Originally posted by RGHessel
If I understand my forum research, Chicago Comcast uses TVGuide software (whereas in other places in the country Comcast uses the Microsoft product which is cosiderably better...). Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

I used to have the same opinion on the MS FE 1.7. But after reading through here...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=467203

I'm not so sure. I think the i-Guide is much, much better than any of us expected.

Originally posted by JKJ95
I am also having this problem. Just read through this thread for the first time. I have 16 series recordings set up and when ever I want to change the priority list it freezes when I confirm the change. The only way to fix is to unplug. You then have to wait several hours for the guide to reload. Has anyone talked to comcast about this? I have been waiting to call because I am tired of talking to their tech support.

Jeff Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

Well, now I think there are four of us with this problem (others have posted in this thread).

I feel it is an i-Guide/Firmware issue and not the box being faulty.

I have a call into an engineer with Comcast. He claims to have put in a call to Motorola. He said they have a test bed where they can try to recreate our problem. I have to call him back to see where we stand on the issue.

Maybe whomever else has this issue and is interested in his number can PM me. Hoping that if he gets more than just my call he/they will see it is a more serious issue.

I'll post back anything I find out.

Originally posted by RGHessel
So, can anyone tell me this: comparing TiVo and the Comcast 6412 (on their highest quality settings), is there an improvement in picture quality? With digital cable, the 6412 directly records the digital bitstream when recording digital channels (channels 100 and up), including both HD and SD programs. So with digital channels, the 6412 recordings are identical to what you would see when watching live. Analog channels (under 100) are converted from analog to digital, compressed, then stored. This analog to digital conversion is what a standalone TiVo does for ALL channels, so for a TiVo to record a digital channel, the cable set top box has to convert the digital to analog, send it to the TiVo, which then does an analog to digital conversion. This adds an extra round of decompression and compression, as well as any signal loss that occurs while its analog.

Overall, the 6412 produces much better image quality than my TiVo on the digital channels. On the analog channels, I'd say the TiVo is slightly better PQ. (The analog tuner in the 6412 is not so good.)

Originally posted by markjrenna
Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

I'm not so sure. I think the i-Guide is much, much better than any of us expected.

I'll second that. I am -really- impressed with it, and I am a Tivo owner. I think Tivo missed the boat on these DVR cable boxes (if they were in the box, they would still be better). That said, the iguide is very, very good.

Originally posted by markjrenna
Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

Mine goes out 15 days. 30 days? Really? I didn't hear that. Awesome if it does.

I agree, but I don't know if it will turn out to be all that great. The way the networks jack with the schedules these days, I kind of doubt *they* know what they'll be showing in 30 days.... :)

-Randy

Originally posted by strider209
JAlso can anyone recommend a good under $20 programmable remote? I didn't get the silver remote. I hear the "oneforall" remotes are good.

The OnForAll 8810W (WalMart) is under $20. It has tons of keys, learning capability, and the JP1 jack and memory to let you program it with your computer (with a cable you make or can buy.) It also has light-up keys.

The Comcast remote is also a OneForAll, but uses a different memory chip and isn't JP1 compatible, although it has the same physical 6-pin jack in the battery compartment. Many of the special keycodes you see listed to add cable-box mute, swap, 30-second skip, etc.. will also work with this remote. The only slight drawback is that it does not support Channel lock (where the numbers/CH+/CH- ALWAYS control the cable box.) It DOES upport volume lock, where the volume controls can be locked to a receiver.

Originally posted by IFLYSWA
I agree, but I don't know if it will turn out to be all that great. The way the networks jack with the schedules these days, I kind of doubt *they* know what they'll be showing in 30 days.... :)

30 days? It's more like they don't know what they'll be airing in the next 30 MINUTES.

Originally posted by bluecow
Question, is anyone happy with this thing? I just ordered it for installation in early January, but after reading the last few pages of this thread, I'm tempted to just stick with my regular HDTV Cable box, and wait until these large assortment of bugs are ironed out.

I've had my box in Sacramento for over a month now, and have had no problems whatsoever. Any computer/digital device is going to be subject to some bugs/glitches, but at least here, now, this box is solid, with no actual box issues. Of course there are things I'd like to see added to the interface, but that doesn't affect the overall usability of the box.

Originally posted by andyross63
Unless they've fixed things on the 6412, there could be an issue. When I've tried to use DVI with my 30XBR910, 480i signals are shifted to the right. This is not adjustable, even in TV's the service menu, withough screwing up 480i on the component inputs (they use the same settings.)

Basically, I woudln't waste money on a DVI cable right now. The difference is mainly how the TV's settings are configured for different, not the interface itself. DVI defaults to a nearly perfect NTSC setting, compared to the other inputs.

I believe the DVI connection on my 910 seems a little washed out compared to the component. DVI really works best with fixed pixel displays like plasma and LCD. With the 910 being an analog display, I feel the component connection provides the best picture.

Originally posted by markjrenna


I'm not so sure. I think the i-Guide is much, much better than any of us expected.

I'm very pleased with this box, with the programming of the un-mute and 30sec skip buttons I think Comcast-i guide have done a fairly good job with this box. It does need more storage though..and it would be nice if the channels you block would not show up when you surf through, just skip them instead of showing the banner that the channel is locked...

Originally posted by bluecow
True, I need to remember that about these boards...they are fantastic for solving problems, but because people are looking to get their problems solved, it scares me that every product has a major defect...but the ones looking for help, are a very small percentage. And alot of the rantings are from career cable tv haters. As well as alot of noobs who are getting their first taste of HD and DVRs and were probably like me because I remember being overwhelmed by all my new HD gear and I thought everything I couldn't figure out was the fault of the equipment. I also think the iGuide/6412 is a nice piece of gear and like HD Tivo owners say, the best HT component they own. The thing is, the 6412 is my best HT component and I don't have to "own" it. And we will be swapping these things out over the next few years, at no charge, as upgrades are available or the technology changes. I can't imagine owning a $1K HD Tivo and dropping another $300-$400 on upgrading the HDD to 500gb because it doesn't have a way to archive (without paying for another hack). And with all that, you get the pleasure of recording compressed HBO, HDNet and SHO content off *D. I also own a SA Tivo and there is no comparison to the iGuide/6412. I think the Tivo devotees are propeller heads that love to hack stuff and you can't hack the 6412. I am a closet propeller head and I tried all those esoteric hacks and backdoors for Tivo and never really found them very useful. I own (whoops...rent) two 6412s which gives me 4 HD tuners, just like HD Tivo, and almost 250gb of HDD, just like HD Tivo all for $20 a month. Not too bad.

Originally posted by RGHessel
I am a current TiVo devotee but am intrigued at the evident availability of the dual tuner 6412 cable box from Comcast in Chicago.

If I understand my forum research, Chicago Comcast uses TVGuide software (whereas in other places in the country Comcast uses the Microsoft product which is cosiderably better...).

My main reason for considering getting the Comcast PVR is the asumption that it's recording quality will be better than TiVo for shows other than HD programming. While it will be great to be able to record HD programming and enjoy the HD picture (which I never get to do now, since I so rarely ever watch live television), still the vast majority of my PVR use will be for non-HD programming.

So, can anyone tell me this: comparing TiVo and the Comcast 6412 (on their highest quality settings), is there an improvement in picture quality?

(I have a 50" HD Plasma and do notice a significant difference between a Tivo recording and the same program live).

I can't personally compare Tivo & the 6412, but as a Chicago Comcast user for over a year, I can attest to the Comcast service.

The 6412 is great! The quality of the recorded show is exactly the same as it is live. No difference in video or audio quality.

Chicago Comcast is great. For more info, visit the Chicago Comcast thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=255885&perpage=20&pagenumber=134


tim

timdgibson> The quality of the recorded show is exactly the same as it is live.

While I'll grant that playback of Digital SD & HD stations is identical to watching it "live", this comment is misleading...

For Analog SD stations (perhaps Chicago is lucky enough to be all Digital - I don't know), the 6412 encodes (in MPEG-2?) the Analog program. There is definately a problem in this encoder when compared to equivalent encoders in several devices I'm familiar with. The 6412's encoder is significantly worse than that of the Hauppauge PVR-250, ATI eHome, Sasem OnAir, and even an ancient/first-generation ReplayTV.

But timgibson is technically right in one respect. When you are watching "live", you are actually watching a very recently encoded/recorded program. So, of course, immediate playback exactly matches playback at any subsequent time.

To truly see the impact of the encoding/decoding steps, just switch your TV's input to bypass the 6412 on an Analog SD channel both can receive. Prepare to be dismayed...

For me, I just need our local FOX to be carried in HD to be happy - that way I can avoid nearly all Analog SD channels for my regularly watched programs...

edmc---what you say is mostly true on SD, but I can tell you HD is very good on Comcast. I get all my networks OTA as well, and I can rarely tell the difference between the HD OTA signal and Comcast's, "live" or DVR'd.

Originally posted by JimDaddy
I believe the DVI connection on my 910 seems a little washed out compared to the component. DVI really works best with fixed pixel displays like plasma and LCD. With the 910 being an analog display, I feel the component connection provides the best picture.

I think I'll stick with component then. But I need to replace the cables that Comcast supplied as they're way too long and heavy, so they put pressure on the inputs and sometimes disconnect.

Is it really necessary to pay an arm and a leg for super duper specialty brand component cables? Can somebody suggest a good cable that is not unreasonably priced (and a good website to buy it from)?

My cable company is saying that they are going with High Definition Content Protection(HDCP). I believe that is some sort of protection from copping, except it seem counter productive to a DVR. Anyone have a simple explanation, and what the impact to me will be?

HDCP is a handshake security protocol between the source & display devices, implemented on DVI & HDMI. Basically, the implication is that for any hi-res output from the box (720p or 1080i) you will need to use either DVI or HDMI interconnects AND the display device will have to be HDCP compliant.

Originally posted by bluecow
Question, is anyone happy with this thing? I just ordered it for installation in early January, but after reading the last few pages of this thread, I'm tempted to just stick with my regular HDTV Cable box, and wait until these large assortment of bugs are ironed out.

I'm lovin it! I had SO many picture quality issues with the 6208 in HD and the IGuide is MUCH better. Sure like everything in life there are some minor issues, but just gotta roll with the punches.

Originally posted by zooey91
I think I'll stick with component then. But I need to replace the cables that Comcast supplied as they're way too long and heavy, so they put pressure on the inputs and sometimes disconnect.

Is it really necessary to pay an arm and a leg for super duper specialty brand component cables? Can somebody suggest a good cable that is not unreasonably priced (and a good website to buy it from)?

The main issue is that the connectors are too weak. I'm not certain what quality Comcast uses, but see if you can slightly squeeze the ground together a bit on the RCA connectors. I'm just using some GE-branded cables I bought at Target. They are decent quality, and appear to be good, thick RG-style cables.

If you don't use the TV audio, then you can remove the audio connection. With most of those types of cables, you can probably just split it. In fact, even if you keep the Comcast cables, it might help to see if you can just separate the 2 audio cables from the 3 component cables.

Originally posted by MarkStega
HDCP is a handshake security protocol between the source & display devices, implemented on DVI & HDMI. Basically, the implication is that for any hi-res output from the box (720p or 1080i) you will need to use either DVI or HDMI interconnects AND the display device will have to be HDCP compliant. HDCP does not apply to component video connections, and currently, the FCC does not permit cable operators to disable component video outputs. That restriction on disabling component video isn't likely to be lifted, because the consumer electronics industry, the broadcasters, and the FCC would all get lambasted by the well-to-do buyers of early (and the most expensive) HDTVs that do not have HDCP. Since very few video recorders ever built have component video INPUTS, the industry isn't too concerned about it being a big hole. They're mostly worried about the next generation of digital-to-digital recorders.

None of this will likely prevent cable DVRs from recording shows, except for pay-per-view and the like. Mostly, its to prevent outboard devices from recording protected digital content that's already recorded on DVRs.

I'm about to jump ship from DirecTV. I just got the following offer from Comcast:

2 6412s @ $9.95/mo ea.
1 6408 @ $0.00/ mo
Digital Platinum @$68.00/mo for 16 months
MONTHLY TOTAL: $87.90

Installation for 1st 2 rooms $0.00
Installation for 3rd room $13.99


I have two questions:

1. Is this a good deal or should I hold out for better?

2. From reading this thread, it appears that there is some variability in the remotes that are supplied. I want to try to specify the best remote. What should I ask for?

Thanks,

Burt

Originally posted by stevehof

Overall, the 6412 produces much better image quality than my TiVo on the digital channels. On the analog channels, I'd say the TiVo is slightly better PQ. (The analog tuner in the 6412 is not so good.)

If the 6412 is connect to an HD display using component or DVI then that is one reason analog looks worse, there is another D to A in order to go component, for DVI it stays digital but has to be processed.

Keep in mind that Comcast is going to rollout all digital to digital cable boxes over the next year so ALL channels will tune as SD or HD digital at that point, no analog (aka Digital Simulcast).

Originally posted by dbrouda
If the 6412 is connect to an HD display using component or DVI then that is one reason analog looks worse, there is another D to A in order to go component, for DVI it stays digital but has to be processed.

Keep in mind that Comcast is going to rollout all digital to digital cable boxes over the next year so ALL channels will tune as SD or HD digital at that point, no analog (aka Digital Simulcast).

The more I think about this, the more scary it is. I just hope they compress them to look like NFL Network and HBO rather than to look like VH1 Classic! Bad compression is the reason Comcast got me away from DirecTV in the first place.

Originally posted by balpers

I have two questions:

1. Is this a good deal or should I hold out for better?

2. From reading this thread, it appears that there is some variability in the remotes that are supplied. I want to try to specify the best remote. What should I ask for?

Thanks,

Burt

Make sure you ask for their 'dish buy back' program. I think that's their best deal. That's what I signed up for and got std, Digital, HD, HBO and a 6412 for $50/month. You'll have to give up a DirectTv reciever though. Call and ask about it.

Originally posted by Joe_R
Make sure you ask for their 'dish buy back' program. I think that's their best deal. That's what I signed up for and got std, Digital, HD, HBO and a 6412 for $50/month. You'll have to give up a DirectTv reciever though. Call and ask about it.

Thanks. I'll definitely check this out.

Burt

Does anyone have experience with the MX-500 remote? Any incompatibilities?
I'm about to jump to the 6412 and I would hate giving up my MX-500.

Burt

Yes. I am using the MX-500 with the 6412, works fine.

Originally posted by Stephen Tu
Yes. I am using the MX-500 with the 6412, works fine.

Many thanks.

Burt

I can also attest. I had the 6408 and programmed my MX-500 with no problems. I then changed out the 6408 for the 6412, and no problems at all. I even added the 30-sec skip and swap buttons. I love this remote!!

Originally posted by andyross63
The main issue is that the connectors are too weak. I'm not certain what quality Comcast uses, but see if you can slightly squeeze the ground together a bit on the RCA connectors. I'm just using some GE-branded cables I bought at Target. They are decent quality, and appear to be good, thick RG-style cables.

I use Acoustic Research cables from Best Buy and I too notice that the component connections are loose. Perhaps the 8400 series connectors are a smidge too small? Doesn't bother me when everything is in place. Its when I need to move something that it gets fustrating... which leads to an obvious solution :)

Can the 6412 record OTA HDTV programs?

Good question. I don't think so but I would love to know for certain.

Originally posted by balpers
Can the 6412 record OTA HDTV programs?

No, cable only.

Portland, OR

Had cable installed yesterday. As soon as the "dl" on the display disappeared, the box started making the ticking noise all the time, heard from across the room. So I tuned both tuners to music choice. The HD was still buffering! I hit record. The HDD was recording MC!

I hope when they replace the box tomorrow, it will be quiet. A lot has been said above about noisy boxes. Was it *specifically* the ticking noise of the read/write heads, or was it something else, like the disk spinning?

On the other hand, the mute bug is gone, so I can turn it off when not in use.

Frankz1 -

i could be wrong, but i think Vh1 Classics (and other vh1 offshoots) may be somewhat compressed at the SOURCE, like some of the Fox Sports Nets. they may play their videos off of a digitized, compressed server.

The added compression of digital cable and satellite is what i think makes the channel even worse.

i have never seen Vh1 Classic look good, on any cable/satellite system.

i can't wait for all the analogs to go digital....MSNBC is the only cable news network in the digital tier (fox and cnn look horrible)...i will be happy when i have more choices since i avoid the analog channels lke the plague with these motorola hd boxes.

Hi! I am experiencing sporatic choppy reception of both audio and video in HD using my 6412. I don't have OTA to compare it to, but I don't have this same problem with the same channels in analog. There are times when I can watch an entire show without this happening, but there are other times when it really becomes bothersome and kind of destroys the watching experience. It doesn't seemed to be limited to any one particular HD channel (I don't subscribe to any of the premium channels).

I can be watching one HD channel and switch to another when the problem starts and the new channel won't have the problem. But it still persists when I return to the previous channel. Is this normal for HD reception? Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks.

Quick question regarding Manual Series Recording. Can I set up the Iguide software to record at a given time on a given channel for more than just once? Like every M-F, or every day, etc? I can only find the one manual recording for one-time block only.

Rgds,

JohnW

Originally posted by Payton3485
I can also attest. I had the 6408 and programmed my MX-500 with no problems. I then changed out the 6408 for the 6412, and no problems at all. I even added the 30-sec skip and swap buttons. I love this remote!!


Ditto here..... I also bought the IRCclone which allows
PC editing/backup for the MX-500

http://www.irclone.com/

Got a question, has anyone here received a 6412 box that actually has a RF Cable out since with the component video and Analog audio going to my Plasma display, there isn't really another way to hook up my VCR as the VCR has the LD going to the Composite Video/Audio on the SVHS VCR.

Originally posted by balpers
Does anyone have experience with the MX-500 remote? Any incompatibilities?
I'm about to jump to the 6412 and I would hate giving up my MX-500.

Burt

I've had no issues whatsoever using the MX500 with the 6412 remote setup. I'd probably give up my 6412 before my MX500 tho :p

I went ahead today and ordered the DVR , actually 2, I current have the High Def Boxes so it's $7.95 more each box over those. I'm a Tivo Owner so I'll try these and maybe the Tivo (a 248 hour unit might go up for sale...)

I'd love to year your impressions about the picture quality differences between the TiVo and the 6412 on both HD and non-HD (digital and analog) programming...

Originally posted by RGHessel
I'd love to year your impressions about the picture quality differences between the TiVo and the 6412 on both HD and non-HD (digital and analog) programming...

No Comparison at all on HD (tivo can only record HD channel as 480i/SD). 6412 is better at SD since its digital. Tivo is better at Analog (since it has an analog tuner built in). So it depends what is important to you, HD or Analog recordings.

Originally posted by davisdog
Tivo is better at Analog (since it has an analog tuner built in). So it depends what is important to you, HD or Analog recordings.

Yikes. Not necessarily what I wanted to hear. It's not necessarily that analog is more important to me than HD or digital channels, but the reality of the situation is that most shows I record are, sadly, on the analog (<100) channels.

I was hoping that if I got the Moto 6412 not only would I get HD recording, but also a better picture than TiVo gives me for analog. (Using the best recording quality, I notice a significant difference between live-analog and TiVo-analog...)

BJMoose
I have a problem with two channels only that have that problem. Comcast came in and added an amp and that didn't help. It appeared that unplugging the box helped, but the problem came back in a matter of hours. They're coming out to replace the box today.

It could be a bad box, but being as your problem is spread across a number of channels and is sporadic, maybe it's signal strength or an interference issue.

RGHessel - but as Comcasts puts 2-99 as digital simulcast, all your "analog" channels issues, will go out the window. I can try to find the direct reference to that, but lots of *shhhh* comcast employees on the avsforums have been mentioning that it's a go deal.

I have to agree I don't record much off the SD channels but I think that's more because of the intergration of the SA Tivo and my HD Box that needs to have an IR Blaster, still I do record more on analog , now I'm perplexed why the Motorola would be worse than my tivo receiving an analog signal from my 5100 cable box. I'm mainly looking for better guide to DVR intergration, the ability to record using two tuners and the HD Capability. It will be nice to use the basement HT DVR for recording Hidef movies and concerts off of INHD and Red Sox Games off of Nesn HD and use the upstairs unit for tv shows. No More Smallville vs something else conflicts either. Does the motorola box let you vary the quality of recording per program like the tivo does? I got spoiled with the 250 hr tivo of recording everything in the best quality...

I am not at home right now but going from memory, my diag screen showed
Tuner one-
SNR-xxx POOR

Tuner two-
SNR-xxx GOOD

Tuner one a lot more correctable errors. Tuner one also had some uncorrectable errors, while tuner two did not.

I also am getting the no audio indicator problem on one tuner.

I am also having occasional audio break-ups with brief video freezes.

I also am getting "please stand by- available shortly" messages on some digital channels. HD and SD. Sometimes the channel will tune after a minute or so, sometimes no.

I know I need a service call, but should the line be checked or the box replaced?
Thanks.

The compression level for the analog recording isn't helping. Recording analog from my 6200 to DVHS would offer much better PQ than the 6412.

But analog is mostly dead to me so I don't care.

Originally posted by bronowyn
RGHessel - but as Comcasts puts 2-99 as digital simulcast, all your "analog" channels issues, will go out the window. I can try to find the direct reference to that, but lots of *shhhh* comcast employees on the avsforums have been mentioning that it's a go deal.

But Dawn, when will that, if ever happen? Will Comcast truely abandon their non digital customers and make it a digital only system? And how will those additions affect bandwidth on the already compressed channels?

Originally posted by bronowyn
RGHessel - but as Comcasts puts 2-99 as digital simulcast, all your "analog" channels issues, will go out the window. I can try to find the direct reference to that, but lots of *shhhh* comcast employees on the avsforums have been mentioning that it's a go deal.

Would you please explain this further? I was about to order Comcast/6412 today and I don't understand "Comcasts puts 2-99 as digital simulcast, all your "analog" channels issues, will go out the window."

Thanks,

Burt

Originally posted by Scarpad
But Dawn, when will that, if ever happen? Will Comcast truely abandon their non digital customers and make it a digital only system? And how will those additions affect bandwidth on the already compressed channels?

As indicated by the term "simulcast," Comcast will simultaneously broadcast analog and digital for these channels. Digital boxes will default to the digital signal, Analog inputs on TVs and the like will obviously take the Analog signal.

I believe the transition started (or was set to start) on Dec 18, and word on the street (in hushed whispers) is that all will be complete by the end of Q1 2005

Well, as was explained in a post, digital does seem to come in better than analog (as opposed to tivos, where analog comes in great)... but as the lower numbered analog stations (approx 2-99) go into simulcast, it doesn't matter anymore the merits of tivo's analog greatness, because you will get all those analog channels in digital (simulcasted), so it won't matter if digital looks better than analog at that point for those that are comparing.

Frankz1 has the timeline in the post before mine.

Several of my Comcast analog channels are problematic, and I've been hoping for digital simulcast for years. I jumped on their first HD box even before I had an HD monitor, just so I could get a digital version of those broadcast networks that were carried in HD.

This does have the disadvantage with the 6412, that when a network transmits a SD program on its HD channel that it presumably uses a lot more disk space than an SD program should. It's still the case that most of the broadcast network programming is not HD.

So the questions are:

Will a digital simulcast SD program look as good as the SD version on an HD channel.
(and does the answer depend on the monitor and which output of the 6412 is used)?

Do the recordings of SD programs on the HD channels really take a lot more disk space?
(On a Tivo you can actually find out the file size).

If the answer to both of these is yes, will the 6412 be able to automatically choose the simulcast for SD programming instead of the HD version?

I recently got the Comcast 6412 and although I live in WA, I beleive I have IGuide. My problem is that when the box turns itself on to record something and I then watch either the recorded show, VOD, or a show on the second tuner, the box shuts off (at least the video off?) once the recorded show is over (even though I am in the middle of watching something else).

I previously had DISH PVR and with that system, as long as you actviated something (i.e. looked at the guide or watched a recorded show) it would not shut off when the recorded show was over.

Do all the 6412 boxes have this quirk?

TIA

Originally posted by km
Several of my Comcast analog channels are problematic, and I've been hoping for digital simulcast for years. I jumped on their first HD box even before I had an HD monitor, just so I could get a digital version of those broadcast networks that were carried in HD.

This does have the disadvantage with the 6412, that when a network transmits a SD program on its HD channel that it presumably uses a lot more disk space than an SD program should. It's still the case that most of the broadcast network programming is not HD.

So the questions are:

Will a digital simulcast SD program look as good as the SD version on an HD channel.
(and does the answer depend on the monitor and which output of the 6412 is used)?

Do the recordings of SD programs on the HD channels really take a lot more disk space?
(On a Tivo you can actually find out the file size).

If the answer to both of these is yes, will the 6412 be able to automatically choose the simulcast for SD programming instead of the HD version?

HD (Digital Broadcast) channels broadcast at HD resolution whether the content they're broadcasting is HD or not. Therefore, whether you record your local news in SD or Lost in HD from the same "DT" channel, the file size is (theoretically) going to be the same.

No, a digital simulcast of ABC-Broadcast at 480I is not going to look as good as ABC-DT at 720p. The source is totally different. Compare an "SD" source program on the all-digital-but-still-broadcast-at-SD-resolution HBO to the same "SD" source program on HBO-HD. It looks better on HBO-HD because it's putting out a higher resolution signal even though the source is the same.

The 6412 isn't magic. It's not going to choose channel over channel for you. For a network, it's going to receive the digital simulcast of the SD channel and whatever that channel is putting out over its DT station and you'll need to pick the one that meets your needs (file size vs PQ).

Originally posted by Lawduck
I recently got the Comcast 6412 and although I live in WA, I beleive I have IGuide. My problem is that when the box turns itself on to record something and I then watch either the recorded show, VOD, or a show on the second tuner, the box shuts off (at least the video off?) once the recorded show is over (even though I am in the middle of watching something else).

I previously had DISH PVR and with that system, as long as you actviated something (i.e. looked at the guide or watched a recorded show) it would not shut off when the recorded show was over.

Do all the 6412 boxes have this quirk?

TIA

Gosh, I've never heard of that before and certainly not here on the 6th page of the thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4650764#post4650764).

Seriously, don't turn the box off. It does nothing except stop the display from showing up on your TV. It doesn't stop the hard drive, it doesn't save power.

Count me as officially standing tall with tall1 on his suggestion. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4847147#post4847147)

OK, all this talk about the MX-500, as well as the conclusion that we should not turn off the 6412, leads me to conclude that I need to get a good universal remote.

Questions:

1. What is the best remote in the $150 range? Sounds like people are happy with the MX-500, but I'd like one that I can program with my Mac.

2. If I get a universal remote, I assume I'll be able to program it so that the on-off button does NOT turn the 6412 on or off, right? I haven't been able to do this using the ICX remote that Comcast supplied:mad: , so I'd really like to be able to do so.

Thanks (again).

Jim

Has anyone succeeded in connecting the 6412's DVI output to the HDMI input of a Samsung DLP HDTV (such as the HL-P5674)?

I had problems with the initial DVI-to-HDMI cable that I bought from pacificcable.com. (I detailed these in a thread at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4734075#post4734075. Although that discusses the DVD player issue, the same problem occurred with the 6208 STB I had). Pacificcable.com suggested I return the cable and that they would replace it with a new kind they were receiving that was thicker and built to better comply with HDCP standards.

I can connect at 480p with "sparkes" -- lots of white flashing dots on the screen. I cannot connect at all at 720p or 1080i. Of course, component at 1080i works great.

I'm planning on returning this cable and getting one from another place. But before I do I'd love to confirm that someone else has made this exact scenario work.

Brad

I also had a screen full of static when I tried to connect my Moto stb DVI to HDMI of my hlp6163. DVI to DVI, though, works perfectly. So I use the HDMI input of the hlp for a DVD connection

Originally posted by balpers
I'm about to jump ship from DirecTV. I just got the following offer from Comcast:

2 6412s @ $9.95/mo ea.
1 6408 @ $0.00/ mo
Digital Platinum @$68.00/mo for 16 months
MONTHLY TOTAL: $87.90

Installation for 1st 2 rooms $0.00
Installation for 3rd room $13.99


I have two questions:

1. Is this a good deal or should I hold out for better?

2. From reading this thread, it appears that there is some variability in the remotes that are supplied. I want to try to specify the best remote. What should I ask for?

Thanks,

Burt That 6408 must be a 6208? If so, you might want to use it as a door stop. Seriously, with all the PQ issues with the 6208, I wouldn't even bother plugging it in.

Originally posted by Chuck Mullen
I am not at home right now but going from memory, my diag screen showed
Tuner one-
SNR-xxx POOR

Tuner two-
SNR-xxx GOOD

Tuner one a lot more correctable errors. Tuner one also had some uncorrectable errors, while tuner two did not.

I also am getting the no audio indicator problem on one tuner.

I am also having occasional audio break-ups with brief video freezes.

I also am getting "please stand by- available shortly" messages on some digital channels. HD and SD. Sometimes the channel will tune after a minute or so, sometimes no.

I know I need a service call, but should the line be checked or the box replaced?
Thanks. Bump. frankz1? tall1?

Originally posted by millerwill
I also had a screen full of static when I tried to connect my Moto stb DVI to HDMI of my hlp6163. DVI to DVI, though, works perfectly. So I use the HDMI input of the hlp for a DVD connection

Is your moto stb the 6412?

I tried my Bravo D2 dvd player's DVI out to TV HDMI in with this same cable and got the same problems -- mostly. I actually got a static filled picture momentarily and then nothing.

That gives me some home that a different cable might be the answer. If so then I can try it on both the STB and DVD player and see which one works.

Brad

Originally posted by zooey91
OK, all this talk about the MX-500, as well as the conclusion that we should not turn off the 6412, leads me to conclude that I need to get a good universal remote.

Questions:

1. What is the best remote in the $150 range? Sounds like people are happy with the MX-500, but I'd like one that I can program with my Mac.

2. If I get a universal remote, I assume I'll be able to program it so that the on-off button does NOT turn the 6412 on or off, right? I haven't been able to do this using the ICX remote that Comcast supplied:mad: , so I'd really like to be able to do so.

Thanks (again).

Jim

I have the MX-500, too, after reading this board, and using it myself, I really like it.

Lots of REGULAR buttons to press, and then an LCD with alternates to put in there (that takes a little learning curve remembering where "Page Down" would be on that part of the remote. Can't do it blind, need to look down.).

We did all sorts of research, and I think it's abou 97 bucks on Amazon (I'm sure you can find it cheaper).

I just programmed all the alternate buttons into our comcast supplied remote (like unmute, etc)...and then "learned" the commands into my MX-500. Well worth the money.

:)

Happy hunting.

[I am not at home right now but going from memory, my diag screen showed
Tuner one-
SNR-xxx POOR

Tuner two-
SNR-xxx GOOD

Tuner one a lot more correctable errors. Tuner one also had some uncorrectable errors, while tuner two did not.

I also am getting the no audio indicator problem on one tuner.

I am also having occasional audio break-ups with brief video freezes.

I also am getting "please stand by- available shortly" messages on some digital channels. HD and SD. Sometimes the channel will tune after a minute or so, sometimes no.

I know I need a service call, but should the line be checked or the box replaced?
Thanks.

I had huge signal problems after getting the 6412 installed. Apparently, the problems had always been there but had never surfaced over analog. Once I tried to get digital with all its bandwidth needs, it broke on me.

Long story short, I first had the problem in a strong wind. I called comcast and let them know that the wind was causing signal break-ups, freezes and audio flakery. I told them there must have been a break in the lines on the poles, because I'd checked all my outside wiring and the wind really (seriously) doesn't blow inside my house.

They proceeded to schedule service call after service call to repair what I knew was not the problem. They changed fittings, swapped wires in my house, changed the splitter outside. In other words, they proceeded to do everything they could do but fix what was actually causing my problem because what they were doing was cheap and what needed to be done was not. For two weeks.

Finally I got a Tech Supervisor out here who told me (surprise) that there was a break in the line a few houses upstream from me. The construction folks came out that same night and replaced it. No more wind problems (knock wood).

The moral of the story is that the 6412 needs a constant, stable and strong signal for digital (especially HD) programming and anything else will cause the issues you're seeing.

I learned through this ordeal that a good way to check for line breaks is to tune to the higher analog channels (95 and 96 here) because that's where FM signals seep in through broken wires and bad fittings. You'll see a lot of weird interference (not snow, more like noise lines - they made these channels unwatchable in my case)

I don't know if your issue is wind or weather or if you have a line break in your house or a bad line inside or a bad splitter somewhere inside.

My suggestion would be to take a long, pristine RG6 cable. Connect one side with a coupler directly to the comcast feed outside and the other side to your 6412 box. If there are still problems (and if you see the 95-96 interference), you know it's not your inside wiring. It's their problem. Convincing them its their problem and making them fix their problem is a whole other story.

If there are no problems when connected directly to Comcast's feed line, you'll know the problem exists in your own home wiring (bad cable, bad splitter, loose connection, bad fitting, etc).

Originally posted by zooey91
OK, all this talk about the MX-500, as well as the conclusion that we should not turn off the 6412, leads me to conclude that I need to get a good universal remote.

Questions:

1. What is the best remote in the $150 range? Sounds like people are happy with the MX-500, but I'd like one that I can program with my Mac.

2. If I get a universal remote, I assume I'll be able to program it so that the on-off button does NOT turn the 6412 on or off, right? I haven't been able to do this using the ICX remote that Comcast supplied:mad: , so I'd really like to be able to do so.

Thanks (again).

Jim

Jim,

This won't help with your Mac preference, but if price is important it may be relevant. I just picked up a new MX-500 for $66 with free shipping. I just checked and that offer seems to have disappeared but the going price seems to be $77 - $100 online.

You can easily program on/off for any component as long as you have the original remote or know the advanced code to perform the operation. (It's not a Mac, but you can easily program advanced codes with a cheap (under $20) URC or Radio Shack remote.)

The MX-500 deserves its reputation. This is my fourth one (for various rooms) and I would seriously question the purchase of any equipment that is incompatible with it.

Cheers,

Burt

Thanks Frank. Happy Holidays!!

Originally posted by tall1
That 6408 must be a 6208? If so, you might want to use it as a door stop. Seriously, with all the PQ issues with the 6208, I wouldn't even bother plugging it in.

Actually, I was wrong on both counts. It should have been the 6208, but that's not the box I want. The third box is just a straight cable box with no DVR. (Whatever Comcast is using.)

Thanks for the correction.

Burt

Originally posted by balpers
Jim,

This won't help with your Mac preference, but if price is important it may be relevant. I just picked up a new MX-500 for $66 with free shipping. I just checked and that offer seems to have disappeared but the going price seems to be $77 - $100 online.

You can easily program on/off for any component as long as you have the original remote or know the advanced code to perform the operation. (It's not a Mac, but you can easily program advanced codes with a cheap (under $20) URC or Radio Shack remote.)

The MX-500 deserves its reputation. This is my fourth one (for various rooms) and I would seriously question the purchase of any equipment that is incompatible with it.

Cheers,

Burt

Thanks for the replies.

Anybody want to put in a word for a Harmony remote? What would be the best one for the 6412? Anybody have experience with both a Harmony and the MX-500?

Harmony remotes do seem to be Mac compatible, and allow for programming a 30 second skip if I remember correctly (my Comcast-supplied ICX does not have the ability to program the 30 second skip, so if I have to rely on the remote learning from existing functionality I'll be limited).

Originally posted by bbalfour
Is your moto stb the 6412?

I tried my Bravo D2 dvd player's DVI out to TV HDMI in with this same cable and got the same problems -- mostly. I actually got a static filled picture momentarily and then nothing.

That gives me some home that a different cable might be the answer. If so then I can try it on both the STB and DVD player and see which one works.

Brad

Yes, it is a 6412, and the HDMI-DVI (and DVI-DVI) cable I have is from Pacificcables.

1. What is the best remote in the $150 range? Sounds like people are happy with the MX-500, but I'd like one that I can program with my Mac.

I really like the MX-500 personally. If you must have computer programmability in that price range, then go with the Logitech Harmony 676 or 680. There's lots of discussion over in the remotes section of this forum.

2. If I get a universal remote, I assume I'll be able to program it so that the on-off button does NOT turn the 6412 on or off, right?

Yes, of course. I ended up putting power on LCD page 2 of my MX-500 so I wouldn't hit it accidentally. I still have to get at it occasionally to change to 4:3 P&S/480p when I want to lop off side bars of upconverted programming to minimize the chance of burn-in.

I also ended up putting page up/page down on the channel buttons of the MX-500, for easier thumb access & to match my Tivo, moving the actual ch up/down to the LCD.

Originally posted by millerwill
Yes, it is a 6412, and the HDMI-DVI (and DVI-DVI) cable I have is from Pacificcables.
Millerwill,

So if I understand you correctly then you and I have almost identical setups and a cable from the same place (Pacificcables).

You couldn't get the hdmi-dvi cable to work with the 6412 but can get it work with the DVD player? Hmmmm.
a) What model DVD player do you have? Mine's a Bravo D2
b) When did you get your cable from Pacificcable? Mine is a new one dated 12/10/04 on the cable and sent out on 12/20/04.

Brad

Originally posted by zooey91
OK, all this talk about the MX-500, as well as the conclusion that we should not turn off the 6412, leads me to conclude that I need to get a good universal remote.

Questions:

1. What is the best remote in the $150 range? Sounds like people are happy with the MX-500, but I'd like one that I can program with my Mac.

2. If I get a universal remote, I assume I'll be able to program it so that the on-off button does NOT turn the 6412 on or off, right? I haven't been able to do this using the ICX remote that Comcast supplied:mad: , so I'd really like to be able to do so.

Thanks (again).

Jim

Jim,

I've got a Harmony H688 and you can program it via Mac or PC (its got a web interface)...Works great with my 6412 setup...Lots of buttons, have 30skip, mydvr etc in the LCD...programmed so it leaves the 6412 on all the time and easy to use...A couple other models (H680 for instance) depending on what type of buttons you like. You can get it for $150 at somewhere like www.surfremotecontrol.com (great store)...

might be worth looking at...see the remote forum here at AVS or http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mboard/rc-harmony/list.cgi

-Steve

Originally posted by bbalfour
Millerwill,

So if I understand you correctly then you and I have almost identical setups and a cable from the same place (Pacificcables).

You couldn't get the hdmi-dvi cable to work with the 6412 but can get it work with the DVD player? Hmmmm.
a) What model DVD player do you have? Mine's a Bravo D2
b) When did you get your cable from Pacificcable? Mine is a new one dated 12/10/04 on the cable and sent out on 12/20/04.

Brad

My setup is a hlp6163, connected to a comcast 6412 stb and to a Denon 2910 DVD player. I connect the 6412 to the hlp DVI-DVI, and the 2910 to it via HDMI-HDMI. Both are Pacificcables.

I earlier tried to connect the stb to the tv via a DVI (stb)- HDMI (TV) cable since I had a Samsung 841 dvd player that had only a DVI connection, which I connected DVI-DVI to the tv. The DVI-HDMI connection between stb and tv, however, did not work. What did work at that time was to connect stb to tv via DVI-DVI, and the 841 to tv via DVI-HDMI. Now that I have the 2910, I connect the dvd to the tv via HDMI-HDMI. Hope this is all clear!

Update:

The replacement box also records MC. He suspects that many or several boxes in the Portland, OR area may have this "problem."

Also, the mute bug is not present on either of the boxes I've tried. And the Portland boxes come with the new silver remote with a setup key.

Are there others in Portland with boxes that can record Music Choice?

I'm using a DVI-HDMI cable from SVideo.com.
It works fine on the 6412 but I now use the cable to connect my PC to my TV.
TV is JVC 61Z575.
6412 is now connected via component...didn't notice any difference in quality between component and DVI.

OT: Cable was $20 compared to the $150 Monster cable...I've tried both and did not see any difference.

Is it possible to remap the power button for the "Cable" mode to send something like the 'exit' command, so you can use "All On" button to turn on/off your TV and Receiver but leave the cable box on at all times? I tried the procedure to remap other buttons for such commands as "30-sec skip", but when I tried to remap the power button for cable to send exit, it didn't work. Am I missing something? I'd like to just leave my box on all the time.

Check that, tried again and wasn't adding the enough zeroes at the beginning of the code. It works now using the procedure! This might be a good workaround for people!

I was looking at the remote codes for the 6412, and was wondering what the different letters meant. Such as code 237 for the letter "B". There are letters A-O (maybe P as well). What function do these letters serve? Has anyone tried them??

Originally posted by cglenn
Update:


Are there others in Portland with boxes that can record Music Choice?

Yes. I am recording Smooth Jazz now. It automatically scheduled a 30 minute block to record. Playback was fine. I've had the 6412 for about 3 weeks.

Bob

Originally posted by frankz1
As indicated by the term "simulcast," Comcast will simultaneously broadcast analog and digital for these channels.

I believe the transition started (or was set to start) on Dec 18, and word on the street (in hushed whispers) is that all will be complete by the end of Q1 2005
For this area, a knowlegeable Comcast tech said it would be Q1, probably February. As for the entire country, articles have said it will be completed by the end of Q2.

Originally posted by ndoggac
Is it possible to remap the power button for the "Cable" mode to send something like the 'exit' command, so you can use "All On" button to turn on/off your TV and Receiver but leave the cable box on at all times? I tried the procedure to remap other buttons for such commands as "30-sec skip", but when I tried to remap the power button for cable to send exit, it didn't work. Am I missing something? I'd like to just leave my box on all the time.

Check that, tried again and wasn't adding the enough zeroes at the beginning of the code. It works now using the procedure! This might be a good workaround for people!

That sounds like something I'd like to do -- but don't you need to have the remote in "cable" mode to operate the dvr functions (play, rewind, pause, etc)?

What code did you use to program "exit" -- and did you program it to the "cable" button?

Haven't read all the posts but what's wrong with turning off the box? If the box is off it will still record any scheduled programs. I think the idea is not to unplug the box because it will then power cycle and have to download program lists again. Even if the box is off it still buffers I believe.

Originally posted by balpers
I'm about to jump ship from DirecTV. I just got the following offer from Comcast:

2 6412s @ $9.95/mo ea.
1 6408 @ $0.00/ mo
Digital Platinum @$68.00/mo for 16 months
MONTHLY TOTAL: $87.90

Installation for 1st 2 rooms $0.00
Installation for 3rd room $13.99


I have two questions:

1. Is this a good deal or should I hold out for better?

2. From reading this thread, it appears that there is some variability in the remotes that are supplied. I want to try to specify the best remote. What should I ask for?

Thanks,

Burt

I apologize if this is off-topic but I hope I can get some information on this issue.

I just called Comcast to get the deal that was offered to me (above). I confirmed all the prices with the CSR and tried to go ahead with the order. After a long pause, the CSR said, "The computer isn't accepting my codes. I need to talk to a supervisor." When she came back, the price had gone up by $13/month. The explanation was that I had to pay an additional fee for the boxes (?!)

The money isn't the issue (the total price is less than I am currently paying for DirecTV). But I am very irritated by what feels like a bait & switch business practice.

This is the first time I have tried to deal with Comcast and it is not a good way to begin a business relationship.

Is my experience typical?

Can anyone suggest how I can bump this to a higher level?

I was really salivating at the thought of getting the 6412s and the HDTV service. It's a real disappointment. As it stands, unless they will stand by the original price quoted, I'm going to stick with DirecTV.

Burt

frankz1> The 6412 isn't magic. It's not going to choose channel over
frankz1> channel for you. For a network, it's going to receive the digital
frankz1> simulcast of the SD channel and whatever that channel is putting
frankz1> out over its DT station...

I beg to differ on this one point. The 6412 is definately doing some magic in terms of channel mapping. Before getting the 6412, I was using first the Sasem HD/QAM-capable box then the HD/QAM tuner in my Sharp GX. Both saw stations at different channels than the 6412 presents. In the Digital signal, there is apparently a piece of "channel mapping" information interpretted by the 6412. I don't know if this extends to all channel numbers, but I can attest, for instance, that ESPN-HD is carried on 116.2 in the Pleasanton, CA Comcast area. The Sasem box finds it there. The Sharp GX, interestingly, finds it there as well but then relabels the channel to ZERO (apparently misunderstanding the channel remapping information). Meanwhile, the 6412 remaps it to 723.

All I'm saying is that the 6412 may well be able to remap SD Digital stations to the 2-83 range currently occuppied by the SD Analogs as far as channel number display is concerned. I'll accept that software in the 6412 will likely also be able to use this same mapping when the user attempts to select a channel in the 2-83 range.

Is it magic? Naw - just an intentionally designed in feature of the Digital Stream Standard on Cable (QAM in Pleasanton, CA). Note that this is also a feature of the OTA Digital Standard...

Originally posted by strider209
Haven't read all the posts but what's wrong with turning off the box? If the box is off it will still record any scheduled programs. I think the idea is not to unplug the box because it will then power cycle and have to download program lists again. Even if the box is off it still buffers I believe.

I have read all the posts.

To be accurate, turning the box off isn't the problem. It's turning the box back on and expecting it to work right that has proven to be problematic.

Why not read the thread before questioning the advice of someone who has?

Originally posted by edmc
Is it magic? Naw - just an intentionally designed in feature of the Digital Stream Standard on Cable (QAM in Pleasanton, CA). Note that this is also a feature of the OTA Digital Standard... [/B]

Great information in your post.

I guess my point was more that if I told it to record the SD ABC, it wasn't magically know I really meant it should record ABC-DT. I'd have to tell it to record ABC-DT in order for it to do so.

Originally posted by balpers
I apologize if this is off-topic but I hope I can get some information on this issue.

I just called Comcast to get the deal that was offered to me (above). I confirmed all the prices with the CSR and tried to go ahead with the order. After a long pause, the CSR said, "The computer isn't accepting my codes. I need to talk to a supervisor." When she came back, the price had gone up by $13/month. The explanation was that I had to pay an additional fee for the boxes (?!)

The money isn't the issue (the total price is less than I am currently paying for DirecTV). But I am very irritated by what feels like a bait & switch business practice.

This is the first time I have tried to deal with Comcast and it is not a good way to begin a business relationship.

Is my experience typical?

Can anyone suggest how I can bump this to a higher level?

I was really salivating at the thought of getting the 6412s and the HDTV service. It's a real disappointment. As it stands, unless they will stand by the original price quoted, I'm going to stick with DirecTV.

Burt

If you currently have a dish then you should be able to get a better deal.

In October I got the dish buy back deal (and they didn't even take the dish or receivers). They gave me free install, free dvr (6208), free regular digital box, and the silver package (all regular channels plus HBO) for $40 for 16 months.

Unfortunately when I upgraded to the dual tuner 6412 I started paying an extra $10 per month for that even though I could have kept the 6208 for free.

The good part is that my SD TV gets all the extra movie channels for free. I've told them twice and they just say it is some snafu not worth fixing so "enjoy."

It seems like alot of you are having the same problem I have with my 6412. I want to go from the DVI on the 6412 to the HDMI on my Mitsi 55" RPTV. I purchase a DVI to HDMI converter cable from pacificcables.com.

When I go to view the connection on HDMI I can only view a 480p signal and the picture is full of static. I cant get HD content at all.

I talked to comcast (being my service provider) and they said the 6412 cant handle the conversion from DVI to HDMI but if I go DVI to DVI it should work......I know plenty of people who go DVI to DVI and it works for them.

I need to use the HDMI cause I have other equipment that needs to use the available component inputs on the tv. What have you guys found out about this issue.

I'm using DVI out of the 6412 to HDMI on a Tosh 62HM84 with no problem at all. This is on Comcast (is that a given?).

My setup is to turn the TV on and with the 6412 OFF hit the menu button on the 6412. This give you a user setting menu. Confirm that the 2nd item: DVI/YPbPr Output, is set to 1080i.

I hope that helps.

I think I have a NEW problem. I've been subscribing to this thread, and reading through all of the posts, but this one is a new one for me... maybe someone was describing it differently... but lemmie try out my luck.

I have a new box, been using it without a problem for a long time now. About 3 days ago... I came home at 6pm, and I noticed that the time on the box said 4:30. I turned on the TV to see what the cable box was doing. It was sitting on light classical just like I asked it to when I left for work that morning (and every morning).

However, now, I couldn't change channels OR power down the box (I DO shut my box down, I don't like leaving it on, I can hear it writing to the hd).

I had to unplug it (for the past 3 days) when I get home from work because every day somewhere around 4:30 (today it was 4:48), the box STICKS.
I got home today at 4:30, looked at the box, and it was changing up until 4:48, and then got stuck. (it actually got stuck during a series recording today, it actually recorded three copies, two in the 50 minute range, one in the 5 minute range, all of the same show)...

Weird, huh?

Like I said, I've been following the thread, and I didn't read anything exactly like this, but maybe they were describing it differently than me.
i've had it for a LONG time now, maybe a month, maybe more... and the past THREE days this has been happening, when my box was ON in the middle of the day. I haven't been able to test if it does it when it's off, maybe I'll test that over christmas... it always seems to happen at the same time.

Well, hope someone can help.

Merry Christmas.

Originally posted by bronowyn
I think I have a NEW problem. I've been subscribing to this thread, and reading through all of the posts, but this one is a new one for me... maybe someone was describing it differently... but lemmie try out my luck.

Now that is a new one. And a weird one.

As far as my pea brain can take me, I've come up with three possibilities.

1 There's a serious software defect that effects only you
2 A hardware problem that somehow only strikes between 4:30 and 5 PM
3 Some power surge anomaly in your house or area at that time every day.

Does some automatically timed huge power hungry appliance kick on at that time every day?

When thinking about some of these problems, and knowing that power supply issues plague the 6412, I'm left wondering how many things people have plugged into the same outlet or circuit. The 6412 requires more power than you would think a little box would, and it runs pretty hot.

Seriously, before I'd have Comcast out to my house to swap box after box that exhibits the same problem (as I've read some people have done) I would look at how much power I'm expecting to be drawn from one outlet and also make sure my box was very, very well ventilated.

It seems more and more improbable that there would be so many boxes with so many problems. Does it seem weird to anyone else that people are finding these odd, severe defects in a $1000 product from a major company like Motorola?

The more I read, the more I think there's something environmental where these problems are occurring. Either a power issue or a heat issue. How many times have I read "I had a bad box. Comcast came and put in a new box, but it had the same problem. Then they put in another box but it also had the same problem"?

If it was a software problem, we'd all have it. Seagate and Maxtor haven't been known as producers of garbage drives. Any Motorola product I've owned has been pretty solid.

Someone help me out with another explanation.

I'm not going to call comcast right away. No offense to the comcast people on the boards, but everyone I talk to there are idiots, and I always try to figure it out myself first. (I'm hitting the end of my stride, though, hence me asking all of you.)

As for the power surge thing. I don't think so. Nothing has changed, My christmas tree doesn't even have lights, and that's the only thing that's changed here in the past 3 days. If something happened down the street, next door, etc... I don't know... I usually work in the middle of the day. ;) I'll have to check it out during christmas break. I'll keep you all informed.

Originally posted by bronowyn
I'm not going to call comcast right away. No offense to the comcast people on the boards, but everyone I talk to there are idiots, and I always try to figure it out myself first. (I'm hitting the end of my stride, though, hence me asking all of you.)

As for the power surge thing. I don't think so. Nothing has changed, My christmas tree doesn't even have lights, and that's the only thing that's changed here in the past 3 days. If something happened down the street, next door, etc... I don't know... I usually work in the middle of the day. ;) I'll have to check it out during christmas break. I'll keep you all informed.

I'd look at the ventilation and heat issue. You're only a few miles from here, and I know one thing that's changed in the past three days is the weather. Is your box somewhere near a heat vent? Is your heater timed to get hotter around that time of day. Does the sun beat through the window and hit the box at that time of day (that time changes every day by a few minutes)? It could literally be anything.

This is the hottest running piece of electronic equipment I've owned. It is also very sensitive. I had a computer once that worked great if it was 75 degrees in the house and crashed if it was 76. The 6412 is probably 10 times more powerful than that old computer but probably has about 1/10th of the fan power taking heat out of it. Heat causes instability in electronics.

This box should be sitting on top of something with nothing around it to block ventilation.

My point being that the chances of your box crashing randomly at the same time of day every day for three days running are very slim. The chances of something else that always happens at that time of day crashing your box on you are less slim.

Does the 6412 record 5.1 audio as well?

Originally posted by dailowai
Does the 6412 record 5.1 audio as well?

Yes, it's in the datastream.

Originally posted by frankz1
I'd look at the ventilation and heat issue.

It sits on top of my other equipment, outside of the Entertainment center (on top), under a cathedral ceiling. It's the coldest room in the house. It's got about a foot to the wall behind it, feet above it, and much space around it.

It happened again last night. It's in a permanent state of 4:20. However, this time, it was off for the night.

Weird. I can't turn it on. For the heat issue, we even keep it colder at night.

I really haven't had any issues beyond this. But this is a doozy.

bronowyn-

get it switched out, or just wait through it.

my 6412's were crashing twice a day for the first few weeks, now they seem pretty stable. it's almost like some of these things need a breaking in period. i was shocked that they weren't crashing, now it seems normal.

oleus is right, just keep getting it swapped out until you get one that doesn't freeze. I went through about a half dozen 6200/6208s before I got one that didn't freeze all the time. I soon tired of having comcast come out and swap the boxes and just lived with unplugging it to unfreeze it. The problem eventually went away. I have not had any problem with freeze ups with either of my 6412s. One kludge I did to quickly unplug the box was I plugged it into it's own power strip and then turned off/on the switch. I had to do this or my wife was going to go loreena bobbitt on me.

Originally posted by ndoggac
I was looking at the remote codes for the 6412, and was wondering what the different letters meant. Such as code 237 for the letter "B". There are letters A-O (maybe P as well). What function do these letters serve? Has anyone tried them??

I think they were just generic functions the original General Instruments boxes (Motorola bought GI a few years ago) supported. It was up the the cable company to program a function for that code. If you look closely, you'll notice that Skip (173) is 'N', Live (177) is 'M', MyDVR (175) is 'L', Replay (179) is 'K'.

You can always experiment by making certain you are in Cable mode (press Cable key first), then hit setup (just press it as normal, don't hold down), then the 3 digit code. See if the box responds to something. You can try all numbers from 000 through 255.

Originally posted by strider209
Haven't read all the posts but what's wrong with turning off the box? If the box is off it will still record any scheduled programs. I think the idea is not to unplug the box because it will then power cycle and have to download program lists again. Even if the box is off it still buffers I believe.

I just got my 6412 and have experimented with this.

The ONLY "issue" with turning off the box is, should you then turn ON the box while a scheduled recording is taking place, the box itself will be muted (you will hear no sound from your TV or your a/v receiver). Even if you swap tuners it will still be muted.

So the only way to unmute it, is to either turn off/on the box at that time (which stops the recording) or to use a button on a remote progammed with the cable box "mute/unmute" code. Ironically, the "mute" button on the cable box remote isn't programmed for that function as it comes from the factory. So you need to program that manually.

Since I generally would only schedule a recording when I'm not there, I don't see this as an issue. Since if the recording has completed when you turn on the cable box, there is no "issue" with muting. The box works normally when no recording is taking place.

I for one will turn off the box when not watching cable television, since it makes less noise with the box off. It makes a slight ticking noise when the power is on. When the power is off, you can still hear some hard drive noise, but not the ticking. I definitely don't want that ticking noise when watching DVDs, so I will turn off the box when watching DVDs, or not watching cable TV at all.

I think the advice to never turn off the box doesn't take the noise factor into account. I assume others hear the "ticking" noise when the box is on? Or am I the only one?

Originally posted by caesar1
I just got my 6412 and have experimented with this.

The ONLY "issue" with turning off the box is, should you then turn ON the box while a scheduled recording is taking place, the box itself will be muted (you will hear no sound from your TV or your a/v receiver). Even if you swap tuners it will still be muted.

[...]

I think the advice to never turn off the box doesn't take the noise factor into account. I assume others hear the "ticking" noise when the box is on? Or am I the only one?

That's not the "ONLY 'issue'." People have reported a miriad of problems when turning the box back on after having turned it off.

The box is still writing to the disk when the power is off. I'm not sure what other ticking you're hearing, but if it's disk noise it's going on when the power is on or off.

The only thing effected by the power button is signal being sent to the display. Oh, and the front panel display. If you can hear either of those things, then turning off the box will decrease the box noise I guess.

Turn off your box if you wish. Eventually, you're going to turn it on to find a black screen with no video and only menus to look at. Then you'll need to start playing back a show recorded on the DVR and exit to live TV in order to see TV again.

No one knows why this happens, but everyone knows never turning off the box prevents it.

I'll never understand why there's such resitance to keeping the box on full time, especially considering it's doing the same exact thing whether on or off except sending video out.

Has anyone noticed the audio being out of sync with the video
on the 6412? I have not had time to do a definitive
study, but on a couple of concert feeds I recorded (and
one my wife watched in real time) either the singers
were badly lip syncing or there was a definite audio
lag. This was the same on the optical and stereo
outputs. Maybe its just the PBS HD feed?

Originally posted by frankz1
That's not the "ONLY 'issue'." People have reported a miriad of problems when turning the box back on after having turned it off.

The box is still writing to the disk when the power is off. I'm not sure what other ticking you're hearing, but if it's disk noise it's going on when the power is on or off.

The only thing effected by the power button is signal being sent to the display. Oh, and the front panel display. If you can hear either of those things, then turning off the box will decrease the box noise I guess.

Turn off your box if you wish. Eventually, you're going to turn it on to find a black screen with no video and only menus to look at. Then you'll need to start playing back a show recorded on the DVR and exit to live TV in order to see TV again.

No one knows why this happens, but everyone knows never turning off the box prevents it.

I'll never understand why there's such resitance to keeping the box on full time, especially considering it's doing the same exact thing whether on or off except sending video out.

Other than the noise with it on, I would keep it on all the time. There definitely is less noise with the box off. I can hear the hard drive spinning with it off still, but not the ticking (which seems to be the buffer recording or something like that - when the box is on).

Does anyone else notice slightly more noise from the box when it is on?

Originally posted by frankz1
I'll never understand why there's such resitance to keeping the box on full time, especially considering it's doing the same exact thing whether on or off except sending video out. I don't understand it either frank..but you already knew that ;) If it is noisy, get a new one. Most of the time I have read folks are concerned the hard drive will crash or it will get too hot. YOU DON"T OWN IT! WHO CARES! It is Comcast's problem! It's like talking to my parents who remove the batteries from the remote because they think the damn thing might burst into flames. Seriously, my mother was concerned the remote would catch fire! Well, good luck to all you folks who fancy turning the box off.

Originally posted by caesar1
Other than the noise with it on, I would keep it on all the time. There definitely is less noise with the box off. I can hear the hard drive spinning with it off still, but not the ticking (which seems to be the buffer recording or something like that - when the box is on).

Does anyone else notice slightly more noise from the box when it is on?

Look, you can turn your box off and on hourly if you want to. It doesn't effect me.

The reason I make it a point to reply to these posts where people dispute the "Power Button" issue that has been proven as fact for the past 68 pages of the thread is that when someone gets their new 6412 and has a problem after powering off, they'll come here for answers. I want them to get the answer, and the answer is to never turn the power off.

Originally posted by tall1
I don't understand it either frank..but you already knew that ;) If it is noisy, get a new one. Most of the time I have read folks are concerned the hard drive will crash or it will get too hot. YOU DON"T OWN IT! WHO CARES! It is Comcast's problem! It's like talking to my parents who remove the batteries from the remote because they think the damn thing might burst into flames. Seriously, my mother was concerned the remote would catch fire! Well, good luck to all you folks who fancy turning the box off.

Well that doesn't answer my question. I think they all will have some noise? Is your box completely silent when on?

Do you hear any slight ticking or any other noise?

I'm not saying my box is noisy (above the norm). I just have nothing to compare it to.

I hear a whirring sound whether on or off. But when powered on, I also hear a slight ticking sound.

Anyone else?

Originally posted by frankz1
Look, you can turn your box off and on hourly if you want to. It doesn't effect me.

The reason I make it a point to reply to these posts where people dispute the "Power Button" issue that has been proven as fact for the past 68 pages of the thread is that when someone gets their new 6412 and has a problem after powering off, they'll come here for answers. I want them to get the answer, and the answer is to never turn the power off.

Aaarrgh. Will no one answer my noise question?

Originally posted by caesar1
Aaarrgh. Will no one answer my noise question?

I believe both I and tall1 answered your question:

ME:
The only thing effected by the power button is signal being sent to the display. Oh, and the front panel display. If you can hear either of those things, then turning off the box will decrease the box noise I guess.

tall1:
If it is noisy, get a new one.

Even though it's not the answer you wanted, it's still an answer.

Originally posted by frankz1
That's not the "ONLY 'issue'."

I'll never understand why there's such Resistance to keeping the box on full time, especially considering it's doing the same exact thing whether on or off except sending video out.

That is not exactly true. The box when off is no longer writing data to the hard drive. The wear factor discussed much earlier in this thread would be something to consider. When allowing my computer to remain on, the hard drive is spinning, but it is not in constant write rewrite mode. In the case of the 6412 left on, it is constantly writing.

I just tested this to make sure I did not provide misinformation.

Sure, it is Comcast's property but I have a good one that is virtually silent and runs cool, 79 degrees, even behind smoked glass.

I have a 6412 and notice no noise; maybe my 64 year old ears are the problem. (I never turn the stb off.)

Originally posted by wstanko
That is not exactly true. The box when off is no longer writing data to the hard drive. The wear factor discussed much earlier in this thread would be something to consider. When allowing my computer to remain on, the hard drive is spinning, but it is not in constant write rewrite mode. In the case of the 6412 left on, it is constantly writing.

I just tested this to make sure I did not provide misinformation.

Sure, it is Comcast's property but I have a good one that is virtually silent and runs cool, 79 degrees, even behind smoked glass.

Which of the diagnostic screens shows that there's no drive activity when the power's off?

Like I said, turn it off and on hourly. It's all the same to me. If you've got no DVR recordings when you turn it on to a black screen with no video, pull the plug and wait 24 hours for your guide to load.

Perhaps your box is getting stoned...you did say it happens around 4:20 right?

Twice yesterday my 6412 locked in FF2 and I couldn't stop it. Once it locked in reverse mode and I had to unplug the box to regain control. No problems since then but I'm holding my breath. Other than that, no complaints - runs quiet and records HD just fine. I was recommended by an installer to turn the box off at noght - I've read the pros and cons about this and really don't know what is the best, or is there a best? Forgot to mention a couple of power off's when watching a show - late afternoon, not 4:20 but fairly close, how about that.

Originally posted by frankz1
I believe both I and tall1 answered your question:

ME:
The only thing effected by the power button is signal being sent to the display. Oh, and the front panel display. If you can hear either of those things, then turning off the box will decrease the box noise I guess.

tall1:
If it is noisy, get a new one.

Even though it's not the answer you wanted, it's still an answer.

Specifically I'm looking for a comparison to noises heard when box is on, as compared to off.

Such as box off: whirring sound and nothing else heard

box on: whirring sound plus periodic ticking/chirping sound

To me, the periodic chirping/ticking (it is almost in a predictable rhythym) is something I'll either have to get used to, or return for another box. I can hear the chirping/ticking during silent passages in TV show/movies. So it is a little bothersome. I definitely wouldn't like it while watching DVDs.

I belive the chirping/ticking is the hard drive head moving. For some reason, this movement is not occuring when the box is powered off.

Jumped into this thread to check re the black video question, boy seems busy!

Yes, my 6412 also has a "tick tock" noise (head seeks), when the box is on and active- eg, tuning in a channel. It's fairly slight, but noticeable. I was hoping to try "deactivating" the 2nd tuner (no swap) to lessen amount of head seeks, but doesn't seem to help.

However, turning the box off DOES help. The ticking stops immediately.
Tthe hdd does still keep spinning- I can hear it if I stand close, and the manual states the hard drive stays on during power off. It probably does deactivate the tuning & "live buffer" recording, hence no more head seeks. I'd also want to save some electricity, although since the HDD is still on & more "standby" mode, guess not that significant.

I have not seen heat problems w/ the box- it seems significantly cooler than my Samsung SIR-T150 ever was, and that had no HDD! (older, hotter hd chipset I guess.)

I do have my 6412 (and Tivo, and other stuff) plugged into UPS power supplies, with AVR (voltage regulation). This smooths out any power glitches, to prolong life of the drives & electronics, plus means I get to record TV shows even during power outages! :-) I strongly recommend this - you can get some good cheap deals w/ rebates at CompUSA & Staples occasionally.

Originally posted by cgould
However, turning the box off DOES help. The ticking stops immediately.
Tthe hdd does still keep spinning- I can hear it if I stand close, and the manual states the hard drive stays on during power off. It probably does deactivate the tuning & "live buffer" recording, hence no more head seeks. I'd also want to save some electricity, although since the HDD is still on & more "standby" mode, guess not that significant.

Buffering is not the only thing the drive does.

I'm sorry, but this "dead drive head upon power off" argument defies logic. My computer hard drive head moves when reading and writing. I believe all computers do, including the one in the 6412. If the box drive head was dead upon power off, the box would not know to turn itself on to do a scheduled recording. The box would not download guide data when off (writing it to the drive).

When you power on, my active tuner goes to CN8 and my second tuner stays on the previously-tuned channel. It's been a while since I powered off and on, but I believe it continued to buffer that second-tuner channel. This could be wrong, but I don't think it is.

What hard drive head becomes inactive when the hard drive is still spinning? They're a package deal.

Here's my problem- I'm trying to take the SVideo out from the 6412, to VCR/DVD recorder- but the aspect ratio is wrong.
I have the 6412 set to 16:9 tv (what I want), 1080i TPrPb (is ok), 4:3 override to 480i or various things- all looks fine on the HDTV (component),
but the SVideo is letterboxed.
I don't want letterboxed, since even though it is 480i, my TV is still 16:9, so I don't want the 6412 messing w/ analog out- I just want unadulterated 480i in the "natural" full aspect ratio (consider it anamorphic, if you want.)

I've tried changing all th e 4:3 override settings, no effect; I thought I tried changing "TV aspect ratio", to 4:3, don't remember it affecting anything- although I seem to recall initially the SVideo was ZOOMED (eg, pan/scan crop?)... I reset the box to 16:9, and it went away, but now it's letterboxed.
I don't want pan/scan zoom, nor letterbox, just full "anamorphic" out...

any tips? anyone else see this?

On my box the noise is the same when turning off or leaving it on. I don't hear any "ticking" noise. Even with the unit off I can still hear some sort of drive activity. When I turn the unit back on I don't have any problems with black screens. This is a generic solution but I would say get the box swapped out for one that works "properly"

This is my second box. The original 6412 I received would randomly reboot (turn off and then back on) and would have to retrieve channel listings each time. I could reproduce the problem by accessing guide functions. I.e. press the menu, info or guide button a few times and the box would restart. I called for service and they promptly came out and swapped out the box,

Originally posted by cgould
Here's my problem- I'm trying to take the SVideo out from the 6412, to VCR/DVD recorder- but the aspect ratio is wrong.
I have the 6412 set to 16:9 tv (what I want), 1080i TPrPb (is ok), 4:3 override to 480i or various things- all looks fine on the HDTV (component),
but the SVideo is letterboxed.
I don't want letterboxed, since even though it is 480i, my TV is still 16:9, so I don't want the 6412 messing w/ analog out- I just want unadulterated 480i in the "natural" full aspect ratio (consider it anamorphic, if you want.)

I've tried changing all th e 4:3 override settings, no effect; I thought I tried changing "TV aspect ratio", to 4:3, don't remember it affecting anything- although I seem to recall initially the SVideo was ZOOMED (eg, pan/scan crop?)... I reset the box to 16:9, and it went away, but now it's letterboxed.
I don't want pan/scan zoom, nor letterbox, just full "anamorphic" out...

any tips? anyone else see this?

The 4:3 override has nothing to do with the SVideo output which is not configurable. The 4:3 override only effects what you see over YPrPb.

The Svideo connection is intended for people with SD TVs and to connect to a VCR.

http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/customer_docs/user_guides/512659-001-a.pdf

Hmmm, I don't turn my box off but on the replacement box I got yesterday to replace the one I got originally installed two days ago as the Hard Drive was no longer seen by the box... I never turn off the box and this is what happened. I turn on the plasma tv at 8:00AM this morning and it's not receiving a signal for any channel while it shows the program info for that channel. Hitting LiveTV shows the buffer on channel 61 with the end bar at 3:00AM. Turning off the box and back on still shows the same problem. Only unplugging and replugging the power fixed the issue and restored the video signal so it seems like the OS crashed or something. Is this the same as the freezing issue everyone is talking about? As for the mute issue, I have the black ICX remote so as long as the remote is in cable mode, the volume controls and mute controls the 6412. So the mute is only on the output to the tv and the recordings still recorded the sound right? As for the noise issue, perhaps it has to do with the Hard Drive being used since both of my boxes has the Seagate ST3120025ACE 5400RPM 1MB Buffer and it's really quiet. Think the Maxtor's are more noisy.

My old 6208 had a setup otion to return to last channel watched on startup, as opposed to the default start in VOD. I can't find that option on the 6412. Anybody know a fix?

I'm a turn-it-off guy myself. Noise isn't a problem for me, but the LCD display is. It's at eye-level in my bedroom, and I'd rather turn it off than duct-tape the sucker when it's time to sleep.

I've programmed a mute button on my Harmony 688, and rarely need to use it. Likewise, in the months I've had it, I had only one startup hang that forced me to unplug. No loss of recordings, the iGuide was back in a reasonable time, and TitanTV and my local newspaper filled in the gaps.

I understand the reasoning of the "leave it on" guys. My old 5100 downstairs stays on because I still use it to record to a VCR and programming it to come on at a certain time is too much trouble. It's been on now for several years, though it's not as complex a box as the 6412 and doesn't have a drive.

But I don't think it's mandatory or universally recommended to keep the 6412 on 24/7. Not everyone has the problems cited, and there are workarounds for those who do.

Different strokes for different folks, etc.

I am trying to go from my 6412 Cable box To my TV via a DVI>>HDMI cable converter.

Now I know other people are having this problem in that when they view the signal through the HDMI port the picture is noisy with *sparkles* throughout the picture and I can not view Hi Definition images. 480P is the highest signal the box will send through the cable.

I also know that some people are claiming that they have gotten this setup to work. Please let me know what settings those people are using and where they got thier converter cable or setup of thier cable to get this picture to display correctly.

My settings on my STB are set correctly and I know the HDMI on the TV is responding correctly and the cable is good. However I feel either my STB is bad or this particular cable does not like to play nice with teh STB. Any info you guys can offer would be greatly appreaciated.

Last but not least, everything is HDCP compliant.

It's like talking to my parents who remove the batteries from the remote because they think the damn thing might burst into flames. Seriously, my mother was concerned the remote would catch fire! :D :D :D :D :D :D

Originally posted by frankz1
The 4:3 override has nothing to do with the SVideo output which is not configurable. The 4:3 override only effects what you see over YPrPb.

The Svideo connection is intended for people with SD TVs and to connect to a VCR.

http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/customer_docs/user_guides/512659-001-a.pdf

Thanks, yes I found this out too after downloading the guide... wish I'd found it before lots of experimentation :(
Connecting to a VCR is exactly what I want to do... but not have it letterboxed.

I tried the TV type, and 4:3 pan/scan does change the SVideo out, to be zoomed/cropped- unacceptable.
I tried both 16:9 and 4:3 letterbox, and both are actually letterboxed on the SVideo out.

This did not happen with my 6200, the output was "unadulterated/anamorphic."... why would Motorola screw something up that worked?

help!

Seems like many of the posts here could be summed up as:

You need to think of the 6412 as a computer, not an appliance. . . . But don't think it works like your computer in every respect. :eek:

I've had my box for one week now. I've experienced several problems within the last week when turning the box back on (mute button on when turning on during scheduled recording; no picture or sound, just the program info; frozen picture; etc.). Maybe I've got a bad box, but since I've been leaving the box on I haven't experienced any of these problems.

I think I'll let Comcast deal with their flurry of Bay Area installs while I'm keeping it turned on for another week to see if there are any problems. Judging by this forum, that may solve most if not all of them.

As a counterpoint to the boxes that have been having issues, I have had mine for 3 weeks. It gets turned "off" everynight, is extremely quiet while on, and after programming the mute button to "un-mute" when doing a powered off recording and powering on, no missing video, I have had no problems at all with this box. Who knows what will happen tomorrow, but currently it has been trouble free.

Hi,

Do you think most Comcast customers (who don't have HDTV) are taking advantage of the fact that they can see the best picture quality they ever seen by taking 10 seconds to change to 480i, so they can see the spectacular picture for the High Def channels? I wonder if most of them even know about it.

(I had a link to broadband reports (under cable and satellite TV forum) where I posted, but this avsforum seems to not let me put a link :( )

regards,
william

Another reason to leave the box on all the time is, if the box turns itself on to record a program, even if you later interact with the box (change second tuner's channel or watch a recorded program), when the recording is over, the box turns itself off. So, then I would wait a minute and turn it back on.

It was annoying, so I tried to remember to put the box on, before it would record, because I rarely watch live TV anymore. Then I would forget, so I decided to leave it one always.

If it would recognize interaction and just stay on, I would probably turn it off at night.

Originally posted by caesar1
So the only way to unmute it, is to either turn off/on the box at that time (which stops the recording) or to use a button on a remote progammed with the cable box "mute/unmute" code. Ironically, the "mute" button on the cable box remote isn't programmed for that function as it comes from the factory. So you need to program that manually.


The remote comes with volume lock set to the TV. If you unlock it, then mute does mute the box itself.
Hold setup until 2 blinks
Type 993
Press Vol+
Once done, volume will control whichever device is selected.

You can use the keymap option to map your selected volume device onto the other volume keys, but leaving MUTE alone. The only drawback will be if you use the remote while watching a DVD or the TV directly, you will not mute.

Hold Setup until 2 blinks
Type 994
Press TV (or AUX if you have a receiver/amp programmed on it), then Vol+
Press Cable, then Vol+
repeat for Vol-.
If you use a receiver/amp for audio, then you can repeat again using TV in place of Cable.

To restore normal Volume lock:
Hold setup until 2 blinks
Type 993
Press the volume device (TV or amp/receiver)

And here's yet another option: Create a shifted MUTE key for the cable box:
Hold setup until 2 blinks
Type 994
Press Cable
Press Setup then type 00141
Press Setup, then press MUTE

To mute/unmute the box, hit SETUP then MUTE, instead of just MUTE. This works even with Volume lock enabled. When you hit just MUTE, it will normally control your TV or amp/receiver.

I haven't read the whole 70 pages of this thread so I'm not sure if this was covered.

How does the 6412 deal with pre-empted shows? Like when a baseball game runs long and the show you want to record is next except its comes on later than its scheduled too. I'm not even sure if TiVo handled this correctly or at all.

ZZ

Originally posted by ZeggyZon
I haven't read the whole 70 pages of this thread so I'm not sure if this was covered.

How does the 6412 deal with pre-empted shows? Like when a baseball game runs long and the show you want to record is next except its comes on later than its scheduled too. I'm not even sure if TiVo handled this correctly or at all.

ZZ

A DVR or Tivo just works off the schedule and has no clue if something runs over (such as a game) or starts late (because of a game). It only records the times that are schedule (and obviously cant tell if the video signal its recording is really what you wanted).

The only way to make sure you cover a game is to tell program it to record extra (beyond the scheduled end time)...I-Guide allows you to do that if you want in the individual recording options.

Hello all, first post on the boards, so I'll try and state my case as clearly as possible; hopefully someone can help out.

I had the 6412 installed Wednesday, and the guide was fully downloaded by Thursday morning, so I began to figure out my series recordings. Just so I could get a feel for the software, I went ahead and set up a Leno series recording, first runs only, keep three episodes. Later, I checked what was going to be on Encore, decided to set Ed Wood to record, and then it happened. A window pops up saying that I have a scheduling conflict with Leno. Now, I KNOW I have a dual tuner because, I have recorded on both of them simultaneously. Anyone else run into this problem?

With that said, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Originally posted by keenan
As a counterpoint to the boxes that have been having issues, I have had mine for 3 weeks. It gets turned "off" everynight, is extremely quiet while on, and after programming the mute button to "un-mute" when doing a powered off recording and powering on, no missing video, I have had no problems at all with this box. Who knows what will happen tomorrow, but currently it has been trouble free.

Careful what you say, hold your rabbit's foot, your lucky penny, and knock on wood.

I haven't had any problems for the 3 weeks I've had it until 4 days ago... and now, I can't figure it out at all. It went off again today, while my fiance was watching the GB/Vikings game. I think I'm going to try to delete my series recording for oprah and see if that makes a difference, that's the only thing that happens every day at 4pm. Although, I've had that set up for a while, too. *shrug*

Merry christmas everyone!

Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

This is information regarding the Hard Drive in the 6412.

The Hard Drive NEVER turns off.

Read the bottom of page 36...

http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/customer_docs/user_guides/512659-001-a.pdf

Originally posted by markjrenna
Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

This is information regarding the Hard Drive in the 6412.

The Hard Drive NEVER turns off.

Read the bottom of page 36...

http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/customer_docs/user_guides/512659-001-a.pdf

Here is what it says:

"The DCT* is making
a humming noise.

The DCT* includes an integrated hard drive and a fan for
cooling. During normal operation, the DCT* emits a low
humming noise, similar to a personal computer. The
noise varies in volume occasionally when the speed of
the internal fan adjusts to changes in the temperature
around the DCT*. Please note the hard drive will stay on
even when the DCT* is turned off."

Well mine makes a humming noise when off, as expected. However, when the box is ON, in addition to a humming noise, it makes periodic click .. click .. chirp noises. Which sounds like the hard drive head moving. This noise is particularly noticeable when changing channels. I guess because it is starting a new buffer.

I might try to swap it, to see if I get a quieter one.

Originally posted by Vgamer4550
I am trying to go from my 6412 Cable box To my TV via a DVI>>HDMI cable converter.

Now I know other people are having this problem in that when they view the signal through the HDMI port the picture is noisy with *sparkles* throughout the picture and I can not view Hi Definition images. 480P is the highest signal the box will send through the cable.



I have this problem as well. I found out comcast here in Lancaster, PA was supplying DVI cables for free so I figured I would at least try it out. I too am only able to get a signal when the box is set to 480p.

I'm quite pleased with how component looks, so this isn't a huge issue for me, but I was curious if I was missing something. I gave Comcast a call and not suprisingly they weren't much help. The girl needed to get a supervisor because she had no idea what DVI or 480p even were. Their suggestion was to bring in the box for replacement.

Originally posted by davisdog
A DVR or Tivo just works off the schedule and has no clue if something runs over (such as a game) or starts late (because of a game). It only records the times that are schedule (and obviously cant tell if the video signal its recording is really what you wanted).

The only way to make sure you cover a game is to tell program it to record extra (beyond the scheduled end time)...I-Guide allows you to do that if you want in the individual recording options.

This is true but if the schedule has odd stop-and-start times, then DVRs do pick that up. For instance, in the last couple network seasons, they did a stunt of having bizarre stop-and-start times for some shows, like Friends (e.g. 43 minute show-lengths). My Tivo was smart enough to pick up those scheduling details, and these were cases where the newspaper schedules did not catch on to the bizarre times.

Originally posted by wstanko
That is not exactly true. The box when off is no longer writing data to the hard drive. The wear factor discussed much earlier in this thread would be something to consider. When allowing my computer to remain on, the hard drive is spinning, but it is not in constant write rewrite mode. In the case of the 6412 left on, it is constantly writing.

I just tested this to make sure I did not provide misinformation.

Sure, it is Comcast's property but I have a good one that is virtually silent and runs cool, 79 degrees, even behind smoked glass.

Exactly My Tivo is always On. Really PVR's are meant to be. It matters even less in the case of the 6412 as it is comcasts box. If it breaks you call for a new one. This is the mai advantage over tivo where i'd have to send the unit out for about a month or so, get charged $99. And at some point if I need to buy a new one, pay the lifetime all over again.

Originally posted by jwehman
Quick question regarding Manual Series Recording. Can I set up the Iguide software to record at a given time on a given channel for more than just once? Like every M-F, or every day, etc? I can only find the one manual recording for one-time block only.

Rgds,

JohnW Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

Once you set and confirm your Manual Recording. The next screen allows you to modify the recording. You can select: Weekdays, Sat - Sun, and/or Everyday.

Originally posted by Jeffrin
Hello all, first post on the boards, so I'll try and state my case as clearly as possible; hopefully someone can help out.

I had the 6412 installed Wednesday, and the guide was fully downloaded by Thursday morning, so I began to figure out my series recordings. Just so I could get a feel for the software, I went ahead and set up a Leno series recording, first runs only, keep three episodes. Later, I checked what was going to be on Encore, decided to set Ed Wood to record, and then it happened. A window pops up saying that I have a scheduling conflict with Leno. Now, I KNOW I have a dual tuner because, I have recorded on both of them simultaneously. Anyone else run into this problem?

With that said, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Is it possible that leno is set to record on two different channels at the same time? I know that I get regular NBC and NBC-HD and they both show leno at the same time, of course. Perhaps it has set to record both of them, occupying both tuners. Just a thought. I don't actually get my 6412 until the 30th so I'm not an expert.

Howdy, Newbie here. I have not been able to get an output on the 6412 firewire ports. I tried connecting to Mac and to a PC. I had the box installed by comcast in the Bay area. It is hooked up to a Samsung DLP set, with 720P through component video, and to my surround sound receiver through Optical spdif. This is my second box. First one had the reset/reboot problem. Comcast promptly swapped it with a second box the next day. This second box is working fine, and no reset problem.

Has anyone been able to get Firewire to work?

BTW, overall I am very pleased with this box and with the comcast service. I was surprised that the installer had optical cables and immediately offered to hook up to my receiver. I was not charged for the cable or the installation. The HD quality varies, but many channels are excellent.

Originally posted by JJMG
This is true but if the schedule has odd stop-and-start times, then DVRs do pick that up. For instance, in the last couple network seasons, they did a stunt of having bizarre stop-and-start times for some shows, like Friends (e.g. 43 minute show-lengths). My Tivo was smart enough to pick up those scheduling details, and these were cases where the newspaper schedules did not catch on to the bizarre times.

Exactly. The *schedule* had the odd start/stop times...it wasn't just something running over. ReplayTVs and TiVos have the abiliy to look an hour or so either way of a time *normally* scheduled for a show to see if it has moved a little. But if the schedule still had the regular time, with them actually starting/stopping at odd times, the PVR will start and stop with the scheduled time...not what was actually happening. The big difference between show-based recording vs. (strictly) time-based recording is the ability to use this 'fuzzy logic' for reasonably small discrepencies, as well as not recording at all if a show isn't scheduled for a particular week, etc.

-Randy

New here, but I have done some digging, but have not found too much info on people's experiences on saving shows from the 6412 to a Mac. I am getting the 6412 on Thursday and I have Virtual DVHS on my mac. Has anyone used this to record a show they have already saved on hard drive?

Will your saved show play out of firewire?

Thanks for any advice and sorry this if this is a repeat.

Originally posted by markjrenna
Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

Once you set and confirm your Manual Recording. The next screen allows you to modify the recording. You can select: Weekdays, Sat - Sun, and/or Everyday.

Thanks for replying...however, my manual recording options-screen doesn't give me an option to set that. In the area to select "Repeat Recording", there are no arrows to the left or right of that selection. The word "none" is in yellow, and I can't change it.

Perhaps you could do it at you place, and quickly report the steps in a reply?

Thanks and rgds,

JohnW

Originally posted by rodneyremington
Is it possible that leno is set to record on two different channels at the same time? I know that I get regular NBC and NBC-HD and they both show leno at the same time, of course. Perhaps it has set to record both of them, occupying both tuners. Just a thought. I don't actually get my 6412 until the 30th so I'm not an expert. Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

Interesting question.

Whichever channel you set the recording on takes precedence. If you have Leno set as a Series (as an example) to record on NBC it will look there first. You would have to set a manual recording for Leno to record on NBC-HD at that same time.

Originally posted by Jeffrin
Hello all, first post on the boards, so I'll try and state my case as clearly as possible; hopefully someone can help out.

I had the 6412 installed Wednesday, and the guide was fully downloaded by Thursday morning, so I began to figure out my series recordings. Just so I could get a feel for the software, I went ahead and set up a Leno series recording, first runs only, keep three episodes. Later, I checked what was going to be on Encore, decided to set Ed Wood to record, and then it happened. A window pops up saying that I have a scheduling conflict with Leno. Now, I KNOW I have a dual tuner because, I have recorded on both of them simultaneously. Anyone else run into this problem?

With that said, any help would be greatly appreciated. Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

You can get scheduling conflicts when you set up more than two Series Recordings. You can make the new show a higher priority while setting up the series or you can change the series priority from the Series Priority menu. The more series you setup, the more likely you are going to have conflicts.

Originally posted by ubell
Has anyone noticed the audio being out of sync with the video
on the 6412? I have not had time to do a definitive
study, but on a couple of concert feeds I recorded (and
one my wife watched in real time) either the singers
were badly lip syncing or there was a definite audio
lag. This was the same on the optical and stereo
outputs. Maybe its just the PBS HD feed? Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

This issue has been known to happen with Dish Network and their 522 DVR. First I'm hearing of it on the 6412. Either the PBS feed was/is messed up or you may have a bad box. I would keep an eye on it.

Originally posted by markjrenna
Whichever channel you set the recording on takes precedence. If you have Leno set as a Series (as an example) to record on NBC it will look there first. You would have to set a manual recording for Leno to record on NBC-HD at that same time.
Except that you can set a series to record on "all channels" and then it appears to create conflicts when the show appears on both the "normal" analog channel and the HD digital channel. I've seen that on my box and I fixed it by changing the option to "this channel only."

Originally posted by MemeSlider
New here, but I have done some digging, but have not found too much info on people's experiences on saving shows from the 6412 to a Mac.

From another forum, I found the following links about two programs that are required:
iRecord (http://home.comcast.net/~macpvr/)
VLC (http://www.videolan.org/)

I don't know if my Mac would support this - it's got a relatively small hard drive (20 gig) and I don't have a DVD burner to save shows off. Is the latter even possible? What about connecting to the DVR via a home network? I've just started looking into these items, so I may find the information on my own, but any help would be appreciated.

Originally posted by cgould
Here's my problem- I'm trying to take the SVideo out from the 6412, to VCR/DVD recorder- but the aspect ratio is wrong.
I have the 6412 set to 16:9 tv (what I want), 1080i TPrPb (is ok), 4:3 override to 480i or various things- all looks fine on the HDTV (component),
but the SVideo is letterboxed.
I don't want letterboxed, since even though it is 480i, my TV is still 16:9, so I don't want the 6412 messing w/ analog out- I just want unadulterated 480i in the "natural" full aspect ratio (consider it anamorphic, if you want.)

I've tried changing all th e 4:3 override settings, no effect; I thought I tried changing "TV aspect ratio", to 4:3, don't remember it affecting anything- although I seem to recall initially the SVideo was ZOOMED (eg, pan/scan crop?)... I reset the box to 16:9, and it went away, but now it's letterboxed.
I don't want pan/scan zoom, nor letterbox, just full "anamorphic" out...

any tips? anyone else see this?

What type of channel are you recording? If it is an HD channel, the signal that is outputted on the S-Video connection will always be letterboxed. If it is an SD channel (analog or digital) it should be 4:3.

HTH,

tim

Originally posted by jwehman
Thanks for replying...however, my manual recording options-screen doesn't give me an option to set that. In the area to select "Repeat Recording", there are no arrows to the left or right of that selection. The word "none" is in yellow, and I can't change it.

Perhaps you could do it at you place, and quickly report the steps in a reply?

Thanks and rgds,

JohnW Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

The word "None" should be in yellow and if you use your right and left arrows you can change the settings to Weekdays, Sat - Sun, and/or Everyday.

Originally posted by markjrenna
Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

The word "None" should be in yellow and if you use your right and left arrows you can change the settings to Weekdays, Sat - Sun, and/or Everyday.

Nope - here're the steps I take:

1. Menu
2. DVR
3. Schedule a recording
4. Schedule a manual recording
5. Set the times
6. Go to Record ...
7. Set more options
8. The Frequency button has no arrow to the left or right. Others do, and you can go left and right. On this one you can't.

???

Rgds.

JohnW

I have tried EVERY mute fix suggetsed here for the iGuide 6412 (Comcast - Delaware) and NONE work for me. That includes leaving the unit ON and the suggetsed codes. Anyone else been through that situation and found another answer? Thanks.

quote:
Originally posted by MemeSlider
New here, but I have done some digging, but have not found too much info on people's experiences on saving shows from the 6412 to a Mac.


There is another forum you can check that has some good information.

AVS Form > HDTV > HDTV Recorders > How-To: Guide to MacOS X firewire HDTV recording

Thread was started by rcliff

Yes, I have seen that... quite helpful, but I was looking for actual experiences with the 6412.

Thanks though!

Originally posted by bronowyn
RGHessel - but as Comcasts puts 2-99 as digital simulcast, all your "analog" channels issues, will go out the window. I can try to find the direct reference to that, but lots of *shhhh* comcast employees on the avsforums have been mentioning that it's a go deal. Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

Comcast made the Digital Simulcasting announcement in early December. It isn't hush hush anymore. I believe wishful thinking is that it will happen in Q1 '05.

Comcast said it will happen sometime in '05.

BTW... my issue was related to my series recording of Oprah (My fiance said that the box was protesting having to record that show every day).

It HAD been set up, but strangely, the problems didn't start until last week. So, I deleted the series recording, crashed during that, and I don't seem to have an issue anymore.

*shrug*

Originally posted by ubell
Has anyone noticed the audio being out of sync with the video
on the 6412? I have not had time to do a definitive
study, but on a couple of concert feeds I recorded (and
one my wife watched in real time) either the singers
were badly lip syncing or there was a definite audio
lag. This was the same on the optical and stereo
outputs. Maybe its just the PBS HD feed?

I've had problems with lip sync, not just with the 6412, but also with the earlier 6200. On my cable system (Portland, OR), it seems that some channels are worse than others, and some are OK. And some channels that are bad are worse on some days (or during some programs) than others. And sometimes, the programming has lip synch problems but the local commercials don't. All of which Comcast felt was a "head end" issue which they were going to get back to me on but never did. I experimented with a lot of settings and cable configurations (both through the stereo system and directly to the TV) and finally concluded that I was unable to determine where the problem lay. So now I just use my receiver's delay function to adjust the audio to minimize the problem.

Originally posted by crossbeaux
I've had problems with lip sync, not just with the 6412, but also with the earlier 6200. On my cable system (Portland, OR), it seems that some channels are worse than others, and some are OK. And some channels that are bad are worse on some days (or during some programs) than others. And sometimes, the programming has lip synch problems but the local commercials don't. All of which Comcast felt was a "head end" issue which they were going to get back to me on but never did. I experimented with a lot of settings and cable configurations (both through the stereo system and directly to the TV) and finally concluded that I was unable to determine where the problem lay. So now I just use my receiver's delay function to adjust the audio to minimize the problem.
With all of the video conversion, linking, etc.. along the chain these days, going through all sorts of digital reworking, problems happen. I've seen video/audio out of sync both ways many times. It will be bad one show, but the next is fine.

Also, many newer TV's, especially those that do digital processing, usually delay the video a few frames to aid in the cleanup/enhancement process. Hopefully somebody will come out with a 'digital' TV with a 'pass-thru' mode, like on some higher-end audio equipment.

Originally posted by ubell
Has anyone noticed the audio being out of sync with the video
on the 6412? I have not had time to do a definitive
study, but on a couple of concert feeds I recorded (and
one my wife watched in real time) either the singers
were badly lip syncing or there was a definite audio
lag. This was the same on the optical and stereo
outputs. Maybe its just the PBS HD feed?

I have a series recording set up for PTI on ESPN. Everyday the audio is out of sync.

Originally posted by jolietconvict
I have a series recording set up for PTI on ESPN. Everyday the audio is out of sync.

For what it's worth, when I first got my comcast moto 5100 HD box (and I was one of the first to get it) there was a LOT of audio synch issues. WIthin a few months there were none. I think it was corrected with either software updates or head end changes. I would suspect a similar correction with the 6412.

This is strange. I just logged onto the forum to start to search for audio-out of sync problems, and here people are talking about it today.

I have had the 6412 for two months now and I really haven't noticed until about a week ago. I think it is getting worse.

Originally posted by KentStater72
This is strange. I just logged onto the forum to start to search for audio-out of sync problems, and here people are talking about it today.

I have had the 6412 for two months now and I really haven't noticed until about a week ago. I think it is getting worse.

I think you will find this to be content/broadcast dependant. I have seen it in varying intensity on just about any input (DVI,component, sVid, tuner... with both analog and digital audio), and any source (DVD, 5100, 6412, ReplayTV, analog tuner, etc.).

While I have read many threads about this being an equipment issue, it comes and goes from being unnoticeable to almost laffable, and the only variable is the source material.

As we in the Bay Area were not blessed with the 6208, the 6412 is the first cable DVR I have used. So I would like to confirm the procedure for copying files to a JVC 30K from the 6412.

1. With the reports of firewire connections between the 6412 and the 30K causing freezes of the 6412 or recording by the 30K ceasing at 20-30 minutes, the general advice has been to turn off the 6412 (or do you have to disconnect the plug?), use a firewire cable to connect a powered 30K to the 6412, then restart (or plug back in) the 6412. The 6412 should then recognize the 30K.

2. Does it matter which I link channel used: I-1 or I-2?

3. I assume that I must select the 6412 recording that I wish to record and start it playing on the 6412. I would then promptly start the 30K to record the firewire output of the 6412. (I assume there is no way to copy the DVR file other than by real-time playing of it. Thus a 2 hour movie would take 2 hours to copy on the 30K).

4. While the 6412 is playing the recorded program, can you use the 2nd tuner to view another program by means of the swap function? In other words, may I view a current program thru the component outputs while copying the recorded program to the JVC 30K thru the firewire output?

- Phil

i have noticed audio sync issues as well, with my 2 new 6412's, starting 2 nights ago.

Got a 6412 from Comcast/San Francisco last week. First DVR. Still trying to figure out all the tricks.

I'm trying to program a series that repeats several times a day (for example, Countdown on MSNBC or Daily Show on Comedy Channel). The 'first-run' feature doesn't seem to work properly. I get every single episode for the day. There doesn't seem to be a way to say 'record a series, but only the 5pm broadcast.' Best I've been able to do is to have it record the whole set, but save only 1 or 2 episodes. I tried to do a manual record, but it requires an explicit date. I can't figure out how to specify 'record the show every Monday at 5pm.' Any ideas?

Pretty happy with it otherwise. Also, Comcast dropped it off with an ICX remote. No 30-second skip, and the PIP feature doesn't work at all. I haven't finished reading the whole thread here, but it looks like I might have to go back and try to get the Motorola remote.

Originally posted by raminf
Got a 6412 from Comcast/San Francisco last week. First DVR. Still trying to figure out all the tricks.

I'm trying to program a series that repeats several times a day (for example, Countdown on MSNBC or Daily Show on Comedy Channel). The 'first-run' feature doesn't seem to work properly. I get every single episode for the day. There doesn't seem to be a way to say 'record a series, but only the 5pm broadcast.' Best I've been able to do is to have it record the whole set, but save only 1 or 2 episodes. I tried to do a manual record, but it requires an explicit date. I can't figure out how to specify 'record the show every Monday at 5pm.' Any ideas?

This is a well known problem with all DVRs. The content providers don't list the later episodes as repeats. As far as a manual recording, on the second screen you'll have the opportunity to set up a repeating schedule.

Originally posted by jolietconvict
This is a well known problem with all DVRs. The content providers don't list the later episodes as repeats. As far as a manual recording, on the second screen you'll have the opportunity to set up a repeating schedule.

Yes, but my ReplayTV allows me to constrain the time slot. I think it would be an excellent addition to the 6412 to add the option of being able to constrain to the timeslot as well as the channel on series recordings.

Originally posted by s.bradford
Yes, but my ReplayTV allows me to constrain the time slot. I think it would be an excellent addition to the 6412 to add the option of being able to constrain to the timeslot as well as the channel on series recordings. Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

Agreed, it would be a wonderful addition to i-Guide.

I know this is a long thread but this has been covered. You may want to check through the entire thread. It is very informative.

Have fun reading :)

Originally posted by s.bradford
Yes, but my ReplayTV allows me to constrain the time slot. I think it would be an excellent addition to the 6412 to add the option of being able to constrain to the timeslot as well as the channel on series recordings.

On mine, there is an option to restrict it to only the selected channel ('on this channel only') when I set up a series recording. I don't know if you can change it after it's set up. I just got mine yesterday (12/27), and it involved a long download after authorizing, presumably a firmware update.

Just went from the single tuner to the dual tuner. Had a Comcast employee triple installer (one that installs phone, internet and cable) do the swap out. Here's what I found that he neglected (I was at work, wifey was home):

1. Had my green and red component cables swapped so when watching HD channels with my TV in HD mode all was red.

2. Didn't change the 4:3 mode so that HD content viewing using S-Video cable would show up in widescreen. Instead it was showing up in full screen (yuck!!!)

3. Didn't give me the new remote!!! How in the heck am I suppose to switch to the other tuner!!!

First 2 were resolved within 5 minutes of me coming home. Number 3 will need a call in. Kind of weird how the Help button doesn't do Help yet it functions like the Last button.

powaking: Why don't you just program in the code you need so you don't have to deal with Comcast? (for #3)

Here is the exact procedure to program a swap, mute, or 30 second skip to the remote.

1) Press the "Cable" button at the top of the remote to put it into Cable Box control mode.
2) Press and hold the "Setup" button until the "Cable" button blinks twice.
3) Type in the code 994. The "Cable" button will blink twice
4) Press (do not hold) the "Setup" button
5) Type in the code 00173 (for 30 second Skip), 00141 (for Mute) or 00236 (for Swap).
6) Press whatever button you want to map the skip or swap function to.

We just kept programming the TV/VCR button (since it didn't do anything), and putting in the codes so our learning remote could learn those commands.

Number 3 is easily resolved also. The new remotes are really the old remotes with the TV/VCR button in the lower left programmed to do the swap. Then they finish it off with a great decal that says swap!!!

Just do the reprogramming yourself. Everthing you need to know are said very early in this thread.

Is the 30 sec skip available to those of us whose remotes do *not* have a "Setup" button (Comcast San Francisco)?

Originally posted by markjrenna
Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

Agreed, it would be a wonderful addition to i-Guide.

I know this is a long thread but this has been covered. You may want to check through the entire thread. It is very informative.

Have fun reading :)

I read this entire thread before posting (I just didn't see any point in responding to posts made in November).

Quite frankly, this thread is getting out of hand and very few are going to read all of it. I think it might be a good idea for an admin to add a forum for this unit. I will suggest it.

Originally posted by s.bradford
I read this entire thread before posting (I just didn't see any point in responding to posts made in November).

Quite frankly, this thread is getting out of hand and very few are going to read all of it. I think it might be a good idea for an admin to add a forum for this unit. I will suggest it.

I find the "Search This Thread" box at the top and bottom of each page entirely useful for the purpose of drilling down to just the information I need from the thread at any given time.

Originally posted by frankz1
I find the "Search This Thread" box at the top and bottom of each page entirely useful for the purpose of drilling down to just the information I need from the thread at any given time.

Yes, but there are a half dozen topics here already that have been repeated many times (and I am sure there are other issues in the various other 6412 threads) that would best be organized as individual threads under a new topic. I have PM'd Ken H in the hopes that he might agree.

Originally posted by bronowyn
powaking: Why don't you just program in the code you need so you don't have to deal with Comcast? (for #3)

Here is the exact procedure to program a swap, mute, or 30 second skip to the remote.

1) Press the "Cable" button at the top of the remote to put it into Cable Box control mode.
2) Press and hold the "Setup" button until the "Cable" button blinks twice.
3) Type in the code 994. The "Cable" button will blink twice
4) Press (do not hold) the "Setup" button
5) Type in the code 00173 (for 30 second Skip), 00141 (for Mute) or 00236 (for Swap).
6) Press whatever button you want to map the skip or swap function to.

We just kept programming the TV/VCR button (since it didn't do anything), and putting in the codes so our learning remote could learn those commands.

The Mute button does mute my TV's audio. I have heard that the swap button doesn't always work when programming. I understand I can just program a button that I don't use (like Favorites or the HD Zoom button) but I was just getting to the point of what the Tech neglected. Obviously its a dual tuner, don't you think he ought to have educated my wife how to use it? And he didn't thoroughly check and make sure everything was installed properly. He also mentioned that I didn't have any RCA cables. Duh, what the heck do you think the Optical cable you just plugged in was for? Grrrr

In anycase I'll try programming the swap button and see how that works. Skip button is also handy too. Also from what I've seen the remote has an extra 5 buttons in the empty space below the number pad so its not just the same remote with the TV/VCR programmed.

Originally posted by s.bradford
Yes, but there are a half dozen topics here already that have been repeated many times (and I am sure there are other issues in the various other 6412 threads) that would best be organized as individual threads under a new topic. I have PM'd Ken H in the hopes that he might agree.

OK. Just seemed a little odd to note the length and repetition of the thread as a reason for posting a duplicate issue, thus increasing the length and repetition of the thread. Especially when something like series recording is covered in the manual (http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/downloads/URMD2.pdf) in some depth.

Originally posted by frankz1
OK. Just seemed a little odd to note the length and repetition of the thread as a reason for posting a duplicate issue, thus increasing the length and repetition of the thread. Especially when something like series recording is covered in the manual (http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/downloads/URMD2.pdf) in some depth.

To be clear, Frank, my original post was in response to JolietConvict's post that "all" DVRs have an issue with recording duplicate broadcasts in other time slots... which is clearly not the case.

So, has anyone out there been having problems going from thier 6412 STB to thier TV via a DVI>>HDMI cable converter.

I know there are alot of people saying that they cant get it to work but I know there are people saying that they have. For those of you out there that have gotten it to work can you let those of us who are having problems know what they are doing (i.e. what kind of cable and or settings they are using) to get it to work.

Right now, I can only get the STB to output 480p res and nothing higher. Thanks for any help that can be offered.

Originally posted by Vgamer4550
So, has anyone out there been having problems going from thier 6412 STB to thier TV via a DVI>>HDMI cable converter.

I know there are alot of people saying that they cant get it to work but I know there are people saying that they have. For those of you out there that have gotten it to work can you let those of us who are having problems know what they are doing (i.e. what kind of cable and or settings they are using) to get it to work.

Right now, I can only get the STB to output 480p res and nothing higher. Thanks for any help that can be offered.

$20 DVI to HDMI converter I got works fine connected from 6412 to JVC HD61Z575. Worked right out of the box, no setting changed on the 6412. Cable is from SVIDEO.COM. Expensive monster cable from Best Buy worked also but I didn't see any PQ difference between the 2 cables.

Thanks Strider, your the first one to directly respond to this post.

Are you veiwing your signal at 720P or 1080i.....just curious, I know the cable I have can do both I think my STB might need replacing however to get it to work.

Also, who is your Cabler Service Provider.

Thanks again for the fast reply.

Originally posted by Vgamer4550
Thanks Strider, your the first one to directly respond to this post.

Are you veiwing your signal at 720P or 1080i.....just curious, I know the cable I have can do both I think my STB might need replacing however to get it to work.

Also, who is your Cabler Service Provider.

Thanks again for the fast reply.

I'm on Comcast. My TV converts all signals to 720p. I haven't done much comparing but from what I recall, I didn't see any difference on having the 6412 set to 720p or 1080i.

Well, I just got off the phone with Comcast and they are gonna bring me out a new box......

Thanks for the reply Strider.

You have a nice TV there, I bet the PQ is outstanding. I have a Mitsubishi 55" RPTV. It will only do the 1080i though so I guess we shall see if things are any better with a new box.

Thanks

I did this and it was very helpful, but now I realize my HD zoom button is also my <<enter>> button and wondered if anyone know what the code to change it back to an enter button is, or how to get a complete list ... thanks!

KP

:D

Do you have a list of all the codes for all the buttons to reprogram the remote?

Thanks!

KP

Originally posted by kpearl13
I did this and it was very helpful, but now I realize my HD zoom button is also my <<enter>> button and wondered if anyone know what the code to change it back to an enter button is, or how to get a complete list ... thanks!

Normally, the number keys, and the small HDZoom/Enter key are 'channel lock' to the cable box. The Enter key usually does nothing, although it is sending something. You usually have to wait, use 3 full digits, or use the OK/Select in the middle of the cursor pad. To map OK/Select onto HDZoom/Enter:
Press Cable. Hold setup till 2 blinks. Type 994. Press OK/Select, press HDZoom/Enter. Should get 2 blinks if successful.

To restore a button:
Press Setup till 2 blinks, type 994, press button twice (in other words, map it onto itself.) Make certain to be in the right mode first (press TV, Aux or Cable before Setup.
Go to http://www.hifi-remote.com/ofa/adv-codes.shtml for the code lists. The Motorola box is Cable 0476. It was recently updated to include the Live and Swap codes.
I also found that the Page Down button is treated the same as the replay button while watching TV.

Thanks Andy Ross .. that was the info I needed .... I love lists and blogs like this!!!!

Originally posted by ptchristensen
Monday night I tried for the first time to schedule recordings of both Everwood and Las Vegas at the same time. I left for my late shift, leaving the 6412 off.

When I came home, both shows showed on the list of recordings..but...! When I tried to start the Las Vegas recording all I got was the dialog that asked me to either delete or not delete the recording. The dialog you get at the end of a show. Obviously something went wrong. The other recording was fine...!!

Does anyone have a suggestion to why this would happen...?

I have seen the same thing twice with my 6412 that I just got last week. I'm not sure why it happens, other recordings have worked fine. Sure is annoying!!

Originally posted by wstanko
The new remotes are really the old remotes with the TV/VCR button in the lower left programmed to do the swap. Then they finish it off with a great decal that says swap!!!



That's the one I have but my snazzy sticker is starting to peel off.
How will I ever remember what button does Swap once it falls off for good? ;)

anyone else with problems deleting scheduled series recordings?

I have set up to record some favorite shows, some of which overlap. No problem, the 6412 has dual tuners. Where I DO have a problem is when I want to cancel some of the episodes. To save space I look at the scheduled recordings and cancel episodes I don't want to watch. What I've noticed is that if 2 shows to be recorded are on at the same time and I try to delete both recordings, I can't! I delete the 1st one, no problem. I delete the 2nd one and the 1st one has popped back up to be recorded.

I've seen it.

1. The first time it was because I was overlapping too many instances of shows (I like to give 2 minutes before and 2 after.
2. Then I saw it like you are seeing your problem. I've rebooted since them (power cycled my 6412) and it isn't happening again.

I'll keep you up to date.

Originally posted by mike789
anyone else with problems deleting scheduled series recordings?

I have set up to record some favorite shows, some of which overlap. No problem, the 6412 has dual tuners. Where I DO have a problem is when I want to cancel some of the episodes. To save space I look at the scheduled recordings and cancel episodes I don't want to watch. What I've noticed is that if 2 shows to be recorded are on at the same time and I try to delete both recordings, I can't! I delete the 1st one, no problem. I delete the 2nd one and the 1st one has popped back up to be recorded. Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

I see that too. I have no idea if that is by design or a bug. I would think by design but I'd consider it a bug. If I want to temporarily cancel my scheduled recordings I should be able to do so with out deleting them.

Hi,

I just got a the 6412 w/ Comcast. I've never had a DVR before so I'm still getting used to it. I had a couple of questions/problems.

1. How do I forward (through a commercial)while I'm watching tv?

2. Sometimes when i turn the power of the 6412 off, and the later turn it back on the sound doesn't work.

3. Sometimes I'll flip through the different buttons, like guide or exit or something else, and then nothing works, I get a picture but I can't change channels or go to the menu. The power button on the remote or the 6412 doesn't work. So I have to unplug/re-plug it the powercord.

4. A couple of time the 6412 would like reboot, and then go back to normal.

Did I not set something right. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You!!

Funny question for those who might know: Does anyone know where to place an IR Flasher for the 6412? I've got a Niles IR Flasher installed on the left side of the window where I thought the Moto's IR receiver was, but it is not responding too well at that location. Does anyone have a clue to where the receiver on the unit is?

I guess I can just hunt and peck for the best location but was hoping someone had dealt with this problem already.

Thanks in advance!

'DP

Has Comcast (Bensalem PA) stopped sending Dolby Digital, or am I having a problem with my receiver or 6412? I'm thinking it's not the receiver, as it picks up Dolby Digital when it's on a DVD. I first noticed it during MNF last night. Michaels and Madden were nearly inaudible, like Comcast was just sending LF/RF signal and not center. Receiver never registers Dolby Digital.

Originally posted by kama64
Hi,

I just got a the 6412 w/ Comcast. I've never had a DVR before so I'm still getting used to it. I had a couple of questions/problems.

1. How do I forward (through a commercial)while I'm watching tv?

2. Sometimes when i turn the power of the 6412 off, and the later turn it back on the sound doesn't work.

3. Sometimes I'll flip through the different buttons, like guide or exit or something else, and then nothing works, I get a picture but I can't change channels or go to the menu. The power button on the remote or the 6412 doesn't work. So I have to unplug/re-plug it the powercord.

4. A couple of time the 6412 would like reboot, and then go back to normal.

Did I not set something right. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank You!!

To skip commercials with a recorded program, just hit fast forward. With a live program, you will need a time machine and some quantum gel. Most PVRs will have a freeze or reboot required once in a while. Your machine sounds like it has a problem. If it doesn't start to run more reliably soon, call your cable company and get a new one.

Chris

Originally posted by Digital Puppy
Funny question for those who might know: Does anyone know where to place an IR Flasher for the 6412? I've got a Niles IR Flasher installed on the left side of the window where I thought the Moto's IR receiver was, but it is not responding too well at that location. Does anyone have a clue to where the receiver on the unit is?

I guess I can just hunt and peck for the best location but was hoping someone had dealt with this problem already.

Thanks in advance!

'DP

I used a flasher from an HP MCE Machine on a 6400 (and I think it's the same on the 6412), and it worked when placed on the far right of the LED panel. If you look closely inside, you can see the receiver.

Rgds,

JohnW

Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

Well... well... I had my first reboot last night. It happened at about 12:34 am.

I was going to do a search and I hit "OK Select" and BAM!!!

Reboot!

The display went to 8888 and then the 6412 powered off and then back on.

I have had the 6412 for about two months now without a single reboot so the only thing I can attribute it to is maybe the ambient temperature of the room.

The 6412 is well ventilated and not enclosed. Last night wasn't as cold as the few previous nights so I know with the heat on and the fireplace going the room was a bit hotter than it has been. We have one of those barometer-temperature-humidity units on the wall (how convenient) so I could see the temperature in the room was about 76. Not too hot but maybe too hot for the 6412.

I'll have to see how it goes as the winter progresses. Maybe this was a random reboot... maybe not.

Originally posted by kama64
Hi,

I just got a the 6412 w/ Comcast. I've never had a DVR before so I'm still getting used to it. I had a couple of questions/problems.

If you read through this entire thread you will learn a lot (try reading it in various foreign accents to keep yourself awake).



1. How do I forward (through a commercial)while I'm watching tv?


You can't forward through a commercial if it is live TV. If it is a recorded program you can forwrad thru by either hitting the fast forward button (press it multiple times to go even faster) or by programming a 30 second skip into your remote. That way you can jump ahead in 30 second increments (perfect for skipping over ads).

Here is how to program a swap, mute, or 30 second skip to the remote.

1) Press the "Cable" button at the top of the remote to put it into Cable Box control mode.
2) Press and hold the "Setup" button until the "Cable" button blinks twice.
3) Type in the code 994. The "Cable" button will blink twice
4) Press (do not hold) the "Setup" button
5) Type in the code 00173 (for 30 second Skip), 00141 (for Mute) or 00236 (for Swap).
6) Press whatever button you want to map the skip or swap function to. I use the "help" button for my 30-second skip since it is big and pretty useless otherwise.


2. Sometimes when i turn the power of the 6412 off, and the later turn it back on the sound doesn't work.


The simple solution is to always leave your cable box on. That's what I do. But otherwise you can program a mute code into your remote (see above) and unmute it each time this happens.



3. Sometimes I'll flip through the different buttons, like guide or exit or something else, and then nothing works, I get a picture but I can't change channels or go to the menu. The power button on the remote or the 6412 doesn't work. So I have to unplug/re-plug it the powercord.


Sounds bad. I'd call comcast and see if you can get a new box.


4. A couple of time the 6412 would like reboot, and then go back to normal.

Again, sounds bad. I'd call comcast and see if you can get a new box.

Originally posted by Digital Puppy
Funny question for those who might know: Does anyone know where to place an IR Flasher for the 6412? I've got a Niles IR Flasher installed on the left side of the window where I thought the Moto's IR receiver was, but it is not responding too well at that location. Does anyone have a clue to where the receiver on the unit is?


On my 6412, it's on the left side, immediately below the MSGS text on the window. Shine a flashlight into it, and you can see the square with the 3 leads on the bottom and a round lens in it's center.

Originally posted by frankz1
Has Comcast (Bensalem PA) stopped sending Dolby Digital, or am I having a problem with my receiver or 6412? I'm thinking it's not the receiver, as it picks up Dolby Digital when it's on a DVD. I first noticed it during MNF last night. Michaels and Madden were nearly inaudible, like Comcast was just sending LF/RF signal and not center. Receiver never registers Dolby Digital.
My fellow "leave the damn box on"ers will be as dismayed as I was to learn that turning the box off and then on again resolved the issue. Dolby Digital was not being sent to my receiver, now it is.

I recorded "House" last night in the midst of the problem and it recorded with Dolby Digital. Looks like whatever was wrong only effected the output and not processing of the transport stream.

Skipping through this thread from time to time as best I could (due to it's size) I must have missed a discussion regarding leaving the 6412 on all the time or turning it off at night, for instance.

So what's the general consensus? Is it best to turn it on and off as you use it? Or is it ok to leave it on?

I currently leave it on 24/7 with no problems about a month in to having it.

I turn mine off as I do with all my other electronics when not in use.

I do, too... I find that although it doesn't make TOO much noise when it's on... it makes even less when it's off. And if I have a problem with that "mute" bug, well, I just unmute it... not very difficult.

Originally posted by FXDWG
Skipping through this thread from time to time as best I could (due to it's size) I must have missed a discussion regarding leaving the 6412 on all the time or turning it off at night, for instance.

So what's the general consensus? Is it best to turn it on and off as you use it? Or is it ok to leave it on?

I currently leave it on 24/7 with no problems about a month in to having it.

It's a bit of a debate, actually. Some nervous nellies like to turn it off and on. :) Some have reported problems when doing so. Mainly, they're unable to get any picture/sound besides the menus when powering back on, and it would appear that only a hard reboot (pulling the plug) or starting a DVR recording and hitting "LIVE TV" will correct it. Also, if it wakes up to do a scheduled recording, there will be no sound during the recording and it will turn itself back off again after the recording is through even though it may be in use at the time.

Other DVRs (eg: TiVo) have no power button and stay on all the time without difficulty. It is my belief, and the belief of some others, that a DVR is an "Always On" appliance.

Originally posted by jwehman
I used a flasher from an HP MCE Machine on a 6400

jw
I am really interested in what you did with MCE.
Could you explain in detail what equipment you used, and what the set up was like.
I want to watch my MCE on a TV in another room. With remote.

Just had Comcast out this morning to get a cleaner signal to my box. (All he had to do was change around a couple of splitters) All seems well with all digital channels now coming in strong on both tuners. One thing that didn't clear up is the old problem of only seeing the audio indicator on one of the tuners. I follow this thread pretty closely, but I have not seen anyone talk about this in the last few weeks.
Anyone else seeing this? "5.1" or "D" indicator only works on one tuner?

Originally posted by LaxStar18
That is great now if i could figure out to put that code along with the swap button code in my harmony remote we would be ready for bussiness

Were you able to solve this problem? I just got the dual tuner DVR and I have a Harmony 688. The swap command was actually already available and i programed it to one of the soft buttons. You can also "learn" the command pretty easily. That's my experience with the 688, maybe yours is different.

Originally posted by frankz1
Has Comcast (Bensalem PA) stopped sending Dolby Digital, or am I having a problem with my receiver or 6412? I'm thinking it's not the receiver, as it picks up Dolby Digital when it's on a DVD. I first noticed it during MNF last night. Michaels and Madden were nearly inaudible, like Comcast was just sending LF/RF signal and not center. Receiver never registers Dolby Digital.

Make certain your optical or coax cable is properly connected. Maybe it fell off or is loose? Does your receiver tell whether it's getting any digital signal at all?

In the Setup/Audio Setup, make certain you have Stereo set. You may even want to go into advanced, turn off compression (which supposedly only affects analog audio out), and stereo output. I found sometimes some settings cause the box to downconvert everything to 48KHz PCM stereo.

I did notice that the 6412 has options for different language tracks. I don't remember that on my 6200.

Some questions from a prospective Comcast 6412 customer. I am currently a Dish customer with model 721 dual-tuner DVR and 811 HD receiver. I hardly ever use the 811, as I have come to love DVR functionality, plus the 811 is a buggy piece of crap. (The HD looks great, as does local off-air DTV, when it works.) I would love to be able to combine the dual-tuner DVR functionality with HD and DTV reception.

I actually read all 74 pages of this thread, and hope that my questions haven't already been answered. I don't think they have.

Other than what appears to be a PSU-related HW problem in some units, the 6412 seems fairly stable and feature-rich compared to the Dish equivalent model 921, especially during that model's rollout. But, I still have questions:

1. Can a keyboard be plugged into the USB port to make searching easier. (This can be done with the Dish 721.)
2. Are the HD local channels active all the time, even during non-HD broadcasts? I find that my locals' OTA digital SD looks fantastic. I'd like to enjoy that same quality, if possible, with the 6412. (Dish locals look like crapola.)
2a. Will the rumored digital simulcast originate from actual DTV signals? Or, will it be analog converted into digital?
3. Are local sportsnet (FSN/CSN) games ever in HD?
4. Has anybody used the 6412's firewire connection with a firewire-capable DVD recorder? (I have a Sony RDR-GX7 with "i-Link")
5. Is there an ETA on a FW/SW update?
6. I'm unclear on the purpose of 480 output settings. Is this for SD broadcasts that output from the HD outputs?
7. Is there any kind of internal stretch/zoom function in the 6412?
8. Is there an internal CC decoder?
9. For JP1 users, does the RM file for the 6412 have all of the commands?
10. For anybody who has used both the Dish 721 and Moto 6412 w/iGuide, how would you compare the two in terms of PQ, ergonomics, speed, build quality, ease-of-use, etc.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Gary

Originally posted by KentStater72
jw
I am really interested in what you did with MCE.
Could you explain in detail what equipment you used, and what the set up was like.
I want to watch my MCE on a TV in another room. With remote.


I'm sure what I'm doing will not be what you're attempting. I simply have a z540 (HP MCE) ouputing to my 27" standard analog TV. The Comcast 6400 is feeding an s-video feed into the z540.

The z540 controls the 6400 via the IR flasher stuck to the front it. I actually like the MS Guide from MCE2005 much better than Comcast's iGuide. The only thing I need the Comcast remote for (I use the HP/MS one normally) is if I want to go to OnDemand. The 6400 still uses the old-style guide data (anyone know how long it'll take to upgrade to iGuide? It's been about 1 week now...).

Rgds,

JohnW

Originally posted by andyross63
I did notice that the 6412 has options for different language tracks. I don't remember that on my 6200.

I think they added that feature because with the 5100/6200 boxes, on the outputs other than RF, you couldn't access the MTS/SAP soundtracks.

One question on the remote, I noticed lots of people call the "Help" button useless, I know it doesn't do anything on the 6412 but didn't it actually have a function on the 5100/6200 boxes?

Originally posted by garypen
1. Can a keyboard be plugged into the USB port to make searching easier. (This can be done with the Dish 721.)
2. Are the HD local channels active all the time, even during non-HD broadcasts? I find that my locals' OTA digital SD looks fantastic. I'd like to enjoy that same quality, if possible, with the 6412. (Dish locals look like crapola.)
6. I'm unclear on the purpose of 480 output settings. Is this for SD broadcasts that output from the HD outputs?
7. Is there any kind of internal stretch/zoom function in the 6412?
9. For JP1 users, does the RM file for the 6412 have all of the commands?


1 = No, and it wouldn't be of much use as search is pretty lame. It is more a show me an alphabetical list of shows starting with 1 to 5 entered chars... and if you are looking for "center of the universe", better enter 'cen' as entering 'uni' will not find this show.

2 = Yes.

6 = Yes, it is for when you are viewing a SD channel through the box.

7 = You can set the box to stretch SD channels but I would be willing to bet your TV does a better job of this than the box. I normally watch SD thru the analog tuner as it looks better, and I still use a ReplayTV to record SD material.

9 = 0476 contains all but just 2 or 3 functions so I didn't bother creating or using a custom code... I just entered the missing functions using advanced codes and keymover. I'll create a new custom code and free up the keymoved memory the next time I need to do something major to the remote.

HTH

How do you program a button for the 30 second skip feature on the Motorola dark gray remote that does not have the "Setup" button?

I actually read all 74 pages of this thread, and hope that my questions haven't already been answered. I don't think they have.

wow, 74. what is your page default, 15 posts per page?
i'm at page 25.

anyway.
the only trouble i've had so far is the box resetting itself a bunch of times.
this is the second day with the 6412 so i hope this stops after a few days.

That certainly seems like a major thing. From what I understand, some of them have bad power supplies that cause frequent reboots. Sounds like you got one.

BTW, 74 pages or 25 pages, it's still 1469 posts. :D

2 troubling problems

1) I have a 6 year old Sony Trinitron, old I know, but for Video inputs it has a coax jack, video RCA jack, and a S-video jack.

The 6412 DVR, as far as outputs my TV excepts, only has S-video and RCA video out. My Onkyo DVD/CD as far as outputs my TV excepts, only has S-video or RCA video out as well.

I am shocked the 6412 DVRdoes have a coax out.

Now whenever my Onkyo DV-CP702 DVD/CD player is merely on and connected to the TV with S-viedo, it overrides the video of the 6412 connected through the video RCA jack always (my whole cable picture).

Is there anyway to fix this, or is getting a new updated TV my only fix for this, that uses the red, blue, and green cables.

2) Also, I have it at 480p/480i setting and fast motion looks digitally blockish, and every two minutes I get a digital hiccups in the stream.

Much help needed/appreciated.

Thanks!

Originally posted by kpearl13
Also, I have it at 480p/480i setting and fast motion looks digitally blockish, and every two minutes I get a digital hiccups in the stream.

Much help needed/appreciated.

Thanks!

As far as problem one, you're going to have to either get a new TV that can accept more than one input at a time or get an A/B Box that you can connect both the DVD and 6412 going in and switch back and forth the one signal coming out.

I'm not sure what you have "at 480p/480i." The "Menu" when you have the box off only effects what you see when you are using the HD compatible outputs.

Hope this in some way helps.

I think you are right that I need a new TV with Input 1, input 2, input 3 options.

As far as the picture quality and hiccups that cause the live TV to pause on my DVR, and on my cable box only, I will try and have Concast out to look at it.

KP in Chicago

Last night, I noticed that two non-Philly DT channels were added to my Tivo lineup (DirecTV source). Usually, this means DirecTV has added these channels, too. Not having an HD TiVo or DirecTV receiver, I don't know if this is legit or a mistake (i.e. I don't know if they are really picked up by DirecTV). They are:

WNYW
KTTV

Is it possible these are "Must Carrys" for Lower Bucks because of their signal strength and that Comcast will need to add them, too?

UPDATE: Duh! Obviously KTTV (which is the LA Fox Station apparently. I'd assumed it was a station in western PA) isn't a must carry. This must be some kind of fluke on TiVo's part. If these stations wind up on the 6412 menu, we'll all be doing a little dance!

Originally posted by Chuck Mullen
Just had Comcast out this morning to get a cleaner signal to my box. (All he had to do was change around a couple of splitters) All seems well with all digital channels now coming in strong on both tuners. One thing that didn't clear up is the old problem of only seeing the audio indicator on one of the tuners. I follow this thread pretty closely, but I have not seen anyone talk about this in the last few weeks.
Anyone else seeing this? "5.1" or "D" indicator only works on one tuner? Bump

OK you experienced i-guiders out there, 2 questions.

I'm getting my 6412 installed this morning while I'm at work (wife is standing guard over my HT).

Does i-guide display folders when you have more than one recording of a series program, like my TIVo does?

When you are watching a show and a recording for another show that you previously requested is about to start, does it automatically start recording that other show on the other tuner in the background, or does it switch the current tuner to the show to be recorded, requiring you to switch tuners back to the show you were watching?

Originally posted by rodneyremington
OK you experience i-guiders out there, 2 questions.

I'm getting my 6412 installed this morning while I'm at work (wife is standing guard over my HT).

Does i-guide display folders when you have more than one recording of a series program, like my TIVo does?

When you are watching a show and a recording for another show that you previously requested is about to start, does it automatically start recording that other show on the other tuner in the background, or does it switch the current tuner to the show to be recorded, requiring you to switch tuners back to the show you were watching?

No folders in iGuide.

Yup---it records on the second tuner, the one in the background. It freaked me out few times, I was watching something, waiting for the channel to change and it never did. Works well, though!

Originally posted by JonM in MN
No folders in iGuide.

Yup---it records on the second tuner, the one in the background. It freaked me out few times, I was watching something, waiting for the channel to change and it never did. Works well, though!

OK, thanks, that's why I love avsforum.

Bummer on the lack of folders, that means I have to scroll through all my wife's trading spaces shows to get to my show :rolleyes:

A major thumbs up, though, on the two tuners feature.

I probably mentioned this before, somewhere, but this box has one neat feature---the `last' button. You can be watching a live football game, say, and if it gets boring or it's in commercial, hit `back' and if you were watching a recorded movie or whatever it will take you immediately back to where you left off in that recorded program. Then hit `back' again to go to your live show. One button push to go between TV and a recorded show .Maybe it's just an `ADD' thing, but I really love that.

Need some help guys.... I just got my 6412 today, and reprogrammed my remote to do the dual tuner swap function with the TV/VCR button. Worked well. Now though, when I switch to the 2nd tuner, all my analog channels have no sound. As soon as I hit WeatherScan on 101, (first digital channel here) the sound comes back....

What gives?

Originally posted by rodneyremington
Bummer on the lack of folders, that means I have to scroll through all my wife's trading spaces shows to get to my show

Don't worry about it. If most of your recorded shows are in HD there will not be that many of them to scroll through.

Originally posted by garypen
1. Can a keyboard be plugged into the USB port to make searching easier. (This can be done with the Dish 721.)
2. Are the HD local channels active all the time, even during non-HD broadcasts? I find that my locals' OTA digital SD looks fantastic. I'd like to enjoy that same quality, if possible, with the 6412. (Dish locals look like crapola.)
2a. Will the rumored digital simulcast originate from actual DTV signals? Or, will it be analog converted into digital?
3. Are local sportsnet (FSN/CSN) games ever in HD?
4. Has anybody used the 6412's firewire connection with a firewire-capable DVD recorder? (I have a Sony RDR-GX7 with "i-Link")
5. Is there an ETA on a FW/SW update?
6. I'm unclear on the purpose of 480 output settings. Is this for SD broadcasts that output from the HD outputs?
7. Is there any kind of internal stretch/zoom function in the 6412?
8. Is there an internal CC decoder?
9. For JP1 users, does the RM file for the 6412 have all of the commands?
10. For anybody who has used both the Dish 721 and Moto 6412 w/iGuide, how would you compare the two in terms of PQ, ergonomics, speed, build quality, ease-of-use, etc.


1: Currently, the USB ports are disabled. No mouse or keyboard use yet.
2: The HD broadcast channels are supposedly just converted to cable's QAM256 format (versus broadcast ATSC). I assume most, if not all, HD channels upconvert SD to HD format. In the case of WLS in Chicago, they insanely stretch it horizontally, too.:mad:
2a: Most broadcast cable feeds come from special feeds from the studios, and not from antennas anymore. In many cases, it may already be digital to the head-end.
3: Here in Chicago, CSN games in HD are carried on the INHD2 channel. NFL-TV channel games in HD are often on INHD, with the regular INHD feed temporarily put on channel 208 (normally just showing a 'HD Special Events banner.'
4: Some have tried, although it seems to be flakey.
5: No public notice of FW upgrades. They probably just happen every once in awhile, most likely overnight.
6: The 4:3 override is used with component/DVI outputs. Normally, the box will lock ALL signals to whatever YPbPr is set to. That upconversion usually looks awful. The override allows SD/480i material to be sent as either 480p, 480i, or Stretched (6412 only, and possibly still HD format??) Many TV's look better with a native 480i signal, or upconvert internally with a better picture than the box.
7: See above
8: Yes. It's the only way to do CC, as it is NOT passed on to the TV. It's insanely set in the user setup menu, which is access by hitting MENU with the box turned off. You have options as to which CC channel, and overrides for color, font, and size. You have to go back into this menu every time you want to change it.
9: I have a KeymapMaster file here, if you can use it:
http://home.att.net/~andyross/AV/Motorola_DCT-6412.txt
Also, the Cable 0476 advanced code listing at http://www.hifi-remote.com/ofa/ was recently updated.
You may not need too many codes. I've found the box is very usable without transport keys:
Left-arrow = REW, Right-arrow = FF, Up-arrow = Play/Pause, Down-arrow = Live. PageDown = 15-sec Replay. For record, just hit Display twice, then pick the record option. For MyDVR, just use the DVR option from the quick menu.

Originally posted by Chuck Mullen
Just had Comcast out this morning to get a cleaner signal to my box. (All he had to do was change around a couple of splitters) All seems well with all digital channels now coming in strong on both tuners. One thing that didn't clear up is the old problem of only seeing the audio indicator on one of the tuners. I follow this thread pretty closely, but I have not seen anyone talk about this in the last few weeks.
Anyone else seeing this? "5.1" or "D" indicator only works on one tuner?

Now that you mention it, mine appears to be that way too. Not that I really care because I've never really trusted on-screen indicators like that anyway. In the case of that one it's undoubtedly more accurate then some of those ones you'd see on DBS boxes where it'd list a program as "HD" even when it really wasnt, but still.

I've never paid attention to the indicator you mention.. I guess if I really wanna know whether a program has the 5.1 flag (no matter the STB I've used) I've always just glanced at my A/V receiver.

I guess if I really wanna know whether a program has the 5.1 flag (no matter the STB I've used) I've always just glanced at my A/V receiver. Me too...I was just curious. Thanks for the reply!

Thanks to s.bradford and andyross for their detailed answers. Thanks especially to Andy for the JP1 code links. (Personally, I prefer the transport commands mapped to the transport keys. I prefer the cursor keys to remain up/down/etc.)

I hope the 480i/p output selections will allow my TV to stretch/zoom the image. I know that it, like many HDTV's, will not stretch/zoom an HD 720/1080 image on the DVI input, and possibly on the component input as well.

I'm now on my fourth 6412 box. First on was infrared receiver problem, new box fixed that. Recently I've been having sporadic and more and more frequent freezing on NBC HD 807. The rst of my channels seem to be fine. I picked up a new box and it took care of it for about a day. Now the channel 807 freeze is permanent. The tech is here right now and installed my fourth box and the same problem. He's checked signal strength and everything appears OK. He is perplexed. He is outside checking sinal on the street as I type this. Once again, its only 807, and it's locked frozen. Anyone ever heard of this or have any thoughts ?

Thanks,
Mike

Originally posted by Mikes19
I'm now on my fourth 6412 box. First on was infrared receiver problem, new box fixed that. Recently I've been having sporadic and more and more frequent freezing on NBC HD 807. The rst of my channels seem to be fine. I picked up a new box and it took care of it for about a day. Now the channel 807 freeze is permanent. The tech is here right now and installed my fourth box and the same problem. He's checked signal strength and everything appears OK. He is perplexed. He is outside checking sinal on the street as I type this. Once again, its only 807, and it's locked frozen. Anyone ever heard of this or have any thoughts ?

Thanks,
Mike

Main NBC feed to the regional Comcast site in Waltham MA apparently problemmatic and being worked on. You would think that 3 days of conversation, two box replacements, and a tech visit could have been easily saved by a little more effective communication through the organization to the local offices effected by a problem.

Thanks,
Mike

I've had my 6412 for a week and it complements my Tivo well, recording HD. They've done a nice job with iGuide.

Anyway, can someone tell me how to skip forward faster than the 4x (or is it 5x?) speed? The major problem I have now is when I want to watch a show from the middle, it takes forever to skip that far ahead. Tivo has a way to jump 15 minutes forward/back and that's about how much I'd like.

I did a search for "fast forward" in this thread but didn't find any answers. I saw some references to a 30-second skip but how do I get that on the standard Comcast remote? I've tried about every key combination while fast forwarding but didn't find anything.

Thanks in advance...

Originally posted by Mikes19
I'm now on my fourth 6412 box. First on was infrared receiver problem, new box fixed that. Recently I've been having sporadic and more and more frequent freezing on NBC HD 807. The rst of my channels seem to be fine. I picked up a new box and it took care of it for about a day. Now the channel 807 freeze is permanent. The tech is here right now and installed my fourth box and the same problem. He's checked signal strength and everything appears OK. He is perplexed. He is outside checking sinal on the street as I type this. Once again, its only 807, and it's locked frozen. Anyone ever heard of this or have any thoughts ?

Thanks,
Mike

I agree with the first guy that responded to you, this is very likely not an issue with your DVR, it's a head-end issue with the signal. My advice is to stop changing your box, watch one of the other 300 channels you have for a couple days, and then see if the channel is working.

Originally posted by JonM in MN
I probably mentioned this before, somewhere, but this box has one neat feature---the `last' button. You can be watching a live football game, say, and if it gets boring or it's in commercial, hit `back' and if you were watching a recorded movie or whatever it will take you immediately back to where you left off in that recorded program. Then hit `back' again to go to your live show. One button push to go between TV and a recorded show .Maybe it's just an `ADD' thing, but I really love that. Comcast NJ - Union/Verona

I love that feature too. Don't forget that you can pause the live show too and (as long as buffer permits) come back to it without having to rewind.

Originally posted by mikey94025
I've had my 6412 for a week and it complements my Tivo well, recording HD. They've done a nice job with iGuide.

Anyway, can someone tell me how to skip forward faster than the 4x (or is it 5x?) speed? The major problem I have now is when I want to watch a show from the middle, it takes forever to skip that far ahead. Tivo has a way to jump 15 minutes forward/back and that's about how much I'd like.

I did a search for "fast forward" in this thread but didn't find any answers. I saw some references to a 30-second skip but how do I get that on the standard Comcast remote? I've tried about every key combination while fast forwarding but didn't find anything.

Thanks in advance...

I don't think there is any way to skip 15 minutes. If you have the remote with a setup button you can program the 30 second skip using the instructions below. If you don't have the remote with a setup button I don't think anyone has figured out how to program it...

Here is how to program a swap, mute, or 30 second skip to the remote.

1) Press the "Cable" button at the top of the remote to put it into Cable Box control mode.
2) Press and hold the "Setup" button until the "Cable" button blinks twice.
3) Type in the code 994. The "Cable" button will blink twice
4) Press (do not hold) the "Setup" button
5) Type in the code 00173 (for 30 second Skip), 00141 (for Mute) or 00236 (for Swap).
6) Press whatever button you want to map the skip or swap function to. I use the "help" button for my 30-second skip since it is big and pretty useless otherwise.

Originally posted by andyross63
8: Yes. It's the only way to do CC, as it is NOT passed on to the TV. It's insanely set in the user setup menu, which is access by hitting MENU with the box turned off. You have options as to which CC channel, and overrides for color, font, and size. You have to go back into this menu every time you want to change it.

You've GOT to be kidding. So you mean that if you're watching something live, and somebody says something you can't quite catch (e.g. if you're watching something on BBC America and you can't interpret the thick Scottish accent), and you want to rewind the live buffer and turn on closed captioning to see what they said -- something I do on a regular basis with my old SD Series One Tivo -- you mean you have to turn the box OFF, thus stopping recording of the live buffer and losing a chunk of the show you were watching, in order to turn on CC? And then when the CC gets distracting, you have to turn the box off again, and lose another chunk of the live buffer?

And there's NO way to get your own set to display the CC? The box itself is the only thing that will do it, and you're stuck with whatever options the box offers, even if your TV has better CC handling?

Is this an iGuide limitation, or a Motorola 6412 limitation?

OK... Comcast installed my Moto 6412 a couple of hours ago. The 30 sec. skip directions have been posted here a number of times, but I think I must have a different remote. My remote is made by ICX Global and is their model ENT-6412-3005-AB. I can't post links yet, but if you go to:

hxxp://icxglobal.com/en/products/cable/enterprise_family/dct_6412.php

and replace the two little x's with t's, at the beginning of the link, you can see it.

This remote has no SETUP button. Therefore, trying to set the 30 sec. skip following the directions provided is impossible.

Any advice?

Otherwise I like the new box! I have used Tivo before and liked Tivo, but so far I am just as happy with this.

Hello

Just finished reading all 75 pages (whew!). Great stuff. Thanks.

My 2-cents on the on/off debate. DVR's are essentially computers trying to act like household consumer electronics. One thing we have all come to expect from consumer electronics is "instant on". Computers, on the other hand, have relatively slow "on" expectancy due to the mechanical nature of many of its critical components. A computer booting up is extremely slow compared to turning on your television for example. The limitaion is the hard drive. The platters spin at 5400-10,000rpm's depending on the drive and it takes a long time to get that mass moving and to load all the critical data into its electronic memory (RAM). That is most likely the reason TiVo and the Moto boxes, etc keep the hard drive spinning continuosly-would you want to wait for your Comcast Box to "boot up" every time you turned it on or off? RAM is expensive-hard drives are cheap on a meg per meg basis.

The sound we hear when the power is "on" is 1. the internal fan (whirring sound), 2. the spinning hard drive (whirring sound), and 3. the read/write head recording/reading data from the buffer/event recording being fed to it (the clickity-clak sound). When you turn the box "off" the hard drive and fan keep spinning (just like in a computer) but the data stream stops being fed to it (no clikety-clak). The box is still "booted" and "aware of its surrondings" so when a scheduled recording is activated it starts feeding data again. I suspect comcast/motorola took this approach to extend drive failure times, lower heat/noise, save eletricity, and because they are in the position to do so-afterall they control both the hardware and the data being fed to it. TiVo can't control the data stream so those drives are constantly writing. For those of you who leave your computers on for years at a time, the hard drives are spinning but the read/write heads are "parked" when not being used (no clikety-clak).

Unfortunately, some boxes experience "sleep" issues when they are turned back on which most likely will get sorted out as more and more of them roll out and updates are introduced (just like upgrading software on pc's and macs). A compelling reason to leave it on is that the buffer will remain full on the last channel it was tuned to which could mean seeing your favorite show from the beginning if you get home 30 minutes late from work. Other than that, its a waste of electricity.

cheers.

Originally posted by garypen
Thanks to s.bradford and andyross for their detailed answers. Thanks especially to Andy for the JP1 code links. (Personally, I prefer the transport commands mapped to the transport keys. I prefer the cursor keys to remain up/down/etc.)
There is no mapping involved. It appears Motorola/Gemstar programmers were smart enough to make the DVR usable even with a remote that doesn't have transport keys. Basically, it simply responds to the arrow keys while watching TV (or a recording) as if you press the equivalent transport keys. If there are regular menus on screen, then they are treated like standard arrow keys.

Originally posted by andyross63
There is no mapping involved. It appears Motorola/Gemstar programmers were smart enough to make the DVR usable even with a remote that doesn't have transport keys. Basically, it simply responds to the arrow keys while watching TV (or a recording) as if you press the equivalent transport keys. If there are regular menus on screen, then they are treated like standard arrow keys. That's clever. But, as I said, I prefer to use transport keys for transport functions. Are those functions correctly mapped to those buttons using the JP1 files/links you suggested? (I can always remap them myself using JP1 software, of course.)

Originally posted by rollerfink
I don't think there is any way to skip 15 minutes. If you have the remote with a setup button you can program the 30 second skip using the instructions below. Is there no way to get more than a 4x FF? That's crazy. Even the crappy Dish DVRs have 4x,15x,60x,300x, depending on how many times you push the FF key.

Originally posted by garypen
Is there no way to get more than a 4x FF? That's crazy. Even the crappy Dish DVRs have 4x,15x,60x,300x, depending on how many times you push the FF key.

Well 4x doesn't really mean 4x. I believe the FF algorithm skips the same amount of data (not time) whether it is a SD or HD recording. FF is much faster traversing SD recordings than HD recordings so that is where my assumption comes from.

With HD content, FF4 here looks to be right around 20x timewise. It is many times faster than that on SD content.

Originally posted by JJMG
You've GOT to be kidding. So you mean that if you're watching something live, and somebody says something you can't quite catch (e.g. if you're watching something on BBC America and you can't interpret the thick Scottish accent), and you want to rewind the live buffer and turn on closed captioning to see what they said -- something I do on a regular basis with my old SD Series One Tivo -- you mean you have to turn the box OFF, thus stopping recording of the live buffer and losing a chunk of the show you were watching, in order to turn on CC? And then when the CC gets distracting, you have to turn the box off again, and lose another chunk of the live buffer?

And there's NO way to get your own set to display the CC? The box itself is the only thing that will do it, and you're stuck with whatever options the box offers, even if your TV has better CC handling?

Is this an iGuide limitation, or a Motorola 6412 limitation?

I may be alone here, but I have never in my life used CC and the only time I have ever seen it used is in bars or restaurants. I don't see this as a big deal for the majority of users. I see this as just another reason to never watch the BBC.

Originally posted by rodneyremington
I may be alone here, but I have never in my life used CC and the only time I have ever seen it used is in bars or restaurants. I don't see this as a big deal for the majority of users. I see this as just another reason to never watch the BBC.

A good reason indeed - however in the past; pre-cable boxes, I had an el-cheapo Phillips Magnavox TV that went to CC automatically with the pressing of the Mute button. So if you got a phone call (no DVR to Pause) that didn't deserve your full attention, you could still follow the program. I actually miss it on my Sony HDTV

Originally posted by Mikes19
Main NBC feed to the regional Comcast site in Waltham MA apparently problemmatic and being worked on. You would think that 3 days of conversation, two box replacements, and a tech visit could have been easily saved by a little more effective communication through the organization to the local offices effected by a problem.

Thanks,
Mike

I too have had problems over the past ?week? with 807 Glad to know its not just me...

I received my DVI->HDMI cable from svideo.com yesterday. Hooked it up from the 6412 to my Samsung HL-P5674. Instant success.

I have the 6412 set to 720p and 480 override off. The 5674 looks even better with an all digital connection than with the previous component cables. Comcast broadcast of INHD looked great.

I only wish I had read about svideo.com on this board earlier. It would have saved me 2 cables from pacificcables.com that didn't work. I spent 2 hours trying to make those work :(

Brad