Series 3 Verizon FIOS HD compat?

[stevieboy]

I have Fios and I'm getting two CC's installed for my new HD TiVo on Thursday. Anything I should do to make the install go smooth? Also, has anyone gotten 2 CC's for the price of one because it is only one outlet? GREAT FORUM!!!

Thanks
Steve

[Ron Tobin]

Also, has anyone gotten 2 CC's for the price of one because it is only one outlet?

Thanks
Steve

Each cable card is $2.98, so you're looking at $5.96 for your two cable cards.

P.S. Send your installer my way, when finished, as they still owe me one card relative to the home visit I had this past Saturday. ;)

[brimonte]

as far as i know....he has yet to call them. and as far as our tech support is concerned, they haven't fixed it yet. anything else i hear I'll post it.

[jerich007]

Hello -

I'm seriously considering picking up a Series3 from Costco... my question is: are there any options for doing something like Verizon's MultiRoom DVR setup? I'd love to use the Series3 centrally in the living room, and using another device (homebrew or otherwise) to access it from the bedroom, office, etc.

Thanks
- J

[bdraw]

I'm seriously considering picking up a Series3 from Costco... my question is: are there any options for doing something like Verizon's MultiRoom DVR setup? I'd love to use the Series3 centrally in the living room, and using another device (homebrew or otherwise) to access it from the bedroom, office, etc.


No, there will be MRV in November, but that will require a TiVo at every TV.

[frombhto323]

No, there will be MRV in November, but that will require a TiVo at every TV.

Do you mean every TV that you want to utilize MRV with must have a TiVo, or every TV in the house, regardless? I plan on having 2 TiVos in my house with 2 Fios boxes at the other TVs. I hope you are not saying this won't work.

[TexasAg]

Do you mean every TV that you want to utilize MRV with must have a TiVo, or every TV in the house, regardless? I plan on having 2 TiVos in my house with 2 Fios boxes at the other TVs. I hope you are not saying this won't work.

What are you expecting, that the Tivo boxes talk to the Verizon DVR boxes? They're completely different boxes using completely different technology to do MRV (IP vs. Moca).

[bdraw]

I mean every TV that has a TiVo will be able to watch content from any TiVo in the house.

[frombhto323]

What are you expecting, that the Tivo boxes talk to the Verizon DVR boxes? They're completely different boxes using completely different technology to do MRV (IP vs. Moca).

No. I was just trying to verify that all TVs did not need to have Tivos in order for MRV viewing to work between those TVs that do. I asked the question because it seems obvious to me that MRV won't work on a TV that does not have a Tivo box connected to it.

[TexasAg]

No. I was just trying to verify that all TVs did not need to have Tivos in order for MRV viewing to work between those TVs that do. I asked the question because it seems obvious to me that MRV won't work on a TV that does not have a Tivo box connected to it.

You're right, MRV works between any two Tivos (depending on what kind they are and if they've all been updated, hopefully shortly).

[aaronwt]

No, there will be MRV in November, but that will require a TiVo at every TV.

Why wouldn't you have a TiVo at every TV? No point in having a TV without a TiVo connected to it.

[JustAllie]

Why wouldn't you have a TiVo at every TV? No point in having a TV without a TiVo connected to it.
Wait... a TV will work without a TiVo attached to it? :confused:

I have not tried that since... um... the fall of 2000.

[denm316]

Hello,

I just got my Series 3 and Verizon is coming out to install the Cable Cards on Saturday morning. Is there anything I should know that can help me out or make the porcess a little easier.

Anyone using a Series 3 in the Bucks County area of PA.

Thanks,
-Dennis

[bdraw]

Yes, go ahead and run guided setup before they get there.
Then make sure they use slot 1 first.
They will need 4 numbers to enter into their computer.
One is on the back of the card and the other three show up under the CableCARD menu (can't remember which menu item, but I think it's the top one).
After they activate the card there will be an error, I believe it's 161-4, but read through this thread to be sure.
It might take some time for them to activate, don't assume the card is bad unless you get an error. Take that error number and search this thread to see if anyone else has gotten it before.

Honestly, there have been a few issues, so to be on the safe side it'll be worth your while to read this entire thread.

[andrews777]

You may get a bunch of those errors. I did, but things have been working fine for weeks after everything was setup.

Brad

[JustAllie]

Yes, go ahead and run guided setup before they get there.
Then make sure they use slot 1 first.
They will need 4 numbers to enter into their computer.
One is on the back of the card and the other three show up under the CableCARD menu (can't remember which menu item, but I think it's the top one).
After they activate the card there will be an error, I believe it's 161-4, but read through this thread to be sure.
It might take some time for them to activate, don't assume the card is bad unless you get an error. Take that error number and search this thread to see if anyone else has gotten it before.

Honestly, there have been a few issues, so to be on the safe side it'll be worth your while to read this entire thread.I second this motion -- there are useful posts buried in the thread that will help you out when the technician arrives.

[cxpistol]

verizon techs have been out 3 times now trying to correct my pixelation problem on channels 825 thru 834. still no luck, but they seem to be intent on fixing this. I know it's not the Tivo series 3 because I have a cable card directly in a 32" Sony and it does the same thing. I'll send another post when this gets fixed.

[gages97]

I am currently a DirectTV user with the HR10 unit.

I have FIOS for internet and phone. 3 questions:

1. For the FIOS TV what additional cables need to be run from the ONT to inside the house? Is this coax cable and if so how many?

2. Once in the house, how does the distribution work? Does the cable from the ONT come into some type of splitter/multiswitch and how many ports does the splitter/multiswitch have?

3. I assume that the cable between the splitter/multiswitch is coax. If I am going to use 2 cablecards in the Tivo, I assume I need 2 coax cables (like I do now for the 2 DirectTV tuners)


Thx,


Steve

[acvthree]

1. Is your internet Ethernet now? There will also need to be one coax from the ONT.

2. The coax would go to a splitter. My installer chose the splitter to match the decibal level of the output from the ONT (ONTs have a hot output and some attenuation is sometimes needed). For my installation, that was an 8 way splitter even though four of the outputs are terminated.

3. No. Just one cable to the HDTivo. For my installation I have one coax cable going to my Series 3, one cable to the Actiontec router (needed for some of the TV functions) and one cable to a standard STB is a secondary room. You will also need to run an Ethernet to the HDTivo or use WiFi (the preference is Ethernet).

[Raphael]

I am currently a DirectTV user with the HR10 unit.

I have FIOS for internet and phone. 3 questions:

1. For the FIOS TV what additional cables need to be run from the ONT to inside the house? Is this coax cable and if so how many?
If you already have FIOS Internet then no new cables are needed. The do hook some sort of box up to an ethernet connection to help control FIOS-OnDemand.

2. Once in the house, how does the distribution work? Does the cable from the ONT come into some type of splitter/multiswitch and how many ports does the splitter/multiswitch have?
They just connect the ONT to your existing TV distribution cables. So they'll disconnect the coax running from DTV and connect it to the ONT.

3. I assume that the cable between the splitter/multiswitch is coax. If I am going to use 2 cablecards in the Tivo, I assume I need 2 coax cables (like I do now for the 2 DirectTV tuners)
Just need one coax into the TIVO. The 2 Cablecards can split the signal.

[gages97]

Raphael,

Currently there is ethernet, phone, and the ups cabels coming from the ONT. I don't need anything else coming from the outside for TV?

DirecTV uses a multiswitch which is not a simple spliier/amplifier, sounds like FIOS needs a simple cable distribution spliter.

You sure about #3?


Steve

[mamosley]

I am currently a DirectTV user with the HR10 unit.

I have FIOS for internet and phone. 3 questions:

1. For the FIOS TV what additional cables need to be run from the ONT to inside the house? Is this coax cable and if so how many?
If you already have FIOS Internet then no new cables are needed. The do hook some sort of box up to an ethernet connection to help control FIOS-OnDemand. Depends on the ont. Some ont's are configured with internet running over cat 5 to the router then you still have the coax for the video. Some onts are running the video and cat 5 over coax.

2. Once in the house, how does the distribution work? Does the cable from the ONT come into some type of splitter/multiswitch and how many ports does the splitter/multiswitch have?
They just connect the ONT to your existing TV distribution cables. So they'll disconnect the coax running from DTV and connect it to the ONT. Fios doesnt need the the distribution block that satellite providers need. One coax from ont to a splitter that feeds all the rooms.

3. I assume that the cable between the splitter/multiswitch is coax. If I am going to use 2 cablecards in the Tivo, I assume I need 2 coax cables (like I do now for the 2 DirectTV tuners)
Just need one coax into the TIVO. The 2 Cablecards can split the signal. 2 Cable cards, one coax cable. If you have the actiontec router and only a coax cable for your internet currently if you get fios tv to replace direct tv the same coax gets connected to the splitter that feeds all the rooms. In most instances the satellite distribution block get replaced with a splitter.

[gages97]

Right now I have Cat5 from the ONT into the ActionTec router. Sounds like I will need to run a single coax from the ONT to the inside of the house.

In this case, does the Coax replace the Cat5?

[acvthree]

No. The coax does not replace the Cat5. It could be done that way, but you should tell the installer not to do that.

You will have two cables from the ONT, one Ethernet and one CoAx.

The Coax is then split to go to the various TVs, HDTivos and one connection back to the Actiontec.

The actiontec will send a message back to the headend over the Ethernet for VOD requests.

Al

[gages97]

Got it.

So Coax from ONT to a splitter in the house with a connection to ActionTec coax port and then the Tivo's with the cablecards?

What programming has to happen on the AxtionTec?

Currently I have 2 x coax from my wiring panels to each room. Does each cablecard take a separate coax feed?

[mamosley]

No. The coax does not replace the Cat5. It could be done that way, but you should tell the installer not to do that.

You will have two cables from the ONT, one Ethernet and one CoAx.

The Coax is then split to go to the various TVs, HDTivos and one connection back to the Actiontec.

The actiontec will send a message back to the headend over the Ethernet for VOD requests.

Al
It depends on the ont. Newer ont's are configured and provisioned for moca. which means your internet and tv signal are running over the coax to the ont. Yes you can request the ethernet port be turned on for data but then you have to convince the field tech to run the cat 5 for you and if its not on the order he has every right to say no. Then you have to speak with billing and ask for a data jack install which there is a charge for and at that point they will make the ethernet port active. Besides, coax has more bandwidth than ethernet and me personally I would rather deal with one less wire and like to have the ability to simply move the router from coax outlet to another when I re-arrange furniture.

[mamosley]

Got it.

So Coax from ONT to a splitter in the house with a connection to ActionTec coax port and then the Tivo's with the cablecards?

What programming has to happen on the AxtionTec?

Currently I have 2 x coax from my wiring panels to each room. Does each cablecard take a separate coax feed?
Fios doesnt use rf return like cable companies do. The stb's send the request over ip traffic thru the coax. You dont have to 'program' the Actiontec. It is good to go out of the box. Your tivo with two cable cards needs only one coax cable. period.

[DCIFRTHS]

It depends on the ont. Newer ont's are configured and provisioned for moca. ...

This is how my friend's install was done (private house). I wonder how they will be doing the install in my co-op? Currently they are discussing molding for the install...

If they put an ONT, that handles more than one "household", in the hallway, next to the cable boxes, they could install power outlets, run coax to each apt, and we would get internet and TV via coax. Phone would remain on the already installed POTS lines.

The scenario above would be the easiest setup for the residents, as no one in the building has electricity in the closet where the POTS lines run from the riser in the meter room. This closet is probably where they would mount the ONT as they could just tap into the in-wall phone lines. I don't see anyone installing an outlet in the closet, and running an extension cord is not a viable option.

I wonder what they will do :confused:

[acvthree]

It depends on the ont. Newer ont's are configured and provisioned for moca. which means your internet and tv signal are running over the coax to the ont. Yes you can request the ethernet port be turned on for data but then you have to convince the field tech to run the cat 5 for you and if its not on the order he has every right to say no. Then you have to speak with billing and ask for a data jack install which there is a charge for and at that point they will make the ethernet port active. Besides, coax has more bandwidth than ethernet and me personally I would rather deal with one less wire and like to have the ability to simply move the router from coax outlet to another when I re-arrange furniture.


Yes, but he currently has Ethernet.

There have been long discussions on this. There is some minor latency benefit to having both Ethernet and Coax.

Either way, the installer would use the existing Ethernet if requested.

Al

[acvthree]

Got it.

So Coax from ONT to a splitter in the house with a connection to ActionTec coax port and then the Tivo's with the cablecards?

What programming has to happen on the AxtionTec?

Currently I have 2 x coax from my wiring panels to each room. Does each cablecard take a separate coax feed?


Unless you have specifically turned off the coax networking, no changes would be needed on the Actiontec.

You only need one coax to the HDTivo. The HDTivo splits the signal to both tuners internally. The cablecards are just for decyption on each tuner. If you are lucky and get the M-card (multi-stream card) you will only need one card.

Al

[mamosley]

This is how my friend's install was done (private house). I wonder how they will be doing the install in my co-op? Currently they are discussing molding for the install...

If they put an ONT, that handles more than one "household", in the hallway, next to the cable boxes, they could install power outlets, run coax to each apt, and we would get internet and TV via coax. Phone would remain on the already installed POTS lines.

The scenario above would be the easiest setup for the residents, as no one in the building has electricity in the closet where the POTS lines run from the riser in the meter room. This closet is probably where they would mount the ONT as they could just tap into the in-wall phone lines. I don't see anyone installing an outlet in the closet, and running an extension cord is not a viable option.

I wonder what they will do :confused:
In your type of situation there is an mdu (multiple dwelling unit) ont that goes where the main telco close is. More than likely the molding is for the coax for tv. Pots lines still connect from your dwelling to the mdu in the telco closed. More than likely the internet will be vdsl so you will have a zyxel modem connected to a phone line and the actiontec connected to that.

[mamosley]

Yes, but he currently has Ethernet.

There have been long discussions on this. There is some minor latency benefit to having both Ethernet and Coax.

Either way, the installer would use the existing Ethernet if requested.

Al
Depends on the field tech if he is willing to run cat5 with out the data outlet install on the order whether he will connect the internet or not (for new installs)

[acvthree]

I suppose, but this is not a new order. The Ethernet (data) is already there.

Are you saying that if the data install is not on the order, that the installer will removed the existing Ethernet and install coax?

That doesn't make sense. It would be more work for the installer.

Al

[acvthree]

And, then again, why would I assume anything would make sense. Sorry. Brain lock.

Al

[AbMagFab]

Depends on the field tech if he is willing to run cat5 with out the data outlet install on the order whether he will connect the internet or not (for new installs)
Make it easy for him. Give him an ethernet jack and tell him you just need it plugged in "there". That's what I did.

The FIOS techs so far have been much better than any other tech I've seen (e.g. Comcast, DirecTV). They seem knowledgable, flexible, and they seem to care about getting things done right. (Okay, all but one, but I've had 6 out so far for various reasons, so that's a pretty good record.)

[mamosley]

I suppose, but this is not a new order. The Ethernet (data) is already there.

Are you saying that if the data install is not on the order, that the installer will removed the existing Ethernet and install coax?

That doesn't make sense. It would be more work for the installer.

Al
No, they wont remove the existing run. Sorry I didnt explain myself. On a new install, if its set up for moca depending on the tech the wont run cat 5 just because you ask them, some will most wont. At that point is when the cx would have to call billing and ask for a data jack install if you dont want to run internet over coax.

[acvthree]

Mamosley,

That is definitely consistent with what I've read and experienced.

Just as AbMagFab said, I've found the techs (and for me also with the exception of just one guy, I wonder if it was the same guy) at Verizon to be some of the best I've worked with. For me, my install was before the networking over coax change, but he looked at the cat5 wiring I had already done and seemed to be trying to do an equivalent job. I thought it was an excelent and very clean installation.

As always, mileage may vary.

Al

[DCIFRTHS]

In your type of situation there is an mdu (multiple dwelling unit) ont that goes where the main telco close is. More than likely the molding is for the coax for tv. Pots lines still connect from your dwelling to the mdu in the telco closed. More than likely the internet will be vdsl so you will have a zyxel modem connected to a phone line and the actiontec connected to that.


I have seen pictures of VDSL installations, and that is definitely one way for them to do it. The building down the block from me got this type of installation (fiber into each unit), my building is larger with about 250 units. It probably makes the most sense, financially, to use VDSL.

Last time I checked, VDSL was not as fast as the MOCA implementations. Is this still the case?

If they use VDSL, is it true that the only copper involved is from the riser in the basement to my unit?

My board is keeping everyone in the dark on the negotiations :rolleyes:

Thanks!

[bdraw]

I already had a CAT5 ran from where the ONT is, but the installer refused to use it. He said they don't do it like that anymore and used a router with a coax input. It works great, but I did think it was odd, that they wouldn't use the existing cat5 cable.

[acvthree]

And, then again, why would I assume anything would make sense. Sorry. Brain lock.

Al


Like I said...

Al

[mamosley]

I already had a CAT5 ran from where the ONT is, but the installer refused to use it. He said they don't do it like that anymore and used a router with a coax input. It works great, but I did think it was odd, that they wouldn't use the existing cat5 cable.
Probably because he would have to make a call to some body and have them enable the ethernet port on the ont. Also jut by chance if you happened to have some problems with the service soon after you were installed, whether it had to do with your cat5 or not and you put in a trouble ticket it goes against the tech that did the install.

[aaronwt]

Probably because he would have to make a call to some body and have them enable the ethernet port on the ont. Also jut by chance if you happened to have some problems with the service soon after you were installed, whether it had to do with your cat5 or not and you put in a trouble ticket it goes against the tech that did the install.

It only took my tech a couple of minutes on the phone to change my ONT from coax to cat5. It was supposed to be set for cat5 anyway since that is what I requested when I signed up. It's definitely better using my own router instead of the actiontec. I just plug the actiontec into one of the ports on my router and the STB still works fine for VOD and the widgets.

[acvthree]

Some people have reported connecting the Ethernet themselves and calling in to have the ONT configured properly.

Al

[wmcbrine]

Prior to 9.1, there was one (national) channel on Fios that still didn't work right with the Series 3: channel 313, GolTV. There was sound, but no picture. With 9.1, it finally works. :up:

(I say "national" in case someone, somewhere, has problems on a local channel via Fios; I don't.)

[bdraw]

I finally heard back from Verizon's press relations about M-Card availability.
We will definitely offer the M-card, beginning sometime next year.
To which I asked why; technological or business reasons? And unfortunately they weren't wiling to share this with me.

So yeah, I'm not very impressed with their PR department, but hey at least they responded.

[denm316]

So I have an od pixelation issue. I have had my Series 3 box for about 3 weeks with no problems at all. It seems that all of a sudden SD channels are starting to pixelate, channels like A&E and Comedy Central are barley watchable. All HD channels are working fine with no pixelation at all.

Any recommendations on this, it seemed through most of what I read that most people get pixelation on the HD channels. I am in the Bucks County, PA area, right outside of Philly.

Thanks For The Help,
-Dennis

[jimf]

We got FIOS about a week ago and it appeared to be working fine when the tech left. A day? two days? later some channels weren't tuning. Figuring it could just be the Tivo S3 being picky about having swapped from Comcast to FIOS I rebooted it. Stations seemed to tune just fine.

For a couple of days. Then some stopped working again.

We just ran a sweep of all of the channels and all the analog channels work, all the digital broadcast channels work, but none of the digital cable channels work. This is true of both tuners. The non-Tivo boxes in the house aren't having any trouble. The S3 worked flawlessly for a year on Comcast.

My question is: Has anyone heard of this kind of failure? I have no idea if this is a FIOS issue or a Tivo issue.

Thanks for any help,

jim frost

[21364guy]

I just received and activated my TiVoHD today. I called verizon to find out about cable cards. The rep on the phone offered an option to ship the cards to me rather than having a truck come out so I took them up on the offer. Has anyone else gone this way with fios? In reading the posts here it seems like everyone has dealt with an installer. This is in Howard County, Maryland.

[aaronwt]

I was told specifically that they can't do that. Although even with an installer it's much easier than with Comcast. With FIOS the installer just enters the info on their notebook PC to activated the cable cards which makes it rather quick. With Comcast they had to yell the info over the phone several times until they entered the proper info. Then you had to wait and if it didn't work they had to call back again which took more time. The FIOS way was much more efficient.

[winter]

I just received and activated my TiVoHD today. I called verizon to find out about cable cards. The rep on the phone offered an option to ship the cards to me rather than having a truck come out so I took them up on the offer. Has anyone else gone this way with fios? In reading the posts here it seems like everyone has dealt with an installer. This is in Howard County, Maryland.I have heard of cases where FIOS customers were offered this option and then later it turns out the CSR was confused and they required a truck roll to install them.

Please let us know if they really do send the cablecards for a self-install; it would be a major improvement over the current situation.

[21364guy]

I have heard of cases where FIOS customers were offered this option and then later it turns out the CSR was confused and they required a truck roll to install them.
You got it exactly right. My wife called today to check on our order... after being on hold for quite a while they told her no self-install was possible. They called back later (after figuring out where our first cablecard order went?) and offered an install tomorrow afternoon. So hopefully we'll be up and running tomorrow :)

[twilleyj]

You got it exactly right. My wife called today to check on our order... after being on hold for quite a while they told her no self-install was possible. They called back later (after figuring out where our first cablecard order went?) and offered an install tomorrow afternoon. So hopefully we'll be up and running tomorrow :)

Is Verizon charging you an install fee?!

[dswartz]

verizon does not do self-installs. $25 for a tech visit...

[jgarman]

I have a tech out here NOW (I'm in Northern VA) and he is swearing up and down that FiOS is "INCOMPATIBLE" with TiVO!! He has compared the fact that I have seen so many people "on the internet" who "have this working" to the Weekly World News publishing pictures of Bigfoot! (the implication being of course that NONE of you have actually made this work!) So what magic words do I need to say to this guy to just leave the CableCards with me and try it myself?? Who should I call at Verizon/TiVO to help this process along? Help!

[bdraw]

Tell him it's a CableLabs certified device, which means he has no choice but to install them. Tell him you will file a complaint with the FCC.

Tell him you will give him the 4 numbers he needs to activate it in his system. One number is on the back of the CableCARD and the other three on on the CableCARD screen.

If all else fails, tell him you'll give him $20 for at least trying. Sucks, but it works.

[jgarman]

I was told specifically that they can't do that. Although even with an installer it's much easier than with Comcast. With FIOS the installer just enters the info on their notebook PC to activated the cable cards which makes it rather quick. With Comcast they had to yell the info over the phone several times until they entered the proper info. Then you had to wait and if it didn't work they had to call back again which took more time. The FIOS way was much more efficient.

Does anyone have more information on what the installer has to enter into his laptop to make the CableCards work? I have a feeling that unless I tell him exactly what to do he will not be willing to help me at all. Thanks!

[TheBar1]

Try this from a post on Page 3 of this thread. It's a little old, but may help get you going while I try some more powerful Google-Fu...

This is a continuation of my previous thread. The entire process of rewiring for telephone, internet and cable took about 7 hours. It took nearly 2 hours to get the cablecards to work. I had printed out an article that another forum member recommended: http://techdigs.net/content/view/46/42. While it is very Comcast focused, we were able to glean enough info to help. It would have been nice if the instructions that TiVo says to hand to the installer was actually complete, but it really wasn't.

Hopefully this will help:
1) Ask for the cablecards and write down the Serial Number (SN) and the UnitAddress (UA) that is on each of the cards. Your installer will need to repeat the numbers over and over.
2) Make note of which one you put in the bottom slot, this cablecard 1.
3) When you put the card in the bottom slot, a screen will show up with the card in green. I waited several minutes just staring at this screen and nothing happened. There is an option for Configure Card 1, so I decided to select it.
4) A black screen with white information shows up. This is the MMI screen that TiVo has a picture of in their instructions. According to the info in the techdig article, the HOST and DATA numbers are critical.
5) The tech will need to provide the Host and Data info to the guy on the phone. It will take that person several tries to type the long string of numbers and letters.
6) Because they could not do one and then the other, I had to put CC2 in before we finished with CC1.
7) The screen pops up showing 2 CCs in green and there is a new option for Configure CC2. We waited a few minutes before I selected the Configure CC2. The HOST and DATA information are unique for each CC.
8) It appeared that the person on the phone had a lot of trouble keeping the information straight between the 2 cards. He kept mixing the Host and Data information between the 2 different serial numbers. Since I couldn't see the screen he had to enter this into, I can't comment on why this was so difficult.
9) I can tell you that they had to reenter this information many times. I heard that they were getting an error message, but I could not find out what the message was. The TiVo Config screens time out, so I had to go through the TiVo Central menu many times to get back to the CC screens.
10) When they are successful, TiVo will automatically go to the Test Channel screen. For me this happened to CC1. All of the sudden the TV station it is testing appears in the background. We told them to stop messing with it because whatever they did, it was working.
11) We asked them to do whatever, to the second card. They did and the TiVo screen changed to the Test Channel screen automatically.

I am up and running. So far everything is working the way it is supposed to although I have a ton of rehooking and unhooking to do.

[TheBar1]

Also, have you already checked here:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=363797

[dswartz]

Dunno what to tell you. He is required by fcc regulations to install them. I don't care what he claims about "not supported". they are!

[jgarman]

I just have to vent... my FiOS tech just stormed out my door to find another CableCard... even though I had explicitly asked for TWO CableCards when I ordered the service, he decided that he would only bring ONE with him. I am on hold with TiVO HD support right now to find a technician who can talk this guy through the process. He has spent at least 20 minutes arguing with me about how they do not support TiVO, that it will not work, and that this is absolutely hopeless (not to mention the comparison of people posting that FiOS and TiVO work to those who post pictures of Bigfoot online!)

I am at my wits end... hopefully this will end well, but at this point the installer is taking it as a personal affront that I am asking him to install some CableCards. Geez!

BTW- I just wanted to thank all you guys for your wonderful postings, your help that you've provided me so far, and your kind words. I couldn't do this without you. I certainly feel for TiVO if this is how cable operators treat people who are just trying to use technology that is MANDATED by the federal government... no wonder the FCC had to step in...

[acej80]

Man, I'd call this guys supervisor, and tell her/him that you do not want this guy in your house, and they need to send a competent installer. There is no reason at all that you should have to go thru something like that to get a system installed and working properly.

[jgarman]

Man, I'd call this guys supervisor, and tell her/him that you do not want this guy in your house, and they need to send a competent installer. There is no reason at all that you should have to go thru something like that to get a system installed and working properly.

He claims that he was on the phone with his supervisor three times already, and the supervisor claims the same thing: FiOS no worky with TiVO... so I don't trust him to give me a good number for his supervisor. I thought about calling Verizon FiOS support, but 1) last time I called I gave up after being on hold for 70 minutes, and 2) I had to practically pull teeth when ordering the CableCards in the first place. I don't see them being all that supportive.... perhaps it's time to vote with my feet, and I haven't even had the service for more than an hour at this point.

[jgarman]

Well, my story does have a happy ending. Once I finally got the FiOS tech back in my house with two cablecards, it all worked on the first try. Excellent! It took all of about 20 minutes, and that's mostly because he insisted on checking the numbers on the cards about five times each and inserting/removing the cards from the TiVO several times to boot. But once he gave the numbers to the Verizon guy on the phone who activates the CableCards (who by the way was very knowledgeable about Series 3 TiVOs) it all worked without a hitch.

Thanks again to everyone. I cannot believe the hassle that he put me through, but in the end he actually admitted that he would be happy to install CableCards into more TiVOs! TiVO: 1 FiOS: well... so far i'm happy...

[21364guy]

Well, my story does have a happy ending. Once I finally got the FiOS tech back in my house with two cablecards, it all worked on the first try. Excellent! It took all of about 20 minutes, and that's mostly because he insisted on checking the numbers on the cards about five times each and inserting/removing the cards from the TiVO several times to boot. But once he gave the numbers to the Verizon guy on the phone who activates the CableCards (who by the way was very knowledgeable about Series 3 TiVOs) it all worked without a hitch.

Thanks again to everyone. I cannot believe the hassle that he put me through, but in the end he actually admitted that he would be happy to install CableCards into more TiVOs! TiVO: 1 FiOS: well... so far i'm happy...

Glad it worked for you. I'm sitting here waiting for my verizon tech to show (3-7PM they say) and hoping it will be nothing like the hassle you experienced.

[21364guy]

Hmmm... so here's a summary of my attempt to get cablecard from verizon:

1. Call on Monday, CSR offers me a "self-install" for $4.99.
2. Wife calls on Thursday to check the status of our order and is told no "self-install" option is possible. They call her back and offer an install on Friday, 3-7PM
3. I leave the office early on Friday... at 6:30 I call them to find out if they're coming. Nope, and they never contacted me to reschedule. The CSR says he's putting this all on our ticket and supervisor should call to see what they can do for us.

I think TiVo could be in trouble with their cablecard strategy if it's this much trouble for everyone to actually get service (i.e. due to the ineptitude of the service providers). So at this point I have no idea when we'll get digital and HD service :(

[bdraw]

The strategy has to work it's the only option they have, we just have to keep the FCC informed of the cable co's feet dragging.

[gages97]

I have read that you can add a Motorola NIM100 box in line with the coax cable from the splitter and run Ethernet over MOCA.

This would be an easy eay of getting a 100Mb/s connection to each Tivo without having to run a cable.

Anyone done this?

[21364guy]

So I've had two techs at my house for over three hours now. Both s-cards are in the TiVo and they don't work. They are motorola cards and in conditional access we see:

connected: yes
enabledbyCP: no
Auth: unknown
Host Validation: Unknown 00

They've been on the phone having their techs enable the cards several times, but nothing much happens. We have seen the error 161-4 a few times. Any ideas on where to go???

[bkdtv]

I have read that you can add a Motorola NIM100 box in line with the coax cable from the splitter and run Ethernet over MOCA.

This would be an easy eay of getting a 100Mb/s connection to each Tivo without having to run a cable.

Anyone done this?Yes. I've had that setup for awhile.

[CrispyCritter]

161-4 is a "good" error. You'll often get it on good setups, indicating that communication exists with the CableCard, but that you don't yet have full communication to the head end. You can ignore it - it's positive in that it indicates the cablecard is not dead, like 161-1 would. Don't worry about Host Validation yet, for some folks (like me) it remains "Unknown" (it indicates proper pairing and some franchises don't do that). The enabledbyCP should be "yes", and Auth should be something else (I've forgotten).

[21364guy]

Do folks know if the fios installer needs the CableCARD(tm) number or the Unit Address? I think we've been using the former– could that be why things are failing?

[21364guy]

HD at last :) I had pretty much given up hope but after switching to new cards and going thru Guided Setup from the start, everything worked. This has to be about the most frustrating installation I've ever experienced. Total time at my house was over 6 hours... just to install two cablecards!

[lennier]

Do folks know if the fios installer needs the CableCARD(tm) number or the Unit Address? I think we've been using the former– could that be why things are failing?

Take him to the Cablecard Pairing screen. He'll need the Host and Data numbers for each cablecard.

I just had Verizon in to install mine. The tech had no idea what to do, as it was his first cablecard install. I had all the instructions handy so it went pretty quickly.
We were worried at the 161-4 error, but found out that was a non-issue pretty quickly.

The verizon guy was very impressed with the tivo, and hung around until I restarted guided setup, so he could see how it worked.

[gages97]

My installer claimed that you could not insert cards with the Tivo on so he made me turn it off. Insert card1 program, off, then card 2. No matter this worked.

Key is to have patience. After the card is in it takes a good 2-4 minutes for the card info to come up. Then when you go to test channels again a good 2-4 minutes for the test channel to come up. You don't have to do anything it just pops up.

My guy had a laptop which I conencted to my wireless lan. He was able to activate the cards from a program on his laptop (via the verizon vpn), so no calls required.

BTW, I got the NIM100 box working. Plug in the coax cable from the splitter in the basement (the one that normally goes right into the Tivo) into the NIM100, connect the out cable from the NIM100 to the Tivo, and the ethernet port of the Tivo to the NIM100. I now have 100Mb/s ethernet running over moca!

[mamosley]

BTW, I got the NIM100 box working. Plug in the coax cable from the splitter in the basement (the one that normally goes right into the Tivo) into the NIM100, connect the out cable from the NIM100 to the Tivo, and the ethernet port of the Tivo to the NIM100. I now have 100Mb/s ethernet running over moca!
That's what the nim is, an ethernet to coax bridge.

[aaronwt]

I just had four new cable cards activated and two moved from a TiVoHD to a Series 3. It went rather quick. The tech was only there an hour to set up the 6 cable cards. It is definitely faster than Comcast since the FIOS tech just enters the info on their laptop while Comcast has to repeatedly yell the info on the phone several times until they get it right.
So now I have 8 cable cards with FIOS plus an HD STB. I wonder what will happen to my bill?

[gages97]

I know this is off topic, but now that my series 3 is running on FIOS, I am going to dump the rest of my DirecTV stuff. If you read the S3 rebate carefully, you are only entitled to 2 rebates per household. So, I will end up with a mix of S3s and HDs.

Any major differences between the S3 and HD aside from mrv transfer speed?

[aaronwt]

No. Not really.

[doconeill]

Just got two TivoHDs hooked up. No real problems, although after getting the CableCards initialized and then authorized, when I went to Test Channels, it seems to confuse the TiVo - the backgrounds went away, and then I couldn't get the channels to come up again. I restarted both, and everything looks fine.

Even the Conditional Access screen didn't show authorization at first. Right now, one TiVo has EnabledByCP on both, but Auth: MISSING_PROGRAM_REKEY on one of them, the other SUCCEEDED.

On the other, one is SUCCEEDED, and the other still says "unknown" (and EnabledByCP is still No), but both tuners are working fine.

I'm still sorting out my home network as I got a STB for a third TV, and needed to set up the Actiontec router in line with my modified Linksys router.

[cougfan]

Can I expect any issues moving from two DirecTv HR10s to two Tivo HDs using cable cards?

Assuming the cable card install goes well, do I need anything else at the TV end that I don't already have? I've already got two cable runs at each tv running from my telecom box in the garage.

One TV has a Cat5e jack next to it, but the other does not. Do my Tivo HDs need a cat5 connection with FIOS?

Lastly, does FIOS typically charge a monthly fee for the cable cards?

Thanks for the help.

[acvthree]

It should go smoothly.

You'll need (want) to have some kind of network connection. Wireless or Ethernet over power line will work just fine.

The cards are $2.95 a month each. You'll need two S-cards or one M-card.

Al

[Marc]

Even the Conditional Access screen didn't show authorization at first. Right now, one TiVo has EnabledByCP on both, but Auth: MISSING_PROGRAM_REKEY on one of them, the other SUCCEEDED.
I had a similar problem with my setup today. One CableCARD showed the MISSING_PROGRAM_REKEY message, while the other showed SUBSCRIBED. On the SUBSCRIBED one, I could tune to all of the subscribed channels, while the other CableCARD was limited to channels 2-49.

I called Verizon and they reactivated all of my cards. Once that was done, all four cards in two TiVo HDs reported SUBSCRIBED.

The process took about half an hour, mostly because activating the CableCARDs in a TiVo was new to the guy on the phone and he had to seek assistance from someone else. All in all, getting it fixed was handled relatively smoothly.

[gages97]

I just migrated from Direct TV to FIOS. You only need 1 coax cable per Tivo. Verizon will install a passive splitter at the inside installation location. One coax cable will go to the actiontec router. The other available coax ports connect to your stbs or tivos.

Installing the 2 x Cablecards will get you dual tuners. You will want an ethernet connection.

[dslunceford]

You'll need (want) to have some kind of network connection. Wireless or Ethernet over power line will work just fine.


Al

Given the TV is running through the same ONT as the Internet for a FiOS install, is there not a way to splice the Coax to run your network/Ethernet connection? Or if you don't have cat-5 already wired, is PowerLine or Wireless the best bet?

[dslunceford]

I think I found my answer in the MRV sticky discussion in this forum:


Coax networking (known as MoCA)

This is a popular solution among Verizon FiOS customers. Verizon already supplies every customer with an Actiontec router that supports 100Mbps networking over the coax cable in (or outside) the home. You simply add one Motorola NIM100 adapter for each TiVo. These adapters are periodically found on ebay for $30-$60/ea. Up to seven NIM100s can be used to provide 100Mbps ethernet connections wherever you have coax cable.

You split the your coax prior to the TiVo, with one coax feed going to the TiVo and the other coax feed going to a NIM100. The NIM100 has a 100Mbps ethernet port, which you connect to the 100Mbps port on the TiVo with ethernet cable. The adapters configure themselves, so there is nothing else you have to do.

There are only five of these on eBay right now and all at around $60+ shipped. The TiVo wireless G is $39 shipped, and powerline is around $64 for a pair (Same Actiontec tivo.com sells @ amazon after rebate)

So at best, to hook up three TiVos I'd be looking at:
$210 for 3 NIM 100s (100 Mbps); includes $30 ethernet to usb adapter for S2 box
$158 for the Powerline (85 Mbps); includes $30 ethernet to usb adapter for S2 box
$117 for the Wireless (54 mbps)

I think I'll stick with wireless for the time being, especially as the TiVo G adapters seem to be holding their price well on eBay

[drhump]

this moca thing hp intriguing. Can you throw a switch on one of these adapters to have more than one port? What kind of TTG speed improvements have you guys seen?

[bkdtv]

this moca thing hp intriguing. Can you throw a switch on one of these adapters to have more than one port? What kind of TTG speed improvements have you guys seen?Under typical conditions, TivoToGo is CPU limited to around 8Mbps on the TivoHD and 15Mbps on the Series3. TiVo has said they are looking to improve TTG performance on the TivoHD, but I wouldn't expect a miraculous improvement.

Coax networking (MoCA) makes the biggest difference for MRV. With MRV, one Series3 can transfer a recording to another Series3 at up to 44Mbps. Throughput with the 802.11g wireless adapter maxes out at around 15Mbps, and 10Mbps or less if you have don't have a good wireless signal. In contrast, MoCA delivers real-world throughput of 100Mbps, more than fast enough to support 44Mbps MRV with a Series3.

I was lucky enough to get my NIM100s for about $30-35/ea before the increase in demand.

[dslunceford]

I was lucky enough to get my NIM100s for about $30-35/ea before the increase in demand.

Is eBay pretty much the only place for these, or is there another retail source?

[TexasAg]

Is eBay pretty much the only place for these, or is there another retail source?

As far as I know, there is no retail source.

I'm more interested in why the guy selling one of them on Ebay calls it a "Verizon" NIM. The equipment for Fios service all belongs to Verizon.

[dslunceford]

I just received and activated my TiVoHD today. I called verizon to find out about cable cards. The rep on the phone offered an option to ship the cards to me rather than having a truck come out so I took them up on the offer. Has anyone else gone this way with fios? In reading the posts here it seems like everyone has dealt with an installer. This is in Howard County, Maryland.

When I placed my order with FiOS for TV, I was dealing with their Executive Support team (had other issues with my service), and the person taking my order mentioned that they were starting up a process to mail out CC for self-install. I'm also in the DC metro area. Frankly, I think you could be better off, as long as the phone or PC support they have to register the cc numbers goes smoothly...

[Dick Kalagher]

Another reason to get a NIM100 is that if your Actiontec router ever goes on the blink, you could use a NIM100 and another router to keep the internet going until you got a replacement. (Assuming the Actiontec is connected to the ONT via coax.)

[acvthree]

Another reason to get a NIM100 is that if your Actiontec router ever goes on the blink, you could use a NIM100 and another router to keep the internet going until you got a replacement. (Assuming the Actiontec is connected to the ONT via coax.)

A little more complicated than that.

The NIM functionality may be in a NIM100, an ActionTec that includes a NIM or some of the newer ONTs.

The ActionTec may or may not include NIM functionality. Some are empty where the NIM components were located.

In my set up, the NIM is in the ActionTec, but that is not always the case.

Al

[kgt12]

I just received and activated my TiVoHD today. I called verizon to find out about cable cards. The rep on the phone offered an option to ship the cards to me rather than having a truck come out so I took them up on the offer. Has anyone else gone this way with fios? In reading the posts here it seems like everyone has dealt with an installer. This is in Howard County, Maryland.

Let us know if they actually mail these to you.

I'm also in Howard County, MD (amazing how many local people there are on this forum). I currently have cable, but Fios will be installed in 1.5 weeks.

I'm hoping for a smooth transaction, because my comcast experience has been anything but smooth.

Cheers.

[wdave]

Let us know if they actually mail these to you.

I'm also in Howard County, MD (amazing how many local people there are on this forum).
We should all get together sometime. I'll even offer to host. You'll love the Fios. They showed up for my cable card install, but that's because they had to do the whole multi-hour installation process at the same time.

[aaronwt]

Under typical conditions, TivoToGo is CPU limited to around 8Mbps on the TivoHD and 15Mbps on the Series3. TiVo has said they are looking to improve TTG performance on the TivoHD, but I wouldn't expect a miraculous improvement.

Coax networking (MoCA) makes the biggest difference for MRV. With MRV, one Series3 can transfer a recording to another Series3 at up to 44Mbps. Throughput with the 802.11g wireless adapter maxes out at around 15Mbps, and 10Mbps or less if you have don't have a good wireless signal. In contrast, MoCA delivers real-world throughput of 100Mbps, more than fast enough to support 44Mbps MRV with a Series3.

I was lucky enough to get my NIM100s for about $30-35/ea before the increase in demand.
Why would the TiVo transfer over MOCA faster than Ethernet? If the speed is CPU limited how would MOCA be faster. My S3 boxes max out at around 22 mbs and that is with it tuned to blanl channels and in standby mode. My network has no problem going over 500mbs throughput when doing transfers from multiple pCs.

[bkdtv]

Why would the TiVo transfer over MOCA faster than Ethernet? If the speed is CPU limited how would MOCA be faster. My S3 boxes max out at around 22 mbs and that is with it tuned to blanl channels and in standby mode. My network has no problem going over 500mbs throughput when doing transfers from multiple pCs.MoCA is just 100Mbps ethernet over coax.

MoCA is not faster than wired ethernet. I was comparing it to wireless ethernet.

[aaronwt]

Doesn't MoCA go up to 270mbs?

[drhump]

Coax networking (MoCA) makes the biggest difference for MRV. With MRV, one Series3 can transfer a recording to another Series3 at up to 44Mbps.
nice. can i insert a switch or some such between the NIM100 and my S3?

i need at least one more port at the locations of each of my TiVo's. in fact, i just ordered some Buffalo 4-port wireless-g bridges that i was planning to implement over the next week or so.

[bkdtv]

nice. can i insert a switch or some such between the NIM100 and my S3? You certainly fan.

I have each one of my NIM100s connected to a D-Link 10/100Mbps switch. The TiVo, a Slingbox, a PS3, and a HD-DVD player are all connected to that switch.

Doesn't MoCA go up to 270mbs?MoCA itself can. But the ethernet jack on the Actiontec router and NIM100 is limited to 100Mbps.

One benefit of the higher throughput is that it allows Verizon to support multiple 15+Mbps HD VOD streams without slowing network traffic, even on faster Internet plans like 50/10.

[winter]

As far as I know, there is no retail source.

I'm more interested in why the guy selling one of them on Ebay calls it a "Verizon" NIM. The equipment for Fios service all belongs to Verizon.Not sure what you mean - VZ does not own all equipment relating to FIOS, the Actiontec router being one example.

MoCA isnt a VZ-specific standard, other manufacturers (DLink, Linksys) have announced that they will product MoCA products (that could be in used in place of the Motorola NIM) but I havent seen anything actually for sale yet.

[TexasAg]

Not sure what you mean - VZ does not own all equipment relating to FIOS, the Actiontec router being one example.

MoCA isnt a VZ-specific standard, other manufacturers (DLink, Linksys) have announced that they will product MoCA products (that could be in used in place of the Motorola NIM) but I havent seen anything actually for sale yet.

But I'm pretty sure no one "buys" the NIM, it belongs to Verizon. The fact that other companies might sell MoCa devices does not change the fact that this is Verizon's device.

[BigHat]

Well it seems that some of the N VA techs aren't enamored with S3s. When mine called he warned me that I was going to have problems with pixelization etc.

Anyway, the phone and internet went well, but I only got one of 4 cable cards to work. The Tivo keeps shifting to the CableCard error page and the 161-4 error. We couldn't even get to the pairing page on them.

Looks like I have a trouble call coming next week to get new cards. Oh well, DTV still active until this all gets resolved.

My question: The Tivo tech support page warns that some cards (s cards here) may start with a firmware update on installation that may take 40 mins. Should you remove the card during the process you will corrupt the card and render it unless. True? My tech was popping cards repeatedly. He knew of no warning against this behavior.

Any advice on how I might make this going more smoothly next time around would be appreciated. I had cut and pasted lots of the tips from this thread into a Word document and gave it to the tech, but he seemed to be on his own program.

[teasip]

I haven't purchased mine yet, but, doesn't the TiVo come with a one page installation guide for CC's that the installer can refer to step by step?

[BigHat]

I haven't purchased mine yet, but, doesn't the TiVo come with a one page installation guide for CC's that the installer can refer to step by step?

It has CC info in the manual but it's not worth much in my view.

[bkdtv]

I haven't purchased mine yet, but, doesn't the TiVo come with a one page installation guide for CC's that the installer can refer to step by step?Yes, it does.

Many Verizon installers [without CableCard experience] forget to register CableCards when they pick them up from the office. No Verizon CableCards will work unless they are pre-registered in Verizon's system. This cannot be done via the computer. The rep can do it over the phone at your home, but they are supposed to do it when they pick up the cards in the first place.

[BigHat]

Yes, it does.

Many Verizon installers [without CableCard experience] forget to register CableCards when they pick them up from the office. No Verizon CableCards will work unless they are pre-registered in Verizon's system. This cannot be done via the computer. The rep can do it over the phone at your home, but they are supposed to do it when they pick up the cards in the first place.


But doesn't the installer need to TIVO service number(s) in order to do it? Isn't that the issue? Pairing the card to the slot?

[bkdtv]

There are three required steps for Verizon.

Add the serial number of each CableCard to Verizon's list of authorized devices. This cannot be done by computer from your home. This is supposed to be done by someone at the regional Verizon office, but it can also be done over the phone. If the rep at the office does not do this, everything else is just a waste of time.

CableCards will not work until they are entered into Verizon's list of authorized devices.


Add the correct serial number for the CableCard to the customer's account using the software activation program. This is typically done on the installer's notebook from the customer's home, but it can also be done over the phone if the rep is new.


Add the correct CableCard pairing information to the customer's account using the software activation program. This is typically done on the installer's notebook from the customer's home, but it can also be done over the phone if the rep is new.

The pairing information below is displayed about 120 seconds after a CableCard is inserted.

http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivo/CableCardSetup.gifCableCards should be installed and activated one at a time to avoid mixing up the information for each card (Tivo's instructions are also written to avoid that). The installer should install and activate the CableCard in the main (right) slot first. After that CableCard is activated, repeat these steps for the second (left) slot.

If the installer misses any of these steps, or there is an error in any information, the CableCard will not work.

Tune to an encrypted channel you are supposed to receive, such as 825 or 826 and then go to the System Information -> CableCard.. -> Conditional Access screen. A correctly activated FiOS CableCard will appears as follows:

http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivo/CableCard1_Correctly_Authorized.gif

For each CableCard, it should say Connected: yes, EnabledByCP: yes and Auth: Subscribed on an encrypted digital cable channel.

If it doesn't say all of that, then it means your card is not authorized and will not work. If the installer already left, and the cards were not activated, you should be able to activate them over the phone by calling Fiber Solutions @ 888-553-1555; when you call, say your CableCards were not activated properly.

[jgarman]

After my horrible experience trying to convince my stubborn installer to activate and install my CableCards, I contacted Verizon Executive Service. They have made it clear to me that all techs should be trained in this procedure and that there was no excuse for the technician's actions (and they were nice enough to provide a rather significant credit). I was very impressed by their response which included calling me and emailing me the day after I sent them the letter--which happened to be a Sunday. Thanks again for your help and hopefully in the future we won't have so much trouble getting CableCards out of VZ!

[aaronwt]

Well it seems that some of the N VA techs aren't enamored with S3s. When mine called he warned me that I was going to have problems with pixelization etc.

Anyway, the phone and internet went well, but I only got one of 4 cable cards to work. The Tivo keeps shifting to the CableCard error page and the 161-4 error. We couldn't even get to the pairing page on them.

Looks like I have a trouble call coming next week to get new cards. Oh well, DTV still active until this all gets resolved.

My question: The Tivo tech support page warns that some cards (s cards here) may start with a firmware update on installation that may take 40 mins. Should you remove the card during the process you will corrupt the card and render it unless. True? My tech was popping cards repeatedly. He knew of no warning against this behavior.

Any advice on how I might make this going more smoothly next time around would be appreciated. I had cut and pasted lots of the tips from this thread into a Word document and gave it to the tech, but he seemed to be on his own program.

Don't let the installer touch the TiVo remote. You should be the only one going through the TiVo menus. This one thing makes things go much quicker. 1.5 weeks ago I had 4 new cable cards installed and two cards moved from one box to another. It only took 1 hour to complete. I placed all the boxes in one room and connected the coax from FIOS to each box before the tech arrived. I also did the guided setup for FIOS the night before(not sure if this made any difference but I did it anyway)
Then with the cable card installs we staggered them. We would stick the card in one box, then insert in the second box etc. When we got back to the first box it would be showing the info the installer needed to input in the laptop and we proceeded that way. It really sped things up. Also make sure the installer has their serial numbers written down for each cable card and the box it's going in ahead of time. This will also speed things up.
This was the first CC install in TiVos for my tech and with only me changing the menus in the TiVo and staggering the card install it really shaved alot of time off the install. Also putting all my boxes in the same room with the back of the box facing where the installer would sit helped alot too.

[westcoastexport]

Let us know if they actually mail these to you.

I'm also in Howard County, MD (amazing how many local people there are on this forum). I currently have cable, but Fios will be installed in 1.5 weeks.

I'm hoping for a smooth transaction, because my comcast experience has been anything but smooth.

Cheers.

I am in Fairfax County and Verizon just said they would mail my cable card. As a neophyte with cable cards, do I need 2 cards to run tivo series 3?

[wmcbrine]

I am in Fairfax County and Verizon just said they would mail my cable card.Nice!

As a neophyte with cable cards, do I need 2 cards to run tivo series 3?Yes.

The Tivo HD can use a single card, if you can get a multistream card (good luck with that). But that doesn't work for the Series 3, yet... hopefully it will with a software upgrade, but we don't know. (I'd have expected this to be in 9.1 or 9.2, but apparently it wasn't.)

[BigHat]

I am in Fairfax County and Verizon just said they would mail my cable card. As a neophyte with cable cards, do I need 2 cards to run tivo series 3?


Wow!! This is the first I've heard of this. Please post the info that comes with the cards and how the install goes, etc.
Normally this costs you a $25 service call. Since I'm in the middle of a screwed up install, I'll probably have to have them delivered but this process isn't rocket science when all the required prep work is done.

[westcoastexport]

Wow!! This is the first I've heard of this. Please post the info that comes with the cards and how the install goes, etc.
Normally this costs you a $25 service call. Since I'm in the middle of a screwed up install, I'll probably have to have them delivered but this process isn't rocket science when all the required prep work is done.

Will do. However, it looks like I need them to send me the second card before I can actually install this. Based on what i've read here, I may need them out here anyway...

[BigHat]

Will do. However, it looks like I need them to send me the second card before I can actually install this. Based on what i've read here, I may need them out here anyway...

The Verizon tech calls the service center and gives him his tech ID and a bunch of other jargon to start. Certainly didn't sound like DTV activation that's customer friendly.

[wmcbrine]

P.S. To clarify, you can always run with a single card. It's just that it turns your Tivo into a single-tuner device (unless it's a multistream card in a Tivo HD).

[aaronwt]

I am in Fairfax County and Verizon just said they would mail my cable card. As a neophyte with cable cards, do I need 2 cards to run tivo series 3?

The two people I heard of that had this same thing happen got a call at one point and was told that a tech needs to do the install that the original service rep was wrong and there were no self installs. The techs that I talked to said that it is FIOS policy to have a technician visit for a cable card install. Besides it will also go much quicker with the tech there since they only have to enter the info in their laptop.

[westcoastexport]

[QUOTE=aaronwt;5690810]The two people I heard of that had this same thing happen got a call at one point and was told that a tech needs to do the install that the original service rep was wrong and there were no self installs.

Yep, you are correct. After calling to order a second card yesterday, they told me they were scheduled to come out tomorrow (today). Yikes! I don't even have the box yet. I rescheduled for 11/27. I'll post the results of the install.

[drhump]

does anyone know if a NIM100 will power a Power over Ethernet switch? just looking to cut a power brick out of the equation.

ohhh, and one more question... i got confused reading previous posts... do i need to split the cable and then route to both the NIM100 and the S3? or can i just run the cable to the NIM100, and the out from the NIM100 directly to the S3?

[TimAtkins1]

does anyone know if a NIM100 will power a Power over Ethernet switch? just looking to cut a power brick out of the equation.

ohhh, and one more question... i got confused reading previous posts... do i need to split the cable and then route to both the NIM100 and the S3? or can i just run the cable to the NIM100, and the out from the NIM100 directly to the S3?

Pretty sure the answer to your first question is no.

As to the second question, you split the coax in 2. One split goes to the TiVo into the cable in jack to provide the TV signal to the TiVo. The other split goes into the NIM and then an Ethernet cable runs from the NIM100 to the Ethernet port of the TiVo. This split provides network connectivity to the TiVo.

[drhump]

As to the second question, you split the coax in 2. One split goes to the TiVo into the cable in jack to provide the TV signal to the TiVo. The other split goes into the NIM and then an Ethernet cable runs from the NIM100 to the Ethernet port of the TiVo. This split provides network connectivity to the TiVo.

right... but doesn't the NIM100 have a coax IN and an OUT? can i use that in lieu of a splitter?

[bkdtv]

right... but doesn't the NIM100 have a coax IN and an OUT? can i use that in lieu of a splitter?It does, but the NIM100 didn't work [for me] when I used the coax out.

It does work fine with a splitter.

[JStew]

After my horrible experience trying to convince my stubborn installer to activate and install my CableCards, I contacted Verizon Executive Service. They have made it clear to me that all techs should be trained in this procedure and that there was no excuse for the technician's actions (and they were nice enough to provide a rather significant credit). I was very impressed by their response which included calling me and emailing me the day after I sent them the letter--which happened to be a Sunday. Thanks again for your help and hopefully in the future we won't have so much trouble getting CableCards out of VZ!
I hope everything was resolved to your satisfaction. I just had two cards installed into my Series 3 and the Verizon tech never saw a Series 3 before. I handed him the card and less than 15 minutes after arriving, he was gone. I reran the quide and everything was back up to speed in less than 45 minutes, all thanks to this forum.

[Fuzz]

I just got a letter from Verizon stating that they are raising the cost of the cable cards by $1 starting in January. If I am reading the letter correctly, it appears that everyone who already has a card with be grandfathered in to the old price. The big question is: for how long?

[bkdtv]

I just got a letter from Verizon stating that they are raising the cost of the cable cards by $1 starting in January. If I am reading the letter correctly, it appears that everyone who already has a card with be grandfathered in to the old price. The big question is: for how long?If you are a current subscriber, you pay the old price until January 2009.

Verizon expects to have MCARDs in 1Q 2008, so if you have a TiVoHD, you can replace two CableCards with one at that time. Hopefully, TiVo will support MCARDs on the Series3 before that $1 per CableCard price increase in 2009.

[bizzy]

hopefully, tivo will support m cards in the s3 before 2090.

[gages97]

Nim100 in and out without splitter works fine for me (on 2 tivo S3s)

[BigHat]

Tech came yesterday and replaced the 3 bad c cards. As the units gained a pictured it was VERY pixelated. I was quite concerned.

After a short while I tried it again, and couldn't make a channel pixelate. I had got some signal reducers from the installer should I have need to drop the signal strength. My installer said he doubted it would be needed as I have a 4-way splitter in place. He also gave gave me an extra splitter to swap out if required. Any way, so far so good without any added measures.

Dropped DTV down to the "retired grandmother on Social Security" plan until football season reaches the playoffs. Boy is that an ugly package -- mostly shopping and religious channels. We'll see what happens, but the DTV rep mentioned that the HD Season Ticket will be on the new sats next year. That will mean a new dish, etc.

[drhump]

i bought 3 NIM 100's off of ebay. i have to say i think that is the best technology investment i have ever made. if you have FiOS and are relying on wireless to network any device that is close to a coax run, especially a TiVo, you will not regret deploying these. install was complete plug and play using the process described in previous posts (split coax, connect coax, connect ethernet, connect power, done.).

i watched a 1 hour HD show recorded off of CBS via MRV the other night. started watching immediately and was able to FFWD thru all commercials without catching the buffer. this is the way it was meant to be.

highly recommeded.

dave

[Fuzz]

If you are a current subscriber, you pay the old price until January 2009.

Verizon expects to have MCARDs in 1Q 2008, so if you have a TiVoHD, you can replace two CableCards with one at that time. Hopefully, TiVo will support MCARDs on the Series3 before that $1 per CableCard price increase in 2009.


Did you notice that Verizon is raising the price of a service call, too? Do you think they'll charge us to swap out the 2 S-Cards for the M-Card?

[psuzebra]

So I have an appt scheduled for Wednesday to get two CableCards for my TivoHD. I just happened to check my order status online and saw that it lists "Cable Card - Honor Do Not Offer". Does anyone know what that means?

[dslunceford]

i bought 3 NIM 100's off of ebay. i have to say i think that is the best technology investment i have ever made. if you have FiOS and are relying on wireless to network any device that is close to a coax run, especially a TiVo, you will not regret deploying these. install was complete plug and play using the process described in previous posts (split coax, connect coax, connect ethernet, connect power, done.).

i watched a 1 hour HD show recorded off of CBS via MRV the other night. started watching immediately and was able to FFWD thru all commercials without catching the buffer. this is the way it was meant to be.

highly recommeded.

dave

Agreed. I bought just two as I had already purchased a wireless unit -- the two THD boxes got the NIM, the S2 got the wireless and it all works just fine. I actually may hold off on expanding a drive in one of the HDs given how easily move shows back and forth....

So a question....if I wanted to also network in an XBox or Playstation to the NIM, I could just add a switch/hub like this, right? http://www.amazon.com/Switch-5-PORT-10-100MBPS-Dsktp/dp/B000ABME5S/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1196098855&sr=1-8

Just plug switch/hub into output of NIM, then TiVo, Xbox, PS2 into the switch ports?

[fishtank22]

Just an FYI. I have VZ Fios TV and TivoHD. I have two cards in my TivoHD. It works great. Never a problem. and I am convinced that the HD quality is better than Cable (Better compression). And I never get that blocking/pixelation that you sometimes see when watching cable tv.

[segadc]

So do you still need to get two cards with Verizon? Did they never release that multicard one? How much is it monthly for two cards?

[dslunceford]

So do you still need to get two cards with Verizon? Did they never release that multicard one? How much is it monthly for two cards?

Mcards were supposed to be released in Nov., but they have none as yet. Current pricing is $2.99 per card, going up to $3.99 ea. starting in January (but locked at $2.99 if you signed up for multi-year commitment).

[wmcbrine]

So I have an appt scheduled for Wednesday to get two CableCards for my TivoHD. I just happened to check my order status online and saw that it lists "Cable Card - Honor Do Not Offer". Does anyone know what that means?Hmm... It could be an instruction to their CSRs, meaning "honor requests for CableCards, but don't offer them" (i.e., don't be the one to bring them up), which would seem to reflect Verizon's actual policy -- they don't advertise CableCards anywhere that I've seen, and they're not even available via the online signup (or at least, they weren't when I did it). But I can't believe that they'd want to expose that policy on the online status page. Then again, they could've done it by mistake.

Or, you could rearrange the words as "Do Not Honor Offer". I hope that's not what it means.

[JustAllie]

Well.

Just called Verizon about getting CableCARDs for the new TiVoHD. (A single MCard didn't seem to be an option.)

They are sending them to me to do a self-install. Given that I had to walk the techs through the process last time, it does seem simpler to have me do it myself. But I guess we will see what happens.

For some reason it's going to take over two weeks to get these things. Grumble.

[Joe Q]

Well.

Just called Verizon about getting CableCARDs for the new TiVoHD. (A single MCard didn't seem to be an option.)

They are sending them to me to do a self-install. Given that I had to walk the techs through the process last time, it does seem simpler to have me do it myself. But I guess we will see what happens.

For some reason it's going to take over two weeks to get these things. Grumble.


Did you ask them if you could get the cards at their Upper Marlboro depot?

I think you are reasonably close to there plus that depot is where they have all their stuff for the technicians that serve that area.
I read somewhere that their service area is something like 50 miles which explains why Upper Marlboro is MY service depot.

When you call them, maybe you can ask if there is a service depot closer to you.



I know about that place and was there in September because they let me drop off my HD DVR at that location rather than coming by to pick it up which would have cost me $25.


I am pleased that they are letting you do a self install.

In September when I needed 2 cable cards for my Cable Card PC,they told me that current policy required a technician.
They told me that they were looking into changing that policy so perhaps they finally have.

Thanks to your post, I am going to call them and ask them if they do now allow self installs.
I want to put a third ATI Cable Card Tuner in my system (the price has dropped by $200) but my schedule is too full until Christmas to find time off to sit around and wait for a technician so I have to hold off until the holidays.

I suspect that they will have me go to the Upper Marlboro depot to get the card and it is only about a 25 minute trip from where I live. I am only a few minutes south of Annapolis.



Please post a reply if they let you get the cards from Upper Marlboro.
Be sure to get a few because those Cable Cards are notorious for being defective.

Joe

[aaronwt]

The FIOS policy for cable cards is to do a truck roll. The two people I know who were initially told they could do a self install, were later told they needed a truck roll. They didn't charge me anything when I had 4 more cable cards installed. I don't know if it was a mistake or what but so far I haven't been charged. Also with the tech there all they have to do is enter the info on their laptop to quickly get everything working. I know with Comcast it took forever getting the cards setup with the tech yelling the info over the phone several times plus waiting on hold. The FIOS way with the technicians laptop is light years ahead of the way Comcast does cable card installs.

[JustAllie]

Did you ask them if you could get the cards at their Upper Marlboro depot?That's, like, totally on the wrong side of DC from me. I hope they have a closer depot than that. Anyway, it doesn't matter, because the woman I was talking to was probably in Thailand or someplace like that -- she didn't seem to know much about what was going on, never heard of an MCard, yadda yadda. It sounded like they're going to ship me two cards and a mailing label, and I use the mailing label to ship the set-top box back to them at no cost to me. Sweet.

If they decide that a truck roll is needed, I guess they'll have to call me to arrange it.

[sbl]

Mcards were supposed to be released in Nov., but they have none as yet. Current pricing is $2.99 per card, going up to $3.99 ea. starting in January (but locked at $2.99 if you signed up for multi-year commitment).

I'm in the process of setting up TV/internet services at a new home in So Cal and was quoted $3.99 per card. The rep couldn't answer any questions about whether Mcards were available.

Is leasing the only option for cable cards w/ Verizon FIOS?

[aaronwt]

The cards are very expensive. If you could buy them you would be paying several hundred dollars for each one. I'd rather pay the monthly fee. SO far though FIOS hasn't added the extra 4 cables cards I added to my bill. I have 8 cable cards with them and they are only charging me for 4.(at $2.99 each). PLus they still haven't started charging me for the HBO the tech added to my account from his laptop. I guess sometimes their crappy billing system works out in favor of the customer. I'm not in any hurry to add the extra $30 in fees from the extra cable cards an HBO. If it takes 2 to 3 billing cycles to add the double/triple play, maybe it takes that long to add other things.

[wmcbrine]

Also with the tech there all they have to do is enter the info on their laptop to quickly get everything working. I know with Comcast it took forever getting the cards setup with the tech yelling the info over the phone several times plus waiting on hold. The FIOS way with the technicians laptop is light years ahead of the way Comcast does cable card installs.For some reason, my Fios installer did not use his laptop (or even bring one into the house), but called in, the old-fashioned way. And of course, he messed up a couple digits, and I had to call back later to get one of my cards activated. :( But at least that was an easy call.

[GoHokies!]

What a great amount of information here, thanks for everyone.

I'm buying a house in Odenton, MD (Anne Arundel County) and have the FIOS install set up for 28 December. Right now it's just a basic install with one SD box, as I'm not sure I'm going to have everything in the house for the Tech to set up the cable cards and such.

It appears from reading the thread that folks are having better luck w/ pixelation on the THD than the S3. I have an S3 now and am likely going to be buying a THD for my parents for Christmas. Would it be beneficial to give my folks the S3 and keep the THD for myself, or is there not a big enough difference between the two to worry about it. Anything else that I need to keep in mind? (I'll definitely be hitting up ebay for a few NIM100's once I figure out where I'm going to want network connections, that's an awesome and unexpected side effect of FIOS!).

One month until I can tell Comcast to BUGGER OFF!!! :D

[ah30k]

GoHokies, S3 here and no pixelation problems to report in quite some time. I did have them in the beginning. I haven't checked in with this thread in a while so hopefully my post is not too far off topic.

[BigHat]

GoHokies, S3 here and no pixelation problems to report in quite some time. I did have them in the beginning. I haven't checked in with this thread in a while so hopefully my post is not too far off topic.

No S3 problems for me either.

[westcoastexport]

I'm running a CableCARD in my Mitsu TV fed by VZ FIOS with no problems whatsoever. While VZ had some problems initially getting the card init'd, I think those were just familiarity issues. I'll probably order an S3 in a month or so and don't anticipate any issues with moving the CC from the TV to the S3. I expect I'll have to call VZ and have them whack the CC, but, that should be no big deal.

Just had Verizon out here to install two cards for my V3 box. 5 hours later, I only have 1 card installed. They gave my guy 3 cards total, 2 of which had already been activated at someone else's house and wouldn't work here. Although he stated that he was familiar with TiVo, I found him to lack a lot of knowledge. He tried and was very patient, but ultimately hamstrung by the previously activated cards.

Unfortunately, this will require him to come back an install the final card with no timetable to accomplish that.

During the install I called TiVo for support. The support person told me that the box I was sold (it arrived from Amazon this week) had a version of the software (8.01) that was two versions old and would require 48 hours to update. He said that I would not have service until then!! I am now trying to find programs to record and many do not even show up (30 Rock, CSI: Las Vegas). A message appears stating that the box is only currently programmed through 11/29, but based on a number of searches, that is inaccurate.

My Verizon technician made a couple of comments that I can't verify:

1. Cable cards are going to be eliminated because they are so unreliable;
2. MCards are even less reliable, only working 20% of the time.

Uncertain where this could leave us, but I doubt he had all of the facts.

I love having TiVo back, but feel that I am only part way there. I look forward to my second card and the software updates.

[aaronwt]

I have 8 cable cards working just fine on FIOS. They have been very reliable so far. Unfortunately it sounds like your tech is very uninformed.
The installation of 6 cable cards recently for me only took one hour for installation.

[BigHat]

Just had Verizon out here to install two cards for my V3 box. 5 hours later, I only have 1 card installed. They gave my guy 3 cards total, 2 of which had already been activated at someone else's house and wouldn't work here. Although he stated that he was familiar with TiVo, I found him to lack a lot of knowledge. He tried and was very patient, but ultimately hamstrung by the previously activated cards.

Unfortunately, this will require him to come back an install the final card with no timetable to accomplish that.

During the install I called TiVo for support. The support person told me that the box I was sold (it arrived from Amazon this week) had a version of the software (8.01) that was two versions old and would require 48 hours to update. He said that I would not have service until then!! I am now trying to find programs to record and many do not even show up (30 Rock, CSI: Las Vegas). A message appears stating that the box is only currently programmed through 11/29, but based on a number of searches, that is inaccurate.

My Verizon technician made a couple of comments that I can't verify:

1. Cable cards are going to be eliminated because they are so unreliable;
2. MCards are even less reliable, only working 20% of the time.

Uncertain where this could leave us, but I doubt he had all of the facts.

I love having TiVo back, but feel that I am only part way there. I look forward to my second card and the software updates.

Your experience is a bit like mine. It took two trips to get four cable cards working. I think the tech's training is poor in the NOVA area. As a data point, I almost had to reschedule my second appt as the tech couldn't locate replacement cards. How the hell could that be the case?

I think your tech is BSing you on the cards. They'd rather just plug in their piece of sh*t DVR, so no excitement about cable cards. The FCC will force CC use, but the cable lobbyists managed to get a break on the time line. Don't remember all the details. No idea why an M card would fair so badly either.

[westcoastexport]

I have 8 cable cards working just fine on FIOS. They have been very reliable so far. Unfortunately it sounds like your tech is very uninformed.
The installation of 6 cable cards recently for me only took one hour for installation.

My lack of knowledge re the installation surely cost me a lot of time. With his computer down (dead battery) and having to call tech support and waiting on hold (probably an hour total on hold) and the slowness of TiVo's "test channel", it was pretty grueling. Trying to activate already activated cards wasn't too helpful either.

I agree about the cards and his opinion. Verizon cuts their revenue in half by installing 2 new cards and eliminating the revenue on HD DVRs. I am sure this is why they are raising rates on CCs.

[BigHat]

My lack of knowledge re the installation surely cost me a lot of time. With his computer down (dead battery) and having to call tech support and waiting on hold (probably an hour total on hold) and the slowness of TiVo's "test channel", it was pretty grueling. Trying to activate already activated cards wasn't too helpful either.

I agree about the cards and his opinion. Verizon cuts their revenue in half by installing 2 new cards and eliminating the revenue on HD DVRs. I am sure this is why they are raising rates on CCs.

Mine showed up with a dead laptop the first time too. On the second visit I got to witness a shouting match between the tech and V rep who insisted he use the laptop as he should or use the moronic voice driven menu, automated system.

[psuzebra]

So I tried to get my new TiVO HD working with two CableCARDs this morning. The FIOS guy came with 5 CableCARDs in hand, he had never done a TiVo installation before but was very patient while we tried to work through some of the problems.

We first tried a CableCARD in slot 1, but we kept getting 161-4 errors over and over. So he tried another CableCARD in slot 1, same result.

He then took the CableCARD and moved it from slot 1 to slot 2. After a minute, the pairing information came up for CableCARD 2. He went ahead and initialized and activated the CableCARD through his laptop. Then we went to "Test channels" and it was stuck on the "Acquiring channel info" screen for 15 mins or so.

At this point, I called up TiVo's tech support to get some help.

First, they had us power down and restart the TiVo. After it started back up, they had us install a third CableCARD into slot 1. Still getting repeating 161-4 errors.

We then moved that third CableCARD to slot 2. Pairing info came up after a minute or two and the tech went ahead and initialized and activated the card. We went to Test channels, it showed the Acquired channel info screen for about two minutes and then we were able to see the broadcast! However, as I scanned through the channels, it became obvious that I was only getting the local channels (3-49, 810-817) and none of the cable channels.

However, of greater concern was getting a CableCARD to work in slot 1. We tried inserting the remaining two CableCARDs that he brought in slot 1 as well as the ones we already tried. They all give 161-4 errors over and over. TiVo tech support concluded that the slot was bad and is sending out a new unit.

In the meantime, did anyone else have a similar experience? Did anyone else have a defective CableCARD slot? Also, does anyone know why I was only getting local channels on the working CableCARD?

[acvthree]

Do you mean that you got the 161-4 each time you tried a card or over and over with the same card? From the Tivo instructions...


>>For Motorola CableCARDs, many cable providers send an activation signal that causes the DVR to issue error 161-4. This is normal and can be ignored. If you see 161-4 more than once, or if you see any other 161-x signal, it means that the card is damaged and needs to be replaced.

http://tivosupport2.instancy.com/TivoCollection/07e4e622-2e6a-49c7-9885-68fcba4b991a/ins_content.html?cid=b03267a0-be94-4f14-8e2c-8ae7b4eb5249&anchor=undefined

Al

[psuzebra]

Do you mean that you got the 161-4 each time you tried a card or over and over with the same card? From the Tivo instructions...


>>For Motorola CableCARDs, many cable providers send an activation signal that causes the DVR to issue error 161-4. This is normal and can be ignored. If you see 161-4 more than once, or if you see any other 161-x signal, it means that the card is damaged and needs to be replaced.

http://tivosupport2.instancy.com/TivoCollection/07e4e622-2e6a-49c7-9885-68fcba4b991a/ins_content.html?cid=b03267a0-be94-4f14-8e2c-8ae7b4eb5249&anchor=undefined

Al

Over and over with the same card. Over and over with all of the CableCARDs that the tech brought. Over and over in slot 1, but the same card worked in slot 2.

[Peanuthead]

The FIOS policy for cable cards is to do a truck roll. The two people I know who were initially told they could do a self install, were later told they needed a truck roll.
Make that three people... I was told by VZ that they would send me the CableCards, then the next day they called back and said that they had to send out a tech. to install the cards.
After 3.5 hours they still could not activate either card.
It turns out that VZ had flagged the cable CARDS as cable BOXES in their system so they could never get them configured. The encryption field was showing DES (Data Encryption Standard) and according to the VZ L2 tech. this had to be changed before the cards would work. Well the next day they modified their system to show cards vs boxes and the cards started working automatically.
Very aggrevating to have to go through all of this.
So this is something else to ask VZ, "Are my cards configured as cards vs boxes in your system"?

[westcoastexport]

Mine showed up with a dead laptop the first time too. On the second visit I got to witness a shouting match between the tech and V rep who insisted he use the laptop as he should or use the moronic voice driven menu, automated system.

Verizon came back tonight. The technician said he would be back after 4 pm. He showed up at 7. He put the second card in (he got the first card got working last night) and called Verizon to activate. Their system is down and they couldn't do it. I now have that responsibility tomorrow.

I have noticed in the <24 hours that I have had TiVo that non-HD channels are much grainier than the Fios box was. There wasn't any graininess in their live TV signal. Has anyone experienced this?

[acvthree]

Not really. Exactly the opposite in fact. The Series 3 seems to do a good job on SD signals.

[bkdtv]

U have noticed in the <24 hours that I have had TiVo that non-HD channels are much grainier than the Fios box was. There wasn't any graininess in their live TV signal. Has anyone experienced this?Until the CableCards are activated, channels 1-50 are analog. The analog channels do not look nearly as good as the digital versions, which is what you get with the TiVoHD once the CableCards are activated.

As soon as the CableCards are activated, analog 1-50 is replaced with digital versions of 1-50.

[bkdtv]

Reposted as a reminder...

There are three required steps.

Add the serial number of each CableCard to Verizon's list of authorized devices. This cannot be done by computer from your home. This is supposed to be done by someone at the regional Verizon office, but it can also be done over the phone. If the rep at the office does not do this, everything else is just a waste of time.

CableCards will not work until they are entered into Verizon's list of authorized devices.


Add the correct serial number for the CableCard to the customer's account using the software activation program. This is typically done on the installer's notebook from the customer's home, but it can also be done over the phone if the rep is new.


Add the correct CableCard pairing information to the customer's account using the software activation program. This is typically done on the installer's notebook from the customer's home, but it can also be done over the phone if the rep is new.

The pairing information below is displayed about 120 seconds after a CableCard is inserted.

http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivo/CableCardSetup.gifCableCards should be installed and activated one at a time to avoid mixing up the information for each card (Tivo's instructions are also written to avoid that). The installer should install and activate the CableCard in the main (right) slot first. After that CableCard is activated, repeat these steps for the second (left) slot.

If the installer misses any of these steps, or there is an error in any information, the CableCard will not work.

Tune to an encrypted channel you are supposed to receive, such as 825 or 826 and then go to the System Information -> CableCard.. -> Conditional Access screen. A correctly activated FiOS CableCard will appears as follows:

http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivo/CableCard1_Correctly_Authorized.gif

For each CableCard, it should say Connected: yes, EnabledByCP: yes and Auth: Subscribed on an encrypted digital cable channel.

If it doesn't say all of that, then it means your card is not authorized and will not work. If the installer already left, and the cards were not activated, you should be able to activate them over the phone by calling Fiber Solutions @ 888-553-1555; when you call, say your CableCards were not activated properly.

[westcoastexport]

If it doesn't say all of that, then it means your card is not authorized and will not work.[/QUOTE]

this worked fine for card #1, but because Verizon's system was down, they couldn't activate #2. I have all of the required info, so if they allow me to activate over the phone, i should be okay. However, nothing seems easy with these cards.

[westcoastexport]

having just installed series3, i am also noticing audio breaks. they are very short but aggravating breaks in the audio signal. anyone having this issue?

[westcoastexport]

Until the CableCards are activated, channels 1-50 are analog. The analog channels do not look nearly as good as the digital versions, which is what you get with the TiVoHD once the CableCards are activated.

As soon as the CableCards are activated, analog 1-50 is replaced with digital versions of 1-50.

not certain if it matters, but this was an older episode of Seinfeld on channel 52, TBS.

[bkdtv]

having just installed series3, i am also noticing audio breaks. they are very short but aggravating breaks in the audio signal. anyone having this issue?Make sure you have the latest 9.2a software. I am going to assume that you do.

Open System Information -> Diagnostics. Do you see a lot of RS Uncorrected Errors? If so, your FiOS signal is probably too strong for the TiVo and you'll need some attenuation. More about that here (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=375011).

RS Uncorrected Errors is how the TiVo measures signal errors that cause pixelization and audio dropouts.

[westcoastexport]

Make sure you have the latest 9.2a software. I am going to assume that you do.

Open System Information -> Diagnostics. Do you see a lot of RS Uncorrected Errors? If so, your FiOS signal is probably too strong for the TiVo and you'll need some attenuation. More about that here (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=375011).

RS Uncorrected Errors is how the TiVo measures signal errors that cause pixelization and audio dropouts.


Until they get both cards installed, I don't think trying to diagnose this is worth it.

BTW, I don't have 9.2. I have 8.01 which is supposed to be upgraded to 9.2 within 48 hours of TiVo activation. I only have a phone line to the S3 right now (just bought the wireless USB modem yesterday) and can't be sure that it isn't timing out. Looks that way based on connection results.

[dallastx]

I've had my Series 3 HD for a couple of months and generally am very satisfied. Howver, I've started watching football games on my 6416 because the TiVo seems to drop frames on quick action like football. Since the picture from the 6416 is perfect, it doesn't appear to be the Verizon signal.

I notice this also on some shows on The CW.

One of my biggest complaints about the FiOS 6416 was the fast forward and rewind. The new program seems to have corrected that problem completely.

Now if they could just copy TiVo's program descriptions and offer larger disks I'd be happy with with 6416.

An aside, is there a way to see the entire TiVo program description when it's too long for the display box?

[bkdtv]

I've had my Series 3 HD for a couple of months and generally am very satisfied. Howver, I've started watching football games on my 6416 because the TiVo seems to drop frames on quick action like football. Since the picture from the 6416 is perfect, it doesn't appear to be the Verizon signal.I assume you've checked to be sure there are no RS Uncorrected errors on your TiVo's diagnostics screen?

Assuming there are no such errors, a reboot will usually fix this "stutter" issue.

An aside, is there a way to see the entire TiVo program description when it's too long for the display box?Yes. Press the INFO button on the remote.

[bcwaller]

I just bought my first ever TiVo (Series 3) after years of ReplayTV and Cable company DVRs. The Verizon FiOS software was so awful that I chose to buy the TiVo and get rid of their DVR. I called for installation of the cable cards on Saturday and got scheduled for Monday AM. This was in Redondo Beach, CA. Installation took a half hour for both cards and another half hour to update the TiVo for the new setup.

[sommerfeld]

Just had FIOS TV installed in Arlington MA and connected to a Series 3 with two single-stream cable cards.

Pulling the drop cable and getting the right light to the ONT took forever but once the ONT was up and happy, the cablecard install went quickly.

One confusing bit was that the provisioning application on the installer's laptop asked for (among other things) 13-digit "pod id", which turned out to be the cablecard number as reported by the pairing screen; that number was not printed on the outside of the card.

[ChickenCheese]

Is there anything I need to do to go from Comcast's cablecards in my Series 3 to Fios' cable cards? Any kind of reset?

[Martin Tupper]

You'll need to rerun the guided setup.

[ChickenCheese]

You'll need to rerun the guided setup.

Can I do that before the appointment, so it's ready for them? Or do I need to do that after they install the cable cards?

[bkdtv]

Can I do that before the appointment, so it's ready for them? Or do I need to do that after they install the cable cards?You can do it before.

[aaronwt]

And it will have you do it again after the CC install.

[sommerfeld]

Is there anything I need to do to go from Comcast's cablecards in my Series 3 to Fios' cable cards? Any kind of reset?
If you can't get at the back of the S3 in its normal location, make sure you have enough slack in all the cables to let you pull the unit out while still plugged in.

FiOS inside and outside wiring and setting up the ONT and its battery box take a while; the cable cards come up as the very last phase of the install. If my experience was any guide, you should have plenty of time after they arrive to pull the comcast cable cards and re-run guided setup in parallel with their install.

Mid-way through guided setup, there will be a screen where it asks you if it guessed right on a channel -- just accept whatever channel name it gives you (it will obviously be wrong moving from comcast to fios).

When the FiOS installers get everything hooked up and you see analog channels, have them insert the first card, get it working, and then insert the second card.

You then run guided setup a second time to get guide data for the rest of the channels. That will take a while; they don't need to stick around for that -- you'll be better off testing new channels w/o guide data while they're there.

[psuzebra]

So I tried to get my new TiVO HD working with two CableCARDs this morning. The FIOS guy came with 5 CableCARDs in hand, he had never done a TiVo installation before but was very patient while we tried to work through some of the problems.

We first tried a CableCARD in slot 1, but we kept getting 161-4 errors over and over. So he tried another CableCARD in slot 1, same result.

He then took the CableCARD and moved it from slot 1 to slot 2. After a minute, the pairing information came up for CableCARD 2. He went ahead and initialized and activated the CableCARD through his laptop. Then we went to "Test channels" and it was stuck on the "Acquiring channel info" screen for 15 mins or so.

At this point, I called up TiVo's tech support to get some help.

First, they had us power down and restart the TiVo. After it started back up, they had us install a third CableCARD into slot 1. Still getting repeating 161-4 errors.

We then moved that third CableCARD to slot 2. Pairing info came up after a minute or two and the tech went ahead and initialized and activated the card. We went to Test channels, it showed the Acquired channel info screen for about two minutes and then we were able to see the broadcast! However, as I scanned through the channels, it became obvious that I was only getting the local channels (3-49, 810-817) and none of the cable channels.

However, of greater concern was getting a CableCARD to work in slot 1. We tried inserting the remaining two CableCARDs that he brought in slot 1 as well as the ones we already tried. They all give 161-4 errors over and over. TiVo tech support concluded that the slot was bad and is sending out a new unit.

In the meantime, did anyone else have a similar experience? Did anyone else have a defective CableCARD slot? Also, does anyone know why I was only getting local channels on the working CableCARD?

So I got the new TivoHD unit yesterday. The FIOS tech had left two of the CableCARDs that worked in slot 2 of the previous unit, since TiVo tech told us that if it works in slot 2, then the CableCARD isn't broken.

I plug in the THD and start guided setup. On the CableCARD screen, I insert a CableCARD into slot 1. Doncha know it, I start getting 161-4 errors over and over again. I pop it out and insert it into slot 2. After a minute, the pairing screen comes up.

I then insert the other CableCARD into slot 1, and that gives 161-4 errors as well. Swap that into slot 2 and the pairing screen comes up.

At this point, I have no idea what's going on. I decide to remove both CableCARDs and force a connection to download 9.2a. It installs and I try everything again. Same result.

Called up TiVo tech support and explain the problem again. Gets escalated, noone has a clue, and they gave me a problem ticket. At this point, I have two apparently-working CableCARDs and my second TiVoHD and still can't watch anything. :(

[litkaj]

161-4 errors are actually expected. If you leave the card in there for about 5 minutes you should get the pairing screen.

[wdave]

161-4 errors are actually expected. If you leave the card in there for about 5 minutes you should get the pairing screen.

:up: and I'm surprised Tivo tech support doesn't know this.

You might have to wait an inordinate amount of time for the pairing screen to come up, like 5-10 minutes. Don't consider it failed unless you've waited 10 minutes.

[litkaj]

:up: and I'm surprised Tivo tech support doesn't know this.

You might have to wait an inordinate amount of time for the pairing screen to come up, like 5-10 minutes. Don't consider it failed unless you've waited 10 minutes.

They ought to, it says it right on the CableCARD install sheet...

[Roderigo]

161-4 errors are actually expected. If you leave the card in there for about 5 minutes you should get the pairing screen.

The 161-4 error is only good if it appears once, and then, only when the cable company sends one type of hit to the card. If you get the error message consistently, then it's likely a hardware problem. In this case, since the error is always happening on the same slot, and the card works in the other slot, it sounds like a tivo hardware problem. If the error followed the card, it would likely be a card hardware error.

[sommerfeld]

161-4 errors are actually expected. If you leave the card in there for about 5 minutes you should get the pairing screen.
Hmm. During my install it took a couple minutes before the pairing screen showed the three numbers they were looking for: "cable card" (which was called "pod id" on the installer's application), "host", and "data".

Once those numbers were entered in to the installer's laptop, the head end sent down initialization messages to the cards, and the tivo reported two 161-4 errors reported per cable card, shortly after the installer said he was sending each "hit" (there's an "init" message and an "activation" message).

at that point I went into the "test channels" menu for that card, and shortly thereafter all the channels started working through that card.

we then repeated for the 2nd card.

[bizzy]

its always baffled me why tivo doesn't include info on the "161-4 Error" screen saying that it is expected and good; or even that they call it an "Error".

Pathetic.

[JustAllie]

Verizon FiOS installation management is a cluster****.

What a mess. They decided they needed to send a tech rather than letting me do a self-install, but because they sent the tech out on a "maintenance" ticket instead of an "installation" ticket, the system would not allow him to activate the cards. He had the cards in the TiVo, all the numbers and info he needed, all that he needed was the activation signal... no dice. And he couldn't get a new ticket. I've called and still can't get a new installation appointment. They're going to have to call me tomorrow. And of course I'm too busy to be out of work for another appointment anytime soon. Who knows when this will happen now. :mad:

[phoneticman]

Hi,

I am a new user to Tivo (I just got married and my wife turned me on to it). In any case, got the S3, ordered FiOS and got two cable cards for the S3. Install went just as planned. I did lose some channels shortly after the tech left, but a reset of the cards and the box and everything has been up for 2 days without issue. I am in Falls Church, VA...

[JustAllie]

Hi,

I am a new user to Tivo (I just got married and my wife turned me on to it). In any case, got the S3, ordered FiOS and got two cable cards for the S3. Install went just as planned. I did lose some channels shortly after the tech left, but a reset of the cards and the box and everything has been up for 2 days without issue. I am in Falls Church, VA...Welcome to the TiVolution!!! :up:

[Roderigo]

its always baffled me why tivo doesn't include info on the "161-4 Error" screen saying that it is expected and good; or even that they call it an "Error".

I would guess they do this because it *is* and error.


From SCTE 28, Appendix E, 161-4 is:

Host sets data channel RS bit but POD fails to set FR bit within 5 second timeout.


The reason it's a "good" error, is because motorola for some reason seems to cause this error as part of it's normal operation when the card is initialized. But, if this error persists, then it's no longer a "good" error, and somethings pretty wrong w/ either the tivo or (more likely) the cards.

[bizzy]

Would it kill them to add a line of text that advises when the error is expected?

[slocko]

Wow, new to Tivo and new to married life! Remember, the Tivo will treat you better than your wife :D

[psuzebra]

The 161-4 error is only good if it appears once, and then, only when the cable company sends one type of hit to the card. If you get the error message consistently, then it's likely a hardware problem. In this case, since the error is always happening on the same slot, and the card works in the other slot, it sounds like a tivo hardware problem. If the error followed the card, it would likely be a card hardware error.

Right, and sorry I left that out, but the TiVo tech mentioned that as well. If we get it more than a couple of times, there's something wrong.

We did wait 5-10 minutes on one of the cards, but it just kept looping on the 161-4 error with no real progress. Once we moved the same card from slot 1 to slot 2, there was no 161-4 error and the pairing screen came up within 60-90 seconds. TiVo originally thought it was a problem with the hardware of slot 1 so they exchanged the unit, but the new unit is exhibiting the same issue with the same CableCARDs.

I've since heard back from TiVo and they don't know what the issue is. The guy didn't think it was a problem with the TiVo since the probability of me receiving two units with bad hardware in slot 1 is so miniscule. He was willing to do another exchange but I didn't want to do that again until all other options were exhausted.

So I called up Verizon, they tried re-initializing the cards from their end, etc etc. But because we couldn't get the pairing screen up for slot 1, they couldn't reactivate the card. They are sending a tech out this morning with more CableCARDs to try.

[dmbfan36_23]

has anyone been able to get a multistream card from Verizon?

[psuzebra]

Right, and sorry I left that out, but the TiVo tech mentioned that as well. If we get it more than a couple of times, there's something wrong.

We did wait 5-10 minutes on one of the cards, but it just kept looping on the 161-4 error with no real progress. Once we moved the same card from slot 1 to slot 2, there was no 161-4 error and the pairing screen came up within 60-90 seconds. TiVo originally thought it was a problem with the hardware of slot 1 so they exchanged the unit, but the new unit is exhibiting the same issue with the same CableCARDs.

I've since heard back from TiVo and they don't know what the issue is. The guy didn't think it was a problem with the TiVo since the probability of me receiving two units with bad hardware in slot 1 is so miniscule. He was willing to do another exchange but I didn't want to do that again until all other options were exhausted.

So I called up Verizon, they tried re-initializing the cards from their end, etc etc. But because we couldn't get the pairing screen up for slot 1, they couldn't reactivate the card. They are sending a tech out this morning with more CableCARDs to try.

Woohoo, everything works!
It took almost 5 hours to finally get the CableCARDs to work, but I get all of the channels.

We ended up going through 8 CCs before we found two that would activate correctly. Of course, the tech was having trouble with his laptop so he had to keep calling home to do the initialization-activation, and since it was Sunday, there were probably only 5 people working in the office so we were on hold a half hour at a time.

We got MISSING_PROGRAM_REKEY a few times, but fixing those just required a re-activation. Sometimes the initial activation just doesn't work for some reason even though Verizon's system says it was successful. When we got MISSING_PROGRAM_REKEY, we were able to download the channel list as well as see all of the local channels (2-49, 810-817) but none of the premier channels.

The only weird hiccup was when we were testing the channels for the CC in slot 2. It randomly rebooted the TiVo twice, but it was working fine after the third time and worked fine until we went to bed last night. Dunno.

Also, no pixelation so far that other people have reported with FIOS.

[bdraw]

has anyone been able to get a multistream card from Verizon?

No, and according to Verizon press relations, they won't be available until sometime in 2008. My guess is by July 1st 2008, which is when Verizon's integrated security ban waiver expires.

[dallastx]

Thanks BKDTV. Rebooting did the trick.

You're tip about the info/display button to show the entire program description only works for programs in either the Now Playing or To Do lists. It doesn't work in the Guide.

Thenks again.

[dmbfan36_23]

the CSR just said "a cablecard? wow, I've never been asked for one.. we're not supposed to offer them anymore... 'honor not offer'".... I said yeah, you have to give me one if I ask and he laughed... now I'm trying to convince him to give it to me without a truck roll since I had to install the last one myself when the tech didn't know what to do :-)

EDIT: ok, they have to do a truck roll and charge me $24.99, but because I had to do the install myself last time and convinced the guy that I know how to do it, he's putting a $24.99 credit on my account at the same time :-)

[Tony1746]

I am having FiOS installed next week. I currently have a Series 3 with two Comcast S-cards (everything works great). I would like to know the correct procedure for replacing the cable cards. I realize I need to go back through the guided setup. Should I perform a reset of the system first (after pulling out the old cards)? Does it make a difference?

Because CC installs can be tricky (took two tries w/Comcast), I don't want to make it any more difficult by not having the system in the best state.

Thanks...!!

[HazelW]

I am having FiOS installed next week. I currently have a Series 3 with two Comcast S-cards (everything works great). I would like to know the correct procedure for replacing the cable cards. I realize I need to go back through the guided setup. Should I perform a reset of the system first (after pulling out the old cards)? Does it make a difference?

Because CC installs can be tricky (took two tries w/Comcast), I don't want to make it any more difficult by not having the system in the best state.

Thanks...!!

I would remove the cards and run guided setup again telling it you have FIOS. You should not have to reset the system, but rebooting it would not hurt.

[bdraw]

I did this, all I did was pull the CableCARDs, reinstall the FiOS ones, and after they were activated the TiVo asked me to rerun guided setup. Everything worked perfectly and all my season passes were automatically updated to reflect the new channel numbers.

[Tony1746]

I did this, all I did was pull the CableCARDs, reinstall the FiOS ones, and after they were activated the TiVo asked me to rerun guided setup. Everything worked perfectly and all my season passes were automatically updated to reflect the new channel numbers.
OK. Sounds great. I'll try it and keep my fingers crossed !!!!!

[JRWilliams308]

This thread has truly been a fountain of knowledge for me.

My wife bought "me" a TivoHD for Christmas, I was so anxious to set this puppy up I thought about calling Verizon on Christmas to get my cablecards. But I waited...

So I call up on the 26th, get a quote on the rental at $2 (not $2.95, but big deal) and get my order number and am told I could go to the Customer Center in White Plains, NY(10 County Center Road, White Plains, NY 914-422-5011, if anyone needs it) pick the puppies up any day after the "install date". Ok so I go today 12/27 as I told the rep I'd do. Boy do I wish I saw this thread sooner. Those knukleheads don't know what a cablecard is, nor how to get one. Waste of my day off, jeez...

Anyways, here's the relevant part for the thread. I call up the FiOS service line to B*it*h and that rep informs me, oh no.. you can't pick those up.. you have to order it and there's a $49 service charge.

** Thump **

When I come to, I start ripping. "This is crazy" "I ain't paying $50 bucks for some guy to come out here for 15 minutes" blah blah "get me a supervisor" She felt my pain and aggravation for my wasted day I think, so since a Sup wasn't available she's going to call me back in the am and get one on the line. I'm wondering from the couple of people who successfully got them to let them do a self install, where there any trigger words that you used. any tips?

and is this the first $49 charge the first anyone has heard of? sounds like everyone else is getting quoted at $24.95.

Thanks, looking forward to spending some quality time on this board (I'm another ReplayTV convert)

By the way, for that other ReplayTV convert, the latest Tivo build appears to let you play ReplayTV video too. PM me if you interested in how I did it...

[bkdtv]

and is this the first $49 charge the first anyone has heard of? sounds like everyone else is getting quoted at $24.95.That $49 charge may be the fee to to install another TV outlet in your home (i.e. run the cable outside the home, drill through the wall, etc). They may have quoted that charge if you didn't make it clear that this was an existing TV outlet.

If you are just getting the Tivo installed with CableCards on an existing outlet, the fee should only be $24.99.

[bdraw]

They tried to charge me to return 2 cards. I told them there was no way I'd pay for someone to come by my house and pick up cards. I called back and found out I could drop them off at a local Verizon store. Too bad, they don't let you pick them up as easily.

Either way the trip charge should be free considering they wont let you self install and the installers have so little clue as to how to install a card, that I've had to do it every time. This isn't an isolated incident as I've had 10 CableCARDs installed, 6 with FiOS and 4 with BHN.

[JRWilliams308]

Update..

FiOS rep I spoke with today advises the quoted price IS for the install of 2 cards. So I'm being charged twice, one for each card NOT for one installation.

I went ahead and setup up the appointment, because I just can't bear looking at my TivoHD with only Amazon Unbox and my various other downloaded content on it. I need this puppy working. But I'm certainly going to be sending some complaint letters, who knows, maybe they'll get scared when they see I cc'd the BBB and the FCC:eek:

Verizon is REALLY making this difficult.

[wmcbrine]

But I'm certainly going to be sending some complaint letters, who knows, maybe they'll get scared when they see I cc'd the BBB and the FCC.Verizon is too big to be scared by anyone, alas.

[GoHokies!]

What a great amount of information here, thanks for everyone.

I'm buying a house in Odenton, MD (Anne Arundel County) and have the FIOS install set up for 28 December. Right now it's just a basic install with one SD box, as I'm not sure I'm going to have everything in the house for the Tech to set up the cable cards and such.

It appears from reading the thread that folks are having better luck w/ pixelation on the THD than the S3. I have an S3 now and am likely going to be buying a THD for my parents for Christmas. Would it be beneficial to give my folks the S3 and keep the THD for myself, or is there not a big enough difference between the two to worry about it. Anything else that I need to keep in mind? (I'll definitely be hitting up ebay for a few NIM100's once I figure out where I'm going to want network connections, that's an awesome and unexpected side effect of FIOS!).

One month until I can tell Comcast to BUGGER OFF!!! :D

Update: The install was yesterday and went off without an issue, 2x cablecards in the S3 (along with 2x SD STBs) working flawlessly. The installers were quick and knowledgeable - so far I'm VERY impressed with FIOS.

Hopefully today will go as well (but I doubt it), I'm sitting at my parents waiting for the Comcast guy to come with an M card for the THD I got them for Christmas. I'm sure glad I left the house at 0530 to be here for the 7-10 install window, since it's 0930 now and no sign of them!

[Bandit LOAF]

Howdy,
I just had a strange experience with Verizon. I called to order two CableCARDS... the woman I spoke to seemed to understand what they were, but also insisted that they didn't require an installation. I'll be pretty darned happy if that's the case, but it doesn't seem to mesh with anything else I've read online. Has anyone else experienced this? They say they'll be shipped to me via UPS... but the back of my head worries that I'll be calling Verizon to figure out where they disappeared to in two weeks (or at least be stuck with two inactive cards...)

[Eudmin]

How are you guys getting anyone on the phone at Verizon?

I keep trying the 800-688-2880 number to change my upcoming FIOS order for a couple cable cards rather than an HD box since I got a Tivo HD for Christmas, but I just can't get past the "due to an unusually high call volume your call cannot be answered at this time" message.

I even occasionally get transferred to someone in tech support who tries to be helpful and transfer me to an internal sales line which still says it cannot be answered. The phone company can't answer their phones, sheesh.

Edit: Woah, was on hold for the 5th time while typing this and actually got someone who says that they will add cable cards to my order. Actually, the first thing she said was that she needed to advise me that Tivo does not work with FIOS. I told her that wasn't correct, and she said "OK, I just needed to note that I had told you that." What's that all about? She did end up adding them to my order, though. $3 each.

[Eudmin]

The installer just left. Tried 4 cable cards and only 1 ended up working.

The first cable card would never show anything other than all zeros in the CableCard, Host, and Data fields even after waiting a very long time.

The second cable card did show some info, and we thought it was going to work. It had come out of someone else's TV, so it was assumed to be good. We recorded those data fields and tried activating it with the laptop, but never got any hit on it. Then the person on the "FCS" line told him to deactivate, reboot the Tivo, then reactivate it. Well, he wasn't able to reactivate it. It somehow wouldn't remove it from the system so his laptop program was complaining about duplicate serial number or some such. He called FCS back again and we again never received any hits on it, no 161-4 errors and the Conditional Status kept saying unknown.

The third cable card worked flawlessly in slot 1! Exactly as the directions said it should.

The fourth cable card went into slot 2, but it had the problem of all zeros in the CableCard, Host, and Data fields. He called his regional office and verified that it had been authorized for use, but it never did update that info and give us the info to pair it.

He gave me his cell number and I'll call after work tomorrow for him to head over with 4 more cable cards.

Picture sure does look good on card 1 though. 8)

[PhiTauBill]

Like many, I am a soon-to-be ReplayTV convert (although I had a couple of expanded Series 1 TiVos back in the day)...

I've had FIOS for about 6 months with LOTS of router/guide issues... I purchased a NIM online, and am using my own D-Link, but still have intermittent Guide/VOD/DVR issues. I recently decided make the Tivo leap again and return my three HD STBs (at a cost of $9.95, $9.95 and $12.95, respectively) in favor of 2 TiVoHDs.

I just got off of an excruciating 30 minute call with the Verizon folks to order 4 CableCARDs for my two brandy new TiVoHD units. After getting through the initial bullsh%$ about it not working with Tivo and me letting them know they must install them by FCC mandate, they quoted me the following fees:

Recurring
$ 2.99 per cable card X 4 - $11.96 per month. OK. That makes sense.

One-Time
$49.95 service downgrade fee. WTF? I'm feverishly trying to look this up. Anyone have a link to FIOS TV Terms of Service? If so, please provide. I can't locate them.

$24.99 per STB return fee x 3 - $74.97. Again, WTF?

$24.95 per CableCARD install fee x 4 = $99.80. Seriously, this is crazy... has anyone else had this issue. I eventually just decided that they are insane, and I will deal with it when the bill arrives, but I'd love to hear from anyone else of they've heard of such insanity.

My appointment is set for Tuesday, 1/8/2008. I'll keep you abreast of my progress.

In the meantime, please share any similar experiences or tidbits of advice.

Regards,
Bill

[TheBar1]

Recurring
$ 2.99 per cable card X 4 - $11.96 per month. OK. That makes sense.

A necessary evil, at least until Verizon makes MCards available.


$49.95 service downgrade fee. WTF? I'm feverishly trying to look this up. Anyone have a link to FIOS TV Terms of Service? If so, please provide. I can't locate them.

First time I've heard of this one - Yikes!


$24.99 per STB return fee x 3 - $74.97. Again, WTF?


I think you can get around this by tellling them you will drive the STBs to a Verizon store to turn them in.


$24.95 per CableCARD install fee x 4 = $99.80. Seriously, this is crazy... has anyone else had this issue. I eventually just decided that they are insane, and I will deal with it when the bill arrives, but I'd love to hear from anyone else of they've heard of such insanity.

I think this fee basically ties to the truck roll itself. I would think that you can get this reduced to a flat $24.95 if you ask (politely) to speak with the CSR's manager.

Let us know if you get around these roadblocks. I have not made the leap back to TiVo since getting FiOS (was a DirecTiVo user for years), and I'm basically waiting for M-Cards to make my move.

I've gotten some good research out of the DSL Reports FiOS TV forum here:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/vzfiostv

Good Luck!

[TimAtkins1]

Like many, I am a soon-to-be ReplayTV convert (although I had a couple of expanded Series 1 TiVos back in the day)...

I've had FIOS for about 6 months with LOTS of router/guide issues... I purchased a NIM online, and am using my own D-Link, but still have intermittent Guide/VOD/DVR issues. I recently decided make the Tivo leap again and return my three HD STBs (at a cost of $9.95, $9.95 and $12.95, respectively) in favor of 2 TiVoHDs.

I just got off of an excruciating 30 minute call with the Verizon folks to order 4 CableCARDs for my two brandy new TiVoHD units. After getting through the initial bullsh%$ about it not working with Tivo and me letting them know they must install them by FCC mandate, they quoted me the following fees:

Recurring
$ 2.99 per cable card X 4 - $11.96 per month. OK. That makes sense.

One-Time
$49.95 service downgrade fee. WTF? I'm feverishly trying to look this up. Anyone have a link to FIOS TV Terms of Service? If so, please provide. I can't locate them.

$24.99 per STB return fee x 3 - $74.97. Again, WTF?

$24.95 per CableCARD install fee x 4 = $99.80. Seriously, this is crazy... has anyone else had this issue. I eventually just decided that they are insane, and I will deal with it when the bill arrives, but I'd love to hear from anyone else of they've heard of such insanity.

My appointment is set for Tuesday, 1/8/2008. I'll keep you abreast of my progress.

In the meantime, please share any similar experiences or tidbits of advice.

Regards,
Bill

I was charged one $29.99 fee. It covered the truck roll, turn in of an HD DVR and a SD STB and install of 2 cablecards.

[naybag]

One-Time
$49.95 service downgrade fee. WTF? I'm feverishly trying to look this up. Anyone have a link to FIOS TV Terms of Service? If so, please provide. I can't locate them.

$24.99 per STB return fee x 3 - $74.97. Again, WTF?

$24.95 per CableCARD install fee x 4 = $99.80. Seriously, this is crazy... has anyone else had this issue. I eventually just decided that they are insane, and I will deal with it when the bill arrives, but I'd love to hear from anyone else of they've heard of such insanity.


These fees are ridiculous. I think you should send a letter to the FCC, since it seems they are using price gouging as a tactic to dissuade people from getting and using cable cards.

I got my tivo a few months back and was not charged to have my box returned. I believe i was charged $25.00 for the service visit.

[bkdtv]

Like many, I am a soon-to-be ReplayTV convert (although I had a couple of expanded Series 1 TiVos back in the day)...

I've had FIOS for about 6 months with LOTS of router/guide issues... I purchased a NIM online, and am using my own D-Link, but still have intermittent Guide/VOD/DVR issues. I recently decided make the Tivo leap again and return my three HD STBs (at a cost of $9.95, $9.95 and $12.95, respectively) in favor of 2 TiVoHDs.

I just got off of an excruciating 30 minute call with the Verizon folks to order 4 CableCARDs for my two brandy new TiVoHD units. After getting through the initial bullsh%$ about it not working with Tivo and me letting them know they must install them by FCC mandate, they quoted me the following fees:

Recurring
$ 2.99 per cable card X 4 - $11.96 per month. OK. That makes sense.

One-Time
$49.95 service downgrade fee. WTF? I'm feverishly trying to look this up. Anyone have a link to FIOS TV Terms of Service? If so, please provide. I can't locate them.

$24.99 per STB return fee x 3 - $74.97. Again, WTF?

$24.95 per CableCARD install fee x 4 = $99.80. Seriously, this is crazy... has anyone else had this issue. I eventually just decided that they are insane, and I will deal with it when the bill arrives, but I'd love to hear from anyone else of they've heard of such insanity.Thankfully, whoever gave you the above information was misinformed.

There is a $24.99 charge for a "truck roll" to install all the CableCards you requested. It is not a "per CableCard" fee.


There is a $24.99 charge for a "truck roll" to remove STBs and DVRs that you do not want (IIRC).

If the STBs and DVRs are removed during the same visit that your CableCards are installed, you only pay the $24.99 "truck roll" fee once, not twice.


There is a $49.99 charge for a "truck roll" to cancel TV service and remove all related equipment (IIRC).

Basically, there is at least a $24.99 fee any time that a FiOS service technician must visit your home for something other than maintenance / support. These "truck roll" charges are in line with most other cable companies.

CableCard installation requires a truck roll, so you can't avoid that $24.99 fee. However, you can avoid other fees by driving to the nearest FiOS office and dropping off the equipment you do not want. In some service areas, you can also request a Fedex return label for the STBs and DVRs.

[PhiTauBill]

Thanks All, for the very helpful information. I guess the best that I can hope for is that if this order is processed the way the sales rep indicated, that the billing people will have a better understanding of what is what when I call in to correct her, and eliminate those fees. In the meantime, I'll continue my search for the FIOS TV Terms of Service.

[acvthree]

Here are the New Jersey drop off locations...

http://www22.verizon.com/ResidentialHelp/FiOSTV/General+Support/Account+Issues/QuestionsOne/98776.htm

[Eudmin]

I got my second cable card Friday night. The installer came back after his normal work hours with only 1 cable card and said that we should just cross our fingers. We put it in, and the pairing screen popped up. He called in on his phone and didn't even have to give them any of the info on the pairing screen. He just chose the serial number of the card from the audible menu on his phone (they had it checked out to him), told them my phone number (also to the automated system), and they sent out two hits and 10 minutes later it was receiving channels.

The wait time after receiving the hits worried us. I thought the Conditional Access screen would update right away, but even though the diagnostics screen didn't show that it was downloading anything it still took a while for it to start working on with the test channels.

It took a repeat of Guided Setup to get both tuners going instead of just the one I had, but it works great now.

[acvthree]

>>>He just chose the serial number of the card from the audible menu on his phone (they had it checked out to him),

Is this new? It sure seems like a good way to avoid a lot of problems.

Al

[JRWilliams308]

Just to update all.

I finally (after 2 1\2 days of missed or non-scheduled appointments) got a tech visit. on Saturday. He immediately asked why was I going with a Tivo DVR. "Have you tried ours" "it's better". I smiled. Told him theirs was crap. I had already returned it. Nice guy though...we actually had a good time.

We better have, since he was here for nearly 3 hours...

First suggestion, ask your installer if they've installed cable cards on a Tivo yet. I did, and he said yes, but later revealed that he meant he'd installed cable cards on "some of our boxes" (wait, our boxes? I thought Verizon and the Cable Ops where still fighting introduction of their own cable card boxes).

Anyways, after several calls to his support group, and a couple of times double checking the serial numbers. We couldn't figure out why the channels weren't detecting. I finally said screw it, it's time to restart (we'd done the guided setup 3 times already).

Viola. Both cablecards came up and I was immediately watching and recording HD. What a beautiful sight.

SO remember, "when in doubt, reboot!"

[PhiTauBill]

Like many, I am a soon-to-be ReplayTV convert (although I had a couple of expanded Series 1 TiVos back in the day)...

I've had FIOS for about 6 months with LOTS of router/guide issues... I purchased a NIM online, and am using my own D-Link, but still have intermittent Guide/VOD/DVR issues. I recently decided make the Tivo leap again and return my three HD STBs (at a cost of $9.95, $9.95 and $12.95, respectively) in favor of 2 TiVoHDs.

I just got off of an excruciating 30 minute call with the Verizon folks to order 4 CableCARDs for my two brandy new TiVoHD units. After getting through the initial bullsh%$ about it not working with Tivo and me letting them know they must install them by FCC mandate, they quoted me the following fees:

Recurring
$ 2.99 per cable card X 4 - $11.96 per month. OK. That makes sense.

One-Time
$49.95 service downgrade fee. WTF? I'm feverishly trying to look this up. Anyone have a link to FIOS TV Terms of Service? If so, please provide. I can't locate them.

$24.99 per STB return fee x 3 - $74.97. Again, WTF?

$24.95 per CableCARD install fee x 4 = $99.80. Seriously, this is crazy... has anyone else had this issue. I eventually just decided that they are insane, and I will deal with it when the bill arrives, but I'd love to hear from anyone else of they've heard of such insanity.

My appointment is set for Tuesday, 1/8/2008. I'll keep you abreast of my progress.

In the meantime, please share any similar experiences or tidbits of advice.

Regards,
Bill

Well, I promised an update, and here it is. Verizon called me Saturday night (1/5/2008) and indicated they had availability on Sunday (1/6/2008) a.m. which I gladly accepted b/c that meant I wouldn't have to work from home on Tuesday (1/8/2008), my originally scheduled time.

Unfortunately, once Sunday morning rolled around, they called me and indicated that they had NO cablecards in the area, and did not know when they would have more. That's not good consdering the fact that I need 4, and failure rates seem to be in the 25-50% range... seems like I'd want the installer to have at least 6 of them to have a good chance of success... so, he said they'd place the job order in "jeopardy", whatever the h@ll that means... [sigh] I wonder if I'll ever have my cablecards...

Anyone have asimilar experience where there are NO cablecards available?

I'll keep you posted on my progress... at least point I am not too hopeful that it will be done tomorrow, Tuesday, as originally scheduled.

We'll see...

Regards,
Bill

[philhu]

That is a standard way to get out of installing cable cards. Not just Fios, butr alot of cable companies, incluiding Comcast in alot of areas.

They MUST give them, but the suppliers have no incentive to make them, so the cable company points at the manufacturer and says, 'none availabe'

I know someone who waited 5 months and then the order 'got lost', so they wanted him to wait some more.

Now, Comcast Boston brought out 2 shiny M-Cards for my 2 tivos, and they were in and gone in 15 minutes, at $2.95 per card. Total $5.90/month for BOTH tivo's!!

I even kept my std cable box, I was so impressed, to get Comcast On-Demand.

[wrp]

I've logged more that 8 hours during the past 5 weeks on the phone with Verizon trying to get 2 additional cablecards for a second Tivo - but no one at Verizon can get this done. They tried several times to mail them to me, but of course Verizon needs a truck roll. And they don't know how to cancel the work order. I'm beginning to think I might have to first completely cancel the fios-tv, and then start all over. Any other suggestions?

[Bandit LOAF]

I've logged more that 8 hours during the past 5 weeks on the phone with Verizon trying to get 2 additional cablecards for a second Tivo - but no one at Verizon can get this done. They tried several times to mail them to me, but of course Verizon needs a truck roll. And they don't know how to cancel the work order. I'm beginning to think I might have to first completely cancel the fios-tv, and then start all over. Any other suggestions?

I've been in exactly the same boat - I finally called them again and sat through another hour of holds to find someone who knew that cablecards had to be installed... they're theoretically going to take care of it on the 15th.

My experience was that the lady who answers the phone for the local Maryland office is the problem (it's been the same woman every time I've gotten that far)... everyone else in the forwarding chain seems to understand how it's supposed to work. When I got to that point today I explained the whole problem again and she checked with her supervisor and finally scheduled the truck roll.

I'm not really sure what will happen to the last order where they swore up and down that they could just mail me the cards... I guess we'll see what my bill looks like in a month!

[wrp]

Unless they actually cancelled the older order, nothing will happen on 1/15

[Bandit LOAF]

Unless they actually cancelled the older order, nothing will happen on 1/15

Any idea why that is?

Edit: You sufficiently terrified me, so I called up Verizon again... the first person who responded was able to find the 1/15 appointment without being prompted and claimed that the 1/14 listing was now "empty." Of course, I've had Verizon insist things to me before -- so who knows!

[Eudmin]

Is this new? It sure seems like a good way to avoid a lot of problems.

Al

I don't know if it's around all over, but I swear that's what happened.

He navigated the telephone menus after quoting his technician number and the number on his Secure Key. I heard them quoting serial numbers for the other CableCard that I had installed successfully already and asking if he wanted to deactivate it.

He said "no" to the deactivation so they asked about the one that he had checked out, he said "yes" and a few minutes later I got a 161-4 error from the "initialize" hit (according to the tech) and another 161-4 error from the "activate" hit (also according to the tech) and after an initial panic for about 10 minutes where it seemed that it wasn't working it just started working. It was receiving OOB messages the entire time, so maybe it was just downloading stuff.

So far, in my experience, if the test channels on the cablecard menu work, then the setup is done and a guided setup and/or reboot will set it all right. We had some confusion when we were able to get the test channel on cablecard 2 to tune, but were not able to switch tuners on live TV. A guided setup set that right.

[aaronwt]

I never had to reboot any of my TiVoHD boxes or Series 3 boxes when the cable cards were installed. I glad I had the rest of mine done 2 months ago since people seem to be having problems now.

[SamReidland]

Verizon support guy came to the house today and installed my cable cards in my HD TiVo. I had set up the TiVo a few days ago and installed the latest software (9.2 I think). He put both cards in and wrote down the various numbers, went to his truck to do the laptop thing. Came back in and all worked perfectly. The entire process took about 30 to 40 minutes. Most of the he was in his truck activating the cards. He had done TiVo before. He did say that some go well and some do not. I guess I was lucky.

I had several TiVos back when they were new, up until about a year ago when I got FIOS. I finally got fed up with their DVR. Glad to be back on TiVo.

[DeWitt]

I just went through a FIOS Install in my mothers building (Multi unit - fiber to ONT in Unit)

The Tech mentioned that he has done several TIVO installs. (He was a very experienced senior tech) He mentioned that he found the Tivo's sensitive to a too hot line from the ONT. I could blame this on the cable cards rather than the Tivo, but the issue is the same...

He said that if he carefully checked levels and attenuated them to specification level everything worked fine.

[ah30k]

I could blame this on the cable cards rather than the Tivo, but the issue is the same...Don't think so. The RF receivers/tuners are in the host not CableCARD. The CableCARD interface is purely digital. Nice try though.

[ufo4sale]

Why is it, that on my TivoHD, I only get HD channels on one cable card but not the other?

[gnatz]

I used to have DirecTV HDTivo, but moved over to FIOS and just bought a standalone TivoHD. With the D* HDTivo, Tivo service was managed by DirecTV, so there was no need to open an account with Tivo. However, now that I have a standalone TivoHD unit, will I need to obtain Tivo service prior to having cablecards installed in the TivoHD, or can I wait to activate Tivo service after the cablecard installation? TIA

[bkdtv]

I used to have DirecTV HDTivo, but moved over to FIOS and just bought a standalone TivoHD. With the D* HDTivo, Tivo service was managed by DirecTV, so there was no need to open an account with Tivo. However, now that I have a standalone TivoHD unit, will I need to obtain Tivo service prior to having cablecards installed in the TivoHD, or can I wait to activate Tivo service after the cablecard installation? TIAYou will need to sign up within the first week of running guided setup. You can pay $12.95/mo, $129/yr ($10.75/mo), or $299/3yrs.

Why is it, that on my TivoHD, I only get HD channels ons one cable card but not the other?If you don't get a picture on one tuner, then one of your CableCards wasn't properly activated. When both cards are activated properly, you will get all the same channels on both tuners.

You should be able to resolve this over the phone, but before you can do that, you need to find out which CableCard needs activation. To do that, set each tuner to a different digital channel, such as 825 and 826. I'm assuming you know how to switch tuners, i.e. press the right arrow to bring up info display, then down press down arrow to select the other tuner.

Go to the System Information -> CableCard X.. -> Conditional Access screen. A correctly activated FiOS CableCard will appears as follows:

http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivo/CableCard1_Correctly_Authorized.gif

For each CableCard, it should say Connected: yes, EnabledByCP: yes and Auth: Subscribed on an encrypted digital cable channel. Do that for both CableCard 1 and CableCard 2 to determine which CableCard that doesn't match the above.

Once you verify which of the two cards still needs to be activated, take out the card and write down its serial number. Then plug it back in and pull up the System Information -> CableCard .. -> CableCard Pairing screen (shown below) for that card. Call Fiber Solutions @ 888-553-1555 before 6pm.

http://mysite.verizon.net/~fiosdvr/tivo/CableCardSetup.gif

Tell Fiber Solutions that one of your CableCards was not properly activated. Tell them you know the card serial number and have all the activation information on the screen.

[davidac]

I used to have DirecTV HDTivo, but moved over to FIOS and just bought a standalone TivoHD.

I too am in the process of dropping D* and getting FiOS. Installer is supposed to come today. Just a note on tivo sevice. you can also qualify for lifetime service as a D* tivo customer even though it is not managed by tivo anymore. At least that is what I was told and that is what I paid for though they haven't activated it yet. Supposedly because of the unique circumstance it can take up to 5 days. Well this is day 5. Still waiting. My status says internal testing on the Tivo. So it works for now anyway.

[rob.williams]

I called for cable cards for my new HD TIVO, and the CSR said that as of "last week" they can send out the cards without a technician. Should I expect a follow-up call telling me that they will need to roll a truck?

[bkdtv]

I called for cable cards for my new HD TIVO, and the CSR said that as of "last week" they can send out the cards without a technician. Should I expect a follow-up call telling me that they will need to roll a truck?The CSR was mistaken. The computer system gives them the option to ship CableCards to customers, but all of those orders are canceled later in processing.

A $25 truck roll is required. If you ask a sales rep to ship you cards, that will delay installation by 1-2 weeks. You save that time by asking for a truck roll from the start.

When you request the installation, be sure you indicate that the CableCards are going to your existing TV, not a new TV outlet. Verizon will charge you extra if they think the CableCards are going to new TV, requiring another TV outlet installation.

[Bodie]

I'm assuming you know how to switch tuners, i.e. press the right arrow to bring up info display, then down press down arrow to select the other tuner.


That or just press the "Live TV" button once. ;)

[PhiTauBill]

Well, I promised an update, and here it is. Verizon called me Saturday night (1/5/2008) and indicated they had availability on Sunday (1/6/2008) a.m. which I gladly accepted b/c that meant I wouldn't have to work from home on Tuesday (1/8/2008), my originally scheduled time.

Unfortunately, once Sunday morning rolled around, they called me and indicated that they had NO cablecards in the area, and did not know when they would have more. That's not good consdering the fact that I need 4, and failure rates seem to be in the 25-50% range... seems like I'd want the installer to have at least 6 of them to have a good chance of success... so, he said they'd place the job order in "jeopardy", whatever the h@ll that means... [sigh] I wonder if I'll ever have my cablecards...

Anyone have asimilar experience where there are NO cablecards available?

I'll keep you posted on my progress... at least point I am not too hopeful that it will be done tomorrow, Tuesday, as originally scheduled.

We'll see...

Regards,
Bill


Once again, another update...

I never had a service visit on January 8, 2008. When I called Verizon again, they indicated that they had no idea when cable cards would be back in stock from the manufacturer. Great news...

I called customer service again this evening, January 15, 2008, and this time the representative decided it would be best to schedule another truck roll. The best date he could get me was February 4, 2008, more than a full month following my initial order date (I expect a full refund of my STB fees for this period, but I'll tackle that later). I'm still not particularly hopeful that this will go well as he was pretty wishy-washy on guaranteeing cablecard availability (I need 4 for my two TivoHDs), but I guess I have no choice at this point. Since I've gotten so jazzed up over the conduct of the salespeople, I've went ahead a filed an FCC complaint... we'll see what I hear on that end... perhaps the NJ BPU deserves a strongly worded communication, as well.

Anyone had a cable card install in NJ lately?

Regards,
Bill

[steak]

I guess cable cards are in abundance here in NoVA. I called Verizon today and they offered to come out on Thursday but I told them Friday was better. They said okay and are supposed to be coming out to install 2 cable cards into my new S3.

Here's hoping all works out well!!!

[gnatz]

I guess cable cards are in abundance here in NoVA. I called Verizon today and they offered to come out on Thursday but I told them Friday was better. They said okay and are supposed to be coming out to install 2 cable cards into my new S3.

Here's hoping all works out well!!!

Same here in my neighborhood. I called Monday and they're coming out Thursday with 2 cards....fingers crossed.

[davidac]

So I had my install yesterday. technician had no cable cards and no knowledge that I needed them. He just called his boss and they brought them over some 3 hours into the install. We got them installed. and an HD box in the bedroom. Then he had to call in to get the cable cards activated. He has to sit on hold for 40 minutes. Finally gets a guy, he activates the box and the first cable card, we keep him on the line and insert the second cable card, give him the numbers and he activates that supposedly. says it is a little back up. The first cable card works on all channels. The status in the menus looks good. The second cable card gets the locals only. No encrypted digital channels, no HD. He says to wait a little while. He goes out to his truck to pack up. We wait. Still doesn't work. He says to call in and that I will have quicker access to someone than he did. He leaves. I wait another hour, still not working. I call in. wait 40 minutes or get a call back in 40 minutes. Get a call back in 40 minutes to say I will get a call back in 10 more minutes. get a call back in 10 more minutes, and the guy I get is useless. Re-seat the HDMI cable is his only suggestion. Which even though I know that is not gonna do anything I do so. And of course it doesn't. He is telling me he is waiting on the help desk to tell him what to do, I am thinking he is the help desk. Guess I was wrong. I told him my installer told me to ask to talk to a Network Technician. He says he can open a case with them but I cannot talk to them. OK open a case but don't have them call me back tonight I am going to bed. Did I mention I was told to expect the installer bet ween 8 and 10 AM. Installer did not arrive till around 2. Not his fault, doing what he was told to do. Or course no on told me this. Anyway, back up this morning. locals, and HD work, but no digital encrypted, so I need to call again. I am so looking forward to that. and I also have a problem with the HD box. I have to unplug it and plug it back in the get a video signal to come out of the HDMI port. So much for a remote control turning on the TV. Needless to say this hasn't gone as smoothly as I had hoped.

[Bandit LOAF]

Edit: You sufficiently terrified me, so I called up Verizon again... the first person who responded was able to find the 1/15 appointment without being prompted and claimed that the 1/14 listing was now "empty." Of course, I've had Verizon insist things to me before -- so who knows!

Just thought I'd follow up -- the installer did show up last night and he was very friendly and was happy to listen to me when we ran into trouble (which is to say that he was happy to listen to you kind people, vicariously.)

The process took about two and a half hours because we kept finding cards that hadn't been properly activated... but he was willing to stay (until 8 PM!) and keep swapping them out and calling them in over and over until we had two that worked.

Some of Verizon's phone people need a better script but their techs are top notch -- they really put Comcast to shame. I'm so deliriously happy to have a working Tivo again... my poor old Series 2 died several months back and I've been living without since then.

[rob.williams]

I called for cable cards for my new HD TIVO, and the CSR said that as of "last week" they can send out the cards without a technician. Should I expect a follow-up call telling me that they will need to roll a truck?

Just a quick follow-up. Of course, they needed to roll a truck. However, they didn't tell me when they were going to come by. I got a call at 11:20AM telling me that they were at my house, as I had an 8AM-5PM appointment scheduled. Mind you, I called yesterday to get the cable cards. They were as surprised as I was, as appointments are usually 16 days out, according to the installer.

Usually, this wouldn't be a problem, but I was at my wife's Lasik appointment, and couldn't get home until Noon. They couldn't wait, so had to reschedule me. For the 29th, of course.

Oh well...

(edit - I just noticed FTD's post below. The tech I spoke with said this was going to be his first card install, so he and his supervisor were there to activate the cards.)

[FullThrottleDave]

Just wanted everyone to know that some of the Verizon techs in Oregon are learning about Tivo HD and Cable Cards. Two came out this morning to install two single cards in a new TivoHD. They were aware that one at a time was the way to go and were patient with the process.
After activating the card in the first slot we moved to the second slot and I started the guided setup, They then left promising to call at the end of the day.
The card in the second slot became authorized but slot 1 did not. I called and they were able to swing by again.
They updated the firmware in the router, (which should not have done anything) and the de-authorized and re-authorized the card in slot 1.
I re-ran guided setup and both are now working!

[rifleman69]

Just wanted everyone to know that some of the Verizon techs in Oregon are learning about Tivo HD and Cable Cards. Two came out this morning to install two single cards in a new TivoHD. They were aware that one at a time was the way to go and were patient with the process.
After activating the card in the first slot we moved to the second slot and I started the guided setup, They then left promising to call at the end of the day.
The card in the second slot became authorized but slot 1 did not. I called and they were able to swing by again.
They updated the firmware in the router, (which should not have done anything) and the de-authorized and re-authorized the card in slot 1.
I re-ran guided setup and both are now working!


Should have never let them leave in the first place. Firmware in the router doesn't do anything for the TiVo's so you're correct on that.

[steak]

I guess cable cards are in abundance here in NoVA. I called Verizon today and they offered to come out on Thursday but I told them Friday was better. They said okay and are supposed to be coming out to install 2 cable cards into my new S3.

Here's hoping all works out well!!!

Well I had my CC install today and all went very well. The technician had experience with installing CC's into Tivo boxes and within 40 minutes I had both installed and working. The tech told me that they have had many people move over to TIVO from their Moto boxes due to the technical problems with the IMG on the FIOS DVRs.

He also knew about the potential attenuation issues and gave me an attenuator to use in case I had problems along with his cell phone number in case he needed to come back out to adjust the signal.

That has to be one of the best techs I have ever had from VZ!

Now I have to setup all my season passes! :)

[PhiTauBill]

Once again, another update...

I never had a service visit on January 8, 2008. When I called Verizon again, they indicated that they had no idea when cable cards would be back in stock from the manufacturer. Great news...

I called customer service again this evening, January 15, 2008, and this time the representative decided it would be best to schedule another truck roll. The best date he could get me was February 4, 2008, more than a full month following my initial order date (I expect a full refund of my STB fees for this period, but I'll tackle that later). I'm still not particularly hopeful that this will go well as he was pretty wishy-washy on guaranteeing cablecard availability (I need 4 for my two TivoHDs), but I guess I have no choice at this point. Since I've gotten so jazzed up over the conduct of the salespeople, I've went ahead a filed an FCC complaint... we'll see what I hear on that end... perhaps the NJ BPU deserves a strongly worded communication, as well.

Anyone had a cable card install in NJ lately?

Regards,
Bill

A final update, for now...

Well, after forwarding my complaints up the chain a bit at Verizon, I received two calls this week, one from a Verizon corporate representative, and then a second one from an area tech supervisor to escalate my request and schedule an appointment ASAP. The Verizon tech came this morning (Saturday, 1/19), and I am extremely happy to report that both TivoHDs are working beautifully. The tech was very knowledgeable, and had done several TiVo installs. He had some issues getting my premium channels on the 2nd cable card for both TiVos, and I suspect that had something to do with the fact that he did insterted both cable cards at once from the get-go, but I didn't care, because he kept working until all the channels were authorized and working well.

While he was there, I asked him about my issues with the ActionTec router (which I had set up as a bridge to my own D-Link router due to issues with my security system accessing the internet through via UPnP on the ActionTec), and he was able (after calling for authorization since this was set-up as a video only "truck roll") to switch me over from MoCA to LAN (supplying a NIM for the IMG/VOD for my last remaining cable box) as well (taking my ActionTec out of the loop), so that I killed two birds with one stone. I couldn't be happier!

When I had spoken with the Verizon corproate representative, he assured me that verizon does support cable cards, and that the sales representative that gave me some misleading information (both about capabilities and costs) would be receive some corrective training. Further, for my troubles, they would waive the $24.99 "truck roll" (my words, not theirs) fee and $24.99 service downgrade fee.

With respect to cable card availability, it does seem that they are still a little tight on supply, and that the holiday push of TiVo sales likely exceeded their expectations. Hopefully, they'll have it resolved soon.

For now, though, I'll go on the record as a satisfied customer despite the hideous start to this saga. Hopefully, as time goes by, they'll have the remaining kinks in the system worked out. Verizon has only been in the video game for a couple of years after all, and in my area (Mercer County, NJ) for less than a year, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt with respect to a learning curve.

Best of luck to all of you in reaching similar result.

Regards,
Bill

P.S. As a ironic post-script, Verizon switched over my area to the new IMG on their STBs earlier this week, and I have to say that is quite a bit of an improvement over the prior guide in functionality. It's not enough to have me longing for a cable STB or anything, but I dare say that it is a pretty attractive interface.

P.P.S. While he was here, I asked the tech when he anticpated the next HD expansion from Verizon would come, and he indicated that they expect that, by the end of February, there should 100 HD channels. I hope he's right!

[aaronwt]

Service downgrade fee? FIOS has a fee for everything. Luckily they also seem to be open to waiving those fees if you complian loud enough.

[markgrogers]

Brand new Series 3 hooked-up yesterday. Ran set-up with Comcast cable per TiVo instructions even though today was FIOS install. Networking (ethernet); TiVo Home Media installed on PC every working great. TiVo connected and updated software. Tested recording, transfer, etc., all perfect.

FIOS Tech arrived and set up cable boxes on 2 TVs. Splitter on coax cable from wall puts signal into Verizon/Moto cable box & into TiVo. Inserted Cable Card into bottom slot per instrucitons. 161-4 error came up immediately. Per other posts here, I waited for progress- hours went by still 161-4 error.

TiVo still says "161-4 error- Call your cable provider". Verizon Tech Guys says there is no one to call and nothing he can do unless the screen with the cable card ID info gets displayed. He sets up 2 TVs with cable boxes and they work fine. He leaves, I ask him to leave the cable cards.

I try re-booting TiVo, waiting again, still 161-4. I switch-out first card, and place 2nd card in bottom slot- still 161-4. I reboot TiVo again, wait again- nada- still 161-4. Its now been 6 hours, multiple reboots of TiVo, 2 different Moto cable cards both tried in bottom slot. No matter what I have tried, still 161-4 error.

Called Verizon Tech Guy (he gave me his number). He still says nothing he can do unless screen with card info appears. His diagnosis: bad TiVo unit; suggests sending it back. 'Told him TiVo was set-up and functioning perfectly earlier today (pre-FIOS). He has no suggestions- just return bad TiVo unit.

Any help/suggestions much appreciated.

Thanks if you read this far.

Mark

[Bodie]

161-4 error came up immediately. Per other posts here, I waited for progress- hours went by still 161-4 error.

TiVo still says "161-4 error- Call your cable provider". Verizon Tech Guys says there is no one to call and nothing he can do unless the screen with the cable card ID info gets displayed. He sets up 2 TVs with cable boxes and they work fine. He leaves, I ask him to leave the cable cards.

I try re-booting TiVo, waiting again, still 161-4. I switch-out first card, and place 2nd card in bottom slot- still 161-4. I reboot TiVo again, wait again- nada- still 161-4. Its now been 6 hours, multiple reboots of TiVo, 2 different Moto cable cards both tried in bottom slot. No matter what I have tried, still 161-4 error.
Mark

From: the CableCard installation FAQ: (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=363797)

14. There was an error message during the installation of the CableCARDs. Now what?

Depends on the error message. If you received a 161-4 error code, this can be safely ignored (it is actually a "good" error).

[wmcbrine]

P.S. As a ironic post-script, Verizon switched over my area to the new IMG on their STBs earlier this week, and I have to say that is quite a bit of an improvement over the prior guide in functionality. It's not enough to have me longing for a cable STB or anything, but I dare say that it is a pretty attractive interface.I can't agree. Pretty, yes; but the functionality is actually a step backwards in some important respects that you may not have noticed yet.

P.P.S. While he was here, I asked the tech when he anticpated the next HD expansion from Verizon would come, and he indicated that they expect that, by the end of February, there should 100 HD channels. I hope he's right!That's overstating it a bit, I think. Last I heard, the official word from Verizon (via press releases) was 150 HD channels by the end of the year, but starting with 30 by... an unspecified time in the near future.

They have to cut off their analogs to add more than 30 (and maybe even to add that many), BTW, and do some network upgrades to allow all 150.

[markgrogers]

Yes- thanks- saw this, which is why I waited (and waited...and waited...).

Per those posts about the "good error", after waiting 10-20 minutes the card was recognized and the "gray" screen that Verizon needs to "activate" the card appears.

Unfortunately for me, no gray screen ever appears- just the 161-4 error. If I try to change screens and go to any other TiVo screen, after a second or two, the 161-4 error screen pops back up.

So, for others, this may have been a "good error" since after ignoring it for 10-20 minutes they progressed beyond it. In my case, I am just !%$#$!ing stuck with 161-4 no matter how long I wait (and I am not kidding when I said I waited hours- with card switches, reboots, etc., in between).

'Still looking for any help/suggestions.

Thanks again.

[wkearney99]

Look into the diagnostic screens and see if you're actually getting a signal (it'll show a value measured in dB). Mine showed up as 26dB.

Do you have another device that could use the cablecards? I plugged mine into my Pioneer plasma. One worked right away. The other required the VZ tech to activate it again. Once both worked I put 'em back in the Tivo. Neither worked, so I swapped them around and rebooted. I re-ran the entire guided setup program, again. That got them working.

My suggestion? With your current setup, remove the cablecards (just pop 'em out of the slot) do a channel scan again. Yes, without the cards inserted. Mine took a while and resulted in someone just shy of 500 channels detected (460-something?). If you don't see that many channels being detected then there's no hope of the cards working. The channels are "there" and detectable without a cablecard. But they can't be tuned and viewed without the card. If your Tivo by itself doesn't detect those channels then you have either a cabling problem or the Tivo itself is bad. You want to make sure it's not a cabling problem FIRST. If necessary, string a known-good RF cable directly from the ONT to the Tivo. It's entirely possible the ONT is mis-configured or bad.

Once that was done I rebooted, again with the cards still not inserted. Upon reboot I inserted the cards and re-ran the whole guided setup again.

There really is too much mystery involved with these damn things. I would help a lot if there was some sort of more comprehensive debug or monitoring info we could read while they're in the Tivo.

[dslunceford]

For each CableCard, it should say Connected: yes, EnabledByCP: yes and Auth: Subscribed on an encrypted digital cable channel. Do that for both CableCard 1 and CableCard 2 to determine which CableCard that doesn't match the above.


What if EnabledByCP is "no?" My cable cards seem to work fine (save some blocking on a couple of channels), but as I prepare to switch out to a new THD, I notice that though I get all channels, on the one THD, both cards have "No" for this line.