Changing Cable Channels...remotely?

[nickolasj80]

This may sound out there, but...

Is it possible to rig up some way to change the channels on a digital cable box remotely? I ask this for purposes of streaming. Right now I privately stream my analog basic cable (to another PC of mine), since there is no need for a box, and I can just run the cable right into my tuner card. But I would really like the expanse of digital channels.

Anyone ever heard of this before?

[AngusMacGyver]

Hi!
Try searching for freeware Lirc (Linux) or WinLirc (Windows). I made a simple circuit (1 resistor, 1 diode and 1 IR led) and with Winlirc I can control my TV, my cable box, etc... even through Internet.

http://winlirc.sourceforge.net/

Good luck.

[redwudz]

There are also RF (Radio Frequency) type remote controls available. They use a handheld remote control and a receiver unit with a IR light emitter to operate the box just like the IR remote does. You can do a search for 'remote control extenders' and you should come up with a few models.

[Baldrick]

edit: wrong topic...

[nickolasj80]

Hi!
Try searching for freeware Lirc (Linux) or WinLirc (Windows). I made a simple circuit (1 resistor, 1 diode and 1 IR led) and with Winlirc I can control my TV, my cable box, etc... even through Internet.

http://winlirc.sourceforge.net/

Good luck.

Great, this looks exactly like what I am looking for. Is there perhaps, a website which sells a premade one of these devices, or is the only option for me to build my own?

thanks,
Nickolas

[AngusMacGyver]

Have you seen this page?

http://www.lirc.org/transmitters.html

I made by myself this simple circuit:
http://www.lirc.org/images/simple_transmitter.gif

You will need 1 female DB9 connector, 1 1n4148 (diode), 1 resistor about 4k7 1 IR led and cable enough to put IR led in front of box's CR receiver.

i think you will spend less than US$1 with those parts. After that, use Winlirc to send codes to box. Remember to find codes file for your box.

I wrote a simple program in Delphi to send codes to Winlirc through internet. You can interface with Winlirc:

http://winlirc.sourceforge.net/developer.html

In VB:
http://winlirc.sourceforge.net/vb.html

You must change the value of the registry key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\LIRC\password" to a known password. My experience tells me if you don't set password you can't use it.

I'm sorry my English is weak. I hope you understood me.

Good luck. I can help you if you feel lost.

[redwudz]

AngusMacGyver, actually your english is quite good. That's a interesting circuit. Thanks for it. I'll bookmark it all and give it a try when I have a little spare time. Sometimes the simple solution is the best.