Official Comcast 6412 w/ iGuide Discussion [Text View] - Page 23

billh03

09-24-05, 05:03 PM

Regarding optical out "not being there" - there are some clumsy troubleshooting things I tried; first, I plugged a known good working device with the DD 5.1 bitstream into the optical input normally used for the cable box. Actually the digital output LED is working, just not providing any DD 5.1 bitstream (lit up red). I unplugged the box and "lost everything" (but it worked for the Dolby Digital reset) then realized the "power" button on the cable box works the same magic but doesn't require losing everything in your guide build-up. The box kept losing DD output, usually overnight. Don't know what kind of receiver you have, but I tried several times to cycle through "input mode" on my Yammy (and left it on "auto-detect.") No joy. Took the @#%ing thing back to Comcast and got a series III even though I don't have a HDMI input (just the ANCIENT component inputs, an artifact of the way cable boxes and televisions were used long ago...;)

The new box never drops DD 5.1 live or recorded. However, it does every other trick in the book; it goes on "freeze" vacations for 8 seconds or so now and then, on recorded stuff, I don't lose anything, I just have to be patient and realize it's not a Tivo that works well. Once or twice a week it's locked up, sometimes very badly, evidently the OS gets into some kind of conflict with open files; cursors are in "impossible places" and all recorded shows have a red "status bar" (as if every show from last night was still recording) and once reset, if i have to stop a recorded selection, that becomes the absolute beginning of the file when I come back - the status bar shows just what I have left and if I arrow down to "start selection from beginning" it starts where I stopped, since there is no beginning, in agreement with the status bar! This will be box #7 when it's replaced, but I'm tired of standing in line waiting for another (and will probably find they only have badly beat up series I or II in stock, or none at all, if I call on the phone they can't seem to tell me what's in stock). The Tivo works just fine year after year. If only it could do hi-def. I have an ancient 6408 that serves the Tivo and if there is something I really don't want to miss, I have it record as well. A 6408 seemed like a waste since the application of a Tivo requires no hi-def but Comcast just said "keep using it" when I told them what I was going to do (I get charged for the additional box, of course). I think the $5 hi-def charge is for "however many" hi-def devices you have.

The last 6412 I was given before the series III had no IR response, at all. THat's why I hate swapping and am trying to see if this one starts to settle down. In a year I'll be living in Time-Warner country. I hope they do things better...

One advantage to a truck roll is that if it isn't right, the tech can bring another. Trouble is, you never know if the new box is good or not, since so much of the box functionality seems to reside in the "magic hit" on the box from Comcast, and there is often something wrong with their computer so the tech says "I can't wait around, it will start working soon." Then my favorite feature, video on demand for the preemies, seems to be the last thing to be set up in the download build - try in 15 minutes and you get "subscription required" (e.g., HBO) even if you already subscribe, but wait 2 hours, works fine.

grdn2

09-24-05, 07:49 PM

I have not been able to playback anything recorded and get a Dolby Digital stream. Live content works fine. I tried your above but no success. I am connected optically to my receiver, and using hdmi for video. Any help out there?

thanks Rick

I'm having the same problems (Phase III box connected via HDMI). Looks like it is an issue with HDMI not being able to carry or decode the 5.1 audio on recorded or "non-live" streams. More info is here in this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=575155). The last post states component is a fix for this, which I've tried and confirmed.

pmooradian

09-25-05, 10:19 AM

The 6412 will mute itself when it powers itself on from the off-state, in order to perform a timer recording. If you leave the box powered on permanently, this self-mute will never occur. If you do power the box off when it's unused, you can use the user-programmed mute/un-mute function (described below) to take the box out of mute state if you should walk up and want to watch TV with sound while it has already entered a timer recording in this fashion, from a power-off state.

Also, if you decide to watch something while it is already in this auto-muted timer recording mode (having powered itself on temporarily from off-state), don't be surprised when it suddenly powers itself off at the end of your timer recording even though you might be watching something different on the other tuner. That's simply what's going to happen and you have no control over it, because that's how it works. The box doesn't care that you might be watching (as clearly evidenced by the fact that you've manipulated the second tuner to watch something while the timer recording was progressing). This is perfectly "normal" (albeit annoying), so just get used to it.

The first time it happens you're a bit startled, but again it's normal. Even if you un-mute the box (described below), it will STILL power itself off at the end of the timer recording if it has powered itself on from off-state in order to accomplish the timer recording. Again, totally normal behavior.

If you don't want any of these behaviors to happen, just never power the box off. I, personally, prefer to have the box off when not in use (so that it is not buffering continuously to the hard drive from two tuners when I'm not even there). So I just deal with the mute/un-mute necessity, and deal with the occasional surprising power-off if I start using the 6412 to watch something after it has auto-powered-on to perform a timer recording.

Now as far as un-muting the box when it is in this state, as has already been posted you can program an unused button on the remote for this purpose. I personally did not program the official "MUTE" button, which I prefer to leave allocated to the mute/unmute function for my TV. Instead, I've chosen the currently unused "+" button down in the "picture in picture" set of buttons at the bottom of the remote. It's the end button on the right side of the row of four buttons down there.

Note that the "SWAP" button in the same PIP group (second button from the left in that row of four at the bottom of the remote) IS already programmed as active in my remote, and serves to swap between the two tuners of the 6412. You need it to swap tuners when you are recording something with one tuner and want to watch something else at the same time using the second tuner.

So, for me, the programming of the mute/un-mute function (for the 6412 itself as described above, not for my TV where I still use the official "MUTE" button on the remote) the sequence is:

(1) Press the "Cable" button at the top of the remote to put it into Cable Box control mode.
(2) Press and hold the "Setup" button until the red LED on the "Cable" button blinks twice.
(3) Type in the code 994. LED blinks twice.
(4) Press (do not hold) the "Setup" button once (do not hold).
(5) Type in the code 00141 (for mute/un-mute).
(6) Press whatever button you want you want to map the mute/un-mute function to. (As described above, I have used the "+" button at the right end of the four PIP buttons at the bottom of the remote). LED blinks twice.

Also, you might want to also program the "30-second skip forward" function into another unused button of the remote. This function is extremely useful, as you can imagine. Instant 30-second advance from normal play speed, resuming instantly at normal play speed but 30-seconds later.

Just substitute 00173 in step (5) above, and pick some other unused button on the remote for step (6) above. I, personally, have used the "FAV" button (just to the left of the large white channel up/down rocker button) for this purpose, since it is very comfortably located and easy to find even in the dark and is otherwise currently unimplemented.

Finally, the "PAGE DOWN" button to the upper-right of the four white arrow keys (arranged in a ring around the "OK/SELECT" button) is pre-programmed in the remote to be the "15-second skip backward" function, if you didn't already know that.

So you can use "PAGE DOWN" button to skip back 15-seconds while viewing at normal play speed, and you can use the newly programmed "FAV" button to skip forward 30-seconds while viewing at normal play speed.

I have the same issue with the 6412 muting audio output if it powers up on its own to record something. I have RCN out of Boston, and I think the remote is different than the concast remote (same 6412 box though). Does anyone know how to program the remote/resolve this issue for RCN subscribers? I have the volume and mute currently set to operate the audio receiver, which I'd like to keep. The Remote is a "Synergy V - RC-U62CDR-11S"

Thanks

scanpa

09-25-05, 03:10 PM

I have the same issue with the 6412 muting audio output if it powers up on its own to record something. I have RCN out of Boston, and I think the remote is different than the concast remote (same 6412 box though). Does anyone know how to program the remote/resolve this issue for RCN subscribers? I have the volume and mute currently set to operate the audio receiver, which I'd like to keep. The Remote is a "Synergy V - RC-U62CDR-11S"

Thanks

Dont turn the STB to Standby Mode/(off). All it shuts down is the Vid/Aud outputs.

The unit is always on, unless the power is removed from the unit.

Gleep52

09-26-05, 12:21 AM

Hi all - I'm new here, but have searched for days and feel I have done enough "searching" on the threads to be worthy to ask a simple question. Being my first post, please don't bring the hate if it has been addressed - this IS a 184 page thread alone.

My remote control looks just like the one on motorola's website. I have mediacom for cable, but it is the 6412 with iGuide.

I want the 30 second skip feature DEARLY, but my remote control does not have a "setup" button as described by the instructions I found listed below:

1) Press the "Cable" button at the top of the remote
to put it into
Cable Box control mode.
2) Press and hold the "Setup" button until the
"Cable" button blinks twice.
3) Type in the code 994. The "Cable" button will
blink twice
4) Press (do not hold) the "Setup" button
5) Type in the code 00173 for 30 second Skip.
6) Press whatever button you want to map the skip
to.

Without a "SETUP" button, I'm pretty much unable to do the next steps... I have the DCR800 remote - a picture can be seen on Motorola's website which I DID include a link too in my original post, but this awesome site won't let me post URLs for spam reasons - very cool feature, but currently disliked by me for the obvious reason.

I also have a MX-500 remote that I use as my real gun, so if anyone has any suggestions - I'm all ears (or eyes in this case).

Please someone help - I think I've lost a few nuts and bolts on this one... something so simple shouldn't be so hard to find... does anyone else have the stock remote??

ijm72

09-26-05, 02:20 AM

Freakish bizarro happened to me too, and then some. Tuesday night, as mentioned earlier, dual recording didn't work. Last night, giant green pixels all over picture. Unplugged box. Plugged it back in. Green pixels gone. AND! mysteriously, lost recording of "Bones" shows up. WTF?! Well, I'm happy. Then schedule dual recording of Survivor and OC. at 8. At 9, watch recording of OC. Works great. Then try to watch recording of Survivor. The recording is there but doesn't work. So, I try previous recording of Biggest Loser. Doesn't work either. Tried Bones, well it works. Tried earlier Prison Break. Works too. So, two shows don't work. Both were recorded simultaneously with another recording. Seems like only one recording during a simultaneous recording session saves propoerly. All I get on the messed up ones when I click them is the Delete/Don't delete option. Again, WTF?! :(
I have been having the same problems for the last 4 days. Whenever I record something and I try to play it back it just asks me to delete the recording. I think that it has something to do with one tuner not working because whenever I am recording 2 things at the same time, one tuner is fine but when I switch to watch the other one it's just a black screen and then the recording doesn't work. The only way I could get it to record properly was to turn to the show that I wanted to record and press record on the actual remote but, then I tried switching the tuner and the screen was just black. I tried calling comcast but the lady on the phone seemed lost. She said that I could only record one thing at a time. I told her that I had been recording 2 shows perfectly for 1 year and now it just stopped working. She didn't know what to say. I might try again tommorrow to see if someone knows something.

keithj

09-26-05, 10:24 AM

Does anyone know if Motorola is going to put out a dual tuner box with a larger hard drive? We record a lot of shows and our drive is almost always full. A 120 gig drive is rather puny nowadays. :(

Bruce Blakeslee

09-26-05, 10:44 AM

kcbob79clone

09-26-05, 01:46 PM

I did some searches on HD pixelization on the thread but none seemed to address the exact issue I had last night, so I though I'd throw it to the board and see what people thought.

Was watching NBC-HD last night on Comcast. The pixelization and audio dropouts got so bad that shows were unwatchable from 9 am on. I power cycled the box to no effect. I did not reset defaults (not yet, anyway).

The funny thing is that I tried watching one of the INHD channels for awhile and it was fine. perfect, in fact.

Thought it was kind of funny that one channel would freak out, then I talked with someone at work this morning, and he had CBS-HD freak out on him in the same way that NBC-HD freaked out on me.

Can one or two digital HD channels be having these kind of problems but everything else be fine?

I had very similar problems over the summer with TNTHD and FOXHD, pixelization and audio dropout make it unwatchable. All the other channels were OK. Funny thing it was only one of the two tuners, next time it happens switch to the other tuner and change channels to the same channel and you may find out that it is only one tuner. Search for diagnostics to show how to analyze the cable box. You are interested in SNR and AGC along with correctable errors and here's the biggie, uncorrectable errors. I put both tuners on same channel and then go into diagnostics and I could see a difference between Tuner 1 and Tuner 2.

Turns out the problem was that I had TOO much signal strength. Comcast came out and adjusted the feed into my house and now I get just an occasional really mild blip but the event is still watchable. You can try this out without having Comcast out by splitting the cable before your dvr and seeing if the problem goes away.

Then again, it could be too weak of a signal.

Hope this helps,

BrokenVisage

09-26-05, 02:55 PM

Hi folks, another noob to the whole HDTV scene here. I recently bought a Philips HDTV and got myself an HD box for it (DCT5100) and set them up through DVI -> HDMI. Was very satisified with everything, picture quality, sound, picture quality, channel selection, picture quality.. you get the idea. But today I decided to set it up a notch and get DVR since it looks like a lot of my favorite shows will run together especially on Sundays. So the box they gave me was the DCT6412 III Dual-tuner.

The first bug up the ass I had about it was it didn't have a DVI port, so now I gotta go out and buy a HDMI -> HDMI cable for it instead of using I one I had. Second bug up my ass was the choppiness of EVERYTHING. Choppy looking video, choppy channel surfing, choppy guide functionality.. WTF is going on here, my older non-DVR suddenly seems much better. Is it because I'm using component now instead of DVI? Would the difference be noticable? I'm also connecting the component cables to an A/V channel and not using CVI for it, is this ok since they're both RGB inputs anyway? The video is very choppy and I'm thinking of getting rid of this if it keeps up, what should I do guys? Any information?

Ricklynchcorecom

09-26-05, 03:23 PM

ptchristensen

09-26-05, 03:41 PM

I agree. I see choppyness that I thought was my dlp acting up until I tested things with my dvd player. If this keeps up I am going back to 5100. Plus, nothing I have recorded plays back in dd 5.1

Rick

Broken and Rick

You have to be a little more specific about your setup, and your terminology, for us to be able to help you.

Questions:

1) Broken: What does "Choppy" mean. I think I know what it means, but how can "choppy" describe both the picture and the guide functionality?

2) Broken: What does "I'm also connecting the component cables to an A/V channel and not using CVI for it"...mean?

3) Rick: How is your 6412 connected to your audio source?

BrokenVisage

09-26-05, 03:54 PM

ptchristensen

09-26-05, 04:09 PM

Questions:

1) Broken: What does "Choppy" mean. I think I know what it means, but how can "choppy" describe both the picture and the guide functionality?

Choppy in my case means the video "hicups" once every 4 seconds on average while watching HD. It's random at times when a lot is happening but usually follows a pattern during low motion intensive scenes. It's like a packet loss every 4 seconds happens and causes the video to look like it skipped during playback.

2) Broken: What does "I'm also connecting the component cables to an A/V channel and not using CVI for it"...mean?

Well, that question might just be me being stupid, but there are so many inputs on the back of my TV, two of them being YPrPb inputs. One input is categorized as the CVI input, and the other just has a A/V ch association but looks to be with in the 1080i/480p box outline with my HDMI port. I should plug my component cables in the second input, right?

1) That sounds like low signal strength. Call Comcast and have them fix it. A correct signal will give you an amazing HDTV experience.

2) I still do not really know if you are using your TV as audio source, but if you do, you should go buy an HDMI cable, since it carries both the video and the audio signal. If you are using YPrPb/component cable you should use the one with the A/V association and connect a set of audio RCA cables from the 6412 to the TV or to wherever you get your audio from. These cables wil not carry 5.1 output though, HDMI will...!

BrokenVisage

09-26-05, 04:28 PM

1) That sounds like low signal strength. Call Comcast and have them fix it. A correct signal will give you an amazing HDTV experience.

2) I still do not really know if you are using your TV as audio source, but if you do, you should go buy an HDMI cable, since it carries both the video and the audio signal. If you are using YPrPb/component cable you should use the one with the A/V association and connect a set of audio RCA cables from the 6412 to the TV or to wherever you get your audio from. These cables wil not carry 5.1 output though, HDMI will...!

Well maybe I should have watched it for a day before getting nervous and posting this, but it looks to be ok now. Not skipping or anything and the HD looks fine. The SD however becomes very pixelated during heavy motion, this didn't happen when I had my other box but fortunately I don't watch much SD anymore :) I guess I'm going to invest in another HDMI cable now, but what's this I hear about the port being buggy? Is that a wide spread fact or just isolated happenings?

nielloeb

09-26-05, 05:31 PM

Does anyone know if Motorola is going to put out a dual tuner box with a larger hard drive?(
Motorola has spoken of doing so, but indications are it won't happen for at least a year. Plus, it may cost you more. And the largest drive they have spoken of is only 320GB.
Many people simply get a second 6412 from Comcast, paying between $10 a month and $15 a month/$30 installation fee.
Some people manually dump recordings to a D-VHS deck and then record new items over old ones on the 6412.
And some people do the same to their PCs, but must then watch the playback on their PCs, I think.

Ricklynchcorecom

09-26-05, 06:25 PM

Broken and Rick

You have to be a little more specific about your setup, and your terminology, for us to be able to help you.

Questions:

1) Broken: What does "Choppy" mean. I think I know what it means, but how can "choppy" describe both the picture and the guide functionality?

2) Broken: What does "I'm also connecting the component cables to an A/V channel and not using CVI for it"...mean?

3) Rick: How is your 6412 connected to your audio source?
My audio source is output optically to my yamaha receiver. The choppiness I am talking about is almost like the old Sammy problem of not seeing smooth movement with dlp. Things appear slightly jerky. I did not have this problem with 5100. The audio will not output anything other than pcm stream if I play back buffered, or on a recording. Live is fine.

Rick

ptchristensen

09-26-05, 08:21 PM

My audio source is output optically to my yamaha receiver. The choppiness I am talking about is almost like the old Sammy problem of not seeing smooth movement with dlp. Things appear slightly jerky. I did not have this problem with 5100. The audio will not output anything other than pcm stream if I play back buffered, or on a recording. Live is fine.

Rick

The 6412 needs a stronger signal as it is splitting the signal between the two tuners. If your signal cannot produce a strong enough signal for both tuners you need to call Comcast, and have them fix it.

It's a known problem that the DVR will sometimes loose the ability to play anything but pcm, but I never heard that it would be ok live and not ok buffered. Are you sure that you are not trying to playback something that was recorded when the "only pcm" problem was there. What happens if you hit the record button while watching a live program - followed by playback 2 minutes later?

I'm sure that you have already know how how to fix the "only pcm" problem, if not just read a couple of pages back in this thread.

Gleep52

09-26-05, 08:55 PM

The remote you have will not allow itself to be programmed. If there is no setup button then it is not programmable.

I understand that many people have had great success with the harmony remotes, but they are costly.

Is there any cheapy remote that anyone knows of that has the 30 second skip feature that I can "learn" with my MX-500 remote? I love my MX-500 and have read it's better than the harmony in a few ways... it suits all of my needs and I really want to stick with it. I can't see spending any money on a button that is missing... that's kind of retarded :) No offense of course.

Isn't there anyone who has figured out if a cheap brand universal remote has the 30 second skip programmed into it that I can steal from?

What about any users living in the Quad-Cities, IL area? I'll swing by your house sometime and borrow your skip code with my learning remote if you'd let me...

It's amazing how dearly I miss this SIMPLE little feature... :o

JBaumgart

09-26-05, 09:09 PM

Sorry, I do not live in your area, but regarding the Harmony's, their more basic versions are very affordable if you look around a little. I paid just $109 at Costco for mine, less than one month's cable bill if you look at it that way. And when I downloaded all of the codes from their web site, VOILA - the 30 second skip was included. I had already programmed the Comcast remote to have it, but I rarely use it so having it on the Harmony without having to do anything was very convenient.

pianoman41

09-27-05, 01:20 AM

jdbnh

09-27-05, 08:09 AM

I have been having the same problems for the last 4 days. Whenever I record something and I try to play it back it just asks me to delete the recording. I think that it has something to do with one tuner not working because whenever I am recording 2 things at the same time, one tuner is fine but when I switch to watch the other one it's just a black screen and then the recording doesn't work. The only way I could get it to record properly was to turn to the show that I wanted to record and press record on the actual remote but, then I tried switching the tuner and the screen was just black. I tried calling comcast but the lady on the phone seemed lost. She said that I could only record one thing at a time. I told her that I had been recording 2 shows perfectly for 1 year and now it just stopped working. She didn't know what to say. I might try again tommorrow to see if someone knows something.
Most likely your box needs to be replaced. They seem to have a rather high failure rate. I am now on my 3rd 6412. The first one started randomly rebooting itself after about 9 months of more or less trouble-free use. I had the second one about 2 months before it started freezing up once a day and wouldn't respond to any button presses (even power off). And, no, I am not talking about the delayed response that all of the boxes suffer from periodically, I mean completely dead and requiring the power cord to be unplugged and plugged back in to revive it. Even the time display was frozen.

We'll see how long the third box lasts...

Ricklynchcorecom

09-27-05, 10:17 AM

The 6412 needs a stronger signal as it is splitting the signal between the two tuners. If your signal cannot produce a strong enough signal for both tuners you need to call Comcast, and have them fix it.

It's a known problem that the DVR will sometimes loose the ability to play anything but pcm, but I never heard that it would be ok live and not ok buffered. Are you sure that you are not trying to playback something that was recorded when the "only pcm" problem was there. What happens if you hit the record button while watching a live program - followed by playback 2 minutes later?

I'm sure that you have already know how how to fix the "only pcm" problem, if not just read a couple of pages back in this thread.

Again, the problem only occurs on buffered playback, or dd 5.1 clearly stated recordings.

Rick

xandypx

09-27-05, 10:34 AM

Is there any cheapy remote that anyone knows of that has the 30 second skip feature that I can "learn" with my MX-500 remote? I love my MX-500 and have read it's better than the harmony in a few ways... it suits all of my needs and I really want to stick with it. I can't see spending any money on a button that is missing... that's kind of retarded :) No offense of course.

Isn't there anyone who has figured out if a cheap brand universal remote has the 30 second skip programmed into it that I can steal from?

What about any users living in the Quad-Cities, IL area? I'll swing by your house sometime and borrow your skip code with my learning remote if you'd let me...

It's amazing how dearly I miss this SIMPLE little feature... :o

This may help, but I know it is a hassle to turn these into MX format. You must first create a ccf file in prontoedit, and then drag the programmed codes from the ccf file imported into your MX editor. But if you want to put in the work, here is the code:

First line is the code description, binary sequence, reverse sequence, sequence in hex.
Second line is the actual Pronto hex code that you can paste into the "Learned Code" box for the button you are creating in ProntoEdit.

Skip 30 sec, 11111100 00000111, 00111111 11100000, 3FE0h

0000 006D 0012 0002 0159 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 0057 0013 0057 0013 0057 0013 0057 0013 0057 0013 0057 0013 0057 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 04A2 0159 0057 0013 0D23

tall1

09-27-05, 11:41 AM

Most likely your box needs to be replaced. They seem to have a rather high failure rate. I am now on my 3rd 6412. The first one started randomly rebooting itself after about 9 months of more or less trouble-free use. I had the second one about 2 months before it started freezing up once a day and wouldn't respond to any button presses (even power off). And, no, I am not talking about the delayed response that all of the boxes suffer from periodically, I mean completely dead and requiring the power cord to be unplugged and plugged back in to revive it. Even the time display was frozen.

We'll see how long the third box lasts...Just curious, do you "tweak" your series passes to record X number of minutes before/after start/stop times? I had lots of problems with reboots and recall markjenna post that tweaking series passes may cause the 6412 to burp. I deleted all my series passes, set up vanilla series passes and have had no problems with reboots. This was before someone posted how to do a hard reset which may be even more effective.

murraymcleod

09-27-05, 12:29 PM

Some people manually dump recordings to a D-VHS deck and then record new items over old ones on the 6412.
.

Can recordings from the 6412 be copied to DVD using a DVD recorder?? If not, why not?! If so, what is the best output/input setup to use?? Thanks.

puck71

09-27-05, 12:37 PM

Can recordings from the 6412 be copied to DVD using a DVD recorder?? If not, why not?! If so, what is the best output/input setup to use?? Thanks. I suppose it depends what inputs your DVD recorder has. In general I'd say the firewire output would be the best to use, since that output sends just the raw video (no on-screen menus, etc.)

egore

09-27-05, 12:52 PM

Ricklynchcorecom: The problem seems to be with the HDMI input. Another person that was having the same problem switched to component and hasn't had a problem since. It's probably just a software bug (Imagine that :) ) that hopefully motorola will release an update for.

bobby94928

09-27-05, 01:11 PM

Can recordings from the 6412 be copied to DVD using a DVD recorder?? If not, why not?! If so, what is the best output/input setup to use?? Thanks.

Most people are using the analog video and audio outputs off of the DVR. Nobody that I have heard of has had any luck with the firewire. Firewire works going into a PC, with the proper software, but apparently can't talk to the DVD recorder.

HD Rookie

09-27-05, 01:16 PM

Most people are using the analog video and audio outputs off of the DVR. Nobody that I have heard of has had any luck with the firewire. Firewire works going into a PC, with the proper software, but apparently can't talk to the DVD recorder.
And you lose the HD quality. DVD recorders record 480i.

Wannabeswede

09-27-05, 01:56 PM

Again, the problem only occurs on buffered playback, or dd 5.1 clearly stated recordings.

Rick

I am having exactely the same problem with my Phase III box, 5.1 is fine. Pause for a period of time, hit play, no 5.1, FF to live, 5.1 works fine.

I am using HDMI and I believe this is a known issue.

I'm actually a RCN customer so it must be a box issue not a provider issue.

Ricklynchcorecom

09-27-05, 01:57 PM

Ricklynchcorecom

09-27-05, 02:00 PM

I am having exactely the same problem with my Phase III box, 5.1 is fine. Pause for a period of time, hit play, no 5.1, FF to live, 5.1 works fine.

I am using HDMI and I believe this is a known issue.

I'm actually a RCN customer so it must be a box issue not a provider issue.

Are you implying that I need to disconnect the hdmi which I use for video only to get the box to work right? My sammy has a dvi input so I am using an hdmi to dvi cable to watch video only. I don't use this output for sound.

Rick

Wannabeswede

09-27-05, 02:04 PM

I agree. I see choppyness that I thought was my dlp acting up until I tested things with my dvd player. If this keeps up I am going back to 5100. Plus, nothing I have recorded plays back in dd 5.1

Rick

Dont know if someone has mentioned this but when you first power up the unit it has to download the guide and that can take several hours during which time the picture can by "choppy" after the guide is done downloading the picture should return to normal. Also make sure to just leave the box on all the time, from what I've read on other forums this can help solve some issues.

egore

09-27-05, 04:26 PM

I am connected for video to hdmi, however I use the optical out and send to my Yammy.

So was the other person that was having the same problem, For some reason switching to component fixed the problem.

ptchristensen

09-27-05, 04:29 PM

Are you implying that I need to disconnect the hdmi which I use for video only to get the box to work right? My sammy has a dvi input so I am using an hdmi to dvi cable to watch video only. I don't use this output for sound.

Rick

You clearly have a bad box...!
Call Comcast and have them fix it. That's the beautiful part of renting the hardware.

andyross63

09-27-05, 05:50 PM

I had a weird problem the past few days. I noticed that there was an unusual number of 'To Be Announced' entries, mostly beginning around October 1st. What was weird is that some were programs I had set to record by hitting 'record' in the guide!! The guide information went out the normal 2 weeks, but just had tons of TBA's, even for major networks. Normally, it's only INHD/INHD2 that would show a TBA at a month change, until a few days before the 1st.

This kept up for a few days, so I decided to power-cycle the box. Unless there were guide broadcast issues that were coincidentally fixed, it seems fine now. As far as I know, the last reboot was for the 9.19 firmware update about 2 months ago (mid July).

Anybody ever see something similar before?

scanpa

09-27-05, 06:31 PM

Gleep52

09-27-05, 09:44 PM

This may help, but I know it is a hassle to turn these into MX format. You must first create a ccf file in prontoedit, and then drag the programmed codes from the ccf file imported into your MX editor. But if you want to put in the work, here is the code:

First line is the code description, binary sequence, reverse sequence, sequence in hex.
Second line is the actual Pronto hex code that you can paste into the "Learned Code" box for the button you are creating in ProntoEdit.

Skip 30 sec, 11111100 00000111, 00111111 11100000, 3FE0h

0000 006D 0012 0002 0159 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 0057 0013 0057 0013 0057 0013 0057 0013 0057 0013 0057 0013 0057 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 00AD 0013 04A2 0159 0057 0013 0D23

I'm astonished I didn't think of a way to connect my MX-500 to my PC before. OK now that I have the code on my PC - where do I get the IRClone-MX adapter to connect my MX-500 to my PC?

I've searched all over google and can find only forums of people wanting to buy one off someone else - bluedo and other sites no longer seem to have them as a listed item. Any suggestions?!

I feel so close!!!

What about PDA software - anythign I can use my PDA with to push the code to my remote?

xandypx

09-27-05, 11:38 PM

I'm astonished I didn't think of a way to connect my MX-500 to my PC before. OK now that I have the code on my PC - where do I get the IRClone-MX adapter to connect my MX-500 to my PC?

I've searched all over google and can find only forums of people wanting to buy one off someone else - bluedo and other sites no longer seem to have them as a listed item. Any suggestions?!

I feel so close!!!

What about PDA software - anythign I can use my PDA with to push the code to my remote?

Unfortunately, I can't help you with that part of the problem. IRClone Inc. shut down operations in April of this year. All I can suggest is.. search, search, search, or beg, beg, beg.

keenan

09-28-05, 02:26 AM

where do I get the IRClone-MX adapter to connect my MX-500 to my PC?

Gleep52, I sent you a PM.

jdbnh

09-28-05, 09:15 AM

Just curious, do you "tweak" your series passes to record X number of minutes before/after start/stop times? I had lots of problems with reboots and recall markjenna post that tweaking series passes may cause the 6412 to burp. I deleted all my series passes, set up vanilla series passes and have had no problems with reboots. This was before someone posted how to do a hard reset which may be even more effective.
Sometimes. I really have to for any programs that follow sporting events, since the start time is only approximate. Anything on Fox or CBS Sunday nights is likely to be delayed by football, for example. But I've been doing that since I got my first 6412 in November, and it only started acting up in July. I tend to doubt my "tweaking" had anything to do with it, or it would have happened much sooner.

greeno

09-28-05, 10:35 AM

There are a number of "learning" remotes on the market such as the one-for-all 8811 which I own. You can program the advanced code into the dvr remote as per the instructions that can be found in any number of places on the web, then "teach" the mx-500 the instruction. Another nice thing about the 8811 (sorry for OT), but it's JP1 programmable so that with the jp1 cable, i can use my pc and some freely available, maintained and developed software to program it. I'm not bashing the mx-500, harmony etc. remotes. I just went through the process of deciding/researching what remote to buy about 1 year ago and this is where I landed.

Best,
jeff

I'm astonished I didn't think of a way to connect my MX-500 to my PC before. OK now that I have the code on my PC - where do I get the IRClone-MX adapter to connect my MX-500 to my PC?

I've searched all over google and can find only forums of people wanting to buy one off someone else - bluedo and other sites no longer seem to have them as a listed item. Any suggestions?!

I feel so close!!!

What about PDA software - anythign I can use my PDA with to push the code to my remote?

RScogland

09-28-05, 11:12 AM

Is there any cheapy remote that anyone knows of that has the 30 second skip feature that I can "learn" with my MX-500 remote? I love my MX-500 and have read it's better than the harmony in a few ways... it suits all of my needs and I really want to stick with it. I can't see spending any money on a button that is missing... that's kind of retarded :) No offense of course.

Isn't there anyone who has figured out if a cheap brand universal remote has the 30 second skip programmed into it that I can steal from?

What about any users living in the Quad-Cities, IL area? I'll swing by your house sometime and borrow your skip code with my learning remote if you'd let me...

It's amazing how dearly I miss this SIMPLE little feature... :o

Don't buy the Harmony ... the MX-500 is a great remote. There are plenty of remotes in the $20 range that can do the learning for the MX-500. I have one, but can't remember the model number ... I think it is a One For All ... the cheap old one that is a clone of a Radio Shack remote. The MX-500 threads at www.remotecentral.com or www.hifi-remote.com talk about it.

tall1

09-28-05, 11:36 AM

Sometimes. I really have to for any programs that follow sporting events, since the start time is only approximate. Anything on Fox or CBS Sunday nights is likely to be delayed by football, for example. But I've been doing that since I got my first 6412 in November, and it only started acting up in July. I tend to doubt my "tweaking" had anything to do with it, or it would have happened much sooner.You probably have 3 choices, return the box, do a hard reset (search this thread how to do that, you will lose all your recordings) or delete all series recordings and set them up without any recording options. Otherwise live with the reboots, sometimes they go away. Good luck.

Ricklynchcorecom

09-28-05, 12:52 PM

You clearly have a bad box...!
Call Comcast and have them fix it. That's the beautiful part of renting the hardware.

Ya I guess yor right. Have to call and deal with my favorite people, Comcast

Rick

09-28-05, 01:58 PM

Well, I got my PIII 6412 which is now sitting on top of my older 6412, and I have to deal with blocking off the IR one at a time from each. One suggestion was to do this with cardboard.

I'm having trouble doing that, even when I cover the entire display window.

I'm not sure, but it looks like the sensor is at the very left hand side of the display window.

Any success stories about placement would be appreciated.

mr2828

09-28-05, 03:27 PM

I'm using a piece of cardboard I cut out of a shipping box with a box cutter.

It is wide enough to completely cover the window - it goes from the left "circular set of buttons" over to the right side circular buttons. And it is high enough to go up just past the top of the 6412.

I just lean it against the 6412, no special attachment.

I'm planning to paint it or use something to make it matte black so it'll be less ugly.

If anyone has tips on a better "blocker" I'm all ears.

egore

09-28-05, 04:51 PM

Black electrical tape should work.

09-28-05, 05:43 PM

Black electrical tape should work.

It would be pretty messy to move the tape back and forth each time I want to watch something recorded on the other box :)

I actually do something equally messy on an old 2244. However, that one is being controlled by a tivo over the serial port and never needs to see the IR.

Kaiser-Soze

09-28-05, 05:48 PM

Sometimes. I really have to for any programs that follow sporting events, since the start time is only approximate. Anything on Fox or CBS Sunday nights is likely to be delayed by football, for example. But I've been doing that since I got my first 6412 in November, and it only started acting up in July. I tend to doubt my "tweaking" had anything to do with it, or it would have happened much sooner.

After missing the last 30 seconds of shows or some of the "Next week on..." on USA & Fox, I routinely started adding a few minutes onto the end. Its what happens when Comcast's Clocks are running slightly different than networks.

One would think that there would be some way to get all the clocks going at the same time - It would be a good thing in an atomic sort of way......... :p

bobby94928

09-28-05, 06:31 PM

After missing the last 30 seconds of shows or some of the "Next week on..." on USA & Fox, I routinely started adding a few minutes onto the end. Its what happens when Comcast's Clocks are running slightly different than networks.

One would think that there would be some way to get all the clocks going at the same time - It would be a good thing in an atomic sort of way......... :p

Actually, my Comcast boxes are exactly set to the atomic clock. I've got a few atomic clocks in my house and they change hour and minute precisely at the same time as my Comcast boxes. Now, if we could just get the networks on the same timing....

snidely

09-29-05, 03:31 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Blakeslee
The remote you have will not allow itself to be programmed. If there is no setup button then it is not programmable.

I understand that many people have had great success with the harmony remotes, but they are costly.

Is there any cheapy remote that anyone knows of that has the 30 second skip feature that I can "learn" with my MX-500 remote? I love my MX-500 and have read it's better than the harmony in a few ways... it suits all of my needs and I really want to stick with it. I can't see spending any money on a button that is missing... that's kind of retarded No offense of course.

-----------I have used the One for ALL series of remotes for the various TV's around the house for years. I could never see the reason to spend $100-$200 for a complicated remote when the $20-$25 dollar ones seem to do as much. You can easily program almost any function to want to any button.

...mike

Dorn

09-29-05, 04:09 AM

jdbnh

09-29-05, 08:18 AM

You probably have 3 choices, return the box, do a hard reset (search this thread how to do that, you will lose all your recordings) or delete all series recordings and set them up without any recording options. Otherwise live with the reboots, sometimes they go away. Good luck.
Umm...I *did* return the box. Twice, in fact. Like I said, I am on my third box. This one is fine so far. My point was that the boxes seem to fail at a rather high rate. The technician that brought out the third box mentioned that Comcast had been recycling previously returned boxes (after supposedly "fixing" them) and hinted that may be part of the reason they fail so often. He said they were now replacing them with new ones.

As for doing a hard reset, I refuse to do that on principle. If the box is that badly screwed up, I'm going to make Comcast come out and give me another one. Since the reset would wipe out my recordings anyway, there is no advantage to that approach as far as I'm concerned.

Bruce Blakeslee

09-29-05, 08:55 AM

As for doing a hard reset, I refuse to do that on principle. If the box is that badly screwed up, I'm going to make Comcast come out and give me another one. Since the reset would wipe out my recordings anyway, there is no advantage to that approach as far as I'm concerned.

I like your approach. I certainly costs Comcast more in time, annoyance and staff pay to force them to bring you a new box (or someone elses old box) rather than just doing a hard reset, which costs them nothing. Perhaps that approach will encourage them to fix issues more quickly. But then, who knows...

My understanding is that a hard reset does NOT erase your recordings. I have seen postings here which indicate that after the hard reset the recordings are all there. You might want to do a search or perhaps someone who has done once can respond more fully. Lucky me, I have not had the reason to do one and I am still on my first box.

Bruce

mr2828

09-29-05, 11:20 AM

Regarding remotes... your first step(s) should be to try everything you can think of to get Comcast to swap your remote for the silver remote that can be programmed.

If you just can't get one, then you might want to go back to the dawn of time of this thread because I have a vague memory of someone talking about a $20 remote that worked very well and was totally programmable. I think they said to get it at radio shack or Amazon - I can't remember which place for sure.

tall1

09-29-05, 11:32 AM

Umm...I *did* return the box. Twice, in fact. Like I said, I am on my third box. This one is fine so far. My point was that the boxes seem to fail at a rather high rate. The technician that brought out the third box mentioned that Comcast had been recycling previously returned boxes (after supposedly "fixing" them) and hinted that may be part of the reason they fail so often. He said they were now replacing them with new ones.

As for doing a hard reset, I refuse to do that on principle. If the box is that badly screwed up, I'm going to make Comcast come out and give me another one. Since the reset would wipe out my recordings anyway, there is no advantage to that approach as far as I'm concerned.That's what I do, make em swap it. I have never done a hard reset so I am not certain it wipes out your recordings although swapping the box definately loses your recordings. I am slowly migrating all iGuide series passes to my HD Tivo. I'm about done with this silliness until they launch a comcast Tivo DVR.

cavu

09-29-05, 12:22 PM

I am not certain it wipes out your recordings
A hard reset does NOT delete your recordings but will set the user preferences (setup) back to defaults.

scanpa

09-29-05, 01:18 PM

To reset the 62xx - 64xx STB follow these steps.

*** Be warned this will erase all STB Settings & Your Cable Account Info from the STB ***

*** This will not delete your DVR settings or Stored Shows on the Hard Drive. ***

Reset procedure

Step 1

Unplug Power Cord from STB.

Step 2

on the STB, Press & Hold {Power & Menu} Keys while plugging the Power Cord back into the STB.

The Display should now say (BOOT)

Step 3

Let Go of the {Power & Menu} Keys and press the up or down arrow keys till you see (n DL) on the Display.

Step 4

Push the {Select} Key To begin Downloading STB Firmware & Account Settings from your Cable Head End. Could take up to 20 min to download.

After it completes this Download the STB will Reset and then begin to download the Time setting info for the STB Clock & begin to populate the IGuide info. Keep your STB on Standby/Off to speed up the IGuide info download.
Could take up to 24 Hours to fill in all 2 weeks of IGuide info.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change log.

The only change is you DO NOT have to hold the {Power & Menu} Keys for 30 - 45 seconds.

frenchmr

09-29-05, 01:37 PM

puck71

09-29-05, 02:11 PM

Not sure about that issue, but in general you may want to get the latest hardware. They've come out with a "phase 3" version of the 6412 which improved a few things, and has HDMI output instead of DVI. Worth a shot to see if your cable company has any of them. They should say "Phase III" right on the front of the box.

ptchristensen

09-29-05, 02:18 PM

Ok, I posted this a week or two back, and never got an answer.

When playing somewhat older stuff off of the DVR, the playback freezes a lot. Sometimes it's here and there, sometimes it's every 30 seconds or so. Has anyone had this problem at all before? And if so, any solutions?

Your signal is not strong enough. Remember that the signal is split due to the two tuners. Usually what you see is one of the tuners having problems, followed by the other if the signal strength is really bad.

You either need Comcast to fix the problem, or try a Motorola Signal booster.

In this thread there is a lot of info on the Motorola Booster and how it should be installed. Just search on "Booster".

ptchristensen

09-29-05, 02:30 PM

I've had the Comcast Motorola 6412 for about a month now. It has a DVI output and I'm using a DVI-HDMI cable to connect to my plasma TV. I've noticed occasional issues with the DVI where the picture gets messed up and separated into 3 columns. This happens on HD programs. On SD programs, it will occasionally show the TV program zoomed in really far. The only way I've been able to fix the problem is to turn the Motorola box off and back on. This seems to fix the issue.

Is this a known problem? I've tried looking through this thread, but it is quite large and haven't been able to find too much info on this. I've already had the box replaced and it seemed to help a little bit, but the problem still exists. Thanks.

Yes this ia a known problem. It happens when you change from one input format back to the DVR and sometimes when you turn the box on. You do not have to turn the box off, changing the channel is enough.

frenchmr

09-29-05, 03:10 PM

Yes this ia a known problem. It happens when you change from one input format back to the DVR and sometimes when you turn the box on. You do not have to turn the box off, changing the channel is enough.

Turning the channel does fix it a lot of the times, but sometimes that doesn't work so I have to power cycle the box for the picture to work. Is this something that could be fixed with a future firmware update or is it just a hardware issue that I'll have to live with?

xandypx

09-29-05, 03:31 PM

Turning the channel does fix it a lot of the times, but sometimes that doesn't work so I have to power cycle the box for the picture to work. Is this something that could be fixed with a future firmware update or is it just a hardware issue that I'll have to live with?

I can assure you that it still happens on occasion with F/W 10.10...
and I never turn my box off.

ptchristensen

09-29-05, 03:34 PM

Turning the channel does fix it a lot of the times, but sometimes that doesn't work so I have to power cycle the box for the picture to work. Is this something that could be fixed with a future firmware update or is it just a hardware issue that I'll have to live with?

I never have to power cycle, so I do not see it as a big problem. I'm on firmware 9.19. If you can recreate the problem at will you should call Comcast and get a new box.

ptchristensen

09-29-05, 03:37 PM

I can assure you that it still happens on occasion with F/W 10.10...
and I never turn my box off.

And you also have to power cycle?

tall1

09-29-05, 04:05 PM

I can assure you that it still happens on occasion with F/W 10.10...
and I never turn my box off.Does the 30 second skip still work with 10.10?

snidely

09-29-05, 05:17 PM

I've had the Comcast Motorola 6412 for about a month now. It has a DVI output and I'm using a DVI-HDMI cable to connect to my plasma TV. I've noticed occasional issues with the DVI where the picture gets messed up and separated into 3 columns. This happens on HD programs. On SD programs, it will occasionally show the TV program zoomed in really far. The only way I've been able to fix the problem is to turn the Motorola box off and back on. This seems to fix the issue.

Is this a known problem? I've tried looking through this thread, but it is quite large and haven't been able to find too much info on this. I've already had the box replaced and it seemed to help a little bit, but the problem still exists. Thanks.

The only problem I have had in this regard is when I switch from DVD player hooked to Component in on plasma to the 6412 - DVI input. Sometimes I wind up with a picture sperated in 2 columns. If I change channels, problem goes away. Not a problem on SD - but I could be wrong.

...mike

P.S. My MAIN problem is still the 20-30 second delay in executing comands. Seems to be happening more frequently.

[Didn't realize others had already answered. Didn't realize it was a known problem. NBD as far ass I'm concerned. ]

new2hometheater

09-30-05, 06:43 AM

Split screen on start up is a known problem with the 6412 and a DVI/HDMI hookup. It is a handshake problem and can be easily fixed by changing the channel.

Couch Patato

09-30-05, 07:17 AM

I had this happen a few times in the last few days. Before this though( the last couple months) every now & then on power up( the TV) & even when everything had been on for quite awile I would get a double image. No matter what input the TV was on it was still split. Also, every time I changed inputs it would double the split. After awile it would just pop back to normal.

Yesterday however I lost DVI out!!!!!!! I power cycled & everything. It's gone. I had to switch to component.:(

srb03

09-30-05, 10:01 AM

kdog044

09-30-05, 12:57 PM

Split screen on start up is a known problem with the 6412 and a DVI/HDMI hookup. It is a handshake problem and can be easily fixed by changing the channel. I have the same problem and occasionally I get no video. With the loss of video problem I usually have to power off and on the STB to correct it. With the split screen or the occasional "green screen" changing the channel corrects the problem. As others have stated I only have the problem if I switch to the ANT1 input on my display for a period of time and then switch back to the HDMI input. Does anyone who has the newer 6412 III know if that problem is corrected using HDMI>HDMI as opposed to the DVI>HDMI connection?

xandypx

09-30-05, 01:54 PM

And you also have to power cycle?

Nope.. Changing the channel fixes the problem.

Does the 30 second skip still work with 10.10?

Gone... History..

puck71

09-30-05, 02:46 PM

Gone... History.. It works fine for me. I have to double check my firmware version, but it recently got upgraded to the iGuide and such. My remote doesn't even have a 30-second skip button, but I was able to reprogram one of the buttons on the remote to do a 30-second skip. The instructions I found are at http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=14677 - not sure if they're posted on these forums too.

AuroraProject

10-01-05, 01:32 AM

I've searched and searched but I can't find an answer. Does anyone know the power consumption rating of the 6412 in watts? I'm buying a ups for my tv and cable box.

DSperber

10-01-05, 01:55 AM

40 watts.

cavu

10-01-05, 02:13 AM

40 watts.

The box actually says 60W on the sticker on the bottom.

Dulanic

10-01-05, 08:39 AM

Im going to go crazy with this thing.... my ReplayTV just died, so I got this thing.... Shoot me now please. So many little things missing that just annoy the hell out of me. I watch Stargate SG-1.... series recording records 12 episodes a week! There isnt even 1 new one right now. Why cant they change series recording to allow you to set it only for a certain time range and certain days...

Not to mention after 2 days my guide is still missing half the shows.... I never realized how good it was to have ReplayTV till it's gone.

Out of curiosity does Tivo have the same issues with season recordings?

andyross63

10-01-05, 09:29 AM

One of the major problems is that the 'First Run Only' option for series recordings will record both 'New' programs AND those that have no NEW/REPEAT flag. This leads to major problems. They really need a 'New only' option, which would only record 'New' flagged programs, and ignore unflagged ones.

Generally, series recording only works well with the major networks, and even then can record more than you want if the same channel carries syndicated repeats, or first run repeats at other times (Enterprise used to repeat Sunday nights here in Chicago.)

The only workarounds are:

Keep checking the list and change them to Do Not Record. Problem is, if you change your Series priority list, or add/remove programs, it'll reset them all back to record!!

While in the guide, and the program is selected, hit RECORD to set up a recording. The drawback to this is it's just a quick manual recording. If the program moves or changes, it'll still record the original time and channel.

You can create a manual recording like a VCR. This can also be made to repeat in various ways. The drawback is that it only shows as a date and time in the MyDVR list. This is also useful if you like to record a block of programs (I use it to record Fox Sunday nights and Saturday/Sunday Adult Swim blocks.)

golfster84

10-01-05, 03:25 PM

falsedawn

10-01-05, 03:27 PM

Im going to go crazy with this thing.... my ReplayTV just died, so I got this thing.... Shoot me now please. So many little things missing that just annoy the hell out of me. I watch Stargate SG-1.... series recording records 12 episodes a week! There isnt even 1 new one right now. Why cant they change series recording to allow you to set it only for a certain time range and certain days...

Not to mention after 2 days my guide is still missing half the shows.... I never realized how good it was to have ReplayTV till it's gone.

I know what you mean. I have a 5016 ReplayTV and the 6412; the Replay's interface is vastly superior. When my Replay hard drive failed, I had it repaired - I didn't want to lose commercial skip.

andyross63

10-02-05, 10:39 AM

My question is that I have set up for a series record, and when I was home, I noticed the dvr recording a "repeat" of a show that had recorded earlier in the week. I then went in to maunally "delete recording" the show it was taping. After this occured, I noticed that the same show which was recorded earlier in the week was cancelled. Did I do something wrong? I guess I just have to wait until the recording stops and then delete for fear of deleting the "original" tape.
If it's currently recording a program, just swap to that tuner, then hit STOP. You'll get a popup confirming you want to cancel the recording.

Another well-known glitch is when a 'new' program repeats a few hours or days later. If you do NOT delete the first run, it will not record the repeat. If you do delete it, it will treat the next 'new' as something to record, even if it's the same episode.

snuba

10-02-05, 01:01 PM

I've got a new 1080p set and was wondering about the output for HD channels for the 6412. The default for the 6412 is set to output at 1080i. Considering that I do a lot of watching on ABC, ESPN, and Fox, who broadcast at 720p, should I have the 6412 output at 720p instead of 1080i? If so, can I set the box to output at 720p for those channels but 1080i for all of the others? I may be worng but I think that if my 6412 if outputting at the networks' native broadcat resolution and let my set deinterlace the 1080i broadcasts and upscale the 720p broadcasts, that would be give me the best pic.

StuJac

10-02-05, 01:13 PM

DC_Chris

10-02-05, 09:10 PM

My DCT 6412 (Comcast) has been freezing a lot when making scheduling changes. This happens especially when adding a new series recording or reordering the series recordings (I have about 40 so far). The box freezes up, recording stops (though program picture and audio continue), and the remote control activity lights stays on. I have to disconnect the power to reboot the box.

I just switched my box yesterday, but I've already had to reboot the new box 4 times. Is anyone else having this problem? Any ideas? Has there been a recent software change that might account for this? My box's current version is 71.44-1203; firmware 09.19.

hansenmick

10-02-05, 09:30 PM

K, I have been puring over these threads for HOURS now, and am not any closer to a soulution. All I want to do is TRANSFER recordings from the HDD in the 6412 to my XP machine, so I can burn them to DVD's. I understand that it's probably not going to be a drag-n-drop operation, but I DON'T wan't to use the 6412 as a live recorder hooked directly to my PC......that's the job of the DVR. I don't mind moving the dvr into the office once every month or two to dump everything to my new 160gb hdd. If there is a thread somewhere that I have missed, PLEASE, please post it.......the new season of Alias is on, and my wife is gonna be REALLY pissed if she loses the entire season she already has on it!!!! lol

Thanx in advance,

Mick

cavu

10-02-05, 09:38 PM

All I want to do is TRANSFER recordings from the HDD in the 6412 to my XP machine, so I can burn them to DVD's. I understand that it's probably not going to be a drag-n-drop operation,
The only way to do it that I'm aware of is to do a 'transport stream' capture through the fire-wire port to the PC Unfortunately, this can only be done in real-time. A 2hr HD movie is about 9GB in a .ts format. You then have to convert the file to an MPEG format to burn the DVD.

hansenmick

10-02-05, 10:12 PM

K....so......now I'm a lillt moreconfused. The shows are recorded on the DVR. When I watch a recorded show, it doen't playback on any particular 'channel', which is my understanding of the way you use the DVR to record onto a PC. What I gather from what you said above, recording over 1394 in real time would be kindu like when cd's first came out and people would hit play on the cd and hit record on the tape. Same concept??? I did try the Panasonic DVHS thing. Hit record, but no info was populated into the feilds...probably 'cause the coax wasn't hooked up. So, I guess then I am going to need some help getting this setup going. I do have a spare tv that I could hook-up to the DVR while it's in the office so I can see what I'm doing on the DVR. Another question is once the recording is on the PC, can I use whatever software to edit out the comercials before urning to DVD?

Couch Patato

10-02-05, 10:48 PM

Have you seen this thread? http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=353608 it's started out about the 6200 but there is 6412 stuff as well. You might find something you can use.

cavu

10-02-05, 11:21 PM

The shows are recorded on the DVR.Whatever you see on the video output (ie. S-video, component, composite, DVI) is what is sent over the 1394 fire-wire port. This can be 'live' TV or programs being played back off the PVR hard disk. "What You See Is What You Get". The signal is digital and it is in whatever format the program is in (ie 720x480, 1920x1080) and includes the encoded audio.

Your DCT6412 will not operate if it is disconnected from your cable provider, so taking it "to the office" likely will not be an option.

The thread Couch Potato referenced is a good place to start.

hansenmick

10-02-05, 11:44 PM

I actually have it working!!!!! Video AND Audio!!!! As for taking the box into the office, when I first hooked it up, there was no DVR option in the menu. Hooked up the coax (from the cable modem), waited for the clock, and voila!! There was the DVR option. Started playback of a recording, disconnected the coax, and everything is still working. Now for some new issues...I am using the Moonlight player to check the recording, and all is OK other than a series of 9 white little boxes in the upper right corner (not there on the TV while watching the recording), and what seems to be some black and white 'code' across the top of the screen...almost like the v-sync is off a little....any way around this? Also, I have DVD Copy 3, and when I tried to import the file from the DVR to burn to a DVD, it said it was not supported......????? I am going to look through the previous link and see if I can find some answers there.

This is kindu retro.....start the DVR recording, hit record on the PC....lol

'80's......

cavu

10-02-05, 11:46 PM

Another question is once the recording is on the PC, can I use whatever software to edit out the comercials before urning to DVD?Yes.

Check this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=403695) for details of downloadable software, etc.

cavu

10-02-05, 11:54 PM

all is OK other than a series of 9 white little boxes in the upper right corner (not there on the TV while watching the recording), and what seems to be some black and white 'code' across the top of the screen...almost like the v-sync is off a little....any way around this?This is normal; it is the closed captioning data, etc. Normally it is not seen on the screen because the image is overscanned.

One of the software packages in my previous message can be used to crop the image.

Are you using the fire-wire port or a different output?

hansenmick

10-03-05, 12:09 AM

I am using the Firewire....the one to the Left, if looking at the front of the unit.

mdelman

10-03-05, 01:31 AM

Couch Patato

10-03-05, 01:36 AM

What output are you using? The reason I ask is that I lost the DVI output on mine the other day. I had to switch to component.

Yus

10-03-05, 01:54 AM

hansenmick

10-03-05, 02:12 AM

Well, I burned my first DVD, and it played right off the bat....oly issue was the audio was off...I would say by almost 1/2 second or so. I am trying it again with a couple different settings in HDTVtoMPEG. I watched part of the mpeg in my burning software before burning it, and the audio is right on, and the DVD is curently burning.....will post again when I see it in the DVD player. Would be REALLY cool if someone could either put all three of these programs into one, or create a script of some kind.....that's DEFINATELY beyond my capabilities.

keithj

10-03-05, 08:56 AM

bobby94928

10-03-05, 10:01 AM

I've had this 6412 for at least a year. I leave it on all the time, never had any problems with it other than the usual software issues. I went away for the weekend and when I got home, the display was showing a zero rather than the usual clock display. No audio or video output, power rebooting doesn't change anything; going to recorded shows doesn't work -- still no video, so I can't even get menus... Has anyone had this happen and then recovered or is my box dead? Thanks, Michael

You need to call Comcast. They will send a hit that will fix your 6412. I had something similar a few weeks back. I had it going 5 minutes after I initiated the call. Just tell them that you see a 0 in your window.

bobby94928

10-03-05, 10:03 AM

Yeah, I never understood why this box can't just display 720p channels in 720p and 1080i channels in 1080i.

Because not every TV is capable of receiving a 720P and 1080I signal. My Mits won't accept a 720P signal. If the box shipped an ABC signal in 720P I'd get no picture.

bobby94928

10-03-05, 10:06 AM

Is there any way to reset the time on this box or do I have to unplug it and plug it back in? All of my recordings are starting in progress and I need to change the time by a minute. Is this even a problem with the box or is it a problem with the time that Comcast is sending?

It could be a Comcast problem or your station is starting early. If there are several stations doing the same thing, it's a Comcast issue. Call them and tell them that their clock is off by one minute. You can also set your start time early when you set the recording. It's under the recording options.

keithj

10-03-05, 10:28 AM

It could be a Comcast problem or your station is starting early. If there are several stations doing the same thing, it's a Comcast issue. Call them and tell them that their clock is off by one minute. You can also set your start time early when you set the recording. It's under the recording options.
Its on every channel so manually changing the recording time for everything I watch really isn't on option. I guess I'll be calling Comcast today.

snuba

10-03-05, 11:48 AM

Because not every TV is capable of receiving a 720P and 1080I signal. My Mits won't accept a 720P signal. If the box shipped an ABC signal in 720P I'd get no picture.
Not sure which Mits you have, but my Mits takes any input resolution (except 1080p) and scales to the set's native resoultion.
Which is actually the cause of my original question. I wish the Moto box would output in the broadcasts' native resoultion and let my set scale accordingly. I watch a lot of football which is broadcast in 720p (except on CBS). Not to mention ABC and Fox show like "Lost." As it stands, in default mode, games are broadcast in 720p, converted to 1080i by the Moto, and then converted again to 1080p by my set. That's a lot of processing.
My ideal solution would be to have a button on my remote that I could press to change output resolution on the 6412, depending on what channel I was watching. :D

puck71

10-03-05, 12:10 PM

I've had this 6412 for at least a year. I leave it on all the time, never had any problems with it other than the usual software issues. I went away for the weekend and when I got home, the display was showing a zero rather than the usual clock display. No audio or video output, power rebooting doesn't change anything; going to recorded shows doesn't work -- still no video, so I can't even get menus... Has anyone had this happen and then recovered or is my box dead? Thanks, Michael You said you did a "power reboot" - but did you actually unplug the box for a few minutes and then plug it back in? That's what I do when the box locks up, which it does from time to time.

puck71

10-03-05, 12:11 PM

kdog044

10-03-05, 12:21 PM

Not sure which Mits you have, but my Mits takes any input resolution (except 1080p) and scales to the set's native resoultion.
Which is actually the cause of my original question. I wish the Moto box would output in the broadcasts' native resoultion and let my set scale accordingly. I watch a lot of football which is broadcast in 720p (except on CBS). Not to mention ABC and Fox show like "Lost." As it stands, in default mode, games are broadcast in 720p, converted to 1080i by the Moto, and then converted again to 1080p by my set. That's a lot of processing.
My ideal solution would be to have a button on my remote that I could press to change output resolution on the 6412, depending on what channel I was watching. :DWhat we need is "native passthrough" like the SA boxes have. I can't understand why the Motorola boxes don't have the option.

puck71

10-03-05, 12:33 PM

What we need is "native passthrough" like the SA boxes have. I can't understand why the Motorola boxes don't have the option. I believe the firewire outputs do a native passthrough.

snuba

10-03-05, 12:44 PM

I believe the firewire outputs do a native passthrough.
Not very familiar with firewire output. Are you saying that if I connect my 6412 to my set with a firewire cable, it will do "native passthrough?" Will the firewire connection work just like my HDMI connection? For some reason, I was thinking that the firewire jacks on my set were for connecting camcorders and stuff. Wasn't aware that I could watch TV over it.

bobby94928

10-03-05, 01:30 PM

Not sure which Mits you have, but my Mits takes any input resolution (except 1080p) and scales to the set's native resoultion.
Which is actually the cause of my original question. I wish the Moto box would output in the broadcasts' native resoultion and let my set scale accordingly. I watch a lot of football which is broadcast in 720p (except on CBS). Not to mention ABC and Fox show like "Lost." As it stands, in default mode, games are broadcast in 720p, converted to 1080i by the Moto, and then converted again to 1080p by my set. That's a lot of processing.
My ideal solution would be to have a button on my remote that I could press to change output resolution on the 6412, depending on what channel I was watching. :D

My Mits is a 65908 and is 4 years old, top of the line for its day. It is totally component or vga. There are 2 480I/480P inputs and 1 480I/480P/1080I input. Your DLP is more advanced than my Diamond, it will accept everything except 1080P. Because there are thousands (maybe 10's of thousands) of us with leading edge HDTVs there is no way that STB makers are going to pass along network native as a rule. Maybe they could allow the option to do just that.

jmolli

10-03-05, 01:40 PM

I have a Sony E50A10 LCD Rear Projector set (native 720P resolution) connected to a Motorola 6412 III DVR. I am curious to know if I will get a better picture if I set the cable box output to 1080i or 720P.

Since most HD content is broadcast in 1080i and assuming the scaler in the Sony is the better of the two. My laymen's logic tells me to set the DVR output to 1080i, which would essentially have the E50A10's scaler doing the conversion to 720P for most HD networks, except those networks broadcasting in 720P (ABC and Fox??).

Unfortunately, for ABC and Fox (who both broadcast at 720P), I assume there will be a double conversion before the picture is displayed. 720P to 1080i by the cable box and then 1080i back to 720P by the E50A10. Will this significantly degrade the HD pic quality from ABC and Fox??

Has anyone done any testing to see which DVR setting provides the best HD picture. I am not willing to change the DVR default output resolution every time I change HD channels.

I read some mention of "pass through" capability in the 6412 somewhere, but found no details on how to set it or exactly what it is in the 6412 manual. Would this capability just "pass through" the native resolution of the broadcast to my E50A10, with no scaling manipulation by the 6412??? Would this be the best solution if I could figure out how to set it??

Thanks,

John

puck71

10-03-05, 02:06 PM

Not very familiar with firewire output. Are you saying that if I connect my 6412 to my set with a firewire cable, it will do "native passthrough?" Will the firewire connection work just like my HDMI connection? For some reason, I was thinking that the firewire jacks on my set were for connecting camcorders and stuff. Wasn't aware that I could watch TV over it. The firewire ports on the 6412 box are definitely outputs, designed to hook up to a TV or DVHS unit that has firewire inputs. As far as I know it's a completely native passthrough, meaning you won't even see the cable box menus and such, but I haven't tested it out on a TV yet. I've hooked it up to my PC via firewire, and the cable box menus did not show up in any recordings I did on the computer. I'll have to do some more testing to see what kind of recordings I get on TNT HD vs. ESPN HD - but from what I've seen they do a straight native passthrough.

HealeyGuy

10-03-05, 02:07 PM

Not very familiar with firewire output.
This page describes the various connection options with the 6412 and points out some limitations with the Firewire connection
Comcast/Motorola DCT-6412 connections (http://comcastnw.com/customer_service%2Bsupport/video/diagrams/hook_up_options_files/index.htm)

cavu

10-03-05, 02:26 PM

I believe the firewire outputs do a native passthrough.On Shaw I've never seen anything but 528x480 (4:3, 29.97 fps, 2.814 Mbps);
528x480 (4:3, 29.97 fps, 15 Mbps);
720x480 (4:3, 29.97 fps, 7.5 Mbps); or
1920x1080 (16:9, 29.97 fps 80 Mbps)

falsedawn

10-03-05, 02:31 PM

I have a Sony E50A10 LCD Rear Projector set (native 720P resolution) connected to a Motorola 6412 III DVR. I am curious to know if I will get a better picture if I set the cable box output to 1080i or 720P.

<snip> Will this significantly degrade the HD pic quality from ABC and Fox??

Thanks,

John

I'm curious why you just don't try it and see. I think you are the ultimate judge of what looks best to you.

kdog044

10-03-05, 02:57 PM

I believe the firewire outputs do a native passthrough.It doesn't do you any good to use firewire if you lose the onscreen guide. :mad:

puck71

10-03-05, 03:08 PM

It doesn't do you any good to use firewire if you lose the onscreen guide. :mad: It doesn't do a lot of good if you're hooking it up to a TV, but if you're hooking it up to a computer or DVHS recorder to record shows off the box, which is the primary function of the firewire output, then it's very nice to not have the guide in the way of your recordings.

snuba

10-03-05, 03:59 PM

This page describes the various connection options with the 6412 and points out some limitations with the Firewire connection
Comcast/Motorola DCT-6412 connections (http://comcastnw.com/customer_service%2Bsupport/video/diagrams/hook_up_options_files/index.htm)
Good info. Things are a little clearer now. It seems like it would be best to stick with HDMI. With firewire, if you couldn't use any guide or interface, it would make recording on the dvr impossible (i think).
I'm leaning toward leaving the 6412 on 720p for a while and seeing how that works out. Since the majority of sports and shows that I watch are on ESPN, ABC, and Fox, it may be easier.

puck71

10-03-05, 04:19 PM

That link does have good info - I hadn't seen it before. The bottom line is that if you're hooking it up to a TV, HDMI or Component cables are your best option. I'm using HDMI right now, but I used component cables before, and both look great!

Cucuy

10-03-05, 04:46 PM

Because there are thousands (maybe 10's of thousands) of us with leading edge HDTVs there is no way that STB makers are going to pass along network native as a rule. Maybe they could allow the option to do just that.

This feature is available out there. I don't know about other brands but my LG STB is one example. You can have it output a fixed res, native res, or variable res. This option is not available in the remote but only accessible thru the front panel. I think what the Moto box is missing is the feature that will output automatic native resolution depending on the broadcast as the fixed option is available via the service menu right? Then your TV set will upscale/downscale appropiately.

jim7jim

10-03-05, 09:00 PM

Has anyone noticed a connection between HDCP over the HDMI output causing the delayed/slow response with the phase III? I just got one this week and the lag caused me to already swap it for a new one. The new one worked fine for a couple of days but is now lagging again; it is so bad that it's practically useless.

I have something connected to every available output. This morning I had the tv that's connected to s-video on and the lag was horrible. I happened to turn on the tv that's connected to HDMI and is HDCP compliant and the lag went away. When I turned HDMI tv off the lag came right back. Tonight I'm going to unplug the HDMI and see what happens. I think the slow response will be cured.

This seems like a firmware problem related to HDCP. I sent an email to Motorola this morning asking about this. I'll post their reply, if I get one.
I'm experiencing the same thing. The box was fine all weekend using component. Then tonight I connected HDMI output to my TVs DVI input and the box started lagging. It was really driving me crazy.

I finally decided to unplug the HDMI and switch back to component. Immediately the STB stopped lagging on commands.

Must be some constant handshaking or something going on on the HDMI to DVI connection. My TV claims to be HDMI compliant, but I'm starting to wonder. If anyone knows of a fix for this, I'd appreciate it.

Dolemite

10-03-05, 09:21 PM

I'm experiencing the same thing. The box was fine all weekend using component. Then tonight I connected HDMI output to my TVs DVI input and the box started lagging. It was really driving me crazy.

I finally decided to unplug the HDMI and switch back to component. Immediately the STB stopped lagging on commands.

Must be some constant handshaking or something going on on the HDMI to DVI connection. My TV claims to be HDMI compliant, but I'm starting to wonder. If anyone knows of a fix for this, I'd appreciate it.

I've been connected via component with my phase III box, and it lags worse than my original box. It's really unacceptable for a product to be this shoddy.

Yus

10-04-05, 01:11 AM

Because not every TV is capable of receiving a 720P and 1080I signal. My Mits won't accept a 720P signal. If the box shipped an ABC signal in 720P I'd get no picture.

That doesn't mean it shouldn't be able to be configured to display the proper resolution for each channel for TVs that can accept all signals. Just because some TVs don't accept all resolutions doesn't mean that everyone should suffer.

HD Rookie

10-04-05, 09:23 AM

Just because some TVs don't accept all resolutions doesn't mean that everyone should suffer.
Seems like your sort of taking it personally and missing the point. Generally, comcast/motorola try to pinch pennies every place possible and provide the minimum hardware/software to please the masses. It would be nice if they had a resolution option for all monitors/scenarios, but by not giving that option, they saved money and haven't excluded anybody from their market. Maybe on the next box or firmware update???

Bruce Blakeslee

10-04-05, 09:30 AM

Seems like your sort of taking it personally and missing the point. Generally, comcast/motorola try to pinch pennies every place possible and provide the minimum hardware/software to please the masses. It would be nice if they had a resolution option for all monitors/scenarios, but by not giving that option, they saved money and haven't excluded anybody from their market. Maybe on the next box or firmware update???

Yes, in business the cost/benefit ratio is always considered. Can't do everything for everyone so they do what will sell to the most.

On the other hand, this forum is monitored by Moto and Comcast as I understand it, and the more requests for something like native pass through the greater the odds of getting it in a firmware upgrade or new box.

I happen to love the thing and would never give it up even if it got no better than this. (ignore that Moto) I am looking forward to the upgrade to iGuide due out this fall because there are some real positive things that could come from that.
:)

puck71

10-04-05, 09:50 AM

I've been connected via component with my phase III box, and it lags worse than my original box. It's really unacceptable for a product to be this shoddy. What are you gonna do about it? ;) Anyway, what exactly do you mean by lag? Does it lag while actually watching TV or just while changing channels or watching recorded shows? I've found that after I use my firewire output for anything, my playback becomes really bad because it can't fast forward for some reason. I just unplug it for a few seconds and plug it back in and it comes back to life.

blackngold75

10-04-05, 10:15 AM

On the other hand, this forum is monitored by Moto and Comcast as I understand it, and the more requests for something like native pass through the greater the odds of getting it in a firmware upgrade or new box.

Please allow an external hard drive to increase capacity!!! :)

tall1

10-04-05, 10:21 AM

What are you gonna do about it? ;) Anyway, what exactly do you mean by lag? Does it lag while actually watching TV or just while changing channels or watching recorded shows? I've found that after I use my firewire output for anything, my playback becomes really bad because it can't fast forward for some reason. I just unplug it for a few seconds and plug it back in and it comes back to life.Good point. If my JVC 40K is powered up the 6412 has terrible lag navigating the menus. I always power down (not unplug) the DVHS and the 6412 lag goes away.

puck71

10-04-05, 11:15 AM

So it sounds like there's possibly a bug with the firewire outputs? That doesn't really make sense to me, since I would think that the outputs would just always be on, and it wouldn't make a difference if you were using them for anything, but apparently it does make some kind of difference...

snuba

10-04-05, 11:24 AM

I happen to love the thing and would never give it up even if it got no better than this. (ignore that Moto) I am looking forward to the upgrade to iGuide due out this fall because there are some real positive things that could come from that.
:)
There is an upgrade this fall? What kind of upgrade?

LYU370

10-04-05, 11:33 AM

Please allow an external hard drive to increase capacity!!! :)
Yes!!! PLEASE activate the SATA port!!! I have a 250GB drive plugged in just waiting to be recognized. I just switched back to Comcast recently and sorely miss the extra space I had on my old SA8300HD.

kdog044

10-04-05, 01:10 PM

Seems like your sort of taking it personally and missing the point. Generally, comcast/motorola try to pinch pennies every place possible and provide the minimum hardware/software to please the masses. It would be nice if they had a resolution option for all monitors/scenarios, but by not giving that option, they saved money and haven't excluded anybody from their market. Maybe on the next box or firmware update???Why is Motorola different from Scientific Atlanta as my understanding is they have the "native pass-through" option. As others have indicated it doesn't have to be anything except another option in the setup menu. For those who need a particular resolution you have the same options you have today. I would think it would be simple and nothing other than firmware as you aren't doing anything to the incoming signal but passing it out the way it is received. Why is it such a big deal?

Bruce Blakeslee

10-04-05, 01:14 PM

There is an upgrade this fall? What kind of upgrade?

markjrenna has discussed this upgrade a number of times over the last few months. Do a search on his name and you can then do a second search on iGuide within his results and there should be a number of results.

By the way Mark, I miss your input. Where are you?????

LYU370

10-04-05, 01:30 PM

Why is Motorola different from Scientific Atlanta as my understanding is they have the "native pass-through" option. As others have indicated it doesn't have to be anything except another option in the setup menu. For those who need a particular resolution you have the same options you have today. I would think it would be simple and nothing other than firmware as you aren't doing anything to the incoming signal but passing it out the way it is received. Why is it such a big deal?
Agreed, you would think that it shouldn't be all that hard to do, SA enabled it via a firmware upgrade. One day you had to manually switch between 480 & 1080 (that was a pain, at least moto does two resolutions), the next day there was an option for passthrough.

And what's with the CC options in the setup menu? You have to turn the box off and go into setup to change the options?!?!? I'm beginning to think that some of the same clueless engineers from SA that obviously have never ever watched TV may have moved over to Motorola.

bthorny

10-04-05, 01:48 PM

memnoch

10-04-05, 01:56 PM

mr2828

10-04-05, 01:57 PM

Swap it out for a new box. I had one like that. Swapped it. It was fixed.

Chuck Hatcher

10-04-05, 02:00 PM

...it seems to usually do it at the same time too....4:20...

4:20? Maybe its got some sort of chemical dependency. ;)

Bruce Blakeslee

10-04-05, 02:24 PM

[QUOTE=Bruce Blakeslee]markjrenna has discussed this upgrade a number of times over the last few months. Do a search on his name and you can then do a second search on iGuide within his results and there should be a number of results.

QUOTE]

Mark has indicated that the iGuide itself was not going to get an upgrade but it would be supplemented by Mosaic. Here is a discussion of the mosaic upgrade to iGuide that should be coming this fall.

http://www.cedmagazine.com/cedailydirect/2005/0405/cedaily050404.htm#2

HD Rookie

10-04-05, 02:28 PM

Swap it out for a new box. I had one like that. Swapped it. It was fixed.
I'm pretty certain there was some discussion on this some time earlier in this thread. Do a search for either "4:00" or "5:00" and you might find some additional info.

snuba

10-04-05, 02:29 PM

Yus

10-04-05, 02:39 PM

I'm having trouble with my box guys, it keeps freezes up twice a day between 4:00-5:00 both A.M. and P.M. it seems to usually do it at the same time too....4:20....4:50 etc... It stays frozen on that time and channel until I unplug the power.....

I'm getting tired of having to unplug my box twice a day (needless to say it is screwing up my recordings all the time (doesn't work to well frozen :) )

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Bruce.

I had the EXACT same problem. Set the front of the box to display the channel number instead of the time. That fixed it for me, and a few weeks later I switched back to display the time and it hasn't locked up since.

tall1

10-04-05, 02:49 PM

I'm having trouble with my box guys, it keeps freezes up twice a day between 4:00-5:00 both A.M. and P.M. it seems to usually do it at the same time too....4:20....4:50 etc... It stays frozen on that time and channel until I unplug the power.....

I'm getting tired of having to unplug my box twice a day (needless to say it is screwing up my recordings all the time (doesn't work to well frozen :) )

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Bruce.Could it be the lottery numbers from Lost?!?! :)) All seriousness aside, have you set any recording options on series recordings (e.g. start 1 min. early)? If yes, delete the series recordings and set them up without tinkering with the stop/start times. It has been speculated that modifying series recordings will cause this box to freeze. I'd give Yus' "Display Channel" suggestion a whirl too. Good Luck.

bthorny

10-04-05, 03:41 PM

Thanks guys I think changing it from the time to channel on the display fixed this once before, I'll find out pretty quick....

I have another issue, though maybe that you guys could be of assistance with...

I have the box hooked up to a SDTV via component cables...
When I'm in the guide, with the screen in the upper right hand corner it displays the whole screen in the tiny box but, whenever I tune into the channel to display it on the entire screen, it's as if it's zoomed in and cuts off a good portion of the left side of the screen maybe the right as well it's hard to tell.....The strangest thing is that sometimes it goies away.... Have I accidently screwed something up or what......

Once again thanks for any help, it is greatly appreciated :)

ExDeus

10-04-05, 06:29 PM

On Shaw I've never seen anything but 528x480 (4:3, 29.97 fps, 2.814 Mbps);
528x480 (4:3, 29.97 fps, 15 Mbps);
720x480 (4:3, 29.97 fps, 7.5 Mbps); or
1920x1080 (16:9, 29.97 fps 80 Mbps)
I've gotten 1280x720p (16:9, 29.97 fps, 80Mbps) output over firewire from Fox content.

ExDeus

10-04-05, 06:45 PM

Mark has indicated that the iGuide itself was not going to get an upgrade but it would be supplemented by Mosaic. Here is a discussion of the mosaic upgrade to iGuide that should be coming this fall.

http://www.cedmagazine.com/cedailydirect/2005/0405/cedaily050404.htm#2
Reading that article, it sounds like the upgrade I recently got. The iGuide all looks the same, as I couldn't even tell there had been an upgrade, until I displayed the info on a program I was watching that happened to also be available on VOD. A new "button" was placed on top of the info display across the bottom of the screen that took me to the entry in the VOD system.

DC_Chris

10-04-05, 08:19 PM

I had the EXACT same problem. Set the front of the box to display the channel number instead of the time. That fixed it for me, and a few weeks later I switched back to display the time and it hasn't locked up since.

I have been having this problem, too (though I can't verify the exact times since I'm either asleep or at work). However, I've never had my box set to display the time; I've always displayed channel number. I do have a good number or series recordings, but none have modified start/end times. The box has also locked up at times while I was trying to add/change/delete series recordings.

I just switched out my original box that was having this problem on Saturday. Now the new box has started doing the same thing. (BTW, I noticed I didn't get new equipment. My *new* box still had three staticky episodes of
Family Guy on it.)

falsedawn

10-04-05, 08:44 PM

DC_Chris

10-04-05, 08:57 PM

I've been reading this forum for awhile but haven't seen the following problem mentioned:

When I look at my list of series recordings, some numbers are missing - i.e., I have # 16, 17, no 18, 19, 20, etc. It wouldn't be a problem except I've noticed I cannot raise the priority of a lower priority series (say #20 in my example) past the missing #18.

Any ideas?

I had the same problem. I solved it by deleting all series recordings and recreating them. You may be able to get by just deleting recordings 17 and greater.

snidely

10-04-05, 11:25 PM

AuroraProject

10-04-05, 11:32 PM

I know this has been mentioned before - I once in a while accidentally power off the box when I really want to power off my plasma. (Occasionally don't hit the TV button on the remote hard enuf - so when I hit the power button it still is in the "cable" mode.)
When I power the box back on - no video from any channel. I have to start to play a saved recording (I then stop it immediately from playing further) and then I can go back to watching any channel.
I would have thought this would have been fixed by now. Am using DVI output.

...mike

Yep, I get that too. I also get some glitch with the program info, if you push pause the program info changes to "To Be Announced" for the duration of the show.

kdog044

10-05-05, 12:20 AM

native passthrough is not all it's cracked up to be. note that the TV requires a couple of seconds to sync to a different resolution. imagine if you're browsing channels and the native signal resolution varies between 480i, 720p, and 1080i. the TV will keep blanking out and syncing to a new resolution, which could be annoying. not to mention, maybe not so good too especially for CRT monitors. i think the best way to handle this is to instead allow the changing of the STB's output resolution conveniently, either thru direct or toggle buttons or within a menu, WITHOUT needing to turn the box off.It wouldn't work any different than it does through my cable card. I can switch from one channel like CBS to FOX without any hiccups in the syncing. The TV automatically converts the signal to it's native 720p resolution if needed. Typically you want that for two reasons:

1. The TV has a better scaler than the STB.

2. You avoid any double conversions. If I select 1080i on the STB and the signal is 720p it gets converted to 1080i by the STB and then back to 720p by the TV. If I select 720p it passes the signal untouched if it's a 720p signal but if it's 1080i then the STB does the scaling which I prefer to with my TV.

falsedawn

10-05-05, 02:02 AM

I had the same problem. I solved it by deleting all series recordings and recreating them. You may be able to get by just deleting recordings 17 and greater.

I'll give it a try. Thanks.

Dorn

10-05-05, 03:24 AM

Yus

10-05-05, 08:44 AM

I had the same problem. I solved it by deleting all series recordings and recreating them. You may be able to get by just deleting recordings 17 and greater.

I also had that problem. The box was acting VERY odd, everything was glitchy. Deleting them fixed it. But since then I've gotten up to over 30 series recordings without it happening again.

rumn8r

10-05-05, 09:08 AM

Last week I traded my 6412 box in for an updated 6412 phase III box. I had no problems with the previous 6412 (using DVI) but hoped for a better SD picture. The Phase III box doesn't have DVI so I had to buy an HDMI to DVI adapter. The SD picture was about the same and everything was OK for a few days. However, yesterday it started to have problems syncing HDCP and now the only way I can get a picture when I turn it on it to start a recorded program and then stop it. Everything then works OK until I turn the TV off and then on again. The 6412 is always on. I don't know if there was a new firmware download yesterday or not.

puck71

10-05-05, 09:30 AM

I'm seriously about to throw my box out the window. I can't play any recorded shows from the last week and a half because they all keep freezing on me every few seconds before finally just completely going out. I'd try unplugging the box for a few minutes, then plugging it back in and waiting for everything to reload (can take quite awhile) - it's also possible you just have a bad box and need to get a new one.

Will Comcast just swap me for a new box? Probably - I don't have Comcast but when I needed a new box I just brought the old one into the cable office and they gave me a new one and I brought it home.

stevehof

10-05-05, 10:55 AM

Reading that article, it sounds like the upgrade I recently got. The iGuide all looks the same, as I couldn't even tell there had been an upgrade, until I displayed the info on a program I was watching that happened to also be available on VOD. A new "button" was placed on top of the info display across the bottom of the screen that took me to the entry in the VOD system.
The iGuide update mentioned by Mark and in the article is not the upgrade you're seeing. I have the new VOD on-screen indicator in my box now, but the Video Rich Navigation is much different. (I saw it demonstrated at a trade show.) It's more like the new DirecTV "Mix" channels, where you can see a mosaic of active video windows from multiple channels simultaneously, and select one to watch from that screen. It's quite nice, but it's not any kind of revolutionary breakthrough.

powerswitch

10-05-05, 02:29 PM

I'm seriously about to throw my box out the window. I can't play any recorded shows from the last week and a half because they all keep freezing on me every few seconds before finally just completely going out.

Will Comcast just swap me for a new box?

This sounds to me like a connection/signal problem. How does your signal look when you're watching shows "live"? How about on your second tuner? I recently experienced signal problems that only affected my second tuner for some reason. I'd be watching a show just fine, but then I'd go back to watch something that was being recorded on the other tuner and I'd get blocky/pixelated garbage with sound dropouts, or worse. Fixing and tightening a few of my cable connections (at the box entering my house and at my wall switchplate) took care of the problem.

In my experience Comcast won't swap a box at the storefront becuase you're having trouble with it, they always insist on sending out a tech (which means I have to sit at home all afternoon sometimes waiting for the tech, grrr).

Good luck!

puck71

10-05-05, 02:47 PM

In my experience Comcast won't swap a box at the storefront becuase you're having trouble with it, they always insist on sending out a tech (which means I have to sit at home all afternoon sometimes waiting for the tech, grrr). One time I'm actually glad to have Cableone! I don't really have time to set up a service call, but I can stop by the office on my lunch break, so I just brought my box in and mumbled something about needing a new one because it locked up, and she didn't even bat an eye - just grabbed another box from the cabinet, linked it to my account, I signed a receipt, and off I went. Sure they have crappy channel selection and the internet service isn't great, but at least I don't need useless service calls!

ExDeus

10-05-05, 02:48 PM

... Video Rich Navigation is much different. (I saw it demonstrated at a trade show.) It's more like the new DirecTV "Mix" channels, where you can see a mosaic of active video windows from multiple channels simultaneously, and select one to watch from that screen. It's quite nice, but it's not any kind of revolutionary breakthrough.
Ah, I get it. Had a similar (temporary) feature on DishNetwork for election night 2004 --- it was awfully handy then, to switch amongst the different news feeds, but I can't imagine using it for much more than that.

ExDeus

10-05-05, 02:54 PM

Yep, I get that too. I also get some glitch with the program info, if you push pause the program info changes to "To Be Announced" for the duration of the show.
I have both of the same problems. The tuner used to fail only if the box had turned itself on for a scheduled recording. The next time I turned on the box, the tuner would fail to tune until I started a recorded program. With the most recent software update, it now happens every time I turn on the box.

I haven't seen a pattern like you mention for the "To Be Announced" problem, but I'll check it out. I noticed that the program info is still available if you view the full guide, and I think sometimes after viewing the guide it updates the program info that you see on the progress bar for time shifting.

Bruce Blakeslee

10-05-05, 02:59 PM

The iGuide update mentioned by Mark and in the article is not the upgrade you're seeing. I have the new VOD on-screen indicator in my box now, but the Video Rich Navigation is much different. (I saw it demonstrated at a trade show.) It's more like the new DirecTV "Mix" channels, where you can see a mosaic of active video windows from multiple channels simultaneously, and select one to watch from that screen. It's quite nice, but it's not any kind of revolutionary breakthrough.

Here is a much more complete description of Mosaic and other VRN systems.

http://www.cedmagazine.com/ced/2005/0605/06a.htm

sadcaper

10-05-05, 04:13 PM

I just got the 6412 and love it so far. However, the hard drive fills up fast. What is the final word on archiving to DVHS? I read some conflicting reports on this subject, with some saying you could, and some saying you can't with the latest firmware.

Is there definitive answer to this question? If it's "yes, it's possible!", then I am officially in the market for a DVHS player!

Thanks,
Drew

puck71

10-05-05, 04:16 PM

I just got the 6412 and love it so far. However, the hard drive fills up fast. What is the final word on archiving to DVHS? I read some conflicting reports on this subject, with some saying you could, and some saying you can't with the latest firmware.

Is there definitive answer to this question? Yes you can, except for encrypted content. Which content is encrypted/copy protected depends on your provider. On my box the only encrypted ones are premium (HBO, etc.) channels I believe.

leftjab

10-05-05, 04:21 PM

I know this has been mentioned before - I once in a while accidentally power off the box when I really want to power off my plasma. (Occasionally don't hit the TV button on the remote hard enuf - so when I hit the power button it still is in the "cable" mode.)
When I power the box back on - no video from any channel. I have to start to play a saved recording (I then stop it immediately from playing further) and then I can go back to watching any channel.
I would have thought this would have been fixed by now. Am using DVI output.

...mike

This is a common problem and can be cured by unplugging the box for a few seconds and then plugging it back in. The guide data will have to be reloaded, but you'll be able to turn the box on and get a picture immediately without having to play a saved recording first.

tall1

10-05-05, 04:45 PM

Yes you can, except for encrypted content. Which content is encrypted/copy protected depends on your provider. On my box the only encrypted ones are premium (HBO, etc.) channels I believe.No. With a 5C compliant DVHS recorder, you can record encrypted premium channels. I do it all the time. I think what sadcaper my be referring to is some cablecos have downrezzed the HD outputs when recording to a DVHS. This is most likely an error and in one case it was corrected shortly after he talked to a tech at his cable company.

murraymcleod

10-05-05, 08:58 PM

powerswitch

10-05-05, 09:12 PM

I have a new Samsung LN-237W LCD HDTV connected to a new phase III 6412 via an HDMI cable. The problem I'm having is trying to get non-HD channels to display with widescreen when viewed with the HDMI input. I have the TV set on its "Wide" screen setting, but non-HD channels still appear in 4:3.

I also have an S-Video connection between the 6412 and the TV, and when I use that input I can get widescreen on the channels that only show as 4:3 with the HDMI. Is there some 4:3 override setting that should fix this ("Stretch"?). But none of the override settings seem to make any difference. Maybe this an issue with the TV?? I get tired of having to switch inputs depending on what I'm watching...Help!

So to be clear, you went into the 6412's "service menu" (if it's like the phase II boxes then press power off, then press menu) and set the 4:3 override to "off" and 480i and 480p and none of those settings help? I had the same problem but was able to use the 6412's 480p override setting to send a good 4:3 picture to my TV for stretching.

murraymcleod

10-05-05, 10:41 PM

So to be clear, you went into the 6412's "service menu" (if it's like the phase II boxes then press power off, then press menu) and set the 4:3 override to "off" and 480i and 480p and none of those settings help? I had the same problem but was able to use the 6412's 480p override setting to send a good 4:3 picture to my TV for stretching.

That's correct, I tried all the override settings in the service menu, but I still can't get a 16:9 picture on this TV via the HDMI input, for non-HD shows....

ExDeus

10-06-05, 10:45 AM

That's correct, I tried all the override settings in the service menu, but I still can't get a 16:9 picture on this TV via the HDMI input, for non-HD shows....
In the SM, make sure your TV type is set to 16:9 and the HDMI/YPbPr output is set to 1080i or 720p. Then if you set the 4:3 override to 480i or 480p you should be able to stretch the picture with your TV. If you set the override to stretch, the box should do it.

The exception is when you are watching a digital, non-HD (SDTV) broadcast. Local stations that broadcast in HDTV also broadcast the rest of their programming digitally in SDTV format, where the signal is not HD, but sometimes is still broadcast in widescreen (the vertical matting bars are part of the video signal). The ATSC specification for SDTV allows for widescreen broadcast (see the ATSC website (http://www.atsc.org/faq/faq_general.html#What%20about%20EDTV%20and%20SDTV;%20how%20d o%20they%20fit%20into%20the%20DTV%20picture)).

So test with a cable channel under 75 to make sure you are using an analog broadcast.

xandypx

10-06-05, 11:57 AM

That's correct, I tried all the override settings in the service menu, but I still can't get a 16:9 picture on this TV via the HDMI input, for non-HD shows....

Reading through your Owners manual for your TV, (the information that is contained there is very unclear).. The first two pages of the manual seem to discribe your exact problem.... and it seems to be a limitation of your TV.

But it would also seem as if the "Stretch" option in the moto box SD override setting should remedy the problem since the TV should receive a 16:9 signal from the box.

markjrenna

10-06-05, 12:40 PM

markjrenna has discussed this upgrade a number of times over the last few months. Do a search on his name and you can then do a second search on iGuide within his results and there should be a number of results.

By the way Mark, I miss your input. Where are you?????
I'm here Bruce! I read all of these posts. Many of these issues have been reported and addressed over and over again.

This one long thread is too long and it is very hard to sit through and read it all. Too bad the other site got hacked. It was laid out so much better.

I'll certainly post when I have something useful for the group.

Regarding the i-Guide version 2 "Mosaic+VRN", Multi-Room capability, ADS, and general problems. Nothing new to report yet.

One note on the 4:20 am and 4:50 pm lockup issue. I resolved the problem by doing a complete DVR Reset. The one mentioned back in this very long thread. It completely deletes Hard Drive content, i-Guide data, and all of your Series Recordings. Once that operation completed I created all of my SR's but this time I did not pad any of the SR's with additional time. The 6412 has worked perfectly now for over 2 months with zero lockups. I have over 20 SR's currently.

According to GuideWorks (created the i-Guide) there is a back ground process that runs at 4:20 am and 4:50 pm. This process is to look at your SR's and determine the upcoming scheduling. They conceded to me they have heard of lockups when addition time is added to SR's.

All I can say is this worked for me. I'd try this if you experience the same problem.

I find it hard to believe the display clock/channel is the issue. Anyone trying it, let us know what you find.

puck71

10-06-05, 12:45 PM

No. With a 5C compliant DVHS recorder, you can record encrypted premium channels. I do it all the time. I think what sadcaper my be referring to is some cablecos have downrezzed the HD outputs when recording to a DVHS. This is most likely an error and in one case it was corrected shortly after he talked to a tech at his cable company. OK then consider my answer to be for non-5C compliant DVHS recorders :o

DC_Chris

10-06-05, 05:15 PM

One note on the 4:20 am and 4:50 pm lockup issue. I resolved the problem by doing a complete DVR Reset. The one mentioned back in this very long thread. It completely deletes Hard Drive content, i-Guide data, and all of your Series Recordings. Once that operation completed I created all of my SR's but this time I did not pad any of the SR's with additional time. The 6412 has worked perfectly now for over 2 months with zero lockups. I have over 20 SR's currently.

Thanks for the advice, but which reset method are you referring to? I've found references for two: Factory Reset (Unplug, replug while pressing power+menu on the STB) and another involving the replay/dvr/dvr/dvr/OK buttons.

redwing19

10-06-05, 09:53 PM

chimchim5

10-06-05, 11:51 PM

RedWing,

My guess would be low signal strength on the second tuner. Search this thread to find the procedure to read the signal strength. If out of whack, setup service call to have Comcast check it out.

HTH

markjrenna

10-07-05, 12:08 AM

Thanks for the advice, but which reset method are you referring to? I've found references for two: Factory Reset (Unplug, replug while pressing power+menu on the STB) and another involving the replay/dvr/dvr/dvr/OK buttons.I did the "replay/dvr/dvr/dvr/OK".

The "power+menu" shouldn't be necessary. If you do it you will need Comcast to hit your box after the process completes.

Carl Jones

10-07-05, 08:27 AM

Recently got the Comcast 6412. Watching live content, especially HD, looks good (HD may even look great). However, I have recorded Lost (in HD) the past couple of weeks and the playback was extremely choppy. During regular live viewing playback seems smooth. I have not tried watching as it records to see if it hiccups then too. Any ideas what it could be? Any suggestions?

Thanks

We in Delaware had this a few months back on the 2nd. tuner only. Turned out to be a head end issue. First see if your issue is 2nd. tuner only, if not have your signal strength tested. If signal strength is OK & it's not a 2nd. tuner issue, have them replace your box. Good luck.

DC_Chris

10-07-05, 09:21 AM

I did the "replay/dvr/dvr/dvr/OK".

The "power+menu" shouldn't be necessary. If you do it you will need Comcast to hit your box after the process completes.

Thanks for your help. Yesterday was the first day I was actually home to see when the box froze, precisely at 4:50PM. The hard reset did the trick (no freeze this morning), though I didn't have any padding on my 35+ series recordings. Rather than load them all back on at once, I think I'll put them on gradually to see if there are any particular series that cause this freeze to happen.

pr0mark

10-07-05, 01:03 PM

I am really sorry if this question has already been answered -- if so please just link me to the info -- but the amount of information here is overwhelming. I've tried searching but each result devaites from what I am really trying to do.

After a messy split, I no longer have my TV, but I have the 6412 DVR and I'd like to know if there is any software that will allow me to stream from the firewire to my PC and watch the picture on my PC. I don't want to capture or record, I just want to watch it. Is there a decoding software or anything like that, or do I need an actual tuner in my PC even for the firewire to be able to watch the shows?

cavu

10-07-05, 01:29 PM

I have the 6412 DVR and I'd like to know if there is any software that will allow me to stream from the firewire to my PC and watch the picture on my PC. I don't want to capture or record, I just want to watch it. Use a shareware package called "VLC Media Player" (http://www.videolan.org/)

Statix

10-07-05, 01:51 PM

scanpa

10-07-05, 01:52 PM

Thanks for the advice, but which reset method are you referring to? I've found references for two: Factory Reset (Unplug, replug while pressing power+menu on the STB) and another involving the replay/dvr/dvr/dvr/OK buttons.

There is ONLY ONE Factory reset and Only ONE DVR-HD reset.

DVD-HD / Flash Memory RESET

replay/dvr/dvr/dvr/live/OK ONLY resets the DVR-HD & Flash Memory! It does nothing else! and has no other effects.

64xx Factory reset

The 64xx Factory Reset Only effects the 64xx STB Settings, Firmware, Cable Account settings ect.

Unplug, replug while pressing power+menu on the STB, press up/down till you see (n DL)/ok

HealeyGuy

10-07-05, 01:55 PM

After a messy split, I no longer have my TV, but I have the 6412 DVR and I'd like to know if there is any software that will allow me to stream from the firewire to my PC and watch the picture on my PC. I don't want to capture or record, I just want to watch it. Is there a decoding software or anything like that, or do I need an actual tuner in my PC even for the firewire to be able to watch the shows?

I believe you'd have to capture first and Comcast blocks all digital channels but the network HD channels from export to computer via Firewire. You also need a fast PC and graphics card to keep up with HD display.

markjrenna

10-07-05, 02:32 PM

Thanks for your help. Yesterday was the first day I was actually home to see when the box froze, precisely at 4:50PM. The hard reset did the trick (no freeze this morning), though I didn't have any padding on my 35+ series recordings. Rather than load them all back on at once, I think I'll put them on gradually to see if there are any particular series that cause this freeze to happen.
It won't freeze anymore either as long as you do not pad your SR's. I added mine back in increments of about 3 a day until I had them all in. I have made numerous changes to them but I never pad them. So far, so good ;)

cavu

10-07-05, 02:37 PM

I believe you'd have to capture first Negative. See http://www.videolan.org/
Comcast blocks all digital channels but the network HD channels from export to computer via Firewire.
I don't know about Comcast but I get all channels available on the 6412 through the firewire port. WYSIWYG. *BUT* you do not get the menuing system through the firewire port!!
You also need a fast PC and graphics card to keep up with HD display.This is true for the HD channels. A typical PC/video card will work OK on SD channels; my old 433MHz Celeron HP Pavilion works just fine.

DC_Chris

10-07-05, 07:22 PM

It won't freeze anymore either as long as you do not pad your SR's. I added mine back in increments of about 3 a day until I had them all in. I have made numerous changes to them but I never pad them. So far, so good ;)

That gives me some hope, however I never had any padding on my series recordings to begin with. I have noticed that certain network shows (Lost, ER) are starting and stopping 1 minute earlier or later that the top of the hour. I wonder if that has anything to do with this. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

scanpa

10-07-05, 07:47 PM

That gives me some hope, however I never had any padding on my series recordings to begin with. I have noticed that certain network shows (Lost, ER) are starting and stopping 1 minute earlier or later that the top of the hour. I wonder if that has anything to do with this. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

ER is schedualed to begin at 9:59pm EDT - 11:00pm EDT this is what is listed with TV Guide

tall1

10-08-05, 01:57 PM

we all hope you and your hdtv get back together.Just last week my wife stormed into the family room while I was watching the game and said, "it is either me or that high def TV!!!!" Boy, I am sure gonna miss her ;) Sorry, old joke; couldn't resist.

cavu

10-08-05, 04:38 PM

My son tried to adjust the volume on the cable box with the remoteWhich remote control do you have?

powerswitch

10-08-05, 04:49 PM

I have the Motorola 6412 and the problem we have is:

My son tried to adjust the volume on the cable box with the remote (by first pressing "cable" button, then "volume" button) and it would only decrease the volume and not increase it, consequently now the volume is all the way "off" on the cable box. No adjustment of the audio on the TV helps obviously.

Is there a way to get the volume reset on the cable box now? ...

Try "audio setup" in the settings menu ... mine has an option called something like "optimal stereo" (maybe in the advanced audio settings) that, when pressed, will change the volume level to about 80%.

pepar

10-09-05, 09:18 AM

scanpa

10-09-05, 11:24 AM

micktravis

10-10-05, 02:01 PM

andyross63

10-10-05, 05:42 PM

Venice, CA here. INHD2 has disappeared in the guide, and is now listed as HDSE. "off air" is all that's available in terms of guide data. But INHD2 picture is still there - I just can't record it anymore, or at least not without doing so manually.

Anybody else have this happen?
Here in Chicago, we sort-of have two INHD2's. The main INHD2 (right next to INHD) also occasionally carries some sports in HD. When it does that, INHD2 'moves' to the second channel, which is also labeled INHD2, but usually just has a 'HD Special Events' banner.

libracolo

10-11-05, 09:39 AM

My cable provider - Suscom/York PA - is "close to striking a deal" with Comcast to sell its cable operations. Suscom uses Scientific Atlanta STBs. (I've got the 8300HD.) And they offer 5Mbps cable modem service.

My questions to Comcast customers is what STBs are used? Is there a variety of manufacturers across the country? Is SA used anywhere?

If there's more apporpriate thread for me to ask this question, please point me to it!

TIA!

I just moved to Denver, CO from Lincoln, NE where I had TWC and the 8300HD from SA. Now I have the 6412 from Motorola with Comcast, and let me tell you, you will wish for the 8300 HD. If you are recording one show, the only way to change channels (without canceling the recording) is to "SWAP" the tuners. The storage space on the 6412 is almost nonexistent (compared to the 8300). Try to keep your box for as long as possible.

LYU370

10-11-05, 10:16 AM

The 8300 has it's quirks as well, the drop to live bug, no way to view an in progress recording from the beginning without rewinding. I'm getting used to the swap button, but the 8300 did make it easier by automatically switching tuners. But the lack of storage is killing me!!!! Comcast activate the SATA port, PLEASE!!!!

tall1

10-11-05, 11:59 AM

I just moved to Denver, CO from Lincoln, NE where I had TWC and the 8300HD from SA. Now I have the 6412 from Motorola with Comcast, and let me tell you, you will wish for the 8300 HD. If you are recording one show, the only way to change channels (without canceling the recording) is to "SWAP" the tuners. The storage space on the 6412 is almost nonexistent (compared to the 8300). Try to keep your box for as long as possible.You make it sound like swapping tuners is like splitting an atom. You push one button to swap tuners, I have a hard button on my harmony remote to do this. If it is a scheduled recording you don't have to swap tuners at all but if you manually hit record you will need to press the swap button. The 8300 has 160gb versus 120gb for the 6412, not exactly nonexistant disk space.

BJMoose

10-11-05, 01:56 PM

And the swap is only necessary if you record a currently playing show and want to switch channels. For your regularly scheduled recordings, if you're watching tv and a recording is about to start, it always starts on the other tuner so you can switch channels as often and as easily as you like.

LYU370

10-11-05, 05:20 PM

The 8300 has 160gb versus 120gb for the 6412, not exactly nonexistant disk space.Unless of course you had an external SATA drive attached. ;)

But enough OT stuff.... And now, back to our regularly scheduled topic.....

egore

10-11-05, 07:11 PM

There is a 6416 version that has a 160gb HD but I am not sure if its being sold yet.

micktravis

10-12-05, 01:53 PM

Here in Chicago, we sort-of have two INHD2's. The main INHD2 (right next to INHD) also occasionally carries some sports in HD. When it does that, INHD2 'moves' to the second channel, which is also labeled INHD2, but usually just has a 'HD Special Events' banner.

The problem persists. The channel is still listed as HDSE (off-air) but INHD2 programming is visible. It sucks - there's the Isle of Wight festival on today, and I can't record it because of the bad data.

I called Comcast who really don't seem able to comprehend what I'm getting at. I've reset the box, they've reset it at their end, but the main issue is the CService Rep doesn't understand what I'm talking about. He thought I was saying I couldn't get INHD2.

I know you don't have to be a genius to work in Customer Service, but this guy was sub-par even for that industry.

I also asked him when the Tivo rollout was going to happen, and he didn't even know there was a deal with Tivo.

IFLYSWA

10-12-05, 01:58 PM

The problem persists. The channel is still listed as HDSE (off-air) but INHD2 programming is visible. It sucks - there's the Isle of Wight festival on today, and I can't record it because of the bad data.

Hi,
I know it isn't the perfect solution, but can you set a manual recording up to get the Isle of Wight festival? That could at least be a stop gap....

Good luck!
Randy

10-13-05, 01:06 AM

Does anyone know the meaning of the RC flag at the bottom of the D6 Diagnostic screen?

What about the other fields CCI, APS,CIT? I'm guessing that DRM is digital rights management.

micktravis

10-13-05, 01:01 PM

Hi,
I know it isn't the perfect solution, but can you set a manual recording up to get the Isle of Wight festival? That could at least be a stop gap....

Good luck!
Randy

Yes, it works, but it's a pain in the ass, and it kind of defeats the purpose of a dvr. Plus I don't know what's going to be on - I have to watch the channel and decide that I want something when it's on, which means I'll miss the first bit unless I'm really lucky.

I think what's happening is that Comcast is phasing out INHD2 and replacing it with this channel. Last night there was actual program data for much of the day. The question is why can't the dull-normals at customer care be told this? Why do I have to figure it out for myself?

tall1

10-13-05, 02:36 PM

pepar

10-13-05, 03:33 PM

Rent another 6412. Another $10 a month and you get 4 HD tuners and another 120gb. That is a cheaper solution than a SATA drive.
Not in the long run, or the medium one either.

tall1

10-13-05, 03:55 PM

Not in the long run, or the medium one either.Well in no way would this be a long term solution but I would imagine in a year something will be available to address the 120gb limitation. That would be $120 for 240gb of disk space and 4 HD tuners, no recording conflicts as an additional benefit. How much is a SATA drive?

pepar

10-13-05, 03:58 PM

Well in no way would this be a long term solution but I would imagine in a year something will be available to address the 120gb limitation. That would be $120 for 240gb of disk space and 4 HD tuners, no recording conflicts as an additional benefit. How much is a SATA drive?
A buck-eighty will get you a 250 gig drive. And it's yours until the cows come home.

tall1

10-13-05, 04:27 PM

A buck-eighty will get you a 250 gig drive. And it's yours until the cows come home.You convinced me. If and when the SATA solution is available, it makes more economic sense than renting another 6412. One problem, SATA isn't available for the 6412. You can go without extra recording space or rent another 6412. Even if SATA was available I doubt I'd take advantage of it because it is keyed to the specific DVR. I have swapped these 6412s so many times (just swapped one last weekend because of a noisy HDD), it would have driven me crazy losing all my recordings on the SATA drive whenever I had it replaced.

BTW, Nice HT pics pepar.

keenan

10-13-05, 04:53 PM

Well in no way would this be a long term solution but I would imagine in a year something will be available to address the 120gb limitation.
Yes, and I'll bet it has the intials "VOD"..Comcast just announced they passed the 1 billion mark for VOD views...

tall1

10-13-05, 05:07 PM

Yes, and I'll bet it has the intials "VOD"..Comcast just announced they passed the 1 billion mark for VOD views...I keep forgetting about VOD probably because it hasn't worked in the past 3 weeks. I have to admit, it does come in handy because I never have to record CYE, Extras, Entourage etc. And these are such a pain to record anyway because you have to set a manual recording to avoid a dozen duplicates. So Keenan, have you heard Comcast may never offer additional storage beyond 120gb because of VOD?

pepar

10-13-05, 07:00 PM

You convinced me. If and when the SATA solution is available, it makes more economic sense than renting another 6412. One problem, SATA isn't available for the 6412. You can go without extra recording space or rent another 6412. Even if SATA was available I doubt I'd take advantage of it because it is keyed to the specific DVR. I have swapped these 6412s so many times (just swapped one last weekend because of a noisy HDD), it would have driven me crazy losing all my recordings on the SATA drive whenever I had it replaced.

All true, but if you have valuable programming recorded on the 6412 and exchange it, you lose that contant as well.

BTW, Nice HT pics pepar.
Not that you'd be interested in an external SATA enclosure, but here's one (http://peparsplace.com/html/21.html) some SA8300HD folks are playing with.

(Even though I've got an SA8300HD w/Passport IPG, I've subscribed to this thread becuae there are rumors that my provider - Suscom/York PA - is talking to Comcast about selling to them. I'm trying to get an idea what I'm in for if that happens and Comcast yanks the SA's and replaces them with Motorola; it's not pretty.)

keenan

10-13-05, 07:05 PM

I keep forgetting about VOD probably because it hasn't worked in the past 3 weeks. I have to admit, it does come in handy because I never have to record CYE, Extras, Entourage etc. And these are such a pain to record anyway because you have to set a manual recording to avoid a dozen duplicates. So Keenan, have you heard Comcast may never offer additional storage beyond 120gb because of VOD?
No, pure speculation on my part. But, Comcast CEO Roberts has been nurturing and stumping for VOD as if it was his first born, so expect to see even more expansion of VOD products in the future. The press release from Comcast also indicates that 95% of those billion VOD viewings are free, well, I can't see that going on forever, eventually VOD is going to have to start paying for itself. Sounds great when you say you've had over a billion, but if it continues to be free, investors will start to grumble.

zman98

10-13-05, 07:53 PM

There is ONLY ONE Factory reset and Only ONE DVR-HD reset.

DVD-HD / Flash Memory RESET

replay/dvr/dvr/dvr/live/OK ONLY resets the DVR-HD & Flash Memory! It does nothing else! and has no other effects.

64xx Factory reset

The 64xx Factory Reset Only effects the 64xx STB Settings, Firmware, Cable Account settings ect.

Unplug, replug while pressing power+menu on the STB, press up/down till you see (n DL)/ok

OK, I can't get the replay/dvr/dvr/dvr/live/ok reset to do anything. Can someone walk me through this? I feel like an idiot. Should the box be on or off (I've tried both). I'm assuming the buttons are the 3 next to each other (replay 30 seconds / my dvr x3 / live ). Please help. This 4:20 / 4:50 lockup is bugging me.

Thanks!

Edit - Never mind. I figured out that I needed to be in the diagnostic menu. Thanks..

gmwedding

10-13-05, 08:38 PM

Series III DCT-6412
I posted this on the Comcast Sacramento thread, but it might be a better match here.

Apparently, Comcast is rolling out an updated, Series III DCT-6412 in some parts of the country. It is said to have an identifying plate with the words 'Series III' somewhere on the box, and an HDMI video port, instead of the DVI port found on the early generation models. I read that it also may allow an external hard drive (probably the new SATA drives) to be connected.

Does anyone have this yet? How about anyone in the Sacramento metro area?

Does anyone know if other technical changes have been made to the updated version of this DVR? For instance, might it have an improved analog-to-digital converter chip, sine the early DCT 6400 series models produce very poor analog quality?

YesJim

10-13-05, 08:56 PM

I don't think I've seen one of these issues posted here before, but I've lost INHD2 and TNT-HD all of a sudden on my 6412 - I get the usual "channel will be available shortly" and it never goes to the channel. I just got off the phone with customer service and after a power reset didn't fix it he said to go swap out the box. That means goodbye to my saved stuff since I haven't had a chance to archive.

Are there any other steps I can try before bringing this puppy back? I've confirmed over at the Boston Comcast thread that these channels are working everywhere else.

powerswitch

10-13-05, 09:23 PM

pepar

10-13-05, 09:59 PM

bobby94928

10-13-05, 10:31 PM

I'm just visiting this thread to get an idea of what's in store for me if my cable provider sells to Comcast as is rumored. Motorola 6412 users have a way of archiving recorded HD content?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695

mangoldm

10-13-05, 10:54 PM

LYU370

10-14-05, 12:38 AM

(Even though I've got an SA8300HD w/Passport IPG, I've subscribed to this thread becuae there are rumors that my provider - Suscom/York PA - is talking to Comcast about selling to them. I'm trying to get an idea what I'm in for if that happens and Comcast yanks the SA's and replaces them with Motorola; it's not pretty.)
But Passport doesn't support the SATA port yet, or have they upgraded the firmware? In anycase, even if your provider sells to Comcast, you'll probably still keep your 8300, Comcast does use both SA and Moto depending on the area.

As for archiving, unlike the 8300, the firewire port is active on the 6412.

LYU370

10-14-05, 12:44 AM

Apparently, Comcast is rolling out an updated, Series III DCT-6412 in some parts of the country. It is said to have an identifying plate with the words 'Series III' somewhere on the box, and an HDMI video port, instead of the DVI port found on the early generation models. I read that it also may allow an external hard drive (probably the new SATA drives) to be connected.

Does anyone have this yet? How about anyone in the Sacramento metro area?

Does anyone know if other technical changes have been made to the updated version of this DVR? For instance, might it have an improved analog-to-digital converter chip, sine the early DCT 6400 series models produce very poor analog quality?
Yep, as the supply of Series II 6412's get's depleted, Series III boxes are being deployed. Just got one a couple of weeks ago, a month ago my area didn't have them yet. So if they're not deploying yet in your area, they're coming soon.

SATA port isn't active yet. I've got a drive plugged in ready & waiting for it. Yes, the analog is much better than the older models.

MickeyGee

10-14-05, 09:19 AM

I keep forgetting about VOD probably because it hasn't worked in the past 3 weeks. I have to admit, it does come in handy because I never have to record CYE, Extras, Entourage etc. And these are such a pain to record anyway because you have to set a manual recording to avoid a dozen duplicates. So Keenan, have you heard Comcast may never offer additional storage beyond 120gb because of VOD?
This is pure speculation on my part, but it is conceivable that in the future Comcast could use its VOD Servers to allow subs to store shows recorded via DVR and uploaded back onto the VOD Servers which could then be accessed by the sub using the VOD system. This could provide virtually unlimited storage capacity and Comcast could charge subs a monthly storage fee.

Mickey

tall1

10-14-05, 10:44 AM

Yep, as the supply of Series II 6412's get's depleted, Series III boxes are being deployed. Just got one a couple of weeks ago, a month ago my area didn't have them yet. So if they're not deploying yet in your area, they're coming soon.

SATA port isn't active yet. I've got a drive plugged in ready & waiting for it. Yes, the analog is much better than the older models.Are the Phase III boxes quiet? The Phase II hard drives are darn noisy. I used to think folks were being anal about the noisy HDDs until I installed a 6412 in the bedroom.

tall1

10-14-05, 10:52 AM

All true, but if you have valuable programming recorded on the 6412 and exchange it, you lose that contant as well.

Not that you'd be interested in an external SATA enclosure, but here's one (http://peparsplace.com/html/21.html) some SA8300HD folks are playing with.

(Even though I've got an SA8300HD w/Passport IPG, I've subscribed to this thread becuae there are rumors that my provider - Suscom/York PA - is talking to Comcast about selling to them. I'm trying to get an idea what I'm in for if that happens and Comcast yanks the SA's and replaces them with Motorola; it's not pretty.)Not necessarily. I have 2 JVC 40Ks connected and because I am limited to about 15 hours of recordings, I typically can archive everything to tape before swapping it out. But that is my unique situation and for folks that travel and record alot, a SATA drive would be a significant improvement. Thanks for the link.

pepar

10-14-05, 11:26 AM

Not necessarily. I have 2 JVC 40Ks connected and because I am limited to about 15 hours of recordings, I typically can archive everything to tape before swapping it out. But that is my unique situation and for folks that travel and record alot, a SATA drive would be a significant improvement. Thanks for the link.
For those Motorola STB users who want to "see how the other half lives," I suggest subscribing to this SA8300HD external SATA drive thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=516559).

puck71

10-14-05, 12:15 PM

Are the Phase III boxes quiet? The Phase II hard drives are darn noisy. I used to think folks were being anal about the noisy HDDs until I installed a 6412 in the bedroom. I don't think it's too bad ... but then again I don't have it in the bedroom so it never disturbs me anyway.

ak3883

10-14-05, 01:22 PM

I am getting annoyed at what I think are motion artifacts while watching Comcast HD on my 6412. When there is fast movment or color changes (such as fade-ins/outs) the screen becomes very pixelated. Is this what motion artifacts are?

Are they caused during decription or encryption or both? Is the 6412 prone to these more than other DVRs? Also, are some channels more prone to these than others? I noticed it a lot while watching Nova this week.

TIA

I get this all the time as well. Less noticable if you are farther back, i'm about 9' back from my 56'' Really noticable in SD(All my SD channels are DS'ed now), less in HD, many more blocks obviously b/c of the increased resolution, but since there are more and thus smaller, it is harder to notice.

Comcast compresses the channels so much that we see this. I read something that said rarely you can see macroblocking because of the compression, but should not be able to see it on channels. HA! Tell that to Comcast.

YesJim

10-14-05, 02:37 PM

I get this all the time as well. Less noticable if you are farther back, i'm about 9' back from my 56'' Really noticable in SD(All my SD channels are DS'ed now), less in HD, many more blocks obviously b/c of the increased resolution, but since there are more and thus smaller, it is harder to notice.

Comcast compresses the channels so much that we see this. I read something that said rarely you can see macroblocking because of the compression, but should not be able to see it on channels. HA! Tell that to Comcast.

So do you see this stuff uniformly across all HD channels? For example, our regional sports broadcaster - New England Sports Network - has absolutley eye-popping game broadcasts. Other networks, like FOX and NBC have much worse quality, PBS is the worst, and ESPN, CBS, Discovery, and INHD vary.

I do notice that the DVR units degrade HD PQ slightly over the 6200s. It's a small enough difference considering the extra features the DVR provides. The bigger your display, the more pronounced that difference will be.