Which is the newest HD DVR for Comcast? Moto DCH6416 or DCH3416?
What is the difference? Which one is better? Thanks.

The 3416 box doesn't contain analog tuners so that means that your market offers all the analog channels (ie 2-99) in digital. This doesn't mean they don't offer analog just that they duplicate the analog channels in digital. Because of this they can build the boxes without analog tuners which reduces their costs of the boxes quite a bit.

You probably won't have a choice.

Will the 6416 provide a better analog picture (2-99)? than the all digital 3416?

Will the 6416 provide a better analog picture (2-99)? than the all digital 3416?

The 3416 doesn't provide an "analog picture", since it doesn't have an analog tuner at all - it's dependent on the cable headend having a full ADS (analog-digital simulcast) deployment to provide all channels in digital form. (Strictly speaking, what you see on a 6416 when watching an analog channel is no longer analog either - it's been digitized and encoded to MPEG-2 before it actually reaches the video encoding/display subsystem.) The quality is dependent on company A having good quality analog transmission over their infrastructure versus company B having properly-tuned encoding stages on the ADS deployment - and that's a big question.

I have DCT3416 and was wondering if DCH3416 better than DCT box?

If it is better how can I upgrade to DCH box?

Also, can you transfer video from DCH box to PC via firewire?

TIA.

Do they have any plans on adding a larger hard drive to this or a newer model? I keep running out of space when recording several HD programs. I built an HTPC with a 1.5 TB drive, but can't get that full working, and also like a few cable channels that I couldn't get without a box.

I have DCT3416 and was wondering if DCH3416 better than DCT box?The DCH and DCT are comparable.

You can't do anything with the DCH that can't be done on the DCT.

Do they have any plans on adding a larger hard drive to this or a newer model? I keep running out of space when recording several HD programs. I built an HTPC with a 1.5 TB drive, but can't get that full working, and also like a few cable channels that I couldn't get without a box.The Motorola DCX3400 is now available in some Comcast service areas; it features a larger 250GB hard drive.

You should not expect to see support for external storage on the DCH or DCT series. We might see that on the DCX series in 12-24 months. Until then, you'll have to buy your own CableCard DVR (i.e. TiVo or Moxi) if you want a dual-tuner HDTV DVR with greater capacity that can receive the same channels as the cable company box.

I have DCT3416 and was wondering if DCH3416 better than DCT box?

If it is better how can I upgrade to DCH box?

Also, can you transfer video from DCH box to PC via firewire?

My DCT3416 has firewire, USB, e-SATA, HDMI and just about every connector available - more than any other PC or A/V component I own.


The Motorola DCX3400 is now available in some Comcast service areas; it features a larger 250GB hard drive.

You should not expect to see support for external storage on the DCH or DCT series. We might see that on the DCX series in 12-24 months. Until then, you'll have to buy your own CableCard DVR (i.e. TiVo or Moxi) if you want a dual-tuner HDTV DVR with greater capacity that can receive the same channels as the cable company box.

I actually bought an HDHomerun network dual tuner for my HTPC. I'm still troubleshooting issues with my HTPC such as it not using the full 16x9 TV screen and not getting audio through HDMI.

What about the SATA port on the DCT3416? Has anyone successfully hooked up an eSATA drive for extra storage? What about USB? Or are those simply disabled in the firmware?

I actually bought an HDHomerun network dual tuner for my HTPC. I'm still troubleshooting issues with my HTPC such as it not using the full 16x9 TV screen and not getting audio through HDMI.For that, you should see the AVS' HTPC forum.

The obvious limitation of this solution, besides setup / usability / maintenance issues, is that it won't support encrypted channels.

What about the SATA port on the DCT3416? Has anyone successfully hooked up an eSATA drive for extra storage? What about USB? Or are those simply disabled in the firmware?As I indicated above, there is no USB or eSATA support for the DCT and DCH series. Those ports aren't "disabled" in firmware, as that implies something was done to make them non-functional; that is not the case. External storage requires that drivers and software be written to make it work, and no deployed Motorola DVR has ever had that.

If you want external storage (or internal upgrades) on a cable DVR, you've got to buy your own Moxi or TiVo. Those DVR manufacturers spent the resources necessary to provide functional external drive support.

As I indicated above, there is no USB or eSATA support for the DCT and DCH series. Those ports aren't "disabled" in firmware, as that implies something was done to make them non-functional; that is not the case. External storage requires that drivers and software be written to make it work, and no deployed Motorola DVR has ever had that.

If you want external storage (or internal upgrades) on a cable DVR, you've got to buy your own Moxi or TiVo. Those DVR manufacturers spent the resources necessary to provide functional external drive support.
That's when CapDVHS comes very handy. Helps archive stuff to PC with huge storage and "clean up" cable box HDD. :)

were do i find current post
this stuff is old!!!!!!!!!!!

The newest Moto HD DVR STB are:

DCX-3400 series. Currently available (Not in all areas)

DCX-3425 -- 250 gb HDD w/ 256 MB System Ram / 64 MB Flash Ram.
DCX-3432 -- 320 gb HDD w/ 512 MB System Ram / 64 MB Flash Ram.

Comcast here in Harford County MD just issued me a Cisco RNG-200 to replace my SA 8300HD. Pretty similar functionality.

BIG thanks if anyone would help me w/:
Are these units quite enough for HT use?
HDMI output?
Digital audio out?

Tried too find a reasonable DVR outside of the cable co. not such luck.

BIG thanks if anyone would help me w/:
Are these units quite enough for HT use?
HDMI output?
Digital audio out?

Tried too find a reasonable DVR outside of the cable co. not such luck.

DVR's from Cable Co. are for Time Shifting only, not long term storage of HD shows.

Since I have 6 DVR's now, One in each bedroom (3) 2 in the Main Room, 1 in the Basement Office. Yes, they work fine for me.

2 - DCT-3412's
3 - DCT-3416's
1 - DCX-3432

All have HDMI & Optical / COAX Digital Audio Out.

scanpa,
Why the: "DVR's from Cable Co. are for Time Shifting only, not long term storage of HD shows" post?

Since you have "six", would you mind posting if these units are quite enough for HT?
Have HDMI output?
Have digital audio out?
BIG thanks.

DVR's from Cable Co. are for Time Shifting only, not long term storage of HD shows.

Since I have 6 DVR's now, One in each bedroom (3) 2 in the Main Room, 1 in the Basement Office. Yes, they work fine for me.

2 - DCT-3412's
3 - DCT-3416's
1 - DCX-3432

All have HDMI & Optical / COAX Digital Audio Out.


Your paying every month for each of those???
Sorry too be noisy, just that's a lot of bucks a yr (for me) just for DVR's.

The answer is in your quote!

The answer is in your quote!
Thanks... again!
How did I miss that?!?!
It must have been the "6"!!!