Thread: Serial Control of FTA Receiver

I am considering purchasing an FTA receiver. I was wondering if any FTA receiver can be controlled via it's serial port from a PC. I would want to be able to change channels and possibly satellites (if that is required). I want to use this in a home automation setup.

Thanks,
lz

Get a PC DVB-S Card.

Al

Thanks for the response. I did think of that, but was hoping to find a STB that was able to be controlled by the serial port.

I have never seen a receiver that can be controlled via serial port, sorry.

Lots of commerical type receivers can be controlled by serial port but generally consumer type recievers cannot be. Having said that, I do not recommend you purchase a commercial receiver as they are very expensive, lack the features you would expect a STB to have, and are not very user freindly.

One alternative that comes to mind is a device which could connect to a PC and transmit IR remote codes to a receiver. I know devices such as this exist and if you must have computer control of a STB this is likely your best option. Unfortunately I can't make any more specifc recommendations as I've never used any of these devices.

What is the best card? Or is a FTA receiver still the way to go

-Mike

FTA receiver is more user friendly. I don't believe that DVB cards can "blind search" (which I hope someone will correct me on before I buy my card )

Beside the one or two "very" expensive receivers, DVB cards are your only other choices for HDTV and 4:2:2 feeds.

The cards will also be dependant on what type of PC you've got (i.e CPU, MEM, video card, O/S, etc).

Still researching myself

Me, I'm speaking for just me. I prefer a STB, but I've never had a PC DVB-S Card. I'm sure they're fine devices, they are certainly less expensive. To each his own, I prefer the STB. You might try reading in the Free to Air PC DVB Discussion Forum for some more info, it's a subforum of this forum.

Al

I use the DVB World USB receiver, plugs right into the USB port (Of course) of a PC.

Its a dream come true, HD / 4:2:2 / AC3 plays right through the PC and no messing about with opening a computer!

http://www.satelliteguys.us/fta-mpeg2-equipment-reviews/55482-dvb-world-usb-satellite-receiver.html

Also works with a remote