Amistad is recordable on Comcast/MSFT guide in Seattle.

I agree, we've recorded it here in omaha as well.....

We just tried to set up our Cox Cable Moto 6412 DVR, to record Amistad on HBO Signature. The dialog box pops up and states “Un-recordable Channel “. So, we scan forward on the menu and all shows on HBOS indicate the same thing. Tune to that chanel and make sure it can tune OK (and without subscription notice). Until the Moto thinks that channel can be tuned properly it won't allow further recordings to be setup on it.

Thanks guys. I'll contact RI Cox next week and let you know what they say, if they say anything.

HBO Signature tunes in fine, and I've never received a subscription notice on any channel other than the sports packages, which I do not have.

Curious, I did a number of searches for this and only one mention, earlier in this very same thread - with a check for subscription notice response.

It's good that I'm the only one with this problem now ...

.... I guess that's a good thing. ;)

Oh my, Cox in OMaha just added CBS in HD, the game sure does look good on my friends Cox HD DVR. Cox had been in a two year fight with the local CBS owners over price.

Maybe Cox will be adding more HD channels soon?

We just tried to set up our Cox Cable Moto 6412 DVR, to record Amistad on HBO Signature. The dialog box pops up and states “Un-recordable Channel “. So, we scan forward on the menu and all shows on HBOS indicate the same thing.


I've seen this before... It happened on an HBO channel as well. I couldn't figure it out for the life of me. I finally tuned to the channel in question and got a "subscription required" message just to VIEW the channel. I tuned away and back again, and it then tuned normally and let me set my recording.

I get the "subscription bug" at least once a month, on analog and digital channels, and I don't even watch HD channels on that STB.

Looks like another common problem has surfaced with the phase III boxes: After connecting firewire cable to WinXP machine the FF/REW do not function properly anymore.
In the firewire capture via WinXP thread there have been several confirmed cases of this happening with phase III boxes with 12.x firmware. This also happens to my DCT6416 III. The firewire capture still doesn't work (perhaps only a 6416 specific problem) and the firewire connection causes ff/rew to not function (a phase III box problem), so not recommended.

has anyone had one of these things record the completely wrong channel?

for instance...

today i got up late, knew i was gonna miss the beginning of the steelers/broncos game so i set the cable box to record it. i KNOW i told it to record the HD CBS channel, and it was in fact HD, i watched the second quarter on forward on the HD CBS channel just fine.

but i go back and check my recording and it's 4:3, with capdvhs showing a resolution of 720x480. wtf?

I am in the Tulsa market and have had a 6412 box since they became available in our market. I would be very interested in switching out the box for the 6416, but have no idea if the newer boxes are even available in our market. Any trick to finding out before disconnected the existing box and taking it into a Cox location on the chance they might have the new boxes?

Looks like another common problem has surfaced with the phase III boxes: After connecting firewire cable to WinXP machine the FF/REW do not function properly anymore.
In the firewire capture via WinXP thread there have been several confirmed cases of this happening with phase III boxes with 12.x firmware. This also happens to my DCT6416 III. The firewire capture still doesn't work (perhaps only a 6416 specific problem) and the firewire connection causes ff/rew to not function (a phase III box problem), so not recommended.

Originally posted by tjstoddard
Has anyone else seen this?

When trying to ff or rw or instant replay a live or a recorded show, it was basically locking up with the picture just freezing and then it would jump a second or two. So in essence it was taking more time to rewind or fastforward than the time recorded. Maybe that's a new feature, "reverse time-shifting" :D

I don't know what caused it, but I seemed to have fixed it by forcing a reboot by holding down the power key....

...

Moyekj,

Do you think this is the same issue as mine with Firewire, albeit I am not connecting to a pc, also it resurfaced again, and I fixed it again by forcing a reboot.

Thanks,
T

Moyekj,

Do you think this is the same issue as mine with Firewire, albeit I am not connecting to a pc, also it resurfaced again, and I fixed it again by forcing a reboot.

Thanks,
T Yes, it looks like the issue can occur when connecting anything to Firewire port by the sound of it. It is definately an issue with Phase III boxes as my Phase I box never had that problem. The symptoms you described in your post are exactly what I was seeing and a reboot cleared it up.

Wow, the difference in FF speeds of phase III boxes compared to phase I boxes is remarkable. The 1xFF on my phase III 6416 is almost as fast as the 3xFF on my phase I 6412. It's good because the amount of skip back when going from 1xFF to normal play mode is much less so it makes it easier to hit almost exactly the end of commercials every time. Perhaps it's because the 6416 has a better hard drive (with bigger cache).

I just had an interesting coversation with Cox Cable tech support via telephone. I asked about switching out my current 6412 Phase II box for one of the new boxes 6413 or 6416 Phase III boxes at the local Cox store. I was informed that Cox has a strict policy forbidding the switching out of DVR equipment at the local store and if the box has a technical issue a service tech would have to come to the house and determine if the box needs to be replaced. I know I have read on this forum that others have simply taken their older boxes into Cox and received the new equipment. Any suggestions?

I called the Irvine, CA office about a switch out of my phase II for the new 6416. The rep said they didn't have any on hand but to call every few days and when they came in she would swap it out. Not waniting to do that I called customer service to order a replacement. In typical Cox fashion I was informed that I had a 50 50 chance of getting a 6416 to replace my old one. They are comimg Wednesday. I guess if they don't have one I'll have to call and schedule another appointment. Seems like playing the lottery to me

I ran into this problem the other day when my 6412 S1 died. They gave me the same song and dance about them being in short supply and not having any at the offices, but I went down to the Cox office anyway.
Sure enough, when I get there, there's a pile of them in plain view and I say I need to swap boxes and I get the same sob story from the clerk. I reminded her of the pile behind her and she switched into "that's our policy" mode.
I then noted that if I wanted a new box I could get any of those sitting there, so they musn't be in THAT short supply. The clerk begrudgingly agreed.
"So why then, when your tech support agrees with me that it's a bad box that needs to be swapped, and that there's no onsite repairs that can be made, can't I get a box to replace my broken box without having to wait 3 days for an appointment that isn't guaranteed and the best you can give me is a 6 hour window? All the tech will do is swap the box and toss the old one in the same repair pile you could."
By now there's a line of 6 people behind me all listening intently to the discussion, all nodding in agreement. I move in for the kill.
"Perhaps we should get your manager out here to continue this discussion about the absurdity of this policy. And when they get here, we'll tell them how I'm trying to save the company money by not forcing them to send one of their contractors to the house to swap out a broken box, when you can do it right now."
I see the look of panic in her eyes as she realizes she's trapped.
"Let me see what I can do."
A few taps on the keyboard, a few steps over to the pile of shiny new S3 boxes and I'm finally a happy camper.
It shouldn't be so hard.
I know there are idiots out there who screw up the installs and really need techs to come out and fix it for them. But when the company's own telephone techs agree the box is DOA, Cox should just hand out new boxes without complaint if the customer is willing to make the trip to the office.
It saves them time, it saves them money, and it saves the customers a lot of aggravation. I'm not a dish fan, but I was about to be converted if they insisted on sending a tech. I was ready to tell them they could keep the busted box and that they could find the rest of their equipment on my front lawn the following Tuesday between noon and 6 p.m.


I just had an interesting coversation with Cox Cable tech support via telephone. I asked about switching out my current 6412 Phase II box for one of the new boxes 6413 or 6416 Phase III boxes at the local Cox store. I was informed that Cox has a strict policy forbidding the switching out of DVR equipment at the local store and if the box has a technical issue a service tech would have to come to the house and determine if the box needs to be replaced. I know I have read on this forum that others have simply taken their older boxes into Cox and received the new equipment. Any suggestions?

My 6412 P3 box died yesterday. I was doing a firewire capture, and the FW/RW commands broke, so I tried a reboot. Box came back with "E109" on the display, and ended up with "d1" and a rotating light. Hard disk never spun up. Unplugging the power didn't help, even in the morning.

So I took it to the Quail Hill Cox office (Orange County). They exchanged it for another P3 box. I asked about the new one with the 160 GB HD (6416), and I was told they don't have anything yet. Not sure if he didn't know about them, or they were all gone, or what.

Chris

Is it possible to upgrade the hard drive on these so you get more storage space?
(take out there hard drive and put in a 250 gig)?

Also, I have a Firewire external Hard Drive, can you use that to get more storage space?

The Dishnetwork and Direct TV HD DVRs all have 250 Gig HDs. I fill my Dishnetwork one up all the time, dont know if I can handle only 120 GIgs.


Any ideas?

Is it possible to upgrade the hard drive on these so you get more storage space?
(take out there hard drive and put in a 250 gig)?

Also, I have a Firewire external Hard Drive, can you use that to get more storage space?

The Dishnetwork and Direct TV HD DVRs all have 250 Gig HDs. I fill my Dishnetwork one up all the time, dont know if I can handle only 120 GIgs.


Any ideas?

Not yet. 120GB for HD is difficult for sure. The phase 3 boxes have a SATA port for external storage, but as far as I know, it's not implimented yet. Cox does not want you taking apart these boxes, so I'm not sure what would happen if you did. Supposedly they are working on allowing external storage. I assume it's through the SATA port. This option is working with the Scientific Atlanta 8300 boxes that some other cable companies use.

Chris

Is it possible to upgrade the hard drive on these so you get more storage space?
(take out there hard drive and put in a 250 gig)?
Also, I have a Firewire external Hard Drive, can you use that to get more storage space?
You don't own the box and if you open the box to replace hard drive you will break the seal and Cox may then charge you ~$600 for the cost of the box if they find out it was tampered with. I would imagine at least with the phase III boxes that simply replacing the hard drive would be all that is necessary to upgrade but haven't heard of anyone who actually has tried it (since most people rent box from cable co.).

Firewire port external storage is not supported. A long time ago in this thread VideooooGuy mentioned SATA external drive support was tentatively in the plans but I don't think anything has materialized on that front. Meanwhile it's confirmed that Comcast with the DCT6412 boxes have cancelled plans for supporting external storage so I would guess Cox will not proceed with it either.

So I took it to the Quail Hill Cox office (Orange County). They exchanged it for another P3 box. I asked about the new one with the 160 GB HD (6416), and I was told they don't have anything yet. Not sure if he didn't know about them, or they were all gone, or what.

I got my 6416 at the Quail Hill office, but this was when nobody knew about them yet. They just gave me a 6416 to replace my dead 6412 without even telling me what I was getting. Now that everyone wants one, they are probably out of them. I doubt the reason is that they don't know about them.

Got my 6416 from Quail Hill store in Irvine last Friday night also on the way home from work... (and I saw the attendant went to back of store and pulled one from a pretty big stack at the time). He asked how I knew about it since customers weren't supposed to know about them yet. All I said was "internet is a wonderful thing". He did not attempt to deny their existance however or even resist giving me one. I simply had him add as a second box to my service and next day I took back my 6412 so my bill will have pro-rated second box charge for 1 day (supposedly). When I returned my 6412 next day a female attendant also asked how I knew about it but did not chide me in any way - so I was pleasantly surprised about the lack of hassling. Perhaps with stock running out that has now changed.

Does anyone know when Norfolk, VA is going to get the 12.27 update? All my component spots are used on all my TVs and I'm pretty much forced to use HDMI. These daily (sometimes several times a day) resets are starting to tick me off. I've missed at least ten recordings and I just switched to Cox a week ago.

My 6412 III just died in the last 20 minutes of 24. Of course the other channels didn't die. I hate this POS.

I've got my 6412 III mounted on it's own shelf, with wine corks under the feet to put it in the middle of the shelf area (for better ventilation below) and I have a fan blowing on it.

There should be a class action lawsuit. Recording and tuning TV shouldn't be this hard!

Well I'm calling COX in the morning. Sounds like I'll probably have to wait for a new unit since all you guys are upgrading yours for some extra disk space. Thanks.

I rebooted it after 24 died and it's downloading new software.

I've had this unit replaced at least 3 times already. What a joke. I'm so pissed off right now. Now that DTV has their HDTivo for cheaper maybe I should switch back. This is getting ridiculous!!!

Does anyone know when Norfolk, VA is going to get the 12.27 update? All my component spots are used on all my TVs and I'm pretty much forced to use HDMI. These daily (sometimes several times a day) resets are starting to tick me off. I've missed at least ten recordings and I just switched to Cox a week ago.

Spoke to soon. Got 12.27 an new echo 2.5.04 (or whatever) in the middle of the night last night.

Well, I just got a 6416 installed. Hopefully it will work better. Thanks to Cox for replacing the POS quickly.

I did notice that after the upgrade last night, when it doesn't record (al la subscription bug?) it now says "Recording Error" below the usual (ie: 11:30pm - 11:30pm)

My box lost fox HD during 24, and then after the reboot and software download it did not record Leno or Letterman (both recording errors).

We'll see if this new box is any better. I considered getting a HDMI cable to hook it up to my tv, but was told by the tech that they are still having problems with HDMI. I'm going to look here (cuz u guys know a lot more then the cable techs).

It amazes me that when you say "Subscription bug" or explain it that they just look at you with that deer in the headlights blank stare.

I just had an interesting coversation with Cox Cable tech support via telephone. I asked about switching out my current 6412 Phase II box for one of the new boxes 6413 or 6416 Phase III boxes at the local Cox store. I was informed that Cox has a strict policy forbidding the switching out of DVR equipment at the local store and if the box has a technical issue a service tech would have to come to the house and determine if the box needs to be replaced. I know I have read on this forum that others have simply taken their older boxes into Cox and received the new equipment. Any suggestions?


I've done this in the past: Just unhook your STB, haul it down to the 51st and Memorial cable office at 8:00 AM when they open and hand them your old box requesting a new replacement. Check the plastic on the new box, fairly thin plastic means it has been unopened and is indeed new, thick milky plastic is how Cox in Tulsa reseals repaired/returned units. They will have a whole stack of them in full view so you should be able to get a Phase III pretty easily.

Jimbo,

I am in Tulsa also.
Did you get a 6416 box there?
If so, any problems?

Thanks!

I did a random search and found you guys (this forum). Looks like I am not alone. I am now having the same problem with my 3rd 6412 DVR (turns itself off) and I am missing programs I want to record.
I NEVER had this problem with TiVo.
The tiling/blocking problem is also something I have, especially when the light suddenly changes on my screen.
Cox first told me it was my TV (I bought the new Sont XBR50 HDTV), then the box (they gave me a new box), then sent a tech out (he put amps on my cable lines and replaced the box), and now I have the same damn problem.
Just went to watch an England soccer match I scheduled to record and found out the box was turned off again!!!! :( :( :(

I would think one reason Comcast has scrapped the SATA plans is due to their deal with TiVo. Cox otoh seems to be intent on sticking with Motorola, so there may be some SATA light at the end of the tunnel.

I did a random search and found you guys (this forum). Looks like I am not alone. I am now having the same problem with my 3rd 6412 DVR (turns itself off) and I am missing programs I want to record.
I NEVER had this problem with TiVo.
The tiling/blocking problem is also something I have, especially when the light suddenly changes on my screen.
Cox first told me it was my TV (I bought the new Sont XBR50 HDTV), then the box (they gave me a new box), then sent a tech out (he put amps on my cable lines and replaced the box), and now I have the same damn problem.
Just went to watch an England soccer match I scheduled to record and found out the box was turned off again!!!! :( :( :(

MadMax,

The on/off problem sounds like the HDMI cable issue which was fixed with the latest Echo update, at least here in Orange County, workaround was to connect the box with Component Cable. Are you using HDMi to connect to Tv, if so try Component and see if that fixes it.

No idea about the tiling issue

I would think one reason Comcast has scrapped the SATA plans is due to their deal with TiVo. Cox otoh seems to be intent on sticking with Motorola, so there may be some SATA light at the end of the tunnel. Last I heard, the Comcast deal with Tivo is to develop Tivo software to run on the Motorola hardware. Cox is sticking with Aptiv Digital and the Pioneer Passport Echo software and the Motorola hardware. As such I'm sure the Tivo software running on Moto hardware will have it's share of snags and issues getting out the door. This is bad because it may take focus away from Tivo finishing the development of the standalone Series 3 hardware which many stuck with cable co. DVR solutions are looking forward to (me included).

Jimbo,

I am in Tulsa also.
Did you get a 6416 box there?
If so, any problems?

Thanks!

Hi Rick,

No I just got a replacement for the 6412 II that wasn't working properly. I had the same story from the Cox CS rep but just took my box down to Cox and swapped it out, no questions asked. I don't know which boxes they have available these days. You might PM Woodrow from our local Tulsa thread since he only recently got his DVR from COX. I'd imagine he has the latest model available.

Rebooted my 6412, it upgraded to 12.27, took 20 mins, watching American Idol, with the kids, cant find out right now what it improved, hopefully the hdmi dd sound is fixed!!

A friend of mine that works at Cox said the ESPN contract that cox has is for all ESPN station which means they can added ESPN-2 for free (no extra cost to cox).

Could it be that Cox is just out of bandwidth or do they think maybe there customers are happy with out ESPN-2.

We need to start calling them. It wont get action right away, be in there call center logs it will show up in a bar chart across the country as People want ESPN-2

How do you check your 6412 software version again?
It has been a year since I have looked.

Thanks!

How do you check your 6412 software version again?
It has been a year since I have looked. http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/DCT6412_Passport.html#Tips_and_Tricks
# Press Menu to display Quick Settings Menu
# Press Down, B, Up, B (within 5 seconds)

Something I found. Maybe cox is waiting it to be avalable on Motorola dvr's.

http://www.passportipg.com/passportecho/multinews-mr.asp

Andrew Wees

Interesting find, especially:
Passport Echo 2.5 operates as a compatible server application working in harmony with the Multi-Room DVR application residing on basic digital (client) set-tops running Passport version 4.2. So we already have the server based on our current version.

SA platform has had multi-room capability deployed in many markets for quite a while now but I haven't heard any such deployment in any market with Motorola boxes.

I haven't heard of passort version 4.2 for motorola only the next release 2.7.

Andrew Wees



Interesting find, especially:
So we already have the server based on our current version.

SA platform has had multi-room capability deployed in many markets for quite a while now but I haven't heard any such deployment in any market with Motorola boxes.

I haven't heard of passort version 4.2 for motorola only the next release 2.7. 4.2 I think refers to Passport (not Passport Echo) software that runs on non-DVR boxes and can thus be the thin clients that can playback from the server.

4.2 I think refers to Passport (not Passport Echo) software that runs on non-DVR boxes and can thus be the thin clients that can playback from the server.


I know I was just saying it looks like cox's passport version is 2.5 and soon to be 2.7, but the webpage I linked to earlier said the passport version was 4.2. The passport software in cox's markets needs to be updated before we will see whole house dvr's. Cox uses Passport DCT.

Andrew Wees

I know I was just saying it looks like cox's passport version is 2.5 and soon to be 2.7, but the webpage I linked to earlier said the passport version was 4.2. The passport software in cox's markets needs to be updated before we will see whole house dvr's. Cox uses Passport DCT.
I was trying to point out that Passport software for non-DVR set tops is different than Passport Echo software which is designed for DVR set tops. And I don't think the revision numbers track each other: i.e. 2.5 Passport Echo != 2.5 Passport. It could well be that the currently deployed version of Passport on non-DVR boxes is already 4.x but I don't have one and haven't kept track of those boxes so it's pure speculation.

I have a feeling they do. We have one 6412 and a DCT 2000. The DCT 2000 has passport DCT 2.5 and the 6412 has passport echo 2.5.040. That's just a guess though. I wish videoguy or someone from cox would still post here.

Also Motorola's use Passport DCT and not Passport. Passport only runs on Scientific Atlanta.




Andrew Wees



I was trying to point out that Passport software for non-DVR set tops is different than Passport Echo software which is designed for DVR set tops. And I don't think the revision numbers track each other: i.e. 2.5 Passport Echo != 2.5 Passport. It could well be that the currently deployed version of Passport on non-DVR boxes is already 4.x but I don't have one and haven't kept track of those boxes so it's pure speculation.

Cox replaced my 6412 with the new 6416. First observations: Component output much darker then HDMI. When changing channels the screen goes dark then the last frame of the previously displayed channel appears before the new channel comes on, weird. No HDMI reboot problems seen yet. FF much faster. Lastly, it's great to look up memory and see 120Gig available!!

Cox replaced my 6412 with the new 6416. First observations: Component output much darker then HDMI. When changing channels the screen goes dark then the last frame of the previously displayed channel appears before the new channel comes on, weird. No HDMI reboot problems seen yet. FF much faster. Lastly, it's great to look up memory and see 120Gig available!!The channel-changing weirdness appeared with the latest firmware upgrade. My Phase III box started doing the same thing last week. I would bet it's related to the fix of either the subscription bug or the HDMI audio problem (changing channels caused the audio output to switch from Dolby Digital to PCM).

FF much faster That's what really impressed me the most. Upgrading from 6412 Phase 2 -> 6416 Phase 3 the FF/REW speeds are blazing fast probably due to a better hard drive among other things. On my old box I used to have to use triple FF to get through commercials in reasonable time but then the jump-back time was very large making it annoying. With the 6416 FFx1 or FFx2 are fast enough for commercial skipping and the jump-back time much shorter making it easier to stop at the right spot after commercials end.

I too noticed the channel changing showing for a split second of last channel, also since to 12.27 no more audio lag using HDMI while changing channels.
I dont know if Cox New England has the 6416 box yet, i could drive down the street and ask.
also it could be possible that the 6416 might finally have a better bio's that will possibly support larger drives, i would like to try if i get one, i have a few 200-300 gig drives i could try.

also it could be possible that the 6416 might finally have a better bio's that will possibly support larger drives, i would like to try if i get one, i have a few 200-300 gig drives i could try.

Don't tamper with your box or Cox will charge you for it. If you want more storage, you are going to have to wait for external drive support to be implemented.

... also it could be possible that the 6416 might finally have a better bio's (sic) that will possibly support larger drives, i would like to try if i get one, i have a few 200-300 gig drives i could try.
You know these things run nothing like Windows, right? "BIOSes" as you're thinking about them have no meaning in this context (every other computing platform except PCs used linear disk addressing) and we won't even go into what might be necessary to format, partition and copy the (most likely big-endian (i.e., reversed from what most computers as you know it use)) OS and application data to a filesystem that looks like nothing on a "standard" PC. IOW, it's probably not what you think. :)

BTW, do anyone know the CPU architecture in these boxes?

How they going to know i tampered with it?,esp the drive size, in this forum it's been tried and tested using a Linux program to "ghost" the old to new drive.

If you open up the unit just be careful to not break the seal - steam off the seal first and then stick it back on when you are done. That's how they can tell if you opened up the unit - a broken seal. With the 6416 I would imagine all that's needed is to put a new hard drive there and it will format itself. If that doesn't work then ghosting it may be necessary but I don't think that's needed. You would probably have to call up Cox and tell them to send a "hit" to the box though or it probably won't boot up right.

While I don't recommend doing it I'd be curious as to the outcome if you try it. :D

... the drive size, in this forum it's been tried and tested using a Linux program to "ghost" the old to new drive.
Doh! My apologies, then ...!

Hey- am I the last person to know that if you "double-tap" the "Play" key it plays in slow-motion? That was a feature I really missed from my ComCast 6208 days. (Now, is there a way to go backwards, or change the speeds?)

Hey- am I the last person to know that if you "double-tap" the "Play" key it plays in slow-motion? That was a feature I really missed from my ComCast 6208 days. (Now, is there a way to go backwards, or change the speeds?) RTFM :D Page 3 of this Passport Echo pdf:
http://www.pioneerdigital.com/pdf/passportecho1.6gettingstarted.pdf
Note there is also a frame by frame advance - hit pause and then right arrow advances 1 frame at a time.
AFAIK there is no speed control for slow motion or backwards slow motion or backwards frame by frame - apparently due to the way mpeg2 encoding works with I frames, B frames that are forward deltas of the I frames etc. it's very hard to reconstruct frames backwards in slow motion or frame by frame so you won't find that capability in many (if any) DVR.

You may wonder why REW is not a problem and I think that's because REW at slowest speed jumps backwards one I-frame at a time (i.e. it skips intermediate frames) so there is no frame reconstruction required, but also explains why REW looks "jumpier" than FF.

RTFM
Thanks for that PDF! But:

AFAIK there is no backwards slow motion or backwards frame by frame - apparently due to the way mpeg2 encoding works
The ComCast 6208s did it, frame-by-frame backwards and 2 (? or 3, I forget) slow-motion speeds in forward and reverse. It's possible- remember, "I" frames (sometimes called "key" frames) are the entire rasterized frame and not difference information carried in "B" or "P" frames, so you just seek backwards 'till you get to an "I" frame signature (same method used in Fast forward/reverse).

Thanks for that PDF! But:


The ComCast 6208s did it, frame-by-frame backwards and 2 (? or 3, I forget) slow-motion speeds in forward and reverse. It's possible- remember, "I" frames (sometimes called "key" frames) are the entire rasterized frame and not difference information carried in "B" or "P" frames, so you just seek backwards 'till you get to an "I" frame signature (same method used in Fast forward/reverse). It probably went backwards one I-frame at a time (meaning it jumped past several non I-frames in between) so in that sense is not exactly frame by frame but a good capability nonetheless. With FF it doesn't necessarily have to skip non I-frames.

BTW, does anyone know the CPU architecture in these boxes?
MIPS. The DCT-6412 Phase 3 uses the MIPS processor included in the Broadcom BCM-7038 decoder.

http://www.broadcom.com/products/Cable/Digital-TV-Solutions/BCM7038

The DCT-62XX boxes use a Broadcom BCM-7035 decoder and an external MIPS CPU from NEC similar to the VR5432.

http://www.necel.com/micro/english/product/vr/vr5000series/index.html

Ron

My brother just got a 6412 Phase III this week in Omaha.

On the remote there is a HD Zoom button.

We could not figure out what it was for, it dose nothing.


We were hoping it would work on local HD channels like the local News to zoom in to get rid of the black bars.

Anyone else have this button and does it do anything for you?

Finally some news for the motorola dct and motorola dvr users.



Passport DCT 2.7 and Passport Echo 2.7 Now Available for Commercial Deployment


http://www.passportipg.com/passportecho/multinews-mr.asp


Andrew Wees

SO i came home today to watch tv.. For some reason there is no audio.

I do a reboot by holding down the power button..

messages on the front of it said:
e609
fr
hunt 1
down it says DL with a little rotating cursor.

Any got any ideas of what these messsages mean? I called up support, they ssaid it's downloading.. and it could take 45 mins..

help?

Yup it's downloading, it will take a while, then be back up and running...The first time it happened to me I thought the box was dead, but it is a normal reboot....

Cox and TV Guide just inked a deal. Say goodbye to the Pioneer guide

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060130/gemstar_cox_commun.html?.v=1

It worked. you guys are great! anyone know what that error means? DId the OS blow up or something and had to rebuild?



SO i came home today to watch tv.. For some reason there is no audio.

I do a reboot by holding down the power button..

messages on the front of it said:
e609
fr
hunt 1
down it says DL with a little rotating cursor.

Any got any ideas of what these messsages mean? I called up support, they ssaid it's downloading.. and it could take 45 mins..

help?

Cox and TV Guide just inked a deal. Say goodbye to the Pioneer guide

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060130/gemstar_cox_commun.html?.v=1

Maybe now we'll finally get 14 days of guide data.

Cox and TV Guide just inked a deal. Say goodbye to the Pioneer guide

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060130/gemstar_cox_commun.html?.v=1 In my opinion this is TERRIBLE news. Just go over to the DCT6412/Iguide thread and browse through the big list of issues there. About the only good thing is 30-sec skip hack is available and 14 days of programming, but there's no guarantee we would even see those benefits. And kiss goodbye any chance of home networking over coax and external storage.

If you want a summary of some of the bugs in DCT6412/Iguide look at the Bugs section in the following link (some of the issues are the Motorola firmware we know about but many are Iguide specific issues):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DCT6412

Figures this would happen just as DCT6412/Passport Echo solution was becoming fairly stable.

Hopefully actual deployment will take a long time as has traditionally been the case which will tide us over until the end of the year when Tivo Series 3 becomes an option.

Cox and TV Guide just inked a deal. Say goodbye to the Pioneer guide

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060130/gemstar_cox_commun.html?.v=1

Oh no! My dad has Charter with the TVGuide and it is AWFUL. Slow, slow, slow, slow as heck, and they FORCE advertisements on all the screens (about 25% of the screen is taken up with advertisements) as you're navigating the channel guide and options. Did I mention its slow and full of ads?

Hopefully that was just a Charter thing and won't be duplicated by Cox. Ugh... :(

Here's a demo of i-guide:
http://www.i-guide.tv/

Verizon FIOS TV can't get here fast enough!

What model of box do they use there?

Andrew Wees



Oh no! My dad has Charter with the TVGuide and it is AWFUL. Slow, slow, slow, slow as heck, and they FORCE advertisements on all the screens (about 25% of the screen is taken up with advertisements) as you're navigating the channel guide and options. Did I mention its slow and full of ads?

Hopefully that was just a Charter thing and won't be duplicated by Cox. Ugh... :(

Here's a demo of i-guide:
http://www.i-guide.tv/

Verizon FIOS TV can't get here fast enough!

I didn't see were they list errors with the software. Also Cox does not have a news release on www.cox.com, so before anyone gets upset wait until cox makes an anoucement. Also really doesn't say which box manufacter, or if it is replacing the Pioneer guides.

Andrew Wees








QUOTE=moyekj]In my opinion this is TERRIBLE news. Just go over to the DCT6412/Iguide thread and browse through the big list of issues there. About the only good thing is 30-sec skip hack is available and 14 days of programming, but there's no guarantee we would even see those benefits. And kiss goodbye any chance of home networking over coax and external storage.

If you want a summary of some of the bugs in DCT6412/Iguide look at the Bugs section in the following link (some of the issues are the Motorola firmware we know about but many are Iguide specific issues):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DCT6412

Figures this would happen just as DCT6412/Passport Echo solution was becoming fairly stable.

Hopefully actual deployment will take a long time as has traditionally been the case which will tide us over until the end of the year when Tivo Series 3 becomes an option.[/QUOTE]

What model of box do they use there?

Andrew Wees


Its a motorola box, but as far as model numbers, I don't know, I just used it for a few days during Christmas...

It was a Non-DVR box though, so maybe with a high speed DVR like we have, performance would be better. Still, the ads that were all over the screen were so annoying... But maybe thats customizeable byt the cable company too.

I wonder if the conversion ever does take place, will it wipe out all currently saved programs & settings on our DVRs? I guess thats probably months away...

Still, the ads that were all over the screen were so annoying... But maybe thats customizeable byt the cable company too.

We shouldn't see those on Cox. I know Comcast doesn't.
and 14 days of programming, but there's no guarantee we would even see those benefits
We will. That's all I'll say ;)

After just 5 days with the new 6416 box I got my first subscription bug. However, in an amazing feat of programming it now says"recording error" in red! I still have to backup every recording on my Panasonic HDD recorder as it can't be trusted. This is the most basic of functions, record what I ask it to record. People who say things are getting better are only stating a hope not a fact

People who say things are getting better are only stating a hope not a fact Since the firmware+software updates I haven't had any missed recordings due to subscription bug or even seen the subscription error box except when tuning to channels that I truly do not subscribe to. So at least for me it was hope and now has become fact.

Another TVGuide Cox story

http://www.cedmagazine.com/article/CA6303179.html

Andrew Wees

Another TVGuide Cox story

http://www.cedmagazine.com/article/CA6303179.html

Andrew Wees Was glad to see this:

A Cox spokesman said the MSO expects to introduce Gemstar's IPG products sometime in early 2007, with expectations that it will replace its existing digital set-top navigation platforms. Presently, Cox uses IPGs from Scientific-Atlanta and Aptiv Digital, a company that recently spun off from its former parent company, Pioneer. The MSO noted that it will continue working with its existing IPG vendors this year, and that work will involve some new projects.

By then I hope the Tivo Series 3 will be a viable alternative. If we have to go through growing pains and debugging for new IPG/DVR software all over again I'd rather it be the Tivo.

If cox does switch to the Iguide we would be using software that is already running on comcast and a few other cable companies with the 6412, so it shouldn't be as buggy as the Pioneer guide.

Andrew Wees












Was glad to see this:



By then I hope the Tivo Series 3 will be a viable alternative. If we have to go through growing pains and debugging for new IPG/DVR software all over again I'd rather it be the Tivo.

If cox does switch to the Iguide we would be using software that is already running on comcast and a few other cable companies with the 6412, so it shouldn't be as buggy as the Pioneer guide. But Comcast Headend systems are likely quite different than Cox and as we have found out the hard way there is a close interaction between Headend systems & software and the end user boxes, systems & software. Also, there is still a fairly big bug list for DCT6412/Iguide as I gave the link to above and if you look at the AVS thread. In any case it's not a short term issue so I won't worry about it too much. Only problem is it's likely whatever plans may have been in place for further Passport Echo updates may not have high priority anymore. However things turn out it's good to know the Tivo Series 3 option will be there as an alternative.

After just 5 days with the new 6416 box I got my first subscription bug. However, in an amazing feat of programming it now says"recording error" in red!
Interestingly enough, yesterday at 11am I got my first (ever) "Recording Error" on the 6412 in the office bedroom. Considering every other recording with either the new 12.27 and the immediately-previous version worked out OK, I wonder if this error happening to both of us was more non-coincidentally due to bad programming guide data or something?

If the "TVGuide" software is the stuff that's running on my Comcast boxes in L.A., that's FAR inferior to the Passport Echo stuff on the OC Cox system- it's my first experience with Cox here and I like it a lot better (well, the OnDemand bites compared to the LA/OC Comcast version).

If the "TVGuide" software is the stuff that's running on my Comcast boxes in L.A., that's FAR inferior to the Passport Echo stuff on the OC Cox system- it's my first experience with Cox here and I like it a lot better (well, the OnDemand bites compared to the LA/OC Comcast version). Yup that's it - it's called Iguide which is the TVGuide software. One simple example of how it sucks compared to Passport:
* There is an undocumented 30-sec skip hack (that is good of course though being undocumented means it could go away at any time)
* However, there is no "skip to tick" functionality which means no way to jump forwards or back in 15-minute increments.
* Also, there are problems with "resume playback" functionality not always working correctly.

So, if you want to navigate to the end of a program (especially a 3+ hour recording) you are stuck with FFx3 to get there or a whole bunch of 30-sec skip clicks - ludicrous.

The main reason Cox struck this deal is it provides a roadmap for their Interactive TV platform they want to launch as a way of making more money off of us. I don't believe for a second this deal was made to improve our IPG/DVR experience. Makes perfect business sense so can't blame them for doing it really. Personally I can live without VOD, ITV and other 2-way services so I don't see many positives from my vantage point. Anyway, I think I've overstated my opinion on this and I apologize for that and will try not to post about this anymore.

Anyway, I think I've overstated my opinion on this and I apologize for that and will try not to post about this anymore.
Well, I have a huge upper body that comes from flogging the corpses of dead equines, so I'll go on- the Comcast software was like a dumb, VCR- like device and doesn't track "shows" (like Passport and TiVo do)- just "times", so if (as was frequently the case on channels like A&E) the program doesn't come on the same days at the same time, you'd record whatever was in that spot. Searching for shows was a pain and you couldn't reprioritize recording priorities, either.

I hope Cox doesn't switch down to such inferior software!

I find it kind of funny that Yahoo and cedmagizine along with tvguide's corporate webpage have info about the deal, but cox.com has no news release about it.

Andrew Wees

Passing along info from another thread (COX in hartford CT area)

Universal HD is on 715 as of today....

Well, I have a huge upper body that comes from flogging the corpses of dead equines, so I'll go on- the Comcast software was like a dumb, VCR- like device and doesn't track "shows" (like Passport and TiVo do)- just "times", so if (as was frequently the case on channels like A&E) the program doesn't come on the same days at the same time, you'd record whatever was in that spot. Searching for shows was a pain and you couldn't reprioritize recording priorities, either.

I hope Cox doesn't switch down to such inferior software!


I find this hard to believe! So if my favorite show is on Tuesday 9pm to 10pm, and they move it to Wednesday, the DVR won't record it? If the show is a special 2 hour episode, it stops after the first hour?

I gotta stop worrying about this... Its going to be months (I hope).

Passing along info from another thread (COX in hartford CT area)

Universal HD is on 715 as of today.... Cool. In time for the upcoming Olympics which I'm sure is not coincidence - I hope that means Orange County will get it very shortly as well.

So if my favorite show is on Tuesday 9pm to 10pm, and they move it to Wednesday, the DVR won't record it?
It'll record whatever's on in that slot, just like an old, manual-timer VCR.

If the show is a special 2 hour episode, it stops after the first hour?Yup- even if the DVR's guide knows it's a 2-hr show; my GF got burned on one of the 2HR "The Apprentice" shows that way.

Went last friday to my local Cox office, they had no idea what a 6416 was or even knew when it was coming!
I finally got thru for a interview with Cox in a few weeks, hopefully i will be employed by them.

Went last friday to my local Cox office, they had no idea what a 6416 was or even knew when it was coming!
I finally got thru for a interview with Cox in a few weeks, hopefully i will be employed by them.

Good Luck!

moyekj

Have you tried emailing or calling cox to voice your feelings with the Igude? I emailed cox in omaha and they no nothing, but at least they now I don't like it either.

Andrew Wees

moyekj

Have you tried emailing or calling cox to voice your feelings with the Igude? I emailed cox in omaha and they no nothing, but at least they now I don't like it either. The deal is already inked so don't see much point. I'm not too worried anymore because by the time this gets imposed on us there should be a very viable alternative at which point we can send a message far more effective than an email - with our wallets - if we are unhappy.

Interestingly enough, yesterday at 11am I got my first (ever) "Recording Error" on the 6412 in the office bedroom.
... and again, today. Same setup (records both CH9 and CH705 at the same time in a repeat recording), CH9 records OK but CH705 had a "Recording Error". I don't know if it tried to record or not. The 11:30am recording on 705 records OK while the (1HR) recording on CH9 is still going.

This used to work quite reliably for a couple of weeks 'till this week (just like someone else had reported).

I've had a bunch of recording errors lately, although I haven't really looked at them to see what happened. I just delete them. What should I look for?

I've had a bunch of recording errors lately, although I haven't really looked at them to see what happened. I just delete them. What should I look for? Go to DVR log and see if it offers any clues:

# Press Menu to display Quick Settings Menu
# Press Down, B, Up, B (within 5 seconds)
# Press B to get to DVR log page

What should I look for?
Couldn't tell ya- but since it appears to happen to this one show quite often, what I'm going to try is watch that tuner as it goes all the way and see if I can figure out what's happening.

Also, I wonder if it's due to one channel being standard RF SDTV, and the other being HDTV. It's nothing important (some filler shows I usually 3XFF thru 'till I see something interesting looking) but I'm afraid it's gonna bite me later on when I try to get something important.

the Comcast software was like a dumb, VCR- like device and doesn't track "shows" (like Passport and TiVo do)- just "times", so if (as was frequently the case on channels like A&E) the program doesn't come on the same days at the same time, you'd record whatever was in that spot. Searching for shows was a pain and you couldn't reprioritize recording priorities, either.

I hope Cox doesn't switch down to such inferior software!

Am I correct in understanding that you're refering to Comcast's 6412 w/Iguide??? Thats exactly what I have and not only does it track "shows" so that if days or times change, the DVR know it, but you can set priorities.

Sorry if I mis-understood you.

I had a Moto 6208 before I moved my office to Cox-land and the software (not sure of the name) running on those boxes was basically a dumb, HDTV-capable VCR.

Sounds like the software running on my Dish Network 508 PVR. Maddening.

Anyway, the new Iguide is much better than you remember, but no TIVO.

Go to DVR log and see if it offers any clues:

# Press Menu to display Quick Settings Menu
# Press Down, B, Up, B (within 5 seconds)
# Press B to get to DVR log page

Maybe I got hit by the "Convert LOD":

I guess this is today's log (which recorded everything OK). Tuner P1 that was recording the program that errored yesterday:

11:00:02 P1 RecordProgram - ch 705
11:00:03 P0 RecordProgram - ch 9
11:30:01 P1 StopRecordingProgram
11:30:04 P1 RecordProgram - ch 705
11:30:04 P1 ConvertLOD

Anyway, the new Iguide is much better than you rememberI just left Comcast Orange County at the beginning of this year, though. Did they just roll this out?

Which "LA" are you? Los Angeles, or Louisiana? Perhaps my market didn't get iGuide?

Maybe I got hit by the "Convert LOD":

I guess this is today's log (which recorded everything OK). Tuner P1 that was recording the program that errored yesterday:

11:00:02 P1 RecordProgram - ch 705
11:00:03 P0 RecordProgram - ch 9
11:30:01 P1 StopRecordingProgram
11:30:04 P1 RecordProgram - ch 705
11:30:04 P1 ConvertLOD Are you sure that's the full log? I seem to remember there should be a ConvertLOD after every RecordProgram entry. Furthermore, if the tuner is already on the correct channel it's about to record you should see a ConvertLOD failed message right after ConvertLOD.

That's the only Convert LOD in there; and yeah, the program that failed was (and is always, so far) the first of two contiguous records on the same channel.

With all these new HD channels on the way, can this box handle HD with such a small hard DRive (Direct TV and Dish all have 250 Gig). How is that SATA expansion going? Any one figure out how to turn it on yet? Its just a 2nd hard drive, cant be that hard.

Rumors are going around about Cox adding ESPN-2 in HD and the National Geographic in HD this year.

Has any one called lately. I wrote there VP and got back that more channels would be added in the next 1-2 months.

With all these HD channels, can this box handle HD with such a small hard DRive (Direct TV and Dish all have 250 Gig).

Universal HD premiers on Tuesday, lots of Olympics in HD, then Monk Battlestar and Law and Order in HD> repeats tho.

I want Nat G.

Scott what area are you in?

Andrew Wees














With all these new HD channels on the way, can this box handle HD with such a small hard DRive (Direct TV and Dish all have 250 Gig). How is that SATA expansion going? Any one figure out how to turn it on yet? Its just a 2nd hard drive, cant be that hard.

Rumors are going around about Cox adding ESPN-2 in HD and the National Geographic in HD this year.

Has any one called lately. I wrote there VP and got back that more channels would be added in the next 1-2 months.

With all these HD channels, can this box handle HD with such a small hard DRive (Direct TV and Dish all have 250 Gig).

No ABCHD in Hartford Ct area Cox!!, we got UNiHD 3 days ago.....whoppee do da!!

With all these new HD channels on the way, can this box handle HD with such a small hard DRive (Direct TV and Dish all have 250 Gig). How is that SATA expansion going? Any one figure out how to turn it on yet? Its just a 2nd hard drive, cant be that hard.

Rumors are going around about Cox adding ESPN-2 in HD and the National Geographic in HD this year.

Has any one called lately. I wrote there VP and got back that more channels would be added in the next 1-2 months.

With all these HD channels, can this box handle HD with such a small hard DRive (Direct TV and Dish all have 250 Gig).

I was frustrated with the 120GB HD, but in Orange County, CA, they have a few of the 6416's with the 160GB HD. I picked one up last week. I'll see how it goes, but so far, I haven't filled it up. Course I haven't had it for a full week yet. :)

Chris

I have the 120... I have only filled it up once. I tape and watch, why would you want to save it any longer than a week anyway? Yes bigger could be better, but it isnt as if I need it.

I guess people like me like to save shows for many months, probably the same reason i have 7 hard drives in this computer =1.4 teragig
Like movie packrats!!

I'm sure you have all heard about this, but I haven't seen it posted here.

--------------------------------------------
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060206005489&newsLang=en

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 2006--
The Latest Versions of Passport DCT(TM) and Passport Echo(TM) Will Deliver Interactive Mosaic Video and Impulse Subscription, and Other Integrated Applications and Enhancements





Aptiv Digital, Inc. today announced the deployment of new and more powerful versions of Passport DCT(TM) and Passport Echo(TM) to select Cox Communications markets. The new Passport DCT and Passport Echo software versions will be rolled out to select Cox markets later this year. The software upgrades will provide Cox Communications with two new major applications, Interactive Video Mosaic and iSubscribe(TM), which are now available with both Passport DCT 2.7 and Passport Echo 2.7.

The Interactive Video Mosaic application enables the presentation of multiple thumbnail video insets on one screen. Viewers will hear the audio for a channel simply by highlighting a video inset with their remote. They can also get more information about the channel and program, or in the case of Passport Echo, record the highlighted show.

iSubscribe is a new impulse subscription application that enables the presentation of a library of service offerings such as VOD or premium channel packages. Customers will be able to use their remotes to view the subscription services, descriptions and pricing, and then purchase the services with the remote control.

"Cox Communications was one of our first customers to launch the Passport DCT application when it was developed over five years ago, and they have been a valued customer ever since," remarked Neil Jones, President and CEO of Aptiv Digital. "Cox has always been a technology leader in the industry, and they have worked very closely with us to define the landscape of interactive cable. We are very pleased to continue to serve Cox Communications by providing them with new technologies designed to enhance their video service offerings."

"Aptiv Digital has been a key technology provider for Cox Communications in our efforts to offer advanced services and improve the overall user experience," stated Steve Necessary, Vice President of Video Product Development for Cox Communications. "We are excited about the new revenue-generating applications supported by the most recent versions of Passport DCT and Passport Echo, as well as the ancillary applications and upgrades that provide consumers with new ways to enjoy their video services."

In addition to Interactive Video Mosaic and iSubscribe, Passport Echo's enhancements continue with a variety of new integrated applications: Remote Wizard provides a unique step-by-step interactive tool enabling customers to program modal remote controls to control multiple devices all by themselves; Passport Weather offers local and multi-city weather with on-going 5-day forecasts from Accuweather(TM); and PassTime(TM) Games includes a package of three solitaire style card games in high resolution, including traditional Klondike Solitaire, Twenty One or Bust, and 5 Card Stud Poker.

Passport Echo also provides customers with powerful new enhancements such as sorting features in the IPG and improved management of saved programs on the DVR. For example, with Passport Echo, customers can watch all of the recorded episodes of a series in one sitting by grouping a show's episodes together in one folder and then selecting the new Auto Play feature. All of the episodes will then be played back-to-back.

One unique enhancement to both Passport DCT 2.7 and Passport Echo 2.7 will expand the range of Parental Control to include restriction by content advisory. This will allow parents to set limitations on content advisories such as Adult Situation and Fantasy Violence, for example, in addition to the standard Parental Control features allowing for restrictions on time, ratings, channel and title blocking for adult programs.

why would you want to save it any longer than a week anyway?
We don't all watch shows soon after they're recorded.

why would you want to save it any longer than a week anyway?

To go on vacation? And I'd love being able to save a show like 24 for 4 or 5 weeks, and then watch it at once.

A hard drive on a DVR that only holds 10-12 hours eliminates a lot of its advantages.

I posted about the new software on 1-30-06, but you posted a newer news article.

Also it sounds like cox will not be using Aptiv for vary much longer.

Andrew Wees




I'm sure you have all heard about this, but I haven't seen it posted here.

--------------------------------------------
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20060206005489&newsLang=en

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 6, 2006--
The Latest Versions of Passport DCT(TM) and Passport Echo(TM) Will Deliver Interactive Mosaic Video and Impulse Subscription, and Other Integrated Applications and Enhancements





Aptiv Digital, Inc. today announced the deployment of new and more powerful versions of Passport DCT(TM) and Passport Echo(TM) to select Cox Communications markets. The new Passport DCT and Passport Echo software versions will be rolled out to select Cox markets later this year. The software upgrades will provide Cox Communications with two new major applications, Interactive Video Mosaic and iSubscribe(TM), which are now available with both Passport DCT 2.7 and Passport Echo 2.7.

The Interactive Video Mosaic application enables the presentation of multiple thumbnail video insets on one screen. Viewers will hear the audio for a channel simply by highlighting a video inset with their remote. They can also get more information about the channel and program, or in the case of Passport Echo, record the highlighted show.

iSubscribe is a new impulse subscription application that enables the presentation of a library of service offerings such as VOD or premium channel packages. Customers will be able to use their remotes to view the subscription services, descriptions and pricing, and then purchase the services with the remote control.

"Cox Communications was one of our first customers to launch the Passport DCT application when it was developed over five years ago, and they have been a valued customer ever since," remarked Neil Jones, President and CEO of Aptiv Digital. "Cox has always been a technology leader in the industry, and they have worked very closely with us to define the landscape of interactive cable. We are very pleased to continue to serve Cox Communications by providing them with new technologies designed to enhance their video service offerings."

"Aptiv Digital has been a key technology provider for Cox Communications in our efforts to offer advanced services and improve the overall user experience," stated Steve Necessary, Vice President of Video Product Development for Cox Communications. "We are excited about the new revenue-generating applications supported by the most recent versions of Passport DCT and Passport Echo, as well as the ancillary applications and upgrades that provide consumers with new ways to enjoy their video services."

In addition to Interactive Video Mosaic and iSubscribe, Passport Echo's enhancements continue with a variety of new integrated applications: Remote Wizard provides a unique step-by-step interactive tool enabling customers to program modal remote controls to control multiple devices all by themselves; Passport Weather offers local and multi-city weather with on-going 5-day forecasts from Accuweather(TM); and PassTime(TM) Games includes a package of three solitaire style card games in high resolution, including traditional Klondike Solitaire, Twenty One or Bust, and 5 Card Stud Poker.

Passport Echo also provides customers with powerful new enhancements such as sorting features in the IPG and improved management of saved programs on the DVR. For example, with Passport Echo, customers can watch all of the recorded episodes of a series in one sitting by grouping a show's episodes together in one folder and then selecting the new Auto Play feature. All of the episodes will then be played back-to-back.

One unique enhancement to both Passport DCT 2.7 and Passport Echo 2.7 will expand the range of Parental Control to include restriction by content advisory. This will allow parents to set limitations on content advisories such as Adult Situation and Fantasy Violence, for example, in addition to the standard Parental Control features allowing for restrictions on time, ratings, channel and title blocking for adult programs.

Can anyone tell me why some of my Season Passes won't schedule to record? I have a 6412 box thru Cox and for some reason 24 wasn't scheduled to record tonight I had to do it manually. Same thing for House Two and Half Men and Scrubs.

Can anyone tell me why some of my Season Passes won't schedule to record? I have a 6412 box thru Cox and for some reason 24 wasn't scheduled to record tonight I had to do it manually. Same thing for House Two and Half Men and Scrubs. Make sure they are set as "First Run & Repeats" not just "First Run". From what I have seen the guide data being used very often does not have the right flag for first run vs. repeat. Other than that the "Subscription Bug" would also cause shows that should record to not show up in the To Do List but that problem seems to have been mostly fixed. If you have verified all of that and still have an issue then force reboot the box and that should clear it up.

I had an interesting problem last night. I had scheduled Grey's Anatomy to be recorded after the superbowl. It was supposed to start at 7PM but actually started at 7:30. The 6416 wasn't smart enough to know this so I wound up with 30 minutes of the post superbowl junk and the first 30 minutes of Grey's When I realized what happened I checked channel 707 and saw that the tuner had stayed with the channel and I indeed had the missing 30 minutes in the buffer. I hit record and got a message that the show had already aired and could not be recorded. I did save the day by playing the channel and sending it out to my Panasonic HDD. Of course I lost the HD but my wife was appreciative.
Was there a work around that would have allowed me to record the program remaining in the buffer?

I think you could have gone into the guide, and recorded the KABC News. Greys Anatomy would have been segmented, but better than nothing. I am sure there is another way as well.

To go on vacation? And I'd love being able to save a show like 24 for 4 or 5 weeks, and then watch it at once.

A hard drive on a DVR that only holds 10-12 hours eliminates a lot of its advantages.

To be more accurate; A hard drive on a DVR that only holds 10-12 hours (of HD programming) slightly lessens one of it's advantages.

You could have extened the end time of Grey's Anatomy another hour or so also.

Andrew Wees








I had an interesting problem last night. I had scheduled Grey's Anatomy to be recorded after the superbowl. It was supposed to start at 7PM but actually started at 7:30. The 6416 wasn't smart enough to know this so I wound up with 30 minutes of the post superbowl junk and the first 30 minutes of Grey's When I realized what happened I checked channel 707 and saw that the tuner had stayed with the channel and I indeed had the missing 30 minutes in the buffer. I hit record and got a message that the show had already aired and could not be recorded. I did save the day by playing the channel and sending it out to my Panasonic HDD. Of course I lost the HD but my wife was appreciative.
Was there a work around that would have allowed me to record the program remaining in the buffer?

You could have extened the end time of Grey's Anatomy another hour or so also.

Andrew Wees


That's what I ended up doing. Initially, I just set it to record the news also, but that would have ended up segmenting it into two recordings. Since Grey's actually started about 27 mnutes late, I set it to extend the recording by 1/2 hour.

Of course none of this helps if you didn't know the game went over...

Depending on the type live I usally extend it 1-2 hours.



Andrew Wees

Can anyone tell me why some of my Season Passes won't schedule to record? I have a 6412 box thru Cox and for some reason 24 wasn't scheduled to record tonight I had to do it manually. Same thing for House Two and Half Men and Scrubs.


I bet you are out of guide data. You can do a force guide data download or reboot. Open the guide and see if you can see the shows displayed in the guide.

From: http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/DCT6412_Passport.html#Tips_and_Tricks

You can force the unit to purge the current Guide data from DRAM and download the latest available guide data from the headend by holding down the Guide button on the front panel for 5 seconds.

To be more accurate; A hard drive on a DVR that only holds 10-12 hours (of HD programming) slightly lessens one of it's advantages.

I guess it's a matter of opinion as to what is or isn't an important feature of a DVR, based on your own prioirities and experience.

I used a TiVo before the Motorola, and I was able to record 50+ hours at good medium quality (good enough for my old TV). So going from 50 to 12 hours is a big change, and it had a major impact on how I use it.

Yes, now I have HD, which I really like, but it came at the price of the flexibility I used to have and value.

Look what I found on Cox's baton rouge website. http://www.cox.com/batonrouge/DigitalCable/DVR/feedback/

How do I export saved shows? You can export content using the USB, DOCSIS, DVI or IEEE outputs. However, these functions are supported only by the new Phase-3 DVR receiver. Visit your nearest Cox location to swap your existing DVR for a Phase-3 receiver.

Andrew Wees

Has anyone noticed an issue where the (analog, via RCA-jack) audio just spontaneously mutes itself? I'm running 2.5.040/12.27 and I have to hit pause or something to get the sound back.

Has anyone noticed an issue where the (analog, via RCA-jack) audio just spontaneously mutes itself? I'm running 2.5.040/12.27 and I have to hit pause or something to get the sound back.


I have been having the same problem with optical out for the last few weeks. Anyone else?

Has anyone noticed an issue where the (analog, via RCA-jack) audio just spontaneously mutes itself? I'm running 2.5.040/12.27 and I have to hit pause or something to get the sound back.

I had the same problem (coax) show up for the first time yesterday! Sometimes ABC has little mutes during the recorded (or live really) show... yesterday the mute lasted longer than usual, when I paused and started again, audio was available.

Had another Tuesday 11:00 am Recording Error on 705 today ... this time I saw the log:

11:00:10 P1 Tune Timeout
11:00:18 P1 Tune Timeout

... OK, so now only why on Tuesdays and Thursdays?!

I guess it's a matter of opinion as to what is or isn't an important feature of a DVR, based on your own prioirities and experience.

I used a TiVo before the Motorola, and I was able to record 50+ hours at good medium quality (good enough for my old TV). So going from 50 to 12 hours is a big change, and it had a major impact on how I use it.

Yes, now I have HD, which I really like, but it came at the price of the flexibility I used to have and value.


If you want to record 50 hours of SD digital programming you should still be able to do that now. I'm just surprised that you don't see how equal the two are plus now you can record HD. But like you said it is really a matter of opinion, personally I really enjoy being able to time shift my HD programming.

I have been having the same problem with optical out for the last few weeks. Anyone else?
I've had it on Coax and Optical. I've been seeing this issue on travel channel SD alot. I don't remember it happening on any other channel either.

Look what I found on Cox's baton rouge website. http://www.cox.com/batonrouge/DigitalCable/DVR/feedback/

How do I export saved shows? You can export content using the USB, DOCSIS, DVI or IEEE outputs. However, these functions are supported only by the new Phase-3 DVR receiver. Visit your nearest Cox location to swap your existing DVR for a Phase-3 receiver.

Andrew Wees


HOLY CRAP!

I checked the COX web page that ajwees41 quoted, and it does indeed say that!

Anyone want to tell me how to export content using the USB port!??!?!?

How about the other ports!?!?!??!?

How can COX just leave a little snip in there without any further info!!?!??

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Come on guys, you should know better than to believe everything printed in these Cox websites. Got a good laugh out of it though. ;) And I've got to give them credit that 1 out of 4 were right! If someone really wants to have fun try calling a tech CSR and have them walk you through the procedure of using USB port to export saved shows to your PC. And remember to not hang up when there are several seconds of silence on the other end.

I just placed a technical question on COXs web site - should be interesting to see their response.

I wonder who will get fired for posting it on their website....

We should all send emails to tech support to hammer them on it....

pkpcman


Even though I live in Omaha NE I would like to know what they say.

I usally check out all of the local cox webpages that I know use the 6412 to see if they have any updates listed.

Andrew Wees

Another problem on the 6416. Yesterday is was set to record a movie from 3PM to 5PM on a SD channel (TCM). Today in list it shows the movie but the time is shown as 3:00 to 3:47 and recording error.,,This is a first for me, usually if it starts to record properly it works. Is this more progress?
Also, has anyone else noticed how long it now takes after you press either guide or list for the menus to come up?

There were a bunch of reboots in the OC yesterday afternoon; the boxes seem to reboot on low-signal conditions.

Look what I found on Cox's baton rouge website. http://www.cox.com/batonrouge/DigitalCable/DVR/feedback/

How do I export saved shows? You can export content using the USB, DOCSIS, DVI or IEEE outputs. However, these functions are supported only by the new Phase-3 DVR receiver. Visit your nearest Cox location to swap your existing DVR for a Phase-3 receiver.

Andrew Wees

I'm humored by this Cox webpage blip moreso because of the tech rep I spoke to that was very clear about Cox's rules about customer trading out DVR boxes....not possible! I wish I could show him this information from his own website! I really wonder if Phase III boxes are available in every market or just in So Cal? But I guess they are since this quote is from the Baton Rouge location website.

They are available in Omaha. Also the 6416 is supposed to be available in Omaha.

Andrew Wees










I'm humored by this Cox webpage blip moreso because of the tech rep I spoke to that was very clear about Cox's rules about customer trading out DVR boxes....not possible! I wish I could show him this information from his own website! I really wonder if Phase III boxes are available in every market or just in So Cal? But I guess they are since this quote is from the Baton Rouge location website.

They are available in Omaha. Also the 6416 is supposed to be available in Omaha.

Andrew Wees

Have you attempted to trade out your current box for either? Any luck?

I haven't tried yet.

Andrew Wees

Have you attempted to trade out your current box for either? Any luck?

I have Cox Service in baton rouge, and they just gave me my new DCT 6416 III.
has anyone had any luck connecting this beast to their PC for video capture? I see examples all over from people capturing on their 6412's, and i'm feeling left out... :)


any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

I have Cox Service in baton rouge, and they just gave me my new DCT 6416 III.
has anyone had any luck connecting this beast to their PC for video capture? I see examples all over from people capturing on their 6412's, and i'm feeling left out... :)

any help or suggestions would be appreciated. Yes, I have been able to extract recordings via firewire from the 6416. There are some side-effects of doing so however such as FF/REW sometimes stop working following a firewire connection which a reboot will fix, but I have the impression this is a phase III box problem in general with 12.27 firmware, not just a 6416-specific problem.

In OC I called Cox told them I wasn't happy with the 6412 and wanted a 6416. They delivered and installed it in 3 days. The key may be to tell them the old box is not working up to expectations. I was very clear bring a 6416 or don't come

Using the links provided by moyekj on how to capture on a 6412, I was able to capture from my DCT 6416 using the exact same drivers and methods... Many thanks!

now, if i can just get cox to take off that pesky 5c protection.... [uphill battle]

It's not cox doing the 5c protection it's the networks. HBO,Cinnemax,Starz,Showtime etc.

Andrew Wees












Using the links provided by moyekj on how to capture on a 6412, I was able to capture from my DCT 6416 using the exact same drivers and methods... Many thanks!

now, if i can just get cox to take off that pesky 5c protection.... [uphill battle]

Using the links provided by moyekj on how to capture on a 6412, I was able to capture from my DCT 6416 using the exact same drivers and methods... Many thanks!



Anyone got any tips on playing back the captured files?

On my capture PC (CPU 1.8Ghz, 512megs) it plays back VERY choppy using Nero showtime or WMP10.

On another PC (CPU 3Ghz, 1Gig ram) it plays back very choppy using Nero Showtime, less choppy using WMP Classic.

I would think 3 Ghz is powerful enough.

On my capture PC (CPU 1.8Ghz, 512megs) it plays back VERY choppy using Nero showtime or WMP10. On another PC (CPU 3Ghz, 1Gig ram) it plays back very choppy using Nero Showtime, less choppy using WMP Classic.

I would think 3 Ghz is powerful enough.
Oh, you wacky Windows guys! :) I'm looking at a capture I made a while ago, reading from an NTFS partition, and I'm watching 'em at full speed and resolution at only 800MHz (SpeedStepped) on my Linux box, with 10-15% CPU utilization.

IIRC, I couldn't watch 'em off my XP boot (on the same box) 'cause I needed a CODEC (or something).

I've put a small (! for capture, anyway- it's 33MB! and will only be up today) file up here (http://kenny.nepsa.com/private/051225095326.ts) if you'd like to verify you've got the right kind of file.

Look what I found on Cox's baton rouge website. http://www.cox.com/batonrouge/DigitalCable/DVR/feedback/

How do I export saved shows? You can export content using the USB, DOCSIS, DVI or IEEE outputs. However, these functions are supported only by the new Phase-3 DVR receiver. Visit your nearest Cox location to swap your existing DVR for a Phase-3 receiver.

Andrew Wees
Hey Guys, I'm in Omaha as well and was wondering how I would know if my DVR is the phase III unit or not. I'm pretty sure its the most recent box they have available, but not positive. Has anyone tried exporting media to their pc via usb or IEEE yet?

You can't export via usb

Andrew Wees







Hey Guys, I'm in Omaha as well and was wondering how I would know if my DVR is the phase III unit or not. I'm pretty sure its the most recent box they have available, but not positive. Has anyone tried exporting media to their pc via usb or IEEE yet?

I've put a small (! for capture, anyway- it's 33MB! and will only be up today) file up here (http://kenny.nepsa.com/private/051225095326.ts) if you'd like to verify you've got the right kind of file.


Well, I don't know what kind of file you posted, but I don't think it's HD.

Your file was 33megs and 2 mins long. That works out to less than 2 gigs per hour. A typical broadcast HD file should come to about 8 gigs per hour.

Both Nero Showtime and WMP Clasic played the file fine. Maybe it was from a non HD broadcast?

Well, I don't know what kind of file you posted, but I don't think it's HD.

Your file was 33megs and 2 mins long. That works out to less than 2 gigs per hour. A typical broadcast HD file should come to about 8 gigs per hour.

Both Nero Showtime and WMP Clasic played the file fine. Maybe it was from a non HD broadcast? It's obviously a SD digital capture by the specs:
Video: 528x480i, 29.97fps, 15,000 kbps variable
Audio: 2-channel Dolby AC-3, 384 kbps, 48KHz

When I posted about my problem playing back a firewire transfer from the 6412, I didn't think it was necessary to mention I was talking about a HD file.

I guess it was.

Picky, picky! :) I'll try and get an HD capture sometime soon (I have to boot into Windows to do that). I can delete the file, then?

For me, yes. And thanks, BTW.

Hey, just to make sure. The new 6416...how are the analog channels? I assume they are as good as the phase III, but want to make sure before asking for one. Thanks.

Universal HD is up in O.C.

Shazam1242, there were some reports (in the OC thread IIRC) that apparently DCT6416 III is not as good as DCT6412 III when displaying SD digital channels, not sure about analog channels. I exchanged a DCT6412 I for a DCT6416 III and the analog channels are better because the phase III boxes have much improved mpeg encoders. I never paid much attention to SD digital channels but recent checks revealed that overall they look like crap. But I can't compare vs. DCT6412 I since in general I only use the Cox DVR for HD recordings and ReplayTVs for anything SD.

From a couple of digital SD firewire captures I took recently on channels that looked bad they looked just as bad on my PC display as on my HDTV so in my opinion it's the headend source that is to blame for poor picture quality not the DCT boxes themselves. I also concluded during that experiment to not use 480p sidebar setting for SD channels on the DCT6416 setup - 480i sidebar seemed to look a lot better.

I want to want SCI FI channel.

Thinking leave dish and coming back to Cox.

I left because Analog channels looked bad on the Cox DVR. My one year is about up.

Did they fix it on the phase III? How about the 6416? Is the Sci Fi channel good now?

I have a 65" RPTV HD so I can notice bad analog. Anyone else out there with large TVs, how is BattelStar and Star Gate on the DVR now?

I want to want SCI FI channel.

Thinking leave dish and coming back to Cox.

I left because Analog channels looked bad on the Cox DVR. My one year is about up.

Did they fix it on the phase III? How about the 6416? Is the Sci Fi channel good now?

I have a 65" RPTV HD so I can notice bad analog. Anyone else out there with large TVs, how is BattelStar and Star Gate on the DVR now? Phase III boxes with improved encoders the picture is vastly improved for analog channels (but still not as good as bypassing the DVR). WIth upcoming digital simulcast if Cox does it right that would also mean improved picture quality as no encoding would be necessary. Right now in OC there are 40 "test" channels which I believe will become digital simulcast channels very soon. SciFi channel I am hoping will be one of those. BSG you can now get on Universal HD channel in High Definition, though granted they are not the latest episodes being shown on SciFi channel.

Thanks for the info. What's the deal with Universal HD? Is it just repeats and movies?

Thanks for the info. What's the deal with Universal HD? Is it just repeats and movies? It's owned by Universal Studios which is the same company owning NBC, so most of the programming is older Universal Studios & NBC movies, series, etc. I don't think there is any original programming. For Olympics it will have extra HD coverage you can't get on NBC HD. Overall IMO it's pretty limited value - I would rather have Fox Sports HD or ESPN2 HD (even though HD programming on those channels is very limited). BSG & Monk in HD are nice but too bad they are not first run episodes as on SciFi and USA channels.

It's too bad they don't put repeats (a'la pay-cable) of NBC original series, in case you missed an episode of "Earl" or whatever.

It's too bad they don't put repeats (a'la pay-cable) of NBC original series, in case you missed an episode of "Earl" or whatever.

The problem with that would be, people like me that Cox doesn't bother giving NBC-HD to would just watch it on there instead. The affiliates would scream at them if they did something like that. Plus, they'd probably like to keep them around to show on NBC for off-season reruns, and maybe even save them for syndication.

I can capture (through firewire) only about 2 minutes or so, and then nothing. It kills the FW/RW on box (6416 Phase III). Same thing happened with the 6412 Phase III. I've tried 2 firewire cables (both 25 feet). It worked OK before the firmware update. What should I try next?

Chris

When you say OC do you mean the Oklahoma City Cox market?

How do we find out about these test channels. Im Wondering if the Omaha Cox market has the 40 test channesl also, having Digital Simulcast would be great for all here. I have gotten used to 100% digital on Satellite.

Any more info on this rumor?

When you say OC do you mean the Oklahoma City Cox market?
Ewww ... flyover country? :) :) :)

(Seriously though, he could have, but I suspect (w/o context) he meant: http://www.cox.com/oc)

OC as in "The OC" as in Orange County, California as rightly pointed out by kcrudup.

I can capture (through firewire) only about 2 minutes or so, and then nothing. It kills the FW/RW on box (6416 Phase III). Same thing happened with the 6412 Phase III. I've tried 2 firewire cables (both 25 feet). It worked OK before the firmware update. What should I try next?

Chris Try using these updated drivers I got from Tim Moore:
http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/firestb_012306.zip
(FF/REW on Phase III boxes still get killed more often than not but I've managed several 1 hour captures without issues)

I just had a box reboot in Omaha and now only recieve channels 1-327, no on odemand or anything else; forcing a guide download didn't fix it.



Andrew Wees

hi guys,
I have had much less time these days to read the forums and pay attention to what's going on. Two small kids, and a third one on the way can do that to one's free time.
But anyway, I have two of these phase 3 cox hdtv pvr boxes. One downstairs and one upstairs. Both do the same thing..first, VOD doesn't work. It always says there's a problem with the application, please wait 15 minutes. Also, when I go to the list of recordings, it often will reboot for no good reason, which interrupts what its currently recording etc.
On top of that...sometimes there is horrible pixellation or signal issues...
The ONLY thing keeping me from switching back to DirecTV, is the huge HD lineup that cox has. They recently added Universal-HD, which seems to have lots of older shows, but in high def.
Also, Moyek, I heard you mention some usb2 capture device for HD content? If it can tune QAM then that means it can view unencrypted cable channels. I'd love something like that! But in the post I saw you talking about it in, I didn't see you mention the brand/name of it. I'll try searching around this thread..but if you don't mind repeating it, maybe in a pm, I'd appreciate it.

p.s. I noticed downstairs I had really bad pixellation on some channels but not all HD channels, just some of them. I had a splitter going to the cox pvr and my MCE 2005 computer. what I did was remove the splitter, and then the pixellation went away. What is odd, is that that the splitter was meant for satellite, and supports 2 gig...I'm at a loss as to why it wasn't good enough for the HD channels on cox? do they use a lower freq maybe?

omarh, this is the USB2 tuner I have ($149) - Dvico FusionHDTV5 USB Gold:
http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/eng/Products/HDTV5usb.aspx
The software for it is still pretty crappy & buggy and Dvico is still putting out a lot of software updates trying to address remaining issues. The AVS thread on latest software is:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7116652
I use it primarily for manual HD QAM recordings of a couple of shows/week and it works OK for that (sure beats firewire capture from the DCT6416 box). Cox has been very dilligent recently about encrypting the digital channels in OC market so now only HD network and VOD channels are unencrypted (as well as all the analog of course).

Cox headend systems are only 750MHz (at least that's the case in OC) so a 2GHz splitter is overkill. Probably after split the signal level is too low causing dropouts - sounds like you would need a good amplified splitter at or before that node: Electroline amplified splitters are the best as I'm sure many here would attest and you want to make sure the amplified splitter is used at cable drop and not further down the line for best possible results.

Watching Olympics tonight on NBC HD on my 6416 and was able to go back 1 full hour in the live buffer for that tuner. I think this is new since on my old 6412 I only recall 30 mins max buffer for HD channels.

That's pretty nice for watching Olymipcs since I don't necessarily want to record everything due to limited space but it's nice to leave one tuner on that channel and go back the last hour or so to see if there's anything interesting.

Man -- I had tonight's Olympics (4.5 hours) and the ABC shows (2 hours) recorded, and the 6412 (ph. 3) gives me an error message that it's unable to record another 1 hour show. Then it deletes *both* ABC shows to make room -- when merely an hour before, it said they'd be deleted in "about a day."

I know it holds more than 6.5 hours -- how do I convince the 6412 of that?

So. Annoying.

Man -- I had tonight's Olympics (4.5 hours) and the ABC shows (2 hours) recorded, and the 6412 (ph. 3) gives me an error message that it's unable to record another 1 hour show. Then it deletes *both* ABC shows to make room -- when merely an hour before, it said they'd be deleted in "about a day."

I know it holds more than 6.5 hours -- how do I convince the 6412 of that?

So. Annoying. That's what really pushed me to go for a 6416. It seem the Passport Echo thinks way too far ahead of itself and tries to make room much sooner than needed. I had a similar situation during NFL season that really ticked me off.

In the future though, to guarantee something won't get deleted you have to mark it "Save until I delete" (or something along those lines). For shows I really care about such as Lost I mark the Series Record setup that way already.

Yeah, I've never had this happen before, though. I've pushed to 11+ hours before and it's never deleted stuff like that. It's almost like the machine thinks it had no space left.

I will try rebooting it tomorrow and see if that helps.

Usb video capture

Has anyone tried capturing the video and audio from a 6412 or 6416 with a usb video capture device? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to do it?

Andrew Wees

Usb video capture

Has anyone tried capturing the video and audio from a 6412 or 6416 with a usb video capture device? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to do it?

Andrew Wees


For now this is not an option. You will need to use IEEE 1394 aka firewire.

---

I have that same problem with my dvr deleting stuff way too soon. Out thinking itself!

I mean it would usb to the computer and rca from the 6412. Will that work?

Something like this http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=318714&pfp=BROWSE

Andrew Wees








For now this is not an option. You will need to use IEEE 1394 aka firewire.

---

I have that same problem with my dvr deleting stuff way too soon. Out thinking itself!

I mean it would usb to the computer and rca from the 6412. Will that work?

Something like this http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=318714&pfp=BROWSE

Andrew Wees Quality would be awful since the 6412 RCA (composite) or S-video outputs are downconverted to analog and then the device you reference would re-encode them back to digital giving you very crappy result. Plus HD outputs are letterboxed (black bars on top and bottom) to preserve 16:9 ratio on a 4:3 screen which makes the resulting video even less desireable. For case of 4:3 programming on HD channels it is even worse: you get a postage size picture on a 4:3 display. There is no way to output anamorphic widescreen to analog outputs of the 6412 which is what would be needed for better HD downconversion. The solution you are proposing is really no better than attaching a standard DVD recorder which also suffers from the same D->A->D process. Firewire capture captures the original digital recording giving you much cleaner result.

Moyek, are all the network channels like NBC/CBS/ABC unecrypted still? I think I read somewhere that they were supposed to be unecrypted QAM. I don't care much for HBO etc...mainly I want to make up for the pathetic disk space on my cox pvr. I have over a terabyte on my pc, and only 120 gigs on the pvr...its a joke.

Try using these updated drivers I got from Tim Moore:
http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/firestb_012306.zip
(FF/REW on Phase III boxes still get killed more often than not but I've managed several 1 hour captures without issues)

Thanks. I've isolated the problem at least. I tried my work laptop (Dell M60), and it works fine with the older drivers. My laptop (Dell 600m) fails after a few minutes. I upgraded to the drivers noted above, and it had the same problem. I'm now convinced it is the firewire card. The M60 has a built-in firewire port, but my 600m just has a SYBA combo firewire/usb card. So my guess it that card must be defective. I'll try to get a new card to prove that theory.

I don't have an HDTV, but since Motorola doesn't have a SD DVR I am stuck using the 6412. If I do the firewire thing how do I inport into the computer and than burn it onto a DVD? It will be all SD no HD video.

Andrew Wees


Quality would be awful since the 6412 RCA (composite) or S-video outputs are downconverted to analog and then the device you reference would re-encode them back to digital giving you very crappy result. Plus HD outputs are letterboxed (black bars on top and bottom) to preserve 16:9 ratio on a 4:3 screen which makes the resulting video even less desireable. For case of 4:3 programming on HD channels it is even worse: you get a postage size picture on a 4:3 display. There is no way to output anamorphic widescreen to analog outputs of the 6412 which is what would be needed for better HD downconversion. The solution you are proposing is really no better than attaching a standard DVD recorder which also suffers from the same D->A->D process. Firewire capture captures the original digital recording giving you much cleaner result.

Moyek, are all the network channels like NBC/CBS/ABC unecrypted still? I think I read somewhere that they were supposed to be unecrypted QAM. I don't care much for HBO etc...mainly I want to make up for the pathetic disk space on my cox pvr. I have over a terabyte on my pc, and only 120 gigs on the pvr...its a joke. Yes, by FCC law Cox cannot encrypt local channels broadcast over the air so they are and should always be unencrypted. So as far as unencrypted HD channels these are the ones in Cox OC market:
CBS, NBC, WB, ABC, KOCE (PBS), FOX
Until recently TNT HD was also unencrypted but Cox finally figured that out and fixed it. If you're so inclined you can also see what/record what your neighbors are ordering via EOD since those are unencrypted, but you are at their whim in case they don't watch everything in one shot or use trick functions, etc. so really not reliable for recording.

I use it strictly for recording a couple of shows a week from Fox HD & ABC HD I care to keep and it works great for that. It's also nice to have OTA recording capability as a backup in case something happens with Cox.

I don't have an HDTV, but since Motorola doesn't have a SD DVR I am stuck using the 6412. If I do the firewire thing how do I inport into the computer and than burn it onto a DVD? It will be all SD no HD video.

Andrew Wees It's free and almost too easy these days for either SD or HD captures:
* Download and start the free HDTV2DVD program.
* Drag your captured transport stream file into the Assets window at the bottom.
* Drag the title from the Assets pane into the Layout pane on top left and click on make DVD and go do something else for a while.
* When you come back you'll see a HDTV2DVD_OUTPUT folder that contains an empty AUDIO_TS folder and a VIDEO_TS folder under it. Burn those 2 folders onto a DVD and you're done. Easy and excellent quality. For HD captures it will make a nice anamorphic widescreen DVD.

When you use HDTV2DVD is it really DVD quality?

Are there any specs to stats that show the quality level? The reason why I question this is, is for most Real DVDs these days they take up TWO DVDs. In other words some movies are Dual Layered.

Unless HDTV2DVD requires two DVDs or a Dual Layer DVD, then I doubt it is the same quality of a recording as a Real DVD of the same movies.

I have never used this programs so please help me out here, how far off am I?

When you use HDTV2DVD is it really DVD quality?

Are there any specs to stats that show the quality level? The reason why I question this is, is for most Real DVDs these days they take up TWO DVDs. In other words some movies are Dual Layered.

Unless HDTV2DVD requires two DVDs or a Dual Layer DVD, then I doubt it is the same quality of a recording as a Real DVD of the same movies.

I have never used this programs so please help me out here, how far off am I? No, like most DVD authoring programs it's only designed for single layer DVD. It uses ffmpeg for encoding (which is known as the best free encoder available) and does a really good job. If you are a perfectionist you could probably do better (my HD->DVD guide has a description of a LONG way where you can control quality yourself), but this program does such a good job and leaves original 6-channel audio alone and in sync that I don't bother to use anything else anymore. Also, if you have perfectionist hat on keep in mind that anytime you re-encode anything to mpeg2 you lose some quality so you can never be as good as the original source no matter what you use or how big your destination DVD is.

Sample specs on a recent HD recording of Lost (720p source) converted to DVD:
Video: 720x480 (9/16) 29.97 fps, 7800Kbps VBR
Audio: Dolby AC-3 6 channel, 48KHz, 448Kbps (i.e. the original audio from 720p source)

Wow, using HDTV2DVD to record shows from the DCT64xx box sounds really good then.

Is anything copy protected yet? Like movies on HBO and Show Time? Can you burn movies of these?

I don't subscribe to any premium channels so don't know if 5C protection is enabled on those channels or not, but would guess 5C=1 on those preventing capture to PC. I have been able to capture anything I subscribe to so far including all the HD channels but I don't use firewire capture much anymore since I got my Fusion5HDTV USB tuner.

I don't subscribe to any premium channels so don't know if 5C protection is enabled on those channels or not, but would guess 5C=1 on those preventing capture to PC.
I'm pretty sure that "Do The Right Thing" .ts sample I posted last week came from a premium channel, but I made it nearly three months ago so I'm not sure.

I am looking for a nice Universal Remote that will work with my 6412 III, any thoughts?

It will also do my reciever, dvd, and tv.

I am looking for a nice Universal Remote that will work with my 6412 III, any thoughts?

It will also do my reciever, dvd, and tv.

AMRivlin, you have a PM

Wait- I want one, too! If you've got an opinon, post it!

Almost any learning remote will work. I personally have Home Theater Master MX-700 and MX-500 and a Harmony set up for the wife, my remote of choice for me is the MX line. :)
Good Luck
rlh149

Yeah, but the problem is one with enough buttons ("A" "B" "C", for example and "DVR List") or remappable/relabelable keys (that costs less than $200)

Wait- I want one, too! If you've got an opinon, post it!
Oh, OK. Turns out that rlh149 and I think alike. Here was the PM:

I have used the MX-500 from Universal Remote Control for years, and am using it now to control the 6412, DVD, audio pre-/pro-, and TV. It has a good mix of "hard buttons" and LED display, and you can create a whole bunch of macros as needed.

One caveat: it's a lot easier to create and debug macros with a remote that can be programmed from a PC. An MX-500 user created a hardware/software combo a few years ago for programming and backing up the remote; I bought one and use it a lot, but unfortunately it is no longer available.

Still, check out the URC products and see if there's something that strikes your fancy: http://www.universalremote.com/products/

Now, back to the 6412, which is already in progress...

Asking about universal remotes always generates a flood of replies. I have an MX-500 as well. The great thing about it is you have 10 hard buttons by an LCD. You can change the names in the LCD by these buttons so that for some functions (such as A,B,C, DVR List, Guide, etc.) which are not readily labeled as such on the existing hard buttons can be added in with proper names. And it's only 1 button press to activate those as opposed to Harmony where it's a few button presses. Plus the number of pre-labeled buttons on the MX-500 is quite extensive already so there usually aren't too many buttons that need to be assigned by the LCD panel.

Before the MX-500 I had other learning universal remotes but I always found I had to assign some functions to buttons that were not intuitively labeled and there was far too much memorization needed to remember what you put where. When you combine the MX-500 with a cheap JP1-capable remote it's a very powerful combination. Some discrete code functions that cannot be implemented in MX-500 you can implement with the JP1 remote and then learn them into the MX-500. So finally I have a remote with full set of discrete on/off codes for all my devices and single macros that take care of everything. If I want to watch DVD then use the DVD macro, 6412 use the 6412 macro, etc and they all have discrete on/off built in so no chance of getting in a messed up state. It's so easy now my wife and kids can use it too. But getting to the point I'm at now required me to learn JP1 a little to acquire some otherwise impossible to program discrete on/off codes.

MX-700. The best for anyone who wants to customize.

I use the Harmony 680. It has enough soft buttons (6) for the A, B, C, swap, and whatever else you need. It's very easy to program. I had a home theater master before, but this is much easier to program.

Chris

No, like most DVD authoring programs it's only designed for single layer DVD.

Are you sure about that? Mine has a button labeled "DL" that says it's for Dual Layer disks. I don't have any to try. I'm using 2.0.2146 (SVCD2DVD). It's very easy to turn the transport streams into DVD's, and the quality is impressive as long as you don't make them too long.

Chris

Are you sure about that? Mine has a button labeled "DL" that says it's for Dual Layer disks. I don't have any to try. I'm using 2.0.2146 (SVCD2DVD). It's very easy to turn the transport streams into DVD's, and the quality is impressive as long as you don't make them too long.

Chris Like I said... most (not all). Dual layer is really not yet feasible/popular since dual layer media is still much more expensive than single layer for burning. I've got a dual layer burner in my laptop that I've never even tried. You probably already know it but FYI for others HDTV2DVD came out of the SVCD2DVD project as a very simple app to use. If you want all the bells and whistles then go with SVCD2DVD, but last I checked you had to register to use it, and register means something like a 10Euro donation whereas HDTV2DVD is free.

I love my MX-500. It controls my 6412, TiVo, Pioneer receiver, JVC DVD player, Norcent DVD/AVI player, and Panny DVD recorder.

It's relatively easy to program, once you get the hang of it, and very easy to use.

I've got a Pronto TU1000. Works great. Kinda hard to program at first but works like a gem.

I found some closeout MX-500s on sale for $80. I'll get one, thanks!

Well, I looked at the MX line, but I think I prefer the Harmony to be honest. It does the same thing as the MX, and has better software and USB support. You can have 1 touch buttons, and it has an online database of discrete codes. Not to mention the killer LCD and rechargable cradle. MX Line seems a bit old school or Cox remotish...

The Harmony 880 is IR only the 890 has RF and IR.
The 880 can be had for 170-50 rebate.

Hell, I'm bitchin' about spending eighty on a damn remote!

From what I understand the MX line is more customizable. The Harmony is easier to setup, provided your setup is routine. The MX line also has an RF version.

kcrup, where did you find the 500 for $80?

I bought my mom the Harmony 880 this past Christmas, and I love it. But I can't justify spending that much again. Besides, an on-line review said the IR on the 500 is so strong it works through several layers of blankets.

Maybe I can buy it and switch with my mom (she still gets a little confused by the 880).

froogle.google.com is your friend!

There was a company that was based in NewPorsche Beach that I was hoping to pick it up from in person, but their warehouse is in AZ. I'll probably order it from them (betterbuyelectronics.com) anyway, but having to pay both shipping and tax makes me think I should look elsewhere.

If the warranty is important to you, you need to buy from an authorized dealer. Universal remote makes a fairly big deal about this on their website, www.universalremote.com. I've had good luck with SRC (www.surfremotecontrol.com). The customer service is very good.

If the warranty is important to you
... on a remote? The #1 failure mode of any remote I've ever had was the battery cover breaking off. #2 is battery-connector corrosion, which some sandpaper readily fixes.

You're probably right. But if it were me and the difference is $10, I buy from the dealer. In any case, check the AVS remote control forum and see if people are having issues. Remote central is another good resource.

... and the difference is $10
The MX-500s I saw were listing at $150 and selling at $80.

I have a 9-year-old Marantz RC-2000 remote in the LA place that cost me $200 back then that still runs like the day I bought it.

I have two MX500's and an IRClone MX to program them with (apparently you can't buy the IRClone anymore - too bad). I absolutely love them. Works great with both my 6416 and Tivo.

I've used the MX500 for several years, even before I had the 6412 and have always found it easy to set up and especially love the learning feature of every button on the controller. I recently picked up a spare from surfremotecontrol.com for less than $90. Here is the link: http://www.surfremotecontrol.com/store/mx500.html

Speaking of remotes. The Wife want a DVR in the Bedroom connected to that TV where she will record her shows. She then wants me to run Coax on the Channel 4 out down to the basement so she can also watch her shows while excersing.

1. Will that Coax out give Strereo out down to that TV on channel 4 or will it be mono?

2. WHats the best remote control solution for this, some kind of rabit or UHF remote?

I am going to do something similar to that. What I am going to do is run 2 Cat5 cables from the living room to the bedroom. The first Cat5 will be for S-video and Left and right audio from the living room to the bedroom. The second Cat 5 will be for the remote control repeater. I picked up the remote stuff from www.smarthome.com.

The 6412 does not have coax out, so that will not work.

Andrew Wees






Speaking of remotes. The Wife want a DVR in the Bedroom connected to that TV where she will record her shows. She then wants me to run Coax on the Channel 4 out down to the basement so she can also watch her shows while excersing.

1. Will that Coax out give Strereo out down to that TV on channel 4 or will it be mono?

2. WHats the best remote control solution for this, some kind of rabit or UHF remote?

The boxes that have the coax out will do stereo out.

Don't you mean Spdif out? Coax is for audio and video.



Like I said before. I don'tthink any of the Cox 6412's have coax out, but they do have Spdif's.

Andrew Wees







The boxes that have the coax out will do stereo out.

The newest 6412 phase 3 boxes have a RF coax out. My DVR is in the living room. I ran a piece of coax to the basement where the line to the bedroom is. I hooked up the RF coax out on the DVR to this line and this feeds the bedroom tv. I then ran some phone wire from the bedroom to the family room so that I could use my RF repeater. Now I have access to my DVR both in the family room and in the bedroom. I would love to find a really cheap source for the IR eyes and run every set in the house from the one box.

By the way the RF output does do stereo out.

Cox Omaha has the phase 3 with out rf out, so that is what I based my no rf out on.

Andrew Wees






The newest 6412 phase 3 boxes have a RF coax out. My DVR is in the living room. I ran a piece of coax to the basement where the line to the bedroom is. I hooked up the RF coax out on the DVR to this line and this feeds the bedroom tv. I then ran some phone wire from the bedroom to the family room so that I could use my RF repeater. Now I have access to my DVR both in the family room and in the bedroom. I would love to find a really cheap source for the IR eyes and run every set in the house from the one box.

By the way the RF output does do stereo out.

The newest 6412 phase 3 boxes have a RF coax out. My DVR is in the living room. I ran a piece of coax to the basement where the line to the bedroom is. I hooked up the RF coax out on the DVR to this line and this feeds the bedroom tv. I then ran some phone wire from the bedroom to the family room so that I could use my RF repeater. Now I have access to my DVR both in the family room and in the bedroom. I would love to find a really cheap source for the IR eyes and run every set in the house from the one box.

By the way the RF output does do stereo out.

Does the RF out support native resolution? e.g. ESPN 720p, CBS 1080i, etc.

Does the RF out support native resolution? e.g. ESPN 720p, CBS 1080i, etc. No way... remember that it's analog signal downrezed to 480i and looks pretty crappy too. It's the worse kind of analog output (worse than S-video or composite).

Im confused.

"Cox Omaha has the phase 3 with out rf out, so that is what I based my no rf out on."

So in Omaha there is a Coax out that I can send Channel 3 or 4 to the Bedroom on and it in strereo?

Or are some markets coming with the Channel 3 or 4 out and some dont?


2nd QUestion
=============
Will Cox let you rent extra Remotes? I have one of those wireless X-10 Remote Repeater Paramid things. If so any one rent one? Did it work? How much extra are the remotes a month?

The phase 3 in Omaha Does not have rf out.

I guess some Cox and some other cable companies have ordered the 6412 phase with rf out , but not cox in Omaha because they don't think people want it.

The 6412 only works with one output, so if you ran 6412 with rf out even though Omaha does not have the option and and second output from the rca or HDTV connections only one would work.


Andrew Wees



Im confused.

"Cox Omaha has the phase 3 with out rf out, so that is what I based my no rf out on."

So in Omaha there is a Coax out that I can send Channel 3 or 4 to the Bedroom on and it in strereo?

Or are some markets coming with the Channel 3 or 4 out and some dont?


2nd QUestion
=============
Will Cox let you rent extra Remotes? I have one of those wireless X-10 Remote Repeater Paramid things. If so any one rent one? Did it work? How much extra are the remotes a month?

The 6412 only works with one output, so if you ran 6412 with rf out even though Omaha does not have the option and and second output from the rca or HDTV connections only one would work. From everything I have seen all 6412 outputs are active no matter how you configure things so there is no reason to think RF out would be any different. For example, you can use DVI/HDMI, component, S-video, composite and firewire outputs all at the same time if you wish. I've actually used HDMI + component + s-video + stereo + firewire outputs all at once before and it worked fine.

Im in Omaha, my plan it to leave Dish. WIth DIsh I have 2 DVRs that each go to a 2nd TV so I have a total of 4 TVs with DVR access.

With Cox, I also only want to pay the Month Rental fee for 2 DVRs not 4, so I need a way to run to 2 other TVs. DVRs seem to run $15 a month here. 2x$15= $30 sounds better than 4x$15=$60 a month.

Adrew could you try plugging in the Yellow Video Out to an other input on your TV to see if its active at the same time as your other output (componet or HDMI)? Maybe some markets have them turned on or off?

Any ideas for my Solution?

Im in Omaha, my plan it to leave Dish. WIth DIsh I have 2 DVRs that each go to a 2nd TV so I have a total of 4 TVs with DVR access.

With Cox, I also only want to pay the Month Rental fee for 2 DVRs not 4, so I need a way to run to 2 other TVs. DVRs seem to run $15 a month here. 2x$15= $30 sounds better than 4x$15=$60 a month.

Adrew could you try plugging in the Yellow Video Out to an other input on your TV to see if its active at the same time as your other output (componet or HDMI)? Maybe some markets have them turned on or off?

Any ideas for my Solution?

I don't have any other outputs on my tv or vcr to try sorry. I don't have an HDTV. For your problem you need a seperate 6412 for every tv. It's not like Dish one dvr two tv's. It's one dvr per tv no way to seperate the outputs to a seperate tv.


Andrew Wees

Well you can mirror to TWO tvs. I had my LCD on HDMI and had component going to my crt HDTV, and had svideo also outputing to a traditional tv, but that only works on non HD channels.

so if you wanted to watch the same thing on 3 tvs, you could do that.

Somebody in another forum here said HD Cable and Sattelite boxes can receive OTA channels including HD if hooked to an antenna?, ive never heard of it mentioned here before.
I see no mention of a ATSC tuner in any moto box.

Couple of things.

RF, composite (the yellow one), S-video are all only 480i.

The TV in the bedroom is an older 27" and while the picture quality is not as good as a DVD, it is plenty fine for the space. I would probably use the same RF solution in my workout room too, if there were enough space for a TV.

you can actually distribute composite video to mulitple sources, you just need a distribution splitter. I saw some here.. http://www.smarthome.com/8141.html. This is the same type of thing that they use in TV stores to split the signal for more than one set. There are also audio video blauns that allow you to run the video and or audio over cat5 cable. This smart home place might be my new favorite store. I bet if you poke around the internet enough you could even find a way to do HDMI to multiple sets, although right now the box does not support HDMI repeaters.

The cable boxes have no means to pick up OTA HD, some sattelite boxes do.

New info

I just got an email from the local cox in Omaha and they did order the 6416 with rf out accroding to the email response I got.

Andrew Wees

Last night we recieved the Passport 2.7.027 update here in KS. A few interface changes, but no new features so far.

I think they are planning on adding the video mosiac channels, as my unencrypted QAM reciever can pick up 3 of them being transmitted already, but my 6412 (P2) can't pick them up yet.

Has anyone else had this update?

What are the interface changes?

Seperate cox locations get the update at different times.

Andrew Wees





Last night we recieved the Passport 2.7.027 update here in KS. A few interface changes, but no new features so far.

I think they are planning on adding the video mosiac channels, as my unencrypted QAM reciever can pick up 3 of them being transmitted already, but my 6412 (P2) can't pick them up yet.

Has anyone else had this update?

Last night we recieved the Passport 2.7.027 update here in KS. A few interface changes, but no new features so far.

I think they are planning on adding the video mosiac channels, as my unencrypted QAM reciever can pick up 3 of them being transmitted already, but my 6412 (P2) can't pick them up yet.

Has anyone else had this update?

I know in Topeka we also got the update. I haven't played with it yet but I did have a "helpful hints" box pop up on me.

What are the interface changes?

Seperate cox locations get the update at different times.

Andrew Wees

Very minor changes. The interface seems a bit snappier than it did before (I think they cut back some of the animated opening and closing of things). The status bar when changing channels now shows the program's rating. There is a tips box that popped up when I opened my recordings. HD recordings now have the [HDTV] logo at the front of their description.

Like I said, hardly anything worth talking about, but it definitely did change. Probably a few other things I didn't have time to find, I just played with it for a few minutes before work this morning.

Does the tv channel now also show up in the 1/4 screen of the menu settings like it does when looking at the guide?

Andrew Wees













Very minor changes. The interface seems a bit snappier than it did before (I think they cut back some of the animated opening and closing of things). The status bar when changing channels now shows the program's rating. There is a tips box that popped up when I opened my recordings. HD recordings now have the [HDTV] logo at the front of their description.

Like I said, hardly anything worth talking about, but it definitely did change. Probably a few other things I didn't have time to find, I just played with it for a few minutes before work this morning.

Many thanks to moyekj for his link to the 6412 info page. Lots of good information there, I presume you set it up.

Have a question regarding adjusting the internal volume of the 6412, as described below:

"Adjusting DCT6412 internal Volume level

Press Cable, Setup, 1, 4, 3 for volume UP. (repeat for further increase)

Press Cable, Setup, 1, 4, 5 for volume DOWN. (repeat for further decrease)"

I have quite a difference in volume between the regular channels and HD channels, with the HD channel much lower. Could I use the above instructions to even them out? It gets quite annoying to be on HD and change to other channels and get blasted out of the room.

Thanks in advance.

Tom

Does the tv channel now also show up in the 1/4 screen of the menu settings like it does when looking at the guide?

Andrew Wees

Yes it does...not quite 1/4, but it is there in the top right corner of the screen.

Have a question regarding adjusting the internal volume of the 6412, as described below:

"Adjusting DCT6412 internal Volume level

Press Cable, Setup, 1, 4, 3 for volume UP. (repeat for further increase)

Press Cable, Setup, 1, 4, 5 for volume DOWN. (repeat for further decrease)"
I should probably remove that information as I don't think it works for Passport software - I think it's specific to Igiude software only. Sorry. I have not found any means to adjust internal volume with Passport software and I also experience quite a large volume difference between SD & HD channels. But since I watch HD channels almost exclusively on the 6416 it doesn't bother me too much (SD channels I watch/record via ReplayTVs).

I found that if you have a universal remote, and tell it to "program volume up or down" on the DVR, it brings up a volume bar in the passport software. Does it do anything, I dont think so.

I found that if you have a universal remote, and tell it to "program volume up or down" on the DVR, it brings up a volume bar in the passport software. Does it do anything, I dont think so.

On mine it does adjust the internal volume of the box. It isn't going to fix anyone's HD vs Analog programming volume difference, but you can adjust what it is putting out. You probably have to change it from Fixed output to variable output in the menu for the slider to do anything, however. That's how I have mine set anyway.

Very minor changes. The interface seems a bit snappier than it did before (I think they cut back some of the animated opening and closing of things). The status bar when changing channels now shows the program's rating. There is a tips box that popped up when I opened my recordings. HD recordings now have the [HDTV] logo at the front of their description.

Like I said, hardly anything worth talking about, but it definitely did change. Probably a few other things I didn't have time to find, I just played with it for a few minutes before work this morning.

I noticed when I came home for lunch today that the box had updated over night. I would have to disagree that there are no major changes!

1) You are now able to have your skipped channels omitted from the guide display. You can also choose to display your "favorite" channels only. I used to use the favorites button to jump down to the HD tier. This doesn't work anymore, because now it changes how the guide is displayed.

2) You can now store your recorded shows in groups. So far it looks like it just works for episodes of the same show, and you have the option to watch all, delete all, etc.

3) I think the graphics, etc look much nicer now.

4) You can now see the full show info from the recorded shows list.

5) There is now a recording space remaining graphic you can access from the recorded shows list.

6) As mentioned previously, there is a hints pop-up thing. I also noticed a "messages" option in the menu separate from this. Can anyone with the update figure out what this does?

Thats all I can remember right now, but I was pretty impressed!

I noticed when I came home for lunch today that the box had updated over night. I would have to disagree that there are no major changes!

1) You are now able to have your skipped channels omitted from the guide display. You can also choose to display your "favorite" channels only. I used to use the favorites button to jump down to the HD tier. This doesn't work anymore, because now it changes how the guide is displayed.

2) You can now store your recorded shows in groups. So far it looks like it just works for episodes of the same show, and you have the option to watch all, delete all, etc.

3) I think the graphics, etc look much nicer now.

4) You can now see the full show info from the recorded shows list.

5) There is now a recording space remaining graphic you can access from the recorded shows list.

6) As mentioned previously, there is a hints pop-up thing. I also noticed a "messages" option in the menu separate from this. Can anyone with the update figure out what this does?

Thats all I can remember right now, but I was pretty impressed!

Maybe I'm not observant enough for some of that, because I sure didn't notice all of those things. I was looking for a recording space display, but didn't find one. If I had noticed everything that you did, I'd have probably talked the update up a little more. I'll have to do some looking when I get home tonight.

I noticed when I came home for lunch today that the box had updated over night. I would have to disagree that there are no major changes!

1) You are now able to have your skipped channels omitted from the guide display. You can also choose to display your "favorite" channels only. I used to use the favorites button to jump down to the HD tier. This doesn't work anymore, because now it changes how the guide is displayed.

2) You can now store your recorded shows in groups. So far it looks like it just works for episodes of the same show, and you have the option to watch all, delete all, etc.

3) I think the graphics, etc look much nicer now.

4) You can now see the full show info from the recorded shows list.

5) There is now a recording space remaining graphic you can access from the recorded shows list.

6) As mentioned previously, there is a hints pop-up thing. I also noticed a "messages" option in the menu separate from this. Can anyone with the update figure out what this does?

Thats all I can remember right now, but I was pretty impressed!


Those mods sound great! anyone have any idea when CT will get Passport 2.7.027 ????

How do you guys know when they updated the passport firmware?

I noticed when I came home for lunch today that the box had updated over night. I would have to disagree that there are no major changes!

1) You are now able to have your skipped channels omitted from the guide display. You can also choose to display your "favorite" channels only. I used to use the favorites button to jump down to the HD tier. This doesn't work anymore, because now it changes how the guide is displayed.

2) You can now store your recorded shows in groups. So far it looks like it just works for episodes of the same show, and you have the option to watch all, delete all, etc.

3) I think the graphics, etc look much nicer now.

4) You can now see the full show info from the recorded shows list.

5) There is now a recording space remaining graphic you can access from the recorded shows list.

6) As mentioned previously, there is a hints pop-up thing. I also noticed a "messages" option in the menu separate from this. Can anyone with the update figure out what this does?

Thats all I can remember right now, but I was pretty impressed!



The messaging is for the cable company to use no cox locations uses it I think.

Andrew Wees

Sounds like you guys with 2.7 got some of the features summarized here:
http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/DCT6412_Passport.html#Passport_Echo_2.7_New_Feature_Summary

The ability to only show favorites in the guide sounds like the best addition to me.

Was there a firmware update to go with Passport Echo update? i.e. Please post what firmware accompanied it - it will be different for Phase I/II boxes versus Phase III. I was more hoping for a firmware update to fix issues with 6416 than a Passport update.

Sounds like you guys with 2.7 got some of the features summarized here:
http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/DCT6412_Passport.html#Passport_Echo_2.7_New_Feature_Summary

The ability to only show favorites in the guide sounds like the best addition to me.

Was there a firmware update to go with Passport Echo update? i.e. Please post what firmware accompanied it - it will be different for Phase I/II boxes versus Phase III. I was more hoping for a firmware update to fix issues with 6416 than a Passport update.

I'm on a phase two box, with firmware 10.12. I don't believe it changed at all from what it had.

Sorry I can't help you with the 6416.

How do you guys know when they updated the passport firmware?

The passport Echo is software not firmware. You just have keep checking. If you 6412 goes off then says dl that's a good sign that it my be updating the software.

Firmware updates are seperate from the passport echo updates.

Andrew Wees

Just leave you DCT box turned on all the time - if it's turned off then chances are it was rebooted and barring other problems you may be having (heat, bad hard drive, etc.) a reboot most often means either a software or firmware update.

P.S. For anyone with DCT6416 having issues I have included a description of a problem + workaround I ran into for my DCT6416 here:
http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/DCT6412_Passport.html#Known_Problems_and_Workarounds

In summary the problem I ran into was many "hiccups" or missed frames when viewing 1080i channels and with DCT6416 set to 1080i output mode. Workaround that works for me is change output mode to 480p and then change it back to 1080i again (I have to do that once after any reboot).