How to use a Motorola DVR

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How to use a Motorola DVR
Identify | Connections | Setup | i-Guide | MSTV | Passport | Tivo | FireWire | Remote | Firmware/Software | Configuration | Bugs | Boot Errors | Resets | Help

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This is a How-To book on using a Motorola DVR.

There are several different DVR models from Motorola. The major models include:

  • The DCT64xx and DCT34xx series are dual-tuner HDTV DVRs deployed by many cable companies in the US and Canada. Both DVRs can record two channels at once and play back a recorded show at the same time. The 64xx can record two analog, digital, or HDTV channels. The 34xx has no analog tuner, allowing for two digital or HDTV channels. The 6412 and 3412 have a 120GB hard drive giving it an HDTV recording time of 12-20 hours and much more for analog or SD digital TV. The 6416 and 3416 have a 160GB drive. DCT is an acronym for "Digital Consumer Terminal" or "Digital Cable Terminal".
  • The DCT3080 is a variation that can record HD, but can only output non-HD 480i video.
  • The QIP6416 is a version that also supports IP television and MoCA. It is used by Verizon FIOS subscribers. QIP stands for "QAM/Internet Protocol".
  • The DCH64xx and DCH34xx series have a very different appearance than the DCT series, but otherwise is very similar. The look of the DCH series was designed the same team that designed the Motorola RAZR. DCH is an acronym for "Digital Connected Home".
  • The DCX series was announced by Motorola on January 3, 2008. The DCX series support MPEG4 compression, DOCSIS 3.0, and have 1GHz tuners. The first model is the DCX-3400. [1] The DCX series further differs in appearance from the DCT and DCH series set-top boxes.
  • The DCT6208 may still be in use in some areas. This was the first DVR from Motorola, and is a modified DCT6200 (non-DVR). It only contains a single tuner and an 80GB drive. It's generally used in areas that still use an A/B (dual cable) system. It appears to still be using an earlier version of the i-Guide software.
  • The DCT-5100 and DCT-6200 are basically the same as the 64xx series, but without the DVR features.

Most of the software features, such as iGuide usage, will be the same for any Motorola DCT- or DCH-series cable box, and even many non-Motorola cable boxes. Besides the i-Guide, in late 2007, Comcast added a Tivo software option after signing a deal with the widely popular DVR service, on the heels of Tivo being dropped by satellite programming provider DirecTV, in 2006.

In the United States, the Motorola DVR is usually owned by the cable company and rented to cable subscribers.

In Canada, the Motorola DVR is usually owned by the subscriber, purchased from their cable company or retail outlets such as Future Shop and Best Buy.

[edit] Major sections

  • Identifying your model - How to tell which model DVR you have (updated October 16, 2007)
  • Connections - How to connect the DVR to your home entertainment system (updated October 19, 2007)
  • Setup - How to configure the DVR for your TV (updated July 23, 2007)
  • On-screen interface
  • Programming the Remote - How to use and program the remote control (updated October 22, 2007)
  • Firewire - How to use the Firewire/IEEE1394/i.Link port (updated September 5, 2007)
  • Firmware and Software - Past and present Firmware and Software version information (updated November 8, 2007)
  • Configuration - Advanced configuration information (updated November 4, 2007)
  • Bugs - Known bugs (updated November 5, 2007)
  • Boot Error Codes - Ebxx codes displayed if the DVR has a problem (updated July 10, 2007)
  • Resets - Procedures to reset the DVR (Use at your own risk!!!) (updated October 4, 2007)
  • Online help - Links to web sites with manuals, forums, etc.. (updated October 18, 2007)

[edit] Authors

[edit] Original Wikipedia Entry

The initial version of this book was based on the Wikipedia article, Motorola 6412, authored by various Wikipedia contributors.

That Wikipedia page was based on (and quoted liberally from) a post by frankz1 from the AVS Forum discussion of the 6412.
Aerotive, Andyross, Bluebot, CStyle, Darkcity, Enzo Aquarius, ExDeus, FredipusRex, Gaius Cornelius, GeoWorm, Jaerune, ExDeus, Microbiojen, Mrhsean, Neilc, K1Bond007, Paul August, Pepper2000, Rackroth, Rlw, Tnikkel
And many others only listed by IP address (if you register, you can be known by name!).

[edit] Wikibook Contributors

Andyross
ExDeus
DCTGoddess
cypherx

[edit] References

  1. ↑ http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/news/detail.jsp?globalObjectId=9066_8995_23 Motorola Delivers Enhanced Viewing Experiences and More HD Content with Next-Generation DVR Set-Tops

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