I was wondering if there are any newsletters or websites where people can find out if their cable provider has new boxes available. I have AT&T East MA, and really don't like the box they have (DCT-2000). And their service reps are no help when I ask questions like that!

Not much the system can do when it comes to choosing set top boxes. Are you looking for more features on the DCT or smaller footpring or ??.

I was hoping for programming features.... (It doesn't work with my VCR - brand new Toshiba) - this could be a network issue but it is a pain (BIG, BIG).

My DCT-2000 controls my JVC VCR, but only to channel 199! The VCR will only accept a channel up to 199 for automatic programming. AT&T has channels into the 900's. Major bummer. It may be time to Tivo.

Scott, which JVC do you have? I have 9500U and 7600U and I can't get them to work with the DCT 2000 box. Thanks

Simon,

I answered this one a while back in a previous thread. I'll cut and paste the relevant pieces below, since the original thread had a lot of other stuff in it. I *believe* my vcr is the JVC 7600; it's at home and I'm at work so i can't validate. I used the General Instruments code from the JVC manual when setting it up to control the cable box.
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Until recently I was not able to get my VCR to control the cable box via an IR emitter. This was because the VCR sends CHANNEL + ENTER to the cable box. Well, as you AT&T digital cable fans know, this box expects CHANNEL + SELECT. The ENTER key is used to bring up the DMX music menu. (At least the way my cable company has it programmed.) Thus, the VCR would send the channel, and before it "took", the music menu popped up and the channel input timed out without changing the channel. Frustrating!

Well, while cruising through the cable box setup menu recently I noticed a new(?) feature (I hadn't noticed it before) that allows you to enter less than three-character channels without having to hit SELECT. After toggling this on, my VCR was able to control the DCT-2000. Yea!

Then I noticed that my fairly new JVC S-VHS machine will only allow me to enter a channel to recorded up to number 199. Now I am only able to record some digital channels without resorting to my previous method involving splitters, A/B switches and the who-knows-what-else I've got hooked up back there. Frustrating!

On my DCT-2000, I can navigate to: MENU, SETUP, GUIDE, AUTO-TUNE. The Auto-Tune function toggles YES or NO, and when on YES allows one or two digit channels to be input automatically. Again, this may be dependent on your cable provider. With this set appropriately I can control my DCT-2000 with my JVC vcr.

However, I believe that these functions have to be enabled by your local cable company. If they haven't enabled this function, it just won't be there, even though the box supports it.

The autotune was in another software upgrade foisted upon us. The DCT may need a smack to re-load it's OS.

From vaporware teasers I see regarding the next box in the DCT lineup, it will offer a hard drive. I hope this hard drive can actually be used to record whatever the customer desires. I'll personally scream at the company if they deploy it as simply a store & forward PPV device or (shudders!) a source to insert local ads in the digital channels.

Cherish the OOB data.