Comcast set to roll out HDTV/DVR box

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Comcast set to roll out HDTV/DVR box

We've previously noted that Comcast was testing the PVR waters, but it looks like the rollout will soon be going full-force.

Comcast is saying that 90% of their customers (millions of people) will have access to this Motorola box by the end of next year, and this device will serve both HDTV and DVR functionality. The box looks like it can pause, rewind, and fast forward both regular TV and HDTV siganls, though recording appears to be confined to an analog MPEG encoder and I would assume DVR functionality will be limited to regular TV, not HDTV. The box has more outputs than I think anyone knows what to do with, so it'll be interesting to see how the hacking community takes to this box. It only has one tuner and records at one set compression level, so hopefully it'll be able to store signals digitally instead of having to recompress everything.

This could be another huge setback for TiVo's financial future, but the c|net article also mentions that Time Warner claims that video on demand will soon outpace what is possible with a DVR. While seeing a pay-per-view movie any time you want is nice, it stills seems silly to think people will prefer that over taping anything they want so they can watch later. [thanks pb]

update: David pointed out it does in fact record HDTV, though only a few hours can fit on its 80Gb drive. Here are the recording capacity specs:

Analog: 25 hrs
Digital TV: 30-60 hrs
HDTV: 8-10 hrs

another update: Time Warner is ready to release their own digital cable/HDTV box with DVR functionality.

yet another update: reports that shares of TiVo's stock fell several percentage points after Comcast's announcement.

by Matt Haughey December 3, 2003 in News

Comments

Sadly, this Comcast customer isn't thrilled with the described feature set. One question: no where in the CNet article or Moto website does it say how many hours of recording time the included disk will hold, even though recording quality will be frozen. In fact, from the wording I'm not clear that I'll actually be able to record a show for later playback and whether or not this is separate from my settop box.

Posted by: BillSaysThis at Dec 3, 2003 4:39:42 PM

I'm 95% sure that I have this model right now. I'm not at home, so I can't check the model number. But, it looks exactly the same...

Anyhow, this box is pretty nice. The HDTV receiver is great. "On Demand", their video on demand service, is pretty nice too. I still have a TiVo hooked up to an older digital cable box, but I have found that I use it less now that I have the new Motorola HDTV box.

Though I've been a reasonably happy TiVo customer more then 3 years, I can't imagine that they're going to weather this storm. They're at a tremendous disadvantage and the cable providers (like Comcast) are coming out with compelling offers. But, until they catch up, I'll keep forking over the $9.99/mo.

Posted by: Sean Devine at Dec 4, 2003 8:45:58 AM

A DVR that will not record HDTV programming would be a non-starter for me. Based on what I had seen earlier, it appeared that the new digital DVRs WOULD record HD signals. I just sprung for a $3,500 HDTV based on that assumption. But the initial post here indicates that the DVR Comcast is delivering won't do that. Does anyone know if it is going to be the policy of cable companies generally to prohibit recording of HDTV programming? I am a Cox customer and they are not yet providing a DVR in my market.

Posted by: Grey Satterfield at Dec 4, 2003 9:52:32 AM

Actually, if you read the watch the Motorola flash ad, it tells the capacity of the player. Apparently it uses analog MPEG only for those channels delivered by analog, 2-78 on my system. The digitally-delivered channels are stored in their native compression, like DirectTivo. And I assume HDTV signals are stored in a lossless format.

Analog: 25 hrs
Digital TV: 30-60 hrs
HDTV: 8-10 hrs

The unit has an 80 GB hard drive, like the current Tivos. The ad mentions you can record from the guide, no mention if you can also schedule repeating recordings. I doubt it has Tivo features like wish lists and recommended recordings.

I am a longtime Tivo'er, but if this lets me remove the hassle of IR channel changing and gives me HDTV recording, I'd have to check it out.

Posted by: David Chappelle at Dec 4, 2003 10:19:32 AM

IR channel changing is a big problem for me but Season Pass, Suggests and Wishlists are great features that are old enough that I can see no reason to not include them (except that whoever paid for the software development was too cheap).

Posted by: BillSaysThis at Dec 4, 2003 11:46:47 AM

The DirecTV Tivo box has some two important features: season passes and dual tuners. Tivo has done a crummy job explaining the importance of these features. But once you have used them, you won't accept a DVR without them.

Posted by: Steve Wilhelm at Dec 5, 2003 10:21:53 AM

Yeah the lack of dual tuners does suck. I'm holding out for the DirecTiVo HDTV box that should come out in a few months, but this comcast box is pretty much the only option for my friends that live in apartments with no roof access to throw a dish up.

Oh, and I just heard the comcast boxes are rolling out in the Bay Area in the next month or so.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Dec 5, 2003 10:33:14 AM

KCBS radio in the Bay Area reported yesterday (12/4/03) that Comcast would be offering the DVR to its customers "within a few weeks."

The source of this information was not cited, but it could have been the comments by Brian Roberts at the Western Show (as quoted in the CNet article). "This quarter" ends on 12/31/03-- which is less than 4 weeks from now.

Posted by: Chris at Dec 5, 2003 4:30:54 PM

Umm no offense to the article's author, but sir you are uninformed. Video on demand is not JUST pay-per-view any time you want it. Its a way of getting a lot of your favorite programming ANY time you want it. Example if you subscirbe to HBO you have all of it's series and a lot of HBO run movies, any time you want it. Please do more research before you say something that's without merit.

Posted by: f7 at Dec 7, 2003 9:13:16 AM

Please do more research before you say something that's without merit.

Yeah sorry about that, I've only been hearing about the wonders of VOD for going on 12 years now without ever seeing it actually materialize, so excuse me for misinterpretting what cable company vaporware can do someday.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Dec 7, 2003 9:53:19 AM

Vaporware?? Many of us have and are enjoying VOD today. Here in Philadelphia Comcast has provided it for at least a year. F7 is totally correct. There is a ton of programming at no additional cost. If one subscribes, as I do, to SHO and HBO, all of their movies are free on VOD. Likewise with their series like Six Feet Under, Carnivale, the Sopranos, Sex and the City, etc, etc. There is also tons of sports and other movies to choose from. I know I sound like a commercial, but I HAVE VOD, its NOT vaporware, and its awesome.

Posted by: Dwight Bechtel at Dec 7, 2003 11:35:32 AM

As a Tivo user and as a Comcast HDTV converter owner (with Video On Demand) I can safely say that you are all nuts if you think VOD will replace Tivo.

As stated previously, Tivo's Season Pass and lack of restriction on what you can record is never going to get 'out-paced' by anything that doesn't allow the same features.

Comcast's VOD is nice but it doesn't remember where you were in the program if you stop viewing for any reason. The FFWD and RWD features are about as good as you might find on your VCR - terrible and with delays in actuation.

This feature also takes over your box - you cannot record something else while watching VOD. Its a nice to have but I'll never throw away my Tivo based on those features.

No, as with everyone else, I'd love an HDTV Tivo. Its the only thing that's kept DirectTV in my decision tree for my next upgrade.

Posted by: Scott Cherkofsky at Dec 8, 2003 6:45:04 AM

So how do I get this VOD on Comcast Digital (non-HD)?

If there's anything that's restrictive, it's Tivo's ridiculous policy on program extraction!

Posted by: pb at Dec 8, 2003 3:43:47 PM

Hey, this thing is sitting near my TV since June. Hmmmm, did not know it could do all of that.

Posted by: Franklin Madison Jr at Dec 9, 2003 5:07:59 AM

Does anyone know exactly when the HDTV Tivo is coming out?
The last report (a year ago) said it would be out before years end and this is definately years end with no hdtv in sight. The dish 921 is available now.

Posted by: pd at Dec 9, 2003 8:44:41 AM

What would you do?

I am moving into a new house and have the comcast / DirecTV / DISH network decision.

I was all set to purchase a combined DirecTV/Tivo unit, but I just saw HDTV at a friend's and I really want it. Who (will) have it all? Comcast looks interesting, and cheap, but the "normal" channels look like crap. The Dish is better, but then I need an AIR antennae for local HDTV broadcasts.

I currently have "std" DirecTV boxes. Can I install a dish that will support HDTV and use my current boxes until a combined uni tis avail? Will DirecTV offer local HDTV channels? In Atlanta we have multiple networks that broadcast in HDTV.

Thanks, and sorry for the long message.

Posted by: RM at Dec 9, 2003 8:36:42 PM

RM, if you get a Triple LNB dish, it will work fine with standard directv for now, and will get HDTV signals whenever you upgrade your directv tuner.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Dec 10, 2003 12:03:22 AM

The 5100 and the 6200 both have dual tuners :o)

We're in luck.

Posted by: Mark at Dec 11, 2003 10:37:46 PM

I own both ReplayTv and Tivo. Can't wait to try this new box. Any idea when it roll out in Chicago?

Posted by: Jim at Dec 12, 2003 7:49:51 AM

Hello,

I was reading the posts and I thought a few of the people here might be interested in a product I purchased. It is a combination PC and DVR/media content management system that serves as a centerpiece for any home entertainment system. I have been playing with it for about a month now and have been able to connect just about every electronic item I have purchased over the last 20 years to work it. It also does a fantastic job with new technologies such as HDTV. I highly rocommend it to anyone. You can see it at http://www.avpchome.com.

Posted by: John Scamp at Dec 13, 2003 1:37:09 PM

I didn't read through every email but here's the scoop so on the Comcast DVR:

$9.95 a month for the HD DVR. If you already have HD, you'll pay $4.95 more.

Dual tuner version coming in mid year.

Yes, it's essentially this Motorola except with a new HD.

Yes, you can record HD - right now, there's no real way to output to anything else unless you count the HD VCR and/or buying a high-end editing card for your computer.

Any HD copy-protected encoding is done by the network so whether they do it or not is un-known.

The DVI output is not enabled on the Motorola as of now but you do have YBR, S-video, RCA as choices.

In most Comcast SF Bay Area, you get HD - ABC, NBC, PBS, InHD1 &2, ESPN, HBO, Showtime with Cinemax in january and Starz by March - all included if you're a digital package subscriber (and HBO, Showtime, obviously). CBS still in negotiations - does not help that CBS is affliated with a couple dozen cable networks - Viacom. Fox, of course is not even broadcasting anything in HD.

REAL Video on Demand VOD coming very, very soon. Up to 1,000 choices a month - if you subscribe to HBO, Showtime, Cinemax & coming - Starz IS INCLUDED! (no exra cost - presuming you got a digital/HD box already. VOD is launched in Atlanta - coming to SF Bay Area in mid December/January.

New TV Guide/interactive controls coming in March & June - the ads are gone and much faster!

To get the best HD/CATV feed, you should use the YBR as one input and S0video or RCA's for non-HD input - that way, you don't have to switch between the two to get your preset pictures - YES, after you view HD, all other channels look like crap.

Dish HD DVR available for purchase - $999 receiver only.

DirecTV HD due out by end of Q1 - pending Murdoch purchase/TiVo contract issues.

Hope that helps.

Posted by: jbelkin at Dec 14, 2003 11:44:09 PM

When can I get my hands on a COMCAST HD DVR BOX in the Alexandria Virginia area?

-Me

Posted by: Chas at Dec 18, 2003 2:22:51 PM

I've had VOD for 3 months now and while it comes in handy for PPV movies and premium channel shows, it doesn't archive much else. No Sci-Fi, History or Discovery channels, no broadcast networks. And that's whwn the VOD is working! I will welcome Comcast's DVR when it comes next year. It won't replace my TiVo; it's paid for and I have a lifetime membership, so it will continue to record my shows on analog. But the Comcast DVR will make it much easier to record the digital channels. I know it's easier for dish owners, but I live in an apartment without a porch or balcony. If I wewen't a captive Comcast customer, I'd have droppod them years ago.

Posted by: Jerome Nicholson at Dec 22, 2003 2:32:43 PM

I am waiting for Comcast PVR to hit the Chicago area. The dual tuner issue is important. I have avoided Tivo and the rest because recording from the digital spectrum (where most of the things I want to record reside) is a serious pain. Plus (as far as I know) unless I have 2 set-top boxes I couldn't use a PVR to record one digital channel and watch another.

If the Comcast box doesn't allow me to do this (record from HBO and watch Turner Classic Movies for example) then the PVR capability has limited appeal.

Posted by: Dan Palmer at Jan 7, 2004 4:05:33 PM

This Comcast customer is very excited about the idea behind DVR. My biggest concern is price. As I don't do digial right now, but I do have cable internet and have thought about tivo, but I can't stomach the month cost. If Comcast can give it to me at less cost then Tivo I'd take it.

Posted by: James Silvius at Jan 14, 2004 2:29:47 PM

Does anyone know if Comcast's new Motorola DVR has a 30 second skip button or do you just have to fast forward through commercials? I currently have a ReplayTV and consider the 30 second skip and 7 second rewind buttons essential features.

Posted by: Chris White at Jan 25, 2004 7:26:05 PM

I live in Montgomery County Maryland. I have Comcast HDTV box with OnDemand features. The PVR sounds interesting. I'll keep my ReplayTV active for the same reasons others have mentioned... one thing to correct... HDTV channels here include: CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, HBO, MAX, SHO, TMC, STARZ, HDTV1, HDTV2, COMCAST SPORTS NET, ESPN, and FOX. Yes, Fox does have HD broadcasts, including sports. Perhaps not all areas of the country have the FOX option at this time... Also, I noticed that my ReplayTV, after downloading the channel guide, shows a channel reserved for UPNHD. They must still be working out the agreement...

Posted by: Khaash at Jan 30, 2004 7:16:17 AM

I just got the Comcast DVR box in DC. I basically wanted it for the HD recording capacity. Unfortunately, the DVR function doesn't work at all. A DVR option is supposed to come up when you hit MENU, but it doesn't. Live TV won't pause. Programs cannot be recorded from the guide. It's just a mess, but that's guaranteed when Motorola and Comcast are involved. They are supposedly replacing the box sometime this week.

Posted by: clif at Feb 2, 2004 7:24:51 AM

Does anyone know when they are ever going to come out with a unit that is an HDTV receiver and a HD DVR all in one? And even better why not have a DVD-R in it? Am I just a dreamer? I hope not! Please any insight would be great!

Posted by: Phil at Feb 4, 2004 9:55:31 AM

Does anyone know when DVI will be made available/active on the Comcast HD box?

Posted by: Buckey at Feb 11, 2004 12:14:26 PM

I just got my box last week and it does everything as promised. Pause, Rewind the last 15 seconds of anything. It has a one hour buffer of what show your watching. I am very pleased with mine.

Posted by: Derrick at Feb 12, 2004 9:55:33 AM

Live in Montgomery County, Maryland with new Motorola box. You can record an HD, but have to do it from the DVR menu since the "Menu" button doesn't work on the HD channels. So here's the problem: when recording an HD channel, it's impossible to change the channel or stop the recording. You can't hit the "menu" button b/c it's on an HD channel and the stop or channel up/down doesn't work either. Good thing I'm only recording for .5 hour to just check it out. Sounds like a major bug. Any suggestions?

Posted by: David at Feb 15, 2004 9:48:21 AM

I agree with David. THis is a MAJOR bug! I live in Prince George's County and my Comcast DVR has the same limited capabilities... you CANNOT turn the channel while recording whether its in HD or otherwise. This sucks. You also can't record two programs at the same time. Another drawback which puts TIVO at an obvious advantage. I've called Comcast to complain and the reps really don't know what's going on with that. I've noticed that these DVR capabilities are limited to certain service areas. Hopefully, mine is a test box that they'll use to make improvements on the future units. Any Comcast insiders with info on this?

Posted by: Nichole at Feb 19, 2004 7:56:02 AM

Just got the Motorola box from Comcast. It will not record one show while you are watching another. I called Comcast and complained and they said that's what they ordered from Motorola.

Posted by: Allan at Feb 19, 2004 12:04:27 PM

I haven't got my comcast box yet. I am waiting to see if I want the new TIVO. I have both direcTV and Comcast today.

My point on the not being able to watch a show, while recording with the comcast box: Just split the cable signal going into the Comcast box, and then hook up your TV with the cable directly, and with either composite or component for the Comcast box. You can then switch the input to watch one channel, while recording the other. You cannot record two, but you can certainly watch while recording. Problem solved.

Posted by: Greg at Feb 24, 2004 7:58:53 AM

I picked up my Comcast PVR two weeks ago and so far, it does as expected. Like my TiVo, it can pause a live signal and do a chasing playback. Unlike TiVo, it can't tell a new episode of a show from a rerun or tell if the show has been moved. However it does record Comcast's digital channels without having to set a digital tuner; it has its own. So I returned one of my tuners to the cable office [that offsets the monthly fee] and removed a VCR [that saves some space in my system]. So far I haven't had to delete any shows to make room for new ones. Anything I want to save permanently I can download to one of the VCR's. They also solve the problem of recording multiple channels at one time, as the PVR doesn't do that. It also can't access the PPV feature, though the digital tuner I still have can. I wonder if this problem is with the unit or the Comcast signal?

Posted by: Jerome Nicholson at Mar 4, 2004 5:16:27 PM

Purchased a Samsung DLP and had Comcast hookup the Motorola 5100. I have component connections for HD broadcasts and RCA hookups for non HD. When I flip between HD and non HD I have to use the TV remote and manually switch the input feed. Is there any way around this with the Samsung?

Posted by: John Berk at Mar 5, 2004 1:05:16 PM

I think this DVR (richmond,va area) really bites! The interface is so disgustingly bland,flat,rigid, and extremely blue. It looks extremely similar to the guide when I first got digital cable a few years ago (before it became colorful and peach---but the ads are still huge). You have to set a show to record every time it comes on, there is nothing that will just record it every time it comes on (I don't think...if you know how to do this...tell me)
It doesn't give recommendations and you can't search for actors or directors.
You can watch a DVR Recording and record something else at the same time...but you can't record something and watch something on a different channel at the sametime without a cable splitter (explained in an earlier post). Now I see rumors of a better DVR being released this summer. I better be able to trade in this piece of junk for that---I shouldn't have to keep this one, if everyone who signs up then gets a much better one and pays the same price.

Posted by: Matt at Mar 6, 2004 6:38:39 PM

I have a question regarding splitting the signal going to the cable box and the tv. It seems as if I'd have a problem watching my digital cable, including premium channels, if the signal was going straight to the tv. But, hey... at least I can watch the basic programming on channels 2-125.

Posted by: Nichole at Mar 8, 2004 4:41:26 PM

Phil, what am I missing? thats what this whole thread is about. Comcast is rolling out a new digital HD/DVR cable box which is capable of recording HD on the DVR. It does not have a DVD recorder, but maybe that will be next.

Posted by: Dwight Bechtel at Mar 10, 2004 8:08:16 AM

I've getting a Comcast HD box tomorrow and am wondering if it will have a serial port to connect to my Tivo? Also, anyone know if it will have DVI?

Posted by: Rob at Mar 18, 2004 11:54:16 AM

Just got 2 6208 sets and they work as marketed. i haven't had the problem others mentioned where they can't use the menu or change channel buttons while watching channels.

the Comcast user guide for the 6208 offers very poor info; but found the user guide PDF's on Motorola's DVR website to be much more useful. they have on the 6208 unit as well as the remote and a TV guide DVR user manual.

the wbelink is http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/dct6208.asp

once on teh page og down to the bottom right for the links to the manuals

Posted by: Hugh at Mar 20, 2004 7:05:45 PM

It's highly possible I'm too stupid to figure this out, but my experience with Comcast and their HDTV is that I can't use my replaytv and lifetime subscription with it. They will not let me reprogram the box so I can use the replay guide and remote to change channels on the comcast box. Aside from that, they only had four channels of HDTV and they seemed to show up in different aspects on the tv, requiring tv adjustment with channel changing. Comcast refused to let me program the box to respond to my replaytv because, as they told me, they're coming out with their own pvr. Considering they're a cable monopoly in my area, you'd think there would be a law forcing them to support equipment other than their own. Guess not.

Posted by: fred leo at Mar 21, 2004 8:05:12 AM

Does anyone know when Comcast will release this box in the chicago area? I got the motorola box that doesn't record in order to get HD, and I love the HD, but I would love the record ability.

Posted by: Spotty at Mar 26, 2004 5:46:40 PM

I just got the new Motorola Comcast DVR box. It has lots of I/O ports (firewire, usb 1.0 1.2 2.0, video-in, audio-in, etc...) but guess what? NONE are active. Not even the front panel video/audio-in. My TV is a POS (coax-in only), I thought I could use the front panel rca-in instead of a RF converter to connect my x-box, I thought wrong.

Any way of making those work?

Posted by: elad at Mar 28, 2004 4:22:45 PM

I just got the comcast motorola dvr. I actually hooked up a wifi usb stick to the front usb port and was able to "gain access" to the box! I forced my wifi router to only assign IP addresses b/w 192.168.2.2-192.168.2.6 (I have 3 computers and a network printer) so that the last IP address would have to go to the dvr box. Then I figured out what the IP addresses were for all my computers and my printer and the one that was left was the one for the dvr. So I typed in the IP address in my browser and I got a VERY large XML file. It contained a bunch of stuff that looked like account information for past users. The weird thing is that this is a brand new box. It showed accounts for stuff dating back to 1996 and had names of account reps., account numbers, order numbers, address information. It also had data about cookie and cake vendors. Vendors that sold services. It was very weird. Like a totally random file. I would really like to know how to "interface" with the dvr box in order to get the stuff I recorded off.

Posted by: me at Apr 1, 2004 8:19:48 PM

Does anyone know when this will be available in Reston, VA?

Also, if I get one on my own, will it work with Comcast service?

Posted by: Clint at Apr 5, 2004 10:58:16 AM

I just got my Motorola HDTV box with the PVR yesterday form Patriot Media Cable Co. in NJ. I never would have even known it was available, if my cable modem made a successful connection last week. I called to tell them about my modem problem, and while I was on hold, I heard one of their promos for HDTV. The cost for the box is the same that I was paying for DTV box. They give you three HD channels for free, but I opted for the HDTV Plus package, which has six more HD channels @ $9.95/month. The PVR adds another $9.95/month. Does anyone out there know what all the extra connections are going to be used for? It's got three USB connectors, one Ethernet port and two IEEE 1394 connections. There's also a "Smart Card" slot on the front panel as well as one of the USB ports. What I'd really like to know is if there's a way to download the movies that I record in HDTV to an external device for archiving? Has anyone gotten into one of these boxes yet? Thanks.

Posted by: K Fisher at Apr 7, 2004 11:44:40 AM

Has anyone had any luck using all those additional I/O ports?

Like I said, I'd like to use the front panel RCA inputs to connect my videogame console. Also, I'd be nice to be able use firewire(IEEE 1394) to connect an external hard disk drive, 80 gigs is not that much, the box records in the higher resolution possible, it fills up way too fast.

To accesses the box DIAGNOSTICS:
With the box ON, quickly press POWER followed by SELECT, with the remote or front panel buttons.

In the d11 menu (Interface Status) is shows that the firewire and USB devices are indeed installed. In the d05 menu (Unit Address) it shows MAC addresses for the ports/devices, maybe someone that knows what theyre doing will be able to address the ports.

Posted by: elad at Apr 13, 2004 1:38:04 PM

I've recently ordered a DVD Recorder that has component inputs, as well as outputs. My first experiment will be hook to cable box's component outputs directly th o the DVDR's inputs. I won't be too surprised if something is built into the DVDR to defeat this signal. If that is the case my next move will be to move on to the Firewire connections. The DVDR has a Firewire input on the front panel designed to take the output directly from a digital video camera. They even describe it as a port for would-be film makers to make direct digital master copies of their movies from their high-end video equipment. I'll be sure to let everyone know how both of these ideas pan out. If anyone out there has any advice, I'd be most appreciative. Thanks.

Posted by: K Fisher at Apr 15, 2004 11:16:13 AM

So I am in the Comcast Chicago market and already have the standard digital cable with set top box. Is there a way I can get HD without getting the HD box from Comcast? Maybe buy the HD box from elsewhere, but will it work with the Comcast digital cable box I have?

Posted by: J C at Apr 17, 2004 7:05:56 AM

Comcast HDTV-PVR is now available in Los Angeles. I just ordered my via a tip from the operator. I was just ordering regular digital cable and he told me to wait a few days and ask for it on. I called and sure enough it was available. They told me that they were not going to advertise it until mid June due to the demand. I get mine on Saturday... I cannot wait.

Posted by: LMR at Apr 19, 2004 4:22:50 PM

I was hoping to find an answer to this question also...

Does anyone know if Comcast's new Motorola DVR has a 30 second skip button or do you just have to fast forward through commercials?

Posted by: Chris at Apr 23, 2004 2:43:46 PM

The GI DVR comcast is rolling out will NOT have 30 second skip function, I'm an employee and have used the box.

Posted by: BCN at Apr 24, 2004 6:21:38 PM

30 second skip

i herd that the box is capable of the 30 second skip however the cable company has the option to disable the feature so not to upset advertisers. Does anyone know how to override this feature?

Posted by: smith at Apr 27, 2004 5:39:37 AM

I live in Dallas, TX and had the HD calbe box for serveral months, then was just upgared to a PVR/HD box two weeks ago. The DVI connector works as well as the optical( for the 5.1) I have not tried and of the other ports yet. I was told the smart card funtion was not going to be used any time soon. when they came to install the box ( only one per customer right now) we moved the old HD box in to another room. when they hooked up the new box it would not come up. The tech had to call and have them change the box count up one. it seems that they can tell what in one the system so you cant just add a box. So far I'm pleased with the box it woudl be great if we had Discovery HD, the PVR it always on even when the box is powered off ( you can hear the hard drive spining) to get around the single tuner issue I just run a splter going in to the the normal coax connetor on the TV and use the conponet for normal viewing I jsut can't see any of the premium chanles when I do that

now if I can only figure out how to put a larger hard drive in and add it to my in home network.....

Posted by: Dennis at Apr 29, 2004 5:32:19 PM

DVI ports on HDTV Motorola Box's are now activated

Posted by: Josh at May 14, 2004 9:26:55 AM

I just spoke with Comcast, and for you Chicagoans, they anticipate a June 2004 timeframe for DVR capability on the motorola boxes.

I was told it will first be rolled out to Comcast employees to check for bugs, etc. and then will be rolled out to the general public.

Posted by: groundbeef at May 14, 2004 1:17:20 PM

I just got confirmation that the box is available in Atlanta. They charge $9.95/month plus a $30 install fee. The rep said it's not possible to do a self-install. I'm sure it's possible, they just don't want you to do it yourself. From reading this, I think I'll stick with my ReplayTV with lifetime for right, though.

Posted by: David at May 20, 2004 12:00:44 PM

I also just found this aritcle that states the two-tuner model with be out by the end of the summer. It's the DCT 6412.

http://www.keepmedia.com/ShowItemDetails.do?itemID=461666&extID=10032&oliID=213

Posted by: David at May 20, 2004 12:05:01 PM

Comcast has in fact NOT rolled out the motorola, but instead the scientific-atlanta DVR box in essentially all markets where the DVR is available. It is scientific-atlanta's Explorer 8000 model:

http://www.sciatl.com/customers/Source/745538.pdf

good news is scientific-atlanta is beta-testing, through Time Warner cable in some markets, the explorer 8300, which is 'multi-room'.... in other words, one dvr box in one room, traditional boxes in other rooms, but those other rooms can access content from the main box, and people in up to 4 different rooms can be watching 4 different things. check out scientific-atlanta's main website for more information....

so don't believe everything you read

Posted by: jon at May 23, 2004 10:21:34 PM

Comcast HAS rolled out the DCT 6208 DVR . . . I have it in my living room!

Posted by: lildude at May 25, 2004 10:39:14 AM

Comcast in Alexandria, VA will be rolling out the DVR w/HD box sometime in the next couple of weeks. I went to trade my HD box in today, but the lady said they had not started rolling them out as of yet for some unknown reason. But she did say it would be this week or next week.

And it looks like they'll be using the Scientific-Atlanta 8000HD model.

I really hope the DVI port is activated!

Posted by: david at May 29, 2004 2:16:46 PM

Just ordered my DVR from Comcast. My friend is a provisioning super and I get the low down. He says the 6200 series rocks. All the function of Tivo and dual tuner. They are using it as a retention tool right now in Chicago area so call and threaten to cancel and switch to Satellite if you really want it.

Posted by: Gregl71 at Jun 2, 2004 9:45:31 AM

Just called Comcast in Chicago, they swore blind it is not available... a conversation with the 'supervisor' came up with the same story 'it is definitely not released', no one has it in Chicago, if you know of someone who does, give us their address.

They are talking about 'in the summer'. The threat of moving to Satellite did not change their view.

Any ideas?

Posted by: Keith at Jun 4, 2004 7:00:24 AM

I just switched from DishNetwork to Comcast and have the HD/DVR (single tuner). My problem is that all of the channels (Analog & SD) look unfocused and grainy compared to my satellite. For a few days I had service from both and it was night and day when you switched between devices. Two different techs have been out and said that the signal and hook up is not the problem, but rather the box. Does anyone else have this problem? If you've never had satellite to compare....you probably won't know what I'm talking about. However, if you've heard of this or know that the HD/Dual Tuner coming out for Comcast corrects this problem...let me know! FYI - the HD looks great...it just pixiates a lot when I'm watching a show somtimes (not always). I don't want to go back to a dish, but the BEST picture quality is what I'm after [Dallas Market] Thanks!

Posted by: Spet at Jun 5, 2004 9:23:12 AM

Well, in Chicagoland they are not rolling out yet. I just got my HD ordered, and they said that DVR should be rolled out here by the end of the year. They expect OnDemand to be available in the summer. I would've gone with Dish or DirectTV, but I was not ecstatic about paying $800-$1000 for an HD/DVR combo or loosing the $8 sunk cost I have in Comcast because I have cable internet ($8 is the cheapest TV service you can keep with Comcast. Without any TV service, cable internet cost goes up by $15 which makes no sense at all). Plus I hassled them into giving me all kinds of discounts, so my serice (Digital Classic+2 premium channel sets+HDTV+OnDemand when it becomes available) is only about $35 for the next 3 months, then it goes up to about $50 after 6 months, then the full $85 or so in 12 months. Since there is no contract, this gives me a year to find something better and for the prices to drop on equipment.

I wonder what kind of equipment they use for the HDTV receiver though. Anyone know?

Posted by: deniska at Jun 7, 2004 12:02:04 PM

Here in Seattle they told us that DVR would be available through Comcast before the end of the year. I'm not sure I understand the comparisons of OnDemand to DVR simply because OnDemand has such limited programming available. We've had it here for a while now and while it's handy for a limited selection of movies and shows if you have PPV channels such as HBO and Showtime, the basic digital channel offerings are seriously random slim pickings. It's kind of like a garage sale of mismash leftover items tossed in a box. Don't get me wrong, there are a few gems in the midst, depending on your interests, but for the most part it's just a catchy extra that I don't use much.

DVR, on the other hand, will be great for choosing specific shows to archive and watch at another time, plus all of the other features it has. I guess it would be like an unlimited personalized OnDemand service. ;) I had hoped it would arrive before the Summer Olympics but now it's looking like late fall, from what I was told today.

Posted by: Seattlite at Jun 8, 2004 4:48:48 PM

I have DirecTV satellite with a dual-tuner TiVo a single-tuner TiVo. Both are upgraded to give me a total of a couple hundred hours of recording time. With three satellite tuners I can handle any scheduling conflict, and usually can pad all the shows I record by a minute or two before and after their scheduled start and end times. With around 200 hours of space I can save things for months (once I had shows from 3 different years!)

I don't mean to insult anyone, but I don't get how anyone could see OnDemand as even competing with TiVo. They say they give you over a thousand things you can watch, which is great, but that just scratches the surface of what I can record. It doesn't include anything from the broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, The WB, UPN). And what about all the basic cable channels? Does it have MTV, Sci Fi, USA, Trio, TCM, Oxygen, etc? I probably have 100 times more shows that I can record than OnDemand offers. And can you watch shows that were actually on six months earlier?

I'm a huge fan of HBO and Showtime, but most of the shows I watch are still from the networks and basic cable. I can't imagine having to be in front of the set every Sunday at 9:00 to watch Alias, and in front of the set every Thursday at 10:00 to watch ER, etc., and not being able to fast-forward through commercials or simultaneously record another show. I stopped watching TV that way several years ago and can't imagine going back to it.

Other DVRs may soon approach TiVo's rich feature set, and the DirecTV's HDTV TiVo is expensive, but which DVR to get is another issue.

My question is why would I want to switch from a DVR to OnDemand?

TonyR

Posted by: TonyR at Jun 10, 2004 12:59:23 AM

Tony, in my opinion you wouldn't. Your post pretty much confirms what I was saying about the DVR/OnDemand comparisons. It's apples and oranges and I'm not sure how one even relates to the other.

Here's an example. You asked about MTV. Yes, MTV is one of the channels listed in OnDemand. The offerings right now? Episodes 8 through 17 of Real World - Season 2! That's it. E! channel has lovely offerings. 2 whole episodes. A BTS: SoulPlay ep, and 1 E! True Hollywood Story: Brat Pack. Most of the channels you mentioned aren't even available on there at all.

I would only use it for an occasional HBO/Showtime original shows or movie (those selections are a bit better but still quite limited), if I watched premium channels enough to subscribe.

The only thing I see that's similar between the 2 is that you can watch a program when you want, not when it's scheduled. But my VCR offers that to me already, and my VCR is more flexible than OnDemand when it comes to actually storing things I want to watch later. ;)

Tivo/DVR is in a totally different class from anything else currently available.

Posted by: Seattlite at Jun 10, 2004 9:29:34 AM

Just stumbled onto this thread from Google. I've been a semi-satisfied Comcast digital cable subscriber in Jersey City, NJ for 3 years. I just got my Mot 6208 with DVR last Thursday. Haven't had much time to play with it but so far I love the better-looking guide that flips wayyyy quicker than my General Instrument/Motorola digital box did. Time-To-Decode when flipping through channels is still horrible though. I used DirecTV a lot and the decode speed to a moving picture is much faster *and* it has the preview window to boot!

I've got the 6208 hooked up using component video and digital audio. It's crystal-clear but only on the digital (hi) channels; local stations are grainy and fuzzy, same as before though?

I plugged things into the ethernet, USB, and FireWire ports on the 6208 and they're all dead. Any idea what/when/if these will ever be used?

This is my first foray into DVR. I've been eyeing ReplayTV (more because of its technical features like quality video out and ethernet in) and TiVo (less) for years but never thought they would catch on.

BTW, I also have and regularly use Comcast OnDemand, Comcast High-Speed Internet at 3000/256 (actual speed more like 3103/156 with large fluctuations), and Verizon DSL at 1500/128 (actual speed that's consistent) (work order placed for upgrade to 1500/384).

Posted by: TheStreet at Jun 13, 2004 10:09:25 PM

I have had the Comcasts Motorola HDTV/DVR for a couple of weeks. I'd have to say that I am extremely pleased with it so far. The menu is much improved over the old HDTV-only box I had. The time-to-decode on the digital channels is a bit slow, but certianly doesn't make it unwatchable.

The install tech said that two-tuner units should be available by years end. He also said that Comcast would be all digital by by then as well. If this is the case the dual-tuner units, will need have at least 100GB HD. Nearing 200GB would be better.

Posted by: FrankS at Jun 15, 2004 7:19:29 AM

Here in Wichita KS Cox is rolling out the NEW Mororola 6412 with Dual Tuner HD recorder. It will have HD recording ability. 120GB Hard Drive, fast forward. DVI not active yet but YBR until they get their head end up for DVI etc. Digital spdif 5.1 etc. Should be getting it installed shortly.

Posted by: BillR at Jun 16, 2004 2:07:47 PM

Update from Comcast: A sales rep yesterday gave me a street date for DVR boxes in Seattle. They should be available here on October 1st.

Of course that's subject to change and they don't have any of the exact specs yet as the units and service is still undergoing testing.

Posted by: Seattlite at Jun 17, 2004 2:06:12 PM

Reston and Herndon, Virginia (Nova) Comcast has FINALLY started releasing the HD/DVR box. I have received it yet, but called today to have a tech guy bring me one.

Posted by: NOVA Comcast at Jun 18, 2004 7:41:40 AM

Just called Arlington, VA Comcast and they have the boxes, but there is a waiting list. They should have more arriving by July 1st.

Posted by: Larry at Jun 18, 2004 7:57:30 AM

Any word on when HD/DVR rollout will begin in Salt Lake City??

Posted by: RJ in SLC at Jun 22, 2004 12:15:58 AM

I have Direct TV Tivo now, I love it... I just bought an HDTV 51" Samsung and I love it. Now I need an HD signal???

Comcast offers local HD programs. Comcast from what I read has a so so DVR with one signal input.

Direct TV TIVO will cost me $999.00 (if you can find one)but Direct TV does not offer local chanels in HD.

Comcast is less exspensive and can offer the whole package with out the quality of TIVO.

What are other people out there doing? I'm sure I'm not the only person with this problem to solve.

Posted by: Peter at Jun 22, 2004 10:37:10 AM

Comcast is only soft launching its DVR right now. This model is not the final model. A duel tuner box with be released in the fall with other updated features. They are more in a testing phase right now. That is why they are limiting the amount of boxes available.

Posted by: Peter at Jun 22, 2004 9:10:52 PM

RJ -

To get local HD broadcasts with DirecTV just get an off air antenna installed on your dish and you'll get local HD broadcasts. The HD Tivo/DirecTv receiver can record those broadcasts as well.

When I moved 3 months ago I switched from DirecTV to cable because getting HD was so much cheaper that way (can rent the box instead of buying it). I just decided to switch back to satellite. I have the standard Tivo/DirecTv receiver but will buy the HD version when I can finally find a store that has it. Nothing compares to Tivo. It's worth the $999 to me! I'm having satellite installed in my new house in 2 weeks. With DirecTv's movers program it will only cost $25 and that includes the new dish...

Posted by: Rick at Jun 23, 2004 9:23:41 AM

FrankS: Please double-check. Your DVI is active, as is the 1394. Your TV needs to support the corresponding copy protection.

Posted by: DVR Lurker at Jun 25, 2004 11:21:56 AM

A couple of questions:

Can I dub a VHS tape or DVD that I have recorded personally with a camera (or off of tv) into the Comcast hard drive? This would allow me to free up many tapes that only have 1 hour (out of 6) worth saving. I would then dub the chosen program back onto a new VHS tape, again saving only that portion that I want.

Also, can I record from the Comcast box onto a VCR or DVD unit? This would allow me to save recorded hard drive programming worth keeping. Thanks!

Posted by: tp at Jun 29, 2004 9:42:16 AM

I have this exact box with HDTV Digital programming from Comcast in South Florida.

But, the DVR features on the remote don't seem to work, and Comcast website says "DVR not yet available at this address."

Are all the features 'in the box' and I just need to figure a way to 'turn it on' .. or, do they need to feed me a special signal/data for DVR usage?

Posted by: Sunshine in Plantation at Jul 4, 2004 12:56:59 AM

I am looking into DVR in Rockville Maryland for a relative. Can you record a "season pass" without any problems with the current Comcast Motorola machine?

Posted by: AJB at Jul 7, 2004 9:12:44 PM

Comcast is rolling out the DVR box in the Northern California Area starting the 1st of August. Can't wait!

Posted by: tiredmike at Jul 8, 2004 2:28:08 PM

I just talked to one of Comcast's reps who said it won't be until the end of the year "due to a high failure rate", if then. As for the HD/DVR, they anticipated sometime in 2005.

I'm switching to Comcast from DirecTV (not my choice--moving) and I'm more than a little frustrated at the lack of equipment offered by Comcast.

Posted by: deborde2 at Jul 18, 2004 12:21:20 PM

I'm in Oakland, CA. Just got my HD box through Comcast and the technician told me they've got the PVR boxes in, but for whatever reason, they're not notifying the public yet. Probably because they don't have enough techs to handle the anticipated demand.

Posted by: iceblocky at Jul 20, 2004 3:20:52 PM

I'm outside of Phila, PA. Finally got my the PVR version of the HD box about a month ago. Had to keep calling for it. Works great-- the menu has changed from the traditional digital, but is better. I'd love to have a 2-tuner version in the future. It's great to record/pause HD feeds.

Posted by: G at Jul 30, 2004 10:14:52 AM

I am trying to sign up for the on demand hdtv give away

Posted by: JoAnn Funk at Jul 31, 2004 11:25:49 AM

I am trying to sign up for the on demand hdtv give away

Posted by: JoAnn Funk at Jul 31, 2004 11:26:02 AM

I am trying to sign up for the on demand hdtv give away

Posted by: JoAnn Funk at Jul 31, 2004 11:26:09 AM

I have an appointment to receive my Comcast HDTV/DV-R single feed box on August 16th. Looking forward to it.

I was also informed the dual feed boxes will be out late fall and I can switch my single feed box out for no charge.

Posted by: Adam in Chicago at Aug 3, 2004 11:35:39 AM

Rick, have you successfully used the IEEE 1394 connection on a Comcast HD DVR? Which model, DCT6208? DCT6214? A tech is bringing me a Comcast HD DVR box on Saturday (Knoxville, TN area) and it would really simplify my life if the IEEE 1394 works. My Sony HDTV has a good set of connections but I have a lot of set-top-boxes and would prefer not to have to use a switch box (availability of DVI switch boxes is limited and they are not cheap!)

Posted by: majorjkg at Aug 3, 2004 12:35:40 PM

I just got Motorola dvr/hdtv today from my cable company. NO manual available. Do you know where I can get one?

Posted by: DOROTHY HORNE at Aug 4, 2004 4:16:13 PM

You can find Motorola manuals on the Motorola web site. You might also find something on your cable companies web site.

Posted by: majorjkg at Aug 5, 2004 1:03:13 PM

P.S.: Cable companies sometimes disable certain features (such as IEEE 1394 outputs) on some of there boxes, so don't be surprised if every feature doesn't work. Unfortunately, tech support at cable companies is, in my experience, very weak and they might not be able to discuss your questions intelligently, should you have any!

Posted by: majorjkg at Aug 5, 2004 1:08:11 PM

P.S.: Cable companies sometimes disable certain features (such as IEEE 1394 outputs) on some of there boxes, so don't be surprised if some features don't work as described in the manual. Unfortunately, tech support at cable companies is, in my experience, very weak and they might not be able to discuss your questions intelligently, should you have any!

Posted by: majorjkg at Aug 5, 2004 1:09:05 PM

Ok. I just received my email from Comcast that DVR is available in my area Jersey City, NJ. It will be installed on Tuesday, I'll post up then.

Tivo S1 (5 years)
Tivo S2 (2 years)

Posted by: Erick Grau at Aug 6, 2004 10:50:29 AM

As a installer for the local cable company here in Louisville KY, the new DVR from Motorola has to be the worst thing out there. It compleltely degrades the analog picture and half of the HD channels suck too. Not to mention they disable just about all of the features that come on the box (including DVI). I am sorry cable subscribers but if you want great picture quality gotta go with Dish or Direct.

Posted by: CableTech at Aug 9, 2004 8:57:12 AM

I'm in the suburbs of Phialdelphia. I'll be receiving Comcast digital and DVR on Thursday, the STB is the Motorola 6208 and I was told that the new 2 tuner model# 6212 will be out in September and all you do is call and they upgrade you for free to the new STB.

Posted by: Dan at Aug 9, 2004 8:01:09 PM

Can anyone tell me if Comcast has upgraded the interface to its television guide?

Last time I checked, Comcast's digital TV interface was absolutely horrible. Severe latency issues on menu redraws, shitty 4-bit graphics, etc.

It really pales in comparison to Time Warner.

Posted by: mokolabs at Aug 13, 2004 6:10:24 AM

I just had my comcast DVR installed yesterday. I dont like the dvr function of the box. I have had tivo for about 5 years series 1 and 2. The tivo boxes are a lot better. The only thing comcast did right was they made the interface better than there previous box but tivo is still better in that area plus the new comcast box is a lot faster than there previous box.The dvr part of the box just simply sucks. There is no season pass. The interface is ugly compared to tivo's they should have gotten tivo boxes like direct tv did it would have been 100 percent better i am returning this crap and getting my old cable box back i will continue to use my tivo with the old cable box instead.

Posted by: Hassan at Aug 13, 2004 7:40:08 AM

Does anyone know when the Comcast HD DVR will arive in the Detroit area.

Posted by: seanje at Aug 13, 2004 12:22:27 PM

RE: Chicagoland availability. Just got off the phone with Comcast and have my install set for 8/25/04 which was the earliest date I could get. I'm in zip 60707 don't know about other areas.
Their website still says it's unavailable in my area and I did sign up for their email notification service but didn't receive an email yet. It is indeed the Motorola model 6208 that I will be getting. The rep I spoke with said they just a meeting this morning and I was her first sale SO Chicagoans, start calling!

Posted by: Kyle at Aug 13, 2004 1:54:31 PM

Hello: I was considering TiVo this past week then I saw on my Comcast site that they offered a DVR for $9.95 per month. I am writing this Aug 16 2004 , everything I read on this site so far was from 2003 so there must have been changes. Comcast says for now the box can replace the converter but you can only watch what is being recorder ( end of year toe double box will permit recording of one show while watching another. They say it IS HDTV ready but it has capacity for 30 hrs only . No phone line needed and you use the same guide screen currently in use. I feel that with no long term commitment except for the $25.00 install fee that at $10.00 a month it is the best alternative to purchasing anything that will be oblosete within 6 months .

Posted by: Allan at Aug 16, 2004 10:23:28 AM

I agree with Kyle above...even though this system has major limitations, I can't justify spending $99 for the 40-hour TiVo and then $299 for the lifetime fee. You'd have to use that TiVo box for at least 3.3 years, and then it would start being a better deal than Comcast's DVR.

A couple of questions though (as I await my Comcast installation). When you pay $9.95 for the box and they take back your cable converter box that you no longer need (as this DVR is apparently also a cable converter) do they stop charging you $4.98 for the cable box (I have 3 cable boxes)? If so, then you figure the DVR only costs $4.97 a month since you'd be paying for a cable box anyway. Any thoughts?

Posted by: David at Aug 16, 2004 12:23:17 PM

Just got the Mot 6208 today in Nashville, TN. Comcast is advertising $9.95, but the clerk told me it would only be $4.95/month. It appears to be only a single-tuner unit which I quickly realized. No one has mentioned a free upgrade in the fall, but I'll be looking. I've never seen a Tivo, but I have been following the technology for many years. So, in the end, I'm out $4.95 and quite frankly I think it's the best $5.00 I've spent in a long time.

Posted by: CP at Aug 16, 2004 9:18:53 PM

I talked to a rep from Comcast Chicago on Sunday. I was told that I could stop by and pick up a box from them (i.e. switch it out myself...most likely they had boxes at their irving park office, and they may as well at their North and Clyborn location).

I just purchased a 40 hr TiVo from Best Buy due to the $100 rebate. I think it sucks that I have to hook this up via an S video connection and mess around on my tv going back and forth between by AV (S Vid connection) and composite connections for the motorola box.

David or Allan....did they discuss whether or not they have season pass capabilities yet? That is listed on their site. I am not sure how "smart" these are (i.e. recording only new runs or both)? I could live with them recording both. Did you also ask about the ability to hook wireless in and stream music through the motorola boxes...probably can't happen yet. I am thinking about returning TiVo and going with the DVR.

I was also told that new boxes should be out by year's end....although I have read that quote numerous times above.

Posted by: Dan at Aug 16, 2004 9:22:20 PM

I just got the HDTV/DVR box from COMCAST. If you currently have Comcast HDTV, then it is $5 more per month. (You are already paying $5 more per month for HDTV, so it is $10 more then the basic package price). If you do not have Comcast HDTV, you then are paying $10 more per month. (Because you still have to have a HD box)

Anyway, I only played with it for a few hours last night, and I love it. It will always keep a few hours of The Simpsons and Seinfeld on it. You have a lot of options, such as how many episodes to keep, when to delete them, days to record, etc. It only records 7 hours of HDTV content, which isn't a whole lot, but enough for one movie while leaving plenty of room for NON-HD content. There is only one tuner. It would be nice if I could record one channel while watching another, but it is not really a bug deal since I can just switch inputs on my TV and use my TV tuner, as long as I don't want to watch a digital channel.

Overall, it is DEFINATELY worth the 5 bucks per month.

Posted by: Bert at Aug 17, 2004 6:54:19 AM

I just had my DCT6208 installed 2 days ago here in Chicago. I like it alot, but it's definitely not Tivo. Nonetheless it's a much better deal than paying for Tivo.

Tivo is far advanced as features go. I miss the timeline along the bottom showing how much of the show has been recorded.

Dual feeds on the Tivo box makes a world of difference when watching and recording at the same time. I find myself scheduling alot of recording in the middle of the night and when I am at work due to the fact that there is no point in recording anything while I'm watching TV.

Comcast would not allow me to pick mine up directly from them, and made me schedule an appointment to have someone hook it up. Lucky for me they were 45 minutes late and I ended up with a $20 credit to my account =)

There is no season pass, everything must be set to record once a week, or once a day, etc...

Posted by: Adam in Chicago at Aug 17, 2004 10:13:27 PM

Has anyone worked out a hack to activate the firewire(IEEE 1394) ports? Any help would be most appreciated!

Posted by: Rockndog at Aug 18, 2004 9:19:13 AM

After a month or so with the DVR box I couldn't give it up. It may not yet have season pass functionality, but TIVO doesn't record HD. If you watch any HD this box is a must at only $5.00/mth.

Posted by: G at Aug 18, 2004 1:40:09 PM

NOTE> Upon further review in my surburban philadelphia market I am charged 9.95/month EVEN WITH the HD BOX already installed. (it is the same box just with a hard drive) Other markets for some odd reason get it cheaper. I'd rather be paying 1/2.... but I still like it enough to get gouged... TIVO is still more w/o HD recording.

Posted by: G at Aug 18, 2004 1:47:57 PM

I got an e-mail saying the DVR was available in the Wilmington, DE area.

I called to order installation, the cust serv rep said that it wasn't avail in my area. They offered to take my information and contact me when it was avail.

I told her I had already signed up notification and that they had contacted me saying it was available.

She put me on hold for 10 mins, then came back and said, "OK, it IS available."

We proceeded to set up an appointment, at which time she put me on hold again, then came back saying there were no more boxes available.

She said they had no expect date on delivery and they would contact me when I could get the service hooked up!

At this point, I'm just going to take advantage of TIVO's new rebate and $99 deal.

Everything I've read indicates TIVO's interface and functionality outweighs comcast's and other's DVR features.

As for different tier pricing -- that's par for the course with Comcast. They run the same promotion with many variations on pricing and terms according to region.

One thing I've found helpful is to indicate you heard there is a cheaper deal available through a friend, and that you're thinking of switching to another service.

Sometimes you can get the cust serv rep or manager to work out a deal with you.

Like many things, the pricing can be negotiable. Crazy, but true.

dave

Posted by: David McGurgan at Aug 20, 2004 3:32:45 AM

I had my DVR installed 2 days ago in Royal Oak, MI. It's $4.99 more per month than just the HD box. It doesn't have all of the same functions of Tivo as many people mentioned above but it's well worth the money in my opinion. Recorded shows don't seem to have the same resolution as the original program but it's not too bad, especially in HD. All in all it's worth it and it's far less money than going with the HD DVR if you have DirecTV.

Posted by: Rick at Aug 20, 2004 5:39:04 AM

Well Comcast has set a new world stanrdard for bad implementations. On Aug 19, Comcast rolled out an upgrade of their HD service in the Los Angeles area. Part of the "upgrade" was a patch to the DCT box's software that disabled the previously working DVI port. Upon calling Comcast they said it was done because they did not support DVI and this would ensure that the phone calls for DVI questions would stop. So now this very feature rich DVR has been stripped off all its enhanced functionality.

Posted by: MAKD at Aug 22, 2004 8:14:30 PM

Posted by: MAKD at Aug 22, 2004 8:14:49 PM

Comcast just contacted me about the DVR. Im in CT (06066) rep said they are contacting people who sign up to be notified. Getting the 6208 only records 1 channel,Dolby 5.1, Will have active IEEE 1394 connection to PC,RSA input option (what is that?)50hrs digital record time and 30hrs analog. $15.99 install charge and must have tech onsite to install it. $14.95 per month and Im keeping my old box.(moving it to my office)

Posted by: Py at Aug 23, 2004 9:42:54 AM

I have had the DVR in central NJ for a week now and it does what it says. HD recording works fine. The software sucks as a search for sg-1 gets you nothing. You have to use Stargate. No recording of every Stargate. Just the same time slot every day. Deleting this feature was not easy also. But bottom line is I can now enjoy HD movies any time of the day I want and my kid loves the fact that he can pause and rewind cartoons. The pause feature has saved a few arguments about when we can talk about something without interupting a program. However as soon as the double tuner box is out I'll be all over it.

Posted by: John K at Aug 24, 2004 9:55:41 AM

Just had the Motorola 6208 installed by Comcast. So far so good except for the single tuner. I emailed Comcast about possible availability of the Motorola DCT6412 dual-tuner model and received this response:

"Thank you for contacting Comcast Cable. We are unable to confirm any
information about the availability of this new converter at this time.
Thank you for your patience."

Curious if anyone, in any Comcast market area, has the dual tuner converter.

Posted by: Kyle at Aug 25, 2004 1:12:50 PM

I HAVE this box and had no idea it had any PVR functions. I knew about the VOD features, and use them quite often, but how on earth do I use this as a HD PVR for live television?

Posted by: Alex at Aug 26, 2004 5:59:45 AM

Are you allowed to say that on the internet?

Posted by: duder at Aug 26, 2004 3:53:21 PM

A lot of folks have what looks exactly like this box, but the similarities stop there. I have the HD box that looks like this as well. I just ordered this service and they have to come out and swap the box with the new one which does in fact have the DVR capabilities.

FYI on prices: I'm currently paying $5 a month for HD service. The DVR service is $9 a month. However, they roll the HD service cost into that, so my bill only goes up $4 a month, plus whatever taxes. Of course these costs will be different per provider/region.

Posted by: phibes at Aug 27, 2004 7:09:10 AM

I just relocated to the Nashville area. When I had service installed I got the Motorola DCT6208 (single line). I came from Memphis where Time Warner's box, although not HD, had dual line capabilities. So I am disappointed. HD reception is good though. Does anyone have news on when the Nashville area may get the dual line tuners?? I called and the rep I got didn't seem to know what I was asking so I am not confident in the info they pass out. Thanks!

Posted by: carol at Aug 28, 2004 3:21:19 PM

Had the comcast DVR (Motorola single tuner) installed last week. I think it is going back. Unless there is a setting or something that can be changed.

The quality of non-digital live TV stinks. Digital is great. HD is great. The best way to describe it is that the analog channels look like it is broadcast in SLP or EP mode (vcr quality setting-6 hr mode) instead of SP (2 hr mode)

Does the box have a quality setting that can be changed? Comcast customer support and their techs have no clue. My box was the first this installer installed.

If I take the coax cable out of the box and put it into the TV and the picture is better than with the HD outputs of the box.

There also is a lot of pixilization and audio drop-outs on the digital channels.

None of this happened on the original HD box that the DVR replaced.

Comcast is coming out tomorrow to look at it. I doubt they will be able to do anything, as it appears to be a hardware issue.

Anyone else experience this? Any ideas to work around it? I really like the DVR feature. It works well...if the image quality would improve.

Paul

Posted by: Paul at Aug 30, 2004 5:45:36 AM

Got my DVR in Chicago last week (Motorola 6208). The installer told me that the dual tuner model would be available in November. Although it pales in comparison to the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8000 interface that Cox uses, it's better than nothing.

Posted by: John W at Aug 30, 2004 1:38:54 PM

I'm in Central CT, 06010.

JUST got the Motorola Comcast HDTV DVR. No idea whatsoever what model it is because the installer has no data (said it was only the 2nd he installed, and everyone afterwards would need a $100 deposit) or manual. Frankly, the two models look the same on the Motorola site. [and I peeked at the back, where there's supposed to be that tag for the model, it's a green circular sticker. Whee!]

How stupid is this? "Oh yes, we have it, but we're going to leave you completely in the dark about its capabilities and how the remote works. Figure it out for yourself, because our customer service sucks anyway." What a swell and intelligent way to do business.

But it is neat thus far. Lotsa connections on the back - but the first thing I want to do is connect it up to the wireless network [that I don't quite have yet, but I'm getting there!] and access it via the ol' PC. Anyone know of ways to turn on the ports or hack the bloody thing?

Posted by: Kevin W at Sep 1, 2004 11:24:31 AM

I hae just ordered the Motorola 6208 via Comcast and plan to connect it to my Tivo Series 2. Are there any options to change channels besides using the IR Blaster. (too slow...) Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

Posted by: Joe at Sep 3, 2004 3:04:11 PM

I sent my DVR back. Comcast stated that I could watch 1 program and record another. I sent the first one back because the Sales person lied. I was expecting model with 2 tuners. Not so in the Chicago Metro Area. The box that arrived was the 6208 not the 6214 as promissed.

Posted by: Brendan R at Sep 8, 2004 10:11:49 AM

Well i just ordered my DVR HD box. They are coming this Wednesday....cant wait. Im hearing alot of good things about this and alot of bad. Im giving up my Tivo for this....as soon as the new one comes out ill get it. I just hope its going to have season pass on the dual tuner one. Well as soon as the installer gets done ill let you know if im going to keep it or not.....

Posted by: marcus at Sep 8, 2004 11:53:47 PM

I also didn't get a manual upon install. However, Motorola has been nice enough to post them online.

http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/dct6208.asp

Most of the ports according to the manual appear to be disabled unless they are needed for HDTV. For some reason the audio in works (set has to be turned off though) but the video in is disabled. I was hoping this would be a convenient way to possibly hook up my old defunt VCR.

Posted by: Scott at Sep 11, 2004 7:40:28 AM

Got my Comcast DVR this past Saturday. In Ann Arbor, MI, they just "hard-launched" the DVR service recently. So far they only have the one-tuner Motorola 6208, and even those are in somewhat short supply. The two-tuner DVRs are theoretically supposed to be available this winter, according to the tech who installed mine. So far, the machine works beautifully. The tech was almost *too* helpful explaining how it works. I quite like the live TV pause and the replay features. And while it's somewhat of a pain to be limited to one tuner, it's still a big step up from not having the DVR in the first place, and, like someone else commented, it's the price of being an early adopter.

Posted by: Geoff Brown at Sep 13, 2004 12:05:22 PM

I live in dover de. and wounding if comcast will have a hdtv box that lets me record the hd signal?

Posted by: toney at Sep 15, 2004 11:13:12 AM

I have a question regarding the DVR's abilities. Say you want to record a Seinfeld episode that airs on Thurs at 8 pm. Now I know currently you can't watch TV during this time and try and record (since it is a single tuner). However, can you record the Seinfeld that airs on Wed earlier in the week (like Tuesday morning)? If it appears on the guide like most shows, can you record it anytime before the actual show time or do you HAVE to record during the acutal listed showtime?

Thanks!

Posted by: Trevor at Sep 15, 2004 3:55:44 PM

Has anyone tried to hook up a game console to the component video-in jack on the back ( or front for that matter)of the Mot 6208? I'm trying to run my XBox through it, but can't seem to get a signal.

Thanks.

Posted by: Bob at Sep 16, 2004 5:05:14 PM

Tony, to the best of my knowledge, you can only record a program when it is streaming through the box itself. If its on the guide, you can record. If it's an OnDemand show, you can record it any time you want. You won't be able to record a normal program before its scheduled to play. You can watch the TV while recording, but only the program you are recording.

Posted by: Bob at Sep 16, 2004 5:21:46 PM

Does anyone know if Comcast is using the SA Explorer 8000HD or the Motorola box (if the mot is it single or dual tuner) in Arlington VA? Thanks!

Posted by: jason at Sep 17, 2004 8:28:11 AM

I currently have Directv TIVO, and 2 other tivos.

I called Comcast today and spent time going through each feature to replace Directv TIVO so I can just go with Comcast only. After going through everything, I asked the important questions:

Will I be able to watch a program on Live TV while recording another? Her answer was yes.

Will I be able to have a season pass? She said yes.

I scheduled the appointment for monday and then did further research online because talking to her made me uneasy.

Fact was Comcast in New Castle, DE on has the Motorola DCT6208 which is the single tuner box. I called her back and asked the next girl about this and she confirmed that they only have that one available and I told her I can just move my TIVO upstairs for the same results so I don't want it unless I can have dual tuners. Then she puts me on hold and she tells me that the 6412 is for HDTV people only and not available in my area as of yet. Then I told her she was a liar because you don't need to have HDTV to use this box, I did the research. She then put me on hold(very polite mind you since I did just call her a liar). She then came and told me that the 6412 box is out for some but not for all at this time and they will roll the new boxes out in a timely matter. I let her know that this didn't make any sense. If you roll them out to people that are already using the other box then they are losing all of the recordings. Why not just give a box to me?? She really didn't get it. I guess I am sticking to directv a little longer unless I can find a dual tuner DVR for cable. I can't find one anywhere.

Posted by: David at Sep 17, 2004 9:40:34 AM

Comcast in Lancaster PA has the DCT6208 ready for installation. If you check their website, they'll tell you it is not available, which is incorrect. If you call the 800 number you can order it, they'll tell you to pick up the box at the service center, but when you get to the service center they'll tell you a tech must install the unit (because it's a new technology, their words). Dual tuners are available on the Motorola DC6412, but I don't believe that is being offered. The only way to get video out of the unit to a PC (without re-encoding it) is through the firewire port using a program called Firebus. I haven't used it (my box hasn't been 'professionally installed' yet) but I've read it works.

Posted by: Ahpsi at Sep 19, 2004 11:15:46 AM

I had heard with the 7.1x firmware you can hook in a FW HD to increase the compacity?

I have JUST tried, to no luck. I simply plugged it in, and I still show %31 free.

Any thoughts?

Posted by: Jef at Sep 19, 2004 4:53:42 PM

I live in Glen Ridge, NJ (near Newark) and have Comcast as my provider. On Tuesday, Sept 28 I will be receiving the Motorola 6208 single tuner model. I'm kinda bummed that I can't record my wife's soaps on soap-net while I watch something else. They said that in October they will be releasing the dual-tuner model. When I asked about the upgrade, they said that it would be FREE, but it sucks that I have to wait for them to come out to the house again, etc.

Posted by: Decksmooth at Sep 22, 2004 11:11:29 AM

In suburban PHL I have the 6208 for several months. I emailed comcast about the 2 turner version and they said "this winter" but didn't give me dates --- as they said they hadn't set any yet. Long story short, it's comming.... just wait.

Posted by: aqua at Sep 23, 2004 8:01:19 AM

Why the heck does Motorola have a single tuner? I just think it's a waist.

Posted by: Karim at Sep 25, 2004 2:42:04 AM

I'm going to pick up my HD DVR now. I'll let you know what model and how it goes.
MD, Rockville area
Online it said they didn't have it ready. I called the local number and the said I could pick it up or have it installed for $12. I'm going to pick it up.

Posted by: James at Sep 28, 2004 7:33:33 AM

Comcast - Chicago area

anyone have an idea when Comcast will roll out the DVR/digital cable box in the Chicago area? preferably the dual tuner variety (Motorola DCT6412).

Posted by: Jonathan at Sep 28, 2004 12:38:47 PM

Comcast told me that the single tuner is available in the Chicago area now but the dual tuner is not supposed to be available until October or November.

Posted by: Alan at Sep 29, 2004 8:47:20 AM

Concast are delivering my (single tuner) PVR today after two failed attepmts yesterday - infuriating having waited in all day. C'est la vie.

I wouldn't wait for the dual tuner personally, as October may turn into next May (check out how long this blog has been going) I'll upgrade when they're available.

Comcast will not allow you to pick up the box, despite the fact the comcast reps refer to a $30 installation charge, and the engineers talk about 'dropping one off'. Appointments are about two weeks out.

Posted by: Keith at Sep 29, 2004 12:49:34 PM

Does anybody here know if the HD DVR is available in the Fort Lauderdale area?

Posted by: Jason at Sep 29, 2004 2:38:42 PM

Does anybody here know if the HD DVR is available in the Fort Lauderdale area? On the website it says it is not available for me.

Posted by: Jason at Sep 29, 2004 2:39:20 PM

I just got this device and am wondering like the rest of you- there must be a way to get your recorded programs out of one of the ports! anyone who figures it out drop me a line

Posted by: Adam at Oct 1, 2004 9:32:49 AM

For anyone thinking about getting this--don't--The analog channels look horrible. What did motorola do to this boxes to make analog look so bad. Hopefully the company has plans of changing whatever they need to change to get the analog looking decent again. Anyone know the science behind this? Is it compression problem, latency through the hard drive or what?

Posted by: Max at Oct 2, 2004 8:44:33 AM

I received this response (very quick response -regarding analog picture quality on DVR boxes). Hopes this helps.

This is not a simple issue. If you want to understand it better, please read on.

In order for your cable operator to deliver you services like HDTV, they must send a digital signal to your home, alongside the current analog signal they send for other channels. The cable box you have must decipher both of these signals independently. In order to record current analog channels on a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), it is necessary to digitize the analog video. This digitization process does introduce artifacts into the analog video which some viewers find objectionable. As your cable company converts more of their analog video services to digital, the number of such channels where you might notice a distortion of the image will decrease.

Short Answer: The advanced digital processing equipment in your cable box is different than a standard analog television tuner. Putting the non-digital (analog) TV signal through a digital conversion process to allow it to be recorded does slightly affect the look of the video. These video artifacts are subjective, and some consumers find them more objectionable than others.

What you can do about it: You can bypass the digital processor by adding a cable splitter. One output of the cable splitter would be directly connected to the coax input on your TV, while the other output of the splitter would attach to the DVR set-top box, which would then be connected to a different input on your TV (such as "Video 1" or "Auxiliary Input"). To switch between analog content and recorded DVR content, simply switch the inputs on your TV.

This configuration will also allow you to watch a basic cable channel while recording a different program on the cable DVR. However, you should note that you will not have use of the interactive program guide or the DVR functions (like pausing live TV) while you're watching the basic analog cable channels. Further, if you record a basic cable channel it will still have to be encoded into a digital format to be saved on the DVR hard disk drive and will therefore contain the picture faults you avoid by watching with the cable splitter.

What we are doing about it: We are working on a next generation of analog-to-digital encoding with more sophisticated picture improvement techniques. This will improve the situation, but will not make converted analog pictures look as good as pictures that are originally created in a pure digital format or transmitted in a digital format.

Longer Answer:
Standard non-digital television signals or analog television signals are very different than digital video. Analog television signals often pick up some interference as they travel through air or the cable network. Technicians call the interference "noise". This noise manifests itself as "snow", blurriness, or other picture distortion depending on how much of this "noise" interferes with the original TV picture information.

The signal-to-noise ratio is usually optimized by the cable network technicians, who will provide amplification and/or filtering to make sure you receive a good signal to your home. However, other conditions in your home -- such as loose cable fittings, splitters, or switches -- can cause signals in the air to "leak in" or "ingress" other interference into the cable line around your home, which will result in more noise in the pictures. However with a standard television and with no digital processing, a certain level of signal-to-noise is more tolerable in the picture.

High-definition video signals, along with the information saved on a digital video recorder, are digital. The digital encoder inside your DVR turns the TV picture into digital information which can be saved on the hard disk drive. This means that when the encoder receives an analog signal, it will turn every element of the picture into a digital form with a specific address location for display on a high resolution TV screen.

The computer processor that digitizes the picture must interpret everything that it receives in some way, so when it receives a noisy picture, what you end up seeing on your high-resolution monitor is a picture that contains a combination of the encoder's "interpretation" of the noise and what your TV's processor does with it. Basically, it's a digital copy of a digital copy of interference. By bypassing the digital box and input directly to the TV, only the digital processor in your TV handles the information and the picture comes out looking better.

Miscellaneous:
Compared to high definition pictures the processed analog pictures look much worse and become less tolerable.

Different digital TVs use different digital processes. Some are less forgiving than others, so picture quality varies from TV to TV. Some more sophisticated and more expensive sets have noise reduction technology that can improve the picture.

Posted by: Nimh at Oct 2, 2004 11:18:41 AM

Reston Virginia. Have had my comcast digital TV, and HD DVR--Seientif Atlanta Explorer® 8000HD up and running for several weeks. HD and DVR work real well, not as slick as TVIO, but close. Still running my TIVO, as for some reason the COMCAST DVR will not record Law and Order or ER on NBC??

Finally installed a Fiber cable, from the 8000HD to my surround sounds system and all work great.

I rate the HD and DVR excellent. However, COMCAST did have the DVI port on the 8000HD so must use the Componet out puts.

Posted by: Jim at Oct 2, 2004 12:47:44 PM

I am in Lancaster PA and I have the Comcast HDTV/PVR set-top box. I have it hooked up to the Philips HDTV set via component inputs. The cable channels look nasty as most of you are saying. The HDTV channels look great. I do have some problems and I was wondering if anyone else has seen them or knows how to fix them. In HD sometimes the whole screen is just lines, kind of like when a PC monitor is out of sync, sometimes it is just the bottom half, sometimes there are 3 or 4 horizontal lines at the bottom of the screen. Could it be I have a weak signal into the Comcast box? Could I have low quality component cables? (I replaced those with some made for HD cables) Or is it something with the comcast broadcast? It seems to follow certain programs. Any ideas? When the comcast guy hooked it up he did the cable test and all. He installed a new splitter and some other cable. And also... where is FOX in HD? I need to see the 4-0 Eagles play in HD.

Posted by: Justin at Oct 3, 2004 3:35:25 PM

I have the same set-up as you, and probably the same Philips 34" HDTV monitor.

I have also noticed that "out-of-sync" problem on occasion. It appears it happens to me if I turn the TV off when watching an HD channel. Sometimes when I turn the TV back on, the TV can't "sync-up" to the channel. Turning to a non-HD channel clears it up.

What I do now is try to make an effort to turn to a non-HD channel before turning the TV off.

But what I really can't stand about the Comcast DVR service are:

1. No dual tuner (which makes DVR pretty worthless)
2. I hate the new program guide. It shows you the full hour, instead of 1/2-hour increments as my older box. Showing a full hour leaves less room for the titles of the shows, so I see a lot of "My Wife..." and "Lord of the..." and sometimes, all I see in the blocks are "...", so I have to guess at the show's titles.

Posted by: James Orlowski at Oct 4, 2004 12:55:20 PM

I only have a 30" Philips... Last night I took my wall plate off and now I have my cable box connected directly to the only splitter. So now the cable comes in from the street to a Comcast provided splitter and from there to the Comcast box via another Comcast supplied cable. It seems to work better... but I have seen the screen glitches since there. I don't know that it is the TV. I can play DVDs and regular cable without problems. I am thinking it is the cable box or signal because, if I remember correctly, before I got the HDTV I was seeing it on my old TV which was hooked up to the HD cabel box via the coax cable.

Posted by: Justin at Oct 4, 2004 5:36:35 PM

Occasionally, while watching a HD channel, I do get minor "break-ups" of the picture (tiny square boxes), and sometimes, the audio also drops for a few frames. I was at my sister's house nearby who also has HD from Comcast, and her TV (different than mine) does the same thing.

I assume its due to some sort of glitch in the signal external from my wiring, so I really just shrug it off as something I can't do anything about.

Posted by: James Orlowski at Oct 5, 2004 10:18:44 AM

Here is Pittsburgh, I just stopped by my local Comcast office (on Stoops Ferry Road in Moon Twp.) and they handed me a DVR box over the counter. Painless.

Posted by: James Orlowski at Oct 5, 2004 10:26:24 AM

Have had the Comcast one-tuner DVR on my HD tv for a while now...here are some comments:

Positive:
Can not live without the DVR now that I have it.

Being able to record and watch a recorded show (not another channel) is nice.

being able to record shows weeks in advance is great.

pause and rewind live tv is great

Negative:
Analog channels are abysmal. Makes my 50" HDTV look like 'My Fist Sony' toy. It is virtually unwatchable 90% of the time.

shows are recorded by time. If the show runs long, or is late...you will not get the entire show....or something totally different

no 'season ticket' feature.

If show time is changed..and is not updated in the system..you will not get your show.

Did I mention the analog channels are abysmal?

If the guide loses its data...you can't record...that I can figure out.

Remote supplies is not logical..better than the one it replaced..but still a bit more complicated than it needs to be.

More comments:
Watch out...if you pause/rewind a show...you might be late for another show..for example you pause/rewind 10 minutes for a pee break during ER at 10pm...unless you FF through 10 minutes of the commercials or show..you might miss something that starts at 11...because you will be 10 minutes behind. ER will end at 11:10 and you will miss 10 minutes of whatever is on at 11.

If you tape a sports event..that runs long..unless you tape the 'fifth quarter' commentary or news or whatever is on after the scheduled game time..you will miss the end of the game. I have missed 5-10 minutes of the 4th quarter of many Patriots games that I recorded but failed to tape the next show.

If I did not mention it before...the analog channels are abysmal.

All that said..I would give my left arm to keep the DVR feature...even putting up with the abysmal analog quality. It is sooooo worth it.

Once they get the quality fixed..it will be great. It would be helpful that it could sense the end of shows and adjust for it. It is pretty dumb. If your cable box time is off..all your shows will be off. My cable box is off about a minute from the networks.

Hope Comcast gets the dual tuner out soon.

Paul

Posted by: Paul at Oct 6, 2004 7:06:06 AM

got the DVR box set up today here in essex county, northern New Jersey.

* the HD programs are amazing....the baseball games are so crisp and clear....HBO HD is presented in full widescreen aspect which is great.

* DVR feature is nice...except not having the dual tuner ability really hurts...

*pausing and replay of live tv is neat!

*on-demand works better then on the previous digital box which would seem to lose audio often....

* overall pleased with the quality so far...

Posted by: Marc at Oct 6, 2004 5:15:51 PM

We got the 6200 and use only the 1394=firewire output. I pay $6.95/month for an extra box, and $5 a month for HDTV. I got another one, and it was also $6.95 PLUS $5 (the $5 surprised me, I mean if I add HBO they don't hit me with a per-box charge).

One of the setups is with a mac see...
http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20040426151111599&query=HDTV
We also have an XP box doing it, and using www.videolan.org software and some Panasonic driver that happens to work with the 6200. We can stream HDTV over the LAN in our house as well as watch it on our computer screen. Also, all classes of channel (analog, digital, and HDTV) are sampled and spit out over analog, and 1394 alike, though about 20% of them are blocked for some reason. The DVI port seems to only work for 5 seconds each channel and then die; we suspect the broadcast flag, and I read today at slashdot.org that EFF is suing about this.

This is in Mountain View, California, not sure if the 6208 is available here yet.

Posted by: Steve at Oct 6, 2004 6:28:01 PM

I have a DCT 6208 in Chicago, just got it today. Looking for how to get the firewire working. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by: Derek at Oct 7, 2004 6:35:29 PM

I have the comcast DVR and overall I am satisfied.

Pros:
1. The ability to rewind, pause, fast forward live TV is great.
2. The DVR is nice. Not having to worry about tapes anymore is without a doubt one of the best things about it. I don't even have a VCR hooked up any more.
3. The digial quality is very good. Now we just need comcast to offer more channels in HD. It frustrating when the program is offered in HD but comcast doesn't broadcast it in HD.

Cons:
1. The analog quality is extremly poor. I don't even watch analog TV through the comcast box. I use the coax input and get much much better quality.

2. I would like to be able to record on the DVR while watching another station. Currently you can't change the channel if it is recording.

Overall I'm happy. When they resolve the poor image quality for anolog I would recommend this to everyone. Until they fix this be prepaired to watch HD channels only through the cable box.

Questions:
There is a 1394 firewire port and an ethernet port. What are these ports used for? I would love to put this box on my home network and stream video over the net. Or be able to schedule recordings over the network without being in front of the TV. Does anyone know the future plans?

Posted by: John at Oct 13, 2004 10:20:21 AM

Surely someone out there has figured out how to use the firewire or etherenet ports to pull video off the HD. I would be really cool to take all the Smallville episodes I have saved and burn them to DVD on my PC.

Posted by: Vance at Oct 14, 2004 9:08:50 PM

In Seattle, like other markets, Comcast enabled HDCP (www.digital-cp.com) over the summer. This is the reason you can't just download or copy the disk content to a PC other locations via firewire or other means. Any HDMI, DVI, Firewire or other pure digital port that is enabled will have this restriction. Any display that takes one of these inputs must be HDCP compliant or you'll get a black screen. If that happens, you're stuck with component inputs.

HDCP is required by the studios to protect certain pure digital content. However, instead of only enabling it for those programs that require HDCP, Comcast in it's infinite wisdom put it on the device for all programming by default.

Still waiting for the 6212 in Seattle. "Any day now..."

Posted by: ASR at Oct 17, 2004 9:20:24 AM

Does the HD grinding constantly annoy anyone else? It seems even if I turn the power off the hard drive continues to grind away.

Posted by: Adam at Oct 17, 2004 11:27:01 AM

I just got the DVR, and since I was already paying $5.99 a month for an extra box, exchanging it for a $9.99 DVR with 3 months free was a no brainer ... couple comments then one question ...

Device is very intuitive and easy to figure out how to use in 3 minutes. To not have to buy a box, or pa for a monthly service, or add a phone jack near my TV, it is defintely worth trying this out before going to Tivo, if you have Comcast already.

However, the guy installed it, and left me a huge cable I don't need to use cause I got it working without the cable to my have a 7 year old Sony Trinitron. H left no manual and couldn't tell me how to get one though?!? I can't find one to download on comcast.com either. Any ideas on where to get one from Comcast?

Posted by: Ken P at Oct 17, 2004 9:59:36 PM

I have tried everything i know on how to get my recordings off of my harddrive. Nothing has worked yet, can anybody out there help.

Posted by: Charles at Oct 18, 2004 11:56:39 AM

we just got Comcast HDTV with DVR here in the Philadelphia area... the question I have is if it is possible to hook a external firewire hard-drive to the digital cable box to increase space to record on for the DVR.... anyone know?

Posted by: Dan Driscoll at Oct 18, 2004 5:45:09 PM

Marc commented on October-6th (above) that he got a 6200 from Comcast. Motorola's website says 6200 has "Two 54 - 860 MHz tuners". Does this mean Comcast has launched the dual tuner model?
Check http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/products/dct6200/default.asp
Look under "Performance Features"

Posted by: av at Oct 22, 2004 12:26:44 PM

I just got some horrible news, the owner of my apt building is making me take my directv satelite off the roof (of which the landlord had previously OK'd in writing) and so now I am FORCED to switch to comcast, I know they have a DVR box out as I have read in this thread, however I CANNOT live without 2 TUNERS!!! What should I do??? Is there any box or any way out there to plug in 2 tuners from comcast (seperate tivo box?) so that I can be recording 2 things at the same time??

Someone help me out with this!

Posted by: Brian at Oct 29, 2004 11:31:28 AM

I just picked up my 6802 HDTV/DVR Motoroal in Rockville, MD. I had the 5200 (or maybe 5300) HDTV only. Don't know if it's my imagination or what but the Hi Def picture is looking more grainey on all HDTV broadcast with the new 6802. Please let me know if you have also experienced this and if there's any solution.

Posted by: Hamoon at Oct 31, 2004 9:46:57 AM

I am in the Chicago area (Oak Park) and I am scheduled to get the 2 tuner version 6412 on Nov 5th. They say it is newly available as of Nov. 1st, so Chicago area people start calling for it! The CSR was very excited about it and it sounds like they are going to make a huge push to put these out everywhere. He also told me that they fixed the lag in the guide and channel flipping. As far as he says, it should be near instantaneous.

Posted by: Mars at Nov 4, 2004 6:13:03 AM

it appears that Comcast as teamed up with MicroSoft on developing the new DVR HD(DCT)box, some nice features are the recording of a whole sereies, say "Simpsons" press record once, it records the show you are currently watching, press record again, it will record any Simpsons episode new and old and save it for you, you can also check with local Cinemas to view current movie times and locations.

Posted by: colin at Nov 4, 2004 11:02:34 PM

Our Comcast DVR died :(

Our DVR from comcast died the other day. The techs were out and replaced it with the same box. Working OK again.

The problem was...the DVR was not giving space back once you deleted programs. You could have one 30 minute show and the DVR would show 90% full. Delete the last show and it would be ok..until you went to delete again.

Good news..chatted with the comcast guy..the dual tuner is on order..and I (hopefully) will be one of the first in my area to get one.

More good news: Comcast (at least in the MA area) will be going 100% digital soon. This is in respose to the DVR boxes showing analog so poorly (like with our DVR box). He sais spring time we should expect it.

Paul

Posted by: Paul S at Nov 5, 2004 1:06:43 PM

Lanc. PA here. I've already complained to Comcast about the half hour guide slots. Actually, I've asked them to remove the ad boxes on the left as they don't provide any value to the viewer (I never look at them) and server only to make the guide ineffectual. The tech that installed my box says they have a dual tuner box in the lab but there are 'incompatabilities' (perhaps only in Lancaster?) they they are working on, and not to expect one until April 05. Lack of a dual tuner is a major downside, and I'd really like to be able to dump the recordings off to my PC for archiving.

Posted by: Ahpsi at Nov 8, 2004 6:43:46 PM

Interesting news here in Seattle. Motorola 6412 Dual Tuner DVRs with HD are available starting Monday, Nov. 15. I've scheduled an install for that morning. Cost for HD service *and* HD-DVR is $9.99 a month. I hate to lose my Tivo, but for dual tuners and HD I'll switch. Last interesting note -- those lucky (or not) enough to live in the Seattle area will be receiving the Microsoft TV "Foundation Edition" software on our boxes. I guess the only good part of that is that Microsoft is close by, so we can complain loudly if it stinks.

Posted by: Brian at Nov 9, 2004 7:42:32 AM

comcast has a dual tuner dvr with a 120g hard drive for more info email me

Posted by: Herman Munster at Nov 13, 2004 9:01:56 PM

I am still waiting for comcast to supply me with my new HD/DVR box I have been waiting nearly 6 weeks for iy now and no-one can tell me when it will arrive. This is really causing problems at home for me and my wife because she wants to send my new HDTV back because its no better than our old TV. Please comcast send me my box or I may have to go to Satalite! Anyone with any info on how to speed them up please e-mail me :(

Posted by: Mark at Nov 16, 2004 9:31:51 AM

Hi There,

I received my Comcast Dual-Tuner DVR (with HDTV) yesterday. (It was launched yesterday (in the Seattle area), and I am the 5th person in my neighbourhood to get it). I have some comments, and some questions:

(01) The Analog channels are incredibly abysmally crap!!! (todo: research more adjectives for 'bad' and insert them here). Seriously, I can't believe in so many years of 'television technology' that we accept something that looks like this. On my 43" plasma, it looks horrendous - the worst I have ever seen.

(02) The HDTV channels look awesome - truly spectacular. I have never had HDTV before so I am incredibly impressed. However, to put it into perspective, there are about 10 HD channels - so we have a long way to go.

(03) I haven't checked out the difference between the analog and digital channels, must still do this.

(04) The HDD ALWAYS writes (buffering the last 45 minues of the current channel) (regardless whether the device is turned on or not), this could become annoying and possible shorten the life expectancy of the HDD.

(05) The HDD is 160Gb (a stock-standard Seagate drive - you can see it through the ventilation slots at the top), which they claim will record 60 hours of 'regular' broadcast, and 15 hours of HD. This seems really little. I would like to research whether one could (a) simply replace the HDD with a larger (250Gb) one, or (b) there are 2 firewire ports and 1 USB port - could one add a HDD there?

(06) The device has dual tuners, so I can record 2 different channels simultanously. (Or you can record 1 and watch the other)

(07) The new Microsoft-based program guide is excellent. It is a lot easier to navigate than the previous Comcast guide. The UI is easy to use, and seamlessly integrated to the DVR - very nice. (It also includes a 'search' function to search for shows by title, category etc, and the ability to record the entire season (a'la Tivo's 'Season Pass') is also included)

(08) There is NO pass-thru cable connector, so you can't watch the analog channels anymore. Your ONLY options are composite/s-video/component connections with either stereo audio out or optical audio connections. (DVI-out is also included, but NO HDMI, which is a pity)

OK, so those are the comments, here are some of my questions:

(a) 160Gb won't cut the mustard, how can one increase this? (HDD Hack, USB/Firewire drives etc)
(b) The device has a built in Ethernet port - how can this be used?
(c) Regular (non-HDTV) channels are stretched to 16:9 - which makes them look worse. How does one configure the box to NOT stretch the regular channels?

All in all I am very happy with the device.

Cheers
Olaf

Posted by: Olaf Wagner at Nov 16, 2004 1:58:40 PM

Hello, I'm in Lancaster, PA and I just got my Comcast dual-tuner DVR box on Saturday. I've got to say, it's great. I had the single tuner box for about 2 months and it was acceptable, but this is a big improvement. You can now set up series recordings (recording a particular show, at any time on any channel it appears) and the guide is much easier to use. No complaints at all so far. I'm going to have to figure out how to download programs to my PC though. Feel free to email me if you have any questions. I don't think they're out in too many places. I have a friend who works at the Comcast counter and she said they're not giving a choice of dual or single tuner to new subscribers in the future, so call and get your's now! Thanks,

Joel

Posted by: Joel at Nov 17, 2004 5:20:24 AM

In response to Olaf:

(a) Not sure.

(b) The idea is that the DVR box will replace separate cable modems for internet access -- that's what the ethernet port is for. It is, however, not active.
(c) In all likelihood, the box isn't stretching the picture to 16:9 -- your TV is. I have a setting on my TV to either leave 4:3 stuff unstretched, or to stretch it in a variety of ways.

What I probably like the best about the DVR is that even with the one-tuner box, you can record a show while watching a show that you previously recorded (you just can't record one and watch another live show). You can also set a show to record, and then if you, like me, end up getting home 15 minutes after it started, you can watch from the beginning while the show continues recording, instead of waiting for the whole show to record (like you have to with, say, VHS).

Posted by: Geoff Brown at Nov 17, 2004 1:19:39 PM

In response to Olaf.

I too am in the Seattle area.

(c) The box can be configured to stretch 4:3 pictures. If you are using a DVI cable this was setup on your box because the DVI cable will not feed a standard 4:3 picture through, it will only show on the screen if the box it set to stretch it. Why? I don't know. But I do know DVI HD=good, non-stretched 4:3=no picture, stretched 4:3=picture.

Posted by: Gary Jessen at Nov 18, 2004 3:59:30 PM

I got a Comcast DVR two weeks ago and all I can tell you is that it is not ready for prime time. The DVR has been replaced once and at least two versions of software have been downloaded to it to try to fix problems. Comcast did not test this product before making it available to customers and the Technical Support staff were not allowed to aquire it. I am going to send it back and buy another TIVO. The current problem is the inability to fast forward certain recorded channels, it restarts the program and asks if you want it deleted. It is basicaly useless.

Posted by: Dennis at Nov 18, 2004 5:43:55 PM

Hello, is the dual DVR available in Boston, MA. area yet??? And another ??? how much more a month is this box. I currently have the HDTV DCT5100 box. So if I replace this box for the new DVR. How much more a month will I have to spend.
Thanks!
Craig

Posted by: caig at Nov 19, 2004 1:30:39 PM

I just got 2 of these (Motorola DCT 6412) DVR's a week ago from ComCast in the Minneapolis area. I will say I have to disagree with some of the more recent posts slamming comcast for releasing a poor product.

I think this box is the best they have offered to date. It has no glitches or problems that I have seen.

I have heard that ComCast officially rolled this box out to 90% of its market as of the 15th of November, so I believe it will be available in all markets that they offer digital cable in.

I have read other posts about this box having a 160GB Seagate HD in it. Motorola's site indicates a 120GB (they don't note the manufacurer, but have heard is was Maxtor) built-in.

http://broadband.motorola.com/dvr/dct6412.asp

This is nice except for the fact that you can't specify at what quality you want Standard Definition TV recorded in, you can specify this on TiVo allowing you to get more out of the HD capacity.

Nonethless, ComCast finally stepped up to the plate, offering services like Time Warner has been bringing to the Minneapolis area for quite some time.

On another note, they finally rolled-out full VOD this week as well. All of the HBO/SHO/Starz/Etc. plus Discovery, Nickelodeon and a grip of other channels as well, great move by them. I was starting to have my doubts about ComCast and them not living up to their "Largest and Best cable provider in the US" label.

Posted by: Patrick at Nov 21, 2004 4:07:15 PM

I just upgraded both my 6208's to 6412's about a week ago. The 6412's really work great. I plugged a firewire 250gb drive I had into the firewire port and no capacity change. I was rather disappointed. After doing some more research I plugged it into the USB port and my capacity changed. It went from 63% to 2%. I am in the Dallas area. I will try and firgure out what firmware are on both of my boxes I will post an update. Good luck to all...

Posted by: bronson90 at Nov 22, 2004 2:38:00 PM

Patrick: PLEEEEEAASE tell me exactly what you did? What model 250GB USB2 drive? How was it formatted (NTFS)? If you unplug it and connect to your PC, what do the files look like?

Posted by: xplay at Nov 22, 2004 9:00:49 PM

I picked up the new Comcast DVR last week and I have owned a TiVo series 1 box for about 4 years now. I must say I am not completely sold on the Comcast box. The Pros for the box are the 2 tuners, built in HD Tuner, it doesn't cost $1000 like the TiVo HD box, and the combined DVR cable box. But that is about where the pros end. I miss my 30-second skip, the automatic rewind when fast forwarding, a much more thought out UI, and the amount of information the guide displays.

The biggest problem came today, according to the documentation from Comcast it is suppose to store 60 hours of programs, but we noticed that the UI was stating that we were at 99% of capacity but we calculated that only about 30 hours of analog recording had been recorded. My wife called Comcast and she stumped their support and can only assume that something is wrong with the box and we must now try returning the box and getting a new one. I really wonder if the claim to 60 hours is correct.

Another problem came up also today, all the time I spent adding all my programs to the series list (takes much longer with Comcast box over TiVo) was wasted when my Series list was completely wiped out and the 30 hours of recorded programming appeared to be gone. My wife called Comcast again and they were able to do something that allowed the recorded shows to reappear but the Series list was still lost.

I will likely replace the box with another Comcast box and then give it another couple weeks before I decide whether or not to keep the box. My wife already wants to get rid of it. If anyone can figure out a way to do a 30-second skip I would like to know, it would help sell the box to my wife.

Posted by: Kevin at Nov 22, 2004 10:16:17 PM

Oops, I meant my post to be a question for BRONSON90, not Patrick; the layout of the comments makes it look like the name is above the post and in truth the name is below.

BRONSON90: Tell us exactly what you did to use a USB drive to extend your storage?

Posted by: xplay at Nov 23, 2004 5:15:40 PM

Check out avsforum.com, search the linked thread for
30 second skip and there should be instructions
on how to program the remote. It will only work
for IGuide areas (anywhere but Seattle). If
your in Seattle complain to Comcast to have the
feature enabled.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=464986

Fitzwest

Posted by: fitzwest at Nov 23, 2004 5:57:53 PM

Can someone please let me know when dual tuner (6412) becomes available in the Maryland area?

Posted by: Ami Schreiber at Nov 23, 2004 7:00:59 PM

Just traded up to the dual tuner and it all works. It is so cool to record 2 HD programs at the same time while I sleep. It's true that the software is not up to TIVO standards but it really is a talking dog story. Sure the dog doesn't talk very well but the story is that the dog talks at all. And it's learning new tricks all the time.

Posted by: John K at Nov 24, 2004 4:52:24 AM

I got my Motorola Comcast dual tuner DVR box a few weeks ago and it has changed my life. I tried TiVo series 2 with my digital cable and was very unhappy. I'm a recording nut (often two shows at once) and the lack of a second tuner doomed TiVo for me at the time. Here in Chicago, the boxes are being rolled out and Comcast couldn't keep them in stock in November. It seems Motorola had delivery problem and it is now fixed. THere has not been a huge promotional push and I only found that they were available when the Comcast rep was in my lobby looking for new recruits. The box installation was a nightmare. Beware some of the installers. My set up was fairly old (new TV, a/b switch on the VCR and a five year old digital box). It was so bad that I actually had to ask him to leave! He disconnected everything and had no idea how to get it working. Comcast sent two supervisors (it seems they contract out their installers) and these fellows fixed everything. Except, Comcast stopped sending the signal for two of my digital "tiers." It took me three Comcast operators and a week to get them added again. So beware the usual incompentence of the cable companies. However, they were very fair and waived my installation fee and did not charge me for the channels that got knocked out. I'm left with one strange problem. My remote. The "My DVR" button, the 8, 5, 2, and 0 buttons don't work! It is the strangest thing. I need to drive out to their office to replace it, but has anyone heard of this?

On the plus side, the TV Guide interactive program guide is pretty good. THe dual tuners work great. YOu can even choose the color of grids and screens. The lack of an instruction manual was an issue (although any one can teach themselves the system fairly quickly), but I discovered a PDF with the TV guide system at the Motorola website (check under DVD).

CHeers to you all!

Posted by: Bill Caudill at Nov 24, 2004 11:33:36 PM

Maxtor One Touch 250GB external hard drive. The Comcast installer told me that was the only size and brand of dirve that they were successful to get the 6412 to recognize. He just plugged it in and OS on the 6412 formatted the new drive external drive as well as the internal drive. He also said that he hand picked mine as the first three bacthes of 6412's that Comcast received have a different firmware on them and they could never get them to work with any external drive. He also told me that everytime I unplug the external drive from the 6412 and plug it back that it will reformat both drives. FYI, my windows based PC did not recongize it the external drive with recordings on it. I would assume it's either a proprietary OS or some type of UNIX. I am very pleased with my success, as I just wanted to add space. I never had any want to remove the programing from the extenral drive. I couldn't have been done with the help of my Comcast installer (employee, not contractor.) I didn't pay him or tip him, just was a friendly and a considerate customer to him. He even complemented that it was nice