Comcast DTA vs regular cable box?

[noahas]

I have been reading some of the posts about the Comcast conversion to more digital and it not working with the S1 & S2. I understand the work around and have ordered the IR cable from one of the forum members here for my Series 1 Sony SVR-2000, but I am wondering, what is the advantage of the cable box vs the DTA? Is one preferable to the other since Comcast will provide either for free.

Thanks in advance.

[RonDawg]

The DTA's are basically modern equivalents of the old-time cable boxes that had the tuning knob in the front. They do little more than let you tune in the encrypted channels in addition to the unencrypted ones.

A full featured cable box will allow you to do interactive things like order Pay Per View and Video On Demand from your cable provider using just the remote control. If you also have telephone service from your cable provider, the box will display caller ID info on your TV screen if you wish (some folks, particularly TiVo S1/S2 users, have this disabled on purpose).

Most if not all full featured cable boxes will have multiple output options, whereas DTA's are usually RF-out only, or at best composite out.

[noahas]

Great, thanks for your prompt response. So it certainly sounds like if they are giving both free (and assuming the IR blaster cable works with both) the cable box is a better route to go.

Thanks again.

[gastrof]

The control cable a forum member here invented that allows hard wired control of channel changes was meant to work with the DTAs.

I don't even know if the regular cable box has a port on it the control cable can plug into.

[beartunes]

It depends, if you have "Standard cable" (you probably have had cable for years and were a hold-out with NOT getting 'digital starter'), and the wire went from the wall to the tv, you have the option of getting a free cable box and 2 free dtas.

pick a cable box (dct) over a dta if you can.

if you already have 'digital starter' that includes the first cable box, so you are then only entitled to 2 free dtas. from #3 on, they are $1.99 each , each month.

dtas seem to be more picky about signal strength than a cable box. so if you have splitters on your cable line, upgrade them to one comcast can give you (free at the service center), or try and get them off the line altogether.
If you have crappy signal strength, it's not the dtas fault per-se, or comcast's fault, but is probably your wiring. apartments and condos are more prone to this.
If you get 'tiling' or "one moment please" (or if a cable box and on demand wont work or you get error 4) that is all low signal strength related stuff. Same thing, get the splitters off the line or strangely and quite simply, power cycle the box, wait a full 1 minute before you plug it back in.

[noahas]

The control cable a forum member here invented that allows hard wired control of channel changes was meant to work with the DTAs.

I don't even know if the regular cable box has a port on it the control cable can plug into.

I was wondering about that. I am going to pick up the boxes today. What am I looking for to plug into? Is it an "IR in" connection on the back of the box or DTA?

Thanks.

I can post back if I get the box and it works as well.

[noahas]

It depends, if you have "Standard cable" (you probably have had cable for years and were a hold-out with NOT getting 'digital starter'), and the wire went from the wall to the tv, you have the option of getting a free cable box and 2 free dtas.

pick a cable box (dct) over a dta if you can.

if you already have 'digital starter' that includes the first cable box, so you are then only entitled to 2 free dtas. from #3 on, they are $1.99 each , each month.

dtas seem to be more picky about signal strength than a cable box. so if you have splitters on your cable line, upgrade them to one comcast can give you (free at the service center), or try and get them off the line altogether.
If you have crappy signal strength, it's not the dtas fault per-se, or comcast's fault, but is probably your wiring. apartments and condos are more prone to this.
If you get 'tiling' or "one moment please" (or if a cable box and on demand wont work or you get error 4) that is all low signal strength related stuff. Same thing, get the splitters off the line or strangely and quite simply, power cycle the box, wait a full 1 minute before you plug it back in.

Thanks for the insight. I believe what I have is called Digital Starter, I dont think I have any movie channels, but I have the HD ones. Currently I have a series 1 Tivo (which I need this box for), an HD Tivo, and a Comcast DVR (because it was free with the promo package) as well as a video capture card in my computer. I think from a signal strength standpoint I should be fine as it is a 1 year old house that was well wired from a tech standpoint. I'll probably ask them for 1 cable box and 1 DTA just to see which works since they are free (or so the postcard said).