[mythtv-users] Serial port on Motorola DCT2244 cable boxes

[Derek Meek]

Go Hskrs wrote:

> I tried to set up serial control of my DCT2244 using several packages,
> including the program in
> /usr/share/doc/mythtv-0.19/contrib/channel_changers/dct-channel, but
> all of them timed out, reporting that the cable box wasn't
> responding.  Nothing happened on the cable box.
>
> Having had enough head-on-wall action for one day, I emailed the local
> cableco, to wit:
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: drone < emaildrone at mylocalcablemonopoly.com
> <mailto:Collins.R at insightcom.com>>
> Date: Jul 12, 2006 8:18 AM
> Subject:
> To:
>
> You wrote:
>
>  
>
>> Hello - Would like information on how to get the serial (DATA) port
>
>> enabled on my Motorola DCT-2244 cable box.  Account number is
>
>> 123456789-10.  Thanks.
>
>  
>
> Unfortunately, the serial port is not active as a serial-port on any
> of the DCT-series boxes and there is no way to activate it.  It is our
> understanding that this port is built in by Motorola for diagnostic
> purposes, but has no other function.
>
>  
>
> Sorry to be unable to assist you,
>
> -----------
>
>
> I thought I'd read that some MythTVers have gotten their DCT2244
> serial ports to work, so I'm wondering about authoritative sources to
> which I can point these folks, to let them know they're wrong.  I
> tried to find a Motorola / General Instrument (?) datasheet on this
> box, but no luck so far. 
>
> Or is he right, and I'm confused?
>
> I'm probably going to wind up using an IR blaster, because I don't
> feel like fighting my cableco on the serial port issue, but I would
> like to be able to enlighten them so that future customers don't get
> bad information.
>
> Thanks.  If this is more appropriate for an LIRC mailing list, please
> point me there.
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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>  
>
you gotta use your IR blaster - WARNING DCT2000's HAVE NOTORIOUSLY
CRAPPY IR RECEIVERS!  I have to sent "Exit" "Exit" #s "Ok" "Exit" x3 to
mine to get it ot tune and it still occasionally fails to tune
properly.  Omitting the 2 "Exit"s at the beginning causes it to NEVer
tune right - it just drops the first two signals it receives in the
sequence - all the trailing exits are to kill the STB menu that
sometimes likes the hang up and stay active and block subsequent channel
changes

here is my script

#!/bin/sh
REMOTE_NAME=DCT2000
irsend SEND_ONCE $REMOTE_NAME "EXIT" "EXIT"
for digit in $(echo $1 | sed -e 's/./& /g'); do # Accept input from MythTV
irsend SEND_ONCE $REMOTE_NAME "$digit"
sleep 0.1
done
irsend SEND_ONCE $REMOTE_NAME "OK" "EXIT" "EXIT" "EXIT"