Sage & Comcasts new digital converter box

[BigRig64]

Hi All,

I am not referring to the set top box that gives you all the movie channels and what not. This is referring to the new (new to my area) digital converter box for channels 31-71 when they go digital in Feb (not the federal ota thing).

I have a pvr 500 (2 tuners) and I want to hook the 2 free digital boxes to them. Here is what I have:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r215...nboxing-Photos

What do I need to hook them up and run them through sage? Please be specific since i have no idea how these USB-UIRTs work nor the IR blasters I keep reading about (It has an 'IR IN' port if that helps). I have dug through the forums trying to figure it out on my own but the more I read the less I know.

Thanks
Russ

[stanger89]

The USB-UIRT is an IR blaster. What it does is allows Sage to "remote control" a set top box, just like you using the remote. It allows Sage to change channels on set top boxes.

This is necessary because set top boxes can only tune/output one channel at a time so Sage needs some way to control the channel the boxes output.

One thing I'd investigate is if Comcast will leave these digital channels unencrypted. IF they do, then you could get something like the HDHomerun and just connect it directly to the cable.

[BigRig64]

Originally Posted by stanger89

The USB-UIRT is an IR blaster. What it does is allows Sage to "remote control" a set top box, just like you using the remote. It allows Sage to change channels on set top boxes.

The question I have here may be very obvious but not to me is, how is the IR blaster hooked to the set top box? How do they communicate?

Originally Posted by stanger89

This is necessary because set top boxes can only tune/output one channel at a time so Sage needs some way to control the channel the boxes output.

I understand what it is suppose to do. I just haven't figured out how it is accomplished.

Originally Posted by stanger89

One thing I'd investigate is if Comcast will leave these digital channels unencrypted. IF they do, then you could get something like the HDHomerun and just connect it directly to the cable.

I actually dug out one of the Digital converters today and read the instructions. Seems like a lot of trouble for them to tag each box if it is actually clear QAM and any clearQAM capable set can access it without the box. I tried to ask the tech but her answers were very fuzzy. I didn't know enough about the subject to press the issue.

Anyway, here is what I have done so far. I purchased a 2250 and installed it. Using it with WinTV I get 61 analog and 343 digital channels (clear QAM I assume). I got the digital part to work with Sage and it found 99 digital channels (I followed somones directions from this forum to get it to work). However, I get no guide listings for those channels in Sage (just a string of numbers). Anyway, I am waiting for feb to tinker with that one, so I removed it for now.

I have the HDHomerun on order. Although I have yet to figure out how Sage works with it. I'm hoping it is blatantly obvious or I'll be on here for that too.

I want to hook the digital converter to my 500 (I actually have two of them but I have removed one for now) because I have it and want to use it. Also in case it is not going to be clearQAM and those other two items I bought won't work (sort of backup). Besides, I like tinkering with new things. Sometimes, however I need someone to lead me by the hand till I get a basic working understanding. This seems to be one of those cases. The more I try and figure it out, the more confused I get.

So, having said all that, do I need the USB-UIRT that Sage offers? Will I need this 56KHz IR Sensor that is not included? Or something entirely different?

Thanks again
Russ

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by BigRig64

The question I have here may be very obvious but not to me is, how is the IR blaster hooked to the set top box? How do they communicate?

Starting with how they "communicate" an IR blaster works exactly like a handheld remote control, it sends the same IR commands, only it's controlled by the PC instead of your hand.

As far as connecting, you either stick the USB-UIRT in front of the box, or get some wired IR emitters, and stick those right in front of the emitter windows on the boxes.

I actually dug out one of the Digital converters today and read the instructions. Seems like a lot of trouble for them to tag each box if it is actually clear QAM and any clearQAM capable set can access it without the box. I tried to ask the tech but her answers were very fuzzy. I didn't know enough about the subject to press the issue.

Sorry, I've got Dish no almost no first hand experience with digital cable. Do you have to call in and activate those boxes?

Anyway, here is what I have done so far. I purchased a 2250 and installed it. Using it with WinTV I get 61 analog and 343 digital channels (clear QAM I assume). I got the digital part to work with Sage and it found 99 digital channels (I followed somones directions from this forum to get it to work). However, I get no guide listings for those channels in Sage (just a string of numbers). Anyway, I am waiting for feb to tinker with that one, so I removed it for now.

Sounds like WinTV finds all the channels (clear or not?) while maybe Sage filters out the encrypted ones... I'm just guessing. I'd say that's promising. The downside of using clear QAM is that you have to figure out what those channels are and map them to their "real", or logical channels (what your STB displays) so that Sage can look up the guide data for them.

I have the HDHomerun on order. Although I have yet to figure out how Sage works with it. I'm hoping it is blatantly obvious or I'll be on here for that too.

Pretty much like any other tuner, you plug it in (only to your network instead of a port/slot on the PC) and Sage detects it and can use it. Though apparently setting up QAM is a little tricky, though maybe Silicondust's servers have the mappings built in (again, I'm guessing).

I want to hook the digital converter to my 500 (I actually have two of them but I have removed one for now) because I have it and want to use it.

Frankly I'd avoid them at all costs, if they only give you your "clear" channels then you're adding complexity (IR blasting) and extra encoding/decoding steps which reduce PQ. That said, if they give you more than just your "clear" channels, then you'll need to use them.

So, having said all that, do I need the USB-UIRT that Sage offers? Will I need this 56KHz IR Sensor that is not included? Or something entirely different?

You shouldn't the difference with the 56K version, as I understand it, is that it will work with 56kHz remote controls, as a reciever. The regular one can still learn from them (if your boxes use that), but require the remote to be right in front of the window instead of across the room. Fine for programming, but not for control, if that makes sense.

[BigRig64]

We have to call and activate each box. Which leads me to think it will not be clear QAM. However, the 2250 card did find several digital channels. I ran through many of them. All of the ones WinTV found (that I checked) were live but a couple of the ones in Sage (that I checked) were dead. If it isn't clear QAM then I thought I might try to hook the HDHomerun to a antenna. Anyway, I won't really know anything for sure till Feb.

I didn't want to go through all the work of remapping the digital channels, only to have to do it again in Feb.

Yes I did understand the 56k explanation (thanks for that too).

So basically I am in limbo till Feb. Really sucks.

Thanks
Russ

PS I just got off the phone with a Comcast tech and according to him, I'll have to use the box to get 31-71 even if I bought a new TV with a digital tuner

[reggie14]

Originally Posted by BigRig64

PS I just got off the phone with a Comcast tech and according to him, I'll have to use the box to get 31-71 even if I bought a new TV with a digital tuner

That doesn't mean anything- Comcast techs always say that. I don't think most of their support reps have any idea what QAM is. I think there's a very good chance your standard definition expanded basic lineup is getting output in clear QAM.