[mythtv-users] Comcast Fall attack

[coffee177]

On Wed, 2007-11-07 at 10:35 -0500, James Orr wrote:
> On 11/6/07, David Brodbeck <gull at gull.us> wrote:
> >
> > On Nov 6, 2007, at 8:08 AM, Brett Kosinski wrote:
> >
> > >> Now, Ive got an analog tuner (pvr150) and Ill probably be switching
> > >> soon. We are kinda limited here in Indiana. Wondering what my options
> > >> are?
> > >
> > > Get a digital settop box and drive it with an IR blaster (they cost
> > > ~$20 from irblaster.info).  I'm using that set up on my system and it
> > > works like a charm, and gives me full access to my entire channel
> > > lineup.  Never missed a tune, either.
> >
> > If you're lucky you might get a set-top box with a serial port, so
> > you can skip the IR blaster.  I have one from Comcast and channel
> > changes are very reliable -- I have yet to see one miss.  Only
> > problem I've had is the audio level from the box is kind of low.  I
> > compensated by lowering the audio on my analog tuner to match.
> 
> In my area at least, the installers do not have access to those boxes
> any more and won't bring them even if you request it.  However, you
> can take the one they give you down to the local office and exchange
> it for one with a serial port there.  You'll just need to bring some
> proof of address along with it.  They may not understand "serial
> port", you could try "low speed data port", but more likely you'll
> just have to look at the back of the box and see if it's there or not.
> 
> Digital != HD so if you're only getting digital and not HD you
> shouldn't have to worry and scrambled channels as you're still
> recording from composite input or similar.
> 
> I use 2 digital boxes, controlled via USB to serial cables (PL2303
> chipset) recorded with PVR-250s, and a 3rd 250 connected directly to
> the cable which can get any non premium channels < 100.

Hey thanks very much.
Im planning on just the digital basic plus expanded really. So, I should
be good to go. But it does give me a great excuse to upgrade to a
hdhomerun <grin>. "But honey we need this now so you can watch your
soaps". <grin>.

Thanks again!

coffee