| [STB] Having trouble getting a 3D capable box in Baltimore Has anyone else had problems obtaining a 3D capable STB from Comcast? I've been to the service center and they don't have any of the Moto DCX3400 series available, nor can they tell me when they'll have one available, only to promise to call me when they do. Does anybody out there have experience this problem with Comcast? Also, what are the differences between the DCX3400 and DCX3416, and is this the box I want?
Or, does Comcast 3D on demand even do it justice, and maybe I shouldn't even care?. I have a 3D TV and I'm dying to test it out while waiting for my Blu-Ray copy of Life of Pi to be sent here.... |
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2 edits | No such model as a DCX3416, Moto doesn't use model numbering like that for DCX models. There's a DCT or DCH 3416, but you don't want those, they're both older models that don't do 3D, among other reasons.
3D on cable/satellite is basically half resolution 3D, it's not nearly the quality of Blu-ray 3D.
Why do you want a DCX3400 specifically? The newest Moto DVR is the DCX3501-M, it's also called the Motorola RNG200N. So you can try for one of those. People have also had good luck ordering a DVR direct from Comcast's chat online or sometimes calling. You ask for a new DVR self-install kit. You should get a new DVR sent to you direct from a Comcast warehouse instead of the luck of the draw at a local office. Once you get it shipped to you, activate it over the phone or whatever instructions you have, then you return your existing DVR to the local office to avoid having two DVR fees on your account. |
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| reply to ben2umbc
I have a Motorola DCT3416 HDMI and have no problems with 3D.Our family has watched Starz 3d and HBO 3d ondemand as well as ESPN sports 3D and XF3D .I had to have the local office enter the code for the 3D channels and it shows on my bill but there is no charge 3D technology free with triple play. Funny thing is they ask you if you have a three D TV and glasses (duh). |
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| That depends on the region it seems. Some Comcast regions have some 3D content in MPEG2 while other channels are apparently in MPEG4, specifically ESPN 3D is offered in both formats and apparently it varies by region which version is used, so if you're in a region which uses MPEG4 for ESPN 3D you'd need a newer DCX series box.
»www.engadget.com/2010/06/11/look···comcast/
»www.avsforum.com/t/1255915/comcast-3d-topic
The newer boxes are faster and anything labeled RNG (like the DCX 3501/RNG200N) will eventually be upgraded to the new X1 Guide software. |
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| reply to ben2umbc
I am getting the models numbers direct from the Comcast website.
»customer.comcast.com/help-and-su···ramming/
Thank you all for the input and I'm going to try to go through the chat and request the RNG200 self install kit and see what happens. I guess the worst that can happen is I get the wrong model and I return it to the local center. I'll update this thread with the results...
How does the ESPN 3D look to you folks (Can't get that on Blu-Ray)? |
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| Here is a portion of the chat transcript and the mounting frustrations I am having in dealing with customer service which, while pleasant, has been utterly unable to help me:
Ben > I understand that one of your RNG200 boxes are the HD/DVR box that I would need to replace my current DCH3416
M***** > Yes, that is correct. The best way for you to be able to get a compatible box for 3D, all you need to do is swap your old box at the local office.
M***** > We can send a new box to you but I can not guarantee that a correct box will be sent to you since we only provide what is available at the warehouse.
Ben > well I have tried that route, I was there on Saturday and Today and they don't have any available, nor can they tell me when one would be available
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M***** > May be the box is not yet available in the area. However, we can only note to send a box but can not guarantee that it would be the box that is compatible with 3D.
Ben > I'm confused why comcast offers 3D but cannot send out a box specifically for it
M***** > My apologies if you feel that way. 3D service is available for all, however due to the demand, some boxes that is compatible to the service is out of stock.
M***** > We can try to process shipment for this box. This will have a shipping fee of $10 - $15 and will be delivered within 3 - 5 business days.
Ben > well, I can understand that something is out of stock, but I don't understand why I can't be sent a box that does what I need it to. I'd like to have the box shipped to me, but I feel since I've made two trips to the service center already that the shipping fee should be waived.
M***** > That is because, there is no list available when we process the order. The box that is randomly picked and shipped depending on the type of box that has been ordered.
M***** > Regarding the shipping fee waived, we cannot (do that because) when we process the order a shipping fee is automatically charged on the account.
Ben > so lets say that you charge me a shipping fee, and then credit my account back for that amount, that would be free shipping, right?
M***** > We can only do that as soon as the box has been received and that the open work order will be completed on the account. However, you will need to call Local Billing to credit your account. I can only note it but can not guarantee if they will be crediting your account based on their investigation.
Needless to say, I did not ask to have a box sent to me.
It seems nobody in Comcast can guarantee that their customers will have the right equipment to view the content provided by them.
**sigh** |
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3 edits | While there is no guarantee, experience at least here in California, has been that will be a brand new box shipped direct from a nearby regional Comcast warehouse. If you read around the forum here, you'll see people get told to try their local office, so they try again later and get a different customer service rep who just puts the order through. Depending on where you live and where the regional warehouse is you may get the DVR faster than 3 days. Don't worry about asking about the specifics of the cable box, what you'll get, etc. The reps don't know as you found out, and most of them are clueless as to the important details of the boxes anyway, they usually have no idea what makes a DCH different from a DCX. But yes it's a risk. At worst you'll just have to return it to a local office if it's not modern enough, and I guess maybe deal with a $10 S&H charge for trying it out, but that you might get taken off if/when you go into your local office.
There's more talk about doing the online chat and ordering here:
»Sacramento Digital Conversion
»DCX-3501 SE Michigan? |
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 PaulGo
join:2005-01-29
Gaithersburg, MD | reply to ben2umbc
If you want a DVR then the DCX3400 or the DCX3501 will work. If you just want an STB then the Pace RNG110 or the Motorola DCX3200 will work for your area. |
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| So, I'm still having problems - they sent me out a very used DCT3416 via UPS. I was wondering what the forum here thought of signing up for multi-room DVR function, which should only be provided by a newer box, and then cancelling it and returning the older box? |
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| Do you just want a newer box or is that box not letting you get 3d programing ? I watch 3d programing on the very same box without any problems.Box doesn't have the larger hard drive but is adequate. What type of problems are you having and what brand of tv do you have?
Have you had Comcast enter the code on your account for 3d for the 3d channels ? |
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| I have an RGN200N box now and couldn't be happier. Thanks for the support folks. |
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| Glad you got it worked out, how'd you finally get a new box? |
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