I have seen in stores demo DCT6412/2000 that have a silver box on the back that the coaxle cable plugs into. I am looking at buying a used one of these PVRs that does not have this box. Can you please tell me what this box does and whether it is necessary for the DCT6412/2000 to work with Shaw cable? If yes, then can one be added? What is the cost of this and how is it done? I'm in BC.

are you refering to this little silver "box"
http://broadband.motorola.com/consumers/images/dct6412_back.jpg
Where is says cable in?

I believe it has to do with COAX (RF) bypass (the way a VCR or other equipment can be hooked up).

Every provider using the 64xx sets it up according to their own preferences.

I don't believe you must have it, but Shaw will tell you if you call them. There are other threads that deal with activating "used" PVRs on Shaw's network. Browse around...

Here's what's underneath it:

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/4977/dct64126zk.jpg

Wonder why cover it and block the other coax plugins
When I got my box I was suprised there was no coax out.
Guess they coverd it up.

Looks like it is a splitter for tuner 1 and tuner 2. Not sure what the CM in is. And it removes the cable out

Just a guess, but it's got a built-in DOCSIS 2.0 cable modem for high-speed connections, so I'm presuming that CM is for Cable Modem.

If these boxes come without the splitter then one would need two RF cables in if you want to use the two tuners. What's the point of that?

Thanks everyone for the replies.

And if CM stands for computer modem, then how is that used?

And if CM stands for computer modem, then how is that used?

It's not. That's why it's covered up. There are a lot of hardware capabilities in this box that are not enabled by Shaw.

Does anyone know if there is a working rf/coax out hidden in my phase 3?

I am using a s-video converter to fire my signal upstairs so I can watch my pvr from two tv's...would be nice to get rid of it!

Yeah, I use one of those too, but there isn't a coax-out on the box. I suppose that you could take that silver box off and try the coax-out underneath it, but opening up the box would likely risk voiding your warranty. Owner beware, but if you do it let us know how it turns out.

Personally, I doubt that it'll work, and I suspect that if it did someone on AVS would have already reported it.

Those are P3s, in the photo, (I was curious, too, but I rent my DCT6412 which is P2, & can't do surgery w/ it). To the right of the silver box appears to be an RF out, I believe.

I removed my "silver box" out of curiosity. The unit worked fine, but I was later told by Shaw that it prevented communication back to them so I couldn't order PPV or VOD.

Yes, part of the wiring in that box is for the return amp loop. It's just like that little bit of coax on the DCT2000 or 2500, that seems to go nowhere.

I know this post is quite old but it pertains to an issue I have. I purchased a 6412 off ebay. When I received it I proceeded to download the new firmware, but the screen just kept cycling through the hunt1, hunt2, etc. I took a look at the back and the little silver box was prety beat up so I took it off and hooked the cable directly into one of the RF in ports.

When I tried to download the firware again the box found my provider right away and started downloading, so I assume the little silver box is broken. I know this will allow me to download the firmware, but without the silver box the dual tuner, and communication back to my cable provider will not work correct?

With that said I have 2 questions.

1. How can I hook everything up using an rf splitter so both the dual tuner and communication back to the provider will work?

2. Or where the heck can I find a new/used little silver box? :)

Thanks

I assume you've read the following thread about activating an outside STB?

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=26417

Yes, I have it bookmarked :). I was unable to find specific info on how to cable the unit without the silver box on the back. I just want to make sure if I don't have the silver box on the back that I have it cabled correctly when I call Shaw to have it activated. The last thing I want is for them to tell me they can't activate the box because it's not compatible when it realy just isn't hooked up right. Thanks for the response.

Does anybody know if it's possible to hook up a dct6412 "properly" with Shaw without the little silver box on the back? I am ready to call and have them activate it but I want to make sure it is connected properly. Thanks.

I would think that you would need to wire some sort of jumper to connect the curcuit. Older DCTs (without the silver box) have a loop on the back to complete the curcuit. I think the silver box does this on HD models so you may need to rig one up.