User talk:Amblinn - Revision history

Amblinn: Replaced content with "the instructions that were here have been moved to the main page --> http://wiki.xmltv.org/index.php/ReplayTV-FreeSCO"

2011-07-10T17:35:13Z

Replaced content with "the instructions that were here have been moved to the main page --> http://wiki.xmltv.org/index.php/ReplayTV-FreeSCO"

Show changes

Amblinn: /* Before You Begin */

2011-07-10T14:49:44Z

‎Before You Begin

Amblinn: /* Set up the WiRNS software : MOSTLY DONE */

2011-07-10T14:39:55Z

‎Set up the WiRNS software : MOSTLY DONE

Amblinn: /* Set up the FreeSCO virtual machine */

2011-07-10T14:31:34Z

‎Set up the FreeSCO virtual machine

Amblinn: /* Set up the FreeSCO virtual machine */

2011-07-10T14:29:50Z

‎Set up the FreeSCO virtual machine

Amblinn: /* Make sure your modem is compatible with your Replay */

2011-07-10T14:15:59Z

‎Make sure your modem is compatible with your Replay

Amblinn: /* Check your modem access */

2011-07-10T14:12:08Z

‎Check your modem access

Amblinn: /* Overview */

2011-07-10T14:07:34Z

‎Overview

Amblinn: /* Set up the WiRNS software : MOSTLY DONE */

2011-07-10T03:38:47Z

‎Set up the WiRNS software : MOSTLY DONE

Amblinn: /* Make sure your modem is compatible with your Replay */

2011-07-10T03:34:34Z

‎Make sure your modem is compatible with your Replay

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:49, 10 July 2011
Line 53:		Line 53:
	On 7/31/11, it is recommended that you DISCONNECT your phone line from the ReplayTV box, and keep it disconnected, even if you haven't gotten this solution working yet. It's not clear when the ability to dial-out will be disabled entirely. If it happens on 7/31 (or if your Replay has already received the message to stop doing this on 7/31), then it's likely going to be a bit more complicated to get everything working again.		On 7/31/11, it is recommended that you DISCONNECT your phone line from the ReplayTV box, and keep it disconnected, even if you haven't gotten this solution working yet. It's not clear when the ability to dial-out will be disabled entirely. If it happens on 7/31 (or if your Replay has already received the message to stop doing this on 7/31), then it's likely going to be a bit more complicated to get everything working again.

		+	Also, a number of these instructions involve forcing the Replay to dial-out. When this dial out is happening, viewing and recording shows or live TV will not be possible (scheduled recordings will not occur, for instance), so you should plan accordingly.

	== Check your modem access ==		== Check your modem access ==

@@ Line 211: / Line 211: @@
 # Once you have finished this setup, the Replay will dial out again, to get the detailed guide data.
 ## Again, you'll here the modem negotiatng the connection, and it may take a cycle or two
-## The Replay will show you its download status (for example, downloading guide data, 7%)
+## The Replay will show you its download status (for example, downloading guide data, 7%).  This can take some time (for me, four hours for 111 channels using a 14.4 modem)
 ## The WiRNS Live Logfile viewer will show you what it's working on.  It's an excellent sign when it says "hijacking headend request", then says "Serving guide data for... <date> <IP address>", then says "Loaded ### shows for ## channels in #.### second(s)".
-## Once the Replay is done, it will disconnect.  You can shut down the VMPlayer at this point,
+## Once the Replay is done, it will disconnect.  You can shut down the VMPlayer at this point
+# Go to your ReplayTV -- check the guide -- do you see data?  If you had recordings already set up, are they still there?
-Go to your ReplayTV -- check the guide -- do you see data?  If you had recordings already set up, are they still there?
+## if yes, congrats!
+## if no, the good folks at planetreplay (WiRNS forum) may be able to help.
-if yes, congrats!
+# Go to your PC -- Right click on the WiRNS system tray icon and choose to Update the ReplayGuide and update the TODO list
-if no, the good folks at planetreplay (WiRNS forum) may be able to help.
+## You should now be able to use WiRNS to view your channel guide, a list of your upcoming recordings, and a list of your existing recordings
+## Note that "Recording Channels" option in the Channel Guide drop-down just shows you the channels you're recording things on, provided you're looking at a time period during which recordings are scheduled
 If all is good, you'll want to set this up for ongoing unattended operation (or, alternately, you can manually start your VM Player each day and force an update using 243-Zones).  See "Finishing Touches" below.

@@ Line 109: / Line 109: @@
 ## Right-click on "FreeSCO.vmx", scroll down the pop-up menu and choose "Open with..."
 ## Choose Notepad (if it's listed) or choose "Choose Program..." and select Notepad from the list
-## Once the FreeSCO.vmx file is open, scroll to the section that has "\# First serial port, physical COM1 is available"
+## Once the FreeSCO.vmx file is open, scroll to the section that has "/# First serial port, physical COM1 is available"
 ## Change the COM port shown in "serial0.fileName = "COM1" " to match your COM port
 ## Save and close notepad
@@ Line 122: / Line 122: @@
 ## This TURNS OFF the modem trying to dial every 30 seconds
 ## During "normal" ongoing operation (not when you're setting things up), you do not want to type this command.  We're only doing it hear to save wear & tear on the modem, and on your ears
-## If you ever type "killall mgetty", and realize you need the modem running again, typing "reboot <ENTER>" is an easy way to start everything up again
+## If you ever type "killall mgetty", and realize you need the modem running again, typing "reboot" <ENTER> is an easy way to start everything up again
 # Type "setup" <ENTER> to enter setup mode.
 # <ENTER> to accept the default color mode.

@@ Line 91: / Line 91: @@
 # Download and install VMware Player http://www.vmware.com/products/player/
 ## Note that you will have to register in order to download the player
 # Download and unzip the FreeSCO Virt Machine: http://xmltv.org/alpha/FreeSCO_vmware.zip
 ## In more recent versions of Windows (including XP), you can "unzip" by right-clicking on the folder and choosing "Extract All..."
@@ Line 103: / Line 104: @@
 ## Click "Serial Port", then choose the actual COM from the drop-down list under "Use physical serial port:"
 ## Click "OK"
 # Make sure your modem is turned on (if there's an on/off switch)
 # Click "Play virtual machine"
@@ Line 111: / Line 121: @@
 # Type "killall mgetty" <ENTER>
 ## This TURNS OFF the modem trying to dial every 30 seconds
-## During "normal" ongoing operation (not when you're setting things up), you do not want to type this command
+## During "normal" ongoing operation (not when you're setting things up), you do not want to type this command.  We're only doing it hear to save wear & tear on the modem, and on your ears
 # Type "setup" <ENTER> to enter setup mode.
 # <ENTER> to accept the default color mode.
@@ Line 125: / Line 136: @@
 # <41> <ENTER> to enter "DNS Server"
 ## <n> <ENTER> to disable DNS caching
-## Primary DNS Address will EVENTUALLY be set to the IP Address of your WiRNS machine (below).  If you are following these instructions prior to 7/31/2011, though, it's a good idea to test that you have FreeSCO working by connection to the main ReplayTV servers first.  For this, you should set the primary DNS address to match the IP address of your router
+## Primary DNS Address will EVENTUALLY be set to the IP Address of your WiRNS machine (below).  If you are following these instructions prior to 7/31/2011, though, it's a good idea to test that you have FreeSCO working by connection to the main ReplayTV servers first.  For this, you should set the primary DNS address to match the IP address of your router.  As an FYI, the IP address in this field tells FreeSCO where to redirect the modem data -- it'll eventually be to FreeSCO, but if you set it to the IP address of your router, your router will automatically send the to where the Replay thinks it should go
 ## leave secondary DNS address blank
 # <x> <ENTER> to exit Advanced settings

@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
 # If you don't get a CONNECT, troubleshoot the problem before spending any time moving forward.
 ## First suggestion is to provide "talk battery" to the Replay to PC connection. A 9 volt battery in series with a 330 to 1000 ohm resistor should work. You may need to connect two phone jacks back to back to access the two wires, red and green at the jacks, carrying signal. Polarity is not important. This is not a permanent solution because the 9 volt battery will deplete fairly quickly.
-## A chatcord is another alternative, and will provide a permanent solution.  Chatcord requires a phone line splitter and an open USB port
+## A chatcord (or magicJack hardware only) is another alternative, and will provide a permanent solution.  Chatcord / magicJack requires a phone line splitter and an open USB port
 <br>

@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 == Check your modem access ==
 # If you have an external modem, set it up.  Otherwise, double-check that you actually have an internal modem by finding the phone or line port on your PC (the phone / line ports are narrower than the ethernet port)
-# On your PC, open a connection to the modem with HyperTERM or (TODO:  figure out how to use PuTTY to talk to the modem) [http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html PUTTY] if your version of windows doesn't have HyperTERM
+# On your PC, open a connection to the modem with HyperTERM.  (If your version of windows doesn't have HyperTERM, you can download a recent version of [http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html PUTTY], start PuTTY.exe, choose the "Serial" radiobutton, and type the correct COM port in the Hostname entry field -- if you're not sure, check step #5 below for how to find this)
 ## In Windows XP, you can find HyperTerm through Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Communications
 ## When it prompts you for a name for the New Connection, hit "Cancel"
@@ Line 67: / Line 67: @@
 ## Start -> Control Panel -> Phone and Modem Options -> [Modems] tab.  If there are multiple listed, note all of the COM ports, then try the next option
 ## In HyperTerm, choose "New Connection".  Type in a name, click "OK".  On the next screen, where it says "Connect Using:", select the first COM port on your list from the above step, and click "OK". Click "OK" on the next screen.  Type "AT".  If it says "OK", then you have a good COM port.  If it doesn't seem to do anything, then click the "Disconnect" button and repeat this process for each of the COM ports until you get the "OK" and can test ATA.  Make note of this COM port (you'll need it later).  When you close HyperTerm (or choose to create a new connection), you do not need to save the previous connection when it prompts you.
 == Make sure your modem is compatible with your Replay ==

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 * An unused dial-up modem, recommended 28.8K or better (for use with phonelines, not cable or DSL)
 * A phone cord long enough to connect the Replay to the PC modem
-* (maybe) A device (such as a chat cord) to provide power for the phone line (chatcord requires a phone line splitter and an open USB port)
+* (maybe) A device (such as a chat cord or the magicJack hardware) to provide power for the phone line (chatcord / magicJack requires a phone line splitter and an open USB port)
 * A subscription to SchedulesDirect (non-profit group providing listings for personal use for $20/year).  Wait until you have everything else working before signing up for this

@@ Line 143: / Line 143: @@
 == Set up the WiRNS software : MOSTLY DONE ==
-This set of instructions got me to the point where I can download channel and guide data into my ShowStopper.  There are still a number of less-than-ideal behaviors, however, including long dial-up times (10x longer than going to RTV directly) and inability to set a custom local phone number (which may cause problems post 7/31).
+This set of instructions got me to the point where I can download channel and guide data into my ShowStopper, as well as see what shows I've recorded and have scheduled to record.  There are still a number of less-than-ideal behaviors, however, including long dial-up times (10x longer than going to RTV directly) and inability to set a custom local phone number (which may cause problems post 7/31).
 Once these items are resolved, I'll be updating these instructions appropriately... however, if you're feeling desperate and have gotten this far, then by all means, continue :-).

@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 # When the Replay says "Dialing", type "ATA" <ENTER> on the PC Terminal
 # You should hear the high pitched "Answer Tone" (from when you tested the modem), followed by the Replay trying to sync up.
-# You should get a "CONNECT" message, followed by short periodic bursts of data (about a third of a line long, with a lot of brackets).  That means your PC modem is compatible.
+# You should get a "CONNECT" message on HyperTerm/PuTTY, followed by short periodic bursts of data (about a third of a line long, with a lot of brackets).  On the Replay, the message should change from "Dialing..." to "Connecting...".  That means your PC modem is compatible.  Once you receive this message, you can disconnect in HyperTerm and STOP (exit) on Replay.
 # If you don't get a CONNECT, troubleshoot the problem before spending any time moving forward.
 ## First suggestion is to provide "talk battery" to the Replay to PC connection. A 9 volt battery in series with a 330 to 1000 ohm resistor should work. You may need to connect two phone jacks back to back to access the two wires, red and green at the jacks, carrying signal. Polarity is not important. This is not a permanent solution because the 9 volt battery will deplete fairly quickly.