Should I buy DCT3416 or DCT6416?

[Shaw Guru]

The 2 models are almost identical. The only difference is that the 3416 does not have ana analogue tuner. Therefore the 3416 must be put onto an all-digital map. The 6416 has an analogue tuner and should be able to go on either channel map.
That being said the 3416 is the DCT that Motorola will be putting out in the future. Finding replacements for the 6416 will get harder as supply dwindles down. May as well go with the newer, better toy right???

[derekgreer]

Has anyone been able to program the XBR4 remote control to work with the Motorola DCT5416? I've tried the two codes (218, 222), and both make the remote blink twice which is suppose to indicate a correct programming, but neither code seems to work. Thanks.

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Update: I got code 201 to work.

[roger1818]

My parents (who live in BC) recently bought the DCT3416 and I helped them set it up while I was visiting. They don't have an HDTV, but it seems to work well with S-VIDEO for SD programming.

Does anyone know if the Firewire, eSATA and USB ports work on this unit? The manual indicates that these ports may not be supported by your service provider. It would be nice to use either USB or eSATA to add a second hard drive to the unit and Firewire for connecting a DVD recorder.

[Nanuuk]

I don't believe Shaw supports any of the items you mentioned.

[loracweb]

firewire works, unless something has changed recently. usb/esata do not. however, firewire is only useful to stream what your watching to a pc to record. Doubtful your parents are going to do that. Since they don't have an HDTV i doubt they will fill the drive with just SD recordings. it they are looking to save shows on dvd for later viewing, then downloading from the internet them would be their best bet.

[roger1818]

Thanks for the info. If you can use firewire to stream what your watching to a pc to record, wouldn't it also be possible to use it to stream to a DVD recorder that has a firewire port?

[loracweb]

No. Even on a pc it is a lot more complicated than just plug and play. If a dvd recorder worked as you hoped a lot more people would be using one. They should be able to use component out to record though. I'm fairly sure dvd records only do 480p, which is not HD. Not that it would matter in your parents case. I'm sure this has been discussed in the forums before. Try a search for dvd recorder.

[404]

so with no analog tuner, can you still watch analog channels or what? Or does it just remove the guide??

[loracweb]

any channels that are normally analog are now digital. You still get all the same channels.

[dscott01]

I've had both the 3416 and the 6416. I personally prefer the 6416 as I find the analog channels to be clearer than digital. The digital map of the analog channels is over compressed in my opinion. Also if there are any issues with the Shaw end on digital services (as there was TWICE in the lower mainland a month or so ago) you will not be able to watch any tv. With the analog you will at least be able to watch the analog channels.

Other than the analog tuner, both boxes seem identical to me. The only difference I could see is that the 3416 has a bit of a smaller footprint. The 6416 will also do the all digital map as well.

[williss]

HDMI supports up to 1080p
Component up to 1080i

Since shaw doesn't broadcast at 1080p (I don't recall if it's 1080i or 720p) HDMI won't get you anything over Component.

For BlueRay however there will be a difference since BlueRay is 1080p

[AllNamesTaken]

Actually there is no technical reason that component cables can't carry 1080p or even much higher but in practice the best you get is 1080i for the film and video content because of AACS type 'restrictions'. This applies to DVD and Blu ray.

It is simply dependent on the machine doing the output, the AACS restrictions, the original source.

The additional advantage of HDMI is that you can pass through 6.1, 7.1 sound as well where you are limited to 5.1 with optical.

All this is irrelevant however with the Shaw box. Their output is an overcompressed 1080i with a max 5.1 sound at present.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by williss

Since shaw doesn't broadcast at 1080p (I don't recall if it's 1080i or 720p) HDMI won't get you anything over Component.

Technically, other than the community channel (which I doubt is in HD), Shaw Cable doesn't broadcast anything. Instead they relay the broadcasts from various sources.

As for 1080i or 720p, most cable companies pass on the broadcasters signal in the resolution they broadcast in. Most broadcasters use 1080i, but a few (such as FOX) use 720p, so most channels will be in 1080i. It is true that Bell down converts all broadcasts to 720p to save bandwidth, but I don't know of any cable companies in Canada that do that.

[roger1818]

Originally Posted by loracweb

firewire works, unless something has changed recently. usb/esata do not.

Is there any update on this? I know both Rogers and Bell support external drives now. My dad is running out of space even though he is only recording SD programs (he likes to build up a supply of programs during the winter for the summer and it is surprising how quickly you can build up 120 hours of TV with a PVR). Adding a TB of drive space should give him more than enough room.

[loracweb]

AFAIK, only the pace models support external drives.