Hello,
Does anyone know where I can get discrete power "on" and "off" codes for the Scientific Atlanta explorer 8000HD for the MX-850 ? also, all my components except the 8000HD of course have discrete power off commands. I've attached them all as a micro to Main power off (hard) button. I have to return to the Main page to shut the entire system down. Is there a way to shut down the entire system without returning to the main menu ?
Thank you for any assistance, Im a newbie and just got my MX-850 so please explain like you are talking to a four year old, haha

Unfortunately there are no discrete power codes for SA boxes. Except for the DVR's it is probably just as well to leave them on all the time.

As to why there are no discrete codes, just keep in mind that SA seems unable (unwilling? :-)) to come up with any sort of useful program guide - and they know many users hate the present guide - why bother with something esoteric like discrete power codes?

As an alternative you can set up your 850 so that when you first push the "Cable" button you are taken to a screen that asks you if the cable box is on - you then can select appropriately -- sort of an "activity based" approach.

I wonder what the real logic behind their reason is. Is it too costly? I doubt it.

When considering the number of devices without discreet power, this is probably one of the most prevalent devices, but there are still plenty of VCRs, DVD players, etc. without discreets.

I guess Samsung had the right idea when they added discreets to the DVD-HD914 and not the DVD-HD841. They're marketing discreets as a "higher end" feature. I don't know if it will remain that way for the DVD-HD850 & DVD-HD950, but it is interesting to see how they're dealing with it.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consulting, Sales & Programming

Set the power on timer on teh Cbale box to turn on at 6:00am and turn off at 2:00am. That way you are guaranteed that every morning at 6:00 am the cable box will be turned on. In cincinnati, we have a problem where the boxes will overheat, and turn themselves off. By powereing them down every night and turning them on again every morning we avoiding this problem. Only thing is that you can only set the timer for weekdays, not everyday.

Mike

Mike,

That's an interesting approach. Is the timer a function within the box itself?



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consulting, Sales & Programming

Mike:

That's a great idea! The SA box I have looses the ability to display the "INFO" if it's left on for an extended period. You then have to power off the box for 10-15 minutes before it will reset.

I have set the timers up as you described and it seems like it will work. Thanks for the tip. My particular box, the 3250HD, has the option to have the timer execute 7 days a week.

Damon...the timers can be accessed in the SET menu of the cable box.

This message was edited by gregit on 03/12/05 17:37 ET.

Gregit,

Thanks for the info! I'll have to check it out next time I'm working with someone who has a SA box.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
Control Systems Consulting, Sales & Programming