New Cable Box has USB support.

[imported_Stew]

We just ditched our satellite TV service, since it was the pits in our area(lots of trees), and went for digital cable!

With the new digital cable, we got a nice new Motorola DCT2500 Digital Cable Receiver. I was very impressed. It has component video out, and optical audio output and everything. Even USB! What on earth could I use USB for?

It says in the manual something about using it for connecting to keyboards, storage devices (hard drive, for recording?), digital cameras, and PCs. Does anyone have this cable box, or have a cable box that has USB? I'm really curious about what I could this for.

 

[Matthias99]

I'm not sure why you'd really want to plug a keyboard into it, but some of the newer cable boxes (especially the ones with DVR capabilities) can either record to, or play files off, storage devices they are attached to via USB/Firewire. But a lot of it depends on who your service provider is and what they have installed/enabled in the box.

It's actually much more common to see Firewire connections than USB. You might check out AVSForum to see if you can dig up more information on this particular model.

 

[MustISO]

Our HD DVR has firewire, USB and I think SATA. The firewire is enabled but not for hooking to an external drive just for sending the video via firewire. It'd be great if I could add additional HD space to the box.

 

[imported_Stew]

My unit isn't HD, or DVR (as far as I know), but it has this USB port that I don't know how to use.

 

[Rage187]

Originally posted by: MustISO
Our HD DVR has firewire, USB and I think SATA. The firewire is enabled but not for hooking to an external drive just for sending the video via firewire. It'd be great if I could add additional HD space to the box.

My MOXI has the same except the sata.

Of course they have disabled all the useful ports like the USB/DVI/Firewire.

 

[imported_Stew]

So, do you guys think I could hook it up to my PC? The box has the same type of usb connector that is found on a PC (not sure if it's considered male or female)

 

[powerMarkymark]

I's probably to attach a keyboard for email, net surfing and interactive tv programming.

I know those services areoffered through the Digital Cable Receivers here where we live.

M@rc

 

[imported_Stew]

Hmm. Okay. I might try to conjure up a cable to connect it to my PC. See what happens