I'm building up my screens and scripts while waiting for my TSU9600 to arrive.

Has anyone implemented serial control for the DirecTV receivers (HR20) and if so do you notice an appreciable difference in performance (lag) between using channel macros i.e. the SendUserCommand (0xA5) vs using the OpenUserChannel (0xA6) command?

The channel macro in PEP makes it dead easy to build out the macros but if it's going to perform like a dog, I'd just as soon spend the upfront time creating the channel strings.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Chad

I do not program the Pronto's anymore, but I do program a lot of RTI remotes and do RS-232 control of DirecTV boxes whenever I have a chance. Using the OpenUserChannel is really cool because it allows you to send just one string to change the channel. In my experience, the actual time it takes the DirecTV box to go to the channel is about the same, but the actual command is much faster so the remote/processor is not tied up sending 3 or 4 commands for the channel number.

How are you guys using serial for the older Directv boxes? USB? If so what products are you using for serial cable to USB? How reliable is it? Do all boxes with USB capability work? Sorry for the barage of questions, but I hate the way these things respond to RF to IR systems.

One uses a specified USB-Serial adapter that DirecTV recommends. I have always used the IOGear piece myself. I have used it on all models from the H20/HR20 up to the current ones with great success.

I'm using the Trendnet TU-S9 USB to Serial adapter(based on the prolific PL-2303 chip). I tested this using my windows 7 laptop controlling an HR20-100s receiver. I'll be testing it with a Pronto serial extender tomorrow. Make sure after you plug the dongle into the receiver you reset the receiver. (Power cycle would be better).

Google this document or search the forum "DIRECTV Set-Top Box Information for
the Installer v2.2" It has a model/adapter compatibility matrix.


If you want to test it out as I did you need two trendnet adapters and a null modem between them, then download a program called DirecTV control and give it a shot.

It looks like this Laptop -> TU-S9->Null Modem ->TU-S9->HR20

Cheers

The Trendnet adapter works like a champ. You need a gender changer and a null modem to connect it to the RFX9600 and off you go.

I don't see much difference using the OpenUserChannel command vs the UserInput command, so using the channel macro function in PEP2 makes it super easy to build out your favorite channel buttons.

Waaay faster than IR. Lovin it!

Is there a wiki page or anything like it on this subject? I would like to try it with a URC MSC400.