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This upgrade caused ALL my series recordings to be deleted. Not the items already recorded, but the scheduled recordings...all...gone.
Comcast is telling me that someone must have deleted them manually in my home. The DVR history shows that all my series recordings were deleted at 01/27/10 at 2am. Yes, they are trying to tell me that I or someone in my home deleted all series recordings simultaneously on 2 DVRS at 2am.
Genius!
Comcast Upgrades Motorola HD-DVRs, Adds Better Organization and New Features
Categories: Cable (Comcast, Cox, etc)
From Matt Whitlock's Mind Over Matt'er at TechLore.com
I noticed this morning that my Comcast DCT-3416 Dual Tuner HD-DVR wasn't displaying its clock, something I rely on when playing with my daughter in the living room before starting work. Upon further investigation I discovered that none of the advanced functions of the DVR were available - no guide, no DVR menu, not even the menu. I got a picture and could change channels, but that was about it.
I ultimately thought the internal hard drive failed (even though I could hear it spinning), which would explain some of the behavior I was seeing. I unplugged it a few times, let it reboot, and nothing. "Time to call Comcast," I thought... though that's certainly not something I ever look forward to.
About 20 minutes later I was getting ready to pick up the phone, and then noticed the clock had returned. To my surprise, all of the features had re-appeared. The DVR, the Guide, and everything else, but with new features and enhancements.
I've seen Comcast upgrade their cable boxes before, though usually with very minor upgrades. The worst was the "improvement" that added an advertisement at the bottom of my guide (I still hate that). This time, however, the differences are obvious... and useful!
For starters, the DVR menu has changed. Along with My Recordings and Scheduled Recordings tab, they've added some options to make finding shows and setting recordings. The "Manage DVR" section grabbed my attention, which is now where the Series Priority section lives, but also includes a full DVR history and a new "Clean Up" mode.
Clean Up mode allows you to select and delete multiple things at the same time, and inevitably solves a problem that has always driven me crazy about their DVRs.
In fact, one of the more significant changes is how the DVR area presents shows. Rather than toss out every episode recorded as it's own line, the DVR now combines shows with like titles into folders, which really makes finding things easier. This list is still sortable by title, date, and channel. A wonderful improvement, although now it does add an extra click to start up a show when there is more than one recorded.
The guide looks the same, although since the upgrade I have not seen any advertisments at the bottom of the screen. Even before they didn't always show up, but I'm crossing my fingers that they're gone for good.
I'm not sure if this is new or something I didn't notice before (I haven't taken a trip into the setup menu for some time), but I now see the option to set up a favorites list. I'd prefer the option to only see the channels I subscribe to in the guide rather than "everything," but if I can accomplish the same feat using a favorites list, I'll still be happy.
I can't say if this upgrade is only for Comcast, or if it already exisits on other providers. Either way, I'm pretty stoked that it's gotten a little bit nicer. Still no where near as nice as a TiVo or Windows Media Center DVR (something I'll be building in the near future to replace the Motorola DVR), but I can honestly say that this upgrade has moved how I grade the Comcast DVR from F to D-. It's now just below average... but at least it's no longer a complete failure.
Matt Whitlock - TechLore.com
More from Mind Over Matt'er at TechLore.com
Read More In: Cable (Comcast, Cox, etc)
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February 4, 2010 10:39 AM
April 18, 2010 10:54 PM
The fastforward and reverse feature sucks now.
I can no longer fast forward and the stop when past the commercials. First of all, it is slower to respond so that I go further than I had wanted to go and secondly, a new feature is that it 'backs up' some from where you tried to stop. I think the point of the 'back up ' feature is to place the cursor or start point right at the end of a commercial but I have noticed that I often end up 2 to 4 commercials back from the beginning of the next part of the show. Then I try to fast forward again and I go to far. Then I go to far backwards. Then too far forward, Then to far backwards then I scream and throw stuff and then my wife fast forwards as slowly as possible while I watch the ice melt in my drink and finally I can watch my movie again. It SUCKS!
Comcast says I am imagining things.
I made them send a tech out and he said they get a ton of calls about that.
Unfortunately, he did not know how to fix it.
I have started looking into getting TIVO instead. It will end up costing me more but this problem is a deal breaker for me. I HATE HATE HATE it.
Member
- member since: 02/22/2006
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April 19, 2010 9:36 AM
Hi Cord,
If you have the means, I'd of course go with the TiVo over this thing. Light years difference, but TiVo certainly has an up front cost.
As far as fast forwarding and rewinding, I agree it's not implemented well. That said, I rarely use the fast forward and rewind function. If you pick up a programmable learning remote that supports direct IR code input, there's a hidden code to use a 30 second skip feature. With that and with the instant replay button, it's much, much nicer.
April 20, 2010 11:45 AM
The fast forward issue where it backs up really annoys me. I am also having a problem when fast forwarding at the highest speed, the fast forward is not at a consistent speed. It goes fast, then slows down, fast, then slows down.
I called Comcast, and they said this was a new feature. I asked how to turn off this
View unverified member's comment - posted by jhawk17
April 29, 2010 12:16 PM
I have also noticed the 15-second "rewind" when I fast-forward. I really dislike it. However, even more annoying is that I can't seem to record on one tune and watch a program on another. Has anyone noticed this? It is especially apparent when I have a pre-set recording and then turn my tv on. In this case, I receive no audio or video signal. When I try to turn off the dvr, it gives me 2 choices: turn off and lose the recording or return to the dvr to its current state, which results in no audio or video output from the second tuner. I have a Motorla DCH 6416 dvr.
Has anyone else noticed this?
May 11, 2010 2:27 PM
I have the same problem with the FF and RW. It jumps 15 to 30 seconds when I stop the FF and hit play. I watch a ton of sports and used to be able to stop it on a dime. Now it jumps backwards when I FF it. Does anyone know if Comcast is going to come out with a software fix for this? It's very annoying. One thing I noticed is that if I use the 1 speed, the slowest, it doesn't jump around. I thought it was my DVR when this first started, but I have 2 of them and I noticed they both do the same thing. It all started when the software upgrade took effect.
May 11, 2010 2:30 PM
Comcast considers this an excellent new feature. It is actually based on similiar functionality to Tivo. I think the problem is, it backs up to far. (When on the highest FF speed) I also used to stop on a dime. I still FF at full speed, and basically watch the show after the commercial for a little bit, then stop. I am getting better at this, so my stop is close to where I need to be.
Bottom line, this is NOT an improvement...
May 14, 2010 7:53 PM
updated: May 14, 2010 7:54 PM
As a sports fan, this glitch with the Comcast DVR was really ruining the DVR experience. But I found a great workaround, at least for my brand of DVR, a Motorola DCT-6412. A hack to get your remote to skip 30 seconds ahead. It works on both of my DVR(s). My 2nd one needed new batteries after this hack wouldn't work. I tried it several times with no luck and re-read the page and decided to try new batteries as a last resort. The hack then worked first try. A lot of you may already know about this hack, but it solves the problem with the jerking at the end of a FF. And thanks to the guy who figured this out and shared it with me/us. Hint; use the help button to set the 30 second skip, the help button doesn't work for anything else and it's easily found on the remote.
http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/516181.html
May 15, 2010 7:14 AM
I believe that Comcast threw this very poorly programmed product out without ever testing it. Comcast continues to show its complete disregard for the consumer. I believe the rewind and fast forward are completely unmanageable. When I use FF1 it just completely freezes. It again failed to record a program when I set two programs to play and I was viewing another recording. I plan to look into other providers.
May 17, 2010 8:59 AM
Glad to hear I'm not the only one experiencing difficulties. What model number is your DVR? Perhaps these problems are specific to one DVR model, such as the Motorola DCH 6416.
May 18, 2010 9:45 AM
Louise?
Comcast's DVR should allow you to record 2 shows at once, as long as you're watching one of them. The second tuner would be turned to the station of the show you're not watching. If this isn't working for you, then you either have a bad DVR or bad wiring. I have had 2 DVR(s) from Comcast for several years and they work fine. I can actually record 2 shows at once and watch a 3rd show by switching inputs on my TV and using my TV tuner. But you need a splitter on the back of your TV to do this. Or you could switch to a different tuner and just watch over the air TV while you record 2 shows. Call Comcast and complain. This DVR should work for you as long as the signal strength is OK and as long as you don't have a faulty DVR. What we're complaining about here is the software, not the hardware.
May 18, 2010 9:47 AM
Prior to the change in the software I was able to view one recording while recording two other programs. Now this only works half the time. It is the software, not the equipment.
May 18, 2010 4:41 PM
The DVR from Comcast only has 2 tuners. It's always been able to record 2 shows at once, but you either have to be watching one of the channels or watching nothing at all. Like I said, I can record 2 shows and watch a third, but only if I switch over to my TV tuner and use the TV remote to change channels. And that's with a splitter on the back of the TV. I really would like to know how you could possibly record 2 stations and watch a third with only 2 tuners.
May 18, 2010 4:52 PM
Have been doing it since I got my Comcast DVR. Have no splitter. Am not switching over to my TV tuner. I am not an engineer so I can't tell you why it works, but it does. Recorded two programs and watched a pre-recorded show last night.
May 18, 2010 5:19 PM
Oh, Ok, I see what you're saying. Sorry, I misunderstood. Record 2 shows at once and watch a show already recorded on the DVR. Yeah, a test on both of my DVR(s) shows that it works. I never tried this before. I'll try it again a few times in the next couple of days and see if it works every time.
May 19, 2010 5:14 PM
Latest update on watching a recorded show while recording 2 shows at once.
It's worked every time on both of my DVR(s). I recorded a prime time show last night (dancing with the stars, for my wife) and she watched it after I set up the recorder to record 2 other shows. Both shows recorded. Meanwhile, I set up my other DVR to record 2 shows this afternoon and I watched a baseball game I already had recorded on the DVR. Both of those shows also recorded in their entirety.
The only thing I can think of in your situation is either a bad DVR or bad wiring. If it works some of the time, it should work every time. I would call Comcast and TELL them to either fix it, at NO charge, or you'll switch providers. It's amazing what lengths they will go to to retain customers. With my high speed internet, 2 DVR(s) and my cable package, I'm supposed to pay over $160.00 per month. Every six months I call them up and threaten to go to Dish or WOW cable and they find a way to lower my bill to $125.00 per month. It's a hassle calling them, but it's worth it in the long run. If I were you, I would tell them you're paying for a service you're not receiving. They'll jump through hoops to fix your problem. Just my 2ยข worth. : )
View unverified member's comment - posted by bobo
Member
- member since: 02/22/2006
- rank: 16 of 12440
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May 24, 2010 9:27 AM
@bobo - If it's a show that's playing now, you hit the red record button to begin recording. It's that simple.
View unverified member's comment - posted by Angelo
June 9, 2010 12:21 AM
My Motorola DVR DCH3416 (just "upgraded" from my MOXI 48 hrs ago) cannot fast forward or rewind without skipping to the very beginning/end of the program. After pressing the forward button, it will advance for a variable number of seconds, and then jump to the very end of the program. This leaves me borderline homicidal when trying to watch sports and then glimpsing the final score while trying to forward through 1st quarter commercials.
This happens at all speeds, and happens regardless of using the arrow fast forward buttons or the navigational buttons. Anyone else getting this problem?
View unverified member's comment - posted by COMCASTsucks!!!
July 2, 2010 12:40 PM
updated: July 2, 2010 12:44 PM
I was wondering how I can pull of the shows I have DVR'ed on these boxes, i am about to turn in my old DVR box and i do want to lose any of the programs that i have recorded, i mean all that time and planning is gonna go down the toilet if you know what i mean, so dose anyone know how to do this, i have been searching the internet and i have found noting that really helps or works,plus it would be nice to have a way to dump my DVR when it becomes full as well, so i do not want lose anything!!!and it is mostly educational stuff for my kids so they can have it on DVD and go watch it in their ROOM!!!
Thanks Everyone
And if you do have an answer for me could it please be a step by step iam not the brightest if you know what i mean!!!LOL!!!
July 2, 2010 5:14 PM
Depending on which DVR you have, there are many different guides. I've never tried this but it sounds like it works for most people. Let us know if it works for you.
http://replayguide.sourceforge.net/dct6412/
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