When I bought my box last week the salesman told me not to use HDMI and not bother buying the cable because there was bug in the firmware that make it look "boxy" and just use component. Claimed they talked to shaw and tracked it down to the software. Anybody aware of this or if it is fixed now?
I used the HDMI between my 6412 and Sony SXRD. The picture looks great.

There is a bug using HDMI and DD 5.1 audio. The 5.1 comes through fine when watching TV. The 6412 records the 5.1 audio. But it won't play back the 5.1 when using HDMI for the video. You can hear the 5.1 if you play back through component cables.

I used the HDMI between my 6412 and Sony SXRD. The picture looks great.

There is a bug using HDMI and DD 5.1 audio. The 5.1 comes through fine when watching TV. The 6412 records the 5.1 audio. But it won't play back the 5.1 when using HDMI for the video. You can hear the 5.1 if you play back through component cables.

Component video cables do not carry audio so you need to use another cable to carry the audio.

I use the Optical Audio out from my 6412 into my AMP for audio. (And HDMI into the TV for the picture) The 5.1 sounds great and you still get it on recordings.

I use the same setup but do not get 5.1 from the programs I record. What firmware and software version do you have?

Component video cables do not carry audio so you need to use another cable to carry the audio.

I use the Optical Audio out from my 6412 into my AMP for audio. (And HDMI into the TV for the picture) The 5.1 sounds great and you still get it on recordings.
I should have been more clear.

The bug is that when using HDMI for the video connection, DD 5.1 is not transmitted through the digital video cable. In order to transmit DD 5.1 via a digital cable, the user must be using component, not HDMI, for the video connection.

I wonder if this is a 6412-III bug only. It certainly affects me, but it appears that it doesn't affect your setup that appears similar. (Mine is HDMI from 6412 and optical digital into my receiver for the digital audio.)

You are recording 5.1 Unhook the HDMI cable and watch the show you recordered through Component and I guarantee you will have 5.1. It is a glitch with the Phase 3 HDMI that you can only watch live programs in 5.1

You are recording 5.1 Unhook the HDMI cable and watch the show you recordered through Component and I guarantee you will have 5.1. It is a glitch with the Phase 3 HDMI that you can only watch live programs in 5.1

Looks like your right, I just recorded a show that was broadcast in DD 5.1 and played it back on my P-III 6412 and was not in replayed in 5.1. That's totally dumb. I still want to use HDMI for my video. Hopefully they will fix the problem in a firmware upgrade.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

I used my JVC D-VHS to record the CBC test patterns this morning via the Firewire connection from my 6412 cable box. While playing it back to check my TV settings, the 6412 cable box reset itself twice, losing the information in the IPG.

Just curious if anyone else has had a similar problem with the Firewire connection to a D-VHS recorder or a PC. I got a HD 6208 cable box with PVR as my first cable box and taped some of the 2004 Summer Olympics to D-VHS and had no trouble. I find that since I have had the 6412 I actually haven't taped anything. I don't know if the problem is with the 6412 only or if it is a more general problem. I know there are complaints about the 6412 resetting itself but can't recall if any of the reported problems related to the use of the Firewire port.

The last 3 days, my 6412 phase 3 box has re-set itself. I noticed earlier this evening (6:00 pm ) and yesterday evening(9:00 pm) which is an odd time to do it. Have to monitor for awhile to see if it continues.

If I have pre-set recording times, and turn the PVR off, will it turn itself on to record the program?

If I have pre-set recording times, and turn the PVR off, will it turn itself on to record the program?
When you turn the PVR off, it doesn't really go off. I'm not even real sure why they have an off button.

The PVR remains on, receives schedule updates, and the hard drive continues to work. When your scheduled program comes along, the PVR records it.

Just to add a reminder on the 6412's behaviour when the unit powers itself on to record a scheduled program. When the 6412 turns itself on it does so with the audio muted. If you come in and want to start watching TV through the 6412 after it has turned itself on, you have to send a remote MUTE command to turn the sound on. Search for further information on this topic.

Also when in this state, you can't tun the box off without canceling the recording occurring.

Interesting - Can you define "Smooth" and the differences from one recording in this manner (how did you test that)?

I sometimes get "choppy" recordings if I have both tuners going on HD, meaning that I'll have the odd video stutter and the odd audio stutter. The latter is more of a problem for me, as my audio receiver has a slight delay when there is even a minute pause in the audio stream over spdif. Therefore, I try, when possible, to have the non-recording tuner on a non-HD channel. Now, I obviously have no concrete evidence to support this phenomena as fact, but this is my experience.

How do you ensure when you are planning future recordings that your recording tuner is the one that isn't on the music channel?


The pvr always records from the non-active tuner (i.e. the one that you're not watching).

Note to mods: I'm using quotes in this post because I'm moving this discussion from another thread (where it did not belong).

Just wonder how to get DD 5.1 out of this unit into a receiver?

All I see is left/right audio outputs, with do obvious digital outs.

The optical output is filled with some kind grey plastic plug, that I don't think is removable.

The digital coax output is labeled SPDIF on my 6412. It is on the top row of a bunch of connectors.

The plastic insert in the digital audio optical cable outlet is a dust cover, just pull it out.

The manaual will show where the connectors are and what they are for.

Yes, more is needed on this subject - I read that the mute is on the machine, but it is clearly not ? Any other comments on this muting issue ?

Bryan

... I read that the mute is on the machine, but it is clearly not ? Any other comments on this muting issue ?Bryan

Not sure what you mean. There is definitely a remote command to toggle mute on and off on the 6412. Search the forum for postings on this topic, particularily in this thread.

Yes, more is needed on this subject - I read that the mute is on the machine, but it is clearly not ? Any other comments on this muting issue ?

Bryan
Are you talking about it being muted when you turn it on while it is recording?
You can see this link about adding a mute key that way you can watch tv while its recording and have sound
http://www.digitalhomecanada.com/forum/showpost.php?p=148264&postcount=7

Hi,

I have bought a DCT6412 from Ebay and has downloaded firm ware from Shaw... but when I turn the box back on, all it shows is "0" on the display.

Is this box no good or what else should i do?

:confused:

Did you phone Shaw? They need to authorize it first.

If they've already authorized it, do you have anything else (amplifier, splitter) between your box and the point where the cable comes into your house/apt?

I'd like to know how you managed to download firmware from Shaw. Its my understanding that firmaware is updated after you've activated your box and account.