Verizon FIOS QIP2500-3 STB with SageTV

[killerkhan]

Ok, so I bought a USB to serial cable and tried to use the MultiDCTTuner dll and no luck. I am assuming the data serial connector on the back of the verizon STB is disabled. So I called Verizon Tech Support, they tell me that the data port is infact disabled and they cannot turn it on, they leave it disable on all their STB.

So now my question is, what can I use to have SageTV change channels on this motorola STB? Or is there any firmware upgrade hack I can do to these to enable the data port?

[mikesm]

Originally Posted by killerkhan

Ok, so I bought a USB to serial cable and tried to use the MultiDCTTuner dll and no luck. I am assuming the data serial connector on the back of the verizon STB is disabled. So I called Verizon Tech Support, they tell me that the data port is infact disabled and they cannot turn it on, they leave it disable on all their STB.

So now my question is, what can I use to have SageTV change channels on this motorola STB? Or is there any firmware upgrade hack I can do to these to enable the data port?

Did you try the 1394 connection? I believe the firewire port is active and will allow you to tune channels through the firewire tuning plugin.

[killerkhan]

There is no firewire connection on the back, just USB/Data (serial) and IR.

I am assuming the USB can work?

if not, are there any over the counter STB that I can buy and plug the Fios Cablecard in them that do support the channel changing with either USB or other hardware?

[mattdcknsn]

I have not been able to find a way to get the Verizon STBs to work with serial. I am assuming its a SD box. The HD boxes have FW on the back that is connected. I have to use a USB-UIRT. One other person here said that his Verizon company didnt turn off the serial ports and that he was able to connect, but he's been the only one so far.

If you are good at networking you can try and see if you can do anything with the IP address. All the Verizon boxes get a DHCP address from the router, they start at 192.168.0.50 thru 100. There is one port open but I couldn't get a connection to the STB through it.

[killerkhan]

I also have the QIP6416-2 HD STB from Fios. Its got firewire ports. Can I change channels on that using firewire?

[mikesm]

Originally Posted by killerkhan

There is no firewire connection on the back, just USB/Data (serial) and IR.

I am assuming the USB can work?

if not, are there any over the counter STB that I can buy and plug the Fios Cablecard in them that do support the channel changing with either USB or other hardware?

There are reports of folks getting an R5000-HD equipped DCP501 or other motorola box provisioned by verizon. This not only gives you channel control via USB, but also records HD and SD native video with no DRM. It's by far the best option for cable.

Cablecard won't help you with sage, you're best bet is to stick with an R5000-HD modded moto box (they probably can mod the non-1394 QIP box you have), or go get a 1394 equipped box, and use 1394 for channel changing and recording. Some folks have had good luck with FIOS and finding no channels 5C'd...

[killerkhan]

mikesm, thanks for your post. I am very interested in this R5000-HD. I goto their web site and seems like there is some mod required but they donot go in details for it. you got any links that gives more detail for this process or can you give me a higher overview whats involved? thanks

[mattdcknsn]

Originally Posted by killerkhan

I also have the QIP6416-2 HD STB from Fios. Its got firewire ports. Can I change channels on that using firewire?

Just to let you know, you can change channels via firewire. When I played around with it, this option worked fine.

[mikesm]

Originally Posted by killerkhan

mikesm, thanks for your post. I am very interested in this R5000-HD. I goto their web site and seems like there is some mod required but they donot go in details for it. you got any links that gives more detail for this process or can you give me a higher overview whats involved? thanks

Pretty much all you should need to know is in this thread: http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24992

If you still have questions, let me know and I'll try and help. I like to refer people to the above thread so all the Q&A can be in one place.

I have the R5000-HD in a DCP501 and it is works REALLY well. Nothing else like it is available.

Before going down this path though, you might want to try and see if you can get a firewire equipped STB and see how many channels are 5c'd. Some have reported that some FIOS markets have everything available via 1394. But the R5000-HD will get you everything.

thx
mike

[heffneil]

Can you get Video via Firewire too?! That would be amazing wouldn't it?

Neil