I have Comcast cable and am using the Motorola DCT 6412 box. I got the remote control codes from the Nevo site. All the codes seem to work but they only have a single power command (toggles between power on and power off). The actual remote also only has a single power command. This makes it hard to do programming for this device since the cable box can get out of time and then the next time it is powered off instead of powering on. For example, if I am recording a program, the box does not turn off so it is left on. So the next time I hit my programmed activity to watch TV, it sends the power command and turns the cable box off. Anybody find a way around this?

The motorola has only power. Generally I just have the client leave the box on.

Have a power button on the remote. Don't try to guess states with it as it lacks a discrete and work arounds have been flakey. LEave it on and if there is no picture then it got turned off. Press Power.

Thanks for the advice. I will just leave the cable box on.

Will other buttons work to turn it on like "Enter"? If so, you can use that button as an ON and the combination of Enter (or whatever) followed by power as OFF.

Sony DVD players do not have a discrete power ON/OFF but I have been using Play as ON and PLAY -> Power as off for years. If the power to the DVD is off the PLay turns it on...if the power is already on, play does nothing to the power. As far as turning it OFF, if it is on PLAY->POWER will turn it off regardless of its previous setting.

Chris,
I will see if that approach works. I would prefer to have it off if I can figure out a way to switch it on and off reliably.

Joel,

Probably better off leaving it on all of the time. I assume you are renting the box on a monthly basis from your cable co. If so, then you do not have real product liability to be concerned about. If it goes dead, they will replace it for free. The only downside is a little waste of electricity. Probably quit small.

I know a lot of people find this an initial shock, that they cannot control this box , but no worries.

Dave

I tried Chris's approach last night and this box does not come to life with any other key. I will just leave it on. I am really surprised at how much heat the cable box generates! Like you said Dave, if it goes bad, they can replace it. Thanks for your help.

Those 6212's are a big pain.

I tell customers to leave them on and I bury the power button on screens that they are not likely to use. (while I like a power button for times when I'm working with the system, I don't want the customer fussing with it.)

As far as reliability is concerned, in my area the boxes fail and need to be replaced once a year (usually more). The replacement may or may not work better than the unit it replaced. I always mount them in an easy to reach and replace spot. And I dread the call, "the cable guy replaced my box today -- and now my system doesn't work." The cable guy removes all of my ground breakers, never notices the IR emitters, and connects the box directly to the TV. Granted, there is a picture after he leaves, but as soon as my customer pushes a button on their Pronto, things fall apart. (and there may not be any surround sound -- or, for that matter, any sound at all)