Long time Sage user, Looking fr some guidance.

[rdefino]

I've been using sagetv V7 for about 12yrs now. I use a setup top cable box that feeds into an HDPVR so I can record my Hbo, showtime, etc.. Premium channels. I also have a Ceton 4 tuner with cable card to record everything else.

Now comcast just took away my very old cable box that feed into the hdpvr and gave me this little box "XID-C "that won't work with the hdpvr. Real bummer!!!

Is there any way to record the premium channels now? I know V9 is out, but not sure it that can help in any way.

Or are there other solutions for recording all channels like I was doing with sage. I hate to leave sage. Right now I have to use the Comcast box to record any premium channels and sage for everything else.

Thanks for any thoughts

[will]

Originally Posted by rdefino

Now comcast just took away my very old cable box that feed into the hdpvr and gave me this little box "XID-C "that won't work with the hdpvr.

Why won't the box work with your HD-PVR?

If the HD-PVR doesn't work because the cable box doesn't have a component output:

1. Buy a HDMI to Component converter (this is how I get a Chromecast to work with a HD-PVR 1212)
2. Ask Comcast for a cable box that has a component output

If the HD-PVR doesn't work because you can't change channels with firewire:

1. Use the IR blaster that comes with the HD-PVR
2. Buy a better IR blaster like the USB-UIRT

[rdefino]

Comcast doesn't have any boxes with component they said. I'll have to use a convert from hdmi to component. But I want to make sure I can switch the channels using the USB-UIRT IR that I do have. Just not sure of the codes needed. Can the USB-UIRT be programmed from a remote?

thanks

[will]

Originally Posted by rdefino

Can the USB-UIRT be programmed from a remote?

I don't use a USB-URIT, I use firewire (hence the 32bit OS), but according to the USB-URIT website "[It can] learn from remotes you already have and Transmit a duplicate of these signals from your PC..."

So I assume that the USB-URIT can learn remote commands with the proper software.

[will]

Originally Posted by rdefino

I'll have to use a convert from hdmi to component.

The converter I recommended should strip HDCP protection from the HDMI feed so the signal can work with the HD-PVR. I haven't tested it with a cable box but the Chromecast does use HDCP for feeds from services like Netflix and I have had zero problems.

If you go with a different converter make sure it can strip HDCP otherwise it will not work for your needs.

[egeller]

@rdefino - Thanks for the heads up. Apparently, according to this link Comcast is rolling out the XID boxes, so this is something that us Comcast users need to be aware of.

Maybe I should look into the WMC Live Tuner thread and get rid of the cable box.

[Telecore]

You might consider using the USB-UIRT to tune channels and the Unisheen BM1000 as the encoder to your new STB (see related threads). No HDCP stripper required - only issue is audio is limited to stereo (but a perfect digital copy).

[rdefino]

Thanks Will , I just received the converter and it works. I do have the USB-URIT and one problem is that the Comcast box requires to press the "ok" button after entering in the channel. I have no way to do it. I see in sagetv when I go to setting up the source tuner, in tuner control you can enter a code for channel confirmation. But that seems to be using the channels 0-9. So that doesn't work as I cannot reprogram one of them as the "ok" button.

Am I missing anything?

thanks

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by rdefino

Thanks Will , I just received the converter and it works. I do have the USB-URIT and one problem is that the Comcast box requires to press the "ok" button after entering in the channel. I have no way to do it. I see in sagetv when I go to setting up the source tuner, in tuner control you can enter a code for channel confirmation. But that seems to be using the channels 0-9. So that doesn't work as I cannot reprogram one of them as the "ok" button.

Am I missing anything?

thanks

Sage also has the ability to learn more commands than just the 0-9, so you should be able to teach it the ENTER command, and then you can choose it to be the channel confirmation. I can't remember exactly how this is done, but it is in the same configuration area.

Come to think of it, I don't remember if sage will let you teach other than 0-9, but it does support commands other than 0-9. You may have to add the ENTER command to the .ir file itself, so if you are using sage to learn the commands, you might have to teach ENTER command as 0, then in the .ir file, copy the 0 line to an ENTER line, then go back into sage and reteach it the 0 command. Then when you go into the channel confirmation option, ENTER should be listed as an option.

[rdefino]

Found it. It works. Thanks all for the help!!!