Re: FCC-mandated change to digital on all non-basic channels

[Barb Bowman]

If you were running out of the wall, hook up the DTA inline - coax
from wall to DTA, then DTA to computer, and rerun TV setup. The DTA
looks like a set top box to MCE. You can select Ch3 or CH4 with a
switch on the DTA. A remote comes with the DTA and either MCE will
recognize it, or ask you to go through the keypresses.

On Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:40:01 -0700, Barrie
<Bar...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>In the San Francisco Bay Area, on April 6 Comcast will begin delivering all
>non-Basic channels (ie those not belonging to local stations) in digital
>form. To do this they are supplying DTAs (Digital Transport Adapters) to all
>customers. Without these the non-basic channels cannot be viewed. With
>them, one must tune the dwnstream TV or TV capture card software to channel 3
>and then use the Comcast-provided remote control to change channels by
>sending an IR signal to the DTA. Am I wrong in assuming that this
>effectively prevents recording anything via Media Center unless one switches
>to that channel at the time?
>As a matter of interest the same applies to early models of TIVO. It all
>seems very "counter-current."
--

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com

[Curious]

If your MC system came with an IR receiver and Ir blasters then you can tell
MC that you have a STB and will control the channel being selected in the
STB for output over channel 3 or 4 which MC will stay tuned to with an IR
blaster placed in front of the STB's IR receiver.
There is another problem with the configuration and that is that you can't
set up MC to receive the local channels using Comcast's analog service which
the FCC requires them to provide till 2012 and also receive analog via RF
for the other former analog channels from the STB.

"bdexter" <bde...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:57B2A50F-54B3-4BCE...@microsoft.com...
> Connecting the cable as Barb describes allows you to watch the digital
> channels through the computer again, but that's all. You have to change
> the
> channel with the DTA remote. This means you cannot set Media Center to
> record programs as you did before - because Media Center would be set to
> record channel 5 or channel 30, etc. internally and those channels will
> just
> be static (since Media Center must be set to 3 or 4 to view the channels
> through the DTA).
>
> There must be a way around this, but I haven't been able to figure it out
> yet. I've read something about a cablecard, but I'm not sure if that's
> what I
> need to fix the issue or how I go about finding and installing one.

[Barb Bowman]

put the blaster cable that came with your MCE machine or ehome USB
receiver over the little receiver on the DTA. don't use the blaster
cable that came with the DTA itself. Use the MCE remote for TV Setup
until prompted to pick up your "set top box/handheld remote". It
will ask you to press 0, Enter, and maybe some other keys.

I'll try to get something up with pictures over the weekend on one
of my web sites that show the process.

On Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:23:02 -0700, bdexter
<bde...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>Connecting the cable as Barb describes allows you to watch the digital
>channels through the computer again, but that's all. You have to change the
>channel with the DTA remote. This means you cannot set Media Center to
>record programs as you did before - because Media Center would be set to
>record channel 5 or channel 30, etc. internally and those channels will just
>be static (since Media Center must be set to 3 or 4 to view the channels
>through the DTA).
>
>There must be a way around this, but I haven't been able to figure it out
>yet. I've read something about a cablecard, but I'm not sure if that's what I
>need to fix the issue or how I go about finding and installing one.
>
>"Barb Bowman" wrote:
>

[Brent]

I have already tried to Microsoft Windows Media Center for Windows Vista to
learn the remote (press 0, 1, etc. to learn) and have yet to get it to work.
When is Microsoft going to just make it simple to pick the Comcast or Pace
DC50X DTA box? Currently, neither options are listed as an option.

[Barb Bowman]

the control code set is new. I imagine that a future update may
include these. I will do what I can to escalate the need..

http://www.digitalmediaphile.com/
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com

[Brent]

I moved the location of the Comcast DTA farther away from the PC's remote
sensor and had some luck, but still have some issues. I still cannot get
Media Center to learn the remote. When it is trying to learn "1", it will get
through learning "1" on the first screen, then when it gets to the second
screen it usually gets stuck on release the button to continue. Then, it does
not allow you to click on next and does not go on to the next screen. So, I
hit cancel. This time I selected that the DTA uses up to 3 digit channels and
then picked Comcast as the STB. I used C1982 as the IR code, the only option
listed for Comcast. Then, used "slow" as the IR speed since slow worked
better than "fast" or "medium". In the Guide part, I selected Comcast Digital
and my city. I also added channel 11 and channel 66 to the Guide since they
are missing. I now can use the Windows Vista MCE remote or regular keyboard
and the Guide to change the channel. However, it gets the channel correct
sometimes and sometimes gets the channel wrong. With a test of digits 0-9, it
gets the 5 and 6 wrong the most. I got it to change the channel to 111,
meaning supporting 3 digits, but that does not work every time.

[Brent]

I have been using the don't use enter for selecting the channel. Right now I
changed to using 2 digits instead of 3 and it works much better. The test for
channel 5 and 6 is working now. I am using the Comcast C1982 IR code.
However, sometimes it still doesn't get the channel correct.

[Barb Bowman]

try putting some duct tape over the DTA covering the LED stick on
and the receiver glass.

On Sun, 31 May 2009 12:59:11 -0700, Brent
<Br...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

Barb Bowman
MS-MVP
http://www.digitalmediaphile.com
http://digitalmediaphile.wordpress.com
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx

[darcidoe]

So is a patch forth coming?
Is there any way to roll back my configuring of MCE to before I attached the
Comcast DTA (besides an entire system restore)?
My remote sensor for MCE is internal, does that mean I still have to go out
and buy this external one to make this all work? I have the IR emitter from
the MCE remote that came with my PC attached in port 1 at the back of my
computer (there was also something that looked like an emitter with a red
cover at the pin should that be iplugged in too? where?) but I do not have
anything that needs to plug into a usb port as just about all directions I
have been able to find have been telling me.

[johnflem]

I too have been forced to the DC50x. My computer did not come with an IR
device or remote. I use the MCE itself to change channels. I want to do the
same thing, and just have it record etc using the built-in media guide etc.
What is it I need to do/buy to get this to work? In the setup, I don't see
anything for Comcast, Pace, Motorola, or the other suggested identifiers...
Do I really need an IR blaster for this? Isn't there some code that can be
sent to the device, just like it was going to the cable before?
Very frustrating! Why isn't everyone up in arms over Comcast's strongarm
tactics to get us to buy their dvr's??

[Barb Bowman]

http://digitalmediaphile.com/index.php/tips-tricks-how-tos/comcast-dta-mce-setup-steps/

[johnflem]

Barb,
Thanks for the link to the article, but I can' find this eHome USB receiver
you mention. Is it sold anywhere? Also, since I don't want to use a remote
control, is there no simpler way to merely tell the DTA to switch to the
channel I choose in Media Center?
I bought a SIIG Media Center remote which I haven't opened; I don't think
that will help me. It has a remote control, of course, but the usb device is
an IR Receiver, and if the articles are correct, you need an IR transmitter
to convey the signal to the DTA's Remote. That sure seems like a roundabout
way, a signal can't be sent through the cable like before?
Also, your instructions for Win7 don't exactly match mine in Vista, there is
no PlayReady etc. I don't know if that matters.
Thanks!

[Curious]

The DTA does not have any way to receive commands except with its own Remote
Unit which provides IR signals to the IE sensor on the front of the DTA so
you have to have an IR blaster to give it comands.

"johnflem" <john...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:79EBC214-EA58-4C0C...@microsoft.com...

[Barb Bowman]

If you want to use MCE, you need the USB receiver and the IR blaster
- Vista should work the same way (and no Play Ready..)

On Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:11:01 -0700, johnflem

[darcidoe]

As far as I can tell, my receiver is internal in my "media" packaged
computer. They sent me two IR's but I have no clue which one is the blaster.
(I know I am not supposed to use the one that came with the DTA.)

[Barb Bowman]

who is the "they" that sent you two IR's? the sticky end with the
red LED goes over the receiver in the DTA and the plug goes into
your computer. nearly all computers have consumer IR which is not
the same as the eHome IR. what computer exactly and what does the
documentation say?

[gmcshea]

Hi Everyone,

Several months after the analog to digital conversion I still cannot get
Media Center to work with my comcast DTA. I have tried EVERYTHING posted in
this thread and others I have found and followed all the instructions on the
Barb Bowman site. I have tried duct tape, moving the DTA, everything. The
step that is always fails on for me is learning the comcast remote. It does
not recognize the remote so I have to have it go through the learn my remote
process and in the process it always gets stuck learning the first number. I
press/hold/release the number one and it gets stuck on the release step. It
just sits there and I have to either go back or cancel. I have tried all
permutations of settings with 2 vs 3 digits and enter vs no enter but nothing
helps.

If anyone has additional suggestions or has solved this problem I would love
to hear it. I have wasted so much time trying to get this to work to no avail.

Thanks in advance.

[Barb Bowman]

What brand is your DTA?

Have you tried this at night in a dark room without any other light
sources? (what kind of lighting is in the room?)

[Adidapolo]

I am of the same thought. I would like to never use a remote control. How
can we change channels within Media Center? I am very frustrated and miss my
recording via Media Center.

[zoner]

I really feel for you. It sounds like your DTA needs to be replaced. Call
Comcast and tell em it's defective. Cross fingers that the fix is that easy.

[Barb Bowman]

Please start a new thread and describe your setup - including
version of Windows and how your hardware is setup. You've replied to
an old thread without posting your own details.