is the Motorola DCT 6416 the end of GB-PVR?

[whurlston]

Not quite Frank. He is refering to the dual tuners in the 6416. Even though it has dual tuners, it only has a single output.

isgdre, the answer is "No". You will not be able to take advantage of the dual tuner in the 6416 using GB-PVR. You can however record one show on the GB-PVR and have the 6416 recording another on it's second tuner.

[carpeVideo]

You may be able to control both tuners by firewire and grab unencrypted channels that way but I am unsure since I only had this box for a few days - they sent the wrong one and I didnt even know I had the DVR for a bit,

[whurlston]

Even with firewire, you will only get the video and controls for the tuner that is being displayed. To swtich tuners, hit the PIP swap button. (PIP itself is not available.)

[isgdre]

So I would be able to use one tuner but would not even be able to watch a record show on the box (recorded by the other tuner) while GB-PVR records somethign else since it would be using the output feed from the STB.

Correct?

[whurlston]

Correct. The firewire port will output whatever is being currently viewed without the overlays (like menus and such). I attempted this whe I first got my 6412s and later 6416s. I gave up when I could not even record NBC due to a flag that was set. The cable company said it was the broadcaster setting it, they said it was the cable company... yada yada. I am going to so much enjoy calling the cable company in a couple of weeks and tell them to come pick up their boxes and drop my bill in half.

Just to let you know though. I've heard that on some boxes, the eSATA port is active and can upgrade your recording capacity. Haven't tested it myself though.

[isgdre]

Thanks for the Info.

I think I agree with you. $500.00 Capital Cost for a single tuner plus ~ $35.00 extra a month just for the privilege of being annoyed by missing shows and just plain not being able to see them when I want doesn’t seem worth it to me.

[whurlston]

isgdre, just so we are clear:

If you only use the 6416 (without conncting the firewire port to an HTPC), you can watch one live/timeshifted program while recording another. You can also record two programs while watching a previously recorded program.

You just can't do it through the firewire port.

[isgdre]

Yes, But if GB-PVR is going to take the out-put feed and the STB only has one output then I'm stuck with what is affectivly one tuner. since I can't even watch a previously recorded show (on the STB) without breaking the connection to GB-PVR's recording service. Basicly I have to hook it up like this.

Cable company -> STB -> GB-PVR -> TV.

If I hook it up like

Cable company -> STB -+------------> +-----+
| | TV. |
+->GB-PVR ---> +-----+

I still would have to change the chanel on the STB to what something pre-recorded and then GB-PVR would record that instead of what it thinks is What it should be recording.

Yes?

[whurlston]

Yup. If you are interfacing with GB-PVR, it's not worth it. I just wanted to mae sure you had ALL the facts.

[isgdre]

Thanks.

Maybe I'll investigate MTS-TV out here.