R5000-HD Cable Modifications

Specials

Solutions for
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ATSC Modulator

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Samples

R5000-HD Cable Box Modifications

If your cable operator supplies Motorola digital set top boxes, it is now possible to use the R5000-HD with those systems to record all HD and digital SD content. There are certain limitations, however. Any STB that employs "5C" copy protection is not eligible for the modification. This applies to most HD models that already have a Firewire output for recording to a PC. The DCT2000 series boxes were designed primarily for SD digital but have the ability to interface with an external decoder (the Motorola HDD-200) to display HD channels. These units do not offer a Firewire output and are thus not 5C enabled. There are also some early HD boxes that do not have a Firewire port installed. These would also qualify.

The DTC2000 series boxes are capable of receiving all available HD channels which can be perfectly captured using the R5000-HD. They just can't be decoded and displayed directly by the box. Depending on your cable operator, the high-speed serial port (for connection with an external HD decoder) may require authorization in order to be used.

Leased Boxes Just about all cable boxes today are owned by the cable provider and leased to the customer. You may or may not be able to convince your cable company to activate a customer owned STB, although recent laws may force them to do so. When installed in the DTC2000, the R5000-HD modification is performed in a manner which allows it to be removed without a trace (e.g. no holes are made in the chassis). It is highly recommended that you first return your modified box to us in order to remove the R5000-HD before turning it in to your cable operator. There is no charge for this removal.

Motorola DTC2500 digital cable box

Channel Authorization Depending on your cable operator certain HD tier channels may require special authorization on SD boxes like the DTC2500. Since these are "HD only" channels, they may not be included in the activation map for a non-HD box unless it is authorized to use an external decoder such as the HDD-200. A channel has to be authorized in order to be recorded. Depending on their policy (or whim) it may not be possible to get these channels authorized on a non-HD box. Check with your cable operator.