Is there any way to get the 6412 to give me any technical information about the broadcast I'm watching? I'd like to know what format the broadcast is in (1080i, 720p) and how much bandwidth is being used, so I can tell what I'm looking at.

Thanks,

Jonathan
You should check this thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=419472

HD Formats:
720p - ABC HD, ESPN HD, FOX HD
1080i - Everything else


Also, QZ1 is correct in that the 6412 doesn't have a pass-through option so you have to set the box to either 1080i or 720p. I have a 720p HDTV, but setting the box to 1080i is the only way that works in my setup.

How do I switch between Component and DVI output?
Or are they both active at the same time?

(Sorry if this is a repeat question.)

A side question: Is one type of HD output considered betteer than another (480 v. 720 v. 1080?) I am viewing on a Panny 50" plasma.

Thanks.

...mike
I currently have a DVI connection and a component connection to my tv. Both work. I switch between the two using my tv's input switch button (the PC1 input vs. the HD1 input). From what I have read before, I don't think that both will work at the same time since the box supposedly only has 1 video card. But, tonight I will try PIP using the tv's different inputs to see if this is true.

Also, 480i and 480p are not HD formats.

I have a 720p HDTV, but setting the box to 1080i is the only way that works in my setup.You must be using component and a sammy DLP. There is a firmware fix for this from samsung but I would recommend go DVI if you want to select 720p or live with 1080i over component.

[QUOTE=USCsuperfan]I currently have a DVI connection and a component connection to my tv. Both work. I switch between the two using my tv's input switch button (the PC1 input vs. the HD1 input). From what I have read before, I don't think that both will work at the same time since the box supposedly only has 1 video card. But, tonight I will try PIP using the tv's different inputs to see if this is true.

/QUOTE]

I discovered last nite that both the DVI and component outputs on the 6412 do work at the same time. And, like you, can switch back and forth to diff. inputs on the plasma. I will disconnect the component cables. When I first hooked it up the day before, I couldn't get the DVI to work. Don't know what i did in fiddling around w. the settings on the plasma, but the DVI card on the plasma does work now.

...mike

You must be using component and a sammy DLP. There is a firmware fix for this from samsung but I would recommend go DVI if you want to select 720p or live with 1080i over component.
I actually have a Optoma RD50A DLP and when I tested it, it was hooked up by component. I will retest it with the DVI.

Question: DVI does not transmit audio, and when the DVI is on, the red and white stereo outputs in a line with the component outputs on the 6412 do not transmit sound to the tv. My optical output goes straight to the receiver for my HT speakers. With a component hookup, both the red & white stereo cables and the optical cable would transmit audio at the same time (to the receiver and tv respectively). Is there any way to transmit audio to the tv and receiver at the same time using the DVI output?

Anybody record the MLB All-Star Game last night?

The playback on my DVR had the most errors/blips/blotches etc. of anything I recorded before. I was watching other shows already recorded and deleting them while the All-Star Game was recording and the box would freeze for a half a minute, then execute all the commands waiting for it. Has this affected anybody else's recordings? I have the latest firmware (9.19), but this is the first recording that I felt was unwatchable because every 5-10 minutes the picture would go haywire for a few seconds.

Has anyone noticed a correlation between 30-sec skipping through the commercials and getting errors on the playback? On the Dish DVR I had, the audio would get out of sync and the playback would get blips and errors if you used the 30-sec skip button too much as opposed to the FF button.

It recorded fine here on the 6412. I started watching in progress in order to zap the commercials and the playback was flawless.

I'm thinking about purchasing a UPS. I know some of you have reported that plugging the 6412 into a UPS has solved problems you were having. Is there any other reason to consider buying a UPS? Does anyone have evidence that sudden loss of power will damage the 6412 in any way other than wiping out the Guide info?

The main other reason is to plug some of your other valuable equipment into it as well. The battery will probably not provide more than a minute or 2 worth of juice to a 60" Plasma TV, but if there is a brown out, you'll still be watching TV - and can turn off the devices as they are supposed to be turned off. just like you shouldnt flat out unplug your computer when you're done for the night. Its a worthy $100 investment to protect Thousand(s) of dollars of equipment. and if it keeps the 6412 stable to boot, then fantastic!

Hope this helps

Ok, so I've read the tutorial on how to use the obscure panasonic drivers to address the box and allow for capturing throug the firewire. I've followed the links of many other ways to accomplish the same feat. I've read a LOT of information in this thread that seems to be redundant (which is cool, just giving me a headache) on the issue of archiving.

I won't lie and say I've read every page and every post, but I have done a search that yeilded 40 some pages of results addressing the same issue and having the same solution. What I would like to know is if anyone has found a way to archive these files through the firewire WITHOUT capturing, but by addressing the HD, exploring it, and ripping the info you want?

From what I've read is sounds like the firewire only sends out streams of information, so from the boxes point of view it won't happen, but I am hoping that someone has found drivers, or written something that would teach XP to ignore what the box wants to do, and just look at the HD for what it is, and allow us to pull from it without re-recording and spending all that time over again.

Anyhelp? Thanks for your patience.

Ok, so I've read the tutorial on how to use the obscure panasonic drivers to address the box and allow for capturing throug the firewire. I've followed the links of many other ways to accomplish the same feat. I've read a LOT of information in this thread that seems to be redundant (which is cool, just giving me a headache) on the issue of archiving.

I won't lie and say I've read every page and every post, but I have done a search that yeilded 40 some pages of results addressing the same issue and having the same solution. What I would like to know is if anyone has found a way to archive these files through the firewire WITHOUT capturing, but by addressing the HD, exploring it, and ripping the info you want?

From what I've read is sounds like the firewire only sends out streams of information, so from the boxes point of view it won't happen, but I am hoping that someone has found drivers, or written something that would teach XP to ignore what the box wants to do, and just look at the HD for what it is, and allow us to pull from it without re-recording and spending all that time over again.

Anyhelp? Thanks for your patience.


I don't believe that the DVR's firewire port is designed for use for pure data like PC Firewire based hard drives and such, the firewire port on the DVR is more like the firewire functions in a MiniDV camcorder, it's meant to connect the device to other recording media and "streams" the mpeg data out. The firewire on the DVR wasn't put there for PC connectivity, it was put there to connect to other digital recording devices like a digital VCR, which wouldn't be able to address the DVR like a computer would, that's why I believe what you want to do wouldn't be possible using firewire, for the same reason you can't do what you speak of with a firewire enabled camcorder or digital VCR.

Tom

That is not correct!
People have inquired about this, and they said, nationwide, Comcast sends all HD to your STB in its native resolution. Then, you set your STB for one res. or the other, since their is no native output setting.

You are wrong, why dont you go get a job at comcast first before telling me I am wrong. I am a former Employee of Comcast. All signals for HD are sent from the Head End in 1080I

I'm not sure if I'm paranoid or if it was the couple analog channels I saw last night, but if I didn't know better the analog PQ got worse with the 9.19 upgrade. Has anybody else in the area noticed this? UncD2000?

I searched/scanned this thread, but didn't see anyone else mention this series recording issue. I have a series recording setup for Top Gear on the Discovery Channel as First Run & Repeats. The guide information is accurate for this show and it airs 3 times a week: Wed. 10pm-11pm, Thur. 1am-2am, Sat. 6pm-7pm. I have it set to a relatively low priority since the same episode airs 3 times a week.

Last night the 10pm showing conflicted with 2 other higher priority shows: 1 from 9pm-10pm and 1 from 10pm-10:30pm (I know this would not normally cause a conflict, but these were set to record with 1 min. early / 1 min. late). There were no conflicts at all for the 1am showing, but it did not record it. I also looked at Saturday's scheduled recordings and it is not planning on recording it, even though there are no conflicts (it just doesn't appear). It's almost like the box believes it has already recorded this particular episode and will not try again.

I guess the simple fix would be to change it to record All Episodes, but then I'll end up with 1-2 extra of the same program (not too bad, I guess). Has anyone else had this problem and what was your fix?

I also have other issues (mostly dealing with 1 min. early / 1 min. late problems), but I'll save those for later since I have an ok work-around. In general, though, I have to say that this box requires way too much micro-managing and thus will never live up to its full potential.

I'm on my 2nd one, BTW -- the 1st one kept locking up so bad that the plug would have to be pulled to get it to reset. After locking up on me 10 times in one night, I went to the Comcast service center the next day and had it swapped out.

I'm not sure if I'm paranoid or if it was the couple analog channels I saw last night, but if I didn't know better the analog PQ got worse with the 9.19 upgrade. Has anybody else in the area noticed this? UncD2000?I didn't check on the analog channels, but as I posted in the Chicago Comcast thread, they are now simulcasting six analog channels in the digital tier, and the PQ looks pretty decent on them. I don't know if they have regular Comcast channel numbers yet, but their QAM assignments are:

129-1 analog Ch. 96
129-2 MP Park District
129-3 ARTS/Oakton CC
129-4 analog Ch. 3
129-5 MP access
129-6 test pattern

Has anyone else run into this problem: whenever Cinemax HD runs Kiss the Girls , the video on my 6412 freezes up repeatedly, with the audio continuing to run. Occasionally there will be audio dropouts. Doesn't seem to happen on any other movie.

Is there any way to transmit audio to the tv and receiver at the same time using the DVI output?Depending on your receiver, it may have analog audio output jacks (such as Tape Out) that you could connect to the audio inputs on the TV.

This is really odd. I have NO arrows left or right on the repeating option, and even pressing enter does nothing. If I press left or right on the remote, the yellow indicator on the DVR's display doesn't even light up to signify the signal was received! Anyone in MA have this problem?

I had a friend in a different town in MA check his DVR (same 9.15 firmware). He wasn't able to change the repeat frequency either. What's going on here?

Where is the external storage option damnit!?!?

You are wrong, why dont you go get a job at comcast first before telling me I am wrong. I am a former Employee of Comcast. All signals for HD are sent from the Head End in 1080I
That's very interesting if true...so all 720p broadcasters are having their signal scaled to 1080i, sent to the STB, and then deinterlaced/scaled back to 720p for customers with 720p native displays...? That would be a fairly disturbing thought for 720p owners...

I would think 720p broadcasters would be raising a stink over that...

Where is the external storage option damnit!?!?
Yes..like one of these STBs..with all the ports working..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/keenanj/6412-HDMI.jpg

You are wrong, why dont you go get a job at comcast first before telling me I am wrong. I am a former Employee of Comcast. All signals for HD are sent from the Head End in 1080I

Scanpa,

I hope you are talking about your area and not for ALL areas. Here in the South Bay of San Franisco Bay Area the head end sends out HD in it's native form. I know this for a fact. I use a LG-4200a receiver and have it pass the signal to my tv without conversion ( native mode ) and ABC HD is 720p as is ESPN-HD, NBC-HD and CBS-HD are at 1080i so not all areas are the same, just maybe that's what they do in your area.

Laters,
Mikef5

Ok, so I've read the tutorial on how to use the obscure panasonic drivers to address the box and allow for capturing throug the firewire. I've followed the links of many other ways to accomplish the same feat. I've read a LOT of information in this thread that seems to be redundant (which is cool, just giving me a headache) on the issue of archiving.

I won't lie and say I've read every page and every post, but I have done a search that yeilded 40 some pages of results addressing the same issue and having the same solution. What I would like to know is if anyone has found a way to archive these files through the firewire WITHOUT capturing, but by addressing the HD, exploring it, and ripping the info you want?

From what I've read is sounds like the firewire only sends out streams of information, so from the boxes point of view it won't happen, but I am hoping that someone has found drivers, or written something that would teach XP to ignore what the box wants to do, and just look at the HD for what it is, and allow us to pull from it without re-recording and spending all that time over again.

Anyhelp? Thanks for your patience.

I think you are in the wrong thread for this. Try this thread:

How to record via IEEE 1394 (Firewire) to Windows XP (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5881789#post5881789)

Also, try this resource (it was compiled by a poster in the previously linked thread):
http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/index.html#Setting_up_for_drivers_for_DCT6412

I'm not sure if I'm paranoid or if it was the couple analog channels I saw last night, but if I didn't know better the analog PQ got worse with the 9.19 upgrade. Has anybody else in the area noticed this? UncD2000?

I have noticed that the analog picture quality is worse for me since the upgrade to 9.19

Here in Nashville TN I also have tested Comcast's HD delivery formats when I first got my HDTV. Using the HDTV's built-in QAM tuner, it was clear that Comcast was leaving all the local broadcasters unchanged - ABC and FOX were both in their original 720p format. I think the "former comcast employee" doesn't know as much as he/she thinks.

I think you are in the wrong thread for this. Try this thread:


Also, try this resource (it was compiled by a poster in the previously linked thread):


Ok, I looked throug the 40 pages and the tutorial you linked and I found the same information I stated I DIDN'T WANT TO READ again. I don't want to "RECAPTURE" what I've already captured on my DVR, I want to transfer the 1's and 0's from the DVR HD to my CPU's HD without having to REPLAY the video I've captured to begin with.

Sorry if I seem a little aggressive or mean, but I am exhausted trying to make myself clear to get a clear answer to what I think just can't be done.

Ok, I looked throug the 40 pages and the tutorial you linked and I found the same information I stated I DIDN'T WANT TO READ again. I don't want to "RECAPTURE" what I've already captured on my DVR, I want to transfer the 1's and 0's from the DVR HD to my CPU's HD without having to REPLAY the video I've captured to begin with.

Sorry if I seem a little aggressive or mean, but I am exhausted trying to make myself clear to get a clear answer to what I think just can't be done.
Well then I guess you have your answer.

Alot of very intelligent people worked really hard on these solutions and I'm sorry that they are not good enough for you.

Ok, I looked throug the 40 pages and the tutorial you linked and I found the same information I stated I DIDN'T WANT TO READ again. I don't want to "RECAPTURE" what I've already captured on my DVR, I want to transfer the 1's and 0's from the DVR HD to my CPU's HD without having to REPLAY the video I've captured to begin with.

Sorry if I seem a little aggressive or mean, but I am exhausted trying to make myself clear to get a clear answer to what I think just can't be done.

Well, considering what comes out of the firewire is from the DVR's captured signal I guess you're SOL and have answered your own question.

You are wrong, why dont you go get a job at comcast first before telling me I am wrong. I am a former Employee of Comcast. All signals for HD are sent from the Head End in 1080I

This is not correct. I can verify that Comcast in the Boston, MA area (Canton, MA) sends out all signals in their native resolutions. I have a MyHD MDP-130 and the QAM tuner reports that ABC and FOX are indeed in their native 720P resolution.

Ok, I looked throug the 40 pages and the tutorial you linked and I found the same information I stated I DIDN'T WANT TO READ again. I don't want to "RECAPTURE" what I've already captured on my DVR, I want to transfer the 1's and 0's from the DVR HD to my CPU's HD without having to REPLAY the video I've captured to begin with.

Sorry if I seem a little aggressive or mean, but I am exhausted trying to make myself clear to get a clear answer to what I think just can't be done.

A LITTLE aggressive??????

How about just plain nasty.

Chill!

Sorry if I seem a little aggressive or mean, but I am exhausted trying to make myself clear to get a clear answer to what I think just can't be done.

pr0mark, you pretty much answered your own question, then got confirmation. If it wasn't clear enough, the answer is 'no.' You thank everybody for their patience, then don't seem to exhibit any yourself. Geez...your second post isn't exactly the time to get all demanding. There is a lot of knowledge on this forum, and people are generally happy to share it. If you don't tweak 'em off, that is....

-RH

That's very interesting if true...so all 720p broadcasters are having their signal scaled to 1080i, sent to the STB, and then deinterlaced/scaled back to 720p for customers with 720p native displays...? That would be a fairly disturbing thought for 720p owners...

I would think 720p broadcasters would be raising a stink over that...

I am not talking about the Networks. But your normal Cable CH HD broadcasts. Sorry if I did not make this clear in my original post.

Pete

Scanpa,

I hope you are talking about your area and not for ALL areas. Here in the South Bay of San Franisco Bay Area the head end sends out HD in it's native form. I know this for a fact. I use a LG-4200a receiver and have it pass the signal to my tv without conversion ( native mode ) and ABC HD is 720p as is ESPN-HD, NBC-HD and CBS-HD are at 1080i so not all areas are the same, just maybe that's what they do in your area.

Laters,
Mikef5

If you folk's would look at my original post/reply:

That's Easy, Comcast (most Locations) send all HD to your STB in 1080I

It says most Locations. Also, To clear it up, I am talking about HD Cable CH only, not network Ch.

Have a good one,

Pete

pr0mark, you pretty much answered your own question, then got confirmation. If it wasn't clear enough, the answer is 'no.' You thank everybody for their patience, then don't seem to exhibit any yourself. Geez...your second post isn't exactly the time to get all demanding. There is a lot of knowledge on this forum, and people are generally happy to share it. If you don't tweak 'em off, that is....

-RH

Wow, sorry guys. I didn't know everyone was so sensitive when it came to an anonymous message board. I do apologize for coming off "nasty" as everyone put it, but I was only capsing what was important in my posts because no one really read what I originally wrote.

My original post was structured to save you some time and to show you that I was being courteous to the community by not just spewing my question on the forum without previous research. I let everyone know that I knew about the recapture option, and that it was not my goal. But immediately after I posted it, I was given the same information I included in my own post.

So, for hurting feelings, I am sorry. I know the majority of posters on here are much smarter than me when it comes to home theater and cable hardware, that's why I came here and posted. But my real question hasn't really been acknowledged or attempted to be answered, so I am disappointed in the result. Maybe if I rephrase here and get the attention of some of the smart members of this community, they can explain whether or not what I want can be done in any kind of a frankenstien way.

Here is my rephrased question for anyone who wants to take a stab at it:
"Are there any drivers, or any methods, that allow a user to redefine the way a CPU sees the HD in the 6412 through the firewire, or is there any possibility that removal of the HD would allow for an image to be copied to a seperate HD and then recoded for any of the many video formats?"

Specifically this question is asking if there is any way to hack the hardware or firmware to make it do what we want, and not what it wants. I hope I am being less nasty this time, and have paid respect to all those that beleive they deserve it. Thank you.

Here is my rephrased question for anyone who wants to take a stab at it:
"Are there any drivers, or any methods, that allow a user to redefine the way a CPU sees the HD in the 6412 through the firewire, or is there any possibility that removal of the HD would allow for an image to be copied to a seperate HD and then recoded for any of the many video formats?"

Specifically this question is asking if there is any way to hack the hardware or firmware to make it do what we want, and not what it wants. I hope I am being less nasty this time, and have paid respect to all those that beleive they deserve it. Thank you.


pr0mark,

I have followed this thread for quite some time and have watched this specific question be asked several times. I also watch a number of other threads and forums as well.

The answer is: No, there are no hacks to the hardware or firmware to make the 6412 do what you are asking for.

As someone who is willing to try hacks of various sort I would be interested in this myself, but realize that this is a rental unit, which you get from Comcast at an extremely low rate, and if we were to hack it I believe Comcast would be within thier right to tack it back and not provide a replacement.

There may be someone out there who has done what you ask, but he/she has kept quite about it.

"Are there any drivers, or any methods, that allow a user to redefine the way a CPU sees the HD in the 6412 through the firewire,
No.
or is there any possibility that removal of the HD would allow for an image to be copied to a seperate HD and then recoded for any of the many video formats?"
I'm just guessing, but my sense is there is nothing that would mount the drive in a readable format on a PC.

Mac owners can use ElGato's EyeTV 500 to record streams from digital and HD channels directly to their computer hard drives, bypassing the 6412 entirely. I don't have one but I've read reports of it working with Comcast cable.

Wow, sorry guys. I didn't know everyone was so sensitive when it came to an anonymous message board. I do apologize for coming off "nasty" as everyone put it, but I was only capsing what was important in my posts because no one really read what I originally wrote.
<snip>
Specifically this question is asking if there is any way to hack the hardware or firmware to make it do what we want, and not what it wants. I hope I am being less nasty this time, and have paid respect to all those that beleive they deserve it. Thank you.

Wow...sarcasm. That helps. And I think you give yourself a little too much credit if you think you're actually 'hurting someone's feelings." The funny thing to me is that you knew your other post's tone wasn't going to be well received, as indicated by your 'pre-apology'. But anyway, I'll rephrase my answer: "Not to my knowledge. Not anywhere I have read, including every post of this thread from day 1, as well as other forums/threads on this box. I've never heard of it being done. I've seen similar questions and they have all been answered no. I Googled it, and found nothing to help. Sorry." I'm not any guru on this box, but I have read a lot...

Unless somebody actually knows of a hack, they can't answer it definitively because of the nature of the question...if somebody knows of one, they'd probably speak up. Or not. :D

-RH

I have the comcast box hooked up to new Dell UltraSharp 2405FPW have had beautiful screens from computer and when first watching HD at 1080i it looked amazing also but say 10 min in (every time the picture starts out with no lines) I start seeing vert discolored lines through picture kinda like looking at the screen through opaque vertical blinds. Some times stationary sometimes looking like there rolling up the screen. this is evident even when going to picture in picture computer window shows no signs of lines but hd window has them. This verys from very evident to hardly noticeable through out watching but picture always looks great when first turning on. Anyone seen this on there own????? Dose it sound like the monitor or the cable signal?? I have two boxes and tried them both both displayed the same problem so I don't think its the moto hd box.
thanks
Sean Prevost

Wow...sarcasm. That helps. And I think you give yourself a little too much credit if you think you're actually 'hurting someone's feelings." The funny thing to me is that you knew your other post's tone wasn't going to be well received, as indicated by your 'pre-apology'.

Well, I wasn't being sarcastic. My apology was sincere, and I said it twice. I am surprised at the surge in angry posts (hence hurt feelings) in response to mine, and tried to explain I was frustrated and not attacking anyone in my first response. You'll notice my original post was very forward and approachable.

Again, I'm sorry that it was precieved ill, I am trying to take responsibility for that by apolgizing, and I do appreciate the responses to the revised question.

As far as the rental box goes, I'm wondering if any of these boxes are being ebay'ed from users who ended up having to buy one. Might be a good experimental find.

Well, I wasn't being sarcastic. My apology was sincere, and I said it twice. I am surprised at the surge in angry posts (hence hurt feelings) in response to mine, and tried to explain I was frustrated and not attacking anyone in my first response. You'll notice my original post was very forward and approachable.

Again, I'm sorry that it was precieved ill, I am trying to take responsibility for that by apolgizing, and I do appreciate the responses to the revised question.

As far as the rental box goes, I'm wondering if any of these boxes are being ebay'ed from users who ended up having to buy one. Might be a good experimental find.

You can give it a shot. I believe some cable companies in Canada sell the boxes to subscribers, so that is one possible source....

For the record, the part that made the last post come across as sarcastic was:

Specifically this question is asking if there is any way to hack the hardware or firmware to make it do what we want, and not what it wants. I hope I am being less nasty this time, and have paid respect to all those that beleive they deserve it. Thank you.

The quote is yours, but the bolding is mine. And consider this my apology if it wasn't your intent to be sarcastic...

Good luck in your quest....
-RH

As far as the rental box goes, I'm wondering if any of these boxes are being ebay'ed from users who ended up having to buy one. Might be a good experimental find.

Gave it a shot and checked ebay. No Moto 6412 boxes for sale there.

If you did hack a box purchased on ebay, you still would not be able use it on a Comcast network as they are all assigned addresses by Comcast and Comcast knows thier unique mac address. I don't think it would even connect.

Gave it a shot and checked ebay. No Moto 6412 boxes for sale there.

If you did hack a box purchased on ebay, you still would not be able use it on a Comcast network as they are all assigned addresses by Comcast and Comcast knows thier unique mac address. I don't think it would even connect.


bruce..not sure what you searched on, but if you enter 'dct6412' on ebay it comes back with at least 5 units that are for sale...looks like they fetch $300+...and the poor sole who buys them is probably screwed since you are right that most MSO's (incl comcast) will not allow user provided STBs on their system

bruce..not sure what you searched on, but if you enter 'dct6412' on ebay it comes back with at least 5 units that are for sale...looks like they fetch $300+...and the poor sole who buys them is probably screwed since you are right that most MSO's (incl comcast) will not allow user provided STBs on their system

I looked under both "6412" and "Motorola 6412" and both came up for me with zip. Wow, $300. Now there is a bargan for ya.

Well, I'd only want one to mess around with the HD and see if it would be worth breaking into mine, but like you guys said, 300 bucks is too much for science experiments. I was hoping someone got caught, had their box deactivated and they had to buy it from comcast or cox or whoever, and are now just trying to get somethign out of it.

Does anyone know when Comcast will make the 6412 with HDMI will be available in the DC, Prince George's County, MD area?

Does anyone know when Comcast will make the 6412 with HDMI will be available in the DC, Prince George's County, MD area?

cshepley,

Northern Prince Georges County just got Firmware 9.19. I don't know what effect this has on HDMI.

I had a friend in a different town in MA check his DVR (same 9.15 firmware). He wasn't able to change the repeat frequency either. What's going on here?


Ya, WHAT THE CRAP is going on, I'm assuming then that some of these have the option to select what days a series recording happens and it appears that ours do not, is this not correct?
Tom

Ya, WHAT THE CRAP is going on, I'm assuming then that some of these have the option to select what days a series recording happens and it appears that ours do not, is this not correct?
Tom

Just so we understand,

1. Are you a Comcast subscriber?
2. Does your provider use the iGuide by TV Guide?

Other providers may have significant differences in the software they use.

Just so we understand,

1. Are you a Comcast subscriber?
2. Does your provider use the iGuide by TV Guide?

Other providers may have significant differences in the software they use.

I, and my friends here at work with the 6412 are Comcast subscribers living in different towns in MA. The boxes are on firmware 9.15 and use the iGuide software. We can't change a manual recording's repeat frequency at all.

I, and my friends here at work with the 6412 are Comcast subscribers living in different towns in MA. The boxes are on firmware 9.15 and use the iGuide software. We can't change a manual recording's repeat frequency at all.
Hi...
I just tried it here in the DFW area on 9.19 and had no problem. A couple of questions...can you describe the steps you are taking in trying to set this up? If you have done this in the past and all of a sudden it changed, don't bother and I apologize for the question. It just isn't the most intuitive thing to confirm the recording before setting this option (as required by the iGuide software), so I'm just checking....if you have a lot of experience with this please ignore...I don't mean to sound condescending...
Next, do you know if you and your friends all serviced by the same headend? If the above isn't the problem, I wonder if it could be something they are doing locally to disable this. It doesn't seem all that likely, but stranger things have happened with MSOs...
Lastly, what are you trying to record with the manual recording? Does it apply to everything (all channels vs. premiums vs. PPV)? Just curious if something could be screwed up with the 5c flags. Further, can you record the same timeframe as a 'show-based' recording, or does it bomb out in some way when you try that, too?
I honestly don't know if anyone can offer a good answer, regardless of the answer to some of the questions above, but it could serve to isolate where the problem is creeping in...

-Randy

Hi...
I just tried it here in the DFW area on 9.19 and had no problem. A couple of questions...can you describe the steps you are taking in trying to set this up? If you have done this in the past and all of a sudden it changed, don't bother and I apologize for the question. It just isn't the most intuitive thing to confirm the recording before setting this option (as required by the iGuide software), so I'm just checking....if you have a lot of experience with this please ignore...I don't mean to sound condescending...
Next, do you know if you and your friends all serviced by the same headend? If the above isn't the problem, I wonder if it could be something they are doing locally to disable this. It doesn't seem all that likely, but stranger things have happened with MSOs...
Lastly, what are you trying to record with the manual recording? Does it apply to everything (all channels vs. premiums vs. PPV)? Just curious if something could be screwed up with the 5c flags. Further, can you record the same timeframe as a 'show-based' recording, or does it bomb out in some way when you try that, too?
I honestly don't know if anyone can offer a good answer, regardless of the answer to some of the questions above, but it could serve to isolate where the problem is creeping in...

-Randy

I tried doing a manual recording for Teen Titans, which airs Saturday at 8PM on Cartoon Network. After confirming the recording, I went to the list of scheduled recordings, and selected this one. I then clicked on the wrench icon to get the program options. The first one is for repeat frequency. There are no left or right arrows, and it can't be changed from "NONE". Also, before I confirmed the recording I tried going to the recording options and there was the same issue.
I doubt that the other guy who tried this is on the same head end...he's about 50 miles away from me.
I had a series recording set up for Teen Titans and it worked correctly. The problem was that it repeats so many times during the week, and the guide data doesn't mark the repeats properly. So, there were loads of unwanted shows set to record even though the series recording was set to new episodes only.

I tried doing a manual recording for Teen Titans, which airs Saturday at 8PM on Cartoon Network. After confirming the recording, I went to the list of scheduled recordings, and selected this one. I then clicked on the wrench icon to get the program options. The first one is for repeat frequency. There are no left or right arrows, and it can't be changed from "NONE". Also, before I confirmed the recording I tried going to the recording options and there was the same issue.
I doubt that the other guy who tried this is on the same head end...he's about 50 miles away from me.
I had a series recording set up for Teen Titans and it worked correctly. The problem was that it repeats so many times during the week, and the guide data doesn't mark the repeats properly. So, there were loads of unwanted shows set to record even though the series recording was set to new episodes only.
That is strange. I'll try to remember to see if I can set up a manual, repeating recording on this particular show when I get home tonight. As I mentioned, I was able to just set an arbitrary one with no problem. The only thing that I can think of that seems like it was different in the way you described is that I went directly into options after confirming the recording. I didn't get out then select it from the list of scheduled recordings.

Anyway, if I find that I have the same problem when I try to duplicate your exact timeframe, etc., I'll report back. Otherwise, I'm pretty much at a loss for a reason for this...and I have no idea what I was thinking about when I mentioned the 5c flags. If you couldn't record at all that might be an issue, but I don't *think* they would have any affect on whether a schedule would repeat or not...DOH!

-Randy

I tried doing a manual recording for Teen Titans, which airs Saturday at 8PM on Cartoon Network. After confirming the recording, I went to the list of scheduled recordings, and selected this one. I then clicked on the wrench icon to get the program options. The first one is for repeat frequency. There are no left or right arrows, and it can't be changed from "NONE". Also, before I confirmed the recording I tried going to the recording options and there was the same issue.
I doubt that the other guy who tried this is on the same head end...he's about 50 miles away from me.
I had a series recording set up for Teen Titans and it worked correctly. The problem was that it repeats so many times during the week, and the guide data doesn't mark the repeats properly. So, there were loads of unwanted shows set to record even though the series recording was set to new episodes only.This sounds vaguely familiar to me. I once tried to setup a manual recording for the community programming channel and certain recording options didn't show up. I will try to setup a manual recording for teen titans when I get home; maybe it has something to do with the channel.

This sounds vaguely familiar to me. I once tried to setup a manual recording for the community programming channel and certain recording options didn't show up. I will try to setup a manual recording for teen titans when I get home; maybe it has something to do with the channel.

It probably doesn't have anything to do with the channel. I think my friend just created a manual recording around the time he was scheduling it, and picked a random channel. But, it's worth a try!

I tried doing a manual recording for Teen Titans, which airs Saturday at 8PM on Cartoon Network. After confirming the recording, I went to the list of scheduled recordings, and selected this one. I then clicked on the wrench icon to get the program options. The first one is for repeat frequency. There are no left or right arrows, and it can't be changed from "NONE". Also, before I confirmed the recording I tried going to the recording options and there was the same issue.
I doubt that the other guy who tried this is on the same head end...he's about 50 miles away from me.
I had a series recording set up for Teen Titans and it worked correctly. The problem was that it repeats so many times during the week, and the guide data doesn't mark the repeats properly. So, there were loads of unwanted shows set to record even though the series recording was set to new episodes only.

I just duplicated what you did and I have arrows for repeat recordings. I was able to change settings....... Seems strange.

I need help with a new wrinkle:

Last night I recorded the Yankees vs. Texas on ESPNHD. When I set it up to record the game, I manually added an hour to the end time (good thing too because that was one long game). I started watching the playback of the game when the recording was halfway through. So halfway through the playback, the 6412 completely shuts off. I put 2 and 2 together and realized that the STB powered off at the same time as the end time of the program I was recording. I pressed the power button, the 6412 came back on and I resumed watching the show from the DVR at the same point when the 6412 powered off, without any further problems.

Has anyone else encountered this? Is it only a problem when you manually extend the end time? I think I had the same problem when I recorded the All-Star game on Fox HD a week ago, but at the time I didn't know what happened.

I have the 9.19 firmware in Los Angeles.

I put 2 and 2 together and realized that the STB powered off at the same time as the end time of the program I was recording.
If you would nave searched the thread, you would have read this issue. It is because the DVR powered on to record, and since it isn't smart enough to recognize user interaction, when the program ends, it turns off. The remedy is to leave it on all the time. Here I was getting to the TV so often, while it was recording, that it was powering off too frequently, that is when I finally decided it had to stay on.

If you would nave searched the thread, you would have read this issue. It is because the DVR powered on to record, and since it isn't smart enough to recognize user interaction, when the program ends, it turns off. The remedy is to leave it on all the time. Here I was getting to the TV so often, while it was recording, that it was powering off too frequently, that is when I finally decided it had to stay on.
However, I did not have this problem before the new firmware update.

You're right that I didn't search the thread, but that was because this problem just started happening and I have been reading everything since before the new firmware came out.

Hello all...

I've been able to record content directly to my Mac Powerbook using Firewire and iRecord, however I've yet to see a program that lets me extract recorded video files from the Comcast 6412 that is already on the setup box's hard drive. I'd like to backup some of the content already on the DVR.

Is there a way to do this? Thanks in advance.

-ioTrap

does the 6412 allow for "pass thru"?

Hello all...

I've been able to record content directly to my Mac Powerbook using Firewire and iRecord, however I've yet to see a program that lets me extract recorded video files from the Comcast 6412 that is already on the setup box's hard drive. I'd like to backup some of the content already on the DVR.

Is there a way to do this? Thanks in advance.

-ioTrapBegin reading HERE. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5887906&&#post5887906) The short answer is NO.

does the 6412 allow for "pass thru"?What are you trying to do? As Dr. Evil says, "Throw me a frickin bone here. I'm the boss, need the info."

I tried doing a manual recording for Teen Titans, which airs Saturday at 8PM on Cartoon Network. After confirming the recording, I went to the list of scheduled recordings, and selected this one. I then clicked on the wrench icon to get the program options. The first one is for repeat frequency. There are no left or right arrows, and it can't be changed from "NONE". Also, before I confirmed the recording I tried going to the recording options and there was the same issue.
I doubt that the other guy who tried this is on the same head end...he's about 50 miles away from me.
I had a series recording set up for Teen Titans and it worked correctly. The problem was that it repeats so many times during the week, and the guide data doesn't mark the repeats properly. So, there were loads of unwanted shows set to record even though the series recording was set to new episodes only.

OK, your description confuses me a little! It's the "After confirming the recording, I went to the list of scheduled recordings, and selected this one." bit. When I set up a repeating manual recording, I don't 'confirm' it and then go back to the 'scheduled recordings' to change any options.

I'm not in front of the box as I type this, so I can relay the exact steps. However, If I remember correctly, it goes something like this...

I choose 'Manual Recording'. I specify the start and end times. I click on 'Confirm' (or something like that) and it gives me a list of channels. I choose the channel I want. THEN, I click on options! At this point, I haven't completely confirmed the recording.

Maybe the problem is that somehow, you are confirming the recording BEFORE getting to the recording options. Maybe once a recording is in the schedule list, you can't make it repeating.

Cheers,

Mark

OK, your description confuses me a little! It's the "After confirming the recording, I went to the list of scheduled recordings, and selected this one." bit. When I set up a repeating manual recording, I don't 'confirm' it and then go back to the 'scheduled recordings' to change any options.

I'm not in front of the box as I type this, so I can relay the exact steps. However, If I remember correctly, it goes something like this...

I choose 'Manual Recording'. I specify the start and end times. I click on 'Confirm' (or something like that) and it gives me a list of channels. I choose the channel I want. THEN, I click on options! At this point, I haven't completely confirmed the recording.

Maybe the problem is that somehow, you are confirming the recording BEFORE getting to the recording options. Maybe once a recording is in the schedule list, you can't make it repeating.

Cheers,

Mark

You can go to the options screen before you "create" the recording, but after you "confirm" it. I forgot that there's an extra step there. You can also go there after you select the recording from the scheduled recordings list.
Anyway, I just tried my experiment again. MAGICALLY now I can set up a repeating manual recording. My box is still on the 9.15 firmware, and I have no idea why it works now and it didn't a week ago.

Since the downloading of 9.19 here, I've had 3 lockups where the word MUTE appears at top center of the screen. There will then be no audio from any of the 6412 outputs. On the last occasion tonight, there was no video on any channel, although the guide was present and a scheduled recording was successful. Nothing I tried helped, so after the recording was complete I pulled the plug for a few seconds and normal operation returned.

Was wondering if anyone else has run into this and knows a better way to deal with it.

I dont have an HDTV yet, but one of the nice little perks I like about the 6412 is that I can view the hdtv channels, and watch and record them quite frequently. I like the better picture and widescreen that alot of shows brocast in. I can only imagine what these channels look like on a HDTV.

Anyway My regular general instruments dct 2000 in the bedroom does not display these channels, just gives audio. Now I do not want to spend another 10 bucks for another 6412, but I would like at least an hdtv capable box in the bedroom to watch these channels, but the comcast rep said they couldnt give me the hdtv box unless i had an hdtv. And like i said getting another 6412 would be great but not economical for us right now. So is there anything I could do to get a hdtv tuner swapped with the dct2000?
I thought perhaps just calling comcast and telling them I got an hdtv then when the tech came out say i had to return it, hoping that he will just give me the box anyway.
Anyhelp would be appreciated.

Just call and ask for the HD box...I know plenty of people who had Motorola HD boxes for months before buying an HDTV. Better yet take your DCT2000 to the local Comcast office and ask them to swap it for the HD box...and tell 'em "the HDTV's in the car...want me to go get it?"

Chris.

Just call and ask for the HD box...I know plenty of people who had Motorola HD boxes for months before buying an HDTV. Better yet take your DCT2000 to the local Comcast office and ask them to swap it for the HD box...and tell 'em "the HDTV's in the car...want me to go get it?"

Chris.

I guess I needed to be a bit more persuasive on the phone, the csr I talked to insisted I had to have the hdtv first, but I like the idea of heading to the office and just telling them to swap it.

Thanks,
George

I guess I needed to be a bit more persuasive on the phone, the csr I talked to insisted I had to have the hdtv first, but I like the idea of heading to the office and just telling them to swap it.

Thanks,
GeorgeI have 2 6412's connected to my one and only HDTV. Tell them the 120gig HD is so puny you need two of them. Or plop a CRT in your bedroom and tell the tech you need a transcoder to watch some HD on your pc monitor ;)

I have 2 6412's connected to my one and only HDTV. Tell them the 120gig HD is so puny you need two of them. Or plop a CRT in your bedroom and tell the tech you need a transcoder to watch some HD on your pc monitor ;)
I went to Comcast last Friday (in Los Angeles) to get a DVR for my 2nd TV (non-HD). Comcast said they don't even carry a regular (non-HD) DVR and so they gave me another 6412.

Since the downloading of 9.19 here, I've had 3 lockups where the word MUTE appears at top center of the screen. There will then be no audio from any of the 6412 outputs. On the last occasion tonight, there was no video on any channel, although the guide was present and a scheduled recording was successful. Nothing I tried helped, so after the recording was complete I pulled the plug for a few seconds and normal operation returned.

Was wondering if anyone else has run into this and knows a better way to deal with it.
If the 6412 turns itself on to record something, it automatically enables the internal "mute" function to prevent audio output in case you forgot to turn off your audio system. Sending the 6412 "mute" remote control command will unmute it, and things will be fine. Note that if you have the volume mapped to your audio system, the mute button on the remote will send the mute to the audio system, and not to the 6412. Search for "mute" on this thread to find ways of mapping the 6412 mute command to some other button on the remote.

There are also cases where you get audio but no video for some reason. In most of those cases you can recover by starting playback of a previously recorded show, and then you can go back to live TV. However I have had 1 case with 9.19 where I had to pull the plug to recover the video. In my case this occured after attempting playback of a badly garbled recording.

If the 6412 turns itself on to record something, it automatically enables the internal "mute" function to prevent audio output in case you forgot to turn off your audio system. Sending the 6412 "mute" remote control command will unmute it, and things will be fine. Note that if you have the volume mapped to your audio system, the mute button on the remote will send the mute to the audio system, and not to the 6412. Search for "mute" on this thread to find ways of mapping the 6412 mute command to some other button on the remote.

There are also cases where you get audio but no video for some reason. In most of those cases you can recover by starting playback of a previously recorded show, and then you can go back to live TV. However I have had 1 case with 9.19 where I had to pull the plug to recover the video. In my case this occured after attempting playback of a badly garbled recording.
I posted earlier in this thread that I after I got the 9.19 firmware, the automatic "mute" function dissapeared. My wife found out the hard way when the STB turned on in the middle of the night and woke her up.

Note that if you have the volume mapped to your audio system, the mute button on the remote will send the mute to the audio system, and not to the 6412. Search for "mute" on this thread to find ways of mapping the 6412 mute command to some other button on the remote.Actually the "mute" button mutes my TV, but I didn't map it this way. Maybe I'm not the first owner of this 6412. At any rate, I did a search and found the "mute' code (00141). I think I'll try to map it back to the mute button, or to another button if that fails. Thanks very much for the help.

Hello all...

I've been able to record content directly to my Mac Powerbook using Firewire and iRecord, however I've yet to see a program that lets me extract recorded video files from the Comcast 6412 that is already on the setup box's hard drive. I'd like to backup some of the content already on the DVR.

Is there a way to do this? Thanks in advance.

-ioTrap
You can capture the recordings (or live) from the analog channels and the Network HD channels to your PowerBook using AVC Browser and VirtualDVHS2 that are part of Apple's Firewire SDK 20 kit. However, the other digital channels can't be copied this way. Since you have a Mac, consider getting the EyeTV 500 from ElGato.

If the 6412 turns itself on to record something, it automatically enables the internal "mute" function to prevent audio output in case you forgot to turn off your audio system. Sending the 6412 "mute" remote control command will unmute it, and things will be fine. Note that if you have the volume mapped to your audio system, the mute button on the remote will send the mute to the audio system, and not to the 6412. Search for "mute" on this thread to find ways of mapping the 6412 mute command to some other button on the remote.

I've seen this too, however pressing MUTE on the Comcast remote will NOT unmute it. I'm sure I was in the correct mode on the remote.

You can capture the recordings (or live) from the analog channels and the Network HD channels to your PowerBook using AVC Browser and VirtualDVHS2 that are part of Apple's Firewire SDK 20 kit. However, the other digital channels can't be copied this way. Since you have a Mac, consider getting the EyeTV 500 from ElGato.

Yes, I can capture signals through the 6412 using iRecord, AVC, etc... however I'm looking for a way to extract content already recorded on the 6412's hard drive.

EyeTV 500 will only work on OTA and clear cable HD channels, but I'm paying $10/month for the 6412. When it breaks, I get a new one.

I went to Comcast last Friday (in Los Angeles) to get a DVR for my 2nd TV (non-HD). Comcast said they don't even carry a regular (non-HD) DVR and so they gave me another 6412.
Correct, but the topic was getting an HD STB (non-DVR) for an Analog TV, which they don't normally do.

Now I do not want to spend another 10 bucks for another 6412, but I would like at least an hdtv capable box in the bedroom to watch these channels, but the comcast rep said they couldnt give me the hdtv box unless i had an hdtv. And like i said getting another 6412 would be great but not economical for us right now.
Do you realize getting an HD STB will be an extra $5?

If so, you should really consider spending another $5 beyond that, $10 total to get the DVR.

Correct, but the topic was getting an HD STB (non-DVR) for an Analog TV, which they don't normally do.USCsuperfan was responding to my comment which I misread as an HD DVR. At least here in my comcast area you can't do self installs of HD STBs or HD DVRs. I have read the PC thing works if it requires a truck roll.

Actually the "mute" button mutes my TV, but I didn't map it this way. Maybe I'm not the first owner of this 6412. At any rate, I did a search and found the "mute' code (00141). I think I'll try to map it back to the mute button, or to another button if that fails. Thanks very much for the help.
To put the cable box mute as a 'shifted' mute:
Press and hold SETUP until the light flashes twice.
Type 9-9-4, should get 2 blinks
Press CABLE to set cable mode
Press Setup (do not hold down)
Type 0-0-1-4-1
Press Setup (do not hold down)
Press MUTE
should get 2 blinks to show success.

Now, to mute/unmute your TV, just hit MUTE. To mute/unmute the box, press (do not hold) Setup, then MUTE.

To put the cable box mute as a 'shifted' mute:
Press and hold SETUP until the light flashes twice.
Type 9-9-4, should get 2 blinks
Press CABLE to set cable mode
Press Setup (do not hold down)
Type 0-0-1-4-1
Press Setup (do not hold down)
Press MUTE
should get 2 blinks to show success.

Now, to mute/unmute your TV, just hit MUTE. To mute/unmute the box, press (do not hold) Setup, then MUTE.

Brilliant! -- works like a champ

I've seen this too, however pressing MUTE on the Comcast remote will NOT unmute it. I'm sure I was in the correct mode on the remote.
If you have the volume mapped to your audio system (or TV), the mute button on the remote will send the mute to the audio system (or TV), and not to the 6412. You have to follow the above procedure (thanks andyross63 for doing the search and reposting this info) to map the 6412 mute command to another button on the remote in order to get access to the 6412 mute function.

I posted earlier in this thread that I after I got the 9.19 firmware, the automatic "mute" function dissapeared. My wife found out the hard way when the STB turned on in the middle of the night and woke her up.
Interesting. I have 9.19, and mine still wakes up muted.

USCsuperfan was responding to my comment which I misread as an HD DVR. At least here in my comcast area you can't do self installs of HD STBs or HD DVRs. I have read the PC thing works if it requires a truck roll.
I also assumed that the poster wanted a 6412, because that is the thread we are in.

Interesting. I have 9.19, and mine still wakes up muted.
Just Monday I turned on the TV to watch a game the 6412 had already started recording and the mute was off. However, as I posted before, the 6412 turned off when the recording completed even though I was in the middle of playback. The 6412 turning off was never a problem before the firmware upgrade for me, but is evidently a well known issue to everybody else.

Just Monday I turned on the TV to watch a game the 6412 had already started recording and the mute was off. However, as I posted before, the 6412 turned off when the recording completed even though I was in the middle of playback. The 6412 turning off was never a problem before the firmware upgrade for me, but is evidently a well known issue to everybody else.

I do not yet have the latest firmware upgrade and this has been the 6412's mode of operation as long as I can remember. If you schedule a recording and turn the 6412 off it will turn itself on to record. If you then begin watching another show while it is recording it will turn itself off at the end of the recording. It has no idea you are watching something else.

The solution to this is well known. Just leave the thing on 24x7. This solves this issue (if it truly is an issue) as well as a number of others.

This thing is just plain crappy, I can't believe they haven't fixed such critical problems as having to leave the damned thing on in order for things to work correctly, the Cox unit doesn't turn itself on to record things, I can tell you that with certainty, so this is a software limitation. I hate how the audio gets screwed up a lot, it's skippy and otherwise not smooth on most of my shows, although intermittently it's still quite annoying. I went to watch stargate the other day, hit play, and it sounded like a leprechaun convention, it was really odd, all the voices were really high pitched, yet remained in sync with the speaker, like everyone had inhaled helium or something. Fortunately pausing it and hitting play again fixed it, but I was at a loss as to how strange it sounded! I miss my passport box more and more every day!
Tom

This thing is just plain crappy, I can't believe they haven't fixed such critical problems as having to leave the damned thing on in order for things to work correctly, the Cox unit doesn't turn itself on to record things, I can tell you that with certainty, so this is a software limitation. I hate how the audio gets screwed up a lot, it's skippy and otherwise not smooth on most of my shows, although intermittently it's still quite annoying. I went to watch stargate the other day, hit play, and it sounded like a leprechaun convention, it was really odd, all the voices were really high pitched, yet remained in sync with the speaker, like everyone had inhaled helium or something. Fortunately pausing it and hitting play again fixed it, but I was at a loss as to how strange it sounded! I miss my passport box more and more every day!
Tom

The STB is always on, the power off / ON only shuts the Video Out & Audio out off, and turns the display off. :) The Unit is always on, unless you remove the power cord, or lose power to the unit.

Well I thought I had experienced every quirk the 6412 is capable of until last night when a new problem popped up. I decided to setup a manual recording for HBO sunday night to catch SFU, The Comeback (hideous show) and Entourage (great show) on Sunday nights. This way I'd have a 2 hour block and not have to continuously delete repeat showings.

So I setup the manual recording, checked the scheduled recordings and then deleted the SFU series recording. When I displayed the scheduled recordings, the manual recording was there AND the SFU scheduled recording. I wasn't that concerned since SFU was scheduled to record only one more time.

I checked other scheduled recordings and noticed there were a few movie recordings I didn't want to record so I selected the Do Not Record option. But the recordings still appear in the scheduled recordings list even after deleting the recordings. I can't seem to delete any scheduled recordings. Anyone else experience this or have a fix?

FYI..I didn't power cycle yet but I will try that tonight to see if it removes the recordings from the scheduled recordings list. I'm also thinking I may need to do a hard reset.

I can't seem to delete any scheduled recordings. Anyone else experience this or have a fix?
There was a bug reported some time ago where removing a series recording will leave a gap in the priority list. This gap in turn caused some problems for series recordings with a priority number higher than the gap number. I don't recall the fix. Do search or check the "other" 6412 dvr site.

There was a bug reported some time ago where removing a series recording will leave a gap in the priority list. This gap in turn caused some problems for series recordings with a priority number higher than the gap number. I don't recall the fix. Do search or check the "other" 6412 dvr site.Yep. I do recall those posts. So I looked in the priority list to see if SFU was there; nuttin. No gaps either.

Also this wouldn't explain why I can't delete a single program recording. One other thing I didn't mention, I actually setup up another 2 hour manual recording for VH1 on sunday nights. Both manual recordings were setup before I deleted the SFU series recording. Thus the 3 recordings had a conflict but the iGuide software didn't pop up a screen to tell me I had a conflict by trying to record 3 programs at the same time. Stranger than fiction.

Are you sure you don't see a different icon next to the cancelled recordings? For scheduled recordings, mine shows something like three red circles overlapping, and for previously scheduled (manually cancelled by me) recordings on the schedule, it shows a slightly different icon ... like hollow deleted-looking circles.

info request - motorola 6412 and general instrument xrc 100-200 remote control

i hope someone can answer these questions for me- i was finally able to
get a 6412 here in san francisco, and there are some problems i'd like to solve-

i kept the gi dct 2244 cable box so i could watch another channel while
recording two channels on the dvr.
unfortunatly, both boxes are set to use the 476 device code, and i am unable to separate the two boxes. is there some way to change one of the device codes
to one of the alternate general instrument/motorola codes for these boxes? (the codes are supposed to be 003,011, 012, 014, 047, 276, 476, 690 and 691)

the only other question i really had was
on the remote i mentioned in the title- i' like to keep using my general instrument xrc 100 and 110 remotes since their form factor and button layout work much better for me than the comcast remote i was given (the silver one with the swap button). these remotes still work with the 6412, but none of their buttons duplicate the swap and 30 sec. skip forward functions, and though i have the code list from the avs site for those functions, i do not know how to program these remotes for changing the button codes individually.
the procedure outlined many times on these pages does not work since the xrc remotes do not have a 'setup' button, and i have not been able to figure out the correct sequence. i've assumed that i start the setup just like that for changing a device code, which would probably mean pressing and holding down the cable button until all of the lights flash, then entering a 99x code, then perhaps pressing the button i want to re-map, an then entering the 3 digit code for the swap button.
can anyone answer this one or point me to the correct place?

thanks- please reply via email to me if you can- there
are so many posts here that i might miss something.

Are you sure you don't see a different icon next to the cancelled recordings? For scheduled recordings, mine shows something like three red circles overlapping, and for previously scheduled (manually cancelled by me) recordings on the schedule, it shows a slightly different icon ... like hollow deleted-looking circles.No I'm not. Anything is possible but one thing for certain, I can't delete any scheduled one-time/series recordings. However, I was able to delete the manual recordings. I need to dump 2 movies from the 6412 to DVHS and then I'm going to hard reset. Thanks.

EDIT: I think my 6412 is psychotic. I am now able to delete scheduled recordings. I did unplug for about 15 minutes last night and tried it right after plugging back in but it still didn't work; now it does. It plays when it wants to; sorta like Randy Moss.

I was browsing the web and found this

http://www.pvrblog.com/pvr/2003/12/comcast_set_to_.html

He doesn't say what firmware he has on his box. Anyone try this?

Maxtor One Touch 250GB external hard drive. The Comcast installer told me that was the only size and brand of dirve that they were successful to get the 6412 to recognize. He just plugged it in and OS on the 6412 formatted the new drive external drive as well as the internal drive. He also said that he hand picked mine as the first three bacthes of 6412's that Comcast received have a different firmware on them and they could never get them to work with any external drive. He also told me that everytime I unplug the external drive from the 6412 and plug it back that it will reformat both drives. FYI, my windows based PC did not recongize it the external drive with recordings on it. I would assume it's either a proprietary OS or some type of UNIX. I am very pleased with my success, as I just wanted to add space. I never had any want to remove the programing from the extenral drive. I couldn't have been done with the help of my Comcast installer (employee, not contractor.) I didn't pay him or tip him, just was a friendly and a considerate customer to him. He even complemented that it was nice to find a appreciative customer. I guess that Diet Pepsi, sitting down with him to watch some HDTV and shooting the **** with him really paid off. Good luck to all.

iblaineman,

It's bs...look at the post date...Nov 2004 and didnt post again...a few people tried it with absolutely no success (and then blew it off as a hoax)

I switched to Comcast with the 6412 yesterday from a D* TiVo.

So far so good (recording HD is awesome!), but I've been reading this gi-normous thread for a couple of hours looking for an answer to a specific issue, without too much luck:

Analog channels (below 99) look like crap on my Toshiba 57HX83 rear-projection CRT TV. I have the 6412 plugged into it via DVI. The Comcast installer guy (who was actually pretty good) suggested a splitter with one cable going into the 6412 and the other going directly into the TV. This is because, if I understand correctly, the 6412 has to digitize (MPEG-encode) the analog signal and then display it to the TV this way. By using the TV's built-in analog tuner, I'll get a much better picture.

I haven't tried this yet, but I have tried plugging an S-video cable between the 6412 and the Toshiba, and it looks even worse. The reason I haven't tried a cable splitter yet is because in my mind it really makes the usability of the 6412 suffer three ways:

1) I have to remember if I want to watch a below-99 channel, use the TV, otherwise use the 6412, which requires changing TV inputs.

2) Need a separate audio out from TV to stereo receiver and switch to that audio input if watching below 99.

3) Can't record the better-quality analog from the TV - I'm stuck with crappy recordings via the 6412.

I have a Harmony 680 so I can get the input switching down pretty easy (even though it's STILL a hassle) but I'm still not recording analog shows effectively.

Is there a solution to this dilemma? Anyone know of the schedule for digital simulcast rollout in the Indianapolis area (although I've heard this doesn't help much). Are there other possibilities?

Thanks for any advice!

-John

Ok, I hate to ask such a seemingly dumb question, but can't find the answer from searching this thread so here goes...

My girlfriend just got a 6412, and can't figure out how to switch to DVD output so she can watch DVDs. The DVD player is hooked up to the inputs on the rear of the 6412 (via RCA cables - btw tried the front too no difference)... how do we then switch the to the DVD vs. the DVR? The instructions suggest hit the cable button and then the "input" key, but this does nothing?

Any suggestions? Thanks,
-Chris

Ok, I hate to ask such a seemingly dumb question, but can't find the answer from searching this thread so here goes...

My girlfriend just got a 6412, and can't figure out how to switch to DVD output so she can watch DVDs. The DVD player is hooked up to the inputs on the rear of the 6412 (via RCA cables - btw tried the front too no difference)... how do we then switch the to the DVD vs. the DVR? The instructions suggest hit the cable button and then the "input" key, but this does nothing?

Any suggestions? Thanks,
-Chris

Chris,

You can't hook your DVD player through the 6412..You need to use another set up inputs on your TV and plug the DVD through that (and then switch inputs on your TV)

-Steve

How does Firewire work on the 6412. With my other devices I hooked to my HD receiver I simply plugged them in, hit the firewire button on the receiver and there they were. I have plugged the 6412 in (firwire) directly to the HD receiver and I get no devices connected. I then tried plugging the D-VHS VCR to the 6412 via firewire and I see nothing on the 6412. How will I access the D-VHS from the 6412? will a new menu item somewhere show up? Of course the info. the cable guy left is useless.


Thanks

You can't record OnDemand material. It probably has a no-copy flag on it.


That wouldn't stop his mac would it as it was not built to respond to the copy flags? Were they ever turned on or in light of the court ruling a shot while ago is it even legal to use them?

The only experience I've had with the FW output on the 6412 is hooking it up to a Mits TV with NetCommand. It recognizes it as a IEEE1394 device which you can select for showing the output on the display. I did have a Mits DVHS and it recognized it as well. There is no way to control the 6412 with any of those hookups though.

The only thing the FW output is good for is as and additional output like component or DVI, it will only send whatever you have selected to watch. There is no PG either.

That wouldn't stop his mac would it as it was not built to respond to the copy flags? Were they ever turned on or in light of the court ruling a shot while ago is it even legal to use them?
I don't know, when Comcast turned on no-copy encryption on their premium movie channels I got rid of my DVHS as it would not record the signal. I think I even tried sending the signal back out of the display to the DVHS instead of direct and it still didn't work.

I could be wrong but I believe the Firewire port is disabled when the tuner is tuned to OnDemand. One way to test this is if you have a TV that accepts FW input to try viewing an OnDemand program through that output. As for your D-VHS player, it should be able to record just fine -- just like a regular VCR. If you want to record through your PC, try this out: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695

So far so good (recording HD is awesome!), but I've been reading this gi-normous thread for a couple of hours looking for an answer to a specific issue, without too much luck:

Analog channels (below 99) look like crap on my Toshiba 57HX83 rear-projection CRT TV. I have the 6412 plugged into it via DVI. The Comcast installer guy (who was actually pretty good) suggested a splitter with one cable going into the 6412 and the other going directly into the TV.
John, if you do a search you should find this topic covered repeatedly in this thread. Analog channels aren't that great, but people have been getting better quality by using s-video or the splitter method. I'm not sure why your s-video looks so bad. Also, many people (myself included) have gotten good results by adding a digital cable booster to the line.

John, if you do a search you should find this topic covered repeatedly in this thread. Analog channels aren't that great, but people have been getting better quality by using s-video or the splitter method. I'm not sure why your s-video looks so bad. Also, many people (myself included) have gotten good results by adding a digital cable booster to the line.

Sorry, I must have missed it. After a while I think my eyes started to glaze over. :)

Not sure why my S-video was worse. I was using an Audioquest S2 cable (pretty nice cable) to go from the S-video output on the 6412 straight into my TV. Compared to DVI, it may have been smoother but it may have just been blurrier... and the colors were far less vibrant. I felt the picture was worse.

I thought of another issue with the splitter method - no iGuide! I'd have to see what I want to watch on the 6412 and then switch to the TV to watch it. This will be tough to explain to the wife. :D

Not sure why my S-video was worse. I was using an Audioquest S2 cable (pretty nice cable) to go from the S-video output on the 6412 straight into my TV. Compared to DVI, it may have been smoother but it may have just been blurrier... and the colors were far less vibrant. I felt the picture was worse.
I'm not sure what type of video controls you have to calibrate the Toshiba, but...
1) Have you ever used the s-video input before on this tv? If not, maybe the video settings simply need a little calibration. Even if you have used it before with the d* box, it probably still needs a some work.
2) Does your tv have any type of Edge Enhancement adjustments? If so, turning that down or off will stop your tv from "enhancing" snow. I had to go into the service menu to disable the Edge Enhancement on my Mits.
3) Have you tested with component cables? I would expect component to look slightly better than dvi, but worse than s-video. Since your s-video sucks, it might be worth a quick test.

davisdog, Thanks
I thought the post date looked early and never saw another mention of it. I also thought why would it not be posted around the internet and here. Darn hoax I just bought two of those drives. no just kidding.

Doesn't the "phase 3 - HDMI" version of the 6412 have a connection for an external HDD?
Anyone had any experience with this?

I could be wrong but I believe the Firewire port is disabled when the tuner is tuned to OnDemand. One way to test this is if you have a TV that accepts FW input to try viewing an OnDemand program through that output. As for your D-VHS player, it should be able to record just fine -- just like a regular VCR. If you want to record through your PC, try this out: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695
I thought Comcast had turned on a no-copy encryption via FW on the premium channels, I know they had in the past...was it removed?

ok guys first off im a comcast service tech. second the 6412 has numerous glitches that motorola failed to tell comcast.secon how do you get the 6200 with firewire to work with a pc?

ok guys first off im a comcast service tech. second the 6412 has numerous glitches that motorola failed to tell comcast.secon how do you get the 6200 with firewire to work with a pc?Take a shot of Jäger and begin reading HERE. (http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/index.html) Some of us are lucky enough to get this running right out of the shoot but with so many setups etc., there can be problems afoot. Good luck and post your questions HERE. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695&page=1&pp=60) if you need help.

I thought Comcast had turned on a no-copy encryption via FW on the premium channels, I know they had in the past...was it removed?

That could very well be. I don't have a TV that has a FW input so I can't tell for sure. I did try recording an OnDemand program to my PC a while back and CapDVHS recorded 00m 00s which makes me think the port is disabled. If 5c (or whatever encryption they would use) is turn on then I would expect it to record just a blank picture -- but record none of the less.

tall1 thnx for info worked first try. if yoy need any info on these comcast boxes i have it. I am a comcast sevice tech. for 7 years now. i know the ins and outs of it well. we are going full digital soon here in ct. we are also going to mpeg4 soon.

In a press release last Friday and at an analyst's Web event late this afternoon, Motorola introduced several new devices. Of particular interest to this HDTV forum will be the whole home media system, which is based on the open cable applications platform (OCAP) software and networked hardware that allows video recorded on the Motorola DCT-6412 and new DCT-3412 to be distributed to other devices.

When it becomes available, the hardware and updated "Ucentric" applications will allow music and recorded video content to be distributed to networked TVs and computers, and even video-equipped Motorola cell phones. That's assumimg the software upgrades are implemented by Comcast! Also, Motorola revealed that future DCT-series digital video recorders will be available with options for 120GB, 160GB or 320GB hard drives (at the cable operator's discretion).

Motorola's press release can be found here: http://www.newstarget.com/z009072.html

Motorola also announced several new mobile phones, though Apple's Steve Jobs did not make appearance with CEO Ed Zander, so no iPod/iTunes phone was revealed, though it was promised for this quarter. Among the new cellular devices announced was the RAZRWIRE, the world’s first eyewear to combine patented Oakley optics with Bluetooth wireless technolog. It will be available in early August for the Cingular network. Also announced were new, dual mode (GSM/CDMA) versions of their popular RAZR flip phones, the SLVR, a slimmed down, candy bar- style phone, and the stylish PEBL line. Many have video capabilities.

While Apple's Steve Jobs was nowhere in sight, Microsoft's Steve Balmer joined Zander via a video link to announce the new and slim Q "smart" phone destined to compete against the Palm Treo and Blackberry. The Q will run the next version of Windows Mobile, assuming it remains virus free long enough to become a competitive product.

Zander's Apple roots surfaced though when he couldn't resist closing the session with Balmer by urging him to make sure the Windows Mobile release isn't late, a veiled reference to the long delayed and pared down, Windows Longhorn (now dubbed Vista).

ok guys first off im a comcast service tech. second the 6412 has numerous glitches that motorola failed to tell comcast.secon how do you get the 6200 with firewire to work with a pc?Oh, Comcast shares in the blame as well. Comcast put all their eggs in one basket called VOD. Comcat told Motorola that they don't want any DVR boxes. 6 months later, Comcast says to Motorola, where are the DVR's?

Comcast rushed Motorola to produce the 6208 and 6412. Comcast didn't even have a viable Guide to deploy to them either. The i-Guide is an interim to the next version of the i-Guide "Mosaic". The last I heard it is going through Motorola testing/certification.

My fingers are crossed that it is an improvement to the current i-Guide. Knowing Comcast as I do, I can't get too excited till I see/have it.

I was excited about Comcast/TiVo but with all this concern about ADS, I may have to pass on it. Of course it isn't even ready but what I know at this point doesn't sound promising.

ok guys first off im a comcast service tech. second the 6412 has numerous glitches that motorola failed to tell comcast.secon how do you get the 6200 with firewire to work with a pc?

Welcome to the Comcast Training forum.. This is standard reading for most Comcast Techs and Head End Staff in SE - E Pa.

:) :rolleyes: :D

You will learn more about the product problems from the Forums then you will from any CSR......

Okay, I'm going to appologize in advance because despite my searching, I have to believe this has been addressed before. Sorry, I just can't seem to find it...

I'm on my 3rd 6412, and have finally gotten a stable one that I am happy with, except for one problem, which has been consistent across all 3 boxes. While I am watching the playback of recorded content (usually HD, but I don't think its specific to format), the box will suddenly turn itself off at the top of the hour (or on the half hour). This doesn't happen every hour, but usually once every night (around 9 or 10pm). I can turn the box back on, press the last button and return to my playback where it left off, but still, this is a rather annoying bug.

Since its been consistent across 3 boxes, I imagine I'm not the only one who has been experiencing this, but I've never seen anyone talk about it on these forums (not that I've read EVERY post ;)). Anyway, and insight and/or fixes would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian

Okay, I'm going to appologize in advance because despite my searching, I have to believe this has been addressed before. Sorry, I just can't seem to find it...

I'm on my 3rd 6412, and have finally gotten a stable one that I am happy with, except for one problem, which has been consistent across all 3 boxes. While I am watching the playback of recorded content (usually HD, but I don't think its specific to format), the box will suddenly turn itself off at the top of the hour (or on the half hour). This doesn't happen every hour, but usually once every night (around 9 or 10pm). I can turn the box back on, press the last button and return to my playback where it left off, but still, this is a rather annoying bug.

Since its been consistent across 3 boxes, I imagine I'm not the only one who has been experiencing this, but I've never seen anyone talk about it on these forums (not that I've read EVERY post ;)). Anyway, and insight and/or fixes would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian

Do you have a scheduled recording that ends at that time and begins when the 6412 is off? Leaving the 6412 on all the time will keep this from happening.

Even if my 6412 has been left on, the same behavior occurs.

Guys, im a comcast service tech and one thing i know is that the 6412 needs too stay on all the time. Motorola made this box with known isuues that the tried to hide. audio glitches and power failures. There is a special power cycle that you can force this box into that dumps all the memory from the ram not the hard drive forcing it to redownload. hold down power and menu at the same time and pull the power cord out of the back of the box. Yes its tricky may need 3 hands at it but it shoud work. We techs have to do this in the field sometimes.

Guys, im a comcast service tech and one thing i know is that the 6412 needs too stay on all the time. Motorola made this box with known isuues that the tried to hide. audio glitches and power failures. There is a special power cycle that you can force this box into that dumps all the memory from the ram not the hard drive forcing it to redownload. hold down power and menu at the same time and pull the power cord out of the back of the box. Yes its tricky may need 3 hands at it but it shoud work. We techs have to do this in the field sometimes.Again you blame Motorola. Try Comcast and Motorola share the blame with more blame (60/40) going to Comcast.

Hey, I'm new to the 6412 so this may be a known problem or maybe I'm doing something wrong. I haven't had the unit long enough to know for sure what is going on. It appears that when I have the unit off and have a timer start recording a program the unit is put in to mute (no audio) when it comes on to record the program. I can't seem to get audio on the program being recorded or another I select while the recording is going on. I can jam the crap out of the mute button on the remote and it does not take it out of mute. So I have no audio when it is recording. Once the recording is over I can play the recording and watch other programming with normal audio. I have two 6412's and each has done it but it doesn't seem to do it all the time. As I said I have only seen this a few times so I can't full say what the mode is when this happens or what leads up to this.

Hey, I'm new to the 6412 so this may be a known problem or maybe I'm doing something wrong. I haven't had the unit long enough to know for sure what is going on. It appears that when I have the unit off and have a timer start recording a program the unit is put in to mute (no audio) when it comes on to record the program. I can't seem to get audio on the program being recorded or another I select while the recording is going on. I can jam the crap out of the mute button on the remote and it does not take it out of mute. So I have no audio when it is recording. Once the recording is over I can play the recording and watch other programming with normal audio. I have two 6412's and each has done it but it doesn't seem to do it all the time. As I said I have only seen this a few times so I can't full say what the mode is when this happens or what leads up to this.
The short answer is to keep the 6412 powered up 24/7.
The long answer can be found with a search of this forum.

Sundance, to save you a little time, this procedure should enable your mute button so that it will actually do what you want it to do - control the audio output of the 6412.

(1) Press "cable"
(2) Hold "setup" until "cable" blinks twice
(3) Enter 994 ("cable" will blink twice)
(4) Press (do not hold) "setup"
(5) Enter 00141
(6) Press the "mute" button
(7) Press & hold "setup" until light blinks twice to exit programming

BTW, if you want to assign a 30-second skip function to a button of your choice,
use 00173 in step (5)
press the desired button in step (6)

Hey, I'm new to the 6412 so this may be a known problem or maybe I'm doing something wrong. I haven't had the unit long enough to know for sure what is going on. It appears that when I have the unit off and have a timer start recording a program the unit is put in to mute (no audio) when it comes on to record the program. I can't seem to get audio on the program being recorded or another I select while the recording is going on. I can jam the crap out of the mute button on the remote and it does not take it out of mute. So I have no audio when it is recording. Once the recording is over I can play the recording and watch other programming with normal audio. I have two 6412's and each has done it but it doesn't seem to do it all the time. As I said I have only seen this a few times so I can't full say what the mode is when this happens or what leads up to this.

Some say that the mute when recording scheduled programming is a feature - so the dang thing won't come blasting on with audio at 2AM and you and the wife are deep in sleep.

If you do a search using the word "mute" you will find many references to keeping the system on 24/7 (actually it is on 24/7 but the signal to the TV is off when you turn it off) and a reference on how to program the mute button to allow you to unmute the thing if you insist on turning it off.

The search feature on the forum is pretty good and with a couple of choice words you can find almost anything in this rich and long thread. Give it a try and you will find that your posts will recieve less sarcasm and derision. :)

For the last couple of days, when I power on the 6412, I get no picture on my HDTV. I do get the iGuide (menus, info and everthing), just no picture or sound whatsoever. However, when I select a movie to play from the DVR recording list, it plays fine. When I stop playing the movie, everything is back to normal and I get picture and sound.

I did a hard reset, and now everything is back to normal. Has this happened to anyone here?

-Bruin

For the last couple of days, when I power on the 6412, I get no picture on my HDTV. I do get the iGuide (menus, info and everthing), just no picture or sound whatsoever. However, when I select a movie to play from the DVR recording list, it plays fine. When I stop playing the movie, everything is back to normal and I get picture and sound.

I did a hard reset, and now everything is back to normal. Has this happened to anyone here?

-Bruin
Yes, it happens every once in a while for some unknown reason. It may do it a couple of times in a row, and then a week later it stops. AFAIK, there has never been an explanation for this behavior.

ok guys first off im a comcast service tech.
if yoy need any info on these comcast boxes i have it. I am a comcast sevice tech.
Guys, im a comcast service tech

Ok, I'm going to go out on a limb here, and ask you straight up -

Are you a Comcast service tech?

Some say that the mute when recording scheduled programming is a feature - so the dang thing won't come blasting on with audio at 2AM and you and the wife are deep in sleep.


I don't get this, people leave their TVs on while their STBs are off during the middle of the night?

I don't get this, people leave their TVs on while their STBs are off during the middle of the night?
No. Some of us have it directly plugged into their receiver for HT speakers. When the STB turns on it won't turn on the tv but it will still send out sound and video, and most don't turn off their receivers. The trick is to leave the STB on, but the receiver off and tv off, which is annoying since the remote has an "All On/All Off" button that you can't use anymore (and yes I am aware that you can modify this button's function to only turn off one component at a time).

No. Some of us have it directly plugged into their receiver for HT speakers. When the STB turns on it won't turn on the tv but it will still send out sound and video, and most don't turn off their receivers. The trick is to leave the STB on, but the receiver off and tv off, which is annoying since the remote has an "All On/All Off" button that you can't use anymore (and yes I am aware that you can modify this button's function to only turn off one component at a time).Now this one confuses me. Why leave your receiver on and turn off the STB? I do the complete opposite. The backlight for my sammy is plugged into my receiver so it is pretty obvious when my receiver is on. I could care less if I leave the 6412 grinding away 24/7; it ain't mine.

I've been unable to successfully program the 6412's remote to control my Yamaha RX-V757 receiver. I've tried every code I could find on this and other sites for a Yamaha receiver (0074, 0133, 0143, 0176, 0354, 0504, 0186) as well as the code search function, but to no avail. If anyone has a solution (besides buying a universal remote -- Yes, of course I'm considering that), please let me know. Thanks!

BTW, if you want to assign a 30-second skip function to a button of your choice,
use 00173 in step (5)
press the desired button in step (6)


Thanks UncD2000,

Now if Comcast would just provide the NASA channel and the Sci-Fi channel would go HD I would be in TV haven.

Steve

Okay, I'm going to appologize in advance because despite my searching, I have to believe this has been addressed before. Sorry, I just can't seem to find it...

I'm on my 3rd 6412, and have finally gotten a stable one that I am happy with, except for one problem, which has been consistent across all 3 boxes. While I am watching the playback of recorded content (usually HD, but I don't think its specific to format), the box will suddenly turn itself off at the top of the hour (or on the half hour). This doesn't happen every hour, but usually once every night (around 9 or 10pm). I can turn the box back on, press the last button and return to my playback where it left off, but still, this is a rather annoying bug.

Since its been consistent across 3 boxes, I imagine I'm not the only one who has been experiencing this, but I've never seen anyone talk about it on these forums (not that I've read EVERY post ;)). Anyway, and insight and/or fixes would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian

Is nobody else experiencing this?

Thanks UncD2000,

Now if Comcast would just provide the NASA channel and the Sci-Fi channel would go HD I would be in TV haven.

Steve

Is the NASA Channel in HD?
That would rock!

No they just went digital but not HD.

and yes I am aware that you can modify this button's function to only turn off one component at a time.

I can't seem to reprogram that button ... how can I change the "All On" button to only turn my TV on/off, without also turning my 6412 and receiver on/off?

I can't seem to reprogram that button ... how can I change the "All On" button to only turn my TV on/off, without also turning my 6412 and receiver on/off?

Cant.

All On is All On and can not be re-programmed. One of the few buttons that is locked down like that.

No they just went digital but not HD.

I would love to have NASA TV in Digital or HD. Talk about a free bonus. Compared to most of the junk on the minor channels this would be a real plus for Comcast.

Comcast - you listening?????? :)

The STB is always on, the power off / ON only shuts the Video Out & Audio out off, and turns the display off. The Unit is always on, unless you remove the power cord, or lose power to the unit.If I put my ear to the top of the 6412, I hear 2 sounds: (1)a faint hum, which I believe is the fan (2)a slightly irregular "rasping" sound, which may be coming from the HDD. If I press power off, sound #2 stops and #1 continues. I know we're just renting these units, but I would prefer the HDD not running 24/7, so I turn the power off overnight on the theory that it shuts the HDD down. So far I haven't had any problems with this procedure.

I haven't turned my 6412s (2) off since November 2004 and no problems to report. I don't hear any noise from my 6412s because I don't place my ear on top of them.

tall1 thnx for info worked first try. if yoy need any info on these comcast boxes i have it. I am a comcast sevice tech. for 7 years now. i know the ins and outs of it well. we are going full digital soon here in ct. we are also going to mpeg4 soon.MPEG4 soon? What is this all about?

The HDD runs constantly, even when turned off. This may be for a reason, I wouldn't be concerned about it.

Cant.

All On is All On and can not be re-programmed. One of the few buttons that is locked down like that.
Sorry, I was confusing it with the Global Volume Lock/Unlock.

In case anyone wants the link to manual for the silver remote with all the buttons (including the PIP buttons):
http://www.comcastnw.com/customer_service%2Bsupport/video/manuals/remotes/comcast_dvr_remote_manual.pdf

I don't hear any noise from my 6412s because I don't place my ear on top of them. And here I am contemplating how I can build a "hush-box" because mine is so dang loud! (even when "off")

Does anyone know if some are "just naturally" louder than others, say perhaps because they contain a different kind of hard drive?

And how can I get Comcast to give me a quiet one (if they exist at all)?

And here I am contemplating how I can build a "hush-box" because mine is so dang loud! (even when "off")

Does anyone know if some are "just naturally" louder than others, say perhaps because they contain a different kind of hard drive?

And how can I get Comcast to give me a quiet one (if they exist at all)?

Yes some are much quieter than others. Probably is due to the particular hard disk in the unit.

The only way to get a quieter one is to call Comcast, tell them you are not satisfied with the unit you have and ask that it be replaced. If you are lucky that will be the end of it. If you arn't then you may have to ask that it be replaced several times before you get a quiet one.

And here I am contemplating how I can build a "hush-box" because mine is so dang loud! (even when "off")

Does anyone know if some are "just naturally" louder than others, say perhaps because they contain a different kind of hard drive?

And how can I get Comcast to give me a quiet one (if they exist at all)?
If you are planning on doing some modifications, then something that negatively affects ventilation is probably not a good idea.

While searching earlier today I saw posts on a different forum that talked about adding external fans to cool the 6412 to prevent crashes and other problems. In fact, one poster mentioned buying a commercially available fan that can plug into the USB port in front. Anyone try anything like this? I have not had a crash, but I wonder if heat is the cause of the problem where the unit freezes up and then executes all the commands it saved up after it unfreezes.

I recall an earlier post on this thread that said the 6412 is quite heat tolerant, operating fine with internal temp in the 110-115 range. It also stated that one of the FW updates increased the high temperature tolerance.

I agree that the "delayed execution" phenomenon is very annoying. Has anyone found a solution to this? My other complaints are the lack of a CC button and the limited HDD capacity.

I have one issue with the 6412 and was wondering if others have it too, when watching HD channels I have to turn the volume way up, if watching regular channels I have to have turn it down. This is very annoying when flipping between two channels when one is HD and the other isn't. Is this a common issue or is my box screwed up? Thanks

Andy

MPEG4 soon? What is this all about?This is the same thing that DirecTV is doing. Converting the compression scheme from MPEG2 to MPEG4 will at least double the channel capacity.

The conversion of "expanded basic" channels to digital will also gain a lot of bandwidth for HD. In our Comcast system here, there are 36 such analog channels taking up 6 MHz each. If moved to the digital tier, these can carry 2 HD channels each (4 with MPEG4). Of course a lot more SD channels can be carried as well.

If I put my ear to the top of the 6412, I hear 2 sounds: (1)a faint hum, which I believe is the fan (2)a slightly irregular "rasping" sound, which may be coming from the HDD. If I press power off, sound #2 stops and #1 continues. I know we're just renting these units, but I would prefer the HDD not running 24/7, so I turn the power off overnight on the theory that it shuts the HDD down. So far I haven't had any problems with this procedure.
Both the whir and rasping are the drive. The whir is the drive spinning. The rasping is the drive access. If you have to put your ear next to it to hear it, either you have bad hearing, a noisy area, or a VERY quiet drive. I can clearly hear mine in a quiet room. I put mine in a cabinet (with a fan to keep it cool) to shut it up.

My 6412 doesn't appear to have a fan anywhere, unless it's underneath the drive.

There is no way to shut down the drive short of totally cutting power to the box. I guess they want it running all the time so it is already ready when needed. The wear and tear from just spinning is minimal. Turning off the box just turns off the display, video and audio outputs, and stops buffering, which is why the drive is quieter. You can get also get it quiet by setting both tuners to music channels, which are not buffered.

I haven't turned my 6412s (2) off since November 2004 and no problems to report. I don't hear any noise from my 6412s because I don't place my ear on top of them.
:D :D

I can't hear mine either, although as noted above, some are noisier than others.

I think the HDD is always running in order to enable PG updates.

I have one issue with the 6412 and was wondering if others have it too, when watching HD channels I have to turn the volume way up, if watching regular channels I have to have turn it down. This is very annoying when flipping between two channels when one is HD and the other isn't. Is this a common issue or is my box screwed up? Thanks

Andy

adb: AFAIK, this has to do with the way the audio channel is compressed on an HD broadcast versus an SD broadcast. Even between HD channels, I've never found audio levels to be consistent. I think that may depend on whether the audio is in DD5.1 or Dolby Pro Logic.

Nevertheless, I believe it to be a common issue and your box is not at fault.

If I put my ear to the top of the 6412, I hear 2 sounds: (1)a faint hum, which I believe is the fan (2)a slightly irregular "rasping" sound, which may be coming from the HDD. If I press power off, sound #2 stops and #1 continues. I know we're just renting these units, but I would prefer the HDD not running 24/7, so I turn the power off overnight on the theory that it shuts the HDD down. So far I haven't had any problems with this procedure.


To stop your HD from Buffering, tune both tuners to one of the Digital Mudic Choise Ch.

This is the same thing that DirecTV is doing. Converting the compression scheme from MPEG2 to MPEG4 will at least double the channel capacity.

The conversion of "expanded basic" channels to digital will also gain a lot of bandwidth for HD. In our Comcast system here, there are 36 such analog channels taking up 6 MHz each. If moved to the digital tier, these can carry 2 HD channels each (4 with MPEG4). Of course a lot more SD channels can be carried as well.
As far as MPEG4, I think "soon" is maybe a couple of years. Comcast would have to replace all these STBs already in service to accomplish that, not to mention all the headend equipment.

Both the whir and rasping are the drive. The whir is the drive spinning. The rasping is the drive access. If you have to put your ear next to it to hear it, either you have bad hearing, a noisy area, or a VERY quiet drive. I can clearly hear mine in a quiet room. I put mine in a cabinet (with a fan to keep it cool) to shut it up.

My 6412 doesn't appear to have a fan anywhere, unless it's underneath the drive.

There is no way to shut down the drive short of totally cutting power to the box. I guess they want it running all the time so it is already ready when needed. The wear and tear from just spinning is minimal. Turning off the box just turns off the display, video and audio outputs, and stops buffering, which is why the drive is quieter. You can get also get it quiet by setting both tuners to music channels, which are not buffered.Thanks for this helpful info. I think my LG LST-3410A has the same HDD as the 6412. Both units are very quiet. My 38" RCA direct view CRT has 3 internal fans which are audible with my audio system muted, but normally I don't hear them. I quieted them down over 4 years ago by placing some acoustical material atop the TV without blocking the air flow.

wow, this is a massive thread, I can't sift throught it all. Is there a link to the manual for this bad boy at all, I'd like to see what I'm able to do with the USB, firewire, and ethernet ports.

Any chance of hooking up a drive for more dvr space or streaming audio or video to the box from a computer :)

wow, this is a massive thread, I can't sift throught it all. Is there a link to the manual for this bad boy at all, I'd like to see what I'm able to do with the USB, firewire, and ethernet ports.

Any chance of hooking up a drive for more dvr space or streaming audio or video to the box from a computer :)

Links to the Moto instructions are here, plus a lot, lot more:
http://cjhengineering.com/DCTHDFAQ.htm

As to USB & Ethernet, they are not enabled at this time.

Firewire is another matter. You can port full blown HDTV to a D-VHS deck, or to a PC. See this topic as a starting point: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695

Lastly, no external hard drive storage is possible at this time, and you can't modify the internal hard drive.

adb: AFAIK, this has to do with the way the audio channel is compressed on an HD broadcast versus an SD broadcast. Even between HD channels, I've never found audio levels to be consistent. I think that may depend on whether the audio is in DD5.1 or Dolby Pro Logic.

Nevertheless, I believe it to be a common issue and your box is not at fault.


Thanks for the info.

I have one issue with the 6412 and was wondering if others have it too, when watching HD channels I have to turn the volume way up, if watching regular channels I have to have turn it down. This is very annoying when flipping between two channels when one is HD and the other isn't. Is this a common issue or is my box screwed up? Thanks

Andy

I think you can even it out if you change the audio options in the menu. Ergh, I forgot what they should be set to but someone around here can probably add more. My audio levels are even between HD and regular channels. I don't notice a difference.

I think you can even it out if you change the audio options in the menu. Ergh, I forgot what they should be set to but someone around here can probably add more. My audio levels are even between HD and regular channels. I don't notice a difference.
It's the audio "compression" setting. I believe the settings are fully discussed on d v r c h a t t e r dot com

As far as MPEG4, I think "soon" is maybe a couple of years. Comcast would have to replace all these STBs already in service to accomplish that, not to mention all the headend equipment.Thanks Keenan for clearing up that up. I was always under the impression that shutting off analog channels would precede using mpeg4 to increase bandwidth. I wonder what ekwinox is referring to.

About a month ago, Comcast tech in Sacramento told me that they would be converting the stream from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4, and that the 6412 would be able to receive and play the MPEG-4 files, presumably with a firmware update. This makes sense. Computer makers like Apple don't have to release new hardware to support MPEG-4. The Comcast tech did not note a timetable though...

About a month ago, Comcast tech in Sacramento told me that they would be converting the stream from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4, and that the 6412 would be able to receive and play the MPEG-4 files, presumably with a firmware update. This makes sense. Computer makers like Apple don't have to release new hardware to support MPEG-4. The Comcast tech did not note a timetable though...
The issue would probably be the older, non-HD boxes. They may not have the horsepower or RAM to support MPEG4. I doubt Comcast would 'waste' bandwidth with separate MPEG2 and 4 feeds. About the only way I would see them doing MPEG4 in the near-term would be for HD, since only the newer boxes could view it anyways.

My apologies in advance if this question has already been answered ... I did try to search this thread but didn't find the answer ...

I have a new 6412 from Comcast in Chicago. All the channels come in but the HD channels are in standard definition. I have turned it off and on a few times, unplugged and replugged, called Comcast (they sent a signal which rebooted the box) all to no avail. Is this a known bug? How else can I reboot?

I have another HD set and box and they are working fine, so I think this problem definitely belongs in the STB. My only other observation is that this box just arrived yesterday, so I called it "new," but it is noticeably scratched in 4 or 5 places. So it is obvioulsy being recycled from some prior customer.

Any ideas?

The previous owner was probably using the 6412 with a regular TV and had the output set to 480i. See page 4 in your manual about the User Settings.

Turn the 6412 off and press Menu to access the user settings. You can switch between 16:9 and 4:3 mode, and change the resolution (labeled YPbPr Output). You would want either 1080i or 720P, whichever best suits the native resolution of your TV. Also check the next setting, "4:3 Override", which selects how SD programming is displayed.

Thanks Unc. You are hereby invited over to my house for a beer. Your suggestion was right on and it's now working perfectly. This proves the extreme high value of this forum. I called Comcast 3 (4?) times regarding this problem. On at least one of those calls, I said to the technician, is there a setting that I can change? And there was no comprehensible answer. As to reading the user's manual, none was provided. The guy who installed the box was no help--it was definitely BEFORE his first morning cup of coffee.

Anyway Unc, thanks again and yay for the AVS forum.

I have one issue with the 6412 and was wondering if others have it too, when watching HD channels I have to turn the volume way up, if watching regular channels I have to have turn it down. This is very annoying when flipping between two channels when one is HD and the other isn't. Is this a common issue or is my box screwed up? Thanks

AndyI am on Comcast and just got a 6204 on Friday after having on a 5100 before. I've noticed this same effect since my original install in Jan '04,

YMMV

when watching HD channels I have to turn the volume way up, if watching regular channels I have to have turn it down. This is very annoying when flipping between two channels when one is HD and the other isn't

I had the same problem and semi-fixed it by changing the audio compression setting to "high" ... which doesn't sound like something you'd want to do, but it did fix this problem.

I had the same problem and semi-fixed it by changing the audio compression setting to "high" ... which doesn't sound like something you'd want to do, but it did fix this problem.
Audio compression here is used in the audio engineering jargon to mean that the difference between the volume of loud sounds and quiet sounds is reduced. The resulting waveform looks "squished" or "compressed" after the compression is applied. It does NOT refer to digital lossy compression which is used in MP3 to reduce the bitrate of the audio file. After compression is applied, the audio will be perceived to be louder because more of the sounds are at higher levels.

I had the same problem and semi-fixed it by changing the audio compression setting to "high" ... which doesn't sound like something you'd want to do, but it did fix this problem.

However, this only applies if you are using the analog audio connections on your 6412. If you are using either the digital coaxial or Toslink connection, changing any audio settings on the 6412 will not modify the audio output at all. Those settings apply only to analog connections.

However, this only applies if you are using the analog audio connections on your 6412. If you are using either the digital coaxial or Toslink connection, changing any audio settings on the 6412 will not modify the audio output at all. Those settings apply only to analog connections.That begs the question then, for those who are connected via a digital audio link, do you also perceive volume level differences between SD and HD channels with these boxes?

That begs the question then, for those who are connected via a digital audio link, do you also perceive volume level differences between SD and HD channels with these boxes?

Yes, and it has nothing to do with the boxes. It is, rather, the broadcasting station that has different outputs for their digital and analog channels. I've had this with several DishNetwork and OTA boxes as well as my Comcast 6412.

That begs the question then, for those who are connected via a digital audio link, do you also perceive volume level differences between SD and HD channels with these boxes?

The volume levels are pretty inconsistent. Some HD channels are nearly as loud as the SD ones, but in general, SD channels are much louder than digital ones.

I recently upgraded from the 6200 to the 6412 DVR model.
I can get CC, HOWEVER it is very limited when compared to what I was able to enjoy with the 6200.
Note: I'm hearing imparied and CC is extremely helpful.

Monitor: Daewoo DTS-42 (no CC functionality in TV)

BEFORE (with 6200) - under (power off-menu)
component = 1080i
4:30 override = 480i
closed captioning worked great. Even the font and background changes in the "power off-menu" changed the look of the captioning.

NOW (with 6412)
The ONLY way I can get any CC at all is if 4:3 override is set to 480P
The CC'ing font is un-changable (small font with solid black background)
I could almost live with it but the 480p setting causes the picture to look unnatural and stretched.

Any one have an idea why with the 6200 all is fine
w/6412 CC functionality is EXTREMELY minimal?

Thanks!

Your 6412 may be defective. My CC work just as you describe on the 6200.
I fail to understand, however, why there is no dedicated CC button on the remote. I use the CC occasionally when dialogue can't be clearly understood, and it is extremely inconvenient to have to shut the 6412 off and access a menu. Every other CC capable device I've owned either had a CC button or linked the CC to the Mute button.

UncD2000
Thanks for the 'hope'. I'll contact comcast regarding a switchout for another box and see what happens!

Bill

I have 6412 with Comcast in SE Michigan. I have had tivo for a couple of years, but really love the HD and two tuner upgrade.

Problem is that recordings stop about a minute before show ends. tivo let you adjust the start/stop times. Is there an adjustment on 6412 menu?

What causes the problem?

I have not read all 165 pages of this post and my search was unsuccessful; hope I am not repeating a topic.

If you use the DVI or component outputs to connect to an HDTV and connect an RF modulator to the composite or S-video outputs to send signal to secondary TV's, does this work? I've searched this thread and it sounds like it does, but in the user guide for the 6412 there's a section on On-screen Graphics that says "Standard definition connections (S-Video or composite video) will only display on-screen graphics if the YPbPr Output is set to 480i". My thinking is you have to have the YPbPr output set to either 720P or 1080i for HD, so what happens to the s-video and composite connections? They work but no graphics? When they mention graphics do they mean menus, APG, etc.?

Thanks

I have 6412 with Comcast in SE Michigan. I have had tivo for a couple of years, but really love the HD and two tuner upgrade.

Problem is that recordings stop about a minute before show ends. tivo let you adjust the start/stop times. Is there an adjustment on 6412 menu?

What causes the problem?

I have not read all 165 pages of this post and my search was unsuccessful; hope I am not repeating a topic.

tshaw: When you set up a manual recording or a series recording and go to "advanced options" or something like there, you can tell the tuner when to start and stop the recording. The default is "On Time". You can set it to start recording a minute before and stop recording 2 minutes after the scheduled time.

If you use the DVI or component outputs to connect to an HDTV and connect an RF modulator to the composite or S-video outputs to send signal to secondary TV's, does this work? I've searched this thread and it sounds like it does, but in the user guide for the 6412 there's a section on On-screen Graphics that says "Standard definition connections (S-Video or composite video) will only display on-screen graphics if the YPbPr Output is set to 480i". My thinking is you have to have the YPbPr output set to either 720P or 1080i for HD, so what happens to the s-video and composite connections? They work but no graphics? When they mention graphics do they mean menus, APG, etc.?

Thanks

Yes, this does work. basically, you don't get on-screen graphics when you are tuned to any HD channel.

Any word on what has been fixed and/or broken with the 9.19 firmware? Looking through the thread I find a few single anecdotal reports but nothing that has been confirmed by several people.

tennberg, thank you. I will check it out. I have gotten into the habit of just pushing the rec button on the remote while viewing the guide which puts a little dot there. I will try other scheduling methods. One concern is setting up series record so I only get one copy of first runs (disc full of HD Law & Order would not play well with all household members). Nothing ventured nothing gained. Thanks again.

Thanks Unc. You are hereby invited over to my house for a beer. Your suggestion was right on and it's now working perfectly. This proves the extreme high value of this forum. I called Comcast 3 (4?) times regarding this problem. On at least one of those calls, I said to the technician, is there a setting that I can change? And there was no comprehensible answer. As to reading the user's manual, none was provided. The guy who installed the box was no help--it was definitely BEFORE his first morning cup of coffee.

Anyway Unc, thanks again and yay for the AVS forum.
Go to: d v r c h a t t e r D O T c o m ....and look at their FAQ section. It has links to all the documentation for the STBs and the remotes.

Any word on what has been fixed and/or broken with the 9.19 firmware? Looking through the thread I find a few single anecdotal reports but nothing that has been confirmed by several people.

Maybe its just me, but I've had nothing but problems since about the same time my 6412 was remotely upgraded to 9.19.

For nine months my 6412 has had almost no issues at all, now it is randomly rebooting itself and shutting itself off (several times per day)...really pissing off the wife (dies during playbacks and in the middle of recording)

grr.....

I haven't had any trouble with mine, yet...

Hi,

Is there anyway to get a 480i signal out of the box in widescreen or anamorphic format? On a DVD player (at least the ones I have had) if you set the TV to 16x9 it will output the widescreen signal to component, svideo and even composite.

On the motarola box it seems to always output a letter box signal from svideo and composite no matter what the TV is set to.
Even worse when I set the component out to 480i it also letterboxes that.
Sett it to 480p and it goes back to a widescreen signal.
Anyway around this?
If not are component converters available to go from 480p to 480i?
Thanks
Pete

Hi,

Is there anyway to get a 480i signal out of the box in widescreen or anamorphic format? On a DVD player (at least the ones I have had) if you set the TV to 16x9 it will output the widescreen signal to component, svideo and even composite.

On the motarola box it seems to always output a letter box signal from svideo and composite no matter what the TV is set to.
Even worse when I set the component out to 480i it also letterboxes that.
Sett it to 480p and it goes back to a widescreen signal.
Anyway around this?
If not are component converters available to go from 480p to 480i?
Thanks
Pete

From your remote, press the "cable" button. Now, press "power." Immediately press "menu." Set the top section (TV Type) at 16:9 and set the bottom (4:3 Override) for 480I. Press "power." You should see full 16:9 on all channels now. That is, if you have a 16:9 TV.

I have 6412 with Comcast in SE Michigan. I have had tivo for a couple of years, but really love the HD and two tuner upgrade.

Problem is that recordings stop about a minute before show ends. tivo let you adjust the start/stop times. Is there an adjustment on 6412 menu?

What causes the problem?


When you go to the guide and, w. the select button, choose the program you want to record, you are given 3 options:
Record this program
Recording Options
Don't record this program

If you select "Recording Options" you are given a menu - one of the choices is to selecting starting 1 min. early, 2 min. early etc. Another choice is to select ending time 1 min late etc. even up to an hour later (or more?) I use this option for taping the Daily Show (which always runs a minute or two past the "hour" and baseball games which can often run more than the 3 hr. time alotted on the guide.

...mike

Hi,

Is there anyway to get a 480i signal out of the box in widescreen or anamorphic format? On a DVD player (at least the ones I have had) if you set the TV to 16x9 it will output the widescreen signal to component, svideo and even composite.

On the motarola box it seems to always output a letter box signal from svideo and composite no matter what the TV is set to.
Even worse when I set the component out to 480i it also letterboxes that.
Sett it to 480p and it goes back to a widescreen signal.
Anyway around this?
If not are component converters available to go from 480p to 480i?
Thanks
Pete

The 480i downconversion from the HD channels can be either 4:3 letterbox or pan & scan, but not anamorphic. I've seen the anamorphic-squeezed 4:3 from the component output when set to 480p but on my system the TV is the only thing that accepts a 480p signal so it is a rather pointless thing for me to do.

This is true & I have done it but remember. If your recording with both tuners at the same time at the next hour/show you can't do this.




tshaw: When you set up a manual recording or a series recording and go to "advanced options" or something like there, you can tell the tuner when to start and stop the recording. The default is "On Time". You can set it to start recording a minute before and stop recording 2 minutes after the scheduled time.

I recently upgraded from the 6200 to the 6412 DVR model.
I can get CC, HOWEVER it is very limited when compared to what I was able to enjoy with the 6200.
Note: I'm hearing imparied and CC is extremely helpful.

Monitor: Daewoo DTS-42 (no CC functionality in TV)

BEFORE (with 6200) - under (power off-menu)
component = 1080i
4:30 override = 480i
closed captioning worked great. Even the font and background changes in the "power off-menu" changed the look of the captioning.

NOW (with 6412)
The ONLY way I can get any CC at all is if 4:3 override is set to 480P
The CC'ing font is un-changable (small font with solid black background)
I could almost live with it but the 480p setting causes the picture to look unnatural and stretched.

Any one have an idea why with the 6200 all is fine
w/6412 CC functionality is EXTREMELY minimal?

Thanks!

It was suggested the box may be defective. I wandered out to Comcast yesterday and swapped out boxes. I am seeing the same issue.
Any one with an idea how to get control over the CC again?
I can't imagine going from a 6200 and upgrading to a 6412 means a loss of basic functionality. It must be something I'm doing. (Hopefully)

Just wondering what output you are using from the 6412. If DVI, perhaps the problem is originating there. Since my 38" CRT has no digital inputs, I use component and find that the CC work exactly as you described on your 6200.

Another thought: First, try changing your User Settings (pg. 4-5 in your manual) to match your TV's 480P native resolution. TV Type should be set to 16:9, YPbPr Output to 480P. Try 4:3 Override at 480P as well, unless you want SD programs stretched to fill the screen horizontally, in which case select "stretch."

UncD2000

Thanks for you reply.
I'm using component from the 6412 to the monitor.

I've tried ALL possible combinations. As stated before, I do get CC on all YPbPr settings except 480i. However, there are two issues
1) the CC font, color, etc. is not effect by the settings on the 6412 box. I deplore the solid black box the words are framed in. With the 6200, the settings worked.
2) 480i gives me the best picture by far, of course, it is the one that does NOT give CC.
On the 6200 I could use 480i and get CC with the settings we liked.

480i gives me the best picture by farThis is interesting because it indicates that the circuitry in your TV that deinterlaces the 480i signal so that it can be displayed at your display's native resolution of 480P is noticeably better than the same circuitry in the 6412.

Maybe someone will chime in that has had this problem with the CC. I don't think CC problems were mentioned in connection with any of the firmware updates on the 6412. My unit came with the old 9.12FW and was recently updated to 9.19, but the CC worked fine before and after.

Dang weird.
Thanks uncD200. As you said, hopefully someone else can chime in with some insights.

Ok, so I'm coming across a problem.

I came home a few minutes ago, turned on the TV, and was flipping through some channels. All of a sudden, there was a tap sound, and the box turned off. It said a few things on the display, and now is stuck saying "dl" with a bar on the left hand side that moves around in a box shape.

What happened here?

Ok, so I'm coming across a problem.

I came home a few minutes ago, turned on the TV, and was flipping through some channels. All of a sudden, there was a tap sound, and the box turned off. It said a few things on the display, and now is stuck saying "dl" with a bar on the left hand side that moves around in a box shape.

What happened here?
Sounds like you are getting a FW download.

Ok, so I'm coming across a problem.

I came home a few minutes ago, turned on the TV, and was flipping through some channels. All of a sudden, there was a tap sound, and the box turned off. It said a few things on the display, and now is stuck saying "dl" with a bar on the left hand side that moves around in a box shape.

What happened here?

Sounds like you're getting a firmware update. Let it be, and it should come back. Usually things like this happen at 3am

On the main CC page at the bottom it says "settings". Have you made sure it is changed to "user" instead of "auto"? No matter what you change with any of the other stuff. It won't actually change them until settings at the bottom is set to "user".



It was suggested the box may be defective. I wandered out to Comcast yesterday and swapped out boxes. I am seeing the same issue.
Any one with an idea how to get control over the CC again?
I can't imagine going from a 6200 and upgrading to a 6412 means a loss of basic functionality. It must be something I'm doing. (Hopefully)

Hey guys, I've been searching for 1/2 hour and have had no luck here, basically I was watching a show and decided to record it, then wanted to change the channel and watch something else, and it won't let me, basically it gives me the option to stop recording and change the channel or don't. I have a swap button on my remote but it doesn't do anything, how can I get this to switch tuners in this scenario?
Tom

Are you recording with both tuners? If not, the front of the rec. should have a big "REC" if you are watching the tuner that is recording. If you hit swap & the "REC" goes away & you see the red light & instead shows the channel # that you are recording then it DID change tuners. Then just go to what ever channel you want. This has happened to me a few times & I thought the same thing. It's just both tuners were on the same channel.

OK I just played with it more, swap seems to work when NOT recording a manual show. As soon as I start recording something I am unable to swap, I hit swap but nothing happens, so from what I can see, you can't swap once you start a manual recording. Try it and see.
Tom

I haven't yet figured out under what parameters the "swap" button works. I often get the message that gives me the "option" of stopping the recording in progress. I just fiddle around for a while, trying to swap channels - and finally it does.
As said, haven't figured out exactly what "combination of keystrokes" it takes to get the swap to work.

...mike

I use swap all the time when recording something on one tuner. No problems here.

I haven't tried it with a scheduled recording, only a manual recording. Do me a favor, start watching a show and hit the record button to start recording it, then tell me if/how you can swap to the other tuner, I am unable to do so no matter what I try.
Tom

LOl, I just hit the swap botton.

Could it be that you are pressing swap too soon after recording begins. Make sure the confirmation message has disappeared.

Absolutely no chance I'm doing it early, it's well after the message has been confirmed.
Tom

I've had two 6412s since early June and never experienced a hard crash with either (units would get unresponsive at times, but would recover on their own in time); that is until this week. This week, my 6412s downloaded the 9.19 firmware upgrade. Since downloading it, one machine has crashed hard twice and the other has crashed hard once; each time requiring the unit to be unplugged and plugged back in before it would respond (meaning each time it needed to go through the long process of downloading all of the guide info).

I switched to Comcast from DirecTV in June, and my wife and I were both fond of the use of Tivos. While my wife has been grudgingly accepting of the Motorola DVR, she does miss her Tivo. Since it has started crashing this week, she's openly started bemoaning the switch and how negatively the Motorola stacks up to the Tivo.

While I like some of the features of Comcast/Motorola's implementation of DVR service, I would have to give the nod to DirecTV/Tivo for useability and features. On Demand is a nice addition that I didn't have with DirecTivo, and I don't mind the menu/guide operatability, but all of the little bugs -- momentary freezes, pauses when changing channels, unresponsiveness of the unit, lack of hard drive space (biggest problem for me), now these crashes -- have me looking forward to Comcast's adoption of Tivo next year.

Well, I guess it was all to good to be true. I've had the 6412 for about 6 months after switching from *D* and for the past two nights, it failed to record Leno and Conan. It shows up in the MYDVR as having been recorded but when you click on it you get an immediate "Delete" screen. Nothing can bring it up. Appears to be hi-def only?? Not sure but I unplugged it before running out on a job this morning and have been recording some Discovery HD program from 11:00 this morning. Will see at 12 if it took. This is very disheartening. I thought I had the only problem free box (although quite quirky).

Well, I guess it was all to good to be true. I've had the 6412 for about 6 months after switching from *D* and for the past two nights, it failed to record Leno and Conan. It shows up in the MYDVR as having been recorded but when you click on it you get an immediate "Delete" screen. Nothing can bring it up. Appears to be hi-def only?? Not sure but I unplugged it before running out on a job this morning and have been recording some Discovery HD program from 11:00 this morning. Will see at 12 if it took. This is very disheartening. I thought I had the only problem free box (although quite quirky).

StuJac:

I've had this countless times with a series recording I have set for Law & Order on TNT-HD. MyDVR will say the recording is 60 minutes long and won't say "This recording was interrupted." However, when I go to play it, I immediately get the "Delete/Keep Recording" screen. I am in Boston and still on firmware 09.15.

I've also noticed that even though I have a series recording set up, sometimes it won't show up in the "Scheduled Recordings" section. For example, I have Big Brother 6 set up as a series recording. However, it didn't show up as scheduled for this past Thursday. I had to delete the series recording and create a new one for it to work properly.

I've heard that the new 6412 with HDMI is on something like firmware 12.x, though I'm not sure if this is simply equivalent to our 09.1x firmware. I am hopeful that further improvements in the firmware along with trashing the current iGuide with the Tivo-like guide will eliminate all current problems.

Well, I guess it was all to good to be true. I've had the 6412 for about 6 months after switching from *D* and for the past two nights, it failed to record Leno and Conan. It shows up in the MYDVR as having been recorded but when you click on it you get an immediate "Delete" screen. Nothing can bring it up. Appears to be hi-def only?? Not sure but I unplugged it before running out on a job this morning and have been recording some Discovery HD program from 11:00 this morning. Will see at 12 if it took. This is very disheartening. I thought I had the only problem free box (although quite quirky).

I had this problem with my first 6412. I requested and received a new 6412 (specifying that it be NEW, not previously used) and it has worked fine.

John

I had this problem with my first 6412. I requested and received a new 6412 (specifying that it be NEW, not previously used) and it has worked fine.

John

falsedawn:

When you called Comcast, did you simply say "I would like a 6412, and I ask that it be a new unit that's never been used by anyone." Did Comcast put up a fight about that?

I'm considering turning in my 6412 for a new one in the hopes that the HD in the new one will be much quieter.

It recorded the hi-def this morning ok. I'll give it a week and if the problem returns I'm going to trade it in. Biggest problem with that is losing what's on the drive.

falsedawn:

When you called Comcast, did you simply say "I would like a 6412, and I ask that it be a new unit that's never been used by anyone." Did Comcast put up a fight about that?

I'm considering turning in my 6412 for a new one in the hopes that the HD in the new one will be much quieter.

In my call to Comcast I told them of my problem and that I probably needed a new unit. I told them I had unplugged the unit multiple times to reset it but the problem persisted. I requested a NEW (never used) unit. When the tech arrived, he agreed that the 6412 needed to be replaced and had a NEW one with him. Whether that was due to my request I can't say.

Both units have been fairly quiet, though my 58 year old hearing is not the best. Also, the fan in my ReplayTV runs all the time and is loud enough to mask whatever noise the 6412 might be making. I disconnected the ReplayTV to test the noise level of the 6412 and confirmed that it is quiet.

I recently upgraded from the 6200 to the 6412 DVR model.
I can get CC, HOWEVER it is very limited when compared to what I was able to enjoy with the 6200.
Note: I'm hearing imparied and CC is extremely helpful.

Monitor: Daewoo DTS-42 (no CC functionality in TV)

...

Thanks!

Why does your Daewoo DTS-42 not have CC functionality. I looked at the manual and it shows it on page 65?

It turns out it is only the software that prevents the 6412 from recording more then 2 channels. It also might be that the bandwidth will only support 2 HD channels.

How do I know? Due to a bug in my box, I have a series program at 2:00 AM every Tuesday that I cannot delete. So, I tried to "delete" it by scheduling two other programs at the same time. However, the box excepted both programs.

When I went to the future recordings it showed three programs scheduled on three different channels (all of them SD channels). I decided to see what would happen and amazingly all three programs were recorded and were watchable.

Just thought people might be interested. :)

Maybe this capability is due to desired programs being on subchannels of the same QAM channel. For example, in my Comcast system the following are on QAM channel 101:

101-5 Showtime Next (Comcast Ch. 583)
101-6 Showtime Family/Zone (Comcast Ch. 584)
101-7 Showtime Women (Comcast Ch. 585)
101-8 FLIX (Comcast Ch. 586)

If you schedule a recording from two (or even more) of these channels at the same time, just one of the tuners in the 6412 may be able to handle it. The second tuner could also handle multiple subchannels of the same QAM channel. Since two HD channels can be placed on one QAM channel, it might be possible to record as many as four HD programs at the same time. This is all speculative, but dabhome has raised an interesting issue.

Although it is a rare event, I have had occasion to record three programs at once but was limited by the current capability of the 6412. It would be nice to see that in a future model.

anyone else's 6412's acting strange/buggy lately?

i am unable to completely remove most future recordings from "scheduled recordings", especially movies. it doesn't show up as being recorded in the guide but remains in my "future recordings" even after i remove it, and these things always seem to end up recording and causing conflict problems. Also, shows that say they are going to record often don't if one of these conflicting recording i attempted to remove are happening at the same time.

plus, a lot of recordings lately have started exactly an hour late. the guide info is right the recording just gets delayed by an hour (had this happen to a movie and a baseball game today and it was also happening last week).

How do you determine the QAM channel for a particular channel?

This is very possible. I recorded three programs in channels near each other. If I knew how to determine the QAM channel, then I could try setting up three recordings from different QAM channels. I also can try some HD channels.

PC Monitor attached to Motorola 6412
I returned my hdtv the other day and since I have gotten rid of my old tv I was left to attach my 21" PC (4 x 3)monitor to my Motorola 6412 DVR box.

My monitor has the following inputs:
- dvi-d
- composite
- s-video

I have hooked the dvr box up to each of these and none of them work properly. Here are the results of each:

1) DVI-D. When I turn the moto dvr box on I do get a picture that is stretched up from widescreen to 4x3 (even Craig Stadler looks thin) but that only lasts about 5 seconds and it goes blank.

2) S-VIDEO. I get a good enough picture but cannot use the on screen TV Guide or On Demand.

3) COMPOSITE. Same as S-VIDEO.

I called the comcast customer support line and got into a bizarre conversation with a rep who kept telling me that she could not understand why the tv guide would not work because she had it connected the same way (via s-video) at home. In fact she "knew how to fix these things before she even came to work for comcast because she had had a dvr for the past year".

She was insisting it was the dvr box that was at fault and had already sent 2 depth charges, or whatever they are, to it. Anyway after me pushing her that it must have something to do with the new monitor, after all nothing else had changed to the setup she says "Well there's a guy who knows a lot about computers here so I'll go and talk to him". He happened to be over the other side of the building so 5 minutes later she was back to tell me that he said I need to go and buy a connector from Radio Shack. Of course she being an old pro was referring to it is "the Shack". When I asked her what kind of connector I should get she said "I cannot remember what the computer expert told me a few minuts ago but they'll know at the Shack". Unreal...

You must be patient with these people however otherwise they get even worse. I asked her what connection out of the DVR I should use and what connection into my monitor I should use. This had her stumped and lumbering back across the building to the computer expert. Closer to 10 minutes later she was back. The walk seemed to overexert her as when she came back she was huffing and puffing like an old steam train. Anyway this time she had a completely different story for me. "Oh it's because you have a PC monitor that you cannot get the TV Guide. TV's have special stuff in them that prevents copyright theft and that's why you cannot ge the TV Guide. We even tried it out on his PC and it would not work - that's why I was so long."

At this point I gave up, thanked her kindly for her time and hung up. It blows my mind that Comcast does not have some kind of script that they run through to diagnose problems or at least a knowledge base to search on. Management is truly pathetic.

Now I know there are some real experts on this forum so can you give me any suggestions as to why I cannot use the guide on a PC monitor, regular Dell LCD with svideo, composite and dvi-d in?

Postscript: Wow I cannot believe I wrote for this long but it really is bugging me as my dvr is recording away and I cannot watch any of the programs.

Your lucky I can't sleep tonight :)

Your dvi connection is probably not working because your monitor is does not support HDCP. The trouble you are having with composite and s-video is because the 6412 can not do SD and HD graphics at the same time. Set the output of 6412 to 480i and you should be able see the menu/guide on your SD connections.

How do you determine the QAM channel for a particular channel?First tune in 2 channels that you want to determine. Get one on Tuner #1 (it will be active when you first turn the unit on). Use Swap button to engage Tuner 2 and tune the 2nd channel there. Enter the Diagnostics Menu by turning the 6412 off and pressing Select within 2 seconds. Scroll down to 06: Current channel status, and press Enter. The frequency that Tuner 1 is on will appear in MHz. Scroll down and the Tuner 2 info will appear.

The frequency displayed is the analog video frequency rather than the lower limit of the channel. Here are some references:

561 MHz = Ch. 80
621 MHz = Ch. 90
645 MHz = Ch. 94
91 MHz = Ch. 95
97 MHz = Ch. 96
103 MHz = Ch. 97
109 MHz = Ch. 98
115 MHz = Ch. 99
651 MHz = Ch. 100
711 MHz = Ch. 110
771 MHz = Ch. 120
831 MHz = Ch. 130

The numbering is confusing since the numbers 95-99 are arbitrarily inserted from a lower frequency band. The numbers are consistent from Ch. 23 - 94, and 100 on up however. You can easily interpolate/extrapolate using 6 MHz/channel.

Even if you don't subscribe to a particular channel, you can still tune to it and determine the QAM channel. To find out the subchannel numbers within a channel, you need a QAM tuner and the channel must be unencrypted when you check. (I was able to get the Showtime subchannels posted above because there is a free preview in effect 8/5-8/12 and the Showtime channels are not encrypted). Hope this helps. Let us know what you find out about multi-channel recordings.

I have to decide on a HD service this fall, and I was going to go with Comcast. However, reading this thread has me a little unsure.

Is this box that bad that it should stop me from even getting Comcast with the HD DVR? Or does it work well enough that it shouldn't be a factor? DirecTV is the other option.

Thanks!

I have to decide on a HD service this fall, and I was going to go with Comcast. However, reading this thread has me a little unsure.

Is this box that bad that it should stop me from even getting Comcast with the HD DVR? Or does it work well enough that it shouldn't be a factor? DirecTV is the other option.

Thanks!

I have had this service since November of last year and the older 6208 before it. It has been wonderful with a few annoying gliches at times. I have had far fewer than most on the thread and most have been transitory for me. I have not had to exchange my box even once.

I have not used Tivo or any of the other services out there so I can not compare but for me this has been a wonderful period for TV and the ease of recording. HD is secondary to me but it sure looks good when the particular program I am watching is broadcast in HD.

I would say go for it!

You'll be happy with the DCT6412. It has annoying quirks, but still a nice piece of equipment. The good features far outweigh the bad.

I would give DirecTV 6 months or so to get MPEG4 working and have the HMC available.
I have both services right now, but hope to drop Comcast when D* is able to offer the national HD channels they currently lack, and a good DVR with MPEG4 capability.

I have to decide on a HD service this fall, and I was going to go with Comcast. However, reading this thread has me a little unsure.

Is this box that bad that it should stop me from even getting Comcast with the HD DVR? Or does it work well enough that it shouldn't be a factor? DirecTV is the other option.

Thanks!

There is no doubt that there have been some problems with these boxes, but I have had very good luck. Remember, most people post only if they have problems...there is no telling how many happy people there are out there for every problem noted. Also, you don't have any commitment required to try it out, so you really have nothing to lose. And the equipment belongs to the cable company, so if the first one doesn't work right, swap it out. I understand that there is still a hassle factor there, but at least that option is available.

Good luck, whichever direction you go!

-Randy

I too have had mostly good luck. The problems I have experienced have been intermittent, and typically involve problems with the second tuner while the first tuner is being used to record.

My 6412 experience has been fairly painless. I have had some annoying problems but luckily it only affected 1 of the two 6412s that I rent. My advice, get two. You will have 4 HD tuners (if you have a programming conflict you watch too much TV), twice the recording time and a backup if one of the units wigs out. It's worth an extra $10 a month to rent a second 6412.

Your lucky I can't sleep tonight :)

Your dvi connection is probably not working because your monitor is does not support HDCP. The trouble you are having with composite and s-video is because the 6412 can not do SD and HD graphics at the same time. Set the output of 6412 to 480i and you should be able see the menu/guide on your SD connections.


How do I set the 6412 to output 480i?

Thx, Lloyd

How do I set the 6412 to output 480i?

Thx, Lloyd


On mine you can hit either MENU or SETTINGS with the power OFF.

I have been a Comcast (PA-Philadelphia) DVR customer for 2 months now. I have had the following problems with 3 different 6412s:


Powers on to total black screen, no response from box (re-occurring)
All shows dissappeared from DVR last week
Powers on to black screen but flip-bar is visible and functional. Must start a DVR or OnDemand program and then stop it to get broadcast signal to display (current - second time this happened)
Remote control lag for 10-20 seconds (current - second time this happened)
Choppy DVR playback - skipping video/audio, hard crashes when really bad (current - third time this happened)


The last three issues are back again. Last time, I had a regional tech manager contact me and we did some troubleshooting and then he replaced the box (lol) and said that updates would correct the problem.

Is anyone else having this trouble? Is everyone else tired of just having their box replaced and losing their shows? Help me with this one please - my wife is about to chuck the thing out the window!! (and my 50" with it!)

Oh, btw, I have 9.19.

Help!

//t0pher

Is anyone else having this trouble? Is everyone else tired of just having their box replaced and losing their shows? Help me with this one please - my wife is about to chuck the thing out the window!! (and my 50" with it!)

Oh, btw, I have 9.19.

Help!

//t0pher

Yes, yes, SAME HERE. :rolleyes: What is your signal strength (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5651052&&#post5651052) when viewing HD channels?

I have to decide on a HD service this fall, and I was going to go with Comcast. However, reading this thread has me a little unsure.

Is this box that bad that it should stop me from even getting Comcast with the HD DVR? Or does it work well enough that it shouldn't be a factor? DirecTV is the other option.

Thanks!

I, too, am in the market for new service in Jan. I've currently been a Directv customer and have nothing but good things to say about them (love that NFL package). But, I'll be going with Comcast for one simple reason, I'm renting the box instead of buying it. Anytime I have a problem with it, sorry, take it back. You can't do that with the Sat companies (or darn near impossible). Why spend $699 for a box that will be obsolete in a year?

As former employee of EchoHell, I was there when they released their first dual tuner DVR. A good friend there was the manager of Technical Support dept and they were absolutely flooded with calls. He had one on his desk and he could crash it anytime he wanted to by doing certain things on the remote. He laughed when his support people would ask whether customers could return the box. Guess what you are getting in return? A refurbished unit with the exact same problems. They would recycle some of the units 3 and 4 times without fixing a thing because its firmware related, nothing they can do about it. Companies rush these products to be the first but what you are really getting is beta firmware and a poorly tested unit.

Anybody who thinks that getting the first version of these boxes is going to trouble free is dead wrong, no matter what service you go with and buying the box makes no sense. I'm happy I'm waiting until Jan because hopefully the firmware will have matured and the necessary revisions made.

Ski

One can only hope that the Phase 3 Motorola 6412 with the 12.x firmware has resolved much of these issues. Anybody here have that one yet?

I'm in Boston with Comcast, and I'm still on firmware 9.15 with mine. The problems I've had are the rare recording not showing up as scheduled, the guide freezing to commands from the remote then executing them all at once, and the hard drive being noisier than it should be. Other than that, it's a delight ;-)

I switched from DTV to Comcast and a 6412 this past weekend I have two observations: 1) the HD looks great :) , and 2) the analog looks awful. :mad:

The install tech pulled one over on me. He connected the 6412 to my tv (Sony 42" projection LCD) with component cables. The HD looked great, but the analog channels were so bad I threatened to cancel the install. He made adjustments and the analog channels looked acceptable. After he left, I noticed that he had disconnected the component cables and connected a single COMPOSITE cable! Of course, the HD channels did not show correctly so I switched back to component cables. Again, the analog channels look awful (really, really bad).

Why do the analog channels look better with a composite cable than with component cables? I would suspect the cables, but the HD looks flawless.

Would the analog channels look better if I use a DVI-HDMI cable? What other options do I have to help the analog picture quality. I miss all of the digital channels on DTV.

Duane

Does your Sony have separate inputs? If so use your composite (I'd change that to S-Video if I were you) on one input for SD and your component on another for HD. I do that with my Mits and it's a great compromise. Hd looks great and SD is passable.

Does anyone have any first-hand information about whether the 6412 supports MPEG-4 and switched video?

If my guess is correct, it doesn't support MPEG-4, since MPEG-4 decoder chips were not available when the first 6000-series box came out.

It _might_ support switched video, because it's something very much like VOD from the box's perspective. In fact even the older SD 2000-series boxes should work the same in that respect.

If I'm right, we'll see a move to switched video before you ever see a move to MPEG-4. MPEG-4 gains you perhaps a factor of 2 in bandwidth efficiency. Switched video lets you carry a virtually unlimited number of channels.

Bobby C:
Can the 6412 support both a digital and analog output at the same time, assuming the TV has both inputs? (A DVI and composite output). Don't the analog channels viewed out of the 6412 via composite still look crappy? I finally bit the bullet, split my cable input into two lines with an amplifier, ran one to the 6412 for viewing/recording digital channels, and run the other input to a Replay TV to view record non-digital channels via S-Video into the TV. Seems to works OK, except for the hassle of two disparate recorders (but the Replay TV interface is heaven after the 6412's!)

How that analog looks depends on where you are. Mine are passable. I have my 480I input adjusted fairly well on my Mits. YMMV

Yes, the 6412 supports both digital and analog at the same time.

I'm in Vallejo which is pretty close to you, but we only just got 6412 service, and the analogs look barely viewable on the big screen, and amplification didn't even help much...Haven't really tried using the S-Video out of the 6412 (does it have one??). Maybe I could get rid of the Replay TV, but it frees up space for the digital HD recordings on the 6412 anyway...

I switched from DTV to Comcast and a 6412 this past weekend I have two observations: 1) the HD looks great :) , and 2) the analog looks awful. :mad:

The install tech pulled one over on me. He connected the 6412 to my tv (Sony 42" projection LCD) with component cables. The HD looked great, but the analog channels were so bad I threatened to cancel the install. He made adjustments and the analog channels looked acceptable. After he left, I noticed that he had disconnected the component cables and connected a single COMPOSITE cable! Of course, the HD channels did not show correctly so I switched back to component cables. Again, the analog channels look awful (really, really bad).

Why do the analog channels look better with a composite cable than with component cables? I would suspect the cables, but the HD looks flawless.

Would the analog channels look better if I use a DVI-HDMI cable? What other options do I have to help the analog picture quality. I miss all of the digital channels on DTV.


Duane

Hang in there!! Digital boxes will be moving to the ADS lineup before year end. Sooner in some areas. (All Digital System) Just hold on tight. You will wake up one day and notice all the analogs look good, and you will know.

I'm in Vallejo which is pretty close to you, but we only just got 6412 service, and the analogs look barely viewable on the big screen, and amplification didn't even help much...Haven't really tried using the S-Video out of the 6412 (does it have one??). Maybe I could get rid of the Replay TV, but it frees up space for the digital HD recordings on the 6412 anyway...

The 6412 has an S-Video output. My Mits is a 65" and the analogs are OK, not great mind you, but OK.

Bobby C:
Can the 6412 support both a digital and analog output at the same time, assuming the TV has both inputs? (A DVI and composite output). Don't the analog channels viewed out of the 6412 via composite still look crappy? I finally bit the bullet, split my cable input into two lines with an amplifier, ran one to the 6412 for viewing/recording digital channels, and run the other input to a Replay TV to view record non-digital channels via S-Video into the TV. Seems to works OK, except for the hassle of two disparate recorders (but the Replay TV interface is heaven after the 6412's!)

The 6412 supports simultaneous output of analog and digital, but regardless of what output you use, the analog channels are still poor quality. It is because they go through an on-the-fly MPEG2 encoding in order to get stored on the hard drive and it loses information that way. The setup described above is a good compromise, as it uses the presumably better MPEG2 encoder in the ReplayTV instead of the one in the 6412. I ended up splitting the cable as well, and dedicate one leg to digital (splitter-6412-firewire&component-65" Mitsubishi) and the second to analog (splitter-SVHS VCR-svideo-Mitsubishi). It still makes me weep to do A/B comparisons of the analog channels. (Well OK, not really weep, but they are pretty bad off the 6412.)

I have been a Comcast (PA-Philadelphia) DVR customer for 2 months now. I have had the following problems with 3 different 6412s:


Powers on to total black screen, no response from box (re-occurring)
All shows dissappeared from DVR last week
Powers on to black screen but flip-bar is visible and functional. Must start a DVR or OnDemand program and then stop it to get broadcast signal to display (current - second time this happened)
Remote control lag for 10-20 seconds (current - second time this happened)
Choppy DVR playback - skipping video/audio, hard crashes when really bad (current - third time this happened)

The 'black screen on power on' is a known bug. The first fix is to simply power cycle the box (unplug it, wait a minute, then plug it back in.) It will take a few hours to reload the guide data, but no programs or programming should be lost. For now, the only way to avoid it is to never turn the box off.
The slow remote is intermittent. I had that happen for a few weeks, then it fixed itself. There are occasinaly times it will be slow, especially if both tuners are on HD, and you try playing an HD recording, all at the same time.

I have been a Comcast (PA-Philadelphia) DVR customer for 2 months now. I have had the following problems with 3 different 6412s:


Powers on to total black screen, no response from box (re-occurring)
All shows dissappeared from DVR last week
Powers on to black screen but flip-bar is visible and functional. Must start a DVR or OnDemand program and then stop it to get broadcast signal to display (current - second time this happened)
Remote control lag for 10-20 seconds (current - second time this happened)
Choppy DVR playback - skipping video/audio, hard crashes when really bad (current - third time this happened)


Sadly, these are all normal "features" of this piece of junk. Even more sadly, Comcast / Motorola DVR are a monopoly in every market they serve, so there is no competition or incentive to improve quality.

Sadly, these are all normal "features" of this piece of junk. Even more sadly, Comcast / Motorola DVR are a monopoly in every market they serve, so there is no competition or incentive to improve quality.

Wow, I'm glad mine didn't include those features. Still haven't had an issue since I got this last November.

Count your blessings. Mine exhibits three out of the five problems that t0pher listed. Mine also has the (relatively common) problem with channels on higher-frequency carriers (INHD 1 and 2) occasionally breaking up on Tuner 2. I'm tempted to swap it out for another one, but it's also possible that I'll get an even worse unit! At least I'm not getting the 12-31-19xx phantom recordings problem, and it hasn't deleted a show against my wishes in the last two months!

Wow, I'm glad mine didn't include those features. Still haven't had an issue since I got this last November.

Me too! I got mine last November and the only problems I've had are maybe three times when it reset itself (requiring reloading of the guide info) and a couple times when there was no sound until I started playing a recorded show - then the sound returned to the tuners as well. I've never (yet) lost a recording. I'm an old guy so I'm still in awe that this technology works at all.

The issues I've had with the 6412 (firmware 9.15) here in Boston are:

1. Unit fails to repsond to remote commands for anywhere from 3 seconds to 30 seconds (always either when using the iGuide or when playing/FF/RW a DVR recording). Then, it will execute *all* buttons I pushed since it froze. VERY annoying.

2. Phantom December 31 recordings that are blank. I have two on my DVR currently. A third showed up the other day, but disappeared within 24 hours. I am trying to watch everything on my DVR to delete them since attempting to delete them causes a real recording to vanish. Since i have so many series recordings set up, those two phantoms have been on there for several months. I should hope to have them off of there by this weekend.

3. Shows recording, but when I go to play them, I instantly get the "Delete recording/keep recording" option. There is no warning message on the recording that it was interrupted. This seems to only happen with HD recordings.

Other than those 3 problems (which are all still occurring), I haven't had any other consistent problems. Just 10 minutes ago, I was watching G4 and a message popped up on the box VERY quickly saying "Error processing request". It then switched to Fox and the box stopped responding to ANY command. I tried to turn the box off using the remote, but that failed. So, I turned it off using the front power button and all is well now. A conspiracy between Comcast and Fox to make me only watch Fox programming? ;-)