New Upnp Channel Changing Script
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 2:04 am
I'd like to present a new channel changer script. If you are a Dish VIP 211 users this will definitely work and it is AMAZING. It uses ethernet to change the channels. NO MORE IR BLASTERS!! Can you tell I'm excited?
Basically a few weeks ago I randomly plugged my STB into the network for the first time in years. Being the curious type I did port scans and such. There was now a Upnp port open with control abilities.
Benefits over lirc scripts:
- No LIRC
- Super fast. Live tv is ~ 5 seconds to change now. Even faster on first start up.
- No more idling out to the screen saver after 4 hours. I disable it.
- No LIRC
The one Negative: our VIP 211 receivers are smart enough to use the same guide number for both HD when available and SD when not. Sadly, the upnp interface is not and it displays the SD feed. You must update your channel data to use the super high number channels. A bit of a pain I'll admit, but I can't imagine going back now.
I've been using this on my production system for about 3 weeks now on 2 receivers and have not had a single issue.
You can find the script at https://github.com/jheizer/UPnPChannelChanger and I'll be updating that page this evening with instructions for people using a different STB with steps to detect Upnp and instructions to modify the script.
Enjoy,
Jon
Basically a few weeks ago I randomly plugged my STB into the network for the first time in years. Being the curious type I did port scans and such. There was now a Upnp port open with control abilities.
Benefits over lirc scripts:
- No LIRC
- Super fast. Live tv is ~ 5 seconds to change now. Even faster on first start up.
- No more idling out to the screen saver after 4 hours. I disable it.
- No LIRC
The one Negative: our VIP 211 receivers are smart enough to use the same guide number for both HD when available and SD when not. Sadly, the upnp interface is not and it displays the SD feed. You must update your channel data to use the super high number channels. A bit of a pain I'll admit, but I can't imagine going back now.
I've been using this on my production system for about 3 weeks now on 2 receivers and have not had a single issue.
You can find the script at https://github.com/jheizer/UPnPChannelChanger and I'll be updating that page this evening with instructions for people using a different STB with steps to detect Upnp and instructions to modify the script.
Enjoy,
Jon