Hello, I'm here with a question, and i hope it can get answered!

I have a old Shaw digital cable box. Really old, i believe it was purchased for $299 in July 99. Now its Nov 07, and the remote is finally dead (cursors dont push in anymore, broke off).

Is it worth it to get a universal remote ($20), or a new Shaw box for $55? Is the new box any faster, or better picture than my old one? I believe my old one is a DCT 2500, and i am wondering about the new "small" DCT 2000

DCT 2000 are from about 1999, while the DCT 2500 didn't show up until 2004.

You may be able to trade trhe remote in at your local shaw office for free.

You will gain little by trading in your box. I have both the 2000 and a 2500. You get a small picture in the corner of the program you are watching (like a PIP) while using the guide. Also you have a bit more room for guide data.

Shaw will usually replace the remote if they still have it or similar in stock. See:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=69092

Really appreciate the replies fellas! :)

So there is a difference between the boxes? Becuase right now, the box does lag quite a bit while looking through the guides, and i assume the new boxes have a different remote right? I have the previous gen remote right now.
http://www.yinfor.com/blog/archives/images/shaw-remote.jpg

Another thing; will Shaw "trade" the boxes for free?

Shaw may trade a remote for free but the warranty on the remote matches the warranty on the DCT. So if the DCT is not under warranty the rep shouldn't be swapping it for free. Give it a try though. If they don't swap it you can always just buy a new Shaw remote for $14.95. Normal price for anyone wanting one. Subject to stock of course

Still; $15 for a remote. I guess it's better off buying a box all together for $55.

Just a little vent; I can't stand that you can't program a universal remote (RCA, Philips, etc) to work with Motorola DCT 2000.

Did you try the codes for General Instruments, or perhaps try scanning all the codes available to the remote - there are usually instructions in the remotes on how to do this.

Also, conversely, the Motorola Remotes (newer ones) are capable of controlling the basic functions of many devices like TVs, VCRs, AVRs, etc.

Most TV remotes are pretty useless in this regard since they don't usually do STBs.

My box isn't a "General Instruments". I have one in 1998 that was GI, and then in 1999 i switched to Motorola due to issues (freezing up with menus).

I believe i found one remote that did work, back in 2002, but those universal remotes only really last 1 year.

If you check your SN on the box, you SHOULD see it starts with GI indicating it is General Instruments

checked the bottom of the box, said "DCT 2224". No manufacture date, suprisingly...thought they would have one. I just know its a very old box, since I used to have the GI that you were talking about.

I'll contact Shaw today about a new remote or box; whatever is better. Would be nice to have an extra spare box around the house, even if it has a crappy remote.

tall just check the serial # on the bottom of the DCT about 3/4 of the way back on a bar code sticker. It should start with GI as Quantum mention if it was made by General Instruments. Motorola started making the DCTs in 2004 and 4 I believe. If you want to know the year it was made it's on the same sticker. gi####ab####. The 2nd # indicates the year it was made. If it starts with M then the 2nd and 3rd number indicate the year. Hope that helps

The box says "DCT 2224" and the front of the box says Motorola. This box was defenitely from around 2000ish. I do remember having a GI box; it was defective though.

Just to throw my 2 cents in, the cost of a replacement remote is actually $25, not $14.95 as previously stated.

We recently had an internal email sent to all CSRs as a reminder as people were being given the incorrect price over the phone and then getting upset when they went into retail to purchase them and found the remotes to be $25.

Really..... well then - cause I just called yesterday and they said $14.95 - so your saying when I go in it will be $25....perhaps I will find one elsewhere now.

Thanks
Shawguy

It is definitely $14.95. Just checked again.
Cawdor: Type Replacement Digital Parts and you'll get the $14.95 replacement cost. At least I do on mine.

I just bit the bullet and bought the $55 box. Excellent value, considering my television isn't HD compatible (and won't be until boxing day), and the extra HD channels are really worthless to me, but Shaw did give a free trial to every channel (excluding PPV and Adult titles) for a month, so i'm happy!

Talldude123: Not to belabour the point since its moot now but others may want to know this. I've just checked with a supervisor on this. If you go to retail to purchase a Shaw remote, you are going to be charged $25

Shaw Guru is correct (as he is with most things) about the $14.95 but that is only if you are;
- replacing a lost remote from a DCT that is still under warranty
- if you have lost or damaged a remote that was part of a rental unit
- trading in a DCT on the trade-up/buy back program and have lost the remote

Looks like as a possible result of my inquires for clarification on remote pricing, Head office has updated us that Remotes are $14.95 for any reason.

Sweet, thank you for all the info. I too ended up just going out and buying a 5 month old used dct700 with brand new shaw remote for $35 through private sale and the warranty still has 2.5 years on the box.

Thanks