XM on Carputer THE GUIDE

**HummDinger** · 05-02-2005, 08:13 PM

Ok just ordered 3 of them total 15.44. Not bad for an online deal.

**Maestro_MB** · 05-07-2005, 02:56 PM

Question:

As my carputer is still stuck in long planning phase
, and one of the features I will be implementing is definitely an XM, I thought I'd go with Commander approach for a while, and then switch to carputer control when I have it.

The question is, actually - if I get Commander package (base unit and control unit), will I be later able to disconnect control unit and wire base unit of Commander to the serial port, as you guys do with Direct base unit. from puctures it seems that these two units are fairly similar, but I've found some info about difference in powering them. I think I should be able to overcome power issues, what I'm more interested in - does Commander have same exact data interface as Direct have?

Thanks a lot for all replies !
Maestro

**Imagex** · 05-07-2005, 03:14 PM

Yes, the commander is a good way to go if you want to use it with and with out a computer, We used a commander when we made our cables then went to Directs after we got all the byte codes down. ( you can listen to the commander head unit sending the bytes to the reciver).

**t00h0t** · 05-31-2005, 07:41 PM

ok... I've been pulling my hair out for the past week. I purchased an XM Direct unit a couple of weeks ago, then bought the serial cable that one of the guys on this site is selling. I also got the toslink adapter. I soldered it in before getting the cable (I have tons of experience soldering) so I figured it would be fine. I've doubled, tripled, and quadruple checked EVERYTHING. I've set up all the software correctly and tested the cables with a volt meter. It just wont work. THREE different computers as well. So I figured I messed up the XM direct unit when I was soldering. So I purchased a brand new one. As soon as it got here I plugged it in.... and IT DOESN'T WORK EITHER! I am seriously pulling my hair out. This wire is made exactly as it says on this post, I even remade the damn thing. I've tried different XM software. None of them can find the XM Direct unit.

Has anyone recently purchased an XM Direct unit and gotten it to work? Maybe the new ones are different. I don't know... its the ONLY thing I can think of.

**jcdillin** · 05-31-2005, 07:53 PM

did you try the xmtest program in this thread?

XMDirect Problem

you should really start a new thread in the hardware discussion forum, then I can help you out there

**t00h0t** · 05-31-2005, 08:08 PM

yeah I saw that thread and pin 10 on both my XM units have 0 voltage... the unit is not turning on. but wont it only turn on if it gets a proper signal from the computer telling it to turn on? Also frodos app isn't available anymore...

**jcdillin** · 05-31-2005, 08:10 PM

post 95

the xmdirect will turn on if both pins 6 and 7 are shorted and fed 12v and you send it the magic bytes

**jcdillin** · 05-31-2005, 08:12 PM

also who did you get the cable from?

**t00h0t** · 05-31-2005, 08:17 PM

ok I am getting S's AND R's!!! but not any channels??? I'm sure frodos app is sending the magix bytes right??

**jcdillin** · 05-31-2005, 08:19 PM

well are you running direct serial or through a USB to serial adapter?

if you are seeing S and R that means your cable is wired correctly and your XMD is running

you might just have a cable shielding problem

you need to make sure that the shield is grounded at both ends