Windows Media Center on my HP TouchSmart PC won't switch channels on my attached Cable Box.

Question

Have a Motorola DCX3501-M DVR (cable box) connected to my HP TouchSmart PC (Win 7 64-bit) in order to view and record HDTV channels.  Problem is I can't get Windows Media Center to communicate with the cable box properly, e.g., when I select a channel to view in WMC (using the PC's remote control) it does not tell the cable box to switch to that channel.  I have the IR cable connected from the rear of the PC and affixed to the front panel of the cable box.  How can I get the cable box to work properly with this PC?

Answer 1

Hello Curly2U:
           Did you connect the IR cables correctly ?http://www.motorola.com/staticfiles/Video-Solutions/Products/Video-CPE/All-Digital-Set-Tops/DCX3501-...  Now I look up your cable box.  Take the IR cable that is connected from p.c. IR out port and plug the other end directly into EXT IR IN port. Next to IEEE 1384 and Power  Cord ports. I really do not see how a p.c. remote can control any thing but the computer because these remotes do not have a option to add codes to them like a universal remote does. They also do not have special butons to allow you to contol other devices such as tv's or stereos and cable boxes like a universal remote does. I checked our Help and Support and did not see anything about mentioning controlling other devices.
          You might want to by pass the cable box altogether and  directly plug the cable antenna wire directly into the computer and see if it can tune in cable channels. You might not need the cable box after all. There are two antenna ports on your computer try switching the cable antenna arround. I found out  one antenna port olnly picked up one channel and when I switched the cable cable arround I was able to pick up all the channels.