The easiest thing to do would be use the favorite channel tool to create your channel macros and have it insert a small delay for good measure.

Use the "open User Channel" command for channel presets. Channel 282 in AMX speak would just be:

SEND_STRING dvDSS,"$FA,$A6,$01,$1A,$FF,$FF"

Why do you need to use the "open user channel" for presets? And do you need to use this before changing channels?

I am up and running for the HR20 thanks to some charitable offline help. I used an Elk serial to USB cable which indicates that it works with more than the three specified cables in the DirectV document.

The problem I am having is that the channel up and down and the directional buttons are sluggish. For instance when I hold one of the channel buttons only one channel will change. By doing this through IR a number of channels will begin to change. I played around with the ramp speed but was not successful. Was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction to hopefully fix this.

Thanks

Pete

The string I posted is a channel preset, with this command you only send the one command unlike what you guys are trying to do by sending all three channel numbers with pauses or waits in between each command.

So you can send this:
SEND_STRING dvDSS,"$FA,$A6,$01,$1A,$FF,$FF" (channel 282)


Or you can send this:
SEND_STRING dvDSS,"$FA,$A5,$00,$01,$E2" (#2)
WAIT 2
SEND_STRING dvDSS,"$FA,$A5,$00,$01,$E8" (#8)
WAIT 2
SEND_STRING dvDSS,"$FA,$A5,$00,$01,$E2" (#2)
WAIT 2
SEND_STRING dvDSS,"$FA,$A5,$00,$01,$A0" (Enter)


Which would you rather do?

,"$FA,$A5,$00,$01,$A0" (Enter)

Your way seems more reliable. I jsut didnt know you could do it that way

Could someone that is using the serial port for the HR20 let me know if they are experiencing what I described above. I want to know if it is a problem with my box or a normal situation wih the serial commection.

Thanks

I tried to use the 232 for an HR20 yesterday, but it wouldnt work. I had a Belkin adapter though and the mini to 232 cable wasnt a URC cable. So I dont know what the problem was. Also the model of the receiver was an HR20-100 instead of the HR20-700. Is there a difference in codes between models, or does Directuse the same 232 codes like they do IR codes?

Only one of the 3 USB adapters listed in the DirecTV doc will work, don't waste your time trying to use a Belkin. All the HR20- models work the same.

Do you know what the different numbers at the end of the model mean? Is it just an manufacturer code?

The HR20's are made by several different companies, the -100 or-700 number denotes that it is either Panasonic or RCA or whatever, the guts are the same however a couple of them have slightly different dimensions and cosmetics to the LEDS than the rest.

Just get this and be done with it:
[Link: newegg.com]

Ordered 4 of them tonight with next day shipping. Hopefully that is all my problem has been.

OK, an update. I ordered the IOgear and it works perfectly. Thanks for everyone's help on this. The time it will save on service calls for IR problems is going to be incredible.

Great news Fins. Can you let me know if you noticed what I described in post 22. It would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Pete

Actually, yes I did. When I first got it working the navigation and channel buttons were very sluggish. After the receiver did a software update (possibly correcting the baud rate) it was much better, but still had some slow reaction. You cant just tap tap tap. You have to do a slight pause between pushes. I would love to know if someone knows how to improve this.