Comcast DTA's and Sage

[smithzoos]

Has anyone gotten SageTV to work with Comcast DTA (Pace DC50X)?
I could use a FAQ or walk though on this...
Thanks,
Regan

[matt91]

I'm led to believe that anything the DTA receive, the HD Homerun can receive too. You'd be much better off with the HDHR than trying to use the DTA and a PVR-150, for example.

Do you have any thing setup now? If so what? Or are you just investigating?

Matt

[mikesm]

Originally Posted by matt91

I'm led to believe that anything the DTA receive, the HD Homerun can receive too. You'd be much better off with the HDHR than trying to use the DTA and a PVR-150, for example.

Do you have any thing setup now? If so what? Or are you just investigating?

Matt

You are correct. All current DTA channels are transmitted in the clear with QAM.

[smithzoos]

I am trying to get Sage Server (latest version) to control the Comcast set top box (or the Pace DTA)... what IR device works??

Thanks!
Regan

[doncote0]

Try this link. It may give you enough information to find a solution.

Yes, I realize the post is not for Sage. Based on the results, I think it could work for Sage as well. Long process. If anyone succeeds, please post.

http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin...ost.cgi?909540

I hope that is true about the HD PVR's, I asked Comcast and they told me that all digital signals will be encrypted once they are done with the conversion.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by doncote0

Try this link. It may give you enough information to find a solution.

Yes, I realize the post is not for Sage. Based on the results, I think it could work for Sage as well. Long process. If anyone succeeds, please post.

http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin...ost.cgi?909540

I hope that is true about the HD PVR's, I asked Comcast and they told me that all digital signals will be encrypted once they are done with the conversion.

That's not quite true. Comcast will still have some digital channels that are available as Clear QAM stations. These would mostly be HD broadcasts of local stations and not encrypted. Most HDTVs with built in tuners are also able to tune into these Clear QAM stations. (as well as OTA)

Gerry

[hemicuda]

I didn't think the DTA's had any decryption capabilities. If they do, it'll greatly change the architecture of my server. They would then be able to lock out the QAM rebroadcast of the "2-78" basic analog package that I can receive now.

[matt91]

Lots of discussion on the net, including here:

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2008-06/...g-all-digital/

They don't seem to have any decryption capabilities. Just clear QAM tuners.

[evilpenguin]

According to Comcast Seattle, once the digital transition is complete all ClearQAM (minus the local HD channels) is going encrypted. Once that happens I for one will be canceling. I'm tired of paying them to fund research into new and exciting ways they can screw me over.

[mikesm]

Originally Posted by evilpenguin

According to Comcast Seattle, once the digital transition is complete all ClearQAM (minus the local HD channels) is going encrypted. Once that happens I for one will be canceling. I'm tired of paying them to fund research into new and exciting ways they can screw me over.

The DTA's do not support cablecard. It is against FCC regulations to ship STB's with builtin crypto. The DTA's have some very simple proprietary crypto (which if turned on will probably be easy to break for a PC tuner), but this standard is not allowed under current regulations.

Comcast may take a run at trying to get the FCC to issue them a waiver, but everyone here and on the various forums should write and call the FCC and demand they deny the waiver. :-)

[thomaszoo]

Originally Posted by mikesm

The DTA's do not support cablecard. It is against FCC regulations to ship STB's with builtin crypto. The DTA's have some very simple proprietary crypto (which if turned on will probably be easy to break for a PC tuner), but this standard is not allowed under current regulations.

Comcast may take a run at trying to get the FCC to issue them a waiver, but everyone here and on the various forums should write and call the FCC and demand they deny the waiver. :-)

And / or cancel your Comcast subscription. At this point they would not have much if any advantage over satellite They might be able to squeeze a little more $ from some customers, but it would probably be offset by the loss of other customers.

Wayne

[hemicuda]

I agree to the point that once they lock it all down... there's no reason not to go with whomever has the best value/package. It'd be a PITA to switch to Sat, but I'm not above it. Unfortunately, I don't think there are enough HTPC-minded people to be a big blip on their bottom line. I still need mbit internet access and Comcast is the only player in my area that can handle it. AT&T would be the last I'd call for service and Sat internet is usually too $$$ to consider.

Hoping when the local power board starts getting into the market that the "competition" will be good for consumers. Comcast is already touting (upcoming) 50Mbit speeds because of them. As far as digital cable... only time will tell where we'll stand.

[doncote0]

Comcast may take a run at trying to get the FCC to issue them a waiver, but everyone here and on the various forums should write and call the FCC and demand they deny the waiver. :-)

Unfortunately, I don't think there are enough HTPC-minded people to be a big blip on their bottom line.

Good points both, but we have the added benefit of having those very many households with QAM-capable TV's and not enough comcast HD boxes on our side.

I am sure those households will not be happy with the options to rent more HD boxes or receive channels using the non-HD D/A converters. (Especially if they have more TV's than "free" converters.)

[themeister]

I am stuck in the same situation with Comcast - needing to make the DC50X work with Sage. The only link referenced in this thread shows how to interface it with MythTV.

Going back to the original question: Has anyone done this? If so, how?

Thanks,
Bill

[vikingisson]

Sorry if I'm not up to date with Comcast or anyone else doing this but if the box in question isn't decrypting then why try to control it at all? Use an internal tuner. Much much better than the delays and headaches of controlling boxes that you don't need.
Other than that then why wouldn't any of the IR/firewire/usb solutions not work? I have an STB that sage and happauge never heard of but a basic IR blaster works fine. But I wish I didn't need the STB at all. I'll be happy when basic service is QAM.

[themeister]

I have 2 PVR250s installed, one is controlled by a digital cable box (tuned via serial cable), the other was using direct cable signal and internal tuner.

In order to maintain all of the same channels (2-76) that I was receiving, I need a different arrangement. Comcast gave me a DC50X. I bought a UIRT to control it. Sage doesn't recognize the remote codes for the DC50X.

What are my options?

Thanks,
Bill

[doncote0]

I orginally was going down the path you are going down and then reconsidered.

I got the HDHR (no DC50X needed) and am very impressed. The colors and quality of all of the digital channels look amazing. Text is easier to read than on analog recordings. Originally I was going to go HD for all of my locals, but the WAF was high enough.

Actual Quote: "Why record the high def channels? The regular digital channels already look amazing. Wait until we get a better TV to record the HD channels."

Wow. WAF got so high she suggested getting a better TV set. Way to go Sage and Silicondust!

Comcast gives you 2 DC50X boxes to use for free with most packages. If you have more than 2, this can help reduce your costs. I ended up returning 4 to comcast because I didn't need them. Saved another $8-$10 / month which sent the WAF to one of it's highest levels since I got Sage.

[DOS64K]

Originally Posted by themeister

I have 2 PVR250s installed, one is controlled by a digital cable box (tuned via serial cable), the other was using direct cable signal and internal tuner.

In order to maintain all of the same channels (2-76) that I was receiving, I need a different arrangement. Comcast gave me a DC50X. I bought a UIRT to control it. Sage doesn't recognize the remote codes for the DC50X.

What are my options?

Thanks,
Bill

The DC50X (manufactured by Pace for Comcast) uses UEI's XMP ir protocol, which most remotes (programmable or otherwise) won't control. I'm currently working with my A/V vendor to get these stupid boxes working with a large government audio/visual system. They tried for days to capture the ir codes, but ended up shipping the damned remote to AMX (manufactuer of our control system) to see what they could do. When I hear something new, I'll try to post back here.

[themeister]

Thanks..... Meanwhile, I'll keep looking for alternatives. The HDHR isn't the best fit here.....

--Bill

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by themeister

Thanks..... Meanwhile, I'll keep looking for alternatives. The HDHR isn't the best fit here.....

--Bill

You may want to double check on the HDHR again. I just installed the latest HDHR drivers and needed to rescan my channels on Comcast. Lo and behold all the analog stations now show up as Clear QAM stations on the HDHR. I have over 90 channels available now.

Gerry