I asked if these boxes were not allowed to be sold used, basically was told no, and that because of collections from the original owner, I would never be able to activateI think that is outrageous behaviour by Shaw. If the box is not stolen (ie. the previous owner bought it from Shaw and paid it off) then it shouldn't be your problem that perhaps he left Shaw with some other unpaid account charges.

If I were you I'd tell Shaw to activate it or I'll be filing formal complaints with the BBB and CRTC. Then do it, if they don't change their mind.

ya, it doesn't seem right.

I could buy a 6412 from another country, and another company

but I buy 1 from my neighborhood, that was from SHAW, now I have a $800 doorstop, don't get me wrong, for a doorstop its quite nice

when I called the second time, they had notes from my first conversation, basically I tolld them I bought it used, and that seems to be a no-no????

My brother has purchased a couple Shaw box's from pawn shops. It appears if the box is stolen or the owner has outstanding account they won't activate it. You need to phone in the serial number and confirm they will activate it before the purchase or be sure you can take it back.

He purchased one that turned out to be a Delta Cable box. First they refused, then they called back and said okay. He believes they contacted Delta Cable and confirmed all was okay and had them release it. So you can buy 2nd hand you just have to confirm up front with Shaw that they will activate it.

If you cannot return it to the seller for a refund. I'd write a letter to Shaw higher ups explaining your situation. Obviously it is simply a company policy preventing them from activating it. You need someone high enough who can make exceptions to the policy. A first contact on the phone never have authority so you waisting your breath.

Maybe CC to BBB would not hurt?

I have that problem, every time i stop a show the volume on live is just blasting, I wonder why that is.

In the setup options there is on for volume and try changing those I believe there is one called "optimize volume" which might help.

Lateley I have been getting large pixiel like squares in a grid pattern on backgrounds and water. It is usually on non HD digital channels. I have expereinced it on hdmi and component. It goes away on s-video or if I select 480p for the HDMI out. When I bought the box from soundsaround they said not to get the HDMI cable since they experienced something similar to this and component was the way to go.

Don't want to call shaw unless there is something that can be done.

What firmware version are the Vancouver area Shaw 6412 boxes running currently?

Has anyone noticed difference in volume levels when playing recorded vs. live shows on 6412 pIII?
Live is at least twice as loud with the same volume setting.


I have an original 6412 and I have noticed that myself. I checked the audio settings and there is no "optimize" setting anywhere in there. Also for "optimal stereo", it is stuck on YES and can't be changed. Would that setting be hidding there?

deben73

What type of audio connection are you using from your 6412? If you are using a digital audio connection, there are no settings in the 6412 that can be used to control audio volume level. Only the analog audio output is controlled by the audio settings.

I'm using the analog audio out. The L-R (white and red) audio out if that is what you mean.

What firmware version are the Vancouver area Shaw 6412 boxes running currently?

Bump incase anyone has an answer for my question. I'm hoping Shaw has pushed the FW that fixes the HDMI/Digital audio issues. Thanks.

Also, I am wondering if the 6412 box shows the Guide info on the S-video output when the HDMI output is also being used. The reason is if I wanted to use HDMI for HD channels and S-video for SD channels and I would want the guide info on both outputs. Thanks.

The FW version on my box is 9.12 and the SW version is 71.44-1203. I have a 6412 phII box. Shaw is supposed to release an update to allow 6412 users to use VOD and also fix some "issues" that HDMI users are having.

Hello all,

My problem is I bought two 6412/2005 on Ebay when they arrived they did not have the GI Number stickers on them.

Does anyone know how to get the GI number ?
:confused: :confused:

egore - thanks for the info. Can any Phase III owners report their firmware version (Vancouver Shaw)? Specifically, I'm looking to see if Shaw has pushed the 12.22 (12.23) firmware that is supposed to fix the HDMI and 5.1 sound issues.

How do I check the firmware version? I can get into all the settings info by shutting down and pushing Enter but nothing seems to say firmware.

My box has frozen twice while playing back (auto-reset itself after about 30 seconds) and once while fiddling with pause/rewind on live TV. This last time I had to unplug it to get it to reset.

Likely time for a new box.

timinator if you find a solution, please share

I'm guessing that the serial #'s aren't hard coded

so my used 6412 can be activated with a good #

it's sort of like trying to play a game cd online, all the cd's are the same, the cdkey is the activator

my perfectly working 6412 was previously owned by someone with a outstanding debt, so it can't be activated

Bump incase anyone has an answer for my question. I'm hoping Shaw has pushed the FW that fixes the HDMI/Digital audio issues. Thanks.
I emailed Shaw on this issue. I received an answer, presumably the same answer you received when you contacted them. They are aware of the problem, but do not have a date yet for resolving it.

I'm a first time PVR user, having gotten a DCT6412 to view HDTV content on (my new HDTV) through Shaw just last week. I had higher expectations though regarding the storage capacity available for recording programs. The 120 GB hard drive is large but not as large as I would prefer, given that ,one, HDTV recording quickly eats up this storage space after a mere 15 hours, and two, my personal viewing schedule is sporadic and unpredictable. This would be okay if all I wanted to record was HDTV broadcasts, since there isn't yet a lot of HDTV content available to choose from. But I also want to record standard broadcast programming. And with the very limited ceiling on recording capacity I have to play with, going through the i-Guide and assigning programs to record for some-time-in-the-future viewing becomes an anxiety ridden process in which I must be careful to select only a few programs which appear to be most likely of interest to me, while regretfully having to pass by programs I'm only slightly less certain about (but which for all I really know could turn out in fact to be just as much if not more interesting/enjoyable to me than ones I selected).

I would like very much to be able to connect one (or more) external hard drive(s) to increase the storage space. But Shaw will not enable support for this. Looks like I'll eventually end up choosing to void my warranty and physically opening up my DCT6412 in an attempt to replace the existing hard drive with a much, much larger one (e.g. the 500 GB Hitachi Deskstar 7K500), if one can be bought that is compatible. BTW, anyone know if it's possible to get a list of the internal technical specifications for the DCT6412? For example, the hard drive controller type: ATA100, ATA120, SATA150, or SCSI, etc...etc...?


Thanks,
Brad Hall

I could have swore someone either on this board or perhaps another has said it is futile to do this. The firmware won't recognize the larger drive. I've been thinking of getting a DVD recorder w/o an HDD so I can write to a DVD. Some threads have suggested this won't work with HD, but that would be alright with me. Welcome to DHC Brad!

The user interface and guide is also 1000000000x better on the PC. Over half of the recordings that the cable box generates freeze up within 10 seconds of viewing time. Especially if you attempt to either record 2 shows at once or try to rewind live TV.

Cliff Notes:

Motorola DCT6412 is a shitty waste of shelf space, and rather than throwing $748.88 at it, you should use that money to build a PC with a pair of the TV tuners reviewed here (http://www.anandtech.com/multimedia/showdoc.aspx?i=2634)

Obviously your unit is defective :( , I have none of the issues you mention above (thank goodness) The only issue with a Media Centre PC is that they aren't HD capable with my provider. SD on a 44+ Widescreen looks like sh*t. If you can point me to an HD capable Windows MCE (or any other OS) which would receive all the HD I get now, I would be the 1st in line :D The interface is leaps and bounds over the OS provided on the Moto, but losing all my current HD for a more limited selection = NO for me (http://www.digitalconnection.com/Support/cn_myhd_1.asp) :(