EXETunerPlugin + Girder does not control Motorola DCT2244

[enewbauer]

Hello,

I am trying to get Sage to control my Motorola DCT2244. The serial port is active, as I can get Snapstream to change the channels via the serial port (with Girder).

I followed the different directions and threads that I saw here, but I cannot get the channels to change. I believe the problem is with Girder. Here's what I did:

1. Installed EXETunerPlugin per the instructions in the README file.
2. Confirmed Registry settings were correct.
3. Performed test with 'notepad' debug with channel change and it worked (i.e. Notepad launched and it tried to create '529.txt').

Since the notepad test worked, I am assuming that the path from Sage to the Registry is fine. Also, when I execute commands, I can see the Girder icon blink, so Girder is receiving the command.

Now, I am using the 'SageTV_141.GML' that I found at girder.nl. Is this my point of failure? Is there another GML that I should use?

Since the link to the DCT.exe is broken, I am kind of stuck using Girder, so getting this fixed is a big milestone for my HTPC project.

Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks.

[enewbauer]

Ok...now I know it is something with Girder.

I am using an X10 remote from Hometheatercomputer.net. When I click the 'Channel Up' button on the remote, the system tray icon for the remote blinks, and then the Girder icon blinks, and then the show/channel information on Sage changes, but the actual show stays the same.

[salsbst]

You should post your GML if you want help with Girder. You might also try testing the channel change command from Girder by using the Test Command menu item. If it works with SnapStream but not from SageTV then it will probably succeed. Then we can start to work backwards through the Girder events to find the point of failure.

[enewbauer]

salsbst, thanks for the reply.

Here is the URL for the Sage GML that I am using: http://www.girderplugins.com/exports32/SageTV_141.GML

Is there a 'default' GML that 'most' people use to control Sage and the cable box? The one I am using may not even be the right one.

The GML I used for Snapstream was developed for Snapstream. I thought I tested this, but I will check to see if the SS GML works with Sage.

[salsbst]

That GML doesn't have any code to change channels on a cable box. It is the "incoming" stuff that allows you to control sage from Girder. You're looking for the opposite: to control Girder from Sage.

GML that I developed (based on the one you linked) is used by a few people. Here is a thread in which I posted it: http://forums.sage.tv/forums/showthr...&threadid=3378 .

You can delete the stuff that you don't need, but make sure that you have the WinLUA Ex plugin installed and loaded, and make sure you don't delete the Global group.

It is set up to control a Motorola using infrared. You should be able to mine the Snapstream GML for the commands that will do serial.

HTH,
Stuart

[enewbauer]

Stuart, thanks again...I had seen your post, but didn't think it was relevant because of the IR piece.

I'll work on this over the weekend, and post my results to the forum. Luckily, the Snapstream GML I am using is very simple. I’ll have to ‘quickly’ bring myself up to speed on Girder (which I’ve been wanting to do anyway)…based on your GML, it looks like you can really customize the way Windows controls different programs.

[salsbst]

You sure can do that! I think Girder is the ultimate HTPC killer app. It gets a bad rap b/c it ends up in sentences like "You'll have to use Girder for that," making it sound like some sort of medieval torture, when in reality it's just that Girder fills gaps in other applications' APIs and of course enables devices to talk to each other when they weren't designed to do so.

[ErsatzTom]

Well, you have to admit people also say that because it isn't the easiest piece of software to really learn. I'm not knocking it at all. What it does is complicated so its interface is naturally a little complicated. But their is a reason so many people end up sharing their gml files here. It is difficult for most people to figure it out. But, in the end, it is the piece that really ties it all together.

t

[salsbst]

Fair enough.

If only installing Hauppauge 250 cards was as easy as Girder! I've spent more time trying to get Hauppauge 250 cards successfully installed than I did learning Girder. Honestly.