Controlling directv H10

[mikek]

I've read that you can control a Directv H10-100 via serial port, but I was wondering what happens when you switch to local channels.

Is it possible for the replaytv to tune to the OTA HD subchannels?

I don't want to put up that 5 LNB dish so I get my local HD channels over the air.

I currently have the replaytv tune to a sir-351 to record the digital channels on my replaytv.

[R8ders2K]

I've read that you can control a Directv H10-100 via serial port, but I was wondering what happens when you switch to local channels. First off, which Replay unit are you using? And I'm assuming that you're referring to the H10-250 (TiVo)?

IF you're able to control the H10 via serial port, assuming the use of Paterson Tech (http://www.patersontech.com)'s USB TV Translator, there probably shouldn't be any problem. But I'd have to refer you to Paterson Tech for that. Otherwise, if you've got a 50x0, use FlipFlop's Linux Boot CD (http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=17245&package_id=13712) and update your IR codes to support the H10 and use the IR blaster.

Be aware that when you move up to D*'s HD, there's only one issue to be aware of... With the D* H20/HR20, the local MPEG4 station is listed first in their channel guide.

Is it possible for the replaytv to tune to the OTA HD subchannels? As of now, NO. But a work-around is to set the receiver to tune the desired sub-channel. Then set your Replay to record the same show on the main channel, but one minute ahead. That way you'll get the Replay's guide info.

I don't want to put up that 5 LNB dish so I get my local HD channels over the air. That's up to you, but if you want to get OTA HD, you'll have to use a non-D* OTA HD receiver.

I currently have the replaytv tune to a sir-351 to record the digital channels on my replaytv. Well, I'm a little confused... :confused: I'm assuming that you want to record true HD, that's why you're inquiring about the H10, but why would you want to control it via the Replay?

If you're looking for more capacity, simply upgrade the H10's internal hard disk drive.

[mikek]

I have a 5000 series.

H10 is directv's first generation of their newer HD receivers. It is not a Tivo. It does not have a hard drive.

The H10-100 was manufactured by RCA for directv and its low-speed data port is active. All the other manufactures did not activate the low-speed data port. So only the H10-100 has serial control using serial APG.

You do not need the TV Translator to control the H10-100 (from what I read).

I want to record SD versions of the HD channels. My question was: what happens when the replaytv tunes to, for example, channel 5. Is there a way for the directv receiver to tune to channel 5-1?

I currently own a Directv H20 and you can get OTA HD channels with it. They are nicely listed in the guide, but you have to input the (-) to tune to the subchannel. If I just press, for example, 5, it will tune to channel 5 (not 5-1) even if I have channel 5 deleted from the directv guide.

I was hoping someone in this forum was using a H10-100 via serial port. I guess I'll experiment with it when I get one.

-mk

[dkgoalie]

I have a 5000 series.


I currently own a Directv H20 and you can get OTA HD channels with it. They are nicely listed in the guide, but you have to input the (-) to tune to the subchannel. If I just press, for example, 5, it will tune to channel 5 (not 5-1) even if I have channel 5 deleted from the directv guide.

I was hoping someone in this forum was using a H10-100 via serial port. I guess I'll experiment with it when I get one.

-mk


From: http://www.patersontech.com/Translator/FAQ.aspx

Testing the satellite receiver USB port
Using a PC with a serial port, you can verify your satellite receiver responds to commands on the USB port. This is done by downloading a shareware program, the DirecTV Serial Control Utility, DTVCon (consider making a donation if you download it). The USB TV Translator must be in the correct mode (Normal or H20). Follow these steps:

* Connect the video output of the DirecTV receiver directly to a TV or use the bypass mode of your DVR to view video that is not delayed by the DVR.
* Connect the USB cable from the USB TV Translator to the DirecTV receiver.
* Connect the serial connector on the USB TV Translator to the serial port on your PC. You can use a serial extension cable if necessary.
* On the system menu of DTVCon (the icon at the left end of the title bar), select "Settings...", then under Command Set select "D10-100".
* On the left side of DTVCon in the upper half you can enter a channel number and click "Set" to change channels. This is how your DVR selects channels. Selecting subchannels ("5-1") should also work if you have over-the-air digital TV reception.
* The various "remote-control key" buttons should all work, including selecting channels with the number buttons.

___________________________


If I am reading the FAQ correctly, it appears that you can change to the subchannels with the Replay. I may be incorrect.

I've not tried it... I just got my both of my H20-100s working with my Replays with the USB TV Translator Cable. ( works great BTW )


Good luck...

- dk

_

[antmarching]

Hi,

I've attached a serial cable to my replatv 5040 and run that through a serial to USB adapter so I could plug it into my USB port on my Directv H20-600. I have adjusted the ReplayTV setup so that I am changing channels using serial-apg but the H20 is not changing channels when I change them on the ReplayTV.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I am not using Paterson Tech's TV Translator because even they say that I don't need to for the 5000 series ReplayTVs.

Thanks for your help!
Dave

[mikek]

Set it to H20-600 mode. Follow the instructions on Paterson's website.

[dkgoalie]

I am not using Paterson Tech's TV Translator because even they say that I don't need to for the 5000 series ReplayTVs.

Thanks for your help!
Dave

I am curious, where do "they" indicate that? I was under the impression that the cable was required for the two to talk to each other. Perhaps I am incorrect.

_

[mikek]

Oops. I missed the not in antmarching post.

yes you need paterson's tv translator. It definitely NOT work without the TV translator.

-mk

[antmarching]

Thanks for your replies.....I interpreted the statement below to mean that if I am using a ReplayTV 5040, I would not need the TV Translator:

Do you have a ReplayTV that you're using with a late-model DirecTV receiver? If so, maybe you've tried to use the serial link as the means for the ReplayTV to set the channel. But it didn't work, so you're stuck using the IR Blaster.

Here's the problem: With the introduction of the Advanced Program Guide (APG) in DirecTV receivers, the command set used by the serial link has changed. The ReplayTV unit sends the old command, and it doesn't work.

If you have a ReplayTV 5000 series or later, the fix is built-in. See the ReplayTV knowledge base Document 42385 about the automatic software upgrade that allows your ReplayTV to control a receiver with APG. This article also has a list of older (pre-APG) DirecTV receivers that work with serial control directly.

But if you have an older ReplayTV, we can provide a solution. Our TV Translator plugs into the cable between the ReplayTV and the DirecTV receiver, and makes everything "just work".

-------------------------

I found that on their site here (http://www.patersontech.com/Translator/TransMain.aspx)

[dkgoalie]

Do you have a ReplayTV that you're using with a late-model DirecTV receiver? If so, maybe you've tried to use the serial link as the means for the ReplayTV to set the channel. But it didn't work, so you're stuck using the IR Blaster.




I have two DirecTV H20-100s and two Replays working just fine with one another using the Paterson USB TV Translator Cable. Connections are USB <-> Serial @ ~$40 per cable.

Good luck...

- dk

[mikek]

Thanks for your replies.....I interpreted the statement below to mean that if I am using a ReplayTV 5040, I would not need the TV Translator:

Do you have a ReplayTV that you're using with a late-model DirecTV receiver? If so, maybe you've tried to use the serial link as the means for the ReplayTV to set the channel. But it didn't work, so you're stuck using the IR Blaster.

Here's the problem: With the introduction of the Advanced Program Guide (APG) in DirecTV receivers, the command set used by the serial link has changed. The ReplayTV unit sends the old command, and it doesn't work.

If you have a ReplayTV 5000 series or later, the fix is built-in. See the ReplayTV knowledge base Document 42385 about the automatic software upgrade that allows your ReplayTV to control a receiver with APG. This article also has a list of older (pre-APG) DirecTV receivers that work with serial control directly.

But if you have an older ReplayTV, we can provide a solution. Our TV Translator plugs into the cable between the ReplayTV and the DirecTV receiver, and makes everything "just work".

-------------------------

I found that on their site here (http://www.patersontech.com/Translator/TransMain.aspx)

No, you need the tv translator. H20 needs the translator. do a search for the receivers that don't need one.
-mk

[mikek]

I think I was misinformed. It does not look like there ever was a directv H10-100. There was a D10-100 and a H20-100.

Anyway, the H20-100 looks to be the most promising directv HD receiver to be used with replaytv. When used with Paterson's USB TV Translator you can get the replaytv to tune any channel including subchannels via replaytv's serial port.

I just bought one and shipping was fast and programming was easy.

-mk

[tdubois]

I'm using the Paterson translator but having problems getting it to work consistenly. I think I have 2 different problems, 1
can I live with if I have to and the other is a showstopper.

I have installed the Paterson utility - I've updated the software and it
connects. My settings are
Normal Mode
Suppress Banner .2
USB reset checked
USB off time 1.00
USB on delay 0.8
When I plugged it in it had over 800 Resets - looks like H20-100 keeps having the USB reset

HiDef Director
Iniitally enable checked
698 698 Redirect off
699 699 Redirec on
2 2-1 none
4 4 - 1 none

It seems like the reciever just stops
listening to the USB. I can change the channel using the Replay 4 0r
5 times correctly by either entering the channel number of using the
channel UP button but after a couple of times the Sat Reciever just
won't respond to the replay. If I use the sat remote, it'll change
channels. I then reset the satellite reciever entirely and the Replay
can control it again 4 or 5 more times. I was changing channels
slowly too.

It didn't seem to matter whether it was cable channels (SciFi, CNN,
etc) or local channels delivered via satellite. So that's my
showstopper issue.

The other issue still has to do with the local channels. My Sat
Recieve lineup is something like
Channel
2 KRON
2 SF2
2-1
2-2
4 KNBC
4 SF4
4-1
etc

The "2 KRON" is HDTV
The "2 SF2" is Standard Def
"2-1" I do not recieve

I want to tune to SF2 - this is full size and louder. However, if I
enter "2" on my replay, I get the first channel 2 KRON,

I tried redirecting the local channels but that didn't work, so I went
to channel 698 (redirect off) and then say channel 2 - I'd get Channel
2 HD in shadow box format. I don't know how to get the replay to Tune
to the second channel 2 (it's not channel 2-1). On the recieve remote
- I go to channel 2 and then hit channel up and it goes to the second
channel 2, then 2-1, etc.
I can disable the HDTV in a custom guide on the sat reciever, which
works for channel UP and DOWN, but if I enter the channel number it
goes back to the HD channel.

Any suggestions?

[ozzieman]

I'm using the Paterson translator but having problems getting it to work consistenly. I think I have 2 different problems, 1
can I live with if I have to and the other is a showstopper.

I have installed the Paterson utility - I've updated the software and it
connects. My settings are
Normal Mode
Suppress Banner .2
USB reset checked
USB off time 1.00
USB on delay 0.8
When I plugged it in it had over 800 Resets - looks like H20-100 keeps having the USB reset

HiDef Director
Iniitally enable checked
698 698 Redirect off
699 699 Redirec on
2 2-1 none
4 4 - 1 none

It seems like the reciever just stops
listening to the USB. I can change the channel using the Replay 4 0r
5 times correctly by either entering the channel number of using the
channel UP button but after a couple of times the Sat Reciever just
won't respond to the replay. If I use the sat remote, it'll change
channels. I then reset the satellite reciever entirely and the Replay
can control it again 4 or 5 more times. I was changing channels
slowly too.

It didn't seem to matter whether it was cable channels (SciFi, CNN,
etc) or local channels delivered via satellite. So that's my
showstopper issue.


I did not see a response to this issue and after having no problems for several months I am now experiencing this issue. Has anyone experienced this and found a solution?

[tdubois]

I did get it to work - I took a Direct TV patch several months back, and that did the trick. Its been rock solid ever since.

I would think that that release would be part of the general release now - if not, you need to monitor these boards and download a patch during an active window announced by Direct TV.

[ozzieman]

I did get it to work - I took a Direct TV patch several months back, and that did the trick. Its been rock solid ever since.

I would think that that release would be part of the general release now - if not, you need to monitor these boards and download a patch during an active window announced by Direct TV.

Do you know what the software version is on your reciever?