USB-UIRT Forum

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?

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

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.

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.

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.

Another model:
Motorola DCT 5100

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...

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.