Motorola DCT2000 and ReplayTV 5xxx

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

It's going to be a while before I can spring for a ReplayTV, but I'm trying
to do all my research now so I can minimize any surprises when I do finally
buy one. That said, I have a question about my digital cable converter box
and the 5xxx-series ReplayTVs.

I'd assumed that I needed to use the IR Blaster so the RTV can change
channels on the converter box. (And if so, will the IR Blaster handle
3-digit channels?) I've been under the impression that while certain
satellite boxes will allow the RTV to change channels via serial port,
*cable boxes* had to use the IR Blaster. Anyway, yesterday I was reading
through the manual for the RTV 5040, and it said that if the cable box has a
serial port, I could use the provided serial cable to connect the RTV and
have it change channels on the cable box. My digital cable box is a
Motorola DCT2000 with RS232 serial port. I'm thinking that the serial
connection should be more reliable (than the IR Blaster) in changing
channels. If it works, that is. ;-)

Does anyone have experience with this particular cable box and the 5xxx
RTVs? Can you comment on your experience with using either the serial port
or IR Blaster to change channels on the cable box?

Thanks so much!!

Margaret

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

"Margaret Wilson" <twokatmew@nospam.msn.com> shaped the electrons to say:
>I'd assumed that I needed to use the IR Blaster so the RTV can change
>channels on the converter box. (And if so, will the IR Blaster handle
>3-digit channels?) I've been under the impression that while certain

Yes, and yes - even 4 digits when needed.

>serial port, I could use the provided serial cable to connect the RTV and
>have it change channels on the cable box. My digital cable box is a
>Motorola DCT2000 with RS232 serial port. I'm thinking that the serial

My understanding is that the TiVo can control that box, but not RTV.
At least that's what has come out from past discussions. According to
this FAQ on the website the RTV supports serial control of some
DirecTV boxes, but not cable boxes:
http/www.expressresponse.com/cgi-bin/progsnp/sonicblue01/srchjnnp?search_type=vdocument&search_input=8152&session_id=1082349063.24613.4&search_erproduct=ReplayTV&product=ReplayTV&template=replaytv2%2ehtml&submit.x=36&submit.y=8&submit=search

Of course there are a number of ifs even for TiVo - the cable box has
to have the serial port, it has to be running the correct firmware,
and the cable company has to have enabled the port. Just physically
having the port isn't enough. IIRC the DCT2k series needs firmware
7.53 or better to use the serial port - but that still won't tell you
if the cable company has activated the port.

If the port *is* active, it is much more reliable than IR because the
TiVo receives feedback over the connection and can re-attempt channel
changes if they don't work the first time. And it is almost
impossible to interfere with a serial change, while IR can experience
interference from other remote controls, etc.

That being said, I use IR with my TiVos and cable boxes and I haven't
experienced any errors in the past few years.

-MZ, RHCE #806199299900541, ex-CISSP #3762
--
<URL:mailto:megazoneatmegazone.org> Gweep, Discordian, Author, Engineer, me.
"A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest men" 508-755-4098
<URL:http/www.megazone.org/> <URL:http/www.eyrie-productions.com/> Eris

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.replaytv (More info?)

"Margaret Wilson" <twokatmew@nospam.msn.com> wrote in message
news:c5uuk20hsb@news1.newsguy.com...
> It's going to be a while before I can spring for a ReplayTV, but I'm
trying
> to do all my research now so I can minimize any surprises when I do
finally
> buy one. That said, I have a question about my digital cable converter
box
> and the 5xxx-series ReplayTVs.
>
> I'd assumed that I needed to use the IR Blaster so the RTV can change
> channels on the converter box. (And if so, will the IR Blaster handle
> 3-digit channels?) I've been under the impression that while certain
> satellite boxes will allow the RTV to change channels via serial port,
> *cable boxes* had to use the IR Blaster. Anyway, yesterday I was reading
> through the manual for the RTV 5040, and it said that if the cable box has
a
> serial port, I could use the provided serial cable to connect the RTV and
> have it change channels on the cable box. My digital cable box is a
> Motorola DCT2000 with RS232 serial port. I'm thinking that the serial
> connection should be more reliable (than the IR Blaster) in changing
> channels. If it works, that is. ;-)
>
> Does anyone have experience with this particular cable box and the 5xxx
> RTVs? Can you comment on your experience with using either the serial
port
> or IR Blaster to change channels on the cable box?
>
> Thanks so much!!
>
> Margaret
>
My DCT2000 doesn't have a serial port. So, I've been using my RTV5040's IR
blaster for about 3/4 of a year with only one botched channel change in all
that time.