controlling multiple set-top boxes

[berfsicle]

ok im gonna set up a sage machine with 4 tuners, each of which will be connected to a directv receiver... now, assuming i get 4 dtv boxes all with serial control, how do i connect all 4 to my machine with only ONE serial port on the mobo??

tia

[manic_tool]

I have a belkin USB->Serial adapter for my second Directv reciever that works fine. You will need to get three of these to make it work.

[sixdoubleo]

Originally posted by berfsicle
ok im gonna set up a sage machine with 4 tuners, each of which will be connected to a directv receiver... now, assuming i get 4 dtv boxes all with serial control, how do i connect all 4 to my machine with only ONE serial port on the mobo??

tia

I know there are serial devices that make one serial port act like several (I think Digiboard made one)....they allocate the memory space for multiple serials, just use one plug.....but I'd be afraid of conflicts.

Just to make it simple, I would use the COM1 and COM2 already on your motherboard, and then just get a very inexpensive add-on serial board.

Something like this...
http://www.pcaware.com/pd/701008.htm

Hope that helps.

Dave

[berfsicle]

Originally posted by manic_tool
I have a belkin USB->Serial adapter for my second Directv reciever that works fine. You will need to get three of these to make it work.

wow those things are expensive...definitely going with their refurbished units

thanks

edit: they're out of stock, at least for the refurbs

[berfsicle]

Originally posted by sixdoubleo
I know there are serial devices that make one serial port act like several (I think Digiboard made one)....they allocate the memory space for multiple serials, just use one plug.....but I'd be afraid of conflicts.

Just to make it simple, I would use the COM1 and COM2 already on your motherboard, and then just get a very inexpensive add-on serial board.

Something like this...
http://www.pcaware.com/pd/701008.htm

Hope that helps.

Dave

heck yea, that will work great

[berfsicle]

i noticed that site has 4-port cards as well...might as well invest in that for future expansion, instead of having to use another extra pci slot (5 just isnt enough anymore)...im sure im already going to have to use at least 1 usb tuner sometime in the future if i ever decide to use sound other than onboard

[sixdoubleo]

Originally posted by berfsicle
i noticed that site has 4-port cards as well...might as well invest in that for future expansion, instead of having to use another extra pci slot (5 just isnt enough anymore)...im sure im already going to have to use at least 1 usb tuner sometime in the future if i ever decide to use sound other than onboard

Yeah....$65 seems a little steep, though. Then again, there isnt much demand for that stuff anymore so it's probably considered a specialty item. Check Fry's before you buy online. They usually have oddball crap like that pretty cheap.

I can't believe I just recommended Fry's to somebody

[berfsicle]

Originally posted by sixdoubleo
I can't believe I just recommended Fry's to somebody

lol

i just checked newegg, they have the 2-port card for a decent price, also, they have serial -> usb adapters for like 13 bucks each, which also isnt bad (although shipping for 4 of em is like 16 bucks )