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Official AVS Motorola DCX series HD DVR Topic! - Page 154

post #4591 of 4641
1/23/13 at 3:36am
Just for closure, I checked with TWC and confirmed that PPV is NOT available to one-way cablecard-enabled setups, such as (a) S-card in a TV, or (b) M-card in a Tivo or Ceton or HDHomerun.

Yes, you can arrange for a PPV show through a phone call (for yet another $4.95 service charge thanks to the human intervention, over and above the cost of the PPV program itself)... but delivery is only to a 2-way STB/DVR box, not to a 1-way cablecard-enabled device.
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post #4592 of 4641
1/24/13 at 1:48am
Does anybody know if Charter will have a software/firmware update anytime soon? It has been a couple of years or so since the last update. Current software is 78.44 - A28p0-2.0908.r-4 and firmware 24.29. The newest thing that Charter added was to schedule a recording via the TV Listings page @ Charter.net.
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post #4593 of 4641
1/24/13 at 2:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DSperber View Post

"Do it yourself".

Win7, Windows Media Center, up to three internal or USB-attached Ceton InfiniTV 4-tuner cards (total of 12 cablecard-enabled tuners so you can receive all copy-protected encrypted programs along with copy-freely unencrypted programs). Or, use SiliconDust HD Homerun external network tuner boxes. Also throw in some dual-tuner Hauppauge HVR-2250 OTA/ATSC cards if you have a roof antenna and want better image quality than you get for free local OTA network channels than what gets re-compressed and delivered through your cable service. All managed by Windows Media Center with a "very modern and sleek Guide" that does NOT take 3 days to populate but is instantaneously available (since it's retained locally on your hard drive, right up-to-date always).

Unlimited hard drive capacity for storage of recordings, subject only to what you care to install in your HTPC.

Delivery of your HTPC recordings/live-TV around your house through your home LAN via Ethernet, going to up to five simultaneously active "Media Center Extenders" delivering full HD via HDMI to attached HDTV's. You can actually have more than five connected, but a max of five active simultaneously. Each of those extenders provides complete independent remote control over recording schedules for one-offs or series, and all other WMC functions. This is the WMC version of "whole home solution" from the cable company.

DIY, and get it right. Return all DVRs and STBs to the cable company, save all of that money, and rent one or more cablecards at about $2/month. yes, there's a one-time dollar investment in hardware/cabling setup, but the perpetual enjoyment of the result can't be beat for the price. It will pay for itself quickly.

Would I be able to find a third party person (Oakland, Ca.) to set this up? What would the hardware part of the set up cost. The DVR costs about $15/mo.
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post #4594 of 4641
1/25/13 at 9:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by snidely View Post

Would I be able to find a third party person (Oakland, Ca.) to set this up? What would the hardware part of the set up cost. The DVR costs about $15/mo.
DSperber's setup sounds perfect for a large househould .... However in my case (now living alone) with only two HDTVs, the AnyRoom system with one 500GB Host and one HD Terminal unit makes more sense at this time even though I'm paying about an extra net $19/mo for the two rental units (plus a 3rd SD TV with a DTA in the garage).
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post #4595 of 4641
1/26/13 at 3:31pm
George -
Think you are right. We are a two person household. Have one DVR in Oakland and 2 in Miami. We spend about half time at each place. (Actually spend about 6-7 weeks a year traveling. Both places are served by Comcast. We also get internet from them.
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post #4596 of 4641
2/19/13 at 8:34am

I have Motorola DCX-3400 cable box. Using with Pioneer SC-67 Receiver. When I start box, tv, and receiver I'm not getting sound until I flip the box channel to another station. This happens 70% of the time. Once channel has switched everything is fine. This is a minor issue but wondering if setting adjustment will correct problem. Also using a Harmony 1100 remote. I don't think that's the source of the problem. Have reordered startup and changed delays on remote software, that has not changed anything.  

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post #4597 of 4641
2/20/13 at 12:10am
Not sure if it is the same with this box, or current firmware, but with the older stuff, if DVI output was selected in the service menu, there was no audio on the HDMI out. You might try running an optical out to you Pio AVR. If you get audio with it, you might just leave it hooked up. If you don't get audio with it, W/O switching channels, at least you'll know it isn't an HDMI handshake issue.
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post #4598 of 4641
2/24/13 at 8:13am
Has anyone had luck with firewire capture with the DCX3400 or 3501?
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post #4599 of 4641
2/24/13 at 8:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by leroybrown View Post

Has anyone had luck with firewire capture with the DCX3400 or 3501?

FireWire capture is extremely problematic on the newer Motorola boxes. I have successfully captured DVR recordings from my DCX3400-M, but there are usually errors in the stream. I usually have to capture two or more passes and then edit them together to get a clean copy.
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post #4600 of 4641
2/24/13 at 11:04am
Dos the ritual TNO821 posted about in the firewire thread help at all?
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post #4601 of 4641
2/24/13 at 1:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by leroybrown View Post

Dos the ritual TNO821 posted about in the firewire thread help at all?

The drivers, utilities, etc. for general FireWire capture will work on 32 bit Windows systems, but there will be errors in the capture most of the time. I always try to set my DVR to native resolution and transfer when there are no recording or other playback operations going on. Specific results seem to vary by network and time of day. Certain channels give me very little trouble, others give me constant grief. It can be done with patience and persistence and the help of VideoRedo (frame accurate editing), but I wouldn't recommend it.

I recently purchased an HD Homerun Prime cable card tuner to restore my sanity after investing hundreds of hours into the tedious capture and repair process. I would strongly recommend that or a similar solution for anyone else looking to archive content. :-)
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post #4602 of 4641
2/24/13 at 5:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by leroybrown View Post

Dos the ritual TNO821 posted about in the firewire thread help at all?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vampidemic View Post

The drivers, utilities, etc. for general FireWire capture will work on 32 bit Windows systems, but there will be errors in the capture most of the time. I always try to set my DVR to native resolution and transfer when there are no recording or other playback operations going on. Specific results seem to vary by network and time of day. Certain channels give me very little trouble, others give me constant grief. It can be done with patience and persistence and the help of VideoRedo (frame accurate editing), but I wouldn't recommend it.

I believe what leroybrown was asking is if my so-called "ritual" where I switch both tuners to different SD channels (I typically use 03 and 04), turn the DVR off for about 30 seconds, turn it back on and then switch both tuners to another pair of SD channels (I typically use 05 and 06) has any positive impact on the number of FireWire glitches which occur. For me it does appear to help some. But it is certainly far from a guarantee. I agree with Vampidemic that the glitching seems to be mostly an issue of time of day\channel\network issues (and of course it ultimately boils down to crummy Firemware, as the older firmware from years ago never exhibited this behavior with the DCH or DCT models...I think DCX has always been screwy.)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vampidemic View Post

I recently purchased an HD Homerun Prime cable card tuner to restore my sanity after investing hundreds of hours into the tedious capture and repair process. I would strongly recommend that or a similar solution for anyone else looking to archive content. :-)
I strongly agree with this sentiment! Life is too short to throw absurd amounts of time at stitching together gitch-free captures! I like to use the Hauppauge Colossus or Hauppauge HD-PVR 1212 (I haven't tried the Homerun)
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post #4603 of 4641
2/26/13 at 12:21am
Charter here in Northern Michigan (I'm in Cadillac, MI), just updated the software and firmware. The new software is 79.42 - R29.0.r-5 and new firmware is 24.37. Thought I'd let some people know.
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post #4604 of 4641
2/26/13 at 12:22am
Charter here in Northern Michigan (I'm in Cadillac, MI), just updated the software and firmware. The new software is 79.42 - R29.0.r-5 and new firmware is 24.37. Thought I'd let some people know.
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post #4605 of 4641
2/26/13 at 11:42am
I just got a DCX3200-M installed in my basement theater. For a long time I had the old silver Motorola boxes outputting HD and SD with no problem. Setup is Cable box -->Monoprice HDMI 5x1 switch (worked forever) --> Panasonic AE900U projector. Now that I've "upgraded" the box, I can no longer get a signal through the HDMI switch to the projector.

I know the switch hasn't died b/c the DVD still goes through. I've also tried different known working ports.
I know the cable hasn't died b/c I've tried other known working cables.
I can bypass the switch and hook up directly and get a signal, so I know the long HDMI run and the cable box are working.
I even went and bought a new switch (Kinivo 301BN) and get the same result - Blue Screen with no video output.

Is this a known issue? If so is there a workaround? Do I need to get a more specific HDMI switch? Am I doing something wrong? Please help!!
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post #4606 of 4641
2/26/13 at 12:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Polish Hammer View Post

I just got a DCX3200-M installed in my basement theater. For a long time I had the old silver Motorola boxes outputting HD and SD with no problem. Setup is Cable box -->Monoprice HDMI 5x1 switch (worked forever) --> Panasonic AE900U projector. Now that I've "upgraded" the box, I can no longer get a signal through the HDMI switch to the projector.

I know the switch hasn't died b/c the DVD still goes through. I've also tried different known working ports.
I know the cable hasn't died b/c I've tried other known working cables.
I can bypass the switch and hook up directly and get a signal, so I know the long HDMI run and the cable box are working.
I even went and bought a new switch (Kinivo 301BN) and get the same result - Blue Screen with no video output.

Is this a known issue? If so is there a workaround? Do I need to get a more specific HDMI switch? Am I doing something wrong? Please help!!


I suspect your long cable run (in conjunction with other factors) to be the primary pain point. How long is the total cable run? Is your long cable active or passive?
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post #4607 of 4641
2/26/13 at 12:26pm
The long cable run is 30'. Not sure if it is active or passive (or even what that means). It is a BlueJeansCable that has worked flawlessly for years, and still works fine with the DVD player through the switch and with the cable box run directly into that 30' line. The problem only comes up with the switch is in place.
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post #4608 of 4641
2/26/13 at 2:39pm
@Polish Hammer If you have another tv close by and a yellow composite video cable try hooking the other tv to the DCX. Power on the tv and on the remote press the Menu button (make sure to leave the DCX off) and keep everything normal going from the DCX>HDMI switch>Panny Projector. There may be a video resolution (ie 1080i), that doesn't have an "x" by it. May be the HDMI switch isn't letting the signal going to your Panny projector unless there is something checked. Hope this helps you.
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post #4609 of 4641
2/26/13 at 6:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JedFRaybould View Post

@Polish Hammer If you have another tv close by and a yellow composite video cable try hooking the other tv to the DCX. Power on the tv and on the remote press the Menu button (make sure to leave the DCX off) and keep everything normal going from the DCX>HDMI switch>Panny Projector. There may be a video resolution (ie 1080i), that doesn't have an "x" by it. May be the HDMI switch isn't letting the signal going to your Panny projector unless there is something checked. Hope this helps you.
I don't have another HDTV to use as you suggested. However, I set up the projector directly to get into the setup menus. Made sure all resolutions were checked. Then I even went through the very tedious process of forcing each individual possible resolution to the projector one at a time. No dice either way. It really seems like the box is having some issue communicating with the switch so the signal isn't going past it at all.

If nobody else has other ideas, does anyone have this box working with an HDMI Switch? If so, can you share the make and model if it?
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post #4610 of 4641
2/26/13 at 7:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Polish Hammer View Post

The long cable run is 30'. Not sure if it is active or passive (or even what that means). It is a BlueJeansCable that has worked flawlessly for years, and still works fine with the DVD player through the switch and with the cable box run directly into that 30' line. The problem only comes up with the switch is in place.

A cable run of that length is likely to degrade the signal strength/quality. In some cases the error correction can resolve the problems to the point where the signal strength is not a concern. Some devices may output a stronger signal than others (which could be the case here, explaining the inconsistent results across devices).

If possible, you should test a configuration with the switch being fed to the projector with a short cable, though I know it may not be convenient, to determine if the switch itself is the culprit or if it is a signal degradation problem in the system as a whole.

If the switch works okay with a short cable, you may need to find a way to amplify the signal, which could mean purchasing a repeater or a different switch with a repeater built into it.
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post #4611 of 4641
2/26/13 at 7:36pm
I am just wondering if it is the HDMI handshake deal between the DCX, HDMI switch and your projector. Does your DVD player and projector have component video or only HDMI? Kind of odd that you mentioned it works when you play a DVD from your DVD player, through the switch and then your projector. Do you know the model number of your HDMI switch is?
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post #4612 of 4641
2/27/13 at 5:02am
I don't know the model number of the HDMI switch, but will try to check it out later. The newer Kinivo I tried (unsuccessfully) is 301BN. I just realized last night that if I need to as a last resort I can just send the signal over Component through my receiver and live with it that way. With a 720p projector, can I expect reasonably similar picture quality with this cable box through either output?
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post #4613 of 4641
2/27/13 at 1:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Polish Hammer View Post

I don't know the model number of the HDMI switch, but will try to check it out later. The newer Kinivo I tried (unsuccessfully) is 301BN. I just realized last night that if I need to as a last resort I can just send the signal over Component through my receiver and live with it that way. With a 720p projector, can I expect reasonably similar picture quality with this cable box through either output?
Yes.
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post #4614 of 4641
2/27/13 at 6:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JedFRaybould View Post

Charter here in Northern Michigan (I'm in Cadillac, MI), just updated the software and firmware. The new software is 79.42 - R29.0.r-5 and new firmware is 24.37. Thought I'd let some people know.

What model DVR? I just got a DCX3501-M from Charter like three days ago and am curious about this...


Also, I know its hit or miss and FireWire on these don't work well, but isn't there a program for Mac that at least installs drivers or something so you can access the device?
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post #4615 of 4641
2/27/13 at 8:56pm
I just have the DCX-3400. All what was added is Closed Captioning to the Cable Box Setup menu.

You may want to search this thread about the FireWire issue. I know that people with a DCX DVR and a D-VHS deck can get the FireWire port working. There is a WikiBook on the Motorola DVR. On my end the FireWire (1394) port is ENABLED.
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post #4616 of 4641
2/27/13 at 9:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JedFRaybould View Post

I just have the DCX-3400. All what was added is Closed Captioning to the Cable Box Setup menu.

You may want to search this thread about the FireWire issue. I know that people with a DCX DVR and a D-VHS deck can get the FireWire port working. There is a WikiBook on the Motorola DVR. On my end the FireWire (1394) port is ENABLED.

Interesting, I'm in front of mine now and it's saying "S/W Ver: 78.50 - a28p2-3.0911.r-2" but "firmware: 24.55"

How do you check for updates with theses? Also, I notice they have built in MoCA, is this something Charter uses? They advertise like they support it on TV commercials by saying "up to 780 hours of DVR when you have four DVRs" ....
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post #4617 of 4641
2/27/13 at 9:36pm
You can't check for updates on any DVR and non-DVR version of the DCX series. Updates are issued by the cable company. Updates take place in a few markets for testing of the new software/firmware update. What MoCA is for allowing a DCX-3200-M to access the DCX-3501-M to watch a DVR'ed show. You can have a DVR for up to 4 TV's. If your household has 4 TV's you can get a DVR for each TV. Soon as my account is up to date money wise then I'll change my package to have another DVR on the other HDTV.

If you want to know how I knew about the FireWire port being ENABLED is that I pressed the power button on my remote then pressed the OK/SELECT button then scrolling down to the port option of the Dianostics menu.
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post #4618 of 4641
2/27/13 at 11:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by acarney View Post

Also, I know its hit or miss and FireWire on these don't work well, but isn't there a program for Mac that at least installs drivers or something so you can access the device?

There is a program called 'FireRecord' for Mac OS, also the Mac OS dev tools used to include a capture utility. Though I am a Mac user, I ultimately ended up using Windows to do captures since the tools available to detect and repair errors are not available on Mac OS. Not certain if the tools mentioned above work with the latest Mac OS versions.
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post #4619 of 4641
3/4/13 at 4:22pm
I have Comcast and both my cable and internet were out for over a week. My internet goes out all the time so I didn't think anything of it at first. But when the cable was out I thought I need to do a hard reset on my cable box. I have the DCX3400. Well, it showed "hunt" on the display until today when the tech was able to get my internet and TV working again. My box still hasn't loaded the DVR or any menus or guide. I can watch TV and can change the channel but that is it. Do I just need to give it some time for everything to load? The arrows in on the display showing send/receive were flashing in the beginning but not anymore. Can anyone help? I don't want to get a new box unless it is really necessary so I told the tech to leave since the internet is working and I'm able to watch TV. Just wish I could watch my recordings and pull up the guide. You know, normal stuff. haha! Thanks in advance everyone for your help!
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post #4620 of 4641
3/4/13 at 4:33pm
Comcast does take a long time (a couple days sometimes) to reload the guide. If nothing is improving, over the hours, you'll need to call CS. I am like many others here who have the 3400. that have experienced black screen recordings or frozen picture part way thru a recording. I'm on my 3rd deck and will see if they carry the 3501 which we have in Miami and seems to work w.o. problems. We rarely lose picture or internet.
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