satellite box problem

[footmasta]

I have sage tv controlling my Directv box via a phone cord. This works perfect but I notice that if I turn off my satellite box because I know its not going to record anything then turn it on after a couple of hours, it wont turn to the desired channel. Is there a reason why it does this? To get it to work I have to quit sage then open it again.

Thanks

[kny3twalker]

do not turn off the satellite box

many of us here have not turned our off for years unless there was moving of equipment or configuration

there power consumption is not much anyways

you could buy an USB UIRT, if you need the box to be powered down

mine is never off

I hate messing with the config of everything when it comes to my recording my not happen

and you can search to see others have seen the same thing

[carmat3]

mine is on 24/7. absolutly no problems.

[footmasta]

OK I'm going to leave my box on 24/7 now. I just found out that it gets out of sync when my computer is put in sleep too. I guess my computer has got to be 0n 24/7 also.

[m1abrams]

Originally Posted by footmasta

OK I'm going to leave my box on 24/7 now. I just found out that it gets out of sync when my computer is put in sleep too. I guess my computer has got to be 0n 24/7 also.

I leave both my cable boxes and computer on 24/7. Some I think can get theirs to sleep without issues, however for the power saving you will see it is NOT worth it.

Do you manual change channels on your DirecTV unit at some times? Cause you really should just let SageTV control the DirecTV box and NO ONE else.

I actually put black tape over the IR recievers to prevent accidental channel changes.

[footmasta]

yes I use the low speed data port and I put tape over the IR on the box too.

[mermaiden]

I have a really dumb question. Does it depend on the software and card you have to determine if you can control your satellite box with a phone cord? This is the first I've heard of anyone using a phone cord to control the satellite box. Only other method I've heard is the IR Blaster. Can someone explain how the phone cord method works? Thanks in advance...

[m1abrams]

Originally Posted by mermaiden

I have a really dumb question. Does it depend on the software and card you have to determine if you can control your satellite box with a phone cord? This is the first I've heard of anyone using a phone cord to control the satellite box. Only other method I've heard is the IR Blaster. Can someone explain how the phone cord method works? Thanks in advance...

Well the phone cord, is actually a serial cable control. And it depends on wether your cable /sat box has serial control available.

[mermaiden]

Now I have heard of the serial cable method, just haven't tried to set anything up yet. I will be checking my sat box tonight.

[JUC]

hey I posted in another thread but I might as well ask here: footmasta-does your direcTV STB have a dedicated 'low speed data port' in addition to the 'phone' port on the back? I have the D10-300 and it only has the 'phone' port. I was really bummed out last night when I got home and checked to find no dedicated port. Will this still work if I can get the right cable and use the phone port? And, where did you get your cable? Thanks
JUC

[Wakecrash]

I understand you have to have a D10-100 for serial control, the -XXX is manufacurer code. I believe the -100 is made by RCA, others are made by Hughes and not sure of others but they don't have serial control
-100 was being sold by Circuit City and Best Buy. You should try to see if you can take it back, if Directv delivered tell them you want to send back since it cannot be controled by a Tivo type box. Directv may be willing to credit your account to buy local as well.

[JUC]

DTV just told me that the D10 300 does have the low speed data port (maybe i missed it??) and that it should work with serial ports for channel changes. I don't know if i should just suck up the money for the cable or not and just try it.

[mermaiden]

I checked my dish sat box last night. It is a basic DISH 301 Receiver. Front and back panel features are noted below from DISH's website.

FRONT PANEL FEATURES
• 3 Buttons: Power, Channel Up, Channel Down
• IR Sensor/IR Blast emitter
• Light indicator: Green light indicates receiver is on;
no light indicates standby mode.
• Smart Card receptacle and door

REAR PANEL FEATURES
• Satellite Antenna Input
• TV Antenna/Cable Input
• RF Modulated Output: Outputs satellite source on
channel 3 or 4, or passes through a connected
antenna/cable feed to the television.
• 1 set RCA-Type Audio/Video Outputs
• 1 S-Video Output
• Phone Jack
• 2-Prong Power Cord

I don't think I have a serial output either. Just the phone jack.

[Wakecrash]

google D10 serial control and try to find some forums especially forums related to Tivo, also this is one link I found
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...0&pagenumber=2

check out www.dtvcontrol.com for pin outs.

you have to have a jack labled low speed data, the low speed port will be in addation to the phone jack. Concievably the low speed port could be labled something else I reckon, but it would be a different port from the phone jack.

But search other forums, something could have changed in the past couple of months, when I researched.

Directv "claims" all D10s are the same, they are not, I doubt their call center people know the differences. I had to explain all the details per the link above then they were willing to credit my account to buy 2 D10s local. The D10 you need should have on the labal somewher manufacurer code 100.

[JUC]

Well, apparently the D10-300 DOES have a low speed data port. It was conveniently and nicely masked by some tape. A quick glance didn't even reveal its presence. But, from the links listed above, it appears that the port may not be activated...at least people couldn't get it working with the directivo's. Might as well give it a shot and suck up the funds for the cable (don't even want to try making one myself.
JUC

[idvsego]

well, I am crossing my fingers. I ordered my boxes from BestBuy, so hopefully they will be 100's. I'll know tomorrow somewhere between 8am and 1pm.