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Dual Set top box problems

#1
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10/27/09 at 10:25am
  • Joined: October 2009
  • Post Count: 1
I've just completed my new entertainment center,(Dual flatscreens mounted on a recessed wall with a built in shelf below) I absolutely love the setup, great for watching football but i am having some issues with the cable boxes being so close to each other. I believe the boxes are both Scientific Atlanta boxes, both HD, one is a dvr and they both run on the same remote. Everytime i try to change one the other changes, i have tried pulling them apart but it doesnt help very much. I have been doing some research online and came across something called a Cisco USC IR Extender. www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/video/ps8611/ps8650/ps8663/4005303.pdf  This seems to say it will do what i need in allowing one box to use a different rf signal but i can't find one to buy. I called Cisco and they say only certified dealers have them, they said my cable provider should have them(Time Warner). Called Time Warner they told me to go to Radio Shack. So my question is, has anyone else had this problem? Is there any other solutions? I've read a small amount about Universal Remotes and rf bases but i'm having trouble understanding a lot of it.
Thanks for your time and help
-Ryan
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#2
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10/27/09 at 7:37pm
  • Joined: August 2000
  • Location: Southaven, MS
  • Post Count: 4,540
You need to see if your cable box has different remote addresses.  You can run a pair of DirecTV DVR's or 8 TiVo's using different remote addresses.  Because cable boxes from the same manufacturer sometimes run different software based on provider you need to research a little more or give us more info to help you.

I don't know anything about the Cisco product but an Ocelot from Smart Home dot com will solve your problem.  It's not easy to program but it will do remote translation as well as send IR signals to different blasters connected to it.
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#3
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10/28/09 at 8:03am
  • Joined: August 2000
  • Location: Southaven, MS
  • Post Count: 4,540
I just read the Cisco PDF.  It is just an extender that gets its power from the USB port.  There is no logic in it that will allow you to do what is needed.
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