Help - Media Center wants a remote to detect

[SatAmp]

And I don't have a remote connected for Media Center.

My cable co. (Comcast), made everyone get a Digital Transition Adapter so they could reshuffle channel numbers, and now when I try to set up my TV in Media Center I have to use the manuel setup where you can choose channel three, etc.

Well I see my cable detected on channel three in the little scanning window they give you but then the next screen says no remote detected!

So it only gives me Cancel, or Back, as options.

Is this a bug, or just what is up with this seemingly forced remote purchase just to use what I already paid for (Seven Ultimate)?

Anyone have a workaround or is Microsoft aware of this impediment?

Thanks in advance if anyone can help.

 

[SatAmp]

Partial solution

double post

 

[SatAmp]

Partial solution

Okay - I found a solution of sorts.

The little Digital Transport Adapter has a 3 - 4 switch on the back just like a VCR does. My Cable here has a channel three, on analog feed; so I detected card sans Adapter and tuned to channel three. After setup I hooked up the DTA amd flipped switch to 4 on the rear. Tuned to 4 on Media Center, and now I have to use the remote that came with the DTA to change channels.

It works, and I get all the channels now; but this won't work for the digital side of my Sapphire Dual analog/digital tv tuner card. So for now no HD stations :-(

 

[knockatoone]

DTA box & Media Center

Comcast coversion to all digital requires I use one of there little set top(DTA) boxes to get back to analog for Media Center to get the channels -but as discussed above you need to come in the PC on channel 3 or 4 (as on a TV set up). I have not started the set up but Comcast has instrutions for med center set up on their website -BUT it is not clear that this will allow the recording of TV programs with the Media Center able to select the channel/s you want recorded (at 2:00 AM when you are not at the PC?) Comcast seems to think the PC and set top box will comunicate by an IR cable between the DTA set top box and the Media Center remote receiver. (both do have IR jacks). If I tell the PC to record on channel 63 it will try to do that when it must go thru channel 3( or 4) to get to DTA the box ???

1, Do I have this correct ?

2. Anybody tried it yet ?

(note my TV card tech supt said that I do need the Medai Center remote for this all to work right ?? )

 

[knockatoone]

Let me try this again - has anyone sucessfully used Media Center to record TV shows when having to use a Comcast DTA Box ??

 

[derekimo]

Let me try this again - has anyone sucessfully used Media Center to record TV shows when having to use a Comcast DTA Box ??

Yes I used this guide here Set up a Comcast DTA with Media Center
With this media center remote
Amazon.com: Noah Company MediaGate GP-IR02BK Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate MCE Remote Control, 2 Channel IR (Black): Electronics

It seems confusing at first, but you start the setup with the remote from the DTA box, then finish with the media center remote.

As long as my computer is on it records what I schedule.
Hope that helps you out.
Derek


P.S. Just reading your post above, you only need the IR cable for the DTA box if your box is hidden, mine is sitting on top of my computer so I just use the IR cable for the remote which is placed in front of the receiver on the DTA box, Just like it shows in that guide I linked you to.

 

[knockatoone]

D.
Thanks for that info - I do have a working media center remote so will "blindly" follow the Comcast instructions and see what I get - just seemed a bit strange (=hard to beleive) that the dta and PC talking thru an Ir cable taped to thefront of the dta box ... Thanks for your encouraging reply - will post with results

 

[derekimo]

I know what you mean, It didn't quite make sense to me at first but it does work.
Keep us posted.

Derek

 

[knockatoone]

Just read your ref (Barbs Connected World) and it says not to use the Comcast provided IR extenders = these are apparently not blasters but just IR reciever extenders ... K

 

[Vorticonthe1st]

I have found the fix if you lose sound on some of your channels:

The Comcast cable remote has a button at the bottom, below the 'mute' button, labeled ''LANG''. If that button gets pressed accidentally, it will delete sound on some or all of your channels. Has something to do with having a language other than English. Simply press it again to set it right.

 

[Vorticonthe1st]

Kockatoone,
I've been going thru this for a few weeks with the Comcast thing and it's been very frustrating and confusing.

First of all, you already know everything is always coming thru channel 3 for Comcast.

If you want to record a program on a certain channel, at 2am, or anytime:

1) you have to have your computer on

2) then go into Media Center's 'live tv' selection and use your remote (comcast's remote) and change the channel to the channel you want to record.

then do either 3) or 4).....

3) go back to Media Center's 'Recorded TV' selection, then choose 'add recording' and go to your Guide to pick out the program to record, or

4) go back to Media Center's 'Recorded TV' selection, then choose 'add recording', and then choose the 'Channel and Time' selection to manually choose the program you want to record. At this time, choose the 'actual' channel you want to record, such as 11 or 32.

I would test it if I were you, before you actually want to record a show that you really want. I know that options 3 and 4 both work for me. And although I have not tried this for option 4: it might not make any difference if you manually chose channel 11 or 32, or 3 itself. It's going to record whatever channel you've turned 'live tv' to. That's the key!

ps) and I won't get to try it. Comcast has just frustrated me too much on this Media Center setup and I took the cable box off my computer and am just going to record whatever basic channels I can get off cable. At least I can set up Media Center to record some programs without me being there to change the channel.

I put my old, cheap dvd recorder on my extra tv to record stuff on a CD-RW off the other cable channels. Then I don't have to be home to 'change the channel' on that either.

And, also, if your gone on vacation for a couple weeks, a week, or even a couple of days, only plan on recording programs on the channel you've set 'live tv' too.

Isn't modern technology grand!:sarc:

 

[knockatoone]

Media center wants a remote to detech

There is a parallel thread over in the "Breen Button" that discusses and finds a way to have WMC record TV with a set top box - you can maintain the same proceedures as with out the box using an IR blaster to communicate between the set top box and WMC . The Site is

"thegreenbutton.com/p93958/487775.aspx487775"

Knockatoone

 

[knockatoone]

Just read your ref (Barbs Connected World) and it says not to use the Comcast provided IR extenders = these are apparently not blasters but just IR reciever extenders ... K

Just to follow up - did as "Barb" said with the new IR blaster and all is well -works as if the box were not even there ..problem SOLVED !! Thanks K