Does anyone know if the PIP function (present on the remote) works for the Motorola STB model DCT6416? It has dual tuners so it would seem that function should work.

Thre is no PIP function built into the 6416. It will only output the video from one tuner at a time.

Thre is no PIP function built into the 6416. It will only output the video from one tuner at a time.

Crap! So that means to use the PIP on my TV, I have to run a splitter from the cable to the RF input to my TV, or to my DVD recorder. I don't like the idea of splitting my cable signal for fear of degrading my HD signal. I wonder if there's any chance of a software upgrade for the Motorola STB to allow PIP later?

I don't like the idea of splitting my cable signal for fear of degrading my HD signal.HD signals can't be degraded by splitting. Either there is enough signal to make it work properly or not.


I wonder if there's any chance of a software upgrade for the Motorola STB to allow PIP later?Very, very unlikely.

You also have to make sure what signal sources your TV will accept for use with PIP. Some HDTV's only support PIP with 480i analog video inputs such as antenna, cable, S-Video/composite.
If the splitter you get/try degrades the signal to your 6416 too much the analog channels will look bad and the digital channels may not have enough strength to be used at all. If this is the case you can get a better quality splitter or one with a built in amplifier.

HD signals can't be degraded by splitting. Either there is enough signal to make it work properly or not.

Ken, thanks. One question on splitters . .. since my SD signals may be degraded (and we still do watch a good deal of SD programming), is there a particular splitter with amplifier that you would recommend to minimize any degradation of SD signals?

Ken, thanks. One question on splitters . .. since my SD signals may be degraded (and we still do watch a good deal of SD programming), is there a particular splitter with amplifier that you would recommend to minimize any degradation of SD signals?
Your SD channels would not be degraded if they are digital SD channels. You presumably have cable or Fios given the Motorola 6416. Comcast has implemented digital simulcast of the analog channels in many of their franchise areas. The other cable companies are or will eventually do the same thing. Of course, Fios is entirely digital except for the local stations that are also provided in analog on the channel 2 to 49 set.

However, you should expect all the cable companies to scramble all their national digital SD and HD cable channels. So the PIP with both channels digital would only work if the channel going into the TV or STB QAM tuner is a local broadcast station and thus sent in the clear in QAM. Unless your TV or STB had cable card in which case you would need to lease a cable card.