[renpar61]



Quote:
Originally Posted by brownstem /forum/post/0


Believe me, HBO was the first thing I tried months ago when I came across instructions for using the firewire port. It will not work, though ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc. record just fine.

I had all episods of Rome from HBO on my 6412 and was able to dump the first 2 episodes to my Mac via firewire, then make a DVD copy, no problem. When I tried with the following episodes the recording to the computer was fine for the first 2/3 minutes, then it would stop (still plays fine from the DVR). Since the whole process was too long anyways, I gave up trying. Can this be "5c"related?

 

[DaveFi]

Anyone testing the Tivo software?

 

[ak3883]



Quote:
Originally Posted by brownstem /forum/post/0


Hi, I've got my 6412 loaded with the high def recordings of the latest Sopranos episodes and want to make my own dvds from them. I can't go via firewire, of course, because of the 5c protection, so I've got the dvr connected to the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 card that's included in my new HP Media Center PC (via s-video and the red/white RCA audio jacks). I've gotten help from Hauppauge in order to install the appropriate middleware so that I can get around the machine's attempt to not allow me to record directly through the card (except using the vile Media Center format), and I have the latest drivers for the card and Hauppauge's WinTV2000 software. So, in theory I'm ready to go...


The problem is that despite my being able to get nice quality mpeg captures from the 6412 I also get a very annoying low-level audio hum that accompanies everything I record from the dvr. At first I thought it must be the card but I now believe it's because of the 6412. I've tried several possible fixes the Hauppauge people gave me but I still get the humming. I thought it might have something to do with the card's recording levels being too low since I have to turn the volume up much higher than usual to hear dialogue in the recorded mpegs.


But at one point I had my Sennheiser headphones on to listen to the signal from the box as it was being recorded and I paused the recording. I could still hear the hum, so I figure it's coming from the box, not the card?? I don't get any hum when I listen to dvd-video, .avi or .mp3 files from the hard drive, etc. so it's not the HP itself.


So, I then thought that perhaps it's the audio out settings from the 6412, so I went into Setup and changed the settings from Audio Output: Advanced, Stereo Output: Matrix (the settings I use with the box connected to my home theater receiver to get 5.1 output) to Audio Output: TV Speakers. When I do this the volume level is increased on the mpeg recordings the Hauppauge card makes, thus minimizing the hum a little.


But it's still there. I have yet to record an episode while it's being broadcast live (i.e., not from the dvr) and don't know if that will make any difference. Anyway, if anyone can offer any advice I would appreciate it, since I've been waiting till my box is full of all 12 Sopranos episodes before making my own dvds. Now I'm worried that I can't get those saved shows into my damn computer to make the dvds in the first place without crappy audio! Thanks.

I have had this EXACT same problem when trying to offload some college bball games from my DVR to my PC to make DVDs. I tried several things, routing it through a VCR, adjusting audio levels, different cables, i could not get it to go away. I use the same analog audio output ports for regular audio, to a Aiwa mini-system(don't have 5.1 yet). I never notice it on the stereo, when watching regular TV or something on the hard drive. Same with analog hookups to a std VCR. But hooking it up to my computer, I get the hum.


I never found a solution, and just did my best to adjust the audio levels to drone it out as much as possible. One thing that helped quite a bit is if I turn down the high end of the EQ on the stereo when i'm watching a DVD I made this way. If I pull the high end all the way negative, it's a lot better.


Of course I don't have this problem using firewire, and I am able to capture to my PC via firewire from my 6412(HD too). But since these games were on ESPN I can't go that route b/c of 5C which is properly working/implemented on my cable system.


At least the NCAA tourney is on CBS, no worries about offloading games to the PC there! That is a GREAT thing.

 

[crossbeaux]

I've had a weird problem this week of having my one-time recordings off by an hour. I set up the recordings either Sunday or Monday (probably some of each). I set up to record a half-hour show at 8:00PM Thursday on my PBS channel (Oregon Art Beat). But what actually recorded was the first half hour of "Live From Lincoln Center" which began at 9:00PM. In the recorded programs list, "Live from Lincoln Center" was listed, but the length was only 30 minutes (the actual LfLC ran 2hours).


Similarly, I set up to record "The Directors" on ENC at 8:15AM on Thursday morning, an hour program. And what actually got recorded was the first hour of the movie "Life with Mikey." Not the whole movie, just the first hour.


And, I set up to record four consecutive hours of "24" on A&E beginning at 8:00AM on Monday, June 5. However, when I just went back to look at the iGuide, what is now scheduled to record is three hours of "24" starting at 9:00AM, and one hour of "American Experience" beginning at 12:00PM. Again, everything shifted by an hour. (I adjusted this so that it will now hopefully record the correct programs.)


None of my series recordings were affected. Those recorded before and after Thursday's mistakes recorded fine.


Anybody had this happen? Could it be an iGuide problem on Sunday and Monday (when I set up to record)? Could it be a local guide issue (Portland, OR)? Or is it possibly a problem with the unit (a Series II). I'm testing today by setting up a couple of one-time recordings to see if it happens again. But it's damned irritating to get something different recorded than the program you set up.

 

[shane55]

Well surprise, surprise!

I thought that I had recorded a show several weeks ago. It never appeared in the recorded show list... so I figured this imbecilic machine simply screwed this up too.


So after a few re-boots to un-jam it's wee brain (for various idiotic reasons!), last night it was stuck on something or other and I unplugged it... again. Upon it waking up, it decided to list this 'un-recorded' show!

Imagine that! And guess what? It was recorded perfectly. No errors.


Well surprise, surprise! This thing never ceases to amaze me

shane

 

[Dave Harper]

Happy Birthday Shane

!!!!!!!!! It's like finding $20 in an old jacket or something, huh

?!?!?

 

[andyross63]



Quote:
Originally Posted by crossbeaux /forum/post/0


I've had a weird problem this week of having my one-time recordings off by an hour. I set up the recordings either Sunday or Monday (probably some of each). I set up to record a half-hour show at 8:00PM Thursday on my PBS channel (Oregon Art Beat). But what actually recorded was the first half hour of "Live From Lincoln Center" which began at 9:00PM. In the recorded programs list, "Live from Lincoln Center" was listed, but the length was only 30 minutes (the actual LfLC ran 2hours).

Did you reboot (unplug/replug power) the box, or do you know if it was reset, after setting the recording? I've seen this sometimes after a reboot. Usually, just rebooting again will fix it.

 

[ChuckSF]



Quote:
Originally Posted by crossbeaux /forum/post/0


I've had a weird problem this week of having my one-time recordings off by an hour. I set up the recordings either Sunday or Monday (probably some of each). I set up to record a half-hour show at 8:00PM Thursday on my PBS channel (Oregon Art Beat). But what actually recorded was the first half hour of "Live From Lincoln Center" which began at 9:00PM. In the recorded programs list, "Live from Lincoln Center" was listed, but the length was only 30 minutes (the actual LfLC ran 2hours).

...

I experienced the same thing after I called in to Comcast technical support for the problem we had in the Bay Area with Fox HD going dead the night of 24's finale. They "hit" my Motorola 6412 with a signal that caused a reset similar to unplugging. This didn't fix the Fox problem, but I discovered several one-time recordings off by an hour.


andyross63 said this happens after a reboot and a second reboot is necessary. I haven't rebooted again -- hope I don't keep having this problem. I assume the problem won't affect shows that aren't set to record yet!

 

[crossbeaux]

I never rebooted, and I never called comcast about a problem, and they didn't to my knowledge "hit" my box. The shows I set up to record today recorded correctly. So I don't know what happened.

 

[andyross63]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ChuckSF /forum/post/0


I experienced the same thing after I called in to Comcast technical support for the problem we had in the Bay Area with Fox HD going dead the night of 24's finale. They "hit" my Motorola 6412 with a signal that caused a reset similar to unplugging. This didn't fix the Fox problem, but I discovered several one-time recordings off by an hour.


andyross63 said this happens after a reboot and a second reboot is necessary. I haven't rebooted again -- hope I don't keep having this problem. I assume the problem won't affect shows that aren't set to record yet!

The bug only seemed to affect single programs, those picked off the guide or other list. Series programs, even if wrong, should correct themselves at the next update (typically between 4:20 and 4:50 am and pm). Manual VCR-style recordings were unaffected.


If you don't reboot again, you could end up with unremovable scheduled recordings. If a half-hour programs moves into an hour-long program, you will not be able to delete the scheduled recording as the start and end times of the listed program MUST match the scheduled start and end times as listed in the guide. A similar issue can occur if a program is replaced by another. You can quickly cancel the recording when it starts, though.

 

[Glockdude]

This could explain to me why the first 6412 I had

looked great..and when they just replaced it with another 6412 (big surprise)

the picture just doesnt look as good. Very grainy.

No consistancy between units.


I think Comcast is aware of the problem with these units but

we as consumers have to make it a point to ***** over an over to them until

they fix it.

No more mister nice guy.

Quote:
Originally Posted by gmwedding /forum/post/0


So, I just double-checked, and here is a comparison of the calibration settings between the Pioneer PDP-4304 HDTV described above and a Sony DVD Player using component cables and the settings between the Motorola DCT-6412 via HDMI and the same Pio HDTV (the Pio retains different settings for each input device). I conclude the HDMI signal level being received by the TV is troubling. Are any other DCT-6412/Phase III users with well-calibrated HDTVs experiencing such differences?


DVD-PLAYER to PIONEER PDP-4304 (via Component)

Contrast -13

Brightness +1

Color -5

Tint -2

Sharpness +2


MOTOROLA DCT-6412 Phase III to PIONEER PDP-4304 (via HDMI)

Contrast +3

Brightness +6

Color -9

Tint -0

Sharpness +1

 

[mterzich]

Does anyone think that the remote that they are using could be agravating the problem with the slow response of the 6412. The reason that I am asking this question is that about 2 weeks ago, I reprogrammed my Harmony remote to delay longer on a key press since I would regularly overshoot the channel when pressing the up/down channel button. Since then, the slow response issue has been significantly better.


However, over the past two weeks, the 6412 has gone into NeverLand twice (lost audio, massive delays that never stop, and menus popping up on the screen indicating that the program can't be deleted). This has never occurred prior to reprogramming the Harmony.


Currently I have the Harmony programmed to the longest key press delay as possible but still have an occasional overshoot when I up/down channels and am wondering if the new timing may be finding a new hole in the software that is now causing the 6412 to get totally screwed up.


I'll be using the Comcast supplied remote this week to see if the problem gets better.

 

[ncaahoops]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mterzich /forum/post/0


Does anyone think that the remote that they are using could be agravating the problem with the slow response of the 6412. The reason that I am asking this question is that about 2 weeks ago, I reprogrammed my Harmony remote to delay longer on a key press since I would regularly overshoot the channel when pressing the up/down channel button. Since then, the slow response issue has been significantly better.


However, over the past two weeks, the 6412 has gone into NeverLand twice (lost audio, massive delays that never stop, and menus popping up on the screen indicating that the program can't be deleted). This has never occurred prior to reprogramming the Harmony.


Currently I have the Harmony programmed to the longest key press delay as possible but still have an occasional overshoot when I up/down channels and am wondering if the new timing may be finding a new hole in the software that is now causing the 6412 to get totally screwed up.


I'll be using the Comcast supplied remote this week to see if the problem gets better.

When it goes in slow-down mode I tried pressing buttons on the front of the box and they seem to be suffering from slow-down as well. I haven't tried the front of the box everytime there is a slowdown, so I don't know if it is always the case.

 

[mll]

I have also noticed a slow response of my 6412


The two rituals that I go thru that seem to help are:


1) Power off, reboot, power on. (Note it wil show the new shows as To Be Announced for a few hours) Rebooting seems to be achieved be pulling the power cord for a minute or so, or perhaps having ComCast sending a Reset signal from their main server. -- This seems to help in clearing up the DVR for a while and speeding it up. Nore: Many of us remember that to get a display back after power off, one needs to display a recorded show and then the DVR will normally display imcoming TV show.


2) If possible, switch to not display DTV while trying to contorl the DVR. My superstition is that the CPU can be busy when decoding the Digital signals, switching recording... and if I can Idle the CPU, etc. it can speed up the response to the Remote.

 

[twitchee3]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mll /forum/post/0


2) If possible, switch to not display DTV while trying to contorl the DVR. My superstition is that the CPU can be busy when decoding the Digital signals, switching recording... and if I can Idle the CPU, etc. it can speed up the response to the Remote.

Actually analog signals are more of a strain on the CPU of a DVR, since they have to be converted from analog to digital for recording to the DVR (which is in digital format), and then back to analog form to be sent over the analog display interfaces (component, s-video, or composite). Digital feeds are written to the hard drive as is, and then only converted from digital to analog for transmission over analog video interfaces, so with DTV there's actually one LESS step for the DVR to go through. And yes, because of the buffer, the DVR will do this to analog programming even if you aren't recording it.

 

[mterzich]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ncaahoops /forum/post/0


When it goes in slow-down mode I tried pressing buttons on the front of the box and they seem to be suffering from slow-down as well. I haven't tried the front of the box everytime there is a slowdown, so I don't know if it is always the case.

Nothing works until it processes the last command. Sometimes it takes about a minute per channel change and then I hit the up/down arrow in frustration 10 times. Then I would have to wait for ten minutes for anything else to work. That is because each of the commands (whether from the front pannel or the remote) causes a interrupt and that command is queued.


It would be nice to get a hold of the I_GUIDE source and fix it for Comcast. I've been a programmer in the Siicon Valley for 25 years and this sure sounds like a problem of not protecting critical code and the link list of the TV Guide is getting corrupted or the interrupt handler is not saving and restoring all registers correctly (firmware problem).

 

[scanpa]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mterzich /forum/post/0


Nothing works until it processes the last command. Sometimes it takes about a minute per channel change and then I hit the up/down arrow in frustration 10 times. Then I would have to wait for ten minutes for anything else to work. That is because each of the commands (whether from the front pannel or the remote) causes a interrupt and that command is queued.


It would be nice to get a hold of the I_GUIDE source and fix it for Comcast. I've been a programmer in the Siicon Valley for 25 years and this sure sounds like a problem of not protecting critical code and the link list of the TV Guide is getting corrupted or the interrupt handler is not saving and restoring all registers correctly (firmware problem).

New version of I-Guide will be out soon.


Also, Beta testing of the TiVo software starts next month.


A New Topic has been made for the Comcast 34xx & 64xx series STB with TiVo Software.

 

[Couch Patato]

We got the new I-Guid here a few weeks ago. It did NOT help with the remote delay!


It did not help me out at all. The biggest thing that made me mad is that you have to hit a button twice to get to what you have recorded. Insted of going strait to the list after punching My DVR. It goes to the page you used to have to get to by going thrue the menue & hitting DVR. That page that has all the DVR stuff comes up first. It's a real pain. Also You have to hit two buttons to get to the favorites list now to.

There is a new screen saver that would be good for those with CRT & plasma sets.

 

[Scarpad]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Couch Patato /forum/post/0


We got the new I-Guid here a few weeks ago. It did NOT help with the remote delay!


It did not help me out at all. The biggest thing that made me mad is that you have to hit a button twice to get to what you have recorded. Insted of going strait to the list after punching My DVR. It goes to the page you used to have to get to by going thrue the menue & hitting DVR. That page that has all the DVR stuff comes up first. It's a real pain. Also You have to hit two buttons to get to the favorites list now to.

There is a new screen saver that would be good for those with CRT & plasma sets.

I'm wondering if you decide to go to the Tivo Software is the monthly charge now going to be $12.95 plus the HD Box fee. If so you're looking at about $21.95 a month DVR Charge. Right now I pay $15 the 9.25 and 5.95 charge.

 

[BSparks294]

I completely agree that since I had my comcast hd unit replaced the picture is just not near as good. I go to the store and am amazed how the pics look in HD. Just makes me mad.


Are there any adjustments to the box that I should make certain have been done?


Thanks, Brad