Issue with the Motorola HD set-top box

Cypherstream read my post last week about the way we transmit HD signals and commented that:

The only problem is the Motorola HD boxes convert everything to one specified resolution set in the obscure (power off, menu) screen. So you can only pick 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i... not a combination of them.
...
I'd like to see MSO's push Motorola as hard as they can to release a firmware update that allows native HD resolution selection, without powering the box off.

Good point and I admit that this was the first I heard of this issue.  So I checked with Patrick, our Vice President of Engineering and Video Systems, and got the scoop. Here's what Patrick says:

Did some checking and this posting is accurate. Moto HD stbs (Engineerish for set-top boxes) work as described, today customers have to select a HD format instead of it being selected dynamically. Moto is planning to introduce this feature, they are getting me the release date... I'm in NY tomorrow if you want to discuss.

To be clear, we are not sure exactly when the new software will be available and how long it will take for us to confirm its stability on our platform.  At least we know it's on the road map. 

Thanks, Cypherstream for this pointing out. And thanks Patrick, for getting back to me so promptly from the Louisville airport.  Hope you had a good flight.

Oh, Cypherstream, I'll keep you posted as we learn more about the software update.  Rest assured, we're pushing.

Comments

[Jyll]

The Motorola set top box in use by Insight has many more features that aren't enabled. Do you foresee enabling such features as: interfacing with USB devices?

[cypherstream]

Thanks Michael! We really appreciate you taking the time to blog and get involved with customers at this level. I cannot express how important this is in todays world, with not only multiple service providers competing for the same customers, but the economy and less customer spending. Going the extra mile like you have is what makes you and Insight stand out ahead of the rest.

Keep us posted! I was always surprised that the Motorola HD box was the only equipment without a 'native' or 'dynamic' HD resolution mode.

[Steve Huff]

I noticed this about 6 months ago when I first got HD. I called customer service to see if I was missing something obvious in the settings. Please stay on top of this and let us know when an update is available so we can see the shows in the native format they are being broadcast in versus picking one and having it possible converted on the fly.

[Brent]

Any update? Really hope to see the fix soon. Really annoying issue.

[Jonathan Hurd]

Just got one of these boxes, terrible issue. Please stay on this!