HELP! Losing analog cable premium channels / must go digital

[EnochLight]

Right now I use Beyond TV with Comcast. I have a digital box on my main TV because I pay for HBO (gotta record my shows!) and it comes in fine via the analog signal split off of my cable modem into my computer for Beyond TV.

However, in early June 2005 Comcast will only offer premium channels (like HBO) through their digital service... which means I can *NO LONGER* change channels via Snapstream and the integrated program guide.

Do you guys have any reliable (read: proven) setups using a digital box and Beyond TV? How can I reliably get the channels to change for me?

Any advice appreciated...

Cheers,

EnochLight

[nanook105]

I have been using an IR200L and a USBUIRT to change channels on my digital cable boxes since I started with BTV. The USBUIRT is easier to set up, and is "officially" supported, but both have worked fine for me.

[DanielS]

The MyBlaster USB also works flawlessly for me on my digital boxes. I have used them with both Comcast and RCN on Motorola DCT2000s.

[EnochLight]

Thanks for the info guys!

Cheers,

EnochLight

[Barnsie]

I've got Comcast as well, and switched from analog to digital. I've been using two plain old serial cables with my two Motorola DCT-2524's and it's worked flawlessly for almost a year now. I used to use a usb-uirt, but the kids had a habit of moving it around and I'd miss a recording before I noticed.

The setup really couldn't have been easier. I picked up the boxes from the Comcast office and then stopped at radio shack on the way to pick up the cables. I winced at RS's prices, and decided to go home and rummage through my junk cable crate. I found a couple cables, hooked them up, reran the btv setup wizard and I was good to go. The serial ports on the boxes were all active by default. The box model wasn't listed in the setup wizard, but I chose the closest one numerically and it has worked fine....

Good luck.

Barnsie

[Baylo]

Yep - if you're getting a box that has a serial connector, then that's a very reliable way of changing channels, and it's easy to set up in BTV. I used that for a year or so until I got my HD cable box which doesn't have a serial connector, so for the last 6 months I've been using a USBUIRT which has also been very reliable and, in conjuction with girder, has let me also use my Remote Wonder to control the TV set and receiver.

Mark

[Duc Hunter]

I just moved into a new place and we have Comcast Dig also. I noticed these boxes do not have a serial cable but they do have what looks like 3 mini-plug (like for a walkman headphone) in the back. 2 are labeled "Data" (high speed and out-of-band) and the third one is labeled IR. They are General Instrument boxes. Anyone seen this? Think it could be used for IR input?

The box is a DCT2244/1161..........if that matters.

[EnochLight]

Just wanted to update everyone and say thanks; my Motorola DCT2244 is working fine with USB-UIRT IR Blaster.

Cheers!

EnochLight

[nanook105]

Good news It's always nice when someone posts back with a success.

[vex]

I use IR Blaster that came with my Hauppage card. By updating the IR BLaster drivers on the Hauppage webiste you'll find they added support for Motorola.

[Duc Hunter]

Does anyone know what the IR port is for on the back of these DC24XX boxes?

[Matt_W]

I just got the Motorola digital box from Comcast and also wasn't sure what that IR plug on the back was - input or ouput. The manual says it is for output for controlling a VCR but that doesn't make a lot of sense.. So, I decided to try it out anyway. I unplugged the IR emitter from my blaster (am using the MyBlaster) and took a cable with a mini-plug on each end and connected the blaster directly to the jack on the cable box, and believe it or not it works great and I no longer need the IR emitter stuck on the front of the box..

[nanook105]

Originally Posted by Matt_W

I just got the Motorola digital box from Comcast and also wasn't sure what that IR plug on the back was - input or ouput. The manual says it is for output for controlling a VCR but that doesn't make a lot of sense.. So, I decided to try it out anyway. I unplugged the IR emitter from my blaster (am using the MyBlaster) and took a cable with a mini-plug on each end and connected the blaster directly to the jack on the cable box, and believe it or not it works great and I no longer need the IR emitter stuck on the front of the box..

How is this (or MyBlaster) connected to your PC ?

[Matt_W]

The myBlaster is connected to PC via the serial port.

[EnochLight]

Originally Posted by Matt_W

I just got the Motorola digital box from Comcast and also wasn't sure what that IR plug on the back was - input or ouput. The manual says it is for output for controlling a VCR but that doesn't make a lot of sense.. So, I decided to try it out anyway. I unplugged the IR emitter from my blaster (am using the MyBlaster) and took a cable with a mini-plug on each end and connected the blaster directly to the jack on the cable box, and believe it or not it works great and I no longer need the IR emitter stuck on the front of the box..

Which model number digital box do you have from Comcast, and do you mean that you plugged a USB cable into your cable box from your computer? Please clarify...

Cheers,

EnochLight