Motorola DCX3400 - video format indicator question

[Hittdog]

I just got this cable box (Comcast) and am a little confused by the video format indicator. I of course select 1080i. However, it often switches itself down to 720p. I cannot pinpoint when and why this happens. Anyone know what's up? If I am watching a channel that broadcasts in 1080i, does it matter what the video format indicator is showing?

P.S. I run Monoprice HDMI cables from the DCX3400 cable box, through my Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, and to my Samsung LN46B750.

 

[renegade87]

Hittdog,

Do you have the user manual? Motorola DCX3400_US-EN

Try going into the User Settings Menu and under the HDMI/YPbPr Output change the selection to "Native". This should enable the "MY TV SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING FORMATS" options.

Supposedly the DCX3400 will automatically select all the applicable formats your TV supports. You apparently do have the option to manually select other formats supported by your TV if not discovered by the 3400.

I do not currently have this box but want one from Comcast when available in my area (Greater Boston area). Please let us know how that works out for you.

 

[bandphan]

Hittdog,

Do you have the user manual? Motorola DCX3400_US-EN

Try going into the User Settings Menu and under the HDMI/YPbPr Output change the selection to "Native". This should enable the "MY TV SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING FORMATS" options.

Supposedly the DCX3400 will automatically select all the applicable formats your TV supports. You apparently do have the option to manually select other formats supported by your TV if not discovered by the 3400.

I do not currently have this box but want one from Comcast when available in my area (Greater Boston area). Please let us know how that works out for you.

Yes you can select native, and it will pass the native signal to your display for conversion.

 

[Clump]

I have the same DVR and nearly the same receiver (VSX9040) and yes the same issue. It appears to be an HDMI handshaking issue. If you leave the DVR and receiver on and cycle power on your display you will see "DUI" on the DVR display and it switches resolutions. It was the same with the Yamaha receiver that I briefly owned.

One way to keep it from happening is to power the DVR on last. I leave mine on all the time, so that solution was no good. I have HDMI from the DVR to display and optical audio to the receiver and it works great. A Harmony One remote makes the switching transparent.

If you Google DCX-3400 you will see a bunch of people with similar issues and some workarounds that seem to work for some people. None of them worked for me. There may be a firmware update at some point that fixes it.

 

[renegade87]

I just got a DCX3400 from Comcast on Friday and am seeing the same issues(my sig lists respective hardware).

I'm currently running the HDMI from the DCX3400 through my receiver. Previously I did the same as Clump (Toslink out to reciever, HDMI to display) but the Wifey didn't like having to change inputs (Cable - BD/DVD and/or back) despite having the Harmony 1000 (which she doesn't like using). I hope I can find a solution which allows me to keep the current connection configuration. We'll see.

 

[renegade87]

Guys,
There is extensive information on this topic over at the Official AVS Motorola DCX series HD DVR Topic.

Hittdog,

You can program your remote to allow you to change the video resolution format (normally accessed by the front panel). See Post #1522

I hope this helped.

 

[Hittdog]

Hittdog,

Do you have the user manual? Motorola DCX3400_US-EN

Try going into the User Settings Menu and under the HDMI/YPbPr Output change the selection to "Native". This should enable the "MY TV SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING FORMATS" options.

Supposedly the DCX3400 will automatically select all the applicable formats your TV supports. You apparently do have the option to manually select other formats supported by your TV if not discovered by the 3400.

I do not currently have this box but want one from Comcast when available in my area (Greater Boston area). Please let us know how that works out for you.

Putting it in native mode was the way to go. Thanks!

 

[Hittdog]

Actually, scratch that. Even putting the DCX3400 in "native" mode doesn't keep it from seemingly switching back to 720p or whatever, regardless of what the channel happens to be broadcasting. WTF. I hate this cable box.

 

[bandphan]

Actually, scratch that. Even putting the DCX3400 in "native" mode doesn't keep it from seemingly switching back to 720p or whatever, regardless of what the channel happens to be broadcasting. WTF. I hate this cable box.

Something seems strange. In native the signal sent to the display is the signal its broadcast in, then your display will convert it to its native resolution if it differs. Ive installed this STB many times over without the issue.

 

[Clump]

Actually, scratch that. Even putting the DCX3400 in "native" mode doesn't keep it from seemingly switching back to 720p or whatever, regardless of what the channel happens to be broadcasting. WTF. I hate this cable box.

Yep, mine acts the same way. Take the AVR out of the chain and it behaves.

 

[Hittdog]

Going back yet again, native mode seems to be the way to go. I was wrong - it correctly displays the broadcast format. Fewer programming is in 1080i than I had originally thought...

 

[bandphan]

Going back yet again, native mode seems to be the way to go. I was wrong - it correctly displays the broadcast format. Fewer programming is in 1080i than I had originally thought...

and all is good with the world Always send native signals to your display and let the display convert to its native resolution, unless you have a good outboard scaler.