Recording from cable

[dawhch]

I have been on cable for some years now and while there are a few niggles generally I am happy with it.
One area of concern has been video recording progammes. I can record the five main programmes thro' my aerial and basically that is OK for VCR. I am just about to get a recordable DVD and want to record the best possible picture - this is on cable.
I have been able to record one channel on digital but I can find no way of changing the cable channel to record a second programme. Friends tell me they can do it on Sky - I would have thought I ought to be able to do this on cable thro' the Reminder option but that requires manual intervention.
I know some VCRs and DVD recorders can control the digital set box but has anyone experience of doing so thro' Telewest?
dawhch

[MovedGoalPosts]

dawhch to Cable Forum

The best picture for recording from your STB (set top box) will be achieved through a scart cable connection. You wont be able to record Front Row movies.

As far as I know there is know way of changing channels on your cable STB from your VCR.

On ntl you only have 3 days forward planning via the EPG (electronic program guide) which is a pain in the backside. At least for those 3 days you can program a reminder into the STB for the program you want so that if the STB is on it will change channels for you.

[sarissa]

Later follow-up: Telewest have announced they will be offering in 2005 a Sky Plus type set top box with 160 Gb hard disk for recording and three(!) digital tuners, i.e. to be able to record two programs while watching a live feed.

haven't seen it advertised yet though.....

[nn012]

There were various press releases back in January, heres one: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds18555.html

Also more pictures of the proposed PVR here: http://www.telewestinfo.co.uk/TWPVR.shtml
And here: http://www.telewestinfo.co.uk/news_Jan05.shtml