I think I remember reading a long time ago about using the data or serial ports on the back of some satellite boxes for infrared control. I have searched this forum and only seen a few posts about using a computer to control the box through this port. Has anyone heard of simply connecting an IR repeater system into this port. The Sony stand alone Tivo used to come with a wire which connected to it's IR output - I think - and then to the serial port on the receiver for control. Emitters on the front will work but just looking for a different way. Thanks for anyones help in advance. I have also posted this in the satellite forum. Sorry for the double post. Wasn't sure which forum was correct.

Jon

Those ports are for Serial control, not IR..... TIVO has the ability to control those boxes via Serial control rather than IR which is much more stable and reliable. Your stuck with an emmitter on th front unless you a: Take the unit apart and put the emitter inside, or B: switch to a remote that as RS-232 control capability.

Thanks for the reply. Thats what I figured but I figured it was worth a shot.

Jon

There a product called PREMISE which can send Serial commands to devices through an IP Addressable device from Lantronix called UDS.

Basically you have a PC on the network with Premise installed. You build a model of the property and its devices, with the relvant controls and commands.

Then the Premise software builds a dynamic Web Page of the Property and devices.

You can then operate any device (eg. send a seriak coomand) through a web browser.

Have a look at the Xantech 794 and 797 modules - they do IR to serial for various equipment (also make an IR to RS232 box as well)

Actually, the 794 and 797 do IR to Weird IR input Plug/protocal conversion... Not RS232...

The IRS232 module would certainly work....

But I think the original point of his post was to find a way to eliminate the IR emmiter on the from of the box.... Not to spend hundreds (Or even Thousand with Stephens plan)on new boxes....

Thanks again for all of the ideas. I was hoping to simply eliminate the emitter on the front of the sony satellite boxes. We sometimes have problems with emitters attached directly on the front of the box. It seems you have to mount them farther away from the box to get them to work consistently. This only happens sometimes though.

Jon