Motorola HDTV Cable Box Problems
If you’ve Googled searched terms like “Motorola HDTV cable box,” “Motorola HD cable receiver,” “Motorola digital cable box” or “Motorola HD converter” you’ve probably come across The Motorola Broadband website. This company website offers specs on some of Motorola’s most popular DVRs, including the DCT6808 and the DCT6412. And it touts these devices’ special features like the DCT6412’s ability to receive and record HD signals on two TVs.
No doubt, these are the very pages company representatives from Comcast and Verizon visited when they were determining which DVR manufacturer to purchase their set-top boxes from. And, indeed, on paper Motorola HDTV cable boxes like the DCT6412 look pretty slick. The DCT6412’s ability to display HD signals for multiple TV sets would even seem to give any company using these devices an advantage. After all, DISH Network dual-tuner HD DVRs can only display HD signals on one set; on the other set they can only display SD content.
But what these company reps probably didn’t realize was that Motorola HDTV cable boxes suffer from several problems, all of which are annoying enough to scare off prospective customers. And yet because here at InternetLion.com we don’t want you making the same mistake by ordering service from either of these TV service providers, we have listed below five of the problems with Motorola HD cable receivers.
Top Five Problems with Motorola HDTV Cable Boxes
No. 5: Motorola HD Converters Only Work Well with HD signals
One of the most annoying problems Comcast and FiOS customers face with Motorola HD cable receivers is that they only work well when tuned to HD signals. Perhaps this has to do with Motorola’s attempt to make their DVR/receivers do too much. But whatever the reason, this problem was reported several times on HDTV Voice chat rooms, first by a user named “k2wracefan.”
Apparently, the main reason that Motorola DVRs degrade SD signals is that they convert them to digital signals before displaying them on a user’s TV. This might not seem to make a difference until you consider that most of the channels you’ll receive from Comcast or Verizon will be SD channels. Plus, you’ll have to make sure both your TVs are HD compatible. Otherwise you’ll get a few crystal-clear channels in on one TV and tons of low quality programming on the other set.
Problem No. 4: Motorola Digital Cable Boxes Suddenly Freeze
Another problem with Motorola-brand DVRs and receivers, as attested by users “weewood,” “mindean,” “vtincali,” “wesabi” and others posting on the After Dawn online forums, is that they suddenly “freeze.” According to weewood, who was using a DCT6412, the TV image displayed suddenly froze and would only restore if the DVR were powered down.
What’s more, even after Comcast replaced weewood’s DVR with a new DCT6412, the problem persisted. This definitely isn’t something you’d want to happen, say, while watching the Super Bowl. So it’s a darn good reason not to go with Motorola receivers, or any TV service provider that relies on them.
Problem No. 3: Motorola HD Converters Can Begin Pulsing Random Channels
This problem is a little freaky. Apparently, according to Meg Marco on the Consumerist website, Motorola DVRs have been known to suddenly begin jumping and pulsing—or refreshing—random channels in a cable lineup. The victim of this wacky technology conniption, Laura, even submitted a home video of her box flipping incessantly to a religious channel.
Suffice it to say, after reportedly having had her box replaced five times already only to have a televangelist overtake her TV, Laura was more than a little creeped out. Here’s her own words on the matter as the Consumerist website reprinted them:
"The DVR started out by simply not responding to any command to change channels, etc. Suddenly, it switched to channel 3, then 4, then 5, 6, 7, and so on. I managed to pause it for a second, but then it just jumped to channel 233 and stayed there, pulsing on that channel while the DVR box flashed the numbers. This story really isn't terribly interesting on its own, but the channel it stopped on was a religious channel with a priest featured prominently on the screen."
Problem No. 2: Motorola Digital Cable Boxes Experience ‘Handshake’ Problems
While it’s difficult to specify which devices won’t work with Motorola DVRs and receivers, one thing is certain: Several users have reported problems with their Motorola devices’ turning off after adding other devices to their home entertainment systems. In response to one complaint, made by “nate1031” on CNET, another user, “bevillan,” said the problem was most likely due to a bad “handshake.”
In a nut shell, a “handshake” is a software component that allows pieces of hardware to recognize each other as legally purchased and legitimately installed devices. Some, like “bevillan,” attribute the problem to the cable provider not updating its devices regularly. But others attribute it to Motorola’s not sending cable providers the codes. Whatever the truth of the matter, folks like nate1031—and possibly you if you go with a Motorola supported TV provider—will have to deal with this problem until their cable company sends the correct software update.
Problem No. 1: Motorola DVRs Offer Low-Quality Recordings
Probably the worst malfunction users have experienced with Motorola DVRs and receivers is that recorded programming on some units plays back in very low quality. This is a major failure when you consider that the main selling point for Motorola DVRs is that you can watch, record and rewind live programming in HD on more than one TV set. What, after all, is the use of recording HD programming on two sets if the recordings come out lower quality than your SD recordings?
A prime example of this problem was reported by an anonymous user on the Toms Hardware website. The user claimed that when he would play back a program the tone would vanish and the picture would shift every five to 10 seconds. What’s more, even when the anonymous user had a Comcast technician replace his original DVR/receiver, the problem persisted. No doubt, the user wound up wishing he’d gone with a TV service provider that offered more reliable hardware.
A Final Word on Motorola DVRs and Receivers
The Web is chock full of user posts reporting malfunctions with Motorola DVRs and receivers. So if you don’t believe these instances are as prolific as we here at InternetLion.com claim, we encourage you to search for terms like “Motorola HD Converter” in Google for yourself. Alternatively, you could save yourself the time you’ll spend retracing ground we’ve already covered for you by just avoiding any TV service provider offering Motorola equipment.
Motorola vs. DISH Network Receivers
Of course, our suggestion is to go with one of the DISH Network® deals offered on our site because DISH Network is certifiably the leader in DVR/receiver technology. Its sister company, EchoStar, has been producing satellite equipment since the inception of satellite TV and the two companies’ commitment to quality programming is evidenced by the many awards EchoStar’s DVRs and receivers have received from the likes of CNET and PC Magazine.
Furthermore, not only are DISH Network receivers ahead of the curve by offering users such features as the ability to watch TV anywhere on the planet using their laptops and smart phones, but they also come free with a new user’s subscription (subscribers only pay a $10/mo. service fee for the cutting edge ViP922 Slingloaded DVR that drives this feature). Comcast subscribers have to pay more than $20 per month in addition to their monthly programming subscription fees (and can end up with a faulty Motorola DCT 6412), whereas DISH Network customers only pay a $6-10/mo. service fee depending on the kind of DVR they choose.
The award winning HD DVRs and receivers offered by DISH Network are just some of the reasons why DISH Network is the leader in product innovation with consistent breakthrough technology, including HD and DVR technology. Click here to learn more about switching to DISH Network today!
Disclaimer: Please note that this article was written when the satellite TV provider DISH was branded as DISH Network. As of 2/1/2012 DISH Network has changed their branding name to DISH. Article post date: 01/12/2011.
