[plugin] DirecTV D11 Serial Codes

[SSDNAdmin]

Author: wscheid (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/private.php?do=newpm&u=18901)

Short Description: Remote codes for the DirectTV D11 box for BeyondTV 4
Long Description: After reading through various solutions on how to configure the DirectTV D11 Model 500 box, I stumbed across away to have the existing Beyond TV 4.4 Serial support talk with the box.
Version Number: 1
Status: working
Last Updated: 10/18/2006
Homepage:
Installation Instructions:

1. Save the provided file in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\SnapStream\Beyond TV\tuner\Serial_Codes\. Windows Explore may be hidding the folder because it is considered a "System" folder. Consult the operation system documentation on how to show hidden system files and folders.

2. Shutdown Beyond TV services.

3. Using the Beyond TV Setup Wizard configure the source as you would normally. When you get to the satellite box configuration, select the DirecTV D11 Model 500 from the drop down box. When you get to the test panel, the reciever should change to channel

4. Pressing the channel up and down button should change the channels.

Release Notes: The above works for me with a NULL modem cable and a IOGEAR GUC232A connected to the serial port of the computer. According to the DirecTV installation guide the above should work with any model of the D11 set top box with a USB port. However, it was only tested with a Model 500. Waiting for another IOGEAR cable to test a USB connection. This would be connecting a NULL modem cable between two IOGEAR USB to Serial adapters. I can post once the cable arrives.

Requirements: BeyondTV 4

Download DirecTV D11 Model 500.rmt (http://www.snapstream.com/ssdn/submissions/wscheid/DirecTV%20D11%20Model%20500.rmt)

[iblob]

Hello, I am about to try your solution here. My question is will I be able to use BTV the same way I did for when i had cable (i.e. recording shows, using BTV guide, show squeeze, etc.)?

EDIT: Also is the null modem cable really needed?

[wscheid]

Yes, you will be able to continue to use Beyond TV in the same manor as your cable. All the serial updates does is aloow DriecTV serial driver to change the channel on the reciever.

[iblob]

Okay I just got the cables and got it all plugged in but BTV is still not controlling the receivers channels.

Now I didnt use the IOGEAR brand but another off brand USB to serial adapter. Is this the problem?

[iblob]

anyone else have any ideas?

[grandpaken]

:loved:Okay I just got the cables and got it all plugged in but BTV is still not controlling the receivers channels.

Now I didnt use the IOGEAR brand but another off brand USB to serial adapter. Is this the problem?

Are you using a null modem cable or adapter? I only used the IOGear adapter but I don't see why other brands wouldn't work. Did you turn off the receiver or reboot it after you plugged in the USB cable? Did you setup the tuner to use the D11 plugin in web admin?

[iblob]

I am using a USB to Serial Adapter, and a cable that allows me to plug the serial part of the USB adapter to my serial port on my computer (i guess that would be the null model cable?)

I did reboot the reciever.

I did setup the tuner to use the D11 plugin.

[grandpaken]

I am using a USB to Serial Adapter, and a cable that allows me to plug the serial part of the USB adapter to my serial port on my computer (i guess that would be the null model cable?)

I did reboot the reciever.

I did setup the tuner to use the D11 plugin.

The cable used to connect your computer's serial port to the USB adapter needs to either be a "Null Modem Cable" or you need to use a null modem adapter. If you use a standard 9 pin serial cable it will not work. A null modem cable has 2 of the wires switched.

[wscheid]

According to the DirecTV installer guide (http://www.sbcatest.com/installers_help_d10.pdf), they only support three USB to serial cables:

IOGEAR GUC232A
ATEN UC-232A
BAFO BF-810


Searching the web, I was able to find was the IOGEAR. I tried using a GWR USB to serial cable and it did not work with either my D11 (IOGEAR from the STB -> Null Modem -> GWR -> computer) or D10 ( Snapstream serial cable -> GWR -> computer) set top box. You can get the IOGEAR cable from Newegg.com for $25. The null modem serial cable is also important, however, it can be any brand. Try using the IOGEAR USB to serial cable.

[LandShark]

wait, so what do I need in order to connect the D11 to the compuer w/out using the usb irblaster??? just the iogear cable right??

[grandpaken]

wait, so what do I need in order to connect the D11 to the compuer w/out using the usb irblaster??? just the iogear cable right??

You plug a 9 pin null modem cable into your computer's serial port then the IOGear Serial>Usb adapter plugs into the USB of the D* box. You do not need to load the USB>serial adapter driver on the computer....just setup the BTV serial tuner to use the D11 module. I'm using it with the H20 which just happens to accept the same serial control codes.

[LandShark]

You plug a 9 pin null modem cable into your computer's serial port then the IOGear Serial>Usb adapter plugs into the USB of the D* box. You do not need to load the USB>serial adapter driver on the computer....just setup the BTV serial tuner to use the D11 module. I'm using it with the H20 which just happens to accept the same serial control codes.

any idea where (or link) I can get those please??? I just couldn't get the usbirblaster to work on my D11 at all.... many tks!!!

[grandpaken]

any idea where (or link) I can get those please??? I just couldn't get the usbirblaster to work on my D11 at all.... many tks!!!




IOGear USB>Serial Adapter $25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812107906
9 Pin Null Modem cable M>M $3.99
http://www.cablesforless.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=428

[iblob]

Sorry for the delay in a response, but thought I should mention that this setup has worked for me. I got the (correct lol) null modem cable off of ebay for $5 and the usb to serial cord for $20 from a local computer store. Both cords diddnt have a brand name on them at all. So looking like brand doesnt matter.

[grandpaken]

Sorry for the delay in a response, but thought I should mention that this setup has worked for me. I got the (correct lol) null modem cable off of ebay for $5 and the usb to serial cord for $20 from a local computer store. Both cords diddnt have a brand name on them at all. So looking like brand doesnt matter.

Great... It's not a matter of brand but more of the fact that there are 30 or so brands and they only listed 3 that they said work. No mention of "These brands don't work" so it's more than likely that a certain adapter will work than not. What's not clear yet is whether a system without a serial port can
use 2 USB >serial adapters with a null modem between them.

[doctah]

just wanted to give another account that the "cables unlimited" (bought it from Fry's) didn't work - but the IOGear (bought from Micro Center) does work.

[tremor_tj]

The QVS serial/usb converter works like a champ. I got it at Microcenter since they were out of the iogear brand. This is SO much nicer than IR-blasters.

[G7n167]

Hi,

I'm the proud owner of a D11-300. I've got the cables (all purchased from Radio Shack) and have had no luck getting my computer/Beyond TV 4.XX to talk with the D11. I've configured as instructed in the beginning of the thread. I guess the simplest question is, how do I determine the "port #" the serial cable is pugged into? I've looked in Control Panel-->System in Windows XP with no luck. I know enough about Windows to be dangerous. My other solution is to get the IOGEAR cable, but have a hard time believing my problem is the Radio Shack cable.

Any help?

Thanks,

Rich

[grandpaken]

Hi,

I'm the proud owner of a D11-300. I've got the cables (all purchased from Radio Shack) and have had no luck getting my computer/Beyond TV 4.XX to talk with the D11. I've configured as instructed in the beginning of the thread. I guess the simplest question is, how do I determine the "port #" the serial cable is pugged into? I've looked in Control Panel-->System in Windows XP with no luck.

Any help?

Thanks,

Rich

Why not tell us exactly what you're using and how they're hooked up? You need to have a USB>serial adapter that get's plugged into the back of the D11 and a null modem cable or adapter plugged into the serial port of your computer. You should only have 2 comm ports on the back of your computer which should be Com1 and Com2.

[G7n167]

Thanks for the reply.

I've got a USB to Serial Adapter plugged into the D11, null modem adapter which is plugged into the 1 of the 2 serial ports on my computer. I guess what confused me about the port situation is Beyond TV allows you to select port numbers 1 thru 25. I've rebooted the computer after running the wizard, which didn't help. I've read about "rebooting" the D11, does that involve unplugging the power cord, or simply turning the D11 off, then on?

Thanks,

Rich

[grandpaken]

Thanks for the reply.

I've got a USB to Serial Adapter plugged into the D11, null modem adapter which is plugged into the 1 of the 2 serial ports on my computer. I guess what confused me about the port situation is Beyond TV allows you to select port numbers 1 thru 25. I've rebooted the computer after running the wizard, which didn't help. I've read about "rebooting" the D11, does that involve unplugging the power cord, or simply turning the D11 off, then on?

Thanks,

Rich

I unplugged the D* receiver, plugged in the USB cable then plugged it back in. Although a majority of the USB>Serial adapters will work there are a minority that will not. I haven't tried the Ratshack model so I can't vouch for it. Unless you have a weird setup your comm ports should be 1 or 2. You can look in device manager to see what they're set up as. Snapstream put 1-25 in because someone could have a custom setup using virtual comm ports which can be set to any number up to 256. At one time I had a computer with 8 comm ports using a device called a Digiboard but not too many people use that many comm ports nowadays.

[G7n167]

Problem sovled!!

Purchased IOGEAR cable and everything works well. :banana:

Rat Shack Serial to USB cable WILL NOT WORK!!!

Thanks,

Rich

[grandpaken]

Problem sovled!!

Purchased IOGEAR cable and everything works well. :banana:

Rat Shack Serial to USB cable WILL NOT WORK!!!

Thanks,

Rich

Great....Too bad we don't have a place to keep a record of which adapters work and more importantly which ones don't. I am using a Radio Shack null modem cable along with a USB>Serial adapter which works but I don't think brand matters much on the null modem since it's just a cable with 2 lines switched. I'm not sure if SS is distributing the D11 remote with
4.5 but I think we've tested enough to know it works and it's stable.

[canekid]

I thought I would chime in...

Fry's has the IOGear...

I had to do a complete power down, unplug the STB for 10 seconds and then when I plugged power back in, the STB recognized and accepted the codes from my computer.

This was on an H20-100, but I don't see why it would be any different. You just may have to go that far to get it to work.

Now as far as USB - Serial bridges. Sure the docs say IOGear, but if you look at the specs, there's not much different between different models of the USB - Serial bridge. If the bridge says it's compatible with MAC OS 8.5+ then it should work with the D11/H20. Why? Because Mac OS 8.5+ to OS X has a generic driver that identifies the USB - Serial briges as the same model. If adaptor supplies their own version of a driver for MAC, then it could be proprietary.

IOGear does not provide a driver for the MAC and the box says it's compatible with Mac OS 8.5 or greater. There must be an industry standard spec for bridges, kinda like VISA for VGA.

[ZetaVu]

Ok, silly question, but what is stopping us from taking a USB cable and and slicing off the end, then wiring it correctly into a 9 pin serial connector for the computer? That was how I wired up my current connector for the low speed data port. Unfortunately, as that stb gets old I figure I'll be getting a d11 soon and thought I'd look into the wiring.

So, is there something magical about usb cables that stops us from slicing them into a serial cable? Does the adaptor have some resistors in it or does it merely cross wires correctly? Theoretically you could take a USB cable and any serial cable, slice them in half and correctly wire your cable if we kne the wiring scheme (which an owner of the correct two cable could determine with a potentiameter and 5 minutes)

From what I've read, USB cables have 5 wires, red is vbus (power) white or orange is D-, yellow or green is D+, Black is ground, then a shield wire.

Getting to the next point, why not use the USB on the computer to connect to the USB on the D11? Just get a USB A to A male to male cable and then program a BTV plugin specifically for that. http://www.casecooler.com/3ftusb20toma.html

[grandpaken]

Ok, silly question, but what is stopping us from taking a USB cable and and slicing off the end, then wiring it correctly into a 9 pin serial connector for the computer? That was how I wired up my current connector for the low speed data port. Unfortunately, as that stb gets old I figure I'll be getting a d11 soon and thought I'd look into the wiring.

So, is there something magical about usb cables that stops us from slicing them into a serial cable? Does the adaptor have some resistors in it or does it merely cross wires correctly? Theoretically you could take a USB cable and any serial cable, slice them in half and correctly wire your cable if we kne the wiring scheme (which an owner of the correct two cable could determine with a potentiameter and 5 minutes)

From what I've read, USB cables have 5 wires, red is vbus (power) white or orange is D-, yellow or green is D+, Black is ground, then a shield wire.

Getting to the next point, why not use the USB on the computer to connect to the USB on the D11? Just get a USB A to A male to male cable and then program a BTV plugin specifically for that. http://www.casecooler.com/3ftusb20toma.html

I think the D11 uses a special USB circuit that communicates via serial such as:

"FT8U232AM and FT8U245AM which takes the hassle out of USB. One provides a asychronous serial interface, while the other provides a byte wide FIFO with little need to worry about the underlying USB protocols and USB device drivers."

This would require that the serial protocal is used but just transmitted over the USB cables. I'm a programmer and not a chip expert so perhaps someone else with electronics knowledge can chirp in here.

[ZetaVu]

That's the trick, is it wiring or is it intelligent communication? I see it as signals transmitted over wires, and as long as the correct wire is connected then the signal goes through. Since we can send the correct signal through the serial connector using a null modem and serial to usb, then A, can we wire a cable with serial on one end and usb on the other, and B, can we write a plugin to use the usb on the computer and just use a male to male usb cable?

Now, if we slice open the serial to usb cable and find it has more than just wires going from one end to another, life becomes a little more complicated. (I suppose testing continuity between points would be less messy. If someone with that cable were to do that and post the connection diagram, I'd be willing to slice up a few cables and test it out.)

[JacobHaley]

I can confirm that this plugin along with a Dynex USB to serial converter from Best Buy and null modem cable works with my new H20 receiver. Thanks!

[trogers401]

I currently have the cables for the D10 and had to buy a Serial to USB adapter as my pc does not have a serial port. If I follow instructions to use the USB on the HD receiver by getting the USB to Serial adapter and null modem cable, would I then plug the null modem cable into the existing Serial to USB on my pc? Man, it would be nice if I could just use a USB cable to connect the two, but see above that it would not work. Any thoughts?

[grandpaken]

I currently have the cables for the D10 and had to buy a Serial to USB adapter as my pc does not have a serial port. If I follow instructions to use the USB on the HD receiver by getting the USB to Serial adapter and null modem cable, would I then plug the null modem cable into the existing Serial to USB on my pc? Man, it would be nice if I could just use a USB cable to connect the two, but see above that it would not work. Any thoughts?


I don't know of anyone who's tried it...at least not where it worked. You would need 2 adapters...a USB>Serial adapter on your computer and another USB>Serial adapter on the STB with a null modem between them. You most likely will need to load a driver for the adapter on your PC. Let us know if you get it to work.

[tackett]

I currently have the cables for the D10 and had to buy a Serial to USB adapter as my pc does not have a serial port. If I follow instructions to use the USB on the HD receiver by getting the USB to Serial adapter and null modem cable, would I then plug the null modem cable into the existing Serial to USB on my pc? Man, it would be nice if I could just use a USB cable to connect the two, but see above that it would not work. Any thoughts?

That's exactly the same boat I'm in. I have no serial port on my PC, so I need some sort of USB/Serial adapter at both ends.

Makes me wonder if there's software that can emulate a serial connection over USB.

[tackett]

Author: wscheid (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/private.php?do=newpm&u=18901)

<great, helpful info snipped>

Release Notes: The above works for me with a NULL modem cable and a IOGEAR GUC232A connected to the serial port of the computer. According to the DirecTV installation guide the above should work with any model of the D11 set top box with a USB port. However, it was only tested with a Model 500. Waiting for another IOGEAR cable to test a USB connection. This would be connecting a NULL modem cable between two IOGEAR USB to Serial adapters. I can post once the cable arrives.

Thanks so much for figuring out how to work with this receiver.
I'm close, but not quite there. Hopefully, somebody here can help.

I have a PC with no serial ports, so I got two USB - Serial adapters, plus a null modem cable. I shopped locally (it's Christmas eve, and there's no way to get anything via mailorder for a few more days), and all I could find was Belkin clables.

When I plug in the Belkin USB - Serial adapter, Windows asks for a driver. There's no driver in the package, and Belkin doesn't list one on their website. The adapter doesn't seem to work without a driver, and Belkin's tech support is closed for the next few days.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Tackett

[some_wolfey]

On the 17th, all three of my D11 M500's received a code update to 0x1040... since then I have not been able to change channels via serial. I found This (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22172), which says to set the baud to 9600, so i made a new rmt file with the new settings and tried it, but no joy. Any ideas? :mad:

[turbe]

On the 17th, all three of my D11 M500's received a code update to 0x1040... since then I have not been able to change channels via serial. I found This (http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22172), which says to set the baud to 9600, so i made a new rmt file with the new settings and tried it, but no joy. Any ideas? :mad:

Has anyone got this working at 9600 baud if their D11 was upgraded to the 1040 version?

It should, since they got it working (following this link above).....

[iblob]

Well changing the baud rate to 9600 worked for me. I just opened the file (this plugin told us to save in step 1) in notepad and changed the baudrate from whatever it was to 9600 and saved then opened BTV and it worked.

Make sure you shut down all btv services (ctrl+alt+del then go to processes tab and make sure all btv ones are gone) before doing this. Also try replugging in the usb cord into the directv reciever.

[kklarson]

I purchased a null modem cable and USB-to-serial adapter to use with my new H20. I was disappointed that it didn't work with DTVControl (www.dtvcontrol.com (http://www.dtvcontrol.com)). I only receive a Timeout to every command. So I didn't think that this plugin had any chance of working, but I installed it anyway. Voila! It works like a charm. No problems at all. My serial port was left at the default of 115200.

Still, I would like to be able to use the other options found in DTVControl that aren't available through BTV. I'm using the D10-200 command set. I don't see any option for adjusting the baud rate in that application, so I assume it uses the COM port setting. Does anyone have any ideas why this plugin works but DTVControl does not?

[pferlito]

I also got this script to work with my setup

- DTV H2-500
- 2 IOGEAR GUC232A cables. (I have no serial port)
- 1 generic null serial cable DB9F/DB9F

I had to enable Hardware Flow Control on the COM port. Don't
know if that's been mentioned yet. I did not have to change the
baud setting in the script. My COM port baud is set at 9600.

I unplugged the DTV box and plugged it back in after attaching
the cables. Don't know if that's necessary but just adding it
for completeness.

Paul

[krs1]

I have a D11-500 STB and the IOGEAR GUC232A (usb to serial) with a null modem cable seems to be working fine at 9600 baud rate with the plugin provided in step one. I haven't done much testing with it, just been changing channels. It doesn't work at 115200 baud. It also didn't work with a Keyspan (USA-19HS) USB to Serial cable that I have.

[MrWolfinWV]

Has anyone tried this?

http://www.patersontech.com/

[KyleK29]

Not to bump an old thread. But is anyone else experiencing problems with this? It works fine in BTV 4.3, I recently updated from 4.3 to 4.6 and it no longer controlled the box. I completely uninstalled and installed 4.5 (to test that version), no longer worked. So I uninstalled and installed 4.3 again, it works again.

Did it get broken after 4.3?

[MrWolfinWV]

These codes work on the new D12 receivers. I'm using the Paterson cable with a Belkin USB-to-Serial adapter connecting it to the PC. Works like a charm once I figured it out.

[KyleK29]

Not to bump an old thread. But is anyone else experiencing problems with this? It works fine in BTV 4.3, I recently updated from 4.3 to 4.6 and it no longer controlled the box. I completely uninstalled and installed 4.5 (to test that version), no longer worked. So I uninstalled and installed 4.3 again, it works again.

Did it get broken after 4.3?

Some more on this. I should point out that I recently moved the box from WinXP Pro to WinXP MCE05 and that is when this started to occur.

Win XP Pro: All versions appear to work properly.
Win XP MCE05: Only 4.3 works, fresh installs of 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 didn't work. 4.3 gets broken after a Windows Update patch, I'm trying to narrow it down (installing patches one at a time) to find out what patch is breaking it.

Unfortunately, my goals seem to be at odds. I'm trying to get MCE05 configured so I can stream (with a good interface) to my Xbox360, but use BTV for TV on the box itself and recording. However, without the Windows Updates and if 4.3 is installed, everything works fine - except the Xbox360 crashes when exiting a video, when I run WU, it breaks BTV 4.3, but allows the Xbox360 to work flawlessly. Blasted Microsoft ..

[CindyPDX]

IOGear USB>Serial Adapter $25.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16812107906
9 Pin Null Modem cable M>M $3.99
http://www.cablesforless.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=428

I just wanted to thank you for mentioning about Cablesforless website...

From this web site we ordered the 9 Pin Null Modem F > F for $2.05
AND for the heck of it, we ordered their Generic USB Serial Convertor cable (aka USB to DB9 adaptor) for $19.00 instead of the brandname IOGear cable.
The SKU# is 130-104 from Cablesforless. It also came with a CD that we did not need.

WELL .. it works AWESOME thanks to this excellent and very informative forum. :banana:

2 days ago, we were set up on DirecTV Service with the D-11 500 model.

We followed the directions in this forum to make this all work-- at first it did not work and we set the com baud rate to 115200. Still no change.

So then we unplugged the DirecTV Receiver, waited about 60 seconds, plugged it back in and it all works like a charm with BeyondTV 4.6 and the PC Tuner card with DirecTV!

JUST FYI : We run on Windows XP Pro SP2
BeyondTV 4.6 (we love this program!)
We also have the Firefly PC Remote (another outstanding product!)
And have a Hauppauge WinTV PVR 250 PC Tuner card in the PC

And thank you for creating this thread!

[Bloggator]

I got this working with my H10-200, but I wanted to check and make sure I'm not missing anything.

Is it supposed to be kind of slow changing the channels? It takes about 10 seconds to change now. Not a problem for recording things, but not great for channel surfing.

Here's my setup:

- Iogear usb to DB9 from USB port of computer set up as serial port (No serial port on computer)

- Tripp-Lite Model P450-006 Null Modem Gold Cable from that to another Iogear DB9 to USB hooked into USB port of H10

- Settings on Iogear Serial Port are 9600 bps and Hardware flow off (I tried it both ways)

It works perfectly. It's just slow.

Thanks in advance.

[vballmr2]

For All of you DirecTV D11 model users out there. If you are changing channels with serial tuning, or where and are now having problems, Just go to the web admin and change the, Select Cable/Satellite Box Model, and set it to: (DirecTV D10 model 100), even though all this time the --D11 model 500-- was working, for whatever reason it works now. I hope this helps some people out there.....

[Bloggator]

So, is it supposed to be kind of slow? Mine takes about 10 seconds to change channels.

[vballmr2]

So, is it supposed to be kind of slow? Mine takes about 10 seconds to change channels.
You probably have to change that setting in -playback settings- in BTV. I think the quickest you can set it at is .5 seconds.

[CindyPDX]

For All of you DirecTV D11 model users out there. If you are changing channels with serial tuning, or where and are now having problems, Just go to the web admin and change the, Select Cable/Satellite Box Model, and set it to: (DirecTV D10 model 100), even though all this time the --D11 model 500-- was working, for whatever reason it works now. I hope this helps some people out there.....

We have the D11-500 and it WAS working great up until DirecTV sent an upgrade to version 0X-1041 this morning. So we tried your suggestion (before playing around with Baud Rate etc) and your suggestion did the trick! THANK YOU for writing about this on the forum it worked like a charm!
And the FireFly remote seems to work a bit faster on changing channels now too.

[grandpaken]

We have the D11-500 and it WAS working great up until DirecTV sent an upgrade to version 0X-1041 this morning. So we tried your suggestion (before playing around with Baud Rate etc) and your suggestion did the trick! THANK YOU for writing about this on the forum it worked like a charm!
And the FireFly remote seems to work a bit faster on changing channels now too.

On a related note: My D* H20 was upgraded to new software the other day which killed the USB serial connection. Changing the baud rate in the D11 remote file from 115200 to 9600 fixed it.

[bbogie1]

The link to download the D11 500 rht file doesnt work. Are there any alternate download sites or could someone possibly email it to me.

Thanks.
Brett.



Author: wscheid (http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/private.php?do=newpm&u=18901)

Short Description: Remote codes for the DirectTV D11 box for BeyondTV 4
Long Description: After reading through various solutions on how to configure the DirectTV D11 Model 500 box, I stumbed across away to have the existing Beyond TV 4.4 Serial support talk with the box.
Version Number: 1
Status: working
Last Updated: 10/18/2006
Homepage:
Installation Instructions:

1. Save the provided file in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\SnapStream\Beyond TV\tuner\Serial_Codes\. Windows Explore may be hidding the folder because it is considered a "System" folder. Consult the operation system documentation on how to show hidden system files and folders.

2. Shutdown Beyond TV services.

3. Using the Beyond TV Setup Wizard configure the source as you would normally. When you get to the satellite box configuration, select the DirecTV D11 Model 500 from the drop down box. When you get to the test panel, the reciever should change to channel

4. Pressing the channel up and down button should change the channels.

Release Notes: The above works for me with a NULL modem cable and a IOGEAR GUC232A connected to the serial port of the computer. According to the DirecTV installation guide the above should work with any model of the D11 set top box with a USB port. However, it was only tested with a Model 500. Waiting for another IOGEAR cable to test a USB connection. This would be connecting a NULL modem cable between two IOGEAR USB to Serial adapters. I can post once the cable arrives.

Requirements: BeyondTV 4

Download DirecTV D11 Model 500.rmt (http://www.snapstream.com/ssdn/submissions/wscheid/DirecTV%20D11%20Model%20500.rmt)

[sportera]

The link to download the D11 500 rht file doesnt work. Are there any alternate download sites or could someone possibly email it to me. My email address is bbogie1@yahoo.com.

Thanks.
Brett.

Same here. Has this been moved? Have 2 H20's currently working with SageTV using their built in serial control. Getting ready to test BTV for possible move to BTV and, from what I've read so far, I will need this process to get serial control working in BTV.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Sam

[Sonsontv]

I wanted to add my success to this thread. It took me some fiddling and cursing :) but I finally figured it out, simple though it may be. I have two D11-500 receivers and zero serial ports on my htpc. I finally figured out that you can use the cheapest USB to serial converters on your PC; it doesn't matter, since they use drivers. For the DTV box side, you must use the expensive hardware based usb to serial adapters.

So, I put two generic USB to serial converters in the PC -> plugged in two generic null modem cables -> and put two iogear guc232a USB to serial converters on the DTV end. I had to select D10-500 in order for it to work, and selected the proper ports (4 and 6). Other than that I made no changes, apart from setting the channel latency as low as possible for quicker channel changes. Works perfectly!

Nothing in this post that wasn't already posted, but this kind of combines the info in a simpler way. I hope I save someone else some trouble! I love the serial changing...here's hoping no DTV updates mess it up!

[sportera]

Same here. Has this been moved? Have 2 H20's currently working with SageTV using their built in serial control. Getting ready to test BTV for possible move to BTV and, from what I've read so far, I will need this process to get serial control working in BTV.

Thanks in advance for any help,
Sam

Update to above...

Well since no one responded to a call for the D11-500.rht file, I went ahead and loaded the BTV demo and went through setup. It took trial and error to finally find the correct serial port tuner control selection (which was "DirecTv Satellite Box 1", "Directv Satellite Box 2" respectively for each H20). Had to go back to make sure I selected the correct com ports for each which was com8 & com6 respectively for H20 #1 & #2. I might add at this point that I have (2) H20-700's. I bought an H20-600 off ebay which works fine but could never get serial tuner control to work on that box.

Bottom line was BTV setup and operation was far easier and works better than SageTV, in my opinion. Setup even found my HDHomerun tuners which I still can't get SageTV to find. And maybe I'm going blind, but for some unknown reason, I feel like I'm getting a better HD picture with BTV over Sage.

:dedhrse: But, as I've read from many in these forums, NOT HAVING PARENTAL CONTROL will be the deal breaker for me. You guys have got to get this one added if you want to compete with SageTV and MCE.

At the end of the trial, I still might lay down the bucks to register BTV if I still cannot get my HDHomerun working in Sage. Watching the football gave in full HD (both video and audio) over OA antenna was a need to have since DirecTV does not carry my FOX channel in their HD lineup.

You guys have a great product as compared to the other top contenders (for users with no children).

Sam

[LandShark]

has anyone having problem w/ the serial tuner lately?? mine doesn't work anymore all in the sudden....?? may be DTV upgraded the firmware again??

[grandpaken]

has anyone having problem w/ the serial tuner lately?? mine doesn't work anymore all in the sudden....?? may be DTV upgraded the firmware again??


Still working here. Did you recently upgrade to 4.71? Ensure that the baud rate is correct in your D11 .rmt file.

[LandShark]

Still working here. Did you recently upgrade to 4.71? Ensure that the baud rate is correct in your D11 .rmt file.
yup, that's what it is! TKS!! :thumbsup:

[ZetaVu]

Just a question, anyone have any luck getting this to work with the HR20 or 21 directv pvr's?

[vballmr2]

has anyone having problem w/ the serial tuner lately?? mine doesn't work anymore all in the sudden....?? may be DTV upgraded the firmware again??


I didn't want to mess with the baud rate, but tried it and got nothing.

When DirecTv updated the STB it threw off the communication through the USB port. I did A lot of research on this and came up with this.

Just go to the web admin and change the, Select Cable/Satellite Box Model, and set it to: **----(DirecTV D10 model 100)----**, even though all this time the --D11 model 500-- was working.

Good Luck and I hope this helps more people out there. And your very welcome CindyPDX:thumbsup:

[scythen60]

Sorry for bumping a year old thread, but I would like to buy the cables necessary to get my d11-800 working with my htpc. Would just these two cables do the trick as this is a Null Cable rather than Null adapter (I'm not sure if they do the same thing or not).

cablesforless.com/p-891-6-foot-null-db9-female-to-female.aspx
and
cablesforless.com/p-951-adapter-usb-to-db9-adapter.aspx

or is this also necessary?
cablesforless.com/p-221-db9-ff-null-modem-adapter.aspx

thank you!

[scythen60]

mythdora.com/?q=node/3555 says it will work.

[Gunn]

For All of you DirecTV D11 model users out there. If you are changing channels with serial tuning, or where and are now having problems, Just go to the web admin and change the, Select Cable/Satellite Box Model, and set it to: (DirecTV D10 model 100), even though all this time the --D11 model 500-- was working, for whatever reason it works now. I hope this helps some people out there.....

Old thread, but still relevant. Wanted to add my experience. The above still applies. I just received two "new" D11-500's from DirecTV as my old, old RCA receivers would not show NFL Sunday Ticket anymore. So they replaced them free of charge with these.

I re-ran the Setup Wizard and all I did was change the selection to "D11 500", for both. Didn't work. Found this thread, and decided to just re-run the wizard and selected "D10-100" for both. Worked!!

Not sure why this is...is this a universal setting for all of us D11 500 owners out there? If so, Snapstream should update the D11 500.rht file so that it works with current setup of that receiver.

I'm also using a EBay Null modem cable and the IOGear USB-Serial on the receivers. I do have 3 serial ports on my computer (one on MB, others on a PCI card).

Tom

[tholzer]

I have a D11 and Windows 7. Before I go through the effort of trying this out, could someone confirm whether I understand what this will do and whether it still works?
Does this allow the user to effectively use the PC as a DVR to store the digital programming information tuned to by the receiver (rather than getting the analog output from the receiver and converting it back to digital)?
Can the PC access the program guide and schedule future programs to record?
Why the need for serial-USB conversion, why are you not able to connect up directly through USB?
Thanks,
Tyler