I wanted to control a Sky box via a reliable (non-infrared!) link for my home PVR (personal video recorder - eg. mythtv), and via a USB port, rather the rather more scarce parallel port and RS232/serial ports.
I also want to be able to control my Sky+ box (downstairs) via a web server on my computer (a PC upstairs) so I can remotely setup recordings.
There's various other solutions you can find (see the 'background') section, but not one of them meet my criteria of reliable, USB based and able to control a Sky box in a remote location over the RF cable.
I've also now developed a serial (RS232) module for controlling any number of sky boxes - this is particularily useful for people trying to integrate a sky or sky+ satellite receiver into a home automation system like Crestron, AMX, Cue ipCue or control4 - please email me for details.
Some background information on the principles involved and other people's solutions.
I've designed a small box that does exactly what I wanted. At one end it has a USB connector (or on some models an RS232 port), at the other end is has one (or two) RF connectors for connecting to one or two Sky/Sky+ digital boxes. It can be driven from linux or Windows (and hence most likely any other operating system with USB support).
Your imagination is the limit! They can be controlled from linux or windows (and almost certianly any other operation system with usb support), and should control any sky digital box with an RF2 port.
The software I provide allows:
Most PVR software will work - it just has to be able to call out to a command line program to change the channel.
PVR software that is known to work:
There are two mailing lists dedicated to these devices.
To subscribe to one of the lists, please click on the relevant link above.
Batches of the controller are made up fairly often. As of writing this (12th Feb 2008) the current stock is:
| Stock | |
| Single output | 1 |
| Single output + RF passthrough | 9 |
| Dual output (can control two sky boxes) | 8 |
There are currently priced as £41 for the single output box, £43.50 for the single output RF passthrough or £46 for the dual output box.
Postage and packing is an extra £2.00 per box for the UK via Royal Mail first class recorded delivery - this usually arrives the working day after dispatch, but can take upto 15 days in some cases. (If you need a controller urgently please email us for guaranteed delivery options.
Postage to the European Union (including ROI) is £5.50 per box via 'Air Mail International Signed For'.
Payment can be via credit/debit card, paypal, personal cheque or direct bank transfer. For credit/debit card, and paypal you can buy directly online, please go to our new website:
http://www.dusky-control.com/order.shtml
Last update: 4th Feb 2007