Switching from Verizon FiOS to DirecTV, please help

[ONLYinHD]

I'd like to get rid of the FiOS TV and switch back to DirecTV soon, not only due to wanting a couple of the HDPC-20s, but also to enable serial control of stb's, which I have never been able to get working with FiOS.

My config until I can get HDPC-20 hooked up will be SD only, then I'll think about the switch to HD (I have a 1080i tv, a 720p projector and 2 regular SD tvs). I may add on a HDHOMERUN later on in the summer but I'm not sure how it will work with OTA. As an aside, I do plan on moving all stbs and tuners and server/storage to a closet centrally located.

From my previous install of DirecTV I have a couple of D10-300 regular SD stbs lying around but they have no serial port or control port I can see.

With the above preferences in mind (path to HD definitely, serial control preferably, path to HDPC-20 definitely) I need a suggestion on which D stbs to ask for when I order (or is it better to purch the stb first then schedule an install - if so which model).

[Apap]

Your D10-300s do have a serial port. There is a connector on the back labeled Low Speed Data that actually is a serial port.

More information can be found here

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by ONLYinHD

I'd like to get rid of the FiOS TV and switch back to DirecTV soon, not only due to wanting a couple of the HDPC-20s

Be careful with the HDPC-20, I think you're optomistic to:
1) Think it will work outside Vista Media Center
2) Think you can add it to any old PC and have it work.

Do a little research on OCUR before you get too excited about the DirecTV tuner.

[fyodor]

Have you tried using firewire for changing channels with FIOS? I think people have been able to get that to work.

I would echo the previous posters comments on the HDPC-20. I would be shocked if it worked outside of Vista Media Center. Sagetv doesn't have the DRM infrastructure that the content providers probably insist on.

Originally Posted by ONLYinHD

I'd like to get rid of the FiOS TV and switch back to DirecTV soon, not only due to wanting a couple of the HDPC-20s, but also to enable serial control of stb's, which I have never been able to get working with FiOS.

My config until I can get HDPC-20 hooked up will be SD only, then I'll think about the switch to HD (I have a 1080i tv, a 720p projector and 2 regular SD tvs). I may add on a HDHOMERUN later on in the summer but I'm not sure how it will work with OTA. As an aside, I do plan on moving all stbs and tuners and server/storage to a closet centrally located.

From my previous install of DirecTV I have a couple of D10-300 regular SD stbs lying around but they have no serial port or control port I can see.

With the above preferences in mind (path to HD definitely, serial control preferably, path to HDPC-20 definitely) I need a suggestion on which D stbs to ask for when I order (or is it better to purch the stb first then schedule an install - if so which model).

[ONLYinHD]

Originally Posted by fyodor

Have you tried using firewire for changing channels with FIOS? I think people have been able to get that to work

Firewire ports seem to be disabled, as are the serial and any other port that might have made the FiOS stb more usable.

Not important, though, as I plan to switch back to DirecTV regardless of FiOS stb control.

Originally Posted by Stanger89

Be careful with the HDPC-20, I think you're optomistic to:
1) Think it will work outside Vista Media Center
2) Think you can add it to any old PC and have it work.

Agreed. I thought about that after posting. What I should have said is that I *HOPE* the HDPC-20 will work eventually with SageTV and if it does... I'm there. But in the meantime, what stb should I try to get to maximize flexibility (I'm also following the thread about the component capture unit from Hauppauge/Sage so that might mean I should get an HD stb)