Timer recording of digital cable

[atgcpaul]

I think I made the mistake of getting digital cable yesterday. I only have to
endure this for 3 months I tell myself but after 2 days I think it sucks. It was
only a little more than regular cable with the internet included so here I am.

Anyway, what I've learned is any program I care to record is scrambled and
must go through the cable box to be descrambled. My TIVO-like recorder
does not have an IR blaster option so I have to change the cable box channel
manually every time I want to record something.

Simplest solution would be to ditch digital cable all together but there are just
a few channels I look forward to seeing like DIY. I don't see any way to program
this Comcast Motorola cable box to change channels on its own with a timer.
Are standalone IR blasters sold with built-in timers?

Thanks, Paul

[gary]

I'm curious what Tivo like unit you're talking about. I'm using an ATI All-in-Wonder Radeon unit and it have the same limitation (with the stock software). There is other software that allows an IR Blaster and solves the issue.

What kind of unit are you using?

[DonHo]

I have a Panasonic DVR, it has a "pass thru" connection that allows me to hook the cable directly to the DVR then on to the cable box. This allows me to controll what I record without changes to TV settings and also change any TV settings without changing the DVR. I've never used Tivo but it might have the same feature.
DonHo

[PJC]

I'm curious as to what an IR Blaster is. We have Cablevision and I have a Scientific Atlantic DVR box through the cable company. I can record 2 shows at one time while watching a third show that I have previously recorded. I never need to change the channel to record. The only limitation is that I cannot watch a 3rd "live" show while recording 2 others, I would need to watch one of the two shows that are recording.


Pete

[LCHIEN]

I'm curious as to what an IR Blaster is. ...

Pete

I think an IR blaster is a feature that allows the DVR to control another unit (e.g. the digital cable tuner) by mimicking it's IR remote control codes.

The DVR would have an Infrared (IR) transmitter to do this.

[mmcduffie]

Visit www.smarthome.com and www.remotecentral.com

There are options that run from PC controlled IR blasters to progammable remotes with built in clocks. You can use a PDA such as a Palm Pilot or Handspring.

Michael

[25]

Does your TV have a Cable Card slot? If it does you can get one from your provider that will descramble the cable channels.