Will my own DCT6412 DVR work with Comcast?

matador · 01-11-2006, 01:09 AM

I'm a complete newbie to HDTV, so please excuse my ignorant questions. I have the opportunity to purchase a Motorola DCT6412 DVR. Right now I only have basic cable through Comcast, so I'm assuming that I will need to upgrade to HDTV service in order to use the box, but can I really use my own PVR box with Comcast service? Can I use this box with a non HDTV to record regular programming? I'm just trying to find out if this box will work with Comcast before buying it. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

puck71 · 01-11-2006, 08:36 AM

I doubt it. Technically speaking it should work just as well as any box they give you, but every US cable company I've heard of only lets you use boxes you rent from them. These boxes aren't even for sale in the US, so from their point of view any box you bought is probably stolen. I would anonymously ask Comcast first though, but I'm pretty sure that's their policy unless you find a nice rep who will activate the box for you.

To answer your other question, yes you can record all types of programming on it, not just HDTV.

Phototone · 01-18-2006, 07:06 PM

The cable company has to send out a "hit" over the cable to activate a box to work with their service. If they are not currently using the brand and model of box you have, they cannot do this. They are only set-up to "initiate" the box brands and models they provide. Also, on any leased cable box, the cable company will send out software updates over the cable from time to time to improve performance. Wouldn't happen with your box.

01-11-2006, 01:09 AM	#1
matador What is HD? Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1	Will my own DCT6412 DVR work with Comcast? I'm a complete newbie to HDTV, so please excuse my ignorant questions. I have the opportunity to purchase a Motorola DCT6412 DVR. Right now I only have basic cable through Comcast, so I'm assuming that I will need to upgrade to HDTV service in order to use the box, but can I really use my own PVR box with Comcast service? Can I use this box with a non HDTV to record regular programming? I'm just trying to find out if this box will work with Comcast before buying it. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

01-11-2006, 08:36 AM	#2
puck71 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 303	I doubt it. Technically speaking it should work just as well as any box they give you, but every US cable company I've heard of only lets you use boxes you rent from them. These boxes aren't even for sale in the US, so from their point of view any box you bought is probably stolen. I would anonymously ask Comcast first though, but I'm pretty sure that's their policy unless you find a nice rep who will activate the box for you. To answer your other question, yes you can record all types of programming on it, not just HDTV.

01-18-2006, 07:06 PM	#3
Phototone High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 148	The cable company has to send out a "hit" over the cable to activate a box to work with their service. If they are not currently using the brand and model of box you have, they cannot do this. They are only set-up to "initiate" the box brands and models they provide. Also, on any leased cable box, the cable company will send out software updates over the cable from time to time to improve performance. Wouldn't happen with your box.