DirectV & Multiple tuners w/ serial connect ...

[Sato]

I posted this in the "wrong" section previously. Here we go again ...!

I've got a BTV server running now on basic cable. I have one (1) BTV-250 and one (1) MCE-500 (3 tuners total). Of course, with basic, all I have to do is split two wires and run them into the tuner cards -- I want DirecTV and will be moving out of my apartment so now I can get it where I'm moving (I want you NFL Sunday Ticket).

So my question is how do I hook up 3 DirecTV boxes to my 2 tuner inputs? The input issue with the MCE-500 is solved by adding the Hauppauge A/V Cable Set (http://registration.hauppauge.com/w...re.asp#av_cable) to my MCE-500 card allowing for two unique S-Video inputs. And the BTV-250 is already set.

It comes down to getting the BTV PC to control the DirecTV boxes. I'm thinking serial is the best -- I've been reading here it's the most reliable way to go. So I'm angling for a trio of used Sony SAT-B55 boxes (SnapStream serial tested). However, since I have only one available serial port on the PC, I'll need to extend that to accommodate three serial cables from the DirecTV boxes.

Which is best:
PCI serial card 4-port hub?
Or an external USB serial 4-port hub?
Are they the same? (aside from cost, PCI is gonna be cheaper)

Will a serial port hub even work with the BTV software/DirecTV boxes? Theoretically should pose no problem.

And which brands are the best for this type of card/hub?

[nanook105]

I don't use directTV, but I've seen quite a few posts lately about directTV doing a software upgrade on their newer boxes that breaks the serial channel change functionality for channels under 100. Seems like folks are replacing with older boxes from ebay. Might want to search the forums before you make a decision.

[clayfree]

Right now I am using a USB to Serial adapter to communicate with my DTV box and it works perfectly. My 2nd capture card is on order so I too will need to add another serial port. I'm considering a PCI serial card.

I'll post back as soon as I get my capture card installed

[dequire]

I am using a 2-serial port PCI card purchased from newegg.com that works great. I've also added a USB serial cable to add a third tuner with no problems. IMO the serial route is the way to go as opposed to USB-IRT, because it doesn't really matter where the tuners are located.