I have a host of problems with my EH50--most relating to do with failed efforts at getting the TVGOS to work after the digital transition.

But I'll ask about a more fundamental problem now.

Even without access to new TVGOS listing contents, I have been able to record anything I want by setting the recording time manually, or by pressing the REC button on the remote.

But then I changed cable boxes. My Comcast cable was not giving me TV listings beyond a few hours, so I called Comcast and, after several futile efforts to fix it remotely, they recommended exchanging my Motorola set-top box for a newer model.

Big mistake.

This new model is a PACE RNG-110 and it presents a couple of problems. First, the Panasonic doesn't seem to be able to control it using the IR blaster. So my Panasonic currently doesn't have any channel listings.

However, I have an even bigger problem now. When I try to record something immediately (i.e., by pressing the REC button) I get the following message regardless of what channel my cable is showing:

Copying of this material is not allowed.
Cannot record.
I have *never* received this message on my EH50 using the old Motorola box, even when recording premium channels.

I thought the EH50 was manufactured before all the digital protection schemes went into place.

Is this being caused solely by the Pace set-top box? Is it a combination of the set-top box along with the fact that I now have no TVGOS content/screen at all? (I.e., with the Motorola STB I had no listing contents, but the channels were shown by the Panasonic. Now that I've tried to re-scan the channels using the Pace STB--to utter failure--it doesn't even show any channels.)

Can anyone help? I appreciate all contributions.

I don't think your lack of TVGOS is hurting your ability to record, I put that blame solely on your new STB. Either you have something wrong with your STB(not likely) or it's setup to not allow any archiving through it:(
When you tried your channel scan are you using either a RF passthru or a splitter from your wall jack? You don't want the modulated channel 3 or 4 output of your STB, otherwise all you'll get is that one channel (3 or 4) tuned tune on your EH-50. Note with the splitter or RF passthru you won't be able to directly tune all the channels on your EH-50 that you can get through your STB, to record those you'll want to use the line outputs of your STB to your EH-50 and record from that line input.
The lack of a suitable IR code to control your STB is a big problem, without it you won't be able to record from several channels (that only your STB can tune) unattended.
If you can get your old STB(or similar model) back, that would probably be your best bet, if not you should try either a different STB model or another one like your current one, assuming it has a problem.
Note some STBs have a feature where you can set timers for it to automatically switch channels at the time you set. While not nearly as handy as your TVGOS it would work to allow recording of unattended digital or scrambled channels tunable only on your STB.
You did run your TVGOS setup over again didn't you? You'll need to try and find a suitable code from the list of the various STB models, but I wouldn't be suprised to hear the correct code isn't available, the EH-50 is a 4 year old model and probably doesn't have the newer codes in it's firmware.

I am almost certain that the problem is your PACE RNG-110. The Panasonic EH-50 was designed to honor the content protections that we in place when it was manufactured. Yes, that was before the DIGITAL CP, but there were many others around before that. Your PACE is putting out some CP flag in it's output and the EH-50 has to honor the no-copy directive it is getting. Your only real alternative is a video filter that removes CP information from the data stream. A search in this forum will bring up volumes of information on the subject.

I think the easiest way to deal with this is to demand a box that meets your needs.

great another problem with this garbage DTR that Comcast is sending out. Does this happen on local channels or just on the extended basic cable stations? Note this Pace, if it's the same one they sent me, has only RF out. They sent them free for accessing the new digital channels that no longer come in thru direct cable to the tv's tuner. Usually they charge more for an extra set top box unless it's the only one you have. Since you already had the Motorola, you deserve a refund or should get a box with same quality as the motorola.

The Pace RNG110 Operator's Manual in the PDF format is found by typing the following in Google:

Pace RNG110

Wow. Thanks for all the great responses.

I looked through the Pace manual and found nothing there that could help me. I've seen threads describing other people's difficulty getting it "IR blasted".

I will return the Pace unit and see what I can get. I know there is another unit available (it was offered to me...it has an extra coax output for people who need it). I didn't choose the alternative unit because, at the time, I didn't have the foresight to ask about the manufacturer of the STB...I assumed incorrectly that Comcast was a "Motorola shop". I can only hope that the other unit is a Motorola. I foresee difficulty getting my original unit back.

jjef--I'm not sure I understand your post regarding how to do the channel scan. I believe that I hooked up the Pace unit exactly the same way I had the Motorola set up. That is...the cable from the wall is split with one output to the cable box, the other to my rarely-used VCR. The output from the cable box goes into the Panasonic unit, and the Panasonic is connected to the TV. Using that scheme with the Motorola, I was able to get the TVGOS listings for (almost) all the channels (pre-digital transition) and have the DVR operate the cable box. I've never used an RF passthru.

Thanks again to all of you for your input.

Just to close the loop on this.

I exchanged the STB for a new "used" one...a Motorola 2224. It's different from my original box, but the Panasonic seems to like it--the IR blaster works and the record functionality has returned.

My next task is to see how I can get the TVGOS to work. I got my hands on a DTVPal, but I need to figure out how to make it work...

Thanks again to everyone.

I'm glad you got the original post problem solved. As we all said, the Pace was causing the CP issue. As far as guides go, we area ll in the same boat since the digital transition. Best of luck, and keep us informed with your progress.

I just hooked a Motorola STB to my EH-50 for the first time today since Comcast has blown away all the non-local analog stations. Before I just had the cable go directly to the Panny, now I'm using IN3 with the STB and the IR blaster. I see the STB changing channels all thru the nite with the dvd-r powered off. Is this normal? Is it trying to find the tv guide info?

My officemate said that he used to have a dvd-r hooked up like this and it somehow activated some on demand pay movie which showed up on his bill. ANyone ever hear of this before?

I don't use on-demand but I really doubt it could be activated by the EH-50, and yes it's normal for the EH-50 to continue to blast your STB looking for a TVGOS host channel. AFAIK if it doesn't find one it keeps blasting. One way to disable this is to leave your EH-50 on all the time, the other way would be to unplug the IR blaster and finally you might be able to disable TVGOS by resetting your EH-50. I know you can on a EH-55/75 but I'm not sure if it can be done for the one year older EH-50. To reset your EH-50's TVGOS you should hold both the CH up and CH down buttons on the main unit for 10 seconds. Note this will wipe out all your channel lineup as well as some of your preferences. Maybe someone else knows for sure if you can stop the EH-50 from blasting by resetting it.

Bumped: Solution found (couldn't find this answer anywhere using google either).

This new model is a PACE RNG-110 and it presents a couple of problems. First, the Panasonic doesn't seem to be able to control it using the IR blaster. So my Panasonic currently doesn't have any channel listings.

I have a Panasonic dmr-eh55 dvr and the rng110 DTA cable box. It took some trial and error but I was able to get the dvr to control the cable box via the IR blaster!

The rng110 uses Motorola IR/remote codes. All I had to do on my dvr was go to menu>setup and go back through the original setup on my dvr. I just had to select 'digital/encrypted cable box', and then select '009' to get to channel 9, and then I selected 'Motorola' as the manufacture of the cable box.

Its stupid, the cable box has no label other than comcast. I did a bunch of searching online and found half a dozen possible 'manufacturers', none of which worked for the IR blaster. Eventually I looked at the two other 'cheaper' DTA boxes that Comcast sent me, and they were labeled Motorola , and I their remotes work interchangeably with the rng110. :)

Using Motorola IR blaster codes on the rng110 should applies to all dvr's, including Panasonic's dmr-eh75.

I have a Panasonic dmr-eh55 dvr and the rng110 DTA cable box. It took some trial and error but I was able to get the dvr to control the cable box via the IR blaster!

The rng110 uses Motorola IR/remote codes. All I had to do on my dvr was go to menu>setup and go back through the original setup on my dvr. I just had to select 'digital/encrypted cable box', and then select '009' to get to channel 9, and then I selected 'Motorola' as the manufacture of the cable box.

Its stupid, the cable box has no label other than comcast. I did a bunch of searching online and found half a dozen possible 'manufacturers', none of which worked for the IR blaster. Eventually I looked at the two other 'cheaper' DTA boxes that Comcast sent me, and they were labeled Motorola , and I their remotes work interchangeably with the rng110. :)

Using Motorola IR blaster codes on the rng110 should applies to all dvr's, including Panasonic's dmr-eh75.

Welcome to AVS.

Comcast Pace RNG110 and IR compatibility has also been discussed from time to time in several threads in other sub-forums. I believe that the RNG110 IR compatibility situation, at last report, hadn't been resolved until your report.

You should also report your findings in those threads in the event that those RNG110 users don't visit this sub-forum.

Before searching threads or posts be sure to set the "display options" (as seen toward the foot of table of contents pages) back far enough to locate earlier RNG110 IR discussions.