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Sky+ Web interface
Sky+ Digibox

The Sky+ digibox is a satellite receiver combined with a hard disk, allowing satellite programmes to be recorded digitally for later viewing. The device is controlled exclusively through an infra-red remote, utilising an extensive on-screen display to present the broadcast schedules, the index of recorded programmes, and provides a menu system for marking programmes for recording.

The problem
While at work, a friends house, or just out and about, you find out about that must-see programme on later that night, but knowing that you cannot make it home in time, how can you ensure that you don't miss it ?.

The Solution
With the proliferation of always-on internet connections, it should be possible to communicate with devices in the home via the internet from anywhere. While communicating with the microwave, dishwasher, or fridge don't seem to add any useful value, controlling a video recorder of some sort seems like a genuine application for wiring up the house.
The solution requires a permanent internet connection, a PC with a video digitiser card, lots of bits of software, and an infra-red tranceiver.

Progress
I already had a suitable internet connection, I bought a digitiser card for about £30, I found LIRC which seems ideal, but does not have the codes for Sky+ digiboxes. I built an IR transmitter, the next part of the project would have been the IR receiver to capture the codes from the remote control, but at this point everything ground to a halt before I ordered the necessary parts, as I was due to move house.

How it would have worked
After logging in ( don't want anyone messing with your digibox ) a webpage would show a static video capture of the screen, probably after selecting the TV Guide function automatically. A graphic on the webpage would look like the remote, and clicking on the buttons would cause the relevant signal to be sent to the digibox via the IR transmitter. The page would re-load with an updated video capture, and using this method, all functions could be controlled remotely.

Gold plating
I was wondering wether a simple text recognition system could be used to read the on-screen menu allowing the system to gather more options and information before the user accessed the system, thus allowing a more efficient user interface designed around the capability of the web technology allowing tasks to be performed using a single action. For example show a list of programmes on the disk, and select programmes to delete in one go.




Design by Ed Maher 2002