Howto Check your Cableone or Comcast Signal Strength for your DCT Digital Box

Got no signal with your DCT? Added a splitter or amplifier and want to check your signal? No problem... Follow these instructions...

• Set both of the STB tuners to channels you have seen exhibit problems. Use the tuner swap button.
• Turn the STB to Standby/Off and press OK/SELECT on the remote within 2 seconds to enter the Diagnostic Main Menu.
• Use DOWN ARROW and then OK/SELECT to select the "d03 OOB STATUS" option.
  • The SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) and AGC (Automatic Gain Control) values are of interest. Any value stated less than "GOOD" (i.e., "FAIR" or "POOR") could indicate a problem.
• Press OK/SELECT to go back to the Diagnostic Main Menu.
• Now select the "d04 INBAND STATUS" option.
  • The SNR and AGC values are of interest. Any value stated less than "GOOD" (i.e., "FAIR" or "POOR") could indicate a problem. Be sure to look at values for both Tuner 1 and Tuner 2.
• Press OK/SELECT to go back to the Diagnostic Main Menu.
• Now select the "d06 CURRENT CHANNEL STATUS" option.
  • On a digital/HD channel the MPEG VIDEO & AUDIO LOCK values are of interest for both tuners. (Use the UP/DOWN ARROWS to see info for both Tuner 1 and Tuner 2.)
• Press OK/SELECT to go back to the Diagnostic Main Menu.
• Press Power to exit the Diagnostic Main Menu and Power again to turn the STB back on.

What the values tell you

• If your AGC levels are FAIR or POOR and the percentage is high (over 50%), then a stronger signal may help. If possible, try to minimize the number of splitters, connections, and poor quality RG-59 cable. Try to use RG-6 whenever possible. If you have simplified as much as possible, consider a broadband compatible RF amplifier. Ideally, it should be placed as close to where the cable comes into your home as possible.
• If your AGC levels are FAIR or POOR and the percentage is low (under 50%), then you may have too strong of a signal, which can overload the tuner. Consider using an RF attenuator, or even a splitter or two to reduce the signal (a 1:2 splitter will reduce the signal strength by a little more than 50%). Any unused outputs on a splitter should have a terminator screwed onto it. (A terminator is a 75-ohm resistor inside a little cap to prevent noise from getting into the lines.)
• If your SNR levels are FAIR or POOR (typically below 31dB or so), then check all connections. If possible, try to minimize the number of splitters, connections, and poor quality RG-59 cable. Try to use RG-6 whenever possible. A stronger signal MAY help, but not always. An amplifier also increases noise a bit, and could make things worse. If you only have problems with a few channels, it could be interference at a particular frequency leaking into the cable from someplace.

Howto: Check Firmware Version on your Cableone or Comcast DCT Digital Box (universal)

1. Turn off the box (press POWER on the remote).
2. Immediately press OK/SELECT. Press it again if the display (black text on white background) does not come up within a second.
3. DOWN ARROW to "d08 CODE MODULES" and press OK/SELECT.
   • The firmware version and build date are listed at the top, i.e., "Platform Built: Version: 16.20 Jul 13 2006 15:06:09".
   • In the middle of the page, there is an "Object" column and a "Ver" column that lists your firmware and software versions, i.e.,
     • Firmware: TC_OS_ED 16.20
     • IPG Software: Tv_Guide 74.53
     • VOD Software: A231_VOD 23.45
4. To exit the menu press POWER twice. The unit will exit the menu and turn back on.

Howto: Set up parental controls on Cableone & Comcast DCT Digital Box's

Basic Parental Control Setup

The Parental Control menu allows you to set global controls based on channel or rating. You can also bypass or clear all locks from this menu, and control the display of Adult (and as of version 75.58, TV-MA) titles.

Parental Control setup can be accessed through two methods:

1. Press Menu twice to get to the main menu, select Parental Controls (Parental Control as of software version 75.58)
2. Press Menu twice to get to the main menu, select Setup, select Locks Setup (Parental Control Setup as of software version 75.58)

If you do not have a Locks PIN defined, you will be asked to create one (type in a 4-digit number) and then confirm it.

If you do have a Locks PIN defined, you will need to enter the 4-digit number.

As of software version 75.58, Service Locks and PINs Setup were moved from the main Setup menu to the Parental Control Setup menu.

Title Locks

This is a list of titles that have been locked. You can use the left and right arrow keys to select a title, and then press OK/Select to unlock it. If you do not exit the menu, you can also re-lock it by pressing OK/Select again.
If you have no locked titles, this will display No Title Locks.

(Software version 75.58 or newer)
The first program listed will be the currently viewed program. Otherwise, use the up and down arrow keys to select the program. Press OK/Select to lock or unlock a program.

Locked programs will display a padlock icon.

TV Ratings Locks

Use the left and right arrow keys to select the rating you want to lock, then Press OK/Select to enable or disable the lock.

(Software version 75.58 or newer)
Use the up and down arrow keys to select the rating to lock, then Press OK/Select to enable or disable the lock. If you enable a rating, all stronger ratings will automatically lock (example: locking TVY7 will also lock TVG, TVPG, etc...). If you disable a rating, all weaker ratings will automatically unlock (example: unlocking TVG will also unlock TVY7 and TVY).

Locked ratings will have a padlock icon.

Movie Ratings Locks

Use the left and right arrow keys to select the rating you want to lock, then Press OK/Select to enable or disable the lock.

(Software version 75.58 or newer)
Use the up and down arrow keys to select the rating to lock, then Press OK/Select to enable or disable the lock. If you enable a rating, all strong ratings will automatically lock (example: locking PG-13 will also lock R, NC-17 and Adult). If you disable a rating, all weaker ratings will automatically unlock (example: unlocking PG-13 will also unlock PG and G).

Locked ratings will have a padlock icon.

TV Content Locks

(Software version 75.58 or newer)
This offers 4 categories: Violence, Sexual Situations, Language, Suggestive Dialog. Choose a category. Use the up and down arrow keys to select the rating to lock, then Press OK/Select to enable or disable the lock. If you enable a rating, all stronger ratings will automatically lock. If you disable a rating, all weaker ratings will automatically unlock.

Channel Locks

Use the up and down arrow keys to select the channel you want to lock, then Press OK/Select to enable or disable the lock.
Locked channels will have a padlock icon.

Master Locks

This leads to a sub-menu with two selections:

Bypass Locks

If you change this to Yes and confirm, all title, rating, and channel locks will be bypassed.

Clear all Locks

(This is named Remove all locks in software version 75.58 and newer.)
If you change this to Yes and confirm, all title, rating, and channel locks will be removed.

Adult Titles

(As of software version 75.58, this has been changed to Hide Titles)
Enables or disables the display of Adult titles and descriptions.

When set to Show, Adult titles and descriptions will be displayed as normal in the Guide.
When set to Hide, Adult titles will display as Adult Programming and there will be no program description.

Hide Titles

(This is new in software version 75.58.)
Enables or disables the display of Adult or TV-MA titles and descriptions.

Use the up and down arrow keys to select the option you want, then press OK/Select to enable that option.

Hidden titles will display as Adult Programming or TV-MA Programming in the Guide and there will be no program description.

PINs Setup

These options allow you to clear or create Personal Identification Numbers (PINs).

As of software version 75.58, this has been moved into the Parental Control Setup menu.

The Locks PIN is used for Parental Control.

The Purchase PIN is used for approving PPV and OnDemand purchases.

Enter new Locks PIN

This is only shown if you do not have a Locks PIN defined.
To create a PIN, type in a 4 digit number. You will then be asked to re-type it to confirm.

To clear, enter current Locks PIN

This is only shown if you DO have a Locks PIN defined.
Type in the 4 digit number to clear the PIN. With no Locks PIN, Parental Control is disabled.

Enter new Locks PIN

This is only shown if you do not have a Purchase PIN defined.
To create a PIN, type in a 4 digit number. You will then be asked to re-type it to confirm.

To clear, enter current Purchase PIN

This is only shown if you DO have a Purchase PIN defined.
Type in the 4 digit number to clear the PIN. With no Purchase PIN, anybody can order a PPV or OnDemand movie.

If power is lost...

If power is lost, would you like to lock all programs until ratings and titles are restored?
This is only shown if you DO have a Locks PIN defined.
If set to No, anybody can view programs, even if the program guide does not have information about it and displays To Be Announced as the title.
If set to Yes, programs cannot be shown until the guide data is received and matches any parental control settings.

Service Locks Setup

This option allows you to enable or disable locks for services such as OnDemand. You must have a Locks PIN defined.

As of version 75.58, this has been moved into the Parental Control Setup menu.

After entering your Locks PIN, there will be a list of supported services.
Use the arrow keys to select the service.
Press OK/Select to lock or unlock a service.

Cableone & Comcast DCT/DVR Diagnostics

Power off the box and within 2 seconds press the OK button.

How do I find the IP of my box?

Access the diagnostic screen by turning off the box and within 2 seconds pressing OK on the remote.

Choose selection d14 INTERACTIVE STATUS

What firmware version do I have?

Bring up the menu using the menu button.
Select setup
Select cable box setup
Select configuration

What is the latest firmware and what does it do?

Latest firmware version 9.19. No reports (as yet) as to what bug fixes or improvements are included. See this ongoing thread »DCT-6412 Firmware 9.19 Downloaded

Importance of the cable box IP Address

The I.P. Address is required for certain interactive services such as Video On Demand. If you are having trouble with these services, check to see if your box has pulled an IP by viewing the diagnostic screen d14. If it hasn't or you can't obtain video on demand services, contact Comcast technical support at 1-800-COMCAST

Lockups

Firmware version 9.15 addresses many lockup issues and is currently being deployed. Some have reported that some lockup/delay issues persist.

How do I get 30 second skip in iGuide?

1) Press the "Cable" button at the top of the remote to put it into Cable Box control mode.
2) Press and hold the "Setup" button until the "Cable" button blinks twice.
3) Type in the code 994. The "Cable" button will blink twice
4) Press (do not hold) the "Setup" button
5) Type in the code 00173 (for 30 second skip).
6) Press whatever button you want to map the skip function to.

Clear Cableone or Comcast Recordings

If you want to clear out your DVR and delete everything recorded follow these directions

Power off
Hit select within 1-2 seconds.

With your remote
Press "replay" one time ( the arrow bending back )
Press "MY DVR" three times ( button next to replay)
Press "LIVE" one time ( button next to MY DVR)

it sit a minute then turn it back on.
******************************************
Your hardrive will be cleared.
Your recording schedule will be emptied.
Your DVR will basically start downloading all menu and guide info again.

Transfer DVR Recordings to Your Computer with Cableone or Comcast Cable

The cable companies have not disabled the firewire output on the 6412 -- it was only intended to be used for connecting to D-VHS recorders. In the United States, the federal government (FCC) has ruled that the firewire output must be enabled. As a result, the firewire output will NOT display any IPG or DVR menus. This is the normal, expected behavior.

One can emulate a D-VHS recorder on a PC or Mac through various software programs. Note that a computer will not be able to emulate the copy protection scheme of a D-VHS recorder if 5C DTCP is enabled (on a per-channel or per-program basis). These resources have instructions:

• HowTO record via 1394/Firewire to WindowsXP
• DCT6412 Firewire capture and HD/SD to DVD guide
• ExDeus' STB Firewire Driver Package - Frequently updated for the newest STBs.
• Tim M. Moore's 'FireSTB' Read-Me - Includes integration with Windows XP MCE and Windows Vista Home Premium.
• macteens article: Make your own Home Theatre Mac (HTMac)