Why Doesn't My Motorola DVR Box Support PIP?
In order to understand the functionality of the picture-in-picture, or PIP, feature on your Motorola DVR receiver, you must first understand how Comcast -- as of the time of publication, the only major cable or satellite company in America to lease this brand of set-top receiver to its customers -- uses PIP. While Motorola's 3400 and 6400 lines of DVR receiver boxes have the physical components required for PIP, they lack the firmware necessary to support this feature.
Other People Are Reading
-
Two Tuners
-
The main component of any system that supports picture-in-picture is a receiver box with more than one tuner. This is standard for most DVR set-top boxes, because in order to record programming on one channel while watching live television on another, you need two signals -- and each signal requires its own tuner. Motorola's 3400 and 6400 series DVRs come with two tuners, so from a structural standpoint, the devices are compatible with PIP.
Comcast Cable Confusion
-
Even if you have a receiver box that has two tuners, the service provided by your cable or satellite company may prevent you from using the PIP feature. Cable and satellite providers lease set-top boxes -- including HD, DVR and standard definition models -- to subscribers, usually for a monthly fee; however, while the universal remote provided by Comcast to its customers has a series of PIP buttons at the bottom, these buttons are not functional.
-
Motorola's Remote
-
If you purchase a Motorola dual-tuner DVR directly from the manufacturer, you will receive either a DRC400 or DRC425 universal remote control. Unlike the universal remote issued by Comcast, these Motorola-issued remotes do not include any PIP buttons, reflecting the fact that, as of the date of publication, Motorola does not support the PIP feature.
Firmware and Software
-
Comcast used to offer PIP to subscribers who leased a Scientific Atlanta DVR, but after March 2011, a software downgrade eliminated the PIP functionality from Comcast's programming and features guide. Comcast states that a future software upgrade may restore PIP, but only to subscribers who have a receiver box that supports it. Motorola's website also states that it plans to support this feature at some point in the future. However, you'll need to download a firmware upgrade, once it becomes available, from the company's product support website or receive it as an automatic update through Comcast.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/Getty Images
