Series 1 with Comcast Pace DTA (IR Question)

[unatanium]

It appears that IR Blasters are not required with this setup, maybe someone can shed some light on the subject. I have the cable split with one input into the Pace DTR and the other into the TV. Composite cables out of Pace box into Series 1 TIVO. Composite cables out of TIVO into TV. I played around with positioning the IR Blasters with similar results noting that the TIVO remote would change only the TIVO channels and not the Pace box. Just for fun I disconnected the Blasters and setup a recording on TIVO, sure enough it changed to the right channel on the TIVO leaving the Pace box on a different channel and worked just fine. So, to me it appears that the cable feed is coming full channel out of the Pace box through the composite cable allowing the TIVO to select what it wants rather than requiring the Pace box to control channel output to the TIVO (i.e. requiring the use of blasters). And yes I get all the digital programs in my Comcast package except the On Demand which requires two way com. The only glitch to this setup is not leaving the Pace box in the On Demand mode after watching it as the TIVO cannot switch it back.

[ggieseke]

The Series 1 TiVos have a fairly powerful IR blaster in the front panel in addition to the cable. Personally, I would use the cable and block the Pace box from all outside sources of IR with some aluminum foil to make channel changing as reliable as possible but that's your call.

[gastrof]

Forget about tin foil.

Make some sort of light-proof box (called an "IR tent" around here) and keep the DTA and the TiVo's blaster inside it.

When the box can't see any other light sources at all, the effect of the IR blaster will be a little more dependable and sure.

[ggieseke]

I just use the aluminum foil and tape method to keep good air flow. My four Hughes HBH-SA boxes generate a lot of heat. It's unsightly, but I finally just shoved them behind the TV where I didn't have to see them anymore.