[mythtv-users] UK NTL analogue control

[Pete's Mailing Lists]

Steve,

What area are you in ?   It's worth a try hooking up your analog tuner to
the cable feed and doing a scan.  You might find quite a few channels in the
clear.

As for the remote control the IR spec is similar to the US GI/Motorola
boxes. (even the digital ones use similar protocols)  Some keys may be
different, but you can fix that in Lirc.   There is absolutely no way to do
serial control of the CFT2000.

Rgds,
Pete


-----Original Message-----
From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
[mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org]On Behalf Of Stephen Longhurst
Sent: 01 March 2004 13:41
To: mythtv-users at mythtv.org
Subject: [mythtv-users] UK NTL analogue control


Hi all,

I'm just in the process of setting up a mythtv box for myself.
Hardware bits are arriving through the post as I type!

I plan to use a Hauppauge PCI Nova-t to get terrestrial digital
reception, and another analogue tuner to get input from my NTL Cable
box (an old General Instruments CFT-2000). I can only get NTL
analogue, not digital, and I don't want to get Sky Digital through a
dish yet, although I might go down that route if it looks to be the
best option.

Can anyone provide any insight into controlling the CFT-2000, so that
mythtv can change channels? I've read quite a bit about IR Blasters,
but was wondering if anyone had experience with this box? Currently
the TV (under which the myth box will sit) and the cable box are about
8 feet away, will this be too far?  Does anyone know if NTL do a more
modern cable box which is controllable by a serial connection?

Am I asking for trouble with the analogue cable box? Although I think
I know the answer already, is there a PC card that'll handle the cable
input directly, bypassing the CFT-2000. I've been thinking of getting
a Sky dish for quite some time now. If I do, are the sky boxes easier
to control?

Thanks in advance for any advice,

       Steve

--
Stephen Longhurst
steve at longsteve.com