Has anybody setup or used SHEF yet?

I think the software is there and active, but the options aren't in the menus yet and it is on by default.

Enlighten us .... what is "SHEF control interface"?

1) Yes it is already enabled, contrary to the documentation

2) SHEF is an http control interface now in public beta. It allows programmatic query and control of the box over Ethernet.

SHEF = Set-top Box HTTP Exported Functionality... basically the ability to control the receiver via HTTP commands sent over the network. Sort of updated, modern version of the serial controlability receivers have had for some time. Apparently there's a public beta trial coming that isn't quite ready for prime time yet.

It was demo'ed by DirecTV personnel at CEDIA and I was told it was in public beta.  The documentation they pointed us too is not quite correct though and nobody in Tech Support seems to know anything about it.

You might want to check out the Cutting Edge Forum at http://www.dbstalk.com.  Registration is required to access that portion of the site.

Am what I'm hearing here is "alrighty you techie-savvy users.....throw that Slingbox away and get ready to do more than just schedule a recording on that HD DVR over the Internet........CONTROL it":0)

WOW....one small step for users......

Or, possibly the feature discussed some time back that would allow recording of Directv programming ion a computer or mobile device.  Maybe Chris would be kind enough to enlighten us as to the feature's practical use?

It's a control interface for external software products (PC, Crestron, AMX, etc) to have Ethernet/HTTP based control of the box's operation.  It provides standard control operations currently available on the serial port, although in a very different protocol, as well as some enhanced information and control (direct access to the playlist).  It does not provide an interactive guide but I'm hoping.  I'd also love to be able to query a channel list (hinthinthint).  It is still in development but what's available seems to work well.  I'm writing a Crestron interface module for it.

chrisoffe,

So now would you translate that into layman's terms for those of us who don't even have a clue what "Creston"  or these other software products "do":0)

Bottom line, what will you be able to control on the HD DVR in addition to accessing the Playlist? Will you be able to remotely manage your To Do List, Series Manager, etc.???? And will it be ONLY useful to "advanced" users such as yourself who are familiar with PC, Creston, AMX, etc.???

Basically what we're talking about here DJ is high-end ($1000) remote controls and full blown home automation systems. The kind of thing where you can sit down and press one button that dims the lights, drops the screen and projector from the ceiling, turns on all the equipment, starts the popcorn popper and does just about everything else except pick the movie and watch it for you. 

For a long time this kind of thing has been done using the serial port and later the USB port found on most receivers. What the fallout will be for 'ordinary' users remains to be seen. There are obviously a lot of possibilities, but someone has to write the software...

Hey there.. just discovered the forums when looking for "shef".

A few days ago I discovered this web interface.. it's fantastic.  I've written some fun tools that we use here at the house that are pretty much useless.. or could be taken care of in a better way.. but hey, it's fun. 🙂

First off, I use the /tv/getTuned to pull what is currently playing on TV, and log it to a file.  This way, I have record of what my children are watching when I'm not around.  (I also have it tweet everytime the show changes [yeah, I'm a dork]).

I've also written scripts to pull the list of recorded items on the DVR.  I wrote one that during the time of day (3-5pm) that the boys are usually able to watch tv without supervision, it will check the rating of the show they are watching, and anything not PG or less, it automatically kicks off a dvr recording of a show that's more appropriate.

I also have some ideas for other things.. but I haven't been able to find some of the commands that I'd like to use.  If anyone knows where a list of the commands are, I was thinking about getting on dbstalk.. but if the list is somewhere else that I can get without signing up, I'd love it!

Yes, I have SHEF1.0 and SHEF 1.1 working with my iPhone/iPad/iPod app in the app store.  Search forDirecTOUCH.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/directouch/id400971700?mt=8

-Kevin

wow... best app I have ever bought.  works  very nice. 

Indeed, works close to perfectly.  Of course for many posters to the forum it would be worthless because they can't get the DVR connected  to their network.  Not sure I see the point unless you need another remote and want one that will work through walls and around corners.