Initial Setup Panasonic 600U/Comcast DVR DCT 3416

ChayD · 12-30-2006, 07:00 PM

I have spent the afternoon setting up a new Panasonic TH42PX600U with HDMI from Comcast's DCT 3416 HD DVR.

Following the manual I got as far as I could attempting to set up channels and remote control functions.

Having obtained a great picture (using settings reccommended on the interent) I can now assess general functions. I am not sure it is the optimum method for these components.

- Should I beable to use the Panasonic remote as the primary controller or should it be the Comcast remote?
- The auto channel scan did not pick up any channels
- I can't get The TV Guide Channel to setup as described in manual
- Why do some (HD?) channels have the black margins
- Should I be viewing HD channels in Justify or Full mode; What is the best mode to view standard?
- I assume PIP is overridden in this setup?

Any tips on maxing the total usage and viewing experience is greatly appreciated.

Thank-you!

deadhead68 · 12-31-2006, 09:17 AM

Here goes my best shot.

- Should I beable to use the Panasonic remote as the primary controller or should it be the Comcast remote? I would use the Comcast remote, unless the Panny remote has controls for the DVR, record FFWD, REW etc. All depends on whether the Panny remote can be programmed to work the Comcast DVR.
- The auto channel scan did not pick up any channels Did you have a coaxial cable going to the cable outlet in the wall? Did you have a coaxial cable going to an OTA antenna? Were you connected to the correct port in the back?
- I can't get The TV Guide Channel to setup as described in manual Sorry no ideas on this one.
- Why do some (HD?) channels have the black margins They will whenever the station is not broadcasting a program in HD. For example, here is Chicago our locals do not broadcast daytime programs in HD. Hence the black bars on the side.
- Should I be viewing HD channels in Justify or Full mode; What is the best mode to view standard? Try them all and let YOUR eyes decide. YOU are the one who will be watching it.
- I assume PIP is overridden in this setup? Sorry, can't help with that one either.

DeadHead68

ChayD · 12-31-2006, 05:55 PM

Thanks Deadhead68

03yellowm1 · 01-02-2007, 04:56 PM

Chayd
First off, if you have the 600 series, you should have a cable card slot that would work great. If you have the 3400 series HD for the DVR capabilities, then keep my first comment in the back of your mind.

Second, I have a smaller Panasonic and it is in justified mode and works great. Just an opinion.

Third, I think PIP can work, but only one will be in HD. If you split the wire before it goes into the converter, attach the other line into the tv. You will get PIP, but it may look funny. One HD and one SD. Now here comes the possibility, if you get a Cable Card and have it installed along with the DVR, you might get two HD pictures, I haven't tried this one as my Panasonic doesn't have that slot.

Last, when trying to do an auto scan the cable must go into the tv first. In other words from the wall into the tv, no boxes or other interfering items. However, once you hook up the converter, the tv will recognize only a couple of inputs, rf coax (chan3/4), HDMI, DVI, SPDIF or component (and in your case cable card)

ChayD · 01-02-2007, 06:41 PM

Thank-you 03yellowm3

12-30-2006, 07:00 PM	#1
ChayD NuVeau HD'r Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3	Initial Setup Panasonic 600U/Comcast DVR DCT 3416 I have spent the afternoon setting up a new Panasonic TH42PX600U with HDMI from Comcast's DCT 3416 HD DVR. Following the manual I got as far as I could attempting to set up channels and remote control functions. Having obtained a great picture (using settings reccommended on the interent) I can now assess general functions. I am not sure it is the optimum method for these components. - Should I beable to use the Panasonic remote as the primary controller or should it be the Comcast remote? - The auto channel scan did not pick up any channels - I can't get The TV Guide Channel to setup as described in manual - Why do some (HD?) channels have the black margins - Should I be viewing HD channels in Justify or Full mode; What is the best mode to view standard? - I assume PIP is overridden in this setup? Any tips on maxing the total usage and viewing experience is greatly appreciated. Thank-you!

12-31-2006, 09:17 AM	#2
deadhead68 Football in HD, mmm good! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Crystal Lake, IL Posts: 2,743	Here goes my best shot. - Should I beable to use the Panasonic remote as the primary controller or should it be the Comcast remote? I would use the Comcast remote, unless the Panny remote has controls for the DVR, record FFWD, REW etc. All depends on whether the Panny remote can be programmed to work the Comcast DVR. - The auto channel scan did not pick up any channels Did you have a coaxial cable going to the cable outlet in the wall? Did you have a coaxial cable going to an OTA antenna? Were you connected to the correct port in the back? - I can't get The TV Guide Channel to setup as described in manual Sorry no ideas on this one. - Why do some (HD?) channels have the black margins They will whenever the station is not broadcasting a program in HD. For example, here is Chicago our locals do not broadcast daytime programs in HD. Hence the black bars on the side. - Should I be viewing HD channels in Justify or Full mode; What is the best mode to view standard? Try them all and let YOUR eyes decide. YOU are the one who will be watching it. - I assume PIP is overridden in this setup? Sorry, can't help with that one either. DeadHead68 __________________ Toshiba 52HM95 Moto 3416 HD DVR Sony STR-DG810 Receiver Sony DVP-NS77H DVD Denon SYS-76HT Speaker System Harmony 670

12-31-2006, 05:55 PM	#3
ChayD NuVeau HD'r Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3	Thanks Deadhead68

01-02-2007, 04:56 PM	#4
03yellowm1 Working for the man Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 57	Chayd First off, if you have the 600 series, you should have a cable card slot that would work great. If you have the 3400 series HD for the DVR capabilities, then keep my first comment in the back of your mind. Second, I have a smaller Panasonic and it is in justified mode and works great. Just an opinion. Third, I think PIP can work, but only one will be in HD. If you split the wire before it goes into the converter, attach the other line into the tv. You will get PIP, but it may look funny. One HD and one SD. Now here comes the possibility, if you get a Cable Card and have it installed along with the DVR, you might get two HD pictures, I haven't tried this one as my Panasonic doesn't have that slot. Last, when trying to do an auto scan the cable must go into the tv first. In other words from the wall into the tv, no boxes or other interfering items. However, once you hook up the converter, the tv will recognize only a couple of inputs, rf coax (chan3/4), HDMI, DVI, SPDIF or component (and in your case cable card)

01-02-2007, 06:41 PM	#5
ChayD NuVeau HD'r Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 3	Thank-you 03yellowm3