[mythtv-users] DirectTV vs Dish for myth compatibility (serial ports, etc)

[Mark D. Vaughn]

mark wrote:

>On Thursday 08 July 2004 05:15 pm, Chris Petersen wrote:
>  
>
>>I just realized that I'm paying almost $46/month (after tax) for sh*tty
>>analog cable from comcast.  For that price, I can get a similar package
>>with better picture quality from Dish or DirectTV (and as I understand
>>it, not have the same taxes added on), but since much of what I watch
>>goes through the myth box, I'm wondering what those of you out there in
>>mythtv-land have to say about the services.
>>
>>How reliable is the IR blaster (eg. does it ever "miss" and not change a
>>channel, etc)?  Is there a way I can make sure to get a
>>serial-controlled box?  Etc....
>>
>>-Chris
>>    
>>
>I'm running a dish500 system with a 4900 box, and a homebrew IR blaster.
>Always changes channels perfectly, but I did have to modify the channel.pl 
>script for a 4 digit channel.  Works well, but it's not much cheaper than 
>cable.
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>
>  
>
I can vouch for the DirecTV side of things.  You can get serial 
controlled boxes, but you need to do your homework before you purchase 
to make sure the model you buy has serial capability.  I have the Hughes 
GAEB0 receiver, and it doesn't have a serial port.  I use a IR blaster 
and have had 100% accuracy in the month I've had my MythTV running.
-Mark