HDTV & Comcast ???'s

[marylandmark]

I was tried to search for a FAQ to answer what I am sure are routine questions, however most blogs and topics get so far off-topic it is hard to find the "real" answers I am looking for.

If you are able to help, here is what I am looking for:


1. My installer/idiot accessed a menu within the Motorola DVR DCT6200. The first field was 16:9 or 4:3 and then had some other information below that as well. Do you know how to access this menu? I tried to social engineer comcast, however they were not willing to give me access to the code and wanted to send out a tech... My TV is 16:9 but when I am looking at some HD channels (ESPN in the DC area) it shows up as 4:3 with the letters "HD" on either side of the picture. Is this because they are programming in HD but 4:3 format or is that even possible? I also out on some HDTV 16:9 stations and instead of filling my entire 16:9 screen, I will have the black bands above and below the picture. My TV won't let me change the aspect ratio when this happens (will set to "full" and stay there..)

2. I have a 50" HDTV Panasonic Plasma TH-50PHD7UY TV. I am trying to use the PIP. Here is how I have it set up so far:

A.Connect the YPbPr component outputs to my TV to get the HDTV- works great on HDTV and little sloppy on channels 2-99 (same issue everyone else is having that might be fixed by boosting the signal at 1st splitter so it amplifies a cleaner signal, not the signal and the distortion).

B. It appears I can't use the S-Video output of the DCT6200 as my second source? That second tuner is only there to be able to DVR one program while watching another?

So would the correct way to get a second source be some thing like this:

Split the coax before it goes into the DCT6200 so I have 2 inputs- one going to the DCT6200 and one going to my VCR. Then use the VCR turner as my second source for the PIP?

THANKS in advance for any help you can provide!!!

ps- I am in the process of trying to read more info to find out more info and so on.. Just am want to get this thing up and running ASAP while I find out more tricks and so on...

mark

[mjones73]

1) It may be listed in the FAQs here.
2) Yes you'd have to use the VCR as a second tuner.

[57U]

1. See the following link for the Motorola information.

http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=16973&highlight=motorola

2. You need two signals, since it appears the STB cannot supply two at the same time, you could split the cable signal upstream of the STB, send one signal to the TV's analogue tuner and use it for the second feed. This will allow you to PiP any analogue channel from the internal tuner and any channel from the STB.

The Motorola 6412 should have PiP functionality at some future date since it has two tuners. My SA8300HD has this feature already.

[mjones73]

There are no internal tuners on the TH-50PHD7UY I believe.

[Splicer]

I was tried to search for a FAQ to answer what I am sure are routine questions, however most blogs and topics get so far off-topic it is hard to find the "real" answers I am looking for.

If you are able to help, here is what I am looking for:


1. My installer/idiot accessed a menu within the Motorola DVR DCT6200. The first field was 16:9 or 4:3 and then had some other information below that as well. Do you know how to access this menu? I tried to social engineer comcast, however they were not willing to give me access to the code and wanted to send out a tech... My TV is 16:9 but when I am looking at some HD channels (ESPN in the DC area) it shows up as 4:3 with the letters "HD" on either side of the picture. Is this because they are programming in HD but 4:3 format or is that even possible? I also out on some HDTV 16:9 stations and instead of filling my entire 16:9 screen, I will have the black bands above and below the picture. My TV won't let me change the aspect ratio when this happens (will set to "full" and stay there..)

USEING THE REMOTE, TURN THE BOX OFF AND HIT setup OR menu. That takes you to the screen you are looking for. There are times when the black bars are above and below the picture, even in HD, depending on the aspect ratio of the material. It is normal for ESPN HD to have the sides filled in with something other than black bars. They do show full screen but so far it has only been select games and of course the sports desk show is in full screen HD.

2. I have a 50" HDTV Panasonic Plasma TH-50PHD7UY TV. I am trying to use the PIP. Here is how I have it set up so far:

A.Connect the YPbPr component outputs to my TV to get the HDTV- works great on HDTV and little sloppy on channels 2-99 (same issue everyone else is having that might be fixed by boosting the signal at 1st splitter so it amplifies a cleaner signal, not the signal and the distortion).

B. It appears I can't use the S-Video output of the DCT6200 as my second source? That second tuner is only there to be able to DVR one program while watching another?

The SD may or may not benefit from a booster. Call the cable co and have them come out to check the signal strength to find out if you need an amplifier or not.

The 6200 is a single tuner unit. The 'S' video out is just a different option of connecting the box to non-HD TV's.

So would the correct way to get a second source be some thing like this:

Split the coax before it goes into the DCT6200 so I have 2 inputs- one going to the DCT6200 and one going to my VCR. Then use the VCR turner as my second source for the PIP?

Yes, you can do it that way. Then you will be able to record 1 channel (channels 2-99) and watch another from the cable box. OR you can connect the box to the VCR so you can record any channel on the box but any recordings would be in SD NOT HD, and then use your TV tuner to use the PIP feature.

[marylandmark]

Correct- the TH-50PHD7UY is the "Business" model- doesn't come with a built in turner, speakers or the stand.

I replaced a NEC 42" plasma with this unit- I would say ALWAYS buy the "business" model...

Why pay for a tuner in your TV when you are going to be using an external tuner from DTV/Cable/whomever, why pay for speakers when you are going to use surround sound and and the stand that comes with the consumer model is WAY over-priced in most instances is the the way I look at it...


THANKS FOR THE INFO!!!! GREAT SITE!!!!

Look forward to being a member and hopefully giving back in the near future!

mm

[mjones73]

Couldn't agree with you more Mark.

[marylandmark]

The 6200 is a single tuner unit.



1st thanks for the good info!

single tuner unit? It says dual-tuner on the box, in the marketing and so on?

I could be misunderstanding you? Are you saying it is a single tuner unit for all practical purposes except being able to DVR one show while watching another?

Thanks,

mm

[mjones73]

You sure you don't have a 6412? It's the only dual tuner Motorola DVR. And I mean dual tuner as in being able to record one thing while you watch another or record two things at once. The 6200 isn't even a DVR.

[57U]

There are no internal tuners on the TH-50PHD7UY I believe.
Whoops, sorry, then a second source is necessary, like a VCR.

Here are the various Motorola models.

6200 - 1 tuner, no DVR
6208 - 1 tuner 80 GB HDD DVR.
6412 - 2 tuners, 120 GB HDD DVR.

Note that I don't think the PiP is "active" on all of the 6412s yet, depending on firmware...

[marylandmark]

I know it is a DVR- just got it last night so will look at the #'s report back with the model tomorrow.

Single Tuner designated by the '2', Dual Tuner designated by the '4' Dual Tuner per http://www.cjhengineering.com/hdtv/cablehdtv/dvrdct.htm GOOD INFO on that site as I am sure you all know by now...

For now I am not going to run PIP- I don't want the clutter of a VCR for the few rare times I watch 2 programs at once- football...

I was in Myrtle Beach last month and my buddy had what I am guessing is a new box (BMC9022D w/optional side-car maybe?) that he was able to watch 2 programs with PIP through the same box- that is what I was trying to do.


mm

[mjones73]

As 57U pointed out, some models, like your friends do it already. It's possible you might get PIP on the STB you have with future firmware upgrades.

[marylandmark]

I have the 6212..

"Able to record or buffer 2 programs at the same time, while watching another previously recorded program"

Sounds good- wish I could PIP with it but so be it I guess..