Dusky Control - Latest News

Latest stock/dispatch update

6th May 2013: We're currently processing most orders as normal, but we are low on stock of the 5 output controllers - new stock is due within the next week. Stock levels of the DRX595 controller are also low.

12th January 2013 - standalone controller for DRX595

We're working on developing a 'standalone' controller for the I/O port on the Amstrad DRX595 - ie. something sort of equivalent to the Global Invacom SMC (SMATV Master Controller), based on our existing controller for the DRX595.

If you're interested in this, drop Joseph an email - should be available later this month.

3rd October 2012 - RTI driver

We're delighted to have received word from Janus Technology that they've developed a driver to allow our controllers to be used with RTI's home automation range - please email licensing@janustechnology.co.uk for details.

2nd September 2012 - Dianemo Integration

We're very happy to say that Convergent Home Technologies have got in touch to let us know that our controllers have been fully integrated into their Dianemo home automation system.

They have a screenshot of the Sky support on their website.

7th February 2012 - DRX595 'magic eye'

One of our customers recently came to us in a bit of a panic. They'd just completed an install, and almost everything was working.

The problem was a DRX595 'multiroom' Sky HD box, which as you may know doesn't have an RF2 port so doesn't support the usual tvlink / 'magic eyes'. The box had been installed into a cupboard in the bedroom, and they'd installed a Marmitek IR Control 8 to allow it to be controlled - but they just couldn't get this to work reliably, mainly due to the curved front on the DRX595.

Of course, the house holder was holding back payment for the whole job until this was sorted. We always like to try and help when we can, so we cannibalised one of our DRX595 RS232 control units and built a 'magic eye' for the DRX595. Basically it has a 10 pin mini-din on one end with a 3.5mm socket, optionally an extension cable, then a 3.5mm plug and an IR pickup. Here's a photo of the finished unit (click for a larger version):

This isn't a true 'magic eye' as there's no RF connection, so you'll still need to make a HDMI connection to any remote TV alongside a 2 core + screen cable for the IR. So it's good for a Sky box hidden away in a cupboard, but not so good for a Sky box in a different room.

We're not yet sure if this is something of general interest, but we've got a few ready to build up. If you're interested in getting one, drop Joseph an email - they're priced at £40 inclusive of UK P&P.

15th January 2012

We've now got the production run of our controllers for the new DRX-595 Sky HD 'multiroom' boxes that have no RF2 connector.

The controller connects to the 10 pin mini-din 'I/O port' on the SkyHD box and provides full control with no infrared in sight.

If/when Sky enable the feedback data (used by the Sky Gnome and Sky Talker) on the DRX-595, we plan to present this data on the same RS232 port used for control, so that there is full feedback and control from a single RS232 connector

The price is £60 inclusive of P&P and you can order from our DRX595 controller page.

Here's a picture of the finished product (click on the picture for a larger version):

12th January 2012

It's now well over 6 years since Dusky Control sold our first controller. The sales have grown every year over that time and a couple of years ago reached the point where it was an occupation rather than the hobby it started out as.

I'd always operated Dusky Control on a 'sole trader' basis, but over Christmas I came to the conclusion that it was time (or even somewhat overdue) to turn Dusky into a formal company.

This turned out to be pretty simple to do thanks to some quick work by our excellent accountants at beyond the numbers, so we are now trading as Dusky Control Ltd, registered company number SC414142.

Nothing else has changed - our service and products are still the same, it's still me (Joseph) running the show, the website address / email address / phone number are all the same and no changes to pricing. If you've any queries drop me an email.

18th September 2011

This includes two small changes:

• For serial controllers, it can now be built without USB support to avoid the need to install libusb-dev - see readme.txt for instructions.
• The --debug option now displays the firmware version and number of outputs for serial controllers.

25th June 2011

Today we've launched the latest revision of our 2 output serial controllers. Our main goal for the new revision was to redesign the case based on feedback we've received from customers over the years.

The new design has a number of advantages:

• a very robust extruded aliminum outer
• physically smaller
• RF output connectors are now mounted on the side rather than the front

The price remains the same, and all orders shipped from today onwards will be for the new revison.

Photos of the new units (click for a larger version):

5th June 2011

We've now got our first few 'beta' units for the new DRX-595 up and running. The controller connects to the 10 pin mini-din 'I/O port' on the SkyHD box and provides full control with no infrared in sight.

If/when Sky enable the feedback data (used by the Sky Gnome and Sky Talker) on the DRX-595, we plan to present this data on the same RS232 port used for control, so that there is full feedback and control from a single RS232 connector

We're currently trying to finalise details like the case and cable so we can figure out the price.

Here's a picture of the beta units (click on the picture for a larger version); we do have a small number available to sell:

28th May 2011

• Press release (PDF)
• Extra Vegetables Control4 Sky Driver page

15th March 2011

• http://www.satbuyer.co.uk/amstrad-drx595-sky-hd-digibox-p143.html
• http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home/
• http://www.sky.com/shop/boxes/sky-multiroom/skyhd-box/
• Photos of the new box

13th March 2011

The new revision features:

• a redesigned case that is nicer looking
• the captive RS232 cable has been replaced with a panel mount connector, a feature often requested by our customers to allow them to achieve neater installs.
• an external power connector is now available to cater for situations where the customer does not want to rely on the RF2 power outputs from the Sky boxes (or where the controllers are connected behind a distribution amplifier that does not provide sufficient power).

The units are immediately available from stock and all orders placed from today onwards will be for the new revision.

19th June 2010

25th May 2010

14th November 2009

• The Sky Navigator key codes (eg. the 'a' through 'z' keys) cannot be used, this is a limitation of the combiner.
• Controlling multiple digiboxs may be slower than if each digibox has a dedicated controller port (as the commands must be sent down the single cable to the combiner one at a time).

The codes required are shown on the control codes page.

8th November 2009

Please go to the software page to download the latest version.

Changes since previous version:

• Each sky box can now be expanded/minimised during setup
• Commands are listed in the same order as on the sky remote control

29th August 2009

Changes since previous version:

• Support for 64 bit windows

7th July 2009

Changes since previous version:

• Added --sky+hd command to send the sky HD specific IR codes
• Added new --output option (and deprecated existing --box option) that numbers the controller outputs from 1 (as labelled on the controllers), not 0 (as --box did), to reduce confusion.

5th July 2009

Changes since previous version:

• Contains an image for the normal sky remote control as well as the sky+ one
• Packaged as a windows installer
• Dropdown menu to allow different controller outputs to be selected
• Configurable list of controllers/controller outputs/sky box types (xml)