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Motorola DCT3412

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The Motorola 3412 (full name is Motorola DCT-3412) is a digital-tuner only version of the Motorola 6412. It is identical to the 6412 Phase III, except that it is unable to tune in analog channels. It is only used on systems that have analog-digital simulcasting (ADS) active. It is about the same width and height as the 6412, but is not as deep (about 11 inches, versus 13 inches on the 6412).

With analog-digital simulcasting, when you attempt to tune what would normally be an analog channel (normally those with numbers below 100), it will actually tune in a digital subchannel that is a duplicate of the analog channel. The advantage of ADS is the elimination of most interference and noise issues. Also, 10-12 digital channels can be compressed into the space that would normally be used by one analog channel. Over time, analog channels will be dropped, allowing even more digital channels to be added. The drawbacks to digital broadcasting, as always, are the problems with picture quality artifacts due to digital compression.

The unit can record two analog, digital, or HDTV channels at once and play back a recorded show at the same time. The 3412 has a 120 GB hard drive giving it an HDTV recording time of 12-20 hours and much more for analog or standard definition digital TV. There may also be some 3416 models with have 160GB drives.

Features

Remote Control Button Remapping

Comcast URC-106XXXXX Silver Remote

The Motorola 3412 can be operated with a variety of remote controls. Cable operators are not locked into a specific model, though two forms of the "silver remote" (one with DVR-specific controls at the bottom and one without) are the most common. Both of these remotes are programmable - most of the buttons can be remapped to support functionality that is either not normally deployed (30-second skip) or that is missing (tuner swapping on the non-DVR specific remote). Some remotes supplied by cable operators (one of which is commonly called the "brown" remote) are not programmable.

The silver remote is made by Universal Electronics, and uses the same codes and commands as the 'One-For-All' series. You can find information on programming these remotes at http://www.hifi-remote.com/ofa/. Although the silver remote has a 6-pin connector next to the batteries, it is JP1.2 and cannot be used with the current cables and software available. The forums and code lists still offer useful information.

The Atlas 5 Device DVR/PVR remote (see http://www.urcsupport.com/html.php?page_id=102) (the so called "black remote") distributed by CableOne in certain markets uses the same codes and commands as the "silver remote", except that you need to discard the two leading zeros (ie, for the 30-second skip, use code 173 instead of 00173). All other steps work as described below.


The three most common remappings are:

  • The 30-second skip (aka commercial skipper)
  • The dedicated STB (Set-Top Box) mute/unmute
  • The tuner swap

A "macro" can also be created that will simulate hitting a series of buttons from the single press of a button. See the CJH Engineering Motorola HD Cable STB Info Pages remote section for an illustrated version.


How To Add 30-Second Skip

The following technique can be used to map an unused or unneeded button on the "silver" remote to the 30-second skip command. Current versions of the iGuide DVR software will skip forward 30 seconds into a recording when this command is sent. The '15-second back' button can be a good choice, since PgDn already provides that functionality. Another good option is to reprogram the 'A'/'Lock' button if you don't need that function; you can feel both buttons with one finger and move between them without looking.

  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.
  6. Press whatever button you want to map the 30-second skip command to (ex: A / Lock). The "Cable" button will blink twice if successful.

Note: This does not work on boxes with the Microsoft TV Foundation Interface (currently Washington State). As of Firmware version 12.22 Insight Cable has disabled this feature.

How To Add A Dedicated STB Mute/Unmute

The following technique can be used to map an unused or unneeded button on the "silver" remote to the 3412's mute/unmute command. Since the "silver" remote's mute button often controls the TV's or HT receiver's mute command, this allows you to reenable the sound if the box has muted itself (see bugs below).

  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 00141.
  6. Press whatever button you want to map the STB mute/unmute command to (ex: PiP On/Off). The "Cable" button will blink twice if successful.

Note: You can also use the MUTE button for both the STB and your TV by mapping the STB mute/unmute command to the MUTE button. The default function of the MUTE button will then be to mute/unmute the STB (or activated by pressing CABLE, then MUTE). The TV mute/unmute command can still be accessed by pressing the TV button, then MUTE.

Another alternative is to set up the STB mute command as a shifted mute:

  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 00141.
  6. Press (do not hold) the "Setup" button.
  7. Press (do not hold) the "Mute" button.

Now, if the remote has volume lock enabled (the normal default is the TV), pressing MUTE will mute/unmute that device. To mute/unmute the STB, press (do not hold) the "Setup" button, then MUTE.

Note: The remote from RCN does not have a setup button. On that remote, these instructions should work, and more detailed instructions can be found in this thread: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,13375545#13388234

  1. Press and hold CBL, then press and hold OK until CBL lights up.
  2. Press VOL + (the upper part of the VOL button).
  3. Press and hold CBL. CBL should blink several times to indicate success.

How To Add A Tuner Swap Button

The following technique can be used to map an unused or unneeded button on the "silver" remote to the tuner swap command. The Motorola 3412 contains two tuners. Some versions of the "silver" remote lack the DVR-specific buttons, including the "swap" button that tells the 3412 to swap the "background" tuner (which can record but does not display on-screen) with the "foreground" tuner (the tuner that is actively displaying on your TV). A common use for this command is to switch to a tuner that is not currently recording a program in order to watch another live program.

  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 00236.
  6. Press whatever button you want to map the tuner swap command to (ex: PiP Swap). The "Cable" button will blink twice if successful.

Note: This does not work on boxes with the Microsoft TV Foundation Interface (currently Washington State).

How To Add a Macro Button

  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 995. The "Cable" button will blink twice.
  4. Press the button you want to map the macro to (ex: PiP CH-).
  5. Press the sequence of buttons you want executed by the macro (ex: AUX, POWER, TV, POWER --- turns on/off the Aux and TV equipment without turning on/off the cable box when PiP CH- is pressed --- useful to avoid some of the bugs).
  6. Press and hold the "Setup" button. The "Cable" button will blink twice if successful.

Note: Certain buttons cannot be reprogrammed to execute a macro, ex: "All On", "POWER", "Setup".

Note: Macros typically operate across any device selected (Cable, TV, Aux) unless you use keymap to force a code onto a key. If that is done, the macro will not work for that device.

How To Restore a Remapped Button

The following technique can be used to restore the original function to a button that has been remapped. You are essentially mapping the key onto itself.

  1. Press the device key ("Cable", "TV", or "AUX") button for the device you want.
  2. Press and hold the "Setup" button until the selected device button blinks twice.
  3. Type in the code 994. The selected device button will blink twice.
  4. Press the button you are restoring twice. The device button will blink twice if successful.

How To Erase a Macro from a Button

The following technique can be used to erase a macro programmed on a key. You are essentially creating a macro with no steps.

  1. Press and hold the "Setup" button until a device button blinks twice.
  2. Type in the code 995. A device button will blink twice.
  3. Press the key with the macro you want to delete.
  4. Press and hold the "Setup" button until a device button blinks twice.

Transferring Recorded or Live Programs to a Computer

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 Program Guide 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. These resources have instructions:

Credits

The first version of this page was based on (and quoted liberally from) a post post by frankz1 from the AVS Forum discussion of the 6412.

External links

Official Motorola Pages

The .PDF download has an incorrect file name. Download it as a regular file, and rename the .ZIP to .PDF, then open it.

HOWTO / Informational Guides

Online Discussion Forums

Note: A wealth of information is often first reported to the AVS Forums

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