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Last reply · posted in C-BAND Satellite Discussion
I hope for this to be a continuous work in progress, and we can learn and accomplish something along the way. The more that play the more we will all learn.
I ordered that servo controller kit I mentioned in the G box thread. For anyone interested, I ended up getting it from here -
Code:
h[COLOR="Red"]XX[/COLOR]p://www.electronics123.com/s.nl/it.A/id.316/.f
The sales rep's name was Sue. Very courteous and professional. I told her a bunch of yall would be calling too!
I also picked up some 556s and sockets to build the PWM test rig.
I did not find what I was looking for in the remote control dept...........yet. I imagine something is commercially available, but cost eventually becomes an issue.
I had a couple of thoughts. One will require the assistance of our appointed PIC subject matter expert. If the PIC16C71-04/P has the room for the code to learn, and act on existing IR commands at our disposal, all that would be needed is to add a 38khz ir detector and supporting code. What do you think Cad? I'll post the code for the PWM unit at the end of this post.
The other idea I had involved some HW mods to our various STBs. I've been eyeballing the useless tv/vcr function on my remotes and wondering if I could intercept that control sig and route it to a jack on the back of the rx and use it as an input state [H or V] to the PIC. Things that make you go hmmmm........
Here's the code per the .pdf Cadsulfide. Please comment. It's all geek....er, uh, greek to me........lol
Code:
;KIT 102. SERVO-MOTOR DRIVER
dummy = 14h
flag = 15h
servo0 = rb.5
servo1 = rb.4
servo2 = rb.3
servo3 = rb.2
org 0
jmp start
org 4 ;Interrupt jumps here
clrb RTIF
setb flag.0
reti
start mov !ra, #255 ;Set ra to input.
mov !rb, #0 ;Set rb to output.
clr rb ;Clear port rb
mov dummy,#255
mov intcon, #0 ;Turn interrupts off.
mov adcon0,#AD_ctl ;Set AD clock and channel.
setb rp0 ;Enable register page 1.
mov adcon1,#AD_ref ;Set usable pins, Vref.
mov option,#00001000b ;WDT on, no prescale
clrb rp0 ;Back to register page 0.
setb adon ;Apply power to ADC.
setb go_done ;Start conversion.
not_done snb go_done ;Poll for 0 (done).
jmp not_done ;If 1, poll again.
mov counter2,adres ;Move ADC result into counter.
mov integer1,#3 ;Offset constant
mov integer2,#5 ;ADC multiplier
setb servo0 ;Output pulse to servo 0
call delay
clrb servo0
call pause ;ADC settling delay
clrb rp0 ;Ensure reg page 0
clrb chs1 ;Select channel 1
setb chs0 ; Ain 1
mov dummy,#255 ;Reload dummy variable
clrb adres ;Make sure
setb go_done ;Start conversion.
not_done1 snb go_done ;Poll for 0 (done).
jmp not_done1 ;If 1, poll again.
mov counter2,adres ;Move ADC result intocounter.
mov integer1,#3 ;Offset constant
mov integer2,#5 ;ADC multiplier
setb servo1 ;Output pulse to servo 1
call delay
clrb servo1
call pause
clrb rp0 ;Ensure reg page 0
setb chs1 ;Select channel 2
clrb chs0 ; Ain 2
mov dummy,#255
clr adres
setb go_done ;Start conversion.
not_done2 snb go_done ;Poll for 0 (done).
jmp not_done2 ;If 1, poll again.
mov counter2,adres ;Move ADC result into counter.
mov integer1,#3 ;Offset constant
mov integer2,#5 ;ADC multiplier
setb servo2 ;Output pulse to servo 2
call delay
clrb servo2
call pause
clrb rp0 ;Ensure reg page 0
setb chs1 ;Select channel 3
setb chs0 ; Ain 3
mov dummy,#255
clr adres
setb go_done ;Start conversion.
not_done3 snb go_done ;Poll for 0 (done).
jmp not_done3 ;If 1, poll again.
mov counter2,adres ;Move ADC result into counter.
mov integer1,#3 ;Offset constant
mov integer2,#5 ;ADC multiplier
setb servo3 ;Output pulse to servo 3
call delay
clrb servo3
sleep
jmp start ;Time out after 18 msec
; The number of loops this delay routine makes is dependent on the result of
; the AD conversion. The higher the voltage, the longer the delay.
delay clrb rp0 ;Page 0
mov intcon,#10100000b ;Enable RTCC interrupt
;****************** Fixed delay part of routine ****************
delay1 mov RTCC,#55 ;Fixed delay
wait1 jnb flag.0,wait1 ; of 200 till interrupt
clrb flag.0 ;Flag set on interrupt
djnz integer1,delay1 ;Three times through
;****************** Variable delay part of routine **************
sub dummy,counter2 ;RTCC counts UP!
load mov RTCC,dummy ;Load RTCC
wait2 jnb flag.0,wait2 ;Note infinite loop
clrb flag.0
djnz integer2,load ;Five times through
mov intcon,#0 ;Disable interrupt
ret
pause mov counter1,#120 ;Adds a short settling
settle djnz counter1,settle ; time to the ADC
ret
*************************************************************
Here is the pic of the 556 based servo test rig, courtesy of Tom Dickens -
21 Replies · 10856 views
Cadsulfide
Mel;

You only need three pins to program most pics. Microchip sells some very nice development packages (with usb programmer) for around $100. I payed about $700 15 years ago for a dataman s4 still works, but I have to keep a PC with a serial port to use it.

Check out Circuit Cellar - The Magazine for Computer Applications been a subscriber for 25 years or so lots of pic resource links.

A $10 wireless breadboard from RS, or some perfboard and wire wrap wire will get you farther than a fancy development board. ME labs basic is what I have, am well pleased with it microEngineering Labs - Development tools for Microchip PICmicro MCUs including PicBasic and EPIC programmer .

Do you have a scope? If not don't worry, but it is very nice thing to "look under the hood" with.
R
i have not yet learned everything, its why i am still alive

Seems a little complicated to me. I'm able to only use a few caps, resistors, and a 555 timer, and can control a servo, as built onto a servo is the decoder that is run by such. I wondered why you want to get all the way to a microcontroller, and then use it, but now that you mentioned going commercial with a product, i can understand. The problem with software is overhead, and the less a machine has to do, the easier it can do what it wants. What if you only controlled, "say a variable resistor", and "on off"; with your controller, and use the 555 to accomplish the task of sending the signals?

Whoops! I'm bad, after finally seeing your picture (it wouldn't load), hey, that is a 556 timer you have!

My problem with these softwares is making the "time" match the "machine" as it is running on one machine faster than another, and so forth. Each computer I run them from is running just a little different speed, which messes up my hardwired coding, just as each remote code sent, run from one computer or another, with the outside device the same (IR sender), makes the code need to change. I was told with a little math in my programs, and info received from the computer it is running on (registered board timing), I could make it match, but never went that far afterwards, as it was just easy for me to turn the var resistor to get the correct code from the emitter, but not remote control it. My blaster program will do what i want, but only from my one computer i put the wait states from, in debug, my bad.

Good luck!
W
Seems a little complicated to me. I'm able to only use a few caps, resistors, and a 555 timer, and can control a servo, as built onto a servo is the decoder that is run by such.
...
My problem with these softwares is making the "time" match the "machine" as it is running on one machine faster than another, and so forth. Each computer I run them from is running just a little different speed, which messes up my hardwired coding, just as each remote code sent, run from one computer or another, with the outside device the same (IR sender), makes the code need to change. I was told with a little math in my programs, and info received from the computer it is running on (registered board timing), I could make it match, but never went that far afterwards,
... <snip>

That's the reason for using a PIC processor. ;) It's a little more complex, but it has an on-chip clock that is quite accurate, and can eliminate the external dependencies for delays, etc. Once it is calibrated for a (for example) 1.0 ms pulse, that's what you get, whether or not your command was just right. Call for a 2 ms pulse & you got it! I am just getting into playing with PICs, even though I am of the same vintage as Melgarga and Cadsulfide. In fact, I recognised everything Mel said (in post #3) except I had a Coco (with a tremendous 16K of RAM) but no C-64. Then spent many years in the care and feeding of a PDP11-70 & PDP11-84 by DEC (Digital Equipment Corp, R.I.P.) and a Varian R-620i. Also an Amateur Extra Class, but spend too little time on the air. Too many other projects, I guess.

Of course, you're commenting on a two-year-old thread, so it may have been dropped for another project.
Anole
Since this thread petered out in 2008, there has been progress on the project.
Couple of members have posted other threads, complete with programming and PC board layouts.
So, I'm not sure about dredging up this one....?

Normally, I'd provide links to the more recent material, but I'm not following it.
Have given up on polarotors, and really don't care any more.
So, I'll leave searching as an exercise for the reader. ;)

(... and maybe suggest this thread be closed...?...at the discretion of the moderator.)
N0QBH
Been working on my own simple PIC polarotor servo control interface. If it pans out in my own real world testing, I'll post the schematic and code here.
It has a LCD display showing present sensed polarity and it's skew angle. A rotary encoder lets you dial that 90 degrees on each polarity with power on default of 45.
cpdretired
Supporting Founder
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
Several Dish offers showed up today in my account. Once you choose one the rest are removed. Offers were Showtime, Starz, AMC and others.
34 Replies · 1641 views
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B
Just checked my account and it shows mgm+ at 8.00 per month, but that has red line drawn thru it and shows 0.00 per month. But it doesn't say how long this lasts,...... 1 month, 3 months, forever. I called customer service to get an answer, and they said nothing like that exists. Should I add the offer or not? Already paying them too much, but want to take advantage of something free.
Almighty1
This is what I see when it comes to offers on My Account on the Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus and dish.com:

AMC+ 50% off for 3 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)
AMC+ Free for 3 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus and dish.com)
AMC+ 1 month free (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Cine y Entretenimie 50% off for 3 months

DOGTV 1 month free (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

DISH Movie Pack 50% off for 6 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus and dish.com)

DOGTV 50% off for 6 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)
DOGTV 1 month free (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Gallery First Month Free (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Heartland Pack 50% off for 6 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus and dish.com)

Mexico y Mas 50% off for 3 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

MGM+ $0.00/Month not saying how long (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Multi-Sport Pack 50% off for 6 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Netflix Standard with Ads, $7.99/month credit toward Netflix Standard with Ads ($.99) month with 24 month DISH commitment
(Only on My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Outdoor Pack 50% off for 6 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Paramount+ with SHOWTIME 50% off for three months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus and dish.com)
Paramount+ with SHOWTIME 2 months free (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Playboy TV 50% off for 6 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

Republica Dominicana 50% off for 3 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

STARZ 50% off for 3 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)
STARZ $1.99/month for 2 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus and dish.com)

Sudamerica y Mas 50% off for 3 months (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)

UP Faith & Family 1 month free (My Account Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus)
S
Just checked my account and it shows mgm+ at 8.00 per month, but that has red line drawn thru it and shows 0.00 per month. But it doesn't say how long this lasts,...... 1 month, 3 months, forever. I called customer service to get an answer, and they said nothing like that exists. Should I add the offer or not? Already paying them too much, but want to take advantage of something free.
look again mine says free for 1 month
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Almighty1
look again mine says free for 1 month
Not for me, mines has no mention of how long aka the offer period and the Terms and conditions the $0.00 is good for. All I see is one can lose $5.00 if you decide to remove it before day 31 after you add it to the account.

1792131071109.webp
S
Not for me, mines has no mention of how long aka the offer period and the Terms and conditions the $0.00 is good for. All I see is one can lose $5.00 if you decide to remove it before day 31 after you add it to the account.

View attachment 194817
wonder why it says that
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Almighty1
look again mine says free for 1 month
You have a different offer that is free for a shorter timeframe which is different than the one that I and bnewt saw without defining the promotion period as I sent the question to DISH Care via Facebook Messenger and this is the response I got back 20 minutes ago.

1792177553912.webp
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T
Last reply · posted in DISH Network Support Forum
I thought I would come here and find lots of complaints about the update to the dish anywhere mobile app, but am not seeing any. It used to look just like the desktop webpage. Now you can no longer filter by sports channels or movie channels. Plus that they made it look like a big button telephone and you see fewer channels in the screen which requires more scrolling. Yes I realize you can look at sports then select which sport you want to look at, I just liked being able to see all sporting events in the guide with all other channels being filtered out. Am I alone in the wilderness on this?
4 Replies · 73 views
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Juan
Not alot of dish customers any more
Foxbat
I'm not a big fan of the new layout, especially on my Apple TV. It used to look like the old Guide layout on the Hopper 3, but they changed parts of that, too.
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dishstaller
I really dislike change for the sake of change
dishdude
I like the new look, it's a lot cleaner. I'm using it on one of those Onn streaming devices when I travel.
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Foxbat
Supporting Founder Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum
Apple has finally released their Apple TV 4K with built-in Siri and a microphone so it can respond to your queries even if you don't have the remote. It also increases in price, to $299. I had been planning on updating my current Apple TV 4K streamers, but that's $600 for the two of them, and that's a pass at this point.

At $299, it had better come with 256 GB of Storage, Gigabit (or better) Ethernet, the latest HDMI tech and standards, and one year of free Apple One. But it probably won't…
17 Replies · 242 views
Ronnie-
Meh. The 4Ks I have will do everything that these do that I need them to do.


Which that's most tech these days for anything released the last four to five years.


It's honestly a testament to how good the previous gen Apple TVs were and are.
navychop
It's honestly a testament to how good the previous gen Apple TVs were and are.

Don't tell them that. They'll adopt planned obsolescence.
navychop
Outside of gaming, would Joe Sixpack notice any difference?
KAB
KAB
Outside of gaming, would Joe Sixpack notice any difference?
Not a bit. IMO, Apple's are slow to boot up. Time is about the same with 1st gen and 3rd. Roku runs rings around them in that department. I only reason I stuck, is the Apple infrastructure, which has it's definite advantages. But $300 is a deal breaker. Later, Apple!
S
Don't tell them that. They'll adopt planned obsolescence.
they all do that anyways.. ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade.. :what. apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while
ncted
ever notice your cell phone slows down when you come up for an upgrade
No. Makes me wonder if that is Apple or the carrier. I am on pre-paid, so I never get "an upgrade." I still have my old iPhone 11 Pro as a second line, and it runs iOS 27 just fine. My iPhone Air, which is still a current model, doesn't really seem that much faster in regular use. It is better in other ways, and worse in some ways than the 11 Pro (size), but performance really isn't a big differentiator, especially since I replaced the battery in the 11 Pro. If I had gotten enough storage when I originally bought the 11 Pro, it could still be my primary device with no issues.
ncted
Not a bit. IMO, Apple's are slow to boot up. Time is about the same with 1st gen and 3rd. Roku runs rings around them in that department. I only reason I stuck, is the Apple infrastructure, which has it's definite advantages. But $300 is a deal breaker. Later, Apple!
Yeah, they boot up a bit slower than Roku, but the OS does a lot more, so it makes sense. How often are you booting them up that is a differentiator? Aside from OS updates, mine are on all the time. I will say the ATV4K is generally quicker than the Roku Ultras I have, when it comes to launching apps and responsiveness, not that the Roku is sluggish.
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navychop
apple's been making money off of software and not hardware for a while

What software? For iPhones? I tried to buy some image s/w IN THE APPLE STORE! They had none, and could not offer ANY s/w for iPhones
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
· posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network
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TWiT Tech Podcast Network
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osu1991
Pub Member / Supporter
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
2 Replies · 61 views
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Howard Simmons

Another Tulsa King spin off.🙄
dishstaller
Another Tulsa King spin off.🙄
But.....if you like Tulsa King....looks like you would probably like this as well. I don't mind spin-offs as long as they don't involve a sassy niece who moves from the big city :rolleyes:
TheRatPatrol
Last reply · posted in TV Shows
Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.

I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
2132 Replies · 214692 views
Jimbo

Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?
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Howard Simmons
Howard ...
You don't like Tony, or Tony as the Director (he's only been there for 30 seconds now) or you don't like NCIS ?
Tony as the director.🙄
Jimbo
Tony as the director.🙄
Would you rather have LaRoche ???
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dfergie
I liked this episode and a toned down Tony...
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Howard Simmons
Would you rather have LaRoche ???
No. Bring in someone new.🤔 Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
Jimbo
No. Bring in someone new.🤔 Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
I don't think Tim and Tony are that far apart in Age ...

Remember what Tony said to Tim when they first got back together ...
Tony said: I am the New Tony, Tim .... (something to that effect)

Tony has changed, he's been running his Security Business ... I'm sure he has grown up.

Give it time ... your judging the New Tony from the old Tony.

It sounds like Tim won't be around the Team much longer either.
dishstaller
Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter
Last reply · posted in Movie Talk
Might be worth a watch when it comes out. Looks like typical big corp against the little guy movie BUT....there is a reason this plot type is so oft repeated, it draws audiences.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-f9OGsKHd4
1 Replies · 17 views
dishstaller
BTW, I noticed right after I posted this that someone else had already mentioned it....sorry for the duplicate thread. Still looking forward to seeing the movie.