I have a moto 6200 (Denver Comcast) that I have hooked up to my mythbox via firewire. I get all the basic cable channels and the regular HD channels (CBS, NBC etc.). Optimally, I'd like to get all the rest of my channels over firewire (digital channels and premium channels HBO and Starz), but I haven't had much luck so far.

What else could I use? I don't mind getting most of the stuff standard def, cause that's what it is, but how would I do it? Can I send an s-video signal out from my 6200 to a PVR250 or something? Is there another card or method that would work better? I'd also like to get the on-demand stuff, too.

Also, I'd like to get the premium HD channels, too (HBO HD, ESPNHD, DiscoveryHD, etc.). I know there is signal degradation, but could I take the component output (or DVI) from the box and reencode it on my mythbox?

Also, how would I get the audio in with these methods? I'd like to get digital audio if it's there, but if I can only do analog, that's ok.

Thanks for the help

System Specs:
AMD Athlon64 3000+ Venice
nforce4 mobo
geforce 6600
Sound Blaster Audigy
Motorola 6200

well I can tell you now there is not way to get component/dvi and reencode it.

As far as the premium stuff I can record all that fine on my box using comcast 6200 here in nashville. I did have a while when I couldn't, and it appeared to coincide with a time when I didn't have any other form of video output, and when I connected my svideo up to make some menu changes on the cable box the ability to record premium content over firewire came back, so if you have another svid input on your tv it might activate the premium content if you plug it in, even though you are not using it.

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Xsecrets

I connected an s-video cable from the box to my A/V receiver, it didn't seem to do the trick, when I find an extra RCA cable I'll try component. I saw a comment from you similar to this and tried it just before I saw this reply. Thanks, though.

What about the PVR250? I don't quite understand how the card works. Would it take the svid signal input and record it?

yes a pvr250 can do that, though it will never record hdtv.

Have you tried both firewire ports on the 6200? one of mine works and the other doesn't, not that I think this is your problem, because the one that doesn't work won't record anything at all.

I had the same issue you did, and then I had to move everything cause my old entertainment center was broken, and after the move all channels worked through firewire. I haven't done any testing to see what the difference is because I don't want to break it.

_________________
Have a question search the forum and have a look at the KnoppMythWiki.

Xsecrets

I've had Comcast (analog) cable for the last few years and this past week I signed up for digital. I've read some posts here that say that cable providers are supposed to supply a firewire port on their boxes (but I'm not sure if this is only a requirement for digital or both digital and analog feeds). The box Comcast provided me only has the RCA type (composite) connectors (red, white, and yellow) on the back along with the standard coax connector. My TV does not have any component connectors, just two sets of RCA/composite inputs and the coax input, but what I am wondering is whether or not I should pester Comcast for a box that has firewire output, as I am preparing to do a KnoppMyth very soon.

Any suggestions/thoughts?

My guess is you didn't ask Comcast for high-definition service over and above your digital service. You only need component connectors for HD channels, not the other SD digital channels, so maybe if you don't ask for HD service, they only give you a "regular" digital cable box, not an HD one.

And yes, the Firewire connector is only mandated for digital cable boxes, not analog ones. I would pester away.

Yes, they have to provide you a box with Firewire. No, they don't have to send the signal over FireWire unencrypted except for your local stations and anything in the "basic" cable tier. So even with Firewire you may end up with encrypted video that can't be played back on MythTV.