 
- May 3, 2004
Motorola Announces Home Media Architecture, Extending Digital Video Recording Capabilities Throughout the Home
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- May 3, 2004
Microsoft Introduces Microsoft TV Foundation Edition 1.7, one of the First Software Platforms to Support Motorola DCT6400 Series Set-Tops with Integrated Dual-Tuner DVR and High-Definition Functionality
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- Sept. 22, 2003
Motorola Helps to Make the Latest in Digital Entertainment Technologies Much More Simple...and a Lot More Fun
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- May 6, 2003:
Motorola Broadband Unveils Enhanced Digital Cable HDTV/PVR Set-Top Family — the DCT6000 Series
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General DVR Questions
Pre-installation:
Post-installation:
Miscellaneous Other Video Products
DCT6208 Questions
DCT6412 Questions
General DVR Questions
How can I get the DCT6208/6412?
The DCT6208 and DCT6412 are not for sale in retail stores but are available from Digital Cable service providers.
These products are networked devices reliant on a cable provider's network. The Interactive Program Guide that allows you to operate all the functions is a software program that receives information from the cable operator's network.
You can check with your local cable system's office to find out if the DCT6208 or DCT6412 will be available where you are. Click here for links to major service providers using Motorola Digital Cable equipment.
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How do I program the Motorola remote control?
Click here to download the Motorola Remote Control User Guide (PDF, 448 KB). If you have a different remote control, please contact your cable provider for instructions.
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How do I return to live TV when I'm watching recorded programming?
Simply press the LIVE button on your remote.
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How do I record a Pay Per View (PPV) broadcast?
PPV broadcasts must be recorded manually; you cannot schedule automatic recording in advance. Follow your cable operator's instructions for viewing PPV content, then press Record on your DCT6208/6412.
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How many other home entertainment components can be connected to my DCT6208/6412?
Three: your television, cable box, and one other component (VCR, DVD player, or audio).
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Do I have to connect my DCT6208/6412 to a telephone or other data source?
The DCT6208/6412 gets all the information it needs from your cable signal, so that's the only connection required.
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I currently record programs on my VCR. How is a DVR different?
The DCT6208/6412 takes recording technology to a new level, capturing picture and sound digitally (for a superior result to tape-based recording) and allowing greater viewing flexibility. With the DCT6208 you can PAUSE a broadcast while you're watching it, and restart it up to 2 hours later. And you can say goodbye to those annoying "what just happened?" moments when you're watching a movie — simply press INSTANT REPLAY to review the last 15 seconds, or REWIND to see a longer scene again. Yet you won't miss a moment of the action, because the DCT6208/6412 keeps recording forward while you pause, rewind or replay scenes. No VCR can do that!
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I expect to record a lot of programming. How will I know when my hard disk is full?
When your remaining available disk space reaches just 20%, your TV will display the following: "Recording space low. You only have 20% of your total recording space left. To be sure new recordings are completed, you may want to delete previous recordings."
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Can I adjust the quality of the video recording to conserve hard disk space?
No, the DCT6208/6412 records at a pre-set level to ensure consistently good results.
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How does the Parental Control feature work?
Parental Control allows you to block programs, or types of programs, from being recorded. You can set blocks based on the program's Title or Rating, or you can block entire Channels.
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What is the Interactive Program Guide (IPG)?
The IPG contains program listings and information. It is searchable by Title and Genre, and allows you to automatically record programs in the future. Detailed program information is available up to 24 hours in advance, and complete program listings are typically available 4 days in advance.
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How can I find programs I want to record?
Using the Interactive Program Guide, you can search upcoming programming by Title and Genre. When you find something that sounds interesting, simply press RECORD. The DCT6208/6412 will automatically record that program for you.
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Can I transfer a recorded program to a VHS tape?
There is no copy/move feature in the DVR menu system.
Playback recordings in real-time connected to a VCR over the analog ports or a computer/D-VCR over IEEE-1394 (Firewire). Note: The IEEE-1394 option assumes content is not copy protected.
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Can my cable operator or another company track what I record with my DCT6208/6412?
No. What you choose to record with the DCT6208/6412 is private.
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Pre-Installation
When will my cable company offer DCT6208/DCT6412?
Please contact your cable service provider. They determine when and where new services are introduced.
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Why does my cable company not know anything about this?
At the request of your cable service provider, we must direct you to their customer service department.
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Post-Installation
How do I archive my recordings on an external hard drive or my PC?
This feature is not currently supported. This future feature is controlled by software which can be downloaded by your cable service provider when the software company provides the update. As an alternate solution for archiving standard resolution recordings today, you can use your VCR.
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Why doesn't my DVI ready HDTV set doesn't work with your box?
Motorola DCT6208 and DCT6412 models have a DVI connection with built-in HDCP (High-bandwidth digital content protection), an industry standard security feature. Unfortunately some TV manufactures don't integrate this industry standard into their television design. This means that the DVI connection on those HDTVs will not work with w/ our HD/DVR equipment. As an alternative connection for viewing HDTV, use the component connection or the IEEE1394 digital connection (please note - the Interactive Program Guide and DVR Menu system is not supported by the IEEE1394 connection). You can use both component and IEEE1394 connections and toggle back and forth to see and use the menu system.
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Why do analog/basic cable channels look worse than before?
In some cases, there might be a difference in perceived picture quality between analog and digital channels. This may be due to the differences in technologies for transmission of signal types. There are 3 reasons for this.
(1) Analog channels tend to pick up "noise", which is typically processed out on digital channels.
(2) Certain TVs offer different levels of noise reduction (filtering) among their video inputs.
(3) The DVR functionality interjects slight video degradation on analog channels, as part of the conversion process from analog to digital in order to store onto the digital hard drive.
The cable and telecommunications industry is collaborating on a resolution to this issue.
To see a more detailed answer on this question click here.
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Why does my basic cable (analog) picture look worse with this more advanced HD/DVR digital set-top than it did with my previous digital cable set-top?
Please see the response above. NOTE: In some instances the difference is perceived
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Why does the set-top continue making noises even when it's turned off?
Like some other appliance in the home such as your refrigerator, the set-top needs to remain on at all times to connect with the cable plant headend for continued exchange and refresh of data. The DVR set-tops have an internal hard drive and fan which remains on at all times. You will experience a slight humming noise during operation. There is no reason for concern. Again, similar to the humming from your refrigerator, this humming from the DVR means the box is on and running to serve your entertainment needs.
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Why does the set-top box appear to be warm?
The set-top is an electronic device that gives off a nominal amount of heat. It is fully compliant with UL recommended heat emission standards. In order to ensure reliable and safe operation, we recommend that the unit be positioned to allow air flow around the unit for proper cooling. Please follow guidelines for ventilation in the front section of the User Guide. If you don't have one, please use the links below:
DCT6208 User Guide
DCT6412 User Guide
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There were no manuals or product instructions included with the set-top. How does it work?
Please call your cable service provider for a copy of the instruction manual or click here for the manuals. Specific Links provided here:
DCT6208 User Guide
DCT6412 User Guide
TV Guide DVR Manual
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Where can I find the remote control codes for the universal remotes to work DCT?
One of these remote control codes for the DCT products should work for your universal remote control: 0476, 0276
Or click here for the Users Manual.
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What if I am having a recording problem?
Please contact your cable service provider for resolution.
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Questions for the cable operators' technical and customer service department:
For headend/system problems:
Technical Response Center (TRC)
TRC PHONE HOTLINE: 888-944-4357
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My friend has picture-in-picture (PIP) capability on his cable DVR set-top. Where is it on this one?
Currently the Motorola product does not support PIP. We expect to support this feature in the future.
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Why are the front jacks not working?
This interface is currently not supported in the current version of software.
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Something's not working. What do I do?
Please contact your cable service provider for a resolution to your request.
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Is there a feature that will allow me to automatically skip 30 seconds ahead to through commercials?
The hardware is able to support this function; however you need to check w/ your cable service provider to understand if they support 30 second skipping.
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Miscellaneous Other Video Products
BMC9012
No manual - how does it work?
Click here for the Users Guide.
Front display shows time, but not channel?
Future feature to be activated by firmware download.
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DCT2XXX and others
Where is the manual on your website?
You can find it here.
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4DTV DSR922
Where did the HDD200 go?
Unfortunately, it's been discontinued.
Where do I go for service?
http://www.4dtv.com/Dealersrch.html or call 1-800-356-3383.
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VOOM - DSR550
What is it?
http://www.voom.com
Where is it?
http://www.voom.com
How do I get it?
http://www.voom.com
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DCT6208 Questions
Is there an online manual for the DCT6208?
Yes.
User Guide for the DCT6200/DCT6208 (PDF, 1.4 MB) — Motorola hardware set-up and operation instructions
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Can I watch a show I recorded earlier while I record another show?
Yes. In order to watch one program and record another you will need a TV with multiple cable and/or video connectors. You can watch a program on basic cable from a direct cable input to your TV and record a different program on Digital Cable or basic cable from the tuner in the DCT6208. The switching/video source selecting requires a cable signal splitter with one leg of the output run to the DCT6208 and one to your TV. The switching needs to be done with the internal video source selector for your TV, usually found on the remote control and front panel of the TV.
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Can I transfer recorded programs to another device such as an external hard drive, a PC, or a DVD recorder?
No. Currently you can't offload recorded content to any external device from a DCT6208 or DCT6412, even though the data ports are there, the software doesn't support it yet. When the option becomes available through a software upgrade, it will be downloaded to DCTs automatically by service providers/cable companies.
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Can I record or watch two programs at the same time?
No. You can watch a program while another records, but you cannot watch or record two programs simultaneously with the DCT6208. (This functionality is available on the DCT6412)
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How do I watch another channel while I'm recording?
With the Motorola DCT6412 HD/dual tuner set-top, you can easily watch and record one program while simultaneously recording another program. With the Motorola single tuner DCT6208, you are able to watch and record one program. In addition, with a DCT6208, you can watch a standard definition program and record another high definition program by splitting your cable with one leg of the splitter output going directly to your TV and the other to the DCT6208. This will allow you to record HD or a different standard definition program from the internal tuner in the DCT6208 while watching a basic (analog) cable channel through the other connection. This will also allow you to use picture-in-picture (PIP) functions viewing one picture from the standard cable tuning it with the TV and one from the DCT6208, for PIP capable TVs only.
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DCT6412 Questions
Is there an online manual for the DCT6412?
Yes.
User Guide for the DCT6412 (PDF, 958 K) — Motorola hardware set-up and operation instructions.
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Can the DCT6412 playback a high definition recording while another HD program is being recorded?
YES, in fact you can record two programs at once while watching a previously recorded program from the hard drive.
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Are there two record buttons; one for each tuner? How do you make the DCT6412 record two programs at once?
You can set it for two recordings using the Interactive Program Guide by selecting two different programs listed with overlapping times and pressing the record button.
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What kind of programs can I record?
You can record both standard and high definition programs which are automatically interpreted by the DCT6412.
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How much high definition programming can I save versus standard definition programming?
You can record up to 90 hours of standard digital TV or up to 15 hours of HDTV (depending on the transmission bit rate). Recording times may vary.
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Can I transfer recorded programs to another device such as an external hard drive, a PC, or a DVD recorder?
No. Currently you can't offload recorded content to any external device from a DCT6208 or DCT6412, even though the data ports are there, the software doesn't support it yet. When the option becomes available through a software upgrade, it will be downloaded to DCTs automatically by service providers/cable companies.
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Does the DCT6412 support digital video interfaces?
Yes, it features both DVI and 1394-DTV digital interfaces.
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Does the DCT6412 support external storage devices?
No, but it includes an IEEE1394 port that will be functional in the future.
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How do I connect the DCT6412 to my TV if my TV only has a coaxial cable (RF) input?
Background:
The DCT6412 does not have an RF modulated output. The product was designed to match the growing trend in newer TVs for alternate inputs. The product supports component (HD), composite, S-Video, DVI, and 1394 video outputs. For installations to TVs that have only an RF input, a VCR hookup or external RF Modulator can be used.
RF Modulator:
The RF modulator converts the baseband (composite) video and audio outputs of the set-top and modulates to RF channel 3 or 4 to the TV. There are a number of suitable RF modulators on the market that can be purchased from retail stores and distributors. You can find them online easily just by entering "RF modulator" in your search engine.
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