[mythtv-users] Comcast & Firewire STB's without 5C/Firewire equipment

[Robert McNamara]

On Fri, Apr 3, 2009 at 5:14 PM, Mark Knecht <markknecht at gmail.com> wrote:
> 2) As for digital interfaces the HD STBs have 1394, USB, HDMI and
> Ethernet ports on them so depending on what those allow for input
> *possibly* the STB could be tuned by any of them. No one there knows
> and we're left to figure it out on our own. No one knows what comes
> out on any of the digital ports except HDMI which works by default.

You can't control the STB via HDMI.  Nor can you do anything with USB
or Ethernet.  Firewire is a possibility, and a strong one given local
comcast behaviors.

>
> 3) The HD STB also has S-Video and component video outputs so
> *possibly* I could record using the S-Video inputs on the PVR but I've
> never used them. This requires the STB to output what's tuned and
> likely doesn't work for HD which would have to be down converted.

Yes, you can record using S-video.  You can also use the component
outs and record using an HD-PVR.

>
> 4) IMPORTANT - Renting the STB costs $7.99. That cost allows you to
> drive ONE digital device. If you want to drive a second device (I.e. -
> 1394) then you have to pay Comcast an additional $6.99.

This is total nonsense.  Whomever was talking to you was making it up
as they went.  There is absolutely *no* facility for them to tell
which combinations of outputs you are using on your box from the head
end.  $6.99 extra indeed.  When you are tuning with a moto box, all
ports are spewing video at once.

>
> 5) As for Firewire, the people at the counter called elsewhere to
> determine that the 1394 interface is not supposed to be enabled by
> default and can be disabled remotely if they find you are using it but
> not paying for it. To get it enabled you have to pay the additional
> $6.99 to allow the STB to drive a second digital device. She didn't
> know anything about FCC laws so possibly this is true or not true.
>

Again, total bullshit.  The firewire is exactly like any other video
output in most respects.  There is no way for them to tell if you are
grabbing video from an unencrypted feed, *they* are the ones blasting
it out the port.  Sounds like someone didn't know their asses from a
hole in the wall and would prefer to charge you than learn anything.

Not trying to make *you* feel silly, I'm angry on your behalf.  This
kind of bullshit is intolerable.  I worked in a cable headend for a
few years, this BS is atrocious.

Robert