I thought I had finally found "a" code to get this DVR to work with my Samsung LN40A550, but for some reason the remote *setup* is switching on it's own.

I'm new to this box and the TV, but I set it up as instructed with the "TV key" on the UR4U-MDVR-CHD2 remote. That worked for about a week, and sometime in the past few days it switched to Cable control, which is causing problems when shows are being recorded. What would cause it to switch?

Do I just need to keep searching for a *better* code to use? Any suggestions would be appreciated by this Charter viewer.

BTW, I have the DVR connected by HDMI cable to HDMI1, and a coax cable direct to TV input for PIP use [which I will eventually reconnect to my DVD recorder that will be connected by HDMI cable to HDMI2.]

It's the HD special event PPV channel. Haven't seen anything show up on ours yet either, but supposedly it is operational.


Yes, they have a very limited schedule, usually they run Major WWE events (during the live showing only) and TNT wrestling. Sometimes boxing and a few of the adult / mature oriented ppv specials

Can the DCH6416 pass 5.1 audio via HDMI or only via optical?

Can the DCH6416 pass 5.1 audio via HDMI or only via optical?

HDMI, Coaxial and Fiber should all pass 5.1

HDMI, Coaxial and Fiber should all pass 5.1
Well, I know that those connections can pass 5.1. I'm just curious to know if the box can pass audio via HDMI or if it only passes it via the optical output.

I'll of course have coaxial from the wall to the DCH6416, then HDMI to my Pioneer receiver. I would rather just have that HDMI cable do both audio and video, but I can use the toslink if necessary as well.

Also, this is a DCH6416 via Comcast.

Well, I know that those connections can pass 5.1. I'm just curious to know if the box can pass audio via HDMI or if it only passes it via the optical output.

I'll of course have coaxial from the wall to the DCH6416, then HDMI to my Pioneer receiver. I would rather just have that HDMI cable do both audio and video, but I can use the toslink if necessary as well.

Also, this is a DCH6416 via Comcast.


That should have no problem,
Sorry for any confusion - the Coaxial in that case is refering to the SPDIF coaxial audio (an digital audio RCA type connection) as opposed to the RG6 RF in coax line.

All three are digital audio and should reproduce accurate 5.1 sound through most home theaters -

FYI -
if you don't get a picture when you pass through your Pioneer Receiver it may not be passing along the digital encryption signal (which is a known issue on many receivers which use "passive" switching) - I'm assuming from your post you're already connected this way and just want to make sure you're getting your 5.1 audio (which you should be)

That should have no problem,
Sorry for any confusion - the Coaxial in that case is refering to the SPDIF coaxial audio (an digital audio RCA type connection) as opposed to the RG6 RF in coax line.
Duh...I should have known you were referring to that.

All three are digital audio and should reproduce accurate 5.1 sound through most home theaters -

FYI -
if you don't get a picture when you pass through your Pioneer Receiver it may not be passing along the digital encryption signal (which is a known issue on many receivers which use "passive" switching) - I'm assuming from your post you're already connected this way and just want to make sure you're getting your 5.1 audio (which you should be)
Well, I will be connected tomorrow. That's when the TV gets delivered. I already have everything else ready to go.

...confused. When I turn the receiver off and select menu I get the screen which allows me to change HDMI/YPbPr. Problem is...mine doesn't say that. It ONLY says YPbPr....nothing about HDMI. I get no options for HDMI. I have the HDMI cable running to the box and then to my Pioneer reciever.

Is it not able to tell that I have HDMI hookedup because it's only running to the a/v receiver and that a/v receiver isn't hooked up to the TV yet?

Edit: They are telling me (via Comcast online chat) that my box isn't even registered...even though they installed. I have to wait six hours until they open and call them then. They CLAIM that they can activate the port for me. (it says it is not active from the menu)

Is it not able to tell that I have HDMI hookedup because it's only running to the a/v receiver and that a/v receiver isn't hooked up to the TV yet?

That's very possible.  When my HD set was in the shop and I had an SDTV connected by component to a DCH3416, and the HDMI cable was dangling from the DVR with nothing on its other end, the DVR acted the same way, not mentioning HDMI but only YPbPr.

...confused. When I turn the receiver off and select menu I get the screen which allows me to change HDMI/YPbPr. Problem is...mine doesn't say that. It ONLY says YPbPr....nothing about HDMI. I get no options for HDMI. I have the HDMI cable running to the box and then to my Pioneer reciever.

Is it not able to tell that I have HDMI hookedup because it's only running to the a/v receiver and that a/v receiver isn't hooked up to the TV yet?



Try going from the Motorola box directly to the TV. You should then be able to see the HDMI. Once you have that set up, then go back through the Pioneer to the TV and all should be well. Why do you not have the Pioneer hooked up to the TV yet?

Nevermind. Thank you for the suggestions though. Turns out it was my own stupidity. This a/v receiver is brand new as well. It is way more advance than my old Sony non-HDMI receiver. I switched some things around and it worked like a charm. Thank you. TV will be here in about 5 minutes. :)

Well in computer/technology/DVR terms, that DCT-6412p2 is a dinosaur. Doubt it would do much harm swapping it out. :D

This was good advice. I finally swapped out one of my DCT6412's today for a 3416. I figured it was time since I'm shooting for an all HDMI setup. Unfortunately, I could not get all the way there due to the fact that I like to watch TV without my receiver on a lot of the time. So, I did end up leaving the fiber optic cable to the receiver in place and just ran HDMI to the TV. I have seen posts saying that the picture quality is actually worse over HDMI than component video. I do not see where this is the case. However, it is not better. I'd say they are about equal.

there's not so much a problem with Tivo and Charter as there is just an issue with CableCards in general.

Many people have tunnel vision when they are trying to resolve issues, since cable cards are different they tend to get pushed aside.

Here's my advice

1) if you are looking into a TIVO consider a TIVO HD over the Series III - the HD only requires 1 M-Card (multistream) - it is also backwords compatible and can use 2 S-Cards (Single Stream) like the Series III does.

2) Be ready, willing and Able to be your own tech support.
Tivo's website has some good support links and faqs, there's also plenty of advice in AVS and other TIVO communities / forums. - many a user has been told "We Don't Support TIVO" and many a TIVO user has exclaimed "THEY HAVE TO SUPPORT TIVO" - the truth of the matter is We have to support CableCard. - so be ready to operate the box if the tech/installer is unfamilar and if a CSR gives you any issues about installing a "TIVO" just let them know you need a cable card install.

3) Beware of potential issues
For now there's no VOD and unless the updated USB dongle is there (or even availible) you're not likely to be able to access anything set up for SDV.



When dealing with support, you're more likely to get better results working with the local office - show up in person and if the CSR doesn't seem to know what's going on just ask for a Customer Care or Technicial operations Manager - they will usually know someone like me who knows how to deal with the buggers ;)

Thanks.

If I can find a good price on a TivoHD I may just go this route.

How does $179 for a refurb from tivo.com sound?

Why is the volume control maxxed out with dolby digital selected with the 6412? I use a Sherwood 6500 receiver which is locked on tone direct and has novolume control with the dolby from the 6412.

My dolby digital sound is always max volume.

I am forced to use pcm to get any control over the volume and there is a huge swing in volume from HD(low volume) to SD(LOUD but not max) channels.

POS needs to go back for a new model or what? I just moved and this gear sucks. No options that I can find either searching or in the manual of either the receiver or the 6412 helps.

With my 360 output of dolby digital stereo, there is no issue. Sound is fine. Must be the 6412. No idea how this even happens. Why would they have a unit do this? Must be messed up.

It is the Sherwood Receiver. For whatever reason, there is no volume control with in when Dolby Digital is input. Makes sense huh?

lol Fudge.

Making sure I understand. The DVR was in fact not bad?

It is the Sherwood Receiver. For whatever reason, there is no volume control with in when Dolby Digital is input. Makes sense huh?

lol Fudge.

So how are you supposed to control volume?

So how are you supposed to control volume?

Apparently, I can't. Stuck with just digital stereo or PCM. Sucks. No idea wtf is up with the receiver b/c it goes into tone direct lock which means that nothing can change the damn signal???? I have no idea. None.

How does $179 for a refurb from tivo.com sound?

Just remember

1) TIVO HD uses 1 "M Card" (multi-stream cable card) Series III uses 2 cards (m or otherwise) and Anything else requires a cable box!

2) TIVO really needs access to a broadband connection - and they only work with certain USB wireless adapters (course those of us who ran Cat5 to their TVs don't have this worry :cool: )

3) TIVO requires a subscription fee for guide data access and special features... and at last check they did away with lifetime membership deals.

4) Cable Cos do NOT support TIVO (we support Cable Card) therefore if it doesn't work or has a hard time installing, be prepared to do your own tech support and leg work.

Also as long as your looking at refurbs:

www.ecost.com - they usually have some sweet deals on all sorts of electronics including TIVO

I have a DCH6416 with Comcast Philly Suburbs, and just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. It has only happened 3 times in the year or so that I have had it, but is very weird. I will pause a show that has been recorded on the DVR. Upon resume, I will get background sound only (music, sound effects, etc) no dialog. I have to stop the viewing, come back into it and the dialog returns.

James, Good points re: Tivo. Sometimes the cable company-supplied box is simply awful, though. The box I have from Comcast (Moto DCH3416) has all sorts of ills, from being extremely slow at 6pm, when I switch channels for news. Multiple recordings of 'new' shows. Recordings that start late. Recordings that end early. I hate it. An utterly unreliable piece of, well you know.

James, Good points re: Tivo. Sometimes the cable company-supplied box is simply awful, though. The box I have from Comcast (Moto DCH3416) has all sorts of ills, from being extremely slow at 6pm, when I switch channels for news. Multiple recordings of 'new' shows. Recordings that start late. Recordings that end early. I hate it. An utterly unreliable piece of, well you know.

I don't blame anyone who goes TIVO -
Moxi get's my vote for best interface, but so far the BMC9012 is the only one in common usage (somtimes if you're lucky you'll get a BMC9022)

Both of these have low grade tuners that give a horrible picture on most LCDs and Plasmas when watching analog channels.

the DCT6416 has excellent hardware, but pairing it with the glitchy A24 version of I-guide brings it down.

Tivo is a nice middle ground, it's got good hardware and good software. Now if only we had OCAP applications for Interactive services so Tivo got VOD... (and someone dropped or reduced the subscription fee!) I'd be all over it.

There's also home-brew, but most of those are limited to Clear QAM and analog (or remote controlling a box) - there are SOME cable card solutions, but those are limited and have their own issues.

3) TIVO requires a subscription fee for guide data access and special features... and at last check they did away with lifetime membership deals.Lifetime subscription has been available, again, for quite a few months.

4) Cable Cos do NOT support TIVO (we support Cable Card) therefore if it doesn't work or has a hard time installing, be prepared to do your own tech support and leg work.TiVo maintains a special CableCARD technical support hot-line.

I have a DCH6416 with Comcast Philly Suburbs, and just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. It has only happened 3 times in the year or so that I have had it, but is very weird. I will pause a show that has been recorded on the DVR. Upon resume, I will get background sound only (music, sound effects, etc) no dialog. I have to stop the viewing, come back into it and the dialog returns.

I've seen similar bugs - Try this - if you have a SWAP button on your remote hit it to swap tuners, then swap back and rewind a bit.

Frequently when tuning to a channel digital boxes are known for occasionally hiccuping... usually it's no audio or no picture. - I've heard of the No dialog issue (most likely dolby encoding) - a power cycle may clear memory fragmentation as well as force the box to rediscover it's return path (which helps if a signal issue has been corrected) - an initialization will force a dump and reload of the box's guide and memory (like reformatting a computer)
This fixes alot of issues with quirky box behavoir.

Lifetime subscription has been available, again, for quite a few months.

TiVo maintains a special CableCARD technical support hot-line.

Good deal,
TiVo has good phone support (I've been regularly impressed by them) unfortunately I'd say 50% or more of Cable Call-Center personnel don't know what to do with a cable card. Which is funny because 9 out of 10 times they usually just need to be cold initialized :rolleyes:

I've seen similar bugs - Try this - if you have a SWAP button on your remote hit it to swap tuners, then swap back and rewind a bit.

Frequently when tuning to a channel digital boxes are known for occasionally hiccuping... usually it's no audio or no picture. - I've heard of the No dialog issue (most likely dolby encoding) - a power cycle may clear memory fragmentation as well as force the box to rediscover it's return path (which helps if a signal issue has been corrected) - an initialization will force a dump and reload of the box's guide and memory (like reformatting a computer)
This fixes alot of issues with quirky box behavoir.

It has only happened when watching a recorded show, and stopping/starting the show gets dialog back. I just thought it was weird.

We got the A25 guide update today and, along with it, a firmware update for the DCH3416. The red recording lights finally are working.

Now if only we had OCAP applications for Interactive services so Tivo got VOD... (and someone dropped or reduced the subscription fee!) I'd be all over it.
Comcast's monthly charge for the 3416 is about the same as Tivo's subscription fee.

Comcast's monthly charge for the 3416 is about the same as Tivo's subscription fee.

And if it quits, they just give you another one.

I WISH our area would load A25 guide update! This remote lag and poor performance is killing me!

Comcast, please load A25 in Central PA corp 05818, Reading/Pottsville/Lebanon

Software 74.54 SUCKS, it makes me want to get violent with the thing.

http://home.comcast.net/~cypherx/office-space-dvr.jpg

And if it quits, they just give you another one.That's right...and they've done it several times. I don't mind paying for reliability. I hate crappy service and that's how I'd rate Comcast's DVR service.

That's right...and they've done it several times. I don't mind paying for reliability. I hate crappy service and that's how I'd rate Comcast's DVR service.

I've never had to replace my 6412 III

I have been using my DCT-6412 II for 3 yrs. and 10 mos.; I guess some of them have to be reliable. ;)

I am finally going to replace it with the latest DVR, as it has several upgraded features.

This thread sort of evolved into a discussion / comparison to Tivo.

Back to its original purpose, from what I gather reading thru this thread and elsewhere, there is still no way to expand the hard drive capacity of the Motorola DCH3416 (Comcast Seattle) via eSata (or any other means).

Can anyone confirm that so far there is no such expansion capability, or if there is NOW, please clarify. I've seen the comments that there was a claim of a firmware upgrade for it, but from what I can tell, no one has yet been able to accomplish such an expansion.

Thank you.

My 6412 III, since the new firmware update by Comcast, has been having issues with the top of the screen. For TRUE HD aspects (using the entire 16:9, the bottom 50 pixels or so of the screen are shown at the top of the screen.

I can unplug the box and it will go back to normal, but after a few hours of switching between HD channels and SD channels, the same problem comes up on the HD channels (bottom showing up at top of screen).

What in the world is causing this?

I have been using my DCT-6412 II for 3 yrs. and 10 mos.; I guess some of them have to be reliable. ;) I am finally going to replace it with the latest DVR, as it has several upgraded features.
It isn't the hardware I don't like, it's the software.

It isn't the hardware I don't like, it's the software.
I don't like either one.:D

I have been using my DCT-6412 II for 3 yrs. and 10 mos.; I guess some of them have to be reliable. ;)

I am finally going to replace it with the latest DVR, as it has several upgraded features.

My DCT6416III has not given my any problems for 6 months. However, was wondering what you plan to change to, and are you on Charter? This tends to be a Charter page, so I check here as I have Charter.

I have a DCH6416 with Comcast Philly Suburbs, and just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. It has only happened 3 times in the year or so that I have had it, but is very weird. I will pause a show that has been recorded on the DVR. Upon resume, I will get background sound only (music, sound effects, etc) no dialog. I have to stop the viewing, come back into it and the dialog returns.

This has happened a lot more than three times to me. Usually after skipping or fast forwarding. I just press the 15 second rewind button and that clears the problem.

This tends to be a Charter page

...and that's something I've been wondering about. I've been subscribed to this group for a couple of months and have generally seen little except Charter. I have Cox -- are we represented here, or should I look elsewhere?

For the record, I have a DCT6412 III. It's my third DVR in about 2 years -- the first two kept rebooting so Cox swapped them out. Now, this one has started to reboot on its own and I'm figuring I'll have to get yet another one. Cox gives me no idea if it's software or hardware, just cheerfully gives me replacement boxes (which are probably refurbished). Fine, except (a) I have to reprogram all my recording info and (b) I lose anything on the old box I've saved.

Sorry if my story sounds familiar. I'm open to suggestions.

...and that's something I've been wondering about. I've been subscribed to this group for a couple of months and have generally seen little except Charter. I have Cox -- are we represented here, or should I look elsewhere?

For the record, I have a DCT6412 III. It's my third DVR in about 2 years -- the first two kept rebooting so Cox swapped them out. Now, this one has started to reboot on its own and I'm figuring I'll have to get yet another one. Cox gives me no idea if it's software or hardware, just cheerfully gives me replacement boxes (which are probably refurbished). Fine, except (a) I have to reprogram all my recording info and (b) I lose anything on the old box I've saved.

Sorry if my story sounds familiar. I'm open to suggestions.

I wouldn't say so much this is a Charter Page, there's a comcast specific 6416 thread, but since 90% of 6416s are running the same guide (TV Guide) they should be pretty similar in their problems and performance.

Of course I can only give advice with what I've experienced here working with them at Charter - but I'm all for helping out wherever you may be and I greatly encourage others shareing what they see in other systems!


6416s usually don't reboot unless

1) application glitch
2) Warm Init

Many systems do schedule weekly warm inits (pretty much a power cycle) to clear out memory issues on DCT boxes - these should occur with some predictible regularity - usually between 1am and 4 am.

I've also seen a VOD glitch where the box will reboot when attempting to access VOD (but so far this has occured when other boxes are unable to access vod as well)

For general application glitches - which are frequently caused by a bad load or software issue - I'd try a "three finger salute" IM me and I'll send you the procedure for this - I don't post it in the open because this wipes ALL flash memory settings on a DCT or DCH (everything except for the DVR programming and recording settings)

Another side note- just in case there's a power issue, you may want to consider getting a small power-stip style UPS - they can usually be had for less than $50 (I got mine for about 30 on www.ecost.com) and are good for DVRs, Alarm Clocks and anything else you don't want skewed by a minor power outage (most the ones in my area last less than a minute) - Especially with all the storms hitting lately

Charter James....

Any update on the issue with the 3416 when you set a recording for a show on the HD channel, it instead records from the SD channel? It is annoying me to no end. It happened many times during the Olympics and just happened again this week when I recorded "Fringe". I read through this thread and saw that people recommend leaving the box on (no standby) and also unplugging it to reset it. I thought leaving it on finally solved it, but then it happened again this week.

Is there anything I can do? Set the recording manually (ie. like a VCR - record this time to this time on this channel)? Record the SD channel on one tuner and the HD channel on the other tuner for the same show? It kinda sucks watching an SD show on an 85 inch projector screen when you are used to HD!

Set a manual recording for it.

My DCT6416III has not given my any problems for 6 months. However, was wondering what you plan to change to, and are you on Charter? This tends to be a Charter page, so I check here as I have Charter.
No, I am with Comcast. I plan to get DCH-3416. Next question would be why?;)

33% more storage, faster CPU for navigating the guide/menus while on an HD channel (which is almost always), and being able to change the resolution while powered on with the remote (the code is posted somewhere in this forum).

I am hesitant, as this box has been very reliable, but I really need the extra storage, the other features are nice, but not must-haves. If I had 6416 or 3416, I probably wouldn't change yet.

The reason I don't like the hardware of this DVR, is it just doesn't have as good picture quality as a Tivo; but I guess most of you have figured that out by now.:)

Charter James....

Any update on the issue with the 3416 when you set a recording for a show on the HD channel, it instead records from the SD channel?According to the wikibook, that happens when the cable provider uses the same mnemonic for two different channels: the unit will record from the lower-numbered channel of the two. It's something that Charter has to fix.

I don't know whether setting a manual recording will help. I have Comcast, and when I set a manual recording on the DCH3416, the channel menu displays descriptions and numbers for the channels, though not the mnemonics. Guess I could try it (the Music Choice channels all are named MC, for example) and see what happens.

Update: my one experiment with setting up a manual recording did ignore the lower-numbered stations that had the same mnemonic and recorded from the correct channel.

According to the wikibook, that happens when the cable provider uses the same mnemonic for two different channels: the unit will record from the lower-numbered channel of the two.* It's something that Charter has to fix.

I don't know whether setting a manual recording will help.* I have Comcast, and when I set a manual recording on the DCH3416, the channel menu displays descriptions and numbers for the channels, though not the mnemonics.* Guess I could try it (the Music Choice channels all are named MC, for example) and see what happens.
We had that problem is this region nearly four years ago. Here, the channel would record correctly on season passes one or a few times, it varied, and then it would go to the lower numbered channel. Eventually, they added 'D' or 'HD', and that corrected it. Stupidly, though, they made the same mistake on another channel a while later, and eventually corrected it. One would think it would be in the instructions for the channel labeler to always use a unique moniker for each channel; it should not have even happened the first time. Even then, as a novice, I wondered if it would cause a problem, and it did.

Many systems do schedule weekly warm inits (pretty much a power cycle) to clear out memory issues on DCT boxes - these should occur with some predictible regularity - usually between 1am and 4 am.





I have noticed my box go off around 1:00 a.m. Often wondered what would happen if I was recording then?

This thread sort of evolved into a discussion / comparison to Tivo.

Back to its original purpose, from what I gather reading thru this thread and elsewhere, there is still no way to expand the hard drive capacity of the Motorola DCH3416 (Comcast Seattle) via eSata (or any other means).

Can anyone confirm that so far there is no such expansion capability, or if there is NOW, please clarify. I've seen the comments that there was a claim of a firmware upgrade for it, but from what I can tell, no one has yet been able to accomplish such an expansion.

Thank you.You'll never be able to expand these with e-SATA, or any other means. If Comcast had wanted you to use the SATA or network ports, they'd have had Moto enable them long ago. You get a locked (dumbed?) down box for the masses instead.

You can, however, upgrade the internal and add an e-SATA drive to a Tivo HD. :D

i got the DCT3400 from comcast and i also have a samsung 46LN550 LCD TV and im wondering how i get my picture and picture to work on my box? and whats the latest firmware supposed to have for this model box? thanks

You'll never be able to expand these with e-SATA, or any other means. If Comcast had wanted you to use the SATA or network ports, they'd have had Moto enable them long ago. You get a locked (dumbed?) down box for the masses instead.

You can, however, upgrade the internal and add an e-SATA drive to a Tivo HD. :D

Never Say Never -

The BMC9012 Moxi was enabled and it's also made by Motorola - the issue isn't MSO refusal or Motorola hardware so much as TV Guide having the interface set up correctly so that it can partition the drive, set it in a JBOD array (so that both drives are seen as a single volume) and then properly encrypt the drive so that it meets with MPAA's rules and regulations (which are required for us to meet DMCA mandates)

It's a matter of seeing it happen in TV Guide (or seeing more MSOs switch software)

And I know for a fact that at least one market has successfully loaded this platform on TIVO software.



While I'm posting - to answer the recording questions

There's two major bugs for recording that causes confusion

1) Channels with the Same Name
2) Programming with the Same IDs

Channel names are set up within TV Guide by their Source ID - everything is set (guide data etc) by that source ID. HBO East has a different source ID if your on Eastern Time, Central Time Etc... Different PPV feeds have the same name but different source IDs depending on how the programming is delivered (by title or block)

At anyrate, if two channels have identical names, the box can't figure out which is which and gives up.

Likewise if two programs have identical metadata ids (which happens frequently with content on different feeds like network soaps and their second run on Soapnet or different showings on different channels) the box also gives up.

Manual recording will always work in these instances - but Series can be difficult. If you just want to view the show and don't care where it's comming from - I usually recommend just changing the series option to all recording from any channel (this usually let's it just go with the first one it comes across, which may or may not be the lowest channel number)

I've also learned that trying the series recording from another channel sometimes helps -

For example in my market / virtual channel map I have
CBS Charlotte - WBTV (on channel 2)
CBS partanburg - WSPA (on channel 16)
And WBTV HD (on channel 784)

If I set a series recording on channel 2 - it won't record.

If I tell that same series recording to pull from any channel, it will pick it up from either 16 or 784.

If I set a series recording on 16 it works without problem
If I set a series recording on 784 it works without problem

But for whatever reason if I try it from 2, it's confused with 16 and 784.


In some cases it's even more vague than this - for example last year when I was recording Dexter, the first 5 episodes worked fine from Showtime East, but then it quit recording there (presumably due to conflicts with other showings or the Showtime HD feed)

Any programming that regularly goes wonky, I recommend checking through the guide to see if the recording dot is actually showing up (or checking your future recordings) - if you notice a problem, try manual recording (if you absolutely must get it from that particular channel) or setting it to pull from any channel in the advanced settings.

I've been told this bug is resolved in A25, but I've only heard a handfull here say they are on A25 (so if you have A25 and still see this sort of bug, give us a yell!!!)

i got the DCT3400 from comcast and i also have a samsung 46LN550 LCD TV and im wondering how i get my picture and picture to work on my box? and whats the latest firmware supposed to have for this model box? thanks

So far as I know, no box has the interface to allow picture in picture - it only sents out a single output of whatever tuner it's been set to show. - as such you'l need ot get your second picture from another source.

Frequently people will split the line going into their cable box with a two way and run coax directly into the TV - that should give you the expanded basic as well as all channels running Clear QAM (unencrypted digital)

I have noticed my box go off around 1:00 a.m. Often wondered what would happen if I was recording then?

When the box powers back on, if it is within the time slot of the recorded program, it will start recording it again. You will have 2 recordings representing that show at various lengths of time depending on how long the box was powered off.

When the box powers back on, if it is within the time slot of the recorded program, it will start recording it again. You will have 2 recordings representing that show at various lengths of time depending on how long the box was powered off.


Ok, there must not be any other way to do it.

right now i have my box(DCT3400) running on component cable how much of a leap in picture qaulity will i get if i switch it for HDMI? thanks

right now i have my box(DCT3400) running on component cable how much of a leap in picture qaulity will i get if i switch it for HDMI? thanks

If you get any, I'd be surprised. I just got a DCT3416 last week and I switched back and forth between component video and HDMI looking for a difference. I could not find one. The both look the same to me. I just stuck with HDMI because of the simplicity of the connection.

yeah i think im going to switch cause HDMI is a much easy connection

yeah i think im going to switch cause HDMI is a much easy connection

Is your present connection broke? :) If you are already working with component why take it down so you can have an easier connection. Plugging in three color coded wires isn't all that much harder than plugging in one HDMI cable, and you never have handshake problems that way.

Never Say Never -

The BMC9012 Moxi was enabled and it's also made by Motorola - the issue isn't MSO refusal or Motorola hardware so much as TV Guide having the interface set up correctly so that it can partition the drive, set it in a JBOD array (so that both drives are seen as a single volume) and then properly encrypt the drive so that it meets with MPAA's rules and regulations (which are required for us to meet DMCA mandates)

1) He's on Comcast, not Charter.
2) Comcast uses iGuide, not the new TVGuide interface.
3) He was asking about the DCH series, not the Moxi.

You might be right for Charter at some unforseeable point in the future, but I wouldn't hold my breath on Comcast. Even if they eventually switch to TVGuide, I don't see them enabling the ports unless market pressure forces it.

So far as I know, no box has the interface to allow picture in picture - it only sents out a single output of whatever tuner it's been set to show.

Frequently people will split the line going into their cable box with a two way and run coax directly into the TV - that should give you the expanded basic as well as all channels running Clear QAM (unencrypted digital)

That's what I'm doing, and things would be fine, if I could get the "swap" button to work [on the Moto 6416 box] in the PIP section of the remote. Is it possible to program it to work? I guess not, because of what you said above.

Is your present connection broke? :) If you are already working with component why take it down so you can have an easier connection. Plugging in three color coded wires isn't all that much harder than plugging in one HDMI cable, and you never have handshake problems that way.
Then there is the 'work' of connecting the audio cable.:rolleyes:;)

Then there is the 'work' of connecting the audio cable.:rolleyes:;)

Yeah, that too, a red and white wire. Of course that is already connected too at this time. :)

That's what I'm doing, and things would be fine, if I could get the "swap" button to work [on the Moto 6416 box] in the PIP section of the remote. Is it possible to program it to work? I guess not, because of what you said above.

The swap button works on my DCH-6416 to change between tuners, though I don't think it will have the expected outcome for you.

So far as I know, no box has the interface to allow picture in picture...

The SA8300HD could do PiP with both tuners, though that was really the only positive thing that box could do for us that I can recall...

im watching live free or die hard on HBO HD and its keeps breaking up and losing audio, whats up this, im watching it with on demand!

Could be HDMI "handshake" issues. I've noticed the audio dip for a second every now and then on my cable. I have a DCT 6416 III connected to my TV via HDMI.

Could be HDMI "handshake" issues. I've noticed the audio dip for a second every now and then on my cable. I have a DCT 6416 III connected to my TV via HDMI.

i have my box hooked up with component not HDMI, i think its something with the on demand service

I actually remember that happening while watching MAD MEN on demand, so you're probably right.

Any word on a NEW, updated Moxi box DVR for Charter Cable?

I have an odd problem with my DCH 6416, H/W and S/W versions 74.53 / 18.24

Twice now (we've had the box around a month or so) recordings that were scheduled for only a short time (once 30 mins, once an hour) have not stopped when they were supposed to, and both times my wife and I didn't notice this until the following morning. Upon getting up, we noticed that the show that was scheduled to record last night was STILL recording the following morning, resulting in recording times in excess of five hours for a 30 minute show.

Since there's no direct way to manually stop a scheduled recording without switching to the recording tuner (something I can apparently only do if both tuners are recording), it's tricky to stop it, but, I'd appreciate a solution so it doesn't happen in the first place.

Anyone else experienced this?

It used to happen to me on an old box with recordings on certain channels at certain times of the day (usually late night recordings). I thought it might've had something to do with the program guide information being updated while a recording was taken place, so that the DVR was confused as to when the program actually ended.

Couldn't you go to the future recordings menu and tell it not to record? That sometimes works for us, though sometimes it likes to forget that we told it to not record and it starts recording it again minutes later...

Since there's no direct way to manually stop a scheduled recording without switching to the recording tuner (something I can apparently only do if both tuners are recording), it's tricky to stop it,

Well, on my Comcast Moto 6412, you can select the tuner that is recording using the "swap" button. Then, hit the "stop" button (mine has a square symbol). It will ask you if you really want to stop. Confirm, and the recording is stopped. If you don't want to save the recording you want to stop, instead of the above procedure, hit the "My DVR" button, select the program that is recording, and delete it.

Well as soon as a recording starts, it shows up in the "My DVR" screen. Simply go in there and delete it, that'll stop it.

I hate the guide interface and overall operation of the Moto DCT series. Why didn't Moxi take off in more markets? That actually looks pretty cool.

Has anyone been having trouble with manual recordings not registering? I've set manual recordings over the last month, they will be on the scheduled recordings screen and then when it comes time for it to start recording, the DVR simply deletes the scheduled program.

It only does it on manual recordings, though. Very strange.

Oh, I'm on Comcast.

Has anyone been having trouble with manual recordings not registering? I've set manual recordings over the last month, they will be on the scheduled recordings screen and then when it comes time for it to start recording, the DVR simply deletes the scheduled program.

It only does it on manual recordings, though. Very strange.

Oh, I'm on Comcast.

With which recorder model?  I've not yet seen that with the Motorola DCH3416 (also on Comcast).  Once in a while, though, I find that a show won't get recorded, but it's always been a named program or part of a series recording, never yet one that I had set manually by time and channel.  It's usually about the third, fourth, or fifth recording after the box was power cycled (often involuntarily, as we've had some electricity blips lately).

It is on a 3416 I. It's been after the latest firmware update. Right around the time that the DVR started gobbling up the show data (name, blurb, etc) of shows that are on during the manual recording and assigning them to the name of the manual recording.

Used to be, it would just say the time and channel, now it gives it a program name, on occasion.

Wow, not recording something scheduled would be the last straw for the WAF in my house. I don't see how y'all put up with that nonsense. It is supposed to be a DVR after all.

Well as soon as a recording starts, it shows up in the "My DVR" screen. Simply go in there and delete it, that'll stop it.


Well, I did say just that, in my post immediately preceding yours. But, I think pleighton's problem is that a wanted recording doesn't stop when it should, so deleting it altogether isn't wanted, just stopping it.

This might be a good time to note that if you record separate segments of one program, using the "rec" and "stop" buttons, then delete one segment, it will delete the others also. I found that out the hard way, and lost something I wanted.

Hi all, I'm a newbie on the forum so I hope someone can help me out. I'm having trouble with getting the remote control (ATLAS type) to work with the box.

I've been having trouble with my motorola dch3416 box since I got it from Time Warner here in LA about a week ago. For a while there was no signal, a tech came out and fixed it so now I have perfect signal.

The weird thing is that the box and the remote DO talk to each other. When the cable is disconnected and I don't have signal then the box responds perfectly to the remote control, i.e. every button I push leads to an immediate response. When the cable is connected and I do have signal, then the box only responds once out of every 10-12 times I push the button. I then programmed the remote to control my TV as well and that didn't fix the issue. I've tried reprogramming the remote with the 4 digit codes for motorola but that doesn't fix the program. Part of it is lag, but the most annoying part is that the box just "drops" 90% of the signals.

If anybody can help me I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

Hi all, I'm a newbie on the forum so I hope someone can help me out. I'm having trouble with getting the remote control (ATLAS type) to work with the box.

I've been having trouble with my motorola dch3416 box since I got it from Time Warner here in LA about a week ago. For a while there was no signal, a tech came out and fixed it so now I have perfect signal.

The weird thing is that the box and the remote DO talk to each other. When the cable is disconnected and I don't have signal then the box responds perfectly to the remote control, i.e. every button I push leads to an immediate response. When the cable is connected and I do have signal, then the box only responds once out of every 10-12 times I push the button. I then programmed the remote to control my TV as well and that didn't fix the issue. I've tried reprogramming the remote with the 4 digit codes for motorola but that doesn't fix the program. Part of it is lag, but the most annoying part is that the box just "drops" 90% of the signals.

If anybody can help me I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

Is this by any chance a Samsung or Panasonic flat screen? If so, try leaving the box connected the way it is and turn off the TV and see what happens. Do you see the light come on the box that it's getting the remote command?

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I turn the TV off and on via remote as well as manually and the IR light on the box does NOT come on. When the TV turns on the time instantly flickers to something starting with a d and then goes back, dunno if that is significant. Any other thoughts?

Thanks.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. I turn the TV off and on via remote as well as manually and the IR light on the box does NOT come on. When the TV turns on the time instantly flickers to something starting with a d and then goes back, dunno if that is significant. Any other thoughts?

Thanks.

Sorry I should've been a little more specific. Leave the box connected, turn the TV off (with remote or manually), when TV is off try pressing buttons on remote to work the cable box. Obviously you won't be able to see the menus or channels change but you should still see a little dot blink to the right of the clock showing the box is receiving the commands from the remote. While when the TV is on the dot is probably not blinking, at least not most of the time. Also, when the TV is on and you press the buttons on the front of the cable box does the box respond to the buttons you press that way?

The 'd' you refer to is basically DVI (it looks like DUI) and is misleading because you most likely are using HDMI.

Lastly, what kind of TV do you have?

Hi Jon,

I think you are onto something! When I turn the TV off, then the cable box appears to respond to each button press. Also, the cable box responds perfectly when I push the buttons on the unit itself.

My TV is a Samsung hi-def TV. You are right, I am using an HDMI input as well.

I suppose there is an issue with interference between the TV and the box perhaps being too close to each others remote frequencies or something. I tried putting in about 3 different Samsung codes into the remote control. The TV continues to respond perfectly to all of the codes but the cable box continues to "drop" 90% of the remote button presses.

What should I do?

Thanks so much!

It might not be the remote code, it may be that the TV is giving off a lot of interference in the IR spectrum, thus making it hard for the STB to register any remote commands.

Hi Jon,

I think you are onto something! When I turn the TV off, then the cable box appears to respond to each button press. Also, the cable box responds perfectly when I push the buttons on the unit itself.

My TV is a Samsung hi-def TV. You are right, I am using an HDMI input as well.

I suppose there is an issue with interference between the TV and the box perhaps being too close to each others remote frequencies or something. I tried putting in about 3 different Samsung codes into the remote control. The TV continues to respond perfectly to all of the codes but the cable box continues to "drop" 90% of the remote button presses.

What should I do?

Thanks so much!

I think Koolkid hit it on the nose -
There's a simple fix for this -

Apply a small piece of masking tape over the IR emitter on the end of the remote - this will filter the light just enough to help it out.

Hi guys,

The masking tape worked! I put it actually on the IR receiver on the box and that seems to fix the issue perfectly! You guys were able to solve in less than 24 hours what Time Warner hasn't been able to do in numerous home visits and telephone conversations. I really appreciate your help, you guys are awesome!

Glad we could help.

CharterJ.. thanks for the masking tape trick, I didn't know about that one. I knew it was interference from the TV but didn't realize there was a high tech solution out there to fix it. :)

Any word on a NEW, updated Moxi box DVR for Charter Cable?

I just got the box and cannot find instructions for the following:

If a recording has started and -- let's say 10 minutes later -- I want to start viewing it from the beginning while it continues to record, what should I do?
Many thanks.

I just got the box and cannot find instructions for the following:

If a recording has started and -- let's say 10 minutes later -- I want to start viewing it from the beginning while it continues to record, what should I do?
Many thanks.

Just start it from the recorded programming, you'll keep recording it while it's being watched from the beginning - if you stop it etc, it will keep recording (unless you try to power off the box or go into the guide and tell it to stop recording)

This is one of the best things about having a DVR. Wait until 20 minutes after a one-hour show has started and you can watch it without commercials by skipping through them.

Wait until 20 minutes after a one-hour show has started and you can watch it without commercials by skipping through them.
Is there a way of monitoring how long a commercial will last (e.g. using slow motion?), or is it hit-and-miss? What is the best method for skipping through them?

Is there a way of monitoring how long a commercial will last (e.g. using slow motion?), or is it hit-and-miss? What is the best method for skipping through them?

Not quite sure what you were asking but shows typically have about 9-10 minutes of commercials per half hour.

So if you want to watch a 2 hour show without commercials, you would start at about 36-40 minutes in.

Is there a way of monitoring how long a commercial will last (e.g. using slow motion?), or is it hit-and-miss? What is the best method for skipping through them?

I just hit the jump forward button. If I go to far, hit the jump back button. Note - these commands are not active on Comcast remotes but the feature can be turned on. There is a thread either here or on remote central about activating it.

I just hit the jump forward button. If I go to far, hit the jump back button. Note - these commands are not active on Comcast remotes but the feature can be turned on. There is a thread either here or on remote central about activating it.

I don't have a Comcast remote, so what I do is fast forward until I see the show. Hit stop, and then the page down button, which takes you back 15 seconds.

I just hit the jump forward button. If I go to far, hit the jump back button. Note - these commands are not active on Comcast remotes but the feature can be turned on. There is a thread either here or on remote central about activating it.

Here is the link to the Wiki on programming the remote. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Programming_the_Remote

FYI, if you're using a Logitech Harmony, the 30 second forward skip and 10 second back skip commands are automatically mapped to the FORWARD JUMP and BACKWARD JUMP buttons when you add the Motorola DVR to your devices.

FYI, if you're using a Logitech Harmony, the 30 second forward skip and 10 second back skip commands are automatically mapped to the FORWARD JUMP and BACKWARD JUMP buttons when you add the Motorola DVR to your devices.
I have the Logitech Harmony 659 and have added the Mot DCH3416 to it. But I cannot find those FORWARD JUMP and BACKWARD JUMP buttons on the lists. Maybe these buttons are only on the more recent Harmony models?

I have the Logitech Harmony 659 and have added the Mot DCH3416 to it. But I cannot find those FORWARD JUMP and BACKWARD JUMP buttons on the lists. Maybe these buttons are only on the more recent Harmony models?

The 659 does not have hard "skip back" and "skip forward" buttons (commonly used as song/chapter skip buttons on cd/dvd players). You could map those functions to the lcd screen. The 3416 commands are probably labeled "Replay" and "Advance" in the Harmony software.

I have the Logitech Harmony 659 and have added the Mot DCH3416 to it. But I cannot find those FORWARD JUMP and BACKWARD JUMP buttons on the lists. Maybe these buttons are only on the more recent Harmony models?

I had a 6412 (same coding as 3416) working just fine on my Harmony 659. Look for Advance and Rewind on their list, that is what they are called.

Sorry for the confusion. I was only speaking about the Harmony ONE. Don't know about other models, but I would assume that since the Motorola DVR is in Logitech's database, that the commands are in the software program, and one would just have to find them on the list and store them as additional buttons or map them to unused buttons on the remote.

FYI, if you're using a Logitech Harmony, the 30 second forward skip and 10 second back skip commands are automatically mapped to the FORWARD JUMP and BACKWARD JUMP buttons when you add the Motorola DVR to your devices.

You can program the Comcast remote to have a 30 second skip button as well.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Programming_the_Remote#Add_30-Second_Skip

So I got home from work today and my DCT-6412p2 was frozen with 12:00 on the display. Power cycled it like I always do when it freezes, but this time it came back up with all of the recordings erased! Also, all of the series recordings were erased as well!

I guess there's no loss now turning it in for a DCH-3416. I called Comcast to make sure my local office didn't have a shortage, so I'll be visiting them tomorrow.

Hope to get a DCH model instead of a DCT model.
FWIW, The Comcast guy on the phone confirmed that this is the original DVR when my account first was setup in June 2005. Wow, this DVR lasted awhile ain't?

I have a DCT6412 III and a Panasonic PZ85, a plasma HDTV.

When I am watching the HD stations in Full Mode, the iGuide graphic does not fill the entire screen, but displays the 4:3 proportioned graphic with two black pillar boxes on either side to fill the 16:9 screen. To get the iGuide to fill the 16:9 screen without pillar boxes, I have to switch the PZ85 to H-Fill or Just. I'd prefer to watch the HD stations and the iGuide in Full mode without having to worry about those pillar boxes or jumping for the remote to change the aspect ratio to get rid of them every time I want to see what's on.

Is there any other way -- besides the television's aspect ratios -- to get iGuide to fill the screen without pillar boxes?

Thank you.

That's just how the I-Guide is designed on HDTV's. It's unknown as to if they would ever be able to update the guide to "HD Resolution". In it's current form it would appear not, as the box is already too bogged down having to display the guide in 320x240. Maybe someone smart will figure out a software hack for the boxes in the future. Some kind of new frame buffering / direct memory access / whatever hack you can think of.

If you power off the box and push Menu, in the 480 Over-ride, if it's set to off or 480p I think, on SD channels, the guide will fill the screen, minus about an inch on the right side. If that setting is set to "Stretch", then the guide is always centered 4:3, even on SD channels.

I used to have a passive, manual optical splitter since my HTIB only has one digital input. I recently bought an A/V selector that allows me to "pass-through" the audio for this box directly to my receiver. Overall, I think the sound is improved (I'm getting actual 5.1 sound to my receiver), but now I find that the rear surround sound overwhelms the front speakers in certain parts of the room. Should I be using something other than PASS-THROUGH for the audio on this box?

So I got home from work today and my DCT-6412p2 was frozen with 12:00 on the display. Power cycled it like I always do when it freezes, but this time it came back up with all of the recordings erased! Also, all of the series recordings were erased as well!

I guess there's no loss now turning it in for a DCH-3416. I called Comcast to make sure my local office didn't have a shortage, so I'll be visiting them tomorrow.

Hope to get a DCH model instead of a DCT model.
FWIW, The Comcast guy on the phone confirmed that this is the original DVR when my account first was setup in June 2005. Wow, this DVR lasted awhile ain't?
I remember we were discussing a couple months ago whether to upgrade or not, so now you don't have to decide.;)

My DCT-6412p2 is still working, and it is even older; it also is the original DVR on my account, I got it the first day it was offfered, in mid-Nov. 2004! I was going to replace it, but I am seriously thinking of adding another one, which I would make the primary DVR. The current one should suffice as a secondary DVR, at least for a little while more, until something newer is released...if it lasts.:)

Well I went to the office and got the newer DCH-3416! It still has the plastic wrap on the front panel :)

Ascetically, a much nicer looking piece of equipment. I like the button arrangement, the white LCD and the flat silver/black front bezel. Totally looks more high tech than the bubbly front with the orange LCD on the older boxes. Also I have the format button on the front, and I can now use that EFC code on the remote to switch formats on the fly! If I'm going to watch something like House on FOX or a football game on ABC or ESPN, I can now switch it to 720p without powering off the box and loosing a recording on the second tuner.

It's a little more responsive. Not as fast as I thought it would be, but it is quicker than the DCT-6412. One thing I've noticed is that this thing handles SD so much better than the old box. Everything looks much sharper. I'm not sure if it's a better decoder chip, or the fact that it's straight HDMI instead of the DVI adapter. It's a huge difference and I'm so happy I got it! Also no more audio cables required! No more RCA "Y" Cables on my L/R outputs to feed a VCR for archiving.

First when I hooked it up however, it wasn't working right. Only the non-encrypted channels like Ch 2-27, and the odd balls that come in with my TV's QAM tuner (Like Fox News, TCM, Fox Soccer, Music Choice, Telefura, PPV Preview, etc..) worked. Everything else said "One Moment Please" which is normally the error for low signal. Had me a little nervous (It should of said Not Authorized, right???). The diagnostics all showed good levels (perhaps better than the old DVR even). 0 errors, High 36 SNR on QAM256 channels, 20 SNR on the 104.20 QPSK OOB Channel.

So the Comcast guy on the phone was sending hits, the box was acknowledging them but the channels still wouldn't come in. I persisted and he ended up sending some kind of full reset hit. Instead of the hit looking invisible it actually reset the box. Once the box loaded the time again I powered it up and all of the channels in my package are working now. Not really sure what the difference between the two hits were, but if you do swap and have issues, insist on the full reset "Strongest signal you got" hit. That fixed it for me.

My DCT-700's loaded I-Guide A25 last night, but the old DVR didn't update. Needless to say this new DVR of course has I-Guide 74.54-4003, but hopefully tonight it will get the A25 update. Most area's stage hits and do SD boxes one night, then DVR's the next night. So good timing if it comes, because then I'll get working record LED's again. That's one thing I swore I wouldn't get a DCH box until those record LED's worked.

Background - with the crowded Monday night schedule and episodes of shows that pop in there despite the fact they're repeats, I had to do some housecleaning the make sure I recorded what I wanted. The good news is I didn't need more than two programs per time slot, but other programs were getting in the way.

1. First of all, going to my scheduled recordings didn't display the whole list right away, So, everything looked good with no conflicts. However, I later noticed in the guide that a show would not be recorded. Going back to schedule recordings showed programs that were not previously there.

2. Went to set the priority. Found the program, moved it up or down. But it wouldn't take. When I do back into the priority screen, it was back to where it started. Am I missing a "Save" button somewhere?

3. The next step was to cancel the recordings that I didn't want. In one instance, there were four shows to record with the top two being the ones I didn't want. Canceled one, good, halfway there. Cancelled the second, but instead of the fourth show becoming active, now the first one is again that I just cancelled! ARgggh. The workaroudn was to cancel the series recordings for the first two, then re-program them so they fall lower in the priority list. But even tho I started with a later showing (Daily show at 11p) it stil wanted to give me the 8P repeat, but it let me past that because it was lower in priority.

This is a 3416 on Comcast. How much of this is as designed, bugs or user error? TIA

2. Went to set the priority. Found the program, moved it up or down. But it wouldn't take. When I do back into the priority screen, it was back to where it started. Am I missing a "Save" button somewhere?There's a "Confirm" icon -- a circle with a check mark in the middle -- at the right end of the menu at the bottom of the screen when you're displaying series priorities. I believe you have to select it for your changes to be written.3. The next step was to cancel the recordings that I didn't want. In one instance, there were four shows to record with the top two being the ones I didn't want. Canceled one, good, halfway there. Cancelled the second, but instead of the fourth show becoming active, now the first one is again that I just cancelled!When you cancel a recording that had overlapped with a series recording that had been marked "don't record," the series recording snaps back to life, unless yet some other event still keeps it from being recorded.  The wikibook says you can get around that by canceling from the Guide display instead, but that doesn't work for me either.  At the very worst, you can let it record and then delete it unwatched, unless you're choked for recording space.

Well I went to the office and got the newer DCH-3416!
Glad it worked out for you, and thanks for the DVR review.

I'm not sure if it's a better decoder chip, or the fact that it's straight HDMI instead of the DVI adapter.
A DVI to HDMI adapter or cable would have no affect on PQ, unless the adapter were faulty.

No adapter or cable should ever effect PQ or AQ on DVI/HDMI, seeing as it is digital. The picture and audio is either there or it isn't. There is no in between with a digital signal. Any perceived signal loss would be all in your head. (unless there is some kind of processing done to the signal, such as upscaling)

Well I went to the office and got the newer DCH-3416!

First when I hooked it up however, it wasn't working right. I persisted and he ended up sending some kind of full reset hit. Instead of the hit looking invisible it actually reset the box. Once the box loaded the time again I powered it up and all of the channels in my package are working now. .
Sounds like first was a re-initialization, and that failed to help. Then they tried a re-authorization followed by a re-initialization. This what I understand from reading here at AVS. And actually, there are instructions on how to do this, if need be.

Ok I just had a major UI graphical glitch. I don't feel like retyping it and uploading all the pics here, so please visit my thread at broadband reports and then reply here if you've ever seen anything like this before. (Thats YOU charter james). :)

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21207525-Woah-major-GUI-glitch-on-my-new-DCH3416-pics-inside

Ok I just had a major UI graphical glitch. I don't feel like retyping it and uploading all the pics here, so please visit my thread at broadband reports and then reply here if you've ever seen anything like this before. (Thats YOU charter james). :)

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21207525-Woah-major-GUI-glitch-on-my-new-DCH3416-pics-inside

Yes, I have had this happen a couple of times. Unplug/plug back in resolved it for me.

Ok I'm glad it's not just mine. Don't feel like swapping it out after resetting all my series recordings again. Plus it stinks driving to Comcast and waiting in long lines, squeezing the equipment through their bullet proof chamber, then drive back home on $3.47 a gallon of gas.

I'm hoping the bug is fixed in A25. All the SD boxes were hit with A25 this week. They are predicting Monday for the DVR's.

Ok I'm glad it's not just mine. Don't feel like swapping it out after resetting all my series recordings again. Plus it stinks driving to Comcast and waiting in long lines, squeezing the equipment through their bullet proof chamber, then drive back home on $3.47 a gallon of gas.

I'm hoping the bug is fixed in A25. All the SD boxes were hit with A25 this week. They are predicting Monday for the DVR's.

Cool, luckily, I live a block from my Comcast office, and it is always empty when I go in there. So, any news as to what this new FW will offer?

A25 is much more refined.
- Command queuing fixed
- Introduction to "Smarter DVR" features
- Much better search screen
- Performance improvements
- Recording lights fixed on DCH boxes
- Graphics screen alignment appears fixed
- Full screen graphics finally solid on DCT-700's (no more blinking line halfway down the screen)
- Font contrast tuned slightly.
- 3rd party app support
- More descriptive data like (TV-MA,V,and all the other little letters).
- So far everything works well on my DCT-700
- Only one glitch and that's when you load a VOD title. During the load process the color pallet wacks out, but it's only for 3~5 seconds while the title loads. This is nothing in comparison to the problems with A24 (which never should of been released IMO)

A25 is much more refined.
- Command queuing fixed
- Introduction to "Smarter DVR" features
- Much better search screen
- Performance improvements
- Recording lights fixed on DCH boxes
- Graphics screen alignment appears fixed
- Full screen graphics finally solid on DCT-700's (no more blinking line halfway down the screen)
- Font contrast tuned slightly.
- 3rd party app support
- More descriptive data like (TV-MA,V,and all the other little letters).
- So far everything works well on my DCT-700
- Only one glitch and that's when you load a VOD title. During the load process the color pallet wacks out, but it's only for 3~5 seconds while the title loads. This is nothing in comparison to the problems with A24 (which never should of been released IMO)

Where does one find out which A* version they have? I'm assuming I can find it in the guide somewhere?

Does A25 come with the "new" Motorola DCH 3416s? I just had to switch out my livingroom DVR (DCT 6416) and I got a DCH 3416 instead. Haven't had a chance to hook it up yet, but I'm hoping it's better than the DCT 6416. Still has the vinyl protector on the front face.

They will come with whatever guide version your cable plant is running. It will update to A25 IF your plant is running A25.

If you power off the box and quickly push OK/Select, scroll down to Code Modules. In that menu the version number for the TV Guide OS should be listed. 74.xx is A24, 75.xx is A25.

It's A24.

I can't get my new box to switch the screen resolution on the fly. Neither the FORMAT button nor the remote control code seem to work.

I just recently moved to Kentucky, and the local cable company has given me a DCH6416. Is there any way to set/change the default channel? It's really annoying turning on the box and having it go directly to Channel 1. It would be nice if I could set it to a specific channel, or last channel watched.

I just recently moved to Kentucky, and the local cable company has given me a DCH6416. Is there any way to set/change the default channel? It's really annoying turning on the box and having it go directly to Channel 1. It would be nice if I could set it to a specific channel, or last channel watched.

It doesn't matter to these boxes if they're left on all the time or if they're shut off, so you could always just leave the box on & turn the TV off. Not sure who your cable co. is but most let them come back on to the last channel they were one when they were turned off.

Yeah, I just turn off the TV/receiver. Doesn't seem like there's much of a difference between the box being on/off except that when it's off, no picture/sound comes to the TV/receiver (which wouldn't matter since they're off).

Yeah, I just turn off the TV/receiver. Doesn't seem like there's much of a difference between the box being on/off except that when it's off, no picture/sound comes to the TV/receiver (which wouldn't matter since they're off).
I keep the box on all the time as well, because when it would turn on to record, then the recording would end, and the box would turn off; regardless of the fact that I had interacted with the DVR, by changing channels or watching a recorded program.

To be accurate, when in Standby ('Off') there is another difference beside the A/V not running. It also is not buffering (recording) the channels on each tuner. However, many people who have had Tivos on with a UPS recording for several years have had no problems; some say it may even be better for the DVR's HDD. Of course, YMMV.

I suppose if you were unfortunate enough to have a DVR with a noisy hard drive/fan, turning the DVR off might help (especially at night).

New glitch with the VOD menu's in A25.

See here:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21255946-Can-you-reproduce-this-guide-glitch-on-A25-I-can#21255946

When you watch a video preview, the menu's are distorted upon returning from the preview clip.

If we ever get A25 here, at least we won't have to worry about it ;)

Bresnan doesn't have VoD here because it would cost too much money for them to deploy it.

Software 75.59 descended on my Comcast service area last night and comes with factory installed HDMI bugs that affect at least the DCT series HD-DVR boxes.

The two most visible are the thick GREEN LINE down the right side of every channel (on displays without overscan), and a much less reliable HDMI Handshake on output resolution changes -- often resulting in never-ending retries.

There's some speculation in other threads that the DCH boxes are not screwed up this way by this software, but I can't seem to find any confirmation.
--Bob

I discovered we now have the A25 version here with Charter. Search function appears improved, similar to how I recall Moxi was.

"the page down arrow skips back 5 minutes, and the page up button skips 5 minutes ahead". I really like this feature! Makes skipping through intermissions and half times of recorded sporting events much faster and easier.

I've just received a 3416 from RCN and having issues getting it to output 5.1. I'm using the fiber optic cable from the DVR to my receiver and selected multiple HD channels that are broadcasting a 5.1 signal. I tried every HD channel and it seems to be sending out only stereo. I've double checked the channels on an older DVR and receiver to make sure that I should be getting 5.1 Do I need to enable something for the DVR to output a 5.1 signal?

I know the cable and receiver are good. I tested them by hooking up an Xbox 360 to the same receiver and cable. The receiver shows and plays a Dolby Digital 5.1 signal. So that tells me the receiver and cable work, its just not seeing the correct signal from the DVR.

Thanks

Anyone having a problem setting the box back to PCM after switching to AC3? I was messing around with the box today and switched to AC3. Now I can't switch back to PCM. The setting doesn't stick. It switches back to AC3 as soon as you navigate away from the settings page.

Topics merged.

Topics merged.
Topics merged? Which ones?

Probably just my question about not getting a 5.1 signal to my receiver. I didn't post it in the correct spot...my bad.

I read on CNET that, in assessing a HDTV set, "SD performance is irrelevant if you're connecting to a source that scales 480i to a higher resolution before connecting to the TV." Does the Motorola DCH3416 scale 480i to a higher resolution? If so, is there a setting that needs to be activated for it to do so? Many thanks.

I read on CNET that, in assessing a HDTV set, "SD performance is irrelevant if you're connecting to a source that scales 480i to a higher resolution before connecting to the TV." Does the Motorola DCH3416 scale 480i to a higher resolution? If so, is there a setting that needs to be activated for it to do so? Many thanks.

yes, power off, click menu, and change "4:3" override to off. Then again, it depends on which you prefer. I prefer my TV's scaler, so I keep 4:3 override to 480i and let my TV scale it. Personally, I would prefer to have the original resolution for all sources, meaning output 720p on 720p channels and 1080i on 1080i channels as well, and let my TV scale those to 1080p, but I have to manually switch between 1080i and 720p for those sources myself.

it depends on which you prefer. I prefer my TV's scaler
I gather that some (most?) TVs do a better job at scaling than the 3416. So the thing to do is to try them both and choose the one that does the better job. This has important implications for when CNET rates SD performance for a given TV as "below average." It means that with the 3416 (or any cable box) SD performance may well prove to be at least "average" for this particular TV. Is this a correct reasoning?

I find that if I have my HDMI/YPbPr output set to 1080I, then setting the 4:3 override to OFF will result in a streched picture on my TV (which I hate), so I set it to 480 I and let my TVs scale the picture with varying results based on the source and more importantly how the original content was filmed. Some content is filmed in HD but broadcast in SD and looks much better on HDTVs than other SD content.

I find that if I have my HDMI/YPbPr output set to 1080I, then setting the 4:3 override to OFF will result in a streched picture on my TV (which I hate), so I set it to 480 I and let my TVs scale the picture with varying results based on the source and more importantly how the original content was filmed. Some content is filmed in HD but broadcast in SD and looks much better on HDTVs than other SD content.

There are two options on mine "OFF" maintains the 4:3 aspect and "STRETCH" stretches it to the edges.

On the DCT boxes, OFF maintained the native aspect. On my DCH boxes, OFF changes it to whatever the HDMI/YPbPr is set to (which is 16:9 on both of my TVs).

Software 75.59 descended on my Comcast service area last night and comes with factory installed HDMI bugs that affect at least the DCT series HD-DVR boxes.

The two most visible are the thick GREEN LINE down the right side of every channel (on displays without overscan), and a much less reliable HDMI Handshake on output resolution changes -- often resulting in never-ending retries.

There's some speculation in other threads that the DCH boxes are not screwed up this way by this software, but I can't seem to find any confirmation.
--BobI have this same issue... I can't believe TVGuide (or whoever does the software for the Motorola Boxes) could let such a huge glitch happen.

I pay damn good money every month to charter just for having a DVR ($20 a month!) and now I can't even watch shows without a huge green line? I've heard plenty of people tell me to use composite but screw that... HDMI is the way to go.

I'm on Charter cable and is the Motorola dch6200 one of the newer boxes they offer? I do not have dvr. I hope i am asking in the right thread and if not, point me in the right direction. I have it hooked up by hdmi. One complaint is the box is so bright with the clock or tv channel. When i lay down at night, that big bright clock stays so bright. Any way to dim that light on the front of the dch6200

I'm on Charter cable and is the Motorola dch6200 one of the newer boxes they offer? I do not have dvr. I hope i am asking in the right thread and if not, point me in the right direction. I have it hooked up by hdmi. One complaint is the box is so bright with the clock or tv channel. When i lay down at night, that big bright clock stays so bright. Any way to dim that light on the front of the dch6200

Yes the DCH is the newest HD box, but no, there is no way to control the brightness of the LED. However if you don't mind losing the clock on the front of the box you could try going in the setup menu & change the 'front LED display' to 'current channel'. That way when you turn the box off, the display should turn off.

See below this works with the DCH series boxes:

Through trial and error I found the code it is 00109. The way it works with the Comcast remote is press cable, then press and hold setup until the cable light on the remote blinks twice, then release the setup button, enter 994 on the keypad, then press setup again and release the setup button then enter 00109 after that press the key you want for this functionality - I chose the "help" key. If you did all of this correctly the cable select button on the remote should blink twice.

I have a DCH 6416 and I could not get this to work. Any ideas?

That code doesn't work on either of my boxes. I have a DCH 3416 and DCH 6416. The remote control seems to accept the code, and when I press the programmed button, both boxes seem to register that a command was sent, but the resolution doesn't switch (visibly) or on the display.

That code doesn't work on either of my boxes. I have a DCH 3416 and DCH 6416. The remote control seems to accept the code, and when I press the programmed button, both boxes seem to register that a command was sent, but the resolution doesn't switch (visibly) or on the display.

Same exact thing here. Either it doesn't work or we are both doing something wrong.

Same exact thing here. Either it doesn't work or we are both doing something wrong.


Now I recall going through this. I couldn't get it to work with my Comcast remote, but I was able to program the code into an old universal remote (One For All - Cinema 7) using 0109 (that remote takes four digit codes, not five digit codes) and it worked fine on my DCH 3416. I then learned the code into a Harmony remote. I'm guessing that it depends on what remote your cable company gave you.

Now I recall going through this. I couldn't get it to work with my Comcast remote, but I was able to program the code into an old universal remote (One For All - Cinema 7) using 0109 (that remote takes four digit codes, not five digit codes) and it worked fine on my DCH 3416. I then learned the code into a Harmony remote. I'm guessing that it depends on what remote your cable company gave you.
How did you get your Harmony to do this?

How did you get your Harmony to do this?

I have a Harmony 890. It can learn commands from other remotes (as can many other universal remotes).

I have a Harmony 890. It can learn commands from other remotes (as can many other universal remotes).
I have the 880. I guess I'll have to find another universal remote and try this again.

I have this same issue... I can't believe TVGuide (or whoever does the software for the Motorola Boxes) could let such a huge glitch happen.

I pay damn good money every month to charter just for having a DVR ($20 a month!) and now I can't even watch shows without a huge green line? I've heard plenty of people tell me to use composite but screw that... HDMI is the way to go.

Which Charter box do you have? I have the Motorola DCH 6416 connected with an HDMI cable, but I don't have a "green line" problem. Not sure what the software version is, but the biggest problem I've had with my box was remote code problems for my TV... nothing related to picture quality. [So far; I've only had it about 4 months.]

I just got a HD DVR from Comcast, it's a Motorola DCH3416. When I plugged it in for the first time, the display on the box showed 88:88. Then there was a blinking dot between the 3rd and 4th 8. After that, it displayed the 4 8s again and then the display is empty. It seems like it's off but it feels warm if I leave it plugged in.

When I connected it via HDMI, my TV told me there was no signal. When I tried coax, it would say Please Wait when the 88:88 was up but it would turn to snow as soon as the 8s disappeared. Anyone know what could be wrong with it?

Thanks!

I just got a HD DVR from Comcast, it's a Motorola DCH3416. When I plugged it in for the first time, the display on the box showed 88:88. Then there was a blinking dot between the 3rd and 4th 8. After that, it displayed the 4 8s again and then the display is empty. It seems like it's off but it feels warm if I leave it plugged in.

When I connected it via HDMI, my TV told me there was no signal. When I tried coax, it would say Please Wait when the 88:88 was up but it would turn to snow as soon as the 8s disappeared. Anyone know what could be wrong with it?

Thanks!

When first plugging the box in it should show 88:88 for a second or two, within a minute or so you should have a picture. If it keeps blinking the 88:88 bring it back for a new one. If it's just a blank display try pressing the power button on the box & the channel up/down buttons. If it just says 'one moment please' on all the channels it may just need a hit from the office to activate it, or you may have a bad box.

Folks,

I have a Comcast supplied Motorola DCT6412 HD-DVR that is acting up. We had a power outage the other night and when I came downstairs the next morning the box was dead. Power button wouldn't work so I pulled the plug and reset. Once the box finally came back up it seems like I've lost access to the Guide and Menus via the remote buttons. When you press either button on the remote, the light (small dot) flashes on the unit's display signifying it's getting a command but the guide and menus won't display. The guide and menus will also not come up if I press the buttons on the front of the unit.

Nothing else changed as far as I know.

Additionally, If I hit the info button on the remote, now I get a white screen (like the setup screen) that prompts me for a parental lock code ???

I've researched the problem and tried everything I could find as a fix. I tried downloading a new software set and that didn't help.

Any ideas how to clear this anomaly?

Regards,

BillMac

When first plugging the box in it should show 88:88 for a second or two, within a minute or so you should have a picture. If it keeps blinking the 88:88 bring it back for a new one. If it's just a blank display try pressing the power button on the box & the channel up/down buttons. If it just says 'one moment please' on all the channels it may just need a hit from the office to activate it, or you may have a bad box.

For me, it shows 88:88 for about 10 seconds, then the blinking dot for about 30 seconds, back to 88:88 for another 10, back to blinking dot for another 30, and then nothing even though it gets warm. The buttons on both the remote and the box do nothing. I spoke with Comcast and they attempted to send a signal to it but nothing happened so they're sending a tech. It seems like a bad box.

Thanks for your help.

I'm pretty sure it's a bad box. It should be able to get something (even if it's just local channels). The "88:88" seems to be an indication that the box has been reset, while the blinking dot is an indication that it's downloading info needed for basic box operation. The fact that it seems to keep resetting makes me think the box is no good. You may want to try some of the more extensive box resets just to be sure.

I'm pretty sure it's a bad box. It should be able to get something (even if it's just local channels). The "88:88" seems to be an indication that the box has been reset, while the blinking dot is an indication that it's downloading info needed for basic box operation. The fact that it seems to keep resetting makes me think the box is no good. You may want to try some of the more extensive box resets just to be sure.

I thought the same thing - but it doesn't show anything and the buttons are unresponsive. It's weird they gave me a new box and it's DOA but I guess it happens. I attempted to unplug it and replug it in multiple times. I even left it unplugged for a few hours and then tried using it again but still couldn't get it. Guess I'll have to wait until Comcast shows up on Tuesday :(

Is there an official list of remote control codes (or EFC's) for the DCH3416 from Motorola? (Not the wikibooks one, which didn't have the change resolution code 109.) I'm trying to see if there's an EFC for closed captioning.

Folks,

I have a Comcast supplied Motorola DCT6412 HD-DVR that is acting up. We had a power outage the other night and when I came downstairs the next morning the box was dead. Power button wouldn't work so I pulled the plug and reset. Once the box finally came back up it seems like I've lost access to the Guide and Menus via the remote buttons. When you press either button on the remote, the light (small dot) flashes on the unit's display signifying it's getting a command but the guide and menus won't display. The guide and menus will also not come up if I press the buttons on the front of the unit.

Nothing else changed as far as I know.

Additionally, If I hit the info button on the remote, now I get a white screen (like the setup screen) that prompts me for a parental lock code ???

I've researched the problem and tried everything I could find as a fix. I tried downloading a new software set and that didn't help.

Any ideas how to clear this anomaly?

Regards,

BillMac

i had the same problem, they told me i needed to trade it in. got the dch3416

Has anyone been noticing that for certain HD channels on the DCH boxes the resolution seems to always be shifting? It's hard to describe. Whenever I watch ABC HD through these cable boxes, the resolution seems to flicker (noticeably and really distracting on darker scenes - I could barely make it through LIFE ON MARS) back and forth. It almost seems as if the box is switching the resolution from something non-HD, but not quite as bad as SD to HD. I'm trying to see if it's an ABC affiliate issue, a Time Warner DFW issue, or a cable box issue. I have two HDTVs, a Toshiba and a Samsung, and I get the problem on both TVs. My living room box is set to 1080i through HDMI and my bedroom box is set to 720p through HDMI. I even see the same issue when I switch to component (which I use as a backup on both cable boxes in case an HDMI handshake issue arises).

Which Charter box do you have? I have the Motorola DCH 6416 connected with an HDMI cable, but I don't have a "green line" problem. Not sure what the software version is, but the biggest problem I've had with my box was remote code problems for my TV... nothing related to picture quality. [So far; I've only had it about 4 months.]I have a DCT6416 (older than the DCH6416)

I highly doubt my local office has any DCH6416 boxes (I was shocked they had DCT6416's to be honest.)

I have a DCH 6416 and I could not get this to work. Any ideas?

Iam having the same problem. I have a DCH6416 from Comcast. The remote takes the code and a light comes on the box like it see the code (same thing when pushing the button on the box).

Attached is a picture from the DCH menu-setup-configuration and it show the models as DCT and Firmware : 18.18 S/W 74.54.

Maybe thats why is doesnt work.

Brad

i had the same problem, they told me i needed to trade it in. got the dch3416

I finally setup a service call and the Comcast tech came out and couldn't fix the problem. Had two swap out two boxes. Needless to say I lost all my recorded shows.

The Tech told me the boxes just failed. I think it's too much of a coincidence that two Boxes would have exactly the same problem at the same time.

Well I've read through most of the pages but if I missed my solution sorry, but this is driving me nuts.

I have a Motorola DCH3416 cable box through Charter. The tech installed the box on my Samsung HL61A750A tv using component cables. He must have set my tv picture to "Just Scan" so my HD channels automatically played on 16:9 format and my regular channels would automatically switch and fill the whole screen. Well I had to move my tv so I figured it'd be a good idea to switch to an HDMI cable. With that on, my HD channels still show up correctly but my regular channels had the black bars on both sides. I checked the picture options and made sure it was still set to "Just Scan", but I couldn't get rid of it. After reading this thread someone mentioned that some tv's can't get 480p signal through HDMI so I hooked it back up using the component cables. I still cannot get rid of the black frame on regular channels though. I noticed on the cable box it stays at 1080i and I'm assuming that's the issue. I can't figure out how to switch it on the box though. I tried hitting the format button on the front of the cable box but that didn't do any good. Any advice anyone has would be greatly appreciated. I just have a feeling calling Charter would be a coin flip. Thanks!

Power off the box then push Menu. Change the 4:3 Override to stretch. No more black bars on SD channels. Plugging in the HDMI cable reset all of the Cable box settings.

You can also use 480i instead of stretch. Then have your TV fill the 480i signal to it's native resolution (should be an option in your TV's settings).

I believe that either way your people and objects will be 33% wider in proportion to their height. Personally, I prefer the black bars so that proportionality is maintained

BTW, I am now a DCH 3416 user and like the small differences and I think the regular SD channels that are being converted to SD digital are better looking also.

Well, I now know why this whole resolution on the fly via a remote code isn't working for me...the format button the front of the DVR doesn't even work. It sends a signal, but it doesn't work.

i just got a 6416 and i recorded 1 - 2 hour movie in hd and it said it was full?

i just got a 6416 and i recorded 1 - 2 hour movie in hd and it said it was full?

Check here for info on the 100% full bug....
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

This has to be a new record though for least amount of recordings/space used for this to rear its ugly head though. I can't believe after all this time they haven't been able to fix this problem!

BB

I believe that either way your people and objects will be 33% wider in proportion to their height. Personally, I prefer the black bars so that proportionality is maintained

BTW, I am now a DCH 3416 user and like the small differences and I think the regular SD channels that are being converted to SD digital are better looking also.

Some TVs have a way of filling the image with as little distortion as possible if that mode is selected.

Some TVs have a way of filling the image with as little distortion as possible if that mode is selected.



I can tell my TV to even zoom it and it will expand 33% vertically and horizontally and the picture looks great, except most head shots are cut off just above the eyes! This mode is called "zoom" on my set.

As you mention there is a mode that distorts it as little as possible, seems like it is kind of a pan and scan mode, that fill the screen, but does a minimum of distortion. My set happens to be a Sony. Does anybody know what is the method of this "wide zoom" is.

I got looking at my set ups for both DVR fed and cable feed to my TV and I turned on 4:3 overide on TV to default to the "Wide Zoom" mode. I think that looks better. Will try it for a while and see if wife notices it. If she does, then I will know it is better.

Lastly, If the program is 12:9 (4:3) and the screen is 16:9 and you fill the screen horizontally only, then I think the picture would be 33% too wide in relation to its height. On my TV this is called "Full" I was defaulting to this mode, but per above, am going to try the other zoom mode.

You can also use 480i instead of stretch. Then have your TV fill the 480i signal to it's native resolution (should be an option in your TV's settings).

He mentioned "Just Scan" which is a Samsung Term for 1:1 pixel mapping. I have a Samsung HPT-4254 Plasma TV, and the HDMI ports do not support 480i. It has nothing to do with the Motorola's HDMI implantation, but some kind of oversight at Samsung that yields an "Unsupported Mode" message box. Perhaps this is fixed on their newer TV's. I did flash my TV with the latest firmware, but that did not add 480i over HDMI compatibility. What I don't understand is how TV manufacturers can let sets out past quality control without supporting all of the ATSC/NTSC required resolutions. I've heard reports (and seen firsthand on a friends TV) of HDTV's yes, HDTV's not even supporting 720p. Guess back then they never heard of ESPN HD or FOX HD eh? Don't think newer ones have this type of limitation, but I guess that's why technology evolves.

He mentioned "Just Scan" which is a Samsung Term for 1:1 pixel mapping.

Ah, didn't know that.

I have a HDMI 1.1 compliant receiver which I use for L-PCM loseless audio from my PS3, do I want to connect my DCT6412 HDMI to the receiver and use the audio over HDMI or do I still want to use OPTICAL audio from the 6412? Does the 6412 give digital multichannel sound OVER HDMI?

I have a HDMI 1.1 compliant receiver which I use for L-PCM loseless audio from my PS3, do I want to connect my DCT6412 HDMI to the receiver and use the audio over HDMI or do I still want to use OPTICAL audio from the 6412? Does the 6412 give digital multichannel sound OVER HDMI?

Yes, that's how I have it set up

I posted a question about this in other theads but only got one response (and that was a while ago).Ah, the confirmation from V.X.Donique in your Weird DCH3416 behavior (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=918439&highlight=3416) thread that they were seeing the same issue?

I'm seeing a strange problem with my Comcast 3416. The bottom few rows of pixels from the image are transplanted to the top of the image for HD signals.On my DCH3416 (firmware 18.34), this happens for both HD and SD signals. It only occurs on the composite and S-Video outputs (and presumably coax -- haven't tried), not the component outputs (and presumably not HDMI either -- haven't confirmed).

It is only a few lines, so therefore it is not noticeable unless you have TV in a 1:1 pixel mode (sometimes called native, full pixel, 0% overscan, etc.).Yeah, I use a 1920x1200 HDMI computer monitor with no overscan options as my HDTV, thus I see this.

This is NOT to be confused with the closed captioning data in SD broacasts. This also manifests as lines at the top of the image. It is DEFINETLY lines from the bottom of the image. It is especially easy to see when viewing a background that has a different solid color at the bottom compared to the top. For example, if you are viewing an HD picture that consists of the top half solid red and the bottom half solid blue, you will see a very thin blue line at the top.Right. If you're watching an SD signal, though, you'll also see the closed caption encoding on the two scanlines below the bottom scanline which has been transposed to the top. This is how I came up against this issue. I was archiving some shows from my 3416 to DVD (via analog to DV capture with my Sony MiniDV camcorder), and since I was seeing the CC encoding lines in the picture, I was thinking that the captions would be preserved. However, I found that when playing back the DVDs on my old analog SDTV (with CC display enabled), no captions would result.

I was thinking that this was due to everything being shifted down one scanline by the one from the bottom being moved up to the top, but using Vegas, my video editor, to move the picture up or down one or more lines didn't seem to help. (However, I later realized that Vegas' Pan/Crop feature causes it to deinterlace interlaced signals, and in the HDMI not allowing Closed Captioning? (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=699933) thread, it's mentioned that deinterlacing destroys the CC info, so this may not have been a valid test.)

I've tried a lot of searching to find out what line Line 21 corresponds to on a 720x480 DTV picture, but haven't been able to find anything. I've read that Line 21 is part of the Vertical Blanking Interval, which would seem to indicate it's not part of the visible picture at all, but I've seen CC signals on pure analog setups (can't remember if this was due to incorrect overscan adjustment or due to a rolling picture). The closest I found to the info I was looking for was http://www.cpcweb.com/nle/nle-hardware.htm, which states that "Caption data sits in 720x486 video in Row 0, 1 or 2 depending on the NLE system". No info on the site about what happens if it's a DV-style 720x480 picture rather than 720x486, but it would sound like the CC lines would be excluded.

A weird thing is that when I connected my 3416's composite video out directly to my analog TV, closed captions would be displayed. Yet when digitizing that same signal and putting on a DVD and playing that through the same TV, no captions. This made me wonder whether something in my video capture / editing / mastering workflow was breaking the captions, but given what I've learned since then, I'm wondering if it's actually the case that the DVR was outputting them in two places, one on the (invisible?) Line 21 where they're supposed to be, and another copy within the picture overscan region??

It goes away if the box is rebooted but eventually it starts happening again. It is definitely not a problem with the signal from the provider because it happens when playing back an HD recording from the hard drive. If I reboot, the replayed recording looks correct. After the "bug" shows up, the recording has the bottom lines of pixels transplanted to the top. So clearly this is a problem with the way the signal is sent from the box to the display.Thank you for reporting that!! I hadn't realized my DVR wasn't doing this from day one. Sure enough, after doing a hard power-cycle of my box, I see that the scanline from the bottom is no longer "rotated" to the top, and the CC lines are not visible either. Well, at least they're usually not visible. If I hit Pause, I see them at the top (just the CC lines -- not the misplaced bottom scanline from before the reboot). When I unpause, I see that the DVR is duplicating the third and fourth scanlines to the top to cover up where the CCs would be. This sometimes introduces noticeable picture artifacts. This only occurs over the S-Video (and presumably composite) out(s) -- over the component out (which I guess I should mention is going into a Denon AVR-888 and from there via HDMI -> DVI to my NEC 2490WUXi LCD monitor), the top two scanlines are the unmolested CC encoding lines. (Great, so I can't get them on the output I use to make DVDs, and am forced to have them on the output I use to view TV, where they serve no purpose for me other than to annoy.)

If the're no way to get the Closed Captions to be operable on my DVDs (I also tried various experiments with SCC Tools (http://www.geocities.com/mcpoodle43/SCC_TOOLS/DOCS/SCC_TOOLS.HTML) and ccextractor (http://sourceforge.net/projects/ccextractor/), to see if I could extract the CC info and convert it to DVD subtitles, but never managed to successfully extract any captions), I'm sorry I didn't manage to find your post sooner, as I've already made a bunch of DVDs with visible (and annoying, on 0% overscan displays like mine) but useless encoded captions. While the scanline duplication after the reboot can result in visible artifacts, it's certainly a lot less noticeable than the CC lines.

BTW, not really on topic, but another thing about this DVR that annoyed the crap out of me is that by default the stereo analog audio outs are set to mono output. How ridiculous a default is that?? Unfortunately I had archived off a bunch of shows to DVD (deleting the HD copies) before I discovered this.

I'll make one more note which is an important one. I have an HD DVR box, but not an HDTV. I just have a regular 27" crt connected to the DVR via s-video. If I tune to an HD channel, the box downconverts it to 480i letterbox over s-video. It is quite possible that this problem is very specific to my situation because I am a.) downconverting and b.) using s-video.

Has anyone else seen this?

I haven't figured out which sequence of repeatable events causes this to happen. I have never witnessed the change while watching an HD channel. It seems to only show up at some point after switching to an HD channel after coming out of standby or switching from an SD station.I was thinking maybe it would be triggered by turning on viewing of CCs with the DVR menu, but no dice.

Has anyone else seen this?

Edit: I'll admit that it only occurred to me that the problem could be related to HD->480i downconverting when I was almost done writing this post. At the beginning, I mentioned that you'll only see the problem with 0% overscan mode. I should rather say... if this problem is NOT limited to just HD->480i downconvert, I'd imagine that you won't see it on an HD set unless you have 0% overscan. With my particular setup, I see the transplanted scanlines within the inner letterboxed portion of the image on my SDTV. In other words, from top to bottom in order I see, 1.) top black letterbox bar, 2.) transplanted scan line(s), 3.) normal image, 4.) bottom black letterbox bar.Yeah, at first I thought maybe my MiniDV camera was doing the scanline transposition, until I saw that it happened for letterboxed HD signals as well, at the top of the widescreen picture region rather than at the top of the 4:3 frame.

So I assume there's no way to preserve Closed Captions when archiving content from this DVR, other than turning them on with the DVR menu, recording the video with and without them on, and then setting up the footage on the DVD as multiple angles?

Short of that waste of DVD capacity, I guess I would have to bite the bullet and pay the big bucks for a TiVo and use SCC Tools / ccextractor conversion to DVD subtitles to be able to preserve the CCs from directly exported MPEG files (and put up with not being able to record the SDV channels until Cox OC finally makes the tuning resolvers available here)?

Well I've read through most of the pages but if I missed my solution sorry, but this is driving me nuts.

I have a Motorola DCH3416 cable box through Charter. The tech installed the box on my Samsung HL61A750A tv using component cables. He must have set my tv picture to "Just Scan" so my HD channels automatically played on 16:9 format and my regular channels would automatically switch and fill the whole screen. Well I had to move my tv so I figured it'd be a good idea to switch to an HDMI cable. With that on, my HD channels still show up correctly but my regular channels had the black bars on both sides. I checked the picture options and made sure it was still set to "Just Scan", but I couldn't get rid of it. After reading this thread someone mentioned that some tv's can't get 480p signal through HDMI so I hooked it back up using the component cables. I still cannot get rid of the black frame on regular channels though. I noticed on the cable box it stays at 1080i and I'm assuming that's the issue. I can't figure out how to switch it on the box though. I tried hitting the format button on the front of the cable box but that didn't do any good. Any advice anyone has would be greatly appreciated. I just have a feeling calling Charter would be a coin flip. Thanks!

Have you tried zoom on your tv? For SD channels I zoom and crop, maintaining the same aspect ratio, but I have to set the comcast 4:3 override to 480p.

Well I've read through most of the pages but if I missed my solution sorry, but this is driving me nuts.

I have a Motorola DCH3416 cable box through Charter. The tech installed the box on my Samsung HL61A750A tv using component cables. He must have set my tv picture to "Just Scan" so my HD channels automatically played on 16:9 format and my regular channels would automatically switch and fill the whole screen. Well I had to move my tv so I figured it'd be a good idea to switch to an HDMI cable. With that on, my HD channels still show up correctly but my regular channels had the black bars on both sides. I checked the picture options and made sure it was still set to "Just Scan", but I couldn't get rid of it. After reading this thread someone mentioned that some tv's can't get 480p signal through HDMI so I hooked it back up using the component cables. I still cannot get rid of the black frame on regular channels though. I noticed on the cable box it stays at 1080i and I'm assuming that's the issue. I can't figure out how to switch it on the box though. I tried hitting the format button on the front of the cable box but that didn't do any good. Any advice anyone has would be greatly appreciated. I just have a feeling calling Charter would be a coin flip. Thanks!

Have you tried zoom on your tv? For SD channels I zoom and crop, maintaining the same aspect ratio, but I have to set the comcast 4:3 override to 480p. My friends cablevision component box has a nice zoom feature, and you don't even have to shut off the box to use it.

Just joined the forum for the 1st time here. Time Warner Cable customer (ex-Adelphia customer), and noticed this week on the Motorola DCH 6146 DVR (160gb), it seems like either memory was increased or the display showing the percentage of space used is screwed up. I know when I first got the DVR back in Feb. 2008, 1 hour of standard definition programming=3% space used and now it only seems to be showing that only 2% of space is actually being used. With HD recordings, 1 hour of HD recording=6% of space being used, and now 1 hour of HD recording=4% space used. Anyone else noticed this?

Just joined the forum for the 1st time here. Time Warner Cable customer (ex-Adelphia customer), and noticed this week on the Motorola DCH 6146 DVR (160gb), it seems like either memory was increased or the display showing the percentage of space used is screwed up. I know when I first got the DVR back in Feb. 2008, 1 hour of standard definition programming=3% space used and now it only seems to be showing that only 2% of space is actually being used. With HD recordings, 1 hour of HD recording=6% of space being used, and now 1 hour of HD recording=4% space used. Anyone else noticed this?

With a 160gb drive, expect around 100 hours of SD (1% per hour) and 20 hours of HD (5% per hour). HD rates vary considerably, though, depending on the type of programming (sports typically require the most storage space) and on the bitrates used (some cable providers use tighter compression to get more HD channels in the system).

yup my Motorola box died all it says now is this station will be available soon! it does it on every station! BTW i have comcast service! does this happen often? anyway to fix it without bringing it back to get a new one? thanks

Do you have another box you can try on that outlet? That message means it can't find the signal. Maybe the outlet went bad? Sure the tuner could of went, or maybe it pulled a bad update and lost all the frequency assignments. If you bypass the box does analog TV look pretty clear? If all else fails call in.

yeah everything is fine now! the box had been disabled! thanks for all the help!

I'm trying to delete a program on my Motorola DCH 6416 and I get this message "UNABLE TO PROCESS, Cannot delete while file is in use. Close file and try again. . Code CIU." The thing is, I am not using any file. Anyways I'll try to reboot it and see what happens.

Hi,

Anyone else having an issue with a scheduled series program not recording? There are no scheduling or priority conflicts. I've had this happen with two different programs on two different networks one in HD and the other standard. My settings for both programs are new recordings only, and they are scheduled to start and end on time. There are no higher priority programs that overlap at these times either. Any suggestions would be greatly apperciated.

Jack

Possibly they weren't flagged as new, first time showings. I have had that problem with a few shows, like the HD versions of Star Trek for one. Try setting for all recordings, and see what happens.

I have the opposite problem. My dvr records True Blood like 7 times a week, and I only say to record new episodes and no repeats.

I have that problem with The Daily Show. Every show in a new timeslot is counted as new. So, I set a time recording for it. Jack might want to try that, programming the timeslot, not the program.

Does anyone know why a Motorola DCH6416 has a tendency to show weak or no HD signal on most HD channels (15 of them) while the regular cable channels are fine? I have Charter Cable and this is the 2nd time I have had to call them for repair within 9 months (even though I have had other issues that have forced me to reset the box). The first time they replaced the outside cable. Everything was fine for three months. Now this.

:[

Hi,

Anyone else having an issue with a scheduled series program not recording? There are no scheduling or priority conflicts. I've had this happen with two different programs on two different networks one in HD and the other standard. My settings for both programs are new recordings only, and they are scheduled to start and end on time. There are no higher priority programs that overlap at these times either. Any suggestions would be greatly apperciated.

Jack

Yes, I had "The Mentalist" not record last week. It is a series recording, it records every week, but did not record last week. I noticed it about 15 minutes into it. The DVR said it was recording, but it was not on my list of recordings. I had to stop the recording and start it back up before it actually started to record.

Possibly they weren't flagged as new, first time showings. I have had that problem with a few shows, like the HD versions of Star Trek for one. Try setting for all recordings, and see what happens.

I agree with this. I've had several problems with "New Only" (for brand new shows) so I've just tended to go with "New and Repeats" which has solved my recording problems. Somebody's not coding something correctly!

OK, been having issues with my DVR so a tech comes out today and gives me a previously used Motorola DCT6412/2000. he plugged it in and it started a firmware update and he left (never waited around to see if it would work of course). Well, 20 minutes later, it finishes it's update and when it boots up there's video but no guide or menus of anykind. I can chan up and down through most of the channels (it stops at 100 and I have to manually enter a channel above that, then it will continue on higher channels).

I've already called several times to my cable company and they tried sending a reset. Well when it reset, it AGAIN downloaded firmware and came up just the same as before. channels display but no guides or menus of any kind. When I hit the menu or guide button, the indicator light flashes, so it's seeing the IR command, just not doing it.

Is there any sort of a way that the menus are just disabled? Is this something I could fix, or is the box just toast?

And then of course they tell me they can't get a tech back here until MONDAY (Can you imagine the nerve of these people?)

I appreciate any insight anyone might have. Thanks! :)

Seems to me you are getting the jive turkey treatment. If possible, you should go to your nearest cable office, and swap for a new box.

It's just udder ridiculos that you cant use an external hard drive on motorola dvr boxes like the 6416. I mean what do they have to loose if they where to enable the sata port?

Hi,

Anyone else having an issue with a scheduled series program not recording? There are no scheduling or priority conflicts. I've had this happen with two different programs on two different networks one in HD and the other standard. My settings for both programs are new recordings only, and they are scheduled to start and end on time. There are no higher priority programs that overlap at these times either. Any suggestions would be greatly apperciated.

Jack

In the past week I've had series recordings get removed from both of my DVRs. We're talking about entirely different shows on different DVR models. All I know is that it happened around the same time. It was Monday or Tuesday of last week when I first noticed that series recordings were no longer in my priority list.

It's just udder ridiculos that you cant use an external hard drive on motorola dvr boxes like the 6416. I mean what do they have to loose if they where to enable the sata port?Figure that enabling it would invite more problems (the tech is not perfect), require more training ($), incur more customer dissatisfaction, etc. The customers who really care about mass storage are buying their own TiVos and MythTVs, anyway, so there aren't enough of those subscribers left to be able to garner enough extra revenues from enabling eSATA on Motorola DVRs to make doing so profitable.

The ports already there. Just needs activated.

Scientific Atlanta boxes have working eSATA ports. Support doesn't acknowledge it, but they work. All it has to do is read and write to a hard drive. What is there to support. Like I said SA boxes already have this available.

No need to support anything... just turn it on. If the elite find out that it works, then great. The ones who need to know already know.

Dish Network even sells this as a one time activation charge.

I am also troubled by this. The main reason I've been subscribed to this thread is to see if there has been some update on this front.

No need to support anything... just turn it on.

Its not just as simple as "turning it on." The filesystem on the box needs to be able to recognize this as well. Not saying it is hard to implement, but Motorola would have to write an update to their OS to support this.

Its not just as simple as "turning it on." The filesystem on the box needs to be able to recognize this as well. Not saying it is hard to implement, but Motorola would have to write an update to their OS to support this.

What's more it's intergrated into the recording system which means not only do you have to re-code the base operating firmware but you have to have application based support as well.

I can tell you that A25 doesn't have this implimented

The digeo based software as well as the TIVO software both support this feature - so if a system chooses to use the cable modem interface for data and use a Digeo style or TIVO style interface we'll probably see this feature... but I'm starting to think Gemstar / TV Guide is too interconnected with the MPAA and their cronies to really even consider allowing for expansion.

I have the DCH 6416 via Comcast. I used to have Dish Network. The one thing I really do hate is about the DVR. When the cable is out during or after a storm...I can't access my DVR recordings...but I could with Dish during a storm when I would lose the signal. This seems very silly to me. I complained to Comcast once and they told me that those recorderings weren't not actually saved on the DVR locally...they thought I was talking about On Demand and nothing I could say would convince them otherwise.

I have the DCH 6416 via Comcast. I used to have Dish Network. The one thing I really do hate is about the DVR. When the cable is out during or after a storm...I can't access my DVR recordings...but I could with Dish during a storm when I would lose the signal. This seems very silly to me. I complained to Comcast once and they told me that those recorderings weren't not actually saved on the DVR locally...they thought I was talking about On Demand and nothing I could say would convince them otherwise.

Typical CSR answer :rolleyes:

Like every other DVR they are stored locally - depending on how the box is configured, it may disable the box when it can't pull a video signal - the logic being is that the box think's the line (or account) has been disconnected.

It may be on odd combination of no signal, no power then now signal (so the guide data gets erased) or even just a brief power loss (till guide data is loaded) but I know it's likely to happen.

I can't say I'm too thrilled with the behavoir, but it's just how the designers tried to keep the box from being abused in the event of a disconnect.

I can tell you that A25 doesn't have this implimented


Well Pace has implemented this on their boxes that run A24 and A25, so I don't think that the guide has much influence on what type of recording device is used.

I hate I-Guide. Can't wait till that reaches end of life. But what will reach EOL first? I-Guide or ME?

I have that problem with The Daily Show. Every show in a new timeslot is counted as new. So, I set a time recording for it. Jack might want to try that, programming the timeslot, not the program.


Just got a 3416 from Comcast/Grand Rapids after the passing of our trusty TiVo, and am running into The Daily Show issue as well. I see you can program via the timeslot and not the program, but it looks like a one-off job (in other words, just a single event, not a series).

I've been hitting the Interwebs to find a workaround, it appears this was an issue back to at least 2005. Would it be fair to say I'm again dealing with the classic Comcast not giving a rat's pahtoot about its customer's situation yet again (on top of our "whistling in the graveyard until we file Chapter 11" pals at Moto)?

Your answers, prayers, insights, good mojo and/or Valium Rx's would be appreciated...

Just got a 3416 from Comcast/Grand Rapids after the passing of our trusty TiVo, and am running into The Daily Show issue as well. I see you can program via the timeslot and not the program, but it looks like a one-off job (in other words, just a single event, not a series).

I've been hitting the Interwebs to find a workaround, it appears this was an issue back to at least 2005. Would it be fair to say I'm again dealing with the classic Comcast not giving a rat's pahtoot about its customer's situation yet again (on top of our "whistling in the graveyard until we file Chapter 11" pals at Moto)?

Your answers, prayers, insights, good mojo and/or Valium Rx's would be appreciated...

When you set up a manual recording (record by time and channel), if you select "view recording settings" you have options of how often to record that time and channel. I choose Mon-Fri (even though there is no Daily Show on Fridays). You could also set up a distinct manual recordings for Mon, Tue, Wed & Thu and have each of them record once a week.

userb -

Just what the doctor ordered !!! It's similar to how I did it on the TiVo, and the manner I attempted earlier, but oddly the 'Mon-Fri' options were not available for the 2:00am showing of The Daily, so I programmed it for the 2:00pm airing and the option came up... go figure.

Thanks so very much

That's what I do for CHELSEA LATELY (MON-FRI) and THE SOUP (ONCE A WEEK). Depending on when you're setting up the initial timeslot recording, not all those options (MON-FRI, SAT-SUN, EVERY DAY, ONCE A WEEK) will be available. Warniing for manual recordings used to set a series: if it conflicts with another series recording (Set up as a 'series recording'), the manual series will have priority. If a manual series recording is in conflict with another non-series recording, the manual series will be cancelled.

Except on alternate Thursdays unless there's a new moon and you're using the remote control left handed and asked for the grounded grid oscillator bypass package....

ahhh... I think I now have the mindset to tackle this beast.

Thanks folks !!!

My apologies if this has been answered before, but I don't have time to scroll through 41 pages.

Does anyone have a valid 3 digit remote code for the 6412 I can plug into my Pioneer VSX01 remote?

Thanks much for your help.

I am replacing the old TV hooked to the non HD Tivo using the digital box with Charter in Hickory NC. We have a smaller HD with the Motorola DCT 6200 / 1000 box. TIVO uses a serial connection to change cable channels.

I would like to continue to use TIVO-it's paid for, but also to record HD movies for later watching.

Any suggestions as to what I should do?

I am replacing the old TV hooked to the non HD Tivo using the digital box with Charter in Hickory NC. We have a smaller HD with the Motorola DCT 6200 / 1000 box. TIVO uses a serial connection to change cable channels.

I would like to continue to use TIVO-it's paid for, but also to record HD movies for later watching.

Any suggestions as to what I should do?

The Tivo can change the cable box via serial or IR. If the box doesn't have serial just get the IR blaster. Should be able to get one under $10 on ebay.

I would like to continue to use TIVO-it's paid for, but also to record HD movies for later watching.Non-HD TiVos cannot record HD without downconverting to SD. So to record HD, you'll need a DVR that can record HD, either a new TiVo, or a cable company DVR.

userb -

Just what the doctor ordered !!! It's similar to how I did it on the TiVo, and the manner I attempted earlier, but oddly the 'Mon-Fri' options were not available for the 2:00am showing of The Daily, so I programmed it for the 2:00pm airing and the option came up... go figure.

Thanks so very much

What I don't understand is why they have this buried so deep in the menus. I also had to ask here to find out this option was available. Anyone that wasn't born yesterday knows that the program guides are never accurate as far as new and repeat showings so that menu option is pretty much useless.

Another thing I would like to see that Dish DVRs had was to warn you before letting you change channels when you are watching a show with a buffer.

Does anyone know if an IR blaster or IR extender works with the DCH 6416? Anyone that has the answer would be greatly appreciated. I'm hoping that if it does work with the DCH 6416, this would improve the response time on the DVR from the remote.

I've used a Harmony 890 with an extender on a 6416 with no problem, but I don't think an extender would improve response time. If you are having an issue with responsiveness (sometimes the 6416 doesn't respond to a button push on the remote) due to line of sight or weak signal issues you might get some improvement with an extender, but if you have response time issues (the 6416 responds slower than you expect to button pushes on the remote) I don't think you'd see any difference. Just an opinion. Others may be more knowledgable on the topic.

Non-HD TiVos cannot record HD without downconverting to SD. So to record HD, you'll need a DVR that can record HD, either a new TiVo, or a cable company DVR.
Any thoughts on the TIVO compared to Charter HD recorders?

I am trying to find a way to program the remote for my 3416 such that it only powers the TV on and off, and leaves the DVR on at all times. It would also be really nice if I could always leave the remote set to Cable, and then just hit the Power button and rather than powering the DVR on and off it would power the TV on and off. My Moxi remote came programmed this way and I'm trying to get the 3416's remote programmed the same way.

Perhaps I could re-map the Power button when set to Cable to send the Power Toggle command for the TV rather than the one for the cable box?

So I was reading the following:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Programming_the_Remote#All_On_key

But I have a few questions about the FAQ. First of all it says it won't work for a "3412 cable box with motorola dvr remote". Well I've got a Comast issued 3416 with a Comcast remote. Should I expect it to work?

Second, the FAQ says "A workaround is to alter the code sent for the DVR's Power command to something that is ignored. That way, when the macro runs, it sends the unused EFC code. The drawback to this method is that the Power button will not work at all." Does this mean that the Power button is disabled for the TV and the cable box, or just the cable box?

Thanks,
Guy

I have a DCH 3416 and had a DCT6416 and using a Comcast remote have my remote set up to turn on and off the TV only. I used the steps in the site you mentioned

How much SD recording time should i be getting from a DCH6416? It's 160 gigs, but i only seem to have about 50 hours of SD recording available.
Is that right? I have about 12-14 hours of stuff recorded and it shows 23% full.

I expected to get about 100 hours with a 160 gig drive....

Am i missing some setting somewhere where i can change the record quality for SD?

thanks

Any thoughts on the TIVO compared to Charter HD recorders?I'm not a Charter customer... what equipment and software do they use?

I have a DCH 3416 and had a DCT6416 and using a Comcast remote have my remote set up to turn on and off the TV only. I used the steps in the site you mentioned

Thanks. I just tried it and it does work on my DCH 3416. Now I can just use the All On button to turn on and off the TV, but it doesn't power off the DVR.

Guy

How much SD recording time should i be getting from a DCH6416? It's 160 gigs, but i only seem to have about 50 hours of SD recording available.
Is that right? I have about 12-14 hours of stuff recorded and it shows 23% full.

I expected to get about 100 hours with a 160 gig drive....

Am i missing some setting somewhere where i can change the record quality for SD?

thanks

You cannot change the recording quality on the DVR. I only know TIVO to offer that. And your recording %'s sound about right for the 160GB drive.

Thanks 4mula1. ReplayTV also offers the option..but anyhow...i guess i'll deal with it.

I have a Gefen 1:2 HDMI splitter that I am using to split the signal between a projector and a lcd tv. I get a green screen, then a message about HD content and repeater problems. I tried to unhook/unplug, and also tried different power cycles, but that didn't work either. Is there a firmware update available for this, or am I out of luck? Thanks in advance.

I have my box hooked up for sound with an Optical Cable, and I've tried to change the Audio Settings on my 6416 to Dolby Digital (AC3) and no matter how many times I do this it keeps going back to PCM, so I'm not getting 5.1 thru my CT-100 when I watch HD shows that are broadcast in 5.1, the receiver is showing up as PCM, any ideas on how to fix this problem?

Thanks.
Tim

OK, been having issues with my DVR so a tech comes out today and gives me a previously used Motorola DCT6412/2000. he plugged it in and it started a firmware update and he left (never waited around to see if it would work of course). Well, 20 minutes later, it finishes it's update and when it boots up there's video but no guide or menus of anykind. I can chan up and down through most of the channels (it stops at 100 and I have to manually enter a channel above that, then it will continue on higher channels).

I've already called several times to my cable company and they tried sending a reset. Well when it reset, it AGAIN downloaded firmware and came up just the same as before. channels display but no guides or menus of any kind. When I hit the menu or guide button, the indicator light flashes, so it's seeing the IR command, just not doing it.

Is there any sort of a way that the menus are just disabled? Is this something I could fix, or is the box just toast?

And then of course they tell me they can't get a tech back here until MONDAY (Can you imagine the nerve of these people?)

I appreciate any insight anyone might have. Thanks! :)

I had the same problem with my STB, I was getting picture however the display on the box was only showing the channel not the time, I let it sit for awhile and it finally showed the time, I call them and they said that the box just needs to finish loading and that could take some time, so I waited overnight and sure enough it loaded however the time was not correct, so I called again and schedule a tech visit, I again let it sit over night and sure enough the next the the time was correct and I had all menus, guide, DVR worked and everything....My suggestion, let it sit for awhile and if it does not resolve itself then have the tech come out again and make sure he doesn't leave until it works next time.

What's the latest firmware version for Comcast DCH-3416? What are the steps to find out the current firmware version? If I don't have the latest firmware, from where I can download the latest firmware? Is there any way to enable the eSATA connections in the comcast box?

What's the latest firmware version for Comcast DCH-3416? What are the steps to find out the current firmware version? If I don't have the latest firmware, from where I can download the latest firmware? Is there any way to enable the eSATA connections in the comcast box?

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Firmware_and_Software#Version_16.20

I was a Dish(e*) customer then DirecTV(D*) customer, then my local cable company Insight same thing as TimeWarner they each own half of the other...offered to buy me out of D* contract have almost as many HD channels(I don't count the PPV and Sports just the HD version of regular channels) and it was going to be cheaper...ok so I've taken the plunge....here's my ???'s .....

1. With E* & D* you could customize the guide to not show channels you don't want to see by locking them...I have a moto dch6416 with Insight...how do you do it with this box...I don't want the analog versions of the channels and a lot of the crap shopping channels .....all I want to see in my guide are the channels I watch and I could do it with E* & D*.....

I was a Dish(e*) customer then DirecTV(D*) customer, then my local cable company Insight same thing as TimeWarner they each own half of the other...offered to buy me out of D* contract have almost as many HD channels(I don't count the PPV and Sports just the HD version of regular channels) and it was going to be cheaper...ok so I've taken the plunge....here's my ???'s .....

1. With E* & D* you could customize the guide to not show channels you don't want to see by locking them...I have a moto dch6416 with Insight...how do you do it with this box...I don't want the analog versions of the channels and a lot of the crap shopping channels .....all I want to see in my guide are the channels I watch and I could do it with E* & D*.....

Sorry but if Insight is running on the Iguide on their Moto boxes (which they probably do), you can't customize the channel listing they way you want. Just do a quick search for 'iguide' on google & click the first link, if that looks familiar, it's what you got.

I was a Dish(e*) customer then DirecTV(D*) customer, then my local cable company Insight same thing as TimeWarner they each own half of the other...offered to buy me out of D* contract have almost as many HD channels(I don't count the PPV and Sports just the HD version of regular channels) and it was going to be cheaper...ok so I've taken the plunge....here's my ???'s .....

1. With E* & D* you could customize the guide to not show channels you don't want to see by locking them...I have a moto dch6416 with Insight...how do you do it with this box...I don't want the analog versions of the channels and a lot of the crap shopping channels .....all I want to see in my guide are the channels I watch and I could do it with E* & D*.....

AFAIK, you cannot remove channels. What I do is have a favorites list for HD channels and one for SD channels (we are all digital here). Then I go to guide and then push fav button up pops one of the two listings Push it again and you get the other listing. Then you can go through the guide and just check the channels that are in your fav listing. It will loop back around to where you started.

Actually, that is the way I used to do it, and some may still prefer to do it that way. Now I combined all my channels into one big fav listing. The SD channels are all below 100 and the HD channels are all up in the 700s for us. So I go to guide, fav and it pops up with channel #2, 3,4 and 5 showing. If I scan down I keep going into the higher SD channels. If I scan up, it jumps right into the HD channels and I can scan the guide up through the HD channels. If you enter a channel with the number push buttons the guide will go to that as a starting point and then you can scan up or down from there.

That is my solution to not having a channel lock out in the guide.

At least with the new programming , locked chanel no longe ask for a pin number so you can escape out of them with a channel number entry.

do these boxes have to be on to record or can they be in stand by?

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They can be on standby, but seem to run just as hot.

They can be on standby, but seem to run just as hot.

ok thanks! good to know

Ours has to be fully powered on to record, but it will wake up out of standby on it's own if there is a recording.

has anyone figured out a solid solution to the bottom scanlines transposing to the top of the picture problem yet?
mine has been doing it for a while, and even after a restart it comes back after a few hours of watching

I rented a DCH3416 from Cox today to hook to a 1080 LCD via HDMI. Are there any changes I should make to the DCH3416 set up?

Can the DCH 3416 simultaneously output HDMI and Component? I'd like to have HDMI set to one of my receiver inputs and Component set to another. This way when I want to have the DCH audio I go to the HDMI input and if I want to listen to my home audio (which is also through the receiver) I can still watch the TV without audio on the Component input.

Also if Component doesn't work, HDMI + Svid or Composite would also suffice.

Thanks for the help.

Can the DCH 3416 simultaneously output HDMI and Component? I'd like to have HDMI set to one of my receiver inputs and Component set to another. This way when I want to have the DCH audio I go to the HDMI input and if I want to listen to my home audio (which is also through the receiver) I can still watch the TV without audio on the Component input.

Also if Component doesn't work, HDMI + Svid or Composite would also suffice.

Thanks for the help.

If I'm understanding your question correctly.....yes it can. I have my DCH6416 hooked up HDMI to my living room tv and have component running to a tv in the bedroom and use a remote extender to control the 6416 from the bedroom.

Barry

If I'm understanding your question correctly.....yes it can. I have my DCH6416 hooked up HDMI to my living room tv and have component running to a tv in the bedroom and use a remote extender to control the 6416 from the bedroom.

Barry

Nice.

Do you have to change any settings on the box or if you have both TVs on at the same time will they both receive a picture (obviously the same channel)

Nice.

Do you have to change any settings on the box or if you have both TVs on at the same time will they both receive a picture (obviously the same channel)You don't have to do anything.  All outputs are active whenever the DCH3416 is on.

That new annoying delay with the "Delete / Don't Delete" message after recordings in I-Guide A25 screwed me over tonight.

I always hit the down arrow to get that dang menu to come up, instead of waiting there like a dumb idiot not knowing what the heck is going to happen. This always works, except for tonight's caveat. I hit the down arrow and the menu comes up, but I hit down again real quick and hit OK/Select to pick Do not delete. Well for some reason tonight it froze when I hit the down arrow that second time, but when I hit OK/Select the action took so it deleted the program! Needless to say when the wife comes home from work tonight she isn't going to be able to watch House.

I guess I'm going to have to Bit Torrent House in HD :(

That delay was the dumbest thing they've done in I-Guide A25. If anyone can pass that on to someone who matters, please feel free to do so.

I have done that before in A24 but I think it was just the box lagging like it sometimes does.

That new annoying delay with the "Delete / Don't Delete" message after recordings in I-Guide A25 screwed me over tonight.

I always hit the down arrow to get that dang menu to come up, instead of waiting there like a dumb idiot not knowing what the heck is going to happen. This always works, except for tonight's caveat. I hit the down arrow and the menu comes up, but I hit down again real quick and hit OK/Select to pick Do not delete. Well for some reason tonight it froze when I hit the down arrow that second time, but when I hit OK/Select the action took so it deleted the program!We'll have to see if some other keypress (like Exit or Last) or some other key sequence gets out of there without deleting the recording.  If so, then you can develop a habit of exiting another way and won't run the risk that this will happen again.

We'll have to see if some other keypress (like Exit or Last) or some other key sequence gets out of there without deleting the recording. If so, then you can develop a habit of exiting another way and won't run the risk that this will happen again.

That's what I do...hit "last" twice and it will take you back to live programming without having to choose to "delete/do not delete". Then I'll go into the recordings and delete the show if I don't want to save it.