I'm interested in swapping out the 120GB drive for a 160GB drive in my DCT6412 (III) but I'm not sure how to open the case.

I realize I need an inverted torx screwdriver to open the security screws holding the cover on but how do I remove the "Dual Tuner" box on the back of the unit where the coax input is? When I remove the the two phillips screws and the nut on the coax connector this silver rectangular section seems to be attached really firmly. I'm nervous about just pulling it off because it seems to be attached really snug and I'm not sure what I risk breaking since I don't really know what it's attached to.

Is there something I'm missing? Did those that opened the case up to swap drivers just leverage this pice off?

Yes, you can pull off the silver box. It's pressure fit to the connectors on the chassis. Just try to remove it straight off (walking it slowly using your hands) and don't just grab a screw driver and pry hard from one side only.

Not to worry... IMHO it would be quite difficult to actually do damage unless you were careless.

The silver RF box is only secured to the back of the set-top with the two phillips-head screws. Once those are removed, you should be able to take the box off with a minimum of fuss.

Be careful though: There is also a plastic one-way tab that joins the cover to the frame just above the firewire ports on the back of the box. Unless you are very careful, removing the cover will require you to break this tab which will certainly leave evidence that you have removed the cover.

Good luck with the upgrade.

I just wanted to thank all the pioneers on this forum who spent the cash to begin with to find out if the DCT6412's hard drive could be upgraded. I successfully replaced my 120GB Seagate HDD that came with the PVR with a Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB drive (ST3160811AS) and it was recognized successfully. Hopefully this drive doesn't have any thermal or performance issues, but so far so good.

MacTVJunkie, I saw the plastic "clip" and figured that was their version of those "VOID" stickers that get messed up when you open a CD-ROM drive to get to its internals, and sure enough, I broke the two flimsy plastic tabs trying to open the case. I'm not really sure how you could avoid it since they break so easily, by design of course. I bought the unit though from Future Shop so I'm not too concerned. Though just in case, since it is covered by warrenty from Shaw, does anyone know where I could get a new plastic "clip", in case I need to put the 120GB back in it in the event I need it swapped or serviced by Shaw?

I think it's not worth the while to void your warranty to replace the HD and
gain a mere 40 GBs when it has been mentioned by Bissonette that a firmware
update is going to enable the SATA ports.

He said the firmware update would be released in early 2007, but we all know
Shaw (and moto) have never been really good at keeping their time frames.

But it -should- be comming...

The hardest part of the upgrade was getting the damn screws off (and they're still off).

The problem is we've been waiting for EVER for that upgrade (SATA ports enabled). I think they will never do it, because it lessens the chance you will buy a newer STB with a larger hard drive in it.

I know the Phase III supports a 160gb(I'm using a 300gb SATA) not sure about Phase II. The Phase III devices uses SATA hard drives. Phase II may use EIDE (search)

If you have the same type of hard drive as the one inside, your 120GB should work without issue, assuming your problem is just the hard drive.

james99... you say in your post (quoted above) that you have a 300GB SATA? is your STB just using 160GB of the available space or are you able to use the full 300GB?

The firmware (at this time) only supports 160gb but the 300gb hdd was cheap and future firmware should support the whole drive (hopefully later this year).

There are DCT6416 set-tops that are Phase II hardware (I have three of them sitting in front of me right now), thus it is safe to assume that the Phase II boxes will support a 160GB HDD.

There are DCT6416 set-tops that are Phase II hardware (I have three of them sitting in front of me right now), thus it is safe to assume that the Phase II boxes will support a 160GB HDD.

I thought the 6416 had HDMI and SATA drives (ie Phase III)? I guess both Phase II and Phase III exist? :confused:

I thought the 6416 had HDMI and SATA drives (ie Phase III)? I guess both Phase II and Phase III exist? :confused:

There are, indeed, non-Phase III versions of the DCT6416. I've got one sitting here that has an IDE HDD and DVI-D output rather than HDMI.

There are, indeed, non-Phase III versions of the DCT6416. I've got one sitting here that has an IDE HDD and DVI-D output rather than HDMI.
Interesting...

There are DCT6416 set-tops that are Phase II hardware (I have three of them sitting in front of me right now), thus it is safe to assume that the Phase II boxes will support a 160GB HDD.
I tried hooking up a larger ide drive to a 6412 dvi, and the box wasn't too happy about it.

Why on earth would they make phase ii 6416 dct's? It would seem to be a waste of resources, considering that many smaller cable companies have a hard time getting phase iii 6416's from Motorola. Unless they are sold a lot cheaper...

Have they fixed the crappy analog output?

It just seems a strange thing to do...

I'm sure most people would prefer they also scrapped the dvi on the 6200, and made it hdmi... that would make those boxes a lot more appealing

There are, indeed, non-Phase III versions of the DCT6416. I've got one sitting here that has an IDE HDD and DVI-D output rather than HDMI.
I bet you're looking at a 6412, not a 6416. I agree with loracweb that it would be a step backwords in making sub phase3 6416's

I bet you're looking at a 6412, not a 6416. I agree with loracweb that it would be a step backwords in making sub phase3 6416's

No. I'm looking at a DCT6416. In fact, I'm looking at a DCT6416/2000 (MOT Part Number 518124-001-00) which is a Rev 1.0 version of the DCT6416. The DCT6416 is *not* a new box. It has been around almost as long as the DCT6412. It just hasn't been generally available through most MSOs.

This thread conviced me to upgrade the HDD in my 6412 III, I now can't decide what size of hard drive to buy. What do you think the odds are that this thing will ever support more than 160G?

I am a Shaw Calgary customer, what are the odds they'll release firmware that allows a bigger drive? This would likely be tied to the release of a new model, what's the rumours there? Is it in the same family.

I don't mind buying a bit bigger drive but don't want to spend extra if there's no chance the extra size will ever be used.

PS, I have a hard drive in a computer that I could remove and install in the PVR, It's partitioned and formatted. Do you think I'd have to low-level format it before putting in the PVR or do you think the PVR will just overwrite with it's own partitions?

Motorola is promising a firmware upgrade this year for larger drives and external drives.

No. I'm looking at a DCT6416. In fact, I'm looking at a DCT6416/2000 (MOT Part Number 518124-001-00) which is a Rev 1.0 version of the DCT6416. The DCT6416 is *not* a new box. It has been around almost as long as the DCT6412. It just hasn't been generally available through most MSOs.
OK, perhaps the 6416 isn't a new box. Motorola sure seems to do odd things though... why make the 6416 at the same time as the 6412? To see if companies were interested in it? Or just made more sense from an R&D standpoint? I assume that they had some logical decision in this? I'm curious as to where you dug these 6416 dvi boxes up though? Even if they were made, what would the interest level be in them? it can't ever of been very much, or else they would have shown up somewhere in the past I'd imagine.

Do you know if Motorola is planning on releasing a new model at some point, or is it just going to be firmware upgrades? Just curious if you had any insight as to what future plans Motorola may have. Especially given the rumours that we may actually see moto compatiable HD boxes this year...

This thread conviced me to upgrade the HDD in my 6412 III, I now can't decide what size of hard drive to buy. What do you think the odds are that this thing will ever support more than 160G?

I am a Shaw Calgary customer, what are the odds they'll release firmware that allows a bigger drive? This would likely be tied to the release of a new model, what's the rumours there? Is it in the same family.

I don't mind buying a bit bigger drive but don't want to spend extra if there's no chance the extra size will ever be used.

PS, I have a hard drive in a computer that I could remove and install in the PVR, It's partitioned and formatted. Do you think I'd have to low-level format it before putting in the PVR or do you think the PVR will just overwrite with it's own partitions?
The difference in cost is minor if you're talking about a new drive... you can find 320 GB HD for a little over a $100 these days.

The PVR will format whatever drive you put in it automatically, there's no need for you to do anything.

If you do open the box though, i recommend buying the security bit as it will make your life a lot easier :)