How to hook my HTPC to my Cable Box?

[zecora]

I am new to this, so go easy. I just built my HTPC and am wondering how to hook the HTPC to my cable box. I know it is a motorola box. My provider is Mediacom. I have heard that SageTV can control the cable box. I am just wondering how.

thx
~zec

[Fluffdaddy]

one way is the USB-Uirt

http://www.usbuirt.com/

[mikejaner]

There's also a chance you might have a (serial/low speed data) control port on the back. If so, you can control the box with Sage or Girder.

[Fluffdaddy]

Also many has used the
Actisys IR-200L

[zecora]

Originally Posted by Fluffdaddy

Also many has used the
Actisys IR-200L

Actisys IR-200L, I am sry to ask this, but is the cable or port?

Also where can i pick one up?


When i get home I will try to get the model# of the cable box.

[zecora]

Originally Posted by mikejaner

There's also a chance you might have a (serial/low speed data) control port on the back. If so, you can control the box with Sage or Girder.

I am pretty sure i do, do i just use any serial cable?

[BobPhoenix]

Read this thread for an idea on Serial control of Motorola cable boxes: http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1606

Also my cable boxes have the port but they are not enabled so you may have to call MediaCom to activate them. When I called (I have MediaCom as well) I wasn't able to talk to anybody that even knew they had a port so you could need multiple calls to get someone knowledgeable to activate it - if yours isn't active already. Ultimately for me I didn't bother just used my USB-UIRT's and IR to control them (2).

BobP.

[zecora]

where can i get these cables?

[zinkpig]

look behind your cable box. look for a serial port. If there is one, go buy a standard 9 pin serial cable ( < $10) male -female. Hook it up to the serial port on the PC and the cable box. download the plug in here: http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1606
and follow the inst in the readme file

[zecora]

Cool, thx for all the help. I will keep you updated.

[zecora]

UPDATE: I picked up the cable and will test it tonight. Hopefully everything will go smoothly.

[dpothier]

Originally Posted by BobPhoenix

Ultimately for me I didn't bother just used my USB-UIRT's and IR to control them (2).

BobP.

I have been fighting with my Mediacom Motorola 2244 all day. I am controlling it (poorly) with USB-UIRT and Sage. After several failed attempts at editing my mediacom.ir manually, I have given up. I can't get the UIRT to change channels reliably. It seems to drop the first of 3 digits sometimes. And then it doesn't.

Can you post your .ir file for me to compare? I am convinced that the problem is in the timings... Mine looks like this right now:

Mediacom 37616 411 3 400 1000
RepeatCount 2

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by dpothier

Can you post your .ir file for me to compare? I am convinced that the problem is in the timings... Mine looks like this right now:

Mediacom 37616 411 3 400 1000
RepeatCount 2

Will do that when I get home from work.

BobP.

[eobiont]

I don't have a clue how anyone gets a reliable connection with IR controllers - mine worked pretty good but would screw up about 2-3 times per 50 shows recorded - not bad, but frustrating. By far - and I mean BY FAR, the most reliable method I have come across to control a cable box is via firewire. It changes the channel sooo fast and never messes up ever. The numbers look like the appear all at once - not like 4...0...5.... but 405... I would think that serial would work just as well, but when I was using it it was about as reliable as IR - and just as slow.

So if you have a firewire capable cable box, look into controlling it with that. do a search for posts by timmmorre

[dpothier]

eobiont,
Thanks for the idea. I am trying to get a new box out of Mediacom right now. My DCT2244 that I just got three days ago is 4 years old! Blech...

BobP,
Thanks if you can help with that file.

BTW, Jon Rhees sent me this today:

"The first thing I would try is changing the RepeatCount to something higher like 6. This will cause each digit to be sent out for a longer duration. The other parameter you can increase would be the delay between digits. This can be increased in the Sage settings page for IR.

Also, make sure you do not have the USB-UIRT positioned too closely to your DCT2244 if you are using the USB-UIRT's blaster."

FWIW, Jon offers the best product support that I have ever seen in this hobby. Including Sage... Direct answers to problems, very quickly, and never deflections to another vendor. Kudos and thanks to Jon.

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by dpothier

Can you post your .ir file for me to compare? I am convinced that the problem is in the timings... Mine looks like this right now:

Mediacom 37616 411 3 400 1000
RepeatCount 2

Sorry I'm so late in getting back to you - mine is very similar:

CBPCI2 37616 411 3 100 1000
RepeatCount 10

It's been about 2-3 months since I've had it miss changing channels correctly. I don't have the same cable box that you do (not sure if that would make a difference since they all use the same remote). I have 2 DCT1800's controlled by Sage. These are the boxes that are only controlled by remotes - no buttons on the front.

BobP.

[zecora]

I just this and i see a big problem. When i got to TV guild i can either go through my providers TV guide or Sage. Also when i go through sage and go to a channel over 150 it will do this. Say i pick channel 301(HBO) it will go to channel 30. Also can i get rid of my TV providers guide?

[zecora]

Update, when i go to channel lets say 213, and then watch tv for more a hr it will auto turn the channel to 21. Then i have to turn it back to 213. I have to turn it back to 213 with the mediacom remote. This is really starting to bug me. plz help.

[zecora]

I do have a serial cable from cable box to com1 port on comp. I am wondering what to do plz help

[zecora]

/bump