Time for something out of left field I guess...

On the DCT2500 it's possible to set the volume buttons on the remote to adjust the volume of the DCT itself (rather than a TV/stereo/receiver/etc). If that's an option with the 6412, maybe, just maybe, the volume on the DCT itself has been set down to zero (prior to purchase even)...or muted.

There's instructions somewhere for assigning the volume controls in such a manner. Sorry, I don't have access to any right now...perhaps someone else can provide the steps.

Worth a shot if nothing else...
If you have a harmony remote, go into the devide mode for the cable box and use the volume button. That worked on my 6416.

You can also go into Menu, Audio Setup and then set it to optimal stereo which cranks up the volume out of the DCT. If that doesn't work then unfortunately there might not be anything else to do. :( Sorry.

Hi all.
I've done some searching around these forums, but haven't found a problem exactly like mine.
I have a 2-year-old 6412, which has been problem free until now.
About two days ago, it stopped responding. It was still showing a channel, but I couldn't change channels, swap, or call up any menus. The front panel controls were unresponsive as well.
I unplugged the power cable, and let it sit for a while.
Upon rebooting, it acts fine for about 20 minutes, then stops responding again. The picture eventually freezes, and remains motionless on screen.
The clock freezes at the time of failure as well.
i made three calls to Shaw support.
The first tech remotely reset the box, and had me check that my connections were still well-seated. The box froze 30 minutes after finishing our call.
The second tech "removed and restored' the box from the system, but it froze again shortly.
The final call booked a service call, which won't take place until Friday. I asked if I could bring the box into a Shaw outlet, but he didn't think they'd replace it for me.
Do I have any other options?
Thanks in advance.

Maybe you could monitor your box temperature reading or harddrive parameters/info for 30 minutes or so on TV (using DCT diagnostic mode), in order to see if it is heat/fan/drive issues.

Have you checked the S/N ratio in the diagnostics?

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=21274

Have you done a soft firmware reset on the box? A lot of times that helps. At least on a temporary basis.

I experienced a bug I've never seen before with my 6412. I've had it since oct 2005 and also a 6208 since Dec 2004. I got home today and turned on the tv and the on screen guide was showing up as transparent. It was completely see through. I thought it must be a new feature as it was neat to scroll through the guide but not block the actual show. A minute later the 6412 shut off and basically reset itself. It downloaded its info again and the menu bar is back to normal. I'm curious if anyone has seen this transparent guide before.

The final call booked a service call, which won't take place until Friday. I asked if I could bring the box into a Shaw outlet, but he didn't think they'd replace it for me.

If your box is two years old, I don't see why they wouldn't just replace it.

The only other thing I can think of is overheating as Chiu.0606 suggested.

Thanks for your suggestions!
i just got home from work, and will give these a try, and report back.
Cheers!

After restarting today, hitting "list" brought up a new display: "DVR service disabled or not available. Please call your operator."
I got into the diagnostics, but a lot of the readings are coming up N/A.
I'll see what support says now.

To monitorman, I thought I should respond to say my 6416 just started doing the same thing over the last week. One thing I noticed on mine is that the remote light on the unit remains on during the lockup. If I wait approx 3-5minutes it seems like it eventually starts responding to all the stored commands that I was pushing on the remote during the lockup period. I am not sure what is up but will monitor the situation.

See if you can hear the fan. It sounds like a heat issue.

Mine was a phase II (or I?) box... no fan present.
Service tech arrived today, checked the heat logs (6 times over 145 degrees).
-Yes it's well ventilated, no it doesn't sit on top of any other gear.

I'm the proud owner of a brand new pvr. Why they wouldn't believe me when I said it was dead I'll never know.

Thanks for all the help!

There is a fan on the inside of those older boxes.

Hi,

I was wondering..when I hook up the 6412 phase1/2 through component, I can access the 'power'->'menu' screen. Once I changed over from component to DVI->HDMI cables, I can no longer access that screen. Am I doing somthing wrong? I can access the diagnostic screen though.

The guide overlay graphics are usually only overlaid on 1 output at a time. If you have them coming out of the Component then switch to DVI>HDMI it would not be seen.

I am only using DVI to HDMI cable...no component cables connected.

If it's an overlay issue..i would assume I would not be able to get the diganostic screen and the settings screen..but I can get the diagnostic screen to come up but not the settings screen.

More than likely you will need to change the YPP OUT setting in the user settings. Simply press power then menu., You will see 16:9 on the LED. Arrow down to ypp out and then scroll sideways until you see a picture.
Diagnostic and user wsettings are screens that show up even if the guide has not loaded into the terminal as they are factory screens. For the graphics to display the resolution must be set properly. Usually. Hope it works :)

Will Shaw match the price of Best Buy on their boxes? (they seem to be $40 or $100 cheaper there)

If not, is there any advantage to getting a box from Shaw instead of Best Buy?

Authorized retailers do have lower prices that Shaw from time to time. Shaw doesn't lower their own prices as a courtesy to their retail partners (i.e. they don't want to discourage retailers from carrying their DCTs).

Advantage for buying from Shaw rather than an authorized retailer? None that I'm aware of.