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Comcast HDTV/DVR: first report

1478 Views 21 Replies 15 Participants Last post by jacmyoung, Feb 27, 2005

oswald22

Discussion Starter · Feb 22, 2005

So I paid the (very small sum) to get the Comcast HDTV/DVR combo installed in my house. I've had it for about two weeks now. Just to review, I have a Pio Elite 43" plasma, DirectTivo, and a surround-sound setup, etc. I ordered the Comcast HDTV/DVR solution with the intention of using my DirectTivo solution as the primary (as I was before) and only use the Comcast setup for HDTV.

Here are my notes so far:

1. The HD quality is excellent. The HDTV is really HDTV, and the content

looks outstanding on my plasma.

2. The non-HD quality (digital cable) is unusable. If I had a circa 1979 tube

TV maybe I wouldn't notice a problem with the quality, but on my

plasma it looks *terrible*.

3. The menus on the Comcast box are amazingly FAST. Tivo needs to take

notes here. Using the Comcast box and then switching back to Tivo

is PAINFUL in this regard.

4. The Comcast user interface is fast enough, but that is where its

advantages end. The overall menu layout is EXTREMELY confusing and

annoying and useless. I wanted to record a show (a "season pass" ala

Tivo) and it took me perhaps 30 minutes to figure it out. I then wanted

to record another show a week later, and I *still* couldn't figure it

out and I gave up because...

5. THIS THING CRASHES CONSTANTLY!!! It will crash, the screen goes

dark, and worst yet, the guide database doesn't fully restore for

at least an hour, and the Menu button doesn't even work for 10

minutes after a crash.

So my overall impression thus far is: it's good if you just want HDTV, but thank god I didn't pay much to have it installed and that I don't use this as my primary means of watching TV.

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1 - 20 of 22 Posts

afiggatt

· #2 · Feb 22, 2005

Which Comcast HD DVR set top box do you have? SA 8000HD?

I have Comcast and after 2 months with a older SA 3100 HD non-DVR box, I stopped by their office yesterday and picked up a SA 8000HD which is the latest the local Comcast system supplies (Reston, VA). Initial impressions: the 8000HD box has better SD picture quality for the analog channels over the 3100HD (although not great) and maybe a bit better for the digital SD channels. But the HD picture quality of the 8000HD looks softer than the 3100HD. I need to do some side-by side testing with a splitter as I have both boxes but intend to keep only one.

I agree that the DVR recording software is no Tivo. Not even close. You would think that for the number of DVR boxes SA makes for all the cable companies, they would make an effort to write software that could really compete with Tivo. But on the other hand, maybe most people who get one of cable DVRs are coming from VCRs and don't realize how much better the user interface could be.

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TheStever

· #3 · Feb 22, 2005

I just recently cancelled my 7yr stint with D* beacuse my Mits sr-5 HD reciever bit the dust. D* HD Tivo is insanely priced, so I decided to go with Comcast again and have the Motorola 6412 (briefly had Comcast HD 6408 earlier, but that's another story).

I haven't had any crashes, find the series recording very easy to use. Never having had a Tivo, my wife was able to figure how to replay a recorded program, quite easily.

I think the menus are a little clunky, but like anyting else, I thinks it's just that its done differently, and just takes a little time to get used to, and it is rather fast navigation through the menus and guide!. The initial download of the guide did take some time, but it's been fine since.

HD is amazing, and since that's primarily what I watch I'm satisfied. The annalog channels do look bad going through the Motorola 24XX, but I have found that splitting the signal, and sending a cable feed directly into my Mits tuner for the analog channels is acceptable. Most Digital channels are acceptable.

I had become rather dissatified with D*'s poor picture quality due to over compression, on certain channels, namely, SPIKE (WWE Raw) and in my opinion, looks no worse on Comcast box as it did from D*.

I will see how things pan out with D* once they get the new sats up, and if they increase their HD offereings to more then mega lHD locals, but I'm perfectly content with Comcast (never thought I'd hear myself say that!)

Good luck!

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bullwinklehdtv

· #4 · Feb 23, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by TheStever

I will see how things pan out with D* once they get the new sats up, and if they increase their HD offereings to more then mega lHD locals, but I'm perfectly content with Comcast (never thought I'd hear myself say that!)

Good luck!

I agree - I got a Motorola 6412 this weekend, and I have to say it it works fine. I've got a D* SD TIVO, and obviously it does much more, but for HD, Comcast has a decent, low cost solution.

oswald22

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 23, 2005

I'm starting to feel that the problems I'm having with my box crashing are related to the source computers that feeding its signal in the the SF Bay Area. Perhaps that is why others here can actually use the box for something besides a small number of HD channels.

As for what model I have, there doesn't seem to be any easy way to tell. I just got the box two weeks ago, so I would hope I would be getting the very latest model, but who knows.

As for DirectTV, I agree they are priced right out of the market right now for HD/DVR. They really dodged a bullet with the Comcast box being so poorly done. If Comcast had better SD quality and a box that didn't crash, I'd be canceling my DirectTV service about now.

It's great to have a choice though. Let the price/feature/quality wars begin!

MisterDTV

· #6 · Feb 23, 2005

How can anyone call this "good"? If OTA broadcasters operated their business this way, we would NOT be in business.

Time to readjust our grading scale maybe? Or is "real HDTV" (when the unit works) good enuf no matter the hassle? And if that's the case, what's wrong with an outdoor antenna?

Quote:

Originally posted by oswald22

5. THIS THING CRASHES CONSTANTLY!!! It will crash, the screen goes

dark, and worst yet, the guide database doesn't fully restore for

at least an hour, and the Menu button doesn't even work for 10

minutes after a crash.

So my overall impression thus far is: it's good if you just want HDTV, but thank god I didn't pay much to have it installed and that I don't use this as my primary means of watching TV.

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Kendrid

· #7 · Feb 23, 2005

My 6412 has never crashed and has always recorded every show it was supposed to. The interface take a little while to get used to but it isn't bad.

Overall I am very happy with Comcast and the 6412. I had their previous single-tuner HD PVR and when I wanted the new box they installed it less than 24 hours after I called them.

I was a dedicated D* subscriber but they are going to do quite a bit (cheap HD-PVR) to get me back. I'm sure in a few years the HD-Tivo or whatever they come out with will be priced like the Motorola box. What it will come down to then is HD content (and compression).

Kendrid

· #8 · Feb 23, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by MisterDTV
Or is "real HDTV" (when the unit works) good enuf no matter the hassle? And if that's the case, what's wrong with an outdoor antenna?

For myself and many others OTA is a major hassle. I live a bit to far from the local towers to get a reliable signal. I tried for a year until Comcast started offering HD in my area.

Even with OTA, what is a reasonably priced HD-PVR I could use with it?

I would have an issue with a crashing DVR. I'd suggest to the original poster that he get a new box.

Stryker412

· #9 · Feb 23, 2005

I've had my SA8000HD for two weeks and love it. I've taped both HD and SD. I think the picture is good but seems to have a red push. I also have a cable card and I think the CC has a much better picture.

I would like to be able to change the grey bars to black though when watching DVR'ed material. Mine hasn't crashed (thankfully). I just wish the DVI port was enabled.

afiggatt

· #10 · Feb 23, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by Kendrid
I would have an issue with a crashing DVR. I'd suggest to the original poster that he get a new box.

Agreed. If it is crashing that frequently, either take it to the local cable office and swap it for another unit, or ask the cable company to bring a new one. He may have gotten a bad unit that had been turned in by someone else which passed a on/off test by a tech.

Radioflyer

· #11 · Feb 24, 2005

Got my 6412 just yesterday. Swapped it for another one yesterday because it was constantly rebooting. The replacement has only rebooted once so far. My biggest complaint right now is that this box doesn't seem to be able to schedule two recordings on different channels for the same timeslot. Called Comcast and they confirmed/replicated this problem. I was told that I'd have to "swap" channels at the time the recordings are to take place, then I can record the other show on the other tuner. Once the point o Hmmm....my Sagetv software is smarter than this thing. Thankfully, I've got my dual tuner htpc as backup still recording.

oswald22

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 24, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by afiggatt
Agreed. If it is crashing that frequently, either take it to the local cable office and swap it for another unit, or ask the cable company to bring a new one. He may have gotten a bad unit that had been turned in by someone else which passed a on/off test by a tech.

If it continues then I'll be open to trying anything. That said, I doubt it's a hardware issue as the crashes happen during navigation of the menus, etc. In some places I can make it crash every time.

fitzwest

· #13 · Feb 24, 2005

I would swap the box. It may have a bad EPG or Firmware or memory. I can say that we've had our box since December 04 and never had it crash. It will freeze for 30 seconds while in the DVR pages on occasion but no reboots. I think there is something wrong with your box.

Only real problem we have had is the series recording switching back to the analog channel from the HD channels. This only happens on KPIX now.

Bill Ball

· #14 · Feb 24, 2005

I have had the 6412 here in Alamo since the day they were released. I agree with the original message except that I haven't seen any crashing. I would exchange the box or at least get a service call. My only problem over the months was the 12/31/89 phantom recording recently.

drdr

· #15 · Feb 24, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by Radioflyer
Got my 6412 just yesterday. Swapped it for another one yesterday because it was constantly rebooting. The replacement has only rebooted once so far. My biggest complaint right now is that this box doesn't seem to be able to schedule two recordings on different channels for the same timeslot. Called Comcast and they confirmed/replicated this problem. I was told that I'd have to "swap" channels at the time the recordings are to take place, then I can record the other show on the other tuner. Once the point o Hmmm....my Sagetv software is smarter than this thing. Thankfully, I've got my dual tuner htpc as backup still recording.

How are you trying to record? If you are recording a live show by pressing the record button, then you will have to press swap to record something else at the same time. If you are setting up a series or one-time recording from the guide, then the swapping should be automatic and transparent to you. I have timers set up to record two shows at the same time, and I never have to press swap to get it to work.

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Radioflyer

· #16 · Feb 24, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by drdr
How are you trying to record? If you are recording a live show by pressing the record button, then you will have to press swap to record something else at the same time. If you are setting up a series or one-time recording from the guide, then the swapping should be automatic and transparent to you. I have timers set up to record two shows at the same time, and I never have to press swap to get it to work.

That's interesting, because Comcast was able to duplicate the problem I was having getting two shows/series to record at the same time on different channels. I would expect the box to automatically swap or tune to the correct channel as needed. I told the Comcast supervisor that this must be a bug in the system or with the box.

In my case, I had Alias setup to record at 9pm. When I tried adding American Idol as a series or single recording at the same time on a different channel, I got the recording conflict pop up. I can swap between channels at the time one of them is recording, but I could not setup a future recording. Even when I swapped channels at 9pm (as Alias was recording), I tried pressing the record button to do a manual for AI, but was again greeted with the conflict.

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knowledge

· #17 · Feb 25, 2005

With the problem of the box rebooting...first thing I'd do is make sure your power cord is plugged in completely in the rear of the box...then make sure you do not have anything on top of the box...the dDVR boxes put of quite a bit of heat and if you have things such as DVD players and what not stacked on top the heat can cause the box to reboot itself, and it will also cause slow menu acs and guide acs...and if not get a new box...

CTsamurai

· #18 · Feb 27, 2005

Hi, my first post here, I have had a 6412 for two months now and it has crashed only once. I have been told by a friend of mine, who is a tech at comcast, that the 6412's are very very picky about signal quality. The Installer who came to my apartment replaced every connector from my box to the outside before he even started on the 6412. I'd have that checked if I were you, oswald. My only complaint is that the Comcast guide can be inaccurate at times when it comes to shows being new or repeat, thus the DVR function screws up.

EDIT: As a side note the first box they installed would not work with anything digital (IE: 100+ channels and VOD). It was replaced within an hour. Good service here in Portland.

knowledge

· #19 · Feb 27, 2005

the 6412 is no more pickier than any of the other comcast digital boxes...I'm a contractor for comcast and deal with them pretty much every day...

DaveFi

· #20 · Feb 27, 2005

Quote:

Originally posted by knowledge
the 6412 is no more pickier than any of the other comcast digital boxes...I'm a contractor for comcast and deal with them pretty much every day...

This thread goes against your claim.

I have had the box for a few months and it has rebooted many times, mostly when making recordings late at night. Hopefully the 9.15 firmware will resolve some of these problems.

I'll probably try another box soon anyways, just because the harddrive is so loud.

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