[mythtv-users] DirecTV -- Satellite Serial Port -- How can I build the cable?

[Jeremy Oddo]

I missed the first part of the thread, but it sounds like you're making
this WAY more complex than it should be.  Check this out:

http://www.pcmx.net/dtvcon/


Jeremy


Ray Olszewski said:
> At 03:25 PM 6/3/2003 -0400, John Klimek wrote:
>>This is my first time posting to this mailing list...  MythTV looks
>> simply INCREDIBLE and I'm very much looking forward to using it.
>>
>>At first, I thought this wasn't possible... but you can control your
>> satellite receiver (channels) from your PC by using a serial cable?
>
> Depends on the receiver. Some yes, some no. A data port is a necessary
> condition, but not a sufficient one.
>
>>My receiver (an RCA, I forget model) does indeed have a "low speed data
>>  port" so
>>all I need to know is how to build the actual cable.
>
> I doubt it. Unless, that is, you already know know the serial port
> settings  (baud rate, stop bits, parity ... the usual stuff) and the
> actual codes  that need to be transmitted.
>
> In any case, you'll need to find out the model number. Also tell us what
>  the port looks like (standard 9-pin serial? RJ-45 (like an Ethernet
> port)?  RJ-11 (like a phone line)? something else?)
>
> One long shot -- a crude Web search turned up a Snapstream package for
> controlling RCA DirecTv satellite receivers, specifically "RCA Model
> #4XXXX". It includes the right kind of cable to attach to an RJ-11 port
> on  the RCA end. You might see f that is what you need. Reference is
>          http://shop.store.yahoo.com/snapstreammedia/rcadirbun.html
>
> Also see this site:
>
>          http://www.pcmx.net/dtvcon/
>
> If they don't help ...
>
> If it is a 9-pin port, the only real question is whether it is wired DTE
> or  DCE. I've never seen this answered for ANY cable box, so I suppose
> you'll  have to find out by testing. Just search Google for serial-port
> pinouts to  find the 2 relevant wiring diagrams.
>
> If it is an RJ-45 ... I know of no standard pin assignment for them. If
> you  can't locate documentation for the box, experimenting to get the
> pinouts  will be a challenge.
>
> If it's something else ... who knows? (Except for old DB-25s, and I
> doubt  it is that.)
>
>>I did try searching the mailing list archives, but I couldn't really
>> find anything.
>
> Provide all the detail you can. Including if there is any information
> about  using teh box with a TiVo or any other commercial product ...
> what does  your cable company *say* the port is for?
>
> Figuring this stuff out is a bit like a scavanger hunt. Finding actual
> docs  for the box is improbable, so you need to piece the relevant
> details  together. You won't find a cookbook for this anywhere.
>
>
>
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