish seem more reasonable, but I fear they'd
stick me with a STB that does not work well with Myth.  If I knew that
it would work with Myth I'd feel much better about directv.