AVS › AVS Forum › HDTV › HDTV Recorders › Comcast Rolling Out AnyRoom DVR
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Comcast Rolling Out AnyRoom DVR - Page 6

post #151 of 200
1/28/11 at 2:57pm
What is the point of ever having the cable box in standby mode? My understanding is the Motorola cable boxes (all units newer than the 6416, if I remember correctly) do not utilize any less power in standby mode than when on. I guess it would be slightly less noisy, since the hard drive wouldn't be caching anything.

Somebody posted that they hooked theirs to one of those devices that measure how many watts are being pulled and it was the same when on as when in standby (and somebody else verified it)...but I don't remember what thread it was in.
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #152 of 200
1/29/11 at 1:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TNO821 View Post
What is the point of ever having the cable box in standby mode? My understanding is the Motorola cable boxes (all units newer than the 6416, if I remember correctly) do not utilize any less power in standby mode than when on. I guess it would be slightly less noisy, since the hard drive wouldn't be caching anything.

Somebody posted that they hooked theirs to one of those devices that measure how many watts are being pulled and it was the same when on as when in standby (and somebody else verified it)...but I don't remember what thread it was in.
You are correct. The Motorola STB's, both DVR and non-DVR, consume virtually the same amount of power whether on or in standby. I have an electricity monitor and verified this myself - even a very old (10+ years) SD cable box consumed the same power when in standby. I don't have a DCX box, let alone the AnyRoom DVR, but I have no reason to think the current line of Motorola boxes are any different. (DirecTV's DVR's, by comparison, do consume less power when in standby, though not by much, and those boxes will actually record while in standby without needing to turn themselves fully on.)

Motorola's boxes are rather infamous for having problems when put in standby. Unless you're accessing the setup menu, there's no reason whatsoever to turn off Motorola STB's.
Reply
Reply
post #153 of 200
1/31/11 at 8:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by crossbeaux View Post
I haven't heard of the Pace box (RNG150N) being used in an AnyRoom situation. I would hope they would bring out a 3200M to replace it.
Thanks again to everyone for weighing in. I was able to solved the issue over the weekend. The cable between the wall and STB was faulty. Once I changed the cable to a newly created cable, the issues were resolved.

Since all is working, it is safe to say that the Motorola RNG150N is in deed a networked STB capable of acting as a terminal. The manual sent earlier in this thread said as much, but we now know that Comcast is allowing the feature to be used.
Reply
Reply
post #154 of 200
1/31/11 at 8:24pm
I'm in CT and I feel like we never get updated boxes or services like this. I went to 4 service centers to find a box that would allow scheduling of your DVR from the internet and none of the centers had compatible boxes just the explorer 8300's. I had to get comcast ship me this cisco rng 200 from north carolina and its gltichy.
Reply
Reply
post #155 of 200
1/31/11 at 9:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by billyi89 View Post

I'm in CT and I feel like we never get updated boxes or services like this. I went to 4 service centers to find a box that would allow scheduling of your DVR from the internet and none of the centers had compatible boxes just the explorer 8300's. I had to get comcast ship me this cisco rng 200 from north carolina and its gltichy.

Does your Cisco RNG 200 allow you to schedule your DVR from the internet now?

CT is one of the first Comcast Cisco/SA markets to get new services. See schedule below. Comcast has concentrated on their Motorola markets (80% of Comcast subscribers) and ignored most of the Cisco/SA markets until last year (20% of Comcast subscribers).

Here is a schedule based on posts from Comcast's Ted Hodgins, Sr. Director, Video Product Development - Navigation, in Media & Entertainment, "New Guide for Scientific Atlanta Cable Boxes" blog:

http://blog.comcast.com/2010/05/new-...ble-boxes.html

Comcast SA/Cisco Schedule:

New Guide - Early 2011
For Remaining SA/Cisco Markets
(Started with Connecticut (Conn.) - May 2010)
Comcast expects that all of their SA customers will have the new guide by Spring. Of course this schedule is subject to change (backwards or forwards) and it certainly has changed from their earlier communicated schedules. There are a lot of moving parts and important competing customer-facing projects designed to enhance the customer experience.

XFINITY
World of More
Houston - Early 2011
A lot of Comcast locations have already made the transition to Xfinity branding. The remainder are scheduled to do so in 2011.

XFINITY iPad
Houston - Early 2011

It is not clear if or how the current delay in deploying the new guide will affect the schedule for the New Guide (Interactive Features), AnyRoom DVR service or Tru2way Guide.

New Guide (Interactive Features) -
Early 2011 (Starting with Conn. - Early 2011)

AnyRoom DVR service -
In SA/Cisco markets, it is only for the new Cisco RNG 200-N
First Half of 2011 (Starting with Conn. - Early 2011)

Tru2way Guide - Remote DVR scheduling (myDVR Manager) -
"On Screen Guide 2.0"?
In SA/Cisco markets, it is only for the Cisco RNG 200
First Half of 2011 (Starting with Conn. - Early 2011)
Reply
Reply
post #156 of 200
2/1/11 at 6:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by RussB View Post

Does your Cisco RNG 200 allow you to schedule your DVR from the internet now?

CT is one of the first Comcast Cisco/SA markets to get new services. See schedule below. Comcast has concentrated on their Motorola markets (80% of Comcast subscribers) and ignored most of the Cisco/SA markets until last year (20% of Comcast subscribers).

Here is a schedule based on posts from Comcast's Ted Hodgins, Sr. Director, Video Product Development - Navigation, in Media & Entertainment, "New Guide for Scientific Atlanta Cable Boxes" blog:

http://blog.comcast.com/2010/05/new-...ble-boxes.html

Comcast SA/Cisco Schedule:

New Guide - Early 2011
For Remaining SA/Cisco Markets
(Started with Connecticut (Conn.) - May 2010)
Comcast expects that all of their SA customers will have the new guide by Spring. Of course this schedule is subject to change (backwards or forwards) and it certainly has changed from their earlier communicated schedules. There are a lot of moving parts and important competing customer-facing projects designed to enhance the customer experience.

XFINITY
World of More
Houston - Early 2011
A lot of Comcast locations have already made the transition to Xfinity branding. The remainder are scheduled to do so in 2011.

XFINITY iPad
Houston - Early 2011

It is not clear if or how the current delay in deploying the new guide will affect the schedule for the New Guide (Interactive Features), AnyRoom DVR service or Tru2way Guide.

New Guide (Interactive Features) -
Early 2011 (Starting with Conn. - Early 2011)

AnyRoom DVR service -
In SA/Cisco markets, it is only for the new Cisco RNG 200-N
First Half of 2011 (Starting with Conn. - Early 2011)

Tru2way Guide - Remote DVR scheduling (myDVR Manager) -
"On Screen Guide 2.0"?
In SA/Cisco markets, it is only for the Cisco RNG 200
First Half of 2011 (Starting with Conn. - Early 2011)

Well now that I got the box finally setup I don't think it is capable of online dvr service which really is disappointing since I had to be on the phone with Comcast trying to find a box that supports it. Since none were at my service center they sent me one which was the Cisco RNG 200 but I don't believe it can do the online dvr unless I have something setup wrong?
Reply
Reply
post #157 of 200
2/1/11 at 11:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by billyi89 View Post

Well now that I got the box finally setup I don't think it is capable of online dvr service which really is disappointing since I had to be on the phone with Comcast trying to find a box that supports it. Since none were at my service center they sent me one which was the Cisco RNG 200 but I don't believe it can do the online dvr unless I have something setup wrong?

The RNG 200 will be capable of doing online DVR scheduling when you get the Tru2Way guide which is 2 versions after the new guide. Conn. should already have the new guide and should be the first area getting the new versions. The Comcast schedule dates have slipped and probably will keep slipping, the old dates were First Half of 2011 (Starting with Conn. - Early 2011) for the Tru2Way guide. Everything seems scheduled for early 2011 starting with Conn.
Reply
Reply
post #158 of 200
2/2/11 at 8:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by RussB View Post
The RNG 200 will be capable of doing online DVR scheduling when you get the Tru2Way guide which is 2 versions after the new guide. Conn. should already have the new guide and should be the first area getting the new versions. The Comcast schedule dates have slipped and probably will keep slipping, the old dates were First Half of 2011 (Starting with Conn. - Early 2011) for the Tru2Way guide. Everything seems scheduled for early 2011 starting with Conn.
Thanks for all the info Russ it was really helpful now I know some facts
Reply
Reply
post #159 of 200
3/1/11 at 9:07pm
I've had this box for at least a month now and an issue has come up. The output resolution constantly switches. For instance, I've set the output in the menu to 1080i and it keeps switching back to 720p or 480p every time I power the television back on. I don't know how else to keep the resolution fixed.
Reply
Reply
post #160 of 200
3/2/11 at 7:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by maximum360 View Post

I've had this box for at least a month now and an issue has come up. The output resolution constantly switches. For instance, I've set the output in the menu to 1080i and it keeps switching back to 720p or 480p every time I power the television back on. I don't know how else to keep the resolution fixed.

Are you using HDMI and running it through a switching receiver? If so, there are known issues. The DCX 3400 thread has a lot of posts about it.
Reply
Reply
post #161 of 200
3/8/11 at 2:34pm
Thread Starter 
I guess this would be the ultimate any room DVR.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...6#post20118656
Reply
Reply
post #162 of 200
3/15/11 at 7:40pm
Have there been any rumors for Comcast supporting more than 2 tuners in their anyroom DVR product? I think 4 should be the minimum. 6 if they're really serious about serving a whole home.
Reply
Reply
post #163 of 200
3/15/11 at 8:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by IndyJeff View Post

Have there been any rumors for Comcast supporting more than 2 tuners in their anyroom DVR product? I think 4 should be the minimum. 6 if they're really serious about serving a whole home.

It looks like this STB could be used as an AnyRoomDVR because it has MoCA and a 500 GB hard drive. It is unknown when or if Comcast will deploy this STB.
Quote:


Comcast’s quad-tuner Xfinity Spectrum DVR with internet access revealed by the FCC

Written on December 22, 2010 at 4:17 am
by News Updater
Tech News

Say hello to the future of DVRs, at least from Comcast, as its as-yet unannounced Xfinity Spectrum box passed through the FCC's database shortly after having its existence revealed by the Wall Street Journal. A quick peek at the production-ready manual reveals there's plenty of new features here, including a new guide design including IMDB-style cast & crew info as well as access to internet services. While it's hardware makes this Pace RNG-210n a 500GB HD DVR with four tuners, MoCA and IP access, one of the biggest changes is a software makeover means it pops up notifications prompted by your Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.



Configurable at Xfinity.com/Spectrum, it looks like it will only pull in information when people you follow share pictures, video, or link to info about TV shows and movies, with "most" viewable right on the box itself, plus the option to share what you're watching on those services. There's less details available about that "apps" section of the menu but weather, traffic, music and games are promised, take a quick peek at the most interesting sections including a look at the guide, remote and box in our gallery or check out the FCC filings yourself for more details -- it's hard to tell if the changes will make all our issues with cable provided set tops go away, but pretty much any new guide has to be better than what's there now, right?

http://tech-news.tk/?p=46114
Reply
Reply
post #164 of 200
3/15/11 at 8:24pm
Thanks. That looks pretty good. I think they'd get a lot of "switchers" if they had a product like this.
Reply
Reply
post #165 of 200
3/15/11 at 8:25pm
I have Comcast AnyRoom and a 2 tuner DCX3400-M with a 500GB hard drive.

That 4 tuner box better have at least a 1TB hard drive 'cause my 500GB unit is already at 80% full ....... not enough time for me to watch TV 24/7 these days.
Reply
Reply
post #166 of 200
3/23/11 at 4:46pm
I'm not sure I need four tuners. Very rarely there are three programs on at the same time that I need to record. And if there are, one is usually on a cable channel that repeats the program multiple times during the week. However, a larger hard drive is a must, even for a two-tuner model. Going on vacation for a couple of weeks really strains the capacity of a 500G drive. I have to do all sorts of prioritization and temporarily turn off some recordings (or record SD versions, such as Daily Show) to make sure I don't fill up. More tuners are nice, but more recording space is the real need, IMHO.
Reply
Reply
post #167 of 200
4/19/11 at 3:35pm
Thinking about getting off the jacked up rates of DirecTV and going with Comcast again. I have a few questions though.

First off, I have my entire house run with Ethernet. Is it completely impossible for them to utilize existing Ethernet connections with the AnyRoom DVR equipment? I can understand wanting to use MoCA in installations where people do not have Ethernet at every installation point, but for houses with them already, wouldn't it save them money to install it using existing points? I just think it would make it easier, plus I don't wanna mess with any filters or anything.

Second off, has anyone figured out yet if you can have two DVR's on the AnyRoom setup and have both DVR's viewable from the other DVR or the client box in another room? I really like the ability of my Multi-Room Viewing on DirecTV to watch my upstairs DVR downstairs on the other DVR. I would like to keep this the same as well as feed content to my son's TV when he wants it. There are many times we are wanting to record more than 2 things at a time and this would also help accomplish that task.

Thanks!
Reply
Reply
post #168 of 200
4/19/11 at 4:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by steveken View Post

Thinking about getting off the jacked up rates of DirecTV and going with Comcast again. I have a few questions though.

First off, I have my entire house run with Ethernet. Is it completely impossible for them to utilize existing Ethernet connections with the AnyRoom DVR equipment? I can understand wanting to use MoCA in installations where people do not have Ethernet at every installation point, but for houses with them already, wouldn't it save them money to install it using existing points? I just think it would make it easier, plus I don't wanna mess with any filters or anything.

Second off, has anyone figured out yet if you can have two DVR's on the AnyRoom setup and have both DVR's viewable from the other DVR or the client box in another room? I really like the ability of my Multi-Room Viewing on DirecTV to watch my upstairs DVR downstairs on the other DVR. I would like to keep this the same as well as feed content to my son's TV when he wants it. There are many times we are wanting to record more than 2 things at a time and this would also help accomplish that task.

Thanks!

I have AnyRoom and am pretty sure they can't or won't utilize your ethernet cables.

I already asked about two DCX3400-M units talking to each other and it's a no can do from Comcast. However, I did not ask about having two DCX3400-M units and two of the non-hard drive terminal units (a DCX3400-M plus a terminal unit next to each other in the two rooms) where each terminal unit is hosted by a DCX3400-M from the other room).

"and that's all I have to say about that" ..... as quoted from Forrest Gump
Reply
Reply
post #169 of 200
4/19/11 at 5:45pm
It really doesn't make any sense why they won't use the Ethernet. I mean, it's a waste of a perfectly viable delivery platform. To not use it doesn't seem logical.

Do you have a home Ethernet setup? I remember reading someone here did, but can't remember who. If you do, have you tried bypassing their MoCA adapter (I assume it is the same as the DirecTV one where it has Coax on one side and Coax and RJ-45 on the other that connects to the device) and plugging a cable directly into the RJ-45 jack on the back on both units?? I think it would be worth a try anyway.

As far as the two DVR's communicating with each other in the AnyRoom configuration, I would think that is a software limitation that will be eventually addressed in future firmware releases. I just wouldn't hold my breath for it. This is Comcrap after all. LOL
Reply
Reply
post #170 of 200
4/25/11 at 7:37am
A thought about something. We are going to want to be able to record content for my son through the Comcast connection when we switch, but aren't going to want to spend the money to rent a DVR for a 5 year old. Is there any way to connect any of the Comcast HD boxes to a Windows 7 computer for it to capture the video with an older TV Tuner card? I know there will be a marked reduction in video quality, but, like I said, it's for a 5 year old that won't care. We just want to capture the content for him. I know you used to be able to do it on the old boxes because you could either put it through the coax to a tuner card or through a composite or s-video connection to the tuner card. Didn't know if those kinds of connections still existed. I know the audio portion does for the standard l/r connection. Anyway, if anyone can offer any kinds of input on this, I would appreciate it.

EDIT: Wow, didn't realize I killed the thread!
Reply
Reply
post #171 of 200
10/13/11 at 9:18am
FYI current pricing to add AnyRoom in the Chicago Comcast market is $21.95/mo (before any "credits" per your applicable plan). Info current as of 10/13/2011.

For me, that means I'm paying $21.90/mo for 2 hd boxes: the DVR hub and the hd terminal box. Price breaks down as $21.95 for the DVR, $7.95 for the addl hd terminal, less $8 "credit" for my hd package.

Current pricing represents a 10% increase over pricing from about a year ago when the service was announced. Ten percent is stiff in a down economy (or any economy). I really resent Comcast's nickel and dime approach to increasing revenues. They also jacked the cable/phone modem fee by 40% on my bill. They really have me over a barrel for now, since I don't have a good alternative option. As soon as U-Verse becomes available in my area, I do plan to flip-flop every couple/few years and take advantage of new customer rates.

Note to Comcast: if you wouldn't pull this kind of crap and jack your rates 10-40%, I wouldn't have the desire to switch. *Just charge me what you said you would charge me. *Wouldn't you rather I stay a customer long term than have me go to your competitors?
Reply
Reply
post #172 of 200
10/13/11 at 9:51pm
sswanky .... First, welcome to the Forum.

I usually visit my nearest Comcast office about once a year (in person is best) and they always seem to find a way to reduce my plan's rate (offsetting any rate increases, and then often adding some more reduction by throwing in a higher speed tier for internet, PPV credits, etc.).

I simply and politely tell them that I'm looking at all options to reduce my home budget costs as a result of their pending rate increase and they always seem to come through with something that gives me a satisfactory fixed rate for another year.

Your length of time with them is often a key factor regarding what they can do for you ..... I've had them for 10 years and thus I believe they can work out special deals over-the-counter in person (equivalent to new subscriber deals and even better) .... something that their guys on the customer service phone lines can not authorize.
Reply
Reply
post #173 of 200
10/18/11 at 8:47am
My girlfriend has the Xfinity triple play digital starter package and for the last 6 plus months has had nothing but trouble using cable cards with her Sony DHG DVR. She is looking into getting one of their boxes.
What box should my girlfriend ask for?
Thanks,
Michael
Reply
Reply
post #174 of 200
11/22/11 at 9:43pm
Has anyone noticed their AnyRoom Terminal Units going blank for a minute or two on occasion (especially at the top or bottom of the hour as the Host unit begins recording a program)?

Does not happen all the time ... just occasionally.
Reply
Reply
post #175 of 200
11/23/11 at 6:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by George-O View Post

Has anyone noticed their AnyRoom Terminal Units going blank for a minute or two on occasion (especially at the top or bottom of the hour as the Host unit begins recording a program)?

Does not happen all the time ... just occasionally.

I have seen the "going blank for a minute" issue, but I have not been able to associate it with host unit recording. I'll have to pay closer attention. I do know that the problem only seems to happen when watching a recorded program on the terminal unit, not live TV.
Reply
Reply
post #176 of 200
11/23/11 at 7:29am
Thread Starter 
Information on the new 'Barcelona' HD guide upgrade which will first be applied to anyroom DVR products:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...2#post21246362
Reply
Reply
post #177 of 200
11/23/11 at 8:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by crossbeaux View Post

I have seen the "going blank for a minute" issue, but I have not been able to associate it with host unit recording. I'll have to pay closer attention. I do know that the problem only seems to happen when watching a recorded program on the terminal unit, not live TV.

Yes, you are correct (now that I think about it) .... it only happens when watching a recorded program on my one Terminal unit. I believe also that the link light on the Terminal's front panel also goes out for a moment when it happens, but I'll have to watch it closer to confirm.
Reply
Reply
post #178 of 200
11/23/11 at 8:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by George-O View Post

Yes, you are correct (now that I think about it) .... it only happens when watching a recorded program on my one Terminal unit. I believe also that the link light on the Terminal's front panel also goes out for a moment when it happens, but I'll have to watch it closer to confirm.

And, of course, when watching live TV on the terminal unit, you are accessing it through the terminal unit's own tuner, nothing to do with the DVR. So it makes sense that the "going dark" only happens when watching recorded programs.
Reply
Reply
post #179 of 200
11/23/11 at 8:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by crossbeaux View Post

And, of course, when watching live TV on the terminal unit, you are accessing it through the terminal unit's own tuner, nothing to do with the DVR. So it makes sense that the "going dark" only happens when watching recorded programs.

When watching Live TV on my Host unit (regardless of whether it is recording or not), it has gotten increasing worse over the last year with momentary A/V glitches ..... However, back it up 15-30 seconds and the glitches are gone. Glitches are also not being recorded because playback of a glitchy Live program that was recorded is glitch-free.

I wonder if my DCX3400-M is starting to slowly fail?
Reply
Reply
post #180 of 200
11/23/11 at 9:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by George-O View Post

When watching Live TV on my Host unit (regardless of whether it is recording or not), it has gotten increasing worse over the last year with momentary A/V glitches ..... However, back it up 15-30 seconds and the glitches are gone. Glitches are also not being recorded because playback of a glitchy Live program that was recorded is glitch-free.

I wonder if my DCX3400-M is starting to slowly fail?

Whenever I think of something "slowly failing," I think of hard disk problems. But your situation doesn't seem to be related to the hard disk itself. That is, if you back up and play the problem areas again, they play fine. Therefore, they were recorded fine. This sounds more like a processor that's too busy. When the glitches happen, are you recording another program and possibly someone else is watching a recorded program on one of your terminal units? I wonder if too much access at the same time could be taxing the unit.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: HDTV Recorders

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › HDTV › HDTV Recorders › Comcast Rolling Out AnyRoom DVR