[plugin] DirecTV D11 Serial Codes

[SSDNAdmin]

Author: wscheid

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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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??

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]

Originally Posted by grandpaken

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]

Originally Posted by LandShark

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/Produc...82E16812107906
9 Pin Null Modem cable M>M $3.99
http://www.cablesforless.com/index.a...S&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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.