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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
 
#27 ·
I have 2 Roamio Plus models with the issue.

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

I have the Verizon router with Moca enabled, but I am using Ethernet.

I am on FIOS.
 
#28 ·
Same issue. On Fios. See the pixelation only on HBO, Cinemax, and 131 (I don't even have this channel enabled, so didn't notice until I saw it here).

Have roamio basic, and roamio plus. Seeing it on both. Problem did not exist with my premiere and premiere xl.

Using Ethernet, no moca. (But have verizon router)

Spent an hour on the phone with Fios. They rebooted the cards and my entire service multiple times. No change. Fios service visit is scheduled for Tuesday.
 
#29 ·
Marget aka TiVoDesign asked for anyone seeing this issue to email her.

Margret @TiVo.com

Email her your TSNs, I would include any TSNs you have tried on and whether you currently see this.

Also describe exactly what you are seeing in your situation and what you have attempted to resolve so they can start researching. The more information the better. I would also include your setup and details similar to what I mentioned above. Is MoCa enabled on the TiVo, is it off? Is MoCa on the router on or off? Does your Premiere on the same cable work? etc. Anything you can think of no matter how insignificant might help.
 
#31 ·
I've seen zero Fios/Roamio customers say that it doesn't happen -- either the pixelation, or the spontaneously coming unpaired. (I've only seen the latter, but I could've missed the pixelation while I was in the other room.) I'm willing to call it universal at this point. But, if someone else needs a poll to convince them...

HBO/Cinemax are fine on our two Premieres.
 
#40 ·
Anyone get this HBO/Cinemax issue fixed? I'm on Fios and want to get a Roamio and Mini this week to replace 2 Premieres. But I'm not sure I want to go ahead with this if I can't get HBO to work.
Last Wednesday when I got my Roamio I got all my premiums except HBO and Cinemax. I did not have the pixelation issue.

It took two callls to Verizon and an escalation to a supervisor to resolve the issue. RE-activation of the cablecard with a manual input of the Host and Data ID's resolved my issue. All has been fine since.
 
#41 ·
Last Wednesday when I got my Roamio I got all my premiums except HBO and Cinemax. I did not have the pixelation issue.

It took two callls to Verizon and an escalation to a supervisor to resolve the issue. RE-activation of the cablecard with a manual input of the Host and Data ID's resolved my issue. All has been fine since.
It might be worth sending your info to Margret @TiVo.com as a data point for someone who has it working on FiOS with encrypted channels. She would need at least your TSN and possibly some info on your CableCARD.
 
#44 ·
We believe we understand the issue with pixelation on premium channels on Verizon FiOS, and it has to do with how Verizon authorizes the CableCARD. If you are experiencing this issue, please call our Customer Support Center (1-877-367-8486) and they can help you work with Verizon to get the issue resolved.

If after calling our Support Center you still aren't able to see your premium channels on Verizon, please send me email (margret@tivo.com) with all the details.

--Margret
 
#45 ·
We believe we understand the issue with pixelation on premium channels on Verizon FiOS, and it has to do with how Verizon authorizes the CableCARD. If you are experiencing this issue, please call our Customer Support Center (1-877-367-8486) and they can help you work with Verizon to get the issue resolved.

If after calling our Support Center you still aren't able to see your premium channels on Verizon, please send me email (margret@tivo.com) with all the details.

--Margret
Called customer support, but they had no knowledge of the issue. Will follow-up via email.
 
#48 ·
If Verizon is using Motorola M Cards, while tuned to one of the problem premium channels, bring up your Conditional Access screen in your CableCard menu and look at the bottom left for Auth:
http://support.tivo.com/ci/fattach/get/79173/1363627617/redirect/1
Does it say S? Of is it something else from this list?

Auth (should say 'S')If this field contains any other value than S, the CableCARD has not received proper authorization for the channel. Possible values include:

CAD: Channel Authorization Denied. This error usually means that the cable company hasn't added the channel to your subscription, or authorized it for that card.
FWK: This is a temporary error. You might still receive all of your channels, so don't call the cable provider for this error alone unless you are unable to receive channels.
MP: Missing packets in authorization stream. You may see an error in live TV that says something like "Channel not authorized." This error appears when the CableCARD fails to receive all of the authorization information from the headend. Check the signal strength and quality by following the instructions at Troubleshooting digital cable signals on TiVo Series3 and Premiere series DVRs.
NS: The card is not staged and incorrectly paired. You will probably see errors in Con and Val as well, and the CableCARD might be missing critical firmware. Call the cable provider to resolve this issue.
?: The card has not been successfully authorized.

Report any findings to Margret before you call Verizon.

EDIT:
I apologize as I forgot we are dealing with multiple streams so on the Conditional Access page you will see Activeprg: <0> 1 2 3, for 4 tuners, and <0> 1 2 3 4 5 for 6 tuners. Push the select button on your remote and this will cycle through the tuners. The < > will move with each press. Watch the Auth: with each press. The CCI will change values when you hit the tuner for HBO. It might say 0x01.

CCI (0x00 to 0x07)
This field provides the copy protection setting for the program that is currently airing or for the channel being watched. If you are unable to view copy-protected content, verify that your CableCARD is paired correctly.

0x00: Copy freely - Content is not copy protected.
0x01: Copy No More - Essentially the same as 0x02.
0x02: Copy Once - A single recording can be made, but it is not transferable. You won't be able to move the file with Multi-Room Viewing or TiVo Desktop, however you will be able to stream the content to another device through Multi-Room Streaming or TiVo Stream.
0x03: Copy Never - The content can be recorded and viewed for 90 minutes after transmission, and is not transferable. You won't be able to move the file with Multi-Room Viewing or TiVo Desktop, however you will be able to stream the content to another device through Multi-Room Streaming or TiVo Stream.
0x04: Content is Copy Once for digital content, but would have Macrovision 7-Day Unlimited restriction applied on the analog outputs. This affects content viewed either on an HDTV with component cabling or on a standard definition TV. It also affects content saved to VCR or DVD when the recorder is connected to an analog output on the box.
0x07: Content is Copy Never for digital content (deleted after 90 minutes) and Macrovision 24 hours/7 days a weeks for content recorded from analog channels.
 
#49 ·
Spent the entire day messing around with this with both Verizon and Tivo, both claiming I am the only one with this problem! The only thing I find disturbing is that I have a plus that works perfectly and a pro with the pixilation problem.

Margret, If you could elaborate on what customer support is doing to help that would be terrific, thanks!
 
#50 ·
The cable cards are paired. The copy protected channels do not come through without major pixillization.

An 'S' means the card has been activated. You need to ensure that you have something besides '??' In the Val field. Without the Val field showing the correct value, you get a blank screen.
 
#51 ·
If Verizon is using Motorola M Cards, while tuned to one of the problem premium channels, bring up your Conditional Access screen in your CableCard menu and look at the bottom left for Auth:
http://support.tivo.com/ci/fattach/get/79173/1363627617/redirect/1
Does it say S? Of is it something else from this list?

Auth (should say 'S')If this field contains any other value than S, the CableCARD has not received proper authorization for the channel. Possible values include:
Mine does indeed say Auth:S
It also says Val: V

I've spent about 6 hours on the phone with FIOS and paired my cable cards who knows how many times. Hopefully this issue will soon be added as a "known issue" at TiVo with some recommendations on what to do with FIOS Support.
 
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