DCH3416 Bought 2nd hand, no channels, any help?

Paulywood · 03-21-2009, 10:25 PM

Have comcast with a HD 3200 box downstairs, wanted a box upstairs so I bought a DVR DCH3416. Hooked it up, have guide & menus but no stations, channels 1-70? says "One moment please, this channel should be available shortly". No Station above 70?.
It's been on for a hour & nothing.
Can I change something in the box, or do I have the wrong subsciption.
The M card is in it.
Thanks very much,
Paul

nmlobo · 03-22-2009, 12:45 PM

I doubt that Comcast will provision a STB not provided by or purshased from them. My guess is you now own an expensive paperweight.

Sykotic · 03-22-2009, 02:00 PM

You didnt read other posts about non system equipment before you purchased the box?

NonMcTubber · 03-22-2009, 02:43 PM

This post may somewhat relates to the RCN--getting away with extortion thread. Its not a free market if comcast cable demands the user rent a set top box proprietary to only comcast. And hopefully the OP will write to the FCC and comcast pointing that fact out. And asking for redress where the FCC tells comcast to cease and desist their rip offs, if comcast does not do it voluntarily.

But the joker in the deck is the old M-card that may not yet permit two way communication between the STB and comcast. Maybe there is a way now to correct the deficiency, if in fact, a technological barrier exists and its not just a comcast marketing gimmick.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/02/m...nabled-hd-dvr/

Since I do not know which at this point, its hard to comment further.

nmlobo · 03-22-2009, 06:04 PM

Sure its an open market - as long as you have the right equipment. Had he bought a Tivo or some other box that is for sale to the general public, comcast would have rented and provisioned an M-Card for his STB. To my knowledge, DCH3416s are not available for sale to the general public in the US so comcast or any other provider is not required to provision this STB.

HiDefRev · 03-22-2009, 06:15 PM

The manufacturers do not sell those boxes to the general public, only to the providers. Therefore any box you have belongs to the provider. Any box you purchase is stolen property, as it still belongs to the provider. If this was originally a box belonging to Comcast, they MIGHT authorized it while renting it to you, but it will REMAIN THEIR property. If it was not originally a Comcast box, then it is doubtful they can authorize it anyway. It's always a good idea to do your research BEFORE throwing away your money.

NonMcTubber · 03-23-2009, 02:22 PM

It may be possible to guess the STB box in question remains property
of the original provider, and hence our OP unwittingly purchased stolen property, but I can tell with with some certainty that its not ALWAYS the case with all such types of equipment.

So we are still stuck with that original question, why should comcast allege any right to prevent such a STB from working? And if Comcast does, are they not in fact guilty of unfair and illegal restraint of fair competition.

And that latter statement well may be 100% true, unless comcast can prove with an absolute certainty that our OP's STB is stolen property, a maybe its stolen just does not get it.

deadhead68 · 03-23-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NonMcTubber

It may be possible to guess the STB box in question remains property
of the original provider, and hence our OP unwittingly purchased stolen property, but I can tell with with some certainty that its not ALWAYS the case with all such types of equipment.

So we are still stuck with that original question, why should comcast allege any right to prevent such a STB from working? And if Comcast does, are they not in fact guilty of unfair and illegal restraint of fair competition.

And that latter statement well may be 100% true, unless comcast can prove with an absolute certainty that our OP's STB is stolen property, a maybe its stolen just does not get it.

Motorola does not sell any of the DCT or DCH STBs to the general public here in the U.S., they only sell them to Cable Providers. Then the Cable Providers rent them to the general public. Because of this, I see no way the OP's DCH3416 is not Comcast's property.

DeadHead68

Paulywood · 03-23-2009, 06:59 PM

Thanks, Guys
I'm not usually stupid.
Paul

Sykotic · 03-24-2009, 05:55 PM

Since the box you purchased (whether stolen or not) has a cable card slot. Call and see if they will offer you a m-card and switch the card out. Instead of $5.99/month maybe the card is only $3.99 a month. a $2.00/month savings. May help pay for your great,great,great,great,great, grandkids first tricycle.

jigbe · 10-22-2009, 03:04 PM

In the case that anyone is still following this thread, I will throw this out for opinions/advice. I just put it out in a different forum for thoughts.

My family is in Canada and they just updated to the Pace DVR so they had an extra DCH3416 (the cable company sells them to their customers up there), which is the same DVR I have at home (UP Mi - Charter Cable land). I just bought a new plasma and I am already renting the DCH3416 for upstairs, so I thought I could use this in the basement. When I plugged it in, it wouldn't work (just 0 on the screen and I can't change the channels - can't even get a menu). So I had Charter come to look at it (I was under the impression it would need a new cablecard - I don't know much about this - just internet research).

The service guys told me it doesn't need a cablecard, but instead it needs to be brought into the shop for a "burn" which I am assuming it is a s/w f/w update. Does this sound legit? The last thing I want them to do is confiscate this thing and open up a can of worms. If I know they won't service/set it up for me, I would just send it back to Canada for my other family members to use.

Thanks for your help.

Riz

I've had one guy tell me to send it back to Canada, and then I have read other forums that said Charter has to honor the equipment. Thoughts/experiences?

davecramer74 · 10-23-2009, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paulywood

Thanks, Guys
I'm not usually stupid.
Paul

You might be able to call them and activate it on your account. But theres not much you are going to be able to do on your end.

Just bring the box in to a local office, do the walk of shame to the counter

and then ask them for a new box. Yes you'll be paying the monthly.

Sykotic · 10-23-2009, 07:54 PM

Each MSO uses thier own programming code. The Bios and memory modules must be set or reprogrammed? for the local market.

Filekhasper · 10-24-2009, 05:54 PM

I can tell you that unless a peice of equipment has been added to your account, you will not receive programming you are paying for because, that programming you subscribe to will only be pushed out to that "authorized" equipment. The reason that some cable providers wont add equipment is because some of the equipment comes from accounts with balances and when those balances are not paid the equipment is definetely stolen. The equipment is almost always leased to the subscriber anyways, not sold.

jigbe · 10-25-2009, 09:19 PM

Thank you for all the info. You know what really gets me, is that with all our technology, and the fact that I am already paying for a DVR and HDTV upstairs, I still cannot rent a DVR for the basement at a reduced rate. This just seems wrong.

03-21-2009, 10:25 PM	#1
Paulywood What is HD? Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2	DCH3416 Bought 2nd hand, no channels, any help? Have comcast with a HD 3200 box downstairs, wanted a box upstairs so I bought a DVR DCH3416. Hooked it up, have guide & menus but no stations, channels 1-70? says "One moment please, this channel should be available shortly". No Station above 70?. It's been on for a hour & nothing. Can I change something in the box, or do I have the wrong subsciption. The M card is in it. Thanks very much, Paul

03-22-2009, 02:43 PM	#4
NonMcTubber High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 815	This post may somewhat relates to the RCN--getting away with extortion thread. Its not a free market if comcast cable demands the user rent a set top box proprietary to only comcast. And hopefully the OP will write to the FCC and comcast pointing that fact out. And asking for redress where the FCC tells comcast to cease and desist their rip offs, if comcast does not do it voluntarily. But the joker in the deck is the old M-card that may not yet permit two way communication between the STB and comcast. Maybe there is a way now to correct the deficiency, if in fact, a technological barrier exists and its not just a comcast marketing gimmick. http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/02/m...nabled-hd-dvr/ Since I do not know which at this point, its hard to comment further. Last edited by NonMcTubber; 03-22-2009 at 02:48 PM. Reason: add content

03-22-2009, 06:15 PM	#6
HiDefRev Is there HDTV in Heaven ? Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Georgia Age: 55 Posts: 512	Indeed The manufacturers do not sell those boxes to the general public, only to the providers. Therefore any box you have belongs to the provider. Any box you purchase is stolen property, as it still belongs to the provider. If this was originally a box belonging to Comcast, they MIGHT authorized it while renting it to you, but it will REMAIN THEIR property. If it was not originally a Comcast box, then it is doubtful they can authorize it anyway. It's always a good idea to do your research BEFORE throwing away your money. __________________ Living Room Panasonic PT-50LCZ70 50" 1080p HDTV, Sony Playstation3 80 Gig, Onkyo HT-R667 7.1 AV Receiver, ESS HD-308 Main, Side and Surround Speakers on Bell'O Stands, Cadence C-17 Center Speaker, Acoustic Audio HD-SUB15 Subwoofer, DISH ViP 722 HD DVR, Panasonic DVD Recorder/VCR, Den Viewsonic NX2232W LCD HDTV, RCA RT-2500 5.1 AV Receiver, Yamaha Main, Center and Surround Speakers, Onkyo SKW-750X 10" Subwoofer, DISH ViP 211 HD Receiver, Magnavox Blu-Ray Player, Nintendo 64 & Wii

10-22-2009, 03:04 PM	#11
jigbe What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	dch3416 In the case that anyone is still following this thread, I will throw this out for opinions/advice. I just put it out in a different forum for thoughts. My family is in Canada and they just updated to the Pace DVR so they had an extra DCH3416 (the cable company sells them to their customers up there), which is the same DVR I have at home (UP Mi - Charter Cable land). I just bought a new plasma and I am already renting the DCH3416 for upstairs, so I thought I could use this in the basement. When I plugged it in, it wouldn't work (just 0 on the screen and I can't change the channels - can't even get a menu). So I had Charter come to look at it (I was under the impression it would need a new cablecard - I don't know much about this - just internet research). The service guys told me it doesn't need a cablecard, but instead it needs to be brought into the shop for a "burn" which I am assuming it is a s/w f/w update. Does this sound legit? The last thing I want them to do is confiscate this thing and open up a can of worms. If I know they won't service/set it up for me, I would just send it back to Canada for my other family members to use. Thanks for your help. Riz I've had one guy tell me to send it back to Canada, and then I have read other forums that said Charter has to honor the equipment. Thoughts/experiences?

10-25-2009, 09:19 PM	#15
jigbe What is HD? Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Thank you Thank you for all the info. You know what really gets me, is that with all our technology, and the fact that I am already paying for a DVR and HDTV upstairs, I still cannot rent a DVR for the basement at a reduced rate. This just seems wrong.

03-22-2009, 12:45 PM	#2
nmlobo Yorktown, VA Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 616	I doubt that Comcast will provision a STB not provided by or purshased from them. My guess is you now own an expensive paperweight.

03-22-2009, 02:00 PM	#3
Sykotic Got HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Institutionalized Posts: 446	You didnt read other posts about non system equipment before you purchased the box?

03-22-2009, 06:04 PM	#5
nmlobo Yorktown, VA Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 616	Sure its an open market - as long as you have the right equipment. Had he bought a Tivo or some other box that is for sale to the general public, comcast would have rented and provisioned an M-Card for his STB. To my knowledge, DCH3416s are not available for sale to the general public in the US so comcast or any other provider is not required to provision this STB.

03-23-2009, 02:22 PM	#7
NonMcTubber High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 815	It may be possible to guess the STB box in question remains property of the original provider, and hence our OP unwittingly purchased stolen property, but I can tell with with some certainty that its not ALWAYS the case with all such types of equipment. So we are still stuck with that original question, why should comcast allege any right to prevent such a STB from working? And if Comcast does, are they not in fact guilty of unfair and illegal restraint of fair competition. And that latter statement well may be 100% true, unless comcast can prove with an absolute certainty that our OP's STB is stolen property, a maybe its stolen just does not get it.

03-23-2009, 06:59 PM	#9
Paulywood What is HD? Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2	Thanks, Guys I'm not usually stupid. Paul

03-24-2009, 05:55 PM	#10
Sykotic Got HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Institutionalized Posts: 446	Since the box you purchased (whether stolen or not) has a cable card slot. Call and see if they will offer you a m-card and switch the card out. Instead of $5.99/month maybe the card is only $3.99 a month. a $2.00/month savings. May help pay for your great,great,great,great,great, grandkids first tricycle.

10-23-2009, 07:54 PM	#13
Sykotic Got HD? Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Institutionalized Posts: 446	Each MSO uses thier own programming code. The Bios and memory modules must be set or reprogrammed? for the local market.

10-24-2009, 05:54 PM	#14
Filekhasper High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 41	I can tell you that unless a peice of equipment has been added to your account, you will not receive programming you are paying for because, that programming you subscribe to will only be pushed out to that "authorized" equipment. The reason that some cable providers wont add equipment is because some of the equipment comes from accounts with balances and when those balances are not paid the equipment is definetely stolen. The equipment is almost always leased to the subscriber anyways, not sold.

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