said by Chuckles :

Ugly little thing.

If the serial number starts with GI or M it's motorola, SA is scientific atlanta.

Edit: Google shows it's made by pace.

said by nick11 :

You can say that again. I'm so frustrated with this thing:

1. I lost my picture-in-picture
2. I can't record a channel different than what I watch
3. I lost the channel control of my remotes
4. It takes a lot of time (compred to what it used to) to change channels
5. The volume decides to take some time off whenever it wants

This sucks...

yes, the serial starts with PAEH

said by owlyn :

The Pace box is not meant to do the things you are trying to do. It is a simple tuner designed to allow Comcast (and others) to migrate off of analog and reclaim bandwidth. It has nothing other than basic functionality. It gets most of the digital channels except premiums, does not support VOD, does not have a guide, etc..

What do you want for free?

said by Chuckles :

How many inputs does your TV have?

You probably can add a splitter before the box and run two inputs to your tv or one of them through your recording device then to your tv.

Or add an a/b switch w/splitter to watch something besides what you're recording.

said by The Q :

A standard Comcast digital cable box will be much better than the Pace DTA device for what you are looking to do.

It will cost you $ per month as opposed to the free DTA device.

No PIP through the box though. Do you use your VCR enough to justify the use of that TV input?

said by biglittlewil :

The answer to your question is no. Unless you can find a new universal with specific codes for that'll work for that box.

Do not call Comcast on this one because we don't deal with anything other than "our" equipment

and wouldn't know how to program "your" remote.

I hope that answers it for you. Seems like you asked a question and never got the answer you were looking for.

said by nick11 :

the pace box is "your" equipment, it was sent by comcast along with an ultimatum: use it or lose your TV in 1 month

how can it be sony's fault that comcast's equipment is something that doesn't have remote codes

said by nick11 :

my remote? My remote was working just fine with my TV until Comcast made it stop

said by nick11 :

comcast took away my PIP
comcast took away my recording programs other than what I watch
comcast took away my remote's ability to change the TV channel

I appreciate the answer. Doesn't mean I'm not pissed off about it. But I appreciate the reply.

said by biglittlewil :

Yes the DTA is Comcast equipment, which is why you were provided with a remote for it. I didn't say that it was Sony's fault. I said that since you use a Sony remote you should contact Sony about codes to work with that box.

If you have a Sony product how could you expect Comcast to troubleshoot it?

The DTA didn't stop your old remote from working. I'm pretty sure it still works.

I can understand your frustrations but you're looking at this the wrong way. This whole reclamation was meant to give more.

In the end there's much more gained than lost.

I'm sorry for that.

said by Georgia85 :

I know how frustrating this all is for you. I was in a similar situation and being an avid tv recorder couldn't fathom the idea of not being able to record a different program from what I was watching.

First of all, Federal Law mandated the transition of national networks to digital...

Comcast took it upon themselves to migrate their additional cable channels to digital throughout the remainder of the year. If you are still receiving the Analog Comcast transmission I'd suggest transferring over to digital

(there is no additional cost) and using their digital set top box with remote (has On Demand, tv guide listings, show info button...). You enter in a code for your TV on the digital remote and if one is not provided on the list of codes there is a process to search for a code.

No, your current tv remote will not work on the set top box - it will only work on your tv and since your tv needs to remain on channel 3 (or 4 depending on you settings) your current tv remote will be of little use other than controlling volumn.

And yes, you will always need a set top box with digital cable (regardless of the type of tv you have) because these boxes unscramble the cable channels.

As for watching one show and recording another this can be done (up until the total migration by Comcast of all channels to digital) You will need a splitter and an A/B switch. The cable from the wall goes into the splitter. From the other 2 connections of the splitter attach cables. One cable will go into the "B" portion of the A/B switch. The other cable will go into the "in" connection of the digital set top box. The "out" connection of the digital set top box goes into the "A" connection of the A/B switch. There is a 3rd connection on the A/B switch and that goes from the switch to the "in" on the VCR. Then attach another cable from the "out" of the VCR into the TV. When you switch over to the B mode you have access to your VCR. You can set a program schedule it to record any of the channels you previously had that are still being transmitted via analogue. This includes the major national networks because even though Federal Law said they had to be sent via a digital format cable companies must still provide them in an analogue format for 2 years. You can also watch tv via your VCR's tuner (allowing you to use your tv remote and maintaining your picture in picture feature). And you can change channels on your VCR. You cannot watch one show while recording another while in this mode. This is where you switch over to "A" This allows you to watch TV (using your settop to change channels) while your VCR records the programs you have set it to record.

Unfortunately I don't know how to include a DVD player in this setup - I actually use a VCR/DVD Player combo. I'm sure it's just a matter of using RCA video/audio cables. You probably can find forums online that will discuss this.

So the above configuration will allow you to watch one show while recording another. It will allow you to use your current remote to change channels while in VCR mode. It will allow your picture-in-picture while in VCR mode. The bad news is this will only last as long as Comcast continues their analogue transmission...two years for ABC, CBS, NBC but a matter of days or months for their cable channels.

The final alternative - which is what I just did this past weekend - is bite the bullet and rent a DVR. I've already got my digital package and now with the DVR I can "record" 2 shows at the same time or record 1 and watch another. I didn't want the additional expense but what can you do?