Scientific Atlantic 3200 USB for remote

[CMfly]

I noticed I can plug a keyboard into my Scientific Atlantic 3200 stb to change channels. I was wondering if there is a way to plug the usb port to my HTPC and somehow get sage to change the channels on the stb? Thus saving me purchasing an external IR device.

Thanks,
CMfly

[fastoy]

I agree. There's GOT to be a way for a SageTV plug-in to send channel changes to the ScientificAtlanta Explorer 2100 through the USB port.

It's not so much the expense as the improved dependability.

Has anyone tried this?

[Wheemer]

I use a USB-Uirt for controlling three Scientific Atlanta 3200, with 3 zone support. It never ever misses a beat. I have been running like this for over a month and it's perfect.

[judoGTI]

Wheemer, would you say its much faster than using a blaster?

[Wheemer]

The USB-Uirt is considered a blaster itself, so I'm unsure what you mean... I was able to reduce all the delays in the setup to the minimum of 1. The channel changes are very fast, I am completely satified with it.

I've also changed the setting: "videoframe/local_encoding_to_playback_delay=0" in the properties file. This has made a huge difference.

You can also set the channel padding to three, meaning the box with automatically change without needing to hit select. It sends 003 insetead of just 3... Then you also set the "confirm code" to select. This will result in the boxes OSD only showing up for the minimum amount of time. Basically is flashes on the screen for about 1 sec.

[byopvr]

I think the original posters are referring to the fact that their digital cable STB has a USB port, and gee wouldn't it be neat to be able to use that like a serial port to control the set top box instead of an IR blaster.

I wonder too, but have no idea. I also wonder what the use of the little "headphone jack" IR port I see on my SA digital cable box is good for...

*shrug*

rampy

[Outvit]

Originally Posted by byopvr

I think the original posters are referring to the fact that their digital cable STB has a USB port, and gee wouldn't it be neat to be able to use that like a serial port to control the set top box instead of an IR blaster.

That's exactly it. I myself have a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 2000 and two or three other models in my home from Cox Digital Cable and I'd love to have a guaranteed, digital means to change the channels through USB. That way, even though the delay is less than a second, I'll be able to flip through the channels much quicker when really just channel flipping. I've found that channel flipping up and down brings Sage to its knees. And that's not SageTV's fault. It's the fact the USB-UIRT is involved.

I bet you those DirecTV users who can use the Serial port thing get INSTANT changes.

Originally Posted by byopvr

I wonder too, but have no idea. I also wonder what the use of the little "headphone jack" IR port I see on my SA digital cable box is good for...

Those are for the Cox Digital Cable "VCR Commander" thing that lets the digital cable box control a common everyday house VCR. It works on the same premise as the USB-UIRT just considerably less advanced. They are being removed as far as I know in favor of the "DVR" upgrade Cox is pushing on its customers.