Motorola 34xx &64xx DVR "Official Thread" - Page 3

Hello. I have a question. Basically its for all around performance wise. First off my tv is a Samsung LN-T3253H and I have the Motorola DCT6416 III. Currently have it hooked up through HDMI. Here is the kicker. As far as the 4:3 override goes. People are suggesting to set it on 480i. When I select that. I get a mode not supported by my tv. Im assuming its a Samsung issue over HDMI since I have there latest 32 inch tv out. So I set it to 480p. Working great now. But should I go back to component to get the 480i? Would it look better like people are suggesting by going with 480i since the tv itself can scale better? What do you guys think? Technically using hdmi right now. Im thinking theres more scaling going on than there needs to be. Since sd tv is 480i content and im choosing 480p. I could be wrong?

Many older HDTVs can't accept a 480i signal via HDMI. I am not familiar with your tv so I won't say yes or no if it is the root problem.

I will have to give component a shot at 480i for sure. Question for ya. I see your using 480p override as well. Do you leave the tv in 16:9 mode within your actual tv settings while using the 480p override? Or do you set it to 4:3 mode for sd content?

Since I have the box set to 16:9 720p for hd and 4:3 480p override. On 480p with the override on. Do people look short and fat to you? I also have my actual tv in 16:9 mode as well. Basically what im asking is. Is it optimal to leave my tv always in 16:9 mode along with the box set to 16:9? Even for hd channels just to leave my tv in 16:9 mode? I was thinking since 4:3 480p override is on. Its stretching the picture and making people look short and fat.

Hi;

I have a Comcast Moto DVR. Not sure if it is 6412 or a 64whatever.

1) I have noticed a couple of times, over the last couple of days, that either the display on the STB says "REC" or the red light in the upper right corner of the display (that would indicate that the DVR is recording) are going but nothing was scheduled and nothing was actually recording. I was able to hit "swap" on the remote for the REC problem and the display on the STB would then show a channel number and the REC would be gone. In the red light instance, I could never get it to go off, although nothing was being recorded.

NOTE If I start recording a show in the middle (instead of pre-programming through the guide) and nothing else is recording, I get the REC without the red light. I have to hit "Swap" to use the other tuner to watch another channel live. If two shows are recording I get the REC and the light and of course can not watch a third channel, without cancelling one recording. This sounds normal but not the above paragraph.

2) Last night, I noticed that the display (Menu, guide and so on) from the STB on my TV (65" Mitsu) was showing a funky black background - light green text instead of the blue background - white text. Powering down the STB and restarting fixed that.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Id like to know if there is a way to set the remote so it can change the aspect ratio. I have a d62u and it set to dot to dot mode for 1080i but I have a few channels that are 4:3 1080i. I would like to be able to switch to stretch without having to use the tv remote. I just want to use the dvr remote it has a aspect button.

I don't believe aspect ratio is a control available with the DVR remote.

Thanks James:

No the color wasn't a real color selection. The colors were fuzzy and ill defined and in some cases, you could see some of the TV picture through them when it should be opaque.

My guess is that the box is going bad.

Dave

The TV is a 2001 model that we just had a convergence box replaced in, so everytime that we have an issue (such as this) my wife fears that the TV is going bad. Even with the scary green-black STB text display, I turned to ESPN HD and the picture was as stunning as ever, so maybe that convinced her that its not the TV. I may be worng but I would also think that if it were a cable, the HD would not look as sharp but it was flat-out impressive.

Thanks again

The answer to your question is a definite "maybe".

First, your DVR remote must be key-programmable. I believe this was covered earlier in this thread, but if your remote has a "setup" button at the top, then it is programmable. If not, skip the rest of this. But you can get a programmable remote for 10 to 15 bucks on ebay--search for "Comcast remote", get a new one with the five extra PIP buttons on the bottom.

Next, you must use a device code for your TV that accepts a signal ("aspect" in your case). Try this device code--0688--which is for a Sharp HDTV. Check it for volume and mute. Check the "TV/VCR" button. That button should cycle through your TV inputs, but, if it does not work, then either the device code is wrong, or the input function is not yet programmed. If volume and mute works, keep going.

Next, you must find an advanced code that works for aspect. The key codes that are supplied with the remote are limited to basic functions, and aspect is not one of them. Try this. Set the TV device code to 0688. With the mode set to TV, watch the TV screen and enter the following key sequence--Setup 00234 (tap the Setup key, do not hold it down). This will send a signal to your TV which may be your aspect code. If the key sequence works, repeat it again to change the aspect. If this works or not, let us know, and I will give you the rest.

Any news on the Motorola DCH 3416 30 second skip. This is driving me nuts not having this feature since my last DVR had it.

I recently turned in my old Motorola DCT6412 (2nd gen) box to my Comcast office and upgraded to the newer DCH3416. The old box had a DVI connection that I connected to my JVCHDTV for digital video. I know the DVI output on the 6412 only gave me digital video. I used the optical digital out, connected to my Denon receiver for 5.1 audio.
The newer DCH3416 box has a HDMI output (video and audio) When I connected the HDMI out to the HDMI in on my tv, all I get is just video....no sound. I set my JVC tv to digital sound in....but still no sound. I do know that if I want 5.1 audio I still need to get that from optical or coaxial out of cable box to my receiver....but I am trying to get regular sound (2.0) out of my HDMI. What do I need to do to get audio along with video from this connection.

Yes I have the UR4U-MDVR-CHD2. It just seems like I upgraded to HD and a new HD cable box, but I am going backwards on technology as far as features like the 30 second skip. My old DVR had this feature and now I get a new box and it doesn't have it. What gives. I will have to check the Dish Network and Direct TV DVR and see if they have it. I have been thinking of a switch for quite some time. Maybe the lack of this feature will finally push me over the edge. Direct TV has a whole lot more HD channels anyway.

You will be surprised to find out how many ways you can have a "no sound" problem without an equuipment failure.

Normally, you just plug in the HDMI cable and you have sound. The box will deliver AC3 or PCM digital sound over the cable (no analog), but you need to have settings in both your TV and cable box correct, or the sound may not come out of the speakers.

TV first. I am not familiar with JVC TVs, but normally "digital sound in" means to use the coax or optical input for your sound input. This disables the digital sound on the HDMI input. So, do not select it. Also, some TVs allow you to kill the HDMI sound so that it does not interfere with the sound from your audio system. Look for such a setting in the TV menu. One last word of caution. Some TVs with multiple HDMI inputs will have one of those inputs coupled with a pair of audio jacks for separate analog sound. This is to be used with an input device that has a DVI output, and requires a DVI to HDMI adapter or cable. The HDMI sound might be disabled on this input.

Cable box next. There are special settings for HDMI that were not present in the older boxes with DVI connectors. Leave the TV on, and go to the main menu of the cable box--box power off-Menu--and look for "Additional HDMI settings". Right arrow into this and you will see several options.

"HDMI/DVI Mode" refers to the type of input on your TV. In your case, this must be set to HDMI, or you will get no sound.

"Color Space" refers to the gamut of NTSC colors the box will use. If your TV has "wide color" or something like this, then RGB will probably be the best setting. Otherwise, use YCC, which is the color space used in all previous models of the Motorola box. Some TVs will produce weird colors if you make the wrong choice. This setting will not affect sound, but you need to know that it is here so as to optimize the picture.

Finally, you get to "Audio Output". Here you can choose PCM, auto, or pass thru. I believe auto works for everyone--I think this allows the box to query the TV about whether to send AC3 or PCM). These settings will not affect the optical output of the cable box going to your sound system.

You are finished with the HDMI settings. Turn off the cable box, then turn it back on. Also, make the settings in the Guide Menu as provided by CharterJames.

You should now have sound. Do not forget to turn up the volume. Use your TV remote for this, in case the cable box remote is not yet programmed correctly.

Thanks Einride, you gave me something to check out tonight. Appreciate the ideas.


Appreciate your advice CharterJames. I will check these tips out.
Thanks guys