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…
Other stuff I've written:
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calmnsense says:
Give the Comcast rep credit for telling you the “secret” but the dispute is between the networks and cable ops…not the manufacturers like Motorola.
You’re not alone in loving this feature, of course. In early trials of TiVo users, 88% skipped thru the ads. Hence, when DVRs expanded into the cable universe, the pressure was really on. Of course, given the amount of advertising that Comcast sells directly on their cable systems, you might say that they put the pressure on themselves!
Scott says:
Yes, I do give him credit for mentioning the hack in the first place, even if he wasn’t allowed to give me a URL.
Also a good point about them selling advertising too, on their own channels. I hadn’t even thought of that…
Bill G says:
Not so new a development.
That and oh, so much more here:
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR
I have 2 Comcast Moto 6412’s and have had the skip hack on them for quite some time.
Bill G says:
Also, its hard to take seriously the Comcast reps charge that Motorola asked that their product be defeatured by Comcast. Almost certainly, it was advertisers or networks asking Comcast to do it.
Scott says:
Thanks Bill G for the Wiki link – good stuff there for sure.
John says:
Awesome Tip Man! I actually had this feature when a very “cool” cable came to correct a DVR problem I was having. He hooked me up by programming the “A” button for the 30 second jump. He didn’t tell me how, he just casually said “..here I added a feature for you”. We just got a second DVR & the cableguy that installed that one was clueless when I asked him to set up the 30 second button??? SO… I started searching & found your blog! Cool man! Thanks Again!
Jim says:
Thanks so much! Love the 30 sec skip!!
sam says:
I have comcast digital cable with HD and cable, and the program doesn’t work on my remote. the buttons blink like it received the command, but when I try to skip 30 seconds, it freezes for a second and then resumes play in the same place. I read something about the seattle area having the microsoft software that is not programmable, anyone can confirm/deny that claim?
Tgood5000 says:
Just a hint, try linking the 30 second skip to the “c” button. That way you can still use the lock button. I’m not sure if there is any use for the “c” button anyways.
Jimmy says:
I followed the instructions and it all went well until the last step, since then my remote had done nothing but blink and it will not transfer any commands. Have taken out batteries, unplugged everything, nothing is making it work. Any thoughts?
Scott says:
Hmm, well I guess I’d try it again, Jimmy, and see if it works a second time? I did end up having to do one of my remotes twice…
Joe says:
DO NOT use the “C” button!!!!!
The “B” and “C” buttons are very useful when you have the on-screen guide up!
The “C” button moves you forward ONE DAY
and likewise
the “B” button moves you back ONE DAY
That makes it very easy to look one or two weeks
ahead to search for something.
Debbie says:
Does anyone know how to make the Motorola DVR fast forward faster while viewing on-demand programming? I have the 30 sec skip, but it doesn’t work for on-demand.
Scott says:
Wow, how awesome would that be?
Promotional Dude says:
Scott,
How funny is this! I was searching for a hack do just what you wrote about here. The funny part is that I landed on your site after we spent several hours talking with each other at pubcon last week.
This site looks good, I will take a longer look at it this week.
Thx for the tip!
Monte
Scott says:
Monte – Ha! Small world!
too funny…
Sue says:
Well, I feel stupid and I’ve screwed up my remote.
My brother gave me this info but I wasn’t aware that I should have used a “lettered” button. In the instruction I got was to use “any button” on the remote.
Well, for whatever stupid reason I used three. Now I can’t use the three button to put in a channel.
HOW THE HELL DO I DELETE THIS FUNCTION and start over again ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Scott Hendison says:
Hmm, I’m sorry to hear that –
I’d post your question here…
here to get a fix recommended.
Gwon says:
I love you. One quick Google search and I am whole again. Thanks for the post!
Scott says:
I’m happy it helped!
I.M. Kableman says:
The pressure to not “discuss” this wonderful feature comes directly from programmers. Go figure. We are told to not even talk about it with new hires.
As for those having issues with programming the remote with this, here is a hint. Look for the “ok” button in the center. If is colored red, you have a 5 number code remote, meaning you need 5 numbers to program various devices. These seem to have no trouble with the 30 second skip (I cannot speak for every single remote out there, every one I have seen has been fine) If the center “ok” button is grey, that is a 4 number code remote. A older remote that works just fine, but seems to have a issue taking the 30 second skip code. Probably half of the 4 number code remotes I have messed with would not take the code. A factory programming problem maybe
Scott says:
Wow, thanks for the input I.M. Your secret is safe with us
Renee says:
Ahhh! This is great! I had that feature before I switched back to cable. Wow, didnt realize how much I missed it. Thank you so much!
codes for remote control says:
[...] programming the ability into the remote control for the Motorola DCT3412 DVR, and shares it here.http://www.pdxtc.com/wpblog/archives/289GE Universal Remote Codes3-Digits Universal remote codes purchased before August of 2002, [...]
Charles Morgan says:
I stumbled on this link while searching for how to program an older tv to work with the Comcast Cable Remote.
I’ve been wanting this “feature” ever since I say a friend do this “skip” routine with a Dishnet remote. I’ve been told that Comcast just didn’t offer this feature.
For some reason it took me 3 times before this hack worked. I GLAD I tried it on more time. I don’t know what DVR I have although it’s a new one and I think the latest model. My “OK” button is grey. I uses the “FAV” button for the skip since I don’t use it for favorites.
My advise is for anyone having trouble making this hack work, give it at least 3 attempts before giving up.
My advise
Doug says:
Note this tip also works on the later model Motorol DVRs, at least it did on my Motorola DCH3416. This is the second time I have had to locate this tip, I LOVE the 30 second skip! We had to get a new remote and needed to reprogram this feature. THANKS a million times over for the post.
AB says:
Thanks, Worked like a charm!
Ethan says:
I have tried these steps on both DCH3416 units (with Comcast remotes) and it does not work. I have tried to map over the B , C , PG UP , PG DOWN , and some of the unused pic-n-pic buttons. no affect. Doesnt matter if I do try on a DVR’d program or pause TV for 5min and try it. I have found that PG UP will skip 5min forward and PG DOWN will skip back 15sec.
Don says:
I’ve been looking for this hack since switching from DirecTV, sweet!
Scott says:
Huh – sorry it didn’t work for you Ethan – others all seem to be having success though, and I’m glad you guys seem to like it. I would have likely gone back to Dish if I couldn’t find this…
Ethan says:
Actually, I got it fixed. I must have had an odd case of dyslexia… twice our found these steps on a different page. Where your instructions say “994″, I was pressing “944″. I did this on 2 different units with 2 different remotes. After I actually tried “994″, it works perfectly… twice I might add.
MaxCrack says:
You forgot a step…
1) Press the “Cable” button at the top of the remote to put it into Cable Box control mode.
2) Press and hold the “Setup” button until the “Cable” button blinks twice.
3) Type in the code 994. The “Cable” button will blink twice
4) Press (do not hold) the “Setup” button
5) Type in the code 00173 (for 30 second Skip)
6) Press whatever button you want to map the skip
MaxCrack says:
Never mind, I missed it in your original post. Damn beer.
paula says:
My page up buttons were 30 sec skip buttons they went forward and backward, but all of a sudden they were skipping 5 min – useless. I reprogramed one of them your codes for 30 sec works great, but only forward – any way to skip back 30 secs
paula says:
I found my answer on http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/How_to_use_a_Motorola_DVR/Programming_the_Remote
I put 30 sec skip on fast forard and 15 sec rewind on fast rewind
It worked great with dvr and tv havent tried it with on demand but you can use other arrows
Mike says:
This also works with the remote supplied for this box by Armstrong Cable (Ohio, Pennsylvania…). I mapped it to the “F2″ button right above the “live” button. No idea what F1 and F2 do, but now at least one does something…
THANKS for the tip! I, too miss Dish Network…
Scott says:
Maxx and Ethan – were you guys drinking together?
You’re welcome Mike – Glad to hear it’s not just good for Comcast!
Dave says:
Having a problem with the 30 second hack. It works okay by itself but not if I try to use fast forward or reverse afterwards. The DVR resets to the beginning of the program. Since the commercial breaks vary in length, I use several 30 second skips to go through most of the break, then try to use fast forward to finish out the break. Or if I used one too many 30 second skips you have to use fast reverse. I used the A button and the DVR is the DCH3416.
Anyone else having this problem? Anyone find a fix?
Juan234 says:
thanks for the info!!!!
Comcast tech support rep says:
Ya…I work for comcast tech support as well and we were told about this but told that we were not uspposed to let people know about it but if they were pretty “concerned” to let them know that if they search they can find what they want…
There is a skip forward and skip back…and can program these remotes for ALLLLLL kinds of stuff…just look up JP1 codes, its a bit techy, and a bit complicated, but lets you program these for ANYTHING you want!
Eric says:
After 2 years of using the awesome “secret skip 30 seconds forward” feature, my remote finally broke and I had to get a new one. I asked The Comcast guys about it and they told me in no uncertain terms that “the new remotes don’t allow that feature”. Stubbornly, I searched the internet and followed the directions on my new remote, and it still works! Thanks again for posting this!
But yeah, there’s definitely some strange politics going on about this feature.
30 Second Skip at Midquel… says:
[...] i spend Sunday trying to figure out more about how the stupid Comcast DVR works, I found this 30-second skip hack. It does not achieve my original challenge of figuring out if I can stream YouTube to the device, [...]
Jeff says:
Does anyone know how to program this feature for the Synergy U63CDR remote that comes with RCN’S DVR 3416?
Bill says:
I have a problem similar to Dave’s.
Skip works but now Replay does not work. I cannot reset Replay, yet.
Dave says:
Thanks Bill,
Glad to know I am not alone. I have found that the problem is intermittent. Most of the time I can use fast forward or reverse after skip(s) without a problem. I think I run into the problem if I do a lot skipping and fast forwarding/reverse. Leads me to believe there is some kind of hardware or software buffer that I am filling up and overflowing.
Brian says:
Got a new remote and had to re-program this. I have always used the PIP (+) button. It’s at the bottom and easy for the thumb to find and it is easy to remember that + means plus 30.
Bill says:
Hi Brian,
I receive four or five commercials in a row ! I need a two minute skip. I tried to write a macro for a skip of two minutes but I couldn’t get it to work.
Bill
303-477-9333 says:
I have a Comcast remote for a Motorola DVR. The page up and down buttons always fast forwards and rewinds 5 minutes. I have never programmed these buttons.
DM says:
Can anyone tell me how to REMOVE the 30 Sec.SKIP COMMERCIAL function from a TV remote that was added using the instructions on this blog?
I want to
1)Remove it from the current button
2)Return the button to its DEFAULT function, and
3)Choose a DIFFERENT button to reset it for skipping commercials.
The person who set it used the CHILD SAFETY LOCK BUTTON! ‘Not a good idea.
Bill says:
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.