agreed -- HDMI vs Component -- your TV or eyes might be able to tell the difference between HDMI or Component hookup, but mine can't.

Going component solves a number of issues with HDMI hookups and might work for you also.

One thing I've noticed recently is that Closed Captioning from the STB always comes across via HDMI, but only comes across via component video for some of the channels. I have to switch to HDMI to get Closed Captions in some cases.

(Personally -- it is hard for me to see the difference in HD PQ at 1080i between component and HDMI video. Must be my old eyes.) It's the same resolution, so there really shouldn't be a difference - it's just analog vs. digital. Digital isn't automatically better, it varies from person to person (and from TV to TV) if they think component or HDMI is better, or they're the same.

Well no one seemed to answer my questions so I went ahead and hooked up my HDMI tonight to my Chicago based RCN Moto 6412 and lo and behold! Not a problem. Sound is coming out through analogs (due to my older reciever) but all my SD programming has vastly improved from pixelated vomit to crystal clarity.

Go figure. I got all paranoid seeing how many problems were arising...Menus are all fine..no issues with power toggling either. Its hooked to a Sammy 5087 50".

FYI.

One thing I've noticed recently is that Closed Captioning from the STB always comes across via HDMI, but only comes across via component video for some of the channels. I have to switch to HDMI to get Closed Captions in some cases.

No. what you are getting through HDMI is "open captions." the Set Top Box is taking the caption data and embedding it in the video as part of the picture.

Yes, you're correct. So what the issue is, then, is that either the Motorola DVRs don't pass CC via component outputs (which some have told me is NOT the case), or Samsung televisions don't decode CC via component video.

Yes, you're correct. So what the issue is, then, is that either the Motorola DVRs don't pass CC via component outputs (which some have told me is NOT the case), or Samsung televisions don't decode CC via component video.
It may depend on the video format. My TV will decode CC on 480i through component/composite/S-Video/RF (I haven't tried digital), but no other format.

Absolutely. Ack. There is just no way to encapsulate how things work in less than five sentences!

Okay, I think I need a new primer on 480i OVERRIDE. Changing this to OFF or 480P fixes my long-standing closed captioning problems. Can someone please summarise the downsides are of switching this setting from 480I to OFF or to 480P?

I few pages back, I asked how to unmute the DVR when the controller is set to volume control only the TV. The response was to just leave the DVR on, which I do, but I did find a solution and thought I'd pass it on in case anyone needs it:


Q: How do I program a "Box Mute" button to un-mute the 6412?
A:
1. Press the 'Cable' button at the top of the remote.
2. Press and hold the 'Setup' button until the 'Cable' button blinks twice.
3. Type in the code 994. The 'Cable' button again blinks twice.
4. Hit (Do Not Hold) the 'Setup' button
5. Enter in 00141 (for Box Mute)
6. Press whatever button you want "Box Mute" to be.

Personally, I used the HD ZOOM button. I seem to have no use for that. I found the information here:

Edit: the forum software won't let me post the URL.

I few pages back, I asked how to unmute the DVR when the controller is set to volume control only the TV. The response was to just leave the DVR on, which I do, but I did find a solution and thought I'd pass it on in case anyone needs it:


Q: How do I program a "Box Mute" button to un-mute the 6412?
A:
1. Press the 'Cable' button at the top of the remote.
2. Press and hold the 'Setup' button until the 'Cable' button blinks twice.
3. Type in the code 994. The 'Cable' button again blinks twice.
4. Hit (Do Not Hold) the 'Setup' button
5. Enter in 00141 (for Box Mute)
6. Press whatever button you want "Box Mute" to be.

Personally, I used the HD ZOOM button. I seem to have no use for that. I found the information here:

Edit: the forum software won't let me post the URL.

This was actually covered further back in this thread. If you use the search feature before asking you might get better answers when the same question hasn't been covered several times already even in the same thread to which you post.

You can also use the actual mute button so when 'TV' is selected it mutes/unmutes the TV and when 'Cable' is selected it controls the mute on the Moto box.

With the new software, sending virtually any recognized code will cause the box to unmute, and also not turn itself off when the recording ends.

One of my 6412's keeps losing the digital audio output. In order to get it back, you have to turn the box off, and then back on again. Nothing else works. Short of replacing the box does anyone have a suggestion?

i've found the 6412 to be very temperature sensitive. i have to keep the doors open on my equipment enclosure or all sorts of bizarre behavior occurs.

i'm going to add a muffin fan to the back cabinet since the open doors are a pain. i already have 30sqin openings at the top and bottom to percolate air and it is apparently not enough.

jtm

I've lost the digital out out on my 6412 a couple of times -- usually when I'm pushing lots of buttons trying to flip through lots of screens or something like that. And yes, I've had to turn it off and back on again to get the digital audio to return.

I have a slightly similar problem in that every now and then the sound just disappears like it has been muted. The "mute" word doesn't appear on the TV screen, but pushing the DVR mute button on the remote DOES unmute it, so it hasn't really been a problem.

One of my 6412's keeps losing the digital audio output. In order to get it back, you have to turn the box off, and then back on again. Nothing else works. Short of replacing the box does anyone have a suggestion?

I've experienced that quite a bit on one of my TVs but not on the other (running 6412's on both). The problematic TV is a Mitsubishi 65" CRT RP HDTV. It also has issues sometimes going from SD to HD when changing channels and about every six time or so it will give me a gray screen and the audio will still be there. If I change the box back to a SD channel then back to a HD channel it will work upon switching back. I have none of these issues with our 50" plasma and my only thought here is that it's the actual TV. As for the audio, I have issues all of the time where I will power it on and have no audio. I don't turn this box off at night so it's not that it powers on to record and mutes itself. If I hit the skip back button it will then have audio. Also, at times I will be watching ESPN HD for instance and there will be a small glitch and the audio will go away. I can hit the skip back button and at the exact same point it will pixelate the video and mute for a split second but this time around I will have audio shortly thereafter. So there again I think it's the TV not being able to recover from changes because I don't get this issue w/the 50" PDP. So, my theory is that's it's the set itself and to check this on yours, power the TV on or off or change the input and then back to see if the TV resets the audio and it works. If that's the case then it's the TV and not the box that's your problem. I know in my case it's the TV causing the issue most of the time.

i've found the 6412 to be very temperature sensitive. i have to keep the doors open on my equipment enclosure or all sorts of bizarre behavior occurs.

i'm going to add a muffin fan to the back cabinet since the open doors are a pain. i already have 30sqin openings at the top and bottom to percolate air and it is apparently not enough.

jtm

After banging my head against a wall for weeks with one of my boxes it dawned on my that the problematic box was sitting on top of an audio receiver. Usually it would begin with freezing while fast forwarding through commercials where the time line bar would remain and the light light on the LCD would show it's getting a signal from the remote but this would stay solid and no more inputs would be allowed and the only remedy would be to unplug the receiver and plug it back in. The next step was when it would reboot itself. The issue seemed to get worse when the DVR was recording two channels simultaneously or anything resource demanding so I determined that it was a heat issue. I got out a small fan we had in a closet and placed it on top of the DVR and the problem was instantly solved. I then placed the fan on it's side beside the audio receiver & 6412 as it looked better than just sitting on top in my setup. If you plug it into the 110v on the back of the receiver you can then turn that receptacle to switched within the 6412 menu so that it comes on automatically whenever you power the 6412 on. This has 100% solved my issue and I've found that the lowest setting of the fan works best as long as it comes on when the audio receiver/6412 first power on. It keeps them both cool enough and higher (read: louder) speeds aren't needed unless you don't turn it on until it starts freezing up.

This worked for me and I hope it helps others as well as our local cable company still doesn't have any other fixes. They will swap out another 6412 but all of the problems will still remain the same as it's a design flaw and as long as you have it sitting on something else warm it will give the same results.

One of my 6412's keeps losing the digital audio output. In order to get it back, you have to turn the box off, and then back on again. Nothing else works. Short of replacing the box does anyone have a suggestion?I have the same problem, but have found that the problem isn't in my 3416, but rather in my Samsung home theater system. All I need to do to fix the problem is cycle the home theater system through its Aux inputs (Aux 1, Aux 2, then back to Digital Audio).

One of my 6412's keeps losing the digital audio output. In order to get it back, you have to turn the box off, and then back on again. Nothing else works. Short of replacing the box does anyone have a suggestion?

My digital audio out goes to my Denon AVR. I have turned on the TV and the AVR (the Moto 6412 is never off) and gotten no sound several times recently. I have been able to restore sound by swapping channels, or changing channels, on the Moto DVR. When I go back to the channel that had no sound, I get sound.

My digital audio out goes to my Denon AVR. I have turned on the TV and the AVR (the Moto 6412 is never off) and gotten no sound several times recently. I have been able to restore sound by swapping channels, or changing channels, on the Moto DVR. When I go back to the channel that had no sound, I get sound.

I have the exact same situation on my Denon AVR. I find the same fix by swapping channels. I have also found that if I turn the AVR of and then back on, it sometimes fixes it.

Are you people with the digital audio issues also using an HDMI cable? I wonder if there is some confusion in the cable box between the HDMI digital audio and the regular digital audio? Maybe it thinks the HDMI isn't configured right, and turns off ALL digital audio?

Are you people with the digital audio issues also using an HDMI cable? I wonder if there is some confusion in the cable box between the HDMI digital audio and the regular digital audio? Maybe it thinks the HDMI isn't configured right, and turns off ALL digital audio?
On one of my AVR inputs (Pio Elite VSX-72TXV) I have component video and digital Toslink audio (a holdover from when my HDMI didn't work via the AVR) -- and on another input I use HDMI for both video and audio. When I got the HDMI working I was too lazy to disconnect the old setup of component video/optical audio and now I can switch back and forth between them with no loss of audio or other problems. So the STB is producing clear audio -- including DD 5.1 -- simultaneously on both outputs. I didn't do anything special in the STB configuration to make this happen. Just hooked up each output to a different input and told the AVR what type signal was on each.

Are you people with the digital audio issues also using an HDMI cable? I wonder if there is some confusion in the cable box between the HDMI digital audio and the regular digital audio? Maybe it thinks the HDMI isn't configured right, and turns off ALL digital audio?

Toslink, no HDMI in the mix......

Toslink: the box that I posted having issues with prior (on the 65") does indeed have HDMI connecting it all together.

No HDMI involved in my audio loss either, and I don't think it has anything to do with my Denon AVR. This started only recently, and I have had the new firmware for months.

I've had my PIII 6416 for about a week and so far it's performing much better than the outgoing PII unit. However, it just decided to freeze last night. It didn't respond to any remote inputs. I finally had to unplug it and reboot it. It forgot where it was on the DVR show I was watching and had to restart it. My theory is that it's a heat issue, and i need to improve ventilation around it.

Nah, they do that, especially with this latest software if you give it too many remote-control inputs at a time. I once tried to wind back (using the "Replay" key) about 5 mins and the rapid-fire button-pressing got it to stop responding to any remote (or front faceplate) commands. Had to power-cycle it. The previous software didn't have this issue.

so much for my theory :) Terrific.

Guys does anyone know if the HDMI audio problems has been solved on the 6412/3416?

Guys does anyone know if the HDMI audio problems has been solved on the 6412/3416?I have a 6412P3. Both HDMI audio and digital optical audio are great -- no problems at all.

Guys does anyone know if the HDMI audio problems has been solved on the 6412/3416?

I have a 6416 and if I use HDMI for the audio I have lip sync problems when watching Movie Central HD. Other channels are OK.
If I use HDMI for the video and rca connectors for the audio, the lip sync problem is fixed.
I am using my Sony KDL-46XBR2 for the audio. Not connecting to a receiver.

I have a 6412P3. Both HDMI audio and digital optical audio are great -- no problems at all.

Did you have issues at one point with earlier firmware(s)? I recall reading lots of complaints about audio bugs when using HDMI. I've help off for a while but getting ready to make the swtich to HDMI and go with the 3416 while I'm at it. If there are any known issues with this please let me know. I think I'll hold onto my 6412 for a few months too just to make sure...

Hello,

I have a 6416 phase 3. Whenever I press the REW or FFWD on the remote, it defaults to DVD mode. How can I program it to default to CABLE mode? I can press CABLE to switch to CABLE mode for these buttons, but after 30(?) mins of idle time, these buttons reverts back to DVD default.

There doesn't seem to be an option to reset the remote or at least clear the DVD mode on it. Thanks.

[edit] I have a cox remote.

I have a 6416 phase 3. Whenever I press the REW or FFWD on the remote, it defaults to DVD mode. How can I program it to default to CABLE mode? I can press CABLE to switch to CABLE mode for these buttons, but after 30(?) mins of idle time, these buttons reverts back to DVD default.

There doesn't seem to be an option to reset the remote or at least clear the DVD mode on it. Thanks.
Do you have the Comcast silver remote? If so, you can see the Wikibook page and try these:
Get your TV code:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Programming_the_Remote#Checking_your_Device_Code
Reset the remote:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Programming_the_Remote#Factory_Reset
Re-enter your TV code:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Programming_the_Remote#Setting_a_Device_Code

Has anyone had the problem where the dvr never stops recording a program? I've noticed this happen when I record a reshowing of a new show. Like last nite, I recorded the Friday rebroadcast of Grey's Anatomy and also recorded the the 11pm reshow of Monk (vs the first 8pm braodcast). The Monk stopped but at 710 minutes (I think when the disc was full).
The Grays, I stopped manually when I noticed another show didn't record because I think it thought there was a conflict.

If you are in the Insight market (bowling green & louisville, KY.) there is good news on the way. I spoke to the tech at the Bowling green Insight office and asked him about the HDMI problem with A/V receivers. He told me that we could expect a fix within the next 3 weeks. The corporate office has been testing the fix for the last couple of weeks and so far there are no problems. He said the new software (not firmware) will address 2 other issues. They are; 1. the haywire issue when trying to rewind live TV. 2. The DVR reporting imporper capacity. We shall see if this comes true! (fingers crossed).

If you are in the Insight market (bowling green & louisville, KY.) there is good news on the way. I spoke to the tech at the Bowling green Insight office and asked him about the HDMI problem with A/V receivers. He told me that we could expect a fix within the next 3 weeks. The corporate office has been testing the fix for the last couple of weeks and so far there are no problems. He said the new software (not firmware) will address 2 other issues. They are; 1. the haywire issue when trying to rewind live TV. 2. The DVR reporting imporper capacity. We shall see if this comes true! (fingers crossed).

What HDMI issues exactly are you referring to?

Also I have a 6412 hooked up via DVI and never see issue #1 and #2 you mentioned that are supposed to be fixed. So in what cases/setups do people experience #1 and #2?

Hi
New, in a way, to the HD-DVR deal... and could use a little help from you vets.

I had an HD Moxi brought out from SoCA Adelphia when they were first available, but the HD PQ was for crap, so I sent it packing and forgot about it till the TWC conversion was done.

So, now I just got a 3416i from TWC (f/w 12.35) - I am using component outs as of now, but it does have an HDMI out (need to grab another HDMI cable) - the HD PQ is fairly good, but the SD is not so hot. I did a search on 3416 here and see people saying that the SD is even worse via HDMI, but that the 6412 is much better.

Well, after reading that, I immediately called TWC and asked if they have a 6412 that they could swap out - They are bringing it on Wednesday.

I see in an earlier post by lovingdvd where these two models are listed together "6412/3416" as if they were the same unit, dually named.

Now I'm confused...
Is that the case, or are there differences.
And then what about PII vs PIII?

What should I be looking for when they bring out whatever it is that they will be bringing on Wednesday AM?

Thanks!!

PS: This is going into a Pioneer PRO-HD910 Plasma with HDMI in

What HDMI issues exactly are you referring to?

Also I have a 6412 hooked up via DVI and never see issue #1 and #2 you mentioned that are supposed to be fixed. So in what cases/setups do people experience #1 and #2?

These Motorola units will not allow you to pass an HDMI thru an Audio Video Receiver to a projector or TV. As for #1 & #2 these are issues that many people have experienced no matter what the setup.

These Motorola units will not allow you to pass an HDMI thru an Audio Video Receiver to a projector or TV.

Really?? This is very annoying indeed. I am very surprised to hear this. Are you sure? Has anyone else confirmed this?

How would the HDMI even know it was being "passed through"? If I send the HDMI output of the STB box to my receiver and it passes the output through to its HDMI output, what's going to prevent the receiver from passing it out and the display from showing it?

Sorry for the skepticism. I'm not doubting you as much as I am finding that such a thing would be so absurd...

Really?? This is very annoying indeed. I am very surprised to hear this. Are you sure? Has anyone else confirmed this?

How would the HDMI even know it was being "passed through"? If I send the HDMI output of the STB box to my receiver and it passes the output through to its HDMI output, what's going to prevent the receiver from passing it out and the display from showing it?

Sorry for the skepticism. I'm not doubting you as much as I am finding that such a thing would be so absurd...YES it is both annoying and absurd, but like many such things in life it also happens to be true. There have been many posts in this thread and others that verify/discuss this and a number of threads specifically devoted to the topic such as this one (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=649941) and this one at audioholics.com (http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21194&page=1)

HDMI and HDCP are "connected at the hip" and HDCP always knows where an HDMI signal is and where it is headed, i.e. HDMI signal transmission from, through and to every device is completely controlled by HDCP. It is the HDMI traffic cop and is required of all HDMI/HDCP licensed devices. There are different codes (known as KSVs) for HDCP receivers (such as TV's and projectors) and HDCP repeaters (which includes AVR's). The Moto (and SA) firmware was programmed to exchange the necessary HDCP KSVs with receivers but NOT with repeaters -- since they might be used to actually copy protected content (perhaps illegally) -- a BIG "no no."

The problem with the Moto and SA STB's is pure and simple a deficiency of the cable box's implementation of HDCP (not HDMI) in that it does not properly deal with "HDCP Repeaters" (which is what the AVR is whether or not it acts as a switch or an upconverter/upscaler) as opposed to a "HDCP Receiver" (i.e. a device at the end of an HDCP chain -- e.g., an HDTV)

The following quote from the HDCP specifications discusses the authentication of a "an HDCP Repeater" that would enable an HDCP device that is upstream from the AVR (e.g., the cable box) to send it digital signals to pass through to HDCP receivers that are downstream.

The HDCP Authentication Protocol can be considered in three parts. The first part establishes shared values between the two HDCP Devices if both devices have a valid Device Key Set from the Digital Content Protection LLC. The second part allows an HDCP Repeater to report the KSVs of attached HDCP Receivers. The third part occurs during the vertical blanking interval preceding each frame for which encryption is enabled, and provides an initialization state for the HDCP Cipher for encrypting the HDCP Content within that frame. It is the second part of the authentication protocol which “allows an HDCP Repeater to report the KSVs of attached HDCP Receivers” to the transmitter is not working in the cable boxes.

(NOTE: If any other "engineering types" out there are interested here's a link to the HDCP spec. (http://www.digital-cp.com/home/HDCPS...tionRev1_1.pdf))

This problem has been fixed in firmware V12.35 or V16.20 for the Moto STB. If you're lucky enough to have one of them then you may have escaped the annoyance and absurdity which we have been living with and reporting on for about a year now.

I have a 6412 III that loses the Dolby Digital output from time to time.

When this happens, I still get PCM on the output, so I have sound, just no 5.1.
I have to cycle the power on and off in order to fix this. Has anyone else noticed this problem?

I've had the same problem with my 6412p3 and find that two things seem to make it happen more often.

Heat buildup: I had to keep it cool by keeping the doors open on the cabinet.

Power switching: I never turned the power button off. I didn't really do anything anyway. Restoring audio meant removing AC from the box altogether which was a pain.

I've since switched to a 3416p1 which seems to run much cooler and I've been able to keep my cabinet doors closed. It also seems to work whether or not the power is switched.

fingers crossed...

jim

I have a 6412 III that loses the Dolby Digital output from time to time.

When this happens, I still get PCM on the output, so I have sound, just no 5.1.
I have to cycle the power on and off in order to fix this. Has anyone else noticed this problem?

Yes I have seen this exact same thing on my 6412 from time to time - its either a phase I or phase II - definitely not phase III.

I recently picked up a 3416 that I am testing for a few weeks before returning my 3412, just to make sure there are no show stopper bugs.

Is there a way - short of physically blocking the IR receiver - to set things up so that one STB does not respond to remote control codes? I need to be able to easily switch back and forth between units and am trying to avoid just blocking the IR sensor as a solution. Ideally there would be an A/B type setting and I could put on on A and the other on B, then use a different code in the remotes accordingly. But I doubt that is possible...

I'll post this here too in case someone is trying to make this remote work on their Vizio P50HD.

For those using a universal remote I was able to get code 0178 to work on this Vizio (Motorola 6412 silver remote). I didn't see it posted here yet (might have just missed it) so I thought I would post it in case anyone else was trying to figure it out. I wish I could get the TV input to work though. It's weird because the side of the set has a single input button that you press multiple times to toggle through the inputs yet when I press 'TV' and then 'input' it shows the current input but won't toggle to others. Hmm... maybe another code or is that just the way it is? I'm using a Motorola DVR remote and the other functions seem to work fine. My previous TV had the same problem and I just had to get out the TV remote to change devices but if anyone knows how to solve this, let me know.

Is there a way - short of physically blocking the IR receiver - to set things up so that one STB does not respond to remote control codes? Physically blocking the IR receiver is the only way I've found to do so, so far.

I recently picked up a 3416 that I am testing for a few weeks before returning my 3412, just to make sure there are no show stopper bugs.

Is there a way - short of physically blocking the IR receiver - to set things up so that one STB does not respond to remote control codes? I need to be able to easily switch back and forth between units and am trying to avoid just blocking the IR sensor as a solution. Ideally there would be an A/B type setting and I could put on on A and the other on B, then use a different code in the remotes accordingly. But I doubt that is possible...
Assuming that you aren't watching both units at the same time, you can turn one unit on and the other unit off. The power button on the remote will then allow you to switch between units.

I have a new 6416 III that replaced a Moxi that recently died. I have the DVR hooked up to the TV via component cables because my TV is 5 years old and lacks DVI. I have the optical audio wired directly to the Denon 5.1 receiver, the same way I had it set up with the Moxi, which always worked flawlessly for surround sound audio. However, the surround audio is not working properly through the receiver. The light on the receiver is on that it recognizes a digital audio signal, but the audio breaks up multiple times per second.

Does anyone have any suggestions about potential settings I could check myelf before I call the cable company to come check the box?

I have a new 6416 III that replaced a Moxi that recently died. I have the DVR hooked up to the TV via component cables because my TV is 5 years old and lacks DVI. I have the optical audio wired directly to the Denon 5.1 receiver, the same way I had it set up with the Moxi, which always worked flawlessly for surround sound audio. However, the surround audio is not working properly through the receiver. The light on the receiver is on that it recognizes a digital audio signal, but the audio breaks up multiple times per second.

Does anyone have any suggestions about potential settings I could check myelf before I call the cable company to come check the box?


There is no Digital Audio menu accessable to end users, however you can reset it ybder the User settings menu, at the bottom of the page, this will reset Video output settings and Audio settings.

Have you first looked in the diagnostic menu and checked your signal strengths?

Check OOB tuner
Check inband tuner


To access the Diagnostic menu.

STB on, turn it off and press ok/select within 2 sec.

scroll up and down and use left and right or select to go to that selection.

Power button 2 times to return the STB on.

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

STB on standby, press menu to access the user settings menu

I have a new 6416 III that replaced a Moxi that recently died. I have the DVR hooked up to the TV via component cables because my TV is 5 years old and lacks DVI. I have the optical audio wired directly to the Denon 5.1 receiver, the same way I had it set up with the Moxi, which always worked flawlessly for surround sound audio. However, the surround audio is not working properly through the receiver. The light on the receiver is on that it recognizes a digital audio signal, but the audio breaks up multiple times per second.

Does anyone have any suggestions about potential settings I could check myelf before I call the cable company to come check the box?

I'd check the optical connections for traces of dust, or lint, using a shot of canned air to clean of the cable ends, and the connector sockets. If that doesn't take care of it, I would try using the coax digital, to see if it had the same problem. If it DOES have the same problem, and you have something else hooked up with digital coax that works, like your DVD player, then it just about has to be the box, or the signal. But, if the digital coax does work, at least you can listen, until you figure out what's up with the optical.

It's definitely the connection or the box. The DVD player's surround sound through optical works perfectly. I'll try these suggestions and see how it turns out. Thanks.

Has anyone else had remote commands take minutes to execute? It's like the unit is unresponsive and locked up, but it's not - it just becomes really slow. If impatient and continue to press buttons, the commands will eventually play back, so they seem to be stacking up for some reason?

This doesn't happen often, but it has happened a handful of times. I'm not sure the best way to get it out of this funk, but I know I have unplugged the unit in the past. It seems the moto is busy doing something. Does anyone know what is causing this to occur? Is there a way to tell if the cable company is pushing an update or something?

Has anyone else had remote commands take minutes to execute? It's like the unit is unresponsive and locked up, but it's not - it just becomes really slow. If impatient and continue to press buttons, the commands will eventually play back, so they seem to be stacking up for some reason?

This doesn't happen often, but it has happened a handful of times. I'm not sure the best way to get it out of this funk, but I know I have unplugged the unit in the past. It seems the moto is busy doing something. Does anyone know what is causing this to occur? Is there a way to tell if the cable company is pushing an update or something?
A very common problem with these boxes (probably the #1 annoyance). In my experience, the problem isn't nearly as bad in firmware 16.20, but it has yet to go away completely. It is known to be a problem in the firmware code (related to thread priorities I believe).

The one thing you should NOT do is continue pressing buttons. It is possible to send too many commands to where the box screws up altogether, requiring a reboot. Just be patient and wait for the box to get out of the doldrums.

How do I delete a "zero minute" recording dated 1989?

My box locked up the other day and I had to pull the plug to get it going again. Now I have the above recording always in my "now playing" list.

How do I delete a "zero minute" recording dated 1989?

My box locked up the other day and I had to pull the plug to get it going again. Now I have the above recording always in my "now playing" list.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Bugs#There_is_a_recording_with_a_blank_title_and_a_date_of_1 2.2F31.2F1989

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Bugs#There_is_a_recording_with_a_blank_title_and_a_date_of_1 2.2F31.2F1989
Thanks! Rebooting a second time eliminated the mystery entry.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Bugs#There_is_a_recording_with_a_blank_title_and_a_date_of_1 2.2F31.2F1989
Thanks! Rebooting a second time eliminated the mystery entry.

I have a new 6416 III that replaced a Moxi that recently died. I have the DVR hooked up to the TV via component cables because my TV is 5 years old and lacks DVI. I have the optical audio wired directly to the Denon 5.1 receiver, the same way I had it set up with the Moxi, which always worked flawlessly for surround sound audio. However, the surround audio is not working properly through the receiver. The light on the receiver is on that it recognizes a digital audio signal, but the audio breaks up multiple times per second.

Does anyone have any suggestions about potential settings I could check myelf before I call the cable company to come check the box?

Try another optical cable or digital coax. Optical cables are fiber optic and can be fragile. Also, have you noticed this on digital and analog channels? My digital channels sound great in my Onkyo 604, but analog sounds pretty bad. I blame that on my cable service and not the Moto.

Try another optical cable or digital coax. Optical cables are fiber optic and can be fragile. Also, have you noticed this on digital and analog channels? My digital channels sound great in my Onkyo 604, but analog sounds pretty bad. I blame that on my cable service and not the Moto.

I hadn't thought of it before your post, but maybe the charter tech banged my optical cable around so much during the box swap that it's broken now. I'll switch my DVD cable over and see if that works. Thanks.

For the last couple of weeks, anytime I try to see what's available with On Demand (Comcast, Maryland, Motorola 6412p3) all I get is an error message:

"Error Retrieving Data, E003, Initializing. Please try again in five minutes. appmgr.c.1858"

I can wait five, 10, 20 minutes, overnight, whatever and the error message is all I get.

I've rebooted the box by pulling the plug, I've done both a soft and full hard drive wipe and rebuild (via Wikipedia instructions) and the error message is still there.

Any clues as to how I can fix this (short of replacing the box)?

For the last couple of weeks, anytime I try to see what's available with On Demand (Comcast, Maryland, Motorola 6412p3) all I get is an error message:

"Error Retrieving Data, E003, Initializing. Please try again in five minutes. appmgr.c.1858"

I can wait five, 10, 20 minutes, overnight, whatever and the error message is all I get.

I've rebooted the box by pulling the plug, I've done both a soft and full hard drive wipe and rebuild (via Wikipedia instructions) and the error message is still there.

Any clues as to how I can fix this (short of replacing the box)?
Check the signal strength. At least where I am, VOD is the first service that gets cut off with a weaker signal. One of our cable boxes used to work perfectly fine in all areas EXCEPT On Demand. We had a splitter on that box so that we could watch analog channels on the TV directly. We took out the splitter and everything has been fine since.

Check the signal strength. At least where I am, VOD is the first service that gets cut off with a weaker signal. One of our cable boxes used to work perfectly fine in all areas EXCEPT On Demand. We had a splitter on that box so that we could watch analog channels on the TV directly. We took out the splitter and everything has been fine since.I'll give it a try, but signal strength has never been a problem here.

When they ran the cable from the street to the house years ago, they had run out of the "regular" wire and put in a wire thick enough to feed an entire apartment building -- it is as thick as my thumb. Right after the wire comes into the house, they put in a two-way split to run half the signal to to my cable modem -- at the end of the half that went to the cable modem they had to add a six-way splitter just to drop the signal strength down to something that the modem could handle.

So the other half of the original split goes to my TVs and normally gets a hella good signal! :)

Like I said, I'll give a straight run a try, but I'll be quite surprised if that's the problem. Thanks for the tip and taking the time to write!

Any other guesses out there?

I'll give it a try, but signal strength has never been a problem here.

When they ran the cable from the street to the house years ago, they had run out of the "regular" wire and put in a wire thick enough to feed an entire apartment building -- it is as thick as my thumb. Right after the wire comes into the house, they put in a two-way split to run half the signal to to my cable modem -- at the end of the half that went to the cable modem they had to add a six-way splitter just to drop the signal strength down to something that the modem could handle.

So the other half of the original split goes to my TVs and normally gets a hella good signal! :)

Like I said, I'll give a straight run a try, but I'll be quite surprised if that's the problem. Thanks for the tip and taking the time to write!

Any other guesses out there?
I think it's possible for the signal to be too strong. Maybe adding an extra splitter may help?

Of course, there may be a problem with the box as well. Have you called the cable company?

I think it's possible for the signal to be too strong. Maybe adding an extra splitter may help?I suppose that could also be an issue, although the DVR has worked fine for the last 18 months ...



Of course, there may be a problem with the box as well. Have you called the cable company?Not yet, just trying to do my homework first. People here are generally WAY more helpful than the cable company. :)

I suppose that could also be an issue, although the DVR has worked fine for the last 18 months ...
The cable box on which we had VOD problems also worked just fine for years prior to encountering the problem. When it happened, removing the splitter solved it.

I'm really getting tired of the bug that reports my DVR recording space is full. It happened twice Monday night when different recordings started. I have firmware revision 12.31.

Does anybody know when Motorola is going to fix this?

Does anybody know when Motorola is going to fix this?

About a week from never. :mad:

I'm really getting tired of the bug that reports my DVR recording space is full. It happened twice Monday night when different recordings started. I have firmware revision 12.31.

Does anybody know when Motorola is going to fix this?
This bug is (supposedly) a problem with I-Guide, not with the DVR box (it apparently also occurs on other boxes running I-Guide, such as the Pace DVR's). Assuming this is the case, the problem would require a software update, not a firmware one (and assuming Tivo didn't make the same mistake, switching to Tivo software when available would also overcome the problem, if and when that happens).

This bug is (supposedly) a problem with I-Guide, not with the DVR box (it apparently also occurs on other boxes running I-Guide, such as the Pace DVR's). Assuming this is the case, the problem would require a software update, not a firmware one (and assuming Tivo didn't make the same mistake, switching to Tivo software when available would also overcome the problem, if and when that happens).

So I guess I should call my cable company about this? I might as well pee on a spark plug... The result would be the same.

So I guess I should call my cable company about this? I might as well pee on a spark plug... The result would be the same.

Well, it would certainly be more exciting. See my response for a true indication of when to expect a fix.

Does anyone know what the difference is between the phase 3 and the phase 1?

Does anyone know what the difference is between the phase 3 and the phase 1?
the very title of this thread answers your question...

I have a phase 1, and it has SATA and HDMI - although I am not sure if it is enabled (firmware wise).
I just picked it up today (as a replacement for the non-stop booting issue).

then you either do have a 64xx phase 3, or you have a phase 1 of the 34xx line which is almost identical to the 64xx phase . if your box doesn't have a USB input and RCA inputs on the front, then it's a 34xx model.

the main difference between the 34xx and the 64xx is that the 34xx does not have an analog tuner. it's digital only, so it's only used in markets where are channels are simulcast in digital.

More specifically 64xx III == (34xx I - analog)

So .... this is weird.

I had to move some of my equipment around today, and in the process I had to disconnect and reconnect many of the cables.

I have the Moto DVR Connectued to my Mits DLP TV via HDMI.
I have the audio output from the DVR connected to my Sony A/V receiver via a Toslink connection. It works fine as expected.

I also have the Digital sound output from the TV connected to another digital input (RCA Coax)on my A/V receiver... primarily to be used when I use OTA Antenna or other sources.
In the past if my TV input was set to the DVR, I would get PCM audio on the A/V receiver unless I used the direct hookup from the DVR to the A/V receiver. (As expected)

Now for the weird part. Today after moving stuff around, I am getting 5.1 sound via the TVs output. DVR---> to the TV VIA HDMI, and Digital ouput from the TV to the AV Receiver. I did not think this was possible via HDMI, but I am getting the "blue light", and the sound is definitely 5.1. There is no difference in sound when I switch the A/V receiver inputs between the DVR, and the TV.

Has anyone else been able to do this?

So .... this is weird.

I had to move some of my equipment around today, and in the process I had to disconnect and reconnect many of the cables.

I have the Moto DVR Connectued to my Mits DLP TV via HDMI.
I have the audio output from the DVR connected to my Sony A/V receiver via a Toslink connection. It works fine as expected.

I also have the Digital sound output from the TV connected to another digital input (RCA Coax)on my A/V receiver... primarily to be used when I use OTA Antenna or other sources.
In the past if my TV input was set to the DVR, I would get PCM audio on the A/V receiver unless I used the direct hookup from the DVR to the A/V receiver. (As expected)

Now for the weird part. Today after moving stuff around, I am getting 5.1 sound via the TVs output. DVR---> to the TV VIA HDMI, and Digital ouput from the TV to the AV Receiver. I did not think this was possible via HDMI, but I am getting the "blue light", and the sound is definitely 5.1. There is no difference in sound when I switch the A/V receiver inputs between the DVR, and the TV.

Has anyone else been able to do this?

This is normal, and nothing to worry about. It's working, so enjoy it. I also have mine setup the same way.

This is normal, and nothing to worry about. It's working, so enjoy it. I also have mine setup the same way.
My Sony SXRD works like he originally said, I get 5.1 with optical out from the 6412, if I connect to the Sony optical out, I get 2.0 stereo with the cable box hfmi input selected; only get 5.1 from the hdtv channels using cable qam tuner or OTA antenna.

My Sony SXRD works like he originally said, I get 5.1 with optical out from the 6412, if I connect to the Sony optical out, I get 2.0 stereo with the cable box hfmi input selected; only get 5.1 from the hdtv channels using cable qam tuner or OTA antenna.

I am wondering if there was a firmware upgrade to the MOTO box that enabled this.
I did not change any of the configuration> I tested my Sony HDMI DVD player, and it does not pass 5.1 back through the TV.

Of course I will not worry and I'll enjoy it :D , but my curious nature wants to know what changed!

I have a phase 1, and it has SATA and HDMI - although I am not sure if it is enabled (firmware wise).
I just picked it up today (as a replacement for the non-stop booting issue).

I have a Phase III with SATA and HDMI.

- SATA doesn't work, probably will never work. GREAT.
- USB? Oh sure.
- HDMI seems to be messed up (ie not working). My wife and I spent all day Friday and Saturday trying to get the HDMI port to work correctly, no luck. When it did work, we were able to compare the HDMI pic to the component pic; HDMI wins hands down, both brighter and sharper. We have a tech coming out Tuesday, maybe he'll have a functioning 6412 or 6416 for us.

I just find it hard for Comcast to justify having a unit that has decent *potential* flexibility, then they turn just about everything off to make it a PITA.

I have a phase 1, and it has SATA and HDMI - although I am not sure if it is enabled (firmware wise).
I just picked it up today (as a replacement for the non-stop booting issue).

I have a Phase III with SATA and HDMI.

- SATA doesn't work, probably will never work. GREAT.
- USB? Oh sure.
- HDMI seems to be messed up (ie not working). My wife and I spent all day Friday and Saturday trying to get the HDMI port to work correctly, no luck. When it did work, we were able to compare the HDMI pic to the component pic; HDMI wins hands down, both brighter and sharper. We have a tech coming out Tuesday, maybe he'll have a functioning 6412 or 6416 for us.

I just find it hard for Comcast to justify having a unit that has decent *potential* flexibility, then they turn just about everything off to make it a PITA.

I have a Phase III with SATA and HDMI.

- SATA doesn't work, probably will never work. GREAT.
- USB? Oh sure.
- HDMI seems to be messed up (ie not working). My wife and I spent all day Friday and Saturday trying to get the HDMI port to work correctly, no luck. When it did work, we were able to compare the HDMI pic to the component pic; HDMI wins hands down, both brighter and sharper. We have a tech coming out Tuesday, maybe he'll have a functioning 6412 or 6416 for us.

The tech brought out 3 other units that did not work with HDMI. He's coming out this afternoon with another unit to try. Good grief. That'll be six altogether.

The tech brought out 3 other units that did not work with HDMI. He's coming out this afternoon with another unit to try. Good grief. That'll be six altogether.

Are you connecting the HDMI directly to the TV or are you going through an A/V receiver?

Hey guys, I have the Moto 6416 series III and I have it connected to my TV using the HDMI port. It routs via HDMI to DVI to my TV. Currently the audio is regular stereo (red and white RCA), but I will soon purchase a home theater system with receivers and speakers in which case I will route the audio using the optical port. I am assuming this would work and the HD channels will be broadcasted in 5.1? (assuming, of'course, that the audio from the network is in 5.1)

Thanks guys for the inputs.
Best,
Gary

Hey guys, I have the Moto 6416 series III and I have it connected to my TV using the HDMI port. It routs via HDMI to DVI to my TV. Currently the audio is regular stereo (red and white RCA), but I will soon purchase a home theater system with receivers and speakers in which case I will route the audio using the optical port. I am assuming this would work and the HD channels will be broadcasted in 5.1? (assuming, of'course, that the audio from the network is in 5.1)

Thanks guys for the inputs.
Best,
GaryYes. That setup will work fine. Enjoy. :D

Are you connecting the HDMI directly to the TV or are you going through an A/V receiver?

It's going directly to the TV (via HDMI to DVI cable), an LG RU-42PZ61. I just talked to my wife - the tech brought back 3 more units and left us with a brand new 6416, which still does not work right. According to her, he says he checked with Motorola, and they said that they have problems with LG TVs. What the...?

I have a Sony DVD player that I can connect using the exact same HDMI-DVD cable, and it works perfectly. I connect the same DVD player to the TV via an HDMI switcher and that too works perfectly.

I am going to check with Motorola, and then I have one more thing I'm going to try - right now I have the output set to 1080i. I'm going to try setting it at 720p to see if that makes any difference.

I have heard that there is a way to "unload" the movies from the DVR to my PC. Is this accurate? I have a DCT6412 III and a Dell D620. I apologize if this has already been covered, maybe someone could point me in the right direction. TIA

I have heard that there is a way to "unload" the movies from the DVR to my PC. Is this accurate? I have a DCT6412 III and a Dell D620. I apologize if this has already been covered, maybe someone could point me in the right direction. TIAHere's the link to a 126 page sticky thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695&page=1&pp=30) devoted to this topic. Best of luck.

It's going directly to the TV (via HDMI to DVI cable), an LG RU-42PZ61. I just talked to my wife - the tech brought back 3 more units and left us with a brand new 6416, which still does not work right. According to her, he says he checked with Motorola, and they said that they have problems with LG TVs. What the...?

I have a Sony DVD player that I can connect using the exact same HDMI-DVD cable, and it works perfectly. I connect the same DVD player to the TV via an HDMI switcher and that too works perfectly.

I am going to check with Motorola, and then I have one more thing I'm going to try - right now I have the output set to 1080i. I'm going to try setting it at 720p to see if that makes any difference.

On my LCD TV, I know that it talks to the cable box and controls which output to use. Possibly there is a problem with your TV because I know I have had to power off my TV and turn it back on to get the HDMI to work properly.

It's going directly to the TV (via HDMI to DVI cable), an LG RU-42PZ61. I just talked to my wife - the tech brought back 3 more units and left us with a brand new 6416, which still does not work right. According to her, he says he checked with Motorola, and they said that they have problems with LG TVs. What the...?

I have a Sony DVD player that I can connect using the exact same HDMI-DVD cable, and it works perfectly. I connect the same DVD player to the TV via an HDMI switcher and that too works perfectly.

I am going to check with Motorola, and then I have one more thing I'm going to try - right now I have the output set to 1080i. I'm going to try setting it at 720p to see if that makes any difference.

Contacting Moto is a good idea.

I had a Phase 1 a few years back when I first got our Samsung 30HF83. DVI from this box to the TV only worked if the TV was turned on first, then the 6412 P1. If I turned the DVR on first, I wouldn't get a picture. I called the cable company and they told me that they didn't support DVI yet!

A friend suggested I call Motorola. Their support was great. They actually let me talk to an engineer. He took my info and a couple of firmware revs later the problem went away. I'm not saying that they'll fix your problem, but it wouldn't hurt :D

Good Luck

I got the receiver on Saturday to replace an old MOXI box. I was interested in the larger hard drive and so on. Anyway I connected it to my Samsung 4695D over component and the picture is very dark when viewing SD and HD content. I tried different component cables and the problem remains, I have to turn the brightness on my tv to 89, but then everything begins to wash out. I never had this problem with the old MOXI. I have HDMI cables coming this week. Would the HDMI cables make the picture that much brighter?

I am going to check with Motorola, and then I have one more thing I'm going to try - right now I have the output set to 1080i. I'm going to try setting it at 720p to see if that makes any difference.

Haven't heard back from Motorola yet. Tried 720p, no difference - STB screen shows "duI" then the box becomes non-responsive.

It wouldn't be such a big deal if the picture wasn't noticeably better when the HDMI connector did work. Crisper and brighter. Component still looks very nice, but boy oh boy, HDMI... *sigh*

At least we got a new 6416, so we now have 33% more storage.

Here's the link to a 126 page sticky thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695&page=1&pp=30) devoted to this topic. Best of luck.


Thank you skipsterut! I will definitely check that out. I looked at my box last night and realized I have the 6416 not the 6412. Hopefully it will be the same for that box.

- SATA doesn't work, probably will never work.There is no reason to believe that this is true.

- USB? Oh sure.If you're trying to connect the box's FireWire port to a USB port on your computer, then that's your problem. :rolleyes: Regardless, that's not a supported service, because it is hard to learn how to do properly. They make it available for the customers willing to school themselves, but we're not paying them enough to cover the cost of giving us the equivalent of free Geek Squad service.

- HDMI seems to be messed up (ie not working).Works for me. No idea why it isn't working for you.

I just find it hard for Comcast to justify having a unit that has decent *potential* flexibility, then they turn just about everything off to make it a PITA.eSATA is turned off because of legal and technical considerations, which are being worked-on. Regardless, it is less expensive for Motorola to make one box and then let each MSO decide which services that box could potentially provide it wishes to offer, based on what that MSO's customers are actually willing to pay extra for.

There is no reason to believe that this is true
SATA? Everything I've read/google'd said that Comcast has NO plans to turn on the SATA ports. Is this not correct?

If you're trying to connect the box's FireWire port to a USB port on your computer, then that's your problem. :rolleyes:

??? Errrr, no, I'm talking about the USB port on the 6416. :confused:

SATA? Everything I've read/google'd said that Comcast has NO plans to turn on the SATA ports. Is this not correct?Indeed, that is not correct.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9731817&&#post9731817

??? Errrr, no, I'm talking about the USB port on the 6416. :confused:Okay, just checking.

The USB port may supply power for devices like a fan or light. That's ostensibly what it is for, right now.

Indeed, that is not correct.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9731817&&#post9731817

Okay, just checking.

The USB port may supply power for devices like a fan or light. That's ostensibly what it is for, right now.


The USB port on 99.9% of all STB are only imput devices for pointing, keyboard, Mouse, and future use of connecting Digital Camera;s and downloading pictures to the STB. It has never been intended for external HDD storage.

Indeed, that is not correct.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9731817&&#post9731817


Alright, some good news about this box - thanks!

I also posted this question on the Louisville HD Reception forum but thought maybe more would see it here.

I have a Moto 6416 that is leased from Insight Cable. I'd like a second unit for the bedroom TV and wondered if one of these units purchased off of ebay would work? I didn't know if the cable company needs to initialize or authorize the box to receive HDTV?

I will still keep the leased box if that matters. Any input is welcome. Thanks

99% of all cable dvr STB on EBAY are stolen, or non returned.

In the USA, these STB are not sold to the public, only to MSO's.

In Canada, they are sold at various consumer stores to the public.

Most Cable Companies will not activate one of these units.

Good Luck if you buy your new door stop off of ebay!

I woke up this morning to notice a new firmware download. My box has fimware rev 16.35 now. The first thing I noticed new was the ability to have different favorites lists. What this means to me is that I'll have to press ok twice once I select favorites in the menu.

I checked out Wikibooks and this is what they say about the new firmware:

Version 16.35

* Available for Models: DCT-64xx PI, PII & PIII, DCT-34xx, DCT-6208
* Available Date: 2007-02-24
* Build Date: 2007-02-02 19:54:18
* Bugfixes:
o Update driver compatibility for HDCP handshake over HDMI connections.
o Fixed an issue where the DVR erroneously displays 100% full.
o Further optimized code for addressing audio/video stuttering on DVR playback.
o Address a compatibility problem with Passport Echo and Seachange VOD code modules. (RCN)

The Favorites list thing is part of the iGuide software update, which is often being done along with the firmware update. The software update also makes series scheduling more real-time instead of just twice a day, unmutes the box by pressing any key if it turns on to do a recording, and appears to have fixed the 12/31/89 bug. On the other hand, it seems to have created the 100% bug, and sometimes wiping out all series lists and recordings on a reboot.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Firmware_and_Software#Version_74.53-3321

Thanks for the clarification on the iGuide.

I use Insight digital cable, and the 30-second skip works again for us too!

So, Andy, are you saying a new 100% bug has been created by the iGuide download?

I woke up this morning to notice a new firmware download. My box has fimware rev 16.35 now. The first thing I noticed new was the ability to have different favorites lists. What this means to me is that I'll have to press ok twice once I select favorites in the menu.

I checked out Wikibooks and this is what they say about the new firmware:

Version 16.35

* Available for Models: DCT-64xx PI, PII & PIII, DCT-34xx, DCT-6208
* Available Date: 2007-02-24
* Build Date: 2007-02-02 19:54:18
* Bugfixes:
o Update driver compatibility for HDCP handshake over HDMI connections.
o Fixed an issue where the DVR erroneously displays 100% full.
o Further optimized code for addressing audio/video stuttering on DVR playback.
o Address a compatibility problem with Passport Echo and Seachange VOD code modules. (RCN)


It fixed my HDMI handshaking issue. I was very happy to find out that I didn't have to keep turning the box off/on anymore.

So, Andy, are you saying a new 100% bug has been created by the iGuide download?
Some have reported that recordings won't start because it complains there is no space left. If you delete any recording, even a tiny one, it will correct to the right percentage. Rebooting also seems to fix it, at the risk of losing everything due to the other bug.

Some have reported that recordings won't start because it complains there is no space left. If you delete any recording, even a tiny one, it will correct to the right percentage. Rebooting also seems to fix it, at the risk of losing everything due to the other bug.

Isn't that supposed to be the second bug fix? I've had that happen in the past several times, and deleting a recording is a work-around. I'll keep an eye on it to see if this happens again.

Hi

I looked through the thread as much as possible but I didnt see an answer to my question.

Can I hook up my box using both HDMI and component? Or does one only work at a time. What I plan on doing is HDMI direct to TV and component to AVR then to TV. I have a TOS from box to AVR for audio. I also plan to have my DVD player have both HDMI and component but both directly to TV. Does anyone see this as a problem? Thanks

Bushy

Some have reported that recordings won't start because it complains there is no space left. If you delete any recording, even a tiny one, it will correct to the right percentage. Rebooting also seems to fix it, at the risk of losing everything due to the other bug.

I've had this 100% full bug as well. I've seen in a few times. However in each case its been triggered when I hit record on a show currently in progress. That's a PITA but at least manageable. What would be a real mess is if this could cause a programmed future recording not to record since you're not there to override and correct it the program in that case would be lost. Hopefully it doesn't happen in this later case. Anyone know?

I looked through the thread as much as possible but I didnt see an answer to my question.

Can I hook up my box using both HDMI and component? Or does one only work at a time. What I plan on doing is HDMI direct to TV and component to AVR then to TV. I have a TOS from box to AVR for audio. I also plan to have my DVD player have both HDMI and component but both directly to TV. Does anyone see this as a problem?yNo problem. Both HDMI and Component are active simultaneously. I have both hooked up to my AVR and can switch to either one for video input just by changing the source on the AVR.

I've had this 100% full bug as well. I've seen in a few times. However in each case its been triggered when I hit record on a show currently in progress. That's a PITA but at least manageable. What would be a real mess is if this could cause a programmed future recording not to record since you're not there to override and correct it the program in that case would be lost. Hopefully it doesn't happen in this later case. Anyone know?
I might have had it occur during scheduled recording.

I record both Leno and Letterman. Leno is a repeating manual recording, due to an untagged repeat during the wee hours of the morning. Letterman is a standard series recording. Due to another bug in the current software, Leno is set to start 2 minutes early (if they started together, Letterman occasionally wouldn't record.)

Tuesday morning, I found both tuners set to the CBS channel. There was no recording of Leno, and an older recording I had was gone. There was only the one recording of Letterman. The box showed 16% used at the time (it would have been only about 4-5% used before the recordings were scheduled to start).

Since it had been 2-3 months since the last reboot (a record I think), I pulled the plug and rebooted it. Now, it said 11% used. It's been fine since then.

I have the DCT6416 III. I have several "series recordings" set to HD channels. The problem is, the channel for the series to record is changing from the HD channel that I have it set on to the corresponding SD channel. This has happened each of the last two Thursday nights. All of them are changing! I am on Charter's service out of Greenville, SC. The only way to change it back is to delete the series recording and then set it again on the correct channel. Charter has been of no help, and I'm not sure they really grasp what is happening.

They probably have the same channel name on the SD and the HD channel. They need to rename the HD channels so the name is different from the SD channel. For example on my Comcast lineup the SD version of ESPN2 is ESPN2 while the HD version is ESPN2HD.

They probably have the same channel name on the SD and the HD channel. They need to rename the HD channels so the name is different from the SD channel. For example on my Comcast lineup the SD version of ESPN2 is ESPN2 while the HD version is ESPN2HD.

You may be on to something with that. Back when I had the Moxi box, the HD channels had "HD" in the channel name, the list on the 6416 does not. My goodness, I don't know what kind of chance I have of taking care of this problem if that is indeed the problem.

Hi

I looked through the thread as much as possible but I didnt see an answer to my question.

Can I hook up my box using both HDMI and component? Or does one only work at a time. What I plan on doing is HDMI direct to TV and component to AVR then to TV. I have a TOS from box to AVR for audio. I also plan to have my DVD player have both HDMI and component but both directly to TV. Does anyone see this as a problem? Thanks

Bushy

I'll second what Skipsterut says, I have my Moto with component to the AVR, and DVI to the TV. You may need to enter the service menu to select HDMI over DVI output.

I might have had it occur during scheduled recording.

I record both Leno and Letterman. Leno is a repeating manual recording, due to an untagged repeat during the wee hours of the morning. Letterman is a standard series recording. Due to another bug in the current software, Leno is set to start 2 minutes early (if they started together, Letterman occasionally wouldn't record.)

Tuesday morning, I found both tuners set to the CBS channel. There was no recording of Leno, and an older recording I had was gone. There was only the one recording of Letterman. The box showed 16% used at the time (it would have been only about 4-5% used before the recordings were scheduled to start).

Since it had been 2-3 months since the last reboot (a record I think), I pulled the plug and rebooted it. Now, it said 11% used. It's been fine since then.

I do the same. I went away for a few days and came home to find about 8 Lenos recorded and one Letterman. I set Leno to record 2 so I'd have one real and one rerun. Letterman just one. For what ever reason it stopped deleting Leno and hogged my space and I lost the Harry Potter movie from HBO :mad:
I deleted and redid Leno to see if that helped. All the internal settings were correct, BTW.

I've noticed in the last week or so when fast forwarding a recorded program my box will skip to the end and display the Delete or Do Not Delete message. It sure looks to me that it is programmed behavior as it will happen in the same place and seems to only happen on certain programs.

Not sure if this is a bug, or if it is some ridiculous methodology to prevent fast forwarding during commercials? I'm hoping it's just a bug since I've also started getting the 100% full warning issue. Anyone else seeing the skip to end?

Never had that problem with these boxes.

I don't know if this has been posted, but I just noticed my 30 second skip feature is working again with my 6416 pIII from Insight Cable. I noticed they upgraded my firmware to 16.35 and I'm running S/W Version 74.53 - 3321. I hope this helps anyone who practically gave up on this feature.

Todd

I've noticed in the last week or so when fast forwarding a recorded program my box will skip to the end and display the Delete or Do Not Delete message. It sure looks to me that it is programmed behavior as it will happen in the same place and seems to only happen on certain programs.

Not sure if this is a bug, or if it is some ridiculous methodology to prevent fast forwarding during commercials? I'm hoping it's just a bug since I've also started getting the 100% full warning issue. Anyone else seeing the skip to end?

Rockman1_1....The "skip to the end" occurence happened to me a couple weeks ago when I was watching a recorded show. It has not happened again. A glitch possibly?

Rockman1_1....The "skip to the end" occurence happened to me a couple weeks ago when I was watching a recorded show. It has not happened again. A glitch possibly?

Definitely not a glitch for me. It happens every time I watch Stargate SG1 or Atlantis recorded off the Scifi channel. Every time if I try and fast forward passed 2 arrows after the 45 min mark it will instantly jump to the end. Since 2 arrows isn't really faster than just watching the commercials thats what I end up doing. :mad:

I think some shows are more prone to the skip-to-the-end issue than others, which makes me think it is at least partially signal-related. I definitely don't experience it regularly enough to establish a pattern.

Wanted to update my skip to end issues... I was just about to finally call the cable company and complain the other day when I noticed the look of the program guide changed - font, spacing, etc. I'm guessing the cable company sent over a firmware update. I took a look at the firmware rev and I think it was 16.35, but I'm going from memory, so there is a good chance that's not correct.

Since this time I have not experienced the 'Skip to End' issue. I also noticed the skip forward button is now enabled and working fine. This is a major bonus, since it hasn't functioned in the 1.5 years I've had my DVR :) I'm guessing the skip issue was just a glitch in a prior firmware that they had switched to. Hopefully that's the end to this issue. Time will tell!

Does anyone know if the SATA on the dct6412 III is working on RCN (Manhattan, if it makes a difference)?

Does anyone know if the SATA on the dct6412 III is workingYes, we do. ;)

No, it doesn't.

I got one of these units this week thru JetBroadband. They launched their HD & DVR services on Tuesday, and I was the first customer to get hooked up.

I've got it connected to a Samsung 4:3 CRT HDTV Monitor via component. In the setup menu there are options for output resolution and TV Size (16:9, 4:3 letterbox, 4:3 pan & scan). I have found that the TV Size option is broken... no matter what you pick, it outputs for a 16:9 TV. No letterbox bars are added when 4:3 letterbox is selected, so of course I get a vertically stretched picture with WS HD content.

My TV does have an aspect ratio feature that I can use to force the letterbox bars. But it doesn't 'stick,' and resets to "normal" mode when I turn the TV off/on or when it detects a resolution change, such as when going back to SD content. For me personally, it's a very minor annoyance to have to hit the aspect button as needed. However, trying to explain aspect ratio and HD vs SD content to my wife and mother-in-law did not go as well as I'd hoped.

I talked to a guy at tech support and he's supposed to get back to me. At first he tried to go down a "maybe it just isn't compatible with older HDTVs" path, but I think I convinced him that when there's a TV size option in the DVR, and it outputs the same thing no matter what you pick, you can't blame it on the TV.

In the meantime, I thought I'd see if anyone else has run into this issue. I dug around the Moto website but didn't see anywhere for end users to download firmware updates.

stevenmh, if you mean a Moto DVR then there is a way to force the STB into displaying the correct aspect ratio for each show and channel. To do this, turn the TV on and cable box off. Within 2-3 seconds, press the Menu button on the STB until the TV displays a white background with a screen of settings. Scroll down with the STB's channel up/down buttons and go to the 4:3 Override line and press Select until it is programmed to Off. Turn the STB back on and you're ready to go :)

After re-reading my post, I don't think I was very clear. Let me try again.

The settings I'm talking about ARE in the Moto STB DVR, accessed as you said by turning off then menu within 2-3 seconds. This gives me three settings to adjust:

TV Type: 16:9, 4:3 Letterbox, 4:3 pan & scan
Component Output: 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i
4:3 Override: 480i, 480p, Off. A 'stretch' mode is also available if TV Type is set to 16:9.

My problem is that the TV Type setting is permanently stuck at 16:9 regardless of which option I choose. When you send 1080i WS image to a 4:3 CRT you get vertical stretching. According to the user manual, setting TV Type to 4:3 Letterbox will cause WS material to have black bars added at top and bottom to maintain proper aspect on a 4:3 set. But this simply does not work. I must use the Picture Size button on my TV remote to put the TV in Wide Mode when watching HD channels. Doing so causes the TV to provide the letterboxing that the STB failed to provide.

The user manual states that the 4:3 mode only applies to non-WS broadcasts, so would have no impact on HD channels. Per your suggestion, I did try setting 4:3 override to off. As expected, this did not fix the problem with HD WS programming, and only served to apply the same problem to SD channels. Instead of SD channels overriding the 1080i output and outputting 480p to fill the 4:3 screen properly, it adds bars on left and right to generate a 1080i image, which is then stretched vertically when sent to a 4:3 CRT without letterboxing.

If I could set my TV to Wide Mode permanently, then I would have a suitable workaround to the firmware bug. However, my TV reverts to normal mode when turned off/on, so for me the fix must come in the form of the STB doing the letterboxing for WS broadcasts and passing 4:3 broadcasts through as-is. The available settings and the descriptions for these settings in the user manual make it clear that this was the intent, but the TV Type setting is simply broken.

Since my first post, I have had the chance to set up my 2nd DVR on another TV. I have confirmed that both DVRs suffer the same problem. Since my other TV is 16:9, the bug is not an issue since the 16:9 size that the DVR is stuck on is the size I need. I have the option of setting 4:3 override = stretch to get SD material to fill the screen, but found that setting 4:3 override = 480p and setting the TV to Wide Zoom mode looks better. The TV (Sony A10) stretches the edges more than the center, whereas the STB seems to stretch the whole image linearly, making the stretching more obvious. This TV is able to 'remember' the last Picture Mode for a given resolution, so setting Wide Zoom once results in SD channels always being Wide Zoom @ 480p while HD channels are Normal @ 1080i.

...I've got it connected to a Samsung 4:3 CRT HDTV Monitor via component...

Wonder if it locks in 16x9 when connected via component? Might want to try s-video.

My problem is that the TV Type setting is permanently stuck at 16:9 regardless of which option I choose. When you send 1080i WS image to a 4:3 CRT you get vertical stretching. According to the user manual, setting TV Type to 4:3 Letterbox will cause WS material to have black bars added at top and bottom to maintain proper aspect on a 4:3 set. But this simply does not work. I must use the Picture Size button on my TV remote to put the TV in Wide Mode when watching HD channels. Doing so causes the TV to provide the letterboxing that the STB failed to provide.
This is really your TV's fault. HD is inherently widescreen. Many 4:3 HD TV's usually default to widescreen when receiving HD. From what I can tell, the 4:3/16:9 setting only affects 480i output when downconverted on the RF/composite/S-Video outputs.

Since my first post, I have had the chance to set up my 2nd DVR on another TV. I have confirmed that both DVRs suffer the same problem. Since my other TV is 16:9, the bug is not an issue since the 16:9 size that the DVR is stuck on is the size I need. I have the option of setting 4:3 override = stretch to get SD material to fill the screen, but found that setting 4:3 override = 480p and setting the TV to Wide Zoom mode looks better. The TV (Sony A10) stretches the edges more than the center, whereas the STB seems to stretch the whole image linearly, making the stretching more obvious. This TV is able to 'remember' the last Picture Mode for a given resolution, so setting Wide Zoom once results in SD channels always being Wide Zoom @ 480p while HD channels are Normal @ 1080i.
I don't know why people are so afraid of pillarboxing ('letterboxing' on the sides). Just leave 4:3 at 4:3 on a widescreen. I believe the A10 is LCD, so there is no danger of burn-in. I hate any form of stretching, and only use Zoom on letterboxed SD material (anamorphic DVD's usually automatically switch to FULL.)

Also, remember that many HD channels air 4:3 by adding pillarboxing, so you can't always get rid of it unless you have a TV that can stretch HD. If you have a widescreen and have both letterboxing and pillarboxing, then they are airing 'widescreen' (letterboxed) SD upconverted to HD, without stretching. Technically correct, but a bit annoying. Luckily, this is usually only on channels where the SD and HD feeds are the same channel, such as local broadcast.

I actually like to leave mine set to 480i preserve, however, my family does not, so for me setting the DVR to Stretch 4:3, is best, it actually looks pretty good, and the added benefit is that the dvr is always sending an HD signal so that my tv doesn't do a quick 'black flicker' when switching between HD/SD. I also leave my tv set to 'expand' witch will expand 4:3 widescreen letterboxed programs to the entire screen. So i can switch my DVR back to 480i preserve and let my tv 'expand it'.

This is really your TV's fault. HD is inherently widescreen. Many 4:3 HD TV's usually default to widescreen when receiving HD. From what I can tell, the 4:3/16:9 setting only affects 480i output when downconverted on the RF/composite/S-Video outputs.


I don't know why people are so afraid of pillarboxing ('letterboxing' on the sides). Just leave 4:3 at 4:3 on a widescreen. I believe the A10 is LCD, so there is no danger of burn-in. I hate any form of stretching, and only use Zoom on letterboxed SD material (anamorphic DVD's usually automatically switch to FULL.)

Also, remember that many HD channels air 4:3 by adding pillarboxing, so you can't always get rid of it unless you have a TV that can stretch HD. If you have a widescreen and have both letterboxing and pillarboxing, then they are airing 'widescreen' (letterboxed) SD upconverted to HD, without stretching. Technically correct, but a bit annoying. Luckily, this is usually only on channels where the SD and HD feeds are the same channel, such as local broadcast.

I'm not concerned about side bars on SD material. On my WS TV, sometimes I leave them, sometimes I stretch. That's an entirely different topic. I only mentioned that to say that unlike the TV Type option, the Component Output and 4:3 Override options DO work. I understand and agree with everything you said in the second and third paragraphs. That's not my problem.

Regarding your first paragraph, I disagree that it's the TV's fault. It's not physically possible for the TV to prevent the STB from adding black bars at top and bottom. How could it? I agree that HD is inherently WS. I agree that most 4:3 HDTVs will automatically go to a widescreen mode. If that's the case for a particular TV, then the correct STB setting for TV Type would be 16:9. Since my TV does not automatically go to a widescreen mode, the correct STB setting is 4:3 Letterbox. You say that the Type setting only applies to 480i, but the user manual disagrees with you. And I quote:

Optimizing Your DCT6400 For High Definition TV

The DCT6400 outputs HD video through its YPbPr (component), HDMI, or IEEE 1934 connectors.

TV Type: Sets the aspect ratio - 16:9 for widescreen TVs or 4:3 Letterbox or 4:3 pan/scan for standard TVs. The default is 16:9.

4:3 Letterbox fits widescreen programming on the screen by placing black bars at the top and bottom.

Not only does it not say TV Type is limited to 480i over RF/composite/svideo, it is specifically addressing HD content over component and HDMI. The Letterbox option is specifically referring to adding letterbox bars to widescreen programming to fit a 4:3 TV. I don't see how much clearer that can be. The option was put there specifically for TVs like mine. It just doesn't work. Notice the default is 16:9. I would suggest that there is a firmware bug where changing the menu selection is just that... only changing the menu selection. It is not actually changing the aspect ratio, and therefore you get the default setting no matter what you do in the menu.

The fact is that nobody here can fix my problem. What I'm really hoping to get here is info on whether this problem is widespread across these boxes. I would like to get input on whether this option works for anyone else or not. It doesn't matter what size your TV is. Set it to 4:3 Letterbox, and if it works, you either get proper aspect letterboxing on 4:3 sets with no auto widescreen mode, or improper aspect letterboxing on 16:9 sets and 4:3 sets with auto widescreen mode. I would be greatly appreciative to anybody who could take a few minutes to try and get their STB box to generate the letterbox bars and report back with the results.

Thank you very much in advance for helping me out.

Wonder if it locks in 16x9 when connected via component? Might want to try s-video.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. The TV does not determine the format of the incoming signal, only how it displays that signal. Besides, if the STB does the letterboxing, then the black bars become part of the "image" as far as the TV is concerned and no processing done by the TV could remove them. I have had game consoles and DVD players hooked up to this TV, and using the 4:3 letterbox mode in the source unit works as intended. If I were to force my TV to wide mode on top of that, I'd be double letterboxing. The aspect of the image would be screwed up, but those bars would still be there. They HAVE to be, if they are added at the SOURCE unit. That is the problem I'm talking about. 4:3 Letterbox mode on the STB should add letterbox bars, but it doesn't. If they were there like they're supposed to be, like the user manual SAYS they should be, then the image would be fine on my TV. Since they're not, I have to force my TV to add them.

It seems to work as specified. If i set the tv type to 4:3 letterbox (with output at 480i or 480p) then SD programing has no black bars and HD programming comes in letterboxed with black bars on the top and bottom.

The manual obviously isn't clear, but if you set the output to 720p or 1080i, then the TV type settings of 16:9 4:3 don't matter for HD, because 720p/1080i are only WS (16:9). I don't think the box will output a 720p/1080i signal with a 4:3 ratio (it will not shrink the image and insert black bars on the top and bottom)

I don't believe that these settings are there for tv's like yours (HD 4:3), but rather to allow the STB to be used with a SDTV.

I'm not sure what you're talking about. The TV does not determine the format of the incoming signal, only how it displays that signal. Besides, if the STB does the letterboxing, then the black bars become part of the "image" as far as the TV is concerned and no processing done by the TV could remove them. I have had game consoles and DVD players hooked up to this TV, and using the 4:3 letterbox mode in the source unit works as intended. If I were to force my TV to wide mode on top of that, I'd be double letterboxing. The aspect of the image would be screwed up, but those bars would still be there. They HAVE to be, if they are added at the SOURCE unit. That is the problem I'm talking about. 4:3 Letterbox mode on the STB should add letterbox bars, but it doesn't. If they were there like they're supposed to be, like the user manual SAYS they should be, then the image would be fine on my TV. Since they're not, I have to force my TV to add them.

I'm wondering if your STB is defective and won't allow either of the 4:3 settings when it's detecting a component connection. I'm hooked up via component and all 3 settings are available.

As am I and they all work just fine.

It seems to work as specified. If i set the tv type to 4:3 letterbox (with output at 480i or 480p) then SD programing has no black bars and HD programming comes in letterboxed with black bars on the top and bottom.

The manual obviously isn't clear, but if you set the output to 720p or 1080i, then the TV type settings of 16:9 4:3 don't matter for HD, because 720p/1080i are only WS (16:9). I don't think the box will output a 720p/1080i signal with a 4:3 ratio (it will not shrink the image and insert black bars on the top and bottom)

I don't believe that these settings are there for tv's like yours (HD 4:3), but rather to allow the STB to be used with a SDTV.

Could be true. It would make the manual beyond unclear, it would be flat out totally incorrect. But I've seen wrong manuals before.

I'm wondering if your STB is defective and won't allow either of the 4:3 settings when it's detecting a component connection. I'm hooked up via component and all 3 settings are available.

Can you clarify what you mean by all 3 settings are available? Available as in they show up in the menu and let you toggle them, or available as in they actually work?

Following on the heels of paudemge's suggestion, I need to know the output resolution people are using. I would like to find out if anyone out there using 1080i or 720p via component can get WS channels to have black bars FROM THE STB using the 4:3 Letterbox Type.

As am I and they all work just fine.

Are you saying that you can get black bars added by setting 4:3 Letterbox using 1080i or 720p output via component? Or are you using 480i/480p output?

BTW, I took a closer look and I have the 6416, not 6412. But it sounds like we have the same menu options.

Thanks to everyone for the help. Just a couple clarifications here and I may have what I need. If just one person can show that their STB will letterbox WS broadcasts using 1080i or 720p output via component, then that would clarify Moto's intent with the option.

Are you saying that you can get black bars added by setting 4:3 Letterbox using 1080i or 720p output via component? Or are you using 480i/480p output?

BTW, I took a closer look and I have the 6416, not 6412. But it sounds like we have the same menu options.

Thanks to everyone for the help. Just a couple clarifications here and I may have what I need. If just one person can show that their STB will letterbox WS broadcasts using 1080i or 720p output via component, then that would clarify Moto's intent with the option.

I'm in the middle of multiple recordings right now so I don't have the opportunity test the 1080i component output to prove the point. One of the many simple undoings of the 6412. I'll do this tomorrow and report my findings. The only difference between the 6412 and the 6416 is 40 Gb of memory, in your favor.....

I'm in the middle of multiple recordings right now so I don't have the opportunity test the 1080i component output to prove the point. One of the many simple undoings of the 6412. I'll do this tomorrow and report my findings. The only difference between the 6412 and the 6416 is 40 Gb of memory, in your favor.....

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!

I've tested and retested, mine will not output 720p/1080i with a black border all around it. I think the writers of the manual simply did not allow for 4:3 HDTV (since it is not a standard).

Please Help! I live in the Reading, Pennsylvania area and have Comcast as my cable provider. I have one Motorola DCT6412 and one DCT3412 in the house. I am running Windows Vista Ultimate edition and I followed the instructions for using the IEEE1394to the letter. The device is installed properly however I receive error messages, i.e. cannot open output file or cannot connect sample grabber when attempting to record using CapDVHS. I looked under the d11 menu and it has the 5c implementation as:NO. Data Xmission is listed as active, and copy control is copy free. What could be occurring?
Thanks for any help!

I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!

OK, I did some extensive testing this morning. I cannot get the 6412 to output anything but a 16:9 image on my 16:9 RPTV. I tried 4:43 letterbox and pan and scan. The only way I could get a letterbox image was to change the YPrPb output to 480P and that was squishy looking just like you were saying. I did notice that while I was doing my testing that, while I had the box turned off to get into the the setup menu, I always went into buffer of the channels I was tuned to. I tried to go to non buffering channels, like music channels and local FM and the buffer light still came on.

Beats me........

Thank you!

I went out an picked up a Seagate External eSata drive, 320GB, and attached it to my Comcast 6412 DVR. I unplugged the DVR, installed the eSata drive and powered it up. I plugged in the DVR, waited for it to come up. I then powered the DVR down and entered the Diagnostics menu. The HD status showed 2 drives installed, but no information on the 2nd drive. When I exited the menu, the DVR reset. The diag screen now showed only 1 drive installed.

Next, I deleted the FAT32 Partition the eSata drive had, and using Partition Magic, created a Linux ext2 Logical Partition. I had the same results on the DVR.

I have now deleted all Partitions, attached the drive. It shows installed even after the box resets, though it still does not show any information about the drive.

I've had to go out of town, but next step is to see if when I CLR the HD, will it do something to the external drive. Of course, there are some programs I've got recorded while I'm gone that I want to watch first!

Any one else still trying to attach an external drive?

i'm definately interested in the ability to connect an esata drive to both add recording space and save recordings on the ext. hdd or play on other devices.

I went out an picked up a Seagate External eSata drive, 320GB, and attached it to my Comcast 6412 DVR. I unplugged the DVR, installed the eSata drive and powered it up. I plugged in the DVR, waited for it to come up. I then powered the DVR down and entered the Diagnostics menu. The HD status showed 2 drives installed, but no information on the 2nd drive. When I exited the menu, the DVR reset. The diag screen now showed only 1 drive installed.

Next, I deleted the FAT32 Partition the eSata drive had, and using Partition Magic, created a Linux ext2 Logical Partition. I had the same results on the DVR.

I have now deleted all Partitions, attached the drive. It shows installed even after the box resets, though it still does not show any information about the drive.

I've had to go out of town, but next step is to see if when I CLR the HD, will it do something to the external drive. Of course, there are some programs I've got recorded while I'm gone that I want to watch first!

Any one else still trying to attach an external drive?

I'm not aware of any cable company that has activated the SATA port :(

I'm not aware of any cable company that has activated the SATA port :(

Yeah, I think Comcast did and WD is making a custom External 500 for it. I just saw something about it last week. If it's announced or rolling out, that I'm not sure. Maybe Engadget or Gizmodo?? :confused:

Yeah, I think Comcast did and WD is making a custom External 500 for it. I just saw something about it last week. If it's announced or rolling out, that I'm not sure. Maybe Engadget or Gizmodo?? :confused:

Can we get some sort of official verification of this because I have three of the Moto boxes w/Comcast and have heard nothing of the sort. This would be cool if it was more than just speculation at this point.

Can we get some sort of official verification of this because I have three of the Moto boxes w/Comcast and have heard nothing of the sort. This would be cool if it was more than just speculation at this point.

This is what comcast had planned 2+ years ago., they were going to rent external HDD for a low monthly fee, however durring testing, a major DRM issue was found in the code. This was allowing the external HDD to not code the recordings correctly and caused a major problem with the DVR indexer.

The whole program was put on hold.

about 3 months or so ago, Motorola said they have fixed the DRM problem, and it is now up to the MSO's that use Motorola DCT, DCH, QIP DVR STB, if they want to install the updated code and allow there users to use the eSata port for external HDD.


The code is working and will now protect the content.

The External HDD once formated via the STB, it installs a code that will only allow the HDD to be used on the STB that it was formated on.

You will not be able to take the external HDD with saved recordings from one STB and watch them on another STB.

Even before I left comcast, there was no real plan of going through with the HDD rentals or allowing access to users to use the eSata Port.

Well, so far, the STB will not format and configure the eSata drive for use, though the diagnostic panel clearly shows 2 drives installed when the eSata drive is connected. Comcast must be blocking that function out for now, since the Motorola support tech said the drive should just be automatically configured when the STB sees the drive attached.

The 64xx boxes are also equipped for firewire, internet broadband, USB, composite out, and SmartCards. Motorola will tell you they all work, and they would if CableCos would enable every port.

stevenmh, if you mean a Moto DVR then there is a way to force the STB into displaying the correct aspect ratio for each show and channel. To do this, turn the TV on and cable box off. Within 2-3 seconds, press the Menu button on the STB until the TV displays a white background with a screen of settings. Scroll down with the STB's channel up/down buttons and go to the 4:3 Override line and press Select until it is programmed to Off. Turn the STB back on and you're ready to go :)

I think this addresses my question, but let me make sure. I just got my 6416 yesterday and the SD material is stretched to 16:9. I would rather the SD channels still display in native 4:3 with the black bars on the side, while the HD material go 16:9. Is this the solution you are referring to? Will it output everything in 1080i still, i.e. upconvert the SD material to 1080i with the sidebars? If I want my tv to do the upconversion and de-interlacing for my 1080p tv, can I set the box to output the native resolution regardless?

If it matters I am using HDMI to a Sony SXRD 60"A2000.

I think this addresses my question, but let me make sure. I just got my 6416 yesterday and the SD material is stretched to 16:9. I would rather the SD channels still display in native 4:3 with the black bars on the side, while the HD material go 16:9. Is this the solution you are referring to? Will it output everything in 1080i still, i.e. upconvert the SD material to 1080i with the sidebars? If I want my tv to do the upconversion and de-interlacing for my 1080p tv, can I set the box to output the native resolution regardless?

If it matters I am using HDMI to a Sony SXRD 60"A2000.

You'll want to set the 4:3 Override to 480i. An explanation of the various settings can be found here (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Setup).

Also, the only way to get true native reesolution out of the Motorola is to use the firewire output, which I think your Sony has? I know my older 50" XBR1 SXRD has it. I can't remember off hand if the A2000 does though.

One drawback of using firewire is you'll get no OSD. What I do is hook up component and/or HDMI, then also hook up IEEE1394 firewire. Then once I find something I want to see using the other connection for the OSD, I switch to firewire to actually view it. You only really have to do this for 720p channels though, since if you set the OVERRIDE to 480i and the box is at 1080i resolution you will get those channels "natively" when selected. (If you have the resolution at 720p, then the inverse is true, but I don't know why you'd have it at 720p for your 1080 display unless actually watching a 720p channel like ABC-HD, FOX-HD, ESPN-HD, etc.)

I have done some testing and the FW out provides a better image than either the HDMI or component ouputs into my Sony SXRD, so when I watch critically then I always use FW. Baseball and Football in HD is a lot better this way.

I have a Moto 6412 hooked up to a HD1000U projector and am going through a Monoprice 4 port HDMI switch. The problem I'm having is that any time I switch to another port (to my 360 Elite for instance) and back the 6412 doesn't remember my video settings. To fix it I have to power off the receiver and then hit the menu button to access the screen to correct this. Every time I do the aspect has changed from 16:9 to 4:3 and the 4:3 option is changed to 'off' instead of stretched. I can change these settings and the next time I change back I have to change them again.

Now, the primary problem becomes when a program is being recorded. I can't power the receiver down to access this menu to make the necessary changes w/o interrupting my recordings.

So, what is the fix for this? I did some searching and was unable to find the specific fix for this issue so please let me know if you have experience or link me to the fix if it's already been covered here somewhere.

Thanks!

The problem is when switching the HDMI, you are breaking the handshake, and it will need to be restarted.

The problem is when switching the HDMI, you are breaking the handshake, and it will need to be restarted.

So there's no way around this? Before buying the switch I would unplug a single HDMI cable from the back of the 360 Elite and plug it into the 6412 and back and forth and never had this issue. Sometimes I had to unplug it and plug it back in again but I never had to power down the receiver to adjust those settings again. It wasn't until I added the switch that this specific problem began. I have another switch on the way from another manufacturer to try but have a feeling that it will be the same issue.

Has anyone gotten the 6412 firewire drivers to install under Vista and if so.. which drivers? (I have the xp ones) I run x64 Vista.

Has there been any updates on attaching a SATA drive to the unit? Will this work at this point (Comcast)... does it just add space for recordings or actually let you transfer recording (or are you still limitted to just "playing" back your recordings and recording on the PC via FW?)

Thanks

Also, the only way to get true native reesolution out of the Motorola is to use the firewire output, which I think your Sony has? I know my older 50" XBR1 SXRD has it. I can't remember off hand if the A2000 does though.

One drawback of using firewire is you'll get no OSD. What I do is hook up component and/or HDMI, then also hook up IEEE1394 firewire. Then once I find something I want to see using the other connection for the OSD, I switch to firewire to actually view it. You only really have to do this for 720p channels though, since if you set the OVERRIDE to 480i and the box is at 1080i resolution you will get those channels "natively" when selected. (If you have the resolution at 720p, then the inverse is true, but I don't know why you'd have it at 720p for your 1080 display unless actually watching a 720p channel like ABC-HD, FOX-HD, ESPN-HD, etc.)

I have done some testing and the FW out provides a better image than either the HDMI or component ouputs into my Sony SXRD, so when I watch critically then I always use FW. Baseball and Football in HD is a lot better this way.

Does the FW output on the 6416 carry audio signals also? If it does, is it full 5.1? My TV (Mitsu 65732) will take HDMI at 1080 no problem, but when using that input, the audio will only output in stereo.

Yes, firewire carries audio also. It should pass the digital stream as it is received. (stereo, multichannel, etc.)

Yes, firewire carries audio also. It should pass the digital stream as it is received. (stereo, multichannel, etc.)

:cool::D

I'll find me a cable this afternoon. Thank you.

I have a 6412 with DVI, and I am switching to an HDMI television this week. So I will need to go to Comcast and swap out my unit for one with HDMI.
Does anyone know if they can hook the boxes up to each other and transfer my stored programs and/or settings?

Thanks!

I have a 6412 with DVI, and I am switching to an HDMI television this week. So I will need to go to Comcast and swap out my unit for one with HDMI.
Does anyone know if they can hook the boxes up to each other and transfer my stored programs and/or settings?

Thanks!


Sorry, but you will not be able to keep or transfer your stored programs or your personal settings.

When you authorize the new STB, it will download your account settings but not your series recording or other settings.

I have a 6412 with DVI, and I am switching to an HDMI television this week. So I will need to go to Comcast and swap out my unit for one with HDMI.If you so desire, you could purchase for a couple of dollars an HDMI-to-DVI adapter (try monoprice.com) to get your current cable and DVR to work with your TV. That way you woudn't have to switch DVRs ...

Thanks for the input guys. I may just go with the adapter suggestion because I have a ton of scheduling and program ranking input into this machine which I would find to be a giant pain in the back side to redo.
Cheers.

My cousin (completely illiterate when it comes to any sort of technology) just bought a new 50" Panny Plasma. He has Insight Cable but he said that on all of his HD Programming he has the black bars on top and on bottom. I tried to help him over the phone but I live 400 miles away and with him not knowing anything it was hard. I managed to get him to find the user settings when turning the dvr off and pressing Menu. He set it to 16:9 and to 720p, but still even on ESPN with Sportscenter broadcasting in widescreen, he gets the black bars on top and bottom.

Is this due to the tv? Or is there another setting he is missing on the actual DVR? I have personally never seen a tv that didn't display full screen on HD channels that broadcast in full screen, so this is perplexing to me. Not saying it isn't possible that it SHOULD look the way it is now, I have just never seen that.

Anyone have any advice or a link to something that I can help him with on the phone?

Thanks in advance!

John

My cousin (completely illiterate when it comes to any sort of technology) just bought a new 50" Panny Plasma. He has Insight Cable but he said that on all of his HD Programming he has the black bars on top and on bottom. I tried to help him over the phone but I live 400 miles away and with him not knowing anything it was hard. I managed to get him to find the user settings when turning the dvr off and pressing Menu. He set it to 16:9 and to 720p, but still even on ESPN with Sportscenter broadcasting in widescreen, he gets the black bars on top and bottom.

Is this due to the tv? Or is there another setting he is missing on the actual DVR? I have personally never seen a tv that didn't display full screen on HD channels that broadcast in full screen, so this is perplexing to me. Not saying it isn't possible that it SHOULD look the way it is now, I have just never seen that.

Anyone have any advice or a link to something that I can help him with on the phone?

Thanks in advance!

John

And he let the cable installer get away without showing him any HD channels?
Also, how is the box connected to the TV, and DON'T say composite.

Joe, that's a good question about the connectors. I had asked him when they first did it if they hooked up with HDMI and he had no clue. He said that the chord going to the tv is a chord that is hardwired into the the DVR (as in, not removable). I don't have Insight or this particular model of DVR so I really have no idea. But that was something I thought about (composite) and maybe that is why it isn't working properly. Would using composite give him black bars on top and bottom of an HD channel?

As far as letting the installer leave without showing him the HD channels, you owuld have to understand my 48 year old cousin. Keep in mind, he has NEVER had a digital box before and has always used the TV GUIDE channel.

Example:

Me: You got the HD DVR installed?

Cousin: Yeah

Me: How does it look?

Cousin: I don't know, I can't find anything.

Me: Hit the GUIDE or MENU button on your remote.

Cousin: Damn it! I messed it all up. I have no picture. $%$^%$^$&^$%^%$(&@!#@$##$!@!$#$#@@$#!!!%%^%$^%%^

Me: Calm down. Did you hit the power button.

Cousin: Ok, that seemed to work

LOL. Anyway, I will definitely see if I can figure out how it is connected. As you can imagine, it is very hard trying to get the correct info.

Is that the only thing that sounds like it could be the problem?

Here is a good place for you and your cousin to start:

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

Thanks, wdkerbow!

I can almost bet that he isn't using Component or HDMI on this tv.

I don't see any on the Wiki page, but can someone point me to a good pic of the back of the DVR so when I am speaking to my cousin, I can easily guide him to the right jacks?

Thanks,

John

***Nevermind, I found one myself***

Phantom,

I feel your pain. Sometimes we need to let go. I know Ara and Braeden would like us to help, but you're 400 miles away. Have him call the cable co and send out a tech to SHOW hime where the HD channels he's paying for are.

As for a hard connection. I have never seen a HT device with hard wired cables. Tell him to YANK hard! Most if not all cable co's HD-DVRs support SDTVs so if you hook up an S or Yellow cable you get "HD" in a letterbox at SD resolution. One box, many jobs. He's got a S connection, almost sure. The cable installer could have been a dolt, but they do this all day. :confused:

Joe

Example:

Me: You got the HD DVR installed?

Cousin: Yeah

Me: How does it look?

Cousin: I don't know, I can't find anything.

Me: Hit the GUIDE or MENU button on your remote.

Cousin: Damn it! I messed it all up. I have no picture. $%$^%$^$&^$%^%$(&@!#@$##$!@!$#$#@@$#!!!%%^%$^%%^

Me: Calm down. Did you hit the power button.

Cousin: Ok, that seemed to work


This is funny because we all know at least one person like this.

This is funny because we all know at least one person like this.

Yep. I went to hook up my friends PS3 via HDMI cable a couple of months ago. I talked to him last night after a recent move he made. He proceeded to tell me that his PS3 was a piece of junk and didn't even work anymore.
I asked him about his connections, and instead of hooking the HDMI back up, he hooked it up with composite cables which is a dead port when HDMI is turned on.
It didn't even cross his mind that a solution to the problem may, possibly, just maybe, be to hook it up how it was hooked up before his move... lol

ok, I found the issue. When his wife ordered the HD DVR and sports package, they for some reason brought the DVR but didn't know it was supposed to be HD. So after they hooked it up and I had him checking the channels he said he didn't see a difference in pic quality. Turned out that the cable company didn't have the HD channels turned on. So they turned them on, but guess how the dvr was originally hooked up to the tv? You guessed it....they had the cable cord going into the dvr and a cable cord going from the DVR to the PLASMA. This is all because the original order was messed up and then they just "turned on" the HD channels without coming back out to hook it up properly.

So I told them to call Insight and explain what happened and that they need someone to come out and hook it up properly with the correct cables.

Question for anyone with this dvr. Should they use an HDMI cable or just component? There is no surround sound and I am not sure if this dvr has HDMI problems or not.

ok, I found the issue. When his wife ordered the HD DVR and sports package, they for some reason brought the DVR but didn't know it was supposed to be HD. So after they hooked it up and I had him checking the channels he said he didn't see a difference in pic quality. Turned out that the cable company didn't have the HD channels turned on. So they turned them on, but guess how the dvr was originally hooked up to the tv? You guessed it....they had the cable cord going into the dvr and a cable cord going from the DVR to the PLASMA. This is all because the original order was messed up and then they just "turned on" the HD channels without coming back out to hook it up properly.

So I told them to call Insight and explain what happened and that they need someone to come out and hook it up properly with the correct cables.

Question for anyone with this dvr. Should they use an HDMI cable or just component? There is no surround sound and I am not sure if this dvr has HDMI problems or not.
I was wondering about coax...when he said hard wired I wondered if he didn't know that those unscrew. They mostlikely won't do HDMI, a better choice than component on many TVs. Order one from MonoPrice (see ad above) and it's an easy hook up for him (yeah right ;) ). They'll do component.

Exactly Joe, yeah right! I told them to have Insight come out because A) I don't know if I have the patience to explain to them where each jack goes and B) I think they are afraid to move the tv (lol) so they can get behind it. Plus, Insight should have done it right to begin with so they should come back out, provide the cables for them, and hook it up.

Thanks everyone for your help on me fixing this issue for my cousin. Great guy, but so far behind in technology it isn't even funny. But we all know someone like that I believe :)

I have the Moto 6412 Phase III. I emailed Cox about hooking up a SATA drive, and this was the response I got:

>>I am sorry, unfortunately, the SATA ports are currently not active. We
are currently, working on developing this added feature. As of right
now, there is no estimated date as to when the SATA ports will be
activated.<<

Has anyone been able to do anything about the fan noise? I have mine on a shelf in a closet with a DVD player on top of it. I'm thinking of cutting a large hole in the shelf to allow more airflow to the fan (I think it's on the bottom of the DVR?) and using spacers to lift the DVD player an inch or two away from the DVR, and attaching a 120mm fan to the top of the DVR to draw air out. Any ideas?