Options for a victim of the digital revolution

[icrra]

Hello:

I don't really have an issue with GBPVR, but need some expert opinions on my dilemma.

I have Comcast standard cable here in Portland, OR. Last month, Comcast switched to digital signals only. No problem -- I simply purchased a QAM capable tuner (Hauppauge 1250), mapped the channels, and all was happy in GBPVR land.

Alas, happiness and Comcast don't stay together long. It appears Comcast no longer broadcasts the "good" channels in clear-QAM anymore. So, I'm no longer able to record shows on HGTV, ESPN, etc. I still get these channels using the little digital box that Comcast sent me, but not using clear-QAM on my GPPVR machine.

So, what are my options? If I hook up that little digital box to my computer tuner, is there a device that will allow GBPVR to change the channel on that box? How do you map all channels to channel 3? What other options do I have?

Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Thanks very much.

[icrra]

OK, so further research shows I need something called an "IR Blaster" to control the digital box. Off to ebay I go....

Please let me know if anyone has any other helpful suggestions for me. Thanks.

[sub]

The only thing to be aware of is that some of these small Comcast digital boxes use non-standard IR signals, and are incompatible with IR blasters. I'm not familiar with which set top boxes models are those problem ones though.

[icrra]

* sigh * Thanks for that info. Seems like Comcast is reducing my choices for recording tv down to *their* dvr, which costs extra $$ per month. I'll do some research on the RS232 IR blaster.

[icrra]

The digital box I have been given from Comcast is a "Pace DC50x". Looks like it works with MythTV using a config file outlined here: http://regx.dgswa.com/html/node/134

Is it safe to assume it will work with GBPVR then too?

THANKS!

[johnsonx42]

I thought the Pace boxes supplied by comcast were simple digital tuners with no decryption capability? Anything the Pace box can tune should be available to your HVR-1250.

Sub, isn't this the exact situation you were looking into with your thread in the announcements forum?

[sub]

Sub, isn't this the exact situation you were looking into with your thread in the announcements forum?

Yes, but that wasnt for anything that'll help owners of these boxes. I just wanted them to collect some info for me. I've got that info now.

[markbb1]

So, what are my options?

You could rent their DVR for more $$ per month, or hook the output of their set top box up to your GBPVR box

If I hook up that little digital box to my computer tuner, is there a device that will allow GBPVR to change the channel on that box?

It is called an IR blaster. I use a Windows MCE USB "beanbag" that has an IR receiver and two IR blasters. Got it on e-bay for about $16 plus shipping. I would steer away from serial blasters. They are getting scarce and support is dying out. Maybe because support for serial ports on PCs is fading. Get a USB unit instead.

How do you map all channels to channel 3?

There must be something in the wiki or the forums. Although most people used the yellow composite video, or the s-vhs video (if the set top box had an s-vhs output) and the red/white analog audio outputs of the set top box, you should be able to use either those, or channel 3, with the capture card you were using before comcast went digital. Or does your digital card also have analog capability? Once you have a capture card with analog capability working, set up a capture source with a lineup that has all the channels from the set top box, set up your IR blaster, and you should be good to go. Notice that the recordings from that source will be 480i and not any sort of hi def.

[icrra]

I thought the Pace boxes supplied by comcast were simple digital tuners with no decryption capability? Anything the Pace box can tune should be available to your HVR-1250.

I don't think this is the case, as the Pace box still gets the channels, and QAM tuning does not. My TV also can no longer tune those QAM signals.

[sub]

From what I've read johnsonx42 is correct. These cheap Pace comcast DTA boxes can only receive unencrypted QAM channels, and the same channels should all be accessible directly with the HVR-1950's QAM tuner.