I have had a 5100 on the Comcast network here in the Philadelphia area for about a week now. I have connected it to my surround sound processor using both/either the SPDIF and TOSS ports. When tuned to an analog channel the 5100 consistently and reliably outputs a PCM (44KHz) digital signal to my SSP. When tuned to a digital channel, the 5100 unreliably and inconsistently produces audio over the digital interconnects. Sometimes it is there and rock solid. Sometimes it is missing completely. Sometimes it is intermittent. The work-around of course is to use the 5100's line level analog audio connectors. But I give up the great DAC's in my SSP and cannot listen to DD 5.1 at all.
Anyone else noticed this?
Any ideas??
Thanks!

Originally posted by Redryder
We had Comcast HD installed Friday. We've had ReplayTV since 1999 when AT+T was pushing them. I've figured out that I needed to go back into the setup menu to change the
box type and blaster codes so I can use the Replay to change channels on the Motorola 5100 OK. The problem comes with channels >99: with 3-digit channels, once Replay has sent the signal to the 5100, I get the Comcast "Music Guide" for 2 minutes until it times out. I didn't see where I could control the Guide from appearing in the Motorola user manual so I'm looking to Replay to answer. It seems that when Replay is sending a 3-digit channel that the box sends an "enter" command which is what the Comcast picks up as the call to display the Music Guide. I've checked the fine tuning in the Replay screen and the "send enter" is set
to "no" so that's out as a cause. Any suggestions? Has anyone run into the same problem and is there a fix available? Thanks in advance for your time.

Went through a lot with this as well. Sonic Blue tech support was quite helpful. I've got a Panasonic Showstopper HS3000 and a Sonic Blue 5040. The settings are different for each one. Here they are. Works flawlessly, I've got both IRblasters on the 5100 (put them in the left hand corner of the oval red display.

5040 - Codset: 0476, Send Enter: Yes, Min Digits 3, Int action Delay: 200, Resopnse Delay 800, Pre Comd Delay: 0000, Inter Cmd Delay: 200.

HS3000 - Codset: 0276, Send Enter: No, Min Digits 3, Int action Delay: 200, Resopnse Delay 800, Pre Comd Delay: 0000, Inter Cmd Delay: 200.

Originally posted by offthewall
Went through a lot with this as well. Sonic Blue tech support was quite helpful. I've got a Panasonic Showstopper HS3000 and a Sonic Blue 5040. The settings are different for each one. Here they are. Works flawlessly, I've got both IRblasters on the 5100 (put them in the left hand corner of the oval red display.

5040 - Codset: 0476, Send Enter: Yes, Min Digits 3, Int action Delay: 200, Resopnse Delay 800, Pre Comd Delay: 0000, Inter Cmd Delay: 200.

HS3000 - Codset: 0276, Send Enter: No, Min Digits 3, Int action Delay: 200, Resopnse Delay 800, Pre Comd Delay: 0000, Inter Cmd Delay: 200.
Offthewall, I have both a Showstopper and a Sonic Blue (3060 in my case). However, the Showstopper worked best with my "generic" fix: code 0476 and 5100 set to Autotune; no "fine tuning."
Claude

I have a Showstopper, upgraded to a 100GB HD.

I have absolutely no luck with the suggested IR codes.

0476 scauses the ReplayTV to send a signal that seems to be recognized by the Cable box as many many digits. The channel changes to some variety of 111 or 444. NEVER the correct channel. I have tried the suggested ir fine tuning with any luck at all.

Anyone with a similar problem?

Any Suggestions?

See my earlier post. I had the exact same problem when I switched from a dct-1000 to the 5100 and a showstopper. You have to use 0276 not 0476.

HS3000 - Codset: 0276, Send Enter: No, Min Digits 3, Int action Delay: 200, Resopnse Delay 800, Pre Comd Delay: 0000, Inter Cmd Delay: 200.

anyone know the tivo code for the 5100?

I have had a 5100 on the Comcast network here in the Philadelphia area for about a week now. I have connected it to my surround sound processor using both/either the SPDIF and TOSS ports. When tuned to an analog channel the 5100 consistently and reliably outputs a PCM (44KHz) digital signal to my SSP. When tuned to a digital channel, the 5100 unreliably and inconsistently produces audio over the digital interconnects. Sometimes it is there and rock solid. Sometimes it is missing completely. Sometimes it is intermittent. The work-around of course is to use the 5100's line level analog audio connectors. But I give up the great DAC's in my SSP and cannot listen to DD 5.1 at all.

I have the same audio problem: (this thread) (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=235435) . I have not had any luck in finding an answer. What receiver do you have? I think that maybe this is related to the low volume reported by many on digital channels. Maybe the reciever is not sensitive enough to pick up the somewhat impaired digital out from the 5100. Comcast has no idea what is going on. They did replace my 5100 but no improvement.
Anybody know a motorola tech support line or e-mail address?

Brian

You guys using optical or coax? I'm using the former and have no problems with my Onkyo receiver.

Has anyone noticed a stripe down the right edge of the picture? It was especially bad on ABC's HD programming last night. I never noticed it before- it could be related to the new firmware. It exists on 4:3 and 16:9 programming too. Both Analog and Digital.

Lastly- what does the "Auto Tune" feature do? I have it on. I would like to be able to pass-over all the channels I don't have on a scan- right now I have to flip through like 200 channels to get to what I want. Lol.

Optical and coax. Is it possible that the signal strength from these outputs is too low for an older receiver to pickup? I have a denon avr3200, several years old. It works fine with the digital out from my mits hd5 stb.

Brian

First off thanks to all of you for your posts, they have been very informative thus far; thanks especially to Miatasm for the great FAQ he contributed to the community. Now for the question.

Does anyone know offhand from which MIPS Technologies core/architecture the Motorola DCT-5100 STB is based?

I have checked the following websites for this info: Motorola, Comcast, MIPS Technologies.

I have also checked the manual for the 5100 as well as the manufacturing notes (specifications list) but was unable to procure a solution.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks all

chrynos,

What exactly is MIPS technology? I'm a little unsure what your are asking.

Audio Questions,

I have a newer Onkyo reciever (TXSR600). I don't think its the audio output of the 5100 that is causing the volume difference with the audio. I have tested, extensively I might add, the audio volume differences when using analog, digital Coax & Optical. To make a long story short, the Digital audio output is the exactly the same for the 5100, DVD, and Samsung SIR-T150 OTA HD Decoder, the only volume difference is the analog channels through the 5100. The volume difference can be as much as 15db higher for the analog (1-99) channels. The only way that I can see this problem being rectified is by attenuating the analog audio when using the any SPDIF outputs. As a test try this:

-Connect the 5100 via SPDIF & Analog (L/R) to your reciever
-Connect a DVD player via SPDIF Analog (L/R) audio to your reciever
-Keep the volume level at the same exact number and all of your settings the same.
-Try to use the same material for your testing (ie same movie)
-I noticed when I did this, DVD to 5100 via SPDIF was the same volume
-Using the analog for both the volume was the same but noticably louder than the digital outs
-This would tell you that the 5100 isn't doing anything different than a DVD player

If anyone can try this and confirm this with their setup it would help, to see if its any specific equipment (besides the 5100), it would help to figure this out.

Miatasm,

MIPS Technologies is the company that provides alot of the microprocessor architectures for products such as Motorola Set Top Boxes, Sony Playstation 2, Cisco Routers, Pioneer Voyager™ 3000 Digital Cable Set-Top, multiple PDA products, HP Printers and Switches etc.
Full list at http://www.mips.com/coolApps/index.html

General info at http://www.mips.com/whoWeAre/index.html

And their Homesite http://www.mips.com

The products that apply here would be their 32/64 bit cores I believe.

I do not know which of those cores the Motorola DCT-5100 STB is based from, so I suppose that is my question :)

-Thanks

I'll look into this for you and see what I can find out....

Digital Audio... continuted:
bmel,
I have a Proceed AVP2. I have the same problem with both TOSS and SPDIF. What type of receiver do you have? The answer to that question may be very important. We (probably cannot say who "we" are) are very interested in finding another SSP to reproduce this probem. And, of course, the more people that have experienced this, the more likely a fix will be propogated in a shorter period of time.

Originally posted by chrynos
Does anyone know offhand from which MIPS Technologies core/architecture the Motorola DCT-5100 STB is based?


I don't know the answer to that question, but I am curious what you plan to do with that knowledge. Are you just curious? Or planning your own 5100 hacks? I can see it now - Linux running on my cable box :D

when will the dvi output be enabled?
anyone know??

Reading the FAQ posted by maitasm, it looks as though 1394 will "never" be enabled? Does this mean that one cannot use this port for D-VHS recording? Are the unsupported features of this box due to hardware limitations or Comcast problems?

okay 1394 is a no go but could dvi be enabled?

Not saying that 1394 will "never" be enabled, but it would have to be installed in the boxes first, its highly unlikely that Comcast would want to provide support for such a feature. DVI was done mostly for compliance reasons, I don't know when it will be done but it should be soon....sorry I can't provide you with more of a precise answer.

Digital Audio... continuted:

I have a Denon 3200. I'm going to borrow another receiver to see if that's the problem. I've tried everything else, new 5100, new cables, direct run from cable outside to 5100. So it's either the reciever (which has no probem with other digital sources thru the same input) or maybe the audio digital bitstream is somehow not coming into the house or is attenuated to the point that the reciever cannot see it. Is that even possible?

Brian

Miatasm..."I have a newer Onkyo reciever (TXSR600). I don't think its the audio output of the 5100 that is causing the volume difference with the audio."

As you know, I also have the Onkyo TXSR 600 receiver and my audio levels are the same as yours. A very different level when going from the analog 1-99 channels and the digital channels using the Motorola 5100. My other Moto STB's in the house do not have this audio discrepency in audio levels. They are not 5100's. Doesn't this point to the 5100?

Howard

No, it points to the use of the Digital audio output. If you use the 5100 with analog audio output then the problems are no longer there.

Ya got me confused then...Digital audio output from the 5100 then, right?

Howard

You could say its the 5100 then but the exact same thing occurs when using my VCR/DVD combo unit, at the same volume levels.

The solution seems simple that Motorola could just attenuate the "true analog audio output" (ch 1-99) side of the box, but in order to do this they would have to do it only when using digital audio otherwise the users not using Digital audio out would then suffer from low volume levels on the 1-99's (the exact opposite of the problem now). This would mean that they would have to attenuate the audio only on the digital output side, which I could only imagine Dolby labs may have something to say about it.

But then again who knows, its a fairly big problem for us DD users....so I'm assuming that Motorola knows this and with the way they have been working on the problems so far, this may be a bigger job than it seems...We'll see....maybe an engineer or someone with vast knowledge of DD & how its implemented into this type of infastructure can better explain the possiblities of this situation being corrected.

Firewire will have to be enabled if it becomes the defacto standard- they'll have no choice. It certainly looks like this is the way things are going.

There are only a small number of 5100s out there now, so it wouldn't be a big loss for Comcast to eat the cost of the ones they already puchased. That said, I'm hoping we'll be able to purchase our own HD-PVRs loaded with everything. That looks to be a reality in the next year or so.

I'm in the Seattle area & I sighned up for HDTV in October . At that time thet only had Showtime & HBO but promised 2 or 3 more channels right after the 1st of the year. Well it the middle of March & still nothing new. If you call they tell you they are working on them, & that is all the info you can get!! Comcast is worse than ATT!. If anyone in this area has had better luck, please let me know......Thanks.

Originally posted by DaveFi
Firewire will have to be enabled if it becomes the defacto standard- they'll have no choice. It certainly looks like this is the way things are going.

There are only a small number of 5100s out there now, so it wouldn't be a big loss for Comcast to eat the cost of the ones they already puchased. That said, I'm hoping we'll be able to purchase our own HD-PVRs loaded with everything. That looks to be a reality in the next year or so.

I don't see Firewire becoming a standard, and even if it does, this doesn't mean that Cable Cos. absolutley have to embrace it. I think integrated PVR technology is going to be more sought after than Firewire.

I don't see how the Cable Co. would "eat" ANY costs of the current 5100's out there, not everyone will use Firewire, even if it is avail. They will be more likely to just use external USB HDD or no recording devices at all.

I do, however, think that as HD becomes more mainstream and Firewire is better embraced, the Cable Cos will implement Firewire into the equipment, but it won't be because they "have to". And I would bet that it will not go into "this" version of the DCT 5 series.

Got my 5100 box yesterday. Comcast guy said that DVI was enabled. Went to CompUSA and bought a DVI cable. Plugged it in and the monitor sai, "no signal'.

Now why would he say it worked?

Are there any switches or menus on the box that need to be addressed so that it can shoot out a DVI signal or shouldn't a picture just come up as long as the box is plugged in and the DVI is plugged into the monitor?

Thanks

It should will just work but it is NOT enabled.....

Originally posted by fore.aces
I'm in the Seattle area & I sighned up for HDTV in October . At that time thet only had Showtime & HBO but promised 2 or 3 more channels right after the 1st of the year. Well it the middle of March & still nothing new. If you call they tell you they are working on them, & that is all the info you can get!! Comcast is worse than ATT!. If anyone in this area has had better luck, please let me know......Thanks.

Heh, I'm in Redmond and they give me the same BS. I ordered it when they were pimping it hard on TV and radio with "and soon channels you can't get on satellite." Well, on my BUD I get HBO and Sho HD east and west as well as Discovery-HD which is more than Comcast offers.

So, Comcast is still striking out. I'm this close to braving the wrath of the spousal overunit and putting up a 40' mast with a big ass yagi or wahtever on it and telling Comcast...

has anyone used the s-video out on this box? mine sends signal ok on component but the s-video (supposed to be enabled concurrently, right?) shows a still frame blurry b&w image. weird.

My s-Video works fine. Had a winner the other day. I called Comcast to complain about my bill which had a $3 increase in the Internet fee. The girl could not explain why they increased the fee when the published cost was 39.95 and the billing 42.95. Then she said why don't you sign up for the VIP package which includes internet, all analog channels, digital channels and ALL OF THE PAY CHANNELS (42) for a total cost of 99.95. Since I was paying 102 dollars with no pay channels I graciously accepted the offer. I asked is this a three month special and she said no its a one year deal. This gives you all of the channels except the special playboy ones. A large attaboy for Comcast!!!:D :D :D :D

I got a bill for $124 with a note that said it was going up again next month.

This was the second time this happened and I thought I'd straightened it out a couple months ago so I just returned the 5100 and dropped back to analog cable (and my trusty roto antenna).

Maybe I'll try again when they get more channels.

- Tom

Sorry I have been away from the boards for awhile.

I am not planning on trying to mod the unit, I am working on a research project concerning problems with certain DCT-5100 units (if any). Therefore I was just wondering what MIPS microprocessor the unit is using. This in turn could help diagnose possible software-integration, hardware, and decoding issues.

I've still had no luck locating this information :confused:

Care to post any details on that project or those problems you're researching, or do you plan to remain mysterious about the whole thing?

Any time frame on DVI enabling???

With the earlier help of Miatism I got the remote controlling the receiver for sound instead of the box volume. Still the remote doesn't power on/off the receiver using the "all on" button like it does for the TV and the cable box- only when audio is selected does the on button work.

Is there a setting I am missing?

Does anyone know if the 5100/5200 could be modified to have a 1394 output as the 169time company does for the RCA DCT100?
joe

Originally posted by thebland
Any time frame on DVI enabling???

Not anytime soon. The firmware/hardware is done and working. The cable companies do not want to support it yet. Once the media providers start offering more HD channels they will pressure the cable companies to use this feature.

Originally posted by jlanzy
Does anyone know if the 5100/5200 could be modified to have a 1394 output as the 169time company does for the RCA DCT100?
joe

Its not possible without the proper firmware containing 1394 drivers.

Originally posted by RalphArch
With the earlier help of Miatism I got the remote controlling the receiver for sound instead of the box volume. Still the remote doesn't power on/off the receiver using the "all on" button like it does for the TV and the cable box- only when audio is selected does the on button work.

Is there a setting I am missing?

The remote isn't designed to do it for the VCR or Receiver, but using a JP1 connection and custom settings, I'm sure its possible. I will have to try it and let you know.

Tivo code anyone?

0476, its now in the FAQ.

Originally posted by miatasm
0476, its now in the FAQ.
FWIW, in my experience, 0476 only works if you have the 5100 set to auto-tune. This combination, on my ReplayTV, has worked first time, every time with this setting. Other settings work also, but seem to sometimes fail.

Originally posted by ClaudeD
FWIW, in my experience, 0476 only works if you have the 5100 set to auto-tune. This combination, on my ReplayTV, has worked first time, every time with this setting. Other settings work also, but seem to sometimes fail.

Interesting. 0476 on a replaytv did not work for me. It would get three digits for every digit replay was sending, e.g., for 132, you'd see 111, then 333, then a little delay, then a single 2, and then it would ignore it all.

When I changed to code 0276, it started working fine. I was puzzled because everybody have been talking about 0476 and the one for all they gave me is also using 0476.

Perhaps it has something to do with auto-tune.

Luis,

In my experience, auto-tune is the ticket with 0476. 0276 had problems with 3-digit channels (in my setup).

The project I am working on is to assess the validity of claims from certain Comcast customers here in Michigan (and indeed others around the nation after reading all the boards) that channels intended to be HD are in fact not a true HD signal, yet Comcast is still charging for the service.

Read: possible legal action. It is my task to determine where the fault, if any, lies; with Motorola, Comcast, the broadcast itself, the satellite equipment etc.

The problems I am referring to are hard to specify at this point as I am still on a fact finding mission. Indeed this board and the others I listed previously have provided valuble first hand accounts of potential problems with Comcast's HD service.

Motorola has already admitted to software-integration problems with the DCT-5000 series, but claims the bugs were worked out during testing. Therefore, if I can determine the microprocessor arcitecture, I would be in a better position to pinpoint the source of the supposed problems.

-Thanks

You are kidding, right?

I don't think anyone on this board thinks that the HD channels Comcast provides are NOT in HD. What makes you think that they are not in HD? It sure looks like HD when compared side by side with my OTA antenna. And on the technical side I know for a fact that they are in HD.

No one here has ever claimed that the service Comcast is providing wasn't HD, where is your proof that this is happening? In fact all of the problems reported here on this forum were mostly (95% or so) problems with the analog, not HD.

If you are planning getting OUR help you will have to start naming specifics.

Originally posted by chrynos
The project I am working on is to assess the validity of claims from certain Comcast customers here in Michigan (and indeed others around the nation after reading all the boards) that channels intended to be HD are in fact not a true HD signal, yet Comcast is still charging for the service.

Read: possible legal action. It is my task to determine where the fault, if any, lies; with Motorola, Comcast, the broadcast itself, the satellite equipment etc.

The problems I am referring to are hard to specify at this point as I am still on a fact finding mission. Indeed this board and the others I listed previously have provided valuble first hand accounts of potential problems with Comcast's HD service.

Motorola has already admitted to software-integration problems with the DCT-5000 series, but claims the bugs were worked out during testing. Therefore, if I can determine the microprocessor arcitecture, I would be in a better position to pinpoint the source of the supposed problems.

-Thanks

Motorola has admitted to "software-integration problems"?? That's not true. And even if it were, I'm sure the problems have nothing to do with HD content display. The only issues that affected HD were the new automode and the bug fixes that went with it. These were not HD quality issues, just ease of use fixes. The only other HD issues would be screens shifted or blips seen during channel transitions. HD quality issues were worked out LONG (1+yr) before the box was considered ready for customer release.

It is a fact that movie channels such as HBO broadcast upscaled content. This means that the video was not stored with an HD quality signal but is being broadcast as 480p or another HD resolution. I'm sure the quality is better than SD but it is not HD quality. There are plenty of "naturally" HD broadcasts out there. For instance, the superbowl. You can see the commercials and the visual effects during the game were not of HD resolution BUT the actual game definitely was.

Anyway, maybe I'm off base and you are claiming that there are *specific* channels within your lineup that Comcast is claiming are HD. Once again, they could be mostly SD sources upscaled to HD and every once in a while a true HD show.

miatasm and helomoto,

Please don't get your blood pressures up. He's cracked.

Best regards,
Claude

Originally posted by chrynos
....that channels intended to be HD are in fact not a true HD signal, yet Comcast is still charging for the service. This is a completely false, inaccurate statement. I've had the Comcast service in Michigan since the beta rollout last fall. I have compared their HDTV service from the 5100 (HBO, Showtime, PBS, ABC, NBC) to DirecTV, Dish Network and OTA sources. I can tell you without hesitation that the Comcast HDTV signals in all cases are 100% identical to the other sources. This is based on direct A/B comparison, using the 5100, 2 different OTA DTV tuners and both DirecTV & Dish Network sources. I have read of no claims from any source that Comcast, or for that matter any cable provider using the Moto 5100, is not offering a true HDTV signal.

I seriously suggest you rethink the validity of your project.

I was waiting for you to blast this guy Ken. Not sure where he gets his info from, but it couldn't be any further out in left field...

Originally posted by Ken H
This is a completely false, inaccurate statement. I've had the Comcast service in Michigan since the beta rollout last fall. I have compared their HDTV service from the 5100 (HBO, Showtime, PBS, ABC, NBC) to DirecTV, Dish Network and OTA sources. I can tell you without hesitation that the Comcast HDTV signals in all cases are 100% identical to the other sources. This is based on direct A/B comparison, using the 5100, 2 different OTA DTV tuners and both DirecTV & Dish Network sources. I have read of no claims from any source that Comcast, or for that matter any cable provider using the Moto 5100, is not offering a true HDTV signal.

I seriously suggest you rethink the validity of your project.

Ken - I've been debating between Comcast digital cable and DirecTv. The quality of the HD and SD signal is a very important part of the decision.

With all your comparisions can you tell me if there is any discernable difference in the PQ of HDTV with Comcast digital Vs. DirecTv? Same question for their SD programming. Thank you!

Originally posted by lovingdvd
With all your comparisions can you tell me if there is any discernable difference in the PQ of HDTV with Comcast digital Vs. DirecTv?I answered this question in my response to chrynos above.

For SD, the channels on the Comcast digital tier (100-999) compared to the DirecTV SD channels are very close in PQ. I think most are slightly better (less compressed) on Comcast than DirecTV.

IMHO, the Comcast analog channels (1-99) are better viewed using your TV or VCR tuner, than the 5100. Using this approach in my area, Comcast analog channels are again comparable to DirecTV in most cases. This can vary depending on where you are located. Try checking the HDTV Locals Forum for more information on your specific location.

Moto has upgraded the 5100 analog PQ already, via a software download to the 5100 (while it's in your home) and is working on another upgrade as we speak. Hopefully, they will get it to the level of their previous digital cable STB's.

For a guide to what channels are analog & digital, see Comcast's on line listing for your area.

Hi, guys:

Comcast of Jersey City offered me Digital Service (including HD) for $19.99 for the first 3 months ($54 after that), free install and box. This, coupled with ESPN-HD coming on April 1 and the fact that they started carrying the Golf Channel recently makes me very close to ordering the service. The rep said they will be aggressively adding HD programming.

Anyway, I have some questions about the 5100. I would be grateful for answers.

If I choose to receive the 4:3 analog and 4:3 digital channels via the 5100 (into the TVs component inputs), will the box allow me to fill my 16:9 screen or will I be stuck with the bars? Does the box offer any stretch modes? - my TV has none. In the component mode my TV just fills the 16:9 screen with all material and the 4:3/16:9 toggle on my remote is disabled in this mode.

Does the 5100 have a VGA output option?

ESPN-HD will be in 720p. Can the 5100 handle that (my TV can), or will they upconvert to 1080i (ugh...)

If I choose to feed the analog channels into my TV in such a way as to bypass the 5100, how do I do it?

Thanks for your help.

w

Originally posted by wojtek
Anyway, I have some questions about the 5100. I would be grateful for answers. Read the 5100 FAQ, in the sig section of AVS member miatasm.

I've been asking many folks here in the forums and earlier in this thread but no one seems to know... Is there ANYONE who is successfully using the DVI port on the 5100 with Comcast digital service? Thank you.

No DVI is NOT enabled ANYWHERE.

Originally posted by miatasm
No DVI is NOT enabled ANYWHERE.

Thanks for the clarification. Too bad. Any word on when we may see the DVI port become enabled? This is one distinct advantage that the DirecTV STB boxes and sat feed offer over Comcast digital. In my case I will be feeding a digital front projector, so an all digital path via DVI is a definite advantage.

Originally posted by lovingdvd
In my case I will be feeding a digital front projector, so an all digital path via DVI is a definite advantage. Not if the projector is further than 15' from the STB location.

Ken,

I read somewhere that Monster Cable is planning on a 30' DVI cable. I have to assume that, standard or not, they won't market something that doesn't work. BTW, I'm assuming you meant 15 feet rather than inches :)

Claude

Originally posted by Ken H
Not if the projector is further than 15" from the STB location.
Actually that would make it more advantageous but also more expensive.

Originally posted by Ken H
Read the 5100 FAQ, in the sig section of AVS member miatasm.

Thanks, Ken. The FAQ explained a lot. I guess the only question that still remains is:

How to feed the analog cable channels into my TV in order to bypass the 5100?

Thanks

Originally posted by Ken H
Not if the projector is further than 15" from the STB location.

For what reason? If it is regarding the DVI cable, there are high end options including optical cables that make it possible to carry the DVI signal hundreds of feet without any loss and even at 1920x1080P @ 60Hz. If you say this for another besides signal concerns over the DVI cable please let me know.

Originally posted by ClaudeD
I'm assuming you meant 15 feet rather than inches... Yes, 15 feet. Thanks.

Originally posted by wojtek
Thanks, Ken. The FAQ explained a lot. I guess the only question that still remains is:

How to feed the analog cable channels into my TV in order to bypass the 5100? Simply use an RF splitter before the cable goes into the 5100. One output for the 5100, one for the TV.

Originally posted by lovingdvd
For what reason? If it is regarding the DVI cable, there are high end options including optical cables that make it possible to carry the DVI signal hundreds of feet without any loss and even at 1920x1080P @ 60Hz. If you say this for another besides signal concerns over the DVI cable please let me know. As long as you are aware of the limitations of the format.

Originally posted by Ken H
As long as you are aware of the limitations of the format.

Yes, its well known at this point that DVI is very distance sensitive. However there have been some copper cables coming to market recently that are confirmed to work up to 50 feet, and with optical you can go up to hundreds of feet. Only downside is that these cables are pricey.

I have a few questions not covered in the FAQ:

1) My HDTV will not arrive for another week or so, but in the meantime I'd like to have Comcast Digital cable installed and ready to go. That way when the set arrives I can just plug the component inputs in and I should be all set.

Does anyone know if Comcast can still come and install the 5100 and configure it so that when my set comes I can just plug it in? Seems like it could be set up without the HDTV in place, but since I do not have any other HDTV in the house I was wondering if they need to use the HDTV to take and readings or see any numbers/output from the 5100 in order to activate the box.

So short of not actually being able to verify that the HDTV feed is working, would there by any limitations to setting up digital cable in advance? Will Comcast come out to do this or will they insist that the HDTV be present already?

2) Does the 5100 have the ability to output in both 480i and 720p/1080i at the same time? Ideally I'd sent the component output into my video 1 for watching 720p/1080i, and then send S-Video to my video 2. That way when I'm watching HDTV I'd watch on video 1, and when watching SD I'd watch on video 2 - and since that content would be 480i I could then have my TV stretch it.

So in other words, is it possible to tell the 5100 to just pass 480i output back out without upconverting it to 720p/1080i?

3) Regarding audio output the FAQ says:
"The 5100 supports Analog Audio via RF & Left/Right RCA, Digital Audio via SPDIF (Coaxial & Optical). All audio outputs are active at all times, on all channels, regardless of whether the program is in Dolby Digital or not."

Does this mean that if a program is being broadcast in Dolby Surround Sound (not Dolby Digital 5.1) that it will send the surround sound info down the SPDIF coax/optical and my receiver will pick it up this way?

I'm used to the situation where you need to have two different outputs - RCA to right/left for dolby surround, and a digital line for dobly digital. But is this saying that you can accomplish both with one digital line?

lovingdvd,

1. AFAIK, Comcast still insists on verifying that a HDTV-capable set is in place at the installation. Perhaps they would accept a copy of a receipt, and perhaps their 5100 shortage is no longer an issue.

2. Yes, that will work. Many of us use the 480i output to go to ReplayTV or Tivo.

3. I don't know.

Enjoy it!

Originally posted by lovingdvd
I have a few questions not covered in the FAQ:

3) Regarding audio output the FAQ says:
"The 5100 supports Analog Audio via RF & Left/Right RCA, Digital Audio via SPDIF (Coaxial & Optical). All audio outputs are active at all times, on all channels, regardless of whether the program is in Dolby Digital or not."

Does this mean that if a program is being broadcast in Dolby Surround Sound (not Dolby Digital 5.1) that it will send the surround sound info down the SPDIF coax/optical and my receiver will pick it up this way?

I'm used to the situation where you need to have two different outputs - RCA to right/left for dolby surround, and a digital line for dobly digital. But is this saying that you can accomplish both with one digital line?

Yes non-digital should be passed over the SPDIF as stereo PCM I believe.

Originally posted by ClaudeD
lovingdvd,

2. Yes, that will work. Many of us use the 480i output to go to ReplayTV or Tivo.

Enjoy it!

Thanks. Can you explain more about how the 480i output works?

For example, I have some experience with the Hughes E86 DirectTv HD STB. With this device you had to flip a manual switch on the back of the STB to tell it whether you wanted it to send the signal out the component outputs or out the S-Video output. It would not send the signal out both at the same time.

Does the 5100 work differently in that it sends the signal out both simultaneously? Hope so.

I have an old TiVo box - its a 30 hour unit that's about 2 years old. It has SVideo and RCA inputs. Will TiVo work ok with the 5100? How does it instruct the 5100 on what channel to turn to?

Likewise I'm considering adding the digital Comcast service to another TV, but not the HD Digital service. In other words, I wouldn't have the 5100 HD STB but rather whatever STB they give you to get the digital service for no HD TVs. What box do they give you for this? Will my TiVo work ok with that STB as well? Thanks!

Also related which I meant to ask - can I get the digital local channels when broadcasting SD (not HD) output from the 5100 as 480i via SVideo?

I ask because its obvious that the SD content being broadcast over the local digital channels (ABC, NBC, etc) is MUCH better than its analog counter part. But my TV cannot stretch the signal if it comes in via 720p/1080i.

Therefore if I have the flexibility to easily switch between an input that's getting 480i on the local digital channels showing SD, and switching between that and a different input getting component feed from the 5100 in 1080i then I'm a happy camper!

Originally posted by lovingdvd
Does the 5100 work differently in that it sends the signal out both simultaneously? Hope so. Yes, the 5100 simultaneously outputs the full-resolution signal via tha component jacks, and a down-resolution version via the S-video jacks.

My box is really buggy- I suspect they're all like this. The S-Video output shows lots of crap off to the sides of the picture- sometimes it's even off center with a bit of the picture overlapping on the wrong side.

What really bugs me is the little stripe on the right side of the picture, regardless of 4:3 or 16:9, especially noticable in 720p. It's there in 1080i too. This is with the 2.48 firmware.

With the HD signals at 1080i, I sometimes notice a slightly discolored vertical strip alongside the leftmost edge of the picture.

For the non-HD signals, I tried using 720P and 480P but those pictures were horrible - noise, off-centered, and generally looked like crap. I ended up using the 480i for those ones, and let my TV rescale the images to fill the 16:9 screen.

I'm hoping that a firmware upgrade will adress some of these issues. Honestly, though, I'd prefer it if they first addressed the volume issues. That's the most annoying thing, IMO.

BTW, is there a place where we can chat with Comcast insiders who have some say in what happens next, or at least talk to those people? I'd send an e-mail via their website, but I suspect that really doesn't mean much.

It looks like there are some insiders here on this bb, but I'm not sure - they might just be very helpful and knowledgable enthusiasts! Anyone care to identify yourself as a Comcastian with influence? :)

Originally posted by n_plasma

BTW, is there a place where we can chat with Comcast insiders who have some say in what happens next, or at least talk to those people? I'd send an e-mail via their website, but I suspect that really doesn't mean much.


They are watching.....




It looks like there are some insiders here on this bb, but I'm not sure - they might just be very helpful and knowledgable enthusiasts! Anyone care to identify yourself as a Comcastian with influence? :)


No. :)

Originally posted by lovingdvd
I have an old TiVo box - its a 30 hour unit that's about 2 years old. It has SVideo and RCA inputs. Will TiVo work ok with the 5100? How does it instruct the 5100 on what channel to turn to?

Likewise I'm considering adding the digital Comcast service to another TV, but not the HD Digital service. In other words, I wouldn't have the 5100 HD STB but rather whatever STB they give you to get the digital service for no HD TVs. What box do they give you for this? Will my TiVo work ok with that STB as well? Thanks!

The box will be a DCT2000 series. And it will work OK with your Tivo.

Originally posted by n_plasma
With the HD signals at 1080i, I sometimes notice a slightly discolored vertical strip alongside the leftmost edge of the picture. You may have a bad box, see if you can get the local Comcast office to to a swap.

Is there anyone here who has comcast and also an STB, with an off-the-air (OTA) antenna?

I'm wondering how the picture quality compares, between comcast and OTA...

A friend of mine has Comcast digital cable with HDTV and the 5100. He loves it, but has a complaint related ot the strech modes...

He says when we watches *SD* content on the *digital* local channels it looks very hi-res and almost HDish. But when viewing it this way he is stuck watching it in the 4:3 (or slightly wider) mode with black bars on the sides. He says that his HDTV will not stretch it like it can do with other channels.

I told him to try watching those local digital channels when showing SD via the SVideo output. He tried this and said the image looked even worse and then it was letter boxed on the top and bottom and had both the left and right bars - so this made things worse.

What is causing his issue and is there any way around it? I plan to get this same service installed this week and will likely wind up in the same situation so I'd like to solve this. Thanks.

Originally posted by lovingdvd
A friend of mine has Comcast digital cable with HDTV and the 5100. He loves it, but has a complaint related ot the strech modes...

He says when we watches *SD* content on the *digital* local channels it looks very hi-res and almost HDish. But when viewing it this way he is stuck watching it in the 4:3 (or slightly wider) mode with black bars on the sides. He says that his HDTV will not stretch it like it can do with other channels


I'm assuming that you mean he is watching the HD channels when there is no HD TV show on. The stations put the black bars on there, and it is sent out with the original signal, and your TV probably does not allow you to change the zoom mode while in 1080i (or 720p) mode. It only allows the stretch modes when the signal is 480i or 480p.

In those cases, I just watch the regular cable channel, and not the HD channel so that I can stretch it. The only time I watch the HD channels is when there is actually a HD show on.

Originally posted by dfedders
I'm assuming that you mean he is watching the HD channels when there is no HD TV show on. The stations put the black bars on there, and it is sent out with the original signal, and your TV probably does not allow you to change the zoom mode while in 1080i (or 720p) mode. It only allows the stretch modes when the signal is 480i or 480p.

In those cases, I just watch the regular cable channel, and not the HD channel so that I can stretch it. The only time I watch the HD channels is when there is actually a HD show on.

dfedders - Yes, your assumptions are correct - he is indeed watching the HD channels when there is no HD show on.

The reason for this is because the quality of the feed is much better and sharper (and almost HD-ish) compared to the analog channel for the same station.

So the catch-22 here is that he can either A) watch a much quality feed on the digital channel but with annoying black bars on the sides, or B) watch a much poorer looking feed but stretched to 16:9.

What I am wondering is whether there is a configuration that will allow the best of both worlds - in other words the ability to watch the digital channel and be able to stretch it.

Anyone know? Thanks.

Originally posted by Ron
Is there anyone here who has comcast and also an STB, with an off-the-air (OTA) antenna?

I'm wondering how the picture quality compares, between comcast and OTA... How much of this topic have you read? Try going back a few pages for answers to your questions.

Argh! I've actually read the whole thing, and if this has already been discussed, then I must have forgotten reading it, and I apologize profusely!

I will go look again.

Originally posted by Ron
Argh! I've actually read the whole thing, and if this has already been discussed, then I must have forgotten reading it, and I apologize profusely!

I will go look again. No problem, page 53, 3/20/03.

Originally posted by Ken H
No problem, page 53, 3/20/03.

Were you referring to miatasm's message? I did see that, but I guess I was asking for more specifics than what he said, mainly because I'm wondering if the compression via cable produces a noticeably different picture than what you'd see OTA, especially with a large (front projection) display.

What compression? QAM does less encoding tricks to the baseband signal than 8VSB because the medium is more stable than OTA.

I have both a 5100 and Samsung 165. I've compared OTA and Comcast many times over during the NCAA HDTV games. I switched inputs and I cannot tell a difference between the two on a 34XBR800. I can have the DD 5.1 audio from OTA and the video from cable and viceversa and nobody could tell the difference.

I have a MyHD OTA HTPC card and COMCAST 5100 box - display is a 4*3 RCA 36" direct view. Re viewing of OTA digital (non-HD 4*3) material:

It is much better on the MyHD card - using 1080i or 720 p or 800*600 output resolutions and a zoom mode the picture is a perfect fit with all the digital resolution enhancement of the particular station, and whatever processing is done by the card for the zoom mode. The COMCAST box letter box and pan and scan choices do not work in 1080i - it stays letter-boxed top and bottom regardless of the selection; in 720p the pan and scan works (and looks similar in quality to what is received in MyHD zoom mode) but the picture is somewhat overscanned vertically and there is a small black bar on the right side.

The analog broadcast will have the same drawback if 720 p is selected; although 1080i looks correct. To keep proper aspect ratio on the digital channels requires 480i for me which looks obviously inferior to anyone with sharp eyes (1080i signal maintains aspect ratio but doesn't allow letter box - so I get the 4*3 part of a 16*9 HD broadcast). My family prefers watching all COMCAST programming at 480i to maintain the guide and get the screen properly filled.

Well, I don't have comcast, but I did get my new 5100 on Friday. After a small exchange where the installer tried to tell me how I needed to setup my TV (which I politely declined) and then having to explain to him that I did not, in fact, need to have the analog audio cables connected for non-hd broadcasts because it would pass the PCM signal across the optical connection, I had my HD signal. I'm quite pleased with it so far. CBS, ABC, HBOHD and SHOHD are all quite nice. ABC locally (everywhere?) is always broadcasting DD5.1 (even though only 2 channels may be active) and is performing a mildly unsightly stretch on their 4:3 signals, but they came through last night with the Academy Awards. I wasn't even interested in watching it until I saw it was in HD. Strangely enough, my cable system (Insight) was losing their SD feed for the ABC station while I was watching the HD.

Anyway, I don't believe I have any sort of firmware upgrade yet because I don't have the 480 bypass feature. I'm rather looking forward to that, but it isn't a priority right now as the 5100 is only used for the HD channels, the old 2100 (I think) is doing everything else.

For those of you with Insight service, check their website to see if they have HD in your area. I was about to buy an OTA receiver when I happened to check after seeing all this info about comcast and a few other cable companies having it available.

FYI:

Where is HDTV available?
Insight currently provides HDTV service in the following areas:
> Springfield, Lincoln, and Decatur, Illinois
> Anderson/Noblesville, Indiana
> Evansville, Indiana
> Lafayette/Kokomo, Indiana
> Covington, Kentucky
> Lexington, Kentucky
> Louisville, Kentucky
> Columbus, Ohio


Enjoy!

Oh, I then proceeded to do some serious service menu convergence maintenance for the HD input on my Mits 55809 :)

Originally posted by Ron
Were you referring to miatasm's message? No, read my comments.

Originally posted by lovingdvd
So the catch-22 here is that he can either A) watch a much quality feed on the digital channel but with annoying black bars on the sides, or B) watch a much poorer looking feed but stretched to 16:9.

What I am wondering is whether there is a configuration that will allow the best of both worlds - in other words the ability to watch the digital channel and be able to stretch it.

Anyone know? Thanks. [/B]

Most TVs probably do not allow you to stretch 780p or 1080i. I know my 34XBR800 doesn't. So, basically the only options are to watch the black bars with a good picture, or stretch a crappy, compressed, regular old cable signal.

Originally posted by Ken H
No, read my comments.

Thank you. What size display are you using? If you're not using front projection, do you think that would make any difference, looking at a larger picture?

Originally posted by Ron
What size display are you using? If you're not using front projection, do you think that would make any difference, looking at a larger picture? I use a 48" RPTV display. A larger display makes no difference. QAM modulation does not affect image quality.

Originally posted by lovingdvd
So the catch-22 here is that he can either A) watch a much quality feed on the digital channel but with annoying black bars on the sides, or B) watch a much poorer looking feed but stretched to 16:9.

What I am wondering is whether there is a configuration that will allow the best of both worlds - in other words the ability to watch the digital channel and be able to stretch it.

It depends on your TV. I am using my 5100 with a Toshiba 42HDX82 and I am able to stretch the non-HD programming on an HDTV channel such that the black bars are removed and the pucture fills the 16:9 screen.

Originally posted by dfedders
Most TVs probably do not allow you to stretch 780p or 1080i. I know my 34XBR800 doesn't. So, basically the only options are to watch the black bars with a good picture, or stretch a crappy, compressed, regular old cable signal.

Too bad. I was hoping there was some other way to connect my inputs so that I could get the digital SD signal to stretch.

Is the standard def signal coming into the STB alread in 720p/1080i when it gets there, or is it being upconverted at the STB? If the later, I'm thinking I may be able to use an external scaler to work around this somehow.

Sorry for the long post all. I for one think the service is great from what I have seen. And yes, it does seem like more of a problem with the analog channels as opposed to the HD channels.

The gentleman who asked me to investigate this (my boss, hence I don't have much choice) has done a side by side comparison as well. He just recently purchased 2 65'' Mitsubishi Diamonds and compared Comcast HD service with Direct TV.

By no means am I claiming to be an expert in this, which is why I am asking for your help. The fact of the matter is they have already given him in excesss of $100 in credit and admitted that the signal, especially on the lower channels, wont be fixed until a software upgrade in his area (SE Michigan) sometime in late March or April. Whether or not the tech was referring to a firmware upgrade I am not sure.

As far as the software problems with the 5000 series: From Multichannel News ISSN 0276-8593; Volume 22; Issue 23, an article by Jeff Baumgartner called "Meet the New Boxes" (and literally 19 other articles concerning problems with the 5000 series):

"Motorola Broadband Communications Sector's DCT-5000 advanced digital set-top hasn't made its way into many homes. There have been software-integration headaches, and some operators simply aren't convinced that there's a business case for the supercharged, cable modem-embedded box..."

"It's been widely reported that software-integration problems
associated with the DCT-5000 have limited their field deployment to a
fraction of the 300,000 units that have actually been shipped.
One industry analyst, speaking on background, said cable operators
view the original DCT-5000 as "A, already obsolete; and B, a little too
ambitious. [Motorola] tried to put too many ingredients in the pot."
Motorola's new line of boxes "is another mid-course correction," the
analyst said. "What was state-of-the-art [in 1999] is not even close to
what's state-of-the-art today."
While the original DCT-5000 was arguably designed and built before its
time, Motorola Broadband hopes the guts of its new thick set-tops will
better fit the needs of its MSO customers.
The most prominent software-integration problem was AT&T Broadband's
match made in limbo of the DCT-5000 and the Microsoft TV platform.
DePietro acknowledged that the majority of DCT-5000s have been shipped
to AT&T Broadband, but declined to provide a specific figure."

DePietro refers to Mark DePietro, vice president of marketing and systems engineering for Motorola Broadband's DigiCable unit.

As I stated, I am trying to assess the validity of these claims. There is no need to "blast" me. I am looking for first hand knowledge and experience with the hardware, both good and bad. If some people are getting charged for what they shouldn't be, it becomes a matter of consumer protection, and surely that is in everyones best interest. So please, I want to hear both sides of the story.

And don't call me cracked, I am only slightly broken. :)

So you're basing your so-called "research" on an irrelevant, 2-year old article? The most prominent software-integration problem was AT&T Broadband's match made in limbo of the DCT-5000 and the Microsoft TV platform. Really? No sh*t! The MS TV platform was a nearly complete failure with US cable operators a couple years ago -- too complex, and no one really wanted interactive TV anyway. That's whay no one uses it. None of the DCT 5100's we're talking about have anything to do with the "Microsoft TV platform". This article is completely irrelevant.

There is no need to "blast" me.You haven't seen blasting yet. If you & your idiot boss want to continue to annoy our forum with your "research", you'd better get real for some real blasting...

Originally posted by chrynos
He just recently purchased 2 65'' Mitsubishi Diamonds and compared Comcast HD service with Direct TV.What is he comparing? The only channels that could be directly compared between DirecTV & Comcast, are HBO & Showtime. As a point of reference for you, I have over 16 years experience in the video business, primarily with large, high resolution electronic display systems, initially incorporating the Marquee series of 8" & 9" CRT projectors and more recently the Christie Digital Vista, Roadie & Mirage 3 chip DLP projectors. My direct comparison of Comcast & DirecTV for HBO & Showtime, along with DTV OTA compared to Comcast that I mentioned in my initial response to you (ABC, PBS, NBC), showed HDTV from the 5100 and the other sources 100% identical in all ways. My comparison was done connecting both HDTV sources to a Extron SW4AR MX 300 mHz video switcher using Canare V4 video cable with the switcher output going into my display, and instantly A/B switching between the two using the switcher controls.

I also had the opportunity to compare the recent NBA-HDTV All Star Game from Comcast, Dish Network & DirecTV. Again, all sources were 100% identical.

If your boss is comparing HDNet from DirecTV to the local ABC station, or HBO, this would account for the difference in what he sees, and more. See the recent Academy Award topic in the HDTV Programming forum for a ton of reference in this matter. The differences between HDTV formats (1080i / 720p), film vs. live video, production techniques, etc., account for vast differences between what HDTV from different sources will look like. Even viewing different HDTV programs from the same source (e.g. NBC's ER and Frasier) you will see extreme differences between what they look like, because the programs are produced by different companies, use different post production facilities, different dramatic intent, and more. None of this even references differences in home equipment and how it's used or calibrated.



....wont be fixed until a software upgrade in his area (SE Michigan) sometime in late March or April. Whether or not the tech was referring to a firmware upgrade I am not sure.You need to read this entire topic. This issue has been discussed for months and the bottom line is that the analog channels from the 5100 are not up to the quality previously available from the DCT series of digital cable STB's. In Michigan, software has been downloaded to 5100's in users homes attempting to correct the problem, and further software fixes are in the pipe. This has nothing to do with HDTV from the 5100. The simple fix for now is to use a TV or VCR to tune the analog channels.



As I stated, I am trying to assess the validity of these claims. There is no need to "blast" me. I am looking for first hand knowledge and experience with the hardware, both good and bad. If some people are getting charged for what they shouldn't be, it becomes a matter of consumer protection, and surely that is in everyones best interest. So please, I want to hear both sides of the story.You keep talking about 'claims'. What claims? Including an outdated article that refers to unrelated issues, and the suspicion of a novice end user, I see nothing supportable. Please provide any information that references issues with the 5100's HDTV capabilities.

Why on earth someone needs to be a troll in this thread, I have no idea, but it sure looks like we have ourselves one.

"My boss made me post this..." doesn't excuse these infuriating trolls. I think either:

1) Chrynos is a legal assistant working for some desparate, ambulance-chasing class-action lawyer.

2) Chrynos is really 12 years old. His dad mistakenly thought that "Comcast HD" meant that ALL the channels would be in hi-def. Dad's now really pissed and wants to sue someone, but needs his kid to operate the computer for him...

3) He's just a run-of-the-mill DirecTV troll...

Originally posted by Ken H
...The simple fix for now is to use a TV or VCR to tune the analog channels....


Ken - can you please explain this in more detail, as I'm a bit confused about the statement and exactly what you are suggesting. For example, its obvious that when I want to watch digital channels I watch them through the 5100's component output. But what about the analog channels - how do I wire in to get those?

Also what is technically considered "analog" channels vs. "digital" channels. Since it is all on "digital cable" how do you differentiate the two? Thanks.

Originally posted by lovingdvd
Also what is technically considered "analog" channels vs. "digital" channels. Since it is all on "digital cable" how do you differentiate the two? Thanks. Not sure if every local Comcast operator is the same - but here in Seattle, all channels below 100 are analog. Easy way to tell - just plug the cable into your TV's tuner. Any channel you can see is analog. The ones you can't see are digital (require the decoder box). Digital Cable really means "Digital for those cable channels that we're not already transmitting in analog".

Originally posted by jimre
Not sure if every local Comcast operator is the same - but here in Seattle, all channels below 100 are analog. Easy way to tell - just plug the cable into your TV's tuner. Any channel you can see is analog. The ones you can't see are digital (require the decoder box). Digital Cable really means "Digital for those cable channels that we're not already transmitting in analog". This pretty much nails it.

All channels 1-99 are analog cable.
Channels 100 & over are either digital cable or DTV/HDTV.
Use your TV or VCR tuner (experiment to see which produces better results) for 1-99.
Use the 5100 for 100 & over.

Originally posted by jimre
Not sure if every local Comcast operator is the same - but here in Seattle, all channels below 100 are analog. Easy way to tell - just plug the cable into your TV's tuner. Any channel you can see is analog. The ones you can't see are digital (require the decoder box). Digital Cable really means "Digital for those cable channels that we're not already transmitting in analog".

Thanks. How about the digital local channels - what numbers are those channels on?

So basically use a splitter and send one signal to the VCR and the other to the 5100. When watching analog on < channel 100, watch through the VCRs tuner, and watch all others through the 5100. Got it.

Originally posted by lovingdvd
Thanks. How about the digital local channels - what numbers are those channels on?
It can vary, but in Detroit between 178-191.

Originally posted by jimre
"My boss made me post this..." doesn't excuse these infuriating trolls. I think either:

1) Chrynos is a legal assistant working for some desparate, ambulance-chasing class-action lawyer.

2) Chrynos is really 12 years old. His dad mistakenly thought that "Comcast HD" meant that ALL the channels would be in hi-def. Dad's now really pissed and wants to sue someone, but needs his kid to operate the computer for him...

3) He's just a run-of-the-mill DirecTV troll...

And I thought that Jamaica only got the REALLY GOOD stuff it seems like its making it all the way up to chrynos in Michigan.:rolleyes:

Originally posted by miatasm
And I thought that Jamaica only got the REALLY GOOD stuff it seems like its making it all the way up to chrynos in Michigan.:rolleyes: Hey! We get the good stuff, too.

Does anyone have an idea of whether this unit would display the HD content to a non-HD Widescreen set correctly? I've got an analog AKAI Widescreen tube set that can do a simple stretch, but that's about it. I'd love to be able to get the widescreen HD content on this set in the correct format. Any ideas?

Originally posted by mcharkowski
Does anyone have an idea of whether this unit would display the HD content to a non-HD Widescreen set correctly? I've got an analog AKAI Widescreen tube set that can do a simple stretch, but that's about it. I'd love to be able to get the widescreen HD content on this set in the correct format. Any ideas?

IIRC you can set the output mode to 480i or 480p and 16:9. I've never tried this so don't know what the actual results will be when you tune to an HD channel. Maybe someone else will chime in about that. Comcast has been limiting distribution to people with HD sets so I don't know if they will even give you one anyway.

I just had an interesting visit from a Comcast tech today.

I recently downgraded to Limited Basic just to receive ABC, NBC and PBS HD channels and today they came to do the switch. Well, they thought I couldn't get the HD channels without a digital tier, so I quickly printed the documentation from the Comcast website stating otherwise. The tech talked to several people back at the office who told him it wasn't possible and that he had to take the box. But he kept checking and finally found a supervisor who told him that yes, it was possible and no, he wasn't going to be prying the DCT-5100 from my cold dead hands.

He told me this was the first time he'd run into this situation. And here's the glitch - at least on Comcast's end: I still get (non-premium) channels 2-101 through the DCT-5100, even though I am on the limited basic tier. You're only supposed to get about 12 channels or so on that tier, but apparently there is no way to filter them out yet. I explained to him that it was no big deal anyway since I subscribed to DirecTV for those channels, so I wouldn't be taking advantage of the loophole, but still, that's a mighty big hole they need to fill.

Incidentally, the technician was one of the best I've ever had. Pleasant, polite, willing to listen to me and not in any way condescending or rude. He kept going the extra mile because he believed me and not the uninformed reps back at the office. In fact, before he left we shared a drink and I ran him through how the OTA HD channels worked and showed him the DirecTV box and explained how it worked in synch with OTA signals. He was a great guy.

Originally posted by sillygoose
IIRC you can set the output mode to 480i or 480p and 16:9. I've never tried this so don't know what the actual results will be when you tune to an HD channel. Maybe someone else will chime in about that. Comcast has been limiting distribution to people with HD sets so I don't know if they will even give you one anyway.

even though I can use HD mode I watch it in 480i - its fine out of the components that way for all channels; digital (whether HD or SD) and non digital (my component input is 480i - the HD viewing requires a transcoder to my VGA inputs). The widescreen material is properly letterboxed for my 4*3 set (a feature I can't get in 1080i) - so I would imagine that it would either be properly displayed full screen on your set or your simple stretch mode would work.

Even if you don't want to use the components at 480i you still have either the svga out or the antenna out in non-bypass mode. These will show the guide as well provided the unit is set to 480i -

After following this thread for a few months I finally got hooked up with Comcast digital HD service today. Sorry for all the questions but its been a trying day and I'd like to understand this box better to know what I may be doing wrong vs. a bad box or bad connections...

1) Is there any way I can verify that the two-way communication is working and not being blocked by a splitter or something else that I am not aware of?

I suspect two way communication is NOT working for these reasons:

a) I had some trouble with the box and the customer service rep tried 3 times over the course of 2 hours to send a reset signal to the box. I have no way to know whether this worked, except for him saying that once the reset signal was received the box would turn itself off. Well, over those 3 hours and 2 attempts the box never turned off, so I don't think it ever received the signal.

b) My box is still showing the old firmware and no sign of the new firmware being downloaded.

2) According to the FAQ it makes it sound like this happens pretty much right away after being plugged into the line. The FAQ says: "This happens automatically, as soon as the box is hooked to an active cable line and is plugged in."

I've had the box plugged in now for about 8 hours and no firmware update has been received yet.

Is the FAQ correct that this should happen right away or is there some sort of schedule for bringing new boxes with old firmware up to date? I know there is a schedule for rolling out new firmware, but how about getting current firmware onto newly connected boxes?

3) I'm in Montgomery Country Maryland. Anyone know what the latest SW ver and firmware version are? My DTC5100-104 is showing SW ver of 50.00 - 1078 with firmware 08. According to the FAQ the latest firmware is 51.20 – 1040, which makes me believe that an update is due on the box but has not come.

4) Despite being told that my STB would have an external DVI port, the box came without one. I had verified with a supervisor prior to ordering that it would have DVI. When I called back to ask what happened, he changed his story saying that it has DVI *internally*. Can you believe that nonsense? Any recommendations for who to talk to about getting the box swapped out for one with DVI? I've tried another supervisor but no one knows what I'm talking about with DVI.

5) Really strange bug - Try this for kicks. Put on a HD channel like HBOHD 179. Then turn the STB off and also unplug it. Wait a bit and turn the STB back on. The picture is frozen with the last image, and no new video is shown on any of the HD channels, but you can hear the sound. The only way to get the HD channels showing video again is to tune to the analog channels, like 24. Then when you go back to HD it will be working again. This drove me nuts until I figured it out. I'm connected over SVideo right now while I wait for my HD set to arrive in a few days - not sure if you can reproduce over component but would love to know whether this is a known bug or something others can reproduce.

6) The digital channels broadcast a nice Digital 2/0 feed. I noticed however that it is in lieu of dolby surround sound. So in other words, when using the optical feed only, I get 3/2 on dolby digital (nice!) or 2/0 but no way to get dolby surround for regular stations. If I connect using RCA to the audio and pull the optical, then I get surround sound where available. Anyway to get the best of both worlds?

7) The FAQ says to use only 1Ghz splitters if needed. How can you tell one of these from one that's not 1Ghz? Are most common, every day splitters 1Ghz or better, or is that a more speciality part? I ask because its possible the previous owner of the house used a generic splitter within the wall that my feed to the equipment rack runs through. Could this cause the issues related to #1 and #2 above?

Hopefully there is a good trick or way to know if my cabling is ok for 2 way without having to start removing parts.

Thanks!

Originally posted by lovingdvd
Hopefully there is a good trick or way to know if my cabling is ok for 2 way without having to start removing parts. The Comcast installer should have checked to make sure your line supported 2-way communication (aka "return-path") when he was there. I don't think a passive splitter - even a cheap one - would block the return-path signal. But any kind of active amplifier - inline amp, distribution amp, "signal conditioner", etc - needs to specifically support a return-path signal, else it won't work with these boxes. When I got my 5100s, I had to replace my distribution amp with a newer model that supported return-path.

One way to check might be to try ordering a PPV movie. I believe the return-path signal must be working in order for this to work.

Splitting the signal won't do jack- They have to split the signal for cable-modem users anyways, and it works fine. Now if you split it 3 or 4 times you might have a problem depending on the stregnth of the signal.

sangs- I've been posting about Comcast HD service being the best deal going since they installed it last month. Here in the Boston area I pay for Basic Service ($6/mo), HBO-HD and SHO-HD ($13.99 and 12.99/mo respectively). For that price I get all the Basic and Extended Basic analog cable channels, all the HBO and SHO digital channels (like 12) and all the Music Choice channels.

Originally posted by DaveFi
Splitting the signal won't do jack- They have to split the signal for cable-modem users anyways, and it works fine. Now if you split it 3 or 4 times you might have a problem depending on the stregnth of the signal.
It's not a question of how often the cable is split, but rather what the frequency characteristics of the splitter are. Old splitters were rated for the less demanding bandwidth; newer ones have a broader bandwidth.

FWIW, IIRC, the 2-way communication happens at an "extreme" frequency (I think it was at the low end rather than the high end). An old splitter could screw this up.

Claude

Originally posted by Tachy
If anybody else mentioned this on a prior page....I apologize........but over the last 2 days I noticed that when I turn off my 5100, after about 5 seconds of the LED being blank, I now get the time showing on the LED Panel. It stays fixed at the time the box was turned off. Going to settings, I have the clock setting turned off. Is anyone else having this? is there a fix? It seems kinda silly if it is supposed to do this, since the clock stays fixed and is of no use. The box and cable seems fully functional otherwise.

Any thoughts?

Has anybody solved this problem yet? It just started happening to me about three days ago. When I turn the box off, it stays set on the time at which I turned it off. I have the time display turned off in the settings, but apparently it isn't working right.

Originally posted by lovingdvd
After following this thread for a few months I finally got hooked up with Comcast digital HD service today. Sorry for all the questions but its been a trying day and I'd like to understand this box better to know what I may be doing wrong vs. a bad box or bad connections...

1) Is there any way I can verify that the two-way communication is working and not being blocked by a splitter or something else that I am not aware of?


Not a sure fire way to do this but. Enter the Box Diagnostics mode (power "off" -- press "select") goto d07 Upstream Modem and check the dbmv number there, if it reads "60" then there may not be any return.

Another way to check it to follow the signal path from the box to the street, and make sure everything in line is able to pass return, The FAQ has a list of potential causes for no return.



I suspect two way communication is NOT working for these reasons:

a) I had some trouble with the box and the customer service rep tried 3 times over the course of 2 hours to send a reset signal to the box. I have no way to know whether this worked, except for him saying that once the reset signal was received the box would turn itself off. Well, over those 3 hours and 2 attempts the box never turned off, so I don't think it ever received the signal.


This is pretty much the only close-to-sure fire way to find out if 2-way comm. is there. If the rep is trying to activate it and getting "no response" then most likely the box isn't communicating. The technician installing should have verified the box was active 2-way before leaving (if you had a tech install)



b) My box is still showing the old firmware and no sign of the new firmware being downloaded.



Believe it or not, the firmware will be downloaded even if 2-way isn't there the firmware has preference on the forward signal path. And it works just as stated in the FAQ.



2) According to the FAQ it makes it sound like this happens pretty much right away after being plugged into the line. The FAQ says: "This happens automatically, as soon as the box is hooked to an active cable line and is plugged in."

I've had the box plugged in now for about 8 hours and no firmware update has been received yet.

Is the FAQ correct that this should happen right away or is there some sort of schedule for bringing new boxes with old firmware up to date? I know there is a schedule for rolling out new firmware, but how about getting current firmware onto newly connected boxes?

3) I'm in Montgomery Country Maryland. Anyone know what the latest SW ver and firmware version are? My DTC5100-104 is showing SW ver of 50.00 - 1078 with firmware 08. According to the FAQ the latest firmware is 51.20 – 1040, which makes me believe that an update is due on the box but has not come.



The Firmware in the FAQ is for the Philly region, you are seeing the SoftWare versions that are different, which they should be, But firmware is 08 (or 2.48 using the diag.) which it should be. It looks like you do have the latest Firmware. But someone else from your area should be able to confirm.



4) Despite being told that my STB would have an external DVI port, the box came without one. I had verified with a supervisor prior to ordering that it would have DVI. When I called back to ask what happened, he changed his story saying that it has DVI *internally*. Can you believe that nonsense? Any recommendations for who to talk to about getting the box swapped out for one with DVI? I've tried another supervisor but no one knows what I'm talking about with DVI.



All of the new boxes being shipped from Motorola have the DVI port on them....but there were 1,000's of boxes already in the warehouses that didn't have the DVI, you got one of them. Keep calling until you get someone who knows what they are talking about, be patient...Even after you get one it will still be a little bit before the DVI port is active.



5) Really strange bug - Try this for kicks. Put on a HD channel like HBOHD 179. Then turn the STB off and also unplug it. Wait a bit and turn the STB back on. The picture is frozen with the last image, and no new video is shown on any of the HD channels, but you can hear the sound. The only way to get the HD channels showing video again is to tune to the analog channels, like 24. Then when you go back to HD it will be working again. This drove me nuts until I figured it out. I'm connected over SVideo right now while I wait for my HD set to arrive in a few days - not sure if you can reproduce over component but would love to know whether this is a known bug or something others can reproduce.



This does sound like a bug, but why are you turning the box of and unplugging it. This wouldn't be part of your daily routine using the box, so it just may be a glitch in the software, because the box doesn't expect this to be done during regular use. Believe me, Motorola will not be looking for a specific fix for this problem, they have other problems to deal with. My recommendation would be just don't do it!



6) The digital channels broadcast a nice Digital 2/0 feed. I noticed however that it is in lieu of Dolby surround sound. So in other words, when using the optical feed only, I get 3/2 on Dolby digital (nice!) or 2/0 but no way to get Dolby surround for regular stations. If I connect using RCA to the audio and pull the optical, then I get surround sound where available. Anyway to get the best of both worlds?



These seems to be a legitimate problem that will need to be addressed by Motorola, while everyone isn't complaining about it, it still exists and I'm sure its being worked on.



7) The FAQ says to use only 1Ghz splitters if needed. How can you tell one of these from one that's not 1Ghz? Are most common, every day splitters 1Ghz or better, or is that a more specialty part? I ask because its possible the previous owner of the house used a generic splitter within the wall that my feed to the equipment rack runs through. Could this cause the issues related to #1 and #2 above?

Hopefully there is a good trick or way to know if my cabling is OK for 2 way without having to start removing parts.

Thanks!

Theres no really good way to tell if you have 1ghz splitters other than the splitter saying it on them. Funny enough, usually the ones that aren't rated for 1ghz say that they aren't (like 5-600mhz or 50-450mhz).

If you are using a cable modem this is probably the most sure fire way to check for return, by connecting the cable modem to the cable at your 5100 and see if it locks up, if so you have 2-way comm.

BTW the return signal for cable modems & Digital cable boxes are on the low frequency band @ 20 mhz & 8-11mhz, respectively.

Originally posted by ClaudeD
It's not a question of how often the cable is split, but rather what the frequency characteristics of the splitter are. Old splitters were rated for the less demanding bandwidth; newer ones have a broader bandwidth.

FWIW, IIRC, the 2-way communication happens at an "extreme" frequency (I think it was at the low end rather than the high end). An old splitter could screw this up.

Claude

It absolutely has to do with the the amount of times the cable is split, but this is generally less of a concern than the integrity of the cabling and the frequency characteristics of the splitters, as you stated.

I built an Excel Spreadsheet that calculates the amount of signal loss for forward & return signals @ specific frequencies for a typical in house drop system. It is very crude but I'm trying to make it into a program so its easier to use. Try it out and let me know what you think, its a very small file, heres the address:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/miatasm/HT/Signalloss.xls

Feedback can be PM'd to me or e-mailed & miatasm@hotmail.com

I knew about the frequency stuff, but in my case the signal is so poor that splitting it more than once degrades the quality considerably. HD and Digital seem to be ok, but Analog is quite poor- This is a sad statement on the state of Cable, as I live right accross the street from the relay office.

I will say that the signal is a little better now because they've been going around wrapping metal coils around the wires. Still, when I look at the status menu on my box it says "Fair" and "Poor" for many of the signal ratings.

I've had my box for 3 months now and I had terrible analog channels at first. I did notice a big improvement about a month ago, though. I just got off of the phone with Comcast and they said that they haven't downloaded any new fixes in my area yet(Detroit Metro Area). They had to do something, because the pq is much better. Any one from the Detroit Metro Area know the previous firmware number??? Let me know. Peace.

Originally posted by miatasm
This does sound like a bug, but why are you turning the box of and unplugging it. This wouldn't be part of your daily routine using the box, so it just may be a glitch in the software, because the box doesn't expect this to be done during regular use. Believe me, Motorola will not be looking for a specific fix for this problem, they have other problems to deal with. My recommendation would be just don't do it!



Actually its not a bug I was looking to have fixed - just more of a question on whether I had a bad box or others have the same thing happen with their box. The big issue for me was that it was working great when the tech left. Then I unplugged the STB to move it into the equipment rack. Then plugged it in and my HD was gone! I spent hours trying to figure out what was going on and no one in customer service could solve it. Eventually I got lucky and changed the channel to < 100 analog and when I went back to HD it was working again.


These seems to be a legitimate problem that will need to be addressed by Motorola, while everyone isn't complaining about it, it still exists and I'm sure its being worked on.


So is 2/0 digital sound supposed to have dolby surround sound information encoded in it if the program is being broadcast with surround sound? I just want to make sure its not an issue with my AV receiver.

In any event I was very pleased with the sound quality of of 2/0 compared to the analog channels. And gettint 5.1 sound when watching movies on TV is a real treat since I'm so used to only hearing it when I occassionally watch DVDs.

Does anyone in Montgomery Country Maryland know what the latest version of the software is for the DTC5100? I'm showing 50.00 - 1078 with firmware 08.

While the firmware version matches what miatasm says he has in Philly, the software version seems quite behind what he has. Thanks.

Originally posted by lovingdvd
Does anyone in Montgomery Country Maryland know what the latest version of the software is for the DTC5100? I'm showing 50.00 - 1078 with firmware 08.

While the firmware version matches what miatasm says he has in Philly, the software version seems quite behind what he has. Thanks.

I don't think its actully behind Philly's its just different. If you have different advertisements, guide & menu features, programming, channel line-up, ect. this can all cause different SW numbers. Firmware is the one we are concerned with and if you check it in the Diagnostics menu "d08" it should say "2.48".

Originally posted by DaveFi
I knew about the frequency stuff, but in my case the signal is so poor that splitting it more than once degrades the quality considerably. HD and Digital seem to be ok, but Analog is quite poor- This is a sad statement on the state of Cable, as I live right accross the street from the relay office.

I will say that the signal is a little better now because they've been going around wrapping metal coils around the wires. Still, when I look at the status menu on my box it says "Fair" and "Poor" for many of the signal ratings.

With those numbers being "fair" & "poor", this is not good. I'm assuming that it may be just that you live in a poor cable system, unfortunatly. But all cable systems are not as bad as yours, mine isn't anyway. Lets hope that Comcast taking over from AT&T will help change that for you but I wouldn't expect overnight results. FWIW, my system has gotten nothing but better since Comcast took over.

I noticed in the 5100's setup menu for sound options there is a setting for compression. You can choose from None, Light, and Full (or something like that). By default it is on Light.

What does this setting actually do and what is the ideal setting for this? Under which conditions are each setting most appropriate?

My natural inclination is to change it to None, since it seems that no compression should result in better quality.

But before doing so I wanted to understand this better, and to make sure that by changing it to none I wouldn't be messing up another setting or causing some other issue / disadvantage without realizing it.

Also within this option is another setting related to TV Vs. Stero - I assume it should be set to Stero. Under Advanced its set up as Stero Matrix. Is that what I want? Thanks!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by miatasm


Not a sure fire way to do this but. Enter the Box Diagnostics mode (power "off" -- press "select") goto d07 Upstream Modem and check the dbmv number there, if it reads "60" then there may not be any return.

Another way to check it to follow the signal path from the box to the street, and make sure everything in line is able to pass return, The FAQ has a list of potential causes for no return.
[/b]

miatasm - I just tried this but under the Upstream Modem setting I did not see any reference to a dbmv number? Should something in there be specifically labled as a dbmv number, or are you referring to something else?

Under Upstream Modem all I have are "status, center frequency, requested power level, actual power level, report back addr, and last rb attempt time".

Also in digging around I came across OOB Status - SN 20.8% Goood, AGC 13% GOOD. What do these mean?

To Ken, thanks for your comments.
The article I posted was relevant to my statement (and helomoto's response) that Motorola has admitted to problems with the 5000 series.

To the others calling me a troll, I have not attacked anyone on this board. You are the ones making threats and taunting others. I came here for information because of people like Ken and Miatasm who have significant experience in the field, of which I do not.

That being said, my initial question was simply if anyone knew what architecture the box is based off of. When I actually responded to the request for my reasons, I was attacked.

Let me see if I can state this more clearly: I think my boss is crazy. Id est I am NOT trying to be a troll, rain on anyone's HD parade, whatever...
But its going to take more than my opinion to qualify this to him. Also I would rather not be sent to Asia to investigate, especially with what is happening now overseas. I am asking for help and information. It is my understanding that is what the boards are intended for.

Finally to those attacking my boss, do not speak of what or whom you know nothing about.

Originally posted by chrynos
Finally to those attacking my boss, do not speak of what or whom you know nothing about. OK, since you won't tell us who or what your boss is, or why you're making these baseless claims about the 5100 not being "real HD" - then I guess we'll just stick to attacking you personally. You start with some clueless but harmless question about what processor architecture, and then suddenly you're talking about lawsuits.

Every response here has told you that the HD picture on the 5100 is identical to the HD picture on DirecTV or OTA. But that doesn't seem to satisfy you. You haven't got the slightest clue what you're looking for, or looking at. Nor do you have any clue what these forums are for (hint - they're for ACTUAL USERS looking to share ideas & solve problems - not people trolling aimlessly for lawsuit fodder).

And since you mentioned it - we *would* like you to take a nice long trip to Asia...

Originally posted by lovingdvd
[QUOTE]Originally posted by miatasm


Not a sure fire way to do this but. Enter the Box Diagnostics mode (power "off" -- press "select") goto d07 Upstream Modem and check the dbmv number there, if it reads "60" then there may not be any return.

Another way to check it to follow the signal path from the box to the street, and make sure everything in line is able to pass return, The FAQ has a list of potential causes for no return.


miatasm - I just tried this but under the Upstream Modem setting I did not see any reference to a dbmv number? Should something in there be specifically labled as a dbmv number, or are you referring to something else?

Under Upstream Modem all I have are "status, center frequency, requested power level, actual power level, report back addr, and last rb attempt time".

Also in digging around I came across OOB Status - SN 20.8% Goood, AGC 13% GOOD. What do these mean? [/B]


The requested & actual Power Level is what I am talking about. What are the #'s there? If 60 then possible no return, If not 60 then a good likelyhood that return is OK.

FYI

The oob status is status on the carrier we use for the transmission of data to and from the box like programming info, channel guide, advertisments, ect. If these numbers show "good" then no worries. If not I would concern myself with them unless you are having a problem.

The In-band status is actually the status of the channel that you box was tuned to when you accessed the Diag. menu. If its an analog channel it wont display any info. If its a digital channel it will give you S/N & AGC with "good-fair-poor ratings" and it will tell you the Bit Error Rate counts correctable & uncorrectable. If you see micro-blocking on any channels, check these error counts and you will probably see some activity there. These could be caused by the box, splitters, cabling, the cable system itself, ect. make sure fiting are clean & tight, ect, ect, ect.

Originally posted by lovingdvd
I noticed in the 5100's setup menu for sound options there is a setting for compression. You can choose from None, Light, and Full (or something like that). By default it is on Light.

What does this setting actually do and what is the ideal setting for this? Under which conditions are each setting most appropriate?

My natural inclination is to change it to None, since it seems that no compression should result in better quality.

But before doing so I wanted to understand this better, and to make sure that by changing it to none I wouldn't be messing up another setting or causing some other issue / disadvantage without realizing it.

Also within this option is another setting related to TV Vs. Stero - I assume it should be set to Stero. Under Advanced its set up as Stero Matrix. Is that what I want? Thanks!

If you look at the FAQ there is a specific topic dealing with this as well as an attached artical explaining these setting in detail. I think the answer in the FAQ should help you the most though.

Originally posted by lovingdvd
1) Is there any way I can verify that the two-way communication is working and not being blocked by a splitter or something else that I am not aware of?

Just a note- in my installation, two-way communication wasn't working. After about a week, my cable box stopped displaying pictures (sound would go out or images, or both, just had the "one moment" message on the screen).

Removing the filter from the line corrected this problem.

So if you can't get the box to respond to a signal the tech support sends, and your cable goes out in a week or so, the two may be related. You can try unplugging your cable modem and plugging it back in again; that might help.

Also, the other advice you've already received is pretty good. And if all else fails, just do what Miatasm says and you'll be ok ! :)

Not a sure fire way to do this but. Enter the Box Diagnostics mode (power "off" -- press "select") goto d07 Upstream Modem and check the dbmv number there, if it reads "60" then there may not be any return.



Just a clarification, as I understand it. If the box does not respond the power level in the Upstream Modem diagnostics will default to 25. Any other number is an indication that the box has been heard, and at what power level it is transmitting. 60 dbmv is the maximum the box will output.

Hope this helps.

Originally posted by miatasm
If you look at the FAQ there is a specific topic dealing with this as well as an attached artical explaining these setting in detail. I think the answer in the FAQ should help you the most though.

Yes, sorry I missed that - it was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for doing such a great job with the FAQ and helping out so much with all our 5100 questions!

Originally posted by miatasm
The requested & actual Power Level is what I am talking about. What are the #'s there? If 60 then possible no return, If not 60 then a good likelyhood that return is OK.


IIRC both requested and actual were 35 so that's a good sign.


The In-band status is actually the status of the channel that you box was tuned to when you accessed the Diag. menu. If its an analog channel it wont display any info. If its a digital channel it will give you S/N & AGC with "good-fair-poor ratings" and it will tell you the Bit Error Rate counts correctable & uncorrectable. If you see micro-blocking on any channels, check these error counts and you will probably see some activity there. These could be caused by the box, splitters, cabling, the cable system itself, ect. make sure fiting are clean & tight, ect, ect, ect.

So if my S/N and AGC both show up as good, is that a solid indication that all my wiring inside (with some splitters in place) and outside is ok, that my runs aren't too long, and that I'm getting a high quality signal? Or is that just an indication for a particular channel, etc?

Is this the equivilant of DirecTv's signal strength meter, and if not, is there such a thing on the 5100 to tell you how strong the signal is?

By microblocking I assume you mean the digital pixelization I see occassionally. For the most part I don't see any of this. The only time I noticed it was when tuning the low digital channels. For example when I go from 101 - 110 or so using the channel up/down button, the first few seconds that it lands of each channel I get a lot of microblocking, and in some cases the screen actually draws itself in with microblocking - then it always clears up in about 2-3 seconds. This doesn't happen when changing channels > then around 110 or < 100 so I'm not particularly concerned about it.

Actually its the other way around generally if there isn't a response from the box it will default to "60", which is maximum Transmit power. The lowest trasmit power realistically would be "25".

Eventually the box may shut down (no picture, no sound) if the non-response problem isn't fixed.

I don't know what the Sat. receivers have as far as an indication of what the signal is. But the only way to tell what the actual level of the signal coming to the box is to use a Signal Level Meter capable of reading a digital cable signal (QAM). But with the indicators you gave me I can honestly guess that your signal is OK. Because of the nature of digital signals the better way to indicate a problem is with S/N Ratios, Bit Error Rates & Modulation Error Rates. Which the 5100 can tell you.

The microblocking you see when changing channels is normal. It seems to me that your box is working perfectly fine. Just enjoy it. Looks like no more love affair with DVD's.... :D ;)

Originally posted by miatasm
Looks like no more love affair with DVD's.... :D ;)

Yep - at this rate I may have to change my handle to lovingdvdDTC5100. Seriously, so far I am very impressed with the DTC5100 and quality of the digital feed from Comcast. I had doughts and considered DirecTv for a long time.

My reservations have been lifted somewhat after seeing just how "watchable" digital cable is on my front pj and that is with a weak scaler (I'll reserve final judgement until I can view HD content).

Previously analog cable was not really watchable so this is a big change for the better - and this is before my new HD compatible equipment arrives - that should be a real treat.

miatasm - recently we exchanged some posts here with regards to Dolby Surround sound and your thoughts that there may be some things that need to be worked out on the 5100.

Tonight I came across a digital channel that was broadcasting 3/1. Previously all I could fine was 2/0 and 3/2. Anyway 3/1 seemed to be Dolby Surround sound.

So it seems as though it may not be an issue with the 5100 as much as stations using 2/0 instead of 3/1.

The digital 2/0 sound is far and above the analog sound I'm used to receiving. However it is a bit disappointing that using digital sound means no dolby surround sound for almost all digital stations, except those transmitting 3/2.

Is picking up dolby surround sound just a matter of stations sending the appropriate 3/1 signal instead of 2/0? If so why would they not be doing this?

Anyone know if the default black level used by the 5100 is Light (7.5 IRE) or Dark (0 IRE)?

Is this switchable and if so how? Thanks.

There is no confirmation on this but some users tend to think that the HD programming is 0 IRE & the regular programming is 7.5 IRE. It is not switchable.....and it is not definate (hasn't been confirmed by Motorola). This MAY be apart of future updates, but it isn't definate.

I"m one of those believing this. My Toshiba TV has a selection for DTV vs DVD which seems to adjust this. And material captured with any PCHD card I've used (not on cable) always seems to be slightly darker than the same DVD material. All this makes me thing it is the subtle difference in color space and that the 5100 should switch out of full luma range for NTSC material, or vice versa.

- Tom

Over the past several days, I've noticed 4 faint, thin, straight vertical lines running from the top to the bottom of the screen. This only happens when I watch any analog channel (0-99) though the component input (DTV) on my Mitsu. When I bypass the 5100 and use the TV tuner, the lines are not there. The digital channels and the HiDef channels are OK.
The lines are spaced equadistant from the left to right side of the screen.
They are most noticable when the program fades to a commercial or when the screen goes to black but now that I know they are there, I see them all the time.
Anyone have this same experience??

Thanks, Jules

I've only had my 5100 for a few days but have noticed some weird lock ups.

Last night when switching between two different HD channels the box stopped responding to all buttons on the remote and on the 5100 itself. Even the Power button on the unit did not turn it off. After a few minutes it unlocked itself and was fine. Then about 30 minutes it did the same thing again. I have a friend in the neighborhood who was here when it happened and he said his does the same thing on occassion.

Any ideas what causes this?

I have calibrated my DVD player using Avia and Video Essentials. I'd like to do the same to calibrate HD playing through the 5100.

Do any of the HD channels ever put up some basic test patterns like a pluge? I really just want something to let me calibrate contrast and brightness via a pattern instead of by eye.

Is there any way to get test patterns when viewing through the 5100? I know there are instruments that can generate HD test patters but in those cases I don't think the 5100 is involved in the output and therefore I wouldn't be calibrating to the 5100.

When watching HDNet at a friends I noticed that sometimes before they come on the air they put up a test pattern for a minute or so. Its quite brief but better than nothing at all. Anything like this even put up on Comcast digital?

When CSN first went on-air they had Color Bars up for a couple of hours at a time. But I haven't seen them since. I hope soon the Comcast will be activating the video inputs on the box, which I am told will upconvert the video input(yellow) to the component output which will allow you to connect the output of your DVD player to the input of the box, which will allow for calibration of the boxes' output. But, there is no definate work on if & when these will be activated.

Why does my 5100 lock up at times
I've been away for a week and don't remember when it started. My 5100 was locking up before I left and has been doing it since I returned. At first I tried to fool with it to try to get it to respond, then I noticed that it would start responding on its own after a several moments. It appears to stack commands because if I press the channel button several times thinking I wasn't aiming the remote well, it will jump several channels when it finally starts to respond. We are only on firmware 2.40 here in Seattle and it didn't start these lock ups for several weeks after the upgrade.
Anyone have any ideas...

My 5100 occasionally does this, but its very rare, maybe once a month. It seems to be a minor glitch in the software, I just think of it as a computer, and we all know how often they lock up.

Originally posted by artpease
I've been away for a week and don't remember when it started. My 5100 was locking up before I left and has been doing it since I returned. At first I tried to fool with it to try to get it to respond, then I noticed that it would start responding on its own after a several moments. It appears to stack commands because if I press the channel button several times thinking I wasn't aiming the remote well, it will jump several channels when it finally starts to respond. We are only on firmware 2.40 here in Seattle and it didn't start these lock ups for several weeks after the upgrade.
Anyone have any ideas...

Yes artpease - this is exactly what I experience as well. I've only had the 5100 for a few days but I've seen this happen a few times. Hopefully its something Motorola is aware of and is working on fixing. Its particularly strange how it doesn't even respond to the power button.

This started happening to me last week, too. I don't remember it happening prior to that. At least once a night now, when I hit a channel change button (channel up/down, or Favorites) several times in a row - the 5100 will lock up for a couple minutes. It will respond to nothing. After 2-3 minutes, it starts responding again, first executing any commands that were queued up. Quite annoying.

Vertical lines- yep- I have one- at the right edge of any picture, be it analog or digital, 4:3 or widescreen.

Yeah- my box locks up occasionally too- more like it slows down, and after a minute or two it comes back to normal.

One thing I find really odd about the box is that it does much better with input from my Onkyo learning remote. Input from the 5100 remote lags, but with the Onkyo it's instantaneous- the way it should be.

Originally posted by lcaamano
Interesting. 0476 on a replaytv did not work for me. It would get three digits for every digit replay was sending, e.g., for 132, you'd see 111, then 333, then a little delay, then a single 2, and then it would ignore it all.

When I changed to code 0276, it started working fine. I was puzzled because everybody have been talking about 0476 and the one for all they gave me is also using 0476.

Perhaps it has something to do with auto-tune.

I've looked at the 5100 faq, the pdf manual and searched this forum, but I can't find any reference to an "auto-tune" function in the 5100. Would someone please tell me how this option is set??

Auto-Tune allows you to just press the channel number that you wish to go to, without typing 3 digits or pressing "select/ok". For example press the number "6" about 3 sec. later the 5100 will tune to channel 6.

It is activated by entering the Main Menu --> arrow to Guide & "Select" --> arrow to Auto-Tune right arrow to "yes"

Maybe somebody can tell me if the problem is the 5100--
When watching CSN-HD Sixers, the fast moving images are tiled or pixelated, I always thought is was a CSN problem until yesterday I saw a sports promo on PBS-HD, and I saw the same tiling effect on a girl flying by the screen for a layup.!
So now I'm thinking it's the box sending 1080i material, cause my DTC100 never had tiling with the Laker game on 198 HDNET.
PS--I have a Sampo 480p monitor, but don't think that's the problem as HDNET's 1080i never had a problem--the only difference is HDNET was throught RGB connector and the Moto5100 is through components.
Also, I have the 5100 set to 1080i output, and I'm confident the DCT100 was outputing the same.???
Any suggestions guys would be appreciated!

Any idea when we'll se ESPN-HD.

Apparently it had it's inaugeral broadcast last night.

I wish they would do something with the "Reminder" feature. It would be nice if they implemented e-mail reminders, or at least allow larger increments on the reminders. 30mins, 1hr and 2hr and 24hr would be good.

The fact that video quality from the 5100 S-Video terminal is superior to component has been discussed. But I was told recently that composite is superior to S-Video (assuming a good comb filter in the projector / TV). Before I go out and get a long composite cable to replace my S-Video cable, I was wondering if anyone has done this comparison.

Originally posted by Plasma George
Maybe somebody can tell me if the problem is the 5100--
When watching CSN-HD Sixers, the fast moving images are tiled or pixelated, I always thought is was a CSN problem until yesterday I saw a sports promo on PBS-HD, and I saw the same tiling effect on a girl flying by the screen for a layup.!
So now I'm thinking it's the box sending 1080i material, cause my DTC100 never had tiling with the Laker game on 198 HDNET.
PS--I have a Sampo 480p monitor, but don't think that's the problem as HDNET's 1080i never had a problem--the only difference is HDNET was throught RGB connector and the Moto5100 is through components.
Also, I have the 5100 set to 1080i output, and I'm confident the DCT100 was outputing the same.???
Any suggestions guys would be appreciated!

George - I noticed the same thing last night while watching PBS. If there is a fast pan or fast momement the image seems to briefly turn into a bunch of little squares. Interestingly I didn't see any of that when watching the last NCAA basketball game in HD that that has a lot of moment in it of course.

My pet peeve with the box is the red idiot light indicating comcast has a commercial message waiting for me, usually a $39.00 pay for view fight. Any way to disable it via the menu? Now if it lit up only when they add HD channels!

Originally posted by Ole Anderson
My pet peeve with the box is the red idiot light indicating comcast has a commercial message waiting for me, usually a $39.00 pay for view fight. Any way to disable it via the menu? Now if it lit up only when they add HD channels!

I remember seeing an option in the menu to disable messages. Can't recall where I saw it but its easy enough to find in the setup section. I'm guess that would prevent the light from coming on but don't know for sure.

Originally posted by Ole Anderson
My pet peeve with the box is the red idiot light indicating comcast has a commercial message waiting for me, usually a $39.00 pay for view fight. Any way to disable it via the menu? Now if it lit up only when they add HD channels!

I have had the message option disabled since I received the DCT 5100. I believe it stops some of the messages but it doesnt stop em all at least here it doesn't . Prolly about once every two weeks I see that little red message light. However I don't get any messages on my DCT 2000 with it disabled. Comcast prolly thinks that since I am only spending a dollar on the 5100 whats a little Spam gonna matter...;)

My box was fine until I read the last page of this thread today. Came home and it's slow to the point where I have to turn it off. What gives?

Bill

It's something of a relief that it's not just me, Bill. My box here in Montgomery County (Norristown area) is also deathly slow. I turned it on to watch the Flyers in HD and while channel 172 comes on, it's quite obviously the NTSC broadcast stretched to fill the screen.

Anybody else seeing this?

Originally posted by Ole Anderson
My pet peeve with the box is the red idiot light indicating comcast has a commercial message waiting for me, usually a $39.00 pay for view fight. Any way to disable it via the menu? Now if it lit up only when they add HD channels!
Actually, the only message that I can remember receiving in the last month was indeed announcing adding HD content, and I actually saved it. They were announcing they were going to send the Masters in HD on chan 194 in April.

Does anyone know why, if I live in Cherry Hill, NJ, I am not getting the moto 5100. Instead I am getting, so I'm told by the comcast people, a scientific atlanta 3500. Is this a bad thing? Why wouldn't they have, through the entire state of NJ, or the Delaware Valley for that matter, one stb?

Originally posted by stevenb23
Does anyone know why, if I live in Cherry Hill, NJ, I am not getting the moto 5100. Instead I am getting, so I'm told by the comcast people, a scientific atlanta 3500. Is this a bad thing? Why wouldn't they have, through the entire state of NJ, or the Delaware Valley for that matter, one stb? Comcast uses more than one type of HDTV STB. See the HDTV STB Synopsis for details.

komoman,

Unplug your box from the outlet for a couple of minutes, then plug it back in. The channels should change normally, just give the guide 15-20 minutes to get back up to speed. Worked for me last night!

Cheers!
Bill

Hi all, I just recently had Comcast come and install the Motorola 5100 HD cable box. I'm rather dissapointed with the quality of the image when connected to my NEC LT150 with component cables.

The problem is that there are these lines (looks like analog noise or something) that scan slowly up the image. This occurs on both analog and digital channels, and is particulary viewable on dark images.

So I have this beautiful HiDef picture with very ugly lines moving up the image. Ack! Output from my MyHD card is simply stunning, I was expecting the same from the cable box.

I'm currently using a high quality Canare VGA->3 RCA component breakout cable. Those are connected (via gold RCA->RCA barrel connectors from Radio Shack) to homemade RG6 quad-shield component cables. I used the gold RCA crimp-on connectors from Parts Express. The coax cable has a solid copper core.

I did try changing the output resolutions of the cable box to no avail. What I need to try next is connecting the breakout cable directly to the cable box (difficult to do thus far since the projector isn't near the cable box).

Has anyone else seen problems like this? Is it likely my interconnects, or the cable box? Any ideas on a remedy?

Originally posted by Ryan0751
Hi all, I just recently had Comcast come and install the Motorola 5100 HD cable box. I'm rather dissapointed with the quality of the image when connected to my NEC LT150 with component cables.

The problem is that there are these lines (looks like analog noise or something) that scan slowly up the image. This occurs on both analog and digital channels, and is particulary viewable on dark images.

So I have this beautiful HiDef picture with very ugly lines moving up the image. Ack! Output from my MyHD card is simply stunning, I was expecting the same from the cable box.

I'm currently using a high quality Canare VGA->3 RCA component breakout cable. Those are connected (via gold RCA->RCA barrel connectors from Radio Shack) to homemade RG6 quad-shield component cables. I used the gold RCA crimp-on connectors from Parts Express. The coax cable has a solid copper core.

I did try changing the output resolutions of the cable box to no avail. What I need to try next is connecting the breakout cable directly to the cable box (difficult to do thus far since the projector isn't near the cable box).

Has anyone else seen problems like this? Is it likely my interconnects, or the cable box? Any ideas on a remedy?

It sounds like you have a problem with a ground loop. Search the AVS Forums for "ground loop" to learn all about it. Typically you can see this if your projector is plugged into a different outlet then your cable box.

As a quick test you may want to try running a long extenstion cord from the outlet where the 5100 is plugged into over to your projector and temporairly plug your pj into the extension cord. If it goes away then its definitely a ground loop issue. I am quite confident that is what you are experiencing. A search through the forums will reveal various solutions to that problem.

Hmm, good suggestion. I read that perhaps the cable coming into my house might not be grounded properly, and that could cause this problem as well. I don't recall seeing a grounding block where the cable enters the building...

Ryan0751

Sounds like a humbar. This could be on the cable feed itself or it can be caused by an electrical appliance in your home.

I actually fixed it! It was the cable coming into the house. Once I fed it through a grounding block the lines stopped. I also noticed that there was a "hum" in the audio that went away once I did this. I don't think the cable company had grounded it at all.

I just got mine 2 days ago,how can I check this upgrade?The also brought component cable,looks cheap,but picture looks good.

Thanks

Originally posted by bizuca
I just got mine 2 days ago,how can I check this upgrade? Read the 5100 FAQ by AVS member 'miatasm', look back a page or two for his most recent post.

Excerpted from Multichannel News:

Gemstar-TV Guide said it has completed development and testing of TV Guide’s video-on-demand guide on the Motorola DCT-5100 set-top box. Trial deployments with Comcast Corp. and Charter Communications Inc. are under way. A digital-video-recorder version of its guide is also running on the DCT-5200.

Originally posted by Ken H
Excerpted from Multichannel News:
Gemstar-TV Guide said it has completed development and testing of TV Guide’s video-on-demand guide on the Motorola DCT-5100 set-top box. Trial deployments with Comcast Corp. and Charter Communications Inc. are under way. A digital-video-recorder version of its guide is also running on the DCT-5200.

Gak. Does anyone really want a PVR /w the gemstar guide? It will be slow. It will be full of spam.

I'm surprised these guys are chasing the VOD spectre again. These boxes only do MPEG2. To serve a major deployment with true MPEG2 VOD services would require tons of bandwidth. I cannot imagine getting a picture anyone on this forum would consider acceptable.

Any new word on enabling the DVI output of Comcast's 5100 box?

Originally posted by Tim Wiens
The fact that video quality from the 5100 S-Video terminal is superior to component has been discussed. But I was told recently that composite is superior to S-Video (assuming a good comb filter in the projector / TV). Before I go out and get a long composite cable to replace my S-Video cable, I was wondering if anyone has done this comparison.
Using the comb filter in the TV (assuming it's a very good one) instead of say in a receiver or an older LD player or for analog video channels (via a digital settop box) makes sense. For digital channels (HD or not), the svideo connection should be better unless there's a major screwup. The reason is that the color in inherently separated on a digital channel, so there's less loss due to combining and then uncombining. For analog channels, using an svideo connection from a settop box means that you're using the comb filter in the box, which may not be as good as the one in the high-end TV.

If you want the best possible quality on analog channels and have a good comb filter on the TV (common on HD units), hook up composite from the cable box as well as svideo, and switch as needed depending on what type of channel you're watching. A lot of pain for relatively little gain, unless the comb filter in the settop has problems.

Thanks Randell. Sounds like it is worth trying then. Of course having three cables connecting the DCT5100 to my projector (not to mention DVD) seems like a lot, but at least a single run of composite video cable shouldn't be too expensive. If I could use component for SD and HD that would help. I hope Motorola succeeds in improving the quality of component on SD.

Originally posted by CKarras
Any new word on enabling the DVI output of Comcast's 5100 box? It will happen, but there seem to be no rush at this tme.

The soonest I have heard was end of this month, hopefully.

I've checked the faq and couldn't find this answer. I want to use my Sony xbr36800 remote instead of the "all for one" that came with the 5100.

Does anybody have the 5100 code?

Thanks,

Originally posted by miatasm
The soonest I have heard was end of this month, hopefully.

That would be great for sure. I hope that Motorola and Comcast realize that there are customers out their with DVI capable set ups anxiously waiting for DVI support.

Originally posted by 98Vol
I've checked the faq and couldn't find this answer. I want to use my Sony xbr36800 remote instead of the "all for one" that came with the 5100.

Does anybody have the 5100 code?

Thanks,


Try 0276 or 0476....Look in your remotes code list for Motorola or General Instrument cable box.

I can't find a Pronto ccf for the 5100 on remote central. Anybody got one?

Brian

Originally posted by bmel
I can't find a Pronto ccf for the 5100 on remote central. Anybody got one? The 5100 IR codes seem to be the same as the DCT-2000. I downloaded a DCT2000 ccf from remotecentral.com, and it worked fine with my 5100.

Originally posted by miatasm
The soonest I have heard was end of this month, hopefully.

Question for you AV hotshots...

Will the DVI interface provide the optimal connection between STB and TV? Better than component cables?

I have a Tosh 50HDX82 (it has a DVI input port). My 5100 (Comcast) is currently connected to my Tosh via component cables. When the 5100's DVI output goes live, should I remove the component cable connection in favor of a DVI connection?

Will both analog and digital signals be transmitted via the DVI?

Help out a newbie please!

Originally posted by miatasm
Try 0276 or 0476....Look in your remotes code list for Motorola or General Instrument cable box.

Neither of those worked. Neither Motorola or General Instruments are listed in the codes list of the Sony manual.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

Originally posted by 98Vol
Neither of those worked. Neither Motorola or General Instruments are listed in the codes list of the Sony manual.

Any other ideas?

Thanks


GI is in the book. (Under Jerrold/GI). Try code 201. That worked for me. I have a 34xbr800. I cannot pull up the program guide, but I can change the channels and turn it on and off.

http://ayuda.sel.sony.com/documents/tv/KVXXXBR800.pdf

Originally posted by dfedders
GI is in the book. (Under Jerrold/GI). Try code 201. That worked for me. I have a 34xbr800. I cannot pull up the program guide, but I can change the channels and turn it on and off.

http://ayuda.sel.sony.com/documents/tv/KVXXXBR800.pdf

201 got it. Thanks a bunch!

I just received the 5100 today from Comcast in Oak Park, IL (outside Chicago). I was the first guy this installer had set up, so I did more of it myself. Not a problem... they had only given him a 10 minute class on hooking it up.

I am getting sound through the S/PDIF on all channels except HBO and the HD channels. For those channels I have to switch to the RCA inputs. I'd really like to get Dolby Digital out of this thing. Has anyone else experienced a similar problem?

TIA!

Originally posted by freat
I just received the 5100 today from Comcast in Oak Park, IL (outside Chicago). I was the first guy this installer had set up, so I did more of it myself. Not a problem... they had only given him a 10 minute class on hooking it up.

I am getting sound through the S/PDIF on all channels except HBO and the HD channels. For those channels I have to switch to the RCA inputs. I'd really like to get Dolby Digital out of this thing. Has anyone else experienced a similar problem?

TIA!

I assume you are referring to the optical output. I have it set up this way and it picks up sounds in various formats (dolby digital, 2/0, 3/0 etc) on all channels.

So what are my options here on a subscription...without reading 60 pages of posts.
I want HD but do not want Digital Cable. Does anyone have this setup? I was told to get HD sports (Phillies, Flyers, etc) in HD I would need to have Digital Cable.

freat,
I am still unable to get audio out of the digital output on any of the digital or premium channels. Analog stations work fine. I have narrowed the problem to some incompatibility between the 5100 and my Denon 3200 receiver. No problem with a new sony receiver. No help from comcast or denon tech support.
Brian

Joe_R,

As I'm sure you're aware, Comcast has different "tiers" of service. HD is the highest and requires that you have the Digital Cable package. It's one of those things a monopoly gets away with.

Bill

Originally posted by Bill_B4
Joe_R,

As I'm sure you're aware, Comcast has different "tiers" of service. HD is the highest and requires that you have the Digital Cable package. It's one of those things a monopoly gets away with.

Bill

That's what I was afraid of. Thanks. Damned them

I have a Mitsubishi 65869 which has a built-in HD tuner. I can take the raw cable, without going through any box, into my DTV antenna input and tune the non-scrambled HD signals. (NBC, ABC, PBS). I only tried this once right after the channels appeard on the cable guide and before the boxes were available here. The channel number I had to tune was not the same as the channel indicated in the guide. However, my point is that the digital stream is there on the cable regardless of what plan you are on.

Originally posted by Bill_B4
Joe_R,

As I'm sure you're aware, Comcast has different "tiers" of service. HD is the highest and requires that you have the Digital Cable package.This is wrong. For local HDTV, Comcast does not require you have the digital tier. In Detroit, for less than $17 a month, you get the 5100, basic local channels and the 3 local HDTV channels they carry.

If you want premium HDTV, like Showtime or HBO, then yes, you will have to subscribe to the digital tier.

Originally posted by Joe_R
So what are my options here on a subscription...without reading 60 pages of posts.
I want HD but do not want Digital Cable. Does anyone have this setup? I was told to get HD sports (Phillies, Flyers, etc) in HD I would need to have Digital Cable. Yes, if you want Comcast Sports Net in HDTV, you'll need the digital tier.

Originally posted by Ken H
Yes, if you want Comcast Sports Net in HDTV, you'll need the digital tier.

Are you 100% sure Ken???

I was told, and currently have, just the 5100 box at a monthly rental charge of $6.35, plus the basic service I already had at $10/month. I did not subscribe to the Digital cable service, I just signed up for the box to get the HD channels, like I said at $6.35/month box rental. The only channels this didn't include are HBO and SHO. I get NBC-HD, CBS-HD, PBS-HD, and CSN-HD.

Hi Dave,

Unless it is different in the Elizabethtown area (and I don't think it is), than the Philly area, Digital + is required for CSN-HD.

David

Originally posted by DHarp193
Are you 100% sure Ken???

I was told, and currently have, just the 5100 box at a monthly rental charge of $6.35, plus the basic service I already had at $10/month. I did not subscribe to the Digital cable service, I just signed up for the box to get the HD channels, like I said at $6.35/month box rental. The only channels this didn't include are HBO and SHO. I get NBC-HD, CBS-HD, PBS-HD, and CSN-HD.

If you want premium HDTV, like Showtime or HBO, then yes, you will have to subscribe to the digital tier.Not here in the Boston area you don't.

Ken, I'm pretty sure that Comcast can't do this since the 1992 Cable Act went into effect last October. They might say you do, or try to sell you on "Digital" but they can't require you to pay for "Digital" to receive premium channels anymore. Since they're offering the HD box seperately, they have to let you take HBO and SHO "a la carte'".

So here's the monthly rundown for me:

5100 Rental- $7.95
Remote- $.89
Basic Cable- $6.35
HBO- $13.95
SHO- $12.95
Internet- $42.95

That's it (add on various BS access fees and taxes).

So for what I pay for I get all 90+ analog extended basic cable channels, all HBO and SHO HD and digital channels (like 13 or so, and Flix)and all Music Choice. Not a bad deal, certainly better than even the basic digital package.

I just hope this lasts- if they start requiring you to have "tier" packages I'd seriously consider changing my service. I'm not going to pay $40 on top of what I'm paying just to get a few more HD channels, especially if they're commercial ones. I'm fairly confident the premium HD channels will always be available seperately.

Originally posted by Joe_R
So what are my options here on a subscription...without reading 60 pages of posts.
I want HD but do not want Digital Cable. Does anyone have this setup? I was told to get HD sports (Phillies, Flyers, etc) in HD I would need to have Digital Cable.

comcast pricing (http://mywebpages.comcast.net/comcast_mo_co/Index.html/Products-1.htm) The tiers of service should be the same but the prices may vary.

Originally posted by juris98
Question for you AV hotshots...

Will the DVI interface provide the optimal connection between STB and TV? Better than component cables?

I have a Tosh 50HDX82 (it has a DVI input port). My 5100 (Comcast) is currently connected to my Tosh via component cables. When the 5100's DVI output goes live, should I remove the component cable connection in favor of a DVI connection?

Will both analog and digital signals be transmitted via the DVI?

Help out a newbie please!

Can't someone throw me a quick answer? So I don't know anything about DVI....there, I said it. Please help me emerge from this blanket of ignorance! Don't keep me in the dark!

Being that nobody has a box with the DVI port activated it's hard to give an answer.

Originally posted by juris98
Can't someone throw me a quick answer? So I don't know anything about DVI....there, I said it. Please help me emerge from this blanket of ignorance! Don't keep me in the dark!

I couldn't tell you whether analog and digital stations will be transmitted via DVI but can answer your question about DVI in general.

In theory, DVI will provide a much truer representation of the image particulary related to color reproduction. This is because with component cables, the signal is converted from digital to analog by the set top box. Then sent down the wire. Then your TV much convert this from analog back to digital. In the process there is some loss of accuracy in the color since it is not a lossless conversion process.

With DVI the signal remains all digital from the transmission all the way to your TV with no conversion to analog. This is why DVI has great promise. So yes, you should expect to get the best quality from the DVI connection, but just when the box will output via DVI is uncertain. Rumor is possible late spring or summer. Let's hope.

This is one area where DirecTv and DISH have the upper hand, as many of the popular STB for satellite provide DVI outputs...

Has anyone had their HDTV set/projector calibrated in conjunction with the signal from the DTC5100?

An ISF tech can generate test signals via HDTV signal generator, but that really wouldn't account for any color shift or other changes possibly introduced by the DTC5100 (as would typically be introduced by any STB).

Also is anyone aware of any HDTV test patterns being displayed on Comcast Digital? I'd really like to see a grayscale and pluge pattern on an HD channel. Maybe we could ask one of the local stations to put up some test patterns as they go off the air?

Originally posted by DHarp193
Are you 100% sure Ken??? No, but this is what I was told. If you are getting CSN HD without the digital tier, it must be so. I think this is great news.

Originally posted by DaveFi
Not here in the Boston area you don't. After checking again, this is the case is the Detroit area also. Thanks for bringing this to our attention, and sorry for the confusion.

FYI..I was told by the reps that I could get HD locals with just basic service. But to get the sports (Phillies, Sixers, Flyers etc) I'd have to subscribe to the digital tier.

Is it possible to buy the box or do you have to rent it from comcast?

For now, it needs to be rented.

It's going to be interesting when unique HD channels come around, because they don't fit into any of the current pricing schemes. I don't want "digital" of any kind.

As far as owning your own box goes, by law you're allowed, but they don't have to let you use it. Towards the end of this year there will be TVs with addressable QAM tuners (encrypted) so I imagine there will be HD-PVRs that can handle encrypted channels as well.

The 5200 is a 5100 with a harddrive.

Not to be a smart-alec or anything but HD is, by defintion, a digitally transmitted product.

I think it will very difficult for Comcast to differentiate this feature exclusively from other digital offerings.

Originally posted by rehmbo
I think it will very difficult for Comcast to differentiate this feature exclusively from other digital offerings. They are already working on doing it, but of course it's an uphill battle. A recent survey shows 42% of adults reported that they did not know the difference between digital television and HDTV, while 15% responded they are the same thing. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=2095274

Another survey found 20% of all digital cable subscribers mistakenly thought they had HDTV, when all they were watching was good old digital cable.

For years, many cableco's were telling customers (and anyone else who would listen) that digital cable was the same as HDTV. Now it's time to pay the piper. Fortunately the rest of the world is getting the real message from other sources.

Had HDTV STB installed today and, after educatng the subcontractor (who knew nothing, bless his heart) on what digital audio and compenent video means, I must admit I am spectacularly UNIMPRESSED. I am barely halfway through this 1200-post thread, so I won't presume to ask any technical questions, but I will say that, with Comcast cable in Nashville and only five channels to choose from, I do not see a significant difference (Sammy HLM437W, 5100 set to 720P output through component outs, 420P override for analog)

A significant difference than what? What are you UNIMPRESSED with? PQ? Sound? There is no magic to doing HD, its digital, its either all good or nothing. Every cable system is only carrying 5 or so channels (6 in Philly region with CSN). You guys out there in Nashville are extra lucky because you get CBS. But I don't understand how this is a negative considering the Dishes (Direct & DN) only carry 5 channels also.

So this means in the Philly region Comcast actually has more HD channels than any other HD provider. Now if you want to complain about the amount of HD programming thats on those channels thats another story. But Comcast can't be blamed for lack of HD programming only the broadcasters can.

AFA, being unimpressed, I'm assuming PQ, Are you sure you are watching your HD video input, there have been many that thought they were unimpressed but they were just watching the HD channels on their RF output (ch4).

Originally posted by Ken H
No, but this is what I was told. If you are getting CSN HD without the digital tier, it must be so. I think this is great news.

Thanks for replying Ken:).

I found this info from Dale Cripps' HDTV Magazine from March 30th that I finally got a chance to read after being deployed "over there" for the last 7 weeks or so. It concerns this very topic and states that cable co's aren't allowed to require an upgrade to digital to get premiums and HDTV.

Happy reading, and I hope I didn't break any copyright laws (Dale???, If so, moderators please delete said quote):

"About High cost of Cable...

Dale-

With the question about receiving HDTV via "a-la-cart" (Page2, March 27, it is not a very well known fact that (by law) cable companies can't force subscribers into higher-priced tiers to receive premium services. This law went into effect in October 2002. This obviously is something that the cable companies don't want people to know about. It may be that the cable companies aren't complying (and the operators that work the phones probably aren't aware of this). This is something that you should make sure your readers know about.

The cable companies now must enable premium subscription channels (e.g. HBO, Showtime, Pay-per view, etc.) to be purchased without subscribing to any particular "upgrade" package. You need only to subscribe to the minimum basic package. You no longer have to subscribe to a full standard and digital cable packages to get the premium stuff.

This may also be one reason why cable companies have not yet started offering premium HDTV packages, as this would clearly mean that it is not required to purchase any other higher priced tiers to receive the HDTV channels.

I have not called my cable company yet (but I will very soon), but I am currently a DirecTV subscriber and plan on getting HD "a-la-cart" via cable once they start offering more HD channels. Here is an example of how this would work:

I pay Comcast for their basic package (consisting primarily of local channels): $14 per month I pay for rental of the HD set-top box: $6 per month (which by the end of 2003 has to have digital firewire/1394 interface to enable home recording/timeshifting) That's a total of $20 - with this I get local HD channels and Comcast SportsNet HD (and probably ESPN HD when they start carrying it). Plus I have the capability to order HD Video On Demand (VOD) movies. Add HBO package (includes HBO HD): $13 Add Showtime package (includes SHO HD ): $10 That's a total of $43. But I am a Comcast internet subscriber, so I get a savings of $15 off my bill to bring the total cost of cable HDTV to $28.

It's not necessary to pay $90 per month for full digital cable service. I agree that people should have to pay a reasonable premium for HD content, but the cable companies have not yet come up with a viable business model for offering premium HDTV services. In my example, I can pay $28 for cable HDTV, versus the $90+ package for everything. To me, a $62 surcharge for HDTV service is unreasonable and impractical.

Here are some links that I found that describe this little known secret:

http://www.nbc4.com/consumer/1986093/detail.html

http://www.madison.com/captimes/business/stories/39238.php

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/nov2002/tc2002116_0167.htm

http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/living/howard/2002/120502.html

Thanks,

Kenny

Dale,

The following is parsed from issue 47 of The Perfect Vision magazine. I am about to personally test it with Time Warner here in Bradenton, FL, on a new house we are closing on, the end of April. It is part of an overall article on HDTV programming and reception, and this particular portion deals with reception of digital HD on cable.

Quote:

The best news of all is that the FCC requires these local digital channels to be part of "basic service," offered by the cable company (and the only one that's regulated by law), though it doesn't mandate that signals be sent out unencrypted. So if all you want to see is every local digital broadcast channel offered by your cable company today, you can receive them at the cost of "basic service" and an HD-box rental.

......What the cable companies' salespeople don't always tell you is that you don't need to order the expensive "digital packages" to get premium HD channels. A law called the 1992 Cable Act has a provision in it that took effect last October. Called the "buy through" provision, it basically says that if you have "basic service" you cannot be required to get a higher tier of service such as a system's "Digital 120 Channel Package," just to receive a premium HD channel such as HBO-HD. For families that want all the premium channels offered, this wouldn't make much of a difference, but for the customer who just wants the local-broadcast digital channels and some HD premium channels (like HBO-HD) {or ESPN-HD, my insertion}, this law can save you hundreds of dollars a year. If the customer-service person says you must get a digital tier of service to get HDTV, insist on speaking to a supervisor. Don't let the cable company make you take a tier of programming you don't need or want just to get the "good HD stuff." Remember, this law only affects households that subscribe to the "basic" tier of service; subscribe to a higher programming tier and anything goes.
End quote.

Ken

Dale,

George Ballinger's letter concerning his high subscription price for HD cable reception is not an uncommon problem. There are many new HDTV owners that want to maximize their HDTV reception over cable without having to pay for additional unwanted, costly, standard definition channels.

In my capacity as the editor and publisher of the HDTV Insider Newsletter (the consumer electronics industry's trade publication dedicated to HDTV) I recognized the urgent need for an authoritative source of concise, unbiased information about HDTV cable availability and pricing.

I have written the first and only comprehensive national "Guide to HDTV Cable." I am pleased to announce the consumer version will debut in the June 2003 issue of Sound and Vision magazine, the nation's largest circulation home theater publication. It will be on newsstands in mid-May. A larger "trade version" is available to HDTV retailers and manufacturers.

The "consumer" version of the guide lists over 120 major market areas where HDTV cable is available along with a breakdown of system, local broadcaster's network affiliations, as well as which premium HDTV channels are offered .

A key feature is the inclusion of the "Lowest Cost for HDTV Cable" column, broken down market-by-market . Yesterday, I quickly checked the guide and confirmed that Mr. Ballinger need not pay the $110 a month he stated to receive local HDTV cable signals and cable modem service!

With my "Guide to HDTV Cable." consumers will be armed with the facts on HD cable pricing. Cable customer service representatives (CSRs) may sometimes provide incorrect information and tell potential subscribers that a higher tier of service than necessary is required to receive HDTV programming. When I called Comcast NJ customer service today, the representative initially told me that the minimum cost for a local HD subscription tier was $48 + $5.50 for the set top box, for a total of $53.50 per month. I insisted that he was incorrect (based on the data in my guide). The CSR re-checked with his supervisor and confirmed that the minimum price for the local broadcast tier that includes HD local broadcast content was really just $18.39 per month, including the price of the HD set-top-box rental (for the area in NJ I was checking).

I also took the liberty to call a Comcast executive about Mr.Balliger's complaint. I was assured that Comcast will soon contact Mr. Ballinger about his HDTV subscription and inform him of other lower cost high definition tiers that may better suit his needs.

Regards,

Gary Merson"

Ooooopppps...now I just read a retraction from Gary Merson on his comments previously in a later version of Dale's "Page 2" of HDTV Magazine:

"Follow-up on Gary Merson's cable tier pricing article in today's Page2.

Dale,

"The best news of all is that the FCC requires these local digital channels
to be part of "basic service," offered by the cable company (and the only
one that's regulated by law), though it doesn't mandate that signals be sent
out unencrypted. So if all you want to see is every local digital broadcast
channel offered by your cable company today, you can receive them at the
cost of "basic service" and an HD-box rental."

I regret to inform you and our readers that the above portion of the article
is incorrect. I called the FCC media bureau after writing the above and was
told by another FCC official that that there is no rule currently in place
for the HD locals as it applies to cable. I was given incorrect information
by the first FCC media person that I had dealt with and used the same
inaccurate information when I prepared the article.

In addition, I was told by FCC official number-two that the HDTV local
stations on cable issue is being studied and a ruling is expected, though as
these things go, it may or may not happen in 2003.

I apologize for the error and any inconvenience it may have caused our
readers. HDTV is a very complex matter and even FCC officials can make
mistakes. .

May I add that many cable systems are providing HD locals within the "basic
tier" of service.

Regards,
Gary Merson"

Sorry or the confusion:(!!! I don't know how this effects CSN-HD though, as it's not really an HD local, is it? I think it's a premium service myself.

Since Comcast themselves seems to differentiate between HD and "digital" I meant it in that context. I know it's all digital- I assume people here know the difference. Frankly Comcast's straight "digital" service sucks for the most part. Cartoon Network was digital for a while, and the jaggies were just sad. They switched it back to analog.

Yes, there are no "must carry" rules pertaining to local HD and Cable, but there are for Premium channels in general- so it seems Comcast is just offering them because local channels are going to be a hard sell. You're already paying for at least Basic service after all.

Hello Ken H,
I was wondering if you have any info on when comcast will be adding CBS, ESPN-HD, or any other HD channels to the Detroit area line up?

Does anyone know if the Comcast VIP Plus package includes HDTV feeds of HDO and Showtime?

Jon

p.s. When the Comcast tech was in my house, he said they plan on charging for the HD channel package in the future. He said they didn't yet have enough channels to offer a package. But in the near future it would be priced as a package.

Originally posted by aviman33
Does anyone know if the Comcast VIP Plus package includes HDTV feeds of HDO and Showtime?
Jon


Yes,
VIP Plus: $99.95 through 2003 Includes Expanded Basic, Digital Plus, High Speed Internet, and all premium channels.
Install: $19.95 (or a free upgrade).
Additional outlets: $6.95.
Prices include equipment

Originally posted by Thomas1
Yes,
VIP Plus: $99.95 through 2003 Includes Expanded Basic, Digital Plus, High Speed Internet, and all premium channels.
Install: $19.95 (or a free upgrade).
Additional outlets: $6.95.
Prices include equipment

Any idea what happens to the price after 2003?

Is VIP Plus available in northern jersey?

Is it also available in Central New Jersey as well?

I've heard about this before as well. I am in the West Chester, PA area and sent Comcast an email about this package, their reply was that in order to get all of the permiums with digital and internet it would be something like $135. So, at least in Southeast PA, it doesn't appear that they are offering this.

I asked about the VIP package as well, and the rep had no idea what I was talking about. She then said if I added Showtime to my HBO and Cinemax, that my bill would go down a few dollars to about $135, since I have non-HD digital and internet. I figured I may as well save a few bucks there, then I'll have HBO and Showtime HD when I get my TV in August.

I haven't noticed if anyone mentioned this before, but I just discovered last night that the 5100 seems to be extremely sensitive to where you place it in relation to your other HT gear. I had my VCR located above the 5100 and the picture quality--especially on the analog channels--was really bad. I didn't have that problem prior to moving the 5100, so I figured that the VCR was causing some kind of interference. I then moved the 5100 above the VCR and the problem disappeared. As a matter of fact, I think the analog channels look very good. So, if any of you are getting bad picture quality on the analog channels, you might want to experiment with the placement of your 5100.

Originally posted by lovingdvd
Any idea what happens to the price after 2003?

Heh, I think we all know the answer to this.. More $$$$..
However hopefully by then we will have more HD channels .Maybe ESPN and Discovery . Oh yeah HD net would be nice as well.. Do you think it would be worth another 10$ for theses stations ?

Regarding the black bars on the side of non-HD programming on HD channels, the Motorola 5100 FAQ states that:

If the “TV type” in the 5100 is set to “Pan & Scan” this will essentially “zoom-in” the broadcast and you will lose some of the material (on the sides) in the HD program you are watching, but it will fill the screen.

When I select Pan & Scan on the 5100 I still get the black bars left and right
with non-HD source. No zoom. My Samsung 160 OTA does zoom correctly so I know what it should look like.

Is the FAQ wrong, or have I got something wrong? Does anybody's 5100 work as stated in the FAQ?

Thanks, Chuck

Originally posted by jcorkery
I haven't noticed if anyone mentioned this before, but I just discovered last night that the 5100 seems to be extremely sensitive to where you place it in relation to your other HT gear.

I discovered that this works both ways. When I put the DCT 5100 into my high-end audio system, my CD and DVD sound went way down in quality. I put the 5100 in between an FM tuner and VCR. I ended up removing the VCR which helped, and increased the distance between the tuner and 5100 which helped some more. The Motorola box must be putting out an incredible amount of RF.

I have since improved my CD audio performance further by placing a couple of stainless steel plates above and below the DCT 5100. Isolating the AC with a PS Audio Ultimate Outlet was the final step. I have almost negated the deleterious effects of the 5100. If some one knows of a better material to use as shielding than stainless steel, please let me know.

Combining a high-end audio system with video hasn't been easy!

I just got the 5100 as part of Comcast HD package here in the Boston area, it is connect to a Mitsu WS65905, and the picture is really green.

If I fiddle with the TV setting enough I can get it from totally green to just really green. I can see some reds and blues, but the green is just overwhelming the other colors.

Any ideas out there????

Originally posted by bresnab
I just got the 5100 as part of Comcast HD package here in the Boston area, it is connect to a Mitsu WS65905, and the picture is really green.

If I fiddle with the TV setting enough I can get it from totally green to just really green. I can see some reds and blues, but the green is just overwhelming the other colors.

Any ideas out there????

Check the cables from the 5100 to the TV - sounds like one's either not connected, or they are crossed.

David

That was the first thing we checked.

Pull Y = Lose all signal
Pull Pb = Lose the small amount blue
Pull Pr = Lose the small amount of red

I previosly had the Mitsu OTA HD receiver attached (RGBHV) and it worked fine, the manual says the TV supports Y/Pb/Pr connections. The picture is sharp, but the colors are off, if I push the tint to max green the picture is almost passable.

I am guessing there is something wrong with the Box or the cables, but I check others things to be sure.

I figured it out....

Buried deep in the documentation for the TV, the uni t does not automatically switch between RGBHV and Y/Pb/Pr, it needs to be reset on the "Assign Inputs" screen.

One I did the the colors were just fine.

Hope this helps someone else in the future.

How do you get in to check the version of the firmware.

Check the FAQ:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/miatasm/HT/5100FAQ.htm

Near the end is "How do I check the firmware version?"

They had to replace my 5100 the other day because it was defective. The firmware on my new unit is 50.00 something or the other. I do not have the option of 480i passthru. When will the firmware update take effect? Do I need to call somebody?

Originally posted by flyin-w-hdtv
Regarding the black bars on the side of non-HD programming on HD channels, the Motorola 5100 FAQ states that:

If the “TV type” in the 5100 is set to “Pan & Scan” this will essentially “zoom-in” the broadcast and you will lose some of the material (on the sides) in the HD program you are watching, but it will fill the screen.

When I select Pan & Scan on the 5100 I still get the black bars left and right
with non-HD source. No zoom. My Samsung 160 OTA does zoom correctly so I know what it should look like.

Is the FAQ wrong, or have I got something wrong? Does anybody's 5100 work as stated in the FAQ?

Thanks, Chuck Chuck,

If the component output is set to 1080i or 720p, the 5100 will not zoom in on on an HD channel on the component output. It will zoom in on an HD channel on the standard def outputs.

To zoom in on the HD channels while viewing through the component output, one must set the component output to 480p or 480i (and the TV type Pan & Scan).

Hopefully Motorola will change this in the future.

Green line on right side is driving me crazy....

Originally posted by DaveFi
Green line on right side is driving me crazy....

cost me $100 and may not at all be related to your situation; but changing from an Audio Authority to Key Digital transcoder got rid of my green line (vertical - right side)

Not related at all. Connected right to my TV.

It's especially noticable on ABC's 720p broadcasts- although I see the line on everything, towards the right side of the picture, regardless of 4:3 or 16:9. Although on 1080i/480i sources it's more like a transluscent vertical line, or the left edge shifted over to the right edge.

I tried switching to 1080i and it's still there.

Info about the 5100
I just got hooked up to Comcast Moto 5100. I have noticed that my analogue channels all look like crap through component output. Analogue channels are much better when viewed through ths standard RF connection into Ant A on my tv.

I have also noticed that only HBOHD and the PSB feed fill my screen correctly. All other HD channels have some sort of black bars to the sides, are shifted to the right and all pictures are stretched vertically.

I have the 5100 set to 16:9 tv, 1080i output and last option set to 480i.

I have also noticed that all analogue channles are viewed in 480i reggardless of what the settings are. The HD channels show up as 33k input signal but no other channels do.

Is there anything I can do to fix any of theses problems? According to the FAQ my box is at the current firmware settings.

A friend of mine has the DTC5100 and said that it did not adjust itself for daylight savings time. Both the guide and the time shown by the unit are now one hour behind. For example, at 8:00 the unit says its 7:00 and the guide shows that Friends starts at 7:00 instead of 8:00. I did not have this problem with my 5100.

Does anyone know what steps he can take to correct this? Is there something he can do in the menu or does he need to call Comcast and have them send him some sort of signal?

Both of mine adjusted for DST just fine. I'd guess the 5100 box has little to do with this - rather, it's up to your local cable operator to always send the correct time along with the program data. I'd call your local Comcast office.

By any chance does your friend live in one of those goofy places like Indiana, where one county observes DST, but the one next door does not?

Originally posted by jimre
Both of mine adjusted for DST just fine. I'd guess the 5100 box has little to do with this - rather, it's up to your local cable operator to always send the correct time along with the program data. I'd call your local Comcast office.

By any chance does your friend live in one of those goofy places like Indiana, where one county observes DST, but the one next door does not?

He lives right down the street from me. So that's the weird part - we both have the same exact feeds from Comcast. Perhaps his was offline at some point when they sent the signal to adjust the clock. But I would think refreshes to the clock would be sent on a regular basis anyway...

Originally posted by jimre
By any chance does your friend live in one of those goofy places like Indiana, where one county observes DST, but the one next door does not?

Hey now! I'm from that goofy place known as Indiana. Don't get me started on all the stuff they do to us here. I'm actually wanting to change our state slogan to: "Indiana: We make the rest of the country change their clocks around us"

I also just got the Moto 5100.

How do you access the information you are discussing? When I asked the installer he said "You don't want to know".

Also, the third setting, what happens if it is set to 480p instead of 480i?

Thanks,

Rich N.