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Latest stock/dispatch update6th 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 DRX595We'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 driverWe'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 IntegrationWe'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 2012We'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 2012It'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 2011A new version of our command line software for linux has been released.This includes two small changes:
25th June 2011Today 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:
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 2011We'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 2011We're very pleased to announce that following a collaboration with Extra Vegetables they have released a comphrensive Control4 driver with full support our both our RS232 controllers and feedback from the 'Gnome' data on the Sky box RS232 port. The driver also supports a number of advanced features. To buy the driver, please visit Extra Vegetables website.15th March 2011Today, Sky released a new Sky HD (non-PVR) set top box, the Amstrad DRX-595, some details can be seen on these pages:
13th March 2011
Today we officially launched a new revision of our 5, 10 and 15 output
controllers.
The new revision features:
The units are immediately available from stock and all orders placed from
today onwards will be for the new revision.
19th June 2010A new version of our command line software for linux has been released. This fixes a (false) compiler warning that was occurring on CentOS 5.2.25th May 2010A new version of our command line software for linux has been released. This fixes a compiler warning that was occurring on Ubuntu 10.04.14th November 2009We've tested our controllers when connected to the 'tv output' of a Global SPC4 'Super Plus Combiner'. Our controllers work fine with the combiner, though the following caveats apply:
The codes required are shown on the control codes page. 8th November 2009A new version of the crestron module for our multi-output serial controllers is now available. Thanks to Dan Palmer for providing this!Please go to the software page to download the latest version. Changes since previous version:
29th August 2009A new version of the windows gui application is now available.Changes since previous version:
7th July 2009New versions of the linux, Windows and Mac OS X command line tools are available from the software download page.Changes since previous version:
5th July 2009A new version of the windows gui application is now available.Changes since previous version:
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