messing around with DCT 2224, serial, cabling

[bluenote]

Hi all

I've got a DCT 2224 for digital cable, and I want to cable it to my PVR-350. Seems like I can do this by going RCA to s-video and RCA to line-in stereo plug on the PVR. I've also got a USB UIRT on order, but I've begun to get curious about the "serial port" on these things. (I'm sadly anticipating slow channel changes, and would like to wire channel changes too).

It seems like the DCT 2000's can come with a couple of different setups on the back for plugs. Either that or I've misidentified my unit somehow.

OK here's my questions:

1) My unit has a cutout for a 9 pin serial, but its dust plugged and empty. What I DO have is three (looks like) 1/8" plugs labeled IR, HIGH-SPEED and OUT OF BAND. (the last two are subheaded 'data'). Through MUCH relentless googling, I've found a pinout that SEEMS to describe creating a db9 - stereo 1/8" plug for tivo's -- I just don't know at this point if the tivo was the one with the funny 1/8" jack. Does anyone have any advice about this? Ideally I'd like to just go buy a cable to do this, but Im not afraid to make one. "Out of band" to me, says "auxiliary control for the device" -- can anyone confirm that one of those ports IS serial, and possibly the pinout or a cable description? I don't really want to break my STB.

2) As an alternative to the above, Im not afraid to open the box up, and see if I can find where a regular DB9 connector would have been soldered on (assuming that it has just not been installed as an option) and do this myself. I doubt that the output (if its even there) is actually unused or accessible but Im willing to give it a go with just a little encouragement.

3) My DCT has the slot for the pcmcia 'cable card?' or whatever that helps with the encryption. Im not sure if thats the correct name. My unit HAS no card installed. Does this suggest that if I could hook up (maybe) that Fusion QAM card?????? I could PVR my digital cable? ie: no encryption on my digital channels? Note: I dont use HDTV. Im not looking to get free PPV here, just really want a PVR that does digital directly.

4) I have a PVR 350. I want to use the RF coax in for my regular channels (most of my recording) and the s-vid in for the input from the STB with another channel set. I can do this without having two cards, right??

thanks for any help!!

Cory

[bluenote]

bump

does anyone have any experience with *any* of this?

thanks!!!

Cory

[kny3twalker]

4) I have a PVR 350. I want to use the RF coax in for my regular channels (most of my recording) and the s-vid in for the input from the STB with another channel set. I can do this without having two cards, right??

yes this is possible
I do it with my setup
have analogue cable for locals and DirecTV for expanded cable
but why do you want to do it?

you will still only be able to record one thing at a time

[mostlyfodder]

Originally Posted by cnovak

....I've got a DCT 2224 for digital cable, and I want to cable it to my PVR-350. Seems like I can do this by going RCA to s-video and RCA to line-in stereo plug on the PVR.

cnovak- not sure i understand exactly what you're asking, but you mentioned converting RCA-> S-Video. Does your cable box have S-Video out? My Motorola DCT 2xxx STB originally came WITHOUT S-Video, so I called them and they let me exchange the box for one with S-video. I have Comcast in Chicago.

-fodder

ps- i agree w/ kwalker's above post that the two outputs from the cable box will only tune 1 channel at a time. you need a separate box for each channel you want to record simultaneously. (some ppl on these forums have 3 boxes going at once with 3 separate IR signals all coming from the USB-UIRT IR transmitter which can handle that.) sorry if i didn't fully address your Q.

[bluenote]

thanks for the help, knyte, mostly--

yes, my STB has just RCA outs on it, thanks for the tip about exchanging mostly.
knyte, I may add other tuners later, but for now my priority is to be able to PVR my digital cable, but not dedicate my STB to the purpose. (of course, once I can PVR everything I can choose from, live viewing will likely fade away).

does anyone have thoughts on the lack of a pc-card in the back of my STB? does this mean channels are unencrypted? how about this 1/8 "out of band" jack ... serial?

thx

Cory

[kny3twalker]

you can just use dual outputs from the box to the pvr card and to the TV but if SageTV is recording you do not want to change the channel unless you can reschedule the recording
it takes about 2 weeks before you have more recorded tv than you can watch

[bluenote]

Knyte, thanks for all the help

can you clarify what you mean by dual outputs? Im not following your cabling thoughts here I dont think ? can you be as clear as possible? thanks so much!!!

Cory

[kny3twalker]

usually cable/satellite boxes have mulitple outputs
a set of component, svideo, and a couple of composite
even though it has only one tuner

so you can just send the cable to the TV and another set of cables to SageTV

you just cannot change the channel if you want SageTV to record the show

yes, my STB has just RCA outs on it, thanks for the tip about exchanging mostly.

if you tuner has only one set of composite outputs
then time to get a new one
or dedicate that one to SageTV and get another for your TV