From rob,

I'll ask again ... How does a person get a new DCT6xxx with Firewire & DVI ports?!?

From me:

Today I got the 7.07 firmware update. However, I only have a lowly 5100 so it does me no good. Called Comcast TODAY, explained my dilema and asked for a 6200. Not only did the service rep know what I was talking about, she scheduled an appointment to have the old box switched out and replaced, TODAY between 2 and 6PM.

This is wrong! Something must have happened. Did I wake up in an alternate Universe where the cable company is actually my friend? Service tech is probably going to show up with the wrong box. I mean, it just can't be that simple. Or maybe I'm still asleep and I'll wake up in a bit with the Universe restored to what it used to be.

I am now able to record and play back HD content off of the firewire port with a brand new 6200. Rob, maybe you should come live in my universe. :D

Comcast must be full of misinformation right now. I bought my D-VHS deck today and started recording HD content (yes, I know what HD content is). Later today the rep that sold me the D-VHS deck called to apologize for selling me something that would not work (I was not able to answer the phone when he callled, I was having too much fun with my new D-VHS deck) since according to his contacts at Comcast (I bought the unit at magnolia Hi-Fi) firewire is not available in this area. He offered me a full refund.

This is what I think is happening after reading many of the post here. The HD boxes the service guys are carrying around are indeed 6200s, they just don't know it. As far as I know, there has NEVER been a 5100 with DVI hardware (look on the bottom of your box). Therefore, I suggest you call the CSRs and tell them the your cable box doesn't work at all. I bet you dollars to donuts that they'll show up with a shiney new 6200 with firewire and DVI ports, and they'll already be activated. I mean, get creative out there. I'm begining to think that all of the 5100's have already been passed out leaving only 6200's and the odd 5100 that has been returned.

I just looked on the bottom of my box. I definitely have a 5100 with an active dvi port.

As far as I know, there has NEVER been a 5100 with DVI hardware

*checks bottom of my box*

5100 with active DVI port. :) I'm not too worried about getting a 62xx model right now since my DVI port is active and I have no use for Firewire right now.

Now just gimme Kiro in HD!

Oh and side note...Click! Network in Tacoma says they're almost ready to launch their HD service with every local HD channel set to be available at launch (including Kiro and KSTW), along w/ most of the premium HD channels (HBO, Cinemax, etc) as well as DiscoveryHD. Their price point was a bit higher than Comcast however and they won't have INHD or INHD2.

Originally posted by mpestrada74
Oh and side note...Click! Network in Tacoma says they're almost ready to launch their HD service with every local HD channel set to be available at launch (including Kiro and KSTW), along w/ most of the premium HD channels (HBO, Cinemax, etc) as well as DiscoveryHD. Their price point was a bit higher than Comcast however and they won't have INHD or INHD2.

Be aware that Click! is simply pulling the local HD channels off air and then rebroadcasting them out over their network. Better than nothing (KIRO) I guess, but picture quality is probably not quite as high as a direct feed I would suspect.

I just looked on the bottom of my box. I definitely have a 5100 with an active dvi port.

That's just fine. Go ahead and blow big holes in my theory. Darn it. :p

Be aware that Click! is simply pulling the local HD channels off air and then rebroadcasting them out over their network. Better than nothing (KIRO) I guess, but picture quality is probably not quite as high as a direct feed I would suspect.

Actually, grabbing the signal off air and then rebroadcasting it should not result in any loss in picture quality. Depending on where they place their antennas and the quality of the signal they get, there should be no problem. Remeber, it's not like analog. All they are capturing is the bitstream, repackaging it around a new carrier frequency (and all that that entails, I don't know the details) and retransmitting the exact same bitstream on their network. As long as the bitstream isn't mangled, the output quality will be as good as from the broadcasters themselves. And if it is mangled, you'll get pixelation and potentially sound drop out. If that doesn't happen, the signal IS as good as the broadcasters.

More great news, VOD launched in all of Sno. County except Edmonds today.

I don't have the need for DVI or Firewire right now in my 5100, but if someone can confirm that SD channels are clearer in the 6200 vs 5100, I'll order up a 6200 just to improve my SD channel viewing.

Darryl

Originally posted by mpestrada74

Oh and side note...Click! Network in Tacoma says they're almost ready to launch their HD service with every local HD channel set to be available at launch (including Kiro and KSTW), along w/ most of the premium HD channels (HBO, Cinemax, etc) as well as DiscoveryHD. Their price point was a bit higher than Comcast however and they won't have INHD or INHD2.

Click!'s HD service is up and running. They have KOMO, KING, KIRO, WB22, UPN11, KBTC and KCPQ. They also have ESPN, HDNet and Discovery HD Theater, HBO and Showtime. The price, with premium channels, is $15 extra above what you pay for the digital package of your choice. And, you can get HBO and Showtime in HD without having it in standard. So:

Digital Basic 39.99
HD Premium 15.95
Total 55.94

Since I am in UP (new launch area) I get free install and $10 off a month for the first year.

You lucky freakin' Tacomans. ;)

That is an awesome package for that price. If Click! were available in Seattle, I would switch in a heartbeat.

Yeah, but the commute sucks:)

Also, I confirmed with the Click! rep that all of the HD boxes are 6200's.

Too bad my price for Comcast service is too competitive since I'm in the Click! network area. I currently pay $37.99/mo for digital cable (locals, ESPN, INHD, INHD2). I'm debating whether the extra cash is worth losing INHD and INHD2 but gaining KIRO, UPN, Discovery, and HDNet. :(

ErichGS,

Is that $39.99 price permanent or is it a special promo going on?

39.99 is their regular price for digital basic. Being that I live in University Place and they just launched here, I will be getting the digital basic for 29.99/month for the first 12 months. So my monthly bill will actually be around $45/month for the first year.

Just wanted to let you all know got confirmation on StarzHD and Cinemax HD launching next Thursday the 26th as was mentioned earlier.

Is it just me or is it starting to feel like christmas? :)

Hi, Guys:
Newbie here. Just got me a HT setup.
Toshiba 51HX83
Harman Kardon AVR230
Onkyo SKS510 6.1
Toshiba DVD (non progressive)

Am getting Dish Network hookup. $40.99/month for their basic package + HD package + local. The HD package includes ESPN HD, Discover HD, HDnet, HDnet Movie. Any comments?
The Dish Guy was supposed to be here last Saturday, but cancelled the appointment at the last minute. Told me that they didn't have their 8100 HD receiver. Showed up this Tuesday, a ncie guy, spent 1 hour to setup the Dish and wiring, started activation of the 8100... Wouldn't download. Blamed it on a "bad box", run out and got another one, messed around for another 2 hours... Exactly the same problem. Changed a bunch of wires and connectors. Same!!! Hooked up a SD box and worked fine. We were both pissed. Left after 9 pm. Told me "You are on my mind". No show last night. I am beginning to wonder...
What's you guys' experience with Dish Network? Any opinion regarding my choice?
Thanks in advance

Howcome: this is the Seattle COMCAST thread you should probably direct your question somewhere else.

I don't mean to be unfriendly, but your post doesn't fit the Comcast thread too well, unless you're asking if you should cancel dish and go with Comcast.

Here's a question for you: Can you tune HD over-the-air? If so, I'd go with satellite, Dish or DirecTV. If you can't get OTA signal, cable is your only way to get HD locals in this area.

--Mike

Still no new firmware here (east Bellevue). I have a 5100 with DVI but no firewire port.

I also have a display with a non-HDCP DVI, so before I even think about getting a cable to try it, what is the status of HDCP for the signals from the Comcast box?

As far as I'm concerned, this is all just treading water, waiting for the important stuff like 6x08, CBS, and next weeks new HDTV signals.

Originally posted by Milt99
Total noob here on Comcast.
I've looked through the setup menu etc.,
and haven't been able to find out how to delete unwanted channels.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
BTW, firmware is 7.07.
Thanx.

Unfortunately you cannot delete channels with the current TV Guide software. Yeah, I know. Guide on comcast boxes are pretty lame.

For more info on Motorola HD boxes check out miatasm's FAQ page (http://www.cjhengineering.com/5100faq.htm) I guess he'll update the page soon for the DVI upgrade.

A quick question of my own. Can I use the DVI cable that came with my LCD monitor to check out the port on my cable box?

Can I use the DVI cable that came with my LCD monitor to check out the port on my cable box

Most likely not as one is DVI-A and the Other DVI-D which are uncompatable

actually if you used it with our LCD monitor, odds are what you have will work. i've used the one that came with my dell lcd to my directv hd box to a plasma & it worked just fine. (dvi-a is analog for hooking to analog crts, e.g., where-as dvi-d is for a digital connection, used by PCs to an lcd, e.g.)

btw - here's a good source for explanation... http://datapro.datapro.net/dvi.html

scorpi0,
Thanks for the reply on my channel blocking Q.
The only way to reasonably do it is to select the channels as
favorites and use the FAV button. Lame.
As far as your DVI cable, try it out.
Like brente, I'm betting it will work fine and is worth it.
HD via DVI on ComCast is much better than component for me.
My pj is LCD.

i just spoke to two separate csr's and they both said the 6200 was NOT available in seattle. Is the picture quality using the DVI output (vs component) worth the headache i'm going to have to go through to convince them to bring me a 6200? not to mention the $100 for a 3 meter DVI cable. Or should I wait for a digital video recording capable STB that they're supposedly coming out with? Or am I missing something here? this thread is very difficult to sift through.

can someone recommend a CSR at comcast i could talk to that would have a clue? basically my needs are simple. DVI out to my Toshiba, and eventually the ability to record in HiDef (preferably hard disk recording, not to tape)

I can tell no difference between component and DVI on hd programing on my 5100. The analog channels MAY look a little bit better on DVI but neither component or dvi look as good from the cable box as they do with the internal tuner on my pioneer set.

I noticed tonight that KIRO-DT is now transmitting its regular fare on 7-1 along with a blank screen on 7-2.

Might the retransmission consent impasse with Comcast be due to an attempt to grab multiple digital channels? (I know that KCTS got its four, so I'm not so sure.)

Just a thought.

Doug,

I had a similar experience with CSRs earlier this week when trying to order my second box. On two occasions, I requested 6200 and they both told me that they were not available. But they both told me that the Comcast guy would come with the latest box available so I gave them the benefit of the doubt.

When the Comcast guy arrived today, I asked him for a 6200 because I wanted the DVI output. At first, the guy told me that he had only 5100s but that he would go take a look. He came back with a 6200 in his hand, saying that he thought they were all 5100, but that he had actually only 6200 in his truck! To his defense, he showed me the box, and I had to agree with him that besides the 2 Firewire ports and the label, the boxes look almost exactly the same.

Since he had plenty of them, he even offered to exchange my 5100 for a new 6200. So I actually have 2 of them here now. :)

I also did got the new "On Demand"-ready remotes, even though the service isn't available here yet.

So, my advice to you is to not worry too much about what the CSR tells you. Try to get them to understand that you need a DVI output on your cable box and you would like to replace your current one. Whether they think you'll get another 5100 (with DVI) or a 6200 is irrelevent, chances are that you'll get a 6200 at this point.

My $0.02 for what they're worth.

-eric

EricJut: You mentioned that you got the new "on-demand remotes". What's different about them compared to the older remotes? The reason that I ask is because when the Comcast guy came to replace my 5100 with a 6200, he said that I didn't need a new remote and that my older one would work just fine.

Jeremy: Is it worth calling Comcast and having them deliver me one of the newer remotes?

Originally posted by pastiche
I noticed tonight that KIRO-DT is now transmitting its regular fare on 7-1 along with a blank screen on 7-2.

Might the retransmission consent impasse with Comcast be due to an attempt to grab multiple digital channels? (I know that KCTS got its four, so I'm not so sure.)

Just a thought.

I doubt it. Those two feeds still total 19.2 mbps just like any other feed. It is a disturbing sign that KIRO may be considering multicasting. I frequently find the KCTS HD content to be sub-par, with a lot of high-motion macroblocking resulting from their low bitrate.

nishant there is no difference in the remotes only appearance difference's they both function exactly the same. There is 2 versions of the newer remote and one has a dedicated "VOD" button that simply takes you to the main VOD screen but to answer you're question no its not worth especially since if you called requesting a remote they'd charge about 8 bux for a new remote and no guarantee you'd even get the "new" remote.

Why is VOD not available in Edmonds only. Do we have a different head-end?? Are we too close to the water?? Have we upset someone?? Is it because of my CC problem??

Seriously, what is the reason?

I turned on my Zenith C32V37 today and notice something quite unusual. The quality of the Analog and Digital stations were simply amazing I said to myself something cant be right and sure enough i checked the firmware on the box by powering off the cable box and clicking ok on the remote it said Firmware 7.07 (yesterday it read 5.03) and I must say it makes a hell whole lot of difference. I am sure glad I got that Motorola 5200 piece of crap exchanged for the new 6200 box as its amazing. Im not sure if they upgraded the firmware in the 5200/5100 boxes can anyone confirm if they did???

I can now use DVI and am a happy camper as all my channels look outstanding, I am in the Seattle Area, can anyone else confirm that they upgraded the firmware in other cities??? Even without the DVI Port hooked up the picture is simply amazing and the difference now is so huge now that this new firmware upgrade took place WOWZERS!

Oh BTW if your cable company gave you the 5200 box get rid of it asap call up and complain about the quality and they will give you the all new Motorola 6200! And I must say there is a Huge and i repeat HUGE difference now that this new firmware upgrade is out!

Anyone else get the new firmware with DVI???

Bremerton, I'm now confused about the differences between the 5100 and the 6200. I had HD installed three weeks ago in Central Seattle and was told that the 6200 was not available. I got the 5100 with the DVI inactive port. After reading through this forum, it seemed to me that the firmware upgrade can make some improvements in the picture but the newer box does not make a difference. Although I have not gotten the upgrade yet I believe that the 5100 will receive the 7.07 firmware. My HD picture is fantastic but the analog picture is poor.

Am I missing something here? I'm still not sure why I should request the newer box. (It is a pain for me to wait for Comcast and I hate having to negotiate with them.)

I can confirm I live on Capitol Hill I have a DCT 6200 I exchanged for it from the 5100 last week! And Yes the Analog was POOR until the NEW firmware Upgrade (7.07) TODAY!!! Its so Unbelievably crisp now its AMAZING!

I had the 5100 but was very Dissatisfied with it, the 6200 is alot better i suggest you get one swapped out! It will be free if you tell em something is wrong with it (shocks you or something like that)

This is the way HDTV should be Crisp and Clear even on Analog and Digital stations!

I have a regular Digital Cable box in my bedroom and the New Firmware Upgrade today blows that picture quality away BIG TIME! Before it was the one in the living room that was better! :p

I live in West Seattle and still no firmware upgrade. When should I be concerned?

I too haven't received the firmware upgrade. *Trying to be patient* Will my SD channels look "that" much better with v.7.0x?

Yes there is a Huge difference!

It's almost MARCH, and it's MADNESS that there's no KIRO.

-Steve

Originally posted by chris5977
I live in West Seattle and still no firmware upgrade. When should I be concerned?

I live in WS and no firware here either, I'd say, give em time...

Ric

Originally posted by Bremerton
Yes there is a Huge difference!

Seriously? Somewhere in the source is

#DEFINE USECRAPPYVIDEO 0 //This used to be 1. Oppps. My bad.

Thanks to this forum, I will soon be getting a DCT6200. Today, I spoke with a supervisor at Comcast. I gave her the link to this forum & a few other places on the web, then *BLING!*LIGHTBULB!* OMIGAWD, we are deploying the DCT6200!?!

I can't wait:)

Originally posted by jameskollar
From rob,



From me:



I am now able to record and play back HD content off of the firewire port with a brand new 6200. Rob, maybe you should come live in my universe. :D

Comcast must be full of misinformation right now. I bought my D-VHS deck today and started recording HD content (yes, I know what HD content is). Later today the rep that sold me the D-VHS deck called to apologize for selling me something that would not work (I was not able to answer the phone when he callled, I was having too much fun with my new D-VHS deck) since according to his contacts at Comcast (I bought the unit at magnolia Hi-Fi) firewire is not available in this area. He offered me a full refund.

This is what I think is happening after reading many of the post here. The HD boxes the service guys are carrying around are indeed 6200s, they just don't know it. As far as I know, there has NEVER been a 5100 with DVI hardware (look on the bottom of your box). Therefore, I suggest you call the CSRs and tell them the your cable box doesn't work at all. I bet you dollars to donuts that they'll show up with a shiney new 6200 with firewire and DVI ports, and they'll already be activated. I mean, get creative out there. I'm begining to think that all of the 5100's have already been passed out leaving only 6200's and the odd 5100 that has been returned.

Woo hoo!!! Got my 6200 installed on Wed. DVI and Firewire both active with 7.07 firmware. I was a new install and 7.07 was there from the start so I don't know if the box was already updated or if it was pushed down the moment it was connected.

I do notice a big picture difference between firewire and DVI. Firewire seems over saturated and getting artifacts and pixelation from time to time. DVI seems to have a brighter gamma and much more natural colors and skin tones.

My system:
Mitsubishi WS-55613 RP TV
Mitsubishi HD1100U D-VHS
Onkyo TX-NR801 Receiver
DALI Evidence 5.1 Loudspeakers

I am having some recording issues. I have firewire connecting the D-VHS to the TV and the 6200 to the TV. It records the video great, except for occasional drop outs and artifacts. But there's no audio. Is the firewire not delivering audio or is there something wrong with my deck? (It wouldn't surprise me - $180 open box special from Fry's) This deck only has stereo inputs/outputs (seems odd an HD device without SPDIF). Do I need a firewire capable AV Receiver?

What is the process for Comcast deploying the new firmware? I still haven't received it, and apparently I'm not alone. Is there a list that someone looks at in the middle of the night and says, "I think I'll do this one tonight"? Is there something that I need to do to initiate a download? One would think it would be automated, and that everyone would get it about the same time.

Patfaram.

Does your TV have a digital out? Standalone HD Decoders/recievers like my old Panasonic TU-DST50 have a digital out that is connected to your A/V Reciever. So I imagine your HD cable box is connected that way but you are only getting video to the TV and do not have the Digital audio connected to your reciever. If the Tv has a digital out as I would expect you can connect that to a open digital input on your receiver.


what model VCR did you get the great deal on?

hello jameskollar ... Is audio & video being pumped out the Firewire port? So, you're recording HD broadcasts ... SWEET!!! I own a Philips DVDR80 and wonder if I can record HD broadcasts via the Firewire port.

I feel the pain of us subscribers suffering with the $H!TTY PQ & audio quirks of the DCT5100, that software/firmware updates that we never got fixed. We subscribers with DCT5100 haven't gotten a firmware/software update for over a year ... we'll have to wait just a little bit longer ... we're at Comcast's mercy.

Originally posted by jameskollar
From rob,



From me:



I am now able to record and play back HD content off of the firewire port with a brand new 6200. Rob, maybe you should come live in my universe. :D

Comcast must be full of misinformation right now. I bought my D-VHS deck today and started recording HD content (yes, I know what HD content is). Later today the rep that sold me the D-VHS deck called to apologize for selling me something that would not work (I was not able to answer the phone when he callled, I was having too much fun with my new D-VHS deck) since according to his contacts at Comcast (I bought the unit at magnolia Hi-Fi) firewire is not available in this area. He offered me a full refund.

This is what I think is happening after reading many of the post here. The HD boxes the service guys are carrying around are indeed 6200s, they just don't know it. As far as I know, there has NEVER been a 5100 with DVI hardware (look on the bottom of your box). Therefore, I suggest you call the CSRs and tell them the your cable box doesn't work at all. I bet you dollars to donuts that they'll show up with a shiney new 6200 with firewire and DVI ports, and they'll already be activated. I mean, get creative out there. I'm begining to think that all of the 5100's have already been passed out leaving only 6200's and the odd 5100 that has been returned.

Hi Rob,

yes, audio and video is being pumped out on the firewire port. Last night for example, my wife and I watched The Apprentice (in SD) and ER (in HD) that we had recorded on Thursday. In 2 hours of viewing, there were about 4 minor glitches, each less than 1 second. I've seen the glithes when viewing other programs and glitches seem to be coming from the firewire port not the deck (glitches also occur when deck is in playthrough mode). The glitches are minor and just a small nuisance. I also know for a fact that I can record Dolby Digital 5.1 with my deck (JVC 30K). Saaaaweeeet!

...and thanks to Bremerton for the tip. I called Comcast yesterday to ask about the Firmware upgrade for my 5100. They tried to do it while I was on the phone but it didn't take. The CSR knew that the analog picture should improve and he stated that DVI and Firewire would be activated. He then realized that I had the 5100 and said that I would need the 6200 to get everything to work.

So... he scheduled a service call for this morning, about 18 hours after the call. I decided to not write a positive note until after...

Cableguy just left. Great service, he called about ten minutes before arriving to review the service order. He carried in a 6200 and he and I decided to do a before and after test of the analog picture as well as the menu. I have PIP so we also compared the analog picture through the box with the direct analog connection.

With the 5100, the analog picture was clearly inferior to the direct analog picture. The colors were oversaturated and slightly more blurry. (as an aside, my analog XBR still looks better than my digital XBR with analog signals).

The 6200 came with the new firmware already loaded. It looks identical to the 5100 except for the Firewire ports. My old 5100 already had the DVI port. The 6200 analog picture looked at least equal to the direct analog picture and on one channel was slightly sharper. It's close, but clearly the 6200 analog picture with the 7.07 firmware is a significant visual improvement over the 5100 with the old firmware (5.02?) I can't say whether the 5100 with the 7.07 firmware would be equally good.

The menu added a "Timer" option. This is great. Now you can set up the box to automatically change channels to match VCR recordings. I use a SVHS and can now tape different digital and HD shows without worrying about setting the box for each show! The tech also said that VOD was coming next week and that the demo set in the Comcast North Seattle office already has the new software on it.

All for now. A good Comcast experience! Next, I'll try DVI.

Ok, I got my Comcast HD receiver in October.

I am too lazy to yank it out of the TV Stand right now...but I have to ask: I have the box that has a silver front and USB1.1 and av connctions on the left, and a smart card slot on the right....I know I have a DVI slot on the back.

If I gointo the config screen from the menu, it says I have:

Model: DCT
S/W Ver: 50.00-1078

the on the otherside it says I have firmware 08

Where does that leave me? Should I get a new box? Is my DVI active? I don't have a DVI cable, and I don't want to but one if it's not working yet.

Thanks

The menu added a "Timer" option. Does anyone know what this is for? The tech said that VOD was coming next week and that the demo set in the Comcast North Seattle office already has the new software on it.

The tech that brought my 6200 out thought the timer had something to do with the PVR function that is supposed to be coming. I expect he was confused because I thought we were going to need the 6208 or 6408 for the pvr.

Does anyone know where the audio compression settings should be set? The tech set it to heavy compression. The other options were none or light compression.

I think I figured out the "Timer" option. See edited note above. I'll try it out tonight. I'll try and tape Shrek and then switch to something else.

Vespa, nobody has answered my question about whether a firmware upgrade to your 5100 would suffice! 5100 and 6200 look identical from the front. Only difference I noticed was the Firewire ports next to the Optical port and a label on the bottom. Also, some older 5100 did not have the DVI port.

Thanks Art...I called Comcast...and asked them to enable the port (to see what their response would be) and they said nope...not active yet. I told that I'd like to switch out to a 6200 box...she put me on hold....came back and said they don't have enough, but that she personally would call me back when they got them in (right...and at the same time the Boston Redsox will win the World Series)

I am kinda ticked....any pointers/secrets to get a 6200 that I can try ?

Tell them your current box is broken. Lie! For example, disconnect your adui so that when the guy shows up you don't have audio going. BTW: I did not just say that. Someone else is spoofing me. I clain no resposibilty for this post. I didn't do it. :D

I thought of that....but there is a high probability that I'll get a 5100 again....(sigh)

I long for the days when you could swap them out at the customer service counter

I'd bet you a dollar that you don't get a 5100 again. They will probaby think they are bringing you a 5100, but it will be a 6200. They guy that brought mine said he only had 5100's. I asked him to look on the bottom. Imagine that. It was a 6200. :)

Hmmm, I don't think so. I bet your chances are pretty good that you'll get a new 6200. I doubt that Comcast is buying any more 5100s. They have probably already given out all the DCT5100 and any new units should be 6200s. This is just my guess. It is based on my experience (they told me they only had 5100s and I got a 6200 by insisting that they come over and swap out the box anyway) and what I have seen posted on this thread. In any event, I wish all of you who would like to get the 6200's the best of luck. I LOVE my new 6200...

Glad I Helped you artseattle, There is no reason why anyone should have to deal with the picture quality of the 5100 boxes, oh and about your question of whether the 5100 boxes have the same improvement as the 6200 boxes with firmware 7.07 I have been told by many people simply NO in fact some has even said its gotten worse. Motorolla is very aware of the bugs in their 5100 boxes which is why they rolled out the 6200 models, For others out there save yourself the time and trouble and get the new 6200 box as Motorolla has fixed the design flaws. If Comcast tells you they dont have the 6200 its ******** cause they do! whats funny is even the guy who came and switched my box says hes given me the 5100 box when in fact its the 6200 model LOL! Bottom line they dont know what they are talking about as they all have the 6200 boxes now! JamesKollar is right tell em its broken or better yet tell them it shocks you as this is one of the many problems of the 5100 boxes (which is why they relocated firewire to the back) I hope this helps you all, Because i do not wish the 5100 box upon anyone, that is not the way it was meant to watch HDTV!:p

OOPS SORRY!! accidently hit send twice:mad:

:mad:

sorry

Sir, step away from the keyboard, nice and slow.

It's all good now. Digital audio out was defaulting to off on the TV. Took some real drilling down on setup menus to enable it. It's kind of a new way of thinking to allow the VCR's AV to go down the firewire into the TV, then send the audio out of the TV to the AV receiver, while controlling the VCR with the TV. I think I'll take some Advil and watch a movie :D

Thanks Wezar. The D-VHS I got from Fry's for $180 was the Mitsubishi HS-HD1100U. This was the only one they had at the time and it was an open box. But I could tell it had never been hooked up because all of the internal packing was pristine.

Good to read that you have it figured out. Thats a great price for a good HDVCR. You will love it.

If I was not so deep into DirecTV equipment I might be all over a cable recording solution. I can't believe I typed that.... I remember ripping the cable off my house for Viacom to come pick up as a high point back in 1995.

Still Cable does not have a DVR yet and thats what my family has to have. We use 3 ultimate Tv receivers and I would be shot if I even tried to take them away before a better product is available. I am lucky to have great OTA at my place for digital so its just being able to timeshift or archive HBO and Showtime.

The DirecTivo HD will not have a firewire output in its first offering so I am going to wait a year and see what happens.

Cable may win the war.

(I posted this under the Hardware section but I thought I'd share it with my NW friends)

Got the firmware upgrade today for my 6200. I really like the new "Timer" feature which is in the menu. You can now synchronize your cable box to switch channels along with your VCR. In my case, I have my SVHS set to Line 1 and have a S-video cable feeding the VCR from the box. The picture on the slow speed is spectacular on HD programming. I'm thinking that it looks better than store bought VHS tapes.

Using the timer I can get the box to change to Channel 104 (ABCHD) every Sunday night for "The Practice." and set my VCR to tape every Sunday at the same time. Easy! You can also set everything to change to 105 at 11:00 pm if you want to watch the local NBC news. The ease of taping is getting closer to when no boxes were required.

Try it out. I'm wondering if this would work through the firewire for D-VHS taping? Shouldn't it?

You can also set everything to change to 105 at 11:00 pm if you want to watch the local NBC news. The ease of taping is getting closer to when no boxes were required.

Duh! Light bulbs going off over my head. Yeah, that should do the trick. I was thinking of something a liitle more complex as far as setup goes but perhaps easier to program. Just ordered a learning remote/blaster box that connects to your PC. My thought was to program my PC to send signals to the cable box to switch channels and signals to my D-VHS to turn recording on and off at specifed times. However, with the timer function you should be able to accomplish the same thing, although somewhat less elegantly. Hmmmm.....

BTW: The JVC 30K and I suspect the JVC40K will NOT control a DCT6200. Someone please prove me wrong. :D

Here's another really cool feature about the 6200 (or maybe it's just the 7.07 firmware update):

I own an InFocus 7200 (DLP front projector widescreen 1280X720p) and on my old 5100, everytime I switched from an HD channel to a non-HD (or vice-versa), I would get two annoying problems:
1. My projector would have to switch resolution and it would take several seconds to see the picture again (4-5 seconds).
2. My aspect ratio needed to be changed (4:3 -> 16:9 or 4:3 -> 16:9).

This annoyed the hell out of me. But I was very surprised to see that Comcast (or Motorola) fixed both problems on the 6200 by always upconverting to the chosen resolution. This improves the experience quite a lot in my case and I'm very happy they fixed it. Kudos to whoever is responsible! :)

Am I the only one that had this problem and/or enjoying the fix?

-eric

Does anyone know if the 7.07 firmware version was specifically sent out to 5100/6200 boxes with DVI?


Thanks,

Originally posted by wezar

Cable may win the war.

Cable may not have won the war, but they have won the HD battle at this point in my household. 6 weeks after placing the order, Dish still hadn't come up with a 811 for me, so I called Comcast, who had 6200 out to me in three days. At this point, we had both Dish and Comcast. I couldn't get rid of Dish because of the 508 that had become ingrained in our household.

Yesterday I picked up a Replay TV 40 hour and set it up with Comcast. It's the perfect compromise at this point. For HD programming, we can watch in HD unless we need to pause, then we simply hit the pause button on the ReplayTV, switch the input on our TV over to that signal, and restart the show when we need to. It's not in HD anymore, but the 480p output that the Replay has is a better picture than anything that Dish had. With the DVR from Comcast coming down the road, Replay + Comcast HD PVR may end up being the best solution for a while in my house.

Eric you could have had the same thing with the old firmware would have just needed to switch off 480 override.

I can't believe my original 5100 came with that option on. :( And to think I lived with it for months...

Oh well, just glad to hear I was the only fool that didn't know about it. :D

-eric

Originally posted by shin0bi
Does anyone know if the 7.07 firmware version was specifically sent out to 5100/6200 boxes with DVI?


Thanks,

I have a 5100 with DVI, and have not received the 7.07 update (Crossroads area of Bellevue).

I tried to order HDTV via the Comcast website yesterday. Today I got an email saying that it was not available at my address. :confused: I've been following this thread, and seems that everywhere around me (Kirkland, 98033) has it. I'll probably call Monday and confirm with a service rep, but it just seems odd that I would not be able to get it.

My experience is that there is little, if any, connection between the Comcast website and reality. I tried to use it in January for the same purpose, and received this response:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for your interest in Comcast Services.

Unfortunately the online department is unable to process your order
regarding HDTV.

Please contact customer care at 1-888-COMCAST.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That may be what you got. If so, never fear; I called the locals & scheduled delivery of the box for two days later (a Sunday).

I believe I used this number: 1-877-824-2288.

Question about firmware: with a 5100 box and the latest firmware...does it make a difference or do I have to have the 6200 to notice a difference both in SD and HD? I'm sure this answer is in this forum somewhere but there's only about a million posts. Thanks for any help.

Steve

I was just about to ask the same question. Does anyone out there have 5100 that has received the 7.07 firmware. My 5100 still shows a firmware of 08 (South King County). Also those that have the 6200 is the PQ improved in the 480P overide setting, I have to use 480i now because of the degradation of PQ in 480P.

On a different subject those wanting PVR capabilities may want to look into a PC PVR option. I have been running mine for 6 months now and it works great!! I have 500Gig of storage online and can burn anything to DVD for archive. I am also piping around the house with a wireless 11g network.

Can't wait for the bugs to be worked out for recording HD via firewire.

Originally posted by Trevorsplace
My 5100 still shows a firmware of 08 (South King County).

Firmware should be either 5.03 or 7.07. Sounds like you may need to go one more page to find out what yours is (it's on the "d08" page).

OK it shows 2.48 for the firmware on the d08 page.

What should be, and what hasn't happend for over a year is a world of difference. My dct5100 still is on software/firmware: 50.00-1078 & 2.48

That's just sad.

Originally posted by wareagle
Firmware should be either 5.03 or 7.07. Sounds like you may need to go one more page to find out what yours is (it's on the "d08" page).

Look on the next line. On d08 page, mine shows:

Boot loader: 02.16
Firmware: 05.03

You may have 07.07, but you should see either that or 05.03

Originally posted by r0bErT4u
What should be, and what hasn't happend for over a year is a world of difference. My dct5100 still is on software/firmware: 50.00-1078 & 2.48

That's just sad.

Wow! That IS sad. Mine isn't as bad as I thought.

My 5100 showed 7.07 on Friday, I din't notice any difference at all really on the HD, but SD channels seem to be a little worse. Didn't tell my wife there were any changes and she was commenting on the SD channels looking bad last night. I would try to get a 6200 from Comcast, but I am switching to Click! in 3 weeks and will get a 6200 along with all the locals (except KONG).

Just checked again mine is:
Boot loader: 02.16
Firmware: 02.48

South King County/Auburn

dang you got an antique firmware :mad: thats weird!

My 5100 has firmware 2.48 as well.

yeah, I've got 2 5100s here on the eastside and both are the same. one box I got back in October/November 2002 - the other in October 2003. hopefully we'll be getting our firmware updates soon - PLEASE!

I'm in West Seattle (Admiral neighborhood) with a 5100...firmware of 2.48. Are they rolling out firmware updates by neighborhood or could there be something with my configuration (or my 5100) that is preventing the firmware update from taking place?

I have the 5100 and internet access from Comcast. I don't have a phone line hooked up to the box...could that be an issue?

Thanks,
Jeff

Originally posted by jameskollar

I am now able to record and play back HD content off of the firewire port with a brand new 6200. Rob, maybe you should come live in my universe. :D


Are you able to record HBO and other premium channels, or just the locals?

Good news about 7.07! I was lucky enough to get a 6200, and it is now showing firmware upgraded. Now, since Firewire is now putting out HD audio and video, and I have a Firewire connection on my HTPC, is there an application out there that can record and play the stream?

I got spoiled by the OTA HDTV available through my HiPix at my previous house- a view of the Olympics and Hood Canal was worth the move, but killed any hope of OTA. I'd love to be able to use it for more than playing a few things I recorded at the old place!

Are you able to record HBO and other premium channels, or just the locals?

Everything! HBO. SHOW. Digital channels. If you see it on your TV you can record it!

Another 5100 user with 2.48 firmware. Thanks Comcast for keeping me on the bleeding edge!

Oh well, I have a 6200 coming this weekend.

Well, with the price of DVI cables these days, I can't say I am in a hurry to swap out my 1.25 year old 5100 for one of the newfangled models that have a DVI output.

Does Comcast just expect us to know that they have DCTs with DVI outputs and firewire now, or is someone going to call us and force us to trade in our old boxes? Not everyone who has HD cable follows these things on the Internet, but still deserve to be notified that new stuff is available.

The next time I get a day off, or I get an HD recording capability, I will be off to the cable store to swap out my box for the firewire, though. Unfortunately, those stores only run M-F until 6PM, and are located in some of the most unreachable areas of Puget Sound during rush hour. I don't know if they still insist that you go to a cable store that belongs to your neighborhood's cable system or if you can just go to one close to where you work. That would be just too convenient to be allowed.

Al they will not swap an HD box at any of the cable stores you have to make an appt for a tech to come out to swap it for you.

Originally posted by Al Shing
Well, with the price of DVI cables these days, I can't say I am in a hurry to swap out my 1.25 year old 5100 for one of the newfangled models that have a DVI output.


Quality DVI cables actually aren't that expensive. I purchased a 3m cable for $24.00 plus tax.

I probably need one of those 7m cables. The Monster Cables I've been seeing seem to go for about $30 per 1m. A 4m one was $129 at Circuit City or Best Buy.

I haven't seen anything around other than the Monster Cables, but I imagine Radio Shack is about a year away from carrying DVI cables.

Originally posted by mpestrada74
Quality DVI cables actually aren't that expensive. I purchased a 3m cable for $24.00 plus tax.

where'd you purchase this?

Originally posted by DougM
where'd you purchase this?

Doug, try pacific cable (http://www.pacificcable.com) they are in Auburn and have great prices and product.

Just what triggers an update to the firmware in a box? Naive souls such as I would have assumed that when a new version is available it would automatically be provided. However, the fact that there seem to be so many boxes out here with 2.48 indicates otherwise. Is it a case of the squeaky wheel receiving the grease, and if you don't complain you're stuck with what the box came with?

Perhaps Jeremy could provide insight on this.

Originally posted by wareagle
Just what triggers an update to the firmware in a box? Naive souls such as I would have assumed that when a new version is available it would automatically be provided. However, the fact that there seem to be so many boxes out here with 2.48 indicates otherwise. Is it a case of the squeaky wheel receiving the grease, and if you don't complain you're stuck with what the box came with?

Perhaps Jeremy could provide insight on this.
I too still have 2.48 and am wondering if it really is a case that the 5.03s are getting the firmware upgrades but the 2.48s aren't. Can anyone who had a 2.48 confirm they've gotten the update? That DVI cable is burning a hole in it's, uh, plastic bag. :)

I'd call up Comcast and have them deliver a 6200 but it's really inconvenient for me to be home to receive the tech.

The update is automatic nothing that you need to do to trigger it. They're could be several factors that are limiting which firmware you have though I'd imagine. Some things being if you have a first gen 5100 which does not have DVI I would see 7.07 being a useless update. 2nd if the specific headend you're fed off is still in the midst of being updgraded for certain things then it may not be ready to send out 7.07 yet. also they're are quite a few HD box's out there as I mentioned, the software for them is rather large so it can take several weeks for the update to complete in all areas. Also 7.07 is a big update for VOD so if you're area isn't close to launching VOD yet then they may have not pushed the software.

I was told it was launched everywhere but I cant say I'd take that as scripture.

All these things are just IMO though so dont take any of it as scripture but they're just simply things I could see being scenarios in this instance.

A couple quick DVI questions:
I just got a 50" LCD w/DVI input & Comcast 6200 w/DVI output, is the PQ that much better than Component?
Is there any loss of PQ going from 1 meter to 2 meter DVI cable?

Originally posted by wareagle
That may be what you got. If so, never fear; I called the locals & scheduled delivery of the box for two days later (a Sunday).

I believe I used this number: 1-877-824-2288. Thanks for the reassurance. Called today and talked to a human. Getting the box installed Wednesday.

So what are the chances that when my new 6200 is installed by Comcast to replace my 5100, that my programming and/or account get messed up? Does this sort of info get refreshed when they give you a new box?

CoolCanuck, I think there's very little chance they can screw this up. It's downloaded in the box in the first 12 hours or so, whatever your box is.

One thing you'll probably see is that you'll get access to almost all the premium channels for a little while. So prepare your popcorn, you might be able to watch a movie or two on Stars/HBO/Showtime/CineMax etc.. :)

DVI cables are cheap. Here's a 2M at TechDepot (Office Depot) for $13.95! http://www.techdepot.com/product.asp?productid=1808906&iid=939 and a 4M Monster for $89.95 http://www.techdepot.com/product.asp?productid=1851262&iid=939. Is DVI better than component? Depends on which device has the better digital to analog converter, the source or the destination. Only way to find out is try it. When I got my 6200 delivered, they called me at work 30 min before they arrived and they had it installed in 15 min. Sorry, 3 answers to 3 posts. Too much trouble to enter "quotes".

Well, if I have to schedule a truck roll, then I doubt I'm going to do it until they can bring out an HD PVR. Hopefully the On-Demand stuff will still work even though I won't have one of the new boxes. I still have an ancient DCT-2000, and I expect it will work on that.

KOMO News tonight says "Seattle and South King County" (whatever that entails) will have VOD by the end of this week, as will all of western WA by the first of April (there's that April Fool Day again). They'd better get hopping on the firmware updates, in that case.

I got the flyer last week about On-Demand coming soon. I expect it'll be here along with Starz HD and Cinemax HD by the end of the week. I expect I'll still be 50.00-1078 and 2.48, however. I don't think one has anything to do with the other.

There's also a PR at http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=SVBIZINK3.story&STORY=/www/story/02-23-2004/0002114867&EDATE=MON+Feb+23+2004,+02:09+PM

Jeremy said, "7.07 is a big update for VOD". If so, that doesn't sound too good for the 2.48 or 5.03 residual firmware.

He also said, "Some things being if you have a first gen 5100 which does not have DVI I would see 7.07 being a useless update. "

Well, I am in the area that is supposed to get On-Demand this week, so we'll see what happens.

Well they must be getting tired of these calls. Guy swore up and down I had the 6200 box already. I had to tell him three times I’m looking at the bottom of the box and it says 5100. He just kept saying that’s what it says on the account. He finally put me on hold and then came back and said I was right. When I said I heard a new box would increase my quality on my non digital channels he got all discussed and said he’s never heard of that. He *really* reluctantly scheduled me an appointment and quite frankly was very rude, but at least I got one. Hope they don’t give me trouble about giving me a new box when they get here.

Originally posted by ericjut
This annoyed the hell out of me. But I was very surprised to see that Comcast (or Motorola) fixed both problems on the 6200 by always upconverting to the chosen resolution. This improves the experience quite a lot in my case and I'm very happy they fixed it. Kudos to whoever is responsible! :)

Am I the only one that had this problem and/or enjoying the fix?

-eric

I don't think it's aprobloem, IMHO. I prefer SD to output at 480i and HD as "native" simply becuase the up conversion done by the box (in my case a 5100) SUCKS.

Unfortunatly this box does not support "native" for HD: IE: outputing 720p for 720p progams and 1080i for 1080i, etc.

Your SP7200 has a Faroudja FLI2300(I think) DCDi processor in it for handling 480i video. I'd be surprised if the box from Mot can touch it.

Anyway, I guess I'll find out myself becuase I have them coimming out on friday to swap out the 5100 for a 6200. Yay.

Originally posted by jameskollar
Everything! HBO. SHOW. Digital channels. If you see it on your TV you can record it!

But not analogs right? That would require and MPEG2 encoder in the STB and I'd be surprised if they did that.

Originally posted by Al Shing
I probably need one of those 7m cables. The Monster Cables I've been seeing seem to go for about $30 per 1m. A 4m one was $129 at Circuit City or Best Buy.

I haven't seen anything around other than the Monster Cables, but I imagine Radio Shack is about a year away from carrying DVI cables.

The run to my projector is 30ft. I tried a cable from Lindy. No joy at 768p (fine at 720p), but the "bend over special" from bettercables works perfectly. Once you go beyond the specced DVI length of 3 meters you need a good cable and much beyond 10m requires the expensive optical solution.

Originally posted by patfaram
DVI cables are cheap. Here's a 2M at TechDepot (Office Depot) for $13.95! http://www.techdepot.com/product.asp?productid=1808906&iid=939 ...

That cheap cable in TechDepot is DVI-D not DVI-A (or -I). I don't think it will work with cable box and HDTV. I'll go with PacificCable.

But not analogs right? That would require and MPEG2 encoder in the STB and I'd be surprised if they did that.

Be surprised. My JVC 30K over firewire records analog also. My apologies if I wasn't clear, if you can see it over firewire, which for me is ALL of the channels I am entitled to, you can record it over firewire onto a D-VHS deck.

scorpi0,

What you need is DVI-D only for a cable box. Pretty much the same thing for DVI DVD players too. DVI-I/A are basically used to connect an analog source (aka VGA or Component connector) to a multipurpose DVI connect on a display device (aka front projector). For example, some multimedia PJs come with only a DVI-I for you to connect either your DVI (using the D part) or a DVI->VGA cable to your computer VGA output (using the A part) or a DVI->Component cable (also using the A part). That's where you would use DVI-I.

In the case of a cable box and/or DVI DVD player, the signal outputed is only digital, there's really no need to get more than that.

DO NOT buy a DVI-A cable. In most cases, it will simply not work (I know for a fact that most TVs, LCDs and HT projectors will only support DVI-D). You will be wasting your money.

Also, there's very little need to get dual link DVI-D in this case.

-eric

jameskollar/ianken,

If the signal is upconverted and then A/Dfied for Firewire/DVI, why wouldn't it work on analog channels?

-eric

Interesting article. Does anyone know if the mainstream shows will be offered this way? "The Practice," "24"?

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/161805_comcast24.html

I just swapped my 5100 without DVI for a 6200 with.

I've got both component and DVI connected to my Z2 projector, so I can A-B the picture.

The DVI is very noticeably superior. The cable guy said "Wow, what a difference!" He was right.

Originally posted by ericjut
scorpi0,

What you need is DVI-D only for a cable box. Pretty much the same thing for DVI DVD players too. DVI-I/A are basically used to connect an analog source (aka VGA or Component connector) to a multipurpose DVI connect on a display device (aka front projector). For example, some multimedia PJs come with only a DVI-I for you to connect either your DVI (using the D part) or a DVI->VGA cable to your computer VGA output (using the A part) or a DVI->Component cable (also using the A part). That's where you would use DVI-I.

In the case of a cable box and/or DVI DVD player, the signal outputed is only digital, there's really no need to get more than that.

DO NOT buy a DVI-A cable. In most cases, it will simply not work (I know for a fact that most TVs, LCDs and HT projectors will only support DVI-D). You will be wasting your money.

Also, there's very little need to get dual link DVI-D in this case.

-eric

Oookay. I'm confused again. When I read in http://datapro.datapro.net/dvi.html that "DVI-A format is used to carry a DVI signal to an analog display, such as a CRT monitor or an HDTV. ", I got the impression that I'm supposed to use DVI-A with my HDTV RPTV. I guess I'll hold on the cable order till I receive the box and check out the DVI ports on both the box and TV to make sure.

Originally posted by bpgreen20

ianken - check out the Gefen 4-1 dvi switcher. It works pretty good.

Brian

Wow, I checked those switchers out and they are pricey. ($250+)

Is there a cheaper solution, or should I just swap cables?

My Sony 34XBR is connected to my 6200 via a DVD-D male to male single link cable.

I couldn't tell any difference in the picture quality but the colors were muted and reduced. If I increased the color the picture looked equivalent to the component connection but then the color was too saturated for DVD and SVHS watching. Right now, I'm sticking to the component inputs.

scorpi0,

What they forget to mention is that the DVI signal needs to be analog for DVI-A to work, and I'm pretty certain the DVI output on the 6200 is digital only. A DVI-A signal is pretty much the equivalent of component (you will not see any difference). From what I understand, the whole point of DVI is to transport the data digitally from your digital source to your display device (which should support direct digital data). The DVI-A is mostly for backward compatibility (somebody can correct me here if I'm wrong).

I don't know what kind of RPTV you have, but I'm very surprised it has a DVI input, since standard RPTV are all analog based. Is it DLP or LCD based? If not, there must be a D->A conversion going on in your TV, if your TV supports DVI-D at all, and if it's the case, you're just going to compare the D->A converter in your TV versus the one in the 6200. You probably will gain nothing in terms of quality.

-eric

artseattle,

Your XBR has a D->A conversion, since your screen is analog, right? If so, you're probably getting nothing out of your DVI connection, since the TV has to convert it to analog anyway.

As far as I know, only digital display technologies (LCD and DLP) will gain quality out of DVI (unless we're talking major good quality D->A converters).

-eric

Thanks for the clarification eric.

I have a Sony KP-46WT500 HD-ready RPTV set with DVI-HDTV port. I think most recent HD RPTVs have a DVI port.

Your comment about D->A conversion makes a lot of sense.

So can we say that all the people seeing noticable PQ improvement with the DVI upgrade have some kind of a digital display (LCD, DLP projection, plasma etc.)?

Yup. My Z2 is an LCD projector that is 1280 x 720.

So I've got my cable output at 720p, and because of the DVI connection I get 1:1 pixel mapping.

The result is striking!

Originally posted by hoffert
I just swapped my 5100 without DVI for a 6200 with.

I've got both component and DVI connected to my Z2 projector, so I can A-B the picture.

The DVI is very noticeably superior. The cable guy said "Wow, what a difference!" He was right.

Since I'm considering getting a Z2 myself, I'm curious if you are noticing any black crush issues with the 6200 and the DVI connection when watching the HDTV channels? I know at one point in the past black crush seemed to be an issue with the Motorola boxes and HD signals, but I'd love to hear that this is no longer the case, especially with the DVI connection. Any info is much appreciated!

Thanks,

Dan

C'mon over and see.

There is less black crush, and more shadow detail, using DVI than component. It looks like the gamma has been shifted up (which the Z2 needs!).

I'm scheduled for a 5100 to 6200 swap out on Friday. The CSR was clueless as to availability but very helpful as far as asking me exactly what I was swapping it out for. I explained I needed the unit with the digital connectors for my digital tv and he was on it.

I'll post a report on it with my SE20HD LCD projector next week assuming the service tech doesn't blow it and show up with a DCT 2200 and HDD-200. :-)

To be honest, dealing with Comcast is so much better than AT&T, and God forbid, DirecTV after they got real big. Every time I've dealt with this cable company since they bought out AT&T has just gotten better and better.

I do whish they'd stop their lame anti-dish ads with the 'tards who can figure out how to bolt down their dish. That's just sad; it makes Comcast look desparate.

:eek:OH NO!!! Don't scare me!! I'm scheduled to get a new DCT6200 with DVI & Firewire port enabled! Do you think that they would deploy me a labotomized DCT6200 with nothing enabled?!?:eek:

Originally posted by hoffert
There is less black crush, and more shadow detail, using DVI than component. It looks like the gamma has been shifted up (which the Z2 needs!).

Thanks for the info. This is exactly what I was hoping to hear.

Just checked my firmware. I'm in a fairly new apt. bldg near the U-district in Seattle--I'm at 2.48. I have a 5100 with DVI port in the back. (Don't have a DVI cable, so I can't test it.)

Andy

Trying to swap one of my 5100s for a 6200. First two CSRs had never heard of Morotola 6200, but they had heard of DVI. They both informed me that DVI was not yet enabled anywhere in Seattle/Comcast market, and therefore they were not yet allowed to swap my current box for a DVI-enabled one. Despite my extended pleading & begging, both CSRs were firm about this and would not issue a work order.

Third time was the winner. This CSR had to go check with someone but when she came back she happily scheduled my 5100->6200 swap for next week. She did warn me that DVI and other new features are not yet deployed in all areas, so she couldn't guarantee me that DVI would work immediately. Fair enough - and probably accurate.

Why is this so difficult? I don't expect CSRs to understand much of the technical aspects of their products, but I DO expect them to at least know what products they have available.

BTW, if anyone is looking for a "NEW 6' DVI-D to DVI-D VIDEO SINGLE LINK CABLE" you can find a bunch on eBay for around $10 shipped(some w/starting bid at $1).
Granted these may not be "High End" but they may make a good spare or test cable, etc.

Jim to answer your question I'd say because DVI is not a product nor something that even though is offered on the box anyone would help you with i.e. troubleshooting etc. Its simply a feature of the box and a secondary one at that since HD only requires a component connection from the box to the TV. Further DVI is something that currently the HD mass's know nothing about nor would ask for.

I'm not meaning this as any type of attack or anything but DVI though a priority for many here on AVSFORUM doesn't really mean anything to most people.

Look at it this way its just one more thing that can break:)

Tomorow there will be some changes for many Comcast customers in the Seattle area.

First VOD will be launching in Auburn,Burien,& West Seattle

Also Starz/Cinemax are launching as well as other HD channels will be moving around as follows

KCTS Kids Will Move from 110 to 119
KTWB HD Will Move to 110
Starz HD will be on 532
Cinemax HD will be on 563

The Revised HD Lineup Will Be This

KOMOHD 104 720p
KINGHD 105 1080i
KONGHD 106 1080i
KCTSHD 108 1080i 5pm - 12am
KCTSD 109 480p
KCTSKids D 119 480p 12am - 5pm
KCTSLearns D 112 480p 12am - 5pm
KCPQHD 113 480p
KTWBHD 110 1080i
ESPNHD 173 720p
STARZHD 532 1080i
HBOHD 549 1080i
CINHD 563 1080i
SHOHD 574 1080i
INHD1 664 1080i
INHD2 665 1080i

Be still my heart!

...and if Comcast was fielding a DVR, I might actually pay for these premiums... bah!

Hey, while I'm here...

The digital service tier is required to get HD, or at least an HD box. If I get my own box that tunes unencrypted QAM, what level of service do I need to be able to get those channels? Are they out there and tunable with Basic service? I really don't want the digital channels, outside of the HD feed, and if I have to pay for my own equipment to record, I'd rather not pay for the 5100/6200 that I never use (I rarely watch live TV).

Yes, I was a fool to switch over before the 6x08 unit was actually shipped.

--Mike

Originally posted by Jeremyfr
Jim to answer your question I'd say because DVI is not a product nor something that even though is offered on the box anyone would help you with i.e. troubleshooting etc. Its simply a feature of the box and a secondary one at that since HD only requires a component connection from the box to the TV. Further DVI is something that currently the HD mass's know nothing about nor would ask for.

I'm not meaning this as any type of attack or anything but DVI though a priority for many here on AVSFORUM doesn't really mean anything to most people.

Look at it this way its just one more thing that can break:) Jeremy, I appreciate your response - but I'm not expecting the CSRs to know the first thing about DVI or any other "technology". My complaint is not about the CSRs themselves. I'm complaining about the shoddy training, support, and information resources that Comcast obviously gives its CSRs. There's no excuse for a Comcast CSR not to know that they are currently offering a product called a "MOTOROLA 6200". When a customer asks for one - even if the CSR has never heard of it - even a newly-hired script robot should able to type that phrase on their computer, and get an answer - like "Why yes, sir - we do have those. When would you like it?". Cmon - this is the 21st century. Completley random answers from different CSRs about your service/product offerings is unacceptable.

Originally posted by Llamas
Hey, while I'm here...

The digital service tier is required to get HD, or at least an HD box. If I get my own box that tunes unencrypted QAM, what level of service do I need to be able to get those channels? Are they out there and tunable with Basic service? I really don't want the digital channels, outside of the HD feed, and if I have to pay for my own equipment to record, I'd rather not pay for the 5100/6200 that I never use (I rarely watch live TV).

Yes, I was a fool to switch over before the 6x08 unit was actually shipped.

--Mike

The locals are in the clear QAM for now and if you have basic cable you should be able to find them. But they will not remain in the clear forever. When Comcast deploys opencable you'll need to have an opencable (aka "cablecard") compliant reciver. Personally I wouldn;t invest in a QAM box right now. It'll be a doorstoop soon enough.

Comcast does offer the 6200 but to most people there is no difference from the 5100 and furthermore were never aware that it probably came out. Theres no way to specifiy in an order whether someone gets a 5100 or 6200 they get what the tech gets in the morning at the wharehouse.

Mind you Comcast is I'm sure phasing out the 5100's and switching to the 6200's and yes probably csr's should be aware of this but once again theres not enough differences between to 2 to make a big fuss about it.

I completely understand your frustrations and I can definately see many of your points as well made.

Originally posted by Jeremyfr
Tomorow there will be some changes for many Comcast customers in the Seattle area.

As always...you da man Jeremy!

Thanks for the heads up so I can reprogram my remote in advance. :D

4 new messages appeared tonight. Three of them announce new channels starting April 1 (April Fools). DIY, Fine Living, and Starz Kids. There is nothing about Starz HD or MAX HD.

The fourth message says On Demand is here, select it on your menu to use it. Of course, it is not on the menu yet.

Only messages in Bellevue are about DIY, Fine Living, and Starz Kids (since we won't get On Demand this week). Nothing about the new HD channels.

None of the changes discussed showed up on the box this morning. No Starz HD or MAX HD yet. Software and firmware are still 50.00-1078 and 2.48.

I have StarzHD and CinemxHD this morning in the Tacoma area. Cool!

I see all the HD channel changes cited by Jeremy, including STARZ & CIN (the latter theoretically, since I don't get Cinemax).

Do any of you lucky chosen ones have access to your VOD yet, and if so, does it work for the older firmware (2.48 & 5.03)?

Originally posted by bpgreen20
I have StarzHD and CinemxHD this morning in the Tacoma area. Cool!
Same for me in Shoreline. I just flipped through the channels quickly to see if they were there before I left for work. Neither was showing a movie in HD at the time of course. That's going to be the new popular complaint in this thread for a while, I'm thinking.

No VOD this morning in Auburn and 5100 still on 2.48. Did have a message on the DIY & Fine Living channels begining April 1st.

I currently have a 6200 w/VOD & I gotta tell ya, the channel selections so far are kinda dismal. Other than a lot of movies available(some even free) most of the non-pay channels aren't my cup-o-tea. I'm looking forward to getting channels such as the Local affil.(Hopefully in HD), Discovery, Spike TV, TLC, VH1, etc. I'm sure the selections will be getting better in the weeks to come. Any word on which &/or when more will be available?

I got my 6200 installed yesterday and I'm pretty happy with the results. Content is a bit thin, and we are still TiVo people so there is probably a limit to what we will watch, but it is probably worth the $5. The SD quality is quite a bit improved over my other box and I'm realizing the TiVo (even on best quality) is now the real weak link in the PQ chain.

I'm happy with it, I'm sure I'll get $5 worth of use out of it each month, especially this summer when Mariners games start broadcasting, since I tend to watch those live anyway.

So are you saying you need a 6200 to get VOD? I am NOT going through the hell of dealing with my local Comcast phone rep again! Last time, they screwed my account so I couldn't get INHD for a month!!!

I'm in North Seattle, and have all of Jeremy's stations. Cinemax is even playing an HD movie.

Has anyone heard anything about the Mariner's in HD this season?

Originally posted by Malcolm_B
So are you saying you need a 6200 to get VOD? I am NOT going through the hell of dealing with my local Comcast phone rep again! Last time, they screwed my account so I couldn't get INHD for a month!!!
I have a friend who lives in Everett. He doesn't have an HD box but he still got VOD.

Originally posted by artseattle
Has anyone heard anything about the Mariner's in HD this season? I only mentioned it above because I thought I read it in this thread...

VOD will work on DCT 1800/2000/2000L/5100/6*0*

Thanks Jeremy, I have the 5100, now it's just a matter of waiting I guess.

Originally posted by Jeremyfr
VOD will work on DCT 1800/2000/2000L/5100/6*0*

Jeremy, what was the significance of this statement you made a few days ago -- "Also 7.07 is a big update for VOD"?

VOD will run fine with 5.03 but I believe there was some added reliability built into 7.07 for VOD

I sent a message over to KCTS asking them about their plans for the new PBS HD channel content (starting 3/1), as well as whether they were going to expand their HD programming and start before 5 PM - this is the response I received... (note the reference to May)

We will air parts of the PBS HD feed schedule. Just as we now use programs from the NPS (National Program Service) feed which covers our analog air, there will be opportunities to adapt the HD schedule to our market. Our hours of HD programming will eventually be expanded. Up to this point content has been limited so the hours have been limited. We are currently looking at what the new hours could be, and any switch will probably coincide with the FCC's requirement to lengthen the digital simulcast on KCTS-DT in May.

Innovation:High Tech War airs March 2 at 9pm

Great Performances: Concert for George airs March 3 at 9pm

Nova: Hunt for the Supertwister airs March 30 at 8pm

I'd be more interested in KCTS HD implementing DD 5.1 than lengthening their hours, assuming they are still short on resources.

Concert for George is one I will definately watch.

I have really enjoyed reading this thread. I check it out every day. I thought I would post my status for anyone who is keeping track of what customers are getting what and where.

I have a Motorola DCT6200, Firmware 7.07 and DVI is now enabled as well as On Demand. I live in Mountlake Terrce just north of the King County/Snohomish County line.

DVI looks great on my 42 inch Panasonic plasma TV.

Because this is my first post, I'd also like to say that it is unforunate that we can't get CBS in Hi-Def, but we do get FOX which still isn't broadcasting its digital signal. As long as I can always watch 24 in Hi-Def I'll be happy!

Got home to find:

On Demand on the menu

Software Version 51.22-2002
Firmware 07.07

No Starz HD
No Cinemax HD

Local HD Channel lineup is as it was with KTWB on 114 and KCTSK on 110.

I'm not able to order anything on premium channel On Demand such as Cinemax On Demand - box insists I need to call to order a package.

I have Digital Platinum, what more do I need?

Al its not done refreshing yet it sounds like you can call and have them try to refresh again.

Today I got a message saying "On Demand is here, just look at your menu blah, blah, blah" but the true is that there is nothing new at the menu, and my 5100 box still needs to be updated with the latest firmware. It's still running on 2.48.

I called Comcast and the CSR said that VOD is not implemented in the East Side yet... So what's the point to send the message?

When they do updates like this is doesnt magically just turn on for everyone all at once. It has to send brandnew firmware/software to well over 100,000 DCT's. Pushing that much data takes time and can but not always take up to 48 hours depending on how many box's are being updated.

Originally posted by Jeremyfr
Al its not done refreshing yet it sounds like you can call and have them try to refresh again.

I did call them. The CSR took my info down and sent it on to the techs. Apparently, I'm not the only one with this issue.

Meanwhile, I verified that it is working on my DCT-2000, so there is some issue with the 5100.

anyone who still has 2.48 firmware should be worried at this point!

I've got the 2.48 firmware and had my digital cable installed 4 short months ago. Time to call and update to a 6200.

Originally posted by Bremerton
anyone who still has 2.48 firmware should be worried at this point!


not sure why you say this. jealous, perhaps, but not worried. come next week, that's another story... :)

anyone who still has 2.48 firmware should be worried at this point!

Not true at all it really comes down to what kind of upgrades may need to be performed for the "headend" you're served from as well as what services are currently available in your given area etc. Having 2.48 should only be an issue if you are in an are that you know for a fact has been updgraded to newer firmware.

Has anyone tried the Widescreen - Dolby VOD movies? Are they anamorphic 16:9, or 4:3 letterboxed?

4:3 letterbox.

Originally posted by Jeremyfr
4:3 letterbox.

That's too bad, and disappointing considering the STB has settings for screen aspect and the video processor (ATI I belive) has the ability to scale.

In Jeremy's note he said that VOD would be launched in Auburn yesterday. As of 7:00 this morning I am still on 2.48 and no VOD. StarzHD and CinHD are available (I don't subscribe). Is it time to call or will I just be wasting my time.

I'm in Auburn too, Trevor, and no VOD here in Lakeland Hills as of 7:09 AM. And as I wrote earlier, there is no way in hell I would call Comcast or else take the chance of getting my service messed up again! Taking care of my daughter full time now, VOD would be cool, as I basically have G4 on all the time now. :D

downtown Seattle, 5100 with f/w 2.48. Still no StarzHD and CinHD

I'm in Des Moines. I got VOD yesterday, the firmware upgrade to 7.07, but still don't have Starz HD or MAX HD.

I was going to unplug and replug the power on my 5100 to see if it would fix the premium On Demand, but I retested it and found that it was fixed shortly after 7AM.

I probably wouldn't call unless they've pushed down VOD and you have a problem you can't live with. They were pretty overloaded yesterday already.

The surprising thing is how fragmented the area seems to be now. It's tough to predict when one area will get upgraded based on what other areas have been upgraded. Everything seemed to be linked more geographically before. Now you can be between two areas who have been upgraded, while you still haven't been upgraded, or vice versa.

Tech told me yesterday that Woodinville and Juanita (perhaps more) are not upgraded yet with 7.07

Tech told me yesterday that Woodinville and Juanita (perhaps more) are not upgraded yet with 7.07

but, did he tell you when they would be?

Out here in the boonies in North Bend - still on 2.48 firmware, no VOD, but we do have StarzHD & MaxHD.

Can anyone that has received the 7.07 upgrade for their 5100 confirm if the PQ on the analog channels has improved. In the hardware thread people are saying the 6200 with the 7.07 upgrade has much better PQ on the analog channels.

Debating if I need to try and upgrade to a 6200, but I don't need DVI and until a reliable method of recording over firewire to a PC is developed I don't need that either.

I'm in the same boat as you Trevorsplace...Have a 5100 and no need for DVI, but if the PQ on analog channels on the 6200 is that much more superior to the 5100 I'll bite (assuming both have the same firmware). The firewire recording to a PC stuff still seems to have a ways to go (I'm going to let the other pioneers get a few arrows stuck in their backs first on this one before I leap in).

Is there anyone out there with a 5100 AND the 7.07 firmware? If so, comments on any analog channel PQ improvement would be much appreciated.

I'm with Trevorsplace; I've only seen here in the forums that users with the 6200 model have noticed an increase in picture quality with the latest firmware. However I have a 5100 (no DVI) with a firmware version of 5.03, and my analog channels are...lacking to say the least. :(

Originally posted by Trevorsplace
Can anyone that has received the 7.07 upgrade for their 5100 confirm if the PQ on the analog channels has improved.

I can't say it has improved my analog PQ at all, and I've been looking specifically for that.

So it's fairly likely then that the analog PQ improvement is due to better internals in the 6200, and that the 7.07 firmware upgrade is nothing special for analog PQ. Per Jeremyfr's earlier comment the 7.07 upgrade is not necessary for VOD to work.

In other words, the only reason one should care about getting 7.07 is specifically for DVI/firewire?

everett here

my 6200 was installed last saturday. (new install)

firware 7.07

VOD works



one Q

what should i have my 4:3 overide set to ? 480p or I

i have the samsung 26'' 16x9 HD set...\

thanks

For those of us who haven't yet gotten VOD, what's available? Anything really worth watching yet?

On premium VOD, there is an assortment of Cinemax and SHO late night programs, regular P&S movies and series episodes from HBO/SHO/MAX/Starz, a season's worth of SATC, including the finale, Anime Network programs, a bunch of short features from bThere and Atom TV, music videos and concert clips, and a limited assortment of programs from mainstream cable channels like E!, Speed Channel, and CNN.

There are also PPV movies you can call up, some of which are "Widescreen - Dolby".

Thank you, Al. Now I can calm down about getting VOD. There just doesn't seem much to interest me right now.

Maybe this was covered and I missed it but the specs for the 6208 indicate it’s a PVR and it can record HDTV programs. I haven’t seen where that’s possible by the people who have one of these units in the Seattle area. Does it work for that if so why does it not work for us?

6200 is different than the 6208

I'm in Renton and overnight (Thrursday), my 5100 was updated to 7.07 and 51.22. I haven't checked anything further, but my next step is to get a DVI cable and go from there.

Okay, that's a good reason. :)

Originally posted by phunkyphresh
6200 is different than the 6208

Jeremy - I have a question. I sent you a PM.

Originally posted by Trevorsplace
Can anyone that has received the 7.07 upgrade for their 5100 confirm if the PQ on the analog channels has improved. In the hardware thread people are saying the 6200 with the 7.07 upgrade has much better PQ on the analog channels.

Debating if I need to try and upgrade to a 6200, but I don't need DVI and until a reliable method of recording over firewire to a PC is developed I don't need that either.

I see no difference here in West Seattle in the SD since the upgrade, but the hd does look better to me.....

Ric

Just got my 7.07 update on my 6200 here near downtown Redmond. I had
5.03 right before unplugging the box and the update downloaded when I plugged it back in. I assume unplugging it isn't necessary but it does seem to speed up the process if you're impatient :-)

The DVI output is enabled now, but doesn't give a usable picture on my computer monitor. I guess that confirms it's HDCP protected.

I don't notice any improvement in PQ on SD channels.

I have HD Starz and Cinemax (had them before the update as well).

No VOD yet.

Am I imagining things, or did the guide take over the whole screen before, and now you can see the left and right sides of the 16:9 image when the guide is displayed? There's still that annoying bug the big guide/menu/info window disappears and is replaced by the small one-line info window, you get a vertical line down the left part of the screen until the small info window disappears.

--
Steve

Originally posted by CoolCanuck
Is there anyone out there with a 5100 AND the 7.07 firmware? If so, comments on any analog channel PQ improvement would be much appreciated.

I'm in Tacoma. I have a 5100 (no DVI) and the new firmware. I watch the analog channels via the s-video output rather than component. My analog picture quality is terrific and I have no complaints. Prior to the most recent firmware upgrade, my analog picture quality was exactly the same, so I may not be representative of everyone. Hope this helps.

Thanks Dan! I hooked up a spare Monster S-Cable I had around and the analog channels do appear to look slightly better than hooked up the other way. And this is why I check this site often!

Any idea when Sammamish will get the new firmware for the 5100's... I've got 2 waiting!

Any idea when Sammamish will get the new firmware for the 5100's... I've got 2 waiting!

Not sure on this but probably when that area gets closer to launching VOD.

Still no Starz HD or MAX HD in my area.

Weird how most areas seem to be missing either the firmware upgrade, VOD, or those new HD channels. I think only Snohomish County/North Seattle have all three.

I live in north Renton and have all three as of today.

What's up with the Sonics game tonight? Can't be HD on ESPNHD, looks all stretched out. It's easier to watch on KONG in 4x3. I would rather ESPNHD gives us an upconverted SD 4:3. It would probably look better than KONG.

ESPNHD is warped when not HD. Try 106 -- it's digital, and at least you can control the aspect ratio so that round balls are really round.

Where would I find the VOD options? I had the message from Comcast that it was there and to 'look for it in the menu' but as nothing looks different I assume I don't have it yet. Is it just another one of the menu selections?
Also, what are the channel numbers for the Starz and max HD?

I don't know about VOD, but STARZHD is 532 and CINHD is 563.

Brente, the tech did not say when 707 will hit Woodinville. I suspect it is "rolling out" slowly. I think Comcast really wants to get it out if for no other reason than VOD. More cash flow, I would think the sooner the better.
Bill

Curtis VOD is not available on the eastside yet.

The cable guy dropped it off thjis morning. My impressions:

1- The thin faint vertical lines I saw with the 5100 on analog feeds are gone. These were not in the signal, but rather perfectly straight faint vertical ines, evenly spaced acros the screen. There were five of them. Gone. Yay.

2- Analog video is improved. I think the tuner is a bit better. Vidoe through my Replay 5120 looks better.

3- This unit still lacks a real 3D comb filter. Dot and chroma crawl is evident when analog video is viewed via Component, DVI or svideo. This is just sad. There is NO excuse for this. None.

4- DVI is not HDCP enabled, it works with my SE20HD.

5- Don't know about 1394 yet. Waiting for the activation code for the firebus software, based on other posts in the HD recording forum I'm not holding out much hope for usign this feature with the 6200 and the firebus software.

6- HD video actually looks a wee bit better. I think the analog output is a bit cleaner. I could tell the difference with DVI though. My cable run in 30ft and I image the longer the cable run the bigger advantage DVI will have. But stii, not gonna use DVI, as that is reserved for my HTPC.


7- Upconvert of SD to HD is better than the 5100. There is less loss of vertical resolution compared to the 5100. I imagine it would be fine for 99% of the users. There is no inverse telecine going on, that is certain but for a video-mode only deinterlace and scale it's pretty good.

8- Remote codes unchanged. Yay.

Summary: overall a nice incrimental improvement over the 5100. This hardware is just >OK<, not great. The software is still the same old Gemstar abortionware we all love to hate.

I still contend Motorola is gonna get their clocks cleaned when Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, Toshiba, etc start shipping OCAP complient boxes.

I would love to see this box running the MSTV software, or software from ReplayTV or some other vendor that has a clue. Gemstar, they're just evil, I rank them down there with spammers based solely on their useless guide implmentation.

I look forward to the VOD services. I'm surprised the did deploy in Redmond/Woodinville/Sammamish first considering the geeks. or maybe they didn;t think they could handle the crushing nerd load.

Originally posted by ianken

4- DVI is not HDCP enabled, it works with my SE20HD.


If that's the case I guess my LCD monitor just can't handle any of the timings the 6200 is putting out. I tried them all. My CRT monitor is able to handle everything except 480i via a VGA transcoder.

--
Steve

Have 707 on both my 6200 here in Woodinville. But I think they both came with it.

Funny thing happened today. One of my box got the Starz + Cinemax HD channels, but not the other. Kinda weird taking into account that there's only a splitter between them.

BTW, is there a website that would show what's available on OnDemand? I know we can't get it on the Eastside, but I would be interested to know what programs are available.

-eric

Sorry first post, I live in Fed Way and I am about to purchase a Samsung 50" HLN. Do I have a choice on which HD box I get?(5100 or 6200?) Anyone in Fed Way with a Sammy PM me please. I am new to HD.

Originally posted by Jeremyfr
Curtis VOD is not available on the eastside yet.

Jeremy - any idea when? are we talking days, or weeks? thx!

Originally posted by kanefsky
If that's the case I guess my LCD monitor just can't handle any of the timings the 6200 is putting out. I tried them all. My CRT monitor is able to handle everything except 480i via a VGA transcoder.

--
Steve

steve - your monitor can probably only take a progressive signal, hence 480i won't work. but, i believe you can change the 480i override setting in the moto box to send out something other than 480i to get a picture.

Originally posted by brente
steve - your monitor can probably only take a progressive signal, hence 480i won't work. but, i believe you can change the 480i override setting in the moto box to send out something other than 480i to get a picture.

Yes, that works fine on my 22" CRT monitor with a VGA transcoder. That's how I've been watching all my HD for the last few months since I subscribed to Comcast. The SD channels are forced to 480p and the HD channels are forced to 1080i.

I also have a 20" LCD monitor with a DVI input, and I was curious whether it would work with the 6200's DVI output after the 7.07 upgrade. I actually do get a recognizable picture, but it's very distorted and there are multiple copies of the picture on the screen at once.

I guess I'm not suprised that it didn't work. For one thing, there's no way with the DVI input to adjust the aspect ratio of the image. On my CRT I had to adjust the vertical size of the image way down on my 4:3 monitor to get a proper 16:9 display with the 1080i signal.

--
Steve

I am in Sammamish and I have a firmware version of 00!?

Should I be concerned about this? I haven't seen anyone in this thread with this firmware version.

BTW my software version is 50.00 - 1078

I have the same firmware version, also in Sammamish.
It's been as the same rev for months.

Originally posted by Jeremyfr
Curtis VOD is not available on the eastside yet.
Thanks for the clarification. Apparenlty 532 and 563 aren't live here yet either as all I get on either channel is the 'one moment please' message.
Jeremy, if you get any eta's for this area that you are allowed to share please let us know!

Originally posted by kanefsky
If that's the case I guess my LCD monitor just can't handle any of the timings the 6200 is putting out. I tried them all. My CRT monitor is able to handle everything except 480i via a VGA transcoder.
--
Steve

It worked fine with my samsung lcd monitor at 720p, 480p and even 1080i.

On the SE20HD the 480p and 1080i timings were off a bit, with a line of blue pixels across the very bottom. This happens with my HTPC as well but I can fix it with powerstrip.

Originally posted by kanefsky
I guess I'm not suprised that it didn't work. For one thing, there's no way with the DVI input to adjust the aspect ratio of the image. On my CRT I had to adjust the vertical size of the image way down on my 4:3 monitor to get a proper 16:9 display with the 1080i signal.


Are you sure the DVI on your LCD is DVI-D? Additionally, while my Samsung LCD is a 19:9 display and works I've found that my 4:3 Dell LCD display will not display a 16:9 aspect image via DVI.

Curtisb,

I live in Kirkland (98034) and I have both Cinemax and Starz HD. Only VOD is missing, and the cable box is still running on 2.48 FW.

Curtis if you're getting OMP on those channels that means there is a signal issue you need to call in and have them troubleshoot the problem.

Originally posted by stuarts
I have the same firmware version, also in Sammamish.
It's been as the same rev for months.

I guess our best bet is to request a 6200 box as we seemed to have been forgotten for ANY updates. Its my understanding that the 6200 comes with the latest firmware preinstalled.

It came loaded on mine. I’m in Woodinville. I like the new box a lot better. The quality on both SD and HD channels looks better to me. I think I had one of the first generation 5100 boxes. The only problem is I’m getting a crackling sound on the non Dolby Digital channels for some reason. I don’t know if it’s the box or setting. I sure hope it’s a setting.

BTW, I told them I needed a fireware port (even though I don’t know if I’ll ever use it.) That way they were pretty much forced to give me a new box. First he tried to tell me I already had that (he called first) then when I told him I didn’t he called back and asked if the firewire port goes by another name. lol I don’t know how these guys get to be techs.

Anybody notice any drastic decrease in cable-modem performance since these updates started rolling out? Thursday is when I first noticed my cable modem speed came to a grinding halt.

Originally posted by ianken
Are you sure the DVI on your LCD is DVI-D? Additionally, while my Samsung LCD is a 19:9 display and works I've found that my 4:3 Dell LCD display will not display a 16:9 aspect image via DVI.

Yes I'm sure it's DVD-D. In fact, this monitor can't handle analog signals of any kind. It only has DVI and ADC inputs.

My guess is that only widescreen LCDs know how to handle 16:9 resolutions via DVI for the most part. Perhaps there are a few 4:3 displays that are also "HDTV aware".

Even my CRT was only just barely able to display the signal in the sense that I had to adjust the vertical size down as far as it would possibly go to squeeze the anamorphic picture down to the proper 16:9 aspect ratio.

--
Steve

Originally posted by danbez
Curtisb,

I live in Kirkland (98034) and I have both Cinemax and Starz HD. Only VOD is missing, and the cable box is still running on 2.48 FW.

OK, I'm in 98033 so I assume it is just me. Before I call are these channels extra and I just missed that post? I have the digital package with HBO and Showtime and I get all the other channels right around both of them (the other Starz and such). I am just asking because I left it on the OMP message for a while and it finally came up with some message about having to order StarzHD West.

I just activated Starz! HD today. It seems like they're taking 2.35:1 movies and just cropping them on the sides rather than letterboxing to get 16:9. I noticed this both on Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and now on Phenomenon. On the opening credits you can even see that the beginning and end of the text is chopped off.

--
Steve

I am in West Seattle. I have a recently installed 6200 with 7.07, but VOD is not on the menu. Upstairs I have a plain SD box that has functioning VOD, and the firmware shows as 7.72. :confused:

I also have the audio crackling on the 6200 mentioned above. Seems to only be on channels below 100. It appears on all outputs, analog and digital.

Got 5100 swapped to 6200 here in Woodinville and now able to record to JVK30K. Have only done "test" recording and playback. One time was INHD and during playback there was some pixelization within the 2 minute clip. I have JVC30K Firewired to T165 and playback 6200 recordings via it. JVC30k has firewire input on front (6200) and one on rear (T165). JVC30K operates as I-3. Standalone to T165 is I-1. Interesting fun so far.

No VOD as apperently the capability has not been activated for Woodinville yet.

Hmm, you are right. It's only the channels under 100. Anyone know what this problem is? Drives me nuts.

Originally posted by Fred328
I also have the audio crackling on the 6200 mentioned above. Seems to only be on channels below 100. It appears on all outputs, analog and digital. [/B]

is 6200 the box that will have built in recording? does it support recording hdtv?

Originally posted by Jinx
is 6200 the box that will have built in recording? does it support recording hdtv?

No, and thus no. 6208 will record, including HDTV. Supposedly, we in the Seattle area will have to wait for 6408, which will be like 6208 with a dual tuner, so you can record one show while watching another. They will have 80GB of disk storage, and can record about 7 hours of HD. Too bad they don't increase that, but by the time they get around to supplying us, perhaps they will.

Since my 5100 just got updated, I went out today and picked up a DVI cable. Couldn't wait to see what it looked like on my Sony 42" plasma. Well lo and behold, there's no DVI connector on the back of my 5100. Dang!!! I've had it for over a year (one of the first to get it in Renton), but you'd think they'd at least put the connector on the rear on all the units. I'll be on the phone tomorrow with Comcast....geez

I've been testing my newly aquired DCT6200. Mystery crackling sound that comes & goes? The PQ via the DVI port is the sharpest, but I needed to tweak some settings & only works on 480p or higher (not 480i). The PQ via S-VIDEO & COAX improved as well.

HELP!!! I can't seem to get any signal from the FIREWIRE port?!?

4u,

What are you feeding the firewire to?

Bill

Babula ... I tried connecting to my Philips DVDR80 & MovieMaker2. Both devices say NO SIGNAL?!?

Originally posted by Babula
4u,

What are you feeding the firewire to?

Bill

Originally posted by Tom_Oliver
...The only problem is I’m getting a crackling sound on the non Dolby Digital channels for some reason. I don’t know if it’s the box or setting. I sure hope it’s a setting...

Hey, I have the exact same problem.
I just got a 6200 a couple weeks ago. I noticed the crackling/popping & my wife thought it was my speakers &/or amp-but they are brand new. So, I had the cable guy come out last week to check it out & he had no idea what it was. He said he had not had any other complaints & of course it didn't do it when he was there :(. But it's still doing it. I'm now kinda glad I'm no the only one who has the problem. Any body else have any ideas why it's doing it?

The CSR wouldn't upgrade my box to one that has DVI. Said they aren't doing that. So I made an appointment complaining about the poor picture quality. (The analog is very poor on my set.)

The technician checked my signal and said it was very strong; he agreed about the picture quality (he said his HDTV is the same way), but he didn't have a DVI cable box and didn't think the DVI ports worked yet.

Guess I'll just have to wait a bit longer ...

(in Redmond)

I have seen a few threads here and elsewhere about the audio crackling. From what I can gather it was introduced with the 7.07 upgrade. Several people have noted that the problem appeared after their box was upgraded. Since chan 2-99 are analog, it would seem some sort of clocking glitch was introduced in the audio A to D conversion with 7.07.

BTW, I have a 6200 w/7.07 and no VOD. My other standard SD box has functioning VOD, and firmware 7.72.

Did anyone else have audio issues on 104 last night watching the Oscars?

I had complete audio loss for 20 - 30 seconds multiple times, the commercials were significantly louder than the show (my system which is supposed to level audio couldn't handle the difference) and there were significant periods of audio not synching with video.

What a mess....at least the picture was crystal clear....

metz520,

The Oscars looked and sounded crystal clear to us, except for an occasional video glitch that happened once or twice during the whole show. We didn't experienced any of the sound glitches you did. FYI: we have the 6200 with the 7.07 update on them. Do you experience those glitches often?

BTW, I was drooling when I saw the amount of details we could see on the stage background. It's the first time I'm watching the Oscars on HD and I wasn't disappointed. :)

-eric

Still no firmware update in Auburn.. Has anyone received the firmware 7.07 update on a 5100 box that has/had 2.48. The article in the PI last week stated that VOD would be rolled out in Auburn last week.

About DVI vs Component.

I had 5 A/V savvy guys yesterday at my place and I finally tried to compare the DVI vs Component output on the 6200.

Equipment:
- Mot 6200 with the 7.07 update, set for 720p output
- InFocus 7200 DLP PJ (native 1280 X 720)
- Good quality component monster cable (4m, ~$125)
- InFocus 5m DVI/M1-DA cable

After a good dozen times back and forth between the two outputs using an InHD good quality show as signal, none of us could detect any difference between the two outputs (I did have to recalibrate the PJ setting for the DVI output as the brightness was a lot higher than the component output for some reason).

IMHO, changing the component cable from the crappy one that Comcast is providing to a decent one had a much more drastic improvement over the image quality than switching to DVI. I definitly don't get the day-and-night improvement that some of you experienced.

-eric

No crackling here on 2-99.

I did have a few audio/video dropouts last night during the Oscar's but it quickly resolved itself and looked great from there on.

My beef with the audio dropouts last night was the timing of them. One was just as Renee Z. was announced as the best supporting actress. The audio cut out so you couldn't hear the applause as she went to the stage. I forget when the other one was, but it also was a moment you didn't want to miss.

Jeremy;
do the SD boxes use a different firmware? I am curious why mine shows 7.72. Also trying to understand why the SD box has VOD, but my 6200 w/7.07 does not.

re: audio crackling

Very curious that most people don't seem to be having the problem. There must be some common issue with those that do. If I run the cable straight into my Sony 46wt500, the audio on 2-99 is fine. On the 6200, the random clicks appear on both digital outs as well as the analog. I am using the same cables that the replaced 5100 was using, and it had no such problem.

Jeremy/Al Shing/metz520

I did miss the first hour or so of the Oscars. Were all the dropouts at the start of the show?

-eric