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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
 
#53 ·
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.
Check my post for more information as I edited it. I forgot we are dealing with multiple tuners.
 
#54 ·
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.
Read my edit in my post above. You have to push the select button on your remote to cycle through the tuners. When you first bring up the Conditional Access screen it will be on the first tuner and not necessary on the channel you are tuned to.
 
#55 ·
I'd love to get email from everyone who has a Roamio on FiOS and has HBO.

Please send me your TSN, your city/state/zip, and indicate if HBO is clear or macroblocked.

to: margret@tivo.com subject: "Roamio + FiOS + HBO"

(We are trying to understand if this is regional or not.)

Thanks!
--Margret
 
#57 ·
I'm new here but have been following this thread for a few days. I just received my Roamio Plus and have Fios. I'm using Verizon's router with MoCA. I don't have HBO but have Cinemax and have no issues - Verizon paired the cablecard quickly over the phone and I do not have any pixelation. I'm in Central New Jersey.
 
#58 ·
Read my edit in my post above. You have to push the select button on your remote to cycle through the tuners. When you first bring up the Conditional Access screen it will be on the first tuner and not necessary on the channel you are tuned to.
Correct. Checking the Auth will determine if the cable card has been authorized. You can check it on each tuner although with one cable card, I'd be surprised if that changed as you cycled.

You must also have a valid "Val" field to ensure it's been paired. It is two distinct states to ensure you have both activation and a paired card. If you have "??" in the Val field, you'll be able to tune to non copy protected channels fine but you'll get the blank unauthorized screen on the copy protected channels.
 
#62 ·
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:
PM sent with an off-topic question on this screen.
 
#63 ·
As an update, I received a new cable card in the mail from Verizon today. I didn't realize one was coming.

After getting it paired, it looks like my pixelation is gone. It's only been going for about 15 minutes but the picture has been clear.

I'll post how it is going after a few hours.
 
#64 ·
I just seen this picture from another post:
[media]http://i.imgur.com/XqQRX9S.jpg[/media]
I had a similar issue a few years ago and the problem was at the headend due to a problem in receiving the feed from the satellite.
I am not saying this is the issue but HBO and Cinemax come off the same bird.
 
#68 ·
I just seen this picture from another post:
[media]http://i.imgur.com/XqQRX9S.jpg[/media]
I had a similar issue a few years ago and the problem was at the headend due to a problem in receiving the feed from the satellite.
I am not saying this is the issue but HBO and Cinemax come off the same bird.
That is exactly what I was seeing although a more visible picture floated in and out. I know HBO and CINE signals were fine since they worked on the other Tivo's and the FIOS box.

Well.. and the fact it works now.
 
#70 ·
I just got off the phone with Verizon activating my new Roamio. Verizon was aware of the macroblocking issue. It took and hour for them to get HBO added back to my account and I am seeing the macroblocking. I sent an email to Margret. I will give it a few days and see if others get the issue resolved. I reused the older M card from my TivoHD.
 
#71 ·
I just got off the phone with Verizon activating my new Roamio. Verizon was aware of the macroblocking issue. It took and hour for them to get HBO added back to my account and I am seeing the macroblocking. I sent an email to Margret. I will give it a few days and see if others get the issue resolved. I reused the older M card from my TivoHD.
What is the firmware version?
 
#72 ·
I'm able to see my HBO now, but it's still an issue.
My HBO was completely unwatchable with severe macroblocking.
I set 6 things to record on other channels to get all of the tuners off of HBO. Then I stopped the recordings and tune to HBO and it either comes in clear or with much less macroblocking to where it's watchable. After a reboot, HBO is back to completely unwatchable.
I've done this process 4 times, 3 times the image was clear and 1 time there was a small amount of macroblocking,
I don't know why that's working, and it's not acceptable enough for me to keep the Roamio if we don't figure this out.
Anyone else wan't to try it to see if this is a fluke? I haven't tried extended viewing periods yet.
 
#74 ·
Verizon called me last night to trouble shoot this issue, which surprised me. Most of their efforts were around various ways of resetting the cable card, none of which solved the issue. I was surprised to hear from them without TiVo being on the call but pleased that something was happening...I'll be more pleased when there is a resolution.

They told me they would continue researching and get back to me.

Pulling/resetting the card does not have any impact for me.
 
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