9th
October
2006
I found a code online that lets me add this feature to my Comcast remote.
What I liked most about my Dish DVR was the ability to press a button and skip forward 30 seconds in a recorded program. This feature allowed me to skip commercials, which was the main benefit to recording TV programs in the first place.
That’s why I was so surprised last week when we switched to Comcast that the feature was missing. Oh sure, I could speed up the commercials by 4x or so, then have to reverse again when I passed the return of the show, but there was no measured way to skip commercials.
Very disappointed, I casually mentioned it to Comcast on the phone during a call about another issue. After confirming with him that there was no “pre-programmed” feature on the remote to do that, I told him that I really hated it, and was considering switching back.
That’s when he told me that some industrious people had posted a hack for the remote online, and with “a little effort” if I “knew how to use a search engine well” I could possibly find it out.
Well, it actually took me nearly 15 minutes, but I found it, and here it is, for your TV commercial skipping pleasure (with a silver remote and a Motorola DCT3412 box)…
- Choose an unused or unneeded button on the “silver” remote to be the 30-second skip command. I used my “A-lock” button, and in retrospect (with two kids) that’s probably not the best choice, but I wanted it near the other DVR controls. Other choices are the PIP buttons at the bottom, (maybe there’s a hack for those too?) or the “help” button (there’s no help either).
- Press the “Cable” button at the top of the remote to put it into Cable Box control mode.
- Press and hold the “Setup” button until the “Cable” button blinks twice.
- Type in the code 994. The “Cable” button will blink twice.
- Press (do not hold) the “Setup” button.
- Type in the code 00173.
- Press whatever button you want to map the 30-second skip command to.
That’s it…you’re done!
*** Update 2010 **** (from comments below re: the new Platinum Remotes)
Ha! Take that, you…you… well, whoever you are that kept us from this feature in the first place…and thank you, to the AVS forum.
The Comcast guy on the phone claimed that they were “pressured” by Motorola to leave that off, but i have a hard time understanding why. It’s obvious why the networks and TV stations don’t like this feature, but why Motorola? Are they owned by (or own) a major media company?
Anyway, I’m happy again, and can now watch 2 hours of TV in an hour and 40 minutes, leaving me extra time to search the web for stuff I think I need…
it only works on te remote with the grey ok/select button there are two versions one has a red ok/select button it wont work with this one
This code does work with the red ok/select button
Did not work for me with a red ok/select button…dammit!!!
Just what I was looking for.
Thanks to many people.
Stan Buddle
Thanks for the 30 second skip instructions!
They worked great with the Motorola DCH3416 DVR.
I selected the “Help” button for the skip command as it was right above the 15 second rewind button.
Well I’ve run into the same problem with the Rewind key as mentioned above. Pressing it rewinds the program to the very beginning.
Has anyone figured out a workaround for this or a way to reset the remote to the original settings?
I followed your directions for the 30 sec. skip but I picked the wrong button. I tried to do the step over again and pressed a different button now the skip works on both buttons. How do I clear it out?
Comment number 50 here asks the same question, and in the next comment, “Cill” answered like this…
“To remove it from the current button add the DEFAULT function onto the current button. Then the DEFAULT function will write over the current button and return it to DEFAULT.”
Please tell me exactly how to return a button back to the default function.
You are a genius! Thanks so much. I just did it. And it worked!!!!!!!!
Hi there…just programmed my right cursor/forward key (white) for 30 second skip. Stupid me…I wanted my fast forward key (grey) and hit the wrong one. How do I take the 30 seconds skip off and restore the key to its’ original function?
Thanks!
Comment number 50 here asks a similar question, and in the next comment, “Bill” answered like this…
“To remove it from the current button add the DEFAULT function onto the current button. Then the DEFAULT function will write over the current button and return it to DEFAULT.”
I’ve not tried it, but others say it works…
I must be missing something here. Can someone please explain to me in simple words how to do this:
“To remove it from the current button add the DEFAULT function onto the current button. Then the DEFAULT function will write over the current button and return it to DEFAULT.”
Specifically what does “… add the DEFAULT function …” mean?
Thanks so very much – I scatter rose petals at your feet!
So I have a new cable box and programmed the remote the way I always have and it doesn’t work. I need my 30 second skip!!!
It doesn’t work with newer boxes??
Wow, I wonder if they’ve blocked it somehow?
I had a ‘new’ Comcast installation on Tuesday – Got two dual tuners HD DVRs and a ‘black’ box – Able to get ‘On Demand’ with all three boxes – I was unable to program the remotes for the ‘new’ dual tuners to do a 30 second skip – I was able to program the remote for the ‘black’ box to do a 30 second skip on the ‘new’ dual tuners. Used code ’00173′, same one everyone writes about. Of course, the ‘black’ box doesn’t have a pause function.
Regarding my post of Nov 26 2009, I have finally be able to program the ‘new’ dual tuner HD DVRs to do a 30 second skip. The trick was to temporarily change the AUX to CABLE, set the 30 second pause, then change AUX back to my usual auxiliary device.
Change AUX to CABLE
• Select AUX
• Hold SETUP (2 flashes)
• type 01376 (2 flashes)
Set 30-second skip
• Select AUX
• Hold SETUP (2 flashes)
• Type 994 (2 flashes)
• Tap SETUP
• Enter EFC 00173
• Tap CABLE
• Tap button to be programmed (2 flashes)
Change AUX back to usual device
What is EFC? My platinum remote does not have letters.
I think he may have meant to just punch the numbers – EFC looks like it means, “Extended Function code” – I’m not sure though, and still have the old ones… no platinum for me.
I have tried to program the platinum remote for the 30 sec skip what does the EFC before the 00173 mean I tried using all of the instructions but it will not program? please help
EFC looks like it means, “Extended Function code” – try skippinjg it altogether, since there are no keys with letters.
Yes, I just entered what I had received from the technician. The two lines of instruction are equivalent.
type 01376 2 flashes = Enter the EFC 01376
I agree with Scott, EFC probably means “Extended Function Code”.
Note that this works for the “platinum” remote…
Thanks… I have a few remotes lying around and using the two methods was able to get them all to work on 30 second skip.
I use the A-lock button on all 3 of them.
Any way to program a 2-minute skip function? Most breaks are at least that long, but rarely only 30 seconds. Seems like 2-minutes would be just right.
No way I know of – I just press the skip 4x
The PLATINUM remotes are the ones to keep. I cant get that GOLD remote to program the 30-s skip. Bastards blocking it on new equipment?
I realize the forum specifies the Motorola box, but Comcast gave me a Cisco RNG200 dvr with a platinum remote. I’ve had no joy programming a commercial skip using the above procedures. Anyone else have any experience/success with this box?
Works great for me on the PNG200 – Note that the page up and down buttons do the same thing – page up is skip ahead 30 sec, page down is skip back
How do I change from AUX to Cable? What if I’m not using the AUX button?
Allan, thanks so much for posting this info. I just programmed my remote for my HD DVR, and it works perfectly. As far as the EFC part to type in, I just typed in the 00173 and it worked. I, too, just switched from Dish and was really missing that skip feature. Thanks!!!
I followed these directions and now when I hit the red “all on” button, it either turns my box off and then on again or it turn my box on and then off again. Any suggestions?
I have my box set to record several programs, some of them begin recording about the time I go to bed. When I press the ‘red’ button I receive a message indicating that the recording will continue. My TV goes off and the ‘REC’ is still displayed. This leaves my DVR still on even thought the TV went off. Next day when I press the ‘red’ button the TV comes on, but the DVR goes off. The ‘red’ button just changes the state from on to off or off to on. If your TV and DVR get out of sync as mine does nearly every night when the DVR stays on to record, you have to ‘sync’ them by selecting the ‘power’ button, then the ‘red’ button.
Has anyone got this to work with a new Motorola DCT3416 I hd-dvr box? It seems to be an issue with the box rather than the remote (I can map 00179 just fine to a different button using either the original or Allan’s method).
I just cant get the 30sec skip code to ever work… Any ideas?
This is cox service south orange county california using this remote:
http://www.urcsupport.com/html.php?page_id=334
Thanks
Thanks!! so little of the customer service know how to do this! I just got the new red but the code for the grey ok worked fine!! THANKS!!! Your the Best!
Thank you so much! I’ve been searching for this info for awhile and I’m so glad I found it!!
I had the silver remote programmed to give me the 30 sec skip, and the page up gave me a 15 sec reverse. Now the page up is giving me 5 min reverse… wondering if the firmware got updated remotely, changing my page up functionality. This is true on two motorola cable boxes with two different silver remotes, so that’s more evidence of a firmware change. Anyone else experience this? Any way to reprogram the 15 sec reverse?
Yes, firmware upgrades took place – my remotes did the same thing, although i hadn’t reprogrammed those buttons – I’m not sure how / what to do about it, or if you can reprogram or overwrite them or not.
Just stumbled across this today looking for something else. I just had Comcast installed with the HD DVR and “platinum” remote and I used Allan’s tip and had it programmed in seconds!
As far as changing it to AUX from Cable, I didn’t have an Aux device set up but just selected the button like I would if I was going to power on/off my TV using the TV button. Not sure if it was needed or not but it was simple and figured if it worked I’d just go ahead and do it
I had programmed my old ATLAS OCAP 5 remote for a 20 second skip using 994 and 00173. I haven’t been able to do it with a new UR3-SR3 remote from Time Warner. Any help appreciated. Thank you.
You will find all the programming details here Including how to Default a button.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Programming_the_Remote
The skip forward on the Comcast remote worked great. Does anyone have a skip back code?
Thanks!
Theres already a 15 sec default button…
On the Motorola 3400 for Comcast, if you have captions on, it is hard to see the menus. Any suggestions?
Does anyone know if you can rename recordings on your Comcast DVR? I was able to do this on DishNetwork and it was a great feature.
I work for Comcast and they offer us nothing about this. Been using for years and just got the new Platinum remote. This worked perfect. THANKS
Thanks! This definitely helps. The Dish DVR is soooo much better in many different ways. I’m not crazy about Comcast at all, but most homeowners and hoa’s don’t like dishes installed onto the building for the look and the damage (they believe) to the structure.
Hi Everyone! These instructions also worked for Buckeye CableSystem remote
So does this feature not work on the new comcast cable boxes?
I have the Platinum remote. How do I “temporarily change the AUX to CABLE”?
this works on the Platinum Remote with the Red OK button on the new Moto dual DVR box….
You must temporarily reprogram Aux to Cable, set 30 sec skip, then change Aux to your auxiliary device.
1. Press the “Aux” button at the top of the remote to put it into Cable Box control mode.
2. Press and hold the “Setup” button until the “Aux” button blinks twice.
3. Type in the code 01376. The “Aux” button will blink twice.
4. Press the “Aux” button at the top of the remote again
5. Press and hold the “Setup” button until the “Aux” button blinks twice.
6. Type in the code 994. The “Aux” button will blink twice.
7. Press (do not hold) the “Setup” button.
8. Type in the code 00173.
9. Press (do not hold) the “Cable” button.
10. Press whatever button you want to map the 30-second skip command to (ex: A / Lock). The “Cable” button will blink twice if successful.
I followed all of the steps above and received all of the responses, but I did NOT get the 30sec skip feature
I have new rng200 box and platinum remote with red select button. What gives???
Thanks for the tip, it worked perfectly for my remote the first time I tried it.
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I have the Dual Motorola DVR and the Silver remote with the red bottom. As of March 23, 2011, the directions above (added below) worked perfect. Thanks!
1. Press the “Aux” button at the top of the remote to put it into Cable Box control mode.
2. Press and hold the “Setup” button until the “Aux” button blinks twice.
3. Type in the code 01376. The “Aux” button will blink twice.
4. Press the “Aux” button at the top of the remote again
5. Press and hold the “Setup” button until the “Aux” button blinks twice.
6. Type in the code 994. The “Aux” button will blink twice.
7. Press (do not hold) the “Setup” button.
8. Type in the code 00173.
9. Press (do not hold) the “Cable” button.
10. Press whatever button you want to map the 30-second skip command to (ex: A / Lock). The “Cable” button will blink twice if successful.
Thanks Herb!
I have the Dual Motorola DVR and the Silver remote with the red button. As of March 23, 2011, the directions above (added below) worked perfect. Thanks!
1. Press the “Aux” button at the top of the remote to put it into Cable Box control mode.
2. Press and hold the “Setup” button until the “Aux” button blinks twice.
3. Type in the code 01376. The “Aux” button will blink twice.
4. Press the “Aux” button at the top of the remote again
5. Press and hold the “Setup” button until the “Aux” button blinks twice.
6. Type in the code 994. The “Aux” button will blink twice.
7. Press (do not hold) the “Setup” button.
8. Type in the code 00173.
9. Press (do not hold) the “Cable” button.
10. Press whatever button you want to map the 30-second skip command to (ex: A / Lock). The “Cable” button will blink twice if successful.
Thanks Herb!
This is what I did:
Press Cable button
• Hold SETUP (2 flashes)
• type 01376 (2 flashes)
• Select Cable
• Hold SETUP (2 flashes)
• Type 994 (2 flashes)
• Tap SETUP
• Enter 00173
• Tap CABLE
• Tap button to be programmed (2 flashes)
Followed Rob’s post. Worked great.
Used the “Help” button for skip. Convenient location and since it didn’t seem to be used for anything else I figured it would be helpful to skip 30 seconds.
Thanks. Worked for two types of remotes. Now, is there away to go back 10 seconds, like Dish?
My remote has a built-in 15 second rewind… Does yours really not have that? If not, what’s your remote / DVR model?
Well, yes and no. Thanks. Turns out it does have that function for recorded programs, but unlike Dish, it does not seem to work for a program you are watching live. It looks like if you want to go back in live mode, you have to use the left rewind button.
Plus, in Dish, you can do manual record, so that you can record one hour of a two hour show for example. I can’t find this function in Comcast.
On the silver remote, directly beneath the left rewind button is the STOP button, and right beneath that is the 15 second skip back, right?
As far as I know, by default, that SHOULD work fine on live TV – I believe it is supposed to be “always on” – it is for me and other friends, anyone watching sportts live uses it often – If yours isn’t working, a call to Comcast support should help troubleshoot this for you…
In the event you find out that it really is *not* supposed to work, then please do let me know, along with the make / model of your DVR and also let me know the the city in which you have Comcast?
good luck!
I tried it again, and this time it worked. I did not think it worked before, but maybe I just didn’t press hard enough, or perhaps I just have “buyer’s remorse” over switching from Dish to Comcast.
I have the DCX 3400, I did the codes above and assigned my “lock or triangle button” to do 30 second skip. However, when I press this button instead of just skipping ahead 30 seconds it skips 5 minutes which I am already able to do with the page arrows. Any way around this? I have Comcast.
Sorry, I wish I could help…
Life-Saver! I’m so sick of Comcast I’m about ready to use TiVo. They work together, but it’s a tad more costly to do it…
My Mom switched from Dish to Comcast and really misses the 30 second skip. Does the instructions above work with the Cisco RNG200 remote? If I can get it to work for her I am sure I will be the favorite daughter!!! lol