S3 Inputs Question

[dmk1974]

As I understand it, the S3 can handle multiple types of inputs. A question I have is, can it take to physical cable inputs and identify one as analog and the other as digital with cable cards? The reason is, I have Comcast high speed internet plus basic service (lower than standard service...supposed to only give local channels and shopping channels), but since I have the HSI, I get the full analog gamut of 2-99. I also currently have a Comcast Digital DVR box specifically for the HD channels (187-192) and on that box, all of the analog cable channels are blocked out. Hence, with my current setup on my TV, I have a S2 DT box to record 2-99 analog and the Comcast box for 187-192 HD.

I want a S3 box, but I'm guessing when I get the cable cards to allow 187-192 to come in, that input won't let me get 2-99, will it? If not, can I assign a separate physical cable input as analog and then still get dual tuner recording no matter what combo of shows I am recording (A+A, A+HD, or HD+HD)? Thanks!

[Amnesia]

(...) can it take to physical cable inputs (...)Do you mean "two physical cable inputs"?

No, the S3 only has one coax input for cable. The manual is available here (http://customersupport.tivo.com/resources/pdf/series3hd/Series3_HD_ViewersGuide.pdf)

[gbrown]

With the CableCards you will get ALL the channels. I get 2-99 as well as the 100s, 200, 300, 400s, 500, 600s and 700s on my S3. Don't confuse Digital with HiDef. On my Comcast feed a lot of digital channels come in on the 100-199. But the HD comes on the 700-799 range.

The FCC has mandated that the "local" digital HD channels come in clear - not encrypted. For instance, my Fox Channel is 2. I get the HD on 702. BUT, I split the cable and run it directly into my TV which has a QAM tuner. So I also get Fox HD on 2.1 via the direct feed. This alows me to record 2 programs and watch a third.

The S3 has an antenna input as well as a cable input. I don't use the antenna input. So others can tell you about it.

[dmk1974]

If I subscribed to Digital Cable, I would definitely expect that all of those channels would come in. It's just that since I don't now, and Comcast is able to filter out the analog numbered channels on that box of theirs, don't you think they could do the same with CableCards? If not, that's great though and I'm ordering an S3 tonight/tomorrow. Otherwise to get what I want on a single TiVo box, I'd have to mount an antenna on my roof for the local HD channels and then not get cable cards so the S3 records the analog channels without issue.