No, just leave it on all the time.

Are these 6412's and 6416's good performers? Or are they riddled with issues like the 8300 series?
And why would one leave their dvr on at all times?

sorry....dbl post

None of the economy-class DVRs are good performers. They are specifically designed to be low-cost, not high-performance.

The Motorola DVRs work more reliably when they're left on all the time. There is only marginal benefits from turning the box off and significant benefits from leaving the box on.

bicker....thanks for the response. Actually my D* HR21 performs quite well, but my preium package runs way too much a month so I want to switch to my internet and phone providers top tier package.

So what issues can I expect and is there a difference between the 6412 and 6416?
Thanks so much again.

So what issues can I expect and is there a difference between the 6412 and 6416?

The main difference between the 6412 and 6416 is size of hard drive, xx12=120GB drive & xx16=160GB drive. The 6416's are probably newer also. As for issues with these boxes you can browse through these forums and/or read some of the wiki.com page about them.

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

Thanks for the info., I'll take a look now.
Hopefully nothing that's not easily solved and doesn't require constant fixing....I always here 8300 series owners lamenting about how bad their boxes are.

I use the DCT-3416. It's fine; not great, but it does what it needs to do. So you say you're switching based on price. Yes, with the Triple Play deals, you could do pretty well price-wise switching to cable. Once your promotional price expires, though, you'll be right back where you are now. No worse off though, and there isn't anything better available. (If there was, it would soon increase in price, eh?)

The difference is ~$38 a month for the respective top-tier HD all enclusive packages, due to me getting a discount with my local who I currently use for phone and net.
No promotional offer though. The price is the same and no commitment has to be made.

I gain:
-from my 10 to 20 high speed cable modemn
-comcast HD who holds exclusive rights to my philly teams(even though I live 50 miles north of philly comcast is not offered??)

I lose:
-need to find out exactly which HD channels my local doesn;t have compared to D*
***I can't find out if the D*'s mpeg4 HD channels are of a higher quality than my local can attain as my local tech's do not know this info. and my local thread is non existent. :(

Does the newer Motorola Box (DCH 3416) have DRM? More specifically does it DELETE PPV RECORDINGS 90 minutes after they air like the TiVo HD models do? My old Comcast SA DVR did NOT delete PPV recordings. I am hoping against hope that these "new" models won't either. Anyone?

I gotta say, CharterJames, you are the first Charter employee to give a straight answer on the HDD issue. Every CSR and tech I spoke to was adamant that hard drive expansion was not only possible, but they had actually witnessed it in the wild! Well, with testimony like that, why wouldn't I believe them? I almost wasted $150 buying a eSATA drive but you have saved me that expense. Your check is in the mail.

I would not bother you guys with these questions/comments but every time I ask a CSR a question, I get conflicting answers. No one seems to have the knowledge but you guys.

Now onto the meat of my post.

1. I previously owned a MOXI, but the power supply failed. Now I have 6416. When nothing was recording, I could flip between 2 channels and the MOXI would record each tuner. Then when I flipped between them I could back up in case I missed something. Does the 6416 do this as well? The MOXI required me to flip back and forth a few times to establish the cycle, but I this doesn't seem to work for the 6416.

2. I cannot find in the setup where I can eliminate channels I don't want to see. I'm not interested in Favorites, I just want to completely eliminate all the channels that I do not subscribe to from the default guide. Again, I could do this with the MOXI previously.

3. Can I add a HDD? I could do this with my MOXI. JUST KIDDING! Seriously though, is this a hardware or software lockout? My guess is software since the diagnostics screen identifies every type of drive I can plug into it, the software just fails to recognize it and format it.

4. Like some other folks around here, I also have noticed the tendency to record SD programming when an HD series has been established. Highly irritating but what can you do...

5. One of the things I do like about the 6416 is the responsiveness it has to my Harmony 880. The MOXI was very slow in recognizing commands sent via this remote and would require me to press a button 4-5 times to get it to work.

6. What affect does changing from switched to unswitched AC input have on the function of the DVR?

7. I assumed that the power button would the DVR in standby mode and still record programs(like Tivo). Apparently this is not the case since it ceases to record if powered off. Will changing from switched to unswitched affect this is any way?

Hey cdrugly
I have exactly the same questions. In the Charter Cable manual for the dch6416 dvr there is a one liner stating the you will be able to attach a hard drive to the eSATA port, when the OS is updated. So, I bought an eSATA hard drive, Nothing. I have talked to Charter repeatedly. They act like they have never heard of this issue. Why did they put it in their manual if they have no intention of providing it?

How much power does the above draw. I suspect not much, but do not want to overload my power strip, since I installed a surround system.


About 30-40 watts, less than a lot of PC's today. The 6416 has a fan which keeps my HDD at around the 102F° mark.

I leave it on all the time. Couple of nights ago it upgraded from 12.35 to 16.42 firmware.

I'm moving to Fios which uses these boxes. How does Firewire work for these and if so which box?

Anyone know how to know if your DCT-6412 has DVI enabled or not? If I connect a DVI-D cable, the box just cycles itself on and off, flashing DVI on the screen. Menu button doesn't work while it's doing this.

I gotta say, CharterJames, you are the first Charter employee to give a straight answer on the HDD issue. Every CSR and tech I spoke to was adamant that hard drive expansion was not only possible, but they had actually witnessed it in the wild! Well, with testimony like that, why wouldn't I believe them? I almost wasted $150 buying a eSATA drive but you have saved me that expense. Your check is in the mail.

I would not bother you guys with these questions/comments but every time I ask a CSR a question, I get conflicting answers. No one seems to have the knowledge but you guys.

Now onto the meat of my post.

1. I previously owned a MOXI, but the power supply failed. Now I have 6416. When nothing was recording, I could flip between 2 channels and the MOXI would record each tuner. Then when I flipped between them I could back up in case I missed something. Does the 6416 do this as well? The MOXI required me to flip back and forth a few times to establish the cycle, but I this doesn't seem to work for the 6416.

2. I cannot find in the setup where I can eliminate channels I don't want to see. I'm not interested in Favorites, I just want to completely eliminate all the channels that I do not subscribe to from the default guide. Again, I could do this with the MOXI previously.

3. Can I add a HDD? I could do this with my MOXI. JUST KIDDING! Seriously though, is this a hardware or software lockout? My guess is software since the diagnostics screen identifies every type of drive I can plug into it, the software just fails to recognize it and format it.

4. Like some other folks around here, I also have noticed the tendency to record SD programming when an HD series has been established. Highly irritating but what can you do...

5. One of the things I do like about the 6416 is the responsiveness it has to my Harmony 880. The MOXI was very slow in recognizing commands sent via this remote and would require me to press a button 4-5 times to get it to work.

6. What affect does changing from switched to unswitched AC input have on the function of the DVR?

7. I assumed that the power button would the DVR in standby mode and still record programs(like Tivo). Apparently this is not the case since it ceases to record if powered off. Will changing from switched to unswitched affect this is any way?


I'm in a Comcast system, not a Charter one, but most of this should hold true for you anyway being I'm pretty sure you're on the I-Guide also.

1. Yes you can switch back & forth but you don't want to use the 'last' button for this, you want to use the 'swap' tuner button on your remote. This leaves the 2 tuner buffers intact this way. Whereas using the 'last' button will wipe out the buffer on you.

2. Sorry you can't do this with the current I-Guide.

3. Sorry, but contrary to what some people may say, no you can't (unfortunately). :(

4. There is supposedly a bug in the software, but everytime I've come across this it's because someone searched for the program in the guide & just picked the first instance of the show they came across. Many times you will have to go into the option for other viewing times & make sure you tell it to record the correct channel.

5. These boxes can be a crapshoot in this department as well. You may come to a time where you press a button or two (or six) & nothing happens, then about 20 seconds later it will execute all the buttons at once. This happens intermittently and usually clears by itself (you can reset the box if it makes you feel better or if it continues to happen).

6. Serves no function on the newer DVR's, it's just still there because it works on the other digital boxes. Kind of like the front display option is still in the new low end SD boxes & there is no display to change. If you look at the outlet on the back of the box it is marked 'unswitched'.

7. If the box is on & recording & you try to turn it off, it warns you it will stop recording if turned off. However if the box is off & it's time to record something it will come on by itself & turn back off again if there is no human interaction with the box while it's recording.

I'm sure CharterJames will give you some nice long answers when he comes back here next, but until then, hopefully this answers a few things for you. In the meantime you might want to check out the wiki page on these boxes also.

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

I gotta say, CharterJames, you are the first Charter employee to give a straight answer on the HDD issue. Every CSR and tech I spoke to was adamant that hard drive expansion was not only possible, but they had actually witnessed it in the wild! Well, with testimony like that, why wouldn't I believe them? I almost wasted $150 buying a eSATA drive but you have saved me that expense. Your check is in the mail.

I would not bother you guys with these questions/comments but every time I ask a CSR a question, I get conflicting answers. No one seems to have the knowledge but you guys.

It's not a bother and one of the main reasons I'm here is the fact that I've had so many people come to me (usually passed my way from the local CSRs) in the same boat... While the official angle tends to be that 80% of the people won't ask because it's too technicial / too complicated / too geeky... I tend to cater to that 20% (because when I'm at home, I'm one of them!)



1. I previously owned a MOXI, but the power supply failed. Now I have 6416. When nothing was recording, I could flip between 2 channels and the MOXI would record each tuner. Then when I flipped between them I could back up in case I missed something. Does the 6416 do this as well? The MOXI required me to flip back and forth a few times to establish the cycle, but I this doesn't seem to work for the 6416.

The 6416 by nature keeps the same tuner active, so when you're changing channels are staying on the same tuner. There is the ability to change tuners with a SWAP function.

On the newer remote there's a Swap button listed with the PIP ability - While I was writing this I tried it and it did perform the tuner SWAP function found on some other remotes... (I actually didn't expect it to, I was going to post how to program this function into a remote)

If you use the SWAP function rather than Last you should be able to back up on both channels

2. I cannot find in the setup where I can eliminate channels I don't want to see. I'm not interested in Favorites, I just want to completely eliminate all the channels that I do not subscribe to from the default guide. Again, I could do this with the MOXI previously.

Unfortunately that was an innovation of the Digeo guide that TV Guide has yet to catch on to. You can lock channels so they can't be watched, but you cannot remove them entirely from the guide.

Since you mentioned favorites I take it you've already tried setting up a series and jumping favorite to favorite - and I agree it's not the same.

Now, if the primary concern adult content in the titles, *that* can be eliminated by going into the Parental Controls and telling it to Hide Adult Titles - unfortunately this has two drawbacks

1) All adult titles now say "Adult Title" so they still know it's there, they just can't ask "Hey Dad, what does MILF mean?" (at dinner the next night with my parents over no less...)

2) This only blocks Programming rated ADULT - unfortunately I've learned alot of adult VOD content is set to TV-MA instead...



3. Can I add a HDD? I could do this with my MOXI. JUST KIDDING! Seriously though, is this a hardware or software lockout? My guess is software since the diagnostics screen identifies every type of drive I can plug into it, the software just fails to recognize it and format it.

Like everyone else here, I wish they'd have that done. Right now my biggest hope since things will be all digital by this time next year, that should hopefully mean the these boxes (and others) will start showing up on the Retail market - which means OCAP applications should be on the way. If Motorola doesn't have expansion availible by then, they definitely won't hold a chance of really capturing the market against Tivo, Digeo (if they ever retail...) etc.


4. Like some other folks around here, I also have noticed the tendency to record SD programming when an HD series has been established. Highly irritating but what can you do...

1) Manually set each recording you want in HD (annoying, but it usually works)
2) Set the Series to record duplicates and record on all channels (annoying and waste space - but it usually works)
3) Pray for A25 to get here SOON! (been doing this for a few months, hasn't worked yet.)


5. One of the things I do like about the 6416 is the responsiveness it has to my Harmony 880. The MOXI was very slow in recognizing commands sent via this remote and would require me to press a button 4-5 times to get it to work.

The moxi didn't use firmware applications, it had a full blown Linux OS running it - which made it alot snazzier and more robust... at the expense of speed. Hopefully with OCAP around the corner they'll make I-guide more robust without sacrificing too much speed.

I do recall someone mentioning they have seen an OCAP TIVO interface running on one of these boxes - I wonder if it was firmware or found a way to use some hard drive space.

6. What affect does changing from switched to unswitched AC input have on the function of the DVR?

The switching option in the guide is for the AC port in the back of the box - people used to like to use this for turning on or off their TVs (or home theaters etc) at the same time they turn on the Digital Converter box. Since DVRs are generally designed to be on all the time, this doesn't really affect performance - if it's switched, the outlet on the back of the box is dead when the box is off. If it's unswitched it will provide power reguardless if it's turned on or off (so long as it HAS power to give...)

7. I assumed that the power button would the DVR in standby mode and still record programs(like Tivo). Apparently this is not the case since it ceases to record if powered off. Will changing from switched to unswitched affect this is any way?

That's been a mixed bag here - I've had reports that the 64xx / 34xx will record while turned off - however I know that's not the case with the DCT 6416 and DCH 6416 I tested at home. - Switching won't affect that - So far it seems every box I've tested it on will not record while powered off - So I don't recommend turning them off.

For anyone who's got one that works differently, enjoy it ;) (and if you happen to be working for the MSO tell me how the heck it was done!!!)

I'm in a Comcast system, not a Charter one, but most of this should hold true for you anyway being I'm pretty sure you're on the I-Guide also.

1. Yes you can switch back & forth but you don't want to use the 'last' button for this, you want to use the 'swap' tuner button on your remote. This leaves the 2 tuner buffers intact this way. Whereas using the 'last' button will wipe out the buffer on you.

2. Sorry you can't do this with the current I-Guide.

3. Sorry, but contrary to what some people may say, no you can't (unfortunately). :(

4. There is supposedly a bug in the software, but everytime I've come across this it's because someone searched for the program in the guide & just picked the first instance of the show they came across. Many times you will have to go into the option for other viewing times & make sure you tell it to record the correct channel.

5. These boxes can be a crapshoot in this department as well. You may come to a time where you press a button or two (or six) & nothing happens, then about 20 seconds later it will execute all the buttons at once. This happens intermittently and usually clears by itself (you can reset the box if it makes you feel better or if it continues to happen).

6. Serves no function on the newer DVR's, it's just still there because it works on the other digital boxes. Kind of like the front display option is still in the new low end SD boxes & there is no display to change. If you look at the outlet on the back of the box it is marked 'unswitched'.

7. If the box is on & recording & you try to turn it off, it warns you it will stop recording if turned off. However if the box is off & it's time to record something it will come on by itself & turn back off again if there is no human interaction with the box while it's recording.

I'm sure CharterJames will give you some nice long answers when he comes back here next, but until then, hopefully this answers a few things for you. In the meantime you might want to check out the wiki page on these boxes also.

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

Excellent Answers :)

Anyone know how to know if your DCT-6412 has DVI enabled or not? If I connect a DVI-D cable, the box just cycles itself on and off, flashing DVI on the screen. Menu button doesn't work while it's doing this.

Most MSOs enabled them - though it can take several powercycles to get the devices to make a digital handshake - (sometimes it's the box, sometimes it's the TV - either way one's out of sync)

It sounds like the box is trying to sync - powercyling the TV while the box is cycling might resolve the issue.

(BTW this issue can occur with HDMI on rare occasion as well)

I'm moving to Fios which uses these boxes. How does Firewire work for these and if so which box?

As I understand it MSOs are MANDATED by the FCC to have firewire availible and functional. - usually they are found on all HD capable boxes - though older Moxi and DCT 5200s may not have them.

Caveats

1) Computer connections require special drivers etc

2) TV, D-VHS etc must have proper encryption enabled (5c I believe)

3) This is usually an UNADULTERATED feed - as such there will be no guide interfaces or overlays provided by the box or it's interface.

4) 99.9% of the people at your MSO are unlikely to have ever played with it and will be of little help (unfortunately I'm part of that group)



There's some good Firewire forums here, I've refered several users to them, but I've never had the time (or a decent powered computer with firewire and the software) to try this myself.

When I make a change to the setup menu it takes it, but only until I power down the unit. Then it reverts back to the default settings. Is it supposed to do that? Thanks.

Equipment: PVR- Moto 6412 III, AVR- Denon 2307CI (HDMI) TV- Samy 4051(1080I)

Issue: Less than impressed with the picture quality.

Problem: Right now I have the PVR HDMI output hooked into the AVR, then it's HDMI out to the TV. I think there is too much equipment trying to fiddle with the signal. I need advice on which piece of equipment will do the best job, or should I just switch it all to component?

Thanks for the replies CharterJames and jonwww. These will definitely help me transition from the Moxi to this newer platform. Funny thing is, they first brought me a Moxi to replace my old one but could never get the system to recognize it. My parents had this and it took a total of 4 boxes before one actually worked. The tech said this is a chronic problem. I would have thought chronic problems require drastic solutions, but I guess that is not the case. Unfortunate really because they brought me a second one out but I refused to meet with the tech unless he could verify the box functioned correctly. I had already left work 5 times in 1 week and I wasn't about to make another trip.

Charter has notoriously bad service, especially in Greenville. At a recent City Council meeting, they were voting to look into other options (like Comcast specifically).

If there were more people at the cable companies like you guys they wouldn't have the horrible reputation they so rightfully deserve.

When I make a change to the setup menu it takes it, but only until I power down the unit. Then it reverts back to the default settings. Is it supposed to do that? Thanks.

No it should not - your settings should remain unless the box is initialized - sounds like there might be some bad flash memory on that box!

I have Comcast and a DCT 3416 I. It has been problematic. I have the opportunity to switch it for a DCH 3416 or 6416. I think I prefer the 6416 because it has analog and digital tuning. But...does this mean that it has 2 tuners, one digital and one analog? Can I still record to DVR 2 digital programs at once, or must it be one digital and one analog? The online manual doesn't seem to address this.

I have Comcast and a DCT 3416 I. It has been problematic. I have the opportunity to switch it for a DCH 3416 or 6416. I think I prefer the 6416 because it has analog and digital tuning. But...does this mean that it has 2 tuners, one digital and one analog? Can I still record to DVR 2 digital programs at once, or must it be one digital and one analog? The online manual doesn't seem to address this.

the descriptions and such can be confusing - the box will identify itself as having 2 tuners in diagnostics etc, however technically each of those tuners has three seperate components - an Analog Tuner, a Digital Tuner and an HD tuner. All of which may be refered to as a Tuner

a 6416 should be able to record any two programs at one time, reguardless of if they are analog, digital or HD.

the descriptions and such can be confusing - the box will identify itself as having 2 tuners in diagnostics etc, however technically each of those tuners has three seperate components - an Analog Tuner, a Digital Tuner and an HD tuner. All of which may be refered to as a Tuner a 6416 should be able to record any two programs at one time, reguardless of if they are analog, digital or HD.

Thanks, CJ. So am I right in thinking that if both are available the 6416 is a better bet, more versatile? Or is there any reason to prefer the 3416?

And one more thing. Before I heard about the DCHs, I was ready to turn in the Motorola box and spend $300 on a Tivo. The monthly savings with Comcast would offset my Tivo fees. I am satisfied with picture and sound form the Motorola, just want to eliminate operation problems. Am I still better off with Tivi?

If you already have the digital-analog simulcast you probably already default to the digital channels. There is no need to have the analog channels at all.

If you already have the digital-analog simulcast you probably already default to the digital channels. There is no need to have the analog channels at all.
I thought that maybe analog Hi Def on network shows might be better than the digital feed. I also thought that if cable went down, as it does occasionally, then maybe the analog feed would still work, but maybe not. Any thoughts on Tivo vs. the DCH 6416?

CharterJames thanks for the reply. So basically if it's working off the line I'm fine otherwise it might never work? I have a JVC D-VHS and a Mits one as well both I believe support 5c but I don't know for sure on the Mits.

I thought that maybe analog Hi Def on network shows might be better than the digital feed. I also thought that if cable went down, as it does occasionally, then maybe the analog feed would still work, but maybe not. Any thoughts on Tivo vs. the DCH 6416?

You are confusing an antenna feed with a cable feed, I think. HD over cable, or Over The Air or Satellite for that matter, will always be digital. If your cable goes down, you will lose both the analog and digital channels over cable. If you have an antenna, which does not work with a cable box you would still have TV reception, but I'm guessing that you don't have that configuration.

Thanks Bobby and Charter. I do have a Panasonic DVD Recorder with tuner and HDD hooked to an antenna. So, yes, I can get a picture when cable goes down. So I guess I don't understand what the analog tuner in the 6416 does, if it does not get over the air channels. I guess I thought maybe the box had a jack for an antenna.

Thanks Bobby and Charter. I do have a Panasonic DVD Recorder with tuner and HDD hooked to an antenna. So, yes, I can get a picture when cable goes down. So I guess I don't understand what the analog tuner in the 6416 does, if it does not get over the air channels. I guess I thought maybe the box had a jack for an antenna.

The 6416 is designed for systems that still have analog channels, so it still has the analog tuner. It's job is to intergrate the Analogs into the system's virtual channel map so you can seemlessly switch from Analog to SD Digital to HD Digital without having different inputs or sources.

The 3416 is identical but without the Analog tuner ability - this cuts down on parts and cost so digital systems can get a break when they need to get more boxes.



Given the rate of digital conversion I'm sure Digital systems still have many of the boxes they had when they still carried Analog, for the most part these boxes are still fully functional (afterall they had Analog & Digital tuners). - So long as they are capable of decoding the desired output, they'll remain in use till they die. (I say this knowing that many DCT2000s and other older boxes lack newer MPEG compression techniques, which they may or may not be able to learn through software)

CharterJames thanks for the reply. So basically if it's working off the line I'm fine otherwise it might never work? I have a JVC D-VHS and a Mits one as well both I believe support 5c but I don't know for sure on the Mits.

Pretty much, I would suspect it might suffer from possible handshake issues - so if it doesn't work on connection try powercycling (first try keeping box on and powercycling device, if that doesn't work try keeping device on and powercycling box) - that often clears sync issues that can occur on digital hookups

Thanks Bobby and Charter. I do have a Panasonic DVD Recorder with tuner and HDD hooked to an antenna. So, yes, I can get a picture when cable goes down. So I guess I don't understand what the analog tuner in the 6416 does, if it does not get over the air channels. I guess I thought maybe the box had a jack for an antenna.

In times gone by, cable only had their signal in analog. In the old days you could only get 12 channels. So, they built up their cables and added bandwidth so that they could offer 100's of channels. The came High Definition and that was all digital. High definition channels take up quite a bit of bandwidth so the thinking was/is to make all the channels digital because digital channels take up much less space than analog channels. Many televisions out there today do not have digital tuners in them so for the folks that own those TVs and don't want any more than basic TV, cable offers analog service. You don't need a set top box for that. You simply attach the coax cable to the TV and it works. Some systems have not yet added the analog digital simulcast so it is important for those systems to have a set top box that has an analog tuner in it so that their customers can watch TV. For those areas that have the simulcast it is not necessary to have an analog tuner in the box because the system is digital.

In times gone by, cable only had their signal in analog. In the old days you could only get 12 channels.<snip>

Reminds me of the speeches I'd get from the "old timers" when I first started on at Charter back in 2000

"Back when I started Cable was one channel, HBO... and everyone LOVED it..."

yes... that was actually said to me (though my earliest memorys of cable was 12 to 30 channels with the little "Rocker switch" style box)

I have Comcast and a DCT 3416 I. It has been problematic. I have the opportunity to switch it for a DCH 3416 or 6416. I think I prefer the 6416 because it has analog and digital tuning. But...does this mean that it has 2 tuners, one digital and one analog? Can I still record to DVR 2 digital programs at once, or must it be one digital and one analog? The online manual doesn't seem to address this.

To make things simpler in your decision, most areas of Comcast are ADS (all digital) and therefore only use the 34xx series of boxes now. As you already have a DCT3416, your area obviously is already ADS, so I highly doubt you would be able to get a DCH6416 even if you really wanted one. The area I'm in for example has never had any DCH3416 boxes. By July '07 this area was ADS & therefore Comcast saw no need for the extra expense of the analog tuner 64xx models.
As a side note, I'm surprised being Charter is a pretty big cable co., that they still haven't followed the ADS path completely themselves. CharterJames, do you have any idea on a time line on that?

When I make a change to the setup menu it takes it, but only until I power down the unit. Then it reverts back to the default settings. Is it supposed to do that? Thanks.

Some of these Moto DVR's do this for some reason when hooked up via HDMI. Not sure if it's to do with certain equipment that's connected or more to do with just a bug in the box. You could try swapping the box, but if that doesn't help you could always try component (which may help your PQ issue as well). I generally recommend component anyway due to much fewer compatibility issues & pretty close to the same PQ. In theory the HDMI would give you a better picture, but depending on the TV, sometimes you will actually get better pics with component. It has a lot to do with the digital source, the TV & the viewers eyes.

Couple of nights ago it upgraded from 12.35 to 16.42 firmware.

Hmmm. I just checked mine and it shows firmware of 18.34. I am with MidContinent Cable though. Do different cable companies have different firmware versions or does this indicate that you're still not up to the latest fw? I haven't noticed any recent changes with the look or operation of my box but I also have no idea how long I've had this fw version.

CharterJames, did you get a chance to take a look at the picture I posted of the remote sensor? Doesn't your box have that dark red oval area like mine? Seems odd that there would be different sensor locations on the same model of receiver.

Barry

I have DCH6416 and I changed display setting from 720p to 1080i pressing menu right after turn off the power.

Next day when I turn on the box, it went back to 720p. I want to keep 1080i setting. Maybe set as default. How do I do that?

I have the 6416, connected to Insight Cable in Louisville, KY.

Will the Firewire connection on the cable box output to a similarly equipped TV? This would save me a WHOLE lot of space in my cabling, but I'd need to order a cable to do so (6 pin to 4 pin) since my local places don't seem to stock anything.

Go to Ebay and get a silver Comcast remote two of them for about 10 bucks shipped. It can be programmed for the skip. I did it. Then I bought a RCA learning remote because we like the button layout better then had the skip taught to it. I did have to do a macro on the RCA remote to turn on the TV and the box in proper sequence, otherwise, our TV will revert to its cable input rather than it HDMI input.

I had only three SD shows on it and an HD episode of lost. This problem happens often where with just two shows it sometimes tells me that the hard drive is 50% full, which can't be right with a 160 gig HD. I have this DVR through Charter and they are clueless(The Charter Disadvantage:) Anyway, is there anything that I can do. Should I reformat the hard drive? I would appreciate any help.

I had only three SD shows on it and an HD episode of lost. This problem happens often where with just two shows it sometimes tells me that the hard drive is 50% full, which can't be right with a 160 gig HD. I have this DVR through Charter and they are clueless(The Charter Disadvantage:) Anyway, is there anything that I can do. Should I reformat the hard drive? I would appreciate any help.

Happens sometimes to my 6412, seems like I have to erase something then it goes back to the correct %.

I still wonder why my 6416 would do that. Seems like there is some bug or something that causes it to report the wrong space left on the hard drive.

Ok guys, I read through this entire thread hoping to find an resolution to my problem....no luck though. So here it is, ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated.

My set up:
DCT6412 hooked up via component to my Toshiba RPTV, which works fine. The problem lies with the audio.
I have it hooked up to my receiver to get 5.1 sound, but whether I have it hooked up via optical or coax, the audio "skips". For lack of a better word. The audio just cuts out about every 15-30 seconds, and sometimes more. It then kicks back in and my received automatically recognizes it as Dolby Digital. Like I said, it does this on optical or coax.

Note:
This is my second DCT, and my first one's sound worked great....but the hard drive went out.
All of my other equipment works fine too.

I have tried the power button + select reload method, as well as the replay/list/live method. Neither of which worked.

I called CableOne, and they reset the signal on their end...but, still didn't help.

The audio plays fine (skip free) if I hook it up via RCA cables.

The audio plays fine (skip free) via HDMI to my receiver - this is how I would have it run anyway, but I only have to HDMI inputs and they are being used by HDDVD and Bluray.

Any ideas???

I still wonder why my 6416 would do that. Seems like there is some bug or something that causes it to report the wrong space left on the hard drive.

I did a HDD wipe and got rid of a similar problem. Directions are on here

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

Hmmm. I just checked mine and it shows firmware of 18.34. I am with MidContinent Cable though. Do different cable companies have different firmware versions or does this indicate that you're still not up to the latest fw? I haven't noticed any recent changes with the look or operation of my box but I also have no idea how long I've had this fw version.

CharterJames, did you get a chance to take a look at the picture I posted of the remote sensor? Doesn't your box have that dark red oval area like mine? Seems odd that there would be different sensor locations on the same model of receiver.

Barry

I haven't seen the picture, was it posted since Thursday / Friday or in a PM? Sorry I'm catching up a bit - we had a major PPV issue in one of our outlying systems on the NC/TN border

I had only three SD shows on it and an HD episode of lost. This problem happens often where with just two shows it sometimes tells me that the hard drive is 50% full, which can't be right with a 160 gig HD. I have this DVR through Charter and they are clueless(The Charter Disadvantage:) Anyway, is there anything that I can do. Should I reformat the hard drive? I would appreciate any help.

The False 100% (or false over listing) is a known issue with A24.

Only in the worse cases should the wipe do the trick - in most instances the box will recheck and accurately report % used if it's either power cycled or any one title is deleted.

Ok guys, I read through this entire thread hoping to find an resolution to my problem....no luck though. So here it is, ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated.

My set up:
DCT6412 hooked up via component to my Toshiba RPTV, which works fine. The problem lies with the audio.
I have it hooked up to my receiver to get 5.1 sound, but whether I have it hooked up via optical or coax, the audio "skips". For lack of a better word. The audio just cuts out about every 15-30 seconds, and sometimes more. It then kicks back in and my received automatically recognizes it as Dolby Digital. Like I said, it does this on optical or coax.

Note:
This is my second DCT, and my first one's sound worked great....but the hard drive went out.
All of my other equipment works fine too.

I have tried the power button + select reload method, as well as the replay/list/live method. Neither of which worked.

I called CableOne, and they reset the signal on their end...but, still didn't help.

The audio plays fine (skip free) if I hook it up via RCA cables.

The audio plays fine (skip free) via HDMI to my receiver - this is how I would have it run anyway, but I only have to HDMI inputs and they are being used by HDDVD and Bluray.

Any ideas???

sounds like you're receiver doesn't like something in the digital audio stream - usually that tends to be the compression setup.

Try going into the Advanced guide setup (Menu, Menu, Setup) and take the audio setup - Under Audio aoutput change it to Advanced.

Play with the different levels of audio compression (though for output you'll probably want to keep it to Matrix)

The False 100% (or false over listing) is a known issue with A24.

Only in the worse cases should the wipe do the trick - in most instances the box will recheck and accurately report % used if it's either power cycled or any one title is deleted.

Hi. I've been watching to see if my issues with the DCH6416 were addressed, and all but one have been. Thanks to those of you who routinely patrol these waters - sure does help!!! My remaining issue is a variation of the erroneous 100% full indicator.

So, over the weekend I erased all the saved programs on my dvr in anticipation of recording the entire Jericho first season (UHD had them on back-to-back). Since there were 22 episodes of 1 hour each, I figured I would need to watch and delete 3-4 of the first episodes before all were broadcast so that I would not run out of space. I created a series recording, and left the save settings on the default, which was to "save until space is needed". The series began at 10:00 pm, and at 11:10 I watched the first episode, deleted it, then went to bed. The next morning at 8:00 I noticed that all the shows to that point had been recorded except for the 2nd and 3rd episodes, which were nowhere to be found. At that point 7 1-hour episodes were saved (should have been 9) and the %full indicator was at 18% - way too low in my estimation. Then, while I was watching the earliest recorded episode (#4), a message popped up at 9:00 when the next episode began recording. I didn't write it down, but the gist was that the dvr cannot automatically delete a program while it is being watched. I assumed it was trying to delete the earliest program (to make space?! And even though space was available!) and only the fact that I was watching that episode at the time kept episode 4 from going the way of episodes 2 & 3. At that point I changed the save setting on all recorded programs and the series setting to "save until I delete". I watched and deleted a few more shows, then left it alone. By the time the last show was broadcast and saved, there were 12 shows still saved, and none had been lost to the auto delete fairy. The %full indicator was still pretty far off at @ 38%.

I know - it was a long question, but I thought a few of the details might make a difference. So why did it delete the earliest shows, even when space was remaining? When I set the save setting to "only when I delete", I was afraid that the DVR would think there wasn't enough space and so not record any new episodes, but that never happened, and fortunately all were recorded. Is there anything I can do to avoid this in the future? power cycle? Have any of you ever run into something like this?

Thanks!
Larry

Hi guys,
When I recently switched providers I asked for a 6416.
The first box they gave me was a 6412.
So I called after the tech left, he told me to try the 6412 for a month.
Well, he just left and brought a DCH-3416.

Am I correct in assuming I just went down a notch?

Which is the newest 6416?(dch or dct) .... and what are the differences between the two?(want to know before I call again)

Hi guys,
When I recently switched providers I asked for a 6416.
The first box they gave me was a 6412.
So I called after the tech left, he told me to try the 6412 for a month.
Well, he just left and brought a DCH-3416.

Am I correct in assuming I just went down a notch?

Which is the newest 6416?(dch or dct) .... and what are the differences between the two?(want to know before I call again)

Technically thew DCH models are newest solely because MSO'S started to distrubute them because of an FCC injunction. Although the DCH models maybe newer their is virtually no difference (except the fix M-card in the back of the unit).

Thanks!
So since there is no difference between the DCH and DCT, what is the difference between the 6416 and the 3416?

I'm trying to find out which holds the most HD recorded time.
My options are:
DCH-3416
DCT-6416
DCT-3416

I haven't seen the picture, was it posted since Thursday / Friday or in a PM? Sorry I'm catching up a bit - we had a major PPV issue in one of our outlying systems on the NC/TN border

Sorry, I guess I could have included the post number. It is post 483 from Jan. 31st.

Hi guys,
When I recently switched providers I asked for a 6416.
The first box they gave me was a 6412.
So I called after the tech left, he told me to try the 6412 for a month.
Well, he just left and brought a DCH-3416.

Am I correct in assuming I just went down a notch?

Which is the newest 6416?(dch or dct) .... and what are the differences between the two?(want to know before I call again)

DCH is the newest - DCT is the older box which had encryption on the motherboard, DCH uses a cablecard for encryption (per the FCC's July 07 mandate)

34xx is Digital only - so a 3416 in a digital system should be every bit as good as a 6416 - technicially you went up a notch - all your SD channels are digital now (which Digital SD has the best compression level on a DVR)

Sorry, I guess I could have included the post number. It is post 483 from Jan. 31st.

I think the biggest issue for the confusion was the model we were looking at - I've got a DCT6416 here at my desk and a DCH 6416 in the other room to test with. I don't have any access to the 34xx series we don't have full digital capability yet. So there might have been some confusion there.

On the DCT6416 the IR sensor is just to the right of the LCD number display, on the DCH I believe it's further over.

Thanks!
So since there is no difference between the DCH and DCT, what is the difference between the 6416 and the 3416?

I'm trying to find out which holds the most HD recorded time.
My options are:
DCH-3416
DCT-6416
DCT-3416


All three of these will hold the same amount of HD. The last two numbers denote Hard Drive size (160 gig) (3412 / 6412 would have a 120 gig HD)

Generaly with the 160 gig hard drive you're going to see this

1 hr Analog SD = 2%
1 hr Digital SD = 1%
1 hr High Def = 4%

the big advantage of the 3416s are digital only you won't have to worry about Analog percentages.

Hi. I've been watching to see if my issues with the DCH6416 were addressed, and all but one have been. Thanks to those of you who routinely patrol these waters - sure does help!!! My remaining issue is a variation of the erroneous 100% full indicator.

So, over the weekend I erased all the saved programs on my dvr in anticipation of recording the entire Jericho first season (UHD had them on back-to-back). Since there were 22 episodes of 1 hour each, I figured I would need to watch and delete 3-4 of the first episodes before all were broadcast so that I would not run out of space. I created a series recording, and left the save settings on the default, which was to "save until space is needed". The series began at 10:00 pm, and at 11:10 I watched the first episode, deleted it, then went to bed. The next morning at 8:00 I noticed that all the shows to that point had been recorded except for the 2nd and 3rd episodes, which were nowhere to be found. At that point 7 1-hour episodes were saved (should have been 9) and the %full indicator was at 18% - way too low in my estimation. Then, while I was watching the earliest recorded episode (#4), a message popped up at 9:00 when the next episode began recording. I didn't write it down, but the gist was that the dvr cannot automatically delete a program while it is being watched. I assumed it was trying to delete the earliest program (to make space?! And even though space was available!) and only the fact that I was watching that episode at the time kept episode 4 from going the way of episodes 2 & 3. At that point I changed the save setting on all recorded programs and the series setting to "save until I delete". I watched and deleted a few more shows, then left it alone. By the time the last show was broadcast and saved, there were 12 shows still saved, and none had been lost to the auto delete fairy. The %full indicator was still pretty far off at @ 38%.

I know - it was a long question, but I thought a few of the details might make a difference. So why did it delete the earliest shows, even when space was remaining? When I set the save setting to "only when I delete", I was afraid that the DVR would think there wasn't enough space and so not record any new episodes, but that never happened, and fortunately all were recorded. Is there anything I can do to avoid this in the future? power cycle? Have any of you ever run into something like this?

Thanks!
Larry

Usually when the box is acting quirky a powercycle fixes it - the cause, unfortunately is likely to be A24 (that seems to be the root of this models quirks)

Honestly I would agree that the box should use the oldest when deleteing for space, but given other quirks, it's a crapshoot

The False 100% (or false over listing) is a known issue with A24.

Only in the worse cases should the wipe do the trick - in most instances the box will recheck and accurately report % used if it's either power cycled or any one title is deleted.

I did not have anything that I wanted to save and power cycling and total deleting still would show 49% full even though no recorded programs were showing.

So the HDD wipe was a last ditch effort before calling for a tech to come out.

Hi. I've been watching to see if my issues with the DCH6416 were addressed, and all but one have been. Thanks to those of you who routinely patrol these waters - sure does help!!! My remaining issue is a variation of the erroneous 100% full indicator.

So, over the weekend I erased all the saved programs on my dvr in anticipation of recording the entire Jericho first season (UHD had them on back-to-back). Since there were 22 episodes of 1 hour each, I figured I would need to watch and delete 3-4 of the first episodes before all were broadcast so that I would not run out of space. I created a series recording, and left the save settings on the default, which was to "save until space is needed". The series began at 10:00 pm, and at 11:10 I watched the first episode, deleted it, then went to bed. The next morning at 8:00 I noticed that all the shows to that point had been recorded except for the 2nd and 3rd episodes, which were nowhere to be found. At that point 7 1-hour episodes were saved (should have been 9) and the %full indicator was at 18% - way too low in my estimation. Then, while I was watching the earliest recorded episode (#4), a message popped up at 9:00 when the next episode began recording. I didn't write it down, but the gist was that the dvr cannot automatically delete a program while it is being watched. I assumed it was trying to delete the earliest program (to make space?! And even though space was available!) and only the fact that I was watching that episode at the time kept episode 4 from going the way of episodes 2 & 3. At that point I changed the save setting on all recorded programs and the series setting to "save until I delete". I watched and deleted a few more shows, then left it alone. By the time the last show was broadcast and saved, there were 12 shows still saved, and none had been lost to the auto delete fairy. The %full indicator was still pretty far off at @ 38%.

I know - it was a long question, but I thought a few of the details might make a difference. So why did it delete the earliest shows, even when space was remaining? When I set the save setting to "only when I delete", I was afraid that the DVR would think there wasn't enough space and so not record any new episodes, but that never happened, and fortunately all were recorded. Is there anything I can do to avoid this in the future? power cycle? Have any of you ever run into something like this?

Thanks!
Larry

Just to confirm as CJ said just prior to this post, this is a bug with the A24 guide. Even though the box is set to 'record all episodes', it sometimes, for some reason, maxes out at 8, usually when set like you had it originally to 'delete when needed'. Keep it set for 'only when I delete' & you should be ok. But then again with these boxes you never know. :D

Just to confirm as CJ said just prior to this post, this is a bug with the A24 guide. Even though the box is set to 'record all episodes', it sometimes, for some reason, maxes out at 8, usually when set like you had it originally to 'delete when needed'. Keep it set for 'only when I delete' & you should be ok. But then again with these boxes you never know. :D


Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. On a related note, I'm having trouble accessing one of the saved episodes from that recording session. On this particular one, I get a black screen with no video. When I try pressing FF, RW, Pause, or Play nothing happens, even though the program info and time are listed. Is this another "feature" of A24? And is there any way to ressurect such a "lost" recording?

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. On a related note, I'm having trouble accessing one of the saved episodes from that recording session. On this particular one, I get a black screen with no video. When I try pressing FF, RW, Pause, or Play nothing happens, even though the program info and time are listed. Is this another "feature" of A24? And is there any way to ressurect such a "lost" recording?

Yup, that's another 'feature'. Sometimes if recordings end up like that, when you try to delete them they won't delete either. You may have to power cycle the box (unplug the power for about 15 seconds & plug back in) for it to clear correctly. There may be some errors on the hard drive, which power cycling fixes, but recording will most likely never be resurrected.

Yup, that's another 'feature'. Sometimes if recordings end up like that, when you try to delete them they won't delete either. You may have to power cycle the box (unplug the power for about 15 seconds & plug back in) for it to clear correctly. There may be some errors on the hard drive, which power cycling fixes, but recording will most likely never be resurrected.

I was afraid of that. Oh well - thanks for letting me know. The thing that I hate most about the power cycle routine is how long it takes I-guide to re populate... I guess I'll go back to repeating my mantra "At least it is better than VHS, and cheaper than TIVO".

Hey guys, here's a question for you. I have a DCH3416, brand spanking new after an exchange for an older model and have had it since the week before the Super Bowl. I have Comcast cable. Last night was the first night I tried to use On Demand with the new box and I get this error message. The box throws up an opaque white box and in read text it says something like "Please contact your cable provider to use this service" and goes on to provide a cable card number, MAC address and some other networking stuff. The movie plays behind the box and it eventually went away after about 5 minutes. I called tech support and they are just clueless about these things, they just want to reset the box, which didn't work. I've seen this once before at a neighbors house but not sure what Comcast did to resolve it. This did not happen on my other PVR from them.

Anyone see this and whats the trick to clear this message?

Bud

I am looking for a .ir file for a DCH3416. I have a Crestron control system I am trying to program and the file in the crestron database for a Motorola DVR only gave me control of a few commands. I don't really know much about exactly what I'm looking for other than its extension is .ir and it has all the commands and corresponding IR codes. I was hoping maybe CharterJames would have access to it or maybe someone who would know where to find this.

My thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Motorola 3416 - having an issue with the audio.
I like to use the surround modes my 7.1 AVR has, but when I try to select 'pcm' from the Motorola 3416, which goes to the AVR via HDMI, it automatically goes back to DD(AC3)??
Why can't I get it to just send pcm or anything that would allow my AVR to do the audio?(my previous D* hd and hd-dvr's allowed this)

Thanks in advance for any help.

Hi all,

I have a Motorola 6416 connected to time warner cable in dallas. I just switched this box from the 6412. Anyway all my sd channels are letterboxed and I'm trying to set the 4:3 override but it doesn't let me.

Once I'm on the diagnostics screen there is a arrow on the left that lets me scroll to d12-user settings. But once on the user settings screen there is no arrow and therefore my scrolling does nothing and the 4:3 override stays on off. How can I get this to work?

thanks in advance

Try power then menu instead of power then select. :)

Try power then menu instead of power then select. :)

That worked. Thanks a lot, I really appreciate the info.

All three of these will hold the same amount of HD. The last two numbers denote Hard Drive size (160 gig) (3412 / 6412 would have a 120 gig HD)

Generaly with the 160 gig hard drive you're going to see this

1 hr Analog SD = 2%
1 hr Digital SD = 1%
1 hr High Def = 4%

the big advantage of the 3416s are digital only you won't have to worry about Analog percentages.

Seems about right.

I have a 3416 and it generally works well, but we've had problems. A week or two ago, I recorded a show manually and the next day nothing showed up in the directory, but it was showing 33% full. Lost the manual recording and a couple of other shows.

Formatted the drive and it's apparently back to normal (knock on wood).

Last week one of the programs recorded on our DCH3416 was recorded with no video. There was just a green screen through the whole recording. The audio was just fine, however. Something like this happened another time previously, but my wife deleted the recording so I didn't get to look at it to confirm it was the identical problem.

Any idea what causes this and how I can avoid it?

Thanks,
Guy

Just got my new 3416 from my local Time Warner office...now how do I program a 30 second skip again?

Just got my new 3416 from my local Time Warner office...now how do I program a 30 second skip again?

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Programming_the_Remote#Add_30-Second_Skip

Discovered (I do not remember doing anything to cause it) that all my favorites and parental locks were wiped out. I do not knowi if anything else was gone or not. Any ideas.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Programming_the_Remote#Add_30-Second_Skip

Thanks! Worked perfect.

For any of you getting the new DCH3416- does standby actually power anything down for you? My DCT6412 just got replaced with a DCH3416 and now standy keeps sucking the full 30 watts that it uses when on... Is this a bug?

While watching a DVR program today, my screen turned black for a second and when the programming resumed, my set looked like everybody was pink. A second later, it turned black again and then it was normal. I tried to replicate it by rewinding it but it wouldn't happen. This is on a BRAND NEW panasonic 700u plasma hooked up via monoprice hdmi cable. Is it my TV or Cable box?

As a side note, I have had the box for a few years and have lost audio that could only be restored by powering it off and on and I have had a few other bugs like 1080i coming in stuttering while 720p was smooth.

My DCT6412 just got replaced with a DCH3416 and now standy keeps sucking the full 30 watts that it uses when on... Is this a bug?No, not really. Standby simply is billed as a method to disable the output ports; it isn't promoted as an energy-saver.

I have a Moxi DVR from Charter in West Central Minnesota, but it's been acting finicky lately, and I suspect it's going to die soon. If I call Charter to replace it, given the changes at Moxi, and the '07 FCC mandate, I'm betting they'll give me a DCH in it's place, so if you don't mind I have a question about one feature the Moxi has that I don't want to lose.

With the Moxi, if I press Record to record the show I'm currently watching, Moxi includes the entire buffered content for that program in the final recording. Does the DCH do the same, or does it only record from the current point? I really like the entire buffer being recorded.

I have a Moxi DVR from Charter in West Central Minnesota, but it's been acting finicky lately, and I suspect it's going to die soon. If I call Charter to replace it, given the changes at Moxi, and the '07 FCC mandate, I'm betting they'll give me a DCH in it's place, so if you don't mind I have a question about one feature the Moxi has that I don't want to lose.

With the Moxi, if I press Record to record the show I'm currently watching, Moxi includes the entire buffered content for that program in the final recording. Does the DCH do the same, or does it only record from the current point? I really like the entire buffer being recorded.

The 3416 does record the entire buffer. I was just explaining it to my girlfriend last night actually.

I have a Tivo 2 and am thinking about changing it in for a Motorola DVR 3416/6416 unit. Does anyone have any opinions between the two dvr's. We're using the Tivo on a 27" Panasonic non-HD tv. Thanks.

I have a Tivo 2 and am thinking about changing it in for a Motorola DVR 3416/6416 unit. Does anyone have any opinions between the two dvr's. We're using the Tivo on a 27" Panasonic non-HD tv. Thanks.

With a TiVo Series 2, you will need cable box to get the digital channels. You may already be doing this, but you would connect the box and the cable both to the TiVo for maximum flexibility. This would get you the ability to record 1 or 2 basic channels at the same time, or one basic channel and one channel via the box. I used this configuration for a year or so and was satisfied with it.

The 6416 would be able to record any 2 channels at once, digital or analog, plus you could actually tune some of the HD channels that come with your level of service. They would be down converted to work on your set.

I keep my old TiVo connected to the basic cable channels, and use the 6416 purely for HD viewing and recording.

The monthly cost would probably be close to a wash, if you decide to take the old TiVo out of service and switch to the 6416. (I kept both).

The 6416 does not have as slick a user interface as the TiVo, but it does the job, mostly.

HTH

I have had the 6412 for over a year and have had no problems. However, I was thinking about exchanging it for a 6416 model. What are the differences between these 2 models, other than the size of the hard drives?
Also, what is the differences between the 3416 and the 6416?

With a TiVo Series 2, you will need cable box to get the digital channels. You may already be doing this, but you would connect the box and the cable both to the TiVo for maximum flexibility. This would get you the ability to record 1 or 2 basic channels at the same time, or one basic channel and one channel via the box. I used this configuration for a year or so and was satisfied with it.

The 6416 would be able to record any 2 channels at once, digital or analog, plus you could actually tune some of the HD channels that come with your level of service. They would be down converted to work on your set.

I keep my old TiVo connected to the basic cable channels, and use the 6416 purely for HD viewing and recording.

The monthly cost would probably be close to a wash, if you decide to take the old TiVo out of service and switch to the 6416. (I kept both).

The 6416 does not have as slick a user interface as the TiVo, but it does the job, mostly.

HTH

HTH, Thanks for the review for both. It helped.

I have had the 6412 for over a year and have had no problems. However, I was thinking about exchanging it for a 6416 model. What are the differences between these 2 models, other than the size of the hard drives?
Also, what is the differences between the 3416 and the 6416?

No difference other than the HDD size.

34xx is all digital; 64xx has both analog and digital tuners.

Discovered (I do not remember doing anything to cause it) that all my favorites and parental locks were wiped out. I do not knowi if anything else was gone or not. Any ideas.

The box was initialized - I always tell our dispatchers and CSRs here to warn people before sending a cold init, but I've noticed most people do not- it's frequently done as a troubleshooting measure, as it's the computer equilivant of formatting and reloading windows - the down side is it wipes all settigns (favorites, parental locks etc)

I usually make a habit of changing the default background color, that way if it goes back to the default blue I know someone's wiped my settings.

This usually isn't common (and power loss should not cause the same problem)

I do not (any longer) use Comcast. My provider is RCN, which uses Passport Echo software for their DVRs. The 30-second skip is disabled. :(:(:(:(:(:(:( But fast forward and reverse have speeds of 5X, 20X, and 60X. These are so fast that the there is an automatic 5, 10, and 20-second backup, respectively, whenever you push Play to stop a FF or Rev action--needed to get you closer to where you wanted to be.

Passport also has a FF and Rev advance-to-tick function. There are tick marks on the progress bar at each 15-minute mark. You can jump instantly to the next tick in FF by pressing the right guide navigation button. Similar for Rev. This can be repeated rapidly, so that you could advance (or go back) one hour of recorded or buffered time in about 2 seconds of button pushing. Also the buffers for unrecorded programming on the two tuners are 60-minutes long for both SD and HD.

Just thought I would throw that in, since the Thread topic is not labeled as provider-specific. I am very satisfied with Passport. Head and shoulders above I-guide, IMO. There are many more differences, but I have already gone on too long.

I just switched to RCN too. Someone please tell me how to unlock commercial skip on Motorola DCH3416.

My 3416 Comcast DVR cuts off or resets on its own once a week or so. Is this just a bug with this type of box or is it just my box?

Sometimes it deletes all my recordings :mad: is there any thing I can do to get my recordings back.

I was looking up some more info and looked up some of my old posts. I came across this one. And I had asked you a question about sd and yada yada. Anyways. Are you saying when you use 480p override. Do you have a full screen or do you have black bars on the sides? When your talking about "full" when viewing hd channels with your tv. If its a feature like my Sammy. Mine has a Just Scan feature for using hdmi when viewing hd content. It takes any overscan 16:9 has and clears things up to make everything fit on the screen properly. I'm guessing this is what yours is doing as well with the "full" feature?

I leave mine in 16:9 - SD picture will pretty much remain unaltered - with my TV I use the Picture Mode to adjust it from there (letting the TV extend my picture in SD and changing it back to "full" on the TV when I'm on a HD program that's in 16:9 format)

I just changed my 6416 over from component to hdmi. The component connection will connect at 1080i and on my 48" Sharp 1080p the picture looks great.

With HDMI it's only displaying 720P, and there are major artifacts. If I dim the display down, they go away but the picture does not look as clear.

I'm setting about 8 to 10 feet away and the artifacts are very visible.

Is there anyway to fix this other than going back to component?

Turn off box. Hit menu. Change it to 1080i instead of 720p. I had to do the same thing.

I just changed my 6416 over from component to hdmi. The component connection will connect at 1080i and on my 48" Sharp 1080p the picture looks great.

With HDMI it's only displaying 720P, and there are major artifacts. If I dim the display down, they go away but the picture does not look as clear.

I'm setting about 8 to 10 feet away and the artifacts are very visible.

Is there anyway to fix this other than going back to component?

Turn off box. Hit menu. Change it to 1080i instead of 720p. I had to do the same thing.

thanks. worked like a charm.

DCT 6416III is in use. Nearest I can tell, turning off the DVR really does not do much as it appears the hard drive continues to run. With that in mind, I programed (all zeros in component code) my Silver Comcast remote (got it so I could do 30 second skip) so that when I push All ON/OFF just the TV turns on or off.

I had verified if I turned "off " the DVR , that it would still turn on and record a program and then turn back "off". So, I had been letting All ON/OFF put it to sleep each night.

Anyway, is it still recommended that the 6416III be left "on" all the time?

This makes it so much easier, as I was having trouble of sometimes the DVR not going to the "off" position, so when the TV was turned on using the All ON button the DVR would turn "off". This eliminates this problem.

Anybody have any comments? Is this the best solution?

Anyway, is it still recommended that the 6416III be left "on" all the time?Yes.

Hey guys, here's a question for you. I have a DCH3416, brand spanking new after an exchange for an older model and have had it since the week before the Super Bowl. I have Comcast cable. Last night was the first night I tried to use On Demand with the new box and I get this error message. The box throws up an opaque white box and in read text it says something like "Please contact your cable provider to use this service" and goes on to provide a cable card number, MAC address and some other networking stuff. The movie plays behind the box and it eventually went away after about 5 minutes. I called tech support and they are just clueless about these things, they just want to reset the box, which didn't work. I've seen this once before at a neighbors house but not sure what Comcast did to resolve it. This did not happen on my other PVR from them.

Anyone see this and whats the trick to clear this message?



Curious.. no one else has seen this?

http://images33.fotki.com/v1140/photos/6/649633/3402899/DSC00860-vi.jpg

The Comcast crew just keep resetting the box. Doesn't help. Is there a key combo or something on the box/remote that eliminates this? It goes away after about 5 mins in the movie , but obviously its annoying.

Bud

I get the same thing when I try to order anything from On Demand. They just told me they were working on the problems with the On Demand in my area. (central Michigan).

Well, its my understanding you can disable this somehow on the box. I typically hook up my own boxes, so not sure if this would be know by an installed. This happened to someone I know and apparently the cable installer did something to diable the message from coming up.

Bud

Well, its my understanding you can disable this somehow on the box. I typically hook up my own boxes, so not sure if this would be know by an installed. This happened to someone I know and apparently the cable installer did something to diable the message from coming up.

Bud

Send a message to CharterJames... I had the same issue, no techs could figure it out, but he had it cleared up in like 10 minutes.

Will do. Thanks.

Bud

34xx is all digital; 64xx has both analog and digital tuners.

I just traded in my 6412 for a 3416. The standard def channels seem worse, it that because it doesn't have an analog tuner?

I might take it back, since I only got it to try the HDMI to DVI.

I get the same thing when I try to order anything from On Demand. They just told me they were working on the problems with the On Demand in my area. (central Michigan).

it's a validation error - it can be fixed in billing, but it will wipe all recorded programming and settings -

It will come up on any channel that requires CCI validation - generally there's at least 1 test channel and most markets have set VOD to require the CCI encryption / validation.

I just traded in my 6412 for a 3416. The standard def channels seem worse, it that because it doesn't have an analog tuner?

I might take it back, since I only got it to try the HDMI to DVI.

That's odd that it would look worse, given you're using the digital feed you may have an issue with the lower frequency digital channels that might require a service call. In theory you should have no difference in Picture quality between a 34 and a 64

I use my 6416 with a Harmon Kardon receiver and I have cabled audio to the TV speakers via the component cables and the audio to the receiver via optical. It works for both at the same time. I sometimes turn up the TV speakers when there is odd DD that minimizes the center channel on a program.

I have a motorola dch6416 and I leave it on all the time (since the hard drive never shuts down anyway). The only problem that I ever have is that when it is supposed to record a program, I get the message that the hard drive is full. When actually the hard drive is less than 50%. I turn the box off and back on and it is fine. The only problem with that is I have to be there or I will miss the recording. This only happens every couple of weeks or so. If I remember to turn it off and on once a week it I probably won't have a problem. Anyone else have that problem.

I have a motorola dch6416 and I leave it on all the time (since the hard drive never shuts down anyway). The only problem that I ever have is that when it is supposed to record a program, I get the message that the hard drive is full. When actually the hard drive is less than 50%. I turn the box off and back on and it is fine. The only problem with that is I have to be there or I will miss the recording. This only happens every couple of weeks or so. If I remember to turn it off and on once a week it I probably won't have a problem. Anyone else have that problem.

Yes. Chere 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)for more info.

I am getting an intermitent error on my DCH 6416 box. It has happened about 5 times in the past 3 weeks. I will be watching something and the channel will suddenly switch to channel 10 and show "Ers" on the front display. Anything that is being recorded at that time is also stopped, but when I change the channel again everything seems fine. I usually do a hard reset after it happens, but it happened again last night for the first time in about a week.

Error code is "Eas" vs. "Ers"

Any ideas?

I've noticed people starting to get the new version DVR box.

DCH6416 III =
http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&q=dct6416

DCT6416 =
http://images.google.com/images?q=dch6416&ndsp=20&um=1&hl=en&start=0&sa=N

Is there any improvements with this new box? I noticed a few filters listed on motorola's website that is not on the Phase III...

I've noticed people starting to get the new version DVR box.

DCH6416 III =
http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&q=dct6416

DCT6416 =
http://images.google.com/images?q=dch6416&ndsp=20&um=1&hl=en&start=0&sa=N

Is there any improvements with this new box? I noticed a few filters listed on motorola's website that is not on the Phase III...

The DCH boxes have been out for a while and use a single m-card for security. The seem to have less problems, but I have no hard data to back that up.

Here's (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=789805) the thread for this series.

I've noticed people starting to get the new version DVR box.

DCH6416 III =
http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&q=dct6416

DCT6416 =
http://images.google.com/images?q=dch6416&ndsp=20&um=1&hl=en&start=0&sa=N

Is there any improvements with this new box? I noticed a few filters listed on motorola's website that is not on the Phase III...

Nutshell:

DCH is Digital Cable Host VS DCT (Digital Cable Terminal)

Terminals are able to do decoding etc through chips on the box's motherboard

Hosts on the other hand use CableCARDs to to authenticaton and decoding.

Functionally other than the authentication and decoding the a Phase III DCT is the same as the DCH (when my market started launching the 6416 in place of the BMC9012 Moxi we started with DCT 6416 PIIIs)

Generally the only difference between Phases tends to be a few filters, sometimes a little faster processing and sometimes more memory - occasionally it will also be a output difference (for example the earler DCT 5200 series did not have firewire and when it was added they changed Phase numbers)

The DCH boxes have been out for a while and use a single m-card for security. The seem to have less problems, but I have no hard data to back that up.

Here's (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=789805) the thread for this series.

As far as reliability goes, they are for all intents and purposes identical to the DCT series, the primary difference I've found is with Card based devices you have occasional Authentication / Validation errors.

The Cards use CCI values for Validation and if the DCH is not correctly validated you won't be able to access channels with a value other than 0x00

Given most systems are now using Encrypted VOD services (once they figured out QAM tuners were able to "sniff" out the VOD stream channels because they were not on the Virtual Channel Map) VOD is usually the first noticable casualty.

Generally you'll get the white screen that was posted here earlier with the Card, Host and Data ids, however with VOD you usually get a "not authorized" error.

Because the cards in the host box are properly set up for 2 way communications and the Hosts themselves are two way, this can be resolved just by sending a Validation command from most cable biling systems...

However Tivos and other cable card devices which are not fully designed to handle 2 way communcations must be done manually by someone with access to the Digital Controler (the server that controls the cableCARDs and Boxes)

***edit***

btw, thanks for the link!

As far as reliability goes, they are for all intents and purposes identical to the DCT series, the primary difference I've found is with Card based devices you have occasional Authentication / Validation errors.

The Cards use CCI values for Validation and if the DCH is not correctly validated you won't be able to access channels with a value other than 0x00

Given most systems are now using Encrypted VOD services (once they figured out QAM tuners were able to "sniff" out the VOD stream channels because they were not on the Virtual Channel Map) VOD is usually the first noticable casualty.

Generally you'll get the white screen that was posted here earlier with the Card, Host and Data ids, however with VOD you usually get a "not authorized" error.

Because the cards in the host box are properly set up for 2 way communications and the Hosts themselves are two way, this can be resolved just by sending a Validation command from most cable biling systems...

However Tivos and other cable card devices which are not fully designed to handle 2 way communcations must be done manually by someone with access to the Digital Controler (the server that controls the cableCARDs and Boxes)

***edit***

btw, thanks for the link!

No problem.

I haven't had any card issues yet, but have noticed less "remote button queuing" than was occuring with my DCT6412PIII. It might be my imagination though. :)

I have a Motorola DCH6416 hooked up via optical to a Yamaha YHT-380 home theater, and every once in a while hitting a button on my Motorola remote will make the volume on my audio receiver lower, usually by a significant amount. I have tried hitting all of the remote buttons to see if one of the codes/frequencies is used by the receiver for volume down, but I am unable to reproduce the problem. It seems to happen randomly, mostly from using the skip-back button.

Any idea how this is happening? Is a weird/corrupt signal going through the optical cable causing the receiver to react by lowering the volume? I would tend to think it's an IR remote code issue, but my tests don't verify that.

Please help! This is driving me insane!

One quick question, Does the DCT 3412 support 5.1 DD via HDMI or do I still have to use the optical out.

I will be hooking it up to an Integra 9.8 (HDMI 1.3)

One quick question, Does the DCT 3412 support 5.1 DD via HDMI or do I still have to use the optical out.

I will be hooking it up to an Integra 9.8 (HDMI 1.3)

It should have HDMI and that HDMI should carry digital audio in the same output format as the optical would.

I have a Motorola DCH6416 hooked up via optical to a Yamaha YHT-380 home theater, and every once in a while hitting a button on my Motorola remote will make the volume on my audio receiver lower, usually by a significant amount. I have tried hitting all of the remote buttons to see if one of the codes/frequencies is used by the receiver for volume down, but I am unable to reproduce the problem. It seems to happen randomly, mostly from using the skip-back button.

Any idea how this is happening? Is a weird/corrupt signal going through the optical cable causing the receiver to react by lowering the volume? I would tend to think it's an IR remote code issue, but my tests don't verify that.

Please help! This is driving me insane!

I'd lean towards IR remote code issue myself - one of the reasons optical is prefered for home theaters is the lack of interfearance (since it's unaffected by Radio Frequency & Electromagnetic Fields)

Are you using TV and Home theater audio seperately (I know many do this because they don't want to always leave their home theaters on when watching TV) if you are, try using the Audio lock function of your remote to lock volume control to the cable box or TV... then try the skip function - this should prevent *any* volume oriented commands from being sent to the home theater - if the problem goes away after that, you'll know for sure it was an errant command going to the Receiver.

CharterJames,
Do you have a recommendation for the Logitech Harmony remotes? I'm looking to get one, and was wondering if any have been found to work well with the DVR functions of a 6416 mkIII.

CharterJames,
Do you have a recommendation for the Logitech Harmony remotes? I'm looking to get one, and was wondering if any have been found to work well with the DVR functions of a 6416 mkIII.

Personally, I got burned on the Harmony because the person whom I was setting it up for didn't have a computer anywhere near his home theater setup. He was also in a hurry and not very tech savvy... I definitely recommend if you're going to do this that

1) MUST have plenty of time

2) Having a wireless network and a laptop are preferable - otherwise you'll be trecking to your computer frequently if you're unlucky.

3) Must have plenty of patience


I liked the interface and the way it was set up to work - once it's programmed correctly it looks like it would be a breeze for everyone else in the house to use. But that's if you can get over the initial programming.

it should work great with the 6416, in my case the person switched to a UR10 RF remote with IR blaster (to manage all the components secured in a closet) - The origional box was a Moxi and it was a pain in the arse to configure for either remote. The 6416 went much smoother on the UR10, but I have had no experience with the Harmony and a 6416. I've been thinking about getting one of the lower end models myself - I won't need RF since all my stuff is line of site

Hi, I have a the motorola dch6416 model and recently I just finished watching a recording and when I attempted to delete it, the box tells me it cannot delete the file while it's in use and to close the file and try again.

I didn't know if there was a way to get rid of it without having to just reboot the whole dvr or if that is the only way to go. This is the only problem I've had so far with the dvr.

Thanks for any help.

Hi, I have a the motorola dch6416 model and recently I just finished watching a recording and when I attempted to delete it, the box tells me it cannot delete the file while it's in use and to close the file and try again.

I didn't know if there was a way to get rid of it without having to just reboot the whole dvr or if that is the only way to go. This is the only problem I've had so far with the dvr.

Thanks for any help.

Your best bet will be power - cycling the box - this should correct the problem.

You *might* get a result by deleting a different title, but rebooting the box will give definte results - everything else I can think of is more drastic (and potentially damaging to your content)

That worked, thanks. I was unsure if cycling the power would cause me to lose all my set recordings and that was my initial hesitation to doing a reboot but everything remained in tack and I finally got the show off there, thanks!

My DCH-3416 is really annoying me it resets itself randomly, it reset itself after setting a series recording and also it does its done it when i was watching something i recorded, many times. The temperature is in the safe range. It also does not listen to me when i tell it not to record an episode that is set for a series recording.and a few weeks ago i set a movie to record in hd and it took up 75% of the box which is not right...Ive power cycled the box.It resets itself like crazy like every 20-30 minutes.


Problem Fixed: Charter acutally had some HD-DVRs in stock so i exchanged it. Amazing they usually are almost all out.

Any new news on an enabled eSATA port? If none, my bro is canning Charter.

That worked, thanks. I was unsure if cycling the power would cause me to lose all my set recordings and that was my initial hesitation to doing a reboot but everything remained in tack and I finally got the show off there, thanks!

No problem!

Generally a power-cycle / loss of power / Warm Initialization will only wipe out working memory - you'll lose guide data and network information (ip address, return path etc) everything but guide data comes back in about 10 to 15 minutes. Extended guide data fills in slowly. by default a box should require a PIN on all programming without guide information if one's been set up (this way kids can't get around the Parental Controls by just unplugging the box.)

a Cold Init or "3 Finger Salute" will wipe the flash memory of the box - this wipes all box settings (Favorites, Parental Controls / Locks, Guide preferences, Auto Tune etc.) but it *should not* wipe programming or settings for recorded programs.

An CableCARD Validation command sent to a DCH will wipe all DVR settings and programming. This is only supposed to be done between customers, but I've seen cases where the card sometimes loses it's validation

There's also a manual remote command that will wipe all DVR settings and content - this is a very tricky command and must be done from the diagnostics screen, so it's pretty much impossible to do on accident.

Any new news on an enabled eSATA port? If none, my bro is canning Charter.

No news, it's more than likely pegged to a different firmware release. Given how they had to enable it on Moxi (with a software update as well) I imagine it won't be availible until there's a TV Guide / I-guide that supports the feature as well. Maybe in A25 (no confirmation, just speculation here) but not likely to be any sooner than that.

would I be able to purchase a cable box and use it with Charter? Just curious if that can be done.

would I be able to purchase a cable box and use it with Charter? Just curious if that can be done.

That option is just now becoming a reality -

Your options will depending largely on what you want.

If you want full functionality you'll need to dig and search for someone selling a Motorola DCH (providing your in a market they are in use) For now (and probably for the next year) OCAP applications aren't common so you are limited in choices for full (vod, ipv etc) functionality.

the next best thing would be a cableCARD device - right now the most common is TIVO's Series III or HD. The HD has less space, but should only need one multi-stream card in order to make it work. - For now it won't support VOD or SDV (in markets that have it) but SDV support should be in the works soon.

If you're using OTA signals or Clear QAM (channels that are not encrypted on the cable lines) then Walmart and other retailers are now selling boxes (and DVRs) that can decode digital signals - this won't work if you're wanting to do any sort of subscription package from a cable provider, but if your not, this may meet your needs on a budget

What you want to stay away from are the old DCT boxes (or Moxi boxes) any of the old cableboxes are now boat anchors - we are not allowed to add them into inventory due to the same FCC mandate the forced the move to the DCH boxes.

If it's a "cable box" and it's not able to use a cable card, it's pretty much useless if you want to use it with your cable line and get more than the local HDs.

I would be VERY careful about purchasing a DCH. They are not available via retail in the US, so most operators will not provision a DCH you have "bought" as they are most likely stolen from another operator.

I would be VERY careful about purchasing a DCH. They are not available via retail in the US, so most operators will not provision a DCH you have "bought" as they are most likely stolen from another operator.

That is always a possibility until US retailers start to carry them (which should be by Feb of 2009) though if you have a DCH that doesn't have a bolted in card in the rear slot, then they shouldn't be too suspicious.

Having a receipt or invoice from a retailer as opposed to getting it via Ebay is the best way to keep it 100% legit.


Also be sure to get the right model type for your needs

DCH 100 - Standard Definition - for Digital only markets
DCH 200 - Standard Definition - Analog and Digital
DCH 6200 - HD non-DVR - Analog and Digital
DCH 34xx - Digital only HD DVR
DCH 64xxx - Analog and Digital DVR

Thanks, I was just looking into a possibly cheaper option to get more than basic cable on more than one tv. Right now I have a 6416 in my living room and just cable running to my other tv's but I can't get any movie channels elsewhere. I was hoping I could pick up a box that would allow me to get that, but if I would need to pay for a cable card that would defeat the purpose.

My cable bill (with Charter internet and phone) is already $190 a month. I had been looking at a Tivo, but that would add another $15 a month not to mention the initial cost of the unit. So then I thought about adding a box, but I think that is $10 a month or something too.

Are there any options for sending the signal from my living room to my bedroom tv? Slingbox?

Thanks, I was just looking into a possibly cheaper option to get more than basic cable on more than one tv. Right now I have a 6416 in my living room and just cable running to my other tv's but I can't get any movie channels elsewhere. I was hoping I could pick up a box that would allow me to get that, but if I would need to pay for a cable card that would defeat the purpose.

My cable bill (with Charter internet and phone) is already $190 a month. I had been looking at a Tivo, but that would add another $15 a month not to mention the initial cost of the unit. So then I thought about adding a box, but I think that is $10 a month or something too.

Are there any options for sending the signal from my living room to my bedroom tv? Slingbox?

Any digital tuner will get you the local HDs and the Music choices in addition to what the get now on analog - but that's about it.

Cards are generally low cost ($1 to $2 a mo ea) if you have a card equipped box. With luck we'll see alot of those hitting the market in the under $100 price - hopefully using OCAP guide rather than TIVO's current "pay for our broadband based guide"

Are there any options for sending the signal from my living room to my bedroom tv? Slingbox?

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I hope I'm not since I plan to do this in the future. I'm pretty sure on the DCH-3416 at least you can use multiple outputs simultaneously. So if you have an alternate way to control the DCH you can use it with multiple sets. You would just have to watch the same thing on both TVs or only use one at a time.

In my case, I have a Crestron control system in the living room and as soon as I get a wireless touchpanel for it I am going to pull cable for component from my DCH in the AV closet to the TV in my bedroom. That way when I'm ready to go to bed for the night I can just take my touchpanel with me and have control of the DCH from there.

A cheaper way to control the box from your bedroom would be some type or IR extender kit which may cost a few bucks but at least thats a one time expense as opposed to renting a second box.

CharterJames,
Do you have a recommendation for the Logitech Harmony remotes? I'm looking to get one, and was wondering if any have been found to work well with the DVR functions of a 6416 mkIII.

I just bought the Harmony 880 and it works perfectly with the DCT 6416(sliver remote) This remote is different, in that it is activity based, wherein you tell it to "watch TV" and it turns on all devices you want, TV, DVR, AVR, changes inputs, etc. "watch DVD" turns on/off appropriate devices for that activity. Listen to Radio, Listen to CD, all set up appropriate devices. Easy setup on pc via usb. This remote may still be available on Ama*** for $149.99. Enter code GXWCVCLQ at checkout for a $50 discount, making the final price $99.99. To say more here would be off topic, so here is the link in this forum for the 880.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=654853

I am trying to run video (and audio) through my Onkyo 705. Everything works fine except video from by Comcast box (DCT3412).

The picture I am getting from the receiver is viewable intermittently. It is displaying wavy lines. I struggled with this for about an hour when setting up the system initially. When I turned my TV off and on it started working fine. Then I came back a few hours later and it is doing it again. DVD plays fine, WII plays fine. I have not been able to get a valid picture other than the 1 time in 2 days of trying.

I am using what I figured would be a simple setup just using the component inputs and output eliminating any possible conversion issues in my receiver. Cable box is set to 720P output. I have a Mitz 52525 DLP rear projection TV that is about 3 or 4 years old. I don’t even know if it’s the box, TV, or tuners fault? I have tried bypassing the receiver going direct to the TV and it works fine every time. Changing channels to HD and standard does not help. I assume it isn't a cable box issue, but I am running out of ideas. I have heard others having trouble with these boxes going through a receiver, but that is mostly HDMI related and copy protection related and would never work instead of work one time???

Ideas?

I am trying to run video (and audio) through my Onkyo 705. Everything works fine except video from by Comcast box (DCT3412).

The picture I am getting from the receiver is viewable intermittently. It is displaying wavy lines. I struggled with this for about an hour when setting up the system initially. When I turned my TV off and on it started working fine. Then I came back a few hours later and it is doing it again. DVD plays fine, WII plays fine. I have not been able to get a valid picture other than the 1 time in 2 days of trying.

I am using what I figured would be a simple setup just using the component inputs and output eliminating any possible conversion issues in my receiver. Cable box is set to 720P output. I have a Mitz 52525 DLP rear projection TV that is about 3 or 4 years old. I don’t even know if it’s the box, TV, or tuners fault? I have tried bypassing the receiver going direct to the TV and it works fine every time. Changing channels to HD and standard does not help. I assume it isn't a cable box issue, but I am running out of ideas. I have heard others having trouble with these boxes going through a receiver, but that is mostly HDMI related and copy protection related and would never work instead of work one time???

Ideas?

Just for jeepers, change your cable box output to 1080I and see if that fixes it. Maybe your Mits is having trouble with the 720P feed.

I have a DCH3416 connected to an AVR receiver. I record a fair amount of shows on various channels, but when I record one show (the Daily Show) I mostly get a green screen when I play it back (probably about 75% of the time). This can be corrected by pressing the format button. Anyone know of a permanent solution for this? Anyone aware of a remote code for the format button? It's not that big of a deal, but I may trade in the box for another one if it gets too annoying.

I am trying to run video (and audio) through my Onkyo 705. Everything works fine except video from by Comcast box (DCT3412).

The picture I am getting from the receiver is viewable intermittently. It is displaying wavy lines. I struggled with this for about an hour when setting up the system initially. When I turned my TV off and on it started working fine. Then I came back a few hours later and it is doing it again. DVD plays fine, WII plays fine. I have not been able to get a valid picture other than the 1 time in 2 days of trying.

I am using what I figured would be a simple setup just using the component inputs and output eliminating any possible conversion issues in my receiver. Cable box is set to 720P output. I have a Mitz 52525 DLP rear projection TV that is about 3 or 4 years old. I don’t even know if it’s the box, TV, or tuners fault? I have tried bypassing the receiver going direct to the TV and it works fine every time. Changing channels to HD and standard does not help. I assume it isn't a cable box issue, but I am running out of ideas. I have heard others having trouble with these boxes going through a receiver, but that is mostly HDMI related and copy protection related and would never work instead of work one time???

Ideas?

Problem resolved. This one caught me off guard. The new high quality cable I bought was defective. 3 hours wasted, GRRRRR.

What you want to stay away from are the old DCT boxes (or Moxi boxes) any of the old cableboxes are now boat anchors - we are not allowed to add them into inventory due to the same FCC mandate the forced the move to the DCH boxes.



Is Charter continuing to give out Moxi's for DVR service at all?

My Moxi (BMC9012) died last night (started smoking). I returned it to my local charter office today and was given a DCH6416. From my short time googling this morning, it doesn't appear that I'm losing/gaining too much with this switch.

Pro:
More space for recording.

Con:
no USB expansion (perhaps eSata sometime), and less fancy program guide/interface

I am curious if the Slingbox will work with the IR codes for the DCH6416 box (a friend tried Slingbox with Moxi and couldn't get it to work).

Thanks for any info.

Is Charter continuing to give out Moxi's for DVR service at all?

My Moxi (BMC9012) died last night (started smoking). I returned it to my local charter office today and was given a DCH6416. From my short time googling this morning, it doesn't appear that I'm losing/gaining too much with this switch.

Pro:
More space for recording.

Con:
no USB expansion (perhaps eSata sometime), and less fancy program guide/interface

I am curious if the Slingbox will work with the IR codes for the DCH6416 box (a friend tried Slingbox with Moxi and couldn't get it to work).

Thanks for any info.

Yes, we have a decent population of moxi boxes that were swapped in for 6416s and I've heard whispers that Charter had quietly acquired boxes from other MSOs which phased out the Moxi entirely just before the deadline

I just bought the Harmony 880 and it works perfectly with the DCT 6416(sliver remote) This remote is different, in that it is activity based, wherein you tell it to "watch TV" and it turns on all devices you want, TV, DVR, AVR, changes inputs, etc. "watch DVD" turns on/off appropriate devices for that activity. Listen to Radio, Listen to CD, all set up appropriate devices. Easy setup on pc via usb. This remote may still be available on Ama*** for $149.99. Enter code GXWCVCLQ at checkout for a $50 discount, making the final price $99.99. To say more here would be off topic, so here is the link in this forum for the 880.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=654853

Thank you. My wife will be calling soon with her hatred ;)

Two HD channels were pixalating. Had Charter out and everything checked out fine on my end. Those two channels are from a different source or something and will require upgrading.

Anyway, while talking, the tech said they were going 100% digital in steps and that he could have them turn me on to all digital.

Well, I believe the SD channel picutres are better. However, have to run the volume almost twice as high (50 vs 25 on the volume scale).. Always had to do this on the HD channels also. And some are more so than others.

Can anything be done about that. Who would one contact to express that concern. Although not a real problem, it does not seem logical to me. Should I be concerned?

However, have to run the volume almost twice as high (50 vs 25 on the volume scale)..

I have this problem also, SD volume much higher than HD. Could it be a function of the Dolby Digital 5.1 signal? I Have messed with the compression on the box and in the guide setup to try to make them closer to the same level, but no help yet.

Same prob here. Gotta go about 10 higher on the AVR to get HD vol up.

As posted above, our Charter group is going ADS, analog digital simucast.

Is this a transition step to eventually get to all digital? It would seem to transmit both analog and digital must take up a lot of bandwidth.

So what is the ultimate game plan that the current ADS accomplishes?

Thats because the box does not handle digital audio properly. The audio settings are all for stereo audio. They have no effect on digital audio. Its another reason why you get high pitched whining noises as well. There should be a dolby digital option in the boxes settings in the menu guide. I have mentioned this before on this forum. But, people say its just how it works and its not working the way I want it to. I will use my Xbox 360 as an example. When I select dolby digital sound. I do not get any whine and I do not have to crank the volume up. Going back to the cable box. SD is fine. But, HD channels that use dolby digital. I have to crank 10 notches or more compared to SD. SD I listen at 10 plenty loud. HD channels. Gotta crank it to 20 or so. I was told because dolby digital sounds lower naturally. BS! Why do I not have this problem with my 360? Thats because its passing dd properly. Unlike the cable box. And if you notice. Power off your box. Hit select. Go under audio/video. You will notice SPDIF says N/A. 1. the port has not been enabled fully. or 2. it is not enabled properly. Here is another kicker. Don't ask me why or how its doing this. But, I have hdmi for video and optical for sound. Some how the hdmi sound is being passed to the optical and through like that. Instead of the optical being passed being passed by itself.

Further more. As I have stated count less times. I have never had a issue like this before with other hd-dvr boxes. All have had dolby digital selection and passed the audio correctly. With no whine or having to crank up the sound when viewing hd content. Its a weird issue with Motorola or the cable company. It needs to be fixed. I even called Motorola and they tried to help. Told me the box is capable and should have it. However. He told me some cable company's do no enable all features within the box. That would explain it. And yes I know about powering off. Hit ok/select and there are more audio options. But, since I am running hdmi. It is just options for hdmi audio to pass through. That needs to get bypassed some how as I am using a optical cable. So, it has no effect on what I choose. Its like the box passing two different audio signals. 1 being hdmi and 1 being optical.

I have this problem also, SD volume much higher than HD. Could it be a function of the Dolby Digital 5.1 signal? I Have messed with the compression on the box and in the guide setup to try to make them closer to the same level, but no help yet.

Anyway, while talking, the tech said they were going 100% digital in steps and that he could have them turn me on to all digital.

Well, I believe the SD channel picutres are better. However, have to run the volume almost twice as high (50 vs 25 on the volume scale).. Always had to do this on the HD channels also. And some are more so than others.





I am reposting part of my orginal post to clarify. Both SD and HD require much higher volume settings than analog did. Most here are saying their HD requires higher. Possibly they were/are still getting their regular channels as analog like I was. Again, all digital (both digital SD and digital HD) for me requires much higher volume settings than did the analog.

FWIW, I have no whine, never have. Am feeding the TV with HDMI from the DVR direct. SD channels are not 5.1 AFAIK

I don't know for sure, but I think what you're referring to might have something to do with audio settings in the Motorola DVRs. There are additional settings, I believe, that affect only digital audio, which perhaps you only will get on ADS and HD channels. Check the menus. If you see something like "no compression" then switch it to "light compression" or even "heavy compression". We needed to do so; my wife is hearing impaired, and while "no compression" is closer to what the director intended, my wife cannot hear the dialog as well that way. (Yes, yes, we do have the closed captions enabled, but she prefers both closed captions AND the ability to hear the dialog better.)

Ok, so we all can compare, I have HDMI out to TV, optical to AVR (no HDMI in on AVR) I get 5.1/6.1 on all HD channels. AVR displays Dolby D EX on all HD channels. PLII on all SD channels.

6416 audio setup choice available is: Auto, L-PCM, Pass through. No change when you set to any of the three. I use Auto, but again it doesn't matter, sounds the same. Is this because I use optical, not HDMI to AVR? I don't know.

Guide setup is Audio output set to: Advanced, Compression: None (no change if I use "light" or "heavy". I set Stereo output to: "Matrix"

Again, the difference is about 12-15 on the volume scale with the SD channel higher than HD

My Comcast TV Guide menu version set up values are attached. I don't know if this is necessary or makes a difference, but maybe I have a different guide version than others.

Guide setup is Audio output set to: Advanced, Compression: None (no change if I use "light" or "heavy". I set Stereo output to: "Matrix"
.

This only affects line audio outs. It has no effect on digital coax, or optical outs. If you do any recording, VCR or DVDR, I recommend advanced, matrix, light compression.

Two HD channels were pixalating. Had Charter out and everything checked out fine on my end. Those two channels are from a different source or something and will require upgrading.

Anyway, while talking, the tech said they were going 100% digital in steps and that he could have them turn me on to all digital.

Well, I believe the SD channel picutres are better. However, have to run the volume almost twice as high (50 vs 25 on the volume scale).. Always had to do this on the HD channels also. And some are more so than others.

Can anything be done about that. Who would one contact to express that concern. Although not a real problem, it does not seem logical to me. Should I be concerned?


Pixelation is generally a foward signal issue... usually you just logically work back to see how major an issue it is - if it's happening everyware, it's something that's generated in the headend or from the feed itself (though it's pretty rare to have a prolonged feed issue) other wise, it's generally found along the downstream... be that a single county or metro area, a section of nodes fed from a common fiber, a single node, several houses on the same line or just one house.

If they can't duplicate it in their local office, more than likely it's a signal issue

Ok, so we all can compare, I have HDMI out to TV, optical to AVR (no HDMI in on AVR) I get 5.1/6.1 on all HD channels. AVR displays Dolby D EX on all HD channels. PLII on all SD channels.

6416 audio setup choice available is: Auto, L-PCM, Pass through. No change when you set to any of the three. I use Auto, but again it doesn't matter, sounds the same. Is this because I use optical, not HDMI to AVR? I don't know.

Guide setup is Audio output set to: Advanced, Compression: None (no change if I use "light" or "heavy". I set Stereo output to: "Matrix"

Again, the difference is about 12-15 on the volume scale with the SD channel higher than HD

My Comcast TV Guide menu version set up values are attached. I don't know if this is necessary or makes a difference, but maybe I have a different guide version than others.

Your on TV Guide A24 - which is the most common version currently in use

Compression should limit the range of audio quiet to loud - you won't notice any changes on the HDMI audio setup if you're listening to a Home Theater running off the optical - My TV at home has weak speakers and I really dont' get much using RCA or HDMI... so I always use my home theater.

One thing to do is make sure you've set your audio to optimal level on the box - if you use your box for volume that can skew everything

My TV at home has weak speakers and I really dont' get much using RCA or HDMI... so I always use my home theater.

One thing to do is make sure you've set your audio to optimal level on the box - if you use your box for volume that can skew everything

True that. Weak isn't the word for it!! TV speakers are off all the time. I use HDMI box to TV just for digital video. Should I use analog component cause I'm using optical to AVR and test the compression options again? And, while not using the box for volume control, it is at maximum. Using the AVR volume all the time. Any other thoughts?

Quite often scheduled recordings on HBO will not play. I get a green bar indication that 30 minutes of recording should be there, but when I try to play it, the slider stays at 0 minutes and nothing happens. What could cause a blank recording?

I have had this happen as well. I can't remember, but I may have power cycled the unit and had it work.

This only affects line audio outs. It has no effect on digital coax, or optical outs. If you do any recording, VCR or DVDR, I recommend advanced, matrix, light compression.


I feed audio and video to my TV via HDMI. Techs were here again today trying to figure out whay just 2 (or 4, if you count two digital SD channels) pixalate (or tile) and none of the other HD or digital SD channels do. Anyway after about 4 trips to my house they have concluded that there is nothing wrong with my wiring and that they will put in a work order for more upstream corrections.

Anyway while here I asked about having to run the volume so much higher on digital channels than I did on analog. They changed the compression from off to heavy and the volume literally jumped right out of the TV speakers. I am back to setting TV volume to around 25 or 30 instead of 45 to 55.

Thought I'd ask this here...
I have a DCH6416 and was previously an Insight Cable customer but Comcast "took over" our region (boo hoo).

Anyways, I turned on the box and TV on Monday night and I get a blue box on black background that says "One Moment Please ... Your channel will be available shortly" and that's it! Nothing else occurs - no TV, no nothing.

I call Comcast, they tried to send a signal (a "hit" ?) to the box - no response from the box. They sent out a tech the next day while I was at work since I told them that I live in a area of new construction and the cable line is just sticking out there on top of the ground! The tech confirmed the physical line and hook-up to the box(es) is fine. He said to try again when I got home.

I try again yesterday to no avail - same issue. Now they are telling me they'll probably have to swap the box and I'm going to lose ALL of my "Lost" recordings that I haven't yet watched, which really pisses me off.

Is there ANYTHING I can do to try and get this to work? They reviewed my account and the serial numbers, etc that they require on the account appear to be fine.

I REALLY don't want to lose my stuff!!!

Sorry to be somewhat off topic but James, do you have any opinion / reaction to this thread?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008271

Thought I'd ask this here...
I have a DCH6416 and was previously an Insight Cable customer but Comcast "took over" our region (boo hoo).

Anyways, I turned on the box and TV on Monday night and I get a blue box on black background that says "One Moment Please ... Your channel will be available shortly" and that's it! Nothing else occurs - no TV, no nothing.

I call Comcast, they tried to send a signal (a "hit" ?) to the box - no response from the box. They sent out a tech the next day while I was at work since I told them that I live in a area of new construction and the cable line is just sticking out there on top of the ground! The tech confirmed the physical line and hook-up to the box(es) is fine. He said to try again when I got home.

I try again yesterday to no avail - same issue. Now they are telling me they'll probably have to swap the box and I'm going to lose ALL of my "Lost" recordings that I haven't yet watched, which really pisses me off.

Is there ANYTHING I can do to try and get this to work? They reviewed my account and the serial numbers, etc that they require on the account appear to be fine.

I REALLY don't want to lose my stuff!!!


One moment please is usually an indication that the box cannot tune to the channel - try the line directly to the TV and see if you're expanded basic is working - if not you've got major signal issues

if that works, power cycle the box after reconnecting it and see if that brings back picture.

If that doesn't do the trick call into customer support and tell them you are having an issue with your box (that it works great without the box) and ask to verify the Serial number on the back of your box - you should have a serial number (MCARD Serial in the case of DCH boxes) that should be in their billing system - usually starts with GI, MA or M1 and is 12 characters long.


Chances are you've got a signal issue if you're getting "One Moment Please" (because if the box was not correctly authorized you'd get "Not Authorized") but with these steps you can rule out other issues

Sorry to be somewhat off topic but James, do you have any opinion / reaction to this thread?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1008271

It's a little off-topic, however there's alot of people on the DVR threads on others who have asked alot of questions about the Digital Transition, ADS and other issues.

MSOs (including dish and IPTV operators) are going to get more and more competitive about having more services, the two ways they are going to compete is to reduce analog and compress / encrypt Digital / HD channels.

Personally I would think the entire point of having HD channels is improved picture quality, so if the picture quality is sacrificed, they are going to push away the very customers they are trying to convince to stay.

More than likely I would think that would only be a temporary measure until more bandwidth can be made availible. - But then again, I don't think they'd be doing it so systematically if that was the case...

There are also newer standards (I want to say MPEG4 but it could be 6) that will allow for greater compression without degredation, however that requires equipment upgrades (and some boxes are not compatible) - I think HBO is pushing hard to switch to hardware that will allow them to put all their feeds in HD quality while using the same amount of bandwidth from their Sat feeds (we'd have to either downconvert them or upgrade out boxes to decrypt - for most boxes that would be a firmware upgrade I believe)

I know within Charter the general plan is to migrate Analog channels (expanded basic) over to Digital and use the freed up bandwidth to launch new HDs. Generally you can get 2 to 3 HD networks PER analog that's converted. - I know most of our markets that have HD now should be seeing 10 more HD channels being added by the end of the year. If we drop to only 20 Analog channels, that should free up bandwidth enough for us to have all 71 expanded basic in Digital (up to 10 digitals per analog)

So I'm thinking in your better systems you should expect to have about 20 QAM channels dedicated to Analog and probably another 30 for SD Digital (yielding a max of 300 Digital SD Channels) and if used responsibly, probably 50 for HD (which should give 100 to 150 HDs) Of course getting from here to there will be the bumpy road.

The big bumps in the road will be the fact that cable companies are trying to do alot of upgrading and changes and none of them are really making a huge profit at this time (most of them are still paying off major debts from the dot-com boom when they were laying down fiber like there's no tomorrow...)

Time Warner and Comcast are in the best position - they're #1 and #2 in the nation with plenty of room before #3 (which was Charter at last check)

TW and Comcast also have major advantages as they are also Media holders (Comcast owns several sports networks and the InDemand PPV networks)

One thing that was a major point in that thread is that all major MSOs have made commitments to keep *SOME* analog access for three more years -

however as I understand it here, in our case it will be Basic only... most expanded will be migrated to digital only and require the use of a box or Card*.

It's important to note here that a very large population of "Digital" tuners including alot of the new ones coming out now for people wanting to decode digital broadcast are limited QAM tuners without CARD access - as such they will only show what's unencrypted - which will be the basic channels, local HDs and Digital feeds and if the market so chooses - Music feeds (Music Choice etc)

Digital tuner boxes without Cable Cards may be even more limited as the ones I've seen will only do about 60 channels (as they are intended for broadcast only) and therefore won't pick up the channels outside of that range, even if they are unencrypted.

But again I'm going more off topic - on the HDs, I think they made the wrong decision to sacrifice PQ to squeeze more in and I'd hope (for the customer's sake) that it's a short term issue that is only occuring until they can get more bandwidth in place.

I'd love to see a "Native" or selectable resolution support added to the Power Off, Menu setting for HD output.
Currently I have my Motorola output HD at 1080i because I tend to watch more 1080i channels. This looks the sharpest. Although if I watch 720P channels such as ESPN, ABC, FOX, or National Geographic, the image is slightly softer due to the nasty triple conversion.

ESPN, ABC, Fox, etc..
720p input from broadcaster > 1080i from box > 768p to my PDP.

Mojo, MHD, CBS, NBC, Discovery, TLC, etc..
1080i input from broadcaster > 768p to my PDP.

1080i channels look softer if I set the box to 720p, so I don't win either way. I just leave it at 1080i because I watch "mostly" 1080i channels.

The PACE and Scientific Atlanta HD boxes do this successfully. I don't see it being too big of an issue for the Motorola set top boxes. Hopefully Motorola has a firmware update in the works for this feature, and MSO's get this pushed out to customers. Many AV enthusiasts would be very grateful for this addition.

Do you think this kind of feature could in theory be added to the Motorola Firmware? Or do you think that this one feature would require a whole new motherboard / cpu revision? I don't think it's the later, but a simple programming routine to detect the current channel resolution and direct it through the appropriate decoder module.

I'd love to see a "Native" or selectable resolution support added to the Power Off, Menu setting for HD output.
Currently I have my Motorola output HD at 1080i because I tend to watch more 1080i channels. This looks the sharpest. Although if I watch 720P channels such as ESPN, ABC, FOX, or National Geographic, the image is slightly softer due to the nasty triple conversion.

ESPN, ABC, Fox, etc..
720p input from broadcaster > 1080i from box > 768p to my PDP.

Mojo, MHD, CBS, NBC, Discovery, TLC, etc..
1080i input from broadcaster > 768p to my PDP.

1080i channels look softer if I set the box to 720p, so I don't win either way. I just leave it at 1080i because I watch "mostly" 1080i channels.

The PACE and Scientific Atlanta HD boxes do this successfully. I don't see it being too big of an issue for the Motorola set top boxes. Hopefully Motorola has a firmware update in the works for this feature, and MSO's get this pushed out to customers. Many AV enthusiasts would be very grateful for this addition.

Do you think this kind of feature could in theory be added to the Motorola Firmware? Or do you think that this one feature would require a whole new motherboard / cpu revision? I don't think it's the later, but a simple programming routine to detect the current channel resolution and direct it through the appropriate decoder module.


The BMC9021 / 9022 Digeo Moxi (made by Motorola) also have better resolution support - with those you select what "native" resolutions you want to use... so you select in 720 if you want 720s to be in 720 etc... so if you have 720 and 1080 checked in, both will show up as they were intended... if only 720 is hit - both will be in 720 if 1080 is only selected then 720 is upconverted by the box.

there's an aspect function listed for the box, so it should be only a matter of getting the guide / firmware matchup to enable this feature

on the HDs, I think they made the wrong decision to sacrifice PQ to squeeze more in and I'd hope (for the customer's sake) that it's a short term issue that is only occuring until they can get more bandwidth in place.Given the choice, as we were, between Sci-Fi SD and Sci-Fi HD 3:1, I have to say definitively that Sci-Fi HD 3:1 is much much better. I was ready to bolt to DirecTV, if we didn't get Sci-Fi HD before BSG began. Now, there is only one HD channel that Comcast doesn't offer me, and two HD channels that DirecTV wouldn't offer me, so Comcast, just by adding Sci-Fi HD is back in the lead in my book, and thereby kept my business. I think there are many many customers who will consider HD 3:1 better than SD. There are even some customers (not necessarily me) who prefer stretching video to fill the screen better than pillar boxing. So it is a wide spectrum out there, and I believe the MSOs have to aim to satisfy many different types of people.

Agreed..

3:1 HD 1920x1080i Destroys... I mean DESTROYS 12:1 SD 576x480i

I'm glad we got the new HD channels. Better than nothing!

Hey maybe someday the codec will improve, or there will be extra bandwidth found to bring those channels back to 2:1 compression, but for now you gotta do what you gotta do!

Hello, I recently got a DCT6416 III and am having problems with audio cut outs. Every 30 seconds - 1 minute the audio will cut out for a split second. I am running HDMI to my receiver.

I have tried:

Messing with HDMI audio output options in the "Power > Menu" menu.

Trying different levels of compression.

Switching between "Stereo" and "Matrix".

Nothing seems to work. If this is an HDMI issue, using optical for sound is an option. How would I set the box up for optical sound and HDMI video?

Thanks for the help.

Nothing seems to work. If this is an HDMI issue, using optical for sound is an option. How would I set the box up for optical sound and HDMI video?

Thanks for the help.

I use HDMI out to TV and optical to the rcvr and it works fine. Get PLII on SD and Dolby D ES on HD channels(older 6.1 rcvr). The optical out is live without having to do anything to the box. I(and others) have a difference in volume levels between SD and HD with SD being louder, but no-one in the forum here has any help for a fix, so I/we just put up with it.

I use HDMI out to TV and optical to the rcvr and it works fine. Get PLII on SD and Dolby D ES on HD channels(older 6.1 rcvr). The optical out is live without having to do anything to the box. I(and others) have a difference in volume levels between SD and HD with SD being louder, but no-one in the forum here has any help for a fix, so I/we just put up with it.

I just tried Optical... it's MUCH worse. Perhaps I have a defective DVR.

Bingo. Pulled another DVR (the same model) from a different room and it works perfectly. What a pain in the ass.

Bingo. Pulled another DVR (the same model) from a different room and it works perfectly. What a pain in the ass.

That's good news. So with the box swap out, I presume you are now using HDMI to rcvr to tv? If so, are you having any handshake issues? Does it work every time?

I have a DCH3416 connected to an AVR receiver. I record a fair amount of shows on various channels, but when I record one show (the Daily Show) I mostly get a green screen when I play it back (probably about 75% of the time). This can be corrected by pressing the format button. Anyone know of a permanent solution for this? Anyone aware of a remote code for the format button? It's not that big of a deal, but I may trade in the box for another one if it gets too annoying.

Found the answer here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13524611#post13524611

Found the answer here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13524611#post13524611

The 00109 code works with the Comcast remote or the "One for All" remotes which are made by the same company. For some One for All remotes the code may be just 109.

I am having a problem connecting a DCH3416 to a new TV. The video path is Charter cable in to the 3416, HDMI out from the 3416 to HDMI in on a video processor (DVDO VP50), and HDMI out from the VP50 to HDMI in on the display. The display lists the 3416's channel but indicates it is unavailable. The display changes channels in tandem with the 3416 but the message remains the same. Charter has remotely reset the 3416 without success.

Is this an HDMI handshake problem? Should I restart all the components? In what order? Any other ideas?

Try running one HDMI cable from your 3416 directly to your TV. If that fixes it, you have proved that your VP50 is the problem. If it doesn't, then your 6416 is the problem, it is not talking to the head end.

I am having a problem connecting a DCH3416 to a new TV. The video path is Charter cable in to the 3416, HDMI out from the 3416 to HDMI in on a video processor (DVDO VP50), and HDMI out from the VP50 to HDMI in on the display. The display lists the 3416's channel but indicates it is unavailable. The display changes channels in tandem with the 3416 but the message remains the same. Charter has remotely reset the 3416 without success.

Is this an HDMI handshake problem? Should I restart all the components? In what order? Any other ideas?

1) try a direct connection to the TV - if you get the same result, power-cycle the TV.

2) check your TV menus to make sure HDMI inputs do not have to be turned on (I just dealt with a pioneer Elite which had this issue)

3) if your input is on (or doesn't have to be turned on) and the TV powercycle doesn't do it, then try a box power cycle while connected to the TV.

I'd try things without the home theater first - alot of HT Receivers do not pass the encryption properly - this way you know it works before you try to work the receiver in.

I'd love to see a "Native" or selectable resolution support added to the Power Off, Menu setting for HD output.
Currently I have my Motorola output HD at 1080i because I tend to watch more 1080i channels. This looks the sharpest. Although if I watch 720P channels such as ESPN, ABC, FOX, or National Geographic, the image is slightly softer due to the nasty triple conversion.

ESPN, ABC, Fox, etc..
720p input from broadcaster > 1080i from box > 768p to my PDP.

Mojo, MHD, CBS, NBC, Discovery, TLC, etc..
1080i input from broadcaster > 768p to my PDP.

1080i channels look softer if I set the box to 720p, so I don't win either way. I just leave it at 1080i because I watch "mostly" 1080i channels.

The PACE and Scientific Atlanta HD boxes do this successfully. I don't see it being too big of an issue for the Motorola set top boxes. Hopefully Motorola has a firmware update in the works for this feature, and MSO's get this pushed out to customers. Many AV enthusiasts would be very grateful for this addition.

Do you think this kind of feature could in theory be added to the Motorola Firmware? Or do you think that this one feature would require a whole new motherboard / cpu revision? I don't think it's the later, but a simple programming routine to detect the current channel resolution and direct it through the appropriate decoder module.


How does one determine the native resolution of the channel being watched on a DCH-3416?

Would love to see that support as well.

I'd love to see a "Native" or selectable resolution support added to the Power Off, Menu setting for HD output.
Currently I have my Motorola output HD at 1080i because I tend to watch more 1080i channels. This looks the sharpest. Although if I watch 720P channels such as ESPN, ABC, FOX, or National Geographic, the image is slightly softer due to the nasty triple conversion.

ESPN, ABC, Fox, etc..
720p input from broadcaster > 1080i from box > 768p to my PDP.

Mojo, MHD, CBS, NBC, Discovery, TLC, etc..
1080i input from broadcaster > 768p to my PDP.

1080i channels look softer if I set the box to 720p, so I don't win either way. I just leave it at 1080i because I watch "mostly" 1080i channels.

The PACE and Scientific Atlanta HD boxes do this successfully. I don't see it being too big of an issue for the Motorola set top boxes. Hopefully Motorola has a firmware update in the works for this feature, and MSO's get this pushed out to customers. Many AV enthusiasts would be very grateful for this addition.

Do you think this kind of feature could in theory be added to the Motorola Firmware? Or do you think that this one feature would require a whole new motherboard / cpu revision? I don't think it's the later, but a simple programming routine to detect the current channel resolution and direct it through the appropriate decoder module.

1) try a direct connection to the TV - if you get the same result, power-cycle the TV.

2) check your TV menus to make sure HDMI inputs do not have to be turned on (I just dealt with a pioneer Elite which had this issue)

3) if your input is on (or doesn't have to be turned on) and the TV powercycle doesn't do it, then try a box power cycle while connected to the TV.

I'd try things without the home theater first - alot of HT Receivers do not pass the encryption properly - this way you know it works before you try to work the receiver in.

Tried all three steps and still no success. Any other ideas?

How does one determine the native resolution of the channel being watched on a DCH-3416?

I don't think it's possible to do through the box. There are various listings floating around the web, including in the first post of this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=419472) thread.

I don't think it's possible to do through the box. There are various listings floating around the web, including in the first post of this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=419472) thread.

Once your on the channel you wish to check, power off the box and quickly push OK/Select. Scroll down to d10 Audio/Video Status diagnostic.

For example, I’m tuned to Ch 148, FUSE… I see: Input Format: 4:3 704×480i 30
Next I tune to Ch 229 MHD, I see Input Format: 16:9 1920×1080i 30

So obviously the current firmware needs to know the input format so it knows how to scale the current output. If it simply reads this “input format” register, it could key the scaler with the correct output resolution.

Is there anything in the works to allow an external hard drive on these DVRs? That is a very attractive feature that is starting to make me wonder whether I should start considering one of the sat providers again.

Is there anything in the works to allow an external hard drive on these DVRs? That is a very attractive feature that is starting to make me wonder whether I should start considering one of the sat providers again.

I'm hoping it's enabled soon - if Motorola set things up similarly in the different boxes they've made, then it stands to reason that HD expansion will be a function built into the guide application. I'm hoping we'll see that functionality with A25 (TV-guide)

The way I figure it...with the digital transition ramping up over the next year, we should hopefully see OCAP (Open Cable) guide and VOD applications within a year... at which point if Motorola wants to retail the 64xx/34xx platform they'd better make sure that functionality is there if they want to compete with Moxi and Tivo

Mmmm...

A25. It's been a while since an update.
Been a while since Comcast put info on A25 on their website.

"next several weeks". That was at the turn of the year.
We must be close.

Hoping for a firmware update as well.

Native or Selectable video resolution support for HD and eSATA expansion are two key features that make the SA/Cisco and Pace set tops stand out over Motorola. Pace has it working through their own firmware, so no modifications are necessary to the I-Guide software.

If Motorola gets these to feature to work in a near future update, I will be one happy cable subscriber.

Any idea when A25 might be coming, James?

Not that it helps in other parts of the country, but Comcast is starting to release at least updated firmware (not sure about the A25 guide) in the Boston area for some boxes. REC light is coming back to the DCH series!

I've been fighting with Comcast to get those rec lights back on since September!
I'm actually inbetween conversations right now with Comcast executive customer service
and the local media regarding this issue. Perhaps we're near a solution.......???

I've been fighting with Comcast to get those rec lights back on since September!
I'm actually inbetween conversations right now with Comcast executive customer service
and the local media regarding this issue. Perhaps we're near a solution.......???

Putting up the good fight:)

Cheers! To you sir.

Once your on the channel you wish to check, power off the box and quickly push OK/Select. Scroll down to d10 Audio/Video Status diagnostic.

For example, I’m tuned to Ch 148, FUSE… I see: Input Format: 4:3 704×480i 30
Next I tune to Ch 229 MHD, I see Input Format: 16:9 1920×1080i 30

So obviously the current firmware needs to know the input format so it knows how to scale the current output. If it simply reads this “input format” register, it could key the scaler with the correct output resolution.


When I go to that diagnostic page it shows output as NTSC. What is that trying to say. I am getting HD as far as I know

SD channels look better on my proj with this set to off. When I turn of my proj off for the night (dvr left on) the setting is changed to 480i when I next view the proj:mad:. I have to power off>menu to change this. Any suggestions on how to save this setting? Thanks

Native or Selectable video resolution support for HD and eSATA expansion are two key features that make the SA/Cisco and Pace set tops stand out over Motorola. Pace has it working through their own firmware, so no modifications are necessary to the I-Guide software.

If Motorola gets these to feature to work in a near future update, I will be one happy cable subscriber.

It all depends - Again I'm surmising because the Digeo Moxi BMC9012 (Manufactured by Motorola) required a guide software update to enable remote expansion that it may be as tied into TV-guide as it is to the base firmware. Also different hardware platforms use different apps for the same guide - even between similar models (such as DCT 2000 and DCT2500)

at either rate I know for alot of systems they won't upgrade one (Guide or Firmware) without the other... so keep praying for a update! :D

(personally I can't wait for A25 to resolve issues with DVR recording and VOD errors)

When I go to that diagnostic page it shows output as NTSC. What is that trying to say. I am getting HD as far as I know

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTSC

NTSC is standard format for Analog output - this is normal - and refers largely to the SD outputs on the box.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NTSC

NTSC is standard format for Analog output - this is normal - and refers largely to the SD outputs on the box.

I understand that analog is NTSC

All my channels are digital. So I do not understand why it is showing NTSC. On the other diagnostic screen it shows them as digital (digital SD or digital HD)

Is that just telling me what the output would be if I hooked into the composite output?

I understand that analog is NTSC

All my channels are digital. So I do not understand why it is showing NTSC. On the other diagnostic screen it shows them as digital (digital SD or digital HD)

Is that just telling me what the output would be if I hooked into the composite output?

It's telling you the output for the Coax/RF SD - the boxes by nature convert the signal down to analog to talk to normal TVs with the HDMI and Firewire giving the unit access to the unconverted digital feed.

Mmmm...

A25. It's been a while since an update.
Been a while since Comcast put info on A25 on their website.

"next several weeks". That was at the turn of the year.
We must be close.

Hoping for a firmware update as well.

Could this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13577432#post13577432) be it?

My biggest gripe with my unit is, you can set it to record only new shows but it will record the same show 2 or 3 times in the same week if you let it, is their a tweak or work around for this? IE: if I tape a new epi of John Adams on hbo sunday night, Wednesday it will record the same show over...some shows on SPIKE which are reruns from 2006 it will still record those too...? Maybe the upgrade will rid this too? This was my MOXI replacement and to be honest my MOXI worked better when the hardware was'nt an issue plus I could add extra hd storeage (hard drive) to my MOXI too...:(

My biggest gripe with my unit is, you can set it to record only new shows but it will record the same show 2 or 3 times in the same week if you let it, is their a tweak or work around for this? IE: if I tape a new epi of John Adams on hbo sunday night, Wednesday it will record the same show over...some shows on SPIKE which are reruns from 2006 it will still record those too...? Maybe the upgrade will rid this too? This was my MOXI replacement and to be honest my MOXI worked better when the hardware was'nt an issue plus I could add extra hd storeage (hard drive) to my MOXI too...:(

I hope so - TVG pushes it as their solution for just about everything... I was told we'd have it by Q1 2008... that's almost over.

Hello All

-and thanks for your help ahead of time!

QUESTION:

Is it possible for the Motorola 3412 to support 2 outputs at the same time?

I have a Samsung HDTV connected via HDMI and would like to pipe the same show [via RF Out] to a Happaugue TV card in my computer simultaneously.

I momentarily tried it and was successful . . . will any damage be done long term?

Again, THANKS!

Bob Miller

As some of you guys are already noticing......
I've just received an update from my Comcast management source that they are in the process of pushing out the new codes for these units now. This involves the new Guide/A25 and both software & firmware updates, including the fix for the red recording lights.

When we were getting our SD channels via analog our channel 99 had the TV Guide programing at the top and the channel line up crawal at the bottom.

Since going all digital the TV Guide program is still on 99 but the channel line up crawl at the bottom is gone. My feed back is that is the way it is going to be.

My question, is that a local decision , corporate decision, or what. The wife would prefer the channel line up crawl still be there. Also, is anybody else encountering similar?

Hello All

-and thanks for your help ahead of time!

QUESTION:

Is it possible for the Motorola 3412 to support 2 outputs at the same time?

I have a Samsung HDTV connected via HDMI and would like to pipe the same show [via RF Out] to a Happaugue TV card in my computer simultaneously.

I momentarily tried it and was successful . . . will any damage be done long term?

Again, THANKS!

Bob Miller

I do it all the time (HDMI to TV + S-video to DVD Recorder). Works fine.

Hello All

-and thanks for your help ahead of time!

QUESTION:

Is it possible for the Motorola 3412 to support 2 outputs at the same time?

I have a Samsung HDTV connected via HDMI and would like to pipe the same show [via RF Out] to a Happaugue TV card in my computer simultaneously.

I momentarily tried it and was successful . . . will any damage be done long term?

Again, THANKS!

Bob Miller

Mine worked with ALL outputs hooked up at once (so I could switch between for my sake, and to demo HD for family). I used HDMI, Firewire (best), component, and plain composite, along with optical and analog audio.

Kil4Thril and RockyMountainD:

Thank you for your replies and insight!

Bob Miller

Question. Is running in RGB ideal with the Motorola DCH-6416? I have a Samsung LN-T3253H and using hdmi. My tv does support RGB. I was told when using a hd-dvr box. RGB is best to use. Within my tv's setting I can adjust hdmi black level. My choices are Normal or Low. I was told to use Normal with RGB enabled within the dvr box settings.

Hello All

-and thanks for your help ahead of time!

QUESTION:

Is it possible for the Motorola 3412 to support 2 outputs at the same time?

I have a Samsung HDTV connected via HDMI and would like to pipe the same show [via RF Out] to a Happaugue TV card in my computer simultaneously.

I momentarily tried it and was successful . . . will any damage be done long term?

Again, THANKS!

Bob Miller

Nope, all outputs are hot and active at the same time - so you can output to the computer all you want

there's only one very minor glitch.

If you've got your box set up for a resolution higher than 480i and you tune to an HD channel, the RF out (or any other SD output) will not show the guide overlay. Since this isn't your main viewing screen (I'm assuming you're using this for video capture) it shouldn't be an issue.

to view the guide overlay with that output you'll need to tune to a channel who's native resolution is 480 or set your box to 480i



****edit****
Also as an aside for those who haven't played with Firewire - bear in mind 2 things (I wanted to add this with the mention of firewire there)

1) Firewire, by design, is an unadulterated digital output - therefore there's no overlay for the box's interface - reguardless of resolution.

2) The FCC requires MSOs to have Firewire enabled boxes - the ports should always be enabled, however there can be other issues such as content encryption and devices which have a hard time with the encryption handshake.

In general 90% of the people at your local cable company have no idea how to use it - of the 10% that remain, most of them will not know how to use your specific hardware etc. As such be prepared to do alot of forum diving and research!

Question. Is running in RGB ideal with the Motorola DCH-6416? I have a Samsung LN-T3253H and using hdmi. My tv does support RGB. I was told when using a hd-dvr box. RGB is best to use. Within my tv's setting I can adjust hdmi black level. My choices are Normal or Low. I was told to use Normal with RGB enabled within the dvr box settings.

I've heard people argue all day long the virtues of the different connections. I personally have not really seen a noticable difference unless you use very low-grade connections.

best advice is to give it a shot and have your friends and family compare the outputs (movie nights are great for this)

I will do that. But, do I have it setup properly? I noticed on my hd channels. How can I describe this. If I go to a channel. And it has the bars since they are not streaming hd content at the time. The bars are completely gray and not black. When viewing a actual hd channel the picture has a grey look to it. Is this due to mixed signals or some thing? I just assumed since I have my 360 set to Normal for black level within my tv settings. And Extended within the 360 settings. I have things properly set up with the hd-dvr. But, I am hearing RGB is mainly for games 0-255. I am so confused.

I've heard people argue all day long the virtues of the different connections. I personally have not really seen a noticable difference unless you use very low-grade connections.

best advice is to give it a shot and have your friends and family compare the outputs (movie nights are great for this)

I will do that. But, do I have it setup properly? I noticed on my hd channels. How can I describe this. If I go to a channel. And it has the bars since they are not streaming hd content at the time. The bars are completely gray and not black. When viewing a actual hd channel the picture has a grey look to it. Is this due to mixed signals or some thing? I just assumed since I have my 360 set to Normal for black level within my tv settings. And Extended within the 360 settings. I have things properly set up with the hd-dvr. But, I am hearing RGB is mainly for games 0-255. I am so confused.

That is odd - if you're seeing it on the RGB rather than the HDMI with the same black level, then I'd check the connection and possibly use different wires.

one advantage of Digital output is you have more absolute values - things are compressed and encoded etc - whereas with analog things get fuzzy - of course for some people this is part of the experience and has a certain charistic warmth (such as those who go great lengths to run their audio through high end Vacuum Tube systems)

Personally I use Digital wherever possible

I found the culprit. It has to do with the Brightness. I guess when using RGB. Brightness by default is extremely bright and needs to be recalibrated.

That is odd - if you're seeing it on the RGB rather than the HDMI with the same black level, then I'd check the connection and possibly use different wires.

one advantage of Digital output is you have more absolute values - things are compressed and encoded etc - whereas with analog things get fuzzy - of course for some people this is part of the experience and has a certain charistic warmth (such as those who go great lengths to run their audio through high end Vacuum Tube systems)

Personally I use Digital wherever possible

I found the culprit. It has to do with the Brightness. I guess when using RGB. Brightness by default is extremely bright and needs to be recalibrated.

Good deal!

James-

Thank you also for your feedback.

As you perceived, the Guide is of no significance for me.

Bob Miller

I found the culprit. It has to do with the Brightness. I guess when using RGB. Brightness by default is extremely bright and needs to be recalibrated.

I think there is a setting that you can change the color of the bars as they "broadcast" from the box (but this MAY be on my D*).

I have a Moto DCH3416 from Comcast. It is hooked up via hdmi 1.3a cables to a Sony STR-DG810 receiver and then to my Samsung LNT5271FX LCD TV. When I set the 4:3 override to 480P, the 4:3 channels look great, but after a short period of time (less than 1 day), the 4:3 override keeps getting reset to "off", forcing me to set it to 480P almost daily. Comcast came out and replaced the box, but it still happens. Any ideas? I haven't seen any posts about this but I hope someone has seen this issue and there is a solution.
Thanks!

I have a Moto DCH3416 from Comcast. It is hooked up via hdmi 1.3a cables to a Sony STR-DG810 receiver and then to my Samsung LNT5271FX LCD TV. When I set the 4:3 override to 480P, the 4:3 channels look great, but after a short period of time (less than 1 day), the 4:3 override keeps getting reset to "off", forcing me to set it to 480P almost daily. Comcast came out and replaced the box, but it still happens. Any ideas? I haven't seen any posts about this but I hope someone has seen this issue and there is a solution.
Thanks!

Since you have swapped boxes the only think I can think of is that either the Samsung or the sony is sending the box a signal to do this. Try hooking the box directly to the Samsung for a day and see if it still happens. I have the DCH box directly hooked up to a Samsung HLT6757 also with the override at 480p and I have never had a problem.

Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated.

I replaced by old Motorola DCT-3412 with a DCH-3416 about 3 months ago. It is connected to my Pioneer Elite PRO-110FD with HDMI and I have no trouble with the audio or video. We do prefer to keep the cable box on at all times, particularly since there are apparently no good discrete ON/OFF universal remote codes. However, several times per week, seemingly at random, we find our DCT-3416 in STANDBY mode. The only devices we actually ever turn off are the TV and the Pioneer Elite BDP-94HD (connected to the TV with a separate HDMI cable). When we turn on the system with our universal remote (turns on the TV and DVD), we get no picture because the STB is inexplicably in STANDBY mode.

I haven't found any other posts about this issue, so I am soliciting the help from the knowledgeable folks on this forum. The SW version is 74.54-4003 and the FW version is 18.34.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Electric Stu

I have officially found a way to pass video only through hdmi and audio only through optical. I have a Samsung LN-T3253H and a Motorola DCH-6416. I have been asking and asking about this only to been told it cannot be done. About is close as I got to find a answer to this. Some one replied in this thread saying a guy found the method on how to seperate the audio/video but he could not remember. All you have to do is go into the DCH-6416 main menu. Power off box and hit menu. Go to additional hdmi settings. Switch it to DVI. Hit menu twice to save your settings. Then power back on box. Now go into Setup within the tv settings and make sure HDMI Black Level is set to Low. Power down the dvr box then power down the tv. Power up dvr box. Then power up tv. Now you have hdmi for video passing through and sound passing using your optical cable. Setup may vary with other tvs. But, this is the method for Sammy lcd's when running hdmi for video and optical for sound. With out using this method. Some how the box passes hdmi audio and optical sound together. So, I would get slight audio drop outs some times. Now it is completely gone.

**EDIT**

I forgot to add one important thing or this method will not work. With in the tv settings. Name HDMI 1 input to PC.

Anyone know of a capture card that has COMPONENT as an input rather than svideo/composite, etc? Since the HDMI and component outputs are active at the same time. Just wondering.

Anyone know of a capture card that has COMPONENT as an input rather than svideo/composite, etc? Since the HDMI and component outputs are active at the same time. Just wondering.

Like this (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=974885)?

My son is getting ready to buy a new HDTV. I told him I would try to get some info regarding cable cards for the TVs. My Sony did not have the cable card slot, but since then, it appears as though most mfg have quit pushing cable card ready TVs.

So what is status of cable cards for TV and to make it part of this forum, are they the same cards as go into the Tivos? And lastly, last I had read they were not two way compatible. If not how is Tivo handling this?

All info appreciated.

My son is getting ready to buy a new HDTV. I told him I would try to get some info regarding cable cards for the TVs. My Sony did not have the cable card slot, but since then, it appears as though most mfg have quit pushing cable card ready TVs.

So what is status of cable cards for TV and to make it part of this forum, are they the same cards as go into the Tivos? And lastly, last I had read they were not two way compatible. If not how is Tivo handling this?

All info appreciated.

Same cards as TiVo and Moto DCH boxes.

The cards themselves are two-way; it's the hardware (TiVo, TV, etc.) that is or isn't.

You can google "tivo tuning resolver" for info on how TiVo will continue to work in the SDV/two-way world.

My son is getting ready to buy a new HDTV. I told him I would try to get some info regarding cable cards for the TVs. My Sony did not have the cable card slot, but since then, it appears as though most mfg have quit pushing cable card ready TVs.

So what is status of cable cards for TV and to make it part of this forum, are they the same cards as go into the Tivos? And lastly, last I had read they were not two way compatible. If not how is Tivo handling this?

All info appreciated.

For Motorola based sytems there's 3 major types of cable card

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4630/motocardseh7.jpg

The first cards were S-Cards - these are all one way. Later they started branding them M-Cards - which were designed to decode multiple video streams (like a dual tuner DVR does) - these can run 2 way, but because of their similarity to the older pre 2007 cards they are usually configured as S Cards.

The newest cards are the M Modules or M Cards - these are the most common card out today. The Red card is a 2 way card with the blue being one way. I've not seen any one way cards here in my system and I'm assuming Charter is probably not looking to increase it's "one way" inventory.

Compatiblity is largely determined by the firmware on the Card.

While the cards are all made to Cablelabs specs, as should most cable card based TVs, the reality is, most TVs will have a problem with at least one or two card firmwares. As a result we don't tend to push out different versions of base firmware, since we don't want to risk killing a customer's service because their TV isn't compatible with a card firmware. (though as I understand it, eventually we're going to have to)

Right all of the DCH boxes are using the Red M-Card inside of them - Tivo HDs can use a M Card and be able to decode both tuners on a single card (SIIIs still require 2 cards, even if they are M Cards)

The biggest problems with cable cards are

1) no universal applications
2) complex setup

#1 will hopefully be resolved as OCAP applications make for a universal platform for guide applications (or at least guide data) and hopefully 2 way services such as SDV and VOD.

Now now you're pretty much reliant on whatever software your cable card device uses - in the case of TIVO, you've got their software for a base application and guide (but you'll need a broadband connection to update it) Most TVs which still hvae cablecard will use a basic TV-Guide like application which pulls it's channel information from your local PBS feeds (it's encrypted in the metadata of the broadcast)

The second issue is more to do with the individual model of TV and it's degree of complexity. Each TV company seems to have gleefully re-invented the wheel with their cable card enabled TVs... so almost every major Make and Model of TV will not work the exact same way... and frequently there are incompatibility issues, be it the card firmware or the TV's firmware. On top of all that... if there's an issue with the TV, the TV retailer and Manufacturer are often ill-equipped to support it and will refer you to the MSO again... Even when the issue is their hardware (I've had this issue with Pioneer and LG)

As for TVs and CableCards... most Manufacturers have gone through customer feedback and polls which they say indicate only 3% of the market with card enabled TVs actually use cards... so they started cutting back on them. Ironically they do this just as MSOs are forced to use Card Based boxes. (which to me would be when the market is set to gear up...)

Most your top line units will have models which have cable cards, otherwise they will just come with QAM tuners.

QAM tuners will give you digital broadcasting, but it will not allow you to access anything your local cable company chooses to encrypt.

Right now probably the most common Cablecard device with fairly strong support is TIVO. The Series III and HD should both have two way capability in the near future (there's a USB dongle that should allow it to support 2 way communications) and the HD supports the M Card for both streams.

As for TVs and CableCards... most Manufacturers have gone through customer feedback and polls which they say indicate only 3% of the market with card enabled TVs actually use cards... so they started cutting back on them. Ironically they do this just as MSOs are forced to use Card Based boxes. (which to me would be when the market is set to gear up...)
Not ironic at all, because the Boxes MSOs are using are two-way, while TV manufacturers still only have a one-way standard to use. Once there is a two-way standard in place, several, if not all, TV manufacturers will implement it. Several have already committed to implementing tru2way through CC in TVs.

Not ironic at all, because the Boxes MSOs are using are two-way, while TV manufacturers still only have a one-way standard to use. Once there is a two-way standard in place, several, if not all, TV manufacturers will implement it. Several have already committed to implementing tru2way through CC in TVs.

My understanding is they already had 2 way standards in the cablelab specs

My understanding is they already had 2 way standards in the cablelab specs

Couple of interesting reads (from last summer):

CableCARD 2.0: What's the hold up? (http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/06/18/cablecard-2-0-whats-the-hold-up/)

CableCARD 2.0 is ready (http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/06/22/cablecard-2-0-is-ready/)

Couple of interesting reads (from last summer):

CableCARD 2.0: What's the hold up? (http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/06/18/cablecard-2-0-whats-the-hold-up/)

CableCARD 2.0 is ready (http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/06/22/cablecard-2-0-is-ready/)

Thanks :D

Nice answers guys, thanks. I will basically tell my son to not focus on cable card ready TV

My understanding is they already had 2 way standards in the cablelab specs
Well, even if so, they haven't been able to implement it as of yet.

Given a choice, better sound by hooking digital optical from Moto 6416 to surround sound system, or use digital optical from TV set to surround sound system?

Connect your Motorola box directly to your surround receiver, not the TV. Most if not all TV's don't output the surround signal from the inputs, only from their own tuner. If you use the optical output of the TV, you'll only get stereo.

Motorola DCH-6416 with Charter cable. Did we just receive a slight update or some thing with the box? I noticed when changing the channels. Certain channels shows a ondemand option. You click it and it takes you to ondemand and the network that the tv show is on.

Motorola DCH-6416 with Charter cable. Did we just receive a slight update or some thing with the box? I noticed when changing the channels. Certain channels shows a ondemand option. You click it and it takes you to ondemand and the network that the tv show is on.

That's a new VOD option - it allows customers to directly tune to a channel's associate VOD sub category - for Example if you're on Comedy Central it will jump directly to the Comedy Central selection.

My market was a beta test for that - the only downside is you've got to be carefull when you hit info that you don't hit the left or right arrow and accidently hit the OnDemand option

It's funny how different features hit different cable co's at different times (or even within the same company). We at Comcast have had this VOD access from the channel for a few years now.

Quick question - I have RCN cable and am using the Motorola 6416 III running the Passport Echo. If I hit menu twice it brings up the settings page. One of the settings is video. I get the main options - 1080i, 720p, etc. But for each of the main options there are sub options. For example, 1080i can be:
1080i Sidebar 4:3 Pic
1080i Stretch 4:3 Pic
1080i Preserve 4:3 Pic 480p
1080i Preserve 4:3 Pic 480i

Can anyone tell me what the differences are between these modes?

Quick question - I have RCN cable and am using the Motorola 6416 III running the Passport Echo. If I hit menu twice it brings up the settings page. One of the settings is video. I get the main options - 1080i, 720p, etc. But for each of the main options there are sub options. For example, 1080i can be:
1080i Sidebar 4:3 Pic
1080i Stretch 4:3 Pic
1080i Preserve 4:3 Pic 480p
1080i Preserve 4:3 Pic 480i

Can anyone tell me what the differences are between these modes?

It seems fairly logical: if you have the main video output setting on 1080i but you're trying to display a 4:3 broadcast, how would you like the box to handle it?

1. Pillarbox it (add vertical bars on the sides to fill a 16:9 screen) and upconvert the result to 1080i?
2. Stretch it horizontally to fill a 16:9 screen and upconvert the result to 1080i?
3. Pillarbox it and deinterlace it to 480p?
4. Pillarbox it and display it in 480i?

Those are just guesses, but that's how I'd read the selections.

Makes sense to me, but I wish there was some explanation in the manual or the RCN tech support reps had a clue.

So, if you had a 1080p set, which option would you choose?
Same question if you had a 720p set (obviously start with 720p instead of 1080i, but what about the rest - there are 4 options for 720p as well.)?

I don't like stretch so that's out. I'm guessing for best quality don't choose the last 2 options either. Why would someone choose either of those options?

So, if you had a 1080p set, which option would you choose?
Same question if you had a 720p set (obviously start with 720p instead of 1080i, but what about the rest - there are 4 options for 720p as well.)?I'd choose #1 myself.

Why would someone choose either of those [last two] options?Perhaps such a person is watching on a 480i or 480p television and the box does a better job of downconverting than the TV does.

Makes sense to me, but I wish there was some explanation in the manual or the RCN tech support reps had a clue.

So, if you had a 1080p set, which option would you choose?
Same question if you had a 720p set (obviously start with 720p instead of 1080i, but what about the rest - there are 4 options for 720p as well.)?

I don't like stretch so that's out. I'm guessing for best quality don't choose the last 2 options either. Why would someone choose either of those options?

#1 or #4.

#1 uses the STB to convert; #4 lets your TV do the conversion. Try them both on an SD channel and see what looks best to you.

I haven't finished reading ahead to see if this has already been answered... but I had this problem too with our QIP6416. Adjusting the "screen position" in the TVG menu fixed it. Not sure why, but it did.





If you're seeing only the corner of the picture instead of the compressed picture the first thing I'm thinking of is something wonky in the box - if a powercycle doesn't fix the problem you can try something more drastic, however I don't like to give that technique in the open as it can be abused to get around PIN codes etc.

PM me for that trick (given our earlier converstations it wouldn't suprise me if you've already power cycled it) - I'm thinking either something went bad in the firmware or there's some sort of hardware problem preventing the compressed picture.

I haven't finished reading ahead to see if this has already been answered... but I had this problem too with our QIP6416. Adjusting the "screen position" in the TVG menu fixed it. Not sure why, but it did.

That is the correct solution. The "only seeing the corner of the screen" bug occurs when the menu screen's position is too far to the right, giving the box too little real estate in the corner to do its video shrinkage magic. To fix, go to screen position setup and nudge the position to the left a couple of pixels or so.

Quick question - I have RCN cable and am using the Motorola 6416 III running the Passport Echo. If I hit menu twice it brings up the settings page. One of the settings is video. I get the main options - 1080i, 720p, etc. But for each of the main options there are sub options. For example, 1080i can be:
1080i Sidebar 4:3 Pic
1080i Stretch 4:3 Pic
1080i Preserve 4:3 Pic 480p
1080i Preserve 4:3 Pic 480i

Can anyone tell me what the differences are between these modes?

Is there a "Native" resolution selection in Passport DCT? I know there is in Passport for the Scientific Atlanta / Pace boxes. RCN should of pushed Passport DCT 3.0 out now.

No "Native" resolution unless I'm missing something just the options I listed.

RockyMountainD - by 4 I guess you mean the one that has 480i in it. Why choose that instead of the 480p?

If I remember correctly, there was some difference between the two, having to do with closed captioning, maybe???

No "Native" resolution unless I'm missing something just the options I listed.

RockyMountainD - by 4 I guess you mean the one that has 480i in it. Why choose that instead of the 480p?

Keeps the signal "native" to your set. To me, the STB doesn't do a very good job with the de-interlacing.

My Moxi box just fried today and TWC doesn't have any replacements. I got the DCH3416 box and hooked it up a little while ago. One quick question is can you change the display to show the time and not the channel number? That's all I've run accross for now. All the guide info is loading now so I'll get some seroius watching tonight.

Looking forward to a larger HD and HDMI so I'll see how it all works out. Don't have much choice right now :)

Thanks,

Jim

I can on my DCT 6416 and have read the features are the same. It is in the set up menu.

I can on my DCT 6416 and have read the features are the same. It is in the set up menu.

I'll check it out tonight. I kept trying to get into the setup menu but nothing would happen when I tried it. :confused:

Thanks.

Jim

I got the DCH3416 box and hooked it up a little while ago. One quick question is can you change the display to show the time and not the channel number?Yes.

Press Menu twice on the remote to get to the box's Main Menu; then select Setup and Cable Box and Front LED Display.  (Names are from memory, as the box is on another story of the house, and while I just went there to check, I may be remembering things wrong after having come back to the computer.)

Got it. Thanks for the help. I thought the settings button on the remote would get me there but I finally figured it out. I had the Moxi box for so long I forgot how some of the menu systems worked on this type of box.

Thanks again.

Jim

Got it. Thanks for the help. I thought the settings button on the remote would get me there but I finally figured it out. I had the Moxi box for so long I forgot how some of the menu systems worked on this type of box.

Thanks again.

Jim

Sorry, I forgot about the double click on the menu button. That is kind of a bad way to get there, but so be it.

I have the DCT6416 III set up to "not display adult titles" That works fine. If one click on anything "adult" that is all that is displayed.

However, if I go to ON DEMAND, and they click on any of the available sources, not only are the titles displayed, but the program description does not leave much to the imagination.

Personally, this is not a problem, but when the grandkids visit and want to play the TV it is a problem. Am I not encoding something properly to prevent this, or is the setup to not show titles basically a waste of effort?

Sorry, I forgot about the double click on the menu button. That is kind of a bad way to get there, but so be it.
If you don't like pressing the menu button twice, you can press it once, cursor left or right to select Main Menu from the quick menu bar, and then press OK.  That gets you to the same place as pressing Menu twice.

If you don't like pressing the menu button twice, you can press it once, cursor left or right to select Main Menu from the quick menu bar, and then press OK.* That gets you to the same place as pressing Menu twice.

Oh, yes, I knew there was another way, but calling it the TV guide on the short menu threw me off