We have a job coming up and hope to control the sat. boxes via rs232. I have been trying to test out control on a HR21-700 (which will be in the job), but with no success. I have been hooking into the usb port on the back of the receiver with a GUC232A USB to Serial Adapter and a null modem cable. I have been trying to send a command to get the guide to pop up. I use FA A5 00 01 D3. Everytime I send the command i get the response FB (actually get FB for every character I entered into the string) which I believe means "wrong prefix". However I though FA was the correct prefix to use in front of every string. It doesn't matter what string I send i always get the same response.

If anyone has been successful in controlling the HR21-700 via rs232 or has any reasons why it may not be working for me i would appreciate the help. Thanks

Josh

What are you going to use to control the receiver? RTI, URC, or something else?

I am going to use an RTI system with the XP-8

Your command is correct. The only thing I can think of is just make sure you're sending hex and not ascii.

And or maybe you do not need the null modem. That assumes a crossover and one may not be necessary.

Dave

Using a PC I need a straight though cable, not null-modem. That may be your problem.

URC doesn't require a null either....

rti definately requires a null, what are you testing it with

In my understanding an IOgear adapter is one of the few that works with the 700 unit.

According to Directv it is the only tested adapter

Thanks for all the replys. I got it to work today. I just wasn't thinking and was sending the strings in Ascii. As soon as I sent them in hex it worked fine. Thanks again.

The model HR21-700 is not capable of using RS232 commands, they have not updated the firmware on the box to allow commands. I have tried i on several occasions and was unsuccessful those times. Hopefully it is something that they do fix this problem eventually. Happy hunting!

And yet the post immediately before yours....

Damn. Do you even read these threads?


Most people have been using the 232 library in ID. The 232 strings for the HR-XX boxes are not entered in hex in the library for whatever reason.

-Chris

How about ethernet control? Is anyone using IP commands from a crestron or amx system?

I'm confused. It sounds like the HR21-700 is not capable of using RS232 via USB but joshc said it worked. What's the real deal? I'm sick of messing with the IR flasher and my HR21 box.