Moto signal level code

Motorola and SA are competitors. Their boxes work quite differently. Post the model number and manufacturer of your box, and you'll have better luck getting an answer.

-Gary

It's a Moto DCT2000 series, RCN variant.

My understanding is that Moto bought this model From S. Atlanta, and that earlier production had the SA label.

Motorola bought General Instruments about 5 years ago, and re-branded the GI models. This was one.

Ah. And the code for signal strength, etc., is?

Hit OK/Select within 1-2 seconds of turning the box off.

Correct. Motorola dumped the GI name very quickly. Only people who paid attention to the names on their set-top boxes knew GI, while Motorola has much, much wider brand recognition. At the time of the GI purchase, Motorola made cell phones, cell phone infrastructure, two-way radios, semiconductors and a host of other technology products. Motorola still makes a lot of this stuff, but the semiconductor business was spun off about a year and a half ago.

Motorola and SA are fierce competitors. It was just announced that SA is getting bought by Cisco. It will be interesting to see what Cisco does with the SA name.

To answer the question that started this; to enter diag mode on Motorola boxes such as the DCT-2000, turn the box off. Within 5 seconds, press the "OK/Select" button on the remote or front panel. Poke around the menus and you'll find lots of interesting information. It is relevant to the channel that was tuned when the box was turned off. Thus, if you want digital signal strength, be sure you're turned to a digital channel before turning the box off. To exit diag mode, use the power button.

Happy Turkey Day!

-Gary