Dusky - How to stream sky video and control the box remotely?

[gio2375]

Hi all,
I would see sky video channels (that i've selected remotely using Gyration controller) in any MD I've in my house. I've an Hauppauge Win-TV HVR 1100 and an italian Sky box.
I read the post http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=7328.0 that suggest to use dusky to control the sky box but reading one of the last replies seems that, at January 31, 2009 it's in developer phase. is it now implemented?
how can I connect everything to make it work?
From what I understand reading (sorry, I'm new to LinuxMCE), I've to connect my sky box to core (through Hauppauge S-Video port) and the Dusky to sky box and to my usb pc port (is it rs232 connection more reliable?). Is it correct?
Someone have played with it? which is the video quality?

Giovanni

[b4rney]

Welcome to the forums Giovanni.

My solution is very similar. Capture the video and audio via s-video (I have a pvr150). I don't use the dusky solution. I have a usbuirt and I used it to 'learn' my ir controls for a sky plus box in the UK. The usbuirt then relays these commands back to the sky box.

The quality is good and the sky box can be controlled from any orbiter with only a slight lag. This means that any standard lmce remote can be used to control the sky box.

The sky receiver is added as av equipment and appears as a 'live tv' type source under the media menu on every md. I had to add my sky box in the web admin as new av equipment.
Hope this helps.
Barney

[Techstyle]

Barney,

did you create a Device Template for the SKY box, SKY plus box or SKY Plus HD box?  I just looked at the device templates and couldn't find one.

It would be great if you could submit your device template.

[b4rney]

@techstyle:
Thought you were stateside now!

Submitted  a sky plus (not hd) template around a month ago using web admin sqlcvs:
http://svn.linuxmce.org/trac.cgi/ticket/681

Not sure if it's included yet.
Barney

[Techstyle]

Barney,

I am Stateside, just like to see more and more templates added so we increase the amount of supported equipment.  It is good to see you have already submitted it, I guess it just needs approving by Possy or TSCHAK before it gets in.

[gio2375]

Welcome to the forums Giovanni.

My solution is very similar. Capture the video and audio via s-video (I have a pvr150). I don't use the dusky solution. I have a usbuirt and I used it to 'learn' my ir controls for a sky plus box in the UK. The usbuirt then relays these commands back to the sky box.

The quality is good and the sky box can be controlled from any orbiter with only a slight lag. This means that any standard lmce remote can be used to control the sky box.

The sky receiver is added as av equipment and appears as a 'live tv' type source under the media menu on every md. I had to add my sky box in the web admin as new av equipment.
Hope this helps.
Barney

Hi Barney, thanks for reply.

I'm happy to know it works. I've some questions:
1) How many seconds pass between the pressing of the button and the channel change?
2) Is this the usbuirt you are referring to?  http://www.usbuirt.com/order.htm Or can I use the Gyration ir receiver?
3) When you say that you use your usbuirt to 'learn' your ir controls, What do you mean exactly? ....sorry, as I said I'm new to linuxmce.

Giovanni

[totallymaxed]

Hi all,
I would see sky video channels (that i've selected remotely using Gyration controller) in any MD I've in my house. I've an Hauppauge Win-TV HVR 1100 and an italian Sky box.
I read the post http://forum.linuxmce.org/index.php?topic=7328.0 that suggest to use dusky to control the sky box but reading one of the last replies seems that, at January 31, 2009 it's in developer phase. is it now implemented?
how can I connect everything to make it work?
From what I understand reading (sorry, I'm new to LinuxMCE), I've to connect my sky box to core (through Hauppauge S-Video port) and the Dusky to sky box and to my usb pc port (is it rs232 connection more reliable?). Is it correct?
Someone have played with it? which is the video quality?

Giovanni

The Dusky boxes come in rs232 & USB versions and is connected to your Core or MD. The Dusky is then connected to the RF2 port on the Sky Box, Sky+ or SkyHD boxes. I'm not sure if the Italian Sky boxes are the same versions but I think they are. The RF2 port can accept injected control commands from the Dusk interface.

In operation there is no perceptible performance difference between the Dusky & an IR Blaster controlled Sky box...but with RF2 control you have problems with IR commands being skipped or possible cross interference from other IR... ie its just much more reliable.

See this wiki page for basic information; http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/Dusky_sky_controller

All the best


Andrew

[b4rney]

I'm happy to know it works. I've some questions:
1) How many seconds pass between the pressing of the button and the channel change?

There is just over a seconds delay. This is caused by the delay in digitising the capture. The actual channel change happens instantly.

2) Is this the usbuirt you are referring to?  http://www.usbuirt.com/order.htm Or can I use the Gyration ir receiver?

Yes, that's the one. You will need this device in order to teach linuxmce the commands from your remote. You cannot use the gyration ir receiver for this procedure.

3) When you say that you use your usbuirt to 'learn' your ir controls, What do you mean exactly? ....sorry, as I said I'm new to linuxmce.

It is a difficult concept. I struggled with this.
The basics are that you point your sky remote at the usbuirt and teach linuxmce the commands from your remote. This is done in the web admin av devices section. There are standard command sets for frequently used commands (play, pause, channel-up, channel-down etc.) Once the system knows the ir commands you can use the usbuirt to TRANSMIT the signal back to the sky box whilst using any standard lmce remote when viewing the av device capture stream on any md.
More info here:
http://wiki.linuxmce.com/index.php/Control_a_TV_or_cable/satellite_box
and
http://wiki.linuxmce.com/index.php/Control_regular_A/V_equipment
All the best
Barney

[gio2375]

Thanks all for reply!!! Now it's more clear!!

Barney, I saw in the forum you created a device template for your sky+ box.
Which release include this template? Is that in http://linuxmce.iptp.org/release/ dir or one of snapshot's releases (in http://linuxmce.iptp.org/snapshots/ dir)?
Is this template right for italian version of sky box or I have to write my own?


All the best
Giovanni

[b4rney]

Giovanni,
Yes I have submitted a template for a UK sky plus box. Not sure if this is the same as Italian Sky plus. The template will need approving by one of the developers before being included in a release. Can't say when this might happen though, I know the devs are really busy.

You will still need the usbuirt in order to transmit the ir signal. If you can't wait for the template you could build your own.
Barney

[gio2375]

Giovanni,
Yes I have submitted a template for a UK sky plus box. Not sure if this is the same as Italian Sky plus. The template will need approving by one of the developers before being included in a release. Can't say when this might happen though, I know the devs are really busy.

You will still need the usbuirt in order to transmit the ir signal. If you can't wait for the template you could build your own.
Barney

Ok, Many thanks Barney!!! I can wait for now, I'm in planning phase.
Maybe, if the publication will take a long time, I'll ask you some details on how to create the template, perhaps starting with what you did

Best Regards
Giovanni

[Techstyle]

Barney,

Talked to TSCHAK a few minutes ago , he said that there was an issue with your submission and that you should do the following:

1.  sqlCVS > Update
2.  adjust each part of the template and save it
3.  re-adjust the parts of template back to the original and re-save
4.  sqlCVS > Diff then submit the template parts again - issue a new trac ticket and reference it on the submission
5.  let us know when you have done it and we will get it approved

Giovanni,

the template will be in a few days after Barney resubmits

[b4rney]

OK. I've run the sqlCVS update. I'm not sure what you mean when you say to adjust each part of the template, save and then resave back.

Do you mean every individual ir code?
web admin >> av equipment >>(Sky plus) AV properties >> Edit IR Codes

Or are we talking about a more global level?

Barney

[Techstyle]

No not each individual IR code but adjust one of the IR codes then adjust it back (just con LMCE into thinking it has changed).  do the same with the template itself, so change the description or something and change it back, then look in sqlCVS > Diff and you will see the parts of the template and check them back in which will replace the originals.

[b4rney]

OK. Resubmitted after update and minor template changes described above.

http://svn.linuxmce.org/trac.cgi/ticket/722

Fingers crossed!
Barney