New Gen Comcast Set-Top Box?

Lee Stewart · 08-10-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggscoda

On the old one it did take about three of four hours to DL the the whole guide but the current day was up within an hour. I have zero funtionality besides changing channels. At least my old moto had guides and on demand. Right now, 10 hrs into this, I have nothing but a box that tells me what channel I'm watching.

Call customer service and ask them to "zap" your box.

dsopocy · 08-10-2009, 06:51 PM

I just picked up my new box today. I just happened to have a truck roll over the weekend on a signal noise issue and got more info from the tech. The new boxes (at least in my area - the North/Northwest Chicago Suburbs) are available for exchange/pickup only at your local Comcast service center. Techs are not being given the new box, so you must install it yourself (not a problem for anyone reading or posting to this forum). As usual, there was no notification by Comcast of the availability of this new hardware. My guess is that they are limiting distribution for the time being to only those saavy enough to pick up on its availability and go to the trouble of visiting the service center.

The new box is the Motorola DCX3400. Motorola's published specs for this box are at http:///mur248 (web page), http:///kvwfvs (pdf datasheet), and http:///n28u5q (user manual).

All told, it looks to be a major improvement on many levels.

Initialization time depends on the time it takes to download the entire 2 week guide as previously noted. My box was functional (able to input/view individual channels) in less than 15 minutes. The complete guide is still downloading, and from past experience, I probably won't have a complete guide until tomorrow morning. A small price to pay for such a functional improvement.

Dale

biggscoda · 08-10-2009, 08:45 PM

After 12 hrs and a 50 min wait on the phone to tech support, my dvr is working! The phone tech said that he forgot to authorize the box. Typical Comcast employees. 15minutes later it was up and running. At least I got a free month of DVR service for my trouble. The unit itself is nice. Front touch controls, 250 gig, future multi room dvr, future TiVo capability, active FireWire. To compete with sat, fios and streaming video, comcast needs better customer service than this.

biggscoda · 08-17-2009, 01:59 PM

Ok, I've had this "new" box for about a week and here are my thoughts. First, because Comcast controls the firmware, my experience with usability is no different. That said, the menus and guides load much faster, as do the channels. I can only assume that this box handles HD content much better as there is almost no lag and the "switch over" effect is gone when changing from SD to HD channels. I find myself shooting past channels because the old DVR was sluggish. The DVR functions well and is also quick to respond.

Picture quality is good, but I have this box hooked up with component cables. I have not tried HDMI, and I may not given all of the handshake problems with Comcast boxes and Sammys. At 720p and 1080i, my 42" wouldn't look much better anyway.

The box itself runs cool and quiet. The touch controls on the front are nice, but can be accidentaly activated when dusting. At first, I thought the box looked high tech, but over time it has started to remind me of the old school Scientific box from the 80's. It is all black and the only high tech touch is the bright blue I/O button light on the front. It still looks better in my rack than the dct6412 did. It blends nicely with the PS3, and now only the wii sticks out. The display shows you what format the picture is in, (480i, 720p, 1080i). This isn't a big deal since my Sammy can display this info if I wanted to know.

The tech who installed lied to me(I know, shock me). He said it would be TiVo compatible. According to a phone tech, it is not! I will need a new box when TiVo is offered through Comcast in my area (January?). He also said it will be standard with the Triple Play Digital premium, that is also not totally true. There will be a "box fee". No surprise there. This box will however be able to do multi-room DVR service, but those services will launch in the Flint, MI area at the same time as TiVo. The TiVo boxes will not be able to handle multi-room DVR functions. Bummer. With Comcast, you can never have your cake and eat it too.

All in all, I'm happy with the hardware. Please Comcast, update your firmware! It is long overdue.

keithbart · 08-17-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggscoda

Ok, I've had this "new" box for about a week and here are my thoughts. First, because Comcast controls the firmware, my experience with usability is no different. That said, the menus and guides load much faster, as do the channels. I can only assume that this box handles HD content much better as there is almost no lag and the "switch over" effect is gone when changing from SD to HD channels. I find myself shooting past channels because the old DVR was sluggish. The DVR functions well and is also quick to respond.

Picture quality is good, but I have this box hooked up with component cables. I have not tried HDMI, and I may not given all of the handshake problems with Comcast boxes and Sammys. At 720p and 1080i, my 42" wouldn't look much better anyway.

The box itself runs cool and quiet. The touch controls on the front are nice, but can be accidentaly activated when dusting. At first, I thought the box looked high tech, but over time it has started to remind me of the old school Scientific box from the 80's. It is all black and the only high tech touch is the bright blue I/O button light on the front. It still looks better in my rack than the dct6412 did. It blends nicely with the PS3, and now only the wii sticks out. The display shows you what format the picture is in, (480i, 720p, 1080i). This isn't a big deal since my Sammy can display this info if I wanted to know.

The tech who installed lied to me(I know, shock me). He said it would be TiVo compatible. According to a phone tech, it is not! I will need a new box when TiVo is offered through Comcast in my area (January?). He also said it will be standard with the Triple Play Digital premium, that is also not totally true. There will be a "box fee". No surprise there. This box will however be able to do multi-room DVR service, but those services will launch in the Flint, MI area at the same time as TiVo. The TiVo boxes will not be able to handle multi-room DVR functions. Bummer. With Comcast, you can never have your cake and eat it too.

All in all, I'm happy with the hardware. Please Comcast, update your firmware! It is long overdue.

I still see the "switch over" effect when changing from SD channels to HD channels. It does not happen when you go from HD to HD or SD to SD. Any ideas why?

caliberconst. · 08-17-2009, 09:09 PM

I have this box and hate it. First of all mine is verry noisy it makes a constat grinding noise. The menu and guide are in 4:3 even though I have the box set to 16:9. You have to keep the box on 24/7 if you want it to record, it will not record when turned off. What is really sad is this is the nicest looking box comcast has to offer, are you kidding me. Some pros are that sd pic looks verry nice, and I get hd dvr and HBO and programing for $35 a month for 1Yr. with a 1yr contract. I have to admit Direct tv absolutely blows cable out of the water in every aspect with the exception of cost.

biggscoda · 08-17-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliberconst.

I have this box and hate it. First of all mine is verry noisy it makes a constat grinding noise. The menu and guide are in 4:3 even though I have the box set to 16:9. You have to keep the box on 24/7 if you want it to record, it will not record when turned off. What is really sad is this is the nicest looking box comcast has to offer, are you kidding me. Some pros are that sd pic looks verry nice, and I get hd dvr and HBO and programing for $35 a month for 1Yr. with a 1yr contract. I have to admit Direct tv absolutely blows cable out of the water in every aspect with the exception of cost.

You may want to get a service call. Mine is very quiet and it recorded several shows just fine over a long weekend. On again off again.....no problem. The guide is in 4:3 no matter what, but if you have your HD channels stretched, the guide will stretch with it. This is a firmware issue and Comcast could fix it, if they wanted.

biggscoda · 08-17-2009, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithbart

I still see the "switch over" effect when changing from SD channels to HD channels. It does not happen when you go from HD to HD or SD to SD. Any ideas why?

Not really sure. Bandwidth? That's my thought. But I don't see the switch over effect. Maybe the Flint area is farther along with ugrade than where you live.

caliberconst. · 08-18-2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggscoda

You may want to get a service call. Mine is very quiet and it recorded several shows just fine over a long weekend. On again off again.....no problem. The guide is in 4:3 no matter what, but if you have your HD channels stretched, the guide will stretch with it. This is a firmware issue and Comcast could fix it, if they wanted.

I have mine set to stretch but the guide and screen saver do not stretch when I am on a high def channel. Maybe I should try to exchange this box I mean what is the point of a screen SAVER that does not totally fit the screen.

keithbart · 08-19-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggscoda

You may want to get a service call. Mine is very quiet and it recorded several shows just fine over a long weekend. On again off again.....no problem. The guide is in 4:3 no matter what, but if you have your HD channels stretched, the guide will stretch with it. This is a firmware issue and Comcast could fix it, if they wanted.

I thought you need to have your box on to record. So you are saying your box will turn on at the specific recording time then
turn off when done?

Lee Stewart · 08-20-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithbart

I still see the "switch over" effect when changing from SD channels to HD channels. It does not happen when you go from HD to HD or SD to SD. Any ideas why?

My guess would be the time it takes the HDTV to adjust to the new signal (going from SD to HD or HD to SD). . Once it is already in a mode - then there is no adjustment needed (SD to SD or HD to HD)

vern007 · 08-20-2009, 02:23 PM

Picked up new box about 3 weeks ago pulged it in called comcast and in about 45 minutes evervthing was working and has been working fine sence. Like new box seems to have better PQ than DCH 3416 whitch I swapped.

rabbitt83 · 08-21-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caliberconst.

I have mine set to stretch but the guide and screen saver do not stretch when I am on a high def channel. Maybe I should try to exchange this box I mean what is the point of a screen SAVER that does not totally fit the screen.

how do u set it to stret

ch

biggscoda · 08-23-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithbart

I thought you need to have your box on to record. So you are saying your box will turn on at the specific recording time then
turn off when done?

That is exactly what mine does. Flawlessly. However, I am getting rid of comcast because their customer service has p!$$ed me off for the last time. Too bad bacause this is the nicest box they've ever had.

childplease85 · 08-24-2009, 12:03 PM

Noob here...

Just got the box as well, first time using the HDMI connection for HDTV on my 46' 1080p Bravia.

I think the picture quality is not as good as component, noticed last night entourage didn't seem as crisp. Could the HDMI cable comcast provided be really crappy? He set up the box for 1080p, but the input from my Sony says 430SD when i change inputs, do i need to get a different cable?

Thanks!

08-10-2009, 06:51 PM	#17
dsopocy HD Zealot Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 6	New Gen Motorola Set-Top Box I just picked up my new box today. I just happened to have a truck roll over the weekend on a signal noise issue and got more info from the tech. The new boxes (at least in my area - the North/Northwest Chicago Suburbs) are available for exchange/pickup only at your local Comcast service center. Techs are not being given the new box, so you must install it yourself (not a problem for anyone reading or posting to this forum). As usual, there was no notification by Comcast of the availability of this new hardware. My guess is that they are limiting distribution for the time being to only those saavy enough to pick up on its availability and go to the trouble of visiting the service center. The new box is the Motorola DCX3400. Motorola's published specs for this box are at http:///mur248 (web page), http:///kvwfvs (pdf datasheet), and http:///n28u5q (user manual). All told, it looks to be a major improvement on many levels. Initialization time depends on the time it takes to download the entire 2 week guide as previously noted. My box was functional (able to input/view individual channels) in less than 15 minutes. The complete guide is still downloading, and from past experience, I probably won't have a complete guide until tomorrow morning. A small price to pay for such a functional improvement. Dale

08-17-2009, 09:09 PM	#21
caliberconst. waylin rules Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 229	I have this box and hate it. First of all mine is verry noisy it makes a constat grinding noise. The menu and guide are in 4:3 even though I have the box set to 16:9. You have to keep the box on 24/7 if you want it to record, it will not record when turned off. What is really sad is this is the nicest looking box comcast has to offer, are you kidding me. Some pros are that sd pic looks verry nice, and I get hd dvr and HBO and programing for $35 a month for 1Yr. with a 1yr contract. I have to admit Direct tv absolutely blows cable out of the water in every aspect with the exception of cost. __________________ Panasonic 50x1 Toshiba Hd-A2 PS3 Denon 557 Comcast dchx3400 hd dvr Yamaha RX-V1400 7.1 Center Polk cs1 Fronts Polk R-300 Surrounds Polk R-150 10" ENERGY esw-10

08-20-2009, 02:23 PM	#27
vern007 How can anyone watch standard def? Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 17	Dcx3400 Picked up new box about 3 weeks ago pulged it in called comcast and in about 45 minutes evervthing was working and has been working fine sence. Like new box seems to have better PQ than DCH 3416 whitch I swapped.

08-10-2009, 08:45 PM	#18
biggscoda Drum Beats Louder! Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 13	After 12 hrs and a 50 min wait on the phone to tech support, my dvr is working! The phone tech said that he forgot to authorize the box. Typical Comcast employees. 15minutes later it was up and running. At least I got a free month of DVR service for my trouble. The unit itself is nice. Front touch controls, 250 gig, future multi room dvr, future TiVo capability, active FireWire. To compete with sat, fios and streaming video, comcast needs better customer service than this.

08-17-2009, 01:59 PM	#19
biggscoda Drum Beats Louder! Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 13	Ok, I've had this "new" box for about a week and here are my thoughts. First, because Comcast controls the firmware, my experience with usability is no different. That said, the menus and guides load much faster, as do the channels. I can only assume that this box handles HD content much better as there is almost no lag and the "switch over" effect is gone when changing from SD to HD channels. I find myself shooting past channels because the old DVR was sluggish. The DVR functions well and is also quick to respond. Picture quality is good, but I have this box hooked up with component cables. I have not tried HDMI, and I may not given all of the handshake problems with Comcast boxes and Sammys. At 720p and 1080i, my 42" wouldn't look much better anyway. The box itself runs cool and quiet. The touch controls on the front are nice, but can be accidentaly activated when dusting. At first, I thought the box looked high tech, but over time it has started to remind me of the old school Scientific box from the 80's. It is all black and the only high tech touch is the bright blue I/O button light on the front. It still looks better in my rack than the dct6412 did. It blends nicely with the PS3, and now only the wii sticks out. The display shows you what format the picture is in, (480i, 720p, 1080i). This isn't a big deal since my Sammy can display this info if I wanted to know. The tech who installed lied to me(I know, shock me). He said it would be TiVo compatible. According to a phone tech, it is not! I will need a new box when TiVo is offered through Comcast in my area (January?). He also said it will be standard with the Triple Play Digital premium, that is also not totally true. There will be a "box fee". No surprise there. This box will however be able to do multi-room DVR service, but those services will launch in the Flint, MI area at the same time as TiVo. The TiVo boxes will not be able to handle multi-room DVR functions. Bummer. With Comcast, you can never have your cake and eat it too. All in all, I'm happy with the hardware. Please Comcast, update your firmware! It is long overdue.

08-24-2009, 12:03 PM	#30
childplease85 What is HD? Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1	Noob here... Just got the box as well, first time using the HDMI connection for HDTV on my 46' 1080p Bravia. I think the picture quality is not as good as component, noticed last night entourage didn't seem as crisp. Could the HDMI cable comcast provided be really crappy? He set up the box for 1080p, but the input from my Sony says 430SD when i change inputs, do i need to get a different cable? Thanks!