[mythtv-users] comcast digital box and mythTV

Mike Angstadt daenris at gmail.com
Mon Mar 27 21:24:12 UTC 2006


On 3/27/06, Brian Wood <beww at beww.org> wrote:
>
>
> On Mar 27, 2006, at 9:39 AM, Mike S. wrote:
>
> > Hello all,
> >
> > Here in Chicago, Comcast requires a box for basic cable. Its a small
> > motorola device which decodes the encrypted channels and provides a
> > channel guide. Without the box you only get the broadcast
> > channels.  I'm
> > at work so I cant give the model number, but from what I remember
> > there
> > is only coax-in and coax-out/RCA out.  Does Myth support this
> > device? I
> > looked at some of the IR stuff and didnt see any comcast/motorola
> > info.
> >   I'm not even sure where I can get the IR hardware for this. Can I
> > just
> > buy some IR blaster? How well do these things work?
>
> There are two basic ways to go with an IR blaster, the LIRC approach
> which requires only a very cheap (approx. $10US) device but a lot of
> smarts in the software, and a smarter device which costs close to
> $50US but can be used with very "dumb" software. I got a
> "MyBlaster" (approach "B") working in ten minutes.
>
> Both approaches work, it depends on your optimum ratio of dollars/
> time invested.
>
> Both approaches can "learn" remote codes, but it is almost certain
> that the codes for your STB are available for both systems.
>
> Unless your STB has an active serial control port (few do) an IR
> blaster of some type is your only option, other than manual channel
> changing.



Well, I'm also in Chicago with Comcast, and my box has an active serial
port.  Obviously, I don't know how representative this is of their other
boxes in the area, but just thought I'd mention.  So you may want to check
that out first to save yourself the trouble of using an IR blaster at all.

-Mike
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