New product idea.

[ToxMox]

I was wondering if Jon has considered building a device that can control cable boxes that have usb ports. My Scientific Atlanta 4000 can be controlled by plugging a USB keyboard into it. I'd like to see a device that I can connect to my PC and then control the cable box with it via USB instead of IR. Any ideas? Has this been done before?

[jrhees]

Really? Do you have any idea how many models of boxes have a USB connection for a keyboard?

Does Sci. Atl. sell a keyboard? Do they advertise this capability?

-Jon

[ToxMox]

As far as I know you can plug in any standard usb keyboard and punch in numbers to control the cable box. There are a number of digital cable boxes with a usb port that I believe can use this functionality. I think the keyboard functionality works because they have built it in for making the cable boxes web portals. The feature is not specifically advertised. I will start looking around to try and get an idea of how many cable boxes have the usb inputs.

[ToxMox]

here is a quote from my IO cable manual for my box:
USB Connects to external equipment, such as a keyboard, external
modem or similar equipment.*

I couldn't find what the * refers to.

[ToxMox]

Here are Sci Atl models that I have found to have a usb port:
Explorer 2000, 2100, 2200, 3100, 3100HD, 3200, 3250, 3250HD, 8000DVR, 8000HD DVR,
Here are other boxes with it:
Pace 510, DC550P
Pace 510 Manual states:
Connect to any optional equipment that supports a USB interface, for example: a digital camera, keyboard, or mouse.
Pioneer Digital Home Terminal BD-V1000
Its manual states:
USB CONNECTOR
Connects to USB (Universal Serial Bus)-
equipped options such as a wireless keyboard
infrared receiver.

I found the * on another Sci atl manual and it stated:
* This connector is reserved for future use or may not be available on all
8000HD models

I'll post more as I find them.

[ToxMox]

Another model:
Motorola DCT 5100

[maxtrash]

Special cables are sold that can connect two PC's (usb hosts) with each other to transfer files.

Code: Select all

   +---------+      +-------------------------+      +---------+
   |     host|      |client    link     client|      |host     |
   |pc1  USB =------=USB       cable       USB=------=USB   pc2|
   |     port|      |port      widget     port|      |port     |
   +---------+      +-------------------------+      +---------+



in your case pc2 would be the cablebox (which is a usb host as well).

Getting the software to make the whole thing work is something more of a problem though...

[ToxMox]

Exactly...that's where I would hope Jon could come in. Either making just a simple cable work or building a tiny device that the PC would detect and be able to control.