How do I set up my set top box?

I have a CableCard instead of set top box-cablecard decodes the digital programs. How do i set up a DVR?

• i need my cable wire to go into my TV first--- to decode the digital programming -- so i'm trying to figure out how to set up a DVR...most DVr manuals i looked at only have setups for set top boxes...but not for cable cards!

• Answer:

  To make use of a CableCard in the TV, the DVR will have to control the TV and record from the TV out. I don't know if any of them will really do that. Contact your DVR customer support and ask them if they have IR remote control settings that will drive your model TV. The other solution is to get one of the Tivo Series 3 when it comes out later this year or a Cable company DVR. The TiVo Series2 DT DVR (dual tuner) just came out. It isn't HD and it doesn't support CableCard. But it will support a recording one unencrypted digital (QAM) channel at a time. But no encrypted channels that would require a CableCard. :^( http://www.tivo.com/2.0.boxdetails.asp?box=series280hrDTDVR http://homeentertainment.engadget.com/2006/04/25/tivo-series2-dt-hands-on-review/ The TiVo Series 3 supports HD and Cable Card and has 6 built-in tuners for recording up to 2 sources simultaneously. The TiVo Series 3 won't be out until later this year (guesses are fall). http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=slv1-wdgt&p=tivo%20series%203 As for you firewire question... I doubt it. You need your DVR to be able to control the channel tuning on the TV. I don't know of any DVR that will do this via firewire. If you want a definitive answer, contact customer support for your TV manufacturer (can firewire control my TV tuner) and contact the DVR maker (will this change channels on my TV via firewire commands). This stuff is not consistent from manufacturer to manufacturer. The way most DVRs control external tuners (set top box for cable or satellite) is to use an IR blaster that sends remote control commands to the device. For your DVR to do this with your TV and the CableCard tuner, you'll need to find out if your manufacturer has codes built-in to the DVR that control your specific model TV. If not, you are out of luck and need to look at either a Cable company DVR or one of the TiVo's that I mentioned earlier or find yourself a DVR that does include a CableCard slot.