I don't know of any workaround and I guess a fix will have to wait for a new version of I-Guide, which rumour has it will not be until late Spring or Summer.

Your problem sounds slightly different from mine. I haven't had problems changing series priorities, my lockups happen when I click confirm after modifying a series feature like # of episodes to keep.

I have heard of a problem in changing series priority if the box has lost count, ie. if it has skipped a number in the priority list. Do all your priority numbers run in sequence (1234), nothing missing (124)?

I have the same TV. I've noticed that the digital inputs have very different aspect choices then the the analog ones. The digital ones seem to assume that the aspect ratio is being mostly controlled by the source so you get less choices. My suggestion would be to have a second connection between your Moto box and the TV so you can view those shows that need the extra options through that connection. It seems that many people prefer the Composite connection to the DVI connection, so I would suggest that as your second one. Also, note that with the composite connections on the Sammy, the 1 connector is ONLY 480i and the other two are for everything else but NOT 480i (ie 480p, 720p, 1080i). Keep your 4:3 override setting in mind when you set this up and have it as 480p or you will get garbage instead of an image.

I have a 6412 and a Sammy HLN4365.
I am currently setup as Type: 16:9; DVI:720; 4:3 Override: Off.
On my HDTV on DVI my available aspect ratio are Wide(TV), Wide(PC) & Normal.

Can anybody tell me what should be my best setting? I taught I should be using 480p for my 4:3 override but whenever I am viewing SD it is strecthed and I don't like it, the same thing is happening if I choose 480i. I also would like to watch SD that is in letter box to be zoom1 (because it does not distort). :(

bawdyn,

I did your suggestions and I now have Component 1 as my second connection for my 6412 and then used component 2 for my DVD. I am satisfied with results and I thank you very much. On another matter are you satisfied with the PQ of your sammy? and have you done any modifications on the service menu, in particular I would like the black levels improved on mine.

On another matter are you satisfied with the PQ of your sammy? and have you done any modifications on the service menu, in particular I would like the black levels improved on mine.That would be quite off-topic for this thread. Please move that discussion here:
http://www.digitalhomecanada.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=23

Thanks.

Here's a few problems I've read about in other places (and the solutions suggested, where available):

Problem: The little red recording light in the top right of the LED display stays on all the time, even when there is nothing being recorded.
Solution: In the Setup menu under Cable Box Setup set the RF Bypass to OFF. It doesn't seem to have any function on the 6412 anyway.

Problem: I have duplicate or missing Series Priority numbers.
Solution: Delete the Series Recordings from the bottom up until all the duplicate/missing numbers are gone, then re-enter your Series Recordings.

Problem: My Dolby Digital 5.1 sound sometimes stops working.
Solution: Turn the 6412 off and back on, and that should restore it.

Problem: I'm seeing dropouts on HD channels.
Solution: That could be many things, including the source signal. But on the 6412 it appears that if the RF quality is not good then sometimes one tuner in particular will show more dropouts than the other. Try tuning the same channel on both tuners and use the SWAP button to flip back and forth to see if you have one that is worse than the other. If so, you may need to get your signal levels checked by Shaw or you may need to get your 6412 replaced.

Problem: When I change my Series Priorities (using Page Up/Down) and then exit and go back in, my changes haven't been saved.
Solution: The changes are not saved until you cursor down to the checkmark button to "Confirm Series Priority" and hit Select.

Problem: It takes a long time for the guide data to load after a loss of power.
Solution: Apparently it will load quicker if the 6412 is turned off.

With Motorola 6412, anybody experiencing a split screen when turning TV on where the 6412 is currently tuned on an HD channel? :mad: If I change channel it works fine.

It doesn't seem to affect anything. Just press menu twice, and it fixes itself.

on Star!TV any REW or FF speeds only work for a second or two at most and then they just jump to the start or end of the buffer/recording.A couple of users on Comcast (USA) report that this type of problem seems to be fixed with firmware version 9.15. We're currently at 9.12 on Shaw but hopefully we'll get an update soon.

If you want to tweak the volume level of your 6412 to match other sources (or just to maximize it), the 6412 does have a functioning volume control.

There is no front panel volume control so you have to adjust it with the remote. Unfortunately the remote by default controls the TV volume, but you could program in the 6412's volume key codes if you really want to.

But an easier method for a one-time adjustment is as follows:
1) Press the Cable button at the top of the remote to ensure it is in Cable mode.
2) Press (don't hold) the Setup button and then press 143 for volume UP or 145 for volume DOWN.
3) Repeat step 2 for each increment of volume level, as many times as needed.

In the Motorola description of features of the 6200 series of HD set top boxes (http://broadband.motorola.com/catalog/productdetail.asp?ProductID=358) they list a built in DOCSIS modem. Does anyone know if this is able to be used as a replacement for the cable modem for internet connection? I ask because I currently rent my cable modem (buying wasn't an option when I got it and I'm sure I've paid for it several time over now!). I want to know if I can use the modem in the 6412 and give them back my rental modem and save the $5/month?

Any additional info on the other connections? I've read in these forums that some people have been able to get output from the firewire port, but what about the USB port? Can either of these ports be used to expand/offload storage? Since these PVRs don't have that big a HDD (when storing HD content at least!) I worry that it will fill up quickly and then I'm back to recording things on the VCR again. Any ideas?

Thanks.

There is currently no use for the ethernet or usb ports...not enabled in firmware. There is talk / speculation this may happen but I wouldn't bank on it. For archiving hd content.. firewire to dvhs vcr is the current best option. It has been seamless for me.

I ask because I currently rent my cable modem (buying wasn't an option when I got it and I'm sure I've paid for it several time over now!). I want to know if I can use the modem in the 6412 and give them back my rental modem and save the $5/month?

I can't answer your question about the built-in modem in the 6XXX box, but why are you keeping your rental modem? They can be purchased for $60, which means it pays for itself over 12 months.

Hi Bawdyn, re: the modem. If my memory is correct all the terminals have some type of a modem in them but they don't use it for internet. I think it may come into play with ppv ordering or something like that but at this time anyways you have to have a seperate cable modem for your internet.

Pcouture is right, you should get on the phone with them asap and buy the modem. No point in not saving the 5$/month.

This discussion of the ports/modem reminded me of another set of features we can hope to see on our 6412's one day...

Motorola Announces Home Media Architecture, Extending Digital Video Recording Capabilities Throughout the Home (http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/news/detail/0,,4149_3504_23,00.htm)

Motorola’s basic multi-room architecture provides an easily-deployed solution for the access of DVR content throughout the home. Specifically, the solution enables content recorded on a DCT6208 or DCT6412 digital video recorder set-top to be accessed from any HMA-enabled DCT digital set-top. Further, the solution allows for the continued use of current program guides and application suites.

Using IP-over-coaxial technology developed by Entropic for the Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA), the HMA enables “whole-home” networking for core and advanced digital set-tops already in the home. The Entropic technology enables multiple standard and high-definition video and data services to be simultaneously distributed throughout the home, over existing unmodified coaxial cable, without the need for a service call by a technician.

There is currently no use for the ethernet or usb ports...not enabled in firmware. There is talk / speculation this may happen but I wouldn't bank on it. For archiving hd content.. firewire to dvhs vcr is the current best option. It has been seamless for me.

Too bad that there are all these hardware features built into these boxes but we can't use them.

IS there an archiving option to DVD recorder rather than DVHS VCR? I'm hoping to get away from tape not more into it. I like the idea of random access to my content. Having to scroll through tape to find the program you want to watch has always been a pain.

Pcouture is right, you should get on the phone with them asap and buy the modem. No point in not saving the 5$/month.

I have considered it, but then I realized that as long as this old Cybersurfer keeps running, I gain other benefits. Speed is the main one. This modem came out before the idea of throughput caps so it doesn't seem to be controlable by Shaw. With regular High-Speed I get 4000-6000 kbits/s down and 350-500 kbits up. A friend of mine with Extreme is only getting 1200 kbits down, but he does get 1000 kbits up. For the $5 I pay vs the $10 he pays, I think I'm getting the better deal. Unless my thinking is wrong and the modem isn't my source of great speeds, in which case you're right I should go buy one.

bawdyn, you can archive to a DVD recorder, but only in SD (480i), which is the DVD standard. The HD content will be downconverted.

All the documentation from Motorola about the firewire and built in Docsis modem is for "future features" It isn't to often you see ports that you won't / can't use. Its still a far better scenario than not having the port you want. I applaud motorola for including these items. Now I would applaud Shaw if we could actually use them.....

PS no you can not use the internal modem as a cable modem to replace your exsisting external unit.

2) There have been reports that sometimes when you power it on the guide comes up but no video. To get live TV working again you have to select a recorded program first, then stop it.
This has been happening to me the last couple of days and its kind of irritating, i realize i can just leave the box on but for 700 bucks i think it should power up properly ( this never happened in the first month ) Does anyone have a fix for this? TIA

One fix for many problems is to unplug the 6412 for 10 seconds or so, then plug it back in. You temporarily lose your guide data (it takes a few hours to completely reload) but all your settings, recordings and scheduled recordings are preserved.

Of course the same problem may crop up again in future until there is new software with fixes.

2) There have been reports that sometimes when you power it on the guide comes up but no video. To get live TV working again you have to select a recorded program first, then stop it.

This has been happening to me the last couple of days and its kind of irritating, i realize i can just leave the box on but for 700 bucks i think it should power up properly ( this never happened in the first month ) Does anyone have a fix for this? TIA
Yep, the above happens to me when I power off and turn on captioning (couldn't Motorola have made this a little easier... say a button on the remote?)
Once I power on again, there's no picture... I have to start a recorded broadcast first, then change channels to get to "Live" TV.