I think the original idea was for the RF signal to pass through the box when you turned it off. It's possible it worked in very old boxes, but the 5100/6200/64xx/34xx don't. Also, the record light was the A/B light on single-tuner models, and had a different meaning.

I have a 3412 (swapped for a misbehaving 6412 P3). With RF bypass on it does pass both the cable feed and interestingly, the audio from the last channel tuned (at least via the optical out) when the box is "off". That suggests to me that the power button only cuts the video feed and front display.

2 days ago we had a short power outage. When the power came back on, the box, like usual, showed 12:00 on the display. This time however, the box did not reset to the correct time. We then realized that we no longer had our guide, lost all our DVR recordings, cannot access the menu, use any of the DVR functions, etc. etc. We still have all our channels. Has anyone ever had this happen? I did the manual reboot, but that did not work either. Comcast can't come until Wednesday. Very frustrating. I never realized how important the guide is until it's gone. Thanks.

2 days ago we had a short power outage. When the power came back on, the box, like usual, showed 12:00 on the display. This time however, the box did not reset to the correct time. We then realized that we no longer had our guide, lost all our DVR recordings, cannot access the menu, use any of the DVR functions, etc. etc. We still have all our channels. Has anyone ever had this happen? I did the manual reboot, but that did not work either. Comcast can't come until Wednesday. Very frustrating. I never realized how important the guide is until it's gone. Thanks.
Won't Comcast in your area allow you to just go to the office to replace the box. I've done that many times in my area.

2 days ago we had a short power outage. When the power came back on, the box, like usual, showed 12:00 on the display. This time however, the box did not reset to the correct time. We then realized that we no longer had our guide, lost all our DVR recordings, cannot access the menu, use any of the DVR functions, etc. etc. We still have all our channels. Has anyone ever had this happen? I did the manual reboot, but that did not work either. Comcast can't come until Wednesday. Very frustrating. I never realized how important the guide is until it's gone. Thanks.

Do this and see if it works. This will bring it back to " a New Install"

STB Authorizeation and Factory Full Reset

*** 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 STB Authorizeation & Downloading of STB software, IPG software, STB / DVR Firmware from your Cable Head End. Could take up to 20 min to download. You should see [DL] in the display with a led line moving in a square.


After it completes this Download the STB will then Reset/reboot and begin to download the Time setting info for the STB Clock & Download your cable account info and settings. After this is done, it will begin to populate the IPG info. Keep your STB on Standby/Off mode to speed up the IPG Data download. Could take up to 24 Hours to fill in all 2 weeks of IPG info.

Thanks for the quick replies. Unfortunately, I already did a manual reboot, so I would think if I did these steps, I've probably already lost my recordings anyway. Actually, my wife was willing to take some time off today and swap out the DVR. Is their a better version than the 6412 dual tuner she could ask Comcast for?

Hello, sorry if this is a repeat but there's over 250 pages now so I'm not sure where to start. I've just recieved a 6412 (the phase 3 guy w/ HDMI, SATA) from my local provider (service electric cable TV). Had some issues getting it setup but now I'm going good w/ 8 HD channels.

The problem I have is occasionally I find the video+audio studders or stops for just a second or 2. When this happens I get some digital blocks on the picture as its resuming, then it jumps to where it should be leaving me loosing that second or more. When this happens while recording the recording picks up the skip of audio/video. When trying to fast forward past the skip (if it happens in a commercial) the fast forwarding stops at the messup and I have to play past it or hit fast foward many times to get past the messup.

Anyone know what this is, why it happens or how to resolve it?

Thanks!

Won't Comcast in your area allow you to just go to the office to replace the box. I've done that many times in my area.Me too.

Thanks for the quick replies. Unfortunately, I already did a manual reboot, so I would think if I did these steps, I've probably already lost my recordings anyway. Actually, my wife was willing to take some time off today and swap out the DVR. Is their a better version than the 6412 dual tuner she could ask Comcast for?

If you are in an all digital area Comcast should give you a 3412. Similar to the 6412, but digital tuners only. Runs much cooler. Some disagreement about whether PQ is better or worse. Switched outlet on the rear is not switched no matter what the setup menu says.

HELP!

I tried to program (I thought) the HD ZOOM button on my remote to function as enter, and instead of doing that, I caused my "2" button not to work! When I hit 2, it does nothing. How do I get my 2 back to default? Thanks in advance.l

HELP!

I tried to program (I thought) the HD ZOOM button on my remote to function as enter, and instead of doing that, I caused my "2" button not to work! When I hit 2, it does nothing. How do I get my 2 back to default? Thanks in advance.l

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Programming_the_Remote

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Programming_the_Remote#Restore_a_Remapped_Key

Thanks!

I wanted to get P-I-P going on my new set being fed by the 6412 (w/DVI).
Are the DVI and Component outputs both live at the same time, or will I have to use S-video or something as the secondary input ? I don't have an extra set of components to test this out at the moment.
Thanks.

I wanted to get P-I-P going on my new set being fed by the 6412 (w/DVI).
Are the DVI and Component outputs both live at the same time, or will I have to use S-video or something as the secondary input ? I don't have an extra set of components to test this out at the moment.
Thanks.

The biggest problem you face is that you'll get the same content on all outputs...unless you are using the 6412 for a second source or something...

-Randy

The biggest problem you face is that you'll get the same content on all outputs...unless you are using the 6412 for a second source or something...

-Randy

DOH! Boy was that stupid of me. Guess I didn't think that one through, did I?! :o

Thank you...I will have to hook up another tuner...

DOH! Boy was that stupid of me. Guess I didn't think that one through, did I?! :o

Thank you...I will have to hook up another tuner...

Not necessarily. If you don't mind analog for your PIP, split your signal before it goes into the 6412 and send the other lead direct to a coax "in" on your TV.

Not necessarily. If you don't mind analog for your PIP, split your signal before it goes into the 6412 and send the other lead direct to a coax "in" on your TV.

When you split the signal make sure you have enough signal strength. If you have problems after splitting with the cable box you will have to use an amplifying splitter.

Also, if a cable technician comes out to your house and tells you that there is not enough signal strength and tries to put an amplifier at the end before your cable box, stop him. I had one try that, and I had to point out that you have to put the amplifier where the signal is still good, otherwise you are amplifying junk.

HI,

I live in the Comcast Willow Grove area. I am going to order Digital cable and a DVR.

Is the DCT 6412 P III the latest box for my area?

Thank you.

HI,

I live in the Comcast Willow Grove area. I am going to order Digital cable and a DVR.

Is the DCT 6412 P III the latest box for my area?

Thank you.

I'm on Willow Grove Comcast and as far as I know it's the same pos they've been offering all year.

I have a strange question. I am in San Diego and am on Cox Cable. I live in a condo park that gives free advanced/extended cable to the patrons o fthe park. I currently own a samsung HDTV (no QAM). I have a tv-guide standard def dvr (toshiba). I want to move up to HD. I borrowed a friend's QAM tuner (samsung) so I know I have several QAM channels available. My question is, I have seen the Moto 6412 box on Ebay. Can I just buy it and hook it up to my cable? How does the 6412 get its guide data? Does Cox have a way of disabling these boxes?

No you can't. On Comcast systems, the box won't function unless it authorized by them so purchasing one will be a waste of $$$. You might want to try a Cox thread for a definitive answer, though.

Not necessarily. If you don't mind analog for your PIP, split your signal before it goes into the 6412 and send the other lead direct to a coax "in" on your TV.

What I'm going to have to do is split the feed and send it to my OTA HD box which does QAM, and then feed the set from that over component...I just got a Westinghouse LCD which has NO tuners of any kind, pure monitor only. I was just getting ready to Ebay that LG OTA receiver too, I guess I'll put it to use again.

I do have enough signal strength for the split, I actually had it split there before so I could record 2 shows on the DVR and watch a third via the old TV's built in tuner. This was in theory of course, I never really had a need to do that...but I could if I wanted!! ;)

Thanks for the replies.

I have a couple of hi-def recordings scheduled for next week that, since I'm going to be out of town, I want to cancel. But when I try to delete them, they refuse to go away. I'm using a Comcast (now in LA, Time-Warner) series III box that I just got 2 weeks ago.

I've had my 6412 for over a year, and was quite happy with it until just recently. My recorded programs have been very erratic as of late - some have refused to play at all, some have multiple pauses on playback, and the last one only recorded about half the movie even though I had plenty of room on the hard disk. Looks like I'll have to exchange it, but before I do would a hard reset be worth a try, or is it shot?

I've had my 6412 for over a year, and was quite happy with it until just recently. My recorded programs have been very erratic as of late - some have refused to play at all, some have multiple pauses on playback, and the last one only recorded about half the movie even though I had plenty of room on the hard disk. Looks like I'll have to exchange it, but before I do would a hard reset be worth a try, or is it shot?
Unless there are recordings on your box that you just have to watch, I'd just get a new box, it's not worth the trouble to try and trouble shoot the box. It doesn't cost you a thing and saves on the grey hairs :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Unless there are recordings on your box that you just have to watch, I'd just get a new box, it's not worth the trouble to try and trouble shoot the box. It doesn't cost you a thing and saves on the grey hairs :)

Laters,
Mikef5

That's what I'm going to do. On Thursday night Comcast downloaded new firmware, but it didn't solve the hard disk problem. I recorded two programs since then, and they still don't play correctly. I'm going to do a swap on Monday.

Question from a future Iguide user. Cox Communications signed a deal to replace our current guides with Iguide.

How many days of data does it hold? Could someone please post a screenshoot of the guide?


ajwees41

Question from a future Iguide user. Cox Communications signed a deal to replace our current guides with Iguide.

How many days of data does it hold? Could someone please post a screenshoot of the guide?


ajwees41


I should hold 2 weeks.


http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Using_i-Guide

How much of a difference does it make using the 6412's digital output vs. component?

I have a Motorola 6412 (Phase II) with a digital simulcast signal from Comcast. If I hook it up to an LCD panel via component, would it look noticably worse than if I used the DVI port -- because of the extra D/A conversion via component?

For example, if I buy a 32-inch Sony LCD, it has only one digital (HDMI) input, which I would probably use for my DVD player, meaning my 6412 would use component. Or, I could buy a 32-inch Sharp, which has two HDMI inputs and a DVI input for the 6412. So, I'm asking: how much of an advantage would the DVI port on the Sharp be?

How much of a difference does it make using the 6412's digital output vs. component?

I have a Motorola 6412 (Phase II) with a digital simulcast signal from Comcast. If I hook it up to an LCD panel via component, would it look noticably worse than if I used the DVI port -- because of the extra D/A conversion via component?

For example, if I buy a 32-inch Sony LCD, it has only one digital (HDMI) input, which I would probably use for my DVD player, meaning my 6412 would use component. Or, I could buy a 32-inch Sharp, which has two HDMI inputs and a DVI input for the 6412. So, I'm asking: how much of an advantage would the DVI port on the Sharp be?

On my TV, a 70" Sony LCD rear projection, it made no visable difference according to the ISF calibrator I used, so we connected the TV's DVI input to my DVD player, where it did result in some improvement. Your TV('s), though, may yield a different result.

I should hold 2 weeks.


http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Using_i-Guide

WHO do you contact when iGuide data (new episode, first run, rerun, etc.) is consistently incorrect?

WHO do you contact when iGuide data (new episode, first run, rerun, etc.) is consistently incorrect?

Your cable company is Comcast so that is who you contact. They get their data from TV Guide. They have to contact THEIR vendor, TV Guide.

WHO do you contact when iGuide data (new episode, first run, rerun, etc.) is consistently incorrect?

TV Guide only goes by the info provided by that cable ch. or network.

The network / channel is responsible for the info they provide.


For Example, you need to talk to your local ABC channel if there info is incorrect or contains errors.

Setup:

6412 III
Panasonic Plasma
Emotiva DMC-1 Pre amp
Coaxial connection for digital sound

Issues:

This happens most often when FF or RW a recorded show. My sound will completely cut off. I lose my "blue light" on my receiver like its not getting the signal anymore. I can fix this in a couple of ways: 1. Switch inputs on my receiver from the cable box to some other input and then back to the cable box. 2. Changing channels will sometimes fix this 3. Turning my receiver off and then back on.

Is this a known issue? I have browsed a bunch of pages in some of these 6412 threads but did not see my specific issue. Also, a search didnt come up with anything (Im probably not using the right keywords). Any help or direction to turn would be appreciated. Im sorry I do not have a firmware version as Im at work, but if I did need to upgrade the firmware, how would I go about doing this?

Thanks!!

Setup:

6412 III
Panasonic Plasma
Emotiva DMC-1 Pre amp
Coaxial connection for digital sound

Issues:

This happens most often when FF or RW a recorded show. My sound will completely cut off. I lose my "blue light" on my receiver like its not getting the signal anymore. I can fix this in a couple of ways: 1. Switch inputs on my receiver from the cable box to some other input and then back to the cable box. 2. Changing channels will sometimes fix this 3. Turning my receiver off and then back on.

Is this a known issue? I have browsed a bunch of pages in some of these 6412 threads but did not see my specific issue. Also, a search didnt come up with anything (Im probably not using the right keywords). Any help or direction to turn would be appreciated. Im sorry I do not have a firmware version as Im at work, but if I did need to upgrade the firmware, how would I go about doing this?

Thanks!!

This happens to me often. I mute and unmute the box and the sound comes back.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Programming_the_Remote#Add_A_Dedicated_STB_Mute.2FUnmute

aprather your cable company s theonly one who can upgrade the firmware.

ajwees41

Or if you happen to know the design engineer from Motorola:D!!!

This happens most often when FF or RW a recorded show. My sound will completely cut off.Press "STOP" and wait a few seconds. The audio will return. Select "Resume" and carry on.

Hi everyone.
Last night I was trying to install drivers on my pc so I could record shows from my Motorola DCT64**. I followed the instructions very carefully, and everything was going fine. One of the instructions says:

"In 1394 I/O DEVICE section you should see ACTIVE PORTS=1 (indicating the Firewire connection is active)"

While I was installing the drivers, the active ports in the motorola said =1, and all was good. I was trying to get my XP pc to handshake with the DVR so I could record some shows with CapDVHS. I could tell the pc was trying to find it, because it would take a few seconds to try to conncet, then it would say"capture device cannot be found ". The instructions say it may take a few tries of plugging in the firewire to get the two to connect, but after about 40 tries, I decided to reboot my pc. When I plugged the firewire back in, it instantly says "capture device cannot be found" and doesn't even try to look. So I went back into the diagnostic feature of the Motorola, and now the Active ports = 0, instead of =1. This seems to indicate to me that the 134 port is now inactive.

Does anyone know how to set the 1394 I/O device ports back to active?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
thanks

You cannot hook up an external hard drive to your 6412 from Comcast. The SATA port is not energized and Comcast has no intention of allowing it.

I have two 6412s due to the limited ammount of space. I can't wait for the Panasonic to come out maybe they will support an external drive. What specifically do you mean by "SATA port is not energized"? Does that mean there is no power to it and you have to go into the box and connect a power source to it? Or is a software firmware issue? Also why is the SATA port there if it "doesn't work"? I mean this is as was told by some of the forum moderators this is a technical forum. Answers detailed past "yes" "no" "it doesn't work" would be appreciated. I mean if there was no SATA port there I could understand "you can't do it" answer. It's just a little hard to believe with all the hacks that are out there and the things I've seen done that many people said "you can't do that" to that a solution can't be provided to this problem.

[QUOTE=sconset]I have two 6412s due to the limited ammount of space. I can't wait for the Panasonic to come out maybe they will support an external drive. What specifically do you mean by "SATA port is not energized"? Does that mean there is no power to it and you have to go into the box and connect a power source to it? Or is a software firmware issue?

The port is not enabled in the firmware just like many other ports on the 6412.

ajwees41

I have two 6412s due to the limited ammount of space. I can't wait for the Panasonic to come out maybe they will support an external drive. What specifically do you mean by "SATA port is not energized"? Does that mean there is no power to it and you have to go into the box and connect a power source to it? Or is a software firmware issue? Also why is the SATA port there if it "doesn't work"? I mean this is as was told by some of the forum moderators this is a technical forum. Answers detailed past "yes" "no" "it doesn't work" would be appreciated. I mean if there was no SATA port there I could understand "you can't do it" answer. It's just a little hard to believe with all the hacks that are out there and the things I've seen done that many people said "you can't do that" to that a solution can't be provided to this problem.

Well, it means that the MSO has decided not to enable the port. They have complete control over such matters. "You can't do that" is an entirely valid response. It isn't a hardware issue, and it isn't a firmware issue. The fact is that the cable operator chose not to enable the port, and there is really no option (other to complain to the cable operator) to make it work. So that is about as technical as it gets...hope you find that to be an acceptable answer! :cool:

-RH

Well, it means that the MSO has decided not to enable the port. They have complete control over such matters. "You can't do that" is an entirely valid response. It isn't a hardware issue, and it isn't a firmware issue. The fact is that the cable operator chose not to enable the port, and there is really no option (other to complain to the cable operator) to make it work. So that is about as technical as it gets...hope you find that to be an acceptable answer! :cool:

-RH


The reason the /\/\otorola DCT 34xx & 64xx series of STB do not have eSata enabled is due to a problem with DRM software for external 5c compliant recordings. It is a Software issue, that is being looked at. Comcast does not have this problem with the SA HD STB, they have eSata enabled.

The reason the /\/\otorola DCT 34xx & 64xx series of STB do not have eSata enabled is due to a problem with DRM software for external 5c compliant recordings. It is a Software issue, that is being looked at. Comcast does not have this problem with the SA HD STB, they have eSata enabled.

I stand corrected...although I have to say it seems like they have had a long, long time to look at this software problem. It doesn't seem like it would be all that elusive, but apparently it is. It is strange that the Scientific Atlanta folks seem to know how to make it work. As far as it goes, however, there is no workaround for the end user, and I'll stand by the "you can't do that" part of the answer... ;) My 6412 is starting to flake out, it seems, so I guess it is time to swap it out or make the move to E*. Given the new TWC regime here in the DFW area, E* is having more and more appeal....

Thanks!
-R

Folks:

I have a 6412 Phase III box connected to the PIO 4270 over HDMI. Over the past week or so, I seem to be getting some major macro blocking problems on the SD channels.

Does anyone know what this is about?

The only thing that I can think of that has changed is that they switched my signal to all digital a week or so ago. Can this cause this problem? If so, would the 3412 be a better option?

Does the nondvr motorola's run the single tuner Iguide version?

ajwees41

Folks:

I have a 6412 Phase III box connected to the PIO 4270 over HDMI. Over the past week or so, I seem to be getting some major macro blocking problems on the SD channels.

Does anyone know what this is about?

The only thing that I can think of that has changed is that they switched my signal to all digital a week or so ago. Can this cause this problem? If so, would the 3412 be a better option?

Use the STB diagnostic menu and research your signal strengths for all 3 tuners.

Digital signals require a stronger signal then Analog.

Use the STB diagnostic menu and research your signal strengths for all 3 tuners.

Digital signals require a stronger signal then Analog.

Thanks.

How do I get to the diagnostics menu? And what is a good signal strength?

Thanks.

How do I get to the diagnostics menu? And what is a good signal strength?
To check the channel signal strength, tune to the channel you want to check (signal strength is different between channels). Leave the TV on but power down the STB and within 2 seconds hit the Select on the front of the STB or on the remote. The diagnostic menu will then be displayed. Than arrow down to d4 and then hit right arrow.

The signal strength are indicated in SNR and AGC. Both should indicate Good.

However, I live in Fremont and we had a cable outage for 20 hours during the hot spell. Prior to the outage, both of the readings were Good but now AGC is akways Poor and SNR is Poor or Fair. Even though my readings are very bad, I still do not have any problems. So unless AGC is below about 92, I doubt if the signal strength is your problem.

However, if you have breakup problems you could still have bad house wiring or there could be intermittent problems getting all packets through the optic to you (Comcast problem).

To check the channel signal strength, tune to the channel you want to check (signal strength is different between channels). Leave the TV on but power down the STB and within 2 seconds hit the Select on the front of the STB or on the remote. The diagnostic menu will then be displayed. Than arrow down to d4 and then hit right arrow.

The signal strength are indicated in SNR and AGC. Both should indicate Good.

However, I live in Fremont and we had a cable outage for 20 hours during the hot spell. Prior to the outage, both of the readings were Good but now AGC is akways Poor and SNR is Poor or Fair. Even though my readings are very bad, I still do not have any problems. So unless AGC is below about 92, I doubt if the signal strength is your problem.

However, if you have breakup problems you could still have bad house wiring or there could be intermittent problems getting all packets through the optic to you (Comcast problem).

Thanks

I doubt it is my hose wiring. I have been in this place for several years and never had a problem before.... but it could very well be that I never noticed the problem because I was in Analog mode.

Anyway, I'll check out the signal stregth today and see what's going on.

Thanks again.

scanpa (or anyone), here in the Nashville area over the past 48 hrs it appears they are experimenting with showing banner ads inside the guide display on our 6412/3412 DVRs, taking up the bottom line of the listings.

I was under the impression Comcast had decided back a couple of years ago to phase out this kind of highly annoying in-guide forced banner advertising, and so far I haven't seen reports from customers in other areas of the country that they are seeing these ads. So why are we getting these in Nashville?

They're doing it in the SF bay area as well, started a couple of days ago. It looks tacky as hell.

Bay area also on the ads. There was apparently a flood of complaints. So what? Like Comcast care? Puhleeez. They couldn't care less if we hate them. Only if we hate them enough to go to satellite. I wish I did, but I don't. And they know that.

Ads in guide display -

Showing up all over the country. There is a message thread on dslreports in the
Comcast Cable TV thread with 130 replies.

It includes a bunch of stories from people who have complained, and received evasive non-answers and marketing-speak BS for their efforts.

When the New I-Guide & J-Guide come out, they will have ads back in them based on your viewing habits. Sorry.

I have also heard the TiVo software for the /\/\otorola DCT STB's will also have viewing habit based ads......

It's all about the ad $$$$$$

Here's someone you can vent on if you wish to express your opinion of "paying for ads". If this does continue, I will be forced to re-evaluate my movement away from satellite 18 months ago. My Comcast discount is ending, so perhaps it's time to build my own DVR and go some combination of OTA and something else without ads.

National Customer Service
Lori Lego
Senior Director, Executive Support
215-665-1700
ESL_corp@cable.comcast.com

Include your name, number, and address

Scanpa the thing is, on the internet companies such as Youtube or Google provide us something of value for free or reduced cost in exchange for suffering their ads. It's the same with broadcast networks. Otherwise the attraction is greatly reduced - what customers want to BOTH pay for a service AND be bombarded with ads?

Is Comcast going to lower the monthly cost of their DVR service in exchange for us being forced to participate in this ad system? If not, then this seems to be an extremely anti-customer stance that your company is taking.

The ads appear to be timed to be displayed during prime viewing time. They are usually start at 7 pm and are gone by 11 pm.

Currently yes. But it sounds as if they will get significantly worse as time goes on if Comcast finds that the vast majority of users don't raise too much of a ruckus over this. It would likely eventually get to the point of something like Google over the next few years as the DVRs can fetch data over their built in cable modem. How would you like 8 ads appearing on top of each other customized to what you watched last night? That'd be real interesting when your friends come over for a party...

Scanpa the thing is, on the internet companies such as Youtube or Google provide us something of value for free or reduced cost in exchange for suffering their ads. It's the same with broadcast networks. Otherwise the attraction is greatly reduced - what customers want to BOTH pay for a service AND be bombarded with ads?

Is Comcast going to lower the monthly cost of their DVR service in exchange for us being forced to participate in this ad system? If not, then this seems to be an extremely anti-customer stance that your company is taking.

http://www.digg.com/design/Comcast_forces_SPAM_on_customer_s_DVR_s#c2897753


:D

When the New I-Guide & J-Guide come out, they will have ads back in them based on your viewing habits. Sorry.

I have also heard the TiVo software for the /\/\otorola DCT STB's will also have viewing habit based ads......

It's all about the ad $$$$$$


But if I'm right, the new i-guide and J-guide won't be out anytime soon, right? I'm not really concerned, that bridge will be crossed when I get to it, so for now, I'll focus on getting over the 3-4 hours worth of ads(which I basically am). Hopefully the newer guides better incorporate them into the software so that it doesn't cause problems with my DVR.

But if I'm right, the new i-guide and J-guide won't be out anytime soon, right? I'm not really concerned, that bridge will be crossed when I get to it, so for now, I'll focus on getting over the 3-4 hours worth of ads(which I basically am). Hopefully the newer guides better incorporate them into the software so that it doesn't cause problems with my DVR.

Who can say..... Just remember it is comcastic!

Glad I am not a CSR for comcast. the phones must be ringing off the desks with all of these complaints.

since there not doing this yet in my home or work area. I think there just testing the water in some cable plants. But I had heard back in the spring that they were looking into this targeted ad "enhancement" to the cable IPG software.

Who can say..... Just remember it is comcastic!

Glad I am not a CSR for comcast. the phones must be ringing off the desks with all of these complaints.

since there not doing this yet in my home or work area. I think there just testing the water in some cable plants. But I had heard back in the spring that they were looking into this targeted ad "enhancement" to the cable IPG software.


I wonder if there are any general subscribers complaining. I mean, do people who don't belong to these types of forums care that much?

I for one will be seriously reconsidering my thoughts on migrating from DirecTV "non-TiVo" to Comcast "with TiVo" if these pop-up ads are here to stay. In fact, I will not even consider Comcast if those ads are deployed. And that leads to moving my broadband internet service away from Comcast as well.

I'll bet there are hundreds or thousands who look at this ad situation nearly the same way I do. This is not the way to attract or retain customers, IMHO.

the show was "Saved" and the dvr will not let me fast foward. so i figured the advertising peeps were just getting their way. but what i can't figure is why it won't rewind or pause either. this is the first dvr program i've noticed with this problem. to top it off i got 45 min into the show and the video froze but audio continued. video never came back. this has got me really peeved because if they gonna start crap like this i would rather watch it at the sceduled time; at least that way i could have finished watching it. is this is an example of comcast controlling recorded shows or just a malfunction?

Sounds like a malfunction to me since the video froze but audio continued. That isn't a "feature" of any DVR control software that I know of:rolleyes:

They're doing it in the SF bay area as well, started a couple of days ago. It looks tacky as hell.

Yes... very very tacky. I hope they will stop soon.

Not only does it look bad... its also inconvinent, because the cursor stops on the ad, so you have 1 more click to get to where you ant to go.

Concerning the ads in the guide. I certainly don't like them and I'm not sure what it bodes for the future. But if it's what I have to endure to be able to use the 6412 to skip the commercials during a broadcast, I will gladly make that trade any day.

Sounds like a malfunction to me since the video froze but audio continued. That isn't a "feature" of any DVR control software that I know of:rolleyes:

thanks. that makes sense now. i guess i spent the 45 min preceeding the video freeze festering (thinking it was some sort of ad control) that i didn't even think that the video freeze could be what caused the control lock

The reason the /\/\otorola DCT 34xx & 64xx series of STB do not have eSata enabled is due to a problem with DRM software for external 5c compliant recordings. It is a Software issue, that is being looked at. Comcast does not have this problem with the SA HD STB, they have eSata enabled.

Thanks for the info... I wasn't even aware that Comcast was running scientific atlanta boxes. I set one of those up for a friend on cablevision... hung a 500G drive on it worked great. I am in NJ. Where are the SA boxes available through Comcast?

I believe the SAs are in old Time Warner and Adelphia areas.

I like that scanpa... "/\/\otorola"..., very intuitive:)

Thanks for the info... I wasn't even aware that Comcast was running scientific atlanta boxes. I set one of those up for a friend on cablevision... hung a 500G drive on it worked great. I am in NJ. Where are the SA boxes available through Comcast?

Atlanta Ga. uses SA.

Atlanta Ga. uses SA.
You aren't talking about "Comcast"-Atlanta are you? If so, "Comcast" up there uses the Motorola, or "GM" as they are still labeled in the Atlanta area.

If they provide the cable box or the DVR service for free, then I don't mind the ads :-)

But if i'm paying almost triple figures per month for the service, why get bombarded with more ads? :) It's not like Comcast is going to lower its prices because of the ads!

This is similar to when AOL wanted top dollar for the dialup and at the same time bombarded their users with ads :P

Thanks

I doubt it is my house wiring. I have been in this place for several years and never had a problem before.... but it could very well be that I never noticed the problem because I was in Analog mode.

Anyway, I'll check out the signal stregth today and see what's going on.

Thanks again.


An update...

This weekend, I had comast come in and take a look. They replaced the 6412 with a brand new 3416. This did not fix the problem... but at least I now have a 40GB more space for those space hogging HD recordings. Still can't figure out why I have such a bad PQ on some channels.

We've had some odd breakups in a few of the programs recorded on our 6412. The playback will get to a point in the show, then pause, the audo will drop out, and there's often some severe pixilization/macroblocking as well. As far as I can recall, these are all SC recordings, and it's not all shows we've recorded.

We're in Boston/Comcast, and the 6412 is connected to the TV via a DVI-HDMI cable. Has anyone else seen effects like these?

You aren't talking about "Comcast"-Atlanta are you? If so, "Comcast" up there uses the Motorola, or "GM" as they are still labeled in the Atlanta area.

I think you mean "GI" for General Instruments, whom /\/\otorola bought out a few years back, no?

I know Alpharetta, GA uses the /\/\otorola boxes. I helped install my uncle's box down there a year or so back.

An update...

This weekend, I had comast come in and take a look. They replaced the 6412 with a brand new 3416. This did not fix the problem... but at least I now have a 40GB more space for those space hogging HD recordings. Still can't figure out why I have such a bad PQ on some channels.
Earlier you stated that the problems were one the SD channels and you changed from analog to digital for the first 100 channels so it doesn't appear to be a wiring problem. How you tried to split the cable and a connect to the analog RF connection on the back of the TV to see if the same results occur? If they do and the station that is giving you problems is local, do you have a indoor antenna to determine if it is the station that is giving the problems?

Earlier you stated that the problems were one the SD channels and you changed from analog to digital for the first 100 channels so it doesn't appear to be a wiring problem. How you tried to split the cable and a connect to the analog RF connection on the back of the TV to see if the same results occur? If they do and the station that is giving you problems is local, do you have a indoor antenna to determine if it is the station that is giving the problems?

Thanks

Yes, I did try to plug the cable into the TV directly... and that seems to have the problem as well, although not as proninced.

I don't have an antenna to test if the problem is with NBC or with Comcast. However I di assume that if the problem was with NBC (which is the worst affected), then there would have been many more comments in this forum.

I am convinced that the problem is more with Comcast... probably pretty local to my area.

Anyway, I guess I'll live with it for now... I try to avoid the SD stuff in any case.

Thanks

Yes, I did try to plug the cable into the TV directly... and that seems to have the problem as well, although not as proninced.

I don't have an antenna to test if the problem is with NBC or with Comcast. However I di assume that if the problem was with NBC (which is the worst affected), then there would have been many more comments in this forum.

I am convinced that the problem is more with Comcast... probably pretty local to my area.

Anyway, I guess I'll live with it for now... I try to avoid the SD stuff in any case.
I don't know about SD but KNTV HD has been having problems lately especially late at night. Also, KPIX HD was having problems usually during early afternoon but those seem to have been resolved.

We've had some odd breakups in a few of the programs recorded on our 6412. The playback will get to a point in the show, then pause, the audo will drop out, and there's often some severe pixilization/macroblocking as well. As far as I can recall, these are all SC recordings, and it's not all shows we've recorded.

We're in Boston/Comcast, and the 6412 is connected to the TV via a DVI-HDMI cable. Has anyone else seen effects like these?

I noticed a couple of occassions of that but it was very short. I get these occasionally, I don't know if there's a pattern. A couple of times the fast forward got stuck, and I had to "push" it by either 1x playback or jumping ahead with the +30s button

I have a problem with my box. I don't get sound on any channel from 96 down. If I record something on one of these channels, it plays back with sound. I just can't watch something live and hear it. Has anyone else seen this problem? I reset my box but that didn't help. :(

I have a problem with my box. I don't get sound on any channel from 96 down. If I record something on one of these channels, it plays back with sound. I just can't watch something live and hear it. Has anyone else seen this problem? I reset my box but that didn't help. :(

LLF,

What Firmware & Software version is your STB running?

Here is How to check it:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Firmware_and_Software#How_To_Check_Your_Firmware_and_Softwar e_Versions_.28i-Guide.29

I have 6-8 hours worth of recorded programming on my 6412 that I want to watch soon, but I won't be home. If I bring the 6412 with me to someone else's house and connect it to their TV, will it work? I don't care about recording new programming.

I have 6-8 hours worth of recorded programming on my 6412 that I want to watch soon, but I won't be home. If I bring the 6412 with me to someone else's house and connect it to their TV, will it work? I don't care about recording new programming.

Absolutly not!

I have 6-8 hours worth of recorded programming on my 6412 that I want to watch soon, but I won't be home. If I bring the 6412 with me to someone else's house and connect it to their TV, will it work? I don't care about recording new programming.

Only if that person is on the same Cable headend. for the STB to work or function, it must be registered (STB Seriel #) for use on that headend.

Absolutly not!Certainly it can be done! I do it all the time.

You have to hookup the DVR to the friend's cable service for the DVR to "wake up".

The DVR "GI" or "M" number is on file with the cable company and their system recognizes it whether or not it is located at your physical address.

I "lent" my DVR to a friend when we were overseas for a month. It worked just fine for them - they got my channel lineup instead of their own while using the DVR.

Certainly it can be done! I do it all the time.

You have to hookup the DVR to the friend's cable service for the DVR to "wake up".

The DVR "GI" or "M" number is on file with the cable company and their system recognizes it whether or not it is located at your physical address.

I "lent" my DVR to a friend when we were overseas for a month. It worked just fine for them - they got my channel lineup instead of their own while using the DVR.

What works in Canada doesn't mean it works in the USA. Scanpa has the right answer for our questioner. If it's in the same head-end, it''ll work, if not, no it won't.

I'm not sure if its the same thing but when I moved, the house I move into already had cable and I hooked up my cable modem to it and surfed away. They did bring me a new set top box that was in my name but they new nothing about my modem. I eventually called them to add it to my bill because I didn't want them to cancel my email address but a cable box may be different. I'm sure it only worked because my modem was registered with them in my name but they weren't billing me for it. It doesn't hurt to try and see anyway. What do you have to lose?

Certainly it can be done! I do it all the time.

You have to hookup the DVR to the friend's cable service for the DVR to "wake up".

The DVR "GI" or "M" number is on file with the cable company and their system recognizes it whether or not it is located at your physical address.

I "lent" my DVR to a friend when we were overseas for a month. It worked just fine for them - they got my channel lineup instead of their own while using the DVR.

The reason yours works is YOU OWN the STB. Your in Canada.

Please keep replies on topic here, as this topic only applies to USA COMCAST users ONLY!

Been having a lot of problems with my box lately, I don't know if it's because the system is being overloaded with too many users, incl. all the digital phone users, or if my box is on the way out.

Box will just stop and studer horribly, no audio. Changing channels helps for about 30-45 seconds. Same thing, I turn it off and back on, it will be fine for about a minute or so. If I leave it long enough, eventually the screen will just go blank and video output totally stops. And it rebooted on it's own last week too.

Then if it starts working ok, if I leave it on the same channel for about 20-30 minutes or so, i will not be able to FF or REW(the little circle with a slash comes up), and I also cannot swap tuners! Change channels, poof I can swap again.

Some nights it's fine, some nights its not. Signal levels aren't any different, #1 running around 37db, #2 about 33db. I do notice sometimes when refreshing the signal levels that I get a few "correctable errors" on tuner 2. This never happened before. Temps are fine.

I think this box is on the way out, which really sucks because it worked pretty well for 15 months. I gotta get what I can off of it before it totally crashes...

Is anyone else having similar problems lately? I never saw these so called "ads" on my box either.

Please stay on topic !

I don't know what's on topic or off, so my apologies in advance. However, I did find it valuable information to know that if I, in the USA, disconnect my 6412 from the cable (that's what the implication is here), I can't play back anything I already recorded. Perhaps that's the way it works, but I didn't know that, and it's interesting to me. Also, if I take the box somewhere else (i.e. a different city) and reconnect to someone else's Comcast cable, I also can't watch what I already recorded. Naively, I think of this thing as a VCR when clearly it's not. So, if the info provided here is true, and I have no reason to think it isn't, then thanks much for the heads up.

I don't know what's on topic or off, so my apologies in advance. However, I did find it valuable information to know that if I, in the USA, disconnect my 6412 from the cable (that's what the implication is here), I can't play back anything I already recorded. Perhaps that's the way it works, but I didn't know that, and it's interesting to me. Also, if I take the box somewhere else (i.e. a different city) and reconnect to someone else's Comcast cable, I also can't watch what I already recorded. Naively, I think of this thing as a VCR when clearly it's not. So, if the info provided here is true, and I have no reason to think it isn't, then thanks much for the heads up.


Your on topic, if your a Comcast Subscriber and use a 6412 w/ Iguide!

Your welcome, thats what were all here for.

It also partially answers a question that I have always had about the 6412. That is, what kind of idiot would design a DVR with a 120G hard drive and not use that hard drive to store at least a backup copy of the guide data?

The answer seems to be: the kind of idiot who wants to make really sure that the box is unusable except when connected to the cable.

It also partially answers a question that I have always had about the 6412. That is, what kind of idiot would design a DVR with a 120G hard drive and not use that hard drive to store at least a backup copy of the guide data?

The answer seems to be: the kind of idiot who wants to make really sure that the box is unusable except when connected to the cable.
The main issue is the IGuide software. I think DVR control was a last-second additions, so they just used the standard program guide routines from the old software. With OCAP communication coming soon, maybe the software can be updated to store the guide on the drive instead of only in memory.

New problem with my 6412. Several times now the box seems displays the current channel ok but that is it. Noting works on the remote or the front of the box - changing channels, menu, the Guide etc. I have to unplug the box to reset it. This just started about 7 days ago. :mad:

The reason yours works is YOU OWN the STB. Your in Canada.

Please keep replies on topic here, as this topic only applies to USA COMCAST users ONLY!Boy, did someone pee in your cornflakes?!

Nothing I said disagrees with what you said. My point was that the DVR has to be hooked up to the (same) cable system to operate. (It has NOTHING to do with who "owns" the DVR.)

IAC, I was responding to someone who's answer to the question was "Absolutely not!" which is incorrect.

Chill out.

If it's in the same head-end, it''ll work, if not, no it won't.That's what I said (although I didn't explicitly state that it had to be the SAME headend - I "assumed" that it would be when visiting the neighbours.)

New problem with my 6412. Several times now the box seems displays the current channel ok but that is it. Noting works on the remote or the front of the box - changing channels, menu, the Guide etc. I have to unplug the box to reset it. This just started about 7 days ago. :mad:
Does it seem to lock up at 4:20 am or pm? If you are not sure, change the settings so it displays the time instead of the channel. If that is when it is locking up, it's a known bug with series scheduling. There is a Wikibook entry about it here:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Bugs#Box_locks_up_between_4:20_and_4:50_AM_or_PM

:mad:


We had a couple of power outages today (Burlington, NJ area) and tonight when I went to check how much space was left on my 6412, everything I had on the box was gone! Needless to say I'm PO'd. I had the last 4 or 5 episodes of Rescue Me, 3 episode of The Blues from PBS as well as several other shows that I know won't be repeated anytime soon. Anybody know if their is a way to recover these shows or are they lost for good?

I've never heard of a 6412 loosing it's recordings when it looses power before. :eek:

:mad:


We had a couple of power outages today (Burlington, NJ area) and tonight when I went to check how much space was left on my 6412, everything I had on the box was gone! Needless to say I'm PO'd. I had the last 4 or 5 episodes of Rescue Me, 3 episode of The Blues from PBS as well as several other shows that I know won't be repeated anytime soon. Anybody know if their is a way to recover these shows or are they lost for good?

Unplug the box for 15 minutes and then power it back up. This may not work but similar maladies have been corrected this way.

Anyone have a problem when playing back a recorded show where it goes automatically to delete recording? It shows the entire show has recorded but when I try and play it back it goes directly to the delete recording screen and won't play at all. This does not happen on all recorded show. I have also had difficulty lately trying to pause rewind on live tv and swapping between tuners. Again it doesn't happen all the time. I have a 6412 II. Wondering if it is time to get a new box? I have all the other bugs..12/31 recordings, blank screen (play dvr recording stop exit and picture returns)

Are you selecting "Play" or are you selecting "Play From Beginning"?

Anyone have a problem when playing back a recorded show where it goes automatically to delete recording? It shows the entire show has recorded but when I try and play it back it goes directly to the delete recording screen and won't play at all. This does not happen on all recorded show. I have also had difficulty lately trying to pause rewind on live tv and swapping between tuners. Again it doesn't happen all the time. I have a 6412 II. Wondering if it is time to get a new box? I have all the other bugs..12/31 recordings, blank screen (play dvr recording stop exit and picture returns)
I did have a similar problem once with the show trying to delete a few minutes into the show and the swap stopped working. I believe it started after my series recording list got out of wack (there was a gap in numbers in my list). I fixed the problem several months ago and it has not come back. I deleted my entire series recording list, then unplugged the box for a few minutes. After I plugged the box in and and recreated my series recording list, all was well.

I did have a similar problem once with the show trying to delete a few minutes into the show and the swap stopped working. I believe it started after my series recording list got out of wack (there was a gap in numbers in my list). I fixed the problem several months ago and it has not come back. I deleted my entire series recording list, then unplugged the box for a few minutes. After I plugged the box in and and recreated my series recording list, all was well.

I just went to my series recordiings and there is no gap in numbers. 2 of the 3 recordings that go directly to the delete screen are not set up as series recordings. I am wondering if one of my tuners is shot. Is there a way to tell which tuner is used in the recordings?

Are you selecting "Play" or are you selecting "Play From Beginning"?


I have tried both restart from the beginning and play and it takes me immediately to the "delete, do not delete" screen. I am able to swap tuners at times, so I am not sure if one tuner has just stopped having the ability to play back or what. The recordings that won't play appear to have taped as the listing shows 30 minutes... I am baffled.

Anyone have a problem when playing back a recorded show where it goes automatically to delete recording? It shows the entire show has recorded but when I try and play it back it goes directly to the delete recording screen and won't play at all. This does not happen on all recorded show. I have also had difficulty lately trying to pause rewind on live tv and swapping between tuners. Again it doesn't happen all the time. I have a 6412 II. Wondering if it is time to get a new box? I have all the other bugs..12/31 recordings, blank screen (play dvr recording stop exit and picture returns)

I had this problem at one time. I requested a new box and haven't had the problem since.

Yes I've seen this. Unplug the box. That particular recording may be fubar though.

And my DVR decided to delete ALL my recordings today. :mad: This morning it was acting up and giving an error message every time I changed the channel, but everything was still there. Unplugged it like I normally do and went to work. I go in tonight, and poof they are all gone!

At least I transferred some things to the PC this weekend, but it still sucks :( Was trying to hold out for a newer box, but now I have nothing to loose, so I'll be finally swapping this thing out for a new one. It lasted 15 months, that seems long for these POS boxes. Hopefully I luck out and get a 6416 or a 3416 I will definetly ask.

Anyone have a problem when playing back a recorded show where it goes automatically to delete recording? It shows the entire show has recorded but when I try and play it back it goes directly to the delete recording screen and won't play at all.

I haven't had this exact thing happen, but I have had it go to "delete recording" after about 15 minutes into a three hour recording.

Basically, if it's something I can't live without watching and it isn't being replayed later, I have to set up a VCR to tape it as well, just in case. Yeah, it's only happened to me a few times out of the hundreds of things I've recorded successfully, but one mess up is one mess up too many.

Okay, well this is new. I have two schedule recordings in my Scheduled Recordings list which I didn't schedule, and I cannot remove. One is Dancing with the Stars, and the other is the local news. I believe each is associated with a recording I did schedule, for which the start time or end time have been changed by a minute or two. In one case, a recording I did schedule was totally gone! :eek: What's really strange is that the scheduled recordings aren't even listed in order by time, with the other recordings scheduled for the day.

Anyway, I cannot wait to find out what actually gets recorded this week. :o

I have tried both restart from the beginning and play and it takes me immediately to the "delete, do not delete" screen. I am able to swap tuners at times, so I am not sure if one tuner has just stopped having the ability to play back or what. The recordings that won't play appear to have taped as the listing shows 30 minutes... I am baffled.

It happened to me a few times. One time it wasn't even the DVRs fault. The channel in question had blanked out so the DVR apparently compressed it to nothing :)

Okay, well this is new. I have two schedule recordings in my Scheduled Recordings list which I didn't schedule, and I cannot remove. One is Dancing with the Stars, and the other is the local news. I believe each is associated with a recording I did schedule, for which the start time or end time have been changed by a minute or two. In one case, a recording I did schedule was totally gone! :eek: What's really strange is that the scheduled recordings aren't even listed in order by time, with the other recordings scheduled for the day.

Anyway, I cannot wait to find out what actually gets recorded this week. :o

It happens to me too when a show changes its name or its time slot. It doesn't happen all the time, but when it happens the recording refuses to be removed from the schedule or starts recording at some point during its time slot.

This time however I had something really strange: IT RECORDED THREE shows at the same time!!!!!! (or so it appeared in the DVR Recordings)

It was scheduled to record "Hoop Dreams" from ESPN-CL but ESPN-CL changed their schedule and something else was scheduled in. This created a zombie listing in the DVR Schedule which refused to be deleted. But it did let me schedule two more programs to overlap with it.

So I ended up with these three on my DVR Recordings list:
* three hours of ESPN-Classic starting at 11:30am titled "Eight Men Out" (a movie)
* 105-minute movie from Starz starting at 12pm
* one hour sports show from FCS starting at 12:30pm

I fast-forwarded through all of them in disbelief :-)

ESPN-CL didn't have a bottom ticker because of their movie marathon so I couldn't verify the actual time of the zombie recording there. According to the DVR Listing, the recording started at 11:30am, and at 12pm a new movie (Bull Durham) started based on the DVR Listings. I checked the ESPN-CL schedule at tv.yahoo.com for today and it says "11:30am Eight men out 2:30pm Bull Durham". I also checked the tv listing at espn.com and they are consistent with tv.yahoo.com

So what's a reasonable explanation here??? The most logical thing is that the DVR listing is misreporting the start time of the zombie recording (ESPN-CL). This would also be consistent with the start (30 minutes before the end of "Eight Men Out" at 2pm, minutes after the 105-movie Starz movie ended).

That's borne out by the fact that my 8:00 Dancing With the Stars scheduled recording is showing up after the 10:00 recording that evening. So it is probably a 10:00 recording of something.

As long as it doesn't cause me to have a conflict, I'm happy to just delete the offensive excess recording after-the-fact.

I am concerned about filling the hard drive during a vacation, though.

And that leads me to a side-question: What happens when the hard drive fills? Does it stop recording, or does it delete the old recordings and put new recordings in?

And that leads me to a side-question: What happens when the hard drive fills? Does it stop recording, or does it delete the old recordings and put new recordings in?
I think it depends on the options you use when you set up your recordings. If you use the default, "Keep until space is needed," it should delete the oldest ones when it needs more space. If you use the option "Keep until I delete" (or whatever it's called), then I presume it would refuse to record a new program if the disk is filled up with recordings that used that setting.

I think it depends on the options you use when you set up your recordings. If you use the default, "Keep until space is needed," it should delete the oldest ones when it needs more space. If you use the option "Keep until I delete" (or whatever it's called), then I presume it would refuse to record a new program if the disk is filled up with recordings that used that setting.
If you have filled your hard disk with "Keep until I delete" recordings, it does indeed refuse to record any more (as it would have to, logically). It also doesn't let you do FF/REW of live TV, since that data is normally stored on the hard disk.

The worst thing, though, is that it displays a big msg window telling you the disk is full, filling the screen so you can't just watch normal TV until stored programs (sometimes several hours worth) are deleted. (Sometimes deleting just one or two programs doesn't get rid of the offending window, even though the disk obviously is no longer "full".) And stupidly, this msg is displayed even when you're trying to watch a recorded program, so you can't even watch something before you delete it! It's an absurd software programming choice -- you should be able to turn off the live TV capture if you just want to use the tuner to watch live TV, or just want to watch a recorded program.

question: is there a way to disable the "info display" that pops up when you change channels or use "last" channel? i'd like NOTHING / NO DISPLAY to appear unless i press the info/guide button. best i can do is get it down to "2 seconds".?

i searched and didn't find any matches

The worst thing, though, is that it displays a big msg window telling you the disk is full, filling the screen so you can't just watch normal TV until stored programs (sometimes several hours worth) are deleted.Given that I always leave the default, I assume that I'll never get the offensive message. Good assumption? :)

question: is there a way to disable the "info display" that pops up when you change channels or use "last" channel? i'd like NOTHING / NO DISPLAY to appear unless i press the info/guide button. best i can do is get it down to "2 seconds".?
Best you can do is quickly hit 'Exit' to make it disappear. This also applies to many popups such as when a recording starts or ends, or a reminder is triggered.

Best you can do is quickly hit 'Exit' to make it disappear. This also applies to many popups such as when a recording starts or ends, or a reminder is triggered.
thanks... that is what i do but it's sooooo frustrating especially when switching between sports games... the tuner is soooooo slow to begin with. how could this not be a hidden command or user option? :(

I've got a 6412 P1 or P2. I'm gonna go home tonight and see what firmware version. Mine is really flaky...I haven't been able to watch a recording all week. It just freezes on everything. Sometimes half way it. Sometimes at the begging. I play a lot of games of pausing and unpausing to see if it will continue to play the recording. I'm pretty sure I have an early version, but boy does it make getting a Series 3 seem more and more like the way to go...

Well, it looks like the Emergency Broadcast System just hosed my 6412 on Comcast in Seattle. I was recording 2 programs when the channel suddenly changed to C-Span to display the EMS test message. After that, my DVR would not respond to any commands for just over 5 minutes and now it says I am not subscribed to the DVR service. Freaking PoS.

Just wait till they release that upcoming 3 tuner DVR in 07. Then you can have 3 recordings totally screwed by this idiocy even though of course the 2 tuners not being watched are not humanly watchable and thereby serve no purpose by displaying the warning.

Maybe they should dedicate one of the three tuners solely to live television watching, and have only that one handle EMS, just to avoid complaints from folks upset that national defense got in the way of their watching Mythbusters.

I just got into the 6412 club and I've got an observation. I also have a 5200 series box and it doesn't exhibit this behavior. When watching a high def movie and the camera pans left to right, the picture is not smooth as it moves, its kind of stop and go. Is this normal? I have a Pioneer HDTV with component comnnections and just noticed it last night when watching Wedding Crashers on HBO. When shots of them on the sailboat pan side to side or pull away from the boat its definitely not a smooth transition but instead kind of jerky. This does not happen when there is no panning in the shot. Any ideas or is this a known problem? Thanks from a 6412 newbie.

Well, it looks like the Emergency Broadcast System just hosed my 6412 on Comcast in Seattle. I was recording 2 programs when the channel suddenly changed to C-Span to display the EMS test message. After that, my DVR would not respond to any commands for just over 5 minutes and now it says I am not subscribed to the DVR service. Freaking PoS.

Your 6412 was not the problem. The problem is the Headend EBS release command signal never made it to your STB. This signal will return your STB to the current activity before the Alert signal took over the headend & your STB.

Also, comcast has no say in it. They are required to have all tuners switch to the Alert msg. ch.

Just chalk it up to another problem with a microsoft controled headend cable system. :mad:

My 6214 was plagued by multiple 12/31/89 zero size recordings, would not play recorded shows and started to record random shows. I called Comcast, talked to a nice tech and ended up teaching her how to reset the box and hard drive:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Resets

It took about 20 minutes to reset the box and 5 to reset the HDD. I'm beginning to think this should be done a couple of times per year.

I'm a St. Paul MN Comcast user with two Motorola 6412 Phase II boxes with each box running both component video and DVI outputs. In each case, the component outputs support a HDTV within 3 feet of the 6412 and the DVI outputs go to HDTVs with a high quality 15 foot DVI/DVI or DVI/HDMI cable. This situation has worked perfectly since January 2006.

I noticed yesterday (Wednesday – September 20) that neither 6412 properly displayed via the DVI output. In the case of the DVI/DVI connection, the picture got noticeably softer and colors less vivid but continued to display. For the DVI/HDMI connection, the signal strength is now low resulting in intermittent (perfect picture then white noise) or no signal at all. I also tried a new 1 meter DVI/HDMI cable to the local HDTV with the same result to eliminate cable length as a potential problem.

Could this be related to the firmware update from early Wednesday? It seems awfully suspicious that this behavior would start immediately after the firmware download. Is anyone else having similar problems with their DVI output on Phase II boxes?

I noticed yesterday (Wednesday – September 20) that neither 6412 properly displayed via the DVI output.
I, too, received the F/W & S/W update in the Twin Cities area for a 6412-PII, and I haven't noticed an issue with the DVI output. I will look more carefully, but I haven't noticed it.

I also updated the wikibook:

New Firmware 16.20 (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Firmware_and_Software#Version_16.20)
New Software 74.53-3321 (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Firmware_and_Software#Version_74.53-3321)

A persistent bug that I haven't seen discussed a lot, where the channel changes itself:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Bugs#Box_changes_channels_by_itself

Anyone have a problem when playing back a recorded show where it goes automatically to delete recording? It shows the entire show has recorded but when I try and play it back it goes directly to the delete recording screen and won't play at all. ... Wondering if it is time to get a new box? I have all the other bugs..12/31 recordings, ...

I have this problem on rare occasions. The show is listed as recorded, but there is no way to watch it. If you look at the percentage full indicator it isn't really recorded. It doesn't change when you delete the show that won't play. I have one of the first DVR boxes and this happens to me once every few months.

I have 3 12/31/89 recordings also. They are zero size, and at the end of the list of recorded shows, so it's not much of a problem. They are created when a recording is interupted from a power outage or other cause. Learn to ignore them, the only way to get rid of them is to do a master reset and lose all your series recordings. If you try to watch or delete them the box often gets stuck in a weird mode (black screen) and I have to yank the power plug to get it working again.

I have this problem on rare occasions. The show is listed as recorded, but there is no way to watch it. If you look at the percentage full indicator it isn't really recorded. It doesn't change when you delete the show that won't play. I have one of the first DVR boxes and this happens to me once every few months.

I have 3 12/31/89 recordings also. They are zero size, and at the end of the list of recorded shows, so it's not much of a problem. They are created when a recording is interupted from a power outage or other cause. Learn to ignore them, the only way to get rid of them is to do a master reset and lose all your series recordings. If you try to watch or delete them the box often gets stuck in a weird mode (black screen) and I have to yank the power plug to get it working again.


I'm gona say this again. There is another way to get rid of them. Since they are the oldest on the list.

"I discovered that when I had one & my HDD was almost full, ( I had gone in & made all of my recordings " I delete" )NOT the phantom one" & I was recording something new & hit the limit, It deleted the phantom recording on it's own since it was not designated "I delete".

Then a few days later, an old recording that I had deleted a few weeks earlier came back from the dead."

I have this problem on rare occasions. The show is listed as recorded, but there is no way to watch it. If you look at the percentage full indicator it isn't really recorded. It doesn't change when you delete the show that won't play. I have one of the first DVR boxes and this happens to me once every few months.

I have 3 12/31/89 recordings also. They are zero size, and at the end of the list of recorded shows, so it's not much of a problem. They are created when a recording is interupted from a power outage or other cause. Learn to ignore them, the only way to get rid of them is to do a master reset and lose all your series recordings. If you try to watch or delete them the box often gets stuck in a weird mode (black screen) and I have to yank the power plug to get it working again.

I have three of those as well at the bottom of the listing. I don't touch them, they seem to go away after a couple of reboots usually. But I hate rebooting because then I have to wait for a day for the TV guide data to reload. But I found that as long as I don't touch them, they are not a problem.

I just got into the 6412 club and I've got an observation. I also have a 5200 series box and it doesn't exhibit this behavior. When watching a high def movie and the camera pans left to right, the picture is not smooth as it moves, its kind of stop and go. Is this normal? This sounds more like the kind of difference you'll notice between something broadcast on NBC or CBS (1080i) versus ABC or Fox (720p). Are you sure that you're not fostering an expection based on what you've seen while watching ABC, Fox, ESPN, etc.?

I've only noticed this on HBO (1080i) during a movie. I have a 5200 box that does not do this. I'm wondering if possibly its signal related as I've just moved into a new place? I don't think its a 1080i/720p thing.

I noticed yesterday (Wednesday – September 20) that neither 6412 properly displayed via the DVI output. In the case of the DVI/DVI connection, the picture got noticeably softer and colors less vivid but continued to display. For the DVI/HDMI connection, the signal strength is now low resulting in intermittent (perfect picture then white noise) or no signal at all. I also tried a new 1 meter DVI/HDMI cable to the local HDTV with the same result to eliminate cable length as a potential problem.

Could this be related to the firmware update from early Wednesday?

Another HDTV Twin Cities poster made the following post:

In my case, the recent update broke the DVI to HDMI connection from the Comcast 6412 to my Samsung HLS. I used to have a perfect connection from the 6412 to the Samsung via a DVI to HDMI cable. Now, with the "upgrade", I have to use component connections to get anything to work. The DVI/HDMI connection will briefly show a picture, then revert to "high definition static" for about 3 seconds, and then repeat the sequence indefinitely. I had a technician out today who gave me a new set of component cables as a work around for now. No question though that the "upgrade" screwed up my previously working digital connection. I hope some of you got something out of the update, as I certainly didn't.

And another also stated:

I am having the exact same static problem.

Is this limited to the St. Paul, MN Comcast market or has anyone else experienced broken digital connections with the 6412?

A Comcast technician just stopped by to check the problem with my DVI and HDMI connections. I had to laugh as he walked up to the door with component video cables in hand as I had read other posts saying that was the current "fix".

The Comcast tech was quite knowledgeable and said that they just discovered that the new firmware and Comcast guide software impacts many digital HDMI and DVI connections. The only fix at this point is to use component video until a firmware fix is released. He stated that Comcast and Motorola are aware of the problem and are working on a fix.

I would encourage others to let Comcast know if they've experienced this same problem and to continue to followup until Comcast and Motorola can get a quick fix for this problem. It just isn't right that we can't use a digital connection for HD.

Apparently, Comcast will not revert back to the former firmware and guide software. I believe the Twin Cities (Minneapolis / St. Paul) is one of the initial test markets for the new firmware and software.

Better you than us. ;) I'm having all sorts of other problems with my 6412 Series 2, but at least the DVI/HDMI still works. A tech is hopefully bringing a Series 3 on Tuesday that will fix the non-functional DVR and menus that do not respond for 45 seconds.

I noticed yesterday (Wednesday – September 20) that neither 6412 properly displayed via the DVI output. In the case of the DVI/DVI connection, the picture got noticeably softer and colors less vivid but continued to display.
I watched some more HD content, and I'm not seeing any problems with my DVI connection. It looks good. Are you talking about HD looking softer, or SD? Maybe the upgrade switched on ADS in your area, and now you're seeing all digital channels instead of the analog basic cable ones? That would explain what you're seeing, but would impact all outputs on the box.

I am, however, noticing a lot of audio dropouts and digital video artifacts when watching a recorded or buffered program. Every couple of minutes the audio will go dead for a moment, or a streak of pixels will blur across some part of the screen. Viewing live TV seems to be ok.

There are also 3 new HDMOV (HD Movies On Demand) channels 283-285, which all show free and pay-per-view selections, but none of which work (they all result in error "Reference 222" when one attempts to view them).

As a side note, I also noticed HD FFW and FRW is much faster with this upgrade.

I swapped out my 6412 I for a 6412 III today. Is it just me or does non-HD stuff look better?

I swapped out my 6412 I for a 6412 III today. Is it just me or does non-HD stuff look better?

The DCT-64xxp3 and the 34xxp1 have newer CPU, Memory, and some different hardware then the earlier 64xxp1 & 64xxp2

That is why they also use a different series of firmware.

:)

Well, it looks like the Emergency Broadcast System just hosed my 6412 on Comcast in Seattle. I was recording 2 programs when the channel suddenly changed to C-Span to display the EMS test message. After that, my DVR would not respond to any commands for just over 5 minutes and now it says I am not subscribed to the DVR service. Freaking PoS.

Even when it comes out of EBS without any issues, it screws up playback. For example if you were playing back something and recording to a DVD overnight, an EBS would stop playback and return to a previous live channel after the EBS message is delivered. So it ruins the DVD! Comcast should be paying for those :-)

Even when it comes out of EBS without any issues, it screws up playback. For example if you were playing back something and recording to a DVD overnight, an EBS would stop playback and return to a previous live channel after the EBS message is delivered. So it ruins the DVD! Comcast should be paying for those :-)

That's why DVDRs with hard drives were invented!

Yeah, I hate those EBS things too. I've seen them run two "tests" in the same day, or only a day or two apart. And, the audio is so loud, that I once blew an amp with a "test." :mad: :mad: :mad:

I swapped out my 6412 I for a 6412 III today. Is it just me or does non-HD stuff look better?
If you are talking about analog channels (typically those below 100), the III seemed to have a better MPEG encoder. The 6412 has to encode analog signals to digital, buffer them to disk, then play them back. Digital channels are simply buffered as is then played back. It's also possible your newer box was reprogrammed for ADS, where the analogs are remapped to already encoded digital simulcasts.

There are several ways to determine if a channel you are viewing is digital or analog:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Configuration#How_To_Check_if_Analog-Digital_Simulcasting_.28ADS.29_is_Enabled

Do other digital channels (those over 100) seem better, too?

Sheesh, what is the deal with these piece of crap boxes? I am getting so frustrated. I have several keys that no longer function, at all, on my 6412. This include play, rewind, fast forward, pause, and stop. Jump back works, and My DVR works. So the only way I can end a program I'm watching is to hit My DVR and start another program, hit the On Demand button, or hit the LIVE button to go back to whatever channel the tuner is on. It is completely impossible to advance, rewind, pause, or stop a recording.

This behavior is experienced with all recordings I have, and it just started tonight. All of those keys stopped functioning simultaneously. It is not just the common occurence of hitting a key and it taking the box 30 seconds to respond. The keys simply don't work at all. I can hit pause 50 times in a row and nothing happens, then I hit jump back and it jumps back immediately.

There are several ways to determine if a channel you are viewing is digital or analog:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Configuration#How_To_Check_if_Analog-Digital_Simulcasting_.28ADS.29_is_Enabled

Do other digital channels (those over 100) seem better, too?

Actually, we must have ADS because I really have a 3412, not a 6412 III. :D

I will say this - the bug about no picture when you turn it on really blows, but I'm glad it's not just my box. However, my 6412 I didn't do this.

I must say this bug is making the TiVo S3 look better and better, though.....

I've got a conflict with a ghost this week. I have a scheduled recording, which is probably a reflection of one of these silly one minute schedule changes, which I cannot delete, but when I try to record something else at that same time, the 3412 complains about a conflict with my second recording for that timeslot. I can't even get my new recording to conflict with the ghost (so I can tell it to cancel the ghost). If I try to go into the ghost, it shows that it is not going to be recorded. I can even set the thing up to record the ghost twice (and then can only delete the second instance of the ghost).

Is there no way around this? I'm missing Smith this week because of this.

Sheesh, what is the deal with these piece of crap boxes? I am getting so frustrated. I have several keys that no longer function, at all, on my 6412. This include play, rewind, fast forward, pause, and stop. Jump back works, and My DVR works. So the only way I can end a program I'm watching is to hit My DVR and start another program, hit the On Demand button, or hit the LIVE button to go back to whatever channel the tuner is on. It is completely impossible to advance, rewind, pause, or stop a recording.

This behavior is experienced with all recordings I have, and it just started tonight. All of those keys stopped functioning simultaneously. It is not just the common occurence of hitting a key and it taking the box 30 seconds to respond. The keys simply don't work at all. I can hit pause 50 times in a row and nothing happens, then I hit jump back and it jumps back immediately.

Try pressing the "cable" button before using the DVR controls.

I am about to make some decisions in purchasing home theatre equipment.

I had heard some time in the past that Comcast Motorola boxes (I will have the Moto 3412) have a problem when connected via HDMI to a high def monitor via an a/v (HDMI switching) receiver (I will have Denon AVR-2807). Has this been resolved or can I buy this setup with confidence and connect to a Westinghouse 37" 1080p LCD?

Thanks.

Try pressing the "cable" button before using the DVR controls.

That wasn't the problem. Like I'd said, some buttons did work such as Jump Back, On Demand, My DVR, and channel up/down.

About 5 minutes after I made that posting last night all buttons did work again.

I've got a conflict with a ghost this week. I have a scheduled recording, which is probably a reflection of one of these silly one minute schedule changes, which I cannot delete, but when I try to record something else at that same time, the 3412 complains about a conflict with my second recording for that timeslot. I can't even get my new recording to conflict with the ghost (so I can tell it to cancel the ghost). If I try to go into the ghost, it shows that it is not going to be recorded. I can even set the thing up to record the ghost twice (and then can only delete the second instance of the ghost).

Is there no way around this? I'm missing Smith this week because of this.


I had a similar problem. I had a series recording of a show that runs from 8:00 to 9:01 and when I tried to set up a series recording for the show that follows it from 9:01 to 10:00, on the same channel, it said the two shows conflicted and only one could be recorded. I think the cause was the 8:00 to 9:01 show was originally scheduled to 9:02. My only solution was to delete all my series recordings and unplug the box. After plugging it back in and waiting overnight, everything went in properly.

I am about to make some decisions in purchasing home theatre equipment.

I had heard some time in the past that Comcast Motorola boxes (I will have the Moto 3412) have a problem when connected via HDMI to a high def monitor via an a/v (HDMI switching) receiver (I will have Denon AVR-2807). Has this been resolved or can I buy this setup with confidence and connect to a Westinghouse 37" 1080p LCD?

Thanks.

HDMI switching won't work on the reciever, at least not w/o the very latest firmware, I think a poster reported he got 12.36 and it worked with his Denon 4xxx reciever. Gotta run the hdmi straight to the TV from the cable box. Do that and just send everything else into the reciever and output via component to the TV.

The DCT-64xxp3 and the 34xxp1 have newer CPU, Memory, and some different hardware then the earlier 64xxp1 & 64xxp2

That is why they also use a different series of firmware.

:)

You guys are really making me look forward to swapping out my 6412p2 for a p3. I specially requested one when I made the service appointment and it sounded like they took me seriously (he said he noted the Phase 3 request on the service order). The tech is coming tomorrow. God willing, after that I'll have a DVR that actually works, menus that don't lock up for 45 seconds at a time and other such luxuries. :rolleyes:

I've got a conflict with a ghost this week. I have a scheduled recording, which is probably a reflection of one of these silly one minute schedule changes, which I cannot delete, but when I try to record something else at that same time, the 3412 complains about a conflict with my second recording for that timeslot.
Is there no way around this? I'm missing Smith this week because of this.


This is just a guess (i.e. I haven't tried it myself):
Try going into the scheduled recordings priority menu and movint the phantom recording all the way down, and move the recording you want all the way to the top.

I don't use series recordings (at all). I believe the priority menu is only for series recordings, correct?

I've got a conflict with a ghost this week. I have a scheduled recording, which is probably a reflection of one of these silly one minute schedule changes, which I cannot delete, but when I try to record something else at that same time, the 3412 complains about a conflict with my second recording for that timeslot. I can't even get my new recording to conflict with the ghost (so I can tell it to cancel the ghost). If I try to go into the ghost, it shows that it is not going to be recorded. I can even set the thing up to record the ghost twice (and then can only delete the second instance of the ghost).

Is there no way around this? I'm missing Smith this week because of this.


As a last resort, you can try setting Smith to start recording a couple of minutes late. You'll miss the beginning but at least you'll have most of it.

You guys are really making me look forward to swapping out my 6412p2 for a p3. I specially requested one when I made the service appointment and it sounded like they took me seriously (he said he noted the Phase 3 request on the service order). The tech is coming tomorrow. God willing, after that I'll have a DVR that actually works, menus that don't lock up for 45 seconds at a time and other such luxuries. :rolleyes:

Well, the tech came today and hooked us up with a 3416. The good news is it works great. The bad news is I have to leave this thread now. :(

The bad news is I have to leave this thread now. :(

I thought this is also good news? :D

I thought this is also good news? :D

Well, yeah. But I like you guys. Plus, I feel guilty for escaping the 6412 ghetto. ;)

I have a Motorola 6412 III and a Westinghouse 37W1 Flat panel TV. I had the moto box hooked up from the HDMI to the DVI for the past year. All of a sudden yesterday at around 11am I lost the signal to the HDMI. The component works fine as well as the coaxial but not HDMI. I thought maybe the DVI porst went bad on the TV so I went out and bought a HDMI DVD player but it plays fine at 1080i.

I have firmware 12.31 on the box, anyone else experiencing this?

Tim Huey

Tim, just on the off-chance, did you check the connection? HDMI connectors are known to get loose sometimes. Al

I tried swapping boxes both boxes had the same problem. I disconncect the DVI side of the connector at the TV, I tried the other DVI connector and nothing worked. Comcast is comming at 2pm-5pm. I think I will start another thread as this appears to be my own personal problem not a systemic problem with the Moto.

Tim Huey

I tried swapping boxes both boxes had the same problem. I disconncect the DVI side of the connector at the TV, I tried the other DVI connector and nothing worked. Comcast is comming at 2pm-5pm. I think I will start another thread as this appears to be my own personal problem not a systemic problem with the Moto.

Tim Huey

Check the messages in this forum from about a week ago. Apparently some markets got new firmware and/or iGuide SW that has caused DVI/HDMI problems. The "fix" for now seems to be to switch to component video.

Check the messages in this forum from about a week ago. Apparently some markets got new firmware and/or iGuide SW that has caused DVI/HDMI problems. The "fix" for now seems to be to switch to component video.

Is this problem just showing up on specific boxes or on all 64xx/34xx with HDMI ports?

As a last resort, you can try setting Smith to start recording a couple of minutes late. You'll miss the beginning but at least you'll have most of it.

I dont believe we have the option to set a recording to start late - only early. You can set it to end late however, neither of which will help his problem.

I dont believe we have the option to set a recording to start late - only early. You can set it to end late however, neither of which will help his problem.

You could set up a recording manually, which I believe will let you schedule the start/finish whenever you want.

Is this problem just showing up on specific boxes or on all 64xx/34xx with HDMI ports?

FWIW, the HDMI on my 3412 no longer works with the new guide and firmware update that I received last night. Component works. I seem to recall others having the same problem with 6412 boxes with the initial rollout of the new guide a couple of weeks ago.

FWIW, the HDMI on my 3412 no longer works with the new guide and firmware update that I received last night. Component works. I seem to recall others having the same problem with 6412 boxes with the initial rollout of the new guide a couple of weeks ago.

Wonder if the 6416's and 3416's are similarly affected. If they upgrade me, I guess we'll find out... :rolleyes:

You know, they must realize that this firmware update is nuking a high % of boxes' HDMI connections....right? Why on earth are they still rolling it out in this state? Don't they test this stuff?

Scanpa?

-John

Well, I went ahead and scheduled a Comcast Technician to come out and see what he could do. When he arrived he was confused as to how this could happen. It didn't seem to him to make any sense. So he decided to try another DVR box from his truck. He said he got it on monday from the office and since mine went KAPUT at 11am Tuesday I was hopeful that it had a different firmware and/or software version. He plugged it in and it worked. I was shocked. I quickly wrote down the firmware and software fearing the download would take at any second and out would go the HDMI again. So far so good. If it stops working I will look to see if the firmware or software has been updated.

Tim Huey

You know, they must realize that this firmware update is nuking a high % of boxes' HDMI connections....right? Why on earth are they still rolling it out in this state? Don't they test this stuff?

Scanpa?

-John
No they don't. But what irritates me is that they are working on upgrades that most people don't care about. Most people just want the DVR to respond consistently and the SATA port to be enabled. Is that asking too much?

Yes it is asking too much. Comcast first has to build in more ads, so they can eke out an extra 1% profit on next quarter.

I was able to successfully transfer (with full audio & video) an episode of ESPNHD Sportscenter I had recorded onto the DVR from my Comcast 6412 onto my Dell PC. That was awesome. Many thanks to the people who clued me into the Firewire ports, and the necessary drivers and applications in order to make this work.

Then I tried to do the same thing with a recorded news program on my DVR from my local ABC affiliate (KFSN - Fresno, CA) onto my PC again. The video came across perfectly but there was no audio. I don't get it. According to the d11 Diagnostic page, this channel isn't 5C protected, so I have absolutely no idea why the video came over perfectly, but the audio did not.

I detected the same issue when transferring a recorded episode of Heroes (NBC) from my Comcast 6412 DVR to my PC. Perfect video, but no audio. This channel too appears as not being 5C protected.

Does anyone out there have any idea why this happened? Please help. My newborn daughter was featured in a story and I want to be able to keep this story for posterity. Thanks.

Currently searching is disabled, so instead of reading 300 pages, I'll pose a question.

I have the 6412 P3, the one with hdmi. I haven't had any issues with it, but recently, the audio and video are loosing sync. The audio is bit late compared to the video. I'm using the optical out for audio and hdmi for video.

Anybody have any similar experience?

THanks.

Adam

Damn box didn't record episode 2 of "Heroes"... apparently some glitch convinced the POS that the DVR was full even though there was only an hour of recorded material on it. F**k Comcast and the junk they make us pay for passing as actual equipment.

Damn box didn't record episode 2 of "Heroes"... apparently some glitch convinced the POS that the DVR was full even though there was only an hour of recorded material on it. F**k Comcast and the junk they make us pay for passing as actual equipment.

Comcast is MAKING you pay for it?

A few months ago, I was having trouble with glitches and dropouts in some recordings. I figured out at the time that the cable connection was bent too far on its way to the 6412, so I straightened it out a bit and the dropouts went away.

Tonight I had similar glitches in a recorded show, and I noticed in the diag menu that the SNR was marked "poor" on one of the tuners. Jiggling the cable improved the SNR, and I realized that the cable was routed poorly through the back of my entertainment center, so I decided to reroute it.

As I unplugged the cable from the back, I noticed an electrical tingle in my hand. When I tried to plug it back in, it felt really uncomfortable and I couldn't finish attaching it. I tried unplugging the power from the box entirely before plugging the cable in, but I still feel electrical current when I try to plug the cable in, or if I hold the cable end in one hand and happen to touch the box with the other. (I don't feel anything if I just hold the cable end.) The cable even sparked a little when I brought it near the back of the box (again, with the power disconnected).

I'm pretty sure I've unplugged and plugged the cable with no ill effects before, and I find it hard to believe the end of the cable would be live (or that I should get electric shocks if the power is disconnected from the box). Has anyone encountered this before?

Follow the cable back to the pole, and check for contact with other wires, and damage to the insulation. Sounds like a voltage leak into the cable system. It could even be coming from one of your neighbors. I had a similar problem years ago. Call you service provider.

Follow the cable back to the pole, and check for contact with other wires, and damage to the insulation. Sounds like a voltage leak into the cable system. It could even be coming from one of your neighbors. I had a similar problem years ago. Call you service provider.

Thanks. I did manage to plug the cable back into the box using a pair of gloves, but it sounds like it would be a good idea to have it checked anyway.

Currently searching is disabled, so instead of reading 300 pages, I'll pose a question.

I have the 6412 P3, the one with hdmi. I haven't had any issues with it, but recently, the audio and video are loosing sync. The audio is bit late compared to the video. I'm using the optical out for audio and hdmi for video.

Anybody have any similar experience?

THanks.

Adam

Same here.

I found that unplugging the DVR for 30 seconds seems to correct the problem.

Has anyone noticed that on the 6412 that content has a bit of black crush that isn't there on OTA?

Reason I'm asking is that I've been comparing the same station on the DVR to the one coming in on the set's OTA-HD tuner and I can see a difference.

Comcast is MAKING you pay for it?

Poor choice of words, perhaps, but does that negate my point, even a teeny tiny little bit? Nope. But hey, if being a nitpick is your thing, have at it. I am paying for a DVR from Comcast because I want my television viewing to revolve around my schedule, not vice versa. And being that I am paying for it, is it so much to ask that it work properly?

[QUOTE=HDNair]Damn box didn't record episode 2 of "Heroes"... QUOTE]

Check the TV schedule, NBC may run it again. I'll have to check to see if mine came out okay.

I think the SciFi channel is running Heroes on Friday nights.

Poor choice of words, perhaps, but does that negate my point, even a teeny tiny little bit? Nope. But hey, if being a nitpick is your thing, have at it. I am paying for a DVR from Comcast because I want my television viewing to revolve around my schedule, not vice versa. And being that I am paying for it, is it so much to ask that it work properly?

Nope, it isn't...I'm guessing JBaumgart just didn't know exactly what your post hoped to accomplish...anyway, it may or may not be helpful, but you can watch the latest episode online here (http://www.nbc.com/Video/rewind/full_episodes/?show=heroes) from NBC.

-Randy

Nope, it isn't...I'm guessing JBaumgart just didn't know exactly what your post hoped to accomplish...anyway, it may or may not be helpful, but you can watch the latest episode online here (http://www.nbc.com/Video/rewind/full_episodes/?show=heroes) from NBC.

-Randy

The post wasn't meant to accomplish much other than be an outlet for my frustration over the DVR glitch. I did d/l the episode via a torrent, so it's not the end of the world, but it's a big step down from watching it on my television in HD with 5.1 sound.

same thing happened to me with my 6412 granted its adelphia here in frederick md...
i just downloaded the hd rip from bitsoup and watched it on my computer....

Has anyone noticed that on the 6412 that content has a bit of black crush that isn't there on OTA?

Reason I'm asking is that I've been comparing the same station on the DVR to the one coming in on the set's OTA-HD tuner and I can see a difference.
It could be a difference in the TV's video settings between different inputs. Also, by OTA-HD tuner, do you mean comparing antenna vs. cable, or just TV tuner connected to cable vs. DVR? If comparing antenna/cable, your local headend may be doing a bit of compression. 256 QAM is a bit more 'efficient' than ATSC, but it may still take a little compresison to get two 1080i channels on the same frequency as Comcast tends to do (or also add in one or two SD's).

Reason I'm asking is that I've been comparing the same station on the DVR to the one coming in on the set's OTA-HD tuner and I can see a difference.What connection are you using for the DVR? Digital or analog? Have you calibrated the input?

The Motorola products use 7.5IRE or "video" standard (16-235) on the digital output as opposed to a "PC" standard (0-255).

If your display input is not calibrated it can look like black crush or, alternatively, a washed out image.

Poor choice of words, perhaps, but does that negate my point, even a teeny tiny little bit? Nope. But hey, if being a nitpick is your thing, have at it. I am paying for a DVR from Comcast because I want my television viewing to revolve around my schedule, not vice versa. And being that I am paying for it, is it so much to ask that it work properly?

My point was that paying for it is a voluntary thing. Remember that it's month-to-month, with no up front or long term committments, and if it doesn't work the way you need it to, you can drop the service at any time and switch to some other product or service.

My point was that paying for it is a voluntary thing.

Having the service, or not, is voluntary. paying isn't. If it were, my bill would be about half. :D

My point was that paying for it is a voluntary thing. Remember that it's month-to-month, with no up front or long term committments, and if it doesn't work the way you need it to, you can drop the service at any time and switch to some other product or service.

Thanks, but I'm aware of the obvious. And guess what, if the damn thing doesn't work right I'm still going to bitch about it right here. What do you think this message board is for? You think we're saving babies or something?

Thanks, but I'm aware of the obvious. And guess what, if the damn thing doesn't work right I'm still going to bitch about it right here. What do you think this message board is for? You think we're saving babies or something?

Let's just say that some of us have different ideas on that....

-Randy

Having the service, or not, is voluntary. paying isn't. If it were, my bill would be about half. :D

If you're going to break it into steps, you could always return the 6412 and go super basic cable service, and you would pay about half. This is voluntary too - it's totally up to us consumers to decide.

Thanks, but I'm aware of the obvious. And guess what, if the damn thing doesn't work right I'm still going to bitch about it right here. What do you think this message board is for? You think we're saving babies or something?

It's a free country, so we can bitch all we want, but what matters most to corporations is dollars, or more specifically in this case the loss of dollars. Voting with your wallet is a lot more effective than complaining here, but by all means go ahead and complain if it makes you feel better. I see this forum as a way to share ideas, solutions and work-arounds, rather than a place to vent frustrations.

I had a phase I -- 6412 for 18+ months. It worked fine until recently when I would try to record and I would get an error message saying that I was 100% full.

I use my component out to my HDTV and use my s-video out to my 4:3 TV in the kitchen. With this set-up, the kitchen TV -- when the box was on an HD Channel -- would not be Letter boxed but would be more of a pan and scan esque "clipped" picture.

My new Phase III 6412 does not out put a "clipped" picture but instead outputs a letter box picture when on an HD Channel. Is there a way to change this setting so the the s-video is clipped?

Andy

This is a first.

I have experienced problems with the guide date before with sporting events (like Thursdays rain delay make-up game between the Yankees and the Tigers), but for the first time a game I want to record is listed on the wrong channel.

In the Los Angeles area, formerly Comcast, now Time Warner:

The Guide data on the Motorola 6412 is showing the USC vs Washington game this Saturday (12:30pm) on FSN2 (aka FSW2, aka FS PrimeTicket, aka Ch. 61), but in reality the game will be shown on FSN (aka FSW, aka Ch.60).

I had a phase I -- 6412 for 18+ months. It worked fine until recently when I would try to record and I would get an error message saying that I was 100% full.

I use my component out to my HDTV and use my s-video out to my 4:3 TV in the kitchen. With this set-up, the kitchen TV -- when the box was on an HD Channel -- would not be Letter boxed but would be more of a pan and scan esque "clipped" picture.

My new Phase III 6412 does not out put a "clipped" picture but instead outputs a letter box picture when on an HD Channel. Is there a way to change this setting so the the s-video is clipped?

Andy

That can be set in the service menu. Check the wikipedia entry on the Motorola boxes for the instructions. I prefer the letter boxed output, so I can record the whole picture on DVD. I just wish there was an output option to have it squeezed, so I could make anamorphic DVDs. :D

Since there is no dedicated thread (maybe there should be one because it seems to be a new box TWC is giving out there) for Motorola 6416 Series III box, I wanted to ask the question here: Has anyone tried to attach a SATA hardrive to THIS box to see if it worked? I know people have tried with 6412 but is there any luck with 6416?

Since there is no dedicated thread (maybe there should be one because it seems to be a new box TWC is giving out there) for Motorola 6416 Series III box, I wanted to ask the question here: Has anyone tried to attach a SATA hardrive to THIS box to see if it worked? I know people have tried with 6412 but is there any luck with 6416?

The 6416p3 is the same STB as the 6412p3 with a 160gb HDD instead of 120gb HDD.

the last 2 digits in the STB series 64xx & 34xx show the size of the internal HDD.

/\/\otorola is still working on the code that will allow a eSata HDD to work with
the DCT series of STB. Right now there having software problems that deal with DRM of the files.

untill this is fixed, no MSO that uses the /\/\oto DCT series can allow external HDD use.

The 6416p3 is the same STB as the 6412p3 with a 160gb HDD instead of 120gb HDD.

the last 2 digits in the STB series 64xx & 34xx show the size of the internal HDD.

/\/\otorola is still working on the code that will allow a eSata HDD to work with
the DCT series of STB. Right now there having software problems that deal with DRM of the files.

untill this is fixed, no MSO that uses the /\/\oto DCT series can allow external HDD use.

thanks... :( too bad. I can't afford to invest now in the jvc d-vhs deck and tapes (none of my tvs have firewire input so no mitsubishi for me) , my wife would really get mad if I got yet another vcr. I guess I will have to sit tight and wait to see if Motorola comes up with solution.

Just got the iGuide update for my Comcast Motorola 6412 box. Have already noticed some positive differences--most notably, the fact that it doesn't freeze up for as long as a minute or more when you try to do anything while watching an HD program.

One question though: in the old iGuide, it was a known bug that you couldn't set series recordings to start or finish before or after the scheduled time, or the box would basicallly vomit all over itself.

Does anyone know if this bug has been fixed in the new version of iGuide? I'd REALLY love to be able to start the recording for a couple of my series a couple minutes early.

Thanks in advance.

I just got the update last night. It's true I haven't had any long hang-ups yet, but so far, about half the time commands are sluggish, say 2-5 sec. before they are effected. Also, with the old version, a small light went on in the lower right corner of the display when it received a command, and stayed on while it was hung up, so I at least knew if the unit had received the command. Now, that light doesn't come on when the command is sent, but just an instant before the command is finally executed.

I have never had the problem with series recordings you describe. I record several series', and set them all to begin early, and end late, by as much as an hour in one case. I did notice that my stored series timer settings didn't immediately reload when the 6412 rebooted with the new version, as they used to do. They only appeared after the guide filled in enough to list names for the programs stored. In the past, as soon as a time listing came up, without a name, the timer program reloaded. I hope this doesn't mean a delay in restarting timer recordings, when there is a brief outage.

I just got the update last night. It's true I haven't had any long hang-ups yet, but so far, about half the time commands are sluggish, say 2-5 sec. before they are effected. Also, with the old version, a small light went on in the lower right corner of the display when it received a command, and stayed on while it was hung up, so I at least knew if the unit had received the command. Now, that light doesn't come on when the command is sent, but just an instant before the command is finally executed.

I have never had the problem with series recordings you describe. I record several series', and set them all to begin early, and end late, by as much as an hour in one case. I did notice that my stored series timer settings didn't immediately reload when the 6412 rebooted with the new version, as they used to do. They only appeared after the guide filled in enough to list names for the programs stored. In the past, as soon as a time listing came up, without a name, the timer program reloaded. I hope this doesn't mean a delay in restarting timer recordings, when there is a brief outage.


I have noticed the same sluggishness as you. Despite the not freezing up as much, which is a good thing, the trick play functionality actually seems to be worse in general usage than it was before.

The bug I'm talking about is pretty well known around here if you dig around for it. Basically, for a lot of people (though apparently not for you), if you have a couple series that are starting or ending before or after the scheduled time, the box basically resets itself at like 4:20am or something and freezes up every day, and you have to reboot it. (So if, for example, you go away for a couple days and are expecting your shows to have recorded while you were gone, you're screwed.) The bug is in the Wikibook on the 6412. There is no known fix, other than setting all of your shows to start and end on time.

I noticed in a search that earlier versions of the 6412 had overheat issues. Today we made the plunge to HD and DVR land with a 6412p3. The fan is excessively loud. Even with the unit powered off, the fan continues to run at an unacceptable noise level. Is this normal?

Slightlyjaded,

I guess I've just been lucky not to have that series problem. I have a 6412 PII, and I never turn it off, but if there is no known fix, I guess that doesn't help. I have series recordings for CBS evening news, bracketed by one minute, before and after. I also record the local ABC 11pm news, starting one minute early, and ending one hour late, so I catch Nightline, even if it runs over. I've had those series set, ever since I got a DVR, over two years ago, without the bug showing up. Just another reason I am afraid to turn in a box that generally works well, for a 3416, which might have loads of problems.

Okay, so I got the 16.2 firmware, and the new soft ware. I checked out the link to the new Comcast IGuide, printed the manual. I do have a program time bar on OnDemand programs now, and the new DVR access menu, and screen saver, which I don't need, with DLP. But, I don't have the Comcast Central thing, with multiple windows with different shows, and I don't get the five different Favorite Channel lists. I thought it was all one package. Anyone know what is up with that?

Is this normal?No.

What the naughty word? The update messed up the little screen in the corner you see when using menus. Instead of the full screen shrunk down, it's just the corner -- the rest is cut off. This is ridiculous.

What the naughty word? The update messed up the little screen in the corner you see when using menus. Instead of the full screen shrunk down, it's just the corner -- the rest is cut off. This is ridiculous.


My box did that 3 days after I got it. It didn't start after an update.

I've reset the box a few times since & it did not fix it.

Okay, so I got the 16.2 firmware, and the new soft ware. I checked out the link to the new Comcast IGuide, printed the manual. I do have a program time bar on OnDemand programs now, and the new DVR access menu, and screen saver, which I don't need, with DLP. But, I don't have the Comcast Central thing, with multiple windows with different shows, and I don't get the five different Favorite Channel lists. I thought it was all one package. Anyone know what is up with that?

Are you sure you don't have the expanded Favorites functionality? You have to go through the menu to set up your Favorites list. I don't know if there are five, but there is definitely more than one available now. Also, if you hit the FAV button while you're in the guide, it displays a guide of only your favorite channels. (Amazing that however many years after rolling this thing out, they've finally figured out how to let you display a customized guide...)

Try accessing the Favorites setup stuff through the main menu, and you should be able to use it if you have the other stuff.

(I don't have that Comcast Central thing yet either though.)

I noticed in a search that earlier versions of the 6412 had overheat issues. Today we made the plunge to HD and DVR land with a 6412p3. The fan is excessively loud. Even with the unit powered off, the fan continues to run at an unacceptable noise level. Is this normal?

The very first P3 I got did that. The fan was installed incorrectly and was touching part of the rest of the box as it spun. I returned it and the next P3 was (and is) close to silent from 6 feet away.

OK, I have not tried the OnDemand HD before, but since there are free HD movies now, I thought I'd give it a shot. I have a P3 with the 16.2 firmware. All my current HD channels are working great. When I go to pull up an HD selection from OnDemand, I get a letterboxed image inside a 4:3 screen with gray bars on the left and right. I have tried a number of the free HD selections, and they are all the same. It seems like Comcast isn't send the movies in 1080I but in 480I. Anyone else seeing this?

I have been out of the cable game for a few years and am now considering changing from DTV to Brighthouse and would be getting the 6412.

In general what kind of picture quality should I expect as opposed to DTV? (and I have to say that DTV HD and non-HD are perfectly fine for my taste on my 65" tv).

I have been out of the cable game for a few years and am now considering changing from DTV to Brighthouse and would be getting the 6412.

In general what kind of picture quality should I expect as opposed to DTV? (and I have to say that DTV HD and non-HD are perfectly fine for my taste on my 65" tv).

Can't speak for Brighthouse, but here in Ann Arbor Michigan with Comcast, the HD picture quality is SUBSTANTIALLY better than DirecTV. Like far, far superior.

I know this because I canceled my Comcast a few weeks ago and got DirecTV. (I had been a longtime DirecTV subscriber, and had been planning to do this for the past year, as soon as DirecTV came out with their HD DVR.) After having the service for three days, I canceled it and ordered Comcast again. There was that much of a difference.

My advice: Just keep your DirecTV for the moment, and order the cable. The nice thing about cable (I'm assuming this is true for Brighthouse), is that you don't have to sign a contract, so you can cancel anytime. So order the cable, keep it side by side with your DirecTV for a few days, and switch back and forth and see what the difference is. If it's as big a difference for you as it was for me, you can cancel your DirecTV. If not, you can cancel the cable, and be out like $20 for the pro-rated portion of the one month you had it.

I will warn you though, IMO, DirecTV has superior STB equipment and software. But, for me anyway, cable had the far, far superior picture quality.

This is a first.

I have experienced problems with the guide date before with sporting events (like Thursdays rain delay make-up game between the Yankees and the Tigers), but for the first time a game I want to record is listed on the wrong channel.

In the Los Angeles area, formerly Comcast, now Time Warner:

The Guide data on the Motorola 6412 is showing the USC vs Washington game this Saturday (12:30pm) on FSN2 (aka FSW2, aka FS PrimeTicket, aka Ch. 61), but in reality the game will be shown on FSN (aka FSW, aka Ch.60).

Yeah, the Guide data is not very accurate when it comes to last minute changes. In such case, I usually create a manual recording, since the Guide may be unpredictable if a change happens along the way.

Is there a page/post listing all the known differences between Phase II and Phase III Moto 6412? Thanks :)

Is there a page/post listing all the known differences between Phase II and Phase III Moto 6412? Thanks :)


New INT Power supply
Cooling FAN
upgraded CPU & CPU code.
updated Audio board
updated Video board
HDMI output
SATA & eSata for HDD (replaced old IDE type HDD cable)

Uses the 12.xx and 16.xx Series of F/W instead of version 9.xx on p1 & p2 models

some other minor items related to OCAP, Home DVR Networking ability ect.

The update messed up the little screen in the corner you see when using menus. Instead of the full screen shrunk down, it's just the corner -- the rest is cut off.

My box did that 3 days after I got it. It didn't start after an update.

When you got your box, was it already running the update? Because mine was working fine until they messed it up last night.

Also of note, my other digital box doesn't have this issue -- just the DVR.

When you got your box, was it already running the update? Because mine was working fine until they messed it up last night.

Also of note, my other digital box doesn't have this issue -- just the DVR.

It most likely had the update already. I don't remember recieving any updates since getting the new box in the middle of June.


We got the new IGuide update in the middle od may.

When you got your box, was it already running the update? Because mine was working fine until they messed it up last night.

Also of note, my other digital box doesn't have this issue -- just the DVR.

It most likely had the update already. I don't remember receiving any updates since getting the new box in the middle of June.


We got the new IGuide update in the middle od may.

Are you sure you don't have the expanded Favorites functionality? You have to go through the menu to set up your Favorites list. I don't know if there are five, but there is definitely more than one available now. Also, if you hit the FAV button while you're in the guide, it displays a guide of only your favorite channels. (Amazing that however many years after rolling this thing out, they've finally figured out how to let you display a customized guide...)

Try accessing the Favorites setup stuff through the main menu, and you should be able to use it if you have the other stuff.

(I don't have that Comcast Central thing yet either though.)

Yes, I finally figured out how to access the extra favorites lists, and have a total of three now. But, I haven't found an easy way to go from one list to another, when I want to click through a different one than I am on. The guide I downloaded from Comcast doesn't explain that. I think I will call and ask about the "Comcast Central" thing. I'm enough of a news junkie to appreciate having three news channels displayed at once, and swapping audios to check them out.

Yes, I finally figured out how to access the extra favorites lists, and have a total of three now. But, I haven't found an easy way to go from one list to another, when I want to click through a different one than I am on. The guide I downloaded from Comcast doesn't explain that. I think I will call and ask about the "Comcast Central" thing. I'm enough of a news junkie to appreciate having three news channels displayed at once, and swapping audios to check them out.

There doesn't seem to be any way to PERMANENTLY set a default favorites list. (i.e., when you bring up the guide, it always shows all channels, until you hit the FAV button).

However, I believe that if you hit the FAV button repeatedly while viewing the guide, it will cycle through all of your Favorites lists.

Is there a page/post listing all the known differences between Phase II and Phase III Moto 6412? Thanks :)
Look in the Wikibook:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Identifying_your_model

There doesn't seem to be any way to PERMANENTLY set a default favorites list. (i.e., when you bring up the guide, it always shows all channels, until you hit the FAV button).

However, I believe that if you hit the FAV button repeatedly while viewing the guide, it will cycle through all of your Favorites lists.


I don't care about the guide so much, as I usually use the guide for specific channels, one channel at a time. I am concerned about easily changing lists for channel surfing. The easiest way I have found is to click on "Menu" for the quick guide, select the heart for "Fav," and arrow between lists.

I don't care about the guide so much, as I usually use the guide for specific channels, one channel at a time. I am concerned about easily changing lists for channel surfing. The easiest way I have found is to click on "Menu" for the quick guide, select the heart for "Fav," and arrow between lists.

Easiest way I found go to guide push fav key until your list shows up. Exit guide than surf. Works for me

Mitchell

My 6412 (S/W version 71.44 - 1203, Firmware version 12.31) has lost its mind.

I was trying to watch a recorded show last night, but it kept freezing up. So I got back to the guide, powered off, unplugged it for 30 seconds and powered back on. I left it overnight.

When I hit "menu" on the remote this morning, the DVR menu item is now missing. When I hit "list" on the remote, it shows no recordings and 57% full. Neato.

I've seen one other post on avsforum with similar symptoms, but the problem wasn't resolved.

Any ideas?

My 6412 (S/W version 71.44 - 1203, Firmware version 12.31) has lost its mind.

I was trying to watch a recorded show last night, but it kept freezing up. So I got back to the guide, powered off, unplugged it for 30 seconds and powered back on. I left it overnight.

When I hit "menu" on the remote this morning, the DVR menu item is now missing. When I hit "list" on the remote, it shows no recordings and 57% full. Neato.

I've seen one other post on avsforum with similar symptoms, but the problem wasn't resolved.

Any ideas?
If it were my box I'd take it to the nearest Comcast office and get a new box. You shouldn't have to trouble shoot their equipment, that's their job, your's is to enjoy watching their programing. ;) Seriously, just get a new box and save yourself the frustration.

Laters,
Mikef5

Exactly! :eek:

If it were my box I'd take it to the nearest Comcast office and get a new box.
I really didn't feel like dealing with my local cableco (not Comcast) and decided salvaging my old shows and settings wasn't that big of a deal (I can get BSG from iTunes), so I performed a hard reset, with help from scanpa's post here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6492522&&#post6492522).

Now I have my DVR functionality back, at least.

Easiest way I found go to guide push fav key until your list shows up. Exit guide than surf. Works for me

Mitchell

When on the Quick Guide, when I push FAV once, I get a list of the three Favorite lists I've made. If I push FAV a second time, I either get a message 'already on list,' or it adds the channel I am on to the list, it doesn't toggle through the lists that way.

When on the Quick Guide, when I push FAV once, I get a list of the three Favorite lists I've made. If I push FAV a second time, I either get a message 'already on list,' or it adds the channel I am on to the list, it doesn't toggle through the lists that way.

It does for me. Although I like yours better.
Do you then just pick which list you want and does it stay the same for surfing?

Mitchell

It does for me. Although I like yours better.
Do you then just pick which list you want and does it stay the same for surfing?

Mitchell

It stays the same.
Click Menu once, Quick Guide comes up.
Highlight the Heart, hit enter.
Use arrow(s) to highlight list name, you are on it.
DO NOT hit enter, that just adds the channel you are on to the list.

Yesterday I left in the morning with my DVR HDD 50% full. I had 2 hours of HD programming set to record in the evening.

When I arrived home last night, 1 hour had been recorded, and a notice was displayed on-screen saying the DVR was 100% full. It said recording and live TV buffering would be disabled until some recorded programs were deleted.

I deleted a couple programs, and got the DVR down to 88% full. I then went into the SM, and saw that it claimed there were only 16 GB free for DVR recording. The DVR Index showed 96 MB and the DVR Content showed only 379 MB. Obviously this was all wrong. I exited the menu, and the box rebooted itself.

When the box came back up, and I waited for the DVR feature to load/enable, I checked the DVR space and it was back at 55% --- the correct value.

I added the bug to the Wikibook (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Bugs#The_DVR_menu_erroneously_states_the_DVR_hard_drive_is_1 00.25_full) for F/W 16.20.

Wonderful! I have 16.2 now, and something to look forward to... :rolleyes:

I deleted a couple programs, and got the DVR down to 88% full.Just pull the power plug for 30 secs and plug back in. The DVR will cleanup the directory automatically. (It will also have to reload the guide)

Just pull the power plug for 30 secs and plug back in. The DVR will cleanup the directory automatically. (It will also have to reload the guide)

Yep -

I exited the menu, and the box rebooted itself. When the box came back up, and I waited for the DVR feature to load/enable, I checked the DVR space and it was back at 55% --- the correct value.

I was just deleting programs I didn't want, and to see if it would, perchance, update itself.

I was just deleting programs I didn't want, and to see if it would, perchance, update itself.
Generally, when you see something odd like that, it's safest to reboot first to let it clean itself up. If the directory and/or database is messed up, deleting or changing things may make it worse.

Yesterday I left in the morning with my DVR HDD 50% full. I had 2 hours of HD programming set to record in the evening.

When I arrived home last night, 1 hour had been recorded, and a notice was displayed on-screen saying the DVR was 100% full. It said recording and live TV buffering would be disabled until some recorded programs were deleted.

I deleted a couple programs, and got the DVR down to 88% full. I then went into the SM, and saw that it claimed there were only 16 GB free for DVR recording. The DVR Index showed 96 MB and the DVR Content showed only 379 MB. Obviously this was all wrong. I exited the menu, and the box rebooted itself.

When the box came back up, and I waited for the DVR feature to load/enable, I checked the DVR space and it was back at 55% --- the correct value.
To be honest, I don't think this is unique to the new firmware/software. People have reported similar issues before.

Yep -



I was just deleting programs I didn't want, and to see if it would, perchance, update itself.


Just do a quick reboot (pull power plug and then plug it back in.) This will cause the STB to re-index the HDD, if that does not work, you will need to reformat (CLR) the HDD.

New INT Power supply
Cooling FAN
upgraded CPU & CPU code.
updated Audio board
updated Video board
HDMI output
SATA & eSata for HDD (replaced old IDE type HDD cable)

Uses the 12.xx and 16.xx Series of F/W instead of version 9.xx on p1 & p2 models

some other minor items related to OCAP, Home DVR Networking ability ect.

Thanks Scanpa!!!

w0000000000000000000000000t MoCo Maryland has the 12.31 firmware...just noticed....NO MORE HDMI BUGGYS!!!!!!1

Okay, I'm officially underwhelmed with the updated iGuide software.

In the first few days, I thought the update resolved the freezing up issue. Wrong! During the Michigan/Penn State game Saturday night, box froze up when I was trying to fast forward. Stayed frozen for more than two minutes before I finally gave up and pulled the plug.

Since then, it's been freezing up about as often as it did with the previous software. In addition, the trick play functionality is actually WORSE than with the previous software, especially the 30-second skip command.

So basically, the software update provided me with:

No improved functionality
No resolution to the issue of the box freezing up constantly when viewing HD
Worse trick play functionality than before
Slightly improved Favorites functionality (though still no way to set the default guide to display a customized channel list)

This is simply unbelievable to me. I will remain a Comcast customer for the foreseeable future simply because the HD pic quality is superior to any other options I have. But it is totally ridiculous that in the years since this dumb thing came out, they STILL can't figure out how to create a functional HD DVR box.

Having just gone through a horrendous week-and-a-half with the $800 TiVo Series 3, I can understand Motorola's challenge. As much as I don't like the peculiarities of the 34xx/64xx, it is better than paying big bucks for something that works only a little bit better.

My 3 DCT-3416p2 STB are still working with no problems, on the main one I still record about 10 shows a day, watch them when I want, then delete them for more shows.

no delays, no problems, PQ is great, SQ is great. DVR works as designed.

Okay, I'm officially underwhelmed with the updated iGuide software.

In the first few days, I thought the update resolved the freezing up issue. Wrong! During the Michigan/Penn State game Saturday night, box froze up when I was trying to fast forward. Stayed frozen for more than two minutes before I finally gave up and pulled the plug.

Since then, it's been freezing up about as often as it did with the previous software. In addition, the trick play functionality is actually WORSE than with the previous software, especially the 30-second skip command.

So basically, the software update provided me with:

No improved functionality
No resolution to the issue of the box freezing up constantly when viewing HD
Worse trick play functionality than before
Slightly improved Favorites functionality (though still no way to set the default guide to display a customized channel list)

This is simply unbelievable to me. I will remain a Comcast customer for the foreseeable future simply because the HD pic quality is superior to any other options I have. But it is totally ridiculous that in the years since this dumb thing came out, they STILL can't figure out how to create a functional HD DVR box.

I received the 16.20 firmware update on my 6412pII a few days ago, and my system is doing the exact same thing as yours. Mines has also started to ocasionally loose the signal (via DVI to HDMI cable) when switching between a HD channel and a standard digital channel which truely sucks!! :mad:

Crazy...

And now I'm having yet ANOTHER new issue: Audio drops out every few minutes. Have to skip back to bring it back up. Geez that's annoying...

At this point I'm thinking of swapping out my box to the 3416, just to see if it makes a difference. This is totally nutso.

I am going to cross my fingers that the new Panny box is an improvement, and gets here soon.

I haven't had any major freeze-ups with 16.20, but the +30 sec. and -15 sec. is very erratic. I have notice another peculiarity. The audio display on my receiver says it is receiving DD audio, on a non-DD channel, such as CNN, and the sound goes out. If I swap tuners, or change channels, it comes back. I do like the new favorites lists, and the time bar on ONDEMAND. I have a 6412, PII, and was on 9.09

The fan is excessively loud. Even with the unit powered off, the fan continues to run at an unacceptable noise level. Is this normal?
Replaced the noisy one today with a much quieter one, although quite a bit more scuffed up than the other.

Thanks for the replies cavu and mr2828.

Crazy...

And now I'm having yet ANOTHER new issue: Audio drops out every few minutes. Have to skip back to bring it back up. Geez that's annoying...

At this point I'm thinking of swapping out my box to the 3416, just to see if it makes a difference. This is totally nutso.

I am going to cross my fingers that the new Panny box is an improvement, and gets here soon.


If this is on a digital channel, then the STB lost the digital signal. Unlike analog, digital is either there or not there. Analog, you would get static instead of silence.

You need to check your signal strength for all 3 tuners in the Diagnostic menu.

If this is on a digital channel, then the STB lost the digital signal. Unlike analog, digital is either there or not there. Analog, you would get static instead of silence.

You need to check your signal strength for all 3 tuners in the Diagnostic menu.


Thanks, I did check it a few weeks ago, and I had one good and two fair. I'm debating having them come out and install an amplifier for me, but I haven't really had this audio issue before; this is a new thing.