Originally posted by DaveFi

chit- Analog might be cheaper, but not that much considering the sacrifices you make. You can get a DVHS deck in the ~$200 range now, and blank SVHS tapes ~$3. And you get to watch exactly what you saw the first time. Hi-def, Dolby Digital and all.:D

DaveFi - If you didn't have a DVHS would you buy one now ? I would like to have more storage but I am not sure if buying a DVHS is a good investment. With DVHS I would have to use component and go through a digital to analog and I read that DVHS decks are not the most dependable pieces of AV gear.

Originally posted by dozens
DaveFi - If you didn't have a DVHS would you buy one now ? I would like to have more storage but I am not sure if buying a DVHS is a good investment. With DVHS I would have to use component and go through a digital to analog and I read that DVHS decks are not the most dependable pieces of AV gear.

It's at the point where it's easier to just punt and not bother with HD recording off of the DVR for awhile in my mind. After all, I've not been able to do it at all anyway, so what's another year? Unlike with DVD, the HD/BD recorders are going to come much earlier in the game this time around so it's easier to just wait I think.

First, Dave, where can you get a DVHS for $200? You are probably talking about Mits, which is fine, but if I don't have a firewire input on my TV so I don't know how I'd view it.

Second:

Unlike with DVD, the HD/BD recorders are going to come much earlier in the game this time around so it's easier to just wait I think.

I'm going to bet that HD/BD recorders are going to be VERY (ie $2000+) expensive for at least the next 18-24 months. That's a lot of content.

Chris

Well, the first BD recorder is already available at something like 3k I think, but it can't play pre-recorded movies. Regular DVD recorder prices started to drop like a rock after the first year of release when everyone else got on board and they're dirt cheap if you buy crap brands, but there's good level stuff in the mid range pricing.

Since Sony is going to really push hard with BD to take over the market, particularly with the PS3 angle, I expect to see them do the same as the PS3 and price as low as possible to get the models out there and then hope that it catches on and they can eventually make it up elsewhere.

Originally posted by Schlotkins
First, Dave, where can you get a DVHS for $200? You are probably talking about Mits, which is fine, but if I don't have a firewire input on my TV so I don't know how I'd view it.

Second:



I'm going to bet that HD/BD recorders are going to be VERY (ie $2000+) expensive for at least the next 18-24 months. That's a lot of content.

Chris Chris, keep your eye out on the Recorders forum. They were selling refurb JVCs for a while on eCost for <$249. Also, look in local stores like Sears for open box units. They are around, you just have to do a little searching. Unfortunately now the cat is out of the bag what with Firewire cable boxes, so the price has gone up a bit.

I have had no problems with my refurb JVC 30K. An occasional dropout but that's from using cheap tapes. With the D-Theater tapes I have perfect playback, and Fuji SVHS tapes work fine.

As far as investing in DVHS now, that's up to you. I've had mine about a year now, for $300 it was much it. The biggest problem I have is not with the format but with DTCP copy protection. When recordable HD DVD is widely available there will be no way to transfer my movies over to the new format. Blame this one on the industry, not the format.

Originally posted by DaveFi
Unfortunately PPV is just available for viewing within a set time period (usually 24hrs) and that's it. So, no, you won't be able to save it on your PVR for later viewing.

BTW, TIVO is adopting a "temporary" viewing policy for PPV material as well.

chit- Analog might be cheaper, but not that much considering the sacrifices you make. You can get a DVHS deck in the ~$200 range now, and blank SVHS tapes ~$3. And you get to watch exactly what you saw the first time. Hi-def, Dolby Digital and all.:D

I do not have that kind of money for a DVHS untit or SVHS tapes.

Besides who would want a tape anyway?

I don't really have toi worry about these record none or record once. I have recorded PPV VOD! :>

how's everyone enjoying their new iGuide?

Originally posted by avic
how's everyone enjoying their new iGuide?

:P I wish I was enjoying it.

6208 owner.

Originally posted by chitchatjf
I do not have that kind of money for a DVHS untit or SVHS tapes.

Besides who would want a tape anyway?

I don't really have toi worry about these record none or record once. I have recorded PPV VOD! :> Nothing wrong with tape for digital storage.

I guess if you're happy with downconverted, letterboxed analog you have no no need for DVHS.

No iGuide yet here.

Originally posted by avic
how's everyone enjoying their new iGuide?

The one HUGE improvement so far is that when using the full screen guide, there is PIP in the upper right corner showing the last channel you were on.

Hmm...no new iGuide here either.

I'm in Back Bay, Boston.

-JR

Originally posted by DaveFi
The biggest problem I have is not with the format but with DTCP copy protection. When recordable HD DVD is widely available there will be no way to transfer my movies over to the new format. Blame this one on the industry, not the format.

That's what bugs me, it's definitely a limited solution. I mainly want to archive sports, if there's a movie I want to watch, I'll buy it. And I'm willing to wait for Blu-Ray or HDDVD. While it's not a huge investment, the fact that it's still a "copy once" situation is a PITA.

I do not have that kind of money for a DVHS untit or SVHS tapes.

Besides who would want a tape anyway?

So why even bother with HDTV to begin with? ;)

juice don't you have a 6208? 6208's will not get the iGuide, only non-dvr's will. you'll have to wait to get your hands on the 6412, preloaled with iGuide, which will be available in a matter of days if all goes as planned.

We have the Iguide in MetroWest. A huge improvemnt. The new guide is much more responsive as far as speed and as said before the PIP when you have the menu on is a great feature.
Thanks for the heads up on the dual dvr comming down the pike. Ill finaly make the jump then..

Don't have the iGuide yet. Can't wait to kiss the TVGuide system goodbye...

Originally posted by avic
juice don't you have a 6208? 6208's will not get the iGuide, only non-dvr's will. you'll have to wait to get your hands on the 6412, preloaled with iGuide, which will be available in a matter of days if all goes as planned.

Your posts are like crack to me. Every one makes me want my fix all the more. :D

Originally posted by avic
juice don't you have a 6208? 6208's will not get the iGuide, only non-dvr's will. you'll have to wait to get your hands on the 6412, preloaled with iGuide, which will be available in a matter of days if all goes as planned.

Smack the n00b (me), you're right, I do have a 6208. Serves me right, I keep coming back to this thread without reading it thoroughly.

My apologies! :)

-JR

Originally posted by avic
how's everyone enjoying their new iGuide?

No iGuide here.
6200 user

Originally posted by JDLIVE

> I do not have that kind of money for a DVHS untit or SVHS tapes.

> Besides who would want a tape anyway?

So why even bother with HDTV to begin with? ;)

simple. I like it :)

Actually DVDs are not yet HD. Recording a DVD although SD from an HD feed downconverted isn't too bad and inexpensive.

Originally posted by mgpt6
Looks like no NHL HD on NESN or ESPN2-HD. All Star Game was canceled. Also, does look like any new full time HD channels on Comcast coming in 2004. Does anyone know when Comcast can free up HBO East from analog (Ch. 72) to free up more bandwidth?

JUST HBO East?

IMHO I would make chs 24-69 Digital only. :)

What makes you think they are out of bandwidth? They took off at least 3 analog channels in July/August, which if memory serves, gives room for 6 HD channels. They've added 1 digital channel and 1 HD channel, so I don't think it's a bandwidth problem right now. UPN/WB have/had some reception issues, ESPN2-HD isn't going to be out until next year, and I'm sure nothing has been signed for TNT HD, TBS HD, HDnet, etc....

Chris

DTCP is OFF right now so something must be up.

Too bad Comcast is not yet offering WB-HD. I read that they are showing LOTR in HD this Sunday and will be showing the other two within a few months.

Is anyone else having sound issues watching the Jets / Buffalo game? I am not getting a 5.1 feed from CBS (Fox is up in 5.1 and sounds fine). The sound on CBS is not good, you can't hear the announcers. I hope the Patriots game is OK.

Back in 5.1 and sounding fine now :)

Anyone have an HD feet for the Patriots game?

Thought the Patriots were suppose to be in HD today?

They were in HD in CBS

Originally posted by Darth Omi
They were in HD in CBS

The HD feed did not switch on until mid way through the first quarter. The same thing happened last week. It is getting slightly annoying.

Originally posted by Gabatta
The HD feed did not switch on until mid way through the first quarter. The same thing happened last week. It is getting slightly annoying.

I think that CBS has only two HD feeds, and if the early game runs late, they can't show the late game in HD until the first game ends.

Originally posted by Gabatta
The HD feed did not switch on until mid way through the first quarter. The same thing happened last week. It is getting slightly annoying.

If you noticed on both weeks it went to HD after the 1 o'clock game in HD was over. I wonder if the studios can handle only one game at a time.

More bandwidth being freed up, hopefully for HD:

From my comcast bill today:

"As of 12/19/04 Women's Entertainment (WE) will no longer be available with Standard Cable. WE will now be available only on Digital Classic"

Originally posted by kenvt
More bandwidth being freed up, hopefully for HD:

From my comcast bill today:

"As of 12/19/04 Women's Entertainment (WE) will no longer be available with Standard Cable. WE will now be available only on Digital Classic"

NOOOOOOOO!

Anything, but that!

Oh, wait. I can still get it on Digital Classic. Thank God.

Update to my continuing problems with HD service:

I got two calls today from another executive at Comcast along with the Comcast supervisor for the Medford area. To sum it up, two senior techs are being sent out to my apartment as we speak (good thing my roommate is home today) to finally solve the problem (*knock on wood*).

I mentioned to the Comcast supervisor if switching to the 6412 would solve my issue. He said it wouldn't, as the problem I am having lies either with their main delivery system or at some junction box along the way. Hopefully he's right...

I'll post an udpate later.

So...

The two senior techs were out at my apartment and my roommate was able to answer most of their questions. Again, they checked the signal outside the apartment building at the junction box, along with all internal wiring and junction boxes. They again tested the signal strength, and again, everything to them was fine.

My roommate mentioned to them that recorded HD shows do not pixelate, to which they responded, "Interesting, we've heard that before." That seems to be the default answer to that piece of information.

Their recommendation, which really doesn't help, is to install a CableCARD on the TV to see if pixelation still occurs. As I've been enjoying using their DVR service, using a CableCARD isn't much of an improvement, even if the pixelation does go away. Perhaps once the 6412 is released, that may eliminate any pixelation problems.

Originally posted by RedSoxFan2004
The first celtics home game in HD will be on INHD2 on November 10th against the Portland Trailblazers. Every home game after that will be in HD like the Red Sox were.
Has this been confirmed? The Fox Sports Net SD channel (52 in my area) comes in particularly bad on my set. I sure would like the PQ upgrade.

Mickey

MickeyGee,

There is a Celtics game listed on the guide for InHD2 at 7pm on Wednesday, FWIW.

Originally posted by jckessler
MickeyGee,

There is a Celtics game listed on the guide for InHD2 at 7pm on Wednesday, FWIW.
That tells me it is happening. Thanks.

Mickey

Anyone else's HD cutting in and out? Every once in a while I get a stutter. I notice it on every channel.

HAH!

Mine's been stuttering since day 1! Comcast thinks a CableCARD might provide some insight. If it still pixelates with the card, they'll know where to look (junction box, voltages, etc.). If it stops pixelating, they'll know where to look (flaw in 6208).

Originally posted by tennberg
HAH!

Mine's been stuttering since day 1! Comcast thinks a CableCARD might provide some insight. If it still pixelates with the card, they'll know where to look (junction box, voltages, etc.). If it stops pixelating, they'll know where to look (flaw in 6208). My problem is probably unrelated to yours, as I have been totally rewired. It's very recent anyways.

Probably something going on at the local plant.

Anybody on Cape get the new iGuide yet? Not yet here in Barnstable.

As much as I love Comcast HD I might have to switch to DirecTv, looks like they have lot of cool things lined up for NFL fans.

link (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA479045.html?display=Breaking+News)

[edit] See breaking news thread in the HD programming for articles on the various deals.

IMHO If it was not for the reception during bad weather I would make the jump to Direct also. Though in New England its overcast more often then not in the winter. I had direct a few years back and its not worth the downtime, for me anyway.

I've had DirecTivo for the past two years over here in Lancaster, which is within spitting distance in the wind up here, and to be honest other than one or two really huge storms, I've never lost reception - and we have our set on a lot and record a lot. Downtime has never really been an issue because if it's been down, we don't even have power since it's that bad.

But I can't wait to get off of Directv to be honest. Tivo's being sidelined, HD recording is an elite level pricing point and there's a hell of a lot of effort to get locals in HD (I can't get it OTA where I am but I can't get waivers either cause we're *supposed* to be able to receive it OTA).

I absolutely adore Tivo, but the $1000 box for it is just too much. And no word on next gen boxes either, so it doesn't look to change much. The final decision to drop for me will come after a month of parallel testing the 6412 since the dual tuner is really key for my wife.

Originally posted by tennberg
HAH!

Mine's been stuttering since day 1! Comcast thinks a CableCARD might provide some insight. If it still pixelates with the card, they'll know where to look (junction box, voltages, etc.). If it stops pixelating, they'll know where to look (flaw in 6208).

I'm still following your story tennberg, I'm hoping the 6412 will get rid of the pixelation that I'm still getting. :)

-JR

Maybe this is what Comcast has been freeing up bandwidth for?

http://business.bostonherald.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=53192

Comcast New England is to offer expanded Spanish language programming, including 100 hours of Spanish On Demand.

The announcement of WE going off analog to digital is a move in the right direction. However in my home south of Boston, we didnt have WE. in my old residence northwest of Boston we did on Ch.58 Still hoping for WB56 and UPN 38 before year's end. Hope we may see TNT-HD,Bravo-HD, and ESPN2-HD in 2005

Originally posted by JuiceRocket
I'm still following your story tennberg, I'm hoping the 6412 will get rid of the pixelation that I'm still getting. :)

-JR

JR:

I spoke to a guy in the Executive Dept. at Comcast who is now my point-of-contact. He gave me another credit to my account for all the BS I've had to put up with over the past 2 months.

I mentioned to him how one of the tech's temporary solutions was to install a CableCARD to see if that eliminates the pixelation I'm getting. This executive who seems pretty on-the-ball said "A CableCARD? You mean you have a TV that can accept a CableCARD?!", as if he's surprised those even exist. Is this technology so new and obscure that no one at Comcast even knows what to do with it? It was both funny and sad.

Originally posted by capecodguy
Anybody on Cape get the new iGuide yet? Not yet here in Barnstable.

Not here yet in Lawrence either.

Originally posted by dozens
As much as I love Comcast HD I might have to switch to DirecTv, looks like they have lot of cool things lined up for NFL fans.

link (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA479045.html?display=Breaking+News)

[edit] See breaking news thread in the HD programming for articles on the various deals.

Still no Patroits games in Hi def (on Direct TV)!

Originally posted by rclarkston
Maybe this is what Comcast has been freeing up bandwidth for?

http://business.bostonherald.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=53192

Comcast New England is to offer expanded Spanish language programming, including 100 hours of Spanish On Demand. It's already there. There is a whole load of new stuff in On Demand, including "Anime Selects" which is loaded with good shows (if you like that sort of thing).

I think I'm going to attempt to set up an appointment for the 6412 next week. Worth a shot.

Originally posted by rclarkston
Maybe this is what Comcast has been freeing up bandwidth for?

http://business.bostonherald.com/businessNews/view.bg?articleid=53192

Comcast New England is to offer expanded Spanish language programming, including 100 hours of Spanish On Demand.

The MLB and NBA sports package channels are OVERcompressed compared to other digital channels.

iGuide is here in Chelmsford, MA

Originally posted by chitchatjf
The MLB and NBA sports package channels are OVERcompressed compared to other digital channels.

Digital Cable Video is not compressed. It is encoded at a specific bitrate, the lower the bitrate, the lower the quality. Likely, INDemand is multiplexing all of their NHL and their MLB feeds on a single transponder.

Originally posted by ScoopsHD
Digital Cable Video is not compressed. It is encoded at a specific bitrate, the lower the bitrate, the lower the quality. Likely, INDemand is multiplexing all of their NHL and their MLB feeds on a single transponder.

What?

Not compressed?

Transponder with Cable, Huh?

Please elaborate.

Not in Taunton yet either.

I beleive that I'm on the Rehoboth head end.

Originally posted by DaveFi
It's already there. There is a whole load of new stuff in On Demand, including "Anime Selects" which is loaded with good shows (if you like that sort of thing).

I think I'm going to attempt to set up an appointment for the 6412 next week. Worth a shot.

Let us know if the shot hits :)

And yeah, there's a lot of anime in the on demand now, between the Anime Network (Which is also supposed to have a linear channel) and the Adult Swim on Demand in conjunction with Bandai.

Tis a good day to be an anime fan.

Originally posted by kenvt
iGuide is here in Chelmsford, MA

Lawrence has it too.

Originally posted by Chris Beveridge
Let us know if the shot hits :)

And yeah, there's a lot of anime in the on demand now, between the Anime Network (Which is also supposed to have a linear channel) and the Adult Swim on Demand in conjunction with Bandai.

Tis a good day to be an anime fan. I called, CSR didn't know when the 6412 would be available (said Dec/Jan), so don't waste your time. We know better.

As far as On Demand goes, I really can't bring myself to watch the Anime stuff because of the low-res/bitrate. I basically just use it to check out stuff to see what's worth buying on DVD.

iGuide in Cambridge as well.

Who's saying SD digital cable isn't compressed? Looks pretty compressed to me.

Nothing yet in Haverhill (on my older box) - haven't checked the 6802 yet because it means i'll have to fire up the pj.

I have a 6412 install for Wednesday kids so keep trying, if you get knowhere and u really really want one asap then may i suggest this approach: schedule a "second tv" DVR install for Tuesday or thereafter then call back Monday to make sure they're coming with the 6412 and that you want a swap instead of a second box.

Originally posted by controller2k
Nothing yet in Haverhill (on my older box) - haven't checked the 6802 yet because it means i'll have to fire up the pj. your 6208 wont get the new iGuide software. they are still trying to work out a bug specific to the 6208. if you want iGuide on a DVR you'll have to swap your 6208 for a 6412 next week. your non-dvr box will get it when your headend sends it.

i-guide downloaded overnight. Looks good so far. This is also a firmware upgrade to 8.12 I hope nothing else gets screwed up with the new firmware. I will play with it tonight.
On another note I have been having problem for the past week or two of loosing the HD channels for a few minutes at a time even after the upgrade, Has anyone else seen this?

Just called and set up an install for this Saturday. :D

Call again and give it a shot!

-JR

excellent, moved mine to Saturday as well. looks like any DVR orders from Saturday on will be carrying 6412's. not ALL CSR's are aware of this so you may still get told the January/February timeframe.

6412 to be installed on Monday!!...CSR had an email confirming the installs will begin on Saturday...

someone mentioned a new FW 8.12....any changes to firewire recording??

Hey there Avic,

I specifically asked for a 6412, and mentioned it was an upgrade from the 6208. The CSR put me on hold for quite a while, came back, told me she was checking on the availability, and put me on hold again.

After a few minutes, she came back on and said the earliest they could install was Saturday.

I just called back, and asked to confirm, they told me that they had in the notes to install "a dual tuner DVR". She didn't know the model number, but said that the dual tuners were the new boxes, so that was the one that I would be upgraded with.

-JR

Originally posted by onkyoguy
6412 to be installed on Monday!!...CSR had an email confirming the installs will begin on Saturday...

someone mentioned a new FW 8.12....any changes to firewire recording??

What department are you calling to get these appointments scheduled??

I tried sales/add services and they had no idea.....

Thanks

--K

Bah. Denied.

TEEEhehehhehe got mine on Wednesday. Tuesday was the earliest but it didn't work for me. Avic and JR you rock!
I chose change service(4), then add to my service(1?) and said I want to have my 6208 swapped out for a 6412 dual tuner. I said I have a friend in Boston who is getting one and I want one too. He put me on hold because he said he didn't knwo anything about it. He came back about 2-3 minutes later and said it was cool!!! I called just yesterday and was told next spring! Good luck all!
FREAK!

Sigh - I called and talked to "Ted" and after going through a memo he got this morning (but hadn't a chance to read till I gave him permission to put me on hold as long as it takes to read!), he said that they are still stocking up and to wait a few weeks.

I got a similar experience. They put me on hold after I mentioned that several people I know are getting installs on Saturday this week if not earlier. Then got the "we don't even have any yet, wait a few weeks, we'll call you" line.

Sorry - this was regarding the 6412...

You guys call 1800-Comcast?

I did the 888-633-4266 that's on my bill.

i-Guide in Nashua this morning.

It's MUCH better than the old guide ... the only thing is I have to adjust to the fact that pressing the guide button when the guide is displayed no longer puts the guide away.

UI changes like that should always be avoided. The engineer should be shot.

Not that I feel strongly about it.

-Kevin

Am I the only one that thinks $10 bucks a month for the dvr function is too much ? A friend of mine in Maine pays only $5 per mo. extra for two tuner dvr with TWC.

-Ken

Originally posted by Chris Beveridge
I did the 888-633-4266 that's on my bill. Tried that. Change service, etc. "Eric" says I can't schedule appointments for the install yet.

Oh well. I give up.

1800comcast.
I would reccomend calling again. I can't tell you how many times I got different answers from different CSRs in the past.
FREAK!

Called again and got to Kevin. He read the memo, then talked to a floor supervisor. Said that I could schedule a box swap, but no guarantees and that it'd be a $15.99 fee for the swap. (First time a swap fee's beenmentioned here) OR I could stop by the local office and see if they have the box and swap it out myself and avoid the fee (also a first here)

sounds like that once again, Comcast is inconsistant in the message they are sending out...

I'll stop by on the way home to see.

Forgot to mention the fee. I was so pleased that I sort of just said yeah yeah whatever another comcast bullcrap fee. I am taking this as not an absolute. They only time I will fully believe that I am getting a 6412 is when I have it in hand. I believe that I could get a phone call say 'oops' any time before then.
We shall see.
FREAK!

Originally posted by Kaiser-Soze
Called again and got to Kevin. He read the memo, then talked to a floor supervisor. Said that I could schedule a box swap, but no guarantees and that it'd be a $15.99 fee for the swap. (First time a swap fee's beenmentioned here) OR I could stop by the local office and see if they have the box and swap it out myself and avoid the fee (also a first here)

sounds like that once again, Comcast is inconsistant in the message they are sending out...

I'll stop by on the way home to see.
K-S:

Are you talking about the Marlboro office? If yes, let me know how that goes. I would also like to swing by and do a swap.

Mickey

Originally posted by jckessler
iGuide in Cambridge as well.

Who's saying SD digital cable isn't compressed? Looks pretty compressed to me.

What I meant that some channels are more compressed then others,and the NBA leage pass channels are in the more compressed area.

Personally I myself am in no rush to get a 6412.

There are a lot of programs i have stored I have yet to watch or save (in SD to my DVD-R)

Also WSBKDT is not yet online.

Originally posted by MickeyGee
K-S:

Are you talking about the Marlboro office? If yes, let me know how that goes. I would also like to swing by and do a swap.

Mickey

I work near Marlboro, anyone know if I can pick up at any office ?

Well, I need the extra space and the 2 tuners would be excellent. I record the pats every week and transfer to DVHS but until I transfer, my drive is usually near 80%. A bigger drive is a must.
FREAK!

Install scheduled next Monday, confirmed for dual tuner.

I stopped by the Hudson office and she said that she didnt have them yet, but around the 26th, they expect it and she confirmed that the customer can pick up the box which is a good thing.

She smiled when I asked if I could come in before then just to check. :)

maybe she was hitting on u? ;) don't wait that long, call next week. as far as the install fee, i made sure they wouldn't charge me with one. we already have DVR service, this is a swap so they shouldn't be charging installation. help the csr understand and waive the fee for you. always tip your installer.

Comcast did not mention any sort of fee to me when I first asked for the dual tuner.

I just called and explained that I shouldn't be charged a fee since I already have DVR services (as avic mentioned). I got put hold for a few minutes, and then they came back stating that the 6412 is NOT coming out for another week or two.

Gotta love it. :)

They have waived the fee, since it's a swap, and are still having the guy come out on Saturday, but the CSR doesn't think it's going to be a dual tuner. The CSR explained that his supervisor was going to have a meeting Friday to discuss and let the CSR's know when to begin allowing people to request them, which the supervisor said would be 1 to 2 weeks.

Shame that Comcast is excellent in their customer service some times, and spotty at others.

-JR

Don't blame Comcast. You'll do better finding one the end of next week. Once they run out of 6208 they will start using the 6412s.

Is anyone watching the Celtics in HD on INHD2?

This os FSNE's maiden effort isnt it?

Yeah. Way too much macroblocking.

At least 4:3 isn't stretched.

Originally posted by DaveFi
Yeah. Way too much macroblocking.

At least 4:3 isn't stretched.

Agreed. I already miss those mid-summer NESN Sox broadcasts that at times made you feel like you were watching the game through a window?

Is it THAT difficult to deliver that quality or is it just that "bigger" networks like FSNE are doing more multicasting?

Originally posted by DaveFi
Don't blame Comcast. You'll do better finding one the end of next week. Once they run out of 6208 they will start using the 6412s.

It's simply frustrating that I could call 3 times in one day, and the first two times be told I would be getting the 6412, only to call once more and to be told it wouldn't be coming out for a week or two.

Why would the 1st two CSRs believe that it is coming out, and confirm it with me, only to have a third tell me that they're not available. I'm assuming all of these CSRs are in the same room and have the same information.

Even more frustrating is the fact that the last CSR I spoke with, the one that confirmed with his supervisor that the 6412 was NOT available, then made sure I didn't cancel my Saturday appointment with them. He stated that if the field guy comes with a 6412, then I'll keep it, if he comes with a 6208, then I'll just send him back.

That's extremely inefficient and odd...especially since the CSR checked with his supervisor and was confident in telling me (at first) that the 6412 wouldn't be available for a week or two.

-JR

Is anyone having trouble with your service? (I'm in lower roxbury)

My cable and internet went down while I was work yesterday. I the first CSR I talked to last night was totally clueless...

Me: "Hi my service is down"

CSR: "Yes we're having trouble with the new interactive guide"

Me: "I have the Moto 6208 DVR box, we're not getting the new guide"

CSR: "Oh....hmmmm"

Me: (oh boy I got a good one here)

CRS: [boss from office space] "Yeah, if you could unplug the box, wait one minute and plug it back in, that would be great. That will force the box to download the new guide"

Me: "I just told you....never mind....thank you for trying"

CRS: "Have a great night and thank you calling Comcast!!!!"

Me: Arrrrgggh....I'm going to bed

I called this morning and the CSR was better. He knew the 6208 is not getting the new I-guide and he said even if it was that would have nothing to do with my internet service. He's sending out a tech this afternoon.

(I tried to sneak in a 6412 upgrade but that didn't work)

:)

Originally posted by JuiceRocket
[B]It's simply frustrating that I could call 3 times in one day, and the first two times be told I would be getting the 6412, only to call once more and to be told it wouldn't be coming out for a week or two.JR, I guess this is partly my fault for giving a date. I just found out that it will be a bit longer. By Monday the 22nd they should be widely available.

BTW- I still haven't gotten the iGuide update yet.

Originally posted by JuiceRocket
It's simply frustrating that I could call 3 times in one day, and the first two times be told I would be getting the 6412, only to call once more and to be told it wouldn't be coming out for a week or two.

Why would the 1st two CSRs believe that it is coming out, and confirm it with me, only to have a third tell me that they're not available. I'm assuming all of these CSRs are in the same room and have the same information.

Even more frustrating is the fact that the last CSR I spoke with, the one that confirmed with his supervisor that the 6412 was NOT available, then made sure I didn't cancel my Saturday appointment with them. He stated that if the field guy comes with a 6412, then I'll keep it, if he comes with a 6208, then I'll just send him back.

That's extremely inefficient and odd...especially since the CSR checked with his supervisor and was confident in telling me (at first) that the 6412 wouldn't be available for a week or two.

-JR

It makes sense if you think about it. The first two times you called there was no clear guidance on whether to install 6412 then as more and more customers called in asking for installs Comcast made a decision not to install them.

I stop by the local office last night before it closed and ask to pickup a 6412. I was told they were not available. I said the folks at the 800 number are scheduling appointments for next week. The CSR said she received 3 emails in the afternoon saying the 6412 would not be available until after thanksgiving :( I can only assume that emails were in response to all of us asking for installs.

Me: "I have the Moto 6208 DVR box, we're not getting the new guide"
wa? Aren't all boxes getting the new iguide? THis is the first I am hearing of this? I am going to call and check about y appointment today and see if I can get that stupid $15 removed

FREAK!

Originally posted by dozens
It makes sense if you think about it. The first two times you called there was no clear guidance on whether to install 6412 then as more and more customers called in asking for installs Comcast made a decision not to install them.

The first two times I spoke to a CSR, two different CSRs, I specifically confirmed with them that it was the dual tuner 6412 DVR. I don't know how they could be confused about that.

The first time I called, the CSR put me on hold to ask (I'm assuming her supervisor) if the 6412 was available, came back on the line, confirmed it was, and added the note to the info field on my call.

The 2nd call, the CSR confirmed I was getting the 6412, and commented on how it was in the notes, as the 1st CSR mentioned.

I don't see how they were confused, it seemed like everything was pretty straight forward.

The part that confuses me is the 3rd CSR telling me that I shouldn't cancel my Saturday swap, since there is a chance that the person coming might have a 6412. I let the CSR know I'd prefer to cancel the appointment if the person won't have the 6412, but the CSR was persistent in me keeping it, since he believed that the person coming might have the 6412.

If there is no chance of getting the 6412, I'll cancel my scheduled swap. As it is, it appears there is no "official" word that the 6412 is or isn't available?

EDIT: I was just informed that the 6412 will not be released until next week. I'll leave my post as is above. Thanks to everyone for the info.

:)

-JR

Originally posted by metallicafreak
wa? Aren't all boxes getting the new iguide? THis is the first I am hearing of this? I am going to call and check about y appointment today and see if I can get that stupid $15 removed

FREAK!

The 6208 will not have the new iGuide installed, only the 6200 and 6412. :)

Whoo hooo, I just got to apply some knowledge I picked up in this thread. :D

-JR

Thanks JR,
So, appointments after monday (ie next week) should be getting the 6412?
Just making sure this gets through all the thick layers of my skull so that if my wife is there to receive it, I don't get crap for it being wrong.
FREAK!

Originally posted by metallicafreak
wa? Aren't all boxes getting the new iguide? THis is the first I am hearing of this? I am going to call and check about y appointment today and see if I can get that stupid $15 removed

FREAK!


I am not sure if this is true. The 6208s are not getting iGuide NOW because of a bug. If they fix the bug before every 6208 is replaced I would assume that the 6208 would get iGuide.

Well, I know the buss is about the 6412's today, but I'm getting a little frustrated over HDnet... man, I just saw the movie lineup for this month over on the programming forum! What a line up AND they have some of the best quality. I dropped Comcast another note. I'm moving it up to once a day. :)

Chris

Originally posted by dozens
I am not sure if this is true. The 6208s are not getting iGuide NOW because of a bug. If they fix the bug before every 6208 is replaced I would assume that the 6208 would get iGuide.

I was under the impression that there was a bug in the box that was not fixable by Comcast so that they would be replacing all 6208's (or those that complained) with 6214s. So to save bandwidth in pushing out new iGuides they are not doing the 6208 since they wont be out in the field much longer. Who knows, Motorola may be fixing the boxes then re-releasing them down the road. Wherever the 6412s are getting built, they are probably being built 24x7.

Originally posted by JuiceRocket
The 6208 will not have the new iGuide installed, only the 6200 and 6412. :)

Whoo hooo, I just got to apply some knowledge I picked up in this thread. :D

-JR

I'm still in the stone ages with a 5100 - will those get the iGuide or should I take a trip to the local office and nab a 6200? Since things have been fine with the 5100 I haven't felt compelled to upgrade yet.

yesjim you'll get it. and all of you bitching about the 6412 confusion well it serves you right. you were given some inside scoop on the fact that the boxes would POSSIBLY be released NEXT WEEK which means that CSR's are NOT taking orders for them yet. my suggestion for those who didn't want to wait until Monday was to make an appointment for next week for a second DVR install, NOT a swap, then call back after Monday to verify that a 6412 was coming. instead you forced the CSR's to give you info they didn't have and blame them for trying to help you. any specific inside scoop i get from now on wont be posted, you've shown you can't handle it. :mad:

I think we AVSers are terrorizing the CSRs. When I "casually" asked about the 6412 during my service call this morning (cable is still down...grrrr) the response was "a lot of people are calling about those". I wanted to say no it just seems that way, it's really a small guy of internet nuts who keep calling back.

If they pro-actively reached out to us with a mailing saying that there have been some issues with the 6208, we're phasing them out, your town will have them on this date, etc... and/or more detailed info online, there'd be less phone calls struggling to get information and trying to get them before that date.

Avic,
I do not believe we are blaming the CSRs for anything. There has just been a universal observation of inconsistency with them on information in general. Maybe some of us got a little over zealous. Sure. But I have called before and gotten the following responses: next spring, next year, December.....and not just on the 6412 but the 6208. Persistence in the past (1 call per day at most) has payed off.

I suggest we all take a deep breath and relax. I for one am not going to call and just see what shows up on Wednesday. Maybe I will confirm on Tuesday or maybe not.

Avic, I just want to say thanks you for your tips. They have been quite excellent to date and I appreciate them as I am sure many others do. If you choose to keep them to yourself in the future, I as many others will also understand.

Peace


GO PATS!


FREAK!

Originally posted by metallicafreak
Avic,
I do not believe we are blaming the CSRs for anything. There has just been a universal observation of inconsistency with them on information in general. Maybe some of us got a little over zealous. Sure. But I have called before and gotten the following responses: next spring, next year, December.....and not just on the 6412 but the 6208. Persistence in the past (1 call per day at most) has payed off.

I suggest we all take a deep breath and relax. I for one am not going to call and just see what shows up on Wednesday. Maybe I will confirm on Tuesday or maybe not.

Avic, I just want to say thanks you for your tips. They have been quite excellent to date and I appreciate them as I am sure many others do. If you choose to keep them to yourself in the future, I as many others will also understand.


Ditto, great post metallicafreak.

My apologies if I caused any issues Avic. :)

-JR

Originally posted by Kaiser-Soze
If they pro-actively reached out to us with a mailing saying that there have been some issues with the 6208, we're phasing them out, your town will have them on this date, etc... and/or more detailed info online, there'd be less phone calls struggling to get information and trying to get them before that date. can't do that, the situation has been too fluid and things change overnight. and there is no one problem with the 6208, it's not like its being recalled. some, like my neighbor, will choose to keep it since the single tuner isn't an issue for her. and we're lucky we even got the 6208, some markets waited for the 6412 with iGuide and skipped the 6208 altogether. i've been time-shifting HD since april with this thing and a few early glitches were worth having it 7 months before the public. you'll all get your 6412's soon and if you already made an appointment for next week, keep it. ;)

The only reason why I gave a date in this thread was that someone else already posted it in the HDTV Recorders forum.

I apologize for the confusion my posting has caused. As I said earlier, they should start becoming available in the next few weeks.

does the 6412 have a hdmi jack or just DVI? Thanks

Jason

Originally posted by jason978
does the 6412 have a hdmi jack or just DVI? Thanks

Jason dvi only no hdmi DCT 6412 back (http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/images/dct6412_back.jpg)

Originally posted by YesJim
I'm still in the stone ages with a 5100 - will those get the iGuide or should I take a trip to the local office and nab a 6200? Since things have been fine with the 5100 I haven't felt compelled to upgrade yet.

We have both a 6200 and a 5100, both have the new Iguide, the 5100 was updated earlier this week, the 6200 sometime last week.

My appointment is tomorrow between 1-3, the csr said good luck as they may show up with the wrong box, she did confirm that they are in distribution.

Remember the BIG VISUAL difference betqween the 6208 and 6412.



NO RF OUTPUT ON 6412!

A little OT, but WCVB has wimped out and decided not to run Saving Private Ryan. Hard to believe considering where we are.

I will be watching them as little as possible from now on, and will get all my local programming elsewhere.

WCVB should be completely ashamed of itself. I'm embarrassed for them.

"Banned in Boston" indeed.

Thanks to Janet Jackson, they'd have to edit so much out that it wouldn't be the same. Find it OnDemand or DVD and let the directors show off their masterpiece the way it was meant to be seen.

As posted in the other thread, since ABC agreed to pay any and all fines this is solely an adminstrative decision at WCVB.

So much for the most liberal state in the nation. Feh on WCVB.

Originally posted by DaveFi
A little OT, but WCVB has wimped out and decided not to run Saving Private Ryan. Hard to believe considering where we are.

I will be watching them as little as possible from now on, and will get all my local programming elsewhere.

There's a thread dedicated to it here. :)

Saving or Killing Private Ryan on ABC-HD? Discussion of the issue, not the program (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=466491)

It really is a shame they won't be playing it. :(

-JR

Boston Affiliate WCVB has lost me as a viewer. Anyways ABC is a joke as far programming goes. They have proved themselves as wimps too.

Who owns WCVB?

see thread link above so we can stay OT

Back on topic:

I got a call from Comcast today and they want to try installing a dual tuner to see if it helps to stop my HD channels from pixelating/sound cutting out/etc. They wanted to know when would be a good time. Like most people, I work M-F, so I said Saturday would be a good day. Coincidentally, the guys who are coming to install it also work M-F (what happened to Saturday installs?). So, fortunately, since I got to work wicked early today, I am leaving early. I am scheduled to get the dual tuner at 4PM this afternoon.

I will post later this afternoon on my impressions of the 6412 with iGuide and if it has helped to improve my situation at all. Let me know if there's anything you'd like me to check with the new tuner, as I know most of you are quite restless to get it in your hands.

Tennberg,

After following your posts about your on-going problem, I was going to suggest to you that you have Comcast replace your 6208 again even though you already did that in the beginning.

Over many years in the computer and networking business, I've had a few rare occasions when a faulty device was replaced with another faulty device. Those cases resulted in the kind of long drawn out affair that you've been experiencing.

Hopefully the 6412 fixes your problem. But if it doesn't, you'll a least have a better DVR to use until they find the problem.

I just got the 6412 about 15 minutes ago! The installer said hes been doing these boxes for over 2 weeks already, he said they have plenty of them in the Canton warehouse! Now the box is very responsive compared to the 6208 I just replaced. The guide is alot better and you can actually change the color scheme of it to all different colors, my wife is exceptionally excited! One thing though, theres higher pitch sound coming from the actual box which is alot louder than the 6208.

I have not noticed any blocking or pixelation during channel flipping, its very responsive and cosiderably much faster then the 6208 when channel surfing or guide surfing!

I'm in the East Boston area for those who would like to know!

godd luck all!

Current 6412 Situation, hope this helps:

Just got word from Comcast that the situation is that they are beginning to have the 6412 in stock, but they CAN NOT guarantee that if you set up an appointment for an install or an upgrade that you will get one because they don't have enough of them yet. CSR said that in two weeks, you should be able to call and request an upgrade to a 6412 and be guaranteed that the installer will show up with a 6412.

xboxjunkie: that's excellent, congrats. did u get the new remote?

Update for everyone:


I just got my 6412 at 4PM. The swap took about 2 minutes, but the two guys stuck around for a bit to make sure everything was working. I would've posted sooner, but my PC was acting up. Here are my impressions of the box so far, in random order:

1. The look is the same as the 6208, except the Comcast logo on the front is recessed ever so slightly in the upper left hand corner. The one noticable difference with the 6412 is the absence of an RF output on the back.

2. They will give you a new remote, which has a "Swap" button on the bottom. The guys told me this will allow you to switch between two programs that are recording, or a live channel and a recording channel (they mentioned A/B switching). I will try that out later tonight.

3. xboxjunkie is correct: Channel switching is SIGNIFICANTLY faster with this new box. It's almost to the point of having the cable signal plugged directly into your TV.

4. The guide is much easier to read (sharper text), there are more color options, and so much more functionality that I have yet to explore. A couple nice features:

- Pressing "Info" will show a halfscreen guide box, and then hitting it again will cut that in half to put a smaller guide on the bottom of the screen. Hitting the "Guide" button will shrink the current channel into a corner while you're browsing the guide. No more missing what's on half the screen while broswing the guide.

- There is a section in the guide dedicated just to HDTV.

- On the HD channels, the guide will show you if a show is in DD 2.0 or DD 5.1.

5. The firmware on the 6412 is 09.12.

The guys said it may take up to 24 hours for the guide data to load since it's going out two weeks.

So far, so good. I'll keep an eye on the HD channels to see if this box has eliminated my problem.

Let me know if any of you have questions you'd like answered about the 6412. I'd be glad to look into it.

Originally posted by avic
xboxjunkie: that's excellent, congrats. did u get the new remote?

Hi avic! I skipped out of work to meet the guy between 1-3 today and he came just before 3:00 pm. I was in kind of rush to get back to work so I didn't even notice the new remote, i was using the old one to go thru all the setups! He did give me a new one and let me keep my old one, he also gave me extra components cables and batteries:) if anyone needs cables come see me, i have so many cables laying around its not even funny! For the quick second I looked at the remote he gave me, I didn't notice anything different! I wish it was like my D* remote but oh well I can live with it since i have 2 tuners now!

Can anyone else who got their 6412 tell me if their box is rather loud! IE, HD high pitch noise! This is a bit loud and if its only mine thats like this, i'd like to call them to come switch it out, thanks!

juice: things are looking good for your install tomorrow. ;) good luck!

Originally posted by xboxjunkie
Hi avic! I skipped out of work to meet the guy between 1-3 today and he came just before 3:00 pm. I was in kind of rush to get back to work so I didn't even notice the new remote, i was using the old one to go thru all the setups! He did give me a new one and let me keep my old one, he also gave me extra components cables and batteries:) if anyone needs cables come see me, i have so many cables laying around its not even funny! For the quick second I looked at the remote he gave me, I didn't notice anything different! I wish it was like my D* remote but oh well I can live with it since i have 2 tuners now!

Can anyone else who got their 6412 tell me if their box is rather loud! IE, HD high pitch noise! This is a bit loud and if its only mine thats like this, i'd like to call them to come switch it out, thanks!

xbox:

I noticed that while watching a show, the 6412 seems a bit quiter than the 6208. However, when switching channels, the sound of the HD writing to disk is a bit louder than the 6208. No high pitch whine here.

Originally posted by avic
juice: things are looking good for your install tomorrow. ;) good luck!

lol, sadly I changed my install from tomorrow to Tuesday morning. I'll call Comcast and see if they can change the date, but, if not, I'll have to wait. :)

It's great to hear the box is out and working!!! xboxjunkie, do you get to claim to be the 1st in MA with a 6412? :)

-JR

tennberg, I just got home and the noise quieted down drastically!

Avic, i just looked at my new remote control and its the same as my old one:( Can I pick a new one up and at a local comcast office?

Juice, i don't know if i'm the first but thank god i came here to read a few days ago or i would have missed the whole 6412 launch thing! I just called for a swap yesterday and I was surprised they said today for an apppointment!

Also its been just about 3 hours and my guide is not up yet!

you can learn so much in here ;) xbox the new remote basically just has the swap and pip functions on the bottom. the pip wont be functional for now so only the swap button is active. you can ask for a new one OR you can program the swap button yourself on say the "hd zoom" or "tv/vcr" buttons that have no use anyway. here's how:

1) Press the "Cable" button at the top of the remote.
2) Press and hold the "Setup" button until the "Cable" button blinks twice.
3) Enter 994. The "Cable" button will blink twice
4) Press (don't hold) the "Setup" button
5) Enter 236 (code for Swap).
6) Press whatever button you want to map the swap function to.

If you screw it up or change your mind, here is the Remote Codes List (http://www.hifi-remote.com/cgi-bin2/ueic.cgi?cbl_0476)

avic- According to the MSTV 6412 thread in the Recorders forum, the current 6412s don't support PIP in hardware.

I still don't have the iGuide on my 6200 yet.

i've read the same then was told otherwise by a higher power. and if u think about it why would moto design their remote (http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/images/drc800_remote.jpg) with pip if the hardware doesn't support it? most towns have iguide now, anyone else in framingham have it that can confirm for davefi?

xbox:

My 6412 has been downloading guide data for about 2.5 hours now, and it shows nothing past 11PM tonight. I guess they really were telling the truth about it taking 24 hours to fully load. That sucks especially if you need to move your 6412 for some reason.

My old digital box has had iGuide for a day or so. My 6412 in my area yet, at least at the service center I went to.

no iguide in lynn yet either

Originally posted by avic
you can learn so much in here ;) xbox the new remote basically just has the swap and pip functions on the bottom. the pip wont be functional for now so only the swap button is active. you can ask for a new one OR you can program the swap button yourself on say the "hd zoom" or "tv/vcr" buttons that have no use anyway. here's how:

1) Press the "Cable" button at the top of the remote.
2) Press and hold the "Setup" button until the "Cable" button blinks twice.
3) Enter 994. The "Cable" button will blink twice
4) Press (don't hold) the "Setup" button
5) Enter 236 (code for Swap).
6) Press whatever button you want to map the swap function to.

If you screw it up or change your mind, here is the Remote Codes List (http://www.hifi-remote.com/cgi-bin2/ueic.cgi?cbl_0476)

Thanks avic, your the best!

Originally posted by tennberg
xbox:

My 6412 has been downloading guide data for about 2.5 hours now, and it shows nothing past 11PM tonight. I guess they really were telling the truth about it taking 24 hours to fully load. That sucks especially if you need to move your 6412 for some reason.

Same here! This box is sooooo much better!

One thing I've been noticing over the past few hours is that the hard drive in the 6412 is a lot louder than it was in the 6208, especially during quiet scenes in movies or shows. Since I have an open metal and glass AV shelving system, and sit about 9 feet away from it, I hear all the noises the 6412 makes. Assuming it's just an ATA drive in it, I don't see why it's so loud. Even inexpensive ATA hard drives these days are very quiet. I'm thinking Motorola skimmed over that part in its design.

Originally posted by hammersfd
no iguide in lynn yet either

No Iguide in Haverhill yet either.... And I don't know how you guys are getting the 6412's already, every one I talk to (800 number, local number and even the local office) says that they are not available yet "A couple of more weeks".... Is there some "special" number to all or something????

--Kevin

sheakt:

I think in my case it was due to the fact that I've had ongoing problems with my HD service for the past 2 months. Since the 6412s were being release soon anyway, I figure they would just pull one out early, let me try it out, and see what happens to my HD channels.

Originally posted by sheakt
No Iguide in Haverhill yet either.... And I don't know how you guys are getting the 6412's already, every one I talk to (800 number, local number and even the local office) says that they are not available yet "A couple of more weeks".... Is there some "special" number to all or something????

--Kevin

I called once last week and was told that it would be the first week of Dec. I then called a couple of days later and I insisted on the swap out, the rep forwarded me to 2 other reps and the last one finally gave me an appointment for the following day! The rep did say that I may not get the 6412 when the tech shows up. He insisted I wait another 2 weeks but i refused, I told him i'll take my chances that the tech would come with it! Like i said earlier the tech that showed up here did say that hes been swapping these out for 2 weeks already so they do have them and the csr's just don't know!

I live in Haverhill as well, no iguide here either. I called the main number earlier in the week after reading the posts here and had a swap scheduled for yesterday afternoon. The CSR told me they couldn't guarantee that I would get the 6412, but would schedule the swap anyway. The tech called about an hour before the appt to tell me the 6412's were in the warehouse, but wouldn't be available to customers until the week of Thanksgiving. Sounds like this is the party line we will all now be getting.


Originally posted by sheakt
No Iguide in Haverhill yet either.... And I don't know how you guys are getting the 6412's already, every one I talk to (800 number, local number and even the local office) says that they are not available yet "A couple of more weeks".... Is there some "special" number to all or something????

--Kevin

got the 6412 today, love it. almost like my old tivo, still not as pretty but now just as functional imo. buffer recording is sweet, no more wiping it out when u hit record. time bar of course is excellent to have. the additional 5x speed is great. we got back our audio type indicator in the flip bar. NO ads! box is as quiet as 6208, no noise issue at all. dual-tuner is dabomb. only disappointment so far is that you can sort listings by HD channels but not programs. so it doesn't know if a program is in HD or not just that it's on the HD channel. useless for me since my favs are the HD channels so i can sort by fav and essentially get the same list. overall worth the wait. now for those additional HD channels...;)

Avic, I agree with your above post. The dual tuner has made recording a million times better for me also. I have had my 6412 for a couple days also. The analog channels have not improved in quality but to be honest all I watch are HD channels anyways. The Series record option is awesome to. All in all I like the new box and the new I-Guide.

Originally posted by avic
got the 6412 today, love it. almost like my old tivo, still not as pretty but now just as functional imo. buffer recording is sweet, no more wiping it out when u hit record. time bar of course is excellent to have. the additional 5x speed is great. we got back our audio type indicator in the flip bar. NO ads! box is as quiet as 6208, no noise issue at all. dual-tuner is dabomb. only disappointment so far is that you can sort listings by HD channels but not programs. so it doesn't know if a program is in HD or not just that it's on the HD channel. useless for me since my favs are the HD channels so i can sort by fav and essentially get the same list. overall worth the wait. now for those additional HD channels...;)

Feels good, doesn't it?

Now I just need my guide up so I can set my recordings!

Avic, did you get the new remote?

"Poor man's DVR"

Just a note for those that might be interested. My 6200 functions like a dvr with the new iGuide even though I don't have a hard drive. In other words I can go through the menu and choose to "record" the show. At the start time of the show the channel changes appropriately. I just have to make sure that the timer in my Panny DVR turns on as well and show is recorded. Of course it won't record in HD, and it is only single tuner, but it will record an HD channel downcoverted. Like I said, this is poor man's dvr, or dvr for someone who thinks $120 per year for a dvr is too much.

-Ken

Originally posted by xboxjunkie
Feels good, doesn't it?

Now I just need my guide up so I can set my recordings!

Avic, did you get the new remote? nope, same remote, no big deal, i mapped the swap function to the unused 'input' button.

AVIC,

Is the 30 sec. skip working, or not.

yes

I guess I'll just make an appointment for a PVR and only accept a 6412.

Got an appointment for next Saturday for a 6412. They could have come this Wednesday, but I like to be there when anyone touches my system. Plus, my wife wouldn't know the difference between the boxes.

At first the rep said they have a memo that says they don't have them. Then I said my neighbor got one this week. She put me on hold for 5 minutes and then appologized for bad information and said they are in fact swapping out 6208's and that since I have one, I qualify to get a 6412.

This is sounding more and more like it's an eastern MA thing so far and they haven't gotten any of the boxes out to central/western yet. Course, not too many people from my neck of the woods seem to post here anyway.

New to this forum, could use advice.
I have a DVD recorder that has the Gemstar Guide Plus IPG, worked great for recording off my Comcast old Moto 5100, until three months or so ago. Then it stopped working. Had the recorder serviced, no problems found. Tried hooking it up to another non-HD Moto box, Guide Plus worked. Tried hooking cable from the wall directly into the recorder (bypassing the 5100), Guide Plus worked as well. Determined the problem was in the 5100, had the box replaced a couple weeks ago. Still no good, Guide Plus is not being sent from the box to the recorder. Found out on this forum the firmware for the 5100 was changed to 7.15 about the same time I lost the Guide Plus signal. Philips and Comcast CSRs have been absolutely no help. This forum seems to be much more knowledgeable than anyone I've talked to so far. Any advice on what to do now? Am I not asking the right questions of Comcast? Will upgrading to the 6412 help? Is the new iGuide Comcast is rolling out (not here in Salem MA yet) a firmware upgrade that may help out? Thanks for any responses; I'm at a loss and was expecting to write the Guide Plus off until this forum got my hopes up.

Originally posted by avic
got the 6412 today, love it. almost like my old tivo, still not as pretty but now just as functional imo. buffer recording is sweet, no more wiping it out when u hit record. time bar of course is excellent to have. the additional 5x speed is great. we got back our audio type indicator in the flip bar. NO ads! box is as quiet as 6208, no noise issue at all. dual-tuner is dabomb. only disappointment so far is that you can sort listings by HD channels but not programs. so it doesn't know if a program is in HD or not just that it's on the HD channel. useless for me since my favs are the HD channels so i can sort by fav and essentially get the same list. overall worth the wait. now for those additional HD channels...;)

avic:

You say above that the 6412 is as quiet as the 6208, no noise issue at all. Is your 6412 in an open rack or is it in a closed rack?

My audio/video rack is open and I sit about 8-9 feet away from the 6412 (small apartment). I can say that the 6412 for me is much noisier than the 6208. During non-action scenes, the sound of the 6412 writing to disk is very noticable. It can be quite distracting. I am not sure if it is a bad hard drive in the 6412 or not. I am also trying to think of ways to lessen the sound of the 6412.

I got the same story Larry.When I mentioned that a friend was getting an install this week they put me on hold for 5 minutes and pretty much gave me the same line.Their coming Friday with the 6412.

tennberg, i have to get very close to it with no sound to hear the writing with an open rack. if it's an issue for you maybe you can get a closed rack. i don't know that swapping it would help since others have complained of noise as well. or it may be that some are quieter that others, dunno. btw is your pixelation nightmare over with??

avic:

1. Are you talking inches away from the 6412 before you hear the hard drive writing? When you're listening to it, is the unit itself powered on and tuned to, say, an HD channel? Is your rack open on all sides? My rack is basically a metal skeleton with 4 glass shelves. No doors or walls. If that's the case, I'm thinking there might be something wrong with mine. If I'm tuned to HBO HD, for example, and I'm 9 feet away with the sound muted on, the HD noise is quite noticable. I may mention it the next time I talk to someone at Comcast.

2. As for the pixelation saga, I have not noticed any severe pixelation on any HD channels as of yet, though I did only get the unit on Friday afternoon. I'm going to be paying attention to it during this week to see what happens.

One thing I have noticed since I got the 6412 is a lot of what I'll call "concentrated pixelation". If I'm on INHD, for example, in a corner of the screen, I will notice 5-10 blocks of pixelation. 20 seconds later, in the center, there might be 3-5 blocks of pixelation. Then it will not happen for a while. I've noticed this on a few HD channels. I was told once by one of the techs a while back that this kind of pixelation is more the fault of the programming and not Comcast's delivery or any wiring. Your thoughts?

I'll agree with the tech.

we all see that from time to time, yes it's the source. tenneberg, as far as the continuous pixelation, i think it would have happened by now. so....it sounds like that problem is solved for you. as far as hdd noise i'd call in for a swap since you're going to keep thinking your box is bad. if it is, great you get a new one. if not, put a pillow over it, sit back and try to enjoy your home theater before u find another problem! ;)

No HD on the PAts game tonight ? I thought Sunday Night Football was always in HD ??

-Ken

it's in hd on espnhd, not wcvb

chris

Originally posted by hammersfd
it's in hd on espnhd, not wcvb

chris

That semi sucks.

Wednesday 9-11 for my 6412.

Test the dual tuner recording Friday night with JOA on WBZHD and Enterprise on WSBK (Where's the HD?)

For what it's worth, I stopped by the Comcast office in Salem, MA and for Marblehead, they had one 6208 and no 6412 units available (neither was available if I lived in Salem). They said the 6412 isn't intended for general release until December or January, but that I could try scheduling an appointment to upgrade my 6208 and see what happens, which I might.

Still no iGuide here in Framingham/Natick.

I tried making an appointment for the 6412 and was once again told they are not available. I think I will have to just schedule a DVR appoitment and refuse anything except the 6412.

Maybe I'll wait another week.

I called Comcast today and was told that they didn't know if the units in the warehouse were 6408's or 6412's. That seems pretty strange to me. She said to call again in 2-3 weeks.

I said right up front I had a single tuner DVR (6208) and wanted it to be replaced with a dual tuner (6412) .

I know the BIG difference back wise (NO RF OUTPUT on the 6412!)

I shall let folks know. :)

Originally posted by DaveFi
Still no iGuide here in Framingham/Natick.

I tried making an appointment for the 6412 and was once again told they are not available. I think I will have to just schedule a DVR appoitment and refuse anything except the 6412.

Maybe I'll wait another week.

No iGuide in Haverhill/Bradford yet either HOWEVER I was able to score an appointment to get 6208 upgraded to 6412 tomorrow... Guess it just take a lot of calls to get to the right person.....

--K

Me: "I have a DVR and want to upgrade to the new one."
Them: "The dual-tuner?"
Me: "Yes."
Them: "Ok let's schedule that."
Painless. They'll be doing the swap Wednesday. On a side note, the old box here (non-DVR), still isn't upgraded to the new guide here in Lowell...

Originally posted by dudehey
Me: "I have a DVR and want to upgrade to the new one."
Them: "The dual-tuner?"
Me: "Yes."
Them: "Ok let's schedule that."
Painless. They'll be doing the swap Wednesday.

Ditto....

Thats how my call went this afternoon too......

--K

Originally posted by dudehey
On a side note, the old box here (non-DVR), still isn't upgraded to the new guide here in Lowell... UPDATE: iGuide deployment has been suspended, there were major problems which resulted in loss of service to some customers. If you didn't get it in the first wave now you won't for some time. Sorry. :(

I made the same call yesterday and have an appointment for Wednesday afternoon to swap to the 6412. The only thing I find troubling is they are charging $15.25 installation fee because it is a change of service. Anyone else have to pay this?

Originally posted by FBGJR
I made the same call yesterday and have an appointment for Wednesday afternoon to swap to the 6412. The only thing I find troubling is they are charging $15.25 installation fee because it is a change of service. Anyone else have to pay this?

There was no mention of a charge when I made my appointment. I would question it if there was because I am not changing my service. I am only changing the equiptment which is not available in the local offices and they require a truck roll to do it.....

Also still no iGuide this am in Haverhill/Bradford......

--K

Originally posted by sheakt
Ditto....

Thats how my call went this afternoon too......

--K

Same here. I used those words and got an install this week. On Friday (11/12) when I called I got the same response as others, "2-3 weeks then we'll have them...". Maybe it's the wording???

I just got a 6214 scheduled for Friday afternoon. It was explained that since they're not marketing them yet, I get to pay the $15 for the delivery. She said it could be a couple of months before I could just walk in and do the swap so I decided to do it anyway. Since I'll be ditching a 6200 and a 6208 (my manual dual tuner setup), it will be close to a wash anyway.

So is Iguide on the 6412s or is it the same as on the 6208?
Should have mine tomorrow
FREAK!

Does anyone have any insight as to when Comcast will deliver new HD content? I see lots of commercials urging people to sign up for HD but I have not seen a new HD channel for awhile now.

Originally posted by metallicafreak
So is Iguide on the 6412s or is it the same as on the 6208?
Should have mine tomorrow
FREAK!

It is my understanding that iGuide is "preinstalled" on the 6412 as there is no dual tuner functionality on the 6208.......

--K

I had my 6208 swapped out for the 6412 this morning. I called earlier this week to make sure that the $15 fee would be waived. I made sure to have my box all set for pick up, disconnected, cables wrapped, remote placed on top, when the rep showed up. I had all the connecting cables to the box lined up in order, so he knelt, hooked it up in all of a minute, and turned the box on. Picture and sound came up immediately, and that was it, he took off. He was in my apartment for less than 5 minutes.

I only played with the box for a few minutes, but as noted previously, the channel changing is a lot faster than on the 6208.

Also, the HD is louder in my opinion, making more of a clicking sound when channels are changed than the dull read sound of the 6208.

He told me that the iGuide was installed on the 6412 before it'd been put in his truck. When it booted up, the iGuide was visible, but it still needed to load, since it wouldn't show upcoming shows yet. From what little I saw, the iGuide is a nice step up in GUI design. :)

-JR

you should have taken the day off to play with it juice! :) yeah content loading is still painfully slow, i dread power outages. by tonight though u should have enough to work with.

Originally posted by sheakt
It is my understanding that iGuide is "preinstalled" on the 6412 as there is no dual tuner functionality on the 6208.......

--K first part is right but the reason for the 6208 not getting iGuide has nothing to do with the tuners, it's a bug.

Originally posted by sheakt
Ditto....

Thats how my call went this afternoon too......

--K

Mine as well. They are coming tomorrow.

They want to charge me $15 for it though; I'll call and try to have that charge removed later.

Originally posted by JuiceRocket
I had my 6208 swapped out for the 6412 this morning.

I got mine swapped out as well this morning. The tech said all DVR installs around Boston are getting 6412s. However, they are in short supply in some areas. He lived on the south shore, and he has not got one for himself yet.

I am looking forward to getting home from work and having some of the content loaded. I have read several posts about mapping functions on the remote (swap tuner and 30 secnd skip). Is there a thread with all this info. in one place, or should I just keep searching around.

I just set up an appointment for the 24th. I will get a call before the apt if they do not have the 6412 in stock. "Suzanne" mentioned the $15 service fee, and I was not able to talk her out of it. I will dispute it before the visit or when I get my bill. Alternatives would be to drag a rep out every week for my pixelation and sound drop in HD channels. (I've just lived with it since my initial Comcast visit a few weeks back)

Originally posted by Gabatta
I have read several posts about mapping functions on the remote (swap tuner and 30 secnd skip). Is there a thread with all this info. in one place, or should I just keep searching around. once you get the 6412 please go to THIS THREAD (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=464986&perpage=20&pagenumber=9) so we don't have to post twice.

Originally posted by JuiceRocket
Picture and sound came up immediately, and that was it, he took off. He was in my apartment for less than 5 minutes.


Juice, I hoped you tipped the poor guy! :p

Has anyone tried visiting a local depot to pick one up?

JDLIVE:

I tried picking one up at the Danvers office, I live in Middleton. They told me not for a few more weeks yet. I made probably my 4th call to the 800 number and finally reached a CSR who would check the two local offices for my town and neither had one. She then scheduled an install with the caveat, "can't 100% guarantee" the installer will have one. I'll know Wednesday by 3:00 PM.

Originally posted by Bapon
JDLIVE:

I tried picking one up at the Danvers office, I live in Middleton. They told me not for a few more weeks yet. I made probably my 4th call to the 800 number and finally reached a CSR who would check the two local offices for my town and neither had one. She then scheduled an install with the caveat, "can't 100% guarantee" the installer will have one. I'll know Wednesday by 3:00 PM.

I spoke with a service center rep today. They explained that they don't have the 6412s yet because the generally don't get them until a few weeks after launch. So a tech might be doing installs with them now, but the service centers won't have them for another few weeks.

Thanks guys.

Has anyone been able to setup series recording for an HD channel ? I just tried to do one for 805 and only got the record option. Also I only see inhd1 under the HD Channels screen.

please post 6412 related questions in the appropriate THREAD (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=464986&perpage=20&pagenumber=10) since 99% of folks here don't have one.

Originally posted by dozens
Has anyone been able to setup series recording for an HD channel ? I just tried to do one for 805 and only got the record option. Also I only see inhd1 under the HD Channels screen.

I was just able to set up and record one series recording on one tuner and one single recording on the other tuner for the same time period (both HD - 804/807) and both recorded without a problem....

--K

Originally posted by sheakt
No iGuide in Haverhill/Bradford yet either HOWEVER I was able to score an appointment to get 6208 upgraded to 6412 tomorrow... Guess it just take a lot of calls to get to the right person.....

--K

Update...was in fact installed this PM as promised. It was the first 6412 install that tech's did.... Came with proper remote (swap button) as well...Guide populated quickly...very impressed with new iGuide functionality.


--K

Originally posted by avic
you should have taken the day off to play with it juice! :) yeah content loading is still painfully slow, i dread power outages. by tonight though u should have enough to work with.

When I got home from work, it was good to go! :D

-JR

Well,
I should get mine tomorrow. I got a phone call today saying it was not 100% that the tech would have one but if he didn't I would be put on a list
let you all know
FREAK!

Originally posted by JuiceRocket
When I got home from work, it was good to go!

Juice (or anyone else in the downtown Boston area), did you get the new remote? I did not, no swap button etc. I programmed these functions thanks to the info in the forum Avic posted a link to. However, it would be easier to have the new remote so I don't have to teach my girlfriend what all the non marked and not convenient located buttons mean.

Are the remotes available, or not in yet? I would like to exchange mine ASAP.

I just got my box swap right outside of Boston and the guy wasn't going to give me a new remote - he was convinced it was the same. After getting him to agree to go have a look in the truck, we found the new remotes and he happily gave me one :)

Hi-
Just got the 6412 this AM, it's downloading right now. The tech gave me the new remote, no questions asked. I'm not noticing a large amount of noise coming from it as noted in some previous threads despite being in an open cabine.

Oops, sorry, I noticed on my signature that it doesn't mention I'm in downtown boston.

Just got mine installed.

Headed over to the appropauaite forum for further discussion.

If anyone in the Worcester county area is getting it installed, please post. I think most folks that are lucking out just aren't in the area I'm in since it seems like none are available around here at all.

Originally posted by Gabatta
Juice (or anyone else in the downtown Boston area), did you get the new remote? I did not, no swap button etc. I programmed these functions thanks to the info in the forum Avic posted a link to. However, it would be easier to have the new remote so I don't have to teach my girlfriend what all the non marked and not convenient located buttons mean.

Are the remotes available, or not in yet? I would like to exchange mine ASAP.

Yup, he brought the new remote and swapped it out for my old one, but informed me the PIP was not yet active.

Tough for me to go over to the true 6412 thread! :D

-JR

I just had my dual tuner installed, and it is downloading all its associated stuff.

I did not get a new remote, and the fancy new documentation that Comcast has provided with the DVR service that I didn't see when I first got the DVR this summer references the new iGuide (but not dual tuner functionality).

First impressions:

1) The new iGuide is MUCH better... and I do mean MUCH than the old one. Looks much sharper, and I can customize the colors to my HT color scheme. It also indicates 5.1 sound if available. Haven't used the DVR functionality yet, but I did see the Tivo-like status bar.

This may finally be at least the close equal to Tivo. (I own Tivo as well.)

2) No DVI DHCP issues.

3) Channel switching is MUCH faster.

Now onto the other thread.

Well, I had an appointment set up to swap out my old Comcast PVR for a Dual Tuner version.

About an hour and a half after the tech was supposed to arrive, a CSR called and stated that Comcast doesn't offer these Units anywhere in Massachusetts. I thought I read that a person in Medford had gotten one...

I live in Western Mass.

still no new titles on HD ONdemand. One movie and the rest still IMAX titles. once the DVR/iGuide dust settles hopefully they'll add some more titles. and not to mention more HD, we're due yes?
WB-HD
UPN-HD
HDNet/Movies
TNT-HD
Universal HD(formerly Bravo-HD)
TMC-HD

WB and UPN HD would be fantastic. I can't wait to see Smallville in HD. :D

Have there been any updates/details on if Comcast will be carrying these networks (any of the ones you listed avic) in the near future?

-JR

Originally posted by jsg2020
Well, I had an appointment set up to swap out my old Comcast PVR for a Dual Tuner version.

About an hour and a half after the tech was supposed to arrive, a CSR called and stated that Comcast doesn't offer these Units anywhere in Massachusetts. I thought I read that a person in Medford had gotten one...

I live in Western Mass.

As you can see from many of the posts in this thread that's a load of BS. Look at the locations of people (Haverhill, MA in my case - it is under my nick).

The installer did say today was his first dual-tuner, but he seemed knowledgable about the boxes. e.g., he knew the iguide installs on older 6208 boxes were screwing people's cable up.

Originally posted by JuiceRocket
WB and UPN HD would be fantastic. I can't wait to see Smallville in HD. :D

Have there been any updates/details on if Comcast will be carrying these networks (any of the ones you listed avic) in the near future?

-JR last i heard they were talking to HDnet but still they could add WB today if they wanted. doesn't seem a priority right now. ONdemand, iGuide, and DVR are stealing the show.

Just got off the phone with customer service. They knew exactly what I was asking for, scheduled for Friday morning replacement of my 6208 with the 6412.

Originally posted by efeatherston
Just got off the phone with customer service. They knew exactly what I was asking for, scheduled for Friday morning replacement of my 6208 with the 6412.

They claimed that any installation of the 6412 was a mistake due to the 6412 being the only Box they had in stock. They claimed they couldn't support the 6412 and it wouldn't be available until December 15th minimum.

Originally posted by jsg2020
Well, I had an appointment set up to swap out my old Comcast PVR for a Dual Tuner version.

About an hour and a half after the tech was supposed to arrive, a CSR called and stated that Comcast doesn't offer these Units anywhere in Massachusetts. I thought I read that a person in Medford had gotten one...

I live in Western Mass.

Thats a load of crap.... I'm in Haverhill (Bradford) MA and got one swapped for my 6208 yesterday.... and there is probably at least a dozen other people on this board who also have them....

--K

Well, 2 CSR's claimed they are not available. What a joke.

Posting frenzy. You're going to get a different explanation from as many CSR's or techs you talk to, posting them here wont make them any more valid. Conflicting information is expected during the first phase of a product launch with any company.

Bottom line HAS NOT changed: Widespread availability is still a few weeks away. The best you can do is schedule an install and hope they come out with one. Comcast has not and will not guarantee you a 6412 at the current time nor should they.

Tried again, went minimal with the "I want to get my DVR upgraded" approach. SCheduled appointment for tomorrow with no guarantee. It just depends on whether the stock of 6412's have migrated far enough outside of Boston area now as to whether they'll have any.

But better progress than the previous two attempts.

Got mine. My wife was there to greet the tech. Data downloading and I will have a look at it tonight
Is the firmware the same version as everyone else outside of MA has? Firewire recording ok?
FREAK!

ATTENTION COMCAST: I know Comcast employees frequently browse this and other threads and I also know you've been prohibited from representing the company. This newer policy is not working. Why not eliminate the rampant misinformation which gives the company more of a bad name? It would make good sense to appoint an Online/Forum rep who can provide and control the info rather than sit back and watch the rumors and speculation snowball. The latter and current policy has caused more aggravation to customers and employees alike. Cox Cable has taken the wiser road allowing engineers/reps to post and it helps keep the Cox threads well-informed and less frustrating. So as it looks to me, we'd all benefit from this and hope you reconsider. Please pass along to your superiors.

Originally posted by metallicafreak
Got mine. My wife was there to greet the tech. Data downloading and I will have a look at it tonight
Is the firmware the same version as everyone else outside of MA has? Firewire recording ok?
FREAK! Time for you to GO HERE (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=464986&perpage=20&pagenumber=11) ;)

I had similar problems getting a 6200. I spoke to my local Supervisor and he called up someone who was "knowledgable" to bring one over. Got a call that morning stating they didn't exist.

So, we will all get one, it will just take some time to sort it out.

Originally posted by Chris Beveridge
Tried again, went minimal with the "I want to get my DVR upgraded" approach. SCheduled appointment for tomorrow with no guarantee. It just depends on whether the stock of 6412's have migrated far enough outside of Boston area now as to whether they'll have any.

But better progress than the previous two attempts.

Got my appointment on the first try. But, got a call 15 minutes before the start of the arrival window today telling me that the tech wanted them to call me and let me know that they didn't have them in stock and may not for a month or so and asked me if I wanted to reschedule or have them call me when they do have them. This is annoying.

Yeah, i still have that fear to deal with. :(

Just got my 6412 installed in Nashua, replacing the old 5100. New remote also.

The CSR had given me the standard disclaimer that they couldn't guarantee the truck would have the dual-tuner DVR, but that I could refuse the install if it was the single-tuner model. Fortunately, it didn't come to that.

had my appointment yesterday to upgrade a 6208, and a 6200 to 6412's. had a 9-11 appointment slot, at 1PM 2 techs finally showed up. they didn't have ANY dvr's with them, 6208 or 6412. i explained the situation, and they showed me the work order that clearly stated upgrade to 2 6412's. the tech called his supervisor on the nextel right in front of me, and the supervisor said, "just tell the customer we have none in stock, and to call back next week!" as soon as the techs left, i called comcast to complain. the lady i spoke to was very kind and couldn't believe what had happened. she stated she would call a supervisor to see if there were any in the warehouse. an hour later the same 2 techs returned with 2 6412's :)
these things are a HUGE improvement on the 6208's. onto the 6412 discussion forum. good luck everyone!!!!!!

Anyone know what districts service where? For instance if I, in Lowell am told that they don't have any. But I know someone in Lawrence, Haverhill, and Nashua NH have gotten them.. is it safe to say they may have them? Sort of confused here is all...

In Middleton...

Comcast swapped out my 6208 for a 6412, new remote too. There is a full instruction brochure on the dual tuner functions. I guess persistance pays off.

Had an appointment for the 6412 to be installed between 1-3 today. He showed up at 1:05 and said this was his first install of the 6412. I did the box install while he programmed the remote. He was out the door within 5 minutes. He said there are plenty of the 6412's available so keep trying if you get the uninformed CSR. I love the new guide, now its time to learn how to record one thing and watch another channel.

One draw back, tech left me with the same remote. No swap.
FREAK!

After being told by two CSRs they won't be available until sometime 2005, I talked to supervisor who said same thing. I asked for his supervisor until he said let him check into it further. I now have install scheduled for tomorrow.

Originally posted by metallicafreak
One draw back, tech left me with the same remote. No swap.
FREAK! you're still posting in the wrong thread. GO HERE (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=464986&perpage=20&pagenumber=13) and you'll find out all u need about swapping, skipping and muting.

Originally posted by spearse
After being told by two CSRs they won't be available until sometime 2005, I talked to supervisor who said same thing. I asked for his supervisor until he said let him check into it further. I now have install scheduled for tomorrow.

Where you located?

Here in Taunton we recieved the message earlier this week that "DVR is here!" through our regular boxes. (5100 and our SD Digital box)

Since I just picked up an HD set for the bedtroom, I need to shuffle my boxes around :) 5100 upstairs and a DVR downstairs.

Does anybody know that if one can self install an DVR in the future? I see no need to have a tech come by to literally plug a box in- Just like when we got the 5100. Supposedly I was the first in Taunton.

Stil no iGuide either. Since the push is on hold we'll see how long it takes. I find it funny since part of my job is software push to a few thousand PC's.

It is possible to do a self-install of a 6200 now? I have a 5100 and would like to upgrade to firewire capability for some recording. I also would rather not have to deal with a tech coming to my home if possible.

Originally posted by ScoopsHD
I spoke with a service center rep today. They explained that they don't have the 6412s yet because the generally don't get them until a few weeks after launch. So a tech might be doing installs with them now, but the service centers won't have them for another few weeks.

I wish they could change this policy. I got my 6412 installed monday morning, monday evening the 2nd tuner was still saying "one moment please". Last night I checked the 2nd tuner and it had guide data but the box rebooted itself after every 2-3 remote clicks. I called the 800 number and spoke with an HD tech, he setup a swap for 8-10 today. The tech arrived with a 6208 :( When I informed him that I was replacing a 6412 he said his work order didn't specify I needed a dual-tuner. He said he had to go to the warehouse, get the 6412 and come back sometime today. Chances are nobody will be home. If I could just pick up my own box it would save Comcast money and me time....a win/win situation. If indeed Comcast is montoring this board I hope they consider the change.

Just got the 6412 installed in Cambridge. New remote too. It took all of 5 minutes. Off to the other thread. . .

I live in Medford. Just got off the phone with Comcast with an appointment to swap both of my 6208's for 6412's.

Surprisingly there was no hassle. CSR knew exactly what I was asking for and scheduled the appointment without hesitating. She even asked, "So you want to upgrade to the new dual-tuner model, correct?"

There must not be any current supply issues to be willing to upgrade multiple units this early in the roll-out.

About an hour away from my install, the techs called and said they haven't received any of the 6412's out here yet and no idea when they will. Joy. Looks like it hasn't moved too far past the Route 495 line.

I called Comcast Last Friday 11/12 and got an appointment for this past Monday 11-15, between 11am-1pm to swap out my 6208 with the 6412. The tech came out to Watertown about 10:30 swapped the units. I got the new remote and programed the 30 sec. skip for TV/VCR button.

So far it's been problem free with the new unit. I thought SD looked worse than the 6208, but now 4 days into it, everything looks great. I rec. two shows simultaneously with no problems. Went back and watched the replay and everything looked perfect. 30 sec. skip works great.

MY TV is a Sammy HLP5063.

Kessaby

Kessaby:

I thought SD PQ was degraded slightly with the 6412 as well. Anyone else have this experience? HD seems the same.

To me, SD seemed a bit wavey. as if you were watching a streaming clip with Win. media player on a PC and had a slow connection.

But after a few days it seemed to have gotten better, much better.

What's the difference between the remotes for the 6208 vs the 6412?

I am getting my 6208 upgraded to a 6412 Saturday and I have my Harmony remote all set up for the 6208. The only button I could imagine would be a "Tuner 1/2" ??

Thanks.

one has the pip/swap buttons, the other doesn't. u only need the swap button right now since pip is not active yet. if they show up with the same one go to the 6412 thread for fun with mapping. btw i hear that pip will be activated with an iGuide upgrade not too long from now so eventually you will want to swap your remote. there should be plenty available by the time that happens.