You will need the GUC232A IOGEAR USB to serial adapter. When you plug the adapter into the Direct TV box you will more than likely need to press the red reboot button to get the adapter active. Do this as a matter of practice - I was trying to communicate with my first one for 1/2 an hour because it was advertised as hot swap - it needed the reboot to recognize the adapter. After that, it was perfect - the adapter was about $25.00 online.