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HBO / Cinemax pixelating

66K views 182 replies 53 participants last post by  djgoldman 
#1 ·
Hi all,

Has anyone seen an issue where just some of the premiums are pixelating? I repaired both my cablecards with my new roamios tonight any everything is working except hbo/ Cinemax are very pixelated.

I have FiosTV

*** RESOLVED ***

We have a theory on this problem with macroblocking/pixelation on Verizon FiOS premium channels.

If you are experiencing this problem please pull out your CableCARD, and look at the part number above the barcode on the back.

If that number is either one of these:
514517-002-00 (MCPOD1)
514517-006-00 (MCPOD2)
we think you'll experience the problem.

We believe CableCARDs with this number:
514517-017-00 (MCPOD3)
will work correctly.

Please let me know ASAP if your experience differs from our expectations. (margret@tivo.com)

Thanks!
--Margret
Here's the latest on Roamio + Verizon:

1. You want to make sure the CableCARD you are putting in your Roamio has this part number: 514517-017-00. (On the back, above the barcode.) If your Roamio has a CableCARD with a different part number, you'll need to call Verizon and have them swap the card.

2. If you have the correct part number, but your HBO or other premium channels are still "pixelating" then it is likely that your CableCARD is "authorized" but not "paired". Call Verizon's activation line 1-888-897-7499 and keep asking for "tech support". Once you have reached someone in tech support, tell them your CableCARD is authorized but not paired, and ask them to "Manually Validate Set Top Box". (I have been told this instruction is what has worked for other customers.)

I will let you know if we are able to release an update that allows the older cards to work. For now, please make sure you have the newest card.

Thanks for your patience.

--Margret
 
#2 ·
I had this happen on my S3 right before the power supply died. It wasn't talking to the CableCARD correctly.

Try reseating the CableCARD to make sure it doesn't have a bad connection. Also check the signal strength of those channels in the Settings section just to make sure it's not a low signal problem.
 
#7 ·
I'm having the same issue. Terrible pixelation on HBO and Cinemax.
I hooked the roamio up yesterday, gave up after 3 calls to Verizon to pair the card (moved it from Windows Media Center)
Called again today, and he was about to give up but tried one more thing. Whatever it was - it worked. I can now tune both channels but the pixelation makes them unwatchable.
I have several attenuators left by the original installer and tried multiple configurations. I think it may have worked at one point but I can't recreate it. When I do hook them up I completely loose some other channels.

I'm not sure what to do. I'm assuming if it wasn't paired/activated correctly, then I wouldn't get the premium channels at all. Is it possible a new card would fix it? It worked fine in the media center.
 
#12 ·
#16 ·
I don't have Fios, but may be moving to a Fios area so have been reading up on it. I read somewhere that you should suggest to your Verizon tech to use a system called DTI Express for authorizing your CableCard. Apparently they won’t try it unless you ask.

Ted
 
#17 ·
I have the same problem on a new Romio. The channels work fine on an S3 and HD.

The copy protected channels (hbo, cinemax, ch 131) all are pixellated and pretty much unusable/watchable.

I described it in another thread (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=507924).

I've tried 3 different cable cards.
I've tried attenuators and low pass filters.
My SNR is around 38, signal strength from 95-100, and error counts are all 0.

Nothing has helped yet. All regular channels are working fine.
 
#21 ·
Just joining the party with this issue. TiVo tech support is suggesting attenuators which I have not found to try yet. I did try three separate cable cards -- all of which worked fine in my premier on the same exact cable line.

TiVo tech support fixated on the 100 signal strength, i also have 42 SNR

Picture quality is terrible, massive horizontal disruption. It seems to clear for about 2-3 seconds, then goes back to garbled for 10-12 seconds.
 
#22 ·
I tried attenuators. It lowered the SNR and signal strength but had no impact. I also tried a low pass filter with the same result.

If you want to lower your signal strength and don't have an attenuator, add a splitter or two. That should lower both your SNR and signal strength.
 
#25 ·
Is everyone here using MoCa?

Is everyone using the base Roamio?

Is everyone seeing it on copy once channels only on FiOS which are Cinemax and HBO?

Is anyone seeing this who isn't on FiOS?

I know in the past on some devices MoCa can sometimes interfere with the signal. Ceton InfiniTV users had issues and needed the POE filters to block out the MoCa signal.

The more data about the usage and your setups you can get together the quicker TiVo can probably fix it.
 
#26 ·
I'm not use Moca although I have the Verizon router with Moca enabled. I did add a filter for Moca on the Roamio and it had no impact on my problem. I had a Ceton card for a while and Moca could interfere with a number of channels depending on the frequency you have your Moca set to. The filter solved that problem. I'm using the ethernet hookup.

I have a Roamio Pro.

The copy once channels are HBO, Cinemax, and Ch 131. I don't remember seeing any others.

I also emailed Margret and sent them my TSN.

My setup is pretty basic as far as my Roamio is concerned.
 
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