I already do. I have two 3412's on the same TV, and only one component input. Scanpa, do let us know if you hear of a fix.

I may try the suggestion of pulling the hdmi cable in cases where something is recording and I can't afford to toggle the on switch.

Have you tried powering off your TV, then powering it back on? This works for me as well as power cycling the box.

Have you tried powering off your TV, then powering it back on? This works for me as well as power cycling the box.


Every once in a while that will happen to me and simple cycling the tv off and then back on fixes the problem. Everytime I switch inputs from dvd/pc/etc. back to the cable box it displays "d1" or something for a split second on the face of the box and i think that is what happens when it detects the hdmi is in use and does the handshake.

I haven't had the upgrade to the latest firmare (i think we are still at 12.22) and I only use a strait hdmi cable to the tv.

Have you tried powering off your TV, then powering it back on? This works for me as well as power cycling the box.

No, I have tried it, and its no go with 16.20. It's completely consistent.

On 12.X it would happen maybe 1 time in 20, and power cycling the TV would fix it. ("it" was different, typically some kind of flashing color, on 16.20 "it" is either a black screen or a bunch of digital snow).

comcast brought me the wrong box again because my tv has a dvi port (second or third gen samsung dlp). Well i decided to go get a dvi to hdmi connector for the dvi cord i already have. Well now my hd channels looked streched out and not as good as the hdtv channels that was on my 6412 phase 1..... i tried what settings i know in the box but can anyone please help me with this ??????

comcast brought me the wrong box again because my tv has a dvi port (second or third gen samsung dlp). Well i decided to go get a dvi to hdmi connector for the dvi cord i already have. Well now my hd channels looked streched out and not as good as the hdtv channels that was on my 6412 phase 1..... i tried what settings i know in the box but can anyone please help me with this ??????

I had to get a HDMI/DVI adapter too when I got my 3416. My Sony (native 1080i) only has DVI beside component, etc. But I don't experience any stretch in the picture. My settings are:

TV Type: 16:9
DVI/YPbPr: 1080i
4:3 Override: 480i

Your Sammy may be a 720p native so YMMV.
Have you checked your picture settings on the Sammy?

Comcast announced today it was raising its rates by 3 - 6% nationwide, with some areas feeling the sting earlier than others.

I decided I'm going to D* now that they have 1080i HD. It's cheaper. Their boxes don't have the same insane problems we find with Comcast. The only thing they don't have is OnDemand. But that's what the video store is for, I suppose, if I want a video badly enough.

I've been with Comcast and all its previous iterations for 23 years. They finally killed that. It's too bad.

I thought you were kidding until I read that you had not tried ditect tv.

everyone I know with dtv ends up paying considerable more -- and getting less service -- than they thought.

grass is always greener on the other side -- until you try it.

I had to get a HDMI/DVI adapter too when I got my 3416. My Sony (native 1080i) only has DVI beside component, etc. But I don't experience any stretch in the picture. My settings are:

TV Type: 16:9
DVI/YPbPr: 1080i
4:3 Override: 480i

Your Sammy may be a 720p native so YMMV.
Have you checked your picture settings on the Sammy?





ok, but a few questions.... first its a 3416... secondly i want to know why when i had the 6412 and 6208 (single tuner version) when i cut on the hdtv channels then it would play and a nice long box with beautiful visuals.... now the hdtv channels look like its streched out all over the tv making the visuals look much work?????

ok, but a few questions.... first its a 3416...

What's the question? You originally said it was a 3416, a fact I reiterated in my reply. :confused:

I used to have the quirk with my 6412 and DVI hookup of getting a double image whenever the TV was turned on to a 720p signal, e.g. ESPNHD. That went away after the 16.20 FW upgrade. I have no PQ issues with my 3416 and my Sony hooked up with a DVI/HDMI adapter and I just wanted to let you know my settings so you can figure if it's your stb or the Sammy causing your issues.

Since we are posting (including me) a lot of problems and issues, I thought I should give Comcast props for some of the positives: ADS (digital broadcast of analog channels) has almost doubled the capacity of my DVR without any additional cost ! Some of the analog compression artifacts on the sub-100 channels are gone as well!

comcast brought me the wrong box again because my tv has a dvi port (second or third gen samsung dlp). Well i decided to go get a dvi to hdmi connector for the dvi cord i already have. Well now my hd channels looked streched out and not as good as the hdtv channels that was on my 6412 phase 1..... i tried what settings i know in the box but can anyone please help me with this ??????



ok, i finally got the old box i use to have 6412 with dvi (had to go to a way out comast store) well i pluged it up and now the tv looks the same on hdtv... its like the 3416 change my dam settings... now my tv doesnt look the same and im highly pissed... can anyone help me with getting the hdtv pics to show like they use to????? basically most channels showed in 16:9 but they didnt strech to all 4 corners of the screen... they showed in a rectangular box that streched horizonly with black bars at top and bottom and showed in very nice detail.... but now it just looks like a big ass 4:3 letterbox and you can tell the pic is streched by how the people look on screen... SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!

... its like the 3416 change my dam settings...


I doubt the 3416 did anything to your TV, but you might review your cable box settings in accordance with the info here:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Setup

I've got a 3416 which is having trouble. The guide data is missing, it won't go to the DVR menu, and many channels are totally missing, or showing up with horrible corruption. From looking at the debug menu, I think it's a signal strength issue. Does anyone have experience with signal amplifiers? Do they work? What's a good make/model?

A signal amplifier resolved a lot of problems for me. I just had Comcast install the one they're offering. Works great.

Well they did it again, the guide now has the advertising at the bottom again.

I had hoped when they rolled this out previously and took it away, that it would be the end of it. Aside from losing a row on the guide screen, do they really need to bombard us with more advertising. I could lease a car for less than I pay Comcast every month.

OK enough complaining..... My real issue is I finally had a 3412 that had been working pretty much flawlessly until this new udpate. I too have had almost a half dozen boxes and was actually happy with my 3412 that was finally working correctly.

Well so much for that, they new update has added some more bugs (Imagine that :mad: )

This is a little difficult to explain so bear with me.

Show starts recording at 9:00 ends at 9:30

I start watching it at 9:15 from the DVR recording

Say 10 minutes go by and it's 9:25

The recording will not show the full 25 minutes that I have already recorded, it will only show a portion of that. I have to hit the stop button, go back into MyDVR, reselect the recording and now it restart from the beginning and fast forward back to the spot I was at and will finally show the whole recording.

Or something like that......

I never had this problem until this week.

Anyone see anything similar?

Hi. I'm using a Comcast 3412 in Somerville MA. Just this morning I noticed that connecting the DVR to my JVC 4000U DVHS deck via 1394 is generating audio dropouts every few seconds or so. It is impossible to watch or record to tape. Is this a new copyprotection scheme?

ok, i finally got the old box i use to have 6412 with dvi (had to go to a way out comast store) well i pluged it up and now the tv looks the same on hdtv... its like the 3416 change my dam settings... now my tv doesnt look the same and im highly pissed... can anyone help me with getting the hdtv pics to show like they use to????? basically most channels showed in 16:9 but they didnt strech to all 4 corners of the screen... they showed in a rectangular box that streched horizonly with black bars at top and bottom and showed in very nice detail.... but now it just looks like a big ass 4:3 letterbox and you can tell the pic is streched by how the people look on screen... SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!

What resolution does your TV say the signal is?

My apologies if this has been discussed, but with so many pages it's really hard to find anything and the search didn't return any results.

I am not sure if this is a box problem (Moto 3412) or how the channel is being broadcast, but I frequently have issues with programs that say they are being broadcast in 5.1 but they don't show up that way.

For instance, CSI says it's in 5.1, but when I play an episode, the receiver switches to Dolby PLII, which is only stereo.

However, Day Break is in Dolby Digital when I play it back.

Is this a box problem, or is comcast not broadcasting CSI in 5.1?

Is this a box problem, or is comcast not broadcasting CSI in 5.1?

I believe Comcast can only send what it receives from the local station. If your local can't pass 5.1 or has temporary problems with its audio, Comcast can't make up for the deficiency. If you can get the same broadcast OTA, see what audio is delivered to determine if there is a difference from what Comcast provides.

My apologies if this has been discussed, but with so many pages it's really hard to find anything and the search didn't return any results.

I am not sure if this is a box problem (Moto 3412) or how the channel is being broadcast, but I frequently have issues with programs that say they are being broadcast in 5.1 but they don't show up that way.

For instance, CSI says it's in 5.1, but when I play an episode, the receiver switches to Dolby PLII, which is only stereo.

However, Day Break is in Dolby Digital when I play it back.

Is this a box problem, or is comcast not broadcasting CSI in 5.1?

You might check your local HDTV thread, but here in Jacksonville only one local station (FOX) can pass 5.1. All of the other local stations here don't have the equipment to pass anything but DD 2.0 despite whether the network broadcasts at 5.1.

As ridgefamus says, Comcast can only give you what the local affiliate sends out.

Hi everyone!

Always hate to introduce myself to a new forum with a problem, but a problem is what I have!

Got DCT3412 this morning and hooked it up fine. Problem is, I can only see the free/access channels (nothing over channel 23). This includes all premie channels as well as OnDemand. I just see the "One Moment Please - Channel should be available shortly" alert. Every now and again, a picture will pop up, then disappear. I do have guide information and access to the DVR. I have an HDMI connection, but I'm getting the same results with that cord as well as the component cords ComCast supplies.

One other note, I still have my Tivo Series2 hooked up to my TV. Just ran a splitter on the coax from the wall -- one to the DCT3412, one to the Tivo. The Tivo is reading all channels up to 100 (obviously can't see higher because it's not hooked up to a cable box).

Tech support can't help over the phone and I'm waiting until next week for a tech to come out. Does anyone have an idea of what the problem/solution could be?

Thank you all in advance!

Sounds like you have weak signal, rudylaw. Are there many splitters/connectors between your DCT3412 and where the cable enters your home? Ideally, there should be one splitter, and one connector. Anything more than that and you may need a signal amplifier, depending on conditions in your neighborhood.

Sounds like you have weak signal, rudylaw. Are there many splitters/connectors between your DCT3412 and where the cable enters your home? Ideally, there should be one splitter, and one connector. Anything more than that and you may need a signal amplifier, depending on conditions in your neighborhood.

Thanks for your reply... I found this answer to be similar on other message boards. I went to Radio Shack and bought an amp, connected the wall coax to the input and the coax connected to the dct3412 to the output and it doesn't solve my problem... in fact, I lost a additional channel when it was connected. I am at my wits end here.

And I only have one splitter... wall --> splitter --> dct3412 and Tivo. Even taking the splitter out and going straight into the 3412, I get the same problem. It's probably the box... after all the countless problems I've had with Comcast the last 48 hours, I'm sure it's something I can't fix unless I get a new unit and now I have to put my faith in their incompetent hands. I guess it could be the wall socket as well.

As a test, have you tried connecting the 3412 to the cable all by itself (bypassing any splitters)?

I don't have one, but some folks here know how to read signal strength/quality using the service menu.

Do a search for member "scanpa" since he is a Comcast employee who shares his technical knowledge here.

As a test, have you tried connecting the 3412 to the cable all by itself (bypassing any splitters)?

I don't have one, but some folks here know how to read signal strength/quality using the service menu.

Do a search for member "scanpa" since he is a Comcast employee who shares his technical knowledge here.

Thanks for your reply. I did try eliminating the tivo altogether. I also went in and read the signal strength and it all reads "GOOD". I'm so frustrated because I called tech support 3x and got 3 different answers. It's gotta be the box.

I even checked a channel that wasn't working and it read AVAILABLE NOT PLAYING. Whatever that means.

I did a search for scanpa and all I can say is I hope I get someone with 1/8th of the knowledge he has! I'm trying a DVR Authorization and Factory Full Reset now. Seems like that should be the first step.

EDIT: Completed the reset and there's no change except for now the guide doesn't display, which is what happened when I plugged it in originally. OK, now it's back and loading info. Good grief!

When you looked at the diagnostics, what did the 'UPSTREAM MODEM' page show? It seems to me as if your box is not properly authorized and is locking out other channels.

The other possibility is that there is filter that is blocking anything above 23. Did you have cable once before, but only basic cable? Maybe somebody forgot to remove the filter! The filter is usually placed right at the pole or box or post outside where the main line runs.

I have the 3416 and was wondering if there's a way to set up the DVR to record just new episodes of shows. For example just new shows of Lost, not repeats. I just came over from satellite and that was one neat feature they had on their DVRs. I'm still trying to fumble thru all the features of the 3416. Thanks!

I have the 3416 and was wondering if there's a way to set up the DVR to record just new episodes of shows. For example just new shows of Lost, not repeats. I just came over from satellite and that was one neat feature they had on their DVRs. I'm still trying to fumble thru all the features of the 3416. Thanks!

You can do this easily. When you set up your recording, set up a series recording. From that screen you can setup new recordings only.

You are at the mercy of the guide however. If the guide doesn't show "new" the box won't record the program. Most areas have this fixed these days.

Hi everyone!
One other note, I still have my Tivo Series2 hooked up to my TV. Just ran a splitter on the coax from the wall -- one to the DCT3412, one to the Tivo. The Tivo is reading all channels up to 100 (obviously can't see higher because it's not hooked up to a cable box).
Thank you all in advance!

In case you haven't tried these already: Did you try switching the cables inputs (the one that worked on TiVo to the 3412?) to see if it makes any difference? Or connect it directly to a TV or VCR? Did you have a cable box before the 3412 that worked okay?

I have the 3416 and was wondering if there's a way to set up the DVR to record just new episodes of shows. For example just new shows of Lost, not repeats. I just came over from satellite and that was one neat feature they had on their DVRs. I'm still trying to fumble thru all the features of the 3416. Thanks!

Yes, as another user just said above you can "Create a Series Recording". There you can chose whether to record "First runs" only. You can also restrict it to recording only from the channel you selected the show from or from all available channels. For shows like LOST, it's usually only one channel that has new shows (ABC), but other syndicated shows or shows that air on multiple channels this choice can make a difference.

When you looked at the diagnostics, what did the 'UPSTREAM MODEM' page show? It seems to me as if your box is not properly authorized and is locking out other channels.

The other possibility is that there is filter that is blocking anything above 23. Did you have cable once before, but only basic cable? Maybe somebody forgot to remove the filter! The filter is usually placed right at the pole or box or post outside where the main line runs.

Thanks for your reply. I had digital cable on two different boxes. The other box still works fine. I'm calling Comcast now to see if the box is properly authorized.

Thanks for the suggestions!

In case you haven't tried these already: Did you try switching the cables inputs (the one that worked on TiVo to the 3412?) to see if it makes any difference? Or connect it directly to a TV or VCR? Did you have a cable box before the 3412 that worked okay?

I tried connecting and re-connecting everything. I've pretty much done all I can... it's gotta be a signal issue in the high rise. Thanks for your thoughts!

Thanks bobby & hoops. I'm still trying to figure out this menu system.

I did a supposed factory reset of my 3416, but nothing changed. Following the Wikipedia instructions, I disconnected the power, held the menu and power button on the front and plugged the power cable back in, I saw "boot", released the buttons and used the up/down arrow to select "n dl". It started the "dl" with the moving bar in front. About 20 minut.yes later it was working again, but all of my recordings and the anomalies I had in the channel line-up are still there.

Is there another way to initiate a factory reset?

I did a supposed factory reset of my 3416, but nothing changed. Following the Wikipedia instructions, I disconnected the power, held the menu and power button on the front and plugged the power cable back in, I saw "boot", released the buttons and used the up/down arrow to select "n dl". It started the "dl" with the moving bar in front. About 20 minut.yes later it was working again, but all of my recordings and the anomalies I had in the channel line-up are still there.

Is there another way to initiate a factory reset?

that was the reset, the DVR Hard Drive has it's own CLR cmd. (reformat)

Check your OOB tuner status via the diagnostic menu.

We recently moved into a new condo, and I've noticed that when I turn off the overhead fluorescent light in the kitchen that's adjacent to the living room, the screen on my TV goes completely black, or sometimes there will be a flicker. The sound remains on the whole time. Is this a problem with the DCT3416, or could it be the TV (Sony GWIII)?

-jim

I am not sure if this is a box problem (Moto 3412) or how the channel is being broadcast, but I frequently have issues with programs that say they are being broadcast in 5.1 but they don't show up that way.

For instance, CSI says it's in 5.1, but when I play an episode, the receiver switches to Dolby PLII, which is only stereo.

However, Day Break is in Dolby Digital when I play it back.

Is this a box problem, or is comcast not broadcasting CSI in 5.1?

There was a problem with an earlier firmware version (12.15 I think) that created issues with 5.1 using HDMI. One tuner worked fine with good 5.1 until you paused then resumed. The audio would then revert to 2-channel stereo.

Also, all recorded material was 2-channel only, even though it was in 5.1 when it was live.

The other tuner would not do 5.1 at all...only 2-channel.

If these are your symptoms a firmware update will fix it. I got my update in August or September in the Atlanta area. It was an incremental upgrade to 12.31 if I recall correctly. We just got 16.20 this week and I see no problems.

But since you are playing back 'Daybreak' in 5.1, this must be a different issue. Just thought I would toss it out there. I suppose you know how to check your firmware version.

-Byrd

Yes, as another user just said above you can "Create a Series Recording". There you can chose whether to record "First runs" only. You can also restrict it to recording only from the channel you selected the show from or from all available channels. For shows like LOST, it's usually only one channel that has new shows (ABC), but other syndicated shows or shows that air on multiple channels this choice can make a difference.
But I think it still has a bug where an entry that does not list as 'New' or 'Repeat' will be treated as new. Generally not a problem with the major networks, but it's a royal pain on many cable channels.

But I think it still has a bug where an entry that does not list as 'New' or 'Repeat' will be treated as new. Generally not a problem with the major networks, but it's a royal pain on many cable channels.

When the guide data is deficiently silent on whether an episode is new or not, the DVR software programmer only has two choices - record the show or don't. They err on the side of recording a superfluous show, rather than causing a customer to miss a show.

But I think it still has a bug where an entry that does not list as 'New' or 'Repeat' will be treated as new. Generally not a problem with the major networks, but it's a royal pain on many cable channels.

Thanks! I hadn't thought of this scenario before. This could be a pain if the box is frequently rebooted and the guide data is incomplete...

But I rarely use the Series recording. The times I use it is usually for late night/early morning stuff that won't interfere with regular recordings.

But I think it still has a bug where an entry that does not list as 'New' or 'Repeat' will be treated as new.In many cases the network reports more than one showing of an episode in its first week as "New". In that case, they're all recorded by the DVR, since you instructed the DVR to record all new episodes. The problem there, if you choose to see it as a problem, rests with the network, who reported more than one showing as "New".

In many cases the network reports more than one showing of an episode in its first week as "New". In that case, they're all recorded by the DVR, since you instructed the DVR to record all new episodes. The problem there, if you choose to see it as a problem, rests with the network, who reported more than one showing as "New".
The DVR could address this deficiency by allowing us to specify that not only must an episode be a new episode, but also that it air only on specified days or on specified hours of specified days (ReplayTV has this option). However, adding this control could mean that episodes don't get recorded when networks change the day or time a program airs. You pick your poison, and the 6412/3412/3416 chose theirs.

The TiVo software defaults to not recording the same episode twice within 28 days (unless the first recording is deleted before being watched due to lack of space). It didn't matter if it was marked as "new" or not. In fact, TiVo didn't use the "new" or "rerun" data - it looked at Original Air Date to decide itself whether something was new or not. But it never recorded a duplicate unless specifically instructed to record "all with duplicates" (or if the guide data was incomplete). For all we know, the 3416 might do the same thing.

I haven't had a duplicates issue with my 3416, but then again, I don't yet have any series recordings on the SD cable channels (I still use my TiVo for those).

just replaced on old first-series 6412 for a Motorola 3416. I really wanted the bigger hard drive but have some questions now that I am going to use HDMI-DVI to my projector instead of straight DVI..

do these 3416's have any colorspace/blacker-than-black issues with the HDMI-DVI conversion if I choose to go that route? should i just use component?

anything else i should know about my new 3416 box? i really do not have the free hours to go too much through this thread.

PS - i am using a Screenplay 7200 projector.

thanks
Sean

We recently moved into a new condo, and I've noticed that when I turn off the overhead fluorescent light in the kitchen that's adjacent to the living room, the screen on my TV goes completely black, or sometimes there will be a flicker. The sound remains on the whole time. Is this a problem with the DCT3416, or could it be the TV (Sony GWIII)?

-jim


Hmm, sure sounds like a wiring problem and not the TV or box! You had better test whether the outlet or even half the outlet is switched to a wall switch somewhere. If so, it could be a three-way switch that is not wired correctly. These things are very often mis-wired but may function "correctly" much of the time until extra load is put on the circuit. It could be power passing through the outlet to the next room too (meaning not a three-way switch, but on the same power circuit). I cannot think of any other reason the light in another room would have any impact on your TV or box.

Call the maintenance people (if you have them) and show them what is happening. Otherwise go here to find out how these should be wired.

http://www.the-home-improvement-web.com/information/how-to/three-way-switch.htm

In many cases the network reports more than one showing of an episode in its first week as "New". In that case, they're all recorded by the DVR, since you instructed the DVR to record all new episodes. The problem there, if you choose to see it as a problem, rests with the network, who reported more than one showing as "New".

The IGUIDE allows Guide info to use the following:

NEW, Encore, Repeat, blank

I have yet to see any shows use the available encore data.

When I spoke to Comcast (Montgomery County, Maryland) about getting a DVR I asked about pulling video off the hard drive. The first tech had no idea so I was transferred up to a DVR tech. He claimed that there was a way to pull the files off the DVR. Not just playback- but specifically the ability to pull the file, at faster than real time- only they don’t support it.
I’ve found plenty of info on how to pull playback to a HTPC but have not found anything on getting the files themselves.
Anyone have any ideas?

When I spoke to Comcast (Montgomery County, Maryland) about getting a DVR I asked about pulling video off the hard drive. The first tech had no idea so I was transferred up to a DVR tech. He claimed that there was a way to pull the files off the DVR. Not just playback- but specifically the ability to pull the file, at faster than real time- only they don’t support it.
I’ve found plenty of info on how to pull playback to a HTPC but have not found anything on getting the files themselves.
Anyone have any ideas?

As someone who works for Comcast and works daily on the STB, there is no way to take the files off the HDD other then playing them live and recording the live stream via the Firewire cable on your PC or DVHS recorder or other Firewire device.

The DVR could address this deficiency by allowing us to specify that not only must an episode be a new episode, but also that it air only on specified days or on specified hours of specified days (ReplayTV has this option).That would be a nice feature enhancement, though if patented then they won't be able to do that.

However, that's not the service that they offer today. And that's a key point. Everything can be improved. Someday, hopefully, an improvement along these lines will find its way into the software for the Motorola DVRs.

The Microsoft guide s/w in Washington allows the user to specify recording at a specific time or any time, both on a single channel. Unfortunately, the games that the networks play with the program start times (e.g, 9:01 PM) severely limit the value of this. Strangely, there is no choice of day -- if you want that, you have to use the series manual recording option.

I get home from work today and what do I find?

Goddamn advertisments at the bottom of the guide! WTF.

They take away a whole row of guide space. You would think that the high price we pay for this service they wouldn't need to put adverts in the damn guide. There are already too many commercials to fast forward thru on tv.

I think I'll be emailing the exes tommorow about this.

I get home from work today and what do I find?

Goddamn advertisments at the bottom of the guide! WTF.

They take away a whole row of guide space. You would think that the high price we pay for this service they wouldn't need to put adverts in the damn guide. There are already too many commercials to fast forward thru on tv.

I think I'll be emailing the exes tommorow about this.

i remember this, the bay area had this problem about 2 or so months ago.
i called comcast asap and their phone lines had over an hour wait.
when i finally got through the csr said it seemed like almost every subscriber called about this. within the next week it was gone for good.

just call and complain, its stupid for them to do this when WE pay alot of money.

I get home from work today and what do I find?

Goddamn advertisments at the bottom of the guide! WTF.

They take away a whole row of guide space. You would think that the high price we pay for this service they wouldn't need to put adverts in the damn guide. There are already too many commercials to fast forward thru on tv.

I think I'll be emailing the exes tommorow about this.
I got the stupid advertisements too. And right after anouncing a new rate increase. Grrr!!!!

You would think that the high price we pay for this service"High" price? Gosh it could be a lot higher. The price seems precisely on-target, to me -- exactly the right amount given how much people get out of the service and how much they're willing to pay. Complain if you wish, but keep your complaint in proportion (you don't "like" the advertising -- not that they're the work of the devil, for instance), or it will be dismissed out-of-hand. I think some folks' objection to the advertising is colored by their feeling that the service isn't worth what it is actually worth to the broader market. If so, then perhaps they'd be better off without cable service.

It could be a lot higher, but it could be a lot lower. Just because you think the price is right on, doesn't make it so for anyone but you. I personally feel the ad line is obtrusive and gets in the way of what I am trying to use the device I am paying for for.

I feel the same about the movies. I paid to go to the movie, I shouldn't have to watch ads, and I don't care if you think that I might be interested. You want to show me ads, fine, don't charge me for the privilege.

Anyway, I am sure by saying complain, what most people here mean is they will write a friendly email stating that this is an undesired and unwanted intrusion. Some people will leave because of it, others (like myself) won't. Comcast will review the response and make their decision. If no one responds, they can only assume no one cares and keep the "feature."

For the last year, I've had 34xx and 64xx DVRs and have always had the slow response problem issue. I've always had HDMI and Component connected at the same time. Previously when the response issue became very bad, I disconnected the HDMI cable and watched the TV via component but the response issues remained. Recently, the slow response issue started occuring on a regular basis where I had to pull the plug the DVR every couple of days. About 2 weeks ago, I removed the HDMI cables and then pulled the plug the DVR. Since than I have been using component and have not had any problems.

Prior to recently I always removed the HDMI cable without pulling the plug on the DVR and that did not help. Is it possible that software in the DVR became corrupted is the reason why I didn't see any improvement in the response issue?

I know that 2 weeks is a pretty short time but the DVR have worked almost flawlessly during that time (never longer than 5 seconds response).

Does anyone that only has component connected have the response issue?


I have a 3416 FW 12.31 that has been replaced three times with the same slow response turning into no response. The box would start to respond slowly and then lockup on a channel and not respond at all even from the box controls themselves. You can't even power off the box. If I do nothing, after about 10 minutes the box would start resonding very slowly to the first command sent. Unplugging the box for 30 seconds wakes it up but not before it goes through all of the commands that are in the buffer. I too have both HDMI and Component connected at the same time and did not have this problem when only component was used. I disconnected the HDMI cable leaving the component and powered down for 30 seconds. I am still having the same problem. Not sure what to do next. Replacing the box is not working. Maybe a different box or a factory reset of the box. Any suggestions.

I got the stupid advertisements too. And right after anouncing a new rate increase. Grrr!!!!

Well after I went and made dinner, I go back and check the guide around 7 pm and the adverts are gone.

Does anyone know if they only do this durring a certain time of day or only so many times a day, or if they just shut it off because of complaints?

"High" price? Gosh it could be a lot higher. The price seems precisely on-target, to me -- exactly the right amount given how much people get out of the service and how much they're willing to pay. Complain if you wish, but keep your complaint in proportion (you don't "like" the advertising -- not that they're the work of the devil, for instance), or it will be dismissed out-of-hand. I think some folks' objection to the advertising is colored by their feeling that the service isn't worth what it is actually worth to the broader market. If so, then perhaps they'd be better off without cable service.

Well this depends on how much you value the service and the package they include. We also have to keep in mind that the price we pay includes a number of channels that if we had a choice we wouldn't have paid for, especially when you get into the digital packages with 200+ channels. Also the ads don't come with a price drop, the prices continue as is (or even goes higher)... If they offer an ad-option combined with a service discount that seems to be a fair thing to do, otherwise, it's not fair to the consumer :) Or if they offer the consumer the choice of what channels or at least what groups of channels to pay for :-)

that was the reset, the DVR Hard Drive has it's own CLR cmd. (reformat)

Check your OOB tuner status via the diagnostic menu.

The problem I am having that caused me to do the factory reset is the 3416 came with a bunch of premium channels authorized that I am not paying for, but some of the new additions to the standard HD line-up are not authorized - at least I believe UHD and MHD are new additions to the standard HD nnel line-up.

I don't really want to lose the recordings, but I thought that was part of the factory reset procedure. Is the Wikipedia wrong in that regard?

I will check the OOB status.

The problem I am having that caused me to do the factory reset is the 3416 came with a bunch of premium channels authorized that I am not paying for, but some of the new additions to the standard HD line-up are not authorized - at least I believe UHD and MHD are new additions to the standard HD nnel line-up.

I don't really want to lose the recordings, but I thought that was part of the factory reset procedure. Is the Wikipedia wrong in that regard?

I will check the OOB status.

When the STB reboots, it always downloads your Account settings from the headend.

if you have any added or missing channels, you need to call Comcast and explain the +/- of the channels your wanting. They will need to check and see if they need to make changes to your account.

I installed a Motorola 484095-001-00 Signal Booster and it greatly improved my Comcast's SD channel image quality on a TV in my office room that does not use the cable box. However, when i installed it on the feed to my 3416, it interfered with VOD. Channel 1 will not come up. The information for the booster says it should work with VOD.

Is this a known issue with this booster and Comacst? I understand it is an issue with some boosters.

When the STB reboots, it always downloads your Account settings from the headend.

if you have any added or missing channels, you need to call Comcast and explain the +/- of the channels your wanting. They will need to check and see if they need to make changes to your account.

Hmmm... This happened when I did a box exchange at the local office. The office had told me to call in and have the box authorized, but when I plugged it in it was working fine except for all the extra channels. So, I didn't call in. It's strangely coincidental that my account would have changed when I plugged in the replacement box. I assumed the box was still as authorized from the previous customer. I'm not getting billed fo the channels.

I installed a Motorola 484095-001-00 Signal Booster and it greatly improved my Comcast's SD channel image quality on a TV in my office room that does not use the cable box. However, when i installed it on the feed to my 3416, it interfered with VOD. Channel 1 will not come up. The information for the booster says it should work with VOD.

Is this a known issue with this booster and Comacst? I understand it is an issue with some boosters.

I use the same booster on two different TV's and VOD works fine on both of them. Maybe my incoming signal is weaker than yours?

I installed a Motorola 484095-001-00 Signal Booster and it greatly improved my Comcast's SD channel image quality on a TV in my office room that does not use the cable box. However, when i installed it on the feed to my 3416, it interfered with VOD. Channel 1 will not come up. The information for the booster says it should work with VOD.

Is this a known issue with this booster and Comacst? I understand it is an issue with some boosters.

You may be overdriving the signal. I'm using that amp and VOD works just fine for me.

I need some help please. There are like 80somthing pages here and I cant possibly read them all. I just need to copy the content of my 3412 comcast box over to my computer. Is this possible? If it is can someone direct me to the info on how to do it. It must be discussed in here somewhere.

Thanks, Ethan.

I need some help please. There are like 80somthing pages here and I cant possibly read them all. I just need to copy the content of my 3412 comcast box over to my computer. Is this possible? If it is can someone direct me to the info on how to do it. It must be discussed in here somewhere.

Thanks, Ethan.

I've never done it, but know it's discussed here (and probably in this thread - you do know you can search just this thread, right?).

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

I installed a Motorola 484095-001-00 Signal Booster and it greatly improved my Comcast's SD channel image quality on a TV in my office room that does not use the cable box. However, when i installed it on the feed to my 3416, it interfered with VOD. Channel 1 will not come up. The information for the booster says it should work with VOD.

Is this a known issue with this booster and Comacst? I understand it is an issue with some boosters.
By the sound of it, you are installing the booster in the wrong place. You should install the booster as close to the cable's entry point to your house as possible. If you boost it too far down the line, you are boosting an already degraded signal, and are essentially amplifying the garbage.

It could be a lot higher, but it could be a lot lower. Just because you think the price is right on, doesn't make it so for anyone but you.Good point, and that's really why I responded the way I did to unami99's message, which claimed that the price was "high". It all depends on how much value you derive from the service.

I personally feel the ad line is obtrusive and gets in the way of what I am trying to use the device I am paying for for.The same can be said of commercials during television episodes. However, it's all part of how what you're paying for gets delivered to you.

Anyway, I am sure by saying complain, what most people here mean is they will write a friendly email stating that this is an undesired and unwanted intrusion. Some people will leave because of it, others (like myself) won't. Comcast will review the response and make their decision. If no one responds, they can only assume no one cares and keep the "feature."If people are really serious, then they'll write paper letters. Think about it -- how hard is it to write an email? How compelling will a complain sent in via email be? Not very. Beyond that, what really matters is how the change will affect purchasing behaviors. If lots of people complain but no one stops subscribing, then they can consider the change a positive one, with no negative ramifications, and they'll surely keep it. If it doesn't bother you enough to contribute to unsubscribing from the service, then it may have very little if any impact on what they actually do.

I have been looking around the forums, especially pertaining to Comcast and Panasonic Plasma HDTV. I have had the Panasonic for 2 weeks and the STB 6412 for one week and just now getting comfortable with it. Just to let you know, I am retired and things don't sink in as fast as they used to.

Only a few glitches so far. Mostly with recording with the two tuners and mapping the remotes into my Harmony 880. I guess you could say I am happy so far. Many things to be learned here. It's like a life preserver in the middle of the ocean.

PS: I also have a Panasonic Replay 2000 with a 120 Gig HD that I use for the lower 100 channels. This way I can use the 6412's 120 HD for all the good stuff.

We also have to keep in mind that the price we pay includes a number of channels that if we had a choice we wouldn't have paid for

Yup, likely at least 90% of those channels for most folks...

Do I have to keep my box powered on to record my shows I have set to record?

I tried to turn the box off and I receive a message that says that my show recording will stop.

You can turn it off as long as it isn't currently recording, and it will turn itself back on to record. Some unwanted side effects may occur if you turn it off, and since it's only in standby and is still actually on, I just leave mine on. Obviously, you shouldn't turn it off while it's recording.

Thanks for the quick answer. I always tried to turn the unit to standby while recording.

You shouldn't turn it to standby while it's recording.

Is closed captioning an all or nothing affair with this box? I can turn it on from the power-off options menu, but once it's on, it's on forever. With my old DirecTiVo SD setup the TV had control over it so I could turn it on and off at will.

When I got digital cable hookup, I was given a Motorola 3412 STB. The HDMI would not work with my Panny Plazma TH-42PX600U (got a green screen after a few seconds due to handshaking issue with the 3412) My cable company has been testing the Pace Tahoe TDC775 boxes and I got one of those today. The HDMI now works perfectly, plus I now have 160Gb record capability. So far, it looks good.
Will see if it has any software glitches as the days go by. For info- my Firmware is Version 9.21.

i've only had my 3416 for a couple of days now but once already it's dumped all of my saved and upcoming recordings. That only happened once in two years with my old 6412. is this a common problem with the 3416?

Does anyone with comcast and a 3416 now get ads at the bottom of their guide? It's really annoying.

When I got digital cable hookup, I was given a Motorola 3412 STB. The HDMI would not work with my Panny Plazma TH-42PX600U (got a green screen after a few seconds due to handshaking issue with the 3412) My cable company has been testing the Pace Tahoe TDC775 boxes and I got one of those today. The HDMI now works perfectly, plus I now have 160Gb record capability. So far, it looks good.
Will see if it has any software glitches as the days go by. For info- my Firmware is Version 9.21.

Does it have the same software interface as the 3412? Is it dual tuner? Does it use the same compression/storage as the 3412? While i'm not unhappy with the 3412 right now, I'm always curious about alternatives :-)

[QUOTE=Jason Pastore]Does anyone with comcast and a 3416 now get ads at the bottom of their guide? It's really annoying.[/QUTE]
Noticed it today in Essex County and it is annoying.

We also have to keep in mind that the price we pay includes a number of channels that if we had a choice we wouldn't have paid forNot really. Estimates are that when you buy a tier of, say 20 channels, you're effectively only playing for two, three or four of them. Figure that everyone has their favorite channels, and if everyone who bought a tier wanted just three channels out of the 20, then everyone would still be paying for those three chanels the same as they're paying now for the 20.

Is closed captioning an all or nothing affair with this box?Yes. With my old DirecTiVo SD setup the TV had control over it so I could turn it on and off at will.There is a difference between digital CC and analog CC. Digital CC (i.e., video via component, DVI or HDMI) needs to be decoded at the tuner or playback device, while analog CC (video via A/V or S-Video) can be decoded at the display device.

Does anyone with comcast and a 3416 now get ads at the bottom of their guide? It's really annoying.Yes. They are a permanent addition to the guide. We just ignore them and scroll down passed them to see more channels in the guide.

Yes. There is a difference between digital CC and analog CC. Digital CC (i.e., video via component, DVI or HDMI) needs to be decoded at the tuner or playback device, while analog CC (video via A/V or S-Video) can be decoded at the display device.
Argh, so there's no way at all to toggle it on or off at the box in "real time"? You have to get to the power off menu? That seems really demented to me.

By the sound of it, you are installing the booster in the wrong place. You should install the booster as close to the cable's entry point to your house as possible. If you boost it too far down the line, you are boosting an already degraded signal, and are essentially amplifying the garbage.

That's a good point. I need to find the first split inside the house. These amps do an amazing job on analog and with improving the cable modem signal strength and, surprisingly, download speed test results.

Bill

I am having continuing problems with the HDMI output on my 3416 not recognizing my 3 year old Panasonic 42" display. I'm using a HDMI to DVI cable, since the Panny is DVI. It seemed to work OK for a while, then, I believe after a recent firmware update, if I turn the display off and back on while leaving the 3416 on, it fails, showing just snow. Turn the 3416 off and back on, fixes it. I switched the menu setting to HDMI and that got rid of that problem. I could turn the display off and on anytime. But the problem changed to occasionally the display blanking after a few seconds, requiring me to switch back to the DVI settng and power the 3416 off and back on. Briefly detaching the cable also works. ARGH!

I gather this a known bug with the 34 series HDMI output since the latest firmware, and there is a fix being worked on. Just ventilating since there doesn't appear to be a good workaround. I'd rather not power cycle the 3416, but I don't want to leave the display on all the time.

Ok, so I've had the 3412 for a couple months now and before I had it on top of my TV - now I have it in a cabinet with my oppo stacked ontop. Holy CRAP its loud. Sounds like something (prolly fan?) is going into turbo mode constantly spinning up and down. I got no manual with the thing am I not allowed to stack on the component? Thats going to make it quite hard to fit into my present 2 shelf TV center. . .

Argh, so there's no way at all to toggle it on or off at the box in "real time"? You have to get to the power off menu? That seems really demented to me.

I just realized this is the case with these 34xx boxes which was not the case with the 6412 box I had for nearly 2 years (and still the case with the 6412 on my second tv). With that one regardless of the channel I could control the CC with my tv. Hopefully this will change, I didn't use the feature much but was nice when I muted my tv & the CC came on automatically.

Ok, so I've had the 3412 for a couple months now and before I had it on top of my TV - now I have it in a cabinet with my oppo stacked ontop. Holy CRAP its loud. Sounds like something (prolly fan?) is going into turbo mode constantly spinning up and down. I got no manual with the thing am I not allowed to stack on the component? Thats going to make it quite hard to fit into my present 2 shelf TV center. . .

The manual states that you need to have 2" ventilation on the sides and top. It says "do not block slots and openings." It also says "do not place anything on top of the DCT3400."

If you must stack something maybe you could place your OPPO under the DVR.

Ok, so I've had the 3412 for a couple months now and before I had it on top of my TV - now I have it in a cabinet with my oppo stacked ontop. Holy CRAP its loud. Sounds like something (prolly fan?) is going into turbo mode constantly spinning up and down. I got no manual with the thing am I not allowed to stack on the component? Thats going to make it quite hard to fit into my present 2 shelf TV center. . .
I have a 3412 stacked on top of a Panasonic S97 DVD player. No noise.

I have a 3412 stacked on top of a Panasonic S97 DVD player. No noise.

Istari1 has the 3412 under something not on top of.

ajwees41

Argh, so there's no way at all to toggle it on or off at the box in "real time"? You have to get to the power off menu? That seems really demented to me.It indicates to me that the CC capability was added on at a deeper level than the guide software operates at. Imagine that the software you see when the box is "on" is an application, and the software that controls things like Closed Captioning and video output modes is part of the operating system. If you remember, back before Microsoft Windows 3.0, in order to change a setting in the operating system itself, you had to close the application you were running. While it would be nice if you could "minimize" the application and access the operating system in the Motorola STBs, their operating systems are just not as sophisticated as Microsoft Windows. As you can well-imagine, it would take a complete rewrite of the operating system, and all application software, to get the STB to operate more like Microsoft Windows. I bet the next generation of STBs from Motorola will be like that, and I wouldn't even be surprised if they release upgrades that expose more operating system setting to application software. However, as much as it annoys us, these aren't really heavy-hitting problems that affect many customers so strongly.

I just realized this is the case with these 34xx boxes which was not the case with the 6412 box I had for nearly 2 years (and still the case with the 6412 on my second tv). With that one regardless of the channel I could control the CC with my tv. What you're noticing is not a difference between the boxes, but rather reflects that you connected the different boxes to your television(s) using different connection cables. There is a difference between digital CC and analog CC. Digital CC (i.e., video via component, DVI or HDMI) needs to be decoded at the tuner or playback device, while analog CC (video via A/V or S-Video) can be decoded at the display device.

The two boxes, 34xx and 64xx (if they support it at all -- some of the older boxes didn't) support Closed Captioning in the same manner.

The manual states that you need to have 2" ventilation on the sides and top. It says "do not block slots and openings." It also says "do not place anything on top of the DCT3400."

If you must stack something maybe you could place your OPPO under the DVR.

Cool thanks. The DVR weighs alot more then the Oppo I was worried about damaging the DVD player - but it will probably be ok.

What you're noticing is not a difference between the boxes, but rather reflects that you connected the different boxes to your television(s) using different connection cables. There is a difference between digital CC and analog CC. Digital CC (i.e., video via component, DVI or HDMI) needs to be decoded at the tuner or playback device, while analog CC (video via A/V or S-Video) can be decoded at the display device.

The two boxes, 34xx and 64xx (if they support it at all -- some of the older boxes didn't) support Closed Captioning in the same manner.

Sorry but no. The old 6412 box used component cables as does the new 3416 box on the same tv (just pulled old box out & put new one in same spot). All settings are the same in all menus. System has had ADS for over a year so everything was all digital coming out of the box for quite some time & didn't/doesn't matter what channel: Expanded basic that had analog counterparts, SD digital channels, as well as the HD channels. I have always had CC setting 'off' in dvr box menu & tv did CC. So there was something different about those old boxes.

Noticed last night this channel is gone in the Boston area. :(

That goes against everything I've been told, several times here on AVS Forums, and my own experiences. Component video doesn't carry Closed Captions -- only Open Captions.

That goes against everything I've been told, several times here on AVS Forums, and my own experiences. Component video doesn't carry Closed Captions -- only Open Captions.

I was surprised too, thought maybe is was something special in the decoding my tv did (Hitachi 57s715), but was disappointed when I tried it with my 3416.
Also, just out of curiosity with what you're saying about the other outputs (RF, composite), should these pass the CC on the 3416 to a tv hooked up this way? I haven't tried it with the 3416.
My second tv, that currently has a 6412, is using composite to an RF modulator, going to tv via RF (older 19" Magnavox that won't die so I can get new flat screen for bedroom..lol), but CC seems to work on pretty much all channels with that tv/dvr/cable setup (expanded basic, SD dig. & HD dig. channels).

Noticed last night this channel is gone in the Boston area. :(

Yup, looks like it was replaced with the National Geographic HD channel on 821.
Wish we could've gotten HDnet instead.

What you're noticing is not a difference between the boxes, but rather reflects that you connected the different boxes to your television(s) using different connection cables. There is a difference between digital CC and analog CC. Digital CC (i.e., video via component, DVI or HDMI) needs to be decoded at the tuner or playback device, while analog CC (video via A/V or S-Video) can be decoded at the display device.

The two boxes, 34xx and 64xx (if they support it at all -- some of the older boxes didn't) support Closed Captioning in the same manner.
It is not the cables - there is a major difference between these boxes -

The 34xx boxes have no capability to receive analog channels. The analog channels are now being received digitally as ADS (analog digital simultcast) and are being converted back to analog for display. Many analog only TVs have component inputs. The CC info is probably not included in the ADS version.

Component can handle HDTV but the signal is analog. This is why HDMI will render a better quality picture for true DTV, at least in theory.

I'm not certain, but I think with a 64xx box you still tuned the analog channels when selected. If you have a cable input and an analog tuner in your TV you can bypass the box (as a test) to see that the CC is still available on the truly analog channels. In fact, if this works, you can use a splitter on your cable and use the TV's tuner when you want to use CCs. (Some people claim that ADS produces a better picture for the analog channels, but I sometimes think the opposite is true.)

It is not the cables - there is a major difference between these boxes -

The 34xx boxes have no capability to receive analog channels. The analog channels are now being received digitally as ADS (analog digital simultcast) and are being converted back to analog for display. Many analog only TVs have component inputs. The CC info is probably not included in the ADS version.

Component can handle HDTV but the signal is analog. This is why HDMI will render a better quality picture for true DTV, at least in theory.
The ADS versions had better be passing on CC. I have no problems with CC on my TV. SD channels can use the TV's own CC decoder. For HD, I have to use the box's CC.

What's really interesting is that HD that is downconverted to SD on the composite/S-Video outputs usually includes CC! Same goes for the component cables if the video format is set to 480i.

Your TV CC decoder will show Closed Captions signals via Composit, S-Video, and Component cables.

This has worked for every Moto DCT STB that I have used connected to a Non HD TV & HDTV.

DCT-1000
DCT-2000
DCT-2025
DCT-5200
DCT-6200
DCT-6208
DCT-6412p1, 6412p2, 6412p3, 6416p3
DCT-3412p1, 3412p2, 3416p2

I now have 3 DCT 3416p2 STB, 1 on a HDTV, 1 on a EDTV, 1 on a SDTV.

Connected via Component on the first 2, and S-Video on the 3rd.

The CC signal is decoded on all Channels that have CC, on all 3 TV's just fine.

If your TV / Monitor does not have CC decode, then the STB has CC decoder built in, you can turn it on/off via the STB user settings menu. (STB on standby (off) press menu.)

The ADS versions had better be passing on CC. I have no problems with CC on my TV. SD channels can use the TV's own CC decoder. For HD, I have to use the box's CC.

What's really interesting is that HD that is downconverted to SD on the composite/S-Video outputs usually includes CC! Same goes for the component cables if the video format is set to 480i.

It is required for it to also do it on HDTV channels. Mine works fine on all Channels that have CC embedded signals. on my HDTV via Component at 720p

It is not the cables - there is a major difference between these boxes -

The 34xx boxes have no capability to receive analog channels. The analog channels are now being received digitally as ADS (analog digital simultcast) and are being converted back to analog for display. Many analog only TVs have component inputs. The CC info is probably not included in the ADS version.

Component can handle HDTV but the signal is analog. This is why HDMI will render a better quality picture for true DTV, at least in theory.

I'm following most of what you're saying except for 2 things:
"Many analog only TVs have component inputs." -- Not sure why you mention this, the Hitachi 57s715 is a 'true' HD/digital tv (has ntsc as well as atsc & qam tuners). I've tried the HDMI connection but as of now it's not working with this set, even with the latest firmware from Hitachi (nice thing about this set is its firmware is upgradeable via a SD memory card they'll send you).

"The CC info is probably not included in the ADS version." -- Which if I'm correct this would only apply to the 'expanded basic' channels (2-99) and not channels 200+ that are only broadcast by Comcast digitally. Yet CC worked for all channels before & now none.

I'm not certain, but I think with a 64xx box you still tuned the analog channels when selected.

This I'm pretty certain is incorrect. That's the whole idea behind ADS is that if you just have an analog tuner tv you'll still get analog pics, but when you have a digital tuner (pretty much any digital cable box) it will tune in/show you the digital channel.

The ADS versions had better be passing on CC. I have no problems with CC on my TV. SD channels can use the TV's own CC decoder. For HD, I have to use the box's CC.

What's really interesting is that HD that is downconverted to SD on the composite/S-Video outputs usually includes CC! Same goes for the component cables if the video format is set to 480i.

While you were posting I was editing my post to include the following -

"I'm not certain, but I think with a 64xx box you still tuned the analog channels when selected. If you have a cable input and an analog tuner in your TV you can bypass the box (as a test) to see that the CC is still available on the truly analog channels. In fact, if this works, you can use a splitter on your cable and use the TV's tuner when you want to use CCs. (Some people claim that ADS produces a better picture for the analog channels, but I sometimes think the opposite is true.)"

I'm thinking they may lose the CCs in the conversion process. I seem to recall that CCs are transmitted within the analog signal during the vertical retrace time. They may not be recoverable after A to D back to A for viewing

Cable companies are using ADS to conserve B/W and save recording space on the DVRs. Does the FCC mandate CCs on ADS? Who knows.

For the truly digital channels it's a whole different ball game.

In any case, if you can get them using a 64xx box and really need CCs, why not just swap the 34xx back in for a 64xx box? (Unless a 6416 is available you will lose DVR capacity from the smaller drive, and lack of ADS.)

This I'm pretty certain is incorrect. That's the whole idea behind ADS is that if you just have an analog tuner tv you'll still get analog pics, but when you have a digital tuner (pretty much any digital cable box) it will tune in/show you the digital channel.

This would all depend on the channel map table the headend downloads to your STB. If you have a 64xx box, you can tune to an analog channel between 2 and 13 on each of the box's tuners and use the box's service menu to see the actual cable channel each tuner is set to receive. If it's greater than about 70, ADS is being used.

That's about the only way you can tell for certain whether or not ADS is being used.

Hi,

i am looking for some settings help. I just hooked up my motorola dct3416 I to my receiver with an HDMI then to my tv, a sony kdl-40xbr3 with 1080p using HDMI also. It seems like ever time i switch the TV on or the cable box, i have to go into the settings of the cable box and put it back at 1080i because it reverts to 720p! why is this? I can't change this on my tv, just the cable box so what is going on? what do i want 4:3 override to be also? What are the optimal HDMI seetings for me? i noticed there are diferent HDMI 4:4:4: and stuff... please help!

thanks

linkin8r

Quote:
Originally Posted by RealWing
When I got digital cable hookup, I was given a Motorola 3412 STB. The HDMI would not work with my Panny Plazma TH-42PX600U (got a green screen after a few seconds due to handshaking issue with the 3412) My cable company has been testing the Pace Tahoe TDC775 boxes and I got one of those today. The HDMI now works perfectly, plus I now have 160Gb record capability. So far, it looks good.
Will see if it has any software glitches as the days go by. For info- my Firmware is Version 9.21.


Does it have the same software interface as the 3412? Is it dual tuner? Does it use the same compression/storage as the 3412? While i'm not unhappy with the 3412 right now, I'm always curious about alternatives :-)

Looks like it uses Linux Open Source software.
This is from the users manual "... In compliance with the GPL and LGPL Pace makes the source code of the Linux software, libraries and associated utilities it uses, together with its modifications (if any), available to the public in source code form at http://www.pacemicro.com/opensource/TDC770DSeries. You are free to use, modify and distribute the Linux software and any modifications as long as you comply with the terms of the GPL or LGPL referred to above. ..."

It has dual tuners and has 160GB hard drive. Not sure what compression algorithm it uses.

I was surprised too, thought maybe is was something special in the decoding my tv did (Hitachi 57s715)Again, my understanding is that there is no standard for even passing a Closed Caption signal along a digital video connection. It would be great if one of the hard-core techies who knows for sure could chime in.

Also, just out of curiosity with what you're saying about the other outputs (RF, composite), should these pass the CC on the 3416 to a tv hooked up this way? I haven't tried it with the 3416. Y'know, I'm not sure with regard to the Motorola STBs. I know that this was the case with my Pioneer 810HS, and my DVD player.

I'm not certain, but I think with a 64xx box you still tuned the analog channels when selected.Not necessarily. With ADS available in the area, the cable company can control whether the 64xx delivers you the original analog channel or the digital simulcast. Generally, they'll choose the latter (because there are less problems that way).

If I have a chance this weekend, I'll run A/V cables from the 3416 and see what I get in terms of CC.

Your TV CC decoder will show Closed Captions signals via Composit, S-Video, and Component cables.Thanks for clearing this up! I'll have to try the component cables -- I remember it not working, from my Pioneer 810HS, nor from my Samsung DVD player.

Noticed last night this channel is gone in the Boston area. :(

Gone from here too, but they added TNT-HD, Universal-HD, and MTV-HD, which shockingly shows music only. Of course it's only a matter of time before they replace music with Real World in HD marathons ;-)

Boy, the factory reset sure is unreliable, and Comcast CS has not been able to help. My HD channel line-up is wrong. I'm getting HBO, SHO, MAX that I am not paying for as I only have digital classic, but I'm not getting some of the digital classic stations that came on recently.

725 HD Special Events
727 Universal HD
728 MHD

726 TNT is showing

I've done two factory resets according to the wiki guidelies. Seemed to do what it should as the box ran through the boot, dl. First time, after it was done, I still had all my recordings and the channels were still wrong. Second time it didn't even erase the Guide listings!

CS says exchange the box. Any other options?

Exchange the box.

CC encoding/decoding in the digital/analog cable world is a bit of a mess right now, especially with the Motorola's bizarre way of accessing changes to it.

First, the box itself should be able to decode and display CC for any channel carrying it. Although in my testing, if you have it configured to display SD channels as 480i, it will NOT display CC on it's own for them.

Passing on CC for external devices to decode is a bit trickier.

Genuine analog should remain faithful to the original and be passed on. When analog is digitized for recording by the 6412, it should encode the CC in some form, whether through keeping the scan line carrying it, or encoding it in the digital data.

ADS and digital SD encode the CC within the digital stream. When outputting the signal, the box recreates the scan line.

HD is different. CC is inherently part of the digital stream. An external device must know how to decode the CC. If your TV has a digital tuner, it should be able to decode CC from HD and any other digital source. If your TV does NOT have a digital tuner, it may only support CC on SD signals, and possibly even then, only on analog inputs (not DVI/HDMI.)

My TV (Sony 30XBR910) only decodes CC for 480i. I'm not certain if it'll do it through it's DVI connection as I'm using component and don't have a DVI cable long enough.

SO I have read alot of this thread, but have not seen what I just encountered. Just got my new receiver and when I tried to connect it to the DVR w/ HDMI I got a picture but it hd a huge text box on it stating "This STB does not allow use with HDMI repeaters please use YPrPb connection" and then after about a minute went to a complete green screen. I had heard there were issues with some firmware and HDMI but never an actual message. . . this blows. Thank god for HDMI - its caused me nothing but trouble so far. . .

SO I have read alot of this thread, but have not seen what I just encountered. Just got my new receiver and when I tried to connect it to the DVR w/ HDMI I got a picture but it hd a huge text box on it stating "This STB does not allow use with HDMI repeaters please use YPrPb connection" and then after about a minute went to a complete green screen. I had heard there were issues with some firmware and HDMI but never an actual message. . . this blows. Thank god for HDMI - its caused me nothing but trouble so far. . .

Welcome to the "Green Screen Monster" Known problem with 3916 and firmware 12.31. I have the same problem with my Home Theater In a Box and had to switch back to composite for video and Optical digital for audio.

If your TV has a digital tuner, it should be able to decode CC from HD and any other digital source.This is generally not my experience.

had to switch back to composite for video...

Not to nitpick, but hopefully you meant to say component.

Alright well I swapped the DVR and DVD, so that the DVR is on tp and the thing is still loud as hell. I can hear it over the sound even at like -20db on my receiver. Why does this thing even have a fan??? You can passively cool a processor this slow easily. . . makes no damn sense.

Alright well I swapped the DVR and DVD, so that the DVR is on tp and the thing is still loud as hell. I can hear it over the sound even at like -20db on my receiver. Why does this thing even have a fan??? You can passively cool a processor this slow easily. . . makes no damn sense.

A few things.

The CPU is not the main heat producer in the STB. Remember the STB is always on, even in Standby mode (off) The only way to shut the STB off is to remove the power cord.

Power transformer, the Hard Drive, the CPU all cause the 100 deg heat that is normal in these STB. Thats why there required to be well ventilated and not placed inside any closed cabinet or near any other heat producing device.

If the fan is making noise, then take it back and replace it asap.

A few things.

The CPU is not the main heat producer in the STB. Remember the STB is always on, even in Standby mode (off) The only way to shut the STB off is to remove the power cord.

Power transformer, the Hard Drive, the CPU all cause the 100 deg heat that is normal in these STB. Thats why there required to be well ventilated and not placed inside any closed cabinet or near any other heat producing device.

If the fan is making noise, then take it back and replace it asap.

And by noise you mean sounds like a jet engine? Cause thats what it does. Adds a great effect to "Snakes on a Plane" though - almost like I was really there.

I traded my 3412 in for a 3416 last Friday to get the bigger HD. When I got it hooked up I called Comcast to get it authorized, following their procedures to the letter. Since then most of the channels just display "not available". I get some basic channels and local HD channels but most, including on-demand and HBO are missing. I have had them resend the authorizing signal 3 times and have done the factory reset procedure... no dice. Comcast says I need to schedule a service call. Should I just exchange the box myself or do I really have to have a tech come to the house???

How do I find out where the office is to return it to? I dont want to get a "technician" to come to my house - I just want a new box, I can just go to a certain office and exchange it correct?

I traded my 3412 in for a 3416 last Friday to get the bigger HD. When I got it hooked up I called Comcast to get it authorized, following their procedures to the letter. Since then most of the channels just display "not available". I get some basic channels and local HD channels but most, including on-demand and HBO are missing. I have had them resend the authorizing signal 3 times and have done the factory reset procedure... no dice. Comcast says I need to schedule a service call. Should I just exchange the box myself or do I really have to have a tech come to the house???

First Check the COAX cable connections and make sure the center pin has not been bent.

Then check to see if they have the correct STB seriel number under your account, ask them to check if all of your cable selection price codes are correct in your account.

If you can, please check your signal strength of the OOB & In Band Tuners via the STB diagnostic menu. Put the STB on Standby (off) and press ok/select within 2 seconds.

Please post the results.

How do I find out where the office is to return it to? I dont want to get a "technician" to come to my house - I just want a new box, I can just go to a certain office and exchange it correct?

Go here:

http://www.comcast.com/Corporate/Shop/ProductOverview.html

Go over to "CUSTOMERS" and then "PAYMENT CENTERS" and click on it. Put your address in the boxes and you will get the address that you ned.

And by noise you mean sounds like a jet engine? Cause thats what it does. Adds a great effect to "Snakes on a Plane" though - almost like I was really there.
I've got a 3416 and it is not loud at all. I am super sensitive to computer fan sounds too - I spent $100 on special fans/coolers to silence my office PC! Sounds like you should exchange your box.

I traded my 3412 in for a 3416 last Friday to get the bigger HD. When I got it hooked up I called Comcast to get it authorized, following their procedures to the letter. Since then most of the channels just display "not available". I get some basic channels and local HD channels but most, including on-demand and HBO are missing. I have had them resend the authorizing signal 3 times and have done the factory reset procedure... no dice. Comcast says I need to schedule a service call. Should I just exchange the box myself or do I really have to have a tech come to the house???
This happened to me. Check the signal strength using the power off/"OK/select" menu. I had low or nonexistent signal on a lot of channels. Turned out to be a bad piece of coax in the wall. Replaced that segment and now everything is 100%

Your TV CC decoder will show Closed Captions signals via Composit, S-Video, and Component cables.

This has worked for every Moto DCT STB that I have used connected to a Non HD TV & HDTV.

Well that's likely my problem then - I'm using HDMI. I'll try swapping it back to component and see if that helps. My wife prefers to have the TV volume real low (to prevent it from waking up our kid) and use CC when things get hard to hear. Not being able to switch it on and off easily is bugging her. (Personally I don't mind, CC drives me nuts... I end up reading the show instead of watching.)

I thought I'd write my experience up here to help the poor soul that has to go through what I have. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I have a Sharp LC-32D4U which is approx 2 years old. It was hooked up to a 6412 II since it was purchased via dvi with no problems. About 2 months ago when Comcast pushed that update my set started doing something akin to the Green Screen Monster but different. I've searched and I've found very few mentions of this bug so I thought I'd give you what I know of it.

A Blue screen comes up stating that the comcast box cannot find any resolutions that are applicable and to please hookup pbyr. Its blue, not green. After 5 seconds the Blue box goes away and the screen goes completely black. No fuzz, no nothing. Cycling the 6412 or the tr results in an immediate black screen from this point on. At first I obviously thought it was a 6412 hardware problem so I tried a new DVI cable. No luck. Called Comcast and they came out with a new 6412 II. Bing. Problem went away.. for that day. I believe the new unit had an older version of the firmware and the next morning, after a firmware update same thing.. TV went black. At the time I did not realize this though. Comcast brought out 3 more boxes and all worked fine at testing so I thought at that point it must be the set.

I had an extended warranty and ABT electronics came out, and replaced the dvi board. Believe it or not the box and the set worked fine for about 4 days before the blue screen came up. Next ABT flashed the tv with a firmware update. Again, worked about 4 days before the Blue screen came back. ABT took the set into teh shop to test in, flashed it again, and said they could not get the set to enter the same state I was able to in the shop. At this point I found the green screen threads and called comcast to see I could get a 6412 III (with hdmi) to try that. I went in picked up a box, and it was a 3416 instead of a 6412 III (hence this thread).

Brought it home, hooked it up, and was greeted with an image that flushed to a black screen (handshake error I'd imagine) once every 30ish seconds for about a second then comes back out of it. I let the box set up, authenticated it over the phone, then turned it off till later.

Started it up, no black box no flashy flashy. Worked fine that day. Next day, started it up it started the black flashing. Again, no blue screen here, just a complete signal loss with no artifacts or any kind of corruption. I cycled the tv over and over to no avail. I cycled the 3416 and the flashing went away. Intreagued I cycled it 30+ times. About one in every 5 or 6 times the black flashing manifests itself with 1 or 2 power cycles eliminating it.

I then went to the setup menu and changed the dmi sub menu to "dvi". This caused the tv to go immediately to the blue screen then to black. Changing it back to hdmi reverts back to normal.

This is truely weird. Anyone know if the "DVI" option in the comcast menu forces hdmi 1.1? If so I wonder if 1.1 is totally fubared with certain older chipsets in tvs and 1.2 is only "slightly" broke (assuming that the 3416 and my set can handle 1.2 which I think they both do)?

Anyways I hope this saves someone the frustration I've experienced the last few months.

Should I just exchange the box myself or do I really have to have a tech come to the house???Exchange the box yourself.

Well that's likely my problem then - I'm using HDMI. I'll try swapping it back to component and see if that helps.Please let us know the results. As I indicated earlier, my 3416 doesn't put out Closed Captions for decoding by my television via component video (rather, only by A/V and S-video connections), so if yours does put out Closed Captions via component video, I'd like to find out why mine doesn't.

First Check the COAX cable connections and make sure the center pin has not been bent.

Then check to see if they have the correct STB seriel number under your account, ask them to check if all of your cable selection price codes are correct in your account.

If you can, please check your signal strength of the OOB & In Band Tuners via the STB diagnostic menu. Put the STB on Standby (off) and press ok/select within 2 seconds.

Please post the results.
The COAX pin looked good and the connection solid.

COMCAST says my STB serial # is correct and all price codes are correct

OOB Status
SNR: 19.7 dB FAIR
AGC: 17% GOOD

IN-BAND STATUS
TUNER 1 - 36.0 dB GOOD
TUNER 2 - 37.5 dB GOOD

I set up an service appointment for tomorrow, so I guess I'll see what the tech has to say.... Thanks for the responses, everybody.

Please let us know the results. As I indicated earlier, my 3416 doesn't put out Closed Captions for decoding by my television via component video (rather, only by A/V and S-video connections), so if yours does put out Closed Captions via component video, I'd like to find out why mine doesn't.
Turns out my TV won't enable CC on the component or HDMI inputs, so I can't tell if the box will do it or not.

when you power on the unit for the first time does it take quite a while to set itself up? I've got no channels right now, it says the service is being restored...

wmilas:

I think a lot of people are having handshaking problems recently, coincident with the most recent firmware update. Mine started a couple of months after getting the 3416. DVI setting gives me colored snow unless the 3416 is turned on AFTER the DVI plasma display; setting the 3416 to HDMI negates that but occasionally the plasma display will work a few seconds on start-up and then go blank. The only way to get it back is to switch back to DVI and continue to turn the cable box off and on after the display. I believe somewhere in this thread there is an acknowledgement from Scanpa that this is a known issue and a firmware fix is in the works. I'm stuck as my display's component input is used by another device that doesn't have HDMI or DVI as an output. If you have component available, you may have to use that until the fix comes through I sure hope it is coming. For more than 2 years I never had a DVI problem.

The COAX pin looked good and the connection solid.

COMCAST says my STB serial # is correct and all price codes are correct

OOB Status
SNR: 19.7 dB FAIR
AGC: 17% GOOD

IN-BAND STATUS
TUNER 1 - 36.0 dB GOOD
TUNER 2 - 37.5 dB GOOD

I set up an service appointment for tomorrow, so I guess I'll see what the tech has to say.... Thanks for the responses, everybody.

Well, bicker1 was right, I should have just exchanged the box myself!
The tech spent time checking for filters outside my house and the at the pole even though I told him that I had a 3412 that worked just fine until I exchanged it last Friday. He also tried eliminating my coax amplifier because "those things cause problems sometimes". He finally got another box from the truck and, lo and behold, that fixed the problem.
The new box is a DCT6416 III. I believe it has a 160 gig HD, so I guess I got the extra storage capacity I was looking for. I have it hooked up via HDMI and all is well. Is there any advantage that the 3416 has over this model or should I leave well enough alone?

Well, bicker1 was right, I should have just exchanged the box myself!
The tech spent time checking for filters outside my house and the at the pole even though I told him that I had a 3412 that worked just fine until I exchanged it last Friday. He also tried eliminating my coax amplifier because "those things cause problems sometimes". He finally got another box from the truck and, lo and behold, that fixed the problem.
The new box is a DCT6416 III. I believe it has a 160 gig HD, so I guess I got the extra storage capacity I was looking for. I have it hooked up via HDMI and all is well. Is there any advantage that the 3416 has over this model or should I leave well enough alone?


The 3416 is all digital and the 6416 has analog tuner.

ajwees41

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.....

Bicker said on the issue of the adverts:
The same can be said of commercials during television episodes. However, it's all part of how what you're paying for gets delivered to you.

Don't take this wrong but this is a totally false analogy.

You do not pay the networks a thing for their programming.

You are not in any way or form the customer of the networks. The advertisers are the sole customers of the networks. You are the product -- you are what is being sold. (nothing nefarious there, that is part of the understood relationship since radio days.)

The opposite is true cable-- which is a service provider. You are the customer. It is the same as your cell phone company, landline company or ISP (your internet connection company). You pay them for the delivery system and they also subcontract premium content.

If it is ok for them to insert advertisement in the guide then by the exact logic it is ok for Comcast to insert adds in programming.

An more apt analogy would be if your mobile phone provider inserted a text message advertisements before caller id came up with an incoming call. Or if your DSL provider had found a way to isndert ads itself into your browser.

There are three problems this noew policy creates:

1) It is not generally part of a service providers practices to do this. Each person is bombarded with messages, and advertisements every day. To get this in your home embedded in a service you pay for is precedent setting.

2) If it is ok then then comcast can expand the practice

3) the Guide is a tool. It is a tool which you pay for as part of your service. The usability of this tool is decreased with the averts. User effort and keystroke in both Scroll and page are increased by 25% in one fell swoop with the ads. Amount of information presented on the screen was decreased by 20%.

Any person who has designed interfaces, menus, etc would be stunned at a step backwards like that.

If microsoft tomorrow added advertising on one line of five of your pull down menus on the software you licenses from them, would you easily dismiss any protest?

Please let us know the results. As I indicated earlier, my 3416 doesn't put out Closed Captions for decoding by my television via component video (rather, only by A/V and S-video connections), so if yours does put out Closed Captions via component video, I'd like to find out why mine doesn't.

Been through the discussion on this thread re closed captions. Perhaps someone might wish to make a specific thread.

My dad spends a lot of time with us and since he is moderaltely hard of hearing this is an important issue for me.

I have a 3416. Here are my observations. The HDMI will certainly not pass closed captions. It wont on any hdmi display I have tried it on, not on SD or HD.

Component will pass closed caption on SD, but not on HD

This is an issue with motorola and or the 3416 box as far as I can tell as my did has no problem with hdmi and closed captions on his SA (sorry don,t have the model).

We need to define terms when it comes to enabling captions on the box. What enabling the captions in the 3416 does is CHANGE "closed caption" to "open caption." An open caption is not a stream but part of the picture. So what the 3416 does is take the caption stream data and "hard" insert it into the picture.

This pretty much blows for the average user sine: a) you can't turn it off without going to the setup menu b) the implementation is garbage in the extreme with whatever software 3416 uses being very bad at sync, length of time displayed.

I have the sony kdl-40xbr3, motorola dct3416 I DVR HD tuner, Onkyo tx-sr674, and a samsung HD-860 up conversion dvd player.

1) can anyone tell me what i want to set my HDMI settings to, usually i have the option of RGB (for example RGB - Normal and RGB - something else) OR yBbBC 4:4:4: OR ybBBc 1:1:4: or something like those. what is the difference?

the dvd player and the motorola box have the HDMI selection i was reffering to above. and i have the motorola box set to output 1080i because it doesnt have an "auto" feature, and the dvd player set to auto.

2) Standard Def question:

I have everything hooked up with HDMI cables and the dvd and cable look fantastic on the HD channels but when i switch to a normal cahnnel (like say channel 2,4,5 or 7) it is all distorted and pixelated and sound is choppy and non existent sometimes, like now, it is just saying available in a momemnt. is this a motorola box issue? i just replaced this box today with the same one and still! it also happens when i hook up component cables and/or hook up directly to the tv with the cable box. any suggestions? any ideas?

thanks for helping!

Linkin8r

The advertisers are the sole customers of the networks. ... The opposite is true cable-- which is a service provider. You are the customer.If advertisers are customers of the networks, so are advertisers (the ones advertising in the cable guide) the customers of the cable company. So the cable company needs to satisfy both its sets of customers, in proportion to what's best for the cable company.

I have the sony kdl-40xbr3, motorola dct3416 I DVR HD tuner, Onkyo tx-sr674, and a samsung HD-860 up conversion dvd player.

1) can anyone tell me what i want to set my HDMI settings to, usually i have the option of RGB (for example RGB - Normal and RGB - something else) OR yBbBC 4:4:4: OR ybBBc 1:1:4: or something like those. what is the difference?
The setting you are referring to is the "color space". The available options on the 341x STB are RGB or YCC 4:4:4. I have a Hitachi LCD RPTV, which works with the RGB setting. Using the YCC 4:4:4 obviously makes the colors wrong, so you would know if it was set incorrectly. If you have the option on your TV, I would just set the TV and STB so they match. I would recommend RGB, as YCC is derived from RGB. See http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Setup#Additional_HDMI_Settings

2) Standard Def question:

I have everything hooked up with HDMI cables and the dvd and cable look fantastic on the HD channels but when i switch to a normal cahnnel (like say channel 2,4,5 or 7) it is all distorted and pixelated and sound is choppy and non existent sometimes, like now, it is just saying available in a momemnt. is this a motorola box issue? i just replaced this box today with the same one and still! it also happens when i hook up component cables and/or hook up directly to the tv with the cable box. any suggestions? any ideas?
I would check your coax cables and connections. I know you said your HD channels look good, but I would follow these instructions (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Bugs#The_picture_and.2For_sound_may_freeze_or_stutter.2C_par ticularly_on_HD_channels) to check your signal strength.

For those experiencing issues with video stutter over an HDMI/DVI connection, switching the HDMI/DVI OUTPUT MODE to "HDMI", even if using an HDMI->DVI connection, may ameliorate the problem.

I added a section (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Setup#Additional_HDMI_Settings) to the Wikibook.

I just swapped my 3412 for a 3416 and everything else is the same, but now my notebook PC can't capture the firewire output. Has anybody had success capturing firewire out of the 3416 or am I going to have to go back and get another 3412?

Hello all, I just wanted to update everyone and thank those that tried to help me with my problem with the 3412 (One Moment Please).

OK, so after 5 calls to tech support, a tech came out to fix the OMP problem. You wouldn't believe what was wrong. The people at the CC drop-off store didn't tell me I had to call in and authorize the box. A-MA-ZING. Between the idiot at the store and the 5 dopes answering the phone, this situation NEVER occurred to them. I got 5 different answers from "it's happening a lot in Chicago" to "it's a weak signal" to "we'll have to swap out the STB" to "just wait it out".

The tech had the box fully operational in minutes and told me that I was the 6th person in a row with the same problem and solution. This further cements my position that the CC phone support is little more worthless as TONAB and they have the wrong people employed in Chi City. Frustration X 1,000!

Happy Holidays to all!

If advertisers are customers of the networks, so are advertisers (the ones advertising in the cable guide) the customers of the cable company. So the cable company needs to satisfy both its sets of customers, in proportion to what's best for the cable company.

LOL, you missed the point! the advertisers are the customers of the networks because the audience doesn't pay for anything.

You pay the cavble company, you don;t pay ABC or NBC!

With service provider comcast their decision to place ads in and sell the subscribers (who do pay) as a "product" is brand new.

You became comcast's product last week. this is brand new relationship.

It is not analogous to broadcast. It is analogous to your mobile phone company sticking ads on your phone.

Next sold will be viewing habits -- that is of course the key to advertising efficiency .

Please let us know the results. As I indicated earlier, my 3416 doesn't put out Closed Captions for decoding by my television via component video (rather, only by A/V and S-video connections), so if yours does put out Closed Captions via component video, I'd like to find out why mine doesn't.

I have now checked my two 3216 against three hdtvs. I am getting CC via component on SD channels on all.

Conditions:
Caption off on STB menu
Caption on on TV ("CC1")

Test:
HDMI
Component
S
Composite

Result:
SD channels
Component, S, Composite: Captions on all SD channels
HDMI: no captions at all

HD channels
No captions on HD channels on any input method.

Test:
Captions enabled on 3416

Captions delivered on all input methods (not a surprise since the 3416 does not transfer the caption data stream in this case but directly translates and embeds caption data as part of picture it sends, ie "open captions".
Notes:
Open Captions cannot be switched off via the TV
3416 open caption creation is complete garbage with very bad timing, iynch short flashes of long captions. (I have compared both using pip)

I think their should be a caption wiki since the questions come up here on many threads and searches just find short half answered questions.

I am no expert but it is my sense from some research that caption handshake/translation/standards on HD generally as well as from sd over HDMI are not well implemented/standardized at this time.

Systems seem designed for permanant captions (open caption via set top box) without consideration that some people may wish to turn them on and off.

Anyone else have trouble with some HD reception?

I've got two HD channels that are coming in with some static, but the old box (6412) works fine downstairs....

LOL, you missed the point!I never miss a point. When that's what it appears, consider that I'm typically making a point. You made an analogy. I showed how that analogy could be used to make the opposite point to that you were trying to make. I was trying to be polite by not saying, out-right, that the analogy was invalid. My original analogy was correct: It's all part of how what you're paying for gets delivered to you. Your option as a subscriber: accept it or unsubscribe from cable service.

I have now checked my two 3216 against three hdtvs. I am getting CC via component on SD channels on all.Strange. My Samsung still shows Caption setting greyed-out while on Component inputs. Must be a television-specific thing.

False Recorder Full message .... anyone else experiencing this?

I've had the 3412 for about 8 weeks and I keep getting an occasional and totally random "recorder full" message when I'm only at 25% to 50% full. This seems to have started after Comcast's latest FW/SW download about 6 or 7 weeks ago, however I'm not 100% sure if it's FW/SW related.

I've learned the hard way that this situation can lead to deletion of some of my oldest recordings (to make room) if they were recorded using the default save until "Space Needed" setting. I've since changed my recording options to until "I Delete" for all recordings as a temporary work-around to prevent future deletions. However, that does not solve the problem of the scheduled program then not recording (as a result of the DVR mistakenly thinking it's full) whenever this bug strikes.

I wonder if the 3416 has this bug?

Thanks.

Has anyone here in Comcast's Oregon area received a 3416 yet? ... Portland / Beaverton specifically.

False Recorder Full message .... anyone else experiencing this?
Yep, I did with the 6412. Reinstalling the FW/SW with a full reset worked for me. See details here (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Bugs#The_DVR_menu_erroneously_states_the_DVR_hard_drive_is_1 00.25_full).

I haven't seen it with the 3416, but I didn't see it again with the 6412 after a reset, so it may be related to a bad FW/SW install.

Has anyone here in Comcast's Oregon area received a 3416 yet? ... Portland / Beaverton specifically.

Yup. About a month ago. See me on the Portland Comcast thread.

For those experiencing issues with video stutter over an HDMI/DVI connection, switching the HDMI/DVI OUTPUT MODE to "HDMI", even if using an HDMI->DVI connection, may ameliorate the problem.

I added a section (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Setup#Additional_HDMI_Settings) to the Wikibook.

ExDeus: Thanks for adding the Wikibook section.

I have a 3412 using F/W 16.20 but find no "Additional HDMI Settings" on my User Setting Menu. Is this new menu item exclusive to the 160Gb DVR units?

every few days i start experiencing the video stutter on my 3416 over the dvi/hdmi connection. if i go into the user menu, switch it off of rgb and then back to it, it fixes it. with the dvi connection it "locks" into the dvi mode, but still allows me to switch the colorspace. i don't know why switching it to the wrong setting and back to the right one is the only way to get rid of the stutter....

All,
Perhaps covered here so I apologize in advance. Set is Sony KDL46XBR2. I just got my 3rd new DCT3416\2305 from Comcast. I am seeing something on both Component and HDMI. When I display the Guide menu when on a HD channel, the text is thin, pixelated, etc. Switching to an SD channel and redisplaying the Guide menu, all the text is relatively rounded and filled in. It happens on all HDMI inputs and both Component. I do not have this issue on my older Comcast box which is DVI-D based (use DVI to HDMI Cable) on either the DVI-D or Component connection. Menu text is clean from HDMI connected Sony DVD player.

Jay S.

I have a 3412 using F/W 16.20 but find no "Additional HDMI Settings" on my User Setting Menu. Is this new menu item exclusive to the 160Gb DVR units?

Hmmm .... I wonder if I'm not seeing the "Additional HDMI Settings" on my menu because I'm not using the 3412's HDMI output?? :confused:

Is there anyone else out there using component output with F/W 16.20? Do you have this HDMI option on the 3412 user menu? Thanks

Hmmm .... I wonder if I'm not seeing the "Additional HDMI Settings" on my menu because I'm not using the 3412's HDMI output?? :confused:

Is there anyone else out there using component output with F/W 16.20? Do you have this HDMI option on the 3412 user menu? Thanks

Correct, the menu is only avalable when a HDMI Cable is connected.

SCANPA

I have had tremendous pixelation/stuttering/freeze-ups/'channel available shortly' message since 16.20 was installed on my 3416 connected via HDMI. Comcast has done numerous 'resets' remotely, and I have done a 'factory download' per WIKIPEDIA. Comcast came out and 'fixed' the issue twice by replacing cable connectors, splitters, etc. I am convinced that this is some sort of HDMI/Firmware bug rearing its ugly head. I have requested a new box twice, but neither tech would replace it. The problem has gone on for about 2 weeks now.

Any ideas and/or solutions?

Thanks in advance for your help.

I am now using Component cables to connect my 3416 to my display (a Mits 73727 rptv) and everything works fine. But in a couple of months I will be replacing the rptv with a front projector and would like to use HDMI cables to connect it. Have the bugs that plagued the HDMI connection of the Moto stb's earlier been eliminated? Or is it advised to still stay with Component? (I presently use HDMI to connect my dvd player to my rptv, and will continue to do so with the front projector.)

So I believe I've figured out some of my CC issues. As you may remember from earlier I am using component cables for connection and a 3416. I went into the output settings (box off, menu) and decided to mess with some settings there.

My settings WITH NO CC:
screen size: 16:9
output: 1080i
override: stretch
CC: off

Settings WITH CC:
screen size: 16:9
output: 1080i
override: 480i
CC: off

As you notice the only thing changed is the override, which I believe has to be set to the tv's native SD resolution (some sets may need 480p here and some may just not work at all). Now the tv does the CC decoding again as it did earlier but just to clarify, ONLY on SD channels. I had the tv doing CC on HD channels also but for that to work I had to change the output down to 480i for the HD channels & there ain't no way I'm leaving it that way. I could've sworn I had CC on all channels with my old 6412 box but now after playing around in the settings I may have just had it on SD channels.
If I don't post again today, Merry Christmas to everyone here!

Settings WITH CC:
screen size: 16:9
output: 1080i
override: 480i
CC: off

As you notice the only thing changed is the override, which I believe has to be set to the tv's native SD resolution (some sets may need 480p here and some may just not work at all). Now the tv does the CC decoding again as it did earlier but just to clarify, ONLY on SD channels. I had the tv doing CC on HD channels also but for that to work I had to change the output down to 480i for the HD channels & there ain't no way I'm leaving it that way. I could've sworn I had CC on all channels with my old 6412 box but now after playing around in the settings I may have just had it on SD channels.
If you turn CC ON, the the DVR will do the CC for HD channels, and your TV will do it for SD channels.

I have a Sony SXRD KDS50A2000 and my provider is Comcast which provided me with the Moto 3416 STB.

Under additonal HDMI settings, I can choose either RGB or YCC 4:4:4 for the color space. Which one should I use?

Thanks

If you turn CC ON, the the DVR will do the CC for HD channels, and your TV will do it for SD channels.

This is true, but the only time I want the CC to come on is when the tv is on mute. With it turned on in the DVR menu it's on all the time (unless you turn the box off, change setting, turn box back on, hassle). Would be nice if they put this feature setting the in regular settings section where clock or autotune settings are, maybe someday.

I just traded in the old Comcast cable box that I had for several years for the 3416 because I wanted the HDMI port. I have an annoying minor problem with the new box that I did not have with the old one. Every time that I change channels there is pop in the audio (this happens when I use either the HDMI OR component out). I use the coaxial audio out to a B&K receiver like I did with the old box. I thought originally that I had gotten a bad 3416 and exchanged it for another one but that also has the same problem. Does anybody have any idea what my problem might be?

Just swapped my 6412 for a 3416. So far`so good!

One question : Is there a way to dim the display? It is much brighter than my old STB.

Thanks

Just swapped my 6412 for a 3416. So far`so good!

One question : Is there a way to dim the display? It is much brighter than my old STB.

Thanks

Tomtv,
Yep.. I'd like to know as well. Do you see any difference in the Guide menu after you've selected an HDTV channel? With mine when I switch to HDTV stations, the text on the Guide menu looks totally different than with SD stations. This is the 3rd 3416 I've had, and seems to be a consistent problem. Happens both on Component and HDMI..

Jay S.

This is true, but the only time I want the CC to come on is when the tv is on mute. With it turned on in the DVR menu it's on all the time (unless you turn the box off, change setting, turn box back on, hassle). Would be nice if they put this feature setting the in regular settings section where clock or autotune settings are, maybe someday.

I'm with you on that one. GuideWorks needs to do a lot of work in this area to catchup with SA's SARA guide. Both of the features you described above are standard on SA set-tops.

Just swapped my 6412 for a 3416. So far`so good!

One question : Is there a way to dim the display? It is much brighter than my old STB.

Thanks

Sorry no display dimming.

I have an annoying minor problem with the new box that I did not have with the old one. Every time that I change channels there is pop in the audio (this happens when I use either the HDMI OR component out). I use the coaxial audio out ...
I get the pop too on my 3416 using an HDMI/DVI adapter on my DVI/DVI cable. But I use the optical audio out to my receiver. I think it only occurs when going from an HD channel to another HD, not on SD to HD changes. It's relatively minor and I've decided to tolerate it as it doesn't seem to present any danger to the speakers. Yet.

Ok I've got a weird one.

New Olevia 332H 32" LCD HDTV, hooked up to the 3416 via hdmi.

If I turn the cable box 'on' before the display, I get static...

So, to get a picture via hdmi, I must have the STB 'off' and turn the display on, then the STB.

Any ideas? It's pretty annoying, because if you just turn the display off, then turn it back on, you have to turn 'off' the box and turn it back 'on'

You may be happier using component connections.

I just traded in the old Comcast cable box that I had for several years for the 3416 because I wanted the HDMI port. I have an annoying minor problem with the new box that I did not have with the old one. Every time that I change channels there is pop in the audio (this happens when I use either the HDMI OR component out). I use the coaxial audio out to a B&K receiver like I did with the old box. I thought originally that I had gotten a bad 3416 and exchanged it for another one but that also has the same problem. Does anybody have any idea what my problem might be?


I also hear a noise when changing channels. I just traded in my old Comcast box for a 3416 last week. My noise sounds like clicking (several clicks, actually). I am using an optical connection to my Onkyo receiver.

Ok I've got a weird one.

New Olevia 332H 32" LCD HDTV, hooked up to the 3416 via hdmi.

If I turn the cable box 'on' before the display, I get static...

So, to get a picture via hdmi, I must have the STB 'off' and turn the display on, then the STB.

Any ideas? It's pretty annoying, because if you just turn the display off, then turn it back on, you have to turn 'off' the box and turn it back 'on'

My two year old Olevia does this too, since Comcast went to 16.20 firmware. If I can't turn off the STB (because its recording), I just pull the hdmi cable and reinsert it. It happens my stb is in a spot where the hdmi cable is pretty accessible.

There has been at least some reference in this thread to the TV's with this problem being out of spec for HDMI/HDCP. Because my set is older that may be. However, if new Olevia's are doing it, maybe its worth contacting Olevia tech support. Perhaps they have a firmware upgrade.

Of course Comcast/Motorola could fix it in STB firmware. However, you know how slow they are to fix anything.

I just traded in my old Comcast cable box (not sure the model #, but was the Moto HD/DVR) that I had for 2 years for the 3416 because I wanted the HDMI port, however after plugging it in through HDMI I was a bit disappointed. Could I really have gotten a better picture with my old box through component? I of course can't compare PQ now without the box. Should I just get components for this box, or return it? I don't expect that this is common, but anyone experience this?

I just traded in my old Comcast cable box (not sure the model #, but was the Moto HD/DVR) that I had for 2 years for the 3416 because I wanted the HDMI port, however after plugging it in through HDMI I was a bit disappointed. Could I really have gotten a better picture with my old box through component? I of course can't compare PQ now without the box. Should I just get components for this box, or return it? I don't expect that this is common, but anyone experience this?

Ryno4ever,
Not unusual at all. Right now I've got both in my house hooked up to a Sony XBR2 (46inch).. The first two 3416 Comcast brought out were terrible. We had both boxes hooked up via component and HDMI (the old box was DVI-D so an adpater was used). In both those cases, it was the Comcast installer who wouldn't let me keep the 3416 because of the PQ. This latest one I have has excellent PQ, but I have this Guide Text font issue thing going on when displaying the Guide menu after switching to an HDTV channel... I think the 3416 still has some work to be done on it.

Jay S.

Jay,

Are you using hdmi cables now? I'm wondering if it is the box or the cables. Should I just switch to component on the new one or try to get the old box back as well. I have the 46in Samsung 1080p and while the picture is still really nice, I know it was a little better before.

I just swapped my 3412 for a 3416 and everything else is the same, but now my notebook PC can't capture the firewire output. Has anybody had success capturing firewire out of the 3416 or am I going to have to go back and get another 3412?
I replied to you at the firewire thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9281140&&#post9281140).

One thing that occurred to me, is a note I saw about making sure you use the Firewire port on the far right of the back of the 3416 (that would be on the far left when viewing the STB from the front).

Jay,

Are you using hdmi cables now? I'm wondering if it is the box or the cables. Should I just switch to component on the new one or try to get the old box back as well. I have the 46in Samsung 1080p and while the picture is still really nice, I know it was a little better before.

I am using HDMI Cables (www.monoprice.com great stuff low prices). I have both HDMI and Component hooked up. It took me a few tries to get PQ the same as the old box, which I kept for comparison purposes (I'm paying for an extra box for a couple of weeks). I doubt you'll be able to get your specific box back, but you could ask for an older one to be brought out. As I said, my only issue now seems to be the Guide menu getting messed up when I select a HD station.. that and the fact that the blasted numeric display is much brighter on the front of the new 3416...

Jay S.

I am using HDMI Cables (www.monoprice.com great stuff low prices). I have both HDMI and Component hooked up. It took me a few tries to get PQ the same as the old box, which I kept for comparison purposes (I'm paying for an extra box for a couple of weeks). I doubt you'll be able to get your specific box back, but you could ask for an older one to be brought out. As I said, my only issue now seems to be the Guide menu getting messed up when I select a HD station.. that and the fact that the blasted numeric display is much brighter on the front of the new 3416...

Jay S.

How would you compare the PQ from Component and HDMI? Any difference that you can tell?

Has anyone heard if an update or fix for Firmware 16.20 is in the works?

The nuisance bug struck again yesterday .... apparently, the 'DVR Authorization and factory Reset' apparently did not solve this problem for my older 3412.

This new bug arrived with the 16.20 Firmware and I can't believe Comcast and Motorola are simply ignoring it ..... right? :eek:

They wouldn't do that .... right? :(

I don't think I need my exact box back, but maybe the same model.

Another question:

My old box with component cables defaulted every channel to a 16:9 (or at least it seemed), with my new box with HDMI all SD and some HD channels are taken in a little on the side. Is this the box that is doing this, or the cables?

Just got off the phone with a technical service rep. He said that Comcast does not support HDMI. The box may have it and your TV may support it but Comcast does not support it. Has anyone else heard this? He said to just stick with component or DVI. I know I'm a noob, but this is all news to me.

How would you compare the PQ from Component and HDMI? Any difference that you can tell?
With the 3416, I can notice a distinct difference in PQ b/w component and HDMI hook-ups on my display. That's the key: Every display is different, so YMMV.

On my Hitachi 50V500 LCD RPTV, I get jagged edges and digital artifacts when using component video, I assume due to the D/A, A/D conversion. The HDMI->DVI connection looks much better.

I don't think I need my exact box back, but maybe the same model.

Another question:

My old box with component cables defaulted every channel to a 16:9 (or at least it seemed), with my new box with HDMI all SD and some HD channels are taken in a little on the side. Is this the box that is doing this, or the cables?
Are you talking about the pillarboxing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pillarbox) (the black bars on the sides)?

For the HD channels, that is the way the signal is broadcast, so you can't get rid of the side bars. For the SD channels, I believe it's the 4:3 Override setting in the User Settings menu. If you haven't done it before see how to access the User Settings menu here (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Setup). The settings regarding 4:3 Override are here (http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Setup#4:3_OVERRIDE).

I think you had the last box set to STRETCH, or either 480p or 480i with your TV set to STRETCH/WIDE. So you were seeing 4:3 content stretched to 16:9. Your new box is probably set to OFF, or your TV is no longer set to STRETCH/WIDE.

"Component Only" has been what they've been telling me since I've had my 3412 (June 2006). I use mine on Component anyway, so it is not an issue for me. Rather, I'm fighting the latest bug introduced with the latest Firmware 16.20 (the DVR mistakenly reports it is 100% Full). I hope it gets addressed with an eventual F/W update. :(

Otherwise, I'm modestly satisfied.

Just got off the phone with a technical service rep. He said that Comcast does not support HDMI. The box may have it and your TV may support it but Comcast does not support it. Has anyone else heard this? He said to just stick with component or DVI. I know I'm a noob, but this is all news to me.

I showed how that analogy could be used to make the opposite point to that you were trying to make. I was trying to be polite by not saying, out-right, that the analogy was invalid. My original analogy was correct: It's all part of how what you're paying for gets delivered to you. Your option as a subscriber: accept it or unsubscribe from cable service.

Again you did miss the point. We are talking about service providers. That is a basic business class. Subscirvers are the customers of service providers.

Once the subscriber becomes the product (and that is the function of introducing advertsing ), the relationship has changed. The converse is not true. The advertisers are not a product for the subscribers.

The end result will be pressure from the people within comcast who pushed this plan to use individual viewing habits, which are easily harvbested in this day and age, to customize advertsing. One also could outright sell viewing habits. There is nothing in comcasts privacy policy to stop this.

That is why Comcast's abrupt and completely new realtionship with its subscribers -- making them product -- is problematic.

If you turn CC ON, the the DVR will do the CC for HD channels, and your TV will do it for SD channels.

If you read back the issue is that if you turn it on from set top box you can't turn it off. Lots of/(most?) people need this since one family member may be hard of hearing and or they may watch late at night. That is why captions have been on remotes and televisions for ad hoc use.

Strange. My Samsung still shows Caption setting greyed-out while on Component inputs. Must be a television-specific thing.

No, something is wrong or out of spec. over component you would be be getting it. Indeed one of my sets is a samsung. Over SD you should be getting CC on any set. (HD specs have created a number of as yet unsolved problems, but not sd specs over component)

Just got off the phone with a technical service rep. He said that Comcast does not support HDMI. The box may have it and your TV may support it but Comcast does not support it. Has anyone else heard this? He said to just stick with component or DVI. I know I'm a noob, but this is all news to me.

That doesn't sound right at all. Comcast will even supply you with an HDMI cable I believe.

Jay S.

That doesn't sound right at all. Comcast will even supply you with an HDMI cable I believe.

Jay S.

Come on everyone .... please add your input here. As of yesterday it was Component only in Orgeon (and no freebee HDMI cable for me). What about other parts of North America?

Come on everyone .... please add your input here. As of yesterday it was Component only in Orgeon (and no freebee HDMI cable for me). What about other parts of North America?When I upgraded my Comcast service to a Gold digital package with DVR over the phone I mentioned that my intention was to use HDMI. The rep never said anything about Comcast not supporting HDMI, though he stated that the only cables I would receive with the STB would be component.

I decided to do a local pickup (Dec 16th Sellersville, PA) rather than set up an installation appointment. When I picked up the STB (a 3412) I just asked again about hooking up the box through HDMI instead of component. The rep asked me if I was sure my TV had HDMI; I said yes I'm sure, so she went in the back and came out with an HDMI cable and dropped it in the bag without blinking an eye. :D

So far the 3412 has been great for me. It has F/W version 12.22 on it. Basically everything was plug and play simple from the beginning, and the picture quality has been fantastic through HDMI. I am using the optical out to my Sony receiver. The Harmony 880 remote has been a blessing for making my setup very easy to use for everyone. So far I have been extremely happy, though there was one instance where I was using the skip function many times and very fast in succession during a playback of one of my recordings, and the box froze up on me. The only remedy was to pull the power plug. Nothing was lost except the guide information (which was a little bit of a pain), and it hasn't happened again.

I would have really liked the bigger drive that the 3416 has, because I know I'm going to go recording happy with this box; but since it seems there are more people having problems with the 3416 than with the 3412, I'm a little hesitant to take the 3412 back for a switch. :o

Come on everyone .... please add your input here. As of yesterday it was Component only in Orgeon (and no freebee HDMI cable for me). What about other parts of North America?
I've always told the reps when I've had relevant problems that I'm using DVI or HDMI->DVI, and I've never been told it was unsupported.

I did only get component cables, though. I was told that's all they give out.

While I haven't posted enough times for this board to allow me to post links, I recommend everyone search WSJ for either Walt Mossberg or the story title "The HDTV Dilemma: Pay for TiVo's Recorder Or Settle for Cable's?" that just posted this (12/28) morning.

I think the article fairly reflects most of the sentiment of members of this board...

His final comment: "But, for now, the choice is tough. The Comcast high-definition DVR is a cheaper, but flawed product and the TiVo Series3 is an excellent, but overpriced one."

Happy New Year,

Just got off the phone with a technical service rep. He said that Comcast does not support HDMI. The box may have it and your TV may support it but Comcast does not support it. Has anyone else heard this? He said to just stick with component or DVI. I know I'm a noob, but this is all news to me.Yes, I've heard that. Comcast's objective is to provide a reasonable level of service at a reasonable price. They don't aim to be all things to all people -- they're not treating the audio-videophile separately from J6P -- they don't charge audio-vidoephiles a higher price for a higher level of service. They charge only one price for each set of channels, for a standard/basic service. While some techs can and will help with more advanced topics, the bottom-line objective for the techs is to get your service working, even if that means switching to component video.

Again you did miss the point.Again, I never miss the point. I simply disagree with you. I think you're wrong, mistaken, erroneous, etc. I'm not sure how many other ways to say the same thing.

No, something is wrong or out of spec. over component you would be be getting it. Indeed one of my sets is a samsung. Over SD you should be getting CC on any set. Is the issue SD vs. HD, or is it analog vs. digital? I don't have analog SD; I only have digital SD via ADS.

Regardless, some other messages in the official thread for my HL-S set does confirm that it doesn't support CC over component video.

While I haven't posted enough times for this board to allow me to post links, I recommend everyone search WSJ for either Walt Mossberg or the story title "The HDTV Dilemma: Pay for TiVo's Recorder Or Settle for Cable's?" that just posted this (12/28) morning.

Excerpts from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116726248529661013.html

In my recent experience with Comcast, the high-definition DVR it supplies is just awful. The user interface on the Comcast box is crude and confusing. The worst problem is that the Comcast box flubs the basic functions of a DVR. It is maddeningly slow at responding to commands sent by the remote control. You press pause and nothing happens. You try to return to normal speed after fast-forwarding and the unit takes so long to obey your command that you badly overshoot the resumption of the program.

In the program grid, the Comcast box displays just four rows of stations at a time. Until recently, there was a fifth row, but now that has been replaced by an ad. The ad not only sucks up space, but also is aggravating because it gets selected each time you reach the bottom of the grid screen. Sacrificing 20% of an already paltry information screen for an ad just shows contempt for users.

Fortunately, it may be possible to get some, but not all, of TiVo's superior features by just waiting. In 2007, Comcast and TiVo expect to roll out an option for downloading TiVo software to Comcast boxes. This would provide the TiVo interface without sacrificing Comcast features such as on demand. Comcast is also working on other new user interfaces and features using non-TiVo technology.

I would have really liked the bigger drive that the 3416 has, because I know I'm going to go recording happy with this box; but since it seems there are more people having problems with the 3416 than with the 3412, I'm a little hesitant to take the 3412 back for a switch. :o
When my 6412's hard drive started going south last summer, I went to my local CC office to get a replacement. I asked if they had a 3416, and they gave me one. I've had zero problems with it, other than the very occasional response lag.

Statistically, it means nothing. But since these forums usually only see complaints, I thought I'd add a positive experience to the mix.

When my 6412's hard drive started going south last summer, I went to my local CC office to get a replacement. I asked if they had a 3416, and they gave me one. I've had zero problems with it, other than the very occasional response lag.

Statistically, it means nothing. But since these forums usually only see complaints, I thought I'd add a positive experience to the mix.

Me too. I picked up a 3416 at my local office to replace my 6412. there was nothing wrong with my 6412 and I had it since I first signed up (it was a series 1) I thought it was time to move up.

I have been just as pleased with the 3416. No significant problems, not much difference except the size of the hard disk.

Come on everyone .... please add your input here. As of yesterday it was Component only in Orgeon (and no freebee HDMI cable for me). What about other parts of North America?

I received free HDMI cables from Comcast.

I've searched for an answer to this, thought I found one, but it didn't work. Anyway, here it is:

If my STB is on for a while, I eventually notice that the DD5.1 has been reduced to stereo sound on HD channels. I've tried the mute-the-STB option with no luck. The only thing I've tried that works is unplugging the box and letting it reset, but then I have to wait a while for the guide to refresh.

I've got the 3416 with F/W 12.25 on Comcast's network in Philly and the Yammy 2700 as my receiver connected via component (as this F/W doesn't support HDMI switching, I believe), if that helps.

I've searched for an answer to this, thought I found one, but it didn't work. Anyway, here it is:

If my STB is on for a while, I eventually notice that the DD5.1 has been reduced to stereo sound on HD channels. I've tried the mute-the-STB option with no luck. The only thing I've tried that works is unplugging the box and letting it reset, but then I have to wait a while for the guide to refresh.

I've got the 3416 with F/W 12.25 on Comcast's network in Philly and the Yammy 2700 as my receiver connected via component (as this F/W doesn't support HDMI switching, I believe), if that helps.

You do not need to unplug the STB to fix the Digital Audio problem.

With the STB in standby mode (Off) press Menu to access the user settings.

cursor down and select:

restore all defaults.

Then be sure to change all of your video and CC settings before exiting the user menu.

This will restore the DD5.1 & DD2.0 / PCM audio problem.

I sent Walt Mossberg's comments to Comcast. As usual, they ignored the email and sent a canned response, which turns out to be interesting, although more than a bit nauseating -

================

Thank you for contacting us regarding your Comcast cable service.

I understand you would like some information about the banner ads now appearing on your Interactive Program Guide.

Comcast is happy to use our technology to educate our customers about the value of Comcast Digital Cable service. The banner ads you are seeing on your guide, which will appear during prime-time hours, provide tips and instructions on how to use certain features, like Parental Controls and Favorites. They also promote various programs that are in your regular channel line-up, and provide you with the option to easily set a reminder or recording, tune directly to the program, see other show times, and perform the other functions available on the program information screen.

You will not be charged by viewing details of any banner ad. The banners simply lead you to information on programs that may be of interest to you. You will only be charged if you order a program with an associated charge - for instance, a Pay Per View or ON DEMAND program or movie.

To view more information about a specific banner ad, use the down arrow on your remote control to navigate to the ad. Once highlighted, push the Ok/Select key on your remote. To exit the screen, select the arrow icon on the left of your screen, or push the Last button on your remote control. If you would like to scroll through your television listings without highlighting the ads, use the Page Up and Page Down buttons on your remote.

Sincerely,

Comcast Customer Support

You know for the reasons given they make sense to have them for the 'average user', however it would be nice if we 'above average users' could disable them somehow, especially if they're there to educate people (of the stuff we already know about & more). Unfortunately I'm sure they won't bother with a disable option.

When I got home today I found all the HD channels missing from any of the programable favorites lists. When I edit the lists the channels indicate that they are selected as favorites (they have hearts next to them).
If I add a new channel to the list it appears on the guide, but not HD channels. I've tried removing them from the list then re-adding them and still the don't appear.
Anyone else seen this problem before ?

When I got home today I found all the HD channels missing from any of the programable favorites lists. When I edit the lists the channels indicate that they are selected as favorites (they have hearts next to them).
If I add a new channel to the list it appears on the guide, but not HD channels. I've tried removing them from the list then re-adding them and still the don't appear.
Anyone else seen this problem before ?

YES, ME TOO STARTING TODAY.

YES, ME TOO STARTING TODAY.

Ah, thought I was going mad here as well!

This started happening to me 2 days ago. I have 2 DVRs so when none of the HD channels would appear in any of my favourite lists on my main DVR, I gambled it was a glitch and rebooted the DVR by pulling the power cord! Didn't help! Then I noticed it was happening on my other DVR as well.

Sounds like this is a global Comcast service issue. Anyone called Comcast about it yet? I haven't yet because I have recordings on the disks that I don't want deleted and I don't want to take the chance that the service tech sends a hard-boot command down the line as part of some standard diagnosis process! :eek:

I just checked my 3416. No problem there. The FAV guide shows all my favorite HD channels, including my two HD premiums. It's definitely not a global issue.

i'm about ready to give up on my 3416 in my main theater setup, it's going upstairs and being used with component cables.

i'm getting tired of every few days having to go into the service menu to reset the dvi setting. it starts having jittery hd playback every few days, even though the setting remains on dvi (i have to use an hdmi-dvi cable). i have to toggle it off of dvi and back on to have the jittery hd playback stop. what is causing this?


also, this thing just does not want to archive to dvhs. i can see a signal over firewire to my dvhs deck but it is heavily pixelated. my 6412 didn't do this. looks like i'll be moving my other 6412 back down into my main setup and keeping everything DVI, even if it has a smaller hard drive.

When I got home today I found all the HD channels missing from any of the programable favorites lists. When I edit the lists the channels indicate that they are selected as favorites (they have hearts next to them).
If I add a new channel to the list it appears on the guide, but not HD channels. I've tried removing them from the list then re-adding them and still the don't appear.
Anyone else seen this problem before ?
I just had this happen to me, and it later fixed itself! All I can think of is that I changed the 'default' on the mini-menu (when you hit MENU the first time) from the HD icon back to DVR. When I went back to the Guide and did a favorites, all the HD channels were back.
With all the talk lately about the HD channel listings, I wonder if more people started using it, and have exposed a bug?

When I got home today I found all the HD channels missing from any of the programable favorites lists. When I edit the lists the channels indicate that they are selected as favorites (they have hearts next to them).
If I add a new channel to the list it appears on the guide, but not HD channels. I've tried removing them from the list then re-adding them and still the don't appear.
Anyone else seen this problem before ?

I'm having the exact same problem. I tried unplugging (rebooting) the box...no luck. I tried creating a new favorites list...still no HD channels on the list. I called Comcast and they said they've had complaints and are looking into it. Hope they push a patch for it soon or somebody figures out a way get the HD channels back in the favorites list. Until then I guess I'll have to use the full guide for a while :(

I got the same story about the missing HD favorites this morning when I called. I haven't been home since then, and it sounds like I won't see them when I finally get home.

Even in my dreams I am having problems with this DVR: I had a dream that Comcast upgraded their firmware to a new sleek user interface with nice graphics and trendy fonts, but the recorded programs, schedules, and planned future recordings all disappeared!

i'm getting tired of every few days having to go into the service menu to reset the dvi setting. it starts having jittery hd playback every few days, even though the setting remains on dvi (i have to use an hdmi-dvi cable). i have to toggle it off of dvi and back on to have the jittery hd playback stop. what is causing this?
I got a 3416 that looked brand new. It was shiny and spotless and had a really bright, yellow LED display.

I had the same HD jitter/stutter over HDMI->DVI, and I used the same remedy, sometimes leaving the Output Mode on HDMI until I got an HDCP error.

I swapped out the box for other problems (it wouldn't "authorize" the DVR service on the box after a power failure) and got a 3416 with a few dents and dings, and a dimmer, more amber LED display.

The new box works great, with no HD jitter/stutter.


I'm inclined to believe boxes returned to Comcast are checked only minimally before being rubber stamped and sent out with another customer, but maybe there is something to the notion that a used box with a fixed problem is better than a new box with undiscovered problems.

I'm having the exact same problem. I tried unplugging (rebooting) the box...no luck. I tried creating a new favorites list...still no HD channels on the list. I called Comcast and they said they've had complaints and are looking into it. Hope they push a patch for it soon or somebody figures out a way get the HD channels back in the favorites list. Until then I guess I'll have to use the full guide for a while :(
The bug appears to be random. Sometimes my HD show, sometimes not. There hasn't been any software changes recently as far as I can tell. Odds are it's either some configuration change sent out, or some change in the guide data itself that is triggering the bug.

I noticed this yesterday also. I too tried creating a new favorites list and changing guide settings, everything but unplugging the device (which someone here says doesn't fix it).

I wouldn't mind the ads if the stupid thing worked . . . Well, I would mind the ads, maybe if it worked and was cheaper.

I have a 3412 running the M$ guide software here in Seattle and was wondering if there was any way to force it to update the guide data. For some reason my guide data stops at 3:00PM on Monday and hasn't moved out past that point in the past three days. I'm trying to set it up to record some bowl games but can't see far enough in the future to do that.

Unplug it for a while. It should reload after that.

I have a 3412 running the M$ guide software here in Seattle and was wondering if there was any way to force it to update the guide data. For some reason my guide data stops at 3:00PM on Monday and hasn't moved out past that point in the past three days. I'm trying to set it up to record some bowl games but can't see far enough in the future to do that.I've had that happen before - the cold boot took care of it. If that doesn't work, just give the provider a call.

First off ... HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Now onto topics at hand; After using my box for a couple weeks now with my PA Comcast service, I have had no problem with my 3412 and HD favorite channels. Odd that it seems to be a random problem.

About a month ago, after much drama, i received a new 3416 box. Although i'm quite pleased with the larger hard drive, there has been one persistent problem with this box that, although i'm dealing with it, is rather aggravating.

My DVR seems to randomly drop programs from the guide and list them as "To be announced." Originally, i figured that it'd catch up with itself over time, but what seems to happen is that the point that the first TBA shows up, my DVR stops adding program information until about a week prior to the TBA. So, for example, if there was a TBA for January 1, my program guide would stop loading new program information beyond January 1 until 1 week prior (December 25) and then keep only 1 week worth of guide data available.

Now, this isn't terrible, but it is annoying. What i did eventually was unplug the box and let it re-load the guide data. The first time i did this, the same thing happened within a few days (but with a different initial TBA). I tried the same thing again, and the second time i rebooted, it finally seemed to kick past the TBAs and gave me a full program guide for a while. Within a week, however, the same issue was happening.

Last night it occurred to me that when the tech installed my new box, he took readings of signal strength and told me that i had TOO MUCH signal coming into my condo and that he was installing a different type of splitter that would limit the amount of signal going to my DVR but letting full signal get through to everything past my first split (after the cable comes into my condo, it splits to my DVR and into another room, and the cable that goes to the other room splits 3 more times to go to other tvs and the cable modem) since i have so many splits. I theorized that perhaps now i'm not getting a strong enough signal to my DVR to allow the program guide to update, so i changed my set up to allow the full signal to go through to my DVR overnight (to see if my program guide would update fully this time) and rebooted the box.

When i woke up this morning, i was getting a very jittery picture on HD channels and my program guide had only downloaded a couple hours worth of data in the seven hours i had slept. I changed things back to the way the tech had things, and the picture improved greatly and, within 2 hours, it appeared that i had a full program guide (though 2 weeks of programing).

HOWEVER, a few minutes ago, i checking my scheduled recordings, and i've started to get random TBAs AGAIN. Programs that were showing up in the guide are now listed as "To Be Announced", and it seems that we're back to original problem with the program guide.

My question is, am i the only one who has experienced something like this, or has anyone else had this happen? If so, what's the solution? It's interesting to me that with my old 3412 this never happened, but again, since the tech put a different splitter in to limit signal strength, i'm not sure if something else might be causing the problem. All in all, it's something i can live with, but it's very annoying.

Any help would be most appreciated... and kudos to anyone who read this entire ramble! Thanks in advance for the help!!

-dave

It's nice to know I'm not the only one with this problem. I have a 6412 P2, and it's been doing that for a year. Typically, the first week is complete, but the second week tends to come and go. It's mainly the title and description that disappear. The length, type (color code), and New/Repeat still remain.
I think it may be some memory overload or similar causing some of the data to get corrupted.

It's nice to know I'm not the only one with this problem. I have a 6412 P2, and it's been doing that for a year. Typically, the first week is complete, but the second week tends to come and go. It's mainly the title and description that disappear. The length, type (color code), and New/Repeat still remain.
I think it may be some memory overload or similar causing some of the data to get corrupted.

Could this be happening when the data upload/update process is interrupted, eg by turning the box on/off or unplugging it during one of those windows of program updating?

I usually see the TBAs to show up during what seems to be a program data update, the box sometimes slows down, but once the update is completed, then it is back to a full schedule. Or is this a different problem altogether?

I usually see the TBAs to show up during what seems to be a program data update, the box sometimes slows down, but once the update is completed, then it is back to a full schedule. Or is this a different problem altogether?

I never shut my box off; it seems to work better that way. Thanks for the suggestion though. :)

-dave

I too lost my HD channels from my favorites a few days ago - and a cold boot did not fix the problem. They're still not there today.

Question, (probably dumb and asked a million times here), but can someone point me to a thread that will help me dump saved programs off my 3412 so I can put them to DVD?

and what's STB stand for? (sorry I'm new here...)

-scott

I have been having the same problem also and I think it IS a system wide problem. On the 28th all the HD channels left my favorites on a 6412, on the 30th I got a brand new 3416 and set up a totally new favorites list with the HD channels. None appear and haven't been back since the original disappear.

On another note, how do you access your favorites list? I programmed a macro in the Comcast remote to do Menu->Select->Select but this of course messes up if you move the selection in the menu off the little heart. I doubt it, but is there a discrete code to access a favorites list?

You do not need to unplug the STB to fix the Digital Audio problem.

With the STB in standby mode (Off) press Menu to access the user settings.

cursor down and select:

restore all defaults.

Then be sure to change all of your video and CC settings before exiting the user menu.

This will restore the DD5.1 & DD2.0 / PCM audio problem.

That worked like a charm - however, it seemed to create a new problem (or at least is an impressive coincidence): occasionally if I change channels from say, ESPNHD or one of the lower HD movie channels (like HBO at 212 or whatever it is) to one of the higher movie channels (Showtime at 347, for example) I will get audio and no picture. My TV (Westy 47") says "No Signal", but my Yamaha is still putting out sound. And if it's an HD movie channel, still putting it out at 5.1.

Very weird. Comcast tech support has no idea (not that they ever do). They send a signal to my box, and nothing happens. If I just ignore it, it usually solves itself within a few hours.

Help save a lost soul!

Also, have you heard if we (the Philly area) are going to be getting the F/Q update anytime soon, 16.20 I believe, to enable HDMI switching?

My DVR seems to randomly drop programs from the guide and list them as "To be announced."

Typically, the first week is complete, but the second week tends to come and go. It's mainly the title and description that disappear. The length, type (color code), and New/Repeat still remain. I think it may be some memory overload or similar causing some of the data to get corrupted.

Sounds plausible. I have noticed this as well. It clearly knew, at one point, what many of the programs were, because it set them up for serial recording.

and what's STB stand for? (sorry I'm new here...)

-scott

Set Top Box

Since I bought my Sony Bravia last year, and as I collect more devices that support HDMI (up-converting DVD player, PS3, etc.) and component connections (other game consoles), it is quickly becoming apparent that sooner or later I'm going to have to purchase a switchbox of some kind, since my display only has one HDMI and one component input (sad, I know).

Short of looking for another display that has a ridiculous array of component and HDMI inputs on the back, what do you guys recommend? I guess my question is, should I get an HDMI switchbox or a component switchbox? Does the HDMI interface offer any real advantages over component cables (other than simplicity and neatness)?

Also, interrupting a nice direct connection with my display with any kind of splitting device worries me, are these things any good? Recommendations?

Any assistance is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

Short of looking for another display that has a ridiculous array of component and HDMI inputs on the back, what do you guys recommend? I guess my question is, should I get an HDMI switchbox or a component switchbox? Does the HDMI interface offer any real advantages over component cables (other than simplicity and neatness)?

Also, interrupting a nice direct connection with my display with any kind of splitting device worries me, are these things any good? Recommendations?

HDMI certainly has at least one MASSIVE advantage over component: it's digital! And since it's digital, I wouldn't worry about a splitter box degrading the signal. If the box is properly designed, any signal loss won't be enough to cause audible/visible problems. My main worry would be HDCP. If that is disrupted by the box, then it will basically render a lot of HD content unusable. (insert standard "I hate DRM" rant here). If the switchbox is purely a passive electrical switch I imagine it would work fine, but I have no direct experience here.

Question, (probably dumb and asked a million times here), but can someone point me to a thread that will help me dump saved programs off my 3412 so I can put them to DVD?
We usually promote the use of the search (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/search.php?dump+saved+programs+3412) function, but I'll give you a pass this time. ;)

This is the popular, stickied thread at the top of this forum: How to record via IEEE 1394 (Firewire) to Windows XP (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=403695&page=1&pp=30)

is anyone here using their 3416 to archive to dvhs with an older JVC 30K model? i can't get any sort of smooth playback/recording via firewire from my 3416 to my 30K. seems to work of with the newer JVC 5U model.....

thanks

oleus

Hopefully, this hasn't been asked too many times. I've read a lot of the archive and found one plaintive post which was not answered. I exchange my DVI-D 64xx for an HDMI 3416 and the volume now does not control my SONY KDL 40V2500. I have locked and unlocked TV on the remote, but I use a programmable remote that worked fine before. The volume control from the box works with the analog cables thru the TV HDMI input 6. Mute works with the remote thru HDMI inputs 6 and 7. The volume gradations on the display go up and down, but to no effect. Is this a known problem with HDMI vs. DVI-D? Thanks.

HDMI certainly has at least one MASSIVE advantage over component: it's digital! And since it's digital, I wouldn't worry about a splitter box degrading the signal. If the box is properly designed, any signal loss won't be enough to cause audible/visible problems. My main worry would be HDCP. If that is disrupted by the box, then it will basically render a lot of HD content unusable. (insert standard "I hate DRM" rant here). If the switchbox is purely a passive electrical switch I imagine it would work fine, but I have no direct experience here.
I concur. There is more interpretation and opportunity for error/signal loss with a component switch, because it is analog. But HDCP is the biggest concern for an HDMI switch. You would want to make sure any switch you purchase supports it, and also that your output devices allow HDCP repeaters. The 3412, for example, needs at least firmware 16.20 to allow an HDMI switch reliably.

And, every display is different. If you have devices like the 3412, try hooking up the component cables, tweaking the color/input settings to your specs/liking, and comparing it to your HDMI connection. Keep in mind you don't want them both hooked up at once (I believe the 3412 is not designed for it), and that you should look for differences in picture quality (commonly referred to as "PQ" here), not differences in color, contrast, or brightness that can be fixed by tweaking your display's input settings (they will likely need to be set differently for HDMI and component inputs).

My Hitachi 50V500 LCD RPTV, for example, looks great over an HDMI->DVI connection, while the component connection has jagged edges and digital noise (introduced in the process of converting the digital signal to analog for the trip over the component cables, and then converting it back to digital for display).

When you mention neatness, though, if you have a digital audio output (optical or coax) from your TV, it could make a big difference to use HDMI, since it carries both video and audio. One HDMI cable per device running into a switch, one HDMI cable into the display, and one optical/coax cable running out from the display to your audio system, vs. three component cables per device running into the switch, three component cables running out of the switch into your TV, and who knows how many audio cables, depending on if you can run them through the switch, and if you want the audio to go to both your TV and an audio system.

Hopefully, this hasn't been asked too many times. I've read a lot of the archive and found one plaintive post which was not answered. I exchange my DVI-D 64xx for an HDMI 3416 and the volume now does not control my SONY KDL 40V2500. I have locked and unlocked TV on the remote, but I use a programmable remote that worked fine before. The volume control from the box works with the analog cables thru the TV HDMI input 6. Mute works with the remote thru HDMI inputs 6 and 7. The volume gradations on the display go up and down, but to no effect. Is this a known problem with HDMI vs. DVI-D? Thanks.
I'm not sure I understand the situation. The audio control works if you use analog stereo cables, but not if you use the audio over HDMI?

With the 6412, you were using video over DVI->HDMI and audio over what?

With the 3416, you are using video over HDMI and audio over what?

The 6412 was DVI, so I was using a DVI to HDMI cable for video and analog cables for audio since the DVI out from the old box doesn't carry audio. With the 3416, I'm using the HDMI to carry both audio and video and get both but, as mentioned, the audio out from the box is not modulated by the remote although the mute works. There was a similar post quite a while ago, which went unanswered, in which the poster said"I just want the to be able to control the TV volume with the cable box". He had a defective TV volume. I can control the volume thru the TV volume, but it's a pain to switch modalities on the remote. My question, I guess, is whether the nonreaction of HDMI to the volume commands is one of the apparently myriad problems of this box. Thanks.

The 6412 was DVI, so I was using a DVI to HDMI cable for video and analog cables for audio since the DVI out from the old box doesn't carry audio. With the 3416, I'm using the HDMI to carry both audio and video and get both but, as mentioned, the audio out from the box is not modulated by the remote although the mute works. There was a similar post quite a while ago, which went unanswered, in which the poster said"I just want the to be able to control the TV volume with the cable box". He had a defective TV volume. I can control the volume thru the TV volume, but it's a pain to switch modalities on the remote. My question, I guess, is whether the nonreaction of HDMI to the volume commands is one of the apparently myriad problems of this box. Thanks.

Sorry if I'm on the wrong track with this response but here goes. Not sure if this is a problem with the box or not but from what I got from your post the original poster wanted to control the volume via the STB for his particular situation, but you don't necessarily want to do this because you can control the TV volume? But you don't want to change back & forth for TV or Cable, right? Just set the STB to the point where it says 'stereo' on the volume bar (when you can) & lock the remote to just control the TV volume. This also works out better using the TV volume to keep level about the same between different devices (DVD, VCR, etc).

Thanks. Was wondering what the cryptic "Stereo" meant that far out on the volume scale.

Since I bought my Sony Bravia last year, and as I collect more devices that support HDMI (up-converting DVD player, PS3, etc.) and component connections (other game consoles), it is quickly becoming apparent that sooner or later I'm going to have to purchase a switchbox of some kind, since my display only has one HDMI and one component input (sad, I know).

Short of looking for another display that has a ridiculous array of component and HDMI inputs on the back, what do you guys recommend? I guess my question is, should I get an HDMI switchbox or a component switchbox? Does the HDMI interface offer any real advantages over component cables (other than simplicity and neatness)?

Also, interrupting a nice direct connection with my display with any kind of splitting device worries me, are these things any good? Recommendations?

Any assistance is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

Both have their pros & cons, but I bought a Zektor HDS4 component switch about 2 years ago & love it. I don't have any noticeable picture quality loss, it switches 4 devices, for audio you can use analog or mix coaxial & optical for digital inputs & outputs, video is obviously component, it switches via remote control. They've since started selling the HDS4.1 which looks very similar. There are definitely more expensive switches out there as well as much cheaper but I'd be wary of the cheap ones. I'm using all 4 inputs on it & still have the other component/HDMI input on my TV free. I have this set up with a One for All 8910 JP1 programmable remote & my system looks & switches like a dream (and my girlfriend can even work it with ease!).

Off topic here.. but just thought I'd share. Heck, might even be common knowledge I didn't know about.

For those having "freezing remote syndrome":

Unplug your DVR. Press and hold Menu while plugging it back in. Look for "boot" to be displayed. Unplug the unit again. Wait 10 seconds. Plug it back in and wait a few more seconds. Front screen should now be off. Power the unit back on.

Seems to have worked for me so far.

I'm used to recording with Replay TV recorders and have not been able to make this motorola record and keep the correct Tonight Show. Here in Jacksonville the show starts at 11:35 PM, but they show old old repeats at 3:05 AM but they apparently do not have a repeat flag. My recorder records the old show over the new show and leaves the old one. Is there any way to record only the time slot the user selects?

Go with the manual record option.

Or you could record and keep both, then manually delete the old one. Or you could look at the series options to see if you can limit the recording to the 11:35PM one. Or you could look at the list of upcoming recordings and delete the one you don't want from the list.

I have been having the same problem also and I think it IS a system wide problem. On the 28th all the HD channels left my favorites on a 6412, on the 30th I got a brand new 3416 and set up a totally new favorites list with the HD channels. None appear and haven't been back since the original disappear.

On another note, how do you access your favorites list? I programmed a macro in the Comcast remote to do Menu->Select->Select but this of course messes up if you move the selection in the menu off the little heart. I doubt it, but is there a discrete code to access a favorites list?

There's no code to go directly to the favorites list that I know of (wish there was). Another macro option is to program Guide->FAV. That has the advantage of being just 2 clicks (quicker). But for some reason it jumps to the top of the channel list (channel 2 in my case) instead of starting the guide at the channel you are on. This got annoying, so I switched my macro back to Menu->Select->Select.

It's been about a week now since the HD channels disappeared from my favorites list. Wish they would fix the bug.

It's been about a week now since the HD channels disappeared from my favorites list. Wish they would fix the bug.

Been at least 2 weeks for me! It's very annoying!!

is anyone here using their 3416 to archive to dvhs with an older JVC 30K model? i can't get any sort of smooth playback/recording via firewire from my 3416 to my 30K. seems to work of with the newer JVC 5U model.....

thanks

oleus

I tried my JVC 30K with both a 3416, 3412 and 6412 Phase III with no luck. If I recall correctly, the JVC was reporting encryption errors or something like that.

My solution was to pickup a couple of new Mitsubishi DVHS recorders for about $200 for recording (works well) and play back on either the JVC or Mits DVHS. I occassionally have problems with the firewire link on my 3416 box with the Mits but am able to fix it by unplugging the power cord on the 3416.

I'm much happier with the durability of the Mitsubishi DVHS compared to my JVC decks. Also, the JVC MPEG encoder isn't as important now that my Samsung DLP has a firewire connection with D-Net that allows me to access the DVR directly.

Good luck!