Lost all Stations with analog to digital enhancement

[luvtrees]

Is it possible to combine the 1 channel RF output from the cable box and the raw cable signal coming into the house similar to combining multiple antennas allowing the dual tuner capability of the HVR2250 to function again. 2 weeks ago comcast enhanced our service to all digital. 3 PVR500MCE stopped working dispalying If you can read this message your not ready for digital enhancement. Please call xxxxxxxxxx. In anticipation of that change I got a HVR2250. It picks up 119 QAM channels many of which are duplicates. My 500MCE cards are only good for 1 channel each recording what is coming out of the cable box via the RF coaxial connector on 1 card and 1 channel on the other card hooked up to a mini cable box (analog to digital converter) free from comcast. It only has 1 RF output for an analog TV. I don't want to hassle with OTA.

[Zogg]

It is possible but your mileage may vary. I used to do this and could never get all the channels to work and look right.

Basically, you have to block some of the channels on the raw cable to make a place for your inserted signal. For example you could use a high-pass filter that blocks the cable channels say below 65, while passing those above 65. Then you use a splitter/combiner (good splitters can also combine) to combine the output of the cable box with the now filtered raw cable.

Instead of using the RF output of the cable box, which is limited to channels 3 or 4, you can also get a modulator that will let you put the output on almost any channel. But at least on my system, the clear QAM channels are in the higher range, and if yours is the same, then you want to block the lower channels and insert your signal there.

Smarthome isn't the cheapest but they have a lot of this stuff so you can go read up on it. I have another site that is usually priced lower but the name escapes me. I'll add it to this thread later.

[rothe]

Plan B is that you buy 3 new 2250s and then sell your 500s on E-bay for very nearly what you paid for the 2250s. Check some completed listings on E-bay to see what they're going for. That's what I did, and it worked out pretty well.

Also, don't forget that you have S-video on all of these cards. With the right set top boxes, that might factor into your solution.

[enigma9o7]

Originally Posted by rothe

Also, don't forget that you have S-video on all of these cards. With the right set top boxes, that might factor into your solution.

I'm not familiar with those cards and have never used cable with btv, but it sounds like that's the way to go for him. Have a cable box go into svideo on the hvr tuner (for channels not clear qam) and the raw cable into coax on the tuner card (for clear qam).

Then use those free converter boxes for the PVRs if you need more tuners.

[luvtrees]

Thanks for those replies. I especially like the s-video idea. Will BTV record via the program guide using s-video connections?

[enigma9o7]

Yes but you'll have something like IRBlaster that btv can use to change channels on the cable box.

[luvtrees]

Yes. Which is better IR or serial?

[Terminal]

Serial is better if the box allows it.