replay tv/comcast 3030c same input as standard model?

[comreplay]

Hi All,

I recently bought a comcast 3030c that I could return if not working. Well, it didn't quite work, but I put in a new (standard replay tv disk image) hard drive, and it worked. Well, at least now menu's worked, so I was able to change phone number, service provider, etc.

BUT, I only get a "no video source" message when I try to watch or record a channel.
I tried over-the-air antenna, and cable-tv selections (using appropriate inputs), to no avail. Only glimmer of hope, was when I selected over-air-antenna then plugged in the cable, i didn't get the "no video source" message, but I didn't get any video. I just assumed it wasn't set up right and selected cable tv.

Anyways, now I'm wondering if the comcast version of the DVR was HW configured to only take in a comcast cable signal (maybe from their cable box?), and perhaps even the menu option for over-air-antenna and cable tv (non-box) were not option on the old (dead) hard drive?

My next work-around is to try feeding a VCR coax output to the 3030c to see if it's expecting a tuned signal... or I wonder if the (coax) video input module is toast. Guess I could also try feeding signal into the component cables from a vcr, if I can find a spare component (or s-vid?) cable.

Any suggestions, ideas, workarounds, info?
Should I just return the unit?
The cable service I'm using now is road runner.

Thanks!

[ekaxel]

I had one long ago, and it was no different from the std 3030. Sounds like your tuner may be toast.
Mikeyboy???

[Mikeyboy]

[QUOTE=ekaxel]I had one long ago, and it was no different from the std 3030. Sounds like your tuner may be toast.
Mikeyboy???[/QUOTE]Replaytv 3000/Showstopper software works perfectly in the ATT version. Make certain the available recording time matches the size drive used, I.E 30 gig = 30 hours, 80 gig = 80 hours, etc as free disk space is critical for proper operation. If you find input 1 and 2 produce a picture, but Ant/Catv does not, the tuner is likely defective. If the later is the case, I can help you there.

[comreplay]

Hey folks, thanks for the input... I did load replayTV 3000/showstopper SW into the new 160GB HD, and it seems to work just fine (the SW), it shows approx 160 hours available, I'm able to connect via phone line to replaytv and get a new channel guide, but when I try to record or view a channel, I get the "no signal" message.

Right now, i only have one composite cable, but might be able to run a test...setup to use input1, program the unit to record a channel, then disconnect the composite cable going from RTV to TV, and use it to connect from VCR out to RTV input1. Oh wait... this isn't same as a selectable/recordable channel, is it? I may have to go just find or buy some cable...rca cables would do in a pinch, right?

Dang, my cousin had her DVD player with cable here yesterday, asked if she wanted me to leave it here, and I said "no." Would've come in handy for the input test.
I'll have to do the tests tomorrow...anything else you guys want me to try to narrow it down?

Mikeyboy, if it is the tuner, how can you help? Do you sell parts? How much would a tuner repair be? How difficult to repair/replace? Since the coax in is the main in, I'd guess it's most susceptible to lightning strike surge or maybe plain ol' ESD?

I appreciate the help!
comreplay.

[Mikeyboy]

Hey folks, thanks for the input... I did load replayTV 3000/showstopper SW into the new 160GB HD, and it seems to work just fine (the SW), it shows approx 160 hours available.

The maximum recording time should be 140 hours, not 160 when a single hard drive is used.

Right now, i only have one composite cable, but might be able to run a test...setup to use input1, program the unit to record a channel, then disconnect the composite cable going from RTV to TV, and use it to connect from VCR out to RTV input1. Oh wait... this isn't same as a selectable/recordable channel, is it? I may have to go just find or buy some cable...rca cables would do in a pinch, right?

RCA cables are the correct cable to use for input 1 or 2 and out to TV.

Dang, my cousin had her DVD player with cable here yesterday, asked if she wanted me to leave it here, and I said "no." Would've come in handy for the input test.
I'll have to do the tests tomorrow...anything else you guys want me to try to narrow it down?

Assuming your remote has the "input" button. Use it to switch to RF3 input. It will automatically tune through the built in tuner to channel 3 irregardless of setup. Does it produce a picture? Now press the same button and switch to input 1 with a DVD signal input in. Do you get a picture? Basically, if it fails to tune through all inputs the encoder is defective. If it tunes through input 1 but not through RF3, the tuner is bad.

Mikeyboy, if it is the tuner, how can you help? Do you sell parts? How much would a tuner repair be? How difficult to repair/replace? Since the coax in is the main in, I'd guess it's most susceptible to lightning strike surge or maybe plain ol' ESD?

Please see my parts web site www.replaytvparts.com for motherboard pricing. Tuner replacement is $79 including return shipping when you send me just the motherboard.

[comreplay]

OK, I was able to get a picture from selecting RF3. Can I just leave it there and will everything work? I was able to change channel (using the RTV) in this input mode, also rewind and pause live TV. Input 1 gave a picture from my VCR via composite inputs, so that works, too. I moved the VCR to input 2 and that worked, too.

Or do I need to use my main input in order to do RTV functions (record, etc).

[I just went to test input2 and came back to mentione that above]
What's weird now, is that the main input works! But when I started setting up today for the test, the entire unit wouldn't boot up, kept trying...till I unhooked the input1 lines, and unplugged the unit (maybe the input1 had nothing to do with it). Then, when it first came up, the main tuner input was super snowy for a bit (which is the first and only time I've seen anything other than "no input signal"), then went to "no input signal" shortly thereafter. But now the emain input works great.

So perhaps this is some intermittent problem? The unit was apparently not used in a couple years.

And yea, you were right, I have just under 140 hrs available. So am I wasting some of the 160 GB drive? I have a 120 GB I use for backup data ... should I transfer that to the 160 GB drive, and use the 120 GB for the RTV (at least I won't be wasting the extra 20GB, and prob won't need 140 hours), and the 160 GB for backups?

How long do drives typically last in an RTV unit? Seems like a lot of wear if it's running all the time I'm watching TV.


Is the tuner something user replaceable by someone with some soldering/electronics experience? I haven't looked at the connections, but I did see some slots for adjustments, and wondering if those need to be made while hooked up to some test equipment.

Thanks once again for the help!

[whoa, thought I sent this hours ago, but just realized it didn't go due to me quoting a url tag... sending again... guess I can't use quoting either..]

[comreplay]

One more quick question: how can I tell if the unit has a valid lifetime subscription? If I'm able to change the phone number to dial, and download tv listings?

Thanks!

[Mikeyboy]

All inputs can record, pause and play.

Your recorder is acting odd, especially the difficulty tuning through Ant/Catv and erratic booting. The RF tuner should act the same each and every time you switch to a certain channel. A defective tuner typically has problems tuning certain channels and especially the lower numbered channels. Channel guide is linked to the input. In other words, it doesn't matter what input you last viewed. When you tune a channel through the channel guide, it will switch to the input that channel was built from/assigned to.

The best advice I can give you, is to continue to use the recorder to see what other conclusions you can draw.

All 2000 and 3000/ATT/Comcast recorders are lifetime activated. If something is wrong with the login/activation, it won't connect period.

[dsmith901]

I have a Comcast 3040 that has worked just fine for about 5 years now but I figure its HDD will give up the ghost eventually. When I replaced the HDD on my Panasonic E80H digital recorder it recognized the HDD immediately and after a quick format worked as new, even retaining my program schedule. If I replace the HDD in the 3040 will it do the same, or do I have to reload the firmware, and if so how is that done? Thanks.

[rm -rf *.*]

While you do have to format the disk with the filesytem used by the ReplayTV and load the RTV-O/S on the disk, the complexity of the procedure is trivial. Gary's got all the directions, disk recommendations, software, RTV-O/S'es and more at www.replaytvupgrade.com

Or, if you don't want be bothered taking your PC apart or hunting around for compatable disks, give Mikeyboy a call at www.replaytvparts.com