UK DCab remote control list

There are five different remote controls used for cable TV in this country, though two of them have been replaced. There are also two keyboards. The full list is:

1) Original NTL "shark" remote: blue, supplied in NTL Langley areas prior to 2003. Use RC5 (standard IR frequency codes). (Old Style Blue)

2) CWC "stick" remote: Black, supplied in NTL Bromley and Telewest areas prior to 2003. Uses the "Two-Way TV protocol" (odd proprietary system based on IrDA). (Green Tip Black Remote)

3) Telewest silver remote: Light grey . Currently supplied in Telewest areas. Controls TV volume, but no other TV functions. Has fewer buttons than the old "stick" remote. Generally a bit rubbish. Uses the TWTV system. (Grey Remote)

4) New-style Blue NTL remote: Supplied in Langley areas, and Bromley with Samsung boxes. Redesigned version of the original "shark" remote. Controls most TV functions using a clever "shift" system. Well laid out, and much better than the Telewest version. Uses standard RC5 frequencies. (New Style Blue RDC002)

5) New-Style black NTL remote: Currently supplied in Bromley areas, except with Samsung boxes. Identical to (4) above, except for the colour. Uses the TWTV protocol. (New Style Black RDC002)

6) Original NTL keyboard: Blue. Uses RC5 frequencies.

7) CWC keyboard: Black. Uses TWTV protocol.

STB Compatability list

Based on the numbering above, the following lists which remotes work with which boxes.

NTL Langley: (New Style Blue RDC002)

Pace 4001 (all varieties): 1, 4, 6
Pace 4010: 1, 4, 6 (TWTV previously supported, but removed in last update)
Samsung: 1, 4, 6


NTL Bromley: (New Style Black RDC002)

Pace 1000/1000b: 2, 3*, 5, 7
Pace 2000: 2, 3*, 5, 7
Pace 4000: 1, 2, 3*, 4, 5, 6?, 7
Samsung: 1, 4, 6?

Telewest: (New Style Black RDC002)

Pace 1000/1010: 2, 3, 5, 7
Pace 2000: 2, 3, 5, 7
Pace 4000: 2, 3, 5, 7, possibly 1 and 4, 6 unlikely
Scientific Atlanta: 2, 3, 5, 7

Some people on Telewest forums have reported success using RC5 devices with the 4000, but I don't know the official status of it.


With regard to One-4-All style devices, if the box you have supports remotes 1 and 4, then you're fine. Otherwise, you will need to use the Redeye system to translate remote codes into the TWTV protocol.