I didn't get very far with this post on one of the site's other forums. Maybe the readers of this board can help?

I have a Motorola cable box that feeds into my PCs TV tuner card. The cable box has an RS232 port on the back. I have no idea about the workings of a cable box, but am PC programmer by trade. What I would like to do is write a PC app to control my cable box (channel, volume, etc) via the serial port. Is it possible? Where can I find information pertaining to serial input for this device? The following is on the bottom of my cable box: DCT2224/1161/ABCDEG

I don't work for a company that installs or sells AV equipment, so I haven't had any luck with Motorola's web site. All of their "good stuff" is apparently password protected.

Thanks for your help,
Ben

That model was actually created by General Instruments and Motorola picked it up when they acquired GI. You may be more successful searching for GI spec sheets. One factor contributing to the lack of info, I suspect, is that cable companies don't want folks mucking around with the digital cable boxes and programming them to pirate pay channels.

I spent alot of time with Motorola concerning this subject exactly. Motorola does not support 3rd party developers mucking around with this port. I even accidentally picked up some internal technical terms and pretended to be an authorized field tech, but did not get anywhere. I was never able to get any feedback from the port and any random commands offered no response. I think that port exists only for specific in-house PC interface and command and control might not even be possible. Please let me know if you do get anywhere. I also have a feeling that the pinout is not standard, so first thing to check is to see if you can get RTS/CTS DTR/DCE voltages from any of the pins.

-Tom Visser

Somebody at Tivo knows the answer, their boxes can control Motorola/GI digi boxes via RS232.

jcmitch

Just an idea.Take a TIVO, hook it to a computer. Set it up to control the cable box. Run hyper term. press keys like channel up and see what comes in. There is you code. Tivo only uses three pins. So in a DB9, pin 2,3, and 5. Just a guess.

Dave


This message was edited by DavidatAVX on 08/10/02 10:51.29.