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DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

Last post 08-29-2008, 7:01 AM by rza49311. 115 replies.
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  •  10-03-2006, 7:40 AM 141816

    DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    I connected a DirecTV D11 to my MCE HTPC and integrated the guide with my OTA guide - all worked well except for the IR Blaster, way too hit & miss.

    After spending too much time looking a way to control my DirecTV D11 STB from my MCE HTPC I broke down and did a rebuild of the already existing serial control.

    This new build is a DirecTV Serial Control PlugIn for MCE with configurable port settings, logging as well as channel command ... with all defaults set for the DirecTV D11.

    You will need a USB to Serial Adapter and null modem cable - I used the IOGear GUC232A and once setup you can drive the box effortlessly.

    *this is a new build so fill free to report back any bugs.

    http://www.outdoorgrace.com/DirecTV-D11/bx...rialControl.zip

  •  10-09-2006, 10:21 PM 143253 in reply to 141816

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    Sounds intriguing.  I'm using an MCE box connected to two D10 STB's.  I don't have an issue with reliability, my issue is changing channels on one STB causes the other to change, despite the fact that I have the IR emitters shielded with blank plastic.

    Will this program work with the D10?  And will it work with dual tuners?

    Thanks...

  •  10-10-2006, 4:44 AM 143283 in reply to 143253

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    wisdom:

    Sounds intriguing.  I'm using an MCE box connected to two D10 STB's.  I don't have an issue with reliability, my issue is changing channels on one STB causes the other to change, despite the fact that I have the IR emitters shielded with blank plastic.

    Will this program work with the D10?  And will it work with dual tuners?

    Thanks...

     

    My understanding is that the original DirecTV Serial Control for the D10 (available around here somewhere) will only work with one D10 at a time.

    The version I updated for the D11 has the same issue since only one instance at a time runs.

  •  10-26-2006, 4:24 PM 146421 in reply to 141816

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    i get the strong name error when registering this.  is there any way to sign it with a strong name?

    i'm trying to do it myself from the source (the original, because i need support of the old command set), but i don't have C# so i converted the directvserialcontrol project to vb. 

    i signed it, but then i run into a signing problem with interop.userxplib.dll, because it doesn't have a strong name and it's included in the project.

    i'm trying to find a way to decompile this file so i can sign it, but so far, no luck.

    thanks.

  •  10-26-2006, 5:20 PM 146429 in reply to 146421

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    beowulfs:

    i get the strong name error when registering this.  is there any way to sign it with a strong name?

    i'm trying to do it myself from the source (the original, because i need support of the old command set), but i don't have C# so i converted the directvserialcontrol project to vb. 

    i signed it, but then i run into a signing problem with interop.userxplib.dll, because it doesn't have a strong name and it's included in the project.

    i'm trying to find a way to decompile this file so i can sign it, but so far, no luck.

    thanks.

     

    I get a strong name signed Warning but that is all - I just ignore the warning and continue on. This Warning occurs on the original and the version I built for the D11 unit.

    Do you have Administrator rights on the box?

     

  •  10-26-2006, 6:43 PM 146446 in reply to 146429

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    yes.  it's on a domain, though.  the domain, sharing, and xbox were fun setting up, but it works now (i created a post on it).

    i've tried your version and the original version after installing .net 1.1.  neither worked and i had to ignore the warning, there's nothing i can do about it.

    maybe i'm missing a permission somewhere, but i don't know how.  i'm logged on as a domain admin when i do it, and i have elevated privileges.  oh yah, i'm doing this on Vista RC1.

    the  mytray app by cancan101 in the tim m moore firestb package worked if i had media center running first (at least it used to, now i'm getting tunertracker.dll is improperly installed prompt when i click run), but the dan glass software and your mod have never worked for me.

    is it a vista incompatibility? 

    thanks by the way.

  •  10-27-2006, 8:46 AM 146514 in reply to 146446

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    ok, here's what i'm looking at:

    i downloaded csharp.

    i complied the rs232 file and dropped the dll and xml into the directv library.

    i replaced the interop.userxplib.dll file with the ehiUserXp.dll file.

    On build I get this:

          Error 1 'DirectTvSerialControl.DirectTvMediaStatusSession' does not implement interface member 'ehiUserXp.IMediaStatusSession.MediaStatusChange(ehiUserXp.MEDIASTATUSPROPERTYTAG[], object[])' C:\DirectTVSerialControl_src\DirectTvSerialControl\DirectTvMediaStatusSession.cs 14 15 DirectTvSerialControl

    So now I'm trying learn basic programming.  I found this:

    A class derived from an interface, but the class did not implement one or more of the interface's members. A class must implement all members of interfaces from which it derives or else be declared abstract.

    But it doesn't make sense to me because everything looks the same as the interop file on cursory examination.

    Again, I'm doing all this to make it work with Vista, because the mytray app doesn't work the way i want it to.

    EDIT

    This is the problem, I think.

    ehiUserXp.IMediaStatusSession.MediaStatusChange(ehiUserXp.MEDIASTATUSPROPERTYTAG[ ], object[ ])

    vs. the original call to

    UserXpLib.IMediaStatusSession.MediaStatusChange(System.Array, System.Array)

    This is the line that would then be causing the problem:

    public void MediaStatusChange(Array Tags, Array Properties)

    Somehow, that doesn't work with the new library, and thus doesn't implement the MediaStatusChange method.  Is that right?  I really have no idea what I'm doing.

    here's documentation from the vista mc sd

    This is preliminary documentation and subject to change.


     

    The MediaStatusChange method retrieves media status properties.

    Syntax

    HRESULT MediaStatusChange(
      MEDIASTATUSTAGARRAY  Tags,
      MEDIASTATUSPROPARRAY  Properties
    );
    

    Parameters

    Tags

    [in]  Array of MEDIASTATUSPROPERTYTAG values identifying properties that have changed.

    Properties

    [in]  Array of VARIANT values, one for each property identified in Tags.

    Return Values

    Return values are implemented by the component. The method should return S_OK on success.

    Requirements

    Header: ehmediastatus.idl

    Platform: Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 and later

    See Also

    I tried copying and pasting the two array lines, but then i get this:

    Error 1 The type or namespace name 'MEDIASTATUSTAGARRAY' could not be found (are you missing a using directive or an assembly reference?) C:\DirectTVSerialControl_src\DirectTvSerialControl\DirectTvMediaStatusSession.cs 26 39 DirectTvSerialControl

    Programming 101 here, i'm assuming.

  •  10-28-2006, 4:12 PM 146744 in reply to 146514

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    here's the code to fix the build, but i haven't been able to make it work yet.  you can see what i commented out and replaced.

    /// public void MediaStatusChange(MEDIASTATUSTAGARRAY Tags, MEDIASTATUSPROPARRAY Properties)

    public void MediaStatusChange(

    MEDIASTATUSPROPERTYTAG[] Tags,

    object[] Properties)

  •  10-28-2006, 5:19 PM 146750 in reply to 146744

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    that fixed it, kind of.

    i blew away the rc1 install and put rc2 on.  i signed the rs232 and the directvserialcontrol so there are no strong name errors (the ehiUserXP is already signed).  i changed the code like i mentioned.  the channels change when logged on locally as domain admin, but not from the xbox 360.  hmm, let me try a different user.  nope, other users can't either.  mcx1 is listed as a local admin in computer management.  anyway, here are the errors i'm getting:

    System.FormatException: Input string was not in a correct format.
       at System.Number.StringToNumber(String str, NumberStyles options, NumberBuffer& number, NumberFormatInfo info, Boolean parseDecimal)
       at System.Number.ParseInt32(String s, NumberStyles style, NumberFormatInfo info)
       at System.Int32.Parse(String s)
       at DirectTvSerialControl.Config..cctor()
    DirectTvMediaStatusSink.Initialize()
    DirectTvMediaStatusSink.CreateSession()
    DirectTvMediaStatusSink.CreateSession()

     

     

    DirectTvMediaStatusSink.CreateSession()
    DirectTvMediaStatusSink.CreateSession()
    10/28/2006 7:08:08 PM: MediaStatusChange: (ehiUserXp.MEDIASTATUSPROPERTYTAG)MSPROPTAG_TrackNumber=(System.Int32)245
    Changing to channel 245
    <- 0xFA 0x46
    -> 0xF0
    <- 0x0 0xF5
    RS232.IOTimeoutException: Read Timeout.
       at RS232.Rs232.Read(Int32 Bytes2Read)
       at DirectTvSerialControl.DirectTvMediaStatusSession.ChangeChannel(Int32 number)
       at DirectTvSerialControl.DirectTvMediaStatusSession.MediaStatusChange(MEDIASTATUSPROPERTYTAG[] Tags, Object[] Properties)
    10/28/2006 7:08:21 PM: MediaStatusChange: (ehiUserXp.MEDIASTATUSPROPERTYTAG)MSPROPTAG_TrackNumber=(System.Int32)244
    Changing to channel 244
    <- 0xFA 0x46
    -> 0xF0
    <- 0x0 0xF4
    -> 0xF2
    Channel successfully changed
    10/28/2006 7:08:30 PM: MediaStatusChange: (ehiUserXp.MEDIASTATUSPROPERTYTAG)MSPROPTAG_TrackNumber=(System.Int32)245
    Changing to channel 245
    <- 0xFA 0x46
    -> 0xF0
    <- 0x0 0xF5
    RS232.IOTimeoutException: Read Timeout.
       at RS232.Rs232.Read(Int32 Bytes2Read)
       at DirectTvSerialControl.DirectTvMediaStatusSession.ChangeChannel(Int32 number)
       at DirectTvSerialControl.DirectTvMediaStatusSession.MediaStatusChange(MEDIASTATUSPROPERTYTAG[] Tags, Object[] Properties)
    DirectTvMediaStatusSession.Close
    DirectTvMediaStatusSession.Close

  •  11-03-2006, 1:47 PM 147846 in reply to 141816

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    bxs122:

    I connected a DirecTV D11 to my MCE HTPC and integrated the guide with my OTA guide - all worked well except for the IR Blaster, way too hit & miss.

    After spending too much time looking a way to control my DirecTV D11 STB from my MCE HTPC I broke down and did a rebuild of the already existing serial control.

    This new build is a DirecTV Serial Control PlugIn for MCE with configurable port settings, logging as well as channel command ... with all defaults set for the DirecTV D11.

    You will need a USB to Serial Adapter and null modem cable - I used the IOGear GUC232A and once setup you can drive the box effortlessly.

    *this is a new build so fill free to report back any bugs.

    http://www.outdoorgrace.com/DirecTV-D11/bx...rialControl.zip



    I"m looking to add a new htpc to my network as well as a new Directv receiver & have been looking into getting the D11. Just out of curiousity, which D11 do you have? ... D11-100, D11-300, D11-500, etc

    Thanks!
  •  11-03-2006, 1:56 PM 147849 in reply to 147846

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    blubberbutt:

    I"m looking to add a new htpc to my network as well as a new Directv receiver & have been looking into getting the D11. Just out of curiousity, which D11 do you have? ... D11-100, D11-300, D11-500, etc

    Thanks!

    I have no idea - the D11 I purchased was from Best Buy.

    I think it is the 500 since the label says MDL: D11 MFR: 500

    Hope that helps.

  •  11-03-2006, 2:15 PM 147852 in reply to 147849

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    bxs122:

    I have no idea - the D11 I purchased was from Best Buy.

    I think it is the 500 since the label says MDL: D11 MFR: 500

    Hope that helps.



    You should be able to turn it around & look on the back of the unit & find the D11-xxx number. If it's not too much trouble, I would appreciate that. I want to be able to control it via the USB port in the manner that you did but I'm afraid to get a different model in the event that it won't work with the others.

    Thanks.
  •  11-03-2006, 4:11 PM 147864 in reply to 147852

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    blubberbutt:
    You should be able to turn it around & look on the back of the unit & find the D11-xxx number. If it's not too much trouble, I would appreciate that. I want to be able to control it via the USB port in the manner that you did but I'm afraid to get a different model in the event that it won't work with the others.

    Thanks.

    When I get a chance I will take a look - I think you will be fine since teh specificiations I wrote to were specific to the DirecTV D11 regardless of 100, 500 etc etc.

    As long as there is a USB port and you use one of the supported USB->Serial Adapters then you will be good to go. I think the only thing you will need to do is set the COM port in the config file. You may want to turn on logging as well in case there is a need to debug.

  •  12-06-2006, 3:49 PM 153253 in reply to 147864

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    Bump:

    @bxs122, is there any chance that you will post the source for your mods? I have the original source.

    I am still setting this up but what I think would be good is to transmit a header for any channel change so that a discreet power on is submitted to the STB, just in case it's off before a scheduled event.

    I have the H20-100, which I am finding is almost identicle to the D11.

  •  12-06-2006, 5:02 PM 153266 in reply to 153253

    Re: DirecTV Serial PlugIn for MCE supporting newer D11 USB models

    canekid:

    Bump:

    @bxs122, is there any chance that you will post the source for your mods? I have the original source.

    I am still setting this up but what I think would be good is to transmit a header for any channel change so that a discreet power on is submitted to the STB, just in case it's off before a scheduled event.

    I have the H20-100, which I am finding is almost identicle to the D11.

    Not sure what you are looking for - the source code is available with the download as per the rules of this forum. The sources are a .NET 2.0 C# project and easy to open and compile.

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