Monitor cable box with EZIO2x4?

[simonsez]

HI,

 

I've been trying to figure out a way to monitor when my cable box is switched off.  This often happens when my provider helpfully flashes the firmware, reboots the box and leaves it in an off state.  Since I don't watch the box directly, I don't find out until I get blank recordings in my MythTV.

 

I have a EZIO2x4 in my little basement datacenter where the STB is which I use for some other tasks.   I was thinking perhaps there was a way to use it to monitor of the cable box is on or off.  The STB in question has a powered AC outlet at the back which I have configured to turn on off wih the cable box.  I was wondering if I connected a DC power supply to this outlet, could I then connect that to the EZIO2x4 as an input to detect the cable box state?  If so, which terminals would could I use for this?  I have never used the input terminals on the EZIO, only the relay terminals so I'm not positive on how to go about this.

 

Thanks,

Simon

[Teken]

HI,

 

I've been trying to figure out a way to monitor when my cable box is switched off.  This often happens when my provider helpfully flashes the firmware, reboots the box and leaves it in an off state.  Since I don't watch the box directly, I don't find out until I get blank recordings in my MythTV.

 

I have a EZIO2x4 in my little basement datacenter where the STB is which I use for some other tasks.   I was thinking perhaps there was a way to use it to monitor of the cable box is on or off.  The STB in question has a powered AC outlet at the back which I have configured to turn on off wih the cable box.  I was wondering if I connected a DC power supply to this outlet, could I then connect that to the EZIO2x4 as an input to detect the cable box state?  If so, which terminals would could I use for this?  I have never used the input terminals on the EZIO, only the relay terminals so I'm not positive on how to go about this.

 

Thanks,

Simon

 

Hello Simon,

 

I thought this issue was addressed in your other related thread where you posed the same Q, no?

 

http://forum.universal-devices.com/topic/15752-synchrolinc-is-the-power-consumption-of-my-device-too-low-to-use-it/?do=findComment&comment=135175

[simonsez]

Hi Teken!

 

I didn't find the SL to very reliable so I discontinued using it.  So I thought perhaps there was some feasible solution to do something similar using the EZIO4x2 and it's inputs.

 

Simon

[Teken]

Hi Teken!

 

I didn't find the SL to very reliable so I discontinued using it.  So I thought perhaps there was some feasible solution to do something similar using the EZIO4x2 and it's inputs.

 

Simon

 

Hello Simon,

 

Are there existing budget constraints to solve this problem? I ask because the web based switch which I indicated about *Ping Alive* would be a possible solution to this.

 

http://www.digital-loggers.com/lpc.html

[LeeG]

Using a good well filtered 12v DC supply, connect Gnd (-) to I1- and +12v to I1+.   Input I1 turns On when DC supply is On.

[simonsez]

Using a good well filtered 12v DC supply, connect Gnd (-) to I1- and +12v to I1+.   Input I1 turns On when DC supply is On.

 

Hi Lee,

 

Thanks for another answer to one of my questions.  I tired this over the weekend but I'm already using I1 and I2, so I went ahead and used I3.  It seems to work as described.  However I am wondering if it's okay to use I3 for this purpose or should I be using the analogue inputs?

 

Cheers,

Simon

[LeeG]

Input 3 and Input 4 can be used as simple digital On/Off Inputs but these Inputs are NOT opto-isolated.  They should have a pullup resister on the Input and the voltage range is 0 to 5 volts (not the 0-30 volts that Input 1 and 2 support).  From the EZIO2X4 Quick Start Guide

 

I3 and I4 as Digital Inputs:

 

As configured by default, inputs I3 and I4 can be used to monitor voltage levels that have distinct thresholds (0—1VDC for ON, and 3—5VDC for OFF.) These are the levels typically produced by digital devices such as a control output from a liquid level detector or telephone answering device. Keep in mind that the device output can not be of the “dry” type; in other words, the output connecting to the EZIO2X4 I3 or I4 inputs must provide a voltage level required to cause a change that the EZIO2X4 can recognize. If needed, a “pull-up” resistor can be connected between the particular input (I3 or I4) and the +5VDC terminal. In this case, do not exceed the maximum 20mA current rating of this terminal.