There is a lot to take in going through the previous posts on this, Telewest insist it wont work, Pace wont give me the codes for the remote without Telewests approval, Philips say the 2000 series of the Pronto WILL work if the codes are all entered manually as it cannot learn above 56khz they insist it will output up to about 120. Has anyone else heard this from Philips?

I have just spoken to TiVO (SKY UK) about being able to control and record NTL Cable on the TIVO box. They are selling a device that enables a machine that uses regular IR codes to control the Pace machine. It costs £29.99. I was told that this is an interim solution until NTL get their act together. I haven't seen the device yet. TiVo can be contacted on 08702 41 84 86.

I have been reading this thread and was struck with fear, I too have a RC5000 and a Telepest box, and I too suffer the same problems. But whilst seeking a solution...found a press release on Reuters that states TELEWEST have signed a deal with Scientfic Alanta for their Explorer 4000DVB Set top box, and from what I can see it uses normal IR codes...so have sent e-mail to Telewest and still awaiting a response. It might be worth you all doing the same!

Hope this is of some help

Sorry to disappoint you Jon, but I was aware that Pace Telewest boxes did not work with my Pronto when I ordered it, so I asked Telewest if they could install a Scientific Atlanta box, and not a Pace one. Reply was 'It will be a Pace one sir, we only install Pace'. Now my expensive top-of-the-range remote sits in a corner gathering dust, and I use an All for one URC7560, which is ugly, but works and learns perfectly well...

I am just about to buy a tsu2000. Now I'm scared that i will drain $500. I'm in Canada I use a Scientific Atlanta decoder with the Marantc MK2 remote. Does that mean that eventually my cable provider will upgrade the box and my soon to be bought Pronto will be a useless peace of plastic ? Should I still buy ?

Over on the TiVo forums (www.avsforum.com) a number of
TiVo owners with Telewest DiTV1000 STBs have now
received the dongle which allows the TiVo to control the STB. As the Pronto can control the TiVo, there is
now one (expensive) option!

As far as I know the dongle (£30) only works with the TiVo unit and is not a generic standalone device.

As we've been thinking about getting a TiVo anyway it looks like we'll be spending some money soon!

The question that needs answering about the TiVo unit is how does it connect tot he TiVo (I know nothing about TiVo). If it connects to a IR blaster type port on the TiVo then it might not be that usefull for us, however if it just receives IR from the TiVo then it sounds perfect and at 30Quid makes it pointless in me even looking at building anything.

So if anybody can confirm the connection details we might get somewhere with this.

Ben

I have the Philips Tivo unit. The box came ready with a serial port that connects the Tivo to the back of the cable/DSS box AND it came with an IR blaster. The IR blaster is for cable/DSS boxes that don't support a serial port connections. You have to hang the IR blaster over the cable box.

So - does that mean that if you had the Tivo remote codes in your pronto and just the dongle plugged into the IR blaster port of the Cable box you would be able to control the box without a TIVO unit itself?

I have a Pronto RU940 2 meg and have successfully learned all the codes inc power on/off for the PACE 4000N NTL box. Not sure if this is has been done before or is old hat. If anyone wants them i'll be happy to upload a ccf for it.

Yes please for the Pace 4000 CCF

Chris,

looking at the manual at

[Link: cm73.com]

I think the dongle only works with a TiVo.

I was interested in Gary Connoley's success in controlling a Pace box with the Pronto. I have just received a Pace DiTV2000 from NTL, which is no doubt an old refurb. Has anyone managed to control this with a Pronto? The remote control that you get with the Pace box is possibly the most ugly design in history!

Anthony, the DiTV2000 STB uses IrDA in the same way the DiTV1000 does. This unfortunatly means that the Pronto
won't be able to control it.

I've had a pronto for a couple of months now and am very pleased with it. Now I'm thinking of changing over from NTL analogue to the new digital service. Does anybody know which Pace box is being provided for the Ipswich (IP3) area??
In fact it would be useful to have a list on here which defines which pace boxes are being used in what areas of the UK and from which cable provider. If anyone wants to send their local info I will attempt to collate it and post it here.