Motorola DCT 2000

[Wallysaurus]

I'll be putting together a PC with BTV this weekend and was wondering if BTV can be configured to change channels on the Motorola DCT 2000 cable box via serial cable.

[stephenm]

Yes... I have this box myself. Just get a serial cable from radio shack and you're all set.

[DonK]

I have 2 of this series on my dual tuner setup, serial controlled.

[Wallysaurus]

Great!!! Thank you both for the replies.

[HipsterDufus]

But it will depend on your cable provider. I have a DCT 2000 through Shaw Cable up here in Canada, and they have the serial port turned off. When I asked them to turn it on, they said they won't because of pressure from movie studios and piracy. A rather lame excuse, in my opinion, but I was out of luck.

Therefore, I use an IR blaster through BTV, and it actually works pretty well. Some lag, but using the Setup Wizard defaults I'm at probably 99.99% success on channel changes.

caz

[stephenm]

The argument I would use is that they are unfairly competing against Tivo, which uses the same serial cable. Most cable companies offer cable boxes with PVR capability built in. I would tell them that you will report them to (Canada's Version) the FCC for unfair business practices.

Originally Posted by HipsterDufus

But it will depend on your cable provider. I have a DCT 2000 through Shaw Cable up here in Canada, and they have the serial port turned off. When I asked them to turn it on, they said they won't because of pressure from movie studios and piracy. A rather lame excuse, in my opinion, but I was out of luck.

Therefore, I use an IR blaster through BTV, and it actually works pretty well. Some lag, but using the Setup Wizard defaults I'm at probably 99.99% success on channel changes.

caz

[fusion_dust]

What about using the IR port in the back of the cable box? I have a pvr 250 with the same ir port (looks like 1/8th in headphone jack) What kind of cable would be required for this? I was thinking about using a regular 1/8th in patch cable and crossing the L and R...Any ideas?

[Kriilin]

Originally Posted by HipsterDufus

But it will depend on your cable provider. I have a DCT 2000 through Shaw Cable up here in Canada, and they have the serial port turned off. When I asked them to turn it on, they said they won't because of pressure from movie studios and piracy. A rather lame excuse, in my opinion, but I was out of luck.

Therefore, I use an IR blaster through BTV, and it actually works pretty well. Some lag, but using the Setup Wizard defaults I'm at probably 99.99% success on channel changes.

caz

That's interesting, the story I got from Shaw was that they were supplied from the mfgr. without the cable connected internally in the first place. Need to schedule a time to open 'er up! Getting tough though, having unseasonably warm weather in Winnipeg...

[fusion_dust]

I think these connectors are soldered directly onto the circuit board...I'll have to open up and confirm....hmm... <egrin>

[Blackmantle]

I use the UIRT blaster thingy and it works awesome for my Shaw box in Canada.

[HipsterDufus]

Well, if you do open it up and figure out how to connect the serial, I'm all ears. Although I suspect they may also have it turned off through software at the head end.

caz

[Terminal]

I have the DCT2000 and can not use the serial cable as well. I have Cox cable and they just say they do not support that and will not turn it on. It has been about a year since I asked them but I doubt they have changed thier policy.

[rmiles7721]

Originally Posted by Terminal

I have the DCT2000 and can not use the serial cable as well. I have Cox cable and they just say they do not support that and will not turn it on. It has been about a year since I asked them but I doubt they have changed thier policy.

Just keep calling until you find a tech that will turn it on. I got the same answer from Charter, but called three times until I found someone who would turn it on.

[Greg Caulder]

Originally Posted by Kriilin

That's interesting, the story I got from Shaw was that they were supplied from the mfgr. without the cable connected internally in the first place. Need to schedule a time to open 'er up! Getting tough though, having unseasonably warm weather in Winnipeg...

Originally Posted by fusion_dust

What about using the IR port in the back of the cable box? I have a pvr 250 with the same ir port (looks like 1/8th in headphone jack) What kind of cable would be required for this? I was thinking about using a regular 1/8th in patch cable and crossing the L and R...Any ideas?

Anyone see if the direct plug from the back of the IR on the PVR card to the direct IR connection on the back of the cable box works at all?


G

[queonda]

Not sure. I used the com1 port (rs232) before.