Comcast's guide software adds brains, but beauty remains elusive

We've talked at length about the (lack of) quality in most cable DVR software, but it looks like for Comcast customers it will be getting at least a little better very soon. The new A28 guide software is rolling out across the country with tweaked searches for upcoming events, a single click 5 minute back/forward skip function tied to the Page up/Down remote buttons, mass delete on recordings and of course, Remote DVR scheduling. Of course we're still waiting for the facelifted i-Guide we saw at CES '08, but for now this will have to do. Motorola's official blog suggests all areas should see the new software in the first half of this year along with some first hand impressions, while Comcast offers a detailed breakdown of the features on the way and a video walkthrough available (embedded after the break.)

[iPaul Posted Jan 14th 2010 4:45PM]

These cable menu's are still ugly as sin. I want more for my money.

[MJGAMER 1991 XBL Posted Jan 14th 2010 6:16PM]

So is this automatic or by USB?

[MRCUR Posted Jan 14th 2010 7:37PM]

@MJGAMER 1991 XBL - Uh, automatic. I've never heard of a Moto STB updating over USB.

[obiterdictum Posted Jul 1st 2010 10:00PM]

@MJGAMER 1991 XBL
Um, any firewire/USB/eSATA ports on your cable STB are likely just for show. The hardware might be there but no cable company would ever make them purposeful.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 14th 2010 6:17PM]

thats cool i guess too bad i live in a cisco area

[DeadPlasmaCell Posted Jan 14th 2010 6:36PM]

So what about those who have SA boxes?

[MRCUR Posted Jan 14th 2010 7:38PM]

Just a quick note: the upgrade generally takes place over two nights. The first night the STB will be rebooted and possibly show updated software (NOT what is shown in the screenshots though). The next night A28 will actually be rolled out.

Also, the updates usually happen between 1am - 6am, with the update taking ~45 mins.

[Talent384 Posted Jan 14th 2010 7:48PM]

Wow... All these "NEW" features comming soon to comcasts motorola DVR's are the same features that I've had on my Directv dvr for over 4 years now, only comcasts is an uglier version of it.

[Michael Kirschner Posted Jan 14th 2010 7:58PM]

"a single click 5 minute back/forward skip function tied to the Page up/Down remote buttons"

I have already had that on my Comcast Cable of Burlington Connecticut for some time. I never use that feature it skips to far forward I instead use the 30 sec skip (simple hack required) that I have tied to the help button, which the Comcast of my area doesn't use.

[Michael Kirschner Posted Jan 14th 2010 8:01PM]

I would rather have better features than prettier menus, good going Comcast. I don't see the need for good looking menus the only thing that I want to look good on my tv is the actual show or movie.

[iPaul Posted Jan 15th 2010 3:21AM]

@Michael Kirschner I disagree with you, the guide, the menu, the whole look and feel of cable guides/menus is 1980's. These menus/guides are hideous compared to what is potentially avaliable in 2010. As for the functions it has clearly been stated that 90% of the functionality is nothing new on cable or sat.

[andysexton Posted Jan 15th 2010 9:09AM]

@Michael Kirschner Why does it have to be mutually exclusive? Nice GUI and nice functionality can live together.

[Jeff Kibuule Posted Jan 14th 2010 9:11PM]

Windows Media Center >> anything else.

[glennS Posted Jan 15th 2010 2:01PM]

The feature that I'm still waiting for is the "does not randomly slow to the speed of a snail for 10 seconds, while buffering every remote key press that you were not sure it registered, then performing all those actions very quickly, and then slowing down to the speed of a snail again". Let me know when they add that feature.

[PeterFnet Posted Jan 15th 2010 4:18PM]

I always like new features. Still pretty lame.

[Michael Kirschner Posted Jan 25th 2010 3:20PM]

The red light just popped up on my Cable Box looks like Connecticut gets the update on Tuesday Feb 2nd same day lost airs it warns that scheduled recordings may be lost so I need to be extra careful that day

[jjr007 Posted Feb 23rd 2010 8:37AM]

Welcome to 2006 Comcast. Directv's dvr has had all these features and more.