jeffkissel
join:2003-12-12
Evansville, IN
|  DVR Box Ethernet Connectivity
So I've dug around the forums, and on the web, and I can't seem to find an answer to whether or not utilizing the Ethernet port on the back of the Motorola HD/DVR box is worth my time.
Ideally, I'd like to be able to attach the box to my network so that I could grab the shows I've recorded and archive them on my PC. I'm not sure if there would be anything more that I could do, unless you could upgrade firmware, etc yourself, but that's probably asking for a lot more trouble than it's worth.
So the question - has anyone actually done *anything* with the Ethernet port, and if so, what all have you done with it, and is it worthwhile to pull a cable run for the box?
Thanks! - Jeff. |
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IGGY
No Guru Just Here To Help
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-30
Chatham, IL
| I've asked this very question and several others in regards to the new box. I also wondered if I could attach an external drive to the device and offload recordings on to it ( for personal archive use only ). But never got a reply. With Tivo you can do some hacking and other steps and get this type of thing done. TechTV has covered that a few times. They stated the other day that new and old ReplayTVs were easier to do this with. But the steps they ( TechTV ) showed seemed to be very cumbersome.
»Adding a hardrive to DVR
»DVR service questions / review
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Test Your Security Team Z Member Cable Modem Diagnostics InsightBB waiting for new tiers |
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NotAnInsightEmployee
@insightBB.com | reply to jeffkissel
rumor is....the ethernet/USB/Firewire ports are for future applications and are currently disabled |
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IGGY
No Guru Just Here To Help
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-30
Chatham, IL | I had a tech tell me DVI usage was disabled though. So who knows what is or isn't live. Many others are currently using DVI with no issues. But I'd agree - I'd heard that many of the box features weren't enabled at this time. |
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robbym627
Premium
join:2003-09-14
Springfield, IL | reply to jeffkissel
I looked through a book and some diagrams that said that everything but the coax and a/v connections are disabled. But are planned to be used "possibly" in the future. |
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thfx
join:2004-03-11
Springfield, IL | reply to jeffkissel
I called insight and they gave me a "not yet" answer, so I take that to mean...maybe someday...wait and see. s-video quality is ok, but would like to save my hi-def in original format.  |
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IGGY
No Guru Just Here To Help
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-30
Chatham, IL
| " s-video quality is ok, but would like to save my hi-def in original format."
You should be able to use the DVI or composite connectors from the box to your tv. Others have had no issues doing this. So the HD signal should be in it's true format - as long as what your watching was recorded that way.
Turn off the box and hit the menu button to change your settings. »Re: DVR service questions / review
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Test Your Security Team Z Member Cable Modem Diagnostics InsightBB waiting for new tiers |
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thfx
join:2004-03-11
Springfield, IL
| so how then would I be able to put the DVI into my PC capture device? I don't think you understand. I record in HD on the Motorola Hard Drive then playback and use the S-video out on the Motorola + the S-video in on my PC capture device. Quality is ok, but s-video is only 320x200 or somewhere thereabouts. Would like to save HD in its full resolution in mpeg2 to burn directly to DVD for archival playback. |
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Iggyz
@insightbb.com | I thought a lot of the new capture cards were starting to support dvi? I could be wrong on that. But yes I wasn't aware of how you had things setup. |
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thfx
join:2004-03-11
Springfield, IL | I have never seen a DVI capture card. If you know of one please lmk. I currently have two capture cards. One is my Winfast 2000xp TV/FM tuner which has s-video in and the 2nd way I can capture is my FX 5900 VIVO AGP card. both are s-video. |
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IGGY
No Guru Just Here To Help
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-30
Chatham, IL
| You might have a look around the TECHTV - ScreenSavers page. I could have sworn they stated the other day some cards now handled DVI. Again I could be mistaken. This may have just been in relation to graphics cards - not capture cards. I'll have a look around later today. Been a long night.
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Test Your Security Team Z Member Cable Modem Diagnostics InsightBB waiting for new tiers |
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thfx
join:2004-03-11
Springfield, IL | yeah i watch that show every day (it's days are numbered im afraid)
they were referring to DVI out. MY FX 5900 has a DVI output and regular analog VGA out. I have a flat panel running on the DVI out. Its not an input. |
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IGGY
No Guru Just Here To Help
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-30
Chatham, IL
| The days aren't number for the show. Most of the more popular shows Comcast will let live. That has been confirmed - but of course subject to change. I'm scared of what a combined G4 / TechTV will be. Everyone is more upset that Leo is gone than when Chris left - got let go = whatever the deal may have been. Many have said they don't like some of the host etc. But I have no problem with the current host line up. Cats breast that leaked to the net though - that is another story. As she said on Stern - if she had done it on purpose she would have chosen a better picture of her and them.
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Test Your Security Team Z Member Cable Modem Diagnostics InsightBB waiting for new tiers |
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odog
Cable Centric Vendor Biased
Premium
join:2001-08-05
Norcross, GA
clubs:
 ·Comcast
·Metrocast Communic..
 ·Vonage
| reply to jeffkissel
the box, most likely a motorola DCT620X has a built in cable modem. that is the ethernet ports intended purpose. DVI and 1394 will most likely be disabled until stronger content protection can be enabled. DVI's purpose is obvious, the 1394 is intended for simultaneous audio/video transportation. it also has the ability for external storage to be added via external 1394 hard drives.
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disclaimer: my opinions are my own, my employer is not responsible. |
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thfx
join:2004-03-11
Springfield, IL | i just so happen to have an external 1394 drive. so are you saying its plug n play and I should be able to add extra capacity? or does Insight still have to enable it via their software? |
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IGGY
No Guru Just Here To Help
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-30
Chatham, IL | 1 way to find out - plug it in plug it in.:) |
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thfx
join:2004-03-11
Springfield, IL | I think I will tonight!  |
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zean
join:2001-03-10
Lexington, KY | reply to IGGY
Leo is gone buh bye....The screen savers nor TechTV will ever be the same..
»leo.typepad.com/tlr/2004/04/end_of_line.html |
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odog
Cable Centric Vendor Biased
Premium
join:2001-08-05
Norcross, GA
clubs: | reply to thfx
software i suspect, it's all about control;) |
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thfx
join:2004-03-11
Springfield, IL
| reply to thfx
didn't do a thing. didn't even seek the drive. I think we would need an option enabled under SETUP like "Add external firewire drive" so that it would know to do this. that or ethernet would be awesome. I would disable the onboard HDD and just copy stuff on the firewire drive. then plug into my pc, mpeg2, and burn. man, that would be way easier. c'mon insight, give us control! |
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