Ok, I'm confused...again lol.
My dual tuner HD-DVR has a DVI port on back. My 46" Samsung and 27" Sony TVs have HDMI inputs. So a simple DVI to HDMI cable will work, I assume. But, all I'm finding are HDMI to DVI cables. Is that the same? Both ends are male, right?
I think if you get a cable, you shouldn't need to worry. It's if you get an adapter that you have to worry about sex!

Other than the 30 sec skip, are there any ways to get to the end of a show? For instance, if I tape a football game and want to watch a play towards the end of the game, is there a way to fast forward or am I just stuck with the 30 sec skip?

Other than the 30 sec skip, are there any ways to get to the end of a show? For instance, if I tape a football game and want to watch a play towards the end of the game, is there a way to fast forward or am I just stuck with the 30 sec skip?


The Comcast DVR (62xx, 64xx, 34xx) all have 4 rewind and fast forward speeds.

The Comcast DVR (62xx, 64xx, 34xx) all have 4 rewind and fast forward speeds.

Yes, but that takes time going through 4 hrs of "tape". So I guess there is no magic button that will get you to the end of the taping then?

Yes, but that takes time going through 4 hrs of "tape". So I guess there is no magic button that will get you to the end of the taping then?


Not instantly....

Even the fastest FF speed on these DVRs is painfully slow. Another way to jump ahead is to program a button to do a "skip" and then another button to do a multiple of that amount of time. I have my two PIP buttons programmed and get a 3-min. skip on one. By pushing it multiple times, I can jump ahead faster than using the FF. One good feature they should add to these units would be the ability to jump ahead to a time in the recording you would type on the keypad. The instructions for programming a skip button are included in the user manual or can be found on page 2 of this thread, on post #101 by Keenan.

Even the fastest FF speed on these DVRs is painfully slow. Another way to jump ahead is to program a button to do a "skip" and then another button to do a multiple of that amount of time.

Kind of like TiVo does. :-o

I tried some searches here, but no luck finding specifically what I'm seeing. Maybe somebody who frequents this thread can help. My 6412 that I've had for months just started to "lock up" and stay that way. The channel keeps playing, but the TOD in the LEDs doesn't update and no buttons on the front panel or remote work. Power unplug/plug frees it up, but then it hangs in about and hour. I have no recordings scheduled to be running. Time for a replacement? Thanks.

larry

I tried some searches here, but no luck finding specifically what I'm seeing. Maybe somebody who frequents this thread can help. My 6412 that I've had for months just started to "lock up" and stay that way. The channel keeps playing, but the TOD in the LEDs doesn't update and no buttons on the front panel or remote work. Power unplug/plug frees it up, but then it hangs in about and hour. I have no recordings scheduled to be running. Time for a replacement?
Other than making certain it has adequate airflow and not overheating, it probably is defective. Some have bad power supplies that cause all sorts of problems.

It might also help to leave it turned off for several hours after power-cylcling it. Maybe do it before going to bed, or before going to work. By the time you wake up or make it home, the guide will usually be filled, assuming it doesn't lock up again.

Thanks, Andy. I will let it sit for a while. It hangs - except playing the channel it's on - after anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. I called and there was nothing they could do on the phone so I have a service call for Thursday.

larry

Edit: I powered it back on after a couple hours or so of downtime. It's still flakey. It worked for about 10mins, then hung, then came snapped to and started accepting commands again (and TOD corrected itself) for about 30 minutes or so, the hung again. Somewhere along the line it rebooted itself too. It's only saving grace is that it will still display the channel that is selected when it hangs.

Mine was doing that. I've removed the glass door on my equipment rack and it's been solid since (knock wood) so you really might be looking at a temp/airflow issue.

It seems that when one of the network HiDef channels are broadcasting in 5.1 surround the strangest thing occurs. During commercials that are broadcst in 5.1 I lose all the audio except the sub woofer. As soon as the regular programming comes back all of my speakers are working again. I can't figure out what it could be. Can the audio broadcast during the show be that different than the commercials? When my receiver (Yamaha RX-V1400) reads suuround on other channels, say TNT, there is no disruption during commercials, but ABC,NBC, CBS and Fox all have this peculiar behaviour. If during a 5.1 show a commercial is sent just 2 channel stereo then no problem. Any ideas here? Could it be the 6412?
Thanks
JTMav

It seems that when one of the network HiDef channels are broadcasting in 5.1 surround the strangest thing occurs. During commercials that are broadcst in 5.1 I lose all the audio except the sub woofer. As soon as the regular programming comes back all of my speakers are working again. I can't figure out what it could be. Can the audio broadcast during the show be that different than the commercials? When my receiver (Yamaha RX-V1400) reads suuround on other channels, say TNT, there is no disruption during commercials, but ABC,NBC, CBS and Fox all have this peculiar behaviour. If during a 5.1 show a commercial is sent just 2 channel stereo then no problem. Any ideas here? Could it be the 6412?
Thanks
JTMav
With my receiver set to STEREO, Dolby Digital sources automatically engage the 5.1 Dolby Digital mode. During commercials and other non-DD programming, the receiver reverts back to stereo mode. However, networks shows that say "available in 5.1" do not seem to be reaching me as DD as they do not engage that mode. In those cases, I switch to DPLII - Movie.

With my receiver set to STEREO, Dolby Digital sources automatically engage the 5.1 Dolby Digital mode. During commercials and other non-DD programming, the receiver reverts back to stereo mode. However, networks shows that say "available in 5.1" do not seem to be reaching me as DD as they do not engage that mode. In those cases, I switch to DPLII - Movie.

My receiver will switch between DPLII and Surround but in Stereo mode it stays stereo. I guess it just seems really odd that just commercials will have this audio dropout, although not completely since the sub is still active. The receiver has been flawless since I bought it 2 years ago. :confused: As I said above if the commercial is broadcast in 2 channel my receiver will switch to DPLII and it will be fine,it's just when it stays in Surround mode that this happens.
Thanks for your input.
JTMav

My receiver will switch between DPLII and Surround but in Stereo mode it stays stereo. I guess it just seems really odd that just commercials will have this audio dropout, although not completely since the sub is still active. The receiver has been flawless since I bought it 2 years ago. :confused: As I said above if the commercial is broadcast in 2 channel my receiver will switch to DPLII and it will be fine,it's just when it stays in Surround mode that this happens.
Thanks for your input.
JTMav
Odd, very odd . . .

My 6412 box seems to be hosed.

A few weeks a go a blank entry appeared in my DVR recordings. Dated at 12/31/1989 with a recording time of 0 minutes. I couldn't play it or delete it. I think I recall people mentioning blank entries here before, but don't recall if there was a solution to get rid of it. It didn't seem to negatively effect anything, so I just ignored it.

Last night I finished watching everything on my DVR, and deleted everything, except for the undeleteable blank entry. Aparently that was a mistake. Now I can't watch anything I've recorded! Whenever I try to play anything the screen just goes blank.

Is there any way to format the HD to get rid of this damn blank entry?

EDIT: Unplugging my DVR and plugging it back in fixed the inability to play recordings, but the blank entry is still undeleteable.

My 6412 box seems to be hosed.

A few weeks a go a blank entry appeared in my DVR recordings. Dated at 12/31/1989 with a recording time of 0 minutes. I couldn't play it or delete it. I think I recall people mentioning blank entries here before, but don't recall if there was a solution to get rid of it. It didn't seem to negatively effect anything, so I just ignored it.

Last night I finished watching everything on my DVR, and deleted everything, except for the undeleteable blank entry. Aparently that was a mistake. Now I can't watch anything I've recorded! Whenever I try to play anything the screen just goes blank.

Is there any way to format the HD to get rid of this damn blank entry?
First, try simply power-cycling (unplug, replug) the box. Make sure it is OFF before you do this. Then wait about 10 minutes after plugging it in to give it time to configure itself. This won't get rid of the 12/31/89 recording, but should fix the playback. You may have mangled some of your recordings, though.

Otherwise, there is a DVR reset, but this not only deletes all recordings, it also deletes all scheduled recordings and I believe series priority programs, too.
Turn off box, then hit OK/Select within 1-2 seconds to get to the diagnostics menu.
Press in sequence: Replay, MyDVR, MyDVR, MyDVR, Live. You then hit any key and it will reboot.

If you don't want to do that, then just delete all your regular recordings and leave the 12/31/89 alone. Trying to play or delete it causes all sorts of nasty problems. Some have reported that it cleans itself up sometimes.

It seems that when one of the network HiDef channels are broadcasting in 5.1 surround the strangest thing occurs. During commercials that are broadcst in 5.1 I lose all the audio------ Any ideas here? Could it be the 6412?
Thanks
JTMav
--------------------------------------------------

Yeah, when I'm using my 6412, I also lose all audio during commercials. I think it may have something to do with the Mute button.

Is there any way to format the HD to get rid of this damn blank entry?Yes. Formating is the only cure at this point. Either search this thread for "format" or call your cable provider and ask them to do it remotely.

With my receiver set to STEREO, Dolby Digital sources automatically engage the 5.1 Dolby Digital mode. During commercials and other non-DD programming, the receiver reverts back to stereo mode. However, networks shows that say "available in 5.1" do not seem to be reaching me as DD as they do not engage that mode. In those cases, I switch to DPLII - Movie.

Not every local network Ch. is broadcasting in DD5.1. The Network feed might be, but not always the local.

In my area only the local FOX, PBS and ABC Ch. are in Full 5.1
UPN is Mono
CBS, NBC are Stereo


Comcast can only resend, what they are getting.....

Someone had a link on this website that had a list of what local CH were in HD, the bitrate, and audio mode. Anyone know or have the link?

--------------------------------------------------

Yeah, when I'm using my 6412, I also lose all audio during commercials. I think it may have something to do with the Mute button.


teehee!

During commercials that are broadcst in 5.1 I lose all the audio except the sub woofer. As soon as the regular programming comes back all of my speakers are working again.
Silent commercials? Many people would consider that a feature, not a bug. ;)
Seriously, if you figure out what settings MAKE your system auto-mute the commercials, please post the details.

Silent commercials? Many people would consider that a feature, not a bug. ;)
Seriously, if you figure out what settings MAKE your system auto-mute the commercials, please post the details.

Wish it was that easy, but in the end with only the sub booming and no mid-high vocals it gets pretty annoying.

Ok, I'm confused...again lol.
My dual tuner HD-DVR has a DVI port on back. My 46" Samsung and 27" Sony TVs have HDMI inputs. So a simple DVI to HDMI cable will work, I assume. But, all I'm finding are HDMI to DVI cables. Is that the same? Both ends are male, right? I might try replacing the DVR for one of the new phase-III boxes. Take your old box in to the cable office and ask for one of the new boxes and then make sure it has an HDMI output on the back before signing for it and taking it home.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve McD
--------------------------------------------------
"Yeah, when I'm using my 6412, I also lose all audio during commercials. I think it may have something to do with the Mute button. "

--> teehee! <--

Thanks Cinemagotham! It went right over my head!

3 button presses:

Menu (brings up Quick access menu)
Menu (goes into main menu regardless of what button is highlighted)
Enter (If Favorites is the last item you selected, which it usually is for me, then it's already highlighted)

Not ideal, but it works.

Even 3 button presses is 2 to many for a guide layout. (And I say 5 because often my menu DOESNT have favorites pre-selected).

This is just so assinine that I'm still trying to understand why this is the way it is. You've had "favorites" guides in DirecTV for at least 8 years .. with Dish for at least 5, every stand alone cable box (tivo, replay, moxi, etc) let you do this. ONLY the comcast iguide doesn't do this.

*boggle*

I discovered something last night, something I should have known but often forget.

I have been having problems with my silver remote. It had to be pointed directly at the cable box, many times the box would not recognize the button click and I would have to do it several times before it "took" and it was becoming increasingly annoying to use.

I changed the batteries and removed the junk batteries that came with the remote a year ago and put in new Duracells. Wow, what a difference! I can point the darn thing in any direction and the box picks up the signal! It has a snappy response and I never need to push a button twice.

I should have thought of this because I direct an IS department and I am always telling my Helpdesk to ask the customer "Is it plugged in?" before anything else. (you would be surprized at the number of staff who have jarred loose the plug or turned off the power strip and can't figure out why their computer doesn't work.) From now on one of my questions to myself is going to be, "When did I last change the batteries?"

I am sure this will not cure all of the problems with the silver remote and the sluggishness of the cable box, but give it a try. Who knows...

That's a great tip that didn't occur to me. I'll be swapping my batteries tonight!

Great tip... Just changed out the mis-matched batteries for the copper tops...
much better.

I've been pretty happy with my unit, but over time, it has been crashing more often. Now it's up to about 3x/week. Also, some shows are not fully recorded. Some 30 minute shows are recorded for 3 minutes, and just recently, an hour manual record ended in 29 minutes. The unit is well ventilated.

What I find strange is that it used to be pretty reliable. I don't quite understand what (besides the HD) could "deterioate" over time that isn't a software problem?

I'm thinking I need to get this replaced, but before I do so, I wanted to ask the Oracles of the Box here on the forum for advice.

1. Is this common across all heavily used boxes (that are never turned off), or is this specific to my box?

2. Could it be something that Comcast do fix "remotely" or do you think I just need to replace the box?

3. Is there a better box I should be swapping out to? Does Comcast in the PA region have the 6416 yet?

4. Anything else I should know?

Thanks,

Mine is also rebooting itself on a fairly regular basis. The box is underpowered and underprocessed. It overheats extremely easily and I believe this is causing the crashes. Not just the crashes; the intermitten loss of communication between the remote and the box - it's enough to drive ya nuts.

Are you sure it's crashing? Are you there watching it when it happens? Is the guide data all gone, except a couple hours worth?

If not, it's possible your recordings have been interrupted by the emergency alert system. Unfortunately the 6412 handles emergency alerts very stupidly - and forces the 2nd tuner (the one no human is ever watching, so yes the one that there is absolutely no point in tuning to the EAS channel) which is recording your show to stop recording.

Normally though the recording should resume after 2 or 3 minutes of lost show.

Hi all,

I haven't posted to this thread or even browsed it in quite some time.

I'm an "original" 6412 owner, I noticed that there are now "Phase III" versions, but as I scroll back through the pages, I couldn't find out if this is the newest version. I'm assuming it is?

I'm somewhat technically savvy, but I'm not familiar with Firewire cards...I think I'll need to buy one for my computer in order to save down shows?

I'd like to save down some stuff from my 6412 to my computer, which I know is possible, but I'm not sure how too. Can someone lead me in the right direction to a site or link that gives some step-by-step direction how to do this?


Thanks in advance!

-JR

Hi all,

I haven't posted to this thread or even browsed it in quite some time.

I'm an "original" 6412 owner, I noticed that there are now "Phase III" versions, but as I scroll back through the pages, I couldn't find out if this is the newest version. I'm assuming it is?

I'm somewhat technically savvy, but I'm not familiar with Firewire cards...I think I'll need to buy one for my computer in order to save down shows?

I'd like to save down some stuff from my 6412 to my computer, which I know is possible, but I'm not sure how too. Can someone lead me in the right direction to a site or link that gives some step-by-step direction how to do this?




Thanks in advance!

-JR

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

I'm thinking I need to get this replaced, but before I do so, I wanted to ask the Oracles of the Box here on the forum for advice.

1. Is this common across all heavily used boxes (that are never turned off), or is this specific to my box?

2. Could it be something that Comcast do fix "remotely" or do you think I just need to replace the box?

3. Is there a better box I should be swapping out to? Does Comcast in the PA region have the 6416 yet?

4. Anything else I should know?

Thanks,

1. No it is not common. You probably have a bad box. My box has been ON since day one (about 4 moths) and I don't have those problems you describe

2. I know there are some things that Comcast can do remotely but don't remember the details. Call them or do more reading :D

3. Don't know since I don't live there

4. Not that I know

Good luck

I've been pretty happy with my unit, but over time, it has been crashing more often. Now it's up to about 3x/week. Also, some shows are not fully recorded. Some 30 minute shows are recorded for 3 minutes, and just recently, an hour manual record ended in 29 minutes. The unit is well ventilated.

What I find strange is that it used to be pretty reliable. I don't quite understand what (besides the HD) could "deterioate" over time that isn't a software problem?

I'm thinking I need to get this replaced, but before I do so, I wanted to ask the Oracles of the Box here on the forum for advice.

1. Is this common across all heavily used boxes (that are never turned off), or is this specific to my box?

2. Could it be something that Comcast do fix "remotely" or do you think I just need to replace the box?

3. Is there a better box I should be swapping out to? Does Comcast in the PA region have the 6416 yet?

4. Anything else I should know?

Thanks,

Sounds like the box has problems. Swap it out for a 6412 phase 3...

I've been pretty happy with my unit, but over time, it has been crashing more often. Now it's up to about 3x/week. Also, some shows are not fully recorded. Some 30 minute shows are recorded for 3 minutes, and just recently, an hour manual record ended in 29 minutes. The unit is well ventilated.

What I find strange is that it used to be pretty reliable. I don't quite understand what (besides the HD) could "deterioate" over time that isn't a software problem?

I'm thinking I need to get this replaced, but before I do so, I wanted to ask the Oracles of the Box here on the forum for advice.

1. Is this common across all heavily used boxes (that are never turned off), or is this specific to my box?

2. Could it be something that Comcast do fix "remotely" or do you think I just need to replace the box?

3. Is there a better box I should be swapping out to? Does Comcast in the PA region have the 6416 yet?

4. Anything else I should know?

Thanks,

Sounds like your box has just gone bad! It can happen. Even though you say the box is well ventilated, it still might be running too hot and cooking it's internals. Components like capacitors can be destroyed by too much heat, especially if they have been incorrectly sized for the application.

I have a Phase I box which is NEVER switched off. Had it for almost 1 year now and it's used heavily, BOTH tuners (don't know why someone said tuner 2 is never watched by a human... that person obviously hasn't mastered the art of watching 2 programs at once... I constantly swap between the tuners, browsing for things to watch and using the replay buffer of BOTH tuners).

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

Huge thanks! :)

-JR

I recently upgraded from the 6412 to the 6412 III to take advantage of the HDMI inputs. My old DVR worked great, never a glitch or crash. I've gone through two 6412 III boxes this week and both boxes were/are very buggy.

Slow to respond to remote

Picture freezes for 1 to 2 min

Shows don't completely record( a one hour show stoped after 23 min we went live but the show was 44 min along so we missed 20 minutes of the show, this happen on both pIII boxes)

no picture on either tuner. the guide worked but no picture on any channel SD or HD. i could play a recorded show and when i stoped the recorded show both tuners worked fine. when i turned the box off and on again no picture. I finally unplugged the box and it works ok for now.

the firmware version is 12.18 Im hoping that this is just a software issue I like the hdmi input for a clean install (one cable vs 5) but right now im thinking of trying to get my original 6412 back.

Are many other people having trouble and if so do you know what firmware version you have

I made the same switch to 6412III (with 12.18 fw), and currently have two 6412III and one 6412II. They all work fine, and have had no problems. Remember to keep the box on when you turn off the TV.

Mine was doing that. I've removed the glass door on my equipment rack and it's been solid since (knock wood) so you really might be looking at a temp/airflow issue. I left it unplugged for a few hours and powered it up cold. It worked for about 3 minutes. Tech came Thursday morning and replaced it with a new Phase III.

larry

How come I can't create a series recording for Crossing Jordan (the option doesn't even appear on the record menu), but I can create one for Family Guy???

How come I can't create a series recording for Crossing Jordan (the option doesn't even appear on the record menu), but I can create one for Family Guy???

How are you trying to set up the recording? The series icon (at the bottom of the record options screen) is visible on mine. It worked with both direct from the guide, and from doing a title search.

How are you trying to set up the recording? The series icon (at the bottom of the record options screen) is visible on mine. It worked with both direct from the guide, and from doing a title search.
Just pressing the record button from the tv guide.

I think it thinks there is a future conflict so it doesn't show the option for a series. I always have to play around with Jordan, Greys Anatomy, and Housewives to record all of them. You have to schedule them in a specific order so it uses both tuners, the 9:01 Grey start time screws it up.

Just pressing the record button from the tv guide.

I think it thinks there is a future conflict so it doesn't show the option for a series. I always have to play around with Jordan, Greys Anatomy, and Housewives to record all of them. You have to schedule them in a specific order so it uses both tuners, the 9:01 Grey start time screws it up.
I've seen this behavior before as well. It happens on a couple of other nights too. I have also seen the 6412 claim a conflict when none is apparent, to get around that one I have set the start time at one minute later and the conflict issue goes away. I can only assume that the guide itself is not reflecting the actual stop/start times yet the DVR software is somehow aware of it.

I've seen this behavior before as well. It happens on a couple of other nights too. I have also seen the 6412 claim a conflict when none is apparent, to get around that one I have set the start time at one minute later and the conflict issue goes away. I can only assume that the guide itself is not reflecting the actual stop/start times yet the DVR software is somehow aware of it.

What I've read is that it doesn't know which tuner to use sometimes. Changing the start time sometimes helps.

Usually I have to set Housewives first and then Jordan, since one ends at 9:01 and the starts at 9:00 so both tuners are in use at 9:01, then I can start Grey at 9:01 (I think that's how it was). For some reason, setting Grey second gets it using the 2nd tuner so they both in use at 9:00 when Jordan starts.

You would think that you would see the conflict too, besides not seeing the Jordan with no series option.

When I looked at the scheduled settings for today. It showed the Grey's series on, Housewives is off, and Jordan (which I have a series already set) had no recording event. So I deleted the Jordan series and that's where I saw it wouldn't let me re-create it, only a single event.

This thing is really maddening. Between this and the guide screw ups on my Panasonic dvd-r, I'm really hating tv guide. It didn't record my Lost series last week either for some reason, luckily it was a rerun and I have it also going on my other dvd-r which has no tv guide software on it (old Panasonic E80 which is flawless)

Sounds like the box has problems. Swap it out for a 6412 phase 3...

I have a phase 3...

Picture freezes for 1 to 2 min

Shows don't completely record( a one hour show stoped after 23 min we went live but the show was 44 min along so we missed 20 minutes of the show, this happen on both pIII boxes)
....
Are many other people having trouble and if so do you know what firmware version you have

I have the above problems with my phase 3 unit. Not the other problems you mentioned. I am pretty well convinced I'm going to have to replace it, because it seems to be getting less reliable the longer I have the box.

I have the above problems with my phase 3 unit. Not the other problems you mentioned. I am pretty well convinced I'm going to have to replace it, because it seems to be getting less reliable the longer I have the box.


replace it with a new 6412p3, ask for a brand new, never used.

When I looked at the scheduled settings for today. It showed the Grey's series on, Housewives is off, and Jordan (which I have a series already set) had no recording event. So I deleted the Jordan series and that's where I saw it wouldn't let me re-create it, only a single event.


I also had something like this but when I deleted the series, went back to record as single event it showed as being good to go yet it didn't record the program. I think it was Boston Legal.

Just for giggles, how's this for a bug? Last Thursday Without A Trace was scheduled to record as a Series recording. I turn the TV on Friday afternoon to check for Friday's programs being set correctly and I see that the DVR section in the menu lists as 100% full. The 6142 had started recording WAT at 10PM the previous night and was still recording under the WAT program name at 3PM Friday afternoon!! It was at about 1082 mins for program length. Well, I couldn't stop the recording as I would have lost WAT so I had to watch it right then and there otherwise I would not have had any room for Friday night. I watched it and when done it was listed as over 1200 mins in length and was still recording until I finally deleted it. Bizarre.. :eek: :D

I also had something like this but when I deleted the series, went back to record as single event it showed as being good to go yet it didn't record the program. I think it was Boston Legal.

Just for giggles, how's this for a bug? Last Thursday Without A Trace was scheduled to record as a Series recording. I turn the TV on Friday afternoon to check for Friday's programs being set correctly and I see that the DVR section in the menu lists as 100% full. The 6142 had started recording WAT at 10PM the previous night and was still recording under the WAT program name at 3PM Friday afternoon!! It was at about 1082 mins for program length. Well, I couldn't stop the recording as I would have lost WAT so I had to watch it right then and there otherwise I would not have had any room for Friday night. I watched it and when done it was listed as over 1200 mins in length and was still recording until I finally deleted it. Bizarre.. :eek: :D

I've seen this sort of behaviour with Rome. This exact thing happened to me.

I also had something like this but when I deleted the series, went back to record as single event it showed as being good to go yet it didn't record the program. I think it was Boston Legal.

Just for giggles, how's this for a bug? Last Thursday Without A Trace was scheduled to record as a Series recording. I turn the TV on Friday afternoon to check for Friday's programs being set correctly and I see that the DVR section in the menu lists as 100% full. The 6142 had started recording WAT at 10PM the previous night and was still recording under the WAT program name at 3PM Friday afternoon!! It was at about 1082 mins for program length. Well, I couldn't stop the recording as I would have lost WAT so I had to watch it right then and there otherwise I would not have had any room for Friday night. I watched it and when done it was listed as over 1200 mins in length and was still recording until I finally deleted it. Bizarre.. :eek: :D That happened to me once too. I don't remember what program it was on, but the recording just wouldn't stop. I think I eventually did enough channel changes and tuner swaps and got it to stop and delete all recordings, but it was bizarre.

My Phase II unit is at the other extreme. Often, when it has finished a 1-hr recording, it shuts off entirely including what you were watching at the time. Easy enough to restart, so I haven't asked for a replacement. The swapout might be worse. BTW, the "delayed response" seems to be happening more often lately.

BTW, the "delayed response" seems to be happening more often lately.
It was really bad at my house yesterday evening.

Is anyone here using the phase III HDMI>HDMI to a plasma? I have read some posts on other threads (like the Vizio 50" plasma thread) that says that the 6412 II was having bad handshake issues with the DVI>HDMI connections.. but i cant find anyone who is using straight HDMI>HDMI with this box.

Is anyone here using the phase III HDMI>HDMI to a plasma? I have read some posts on other threads (like the Vizio 50" plasma thread) that says that the 6412 II was having bad handshake issues with the DVI>HDMI connections.. but i cant find anyone who is using straight HDMI>HDMI with this box.

HDMI is a quirky thing on the 6412p3 & 3412p1 STB

Most people report it is a version compatibility problem.

I am using a 6412 Phase III with a Panasonic 42PX50U. with a HDMI cable. New user - got the TV 4 weeks back, HD cable just 2 weeks back.

My first STB was a dud - kept rebooting itself, especially bad when a recording was timed to stop while I was watching another channel. Comcast came this week & gave me a new STB, and so far I have had no problems. The HMDI connection appears to be working well - PQ is wonderful, I think better than component. And the sound quality with HDMI is way better than with component.



Is anyone here using the phase III HDMI>HDMI to a plasma? I have read some posts on other threads (like the Vizio 50" plasma thread) that says that the 6412 II was having bad handshake issues with the DVI>HDMI connections.. but i cant find anyone who is using straight HDMI>HDMI with this box.

Is anyone here using the phase III HDMI>HDMI to a plasma? I have read some posts on other threads (like the Vizio 50" plasma thread) that says that the 6412 II was having bad handshake issues with the DVI>HDMI connections.. but i cant find anyone who is using straight HDMI>HDMI with this box.

I know you asked plasma but just for reference I have a 6412 III (firmware 12.13) HDMI -> HDMI connection to my LCD (Sony KDL-V40XBR1). I've had a few minor pixelation episodes for short durations but overall things have been stable for the ~3 weeks I've had it.

I currently have a Phase I 3412, a Phase III 6412, and a older 6412 (6412/2005) so if anyone needs any comparison done between the three, ask. Currently working on getting the other two replaced with 3412 P I's as soon as I get the recordings onto my DVD Recorder. My only HDTV has DVI (well, component too, duh) , and I have a HDMI to DVI adaptor also. The other TVs are hooked up via S-Video and Coax RF.

Also I asked the Comcast Tech about bigger storage for the DVR's. He said Comcast is switching to Sony for their DVRs. Anyone have any info on that.

Also the Tech went through and tested EVERYTHING. He checked that OnDemand worked, that a whole bunch of channels worked, and some settings in the diagnostic menu worked, even the signal strength off the wall. There was a DVR there before though. Thats the first time I saw any tech check all those things. Mainly they turn it on and see that it makes picture and sound and thats it. And fiddle with some settings like auto-tune and thats it.

I'm wondering if the switch to Sony would come with their Tivo Guide Deal?

I'm wondering if the switch to Sony would come with their Tivo Guide Deal?

Here is the only Sony DVR-HDtv Cable unit I could find so far.

Sony DHG-HDD500 High-Definition DVR

By Michael Antonoff

About 73% of the country is watching cable TV these days. And as HDTV has caught on with this crowd, so have digital cable boxes that include TiVo-like hard-disk recorders for high-def programming. But these boxes, built almost exclusively by either Scientific-Atlanta or Motorola, have drawbacks: limited capacity, a less-than-elegant user interface, and, of course, a monthly lease.

Now Sony is taking on these cable giants with a CableCARD-ready super DVR offering greater capacity and more sophisticated features. Boasting half a terabyte of storage on two 250-gigabyte (GB) hard drives, the DHG-HDD500 should be an HDTV junkie’s dream. It holds at least 60 hours of high-def programs — three times the capacity of high-def DVRs currently available from your cable company — letting you record an entire season of two of your favorite series in high-def without having to delete episodes. And if you love watching movies with Dolby Digital 5.1 sound on the high-def channels of HBO, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax, HDNet Movies, and others, the HDD500 can keep 30 of them at your fingertips. Given how much better movies look in high-def, the HDD500 could relocate your DVD player to the closet. (Sony also offers the similar DHG-HDD250 for $800 with a 250-GB drive.)

What We Think
Thoughtful features and massive storage can’t overcome a clunky program guide.

Other empowering features you don’t typically get from cable-leased boxes include the ability to receive and record analog and digital channels off the air (with the addition of an antenna), pause live TV for up to 90 minutes, zap a 5-minute block of commercials or a boring talk show guest with a single button push, and mark chapters so you can precisely quarantine blocks of commercials without having to scan through them. A universal remote and TV Guide On Screen — a free interactive guide for finding or recording programs — complete the package.

SETUP A CableCARD module supplied by your local cable provider lets the Sony receive premium and high-definition channels without an additional box (though it won’t allow you to access a video-on-demand service). The monthly fee to rent a CableCARD varies by provider, but Time Warner in New York City charges me $1.75 a month vs. $8 to rent an HDTV-capable box with a 160-GB integrated DVR. Though you’d think that installing this PC Card-size device would be as simple as sliding a Wi-Fi card into a notebook computer, you have to schedule a visit with the cable guy so he can hand deliver the card (in my case, a Scientific-Atlanta PowerKEY), pop it into the HDD500’s back panel, and activate service.

An RF-style antenna input for capturing off-air broadcasts and the cable connector are the only source inputs. You have a choice of component-video or HDMI outputs to your HDTV, and there’s an optical digital audio output for sound.


Once the service was turned on, the Sony’s auto setup found some 400 channels on my system. But CableCARD devices won’t display your cable system’s interactive program guide. To get grid-style program listings on the HDD500, you enter your Zip code and wait for the TV Guide On Screen database to load overnight.

I did encounter one unexpected problem during setup. The HDD500 turned out to be sensitive to a 2.4-GHz RF transmitter that the SkipJam iMedia Center — a couple of shelves away on our rack — uses to communicate with its remote (click to see review). Most of the channels below Number 50 — the most popular ones — exhibited severe blocking in which large parts of the picture pixelized and froze up along with continuous audio dropouts. Our regular box, a Scientific-Atlanta Explorer 8300HD, was completely immune to this interference when placed in exactly the same position as the HDD500. A 2.4-GHz Wi-Fi trans-mitter in an adjoining room caused no interference problems.

The SkipJam is FCC-approved for radio transmission, further suggesting an issue with the Sony. So we plugged in a 2.4-GHz cordless phone. Sure enough, the HDD500 exhibited the same picture and sound problems on the same channels whenever the phone’s base was within about 6 feet of it. Two separate samples of the Sony showed the same behavior. Sony is aware of the problem and says it is working to correct it. If you encounter this issue, the company will fix it under normal warranty procedures.

PERFORMANCE Once the source of interference was removed, every channel looked as good as my cable system delivered, whether buffered “live” or recorded. A San Francisco Giants game recorded from the InHD channel was particularly pristine. The Sony’s four-speed slow motion allowed me to keep my eye on the ball no matter how fast the play. Surround sound effects such as gunfire on CSI: Miami were especially startling. Switching live channels between the HDD500 recorder and the Scientific-Atlanta box, I was unable to discern any difference in video or audio quality.

The Short Form
SONYSTYLE.COM / 877-865-7669 / $1,000 / 17 x 3.25 x 14 inches
Plus
•Huge storage capacity.
•Adjustable commercial skip.
•Chapter markers.
•Four-speed slow motion.

Minus
•Only one tuner.
•TV Guide On Screen.


Key Features
•500-GB capacity for recording 60 hours of HDTV or 400 hours of standard TV
•CableCARD slot
•TV Guide On Screen for searching listings and setting recordings
•Live TV can be paused for up to 90 minutes
•Dolby Digital 5.1 via optical digital output
•Chapter marking in live and recorded programs

One of the features on the HDD500 that I like is the ability to mark favorite points in both live and recorded programs. These bookmarks can be placed anywhere. Then you can use the Next or Prev button on the remote to jump to the closest mark. In a recording of Late Night, I put a chapter mark 50 minutes into the show as Conan O’Brien held up Duran Duran’s new CD, allowing me to replay the rock group’s performance without scanning through the program. If you record an ad-infested program, placing a mark at the end of each commercial block lets you leapfrog directly to the next program segment.

The Advance button comes set for a useless 5-second skip, but you can change it to 30, 60, or even 300 seconds to get past long commercial blocks. And I liked the adjustable buffer for pausing live TV up to 90 minutes. As for the uncluttered infrared remote, its best feature is the central scroll bar. Roll your thumb over it, and the highlight bar on screen moves up or down; press and hold it to select an option.

Unfortunately, none of these features make up for getting stuck with TV Guide On Screen, which has a number of inherent flaws that Sony, and apparently other manufacturers, have decided to live with. First, this box and all the TVs we’ve tested that use it load the channels into the guide in arbitrary order that bares no relationship to the cable system’s channel order. A TV Guide On Screen spokesman said the channels were listed in the order of popularity, though it’s funny how Fox always seemed to be at or near the top. (Fox and TV Guide are owned by the same company.) You can manually reorder the lineup yourself, but with hundreds of channels to rearrange, that’s a huge pain.

Next, two advertising panels appear every time you call up the grid, leaving room for only a very small picture window. And the guide, at least in the HDD500, was clumsy to use when I tried to do simple things like moving ahead several days to check program listings. As for doing a search by title, you can enter only the first letter of a show, which produces hundreds of listings.

TV Guide aside, my biggest gripe is that the HDD500 has only one tuner at a time when the major cable companies are offering two-tuner boxes such as the Scientific-Atlanta 8300HD or the Motorola DCT6412. With only one tuner, you can’t record two high-def programs at once. If you’ve lived with two tuners, you know that’s a big drawback. To be fair, part of the fault rests with the first generation of CableCARD modules, which don’t support simultaneous tuning of two channels. But it puts the HDD500 at a strong disadvantage.

BOTTOM LINE Sony included some great features in the HDD500, including awesome storage capacity, a handful of very convenient viewing options, and excellent picture and sound quality. But its reliance on TV Guide On Screen, rather than a proprietary guide (or even a paid service like TiVo), the lack of a second tuner, and the $1,000 price tag makes it a hard sell compared with the $8 or so a month it costs to lease a box from your local cable provider. Sony has to be admired for trying, and I was really rooting for this product to succeed. But in this first generation, anyway, the HDD500 isn’t likely to break the cable companies’ set-top box monopoly.

My Phase II unit is at the other extreme. Often, when it has finished a 1-hr recording, it shuts off entirely including what you were watching at the time. It will do this if your box was turned off when the recording started. Simple solution: never turn the box off.

Also I asked the Comcast Tech about bigger storage for the DVR's. He said Comcast is switching to Sony for their DVRs. Anyone have any info on that.



Hmm this is something new. But coming from a CSR you never know

Hmm this is something new. But coming from a CSR you never know

This was from the comcast tech that came to his house. Not from a CSR....

My bad. Indeed new news. Let's see if someone else has heard something about it

My bad. Indeed new news. Let's see if someone else has heard something about it


Most of the service techs are subcontracted, so most but not all are as clueless as the CSR.
:D


as fot the sony thing, I know Comcast has about 8 more years on the Motorola Deal, and about 3 more years on the last SA Deal. and I only found the one Sanyo DVR in my search. It was a one tuner Cable Card W/ HDTV & 500gb of storage.....

My bad.Alright! It's time I exposed my generational/cultural gap: I hear some people say "My bad".

What does it mean and why do you say it? Where did it come from?

Alright! It's time I exposed my generational/cultural gap: I hear some people say "My bad".

What does it mean and why do you say it? Where did it come from?

translates to "My Mistake"

Also I asked the Comcast Tech about bigger storage for the DVR's. He said Comcast is switching to Sony for their DVRs. Anyone have any info on that.
Sony as source for Comcast DVRs is highly unlikely. Earlier this year, Comcast announced a deal with Pace Micro Technology for "Joint Development for Next-Generation Set-Top Boxes and Related Technologies." Link to press release. (http://www.cmcsk.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=147565&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=714666&)

Possibly, Comcast might use Sony's Passage technology for set top boxes, which would allow them to mix and match Motorola and S-A boxes and conditional access systems. (This technology is not used in Sony's own current line of HD DVRs.)

Sony as source for Comcast DVRs is highly unlikely. Earlier this year, Comcast announced a deal with Pace Micro Technology for "Joint Development for Next-Generation Set-Top Boxes and Related Technologies." Link to press release. (http://www.cmcsk.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=147565&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=714666&)

Possibly, Comcast might use Sony's Passage technology for set top boxes, which would allow them to mix and match Motorola and S-A boxes and conditional access systems. (This technology is not used in Sony's own current line of HD DVRs.)

Great post Steve. Thanks.

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Pace Micro Technology, a leading digital set-top box provider specializing in the development of emerging technologies across all television platforms, today announced the launch of its Tahoe High Definition (HD) Digital Video Recorder (DVR) set-top box solution.



Pace Americas' President Michael Pulli said, "Our Tahoe HD DVR set-top box is hands down the best in its class. We took the time to review existing DVR set-top boxes and improved upon them in almost every way. Tahoe has the best picture, largest hard drive, greatest connectivity - including SATA for connecting external hard drives - most flexible dual decoding for HD programming, most innovative styling, in the industry today."

The Tahoe HD DVR set-top box features include:

Dual tuners for two-channel recording
Expandable 160 GB next generation internal hard drive
Dual HD decoding for HD picture-in-picture
Home media server DVR functionality
DOCSIS v2.0 Cable Modem/DSG capability
New silicon technology for optimized analog picture quality
Extensive connectivity and memory options
Pulli added, "Since we're in a unique position as the only set-top box provider with licenses and technology to deploy boxes on all types of cable T.V. networks, the Tahoe HD DVR is built with a common platform designed to operate on North American cable networks. This underscores a major part of our long-term strategy for the North American market, which is to develop set-top box solutions with a common platform that can easily be deployed on any network."

here is a link to the Tahoe HD DVR Pace 700 Series:

TDC755

http://www.pacemicro.com/corporate/products/prodinfo.asp?PID=DC755

TDC775

http://www.pacemicro.com/Corporate/products/prodinfo.asp?PID=TDC775

I posted this over in the Infocus 4805 thread as well but figured it might be a cable box issue, I have the 6412.

If I use the component input for any lenght over 10 min or so when I switch back to computer input/DVI the screen is blank. Ive turned off all source components and the 4805 goes into "searching" looking for an input, I can turn on the computer input and it finds it immediately but there is no picture. The only cure for this seems to be switching off the 4805 via the main power switch then re starting it.

I have tried disconnecting the DVI from the Comcast box and reconnecting it and the picture comes in momentarily but then it goes away...again I have to completely switch the unit off then back on again and then its seems fine.

I know I have not explained it very well but has anyone experienced anything like this ?

Alright! It's time I exposed my generational/cultural gap: I hear some people say "My bad".

What does it mean and why do you say it? Where did it come from?I don't mean to go Cliff Claven but from the word-detective.com:

"My bad," an exclamation meaning "my fault" or "my mistake," evidently arose in the mid-1980's among players (primarily Black) in informal "pick-up" basketball games. One player would throw a bad pass or flub an easy shot and say "My bad" as a sort of handy shorthand for a more elaborate apology. The term's transition to more general slang use was apparently greatly accelerated by its inclusion in the enormously popular film "Clueless" a few years ago".

The term's transition to more general slang use was apparently greatly accelerated by its inclusion in the enormously popular film "Clueless" a few years ago".I guess I was clueless because I never saw the movie! ;)

My wife attempted to program our Comcast remote for the 30 second skip and for some reason unknown to me programmed to the Page down button. Does anyone know how I can undo this.

Thanks

My wife attempted to program our Comcast remote for the 30 second skip and for some reason unknown to me programmed to the Page down button. Does anyone know how I can undo this.

Thanks

http://cjhengineering.com/hdtv/cablehdtv/dct6412.htm

Don't forget the Fab Five in making "My bad" popular!

the Fab FiveWho?

Is anyone here using the phase III HDMI>HDMI to a plasma? I have read some posts on other threads (like the Vizio 50" plasma thread) that says that the 6412 II was having bad handshake issues with the DVI>HDMI connections.. but i cant find anyone who is using straight HDMI>HDMI with this box.

I've had a 6412 III (HDMI) STB for about three weeks. My experience is similar to Jim 12345, no real problems. The HDMI connection gives noticably better picture and sound when compared to a component connection. Many have commented that the difference between the two is minimal, but not in my case.

My wife attempted to program our Comcast remote for the 30 second skip and for some reason unknown to me programmed to the Page down button. Does anyone know how I can undo this.
Press/release Cable to set the mode. Hold Setup until 2 blinks. Type type 994. Press the PgDn key twice (in other words, you move the PgDn key onto itself.)

I may have asked this before. Does anyone have the code to set a key for a backward skip? A 15-second back skip would be about right for when you've skipped ahead too far. Given how much TV actors mumble these days, it would be good for a quick replay of a critical bit of dialogue. My HDD/DVD recorder has this factory-installed and it's very handy. A key for sequentially going downward on your Favorites list would also be good.

I may have asked this before. Does anyone have the code to set a key for a backward skip? A 15-second back skip would be about right for when you've skipped ahead too far. Given how much TV actors mumble these days, it would be good for a quick replay of a critical bit of dialogue. My HDD/DVD recorder has this factory-installed and it's very handy. A key for sequentially going downward on your Favorites list would also be good.

The 2 comcast silver remotes have the 15 sec. rewind already programed. it is the key to the left of my dvr.

Elsewhere in the forum, you can find instructions for forcing the 6412 to update its firmware. The forum posts note that the procedure doesn't erase your recording or schedule, but does erase your box's settings and "Cable Account Info." What account info? Will it work after upgrading? Or does the cable guy have to come by with some magical codes?

Will it work after upgrading?Yes.

Elsewhere in the forum, you can find instructions for forcing the 6412 to update its firmware. The forum posts note that the procedure doesn't erase your recording or schedule, but does erase your box's settings and "Cable Account Info." What account info? Will it work after upgrading? Or does the cable guy have to come by with some magical codes?

The reset info is the same thing that the cable installer or the cable office does by remote to activate your cable box.

http://www.scan-pa.com/AVS/DCT-DVR%20Reset%20Files/Moto-DCT-xxxx%20Factory%20Reset.txt

I've been pretty happy with my unit, but over time, it has been crashing more often. Now it's up to about 3x/week. Also, some shows are not fully recorded. Some 30 minute shows are recorded for 3 minutes, and just recently, an hour manual record ended in 29 minutes. The unit is well ventilated.

What I find strange is that it used to be pretty reliable. I don't quite understand what (besides the HD) could "deterioate" over time that isn't a software problem?

I'm thinking I need to get this replaced, but before I do so, I wanted to ask the Oracles of the Box here on the forum for advice.

1. Is this common across all heavily used boxes (that are never turned off), or is this specific to my box?

2. Could it be something that Comcast do fix "remotely" or do you think I just need to replace the box?

3. Is there a better box I should be swapping out to? Does Comcast in the PA region have the 6416 yet?

4. Anything else I should know?

Thanks,

I'm not far from you (Lafayette Hill, PA). I just switched my 6412 (phase I) for a 3412. I had a couple of crashes with the 6412, and often remote commands were not being recognized right away.

I called my local office (Plymouth Meeting), and asked if they had a 3412 there. They did -- so I brought my box in, and they gave me the brand new 3412.

So far, no issues with the 3412 (although its been only a couple of days). I think its slightly less noisy too.

The 3412 has a smaller footprint too (its not as deep) -- same width though.

Didn't swap remotes or cables. Simply unplugged my 6412 (left all cables connected to TV and surround system). Then plugged in the 3412 when I brought it home.

Very easy. Didn't need to re-program my remote (I don't use the comcast remote) -- all remote commands are the same.

OK...this may be an extremely dumb question...but I'm struggling.

Is it possible to output a recorded program to my DVD Recorder while watching another channel? If so, how do I do this?

OK...this may be an extremely dumb question...but I'm struggling.

Is it possible to output a recorded program to my DVD Recorder while watching another channel? If so, how do I do this?

No. You can only view 1 active program from the DVR / or Tuner at a time...

I've got what I believe is a new bug in the 6412. When I go to any menu (Guide for example) and press any arrow button, it starts scrolling rapidly as if that button is being held down. I've called Comcast, and they've had me unplug the DVR, and also have sent a reset signal to the box. Neither worked. They say the only solution is to get a new box, but I would rather not lose all my recordings. Anyone with any advice?

Elsewhere in the forum, you can find instructions for forcing the 6412 to update its firmware. The forum posts note that the procedure doesn't erase your recording or schedule, but does erase your box's settings and "Cable Account Info." What account info? Will it work after upgrading? Or does the cable guy have to come by with some magical codes?
Just to clarify, the procedure forces the 6412 to download firmware from the cable head end, but that does not necessarily imply an updated or newer version of firmware. Except in rare circumstances, the firmware version that gets downloaded will be exactly the same as the version that was already in the box.

Just got a new 6412 III to replace the 6200, now I can't record DVHS on the 30K. Copy protected on all channels, output only 480i. How do I get around this?

I've got what I believe is a new bug in the 6412. When I go to any menu (Guide for example) and press any arrow button, it starts scrolling rapidly as if that button is being held down. I've called Comcast, and they've had me unplug the DVR, and also have sent a reset signal to the box. Neither worked. They say the only solution is to get a new box, but I would rather not lose all my recordings. Anyone with any advice?
I would try a new remote before swapping boxes.

The 6412 Setup|Cable Box Setup menu includes an RF Bypass switch. What does it do?

I observe that the rf out on the back of the 6412 passes out only what the box is showing, not all of the channels. What I'd like to do is have a cable signal also go directly into the TV. That way, when both tuners are being used for recording, I can at least view the analog channels on another input into the TV. If it can be done without splitting the signal upstream from the cablebox, the PQ would be better...

The 6412 Setup|Cable Box Setup menu includes an RF Bypass switch. What does it do?

I observe that the rf out on the back of the 6412 passes out only what the box is showing, not all of the channels. What I'd like to do is have a cable signal also go directly into the TV. That way, when both tuners are being used for recording, I can at least view the analog channels on another input into the TV. If it can be done without splitting the signal upstream from the cablebox, the PQ would be better...


The RF Bypass if turned on, will pass the cable RF signal from the cable in to the cable out bypassing the STB rf output. (just like what you want it to do.)

Does anybody have their 6412 in an audio rack? I'm looking at getting a rack, with side walls, however I only have a little over an inch extra space. The right side of the unit barely feels warm, but the left definetly is warm since the power supply is on that side in the back.

Does anyone have <2'' (like the manual suggests) clearence on the sides, and have you had problems with overheating/rebooting?

I'm gonna keep the back open, it does have a glass door, but I might just not put that on to keep a better airflow.

Does anybody have their 6412 in an audio rack? I'm looking at getting a rack, with side walls, however I only have a little over an inch extra space. The right side of the unit barely feels warm, but the left definetly is warm since the power supply is on that side in the back.

Does anyone have <2'' (like the manual suggests) clearence on the sides, and have you had problems with overheating/rebooting?

I'm gonna keep the back open, it does have a glass door, but I might just not put that on to keep a better airflow.

The 6412 P1 & P2 can have a temp normaly in the 125 deg. area. And MUST not be kept in any type of enclosure that does not have some sort of cooling system / temp control.

The 6412p3 has a normal temp of about 104 deg. due to a built in fan at the bottom of the unit.

The 3412p1 has a fan and my temp. has remained in the 95 deg. area with a max temp of 102 deg.

You should keep the STB away from any other electronic heat sources and never encase the unit in any non temp controled cabnet.

I would try a new remote before swapping boxes.

Or easier still, try the cursor controls on the front of the box. See if you get more control from those. If so, I would guess the remote is the culprit.

I'm well aware of the recommendations, i was wondering if anyone has done something like what I want to do. Currently I only have about 2.5 inches on each side, and about 3 inches above it. No problems whatsoever with overheating and/or rebooting.



The 6412 P1 & P2 can have a temp normaly in the 125 deg. area. And MUST not be kept in any type of enclosure that does not have some sort of cooling system / temp control.

The 6412p3 has a normal temp of about 104 deg. due to a built in fan at the bottom of the unit.

The 3412p1 has a fan and my temp. has remained in the 95 deg. area with a max temp of 102 deg.

You should keep the STB away from any other electronic heat sources and never encase the unit in any non temp controled cabnet.

In one of the diagnostic menu's there is an item that shows the temp of the unit. Was going through them today and noticed it. At least you could keep an eye on the temp once in a while.

I've had a 6412 III (HDMI) STB for about three weeks. My experience is similar to Jim 12345, no real problems. The HDMI connection gives noticably better picture and sound when compared to a component connection. Many have commented that the difference between the two is minimal, but not in my case.

I have a Samsung dlp and I'm hooked up to the 6412 via dvi cable.

1) would I really be able to appreciate the video quality on my tv with hdmi vs dvi cabling (my dlp has both kinds of inputs)

2) is hdmi the *only* difference between the older 6412 and the phase III w/hdmi?

thanks!

would I really be able to appreciate the video quality on my tv with hdmi vs dvi cablingAn HDMI video signal is IDENTICAL to an DVI video signal! HDMI merely includes the audio in the same cable. If you are currently using the SPDIF or optical audio connection from the 6412 to your TV or AV receiver, the you will find NO DIFFERENCE on digital and HD channels between your existing DVI connection and an HDMI connection.

[On some Sammy DLPs I have seen, though, there are only L/R analog audio inputs associated with the DVI port - if this is the case, and you are feeding the audio through your TV, the HDMI will provide a superior, digital audio link!]

is hdmi the *only* difference between the older 6412 and the phase III w/hdmi?No. The P3 unit also includes a SATA port (not currently activated). The P3 box uses updated circuitry, different firmware, and has an internal fan for cooling.

Analog channels are handled differently than on the older units - analog channels appears to be better quality on analog outputs and worse quality on the digital output (IMHO).

There are other subtle changes, ie. fast forward and rewind are speedier and there are additional 4:3 override options to include computer monitors. There may be others but that's all that comes to mind at the moment.

The P3 currently has a bug relating to Dolby Digital 5.1 audio when using the HDMI output; this bug is seemingly fixed with firmware 12.22 or better but this revision hasn't yet reached the boondocks!

In one of the diagnostic menu's there is an item that shows the temp of the unit. Was going through them today and noticed it. At least you could keep an eye on the temp once in a while.

How do you get to that menu?

Thanks.

...mike

How do you get to that menu?From memory ....

With the power ON,
Press POWER OFF
Press SELECT
DOWN Arrow to HDD section
RIGHT Arrow
DOWN Arrow

The 6412 Setup|Cable Box Setup menu includes an RF Bypass switch. What does it do?

I observe that the rf out on the back of the 6412 passes out only what the box is showing, not all of the channels. What I'd like to do is have a cable signal also go directly into the TV. That way, when both tuners are being used for recording, I can at least view the analog channels on another input into the TV. If it can be done without splitting the signal upstream from the cablebox, the PQ would be better...
I thought the 6412 didn't have RF out?

Anyways, the RF bypass does NOT work as far as I know. All it does is cause the record light to get stuck on (it was the A/B light on non-DVR models.)

What you need to do is use a splitter. It shouldn't affect PQ much unless you have really weak signals to begin with. If you are worried, get a broadband-compatible amp (the Motorola 484095-001-00 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000066E6Y/qid=1134916979/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl23/103-6441970-4453403?n=507846&s=electronics&v=glance) is very popular.)

I thought the 6412 didn't have RF out?

Anyways, the RF bypass does NOT work as far as I know. All it does is cause the record light to get stuck on (it was the A/B light on non-DVR models.)

What you need to do is use a splitter. It shouldn't affect PQ much unless you have really weak signals to begin with. If you are worried, get a broadband-compatible amp (the Motorola 484095-001-00 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000066E6Y/qid=1134916979/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl23/103-6441970-4453403?n=507846&s=electronics&v=glance) is very popular.)

RF bypass works on my 6412p3 & my 3412p1. I use it to pass on the cable signal to my TV's cable tuner so I can use my TV's PIP feature.

the 6412p1 & 6412p2 did not have a rf out.

Also the rf bypass ability can be disabled by your local head end. If your area has it enabled you can turn it on in the IPG setup menu.

The P3 currently has a bug relating to Dolby Digital 5.1 audio when using the HDMI output; this bug is seemingly fixed with firmware 12.22 or better but this revision hasn't yet reached the boondocks!


Thank you for one of the best replies I've ever seen or received during the time i've used this forum!

Can I assume that if my 6412 doens't have an hdmi port on the back of it that it's not a phase iii unit, or is there a more reliable way to tell which one I have?

Thanks!

Thank you for one of the best replies I've ever seen or received during the time i've used this forum!

Can I assume that if my 6412 doens't have an hdmi port on the back of it that it's not a phase iii unit, or is there a more reliable way to tell which one I have?

Thanks!

The phase 3 has phase III on the front of the STB, it also will have a RF out and a HDMI jack on the back of the unit. There will also be a fan under the unit.

with the 6412 Comcast box, is there any way to skip ahead a fixed amount of time,
i.e. like the 15 second rewind, only go forward instead of backward?

with the 6412 Comcast box, is there any way to skip ahead a fixed amount of time,
i.e. like the 15 second rewind, only go forward instead of backward?

How to program the remote for 30, 60, 90, 120 (and more) Second Skip

Create a 30 second skip using the following directions:

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.

Next, you create a macro using your new 30 second skip:

1) Press and hold down the "Setup" button until the light blinks twice.
2) Press 995.
3) Press the key you want to assign the X second skip to.
4) Press the button that you have used for the 30 second skip x times. (2 times for 60 seconds, 3 times for 90 seconds, and so on.)
5) Press and hold the "Setup" button until the light blinks twice to exit programming.

X = 30, 60, 90, 180, etc.

Analog channels are handled differently than on the older units - analog channels appears to be better quality on analog outputs and worse quality on the digital output (IMHO).

I'm currently using an older-than-phaseIII 6412 and use component outs to my Samsung DLP. I understand I'll appreciate better picture quality using HDMI when I trade this one in, and there's advantage over the ananlog audio as well.

However, from your quote, it seems that I'll be less happy with the non-HD channels coming across HDMI wire. What is the *better* way to view the non-HD channels, then? I get it that I'd need two seperate connections from the 6412 to my tv to make PIP work, so I'll plan to make one HDMI, and the other one.....?

1) is there any connectivity available between two 6412's from Comcast in the same house?

2) does anyone know how much they charge to get a second box?

Thanks!

Does anybody know the difference between a DCT5100 box and a DCT6412 box? My DCT5100 is dead, and Comcast is bringing out a new box tomorrow. Based on their website, I'm guessing it will be the 6412. Will I see any improvements between these two boxes?

I'm currently using an older-than-phaseIII 6412 and use component outs to my Samsung DLP. I understand I'll appreciate better picture quality using HDMI when I trade this one in, and there's advantage over the ananlog audio as well.

However, from your quote, it seems that I'll be less happy with the non-HD channels coming across HDMI wire. What is the *better* way to view the non-HD channels, then? I get it that I'd need two seperate connections from the 6412 to my tv to make PIP work, so I'll plan to make one HDMI, and the other one.....?

All of the 6412 Video output the same thing at the same time. You can not select what tuner / DVR program goes to what output....

1) is there any connectivity available between two 6412's from Comcast in the same house?

2) does anyone know how much they charge to get a second box?

Thanks!

1) Comcast does not have the Home media program up and running yet. When it is, you will be able to watch a DVR show from one 6412 located in one room, on another 64xx / 34xx STB unit located somewhere else in your home.

2) It varies by area.

Usualy $5.00 for the STB & $9.95 for the DVR service (per month)

Does anybody know the difference between a DCT5100 box and a DCT6412 box? My DCT5100 is dead, and Comcast is bringing out a new box tomorrow. Based on their website, I'm guessing it will be the 6412. Will I see any improvements between these two boxes?

the 5100 does not have DVR or duel Tuners.

The 6412 has DVR w/ 120gb hard drive and duel tuners.

PQ has been reported same or better (for HD) on some of the 51xx STB compared to the 64xx STB. However SD is worse on the 6412 then on the 51xx.

I get it that I'd need two seperate connections from the 6412 to my tv to make PIP work, so I'll plan to make one HDMI, and the other one.....?I would run component but, for SD channels, even S-Video can provide an acceptable image, assuming that your TV/projector has a good deinterlacer. (I use an Infocus SP4805 projector which has Faroudja DCDi (http://www.av-outlet.com/en-us/dept_335.html) and SD channels are better on S-Video [480i] than they are from the 6412 DVI/HDMI port.)

I recently took my 6412P3 to my buddy's place and hooked it up to his Sammy DLP RPTV via HDMI. He was blown away by the improvement over his Sammy tuner - on ALL channels!!

Re: PIP ... scanpa is correct. The 6412 only outputs one channel at a time, regardless of which interface you use. But there is still an advantage in running both HDMI and an analog output to your Sammy DLP: you can select the analog input for SD channels and the HDMI input for digital and HD channels. If you split your RF cable and feed both the Moto and the Sammy, you should be able to make PIP work - the Moto on one window and the Sammy on the other. Or, in that case, for live TV use the Moto tuner for digital and HD channels and the Sammy tuner for the analog stations. Lottsa combinations!! ;)

The phase 3 has phase III on the front of the STB, it also will have a RF outNot true on all 6142s. With Shaw, none of the 6412s have an RF out, even the P3. But the P3 does have a SATA port.

1) Comcast does not have the Home media program up and running yet. When it is, you will be able to watch a DVR show from one 6412 located in one room, on another 64xx / 34xx STB unit located somewhere else in your home.


does anyone know when the home media service might be available?

Not true on all 6142s. With Shaw, none of the 6412s have an RF out, even the P3. But the P3 does have a SATA port.

Yes, I know however this is the Official Comcast 6412 w/ iGuide Discussion board.

Comcast is in the US and I use to work for Comcast / Suburban Cable. That's why I only covered the 6412p3 STB that Comcast uses.

Sorry about the confusion. :cool:

does anyone know when the home media service might be available?

Comcast is not even in the beta testing stage last I heard.

Late 2006 / Early 2007 would be my guess on a start......

this is the Official Comcast 6412 w/ iGuide Discussion boardYeah, yeah. I know. We're just ridin' your wagon, eh!! Or as we in the Nort Woods say, "Bumper Shinin'".**


** Also called "shagging cars","skeeching", "skitching", "ski-hitching", "skate-hitching", "hookey bobbing" - holding on to the back of a car bumper and getting towed through the snow, skiing on your feet. It's good to start on a friend's car at about 10 mph, then as you get better you can bumper shine on strangers' cars when you stagger out of the bar at 4AM.

Hi all,
I recently got the phantom 12/31/1989 recording...I tried something that I read quite some time ago in this thread, and it worked great! I haven't seen it mentioned as a potential cure for this lately, so I thought it might be worth mentioning again. When the box was not otherwise busy, I started a recording. I then pulled the power to it. I plugged it back in, and when it came back up the phantom recording was gone. My best guess is that it knows that there is potential for corruption when it gets interrupted that way, so it does a little clean up and deletes the bogus recording. Anyway, sorry to bring something up that's been mentioned before, but I thought it could help some that might not find the previous post...

-Randy

The 2 comcast silver remotes have the 15 sec. rewind already programed. it is the key to the left of my dvr.

Son-of-a-gun! It works. All this time I thought that one with the back-curving arrow was the bi-sexual button.

All this time I thought that one with the back-curving arrow was the bi-sexual button.And you didn't press it ... why??

The 2 comcast silver remotes have the 15 sec. rewind already programed. it is the key to the left of my dvr.True enough.

However I find this button's location a little clumsy to get to if you're holding the remote in your right hand, since you have to move your thumb all the way across the remote to reach that backward-curved-arrow button.

Even more convenient is a second pre-programmed 15-second rewind button which is not labeled as such but actually functions correctly exactly like the backward-curved-arrow key: the "page down" button. This button is located on the right edge of the remote at 2 o'clock from the circular arrangement of four arrow buttons with OK/SELECT in the middle.

I find that this page down key is physically exactly where my thumb falls when I pick up the remote. Very comfortable to just push it to get the 15-second rewind.

The P3 currently has a bug relating to Dolby Digital 5.1 audio when using the HDMI output; this bug is seemingly fixed with firmware 12.22 or better but this revision hasn't yet reached the boondocks!

Boondocks huh? Still on 12.18 here in San Francisco Bay Area, wouldn't call that boondocks! :)

The 'replay' function apparently is default set to 15 seconds,
which is way too long. Anyone know how to change it to, say, 7 seconds?

Not true on all 6142s. With Shaw, none of the 6412s have an RF out, even the P3. But the P3 does have a SATA port.
PDF file of 6412 Phase III:
http://broadband.motorola.com/catalog/product_documents/Final%20DCT6400%20Series%20III%20Product%20Data%20Sheet%2052 4553-001-a.pdf

PDF file of 6412 Phase III: Not sure what your point is, but the referenced PDF shows that the RF output is optional:

• Audio/Video Outputs:
– HDMI, IEEE 1394, Component Video (Y Pb Pr), S-Video, Composite
video, Remodulated RF (optional), Left/right baseband, Optical SPDIF,
Coaxial SPDIF

Just got a new 6412 III to replace the 6200, now I can't record DVHS on the 30K. Copy protected on all channels, output only 480i. How do I get around this? Is your DVHS recorder 5C compliant?

Not sure what your point is, but the referenced PDF shows that the RF output is optional:

• Audio/Video Outputs:
– HDMI, IEEE 1394, Component Video (Y Pb Pr), S-Video, Composite
video, Remodulated RF (optional), Left/right baseband, Optical SPDIF,
Coaxial SPDIF
I personally had not seen any information the Phase III box except for what I had read on this forum. Just thought I would pass on the latest Motorola Information for others.

Hi all,
I recently got the phantom 12/31/1989 recording...I tried something that I read quite some time ago in this thread, and it worked great! I haven't seen it mentioned as a potential cure for this lately, so I thought it might be worth mentioning again. When the box was not otherwise busy, I started a recording. I then pulled the power to it. I plugged it back in, and when it came back up the phantom recording was gone. My best guess is that it knows that there is potential for corruption when it gets interrupted that way, so it does a little clean up and deletes the bogus recording. Anyway, sorry to bring something up that's been mentioned before, but I thought it could help some that might not find the previous post...
Did you try a clean power cycle (box idle or turned off) first? It's possible the simple reboot cleaned it up.

i also had this happen the other day. we had two shows scheduled for recording. i was going to chase watch one of them. when i went to the dvr menu one show had the 12/31/1999 date. i deleted it immediately as the recording was still in progress. the REC indication still remained however indicating both tuners tied up recording.

we were able to chase watch the other show however.

the next day i checked and there was no phantom show recorded and both tuners now appear available for recording. perhaps if the show is marked for deletion before the recording is finished the lockup is avoided.

i sure hope this goes away with 12.22. we still have 12.18 here in baltimore.

jim

Did you try a clean power cycle (box idle or turned off) first? It's possible the simple reboot cleaned it up.

Yessir...several times...that would be my first course of action for pretty much any issue....

-Randy

(Phase II) Several times I've started watching a program, decided I wanted to record it for later playback and pressed the record button. Everything seems fine - the record light comes on, and the full show appears to be recording. I've even watched most of the show, right up to a few minutes to the end, and the progress bar shows I have an hour or so of the program recorde. I think the sequence is then that I schedule or start another recording. When I go back to look at the first recording after it as completed, I find that only a minute or two of the recording has been saved.

This appears to be a bug. Has anyone else encountered this? Is there a fix?

Thanks.

Gary

The Comcast box I've had for three weeks (without any problems) has shut itself off two nights in a row at the same time (10:30pm). No warning but the box restarts immediately (by using the remote) and runs fine thereafter. The remote was not being handled either time this happened and it did not correspond to any recording start or finish. Any idea what could be causing this to happen? Thanks in advance for any feedback.

I Have a Motorola DCT6412/2005. I just bought a Toshiba 46HM95with a 720p native resolution. Should I change the output on the cable box to 720p or should I keep it at 1080i? I was always thought that if the program was at it's native resolution the picture would be better. Also should the 4:3 be 480p or 480i? Any help or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Should I change the output on the cable box to 720p or should I keep it at 1080i? Also should the 4:3 be 480p or 480i?You didn't say whether you were using DVI/HDMI or component. Much is dependent on whether the scaler in your Moto or in your Toshiba is better!

The best thing to do us try all the resolutions for high def and determine for yourself what looks best with your gear.

Once you've settled that, try all the 4:3 Override options for the non-high def channels.

On my Infocus 480p SP4805 projector, using DVI/HDMI, I found that 1080i was best (allowing my projector to do the scaling) and the 4:3 Override to OFF.

Even so, on my Moto 6412P3, I found that the analog channels looked best using 480i over a non-DVI/HDMI output (again allowing my projector to do the deinterlacing) so I ran two outputs to the projector and switch source depending whether I am using digital or analog channels.

Thanks cavu! I'm using an HDMI to DVI cable from my TV to my cable box. I'll have to play around to see which is best. I really appreciate your input! Thanks again!

The manual that came w. our PII claims 480p is preferable over 480i. I have ours set for 480p, but about the only analog we watch is CNN and Jon Stewart on Comedy Central. Watch TCM which is on a digital tier and some of those movies are stunning. Watched a Cagney b&w movie last nite that was virtually as good as HD.
Don't watch any SD movies on any other channel - just HD.
Haven't tried the 480i setting. We use a 50" Panny plasma.


...mike


You didn't say whether you were using DVI/HDMI or component.

Much is dependent on whether the scaler in your Moto or in your Toshiba is better!

The best thing to do us try all the resolutions for high def and determine for yourself what looks best with your gear.

Once you've settled that, try all the 4:3 Override options for the non-high def channels.

On my Infocus 480p SP4805 projector, using DVI/HDMI, I found that 1080i was best (allowing my projector to do the scaling) and the 4:3 Override to OFF.

Even so, on my Moto 6412P3, I found that the analog channels looked best using 480i over a non-DVI/HDMI output (again allowing my projector to do the deinterlacing) so I ran two outputs to the projector and switch source depending whether I am using digital or analog channels.

I recently got a second cable box (DCT3412 I) to use with my Sony 36XBR400 set. This is a HD ready set with a 4:3 screen. Is there any way set the user settings in the cable box to allow a high def broadcast to be seen on the 4:3 screen in non-letterbox format? I had thought the 4:3 pan scan setting was for cropping widescreen programming to fit the 4:3 screen. However, that setting does not change the letterbox format to stanard size on my Sony set. Any suggestions?

I recently got a second cable box (DCT3412 I) to use with my Sony 36XBR400 set. This is a HD ready set with a 4:3 screen. Is there any way set the user settings in the cable box to allow a high def broadcast to be seen on the 4:3 screen in non-letterbox format? I had thought the 4:3 pan scan setting was for cropping widescreen programming to fit the 4:3 screen. However, that setting does not change the letterbox format to stanard size on my Sony set. Any suggestions?

There's not likely any way to alter the HD down-conversion to fill your 4:3 screen, without either distorting it, losing important parts of the picture or dropping the resolution significantly-----or maybe all three of those things. Your best solution is probably to change the display aspect in the TV set, if it has the ability to do that. However, you'll have to accept some compromises in the parameters I listed. On my widescreen HDTV, I can expand the 4:3 letterboxed down-conversion I get through S-Video from my cablebox to my SD HDD/DVD recorder. The HDTV has a mode that expands the picture both laterally and vertically, to fill the whole screen, without distortion. This causes a loss of only small margins along the top and bottom of the picture. It's not likely that even the most advanced 4:3 TV set can duplicate that mode.

The 6412 P1 & P2 can have a temp normaly in the 125 deg. area. And MUST not be kept in any type of enclosure that does not have some sort of cooling system / temp control.

.

I've got my 6412 p1 in my enclosed audio rack with a glass front door, 1" clearance on the sides and about 3" clearance on the top (and a DVD player directly underneath) and I have not seen any performance problems whatsoever. It's been there for well over a year with no problems.

It's been there for well over a year with no problems.What temperature does it normally run at? What has been the maximum tempurature? How many times has it been over-temperature in that year?

I've got my 6412 p1 in my enclosed audio rack with a glass front door, 1" clearance on the sides and about 3" clearance on the top (and a DVD player directly underneath) and I have not seen any performance problems whatsoever. It's been there for well over a year with no problems.

When I was using mine as part of the bedroom system, I had it in a typical enclosed A/V cabinet with a glass front door. I didn't have a lot of space for clearance either on the sides or on top, and it did overheat, making some strange noises which I knew right away weren't good. I then took off the glass front door to give it some airflow, and it stopped overheating. I've since moved it to my main system and in its new position it has lots of breathing room and as you would expect it does not overheat there either.

I had it in a typical enclosed A/V cabinet with a glass front door. I didn't have a lot of space for clearance either on the sides or on top, and it did overheatLikewise. With the glass door closed, my P2 unit would go to 124F. The new P3 goes to about 113F.

I mounted a small computer fan on the back of the cabinet, exhausting the area of the DVR shelf, and it dropped the temps to 102F and 97F respectively. The DVR runs much more reliably when its cool.

IAC, as I own my 6412P3 and care, the machine will last a lot longer.

Perhaps those of you who rent them feel you have no obligation to protect the value of the asset or treat it with respect. I've run across a few who have rented my aircraft who feel the same way; they weren't allowed a second opportunity to abuse the privilege.

Perhaps those of you who rent them feel you have no obligation to protect the value of the asset or treat it with respect. I've run across a few who have rented my aircraft who feel the same way; they weren't allowed a second opportunity to abuse the privilege.

Dude ... putting A/V equipment in an A/V rack is hardly considered abuse ... if I put your aircraft in an aircraft hanger would that be abuse?

Did a search and couldn't find a answer to this queston. Can you take your 6412 to a different location, (house) that doesn't have comcast cable and be able to play the recordings on the dvr? Or do you have to have the cable line plugged in to make the dvr recordings work? I would like to show some hd shows to my family over the holidays and this would be better than dvd.

Did a search and couldn't find a answer to this queston. Can you take your 6412 to a different location, (house) that doesn't have comcast cable and be able to play the recordings on the dvr? Or do you have to have the cable line plugged in to make the dvr recordings work? I would like to show some hd shows to my family over the holidays and this would be better than dvd.I doubt it. I lost my cable signal once for several hours and the recordings played for a while (maybe 30 mins?) and then it wouldn't let me access the playlist any longer. Test it. Unplug the coax cable and try it.

Did a search and couldn't find a answer to this queston. Can you take your 6412 to a different location, (house) that doesn't have comcast cable and be able to play the recordings on the dvr? Or do you have to have the cable line plugged in to make the dvr recordings work? I would like to show some hd shows to my family over the holidays and this would be better than dvd.Interesting question, and I don't remember reading the answer either. Why not unplug it for a few minutes, disconnect the cable, plug it back in and see what it does?

Can you take your 6412 to a different location, (house) that doesn't have comcast cable and be able to play the recordings on the dvr?No.

I have taken my 6412 to friend's who had cable service from the same headend as me and that worked; they could see "my" channels on my box that they didn't subscribe to and the DVR played back fine.

I have also found that you can disconnect the cable after starting a playback and the playback will continue (although I didn't try pausing or fast-winding the program).

But you require a working cable hookup for the box to function.

No.

I have taken my 6412 to friend's who had cable service from the same headend as me and that worked; they could see "my" channels on my box that they didn't subscribe to and the DVR played back fine.

I have also found that you can disconnect the cable after starting a playback and the playback will continue (although I didn't try pausing or fast-winding the program).

But you require a working cable hookup for the box to function.

That's too bad. When I "dumped my dish" for comcast (mainly because of lack of an HD DVR solution and limited HD content), I was still able to view and archive my saved shows off my Dish DVR long after I had disconnected it.

That's too bad. When I "dumped my dish" for comcast (mainly because of lack of an HD DVR solution and limited HD content), I was still able to view and archive my saved shows off my Dish DVR long after I had disconnected it.


That is because you purchased the Dish DVR, where as you rent the DVR and pay a monthly fee for the DVR service with cable.

That is because you purchased the Dish DVR, where as you rent the DVR and pay a monthly fee for the DVR service with cable.Actually you still pay a monthly fee for the DVR service even after purchasing the DVR with satellite. At least you do with DirecTV; I assume Dish is the same.

Actually you still pay a monthly fee for the DVR service even after purchasing the DVR with satellite. At least you do with DirecTV; I assume Dish is the same.

Wow.... now that is messed up.

Please recommend a Wireless A/V Sender to use in conjunction with the 6412, preferably one that you are using. Thanks.

Please recommend a Wireless A/V Sender to use in conjunction with the 6412, preferably one that you are using. Thanks.

I do not use one at home as I have a switch box that routes RF & RCA Component signals to every room in the house from Analog Cable/Digital Cable/VCR1/VCR2/DVD/CD/TAPE ect.

From what I have used for other people smarthome products come to mind..

http://www.smarthome.com/76540.html

Please recommend a Wireless A/V Sender to use in conjunction with the 6412, preferably one that you are using. Thanks.

I have used a "multi-room" distribution system to 5 TV locations for years. However, this is wired via coax making a home run to a distribution box. It has two inputs PLUS analog cable as a third input. Originally input a VCR and D*. A few years ago input D* and BEV (Canadian DBS). Can control any input from anywhere using a "target" to send IR signals back down the coax to the input device. Our BEV system makes use of UHF remotes, so that feature isn't necessary w. them.
Our only HD location is at the main box location.

Couldn't live w.o. it<G>. There are now only two of us at home - so don't need multiple boxes. You could use the AV outputs on the 6412 to do this. Again, tho, this isn't wireless.

...mike

It seems that when one of the network HiDef channels are broadcasting in 5.1 surround the strangest thing occurs. During commercials that are broadcst in 5.1 I lose all the audio except the sub woofer. As soon as the regular programming comes back all of my speakers are working again. I can't figure out what it could be. Can the audio broadcast during the show be that different than the commercials? When my receiver (Yamaha RX-V1400) reads suuround on other channels, say TNT, there is no disruption during commercials, but ABC,NBC, CBS and Fox all have this peculiar behaviour. If during a 5.1 show a commercial is sent just 2 channel stereo then no problem. Any ideas here? Could it be the 6412?
Thanks
JTMav
During commercials on the HD channels my volume drops a lot most of the time, but occasionally gets louder. I adjusted the audio setup to heavy compression and the fluctuations are almost gone. There doesn't seem to be any negative effects from this compression.

Please recommend a Wireless A/V Sender to use in conjunction with the 6412, preferably one that you are using. Thanks.

I'm using the Terk LF-30s I got at Circuit City for $100. Works great, including IR remote functionality.

Hi all,
I recently got the phantom 12/31/1989 recording...I tried something that I read quite some time ago in this thread, and it worked great! I haven't seen it mentioned as a potential cure for this lately, so I thought it might be worth mentioning again. When the box was not otherwise busy, I started a recording. I then pulled the power to it. I plugged it back in, and when it came back up the phantom recording was gone. My best guess is that it knows that there is potential for corruption when it gets interrupted that way, so it does a little clean up and deletes the bogus recording. Anyway, sorry to bring something up that's been mentioned before, but I thought it could help some that might not find the previous post...
I tried this yesterday to get rid of a phantom recording. It didn't work. I tried it twice. With few recordings scheduled over the holidays, I wrote down all my series, manual, and individual recordings and did the DVR reset (in diagnostics mode: Replay, MyDVR, MyDVR, MyDVR, Live, then any key to reboot.)

I tried this yesterday to get rid of a phantom recording. It didn't work. I tried it twice. With few recordings scheduled over the holidays, I wrote down all my series, manual, and individual recordings and did the DVR reset (in diagnostics mode: Replay, MyDVR, MyDVR, MyDVR, Live, then any key to reboot.)

Sorry it didn't work for you...it worked well for me. The more I thought about it, I'm pretty sure it worked for me a long time ago (around the time of the original posting), as well. I have no idea why it would work in some instances, and not in others...but apparently that is the case.

Happy Holidays to everyone on the board! Thanks again for always being willing to share useful info...

-Randy

I would also like to wish every member of the AVS site a Happy & safe Holiday Season.

The number of people we have all helped is triple whatever Comcast support helped! :)

I think triple is being way too conservative.. :p

I got a Harmony (520) remote for Christmas. I don't believe it can but I wanted to confirm that a Harmony can't help get around the direct access to the favorites menu issue. In other words can you program a Harmony to send 'menu' - 'menu' -'favorites' with one push of a button? Thanks!

I got a Harmony (520) remote for Christmas. I don't believe it can but I wanted to confirm that a Harmony can't help get around the direct access to the favorites menu issue. In other words can you program a Harmony to send 'menu' - 'menu' -'favorites' with one push of a button? Thanks!

You can define a new activity and assign it to one of the activity buttons (sort of a waste though). The activity can include only the cable box and you can go to advanced setup of that activity to manually create a list of commands to send.

There might be a better way if you ask Logitech. They have pretty good phone support.

I got a Harmony (520) remote for Christmas. I don't believe it can but I wanted to confirm that a Harmony can't help get around the direct access to the favorites menu issue. In other words can you program a Harmony to send 'menu' - 'menu' -'favorites' with one push of a button? Thanks!

I don't have a 520 model Harmony, but I have 2 other models (880 and 676). Both of them access the 'Favorite' option with 1 button. There is a code for 'favorite' in the list of codes called 'favorite'. Assign it to whatever button you want to use when you program it. It performs 'menu. menu, favorites'. I just tested both of my remotes and it works fine.

Of course, if the 520 is programmed differently than the 880 and 676, forget what I just said! :D

I'm having a strange problem with my 6412 (or maybe my 4805). I thought I would ask some experts :). I have it hooked up with a DVI-D cable to my Infocus 4805. It works fine until I watch a DVD (by switching inputs to the component selection) which I have hooked up with the component cables. If I watch the movie for a long time (we'll say about an hour) when I switch back over to the 6412 and the DVI connection the picture comes up for only about a second them goes blank. This only happens if I don't use the DVI connection for a considerable amount of time. If I just switch back and forth within a couple of minutes I do not have the problem. I've tried powering off the 6412, but that doesn't work. If I switch to component (the DVD player) I still have a picture. The only way to resolve this issue I have found is powering down the 4805 and powering it back up (which uses up extra bulb life). Any ideas on how I can resolve this situation? It sucks watching a DVD and not being able to watch TV again without burning up bulb hours. Thanks in advance.

I'm having a strange problem with my 6412 (or maybe my 4805). I thought I would ask some experts :). I have it hooked up with a DVI-D cable to my Infocus 4805. It works fine until I watch a DVD (by switching inputs to the component selection) which I have hooked up with the component cables. If I watch the movie for a long time (we'll say about an hour) when I switch back over to the 6412 and the DVI connection the picture comes up for only about a second them goes blank. This only happens if I don't use the DVI connection for a considerable amount of time. If I just switch back and forth within a couple of minutes I do not have the problem. I've tried powering off the 6412, but that doesn't work. If I switch to component (the DVD player) I still have a picture. The only way to resolve this issue I have found is powering down the 4805 and powering it back up (which uses up extra bulb life). Any ideas on how I can resolve this situation? It sucks watching a DVD and not being able to watch TV again without burning up bulb hours. Thanks in advance.
Probably an HDCP issue. When you switch away from the DVI port, the Infocus is probably turning it off. The 6412 probably disables it because it senses it going off, and when it turns back on, it probably doesn't respond with the proper security handshaking to re-establish encryption. I would consider it a bug in the Infocus.

I have a similar issue with DVI out of my computer to HDMI into my Sony HDTV. It's an issue with the video display card in the computer.

Until I change the card, un-plugging it from the TV and re-plugging it brings back the picture.

I don't have a 520 model Harmony, but I have 2 other models (880 and 676). Both of them access the 'Favorite' option with 1 button. There is a code for 'favorite' in the list of codes called 'favorite'. Assign it to whatever button you want to use when you program it. It performs 'menu. menu, favorites'. I just tested both of my remotes and it works fine.

Of course, if the 520 is programmed differently than the 880 and 676, forget what I just said! :D
Unfortunately the 520 does not appear to do this. I've assigned the "Favorite" option to a button and all it seems to submit is 'favorite' just like the Comcast remote.

I have looked everywhere and still can't get a definitive answer to this question: Is there a way to plug a laptop or pc into the cable box and record movies that have been saved on the hard drive????

I already have the firewire and software to plug in and record what is being shown on the screen real time. But I want to be able to just "pull" movies off of the internal hard drive and then be able to watch them on my laptop while I'm at work. It would be a lot faster to be able to dump the movie data instead have having to play it real time so it can be recorded.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated so I don't have to continue my tiring search of the internet for this answer.

But I want to be able to just "pull" movies off of the internal hard drive and then be able to watch them on my laptop while I'm at work.

First of all, I've got to say that I'm glad you're not working for me :) .

There is a whole thread devoted to this topic and if you read the first post in the following thread, that should get you started. There's a lot of good info throughout that thread.

Recording from DVR through firewire (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695)

Is there a way to plug a laptop or pc into the cable box and record movies that have been saved on the hard drive?No.

The way you are doing it is the only way currently available. Maybe future firmware will allow it but not now.

I have a similar issue with DVI out of my computer to HDMI into my Sony HDTV. It's an issue with the video display card in the computer.

Until I change the card, un-plugging it from the TV and re-plugging it brings back the picture.

I was afraid of that. Unplugging and plugging a cord back into the projocter is a PIA. Thanks for the help.

Tell me about it.
I'm hopung to buy a JVC Receiver with HDMI in/out soon, for other reasons, but I'm hoping it will resolve the problem for me.

has anyone's 30 sec skip quit working?

Is anyone at 72.06 for the i-Guide software?

Is anyone at 72.06 for the i-Guide software?

No, I'm still on 71.44.

has anyone's 30 sec skip quit working?

It has been discussed in the 'New moto 6412 with HDMI and SATA' thread. Example: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6729595&highlight=skip#post6729595

But I want to be able to just "pull" movies off of the internal hard drive and then be able to watch them on my laptop while I'm at work.Slingbox. (http://www.slingmedia.com/)

Hi All,

My On Demand menus don't seem to be updating. For example, I know that there are a bunch of new Howard Stern programs that aren't showing up.

Any ideas on what I should do from the collective wisdom of this wonderful group?

My On Demand menus don't seem to be updating. For example, I know that there are a bunch of new Howard Stern programs that aren't showing up.

Any ideas on what I should do from the collective wisdom of this wonderful group?
As far as I know, OnDemand menus are loaded 'on demand' as you go through them. They aren't pre-loaded into the box like the guide. If they are not updating, then it's your local headend that is not updating. At worst, you can try power-cycling (unplug/replug the box) to force it to reload information.

Is anyone having a problem with the 6412 Locking up at specific times? It seems to be at 4:20am/pm or 4:50am/om.

I have to unplug the power and plug it back in to reset it. I have 2 6412, and only one of the boxes is having this problem. It probally started about last week or so and is quite annoying.

I wanted to see if others were having this problem before I put in a service call.

Is anyone having a problem with the 6412 Locking up at specific times? It seems to be at 4:20am/pm or 4:50am/om.

I have to unplug the power and plug it back in to reset it. I have 2 6412, and only one of the boxes is having this problem. It probally started about last week or so and is quite annoying.

I wanted to see if others were having this problem before I put in a service call. Is the 6412 off when this occurs or do you leave it on at all times? If it is off try having it on and see if it still occurs.

Have you tried unplugging it to see if recycling the power helps?

Is anyone having a problem with the 6412 Locking up at specific times? It seems to be at 4:20am/pm or 4:50am/om.

I have to unplug the power and plug it back in to reset it. I have 2 6412, and only one of the boxes is having this problem. It probally started about last week or so and is quite annoying.

I wanted to see if others were having this problem before I put in a service call.


This is a known problem and has been discussed in this thread. Do a search for it.

If I recall it has to do with a program scheduled at a certain time.

Thanks!

I tried to search for it, but I could not find the keyword to pull it up. Any suggestions?

Thoe Box is always on, and it just seems to be happening at those times which is an odd time to have a recording scheduled.

If I pull the power and plug it back it in the box comes back online and downloads the channel data. But it will happen at the next 4:20 or 4:50 time frame.

So you think it's a schedule bug? I guess if I deleted all of my scheduled recordings it might fix it?

Thanks.

Do a "search this thread" for 4:20 and there it is.....

When the 6412 is on, press Power then Menu. You can enable close captioning from that screen.

Is this how you get in to the "User Settings" with the iGuide software?

I was hoping to adjust some of the parameters mentioned in the Motorola manual but when I follow their instructions of "Press the Menu key on the front panel" to get in to the User Settings (TV Type, Output of 1080i/720p, 4:3 overide etc) I just end up in the iGuide menu system (of course) which obviously doesn't have any of these options...

FYI my S/W version is: 71.44-1203
F/W is: 09.12

"Press the Menu key on the front panel" to get in to the User Settings (TV Type, Output of 1080i/720p, 4:3 overide etc)You missed a step ... powering the unit off.

Start with your Moto box powered on.

Using the remote control, press POWER OFF
Using the remote control, press MENU

Follow the instructions.

To quit and save your changes, press MENU again.

Thanks, did that and it worked great! :)

Next question I've got a Hitachi CRT RPTV with 7" guns. It has the option to display at 540p or 1080i I have it set to 540p as I find it gives more fluid motion IMO and besides 7" guns have about a 1280 line horizontal resolution anyways. Now I figure setting the 6412 to 720p will continue delivering better motion (important since I watch a lot of HD hockey now! :D ) and not sacrifice anything as the 720p should be more than enough info to run my TV at 540p while offering more fluid motion. Any reasons I should think otherwise?

FWIW I tried flipping the 6412 from 720p to 1080i for comparison but it's hard to make any definitive judgements with the screen flashing off and on and ~5 seconds between changes...

I mentioned it a while ago. I had a series recording for Oprah, and that runs from 4-5.

Search for it. It's there.

Is anyone having a problem with the 6412 Locking up at specific times? It seems to be at 4:20am/pm or 4:50am/om.

I have to unplug the power and plug it back in to reset it. I have 2 6412, and only one of the boxes is having this problem. It probally started about last week or so and is quite annoying.

I wanted to see if others were having this problem before I put in a service call.
This is a well known bug. It's related to the scheduling. At those times, the box runs through the guide and series lists and schedules recordings. Occasionally, some conflict or whatever causes the box to lock up.

The easiest 'fix' is to go through your series recordings and see if you have told it to add extra time to the beginning or end. If so, change it to start and end on time. That alone might fix it.

Otherwise, the only other fix seems to be deleting ALL your series recordings, then re-entering them. At worst, you may even need to do a full DVR reset (it deletes all recordings, scheduled recordings, and series settings.)

I figure setting the 6412 to 720p will continue delivering better motion. Any reasons I should think otherwise?Most HDTV is native 1080i.

It is better that the Hitachi downconvert once to 540p from 1080i than having the STB downconvert 1080i to 720p and then downconverting the 720p again in the Hitachi to 540p.

A single downconversion from 1080i to 540p is also preferable because of the even multiplier (0.5x) involved.

Downcoverting from 1080i to 720p (0.66666) and then from 720p to 540p (0.75) can only introduce errors and data loss.

If your sports channel is native 720p, then set the Moto to 720p. Otherwise leave it at 1080i.

540p or 1080i on the Hitachi ?? You have to judge the image for yourself.

(I gave my 52" Hitachi Ultravision to my son for his new apartment and got myself an Infocus SP4805 projector and a 92" screen. Never looked back!! ;) )

I have both a Phase II and Phase III 6412. One sits on top of the other and they are both fed from the same splitter. After a reset, the Phase II fills in the lost program listiings in a few hours. The Phase III takes more than a day. I've switched the cables coming from the splitter and that doesn't change the behavior. Furthermore, the video is good on both as are the signal values in the diagnostic screen.

Are Phase III's just slow learners, or is there something wrong with my box?

The reason I care about this is due a Comcast practice here in Atlanta. They broadcast a box reset every 4th day at 1:10AM. They use this as a Prophylactic meaure to head off problems. Since it takes more than a day for my Phase III to relearn a full set of program data, I run with incomplete listing at least 25% of the time. On the other hand the Phase II learns them quickly enough that its not an issue.

As far as I know, OnDemand menus are loaded 'on demand' as you go through them. They aren't pre-loaded into the box like the guide. If they are not updating, then it's your local headend that is not updating. At worst, you can try power-cycling (unplug/replug the box) to force it to reload information.

Hmmm... well if that's the case, then I guess its a local headend problem, since last night I tried unplug/replug thing, and today I'm still having the same issue.

I guess I'll try calling, but I don't have much hope of them having a clue...

thanks

Slingbox. (http://www.slingmedia.com/)Wired.com Review (http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,69912-1.html?tw=wn_story_page_next1):

Sling Media Slingbox

In this media-drenched world, we're all desperately yearning to keep our eyeballs glued to the set every minute of the day. And while streaming media may show promise for audio, it has yet to demonstrate real usability for video. To that end, the Sling Media Slingbox promised a streaming TV revolution by letting you transmit your favorite shows from your home computer to any other broadband-connected PC. But not everyone keeps their promises, and the Slingbox's performance barely exceeds that of the average internet video stream. In the age of 50-inch plasmas, the Slingbox's 320-by-240-pixel playback would be laughable if it weren't so sad. Still, we like the idea and hope to see a major upgrade in the product's future.

$250, www.slingmedia.com

Verdict: 2.5 (tepid)

Wired.com Review (http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,69912-1.html?tw=wn_story_page_next1):

Sling Media Slingbox

In this media-drenched world, we're all desperately yearning to keep our eyeballs glued to the set every minute of the day. And while streaming media may show promise for audio, it has yet to demonstrate real usability for video. To that end, the Sling Media Slingbox promised a streaming TV revolution by letting you transmit your favorite shows from your home computer to any other broadband-connected PC. But not everyone keeps their promises, and the Slingbox's performance barely exceeds that of the average internet video stream. In the age of 50-inch plasmas, the Slingbox's 320-by-240-pixel playback would be laughable if it weren't so sad. Still, we like the idea and hope to see a major upgrade in the product's future.

$250, www.slingmedia.com

Verdict: 2.5 (tepid)

Time to look at Acoustic Research 'Digital MediaBridge.' I saw this demo'd by AR tech's this year in New York City. I believe Best Buy is carrying the unit and selling for under $300. I also believe Costco will carry it. Given the Costco insane return policy, you can't lose by trying it. If anyone has tried one, please post your impressions.

Time to look at Acoustic Research 'Digital MediaBridge.' I saw this demo'd by AR tech's this year in New York City. I believe Best Buy is carrying the unit and selling for under $300. I also believe Costco will carry it. Given the Costco insane return policy, you can't lose by trying it. If anyone has tried one, please post your impressions.

Are you sure this thing ever got released? I don't see anything in a google search other than various versions of their year old CES announcment.

This is a well known bug. It's related to the scheduling. At those times, the box runs through the guide and series lists and schedules recordings. Occasionally, some conflict or whatever causes the box to lock up.

The easiest 'fix' is to go through your series recordings and see if you have told it to add extra time to the beginning or end. If so, change it to start and end on time. That alone might fix it.

Otherwise, the only other fix seems to be deleting ALL your series recordings, then re-entering them. At worst, you may even need to do a full DVR reset (it deletes all recordings, scheduled recordings, and series settings.)


As Andy states... To avoid the 4:20 am / 4:50 pm lock up, never add additional time to any Series Recording.

I got a Harmony (520) remote for Christmas. I don't believe it can but I wanted to confirm that a Harmony can't help get around the direct access to the favorites menu issue. In other words can you program a Harmony to send 'menu' - 'menu' -'favorites' with one push of a button? Thanks!
Never realized it until today, but the standard "silver" remote does provide an easy way to view your favorite channels in the guide -

You press the "Guide" button -- once in the guide, you use the "FAV" button. Although all channels remain on screen, this will allow you to scroll between your various favorite channels, skipping over all the others. I find this works fine for me. :)

Never realized it until today, but the standard "silver" remote does provide an easy way to view your favorite channels in the guide -

You press the "Guide" button -- once in the guide, you use the "FAV" button. Although all channels remain on screen, this will allow you to scroll between your various favorite channels, skipping over all the others. I find this works fine for me. :)

Great tip. To add to it, if you press the ok/select button to get the mini guide then press favorites you only have to look at a line of unwanted shows rather than a screen as you keep pressing the favorites button.

Now I have to assign a key on my Harmony remote for favorites since I didn't feel it was worth it before.

So can anyone confirm that the lastest firmware solves the HDMI/5.1 DVR problem on HD content? I'd like to get the lastest firmware, should I call my service provider?

When the firmware is ready for your area they will automatically send it to you. It's a head end by head end thing.

Ok another question. As I understand it the 6412 converts everything, including analog SDTV, to Mpeg on the fly, correct? As such there should be a PCM 2-ch or the like output via the coax/optical outputs should there not?

It seems this worked initially when I first plugged the 6412 in, I was watching and HD channel with DD output to my pre/pro, switched to an analog station and the pre/pro switched to DPL II automatically. However since that initial time it hasn't seemed to work, I just hear my pre/pro clicking seemingly trying to pick up a digital signal that's no longer there.

Is there a setting in the 6412 that I'm missing? The only audio related setting I've been able to find are for "Stereo", "TV Speakers" and "Advanced" which then offers options for "Compression" and a choice betweem "Mono", "Stereo" and "Matrix". None of these options seem to make a difference to the digital output however.

Ok another question. As I understand it the 6412 converts everything, including analog SDTV, to Mpeg on the fly, correct? As such there should be a PCM 2-ch or the like output via the coax/optical outputs should there not?

It seems this worked initially when I first plugged the 6412 in, I was watching and HD channel with DD output to my pre/pro, switched to an analog station and the pre/pro switched to DPL II automatically. However since that initial time it hasn't seemed to work, I just hear my pre/pro clicking seemingly trying to pick up a digital signal that's no longer there.

Is there a setting in the 6412 that I'm missing? The only audio related setting I've been able to find are for "Stereo", "TV Speakers" and "Advanced" which then offers options for "Compression" and a choice betweem "Mono", "Stereo" and "Matrix". None of these options seem to make a difference to the digital output however.You're right, it should just work. I'm not aware of any way to turn off the digital audio output... But that said, my first box worked for about half an hour before I started experiencing a similar problem. For me, the audio kept cutting out, first briefly, but it kept getting worse until there was no digital audio out at all. Luckily the installer was still there working on the Internet connection; he had to replace the 6412 with a new one.

aud19, the 6412 captures the existing MPEG stream from the digital channels and MPEG-encodes the analog channels. The MPEG encoding includes 2-channel AC-3 audio; not PCM. 5.1 or 2.0 digital audio is output via the optical and coaxial jacks, and 2-channel 48 khz analog audio is output via the RCA-audio jacks. There is no PCM audio as such unless that is the term you are using for the analog audio.

With my 6412 the Dolby Digital indicator doesn't appear with the second tuner and sometimes is lost with the first tuner as well. To restore it with the first tuner I need to turn off and back on the 6412's power button. Doing this sometimes results in no analog audio at all coming from the 6412 until I choose to play something that I previously recorded. That restores the analog sound output.

Regarding the digital audio, my receiver has a bug where it loses the digital audio if I interrupt the source. I then have to go to the receiver's tuner and change its input to something else and then back to the one in which the 6412 is connected in order for it to play the digital audio stream again. This, of course, is not a fault with the 6412 but with my receiver.

Ok another question. As I understand it the 6412 converts everything, including analog SDTV, to Mpeg on the fly, correct? As such there should be a PCM 2-ch or the like output via the coax/optical outputs should there not?

It seems this worked initially when I first plugged the 6412 in, I was watching and HD channel with DD output to my pre/pro, switched to an analog station and the pre/pro switched to DPL II automatically. However since that initial time it hasn't seemed to work, I just hear my pre/pro clicking seemingly trying to pick up a digital signal that's no longer there.

Is there a setting in the 6412 that I'm missing? The only audio related setting I've been able to find are for "Stereo", "TV Speakers" and "Advanced" which then offers options for "Compression" and a choice betweem "Mono", "Stereo" and "Matrix". None of these options seem to make a difference to the digital output however.

What connection are you using for Video? What phase of the 6412 do you have?

Scanpa, I'm not sure what "phase" of 6412 I have. How would I check this? I'm using the component output to my TV for video.

HealeyGuy, OK 2-CH DD then not PCM. Regardless I should be able to get digital 2-ch audio to my pre/pro on the analog channels via my digital coax and I'm not.

FWIW The digital audio on digital/HD channels has worked fine, the only time it's cut out is when there's a hiccup in the mpeg stream which makes sense.

So maybe I'll give your suggestion a try and record, then playback, one of the analog channels to try to restore the 2-ch digital output. Anyone else have any ideas...?

i only have a hdmi connection between my tv and the 6412. the 6412 must digitally encode the audio since i receive it on my tv with no other audio connection.

it also sends the digital audio to my avr even on analog stations through the only connection it has: tos.

jim

You're right, it should just work. I'm not aware of any way to turn off the digital audio output... But that said, my first box worked for about half an hour before I started experiencing a similar problem. For me, the audio kept cutting out, first briefly, but it kept getting worse until there was no digital audio out at all. Luckily the installer was still there working on the Internet connection; he had to replace the 6412 with a new one.

I've had the same problem, but it just started this week. I wonder if comcast did an update that broke the audio on analog channels. I have a receiver connected with coax to the 6412, and until this week I had audio no matter what channel I was watching. But now the analog channels don't send audio over the coax, although they are sending some sort of carrier because my receiver can automatically switch to a analog connection if the digital is off and it isn't switching (I tried hooking up the analog outputs of the 6412 to the receiver).

If I force the receiver to use the analog outputs it works, so there seems to be some problem with the 6412. And also if I unplug the 6412 the audio works over the digital connection for about 1 minute, then stops. Comcast has scheduled a service call.

Well at least I'm not alone....lol

Ok another question. As I understand it the 6412 converts everything, including analog SDTV, to Mpeg on the fly, correct? As such there should be a PCM 2-ch or the like output via the coax/optical outputs should there not?

It seems this worked initially when I first plugged the 6412 in, I was watching and HD channel with DD output to my pre/pro, switched to an analog station and the pre/pro switched to DPL II automatically. However since that initial time it hasn't seemed to work, I just hear my pre/pro clicking seemingly trying to pick up a digital signal that's no longer there.

Is there a setting in the 6412 that I'm missing? The only audio related setting I've been able to find are for "Stereo", "TV Speakers" and "Advanced" which then offers options for "Compression" and a choice betweem "Mono", "Stereo" and "Matrix". None of these options seem to make a difference to the digital output however.

That IS an interesting phenomenon. I have the RCA outputs of my 6412 running to my TV, then the RCA out from my TV running to my receiver. The optical out on the 6412 goes directly to my receiver. I get DD5.1 just fine on shows encoded as such and DPLII on the others. If I turn my TV off, the optical cable provides stereo sound from the music channels or whatever I leave the cable box tuned to. I've never had a problem besides the random drops that I assume happen when there's a bitrate drop or something.

i only have a hdmi connection between my tv and the 6412.

I know this is a little tangential, but I, too have hdmi to my sammy dlp from the 6412. What's strange is that audio volume can be controlled from the 6412 when I use the DVI/analog audio input, but the hdmi input is only controlled by the tv. Is that the way it's supposed to work?

Is this the HDMI audio bug?

I use onlly HDMI to connect the 6412 and TV (philips 32PF7320A/37). There is sound coming from the TV speakers but it lost the DD5.1 or DD2.0. When I connect via components and SPIF, the TV will display it got DD5.1 for HDTV and DD2.0 for stero.

My receiver still can get DD5.1 from the coax when I use HDMI for the TV.

oh jeez... I don't know if it is or not. I haven't been paying attention to the type of audio signal coming through hdmi to the tv because I don't have a fancy schmancy audio system... so it could be the hdmi bug. It just seems weird that the 6412 doesn't retain audio level control just for this output.

Scanpa, I'm not sure what "phase" of 6412 I have. How would I check this? I'm using the component output to my TV for video.


The Phase III STB has HDMI output.

Is this the HDMI audio bug?

I use onlly HDMI to connect the 6412 and TV (philips 32PF7320A/37). There is sound coming from the TV speakers but it lost the DD5.1 or DD2.0. When I connect via components and SPIF, the TV will display it got DD5.1 for HDTV and DD2.0 for stero.

My receiver still can get DD5.1 from the coax when I use HDMI for the TV.

My 6412 #III won't send out any audio on the optical digital connection, when I'm connected to a TV with HDMI. So, I use coaxial digital to my audio receiver and it carries Dolby 5.1 and DTS. I have the 12.18 firmware version.

How many DVR users set a recording to watch the Orange Bowl at a later time?
How many of those actually got to see the end of the game? Triple overtime ran the game to 90 minutes later than the schedule. I learned my lesson Monday, when I missed the ends of two other bowl games on my DVR. So, I added 90 minutes to the Orange Bowl's scheduled recording time. Even so, my extended recording ended just 45 seconds after the winning field goal. There was just enough time left to see Joe and Bobby shake hands at midfield. After this, I guess I'll add two full hours to recordings for sports events.

If I were in charge of DVR development, I'd lobby for an important little feature to be added to programming and electronic program guides. I'd want each program to carry a digital code identifying it for this purpose. A DVR that was set to record it, would continue until the program code indicated it was finished. This way, recording wouldn't start and stop based on scheduled clocktime, as it is now. The DVRs would start when they began receiving a program's code and stop only when an extended program was finished. Then, even on canned primetime shows, the first or last bits wouldn't be omitted. We'd no longer be at the mercy of the timing quirks of broadcasters. No more missing out on the opening murders of Law & Order!

New 3412 Box has a bug?

Comcast, Central New Jersey, installed a 3412 box that appears to have a problem with the anlog audio output on HD channels. The out put volume is half what it is on the anlog channels. The firmware is 12.22. Anybody having the same problem?

If I were in charge of DVR development, I'd lobby for an important little feature to be added to programming and electronic program guides. I'd want each program to carry a digital code identifying it for this purpose. A DVR that was set to record it, would continue until the program code indicated it was finished. This way, recording wouldn't start and stop based on scheduled clocktime, as it is now. The DVRs would start when they began receiving a program's code and stop only when an extended program was finished. Then, even on canned primetime shows, the first or last bits wouldn't be omitted. We'd no longer be at the mercy of the timing quirks of broadcasters. No more missing out on the opening murders of Law & Order!

I love the concept, but the problem is that broadcasters don't like DVRs! We can hope this will change since Neilson is going to start tracking DVR usage, but time will tell on that.

Early ReplayTVs had something called 'Sportsguard', or similar, where it would continue recording a show labeled as a sports event for a time after the listed ending time if there was no other show scheduled to be recorded. They also had something called 'Showguard' that did the same type of thing for regular shows. I never used them on my old 3060, and I believe these were 'hidden' features. I think these can still be hacked on the newer models, but I haven't done that yet, either. I'd love to see type of functionality added to today's DVRs...more or less a 'soft' padding that would work when the recorder wasn't going to be otherwise busy, and not cause scheduling conflicts. Having separate settings for sports vs. non-sports shows would be a definite bonus. That would be sweet....

-Randy

The Phase III STB has HDMI output.

Mine's DVI so I'd guess Phase II then...?

ThePerfectView, try adjusting the audio settings. I believe under "Advanced" there's a "Compression" setting that as you go from none to low to high, the audio should get louder ;)

If I were in charge of DVR development, I'd lobby for an important little feature to be added to programming and electronic program guides. I'd want each program to carry a digital code identifying it for this purpose. A DVR that was set to record it, would continue until the program code indicated it was finished. This way, recording wouldn't start and stop based on scheduled clocktime, as it is now. The DVRs would start when they began receiving a program's code and stop only when an extended program was finished. Then, even on canned primetime shows, the first or last bits wouldn't be omitted. We'd no longer be at the mercy of the timing quirks of broadcasters. No more missing out on the opening murders of Law & Order!

Cool Idea... kinda like the way Caller ID works...

i try to set my sports recordings to 15 minutes past if its college basketball (normally are very good with the 2 hours), 30 minutes past if its NBA (they drag and sometimes there is OT), and 1 hour+ ???? if its NFL/college football which are always lousy with the 3, 3.5 hours allocated on the iguide... and even that doesn't guard against the extended overtime like the orange bowl last night... i love your idea or some variation of it. maybe a real time iguide, that doesn't change shows until there is a change in show!

If I were in charge of DVR development, I'd lobby for an important little feature to be added to programming and electronic program guides. I'd want each program to carry a digital code identifying it for this purpose.
Great idea. I've been thinking about something like this for IPTV. It seems like the IP packets could have an identifiable programID in the video stream. The DVR would just check the headers on the packets as it saved them to the hard drive. I'm sure there would be all sorts of problems as stations and carriers figured out how to send the right header information, but you could imagine a future where all shows carry this sort of meta-data just like we have PSIP now for ATSC broadcasts.

Personally, meta-data is a huge pet peeve for me because I still can't believe that we have DVD's that don't have the title encoded on the disc. We should have all sorts of rich meta-data available for digital media, especially in this era of XML and open data formats.

Great idea. I've been thinking about something like this for IPTV. It seems like the IP packets could have an identifiable programID in the video stream. The DVR would just check the headers on the packets as it saved them to the hard drive. I'm sure there would be all sorts of problems as stations and carriers figured out how to send the right header information, but you could imagine a future where all shows carry this sort of meta-data just like we have PSIP now for ATSC broadcasts.

Personally, meta-data is a huge pet peeve for me because I still can't believe that we have DVD's that don't have the title encoded on the disc. We should have all sorts of rich meta-data available for digital media, especially in this era of XML and open data formats.Ah, but that's exactly why you'll never see this feature for DVRs. If there is no consistent use of metadata now, with existing media that supports it, what's the chance of A) getting everyone in the industry to agree on a new standard for the flag, and B) actually getting that flag into enough broadcasts from all content creators and providers to be useful? Especially since it benefits nobody but the end user, who Hollywood doesn't give a d#mn about anyway unless they are collecting cash?

My Comcast 6412 has been working perfectly for a long, long time. Today I found that the clock on it said "12:00" (I keep the time displayed, not the channel). I turned on the TV and the box was frozen.

When I plug it in the display first reads "E609", then "FR 1" and "Hunt" alternate a few times, and then it displays "d;" with a line segment rotating to the left of the dl. This is typically what I see during a firmware upgrade.

However - the firmware upgrade does not seem to ever finish. It ran for a long time, like 1.5 hours. Then I saw it say E609 again, and repeated the entire process over. I've since pulled the plug for several minutes, and now its doing the same thing again.

I'm going to let it run overnight and see if it straightens itself out. I'm not hopeful however.

Have any of your ever experienced it? My cable Internet is very fast - about 5MB/sec. How long should this firmware update take? Is there any way to get things working again?

I'm sure I could get a new box but I'd lose a ton of unwatched programming I have on the DVR, so I'd rather avoid that.

I have a 2nd 6412 and that one is working just fine. Cable internet is working fine, as well as other non digital STBs.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

When I plug it in the display first reads "E609", then "FR 1" and "Hunt" alternate a few times, and then it displays "d;" with a line segment rotating to the left of the dl.Mine did EXACTLY this as well but it also rotated through [ON] E609 dl FR3 hunt ..... FR1 hunt FR2 hunt FR3 ...... FR10 hunt which it repeated several times then E613 E602 hunt [OFF] ... [ON] E609 dl FR3 hunt .....

It never stopped for two days. The cableco could not talk to it and decided to send someone out. I unplugged it overnight. The cable guy arrived and it started the same thing. He went out to the truck to get another 6412P3 unit and was about to unplug mine when it "woke up"!!

It was apparently trying to upload firmware. It started when the cableco tried to do a reset on the box, which apparently failed. It has worked fine since.

I have had the phantom 12/31/89 recording on my box for a month or so, but never been able to clear my recorded shows to try erasing it. I had ~8 recording and all of the sudden last night the DVR stopped playing recordings. I would go to a recording and press play and it would display the time bar for Ch 62 (Scifi here) and then go blank. If I tried to change the channel, the screen would be black like the box was off, but I could still see the info bar at the bottom. If I powered on and off the box, I could now change channels without a problem.

I called Comcast and they had me erase all of my recordings, but we couldn't erase the phantom one. He had me do a "cold boot", by unplugging the unit and then plugging it back in while holding the menu button. He then had be select few a few items and the box hung on the word "cold" and never went to d/l. The box is now dead.

The earliest appt I could get was for Mon, and no hd boxes avail in my area. Pats game is Sat night and I would love to watch it in hd. Anyone familiar with the "cold boot" process that Comcast had me go through. I feel like the CS rep wasn't sure what he was doing and may have screwed it up. I am hoping I can resurrect it so I can at least get the box to work for the game.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Warren

I have had the phantom 12/31/89 recording on my box for a month or so, but never been able to clear my recorded shows to try erasing it. I had ~8 recording and all of the sudden last night the DVR stopped playing recordings. I would go to a recording and press play and it would display the time bar for Ch 62 (Scifi here) and then go blank. If I tried to change the channel, the screen would be black like the box was off, but I could still see the info bar at the bottom. If I powered on and off the box, I could now change channels without a problem.

I called Comcast and they had me erase all of my recordings, but we couldn't erase the phantom one. He had me do a "cold boot", by unplugging the unit and then plugging it back in while holding the menu button. He then had be select few a few items and the box hung on the word "cold" and never went to d/l. The box is now dead.

The earliest appt I could get was for Mon, and no hd boxes avail in my area. Pats game is Sat night and I would love to watch it in hd. Anyone familiar with the "cold boot" process that Comcast had me go through. I feel like the CS rep wasn't sure what he was doing and may have screwed it up. I am hoping I can resurrect it so I can at least get the box to work for the game.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Warren


To reset the 62xx - 64xx / 34xx STB follow these steps.

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

*** This will normaly (some reports that it will on the 34xx series) 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 software, IPG software, DVR Firmware & Your 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.


Here is how to do the DVR Hard Drive Reset & Reformat. BEWARNED: This will delete all DVR recordings, and it will also delete all your recording settings and delete the IPG info from memory.....

DVR Hard Drive reset of the 6412

1. DCT6412 should be turned on
2. Press Cable, Power off, ok/Select, to bring up the Diagnostics Page
3. With diagnostics page showing press Replay (15-sec rewind), DVR, DVR, DVR, Live.
4. 6412 now should show "Clr" in the LED display.
5. Press ok/Select to proceed with the reset (and presumably Exit to cancel).
6. The 6412 should now reset and download the Guide data from the Local headend

Has anyone noticed that the program schedule for Discovery HD Theater has been completely wrong for days now?

I'm in Portland, OR and have called the support line (888-824-8264) a couple of times now and they verify that things do not appear to be correct from their perspective, but give pretty vague information about what they can/will be doing about it.

Anyway, if you notice the same problem, I would appreciate if you would contact your tech support also. Perhaps the problem will get more attention with a bit more pressure. There are too few HD channels as it is, and DHDTV is one of the good ones!

SCANPA

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll give this a try and see if it works.

Warren

Has anyone noticed that the program schedule for Discovery HD Theater has been completely wrong for days now?

I'm in Portland, OR and have called the support line (888-824-8264) a couple of times now and they verify that things do not appear to be correct from their perspective, but give pretty vague information about what they can/will be doing about it.

Anyway, if you notice the same problem, I would appreciate if you would contact your tech support also. Perhaps the problem will get more attention with a bit more pressure. There are too few HD channels as it is, and DHDTV is one of the good ones!

What IPG software are they using in your STB?

What IPG software are they using in your STB?

It is a 6412 (w/ HDMI),
software: 71.44 - 1203
firmware: 12.18

(not sure if that is what you are asking for)

It is a 6412 (w/ HDMI),
software: 71.44 - 1203
firmware: 12.18

(not sure if that is what you are asking for)

Do you have Iguide for your IPG?

Do you have Iguide for your IPG?

I don't know how to determine with certainty that I am running Iguide, but based on screen grabs I have seen on the web, they look about identical to the user interface on my box. So... I think I've got Iguide.

I would post those links, but since I am a brand new user, the forums software is preventing me from embedding URLs into this post. :o

<edit> Looking back at my previous posts, I did not state that my cable provider is Comcast. </edit>

SCANPA

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll give this a try and see if it works.

Warren

Replay, DVR, DVR, DVR, Live should lick the 1989 recording.

A two finger salute (plug in AC while holding power/menu) does not clear recordings (or PPV buys), and may brick your DCT until the cable company sends it a new initialize command. Not all call centers know the initialize - I don't reccomend it unless a person on the phone tells you to do it.

Hey Barovelli, any idea when the SF bay area is going to get the 12.22 FW out, been holding off on swapping my PII out for the PIII until they get the audio problem fixed.

Replay, DVR, DVR, DVR, Live should lick the 1989 recording.

A two finger salute (plug in AC while holding power/menu) does not clear recordings (or PPV buys), and may brick your DCT until the cable company sends it a new initialize command. Not all call centers know the initialize - I don't reccomend it unless a person on the phone tells you to do it.

It's safe and will not harm the DCT.

The Boot menu is the exact same thing that the CSR, or the Installer uses to do the following:

Activate a New Hookup
DCT Factory Reset to new Cond.
Send a Full Reboot signal from the headend.

A Cold reboot signal does the same thing as unplugging the power cord and plugging it back in.

Hey Barovelli, any idea when the SF bay area is going to get the 12.22 FW out, been holding off on swapping my PII out for the PIII until they get the audio problem fixed.

No word other than 12.22 was only approved for the 3412. I hear ya about the audio.

Scanpa, I'm not sure what "phase" of 6412 I have. How would I check this? I'm using the component output to my TV for video.

HealeyGuy, OK 2-CH DD then not PCM. Regardless I should be able to get digital 2-ch audio to my pre/pro on the analog channels via my digital coax and I'm not.

FWIW The digital audio on digital/HD channels has worked fine, the only time it's cut out is when there's a hiccup in the mpeg stream which makes sense.

So maybe I'll give your suggestion a try and record, then playback, one of the analog channels to try to restore the 2-ch digital output. Anyone else have any ideas...?

Well I tried recording an analog show to see if it fixed the problem. It didn't...

The audio worked from the recording but as soon as I went back to watching a live analog channel, no more digital audio output to my pre/pro. So I've got a tech coming out next Saturday to take a look after troubleshooting over the phone last night accomplished nothing.

Has anyone noticed that the program schedule for Discovery HD Theater has been completely wrong for days now?

I'm in Portland, OR and have called the support line (888-824-8264) a couple of times now and they verify that things do not appear to be correct from their perspective, but give pretty vague information about what they can/will be doing about it.

Anyway, if you notice the same problem, I would appreciate if you would contact your tech support also. Perhaps the problem will get more attention with a bit more pressure. There are too few HD channels as it is, and DHDTV is one of the good ones!

We noticed this last night. I went and look at the discovery web site and I THINK it matches the iGuide Information....

We noticed this last night. I went and look at the discovery web site and I THINK it matches the iGuide Information....Just looked at the website, which still has program listings for yesterday. It matches what I saw last night, which is not what was in iGuide. Listings for InHD2 were wrong last night too; don't know what else.

Mquetel, is that number, 888-824-8264, a support number for iGuide?

Mquetel, is that number, 888-824-8264, a support number for iGuide?

No, that is a support number for Comcast.

I unplugged my Comcast DVR box (power and coax) and took it to another location- is there no way now to access my recorded shows (not at a location where I can plug into a charter connection)?

Does anyone know where I can get the BCS games downloaded?

I unplugged my Comcast DVR box (power and coax) and took it to another location- is there no way now to access my recorded shows (not at a location where I can plug into a charter connection)?

Does anyone know where I can get the BCS games downloaded?
As a form of DRM (Digital Rights Management), the box must be able to communicate with the correct headend and be programmed with the correct authorization information. If it doesn't have that, it pretty much locks you out of everything.

I had a really weird recording issue yesterday. I was recording (and mostly watching) SG1 on SciFi, and during commercials, watching another recording to try and catch up. At 7:30 (CST), the box also started recording 'Malcolm in the Middle' on Fox HD.

When I went to watch 'Malcolm', I noticed something weird. The MyDVR listing showed it as 30 minutes, but the on-screen bar only said 9 minutes! I let it play, and when it hit 9 minutes, it kept going!
http://home.att.net/~andyross/DVR_OOPS.JPG

Eventually, the moving part of the bar was nothing but a very thin line at the far right of the graphics window (this was HD, but the graphics are still 4:3). Even weirder, when I guess about 9 minutes was left, the bar jumped back to 0 and worked normally up to 9, where the recording ended as it should have.

If I stopped the recording when it was past the bar, it would restart from the beginning. When I stopped it around 6 or 7 minutes, it restarted near the end of the program. When I stopped it on the second 0-9 bar, it restarted at the original 0-9 minutes! Using the 30-second skip while the bar was past the end caused the 'Do you want to delete?' prompt to appear.

I think what might have caused this was deleting a recording while the two other recordings were going on. Maybe it put in some flag that confused one of the counters.

I unplugged my Comcast DVR box (power and coax) and took it to another location- is there no way now to access my recorded shows (not at a location where I can plug into a charter connection)?

Does anyone know where I can get the BCS games downloaded?

The box could care less where it ends up, if all you want to do it play content from the Hard Drive. Without a data carrier feeding the box the menu and TVG data, you are out of luck. i tried something similar. Recorded a bunch of stuff and brought the box to the weekend ski house with the intention of watching everything. No luck. Brought it back home, plugged it back in and there was everything I had recorded. It needs to have the data carrier info to work properly.

Hi, I just found this Forum. Does any one know if there is a way to up grade from the 120 MB hard drive to a 500MB hard drive? The 15 hours of HD recording is almost useless. I up graded my TIVO to to 465 hours and that was easy enough. I figure I could get 60 Hours of HD and that would be fine .... so I say today.
Has any one found any use for the USB port?
Thanks in advance for any help any one can give me.

Craig

Hi, I just found this Forum. Does any one know if there is a way to up grade from the 120 MB hard drive to a 500MB hard drive? The 15 hours of HD recording is almost useless. I up graded my TIVO to to 465 hours and that was easy enough. I figure I could get 60 Hours of HD and that would be fine .... so I say today.
Has any one found any use for the USB port?
Thanks in advance for any help any one can give me.

Craig

Currently there is no way to upgrade