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The Comcast DVR (a Motorola DCT 6412) has more bugs in it than a picnic basket left out on a summer day. And I left TiVo for this?!
I recently converted from a TiVo DVR to a Comcast DVR when I upgraded to digital HDTV. I couldn't stay with TiVo because; a) it can't record shows broadcast in High-Definition and b) it is far too clunky and slow to control the TiVo from the Comcast box (infrared transmitters, anyone?). My hands were tied. Because I wanted HDTV and a DVR I have only one choice - Comcast. (Before you ask: I have a collection of 100-foot trees obscuring my southern exposure, so satellite is not an option.)
In March the company automatically downloaded a software fix from Motorola to all of their customers using Motorola DCT 6412 DVRs. I can confirm that, not unlike Apple's Mac OS 10.3.9, the Comcast DVR update has only made it worse. Now I can't record a single program reliably enough to watch and have reverted back to watching (shudder) live television. Some of the problems I've had:
- Freezing. 75% of recorded shows on my new Comcast DVR are interrupted by heavy digital artifacts and pixelization, what's worse is that the audio drops out every 15-20 seconds essentially make the recorder useless. Unless you like to play "guess the missing word" every 15 seconds.
- Spontaneous auto-shutoff. Imagine you're watching a really dramatic show (like Fox's 24) and you've paused it a few times so that there's program stored in the buffer. Last night my Comcast DVR spontaneously shut down at 10pm erasing the program buffer I had been saving the end of 24 on. Buh-bye.
- Missed recordings. Shows scheduled to record never do, or record the wrong channel, or programs can't be found in the guide to record. There's nothing worse than checking to see who was on SNL the night before only to find out it didn't record at all.
- Mute bug. The Comcast DVR will often be stuck in permanent "mute" mode preventing you from getting audio. The only fix it is to reboot the DVR and this is inconvenient if you are in the middle of recording a program.
Comcast claims that the problem is in Motorola's software and that there's no ETA for a fix. If you call them to complain they'll credit you the US$10 monthly DVR fee, but that doesn't help much when you just want to watch a recorded episode of 60 Minutes or 24.
I can honestly say that I initially enjoyed the ability to record HD programming on my Comcast DVR but that was its only real benefit over my TiVo. The program guide, scheduling, user interface are all far inferior to TiVo. Comcast's lack of wish lists, season passes and suggestions is woeful in comparison. Now that the thing CAN'T RECORD a program it is essentially useless.
Comcast: clean up your act and recall all of these defective Motorola DCT 6412 boxes and give all your customers a full refund. If you're having issues call 1-800-COMCAST. If anyone from TiVo wants my business back, get in touch. All I wanted was to watch 24 last night, and apparently that's too much to ask from the nation's largest cable company.
The Comcast DVR (a Motorola DCT 6412) has more bugs in it than a picnic basket left out on a summer day. And I left TiVo for this?!
I recently converted from a TiVo DVR to a Comcast DVR when I upgraded to digital HDTV. I couldn't stay with TiVo because; a) it can't record shows broadcast in High-Definition and b) it is far too clunky and slow to control the TiVo from the Comcast box (infrared transmitters, anyone?). My hands were tied. Because I wanted HDTV and a DVR I have only one choice - Comcast. (Before you ask: I have a collection of 100-foot trees obscuring my southern exposure, so satellite is not an option.)
In March the company automatically downloaded a software fix from Motorola to all of their customers using Motorola DCT 6412 DVRs. I can confirm that, not unlike Apple's Mac OS 10.3.9, the Comcast DVR update has only made it worse. Now I can't record a single program reliably enough to watch and have reverted back to watching (shudder) live television. Some of the problems I've had:
- Freezing. 75% of recorded shows on my new Comcast DVR are interrupted by heavy digital artifacts and pixelization, what's worse is that the audio drops out every 15-20 seconds essentially make the recorder useless. Unless you like to play "guess the missing word" every 15 seconds.
- Spontaneous auto-shutoff. Imagine you're watching a really dramatic show (like Fox's 24) and you've paused it a few times so that there's program stored in the buffer. Last night my Comcast DVR spontaneously shut down at 10pm erasing the program buffer I had been saving the end of 24 on. Buh-bye.
- Missed recordings. Shows scheduled to record never do, or record the wrong channel, or programs can't be found in the guide to record. There's nothing worse than checking to see who was on SNL the night before only to find out it didn't record at all.
- Mute bug. The Comcast DVR will often be stuck in permanent "mute" mode preventing you from getting audio. The only fix it is to reboot the DVR and this is inconvenient if you are in the middle of recording a program.
Comcast claims that the problem is in Motorola's software and that there's no ETA for a fix. If you call them to complain they'll credit you the US$10 monthly DVR fee, but that doesn't help much when you just want to watch a recorded episode of 60 Minutes or 24.
I can honestly say that I initially enjoyed the ability to record HD programming on my Comcast DVR but that was its only real benefit over my TiVo. The program guide, scheduling, user interface are all far inferior to TiVo. Comcast's lack of wish lists, season passes and suggestions is woeful in comparison. Now that the thing CAN'T RECORD a program it is essentially useless.
Comcast: clean up your act and recall all of these defective Motorola DCT 6412 boxes and give all your customers a full refund. If you're having issues call 1-800-COMCAST. If anyone from TiVo wants my business back, get in touch. All I wanted was to watch 24 last night, and apparently that's too much to ask from the nation's largest cable company.
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12234 views
A
6412
I guess my wife and I have the only good ones. We had a few problems after install, but all those have been taken care of.
I record HDTV, many auto races and misc other programs with no problems at all. My wife also records daily shows with no problems.
I came over from Dish due to extremely high hardware prices for HD, and the fact they have a bunch of problems too.
We are a very Happy Comcast family.
I guess my wife and I have the only good ones. We had a few problems after install, but all those have been taken care of.
I record HDTV, many auto races and misc other programs with no problems at all. My wife also records daily shows with no problems.
I came over from Dish due to extremely high hardware prices for HD, and the fact they have a bunch of problems too.
We are a very Happy Comcast family.
Linus Tech Tips
Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hlTu95nOCw
Direct YouTube Link - I've never seen this before (and it's 20 years old.)
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hlTu95nOCw
Direct YouTube Link - I've never seen this before (and it's 20 years old.)
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
0 Replies
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0 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Stumbled across this ... http://www.gaspricewatch.com/USGas_ZipSearch.asp
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy
Ethanol Free Stations
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy
Ethanol Free Stations
5568 Replies
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462419 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/H5w96sy17FM
Direct YouTube Link - Claude Designed a Linux Kernel Exploit in 53 Minutes #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/H5w96sy17FM
Direct YouTube Link - Claude Designed a Linux Kernel Exploit in 53 Minutes #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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6 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
68769 Replies
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2687157 views
https://www.directv.com/insider/mysports-changes-the-game/
https://streamtv.directv.com/mysports/ (You might have to logout or open a private window to see the details)
As of now this is only available for streaming customers in select markets. Existing streaming customers can switch to it for $69.99, but they are not eligible for the $20 off for 3 months discount. More genre-specific packages will launch during the first half of the year.
https://streamtv.directv.com/mysports/ (You might have to logout or open a private window to see the details)
As of now this is only available for streaming customers in select markets. Existing streaming customers can switch to it for $69.99, but they are not eligible for the $20 off for 3 months discount. More genre-specific packages will launch during the first half of the year.
75 Replies
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8253 views
Pub Member / Supporter
America’s Fastest-Growing EV State Isn’t California—Not by a Long Shot
New data shows electric vehicle adoption is increasingly driven by state policies, electricity prices and charging access—not federal incentives
www.autoweek.com
The number-one US state for EV growth, according to the June 22 Yardi report?
Oklahoma.
It has no ZEV mandates and "minimal" incentives, Yardi says, but also has cheap electricity, high multi-car household rates (so, for example, a non-Lightning Ford F-150 pulls their trailers), and a consumer base willing to switch.
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1317 views
The Tesla Cybertruck Is Dead, The Ford F-150 Lives - The Autopian
The Cybertruck was supposed to make the F-150 obsolete. It wasn’t supposed to be boring, like a Ford or a Chevy. It was supposed to be “more truck than truck.” It turns out, people just wanted trucks that were trucks, and CEO Elon Musk announced on X earlier this morning is that the Cybertruck...
www.theautopian.com
The Cybertruck was supposed to make the F-150 obsolete. It wasn't supposed to be boring, like a Ford or a Chevy. It was supposed to be "more truck than truck." It turns out, people just wanted trucks that were trucks, and CEO Elon Musk announced on X earlier this morning is that the Cybertruck is dying.
Ending production in middle of next year at gigatexas for cybercab production.
Supporting Founder
Does anyone here use Apple Home/HomeKit with HomePods or Apple TV to automate smart devices in their house? We have had Amazon's Alexa set up in our house for the last 10+ years and I have been waiting to switch them out to Apple for a few reasons; We are already in the Apple ecosystem with our phones, tablets, and computers. I have never liked Amazon's stance on privacy and I really like that Apple has pushed for privacy for a long time.
I bought 4 of the new HomePod Mini 2 speakers to go in various rooms in our house and we have one of the new Apple TVs on preorder that will be the start of me replacing our Rokus. I have the HomePod Mini 2s set up and have an RPi that is running HomeBridge for our legacy smart devices that worked natively with Alexa but don't work with Apple Home natively. I had trouble with the older smart bulbs not keeping the brightness or light color consistent with what our routines were with Alexa despite trying every setting in HomeBridge with the bulbs just not shining very bright. I ended up replacing them with updated versions that are Matter compatible so they work in Apple Home natively. That in and of itself has been interesting to set up because I have my home network segretated with the IoT devices on their own vlan and wifi and pretty locked down. Matter requires IPv6 and due to how my home network is designed I had to do some digging with AI to figure out how to make it all work correctly.
Apple Home definitely has some shortcomings that Alexa does much better with but I am hoping Apple will continue to improve their Home products and introduce features that will bring it closer to the functionality of Alexa.
I bought 4 of the new HomePod Mini 2 speakers to go in various rooms in our house and we have one of the new Apple TVs on preorder that will be the start of me replacing our Rokus. I have the HomePod Mini 2s set up and have an RPi that is running HomeBridge for our legacy smart devices that worked natively with Alexa but don't work with Apple Home natively. I had trouble with the older smart bulbs not keeping the brightness or light color consistent with what our routines were with Alexa despite trying every setting in HomeBridge with the bulbs just not shining very bright. I ended up replacing them with updated versions that are Matter compatible so they work in Apple Home natively. That in and of itself has been interesting to set up because I have my home network segretated with the IoT devices on their own vlan and wifi and pretty locked down. Matter requires IPv6 and due to how my home network is designed I had to do some digging with AI to figure out how to make it all work correctly.
Apple Home definitely has some shortcomings that Alexa does much better with but I am hoping Apple will continue to improve their Home products and introduce features that will bring it closer to the functionality of Alexa.
5 Replies
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83 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
11 Replies
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305 views
I have the Roku's, 2 or 3, I just rarely use them ... I prefer the Google/Android Sony set up.
People tell me that the Apps on the TV will end thier usefulness as they age ... They are doing ok for me so far ... I also have the TV take the App Updates whenever possible ... then again, I don't know how often App updates come to it.
So, so far, I'm doing ok, but if they start to get sluggish, I'll eventually change to a Roku ... I don't want to, but eventually ... (Or buy another new TV
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifSf_eHb6Qg
Direct YouTube Link - Club TWiT: Media Club #4 - Project Hail Mary
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifSf_eHb6Qg
Direct YouTube Link - Club TWiT: Media Club #4 - Project Hail Mary
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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14 views
After a strange reboot last night in the middle of viewing, this morning several more reboots and about a half an hour download.
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25 views