How to set up serial tuning on DirectTV+DVR.

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by freewheeling

Sold out. Still not clear why my setup isn't working. It works for a minute or two and then stops.

I think they have been sold out for quite a while. I definitely prefer the HD boxes and HTTP tuning. Just seems a waist to me to get a HD box and then record in SD so I used the cables I bought above (5 years ago maybe) and it worked on my SD boxes. I originally bought them for the HD boxes I've got but could never get them to work so I put them in storage. I was using USB-UIRT's to change channels which was actually quite reliable. It was only in the last 2-3 months when I uncovered them again and decided to try the SD boxes since I had the reliable and easy to use HTTP tuning for the HD boxes.

[Polypro]

I want to help you get this working. Exactly what hardware do you have, exactly what is listed under Ports (COM & LPT) in Device Manager, and what exactly did you pick for the tuner during set up?

I have a D12 SD Box. A Patterson and Syaba USB to Serial Adapter. Device Manager shows "Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COM4). The driver files ***for my Syaba USB To Serial Adapter*** in Install/Uninstall Programs is PL-2303 USB-to-Serial. My Sage.properties for the PVR500 shows:

mmc/encoders/1642691032/3/0/tuning_plugin=DirecTVSerialControl
mmc/encoders/1642691032/3/0/tuning_plugin_port=4

DirecTV Serial Changing Mode is: Fast

I can't find my exact model, as it's a few years old, but you can try these...I'd get 2 or 3, you can get bad ones:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

http://www.amazon.com/Syba-SY-ADA150...+usb+to+serial

With no Patterson, you need a 'Null Modem' adapter:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Prolific's Page:

http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowPr...id=225&pcid=41

P

[freewheeling]

Originally Posted by Polypro

I want to help you get this working. Exactly what hardware do you have, exactly what is listed under Ports (COM & LPT) in Device Manager, and what exactly did you pick for the tuner during set up?

I have a D12 SD Box. A Patterson and Syaba USB to Serial Adapter. Device Manager shows "Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COM4). The driver files ***for my Syaba USB To Serial Adapter*** in Install/Uninstall Programs is PL-2303 USB-to-Serial. My Sage.properties for the PVR500 shows:

mmc/encoders/1642691032/3/0/tuning_plugin=DirecTVSerialControl
mmc/encoders/1642691032/3/0/tuning_plugin_port=4

DirecTV Serial Changing Mode is: Fast

I can't find my exact model, as it's a few years old, but you can try these...I'd get 2 or 3, you can get bad ones:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

http://www.amazon.com/Syba-SY-ADA150...+usb+to+serial

With no Patterson, you need a 'Null Modem' adapter:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Prolific's Page:

http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowPr...id=225&pcid=41

P

I bought two of the USB to Serial adapters and a null modem and connected them up and got the latest prolific drivers. I still have never been able to get this to work. My device manager says "this device is working properly" and the Tuner Control for the Channel on my source setup says: "C:\Program Files (x86)SageTV\Common\DirectTVSserialControl COM7 DirectTVDVR"

That's the correct com port. The hardware divice manager also gives the port settings for the Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COM7) Properties as Bits per second: 9600
Data bits: 8
Parity: none
Stop bits: 1
Flow control: None
Receiver Buffer and Transmittal Buffer are both set to high.
Driver Version: 3.4.36.247
Driver Date: 7/26/2012

Basically the tuner doesn't do anything, or at least it doesn't communicate with the device in a way it understands.

Can't use my USBUIRT now, so am stuck with using this method. Also tried rebooting the DirectTV box.

[RedR]

I spose the first thing to do is make sure this STB is working... Try using the remote that came with it to change channels and all.

As well you didnt answer all Polypro questions...

Originally Posted by Polypro

Exactly what hardware do you have, exactly what is listed under Ports (COM & LPT) in Device Manager, and what exactly did you pick for the tuner during set up?

Another question I have is what model of DTV STB do you have? I spose it is possible that your STBs USB port is not active?

Also, this is ver 2.1 although as I gather, the USB cable info is unchanged in DTV boxes... http://www.sbcatest.com/DTV-MD-0058-...llers-V2.1.pdf

I do find it odd that your comm port is 7. Mine is 1, being the first port setup in my Win7 install. I assume you've got other things installed that act as a comm port..

Also, assuming this applies, try http://dtvcontrol.com/ for as I recall setting mine up, I used this to test my setup (connection from the PC to the DTV box) before diving into SageTV setup. If this does not work, then the problem is either a driver issue, or connection/cable issue.

The properties are all the same as mine (8 N 1 No flow) tho the driver version and dates are different (mine is provided by Microsoft) Ver 6.1.7600.16385 Date 6/21/2006 (not that I think it matters).

I have an OLD D12 SD Directv box, has worked using the USB port -> Serial -> Null modem cable fine for years. I did a bit of digging and found the tech manual for my D12 and went with one of the cables listed in the manual to be sure it'd work.
Recently I upgraded one of my STB to HD (Model: H24-200). The installer said the USB port is active there and should work in my setup as well. This is news to me and I've yet to test it.

[freewheeling]

Originally Posted by RedR

I spose the first thing to do is make sure this STB is working... Try using the remote that came with it to change channels and all.

As well you didnt answer all Polypro questions...

Another question I have is what model of DTV STB do you have? I spose it is possible that your STBs USB port is not active?

Also, this is ver 2.1 although as I gather, the USB cable info is unchanged in DTV boxes... http://www.sbcatest.com/DTV-MD-0058-...llers-V2.1.pdf

I do find it odd that your comm port is 7. Mine is 1, being the first port setup in my Win7 install. I assume you've got other things installed that act as a comm port..

Also, assuming this applies, try http://dtvcontrol.com/ for as I recall setting mine up, I used this to test my setup (connection from the PC to the DTV box) before diving into SageTV setup. If this does not work, then the problem is either a driver issue, or connection/cable issue.

The properties are all the same as mine (8 N 1 No flow) tho the driver version and dates are different (mine is provided by Microsoft) Ver 6.1.7600.16385 Date 6/21/2006 (not that I think it matters).

I have an OLD D12 SD Directv box, has worked using the USB port -> Serial -> Null modem cable fine for years. I did a bit of digging and found the tech manual for my D12 and went with one of the cables listed in the manual to be sure it'd work.
Recently I upgraded one of my STB to HD (Model: H24-200). The installer said the USB port is active there and should work in my setup as well. This is news to me and I've yet to test it.

I got two of these:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

and one of these
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

I chose the DirectTV Serial Controller on Com 7. Com 1 is used for something else, as are com 3 thru 6. Com 2 is free but if I attempt to change the com port in the device manager I get a messsage that something is already using the device on com 7 and changing it may cause problems. Will try to change to com 2 and reboot. See if that helps, but I doubt it.

[freewheeling]

Originally Posted by freewheeling

I got two of these:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

and one of these
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

I chose the DirectTV Serial Controller on Com 7. Com 1 is used for something else, as are com 3 thru 6. Com 2 is free but if I attempt to change the com port in the device manager I get a messsage that something is already using the device on com 7 and changing it may cause problems. Will try to change to com 2 and reboot. See if that helps, but I doubt it.

Doesn't work on COM2 any better than it worked on COM7. Note the path listed for tuner control. Is that usually a file in the "Common" subdirectory of the SageTV program directory? I checked and there is no such subdirectory or file by that name in that location, so WTH? Nothing called "DirecTVSerialControl COM2 DirectTVDVR". So is it in the "virtual store" or something?

[wikel]

IP tuning all the way. I've never had a tuning issue unless:

a) the HD-PVR is had the "Unknown USB" problem in Windows. Easily fixed with hard restart of the HD-PVR and looking into a USB commanded power strip to handle it on a schedule. I reboot my server nightly as well.

b) the DTV receiver has locked up.

c) the DTV download reset my receiver to default config and I was using static IP assignments and not static DHCP lease based upon MAC address of the receiver.

Outside of the above, which serial tuning would not resolve other than c), I have has zero tuning issues over IP. It rocks... plain and simple! I purchased a serial tuning device that I never used and I'm glad I didn't

[freewheeling]

Been poking around a bit, and there's a file called "DirecTVSerialControl.dll" but it's in the SageTV subdirectory of the SageTV directory in Program Files, and there is no such file in the "Common" subdirectory of SageTV. The tuner control in the video source setup clearly says that it should be in the "common" subdirectory.

[wbarber69]

Yes it belongs in the common folder. If I were you I'd go for the newer had boxes and just us ip tuning. I use it on my 3 hd boxes and my dvr. Never had a channel change issue and my hdpvrs never give me any trouble.

[BgZmnN]

Sorry folks, I'm a newby and I just have to ask this. I have a DirecTV D12-300with a USB port. I have a USB to serial convertor (Tripp-Lite U209-000-R)and I plan on using my DB-9 Serial port (I have a null modem cable ready) on the back of my computer to communicate to the STB. My BIG question is how is the USB serial convertor seen by the computer from the serial port? Even if I load my drivers for this convertor up, my system detrmines that the best driver was already loaded for the serial port. Doesn't this convertor normally get it's power from the USB port, not the serial port? I have been reading all of the posts, with different folks doing it this way and getting it to work, but I cannot for the life of me get this thing going. I gave up on the USB UIRT with an IR to my STB method. The idea of using the STB's USB port seemed like the way to go. Any help (step by step) with this method would be GREATLY appreciated. I just bought a new flat panel and have been using Sage for a long time. My wife is going bonkers with me pulling this thing apart all the time in a SAD attempt to get Sage to control the channel changing to enable automated recording of shows on our DirecTV STB. PLEASE HELP!!

[wbarber69]

Originally Posted by BgZmnN

Sorry folks, I'm a newby and I just have to ask this. I have a DirecTV D12-300with a USB port. I have a USB to serial convertor (Tripp-Lite U209-000-R)and I plan on using my DB-9 Serial port (I have a null modem cable ready) on the back of my computer to communicate to the STB. My BIG question is how is the USB serial convertor seen by the computer from the serial port? Even if I load my drivers for this convertor up, my system detrmines that the best driver was already loaded for the serial port. Doesn't this convertor normally get it's power from the USB port, not the serial port? I have been reading all of the posts, with different folks doing it this way and getting it to work, but I cannot for the life of me get this thing going. I gave up on the USB UIRT with an IR to my STB method. The idea of using the STB's USB port seemed like the way to go. Any help (step by step) with this method would be GREATLY appreciated. I just bought a new flat panel and have been using Sage for a long time. My wife is going bonkers with me pulling this thing apart all the time in a SAD attempt to get Sage to control the channel changing to enable automated recording of shows on our DirecTV STB. PLEASE HELP!!

Try this first.

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53462

[BgZmnN]

Originally Posted by wbarber69

Try this first.

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53462

Hi wbaber69. Let me clarify on my Direc STB. It is a D12-100 not a 300 as I stated in my previous message. Also, the suggestions you made are with respect to "Change channels on DirecTV STB via ethernet". I'm currently trying to do the serial/USB method. Is this suggested method do-able with the d12-100? Thanks in advance!!

[wbarber69]

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...47&postcount=4

[BgZmnN]

Originally Posted by wbarber69

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...47&postcount=4

Thanks wbarber69, I appreciate the information. I ordered two of the USB/Serial cables with the Prolific chipset as well as the small footprint null modem connectors. I will give it a shot this weekend.

[BgZmnN]

Originally Posted by BgZmnN

Thanks wbarber69, I appreciate the information. I ordered two of the USB/Serial cables with the Prolific chipset as well as the small footprint null modem connectors. I will give it a shot this weekend.

GOT IT WORKING It's a smidge slower then I'd like to see, but it works!!
Thanks wbarber69