Official Time Warner Cable Thread

[SugarBowl]

I have TWC in Charlotte. I don't get TBSHD with my cablecards. I called TWC and the first CSR hung up on me while transferring me, and the second one claimed the TWC is not "compatible" with TiVo. :rolleyes: I'm afraid I lost my cool and unloaded on her a bit. But I see I'm not alone.

Can someone explain to me the whole SDV thing and the ramifications I should expect?

from TWC:
"Response:As you are aware, the current CableCard technology enables access to “one-way” programming services. Therefore, “two-way” interactive services such as On Demand programming or the On-Screen Guide require the use of a digital set-top box. As part of our ongoing upgrades to digital services, Time Warner Cable will be adding select High Definition channels to a two-way switched digital technology - this includes TBS HD and future high definition channel launches."


So, i wouldn't expect any new HD channels to ever work with our cablecards.

[StEvEY5036]

Wanted to see if I could answer about Austin, TX. Here is my experience so far.

Here it the news, turns out, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT, if you go with a cable card from Time Warner, you loose, Pay Per View, all music channels, most of your HBO, all of Cinemax, food network, Home and Garden, all the childrens channels and many others. Yep, believe it or not they completly screw you when you don't use their DVR. He explained that the installer should have explained all this. Not to mention the 2 hours on tech support wasted cause THEY TOO have NO CLUE.
.

Not entirely true.. I get everything that you listed minus the PPV and on demand stuff. Im in Rochester NY

[cableguy763]

Wanted to see if I could answer about Austin, TX. Here is my experience so far.

1. Called to get a cable card. Specifically asked if they had multicards or just the single cards. Were told they DON'T have multicards. Appt. was setup.
2. Installer arrived spent forever on the phone trying to figure out what was wrong. I overheard him talking to someone on the phone about "the multicard" and interrupted him to ask him about that since I was told they did not have any. Turns out, as usual, the people at the call center have no idea what is going on. He was putting the multicard in slot 2 and a single card in slot 1. I explained that the multicard goes in slot 1 and he could keep the darn single card since I aske for a multicard in the first place.
3. OK, with mc in slot 1, he still spent 1/2 an hour on the phone and then said he was done and left.
4. None of the premium channels worked after he left. We pay for HBO and Cinemax but don't get them.
5. Called TW tech support. Spent about 2 hours on the phone with them and they can't figure it out either. They are sending out a tech, he will call first.
6. Tech called, holly cow it's somebody who actually has a clue.

Here it the news, turns out, AND THIS IS IMPORTANT, if you go with a cable card from Time Warner, you loose, Pay Per View, all music channels, most of your HBO, all of Cinemax, food network, Home and Garden, all the childrens channels and many others. Yep, believe it or not they completly screw you when you don't use their DVR. He explained that the installer should have explained all this. Not to mention the 2 hours on tech support wasted cause THEY TOO have NO CLUE.

Now he is saying we need a set top box to get those channels. No one has explained yet how this is supposed to work with the new TIVO. We are scheduled to talk to him Monday.

I will let everyone know exactly how bad we are screwed after we talk to them Monday.
A lot of what you are saying is simply not true. Send me a pm and I can get you fixed today over the phone.

[Mandlf]

Originally posted by SugarBowl

from TWC:
"Response:As you are aware, the current CableCard technology enables access to “one-way” programming services. Therefore, “two-way” interactive services such as On Demand programming or the On-Screen Guide require the use of a digital set-top box. As part of our ongoing upgrades to digital services, Time Warner Cable will be adding select High Definition channels to a two-way switched digital technology - this includes TBS HD and future high definition channel launches."


So, i wouldn't expect any new HD channels to ever work with our cablecards.

Am I missing something? Was TiVo unaware of this? Why would they launch the TiVoHD box this way?

Also, can you use a set top box with the TiVoHD? Or are we stuck with Cablecards?

[kramertc]

Just got a Tivo HD from Amazon and I'm liking it. Got 2 cablecards from TW Charlotte and they are working fine... except for TBS-HD. After reading here I'm learning that this is the 1st channel rolled out in SDV.

Are there not any legal ramifications with cablecards being locked out of SDV channels? Seems to me that TW is in breach of the FCC mandate to support cablecard technology.

This is too bad for me as I'm really liking this Tivo HD box but need the upcoming new HD channels that apparently will all be SDV.

When Tivo works out the dongle that will allow for SDV channels to be tuned I'll gladly get another Tivo box. For now I'm going to return the one I've got. I hope Tivo finds a solution soon.

[Joybob]

Just got a Tivo HD from Amazon and I'm liking it. Got 2 cablecards from TW Charlotte and they are working fine... except for TBS-HD. After reading here I'm learning that this is the 1st channel rolled out in SDV.

Are there not any legal ramifications with cablecards being locked out of SDV channels? Seems to me that TW is in breach of the FCC mandate to support cablecard technology.

This is too bad for me as I'm really liking this Tivo HD box but need the upcoming new HD channels that apparently will all be SDV.

When Tivo works out the dongle that will allow for SDV channels to be tuned I'll gladly get another Tivo box. For now I'm going to return the one I've got. I hope Tivo finds a solution soon.

Doesn't this completely defeat the purpose of buying a S3 in the first place?

What about those of us who aren't allowed access to HD channels at all? Is that even legal?

[kramertc]

Doesn't this completely defeat the purpose of buying a S3 in the first place?

What about those of us who aren't allowed access to HD channels at all? Is that even legal?

I hope knowledgeable people will chime in. I'm going to guess that there must be some wiggle room in the FCC rules that allow for SDV transmissions. Say if 90% of TW channels can be tuned by cablecards then it must be enough to comply with the letter of the law.

Stinks but such is life. This is going to be a big deal breaker for new Tivo customers as myself.. right now TW is advertising lots of new HD channels that will be added to compete with the new MPEG4 channels that Directv has.

[minckster]

Just got a Tivo HD from Amazon and I'm liking it. Got 2 cablecards from TW Charlotte and they are working fine... except for TBS-HD. After reading here I'm learning that this is the 1st channel rolled out in SDV.

Are there not any legal ramifications with cablecards being locked out of SDV channels? Seems to me that TW is in breach of the FCC mandate to support cablecard technology.

This is too bad for me as I'm really liking this Tivo HD box but need the upcoming new HD channels that apparently will all be SDV.

When Tivo works out the dongle that will allow for SDV channels to be tuned I'll gladly get another Tivo box. For now I'm going to return the one I've got. I hope Tivo finds a solution soon. TiVo's announced that they're working on a technical fix to SDV: http://customersupport.tivo.com/TiVoCollection/CBECF1B9-88DE-4B74-82C1-754C3260112A/ins_Content.html

If you search this forum for "dongle", you'll find more information.

[kramertc]

Thank you. The issue I have is that there isn't any hint of a timeline for this "dongle" solution. It could be next week or it could be a year from now.

From the link you provided:
We expect the adapter to be available to consumers before switched digital becomes widely deployed.

Sounds very hopeful but too vague. I'm going to return the Tivo HD within my 30 day period and will monitor progress from time to time.

[jacksonian]

Thank you. The issue I have is that there isn't any hint of a timeline for this "dongle" solution. It could be next week or it could be a year from now.

From the link you provided:
We expect the adapter to be available to consumers before switched digital becomes widely deployed.

Sounds very hopeful but too vague. I'm going to return the Tivo HD within my 30 day period and will monitor progress from time to time.
I can't say that I blame you on that, I'm up in Greensboro. I've had one S3 for about a year now, got another in May. TBS-HD is the first HD channel in SDV for us, but then we're adding 9 more in a week or so. I'm going to try to hang in there for now since the new HD channels aren't the one's I'm really dying for, but I won't be willing to wait too much longer.

My problem is that I have the SARA software for the TWC DVR. You guys in Charlotte still have PASSPORT, right? Yours is light years better than ours. I can't do SARA, so my choice is either stick it out or go satellite.

[pkscout]

Am I missing something? Was TiVo unaware of this? Why would they launch the TiVoHD box this way?

Also, can you use a set top box with the TiVoHD? Or are we stuck with Cablecards?

First, TiVo launched it with the only solution the cable cartel (via their front organization CableLabs) will allow. There is no approved two way device that would allow TiVo to keep their UI. The only two way communications device CableLabs has/will approve is using OCAP, which allows the cable company to download whatever software they want to the box. That would mean TWC could put that god aweful Navigator software on your brand new TiVo. That's no choice at all.

Second, you can't use a cable box with the TiVo HD or S3. If you want to get encrypted digital channels (including HD channels) and can't get them off the air, you need the cable cards.

Don't like it? Complain to the FCC. Their the ones who have let the cable cartel make a joke of the decade old mandate.

[kramertc]

I can't say that I blame you on that, I'm up in Greensboro. I've had one S3 for about a year now, got another in May. TBS-HD is the first HD channel in SDV for us, but then we're adding 9 more in a week or so. I'm going to try to hang in there for now since the new HD channels aren't the one's I'm really dying for, but I won't be willing to wait too much longer.

My problem is that I have the SARA software for the TWC DVR. You guys in Charlotte still have PASSPORT, right? Yours is light years better than ours. I can't do SARA, so my choice is either stick it out or go satellite.

Yes, I have Passport in my 8300 dvr...I thought SARA was much better than Passport. I don't care for the Passport software but I've never seen Sara so I can't comment.

I have to admit that I have a soft spot for TW Charlotte. Whenever I call customer service all of their reps are here in Charlotte.. either Morehead St or Arrowood Rd. Whenever I call (like I did to have the cablecards installed) I'm never on hold for more than 5 mins before I talk to someone. I also have Directv (Sunday Ticket only) and when I call them it's 20-30 mins before I speak to someone. So I'm going to stick it out w/TW and hope that TIVO resolves the SDV issue.

[Fofer]

Time Warner SoCal here... my TiVo (series 3) today alerted me to a lineup change, that of TBS-HD (channel 417.) In the past when I've gotten these notices I've checked the channel and sure enough, I'm getting a new channel.

This time the channel is black and all it says on the bottom is "Searching for signal on Cable In"

Does this mean I'm not actually going to get the channel? (As far as I know, there hasn't been any SDV deployed in Los Angeles from TW. Could this be the first?)

[JYoung]

Time Warner SoCal here... my TiVo (series 3) today alerted me to a lineup change, that of TBS-HD (channel 417.) In the past when I've gotten these notices I've checked the channel and sure enough, I'm getting a new channel.

This time the channel is black and all it says on the bottom is "Searching for signal on Cable In"

Does this mean I'm not actually going to get the channel? (As far as I know, there hasn't been any SDV deployed in Los Angeles from TW. Could this be the first?)

Wonder if it's a channel mapping issue.

TW-SFV is broadcasting TBS-HD in clear QAM on channel 100-07 (I think).

[artinsocal]

Time Warner SoCal here... my TiVo (series 3) today alerted me to a lineup change, that of TBS-HD (channel 417.) In the past when I've gotten these notices I've checked the channel and sure enough, I'm getting a new channel.

This time the channel is black and all it says on the bottom is "Searching for signal on Cable In"

Does this mean I'm not actually going to get the channel? (As far as I know, there hasn't been any SDV deployed in Los Angeles from TW. Could this be the first?)
I got the same message but I do get TBSHD when I tune to channel 417. Also the TW cable guy came to replace a card on Fri. and he had me tune to channel 413, which is a mirror of 417 at the present time even though the channel icon says FSWPTHD. He said their testing 413 because it's not on their channel lineup.

[SugarBowl]

Time Warner SoCal here... my TiVo (series 3) today alerted me to a lineup change, that of TBS-HD (channel 417.) In the past when I've gotten these notices I've checked the channel and sure enough, I'm getting a new channel.

This time the channel is black and all it says on the bottom is "Searching for signal on Cable In"

Does this mean I'm not actually going to get the channel? (As far as I know, there hasn't been any SDV deployed in Los Angeles from TW. Could this be the first?)

It means this channel will be on SDV whenever they implement SDV. But TWC is already restricting what channels can be received by cablecards based on the assumption that once they implement SDV, you will lose these channels anyways.

I guess TWC doesn't share Tivo's optimism that a solution will be in place soon.

[petemoss007]

A lot of what you are saying is simply not true. Send me a pm and I can get you fixed today over the phone.

I hope it's not true. I pray it's not true. Problem is, TW in Austin does think it's true. I don't want to rat anyone out but the TW person called us from a 512 number and represented himself as a TW tech supervisor. The information I posted was told to us by him. If anybody knows differently, please enlighten us. Would love to get our channels back and still be able to use cable cards. Also, if you check the TW cable card link you will notice that many of the availability of channels is listed as "Varies". I guess for us, varies means, you don't get these channels. Also, what is a PM? Sorry for the ignorance.

[Fofer]

I got the same message but I do get TBSHD when I tune to channel 417. Also the TW cable guy came to replace a card on Fri. and he had me tune to channel 413, which is a mirror of 417 at the present time even though the channel icon says FSWPTHD. He said their testing 413 because it's not on their channel lineup.
Well, the message about 417 just popped up for me on Sunday. I'm gonna wait a few days and see what happens before calling TWC. In the meantime, yes, I just checked 413 and see that it is broadcasting what 417's Guide Data lists (that is, Home Improvement currently.) That gives me confidence that t a few days it'll be working properly.

It means this channel will be on SDV whenever they implement SDV. But TWC is already restricting what channels can be received by cablecards based on the assumption that once they implement SDV, you will lose these channels anyways.
Nah, not necessarily. Here in L.A. we've had a rash of new channels added recently (many in HD) with no problem whatsoever for CableCard and TiVo owners.

[dvrhead]

What about those of us who aren't allowed access to HD channels at all? Is that even legal?


Guys, an FCC complaint takes 5 minutes to do:
fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cib/fcc475.cfm

This is the *only* way TW (and other Cable Companies) will listen and do anything about this. The CSRs don't give a crap.

[dwsnyder]

Got a new Tivo HD and had Cablecards installed last week. It was a bit of a hassle, but overall not as bad as I expected it to be. The first time the installer came, he said he had never seen a Tivo before, and wasn't sure what to do with it (even though I gave him the "For Cablecard Installers" sheet), so he called one of his buddies at the central office, who told him that TW policy is to only install one Cablecard in Tivo HD (even though TW Albany only has S-cards). So, even though the guy had 2 S-cards in his hand, I could only convince him to install one of them. Between the wait for firmware upgrades, downloading the channel mappings, and 'rebalancing' my account, it took about an hour.

After the installer left, I called TW customer service to find out what their real policy is on CableCards, and it turns out the installer was flat out wrong. So, they set up an appointment for later in the week. The same guy came back, but this time he brought another installer who was more clueful with him. It took them about an hour to get the second card up and running.

So far, everything has been working very well. I don't this TW Albany is using SDV yet, as I get all of the channels I am supposed to (even the newly added TBS-HD on 1805--still waiting for Tivo to get the guide data for that). The basic channels are all analog, but I can live with that.

Each card costs $1.75 per month. Installation was about $18, because they were billing it as an equipment pick up (to get rid of the crappy SA 8300HD), normally it would have been about $30 for the install.

I'm so happy to have Tivo again! We had a Series 1 for years, but got rid of it in March when we upgraded to an HDTV. At the time the S3 was too pricey, so we went with Time Warner's DVR, but it was such a horrible user experience that I picked up the Tivo HD as soon as I heard about it.

[JeffRapp]

Well, I had my CableCard install on Friday, and it went relatively well. Initially, TWC (Lincoln, NE) claimed that M-Cards didn't exist. After talking with one of their cable techs, we got things cleared up and he let me know they'd be installing a single M-Card rather than the S-Cards. Friday morning, I get a callback. All of their M-Cards are in the SA set-tops, and they couldn't pull one. On top of that, someone in accounting only ordered S-Cards for installations. He was very apologetic and let me know that the installer would be doing the two S-Cards, and they'd send out someone to replace them once the M-Cards arrived. Wonderful!

The installer arrived on time and was very cool about the whole thing. He'd never seen a TiVo HD before, so he went straight to the back to do the install. After I showed him they were in the front, almost everything went smoothly. The first problem was waiting for the EMM count. I think it got up to 8, and he hung out on hold with the dispatch guy for a while before dispatch told him to check the levels in my apartment. Now, I'm no cable tech, but I'm assuming the EMMs were low because I wasn't geting/paying for anything that would have been encrypted, right? Anyway, he checked the levels, they were good, and the channels came in clearly.

During the whole EMM situation, things got a little awkward. During the setup, the installer had his phone on speaker with the dispatch guy. At one point, I heard the dispatch guy go into a riot about how it didn't make any sense that I needed cable cards. I wasn't subscribing to digital cable, and worst of all, I don't have a HDTV, *yet.* "That's stupid," he says. I politely explain that I need the cards to get the mapping so I can record the Clear QAMs, and he basically throws a big fat whatever in my direction, and tells the installer to skip the second card. I talked him into installing it, however.

Overall, the installation went OK, took about 45 minutes. The important thing is, it's simply amazing the difference in quality between, say ABC on the analog and the QAM version of the same channel. I'm in love.

[Peter000]

I have TW in NYC. Do we still need two cablecards? Or has everything been upgraded so only one dual-tuner cablecard is needed?

The reason I ask is that one of my cable cards (slot 2) doesn't seem to be working, but I'm still able to record 2 cable channels at once (or channel change while recording)! When I go into slot 2 "test channels" it says no channels available. Slot 1 channels work fine.

When I go into the diagnostic screen, it seems like nothing is happening in Slot 2 (lots of zeros, and it shows a date of Jan 1, 2006).

Thoughts? Answers?

[bmints]

TiVo's announced that they're working on a technical fix to SDV:

(See Link in Original Post)

If you search this forum for "dongle", you'll find more information.


Funny, that the link to the TiVo site says:

"For the full text of the FCC filing on August 24, 2007, please click this link. "

If you click over and read the full text, you'll see that it was actually 2006 (over a year ago). Not 2007. Wonder how much progress has really been made on the dongle. Does anyone know?

[MauiWorks]

Oceanic's website says otherwise -- at: --newbie snip--. I'd call back and throw a little fit. If you don't get anywhere, call TiVo. There's a good chance they'll call Oceanic in a 3-way conference call with you and read the regulations about providing CableCARDs to Oceanic. (TiVo did that when they first introduced the Series3. I'm not sure if they still do.)

Another thread on this site discusses Oceanic's planned switch to 100 percent SDV. If that's true, they may offer CableCARDs but you wouldn't be able to tune any channels after the switch. The page linked above says that you use CableCARDs to get, "Basic & Digital Cable Programs, Crystal Clear Picture & Sound; Premium Channels: HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz!, TMC; and High Definition (HD) Channels."

OTW has said the info on the site is old - it is to be removed shortly. I called Tivo and was cryptically told that they were aware of this amazing event and were "working on it...". A call back to OTW management confirms my original post - they're done with CC's, and they had no comment on the FCC regulations regarding it. Tivo has product to sell, so I'm hoping they're aggressively pursuing this one.

[dsjohnston]

Short story that I'll elaborate on soon. Had a TWC tech, a very smart and helpful guy, Garvin Bertrand, come to the house today. Inexperienced with CC install, but adamant about wanting to learn.

Took about 2.5 hours, most of it on the phone with TWC tech. Upshot is that once we had the right techs on the line, it took about ten minutes.

My only lingering question at the moment is: What TWC Raleigh-Durham HD channels should/could I be getting?

Again, more detailed account soon, including the helpful techs' names.

[SugarBowl]

Short story that I'll elaborate on soon. Had a TWC tech, a very smart and helpful guy, Garvin Bertrand, come to the house today. Inexperienced with CC install, but adamant about wanting to learn.

Took about 2.5 hours, most of it on the phone with TWC tech. Upshot is that once we had the right techs on the line, it took about ten minutes.

My only lingering question at the moment is: What TWC Raleigh-Durham HD channels should/could I be getting?

Again, more detailed account soon, including the helpful techs' names.

currently, you can't get TBS-HD on channel 282.

You will not be getting A&E HD or VersusHD next week. http://www.timewarnercable.com/NC/products/cable/HDTV/raleighNewHDChannels.html

And it's rumored that the HD-Suite is being removed from cablecards in 30-45 days.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11791784#post11791784

[dsjohnston]

Was actually told I couldn't continue to get HD Suite this afternoon. :(

[SugarBowl]

Was actually told I couldn't continue to get HD Suite this afternoon. :(

It would seem that other than the networks which are available free over the air, our cablecards get TNT-HD, Discovery HD theater, espnHD, and espn2HD. And the channels in the 100's. There is also the Famliy Choice tier (350-368) which contains some digital versions of analog channels.

I'm not sure about the premium channels as I don't subscribe to any of them.

[jrcoombs]

Installed a TIVO HD in Austin, TX two weeks ago. Tech tried to install two multipath cards in the two slots. Convinced him only one was required in slot one.

1. Everything seems to work though I get hangs from time to time and have to reboot the Tivo. Is this normal? If not, what should I do?

2. Missing a "few" channels beyond those I would expect with switched video, mostly importantly several HD channels 1521 KXAN, 1542 KLRU Inspration, 1617 Discovery, 1635 ESPN, 1636 ESPN HD. Is missing these "normal"? If not how do I correct it?

I'm also missing 103 Toon Disney, 121/122/125 Nicktoons, 140 Discovery Kids, 150 Noggin, 203 Discovery Home, 204 Fine Living, 207 DIY, 211 Lifetime Real Women, 220 Fit TV, 225 Discovery Health, 236 Military, 237 Science, 239 G4, 243 Biography, 248 History Int'l, 250 Discovery Times, 261 Log, 262 Ovation, 266 Sleuth, 268 BBC America (wish I had this), 324 TXCN, 348 News8, 358 News * weather, 359 News8 nonsteop weather, 361 CNBC World, 368 Bloomberg, 405 ESPPNews, 408 News 8 Sports, 420 ESPN classic (another nice to have), 440 Fox Soccer (ouch), 470 versus, 525 Game Show, 527 Fox reality, 571 MTV2, 575 Fuse, 582 VH1 classic, 595 GAC.

The rest I don't expect until switched video gets resolved. Any suggestions appreciated.

[cab2]

Installed a TIVO HD in Austin, TX two weeks ago. Tech tried to install two multipath cards in the two slots. Convinced him only one was required in slot one.

1. Everything seems to work though I get hangs from time to time and have to reboot the Tivo. Is this normal? If not, what should I do?

2. Missing a "few" channels beyond those I would expect with switched video, mostly importantly several HD channels 1521 KXAN, 1542 KLRU Inspration, 1617 Discovery, 1635 ESPN, 1636 ESPN HD. Is missing these "normal"? If not how do I correct it?


The rest I don't expect until switched video gets resolved. Any suggestions appreciated.

I have the full S3 and can tell you that I do get Discovery HD and the KXAN stations. I think I also get KLRU, but would have to double check. I was told the ESPN chanels were part of the sports package and I don't sub to that. the other channels you listed in your other para I think are all SV channels. I don't have the list in front of me, but it is a long list here in austin (bummer!). I think you can find the list here in this thread if you search for it. For what I have been able to tell, I believe that Austin has one of the largest SV lists around. This is a bad thing for us, at least until the dongle is available. I want to go out and buy a Tivo HD, but wont until the SV situation is fixed.

I do not have the hangs you mention. I have a external SATA drive hooked up to my S3 and have had a few problems with that, but no other hangs to speak of.

Also, it may just be me, but it seems like the pixilation / sound breakups are slightly improved with the 9.1 release. It's a little hard to tell, but I seem to have less of those lately. Not sure if thats really related to the 9.1 or not. It's not completely gone, but it seems better.

If they ever pull the plug on Discovery HD or make that one SV, I will be screaming bloody murder! Thats the one channel I watch the most.

[WSP]

Installed a TIVO HD in Austin, TX two weeks ago. Tech tried to install two multipath cards in the two slots. Convinced him only one was required in slot one.

1. Everything seems to work though I get hangs from time to time and have to reboot the Tivo. Is this normal? If not, what should I do?

2. Missing a "few" channels beyond those I would expect with switched video, mostly importantly several HD channels 1521 KXAN, 1542 KLRU Inspration, 1617 Discovery, 1635 ESPN, 1636 ESPN HD. Is missing these "normal"? If not how do I correct it?

I'm also missing 103 Toon Disney, 121/122/125 Nicktoons, 140 Discovery Kids, 150 Noggin, 203 Discovery Home, 204 Fine Living, 207 DIY, 211 Lifetime Real Women, 220 Fit TV, 225 Discovery Health, 236 Military, 237 Science, 239 G4, 243 Biography, 248 History Int'l, 250 Discovery Times, 261 Log, 262 Ovation, 266 Sleuth, 268 BBC America (wish I had this), 324 TXCN, 348 News8, 358 News * weather, 359 News8 nonsteop weather, 361 CNBC World, 368 Bloomberg, 405 ESPPNews, 408 News 8 Sports, 420 ESPN classic (another nice to have), 440 Fox Soccer (ouch), 470 versus, 525 Game Show, 527 Fox reality, 571 MTV2, 575 Fuse, 582 VH1 classic, 595 GAC.

The rest I don't expect until switched video gets resolved. Any suggestions appreciated.

Last week, I went down the list to see which channels I was receiving. You should be getting KXAN (1521), KLRU (1542), and Discovery (1617). I previously had a service call with TW about not getting 1521. This was found to be a bad connection. This channel seems to be sensitive to bad connections.

In your other list of missing channels, I get: 121, 122, 140, 150, all of the 200's you are missing, 324, 361, 368, did not check 400's, 525, 571, 575, 582, and 595.

[crazywater]

Was actually told I couldn't continue to get HD Suite this afternoon. :(
I called yesterday about TBSHD and was told it was on SDV. I was also told that since I had subscribed to the HD Suite back in October 2006 that I would continue to get it even though it is not available to new cable card customers. :confused:

She also told me that they expect the SDV / CableCard issue to be resolved in the near future but, of course, she didn't have a date for me...

[mercurial]

She also told me that they expect the SDV / CableCard issue to be resolved in the near future but, of course, she didn't have a date for me...

Wow... Amazingly optimisitc for a Cable Rep.... :p I wonder what would happen if I added an S3 or THD box now since I already get it... :D

[SCSIRAID]

I called yesterday about TBSHD and was told it was on SDV. I was also told that since I had subscribed to the HD Suite back in October 2006 that I would continue to get it even though it is not available to new cable card customers. :confused:

She also told me that they expect the SDV / CableCard issue to be resolved in the near future but, of course, she didn't have a date for me...

This was a CSR?? Wow... I wouldnt expect a typical CSR to even know what SDV is. What division of TWC? Your profile doesnt indicate where you are located.

[crazywater]

This was a CSR?? Wow... I wouldnt expect a typical CSR to even know what SDV is. What division of TWC? Your profile doesnt indicate where you are located.
Yes she knew what it was although I had to drag it of her since I think she assumed I wouldn't know what it was so she was kinda talking around it. And since she said that they expect this issue to be resolved in the near future I got the impression that she was a bit more knowledgeable than your usual CSR.

I am in Raleigh...

[rileyrd]

Just receieved my HD from Amazon today and in Raleigh. I want to call you CSR. Most don't know the difference between single or multi-stream. Did you get a name? We should refer our tivo friends.

By the way, did you have a multi-stream card installed.

[chefelf]

I just called Time Warner NYC (212.358.0900) and as I've been warned they a) seemed to know little to nothing about CableCARDs and b) the sales guy I spoke with was aggressively trying to convince me not to get one.

The technician I eventually ended up talking to had to consult a supervisor as to what an M-Card was. After she confirmed that they didn't do M-Cards I was able to schedule to have two S-Cards delivered for $1.75 per month each.

The bad part is the next technician can't get out here until November 7th. Nearly a month now I have to wait with my brand new Tivo Series3 collecting dust. That is going to kill me. :)

[farlz]

Even though TWCNYC says $1.75 for each cablecard, it comes out to $8.50 a month for the two of them after all their mirroring fees and stuff. Trust me, I've spent too much time on the phone with them about this, there seems to be no way around it.

[SCSIRAID]

Just receieved my HD from Amazon today and in Raleigh. I want to call you CSR. Most don't know the difference between single or multi-stream. Did you get a name? We should refer our tivo friends.

By the way, did you have a multi-stream card installed.

Mine are all M-Cards.... 2 in an S3... 1 in a THD. Make sure you ask for an M-Card.

[chuckamuck]

I just called Time Warner NYC (212.358.0900) and as I've been warned they a) seemed to know little to nothing about CableCARDs and b) the sales guy I spoke with was aggressively trying to convince me not to get one.

New York City here as well. Similar experience for me. I called to inquire whether or not I'd be losing out on receiving any standard or HD channels by using a CableCARD (their website indicated I might).

I was put on hold for 10 minutes while the operator "investigated" my question. She came back and told me she couldn't find an answer to my question -- only that yes, I would likely miss out on some channels if I were to go with a CableCARD. Clearly, they're trying to steer customers toward their own TWC boxes.

Are there any other New York City Time Warner customers who can answer my question? Will I not be able to receive specific standard and HD channels with the CableCARD?

[chuckamuck]

I just called Time Warner NYC (212.358.0900) and as I've been warned they a) seemed to know little to nothing about CableCARDs and b) the sales guy I spoke with was aggressively trying to convince me not to get one.

New York City here as well. Similar experience for me. I called to inquire whether or not I'd be losing out on receiving any standard or HD channels by using a CableCARD (their website indicated I might).

I was put on hold for 10 minutes while the operator "investigated" my question. She came back and told me she couldn't find an answer to my question -- only that yes, I would likely miss out on some channels if I were to go with a CableCARD. Clearly, they're trying to steer customers toward their own TWC boxes.

Are there any other New York City Time Warner customers who can answer my question? Will I not be able to receive specific standard and HD channels with the CableCARD?

[discokill]

Can anyone in the Los Angeles area confirm what they are paying for the Cable Cards? I'm in Culver City so the two cable cards are free per the price list but I'm getting hit for the following:

9/29 - 10/28 Cable Card .00

09/29 - 10/28 2nd Cable Card .00

09/29 - 10/28 Additional Cable Card 6.95
(includes Digital Programming Fee)

09/29 - 10/28 Additional Cable Card 6.95
(includes Digital Programming Fee)

So two free ones, and then charged 6.95 for two of the same thing?

For clarification I have only two cable cards in my one Tivo HD

[TracerBullet]

New York City here as well. Similar experience for me. I called to inquire whether or not I'd be losing out on receiving any standard or HD channels by using a CableCARD (their website indicated I might).

I was put on hold for 10 minutes while the operator "investigated" my question. She came back and told me she couldn't find an answer to my question -- only that yes, I would likely miss out on some channels if I were to go with a CableCARD. Clearly, they're trying to steer customers toward their own TWC boxes.

Are there any other New York City Time Warner customers who can answer my question? Will I not be able to receive specific standard and HD channels with the CableCARD?

No, there are not, besides the obvious (PPV).

[JYoung]

Can anyone in the Los Angeles area confirm what they are paying for the Cable Cards? I'm in Culver City so the two cable cards are free per the price list but I'm getting hit for the following:

9/29 - 10/28 Cable Card .00

09/29 - 10/28 2nd Cable Card .00

09/29 - 10/28 Additional Cable Card 6.95
(includes Digital Programming Fee)

09/29 - 10/28 Additional Cable Card 6.95
(includes Digital Programming Fee)

So two free ones, and then charged 6.95 for two of the same thing?

For clarification I have only two cable cards in my one Tivo HD

Interesting as I've been looking into the loca Cablecard situation myself. I'm with Time Warner Sherman Oaks and I found where they buried their pricing guides.
http://www.timewarnerla.com/pricingGuides/

Question: do they require you to pay for the Digital Cable tier to get HD? I'm still on Broadcast Basic and I'm not looking forward to upgrading.

[kerobec]

Interesting that the last few posts are from the Los Angeles area. I'm in Hollywood, and just ordered my THD this evening. I finally caved because of the lifetime membership transfer that was dangled. It really bothers me that the new TiVos aren't compatible with cable boxes. Seems to me they could have left a component input on the back, just for a backup! Or even an HDMI!

So, I'm curious to see how the LA TWC handles this. I just bought my second HDTV back in April, and had to have a tech out 3 long, horrible, separate times in order to get an HD box WITHOUT a dvr, thanks very much. You'd think the TiVo sitting right there would be some sort of indicator, but I suppose not.

I'm also curious to know if they charge a separate digital service fee for each card. It appears they are charging discokill. I think that $6.95 is their additional digital service fee. So, they don't get you for the card, but they do get you for each service? That's crap. If anyone has any additional experience in the next few days, I'm eager to hear it. I probably won't call for an install until early next week, at least, so any new info would be great. At this point, I'll most likely stick with the HD box and S2 out in the living room, and put the THD with card(s) in the bedroom. So, I'll still get all the channels, but it'll annoy me, just the same. :rolleyes:

[Myphsto]

A friend of mine both have the same setup and are in the same area missing these channels:

117 ESPN U
157 Nick Toons
172 LOGO
188 Movie Plex
528 ESPN2 HD

We both have had multiple truck rolls with techs that could not figure out the issue. What's interesting is we get the standard Time Warner promo on all of those channels (on demand ads) instead of a message that we don't have that channel. Time Warner admits that we should have those channels, but they have given up fixing the issue unless we have a cable box.

While I've filed a FCC complaint (again) I doubt any action will be taken.

Anyone else missing those channels out there?

[dsjohnston]

TWC RDU Installation Story Complete (long)

So the installation experience:

I’ll start by saying it’s an “All’s well that ends well… so far” type of thing.

Refer to previous posts for some history, but at this point, this past Monday, we were scheduled for a TWC install between 1-5. Our installer, Garvin, showed up that morning about ten (?) and said that his dispatcher didn’t have him on any other jobs that day and since “these could be a bear”, told him to go ahead on out.

A note about Garvin from the get-go. Garvin is from Barbados and has the temperament and wisdom that go with this fact. For those of you who haven’t been to the islands, that’s a compliment.

He readily admitted that he hadn’t done a cablecard install before, but that he was very anxious to learn as he’d toyed with Tivos before, taking them apart and seeing what made them tick, along with DVRs and the like. In other words, he was the kind of person you would want if you were faced with someone who hadn’t done these.

Well- the first thing noticed was that they had given him the wrong cards. (4 S instead of 2M). He phoned me and we talked, and I explained the situation. He told me he would track down the M Cards and let me know when he had, later on that day.

About 2:00, he called me back and we agreed to meet at the house at 3:00.
I arrive, Garvin arrives, and we’re off. Sure enough, there are two SA M Cards with him, relatively new (4/07 builds). We look over the paperwork (Tivo instructions, Forum references, etc.) and pop the first card in to the right-hand slot on the first HDTivo. All goes as planned, Tivo-wise. Recognizes the card, goes to the menu, and stops with “Test Channels”.

We discuss for a bit how Garvin likes to work- they type of proactive, enterprising person that would go in on his off hours and “shadow” a TWC tech in Morrisville just to hear the typical issues they deal with. The type who feels (as should they all) that the best possible thing they could do would be to set up a training lab at TWC and show all the subcontractor techs how to go about an install for the various configurations. I can’t believe, and he agrees, how much time this would save. It’s about to become obvious.

We also talked about the fact that he was planning on going out that evening and buying an HDTivo so he could dig into it and have first-hand knowledge of what he was working with. I walked him through many of the menus and the remote, telling him what Tivo recommends doing prior to tech arrival, and giving him the URL of this Forum so he could get a primary account of what people are up against.

At this point, he gets on the line with TWC. I’d warned him about the fact that this could be the hard part. The first tech we reach is Caroline (sp?). She is wonderfully good-natured, and though she admits she’s inexperienced with this, and even mentions the infamous Anthony (who she says she’ll refer to if she needs help), is willing to jump in with her script.

We get going. Garvin reads off every number you could possibly read on the card(s) to Caroline, and it’s obvious that she is reading a script as she refers to “placing the next card in the left slot”, etc. Oh well- it’s a learning thing, right? Well, after doing everything that is prescribed, I’m getting the first hundred or so channels, but barely anything above 100.

I redo the Tivo Channel Setup, as I figure it can’t hurt. Interestingly, I now have information for the channels, but still no image. Understand that this hasn’t really been a linear process. Garvin has been put on hold for a total of some 45 minutes at this point off and on.

So long, as a matter of fact, that his supervisor(s) have both tried to beep in and contact him. While he was on hold, he asked me if I could please call them (he gave me their names/numbers) and explain, which I was happy to do. Hey- I didn’t want him to lose the helpful tech. One of his supes explained when I told her the situation, that CableCards hadn’t been “fully integrated” yet, and that they were a pain because no one had taken the time to train installers on them.

Anyway- Caroline now guides us to the CC setup screen that lists the number of EMMs received. (this isn’t as easy as it sounds, as it sounds though she’s looking for screens on a SA DVR instead of a Tivo) I find the screen and for the longest time, popping back and forth into the menu (refreshing it as it were) we got no EMMs.

Time to change techs. Evidently the other guru at TWC is Shaniqua (sp?) Once she gets on the line and gets some basic information, she starts doing her magic and voila- the EMMs start coming in. With them, so does the picture.

We start talking about what channels I should be receiving and what it boils down to is: I get all the digital channels and all the “typical” HD Channels. (including HBO HD as we have that package) What we DON’T get is anything at all in the HD SUITE, as those are “set top box only”. I’ll leave the arguing about just how much of a PIA TWC is for exacting their pound of flesh for having the audacity to use a cablecard to others.

As of right now, I have no idea what I am, am not being charged and which packages I have. I’m simply thankful it’s working and I’ll be hashing all that out shortly. Which I’m guessing will be a long conversation. (And why not? When I called customer service the last time to ask about our installer being late – the first one way back- the guy wouldn’t let me off the phone without trying to sell me VOIP)

So again, long story short? It’s working for now. Garvin is a rock star. Caroline is wonderfully game, and Shaniqua is, as well, a rock star. I imagine the next one of these that Garvin goes out on will be brief, successful, and easy.

As well, IF you get a tech at TWC that knows the sequence and what an HDTivo needs as far as tickling from the headend, a CC install could take practically no time at all.

My .02, YMMV

-David

[SugarBowl]

I had 2 vists from TWC Raleigh techs to get my cablecards running. Both of them said they had never done this before.

The first guy got on the phone with TWC, and they told him to remove all splitters from inside the house, go outside, remove all splitters from the outside box, and run a single line from the street to the Tivo. Didn't work.

2 weeks later, i guess the script changed, there was no mention of removing splitters, just plugged the cards in and it worked. After being on hold for 30+ minutes, mis-reading the numbers, etc, etc..

[timckelley]

I have Time Warner analog cable. This might be a stupid question but, is there any HD content transmitted on the analog cable, or is that just impossible? I ask because I've never owned a HD TV, but am now considering getting one because they're getting to be so much affordable now that before, plus my upstairs TV has such horrible picture quality.

If I get an HD TV, then I need to consider whether I'd like to upgrade my S1 TiVo (currently lifetimed) to an HD TiVo, but it's not worth doing that if I don't get any HD content at my house to begin with. But I might still buy the HD TV, because if I'm going to shell out for a new TV, I might as well not buy an SD TV, so those are probably going to be arhaic/outdated pretty soon. HD seems to be the future of TV. Even an SD signal would look a lot better on a new HD TV that on the piece junk I have now.

[cableguy763]

I have Time Warner analog cable. This might be a stupid question but, is there any HD content transmitted on the analog cable, or is that just impossible? I ask because I've never owned a HD TV, but am now considering getting one because they're getting to be so much affordable now that before, plus my upstairs TV has such horrible picture quality.

If I get an HD TV, then I need to consider whether I'd like to upgrade my S1 TiVo (currently lifetimed) to an HD TiVo, but it's not worth doing that if I don't get any HD content at my house to begin with. But I might still buy the HD TV, because if I'm going to shell out for a new TV, I might as well not buy an SD TV, so those are probably going to be arhaic/outdated pretty soon. HD seems to be the future of TV. Even an SD signal would look a lot better on a new HD TV that on the piece junk I have now.
ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and KLRU are availabe if your tv has a QAM tuner. You will get them even with basic cable.

[timckelley]

So you're saying those stations will transmit across my analog cable with no cable card/cable tuner? I guess the analog cable must have a way of carrying digital informaton on it, since I take it that an HD signal is digital in nature. By the way, I have extended basic as my lineup.

[bguzik]

So you're saying those stations will transmit across my analog cable with no cable card/cable tuner? I guess the analog cable must have a way of carrying digital informaton on it, since I take it that an HD signal is digital in nature. By the way, I have extended basic as my lineup.

QAM is Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. It is a modulation method used over RF (Analog) to represent digital information. Think of it as a method of modulating a sine wave both in amplitude and in phase. So the sine wave (analog) is modulated to represent all the "0's" and "1's" (digital).

All the CableCARD does is decrypt encrypted QAM channels.

So if you have a new TV or device like the TiVo with QAM tuners, you will be able to receive unencrypted QAM channels without a CableCARD. The best example of these unencrypted QAM channels are usually the local HD channels which are required by the FCC to be transmitted across the Cable Plant "in the clear", or "without encryption".

That's why he was saying you should be able to receive local HDs...

Barry

[timckelley]

This is interesting. I take it then, that this modulated signal is superimposed on top of a normal analog signal, so that the same cable could be fed through a SD tuner or through a QAM tuner, and either way, the signal will still convert to a picture. So effectively both the analog SD and the digital HD signals are there coexisting together in the cable at the same time? (In other words, I don't have to call Time Warner and ask them to change the transmission they're giving me to a QAM signal - they're already doing that, I take it.)

[bguzik]

This is interesting. I take it then, that this modulated signal is superimposed on top of a normal analog signal, so that the same cable could be fed through a SD tuner or through a QAM tuner, and either way, the signal will still convert to a picture. So effectively both the analog SD and the digital HD signals are there coexisting together in the cable at the same time? (In other words, I don't have to call Time Warner and ask them to change the transmission they're giving me to a QAM signal - they're already doing that, I take it.)

Ok...quick lesson...

The Cable Company has control over the RF spectrum on their plant. Most Cable Plants today go to 800MHz (some to 1GHz). So from 0 to 800MHz is the whole range of frequencies available on the plant.

Each "Channel" is segmented into a "slot" which is 6MHz wide. The reason it's 6MHz wide is because this is traditionally how wide Analog Channels are (or need) in North America. This 6MHz wide slot carries both Video and Audio Analog information for us to see, and these 6MHz wide slots are what we tune to as "Channels" on our old "Cable-Ready" Televisions.

For example, if my "Slot" or "Channel" is at "650MHz", that would be the center of the 6MHz wide slot. So that Channel would actually be from 647MHz to 653MHz (6MHz wide...also known as Channel Width). This would then be assigned a number to represent the "Channel"...say CH125 or something...(I forget and can't remember the exact EIA channel representations...I have a book where I can reference them when needed...)

Anyway, so that is how you get Analog channels. For Digitial Channels, each "QAM" takes up the same 6MHz slot (just like the Analogs), but instead of transmitting Analog it is a QAM signal. Also, we can have multiple "feeds" per QAM, so it is more space efficient for the Cable Plant Spectrum. The Cable Company can fit many more "channels" into a single 6MHz slot, AND usually at far BETTER quality than a single 6MHz wide Analog "channel". (well..."Better" depending on how many and what compression ratio...)

So no, you don' have to call anyone as both Analog and QAM channels exist in their own separate 6MHz Wide slots across the Cable Plant spectrum from 0 to 800MHz (or 1GHz). Even the High Speed Data Cable modem uses it's own 6MHz slot too for the Downstream).

(The actual downstream range is from 42MHz to 800MHz (or 1GHz) in North America.) (Upstream (for Set-top box returns or Cable Modems) is 5-42MHz)

Hope this helps!

Barry

[nygfan]

Even though TWCNYC says $1.75 for each cablecard, it comes out to $8.50 a month for the two of them after all their mirroring fees and stuff. Trust me, I've spent too much time on the phone with them about this, there seems to be no way around it.

Hey guys I figured I'd give my TWC Queens Cablecard install experience and provide background info.


I heard about the bogus $2.50 digital duplication fee on top of the cablecard fee so I opted to have only one card installed and avoid paying an additional $19 fee for having a second card installed. However, when I checked my old bills I saw that for additional cableboxes, TWC charges $2.50 for DTV service as well which is included in the $10.15 fee for each additional box. So TW really should just update their website to show $4.25 as the fee for a cablecard but considering how little service reps know about CCs in general I doubt this will happen anytime soon.

Anyway on to the install for my Tivo HD (10/13)

The guy came by the house at 1:50 pm during the 10-2pm time frame. He only had two cards on him but lo and behold they are both Mcards dated 4/23/07. Sure enough he puts a card in sure enough the Tivo recognizes it as an Mcard after 10 seconds. He calls his supervisor and they talk on the phone about how much trouble these installs tend to give especially since this is a Tivo. Meanwhile I'm crossing my fingers to see if either card will work. The installer asked me why I did not want two cards installed and I tried to explain about Mcards but it seemed to confusing to him (and I don't blame him since I heard Mcards don't work with S3) so I just dropped the issue. Twenty minutes later the install worked flawlessly and I am currently enjoying dual tuners on my Tivo HD and this Mcard is working for now. I don't have any premium channels so I can't check on that but I'll see if any channels are missing or giving trouble once I am done watching football.

I don't know if this is a sign that TWC is introducing Mcards in Queens or if they were low on cards and didn't realize the difference between M and S cards. Either way I lucked out with my install despite my initial fears about having a new installer or defective cards.

[JYoung]

This is interesting. I take it then, that this modulated signal is superimposed on top of a normal analog signal, so that the same cable could be fed through a SD tuner or through a QAM tuner, and either way, the signal will still convert to a picture. So effectively both the analog SD and the digital HD signals are there coexisting together in the cable at the same time? (In other words, I don't have to call Time Warner and ask them to change the transmission they're giving me to a QAM signal - they're already doing that, I take it.)

You don't have to do anything to get the signal. Since both the Series 3 and the TiVo HD have ATSC tuners, all you need to do is to plug it into the cable.

However without Cablecards (or a digital cable box), the cable companies can change the channel mappings at whim plus Time Warner does not does not supply guide information to Tribune for the unmapped channels.

So, in order to record the HD feed of Las Vegas last night, I had to set a manual recording on channel 93-502 from 10-11 instead to TiVo knowing that HD version of Las Vegas was on channel 404 from 10-11.

[cableguy763]

You don't have to do anything to get the signal. Since both the Series 3 and the TiVo HD have ATSC tuners, all you need to do is to plug it into the cable.

However without Cablecards (or a digital cable box), the cable companies can change the channel mappings at whim plus Time Warner does not does not supply guide information to Tribune for the unmapped channels.

So, in order to record the HD feed of Las Vegas last night, I had to set a manual recording on channel 93-502 from 10-11 instead to TiVo knowing that HD version of Las Vegas was on channel 404 from 10-11.
In Austin TWC provides guide data, so he is in luck in that aspect.

[DrWho453]

I had 2 vists from TWC Raleigh techs to get my cablecards running. Both of them said they had never done this before.

The first guy got on the phone with TWC, and they told him to remove all splitters from inside the house, go outside, remove all splitters from the outside box, and run a single line from the street to the Tivo. Didn't work.

2 weeks later, i guess the script changed, there was no mention of removing splitters, just plugged the cards in and it worked. After being on hold for 30+ minutes, mis-reading the numbers, etc, etc..

Interesting, when they did mine back in december, I had a technician who knew all about the Tivos and know the exact person to contact at headquarters to get the cable cards setup. He started by running a line out to the street first and after a few minutes we couldn't figure out why the Tivo wasn't initializing the card (We started with card 1 first) and then found out that the cable wasn't connected outside (Ooops :rolleyes: ) anyway after the cable was connected card 1 authorized and then we tried card 2 but it had to be upgraded and took a couple of hours for it to upgrade then everything worked except for WTVD HD and a couple of other HD channels wouldn't work. Turned out that card 2 was not fully authorized but by the end of the night it was all working and has been working since then.

[mercurial]

Oh joy... It looks like one of the cable cards in our family room S3 has given up the ghost... Can't tune any non-analog channels when on that tunner..

[SCSIRAID]

Oh joy... It looks like one of the cable cards in our family room S3 has given up the ghost... Can't tune any non-analog channels when on that tunner..

Did you reboot? 9.1 has a cablecard issue in S3 which causes the same problem you describ.

[gbrown]

Last week, I received a channel lineup change that removed channels 700-703. These carried HBO-HD, MAX-HD, SH-HD, and STARZ-HD programming. But these were also a mirror of the channels in the 600 range that carried the same content.

Yesterday I checked all the channels. First, the east feeds were missing. Next I was not able to see a signal on 669 which is STARZHDP.

So I call Customer Support {Start laughing here}. The first dweeb I talked to said that I should reset my TiVo and he would put me on hold while he got me directions on how to do that. Fifteen minutes later, I hung up.

I called back and got another CSR who told me that I could NOT get eastern feeds with Cablecards. (HUH?). Then he said to tune 703 if I did not get 669 as it was a mirror. I tried to tell him that TW had reported those stations cancelled and I could not get a program guide on 703. That was like trying to explain how to make a souffle to a five year old.

I reported this to TiVo. But I bet that I will never be able to record anything off of eastern feeds or STARZ HD. Well, I guess I can do a time and channel record. But certainly no Season Passes.

Sign me "FRUSTRATED"

[DrWho453]

Oh joy... It looks like one of the cable cards in our family room S3 has given up the ghost... Can't tune any non-analog channels when on that tunner..

Well, I just ran into this problem with cable card 2. I was running through some diagnostics on card 2 and testing some of the channels when the card stopped displaying the video. Diagnostics showed the card should be working. I could not see any reason for the video to stop showing up but figured I finally got hit by the 9.1 bug. I rebooted and everything is working again. Well, I hope they fix this bug soon because I can see this as a very bad bug that Tivo needs to fix ASAP (of course the way these things go, ASAP will probably be 2 to 3 months if we are lucky). I just hope they know where the problem is occuring in the software. It may take some time for them to figure out where the issue is. :(

[mercurial]

Didn't reboot but I pulled the card and re-inserted it went through guided setup again. It's recording something right now but I'll try it in the morning before I leave for work and see if it fixes it.

[dsjohnston]

And this likely shouldn't be in this thread any longer, but...

Last night during playback of some recorded shows on one of the Tivos, I noticed that, randomly, there was a sort of dimming/flicker (very subtle) occurring. Maybe once every four minutes, if that, and not constant, but noticeable.

Didn't even say anything for awhile, then asked the wife if she saw it. When even she said yes, I KNEW it had to be there. Again, very subtle. No clue what it could be. Only variables I can think of:

Only noticed it so far on shows recorded pre-CC install.
Recorded shows were set up to record on High (not Best) quality.
Don't notice it on live watching.

[mercurial]

Didn't reboot but I pulled the card and re-inserted it went through guided setup again. It's recording something right now but I'll try it in the morning before I leave for work and see if it fixes it.


Yep, reboot brought it back... Odd. I'd have thought any transient data that or init sequence that might be needed to get the card working again would have been cleared/hit with a pull/insert + guided setup.

Is this a bug that can hit you again (like the reboot loop bug that hit this same S3 during the NYE meet last year) or is it "generally a once you reboot it, it stays fixed" kind of thing?

[mx77m]

4th Attempt for 2 cablecards (S3) from Comcast - ATLANTA and still no RESOLUTION! PLEASE HELP!!!

1st Attempt - Scheduled Monday 10/1/07
Appointment 11AM-2PM
Took off work
Driver waited until appointment time to inform me that they had no cards
Rescheduled Appointment

2nd Attempt - Scheduled Saturday 10/6/07
Appointment 2-5PM
Truck roll late; arrives 6PM
1st Card - INOP; no data on card
2nd Card - Unable to Validate; only 1st 39 channels available - no resolution
Rescheduled Appointment

3rd Attempt - Scheduled Thursday 10/11/07
Appointment 11AM-2PM
Took off work
Dispatch called @ 10AM to inform no cablecards available
Rescheduled Appointment

4th Attempt - Scheduled Monday 10/15/07
Appointment 8AM-11AM
Took off work
Driver arrives @ 10AM to inform me no cablecards!!!
WAITING FOR SUPERVISOR CALLBACK


Obviously I am not having any luck being able to enjoy my digital tier, nor HD channels on my S3 due to Comcast's inability to provide working cablecards. Not to mention the 4 different pricing schemes that various customer service reps have informed me of for using cablecards for Tivo.

Anyone else in Atlanta having or have had the same issues? I need help, suggestions, phone numbers, customer complaint departments, etc.

[timckelley]

Wow. That's some supremely bad customer service you've got there, mx77m! On the fifth attempt, I'd make it perfectly clear that if there are no cablecards they BETTER tell you before you take off from work. If you were to give them as little notice as they've been giving you, that you can't meet them at your house, I'd bet they'd be pretty upset. Therefore, you have a right to be upset. In fact, I'd ask them how they'd feel if 4 times in a row, you decided to not meet them at your house, and also decided not to notify them until an hour or two after the appointment time.

[lylo]

I am having a really really bad time trying to get both of my CableCARDs working properly. I have had my Series 3 for roughly 9 months now and I have had a recurring problem with my Cards which have now been switched out about six times. When they first get switched (Scientific Atlanta from Time Warner NYC) they work fine. After anywhere from a few days to a month or so Cable CARD 2 will stop working for non network channels. By stop working I mean that when the channel is switched from say NBC to ESPN, ESPN will come in for about three seconds, freeze then go to grey screen. If the problem goes unfixed for too long, the problem migrates to Card1.

I just recently had them both replaced and CableCARD 2 has given out again. The CP screen reads as follows:

Auth Status:CP Auth Received
Prog number:467
CCI byte:0x00
ECM count:456
EMM count:0
Decryption status: No ECMs detected
PowerKey status:Ready
EID:0x0
MKS period 100 seconds
KSE:0

Also worth noting is that on the HostID screen the CableCARD number has changed to
0-000-000-000-000.

I have talked to Tivo support and they insist that it is a CableCARD problem. They also mentioned that for it to work properly the signal strength under the channel menu needs to be around 95 (out of 100 it seems, not a dB reading). My signal strength has read from 77 - 88 but never 95. After I mentioned this to the last technician (who was one of the good ones) check the signal strength and said it should be fine. He also put an amplifier in line just to see what happens. Since then the signal strength has been holding steady at 82 (up from 77 when he first put it in).

After so many tries with the exact same problem occurring I am getting very frustrated. TWNYC has actually been pretty helpful (mostly anyway) so I can't complain too much about them. My questions are: Am I screwed here? Is there anything TWNYC can do to get my signal strength up to 95? What does 95 translate to in dB? Is this really the problem? The technician hinted that a two way CableCARD may work better. Has anyone had problems with them? Does it ultimately come down to a crap shoot as to whether I get CableCARDS with longevity?

I apologize if this has been covered earlier. I did try to search for a previously posted answer but there are quite a few posts here.

Thank you very much for any help.

[SCSIRAID]

I am having a really really bad time trying to get both of my CableCARDs working properly. I have had my Series 3 for roughly 9 months now and I have had a recurring problem with my Cards which have now been switched out about six times. When they first get switched (Scientific Atlanta from Time Warner NYC) they work fine. After anywhere from a few days to a month or so Cable CARD 2 will stop working for non network channels. By stop working I mean that when the channel is switched from say NBC to ESPN, ESPN will come in for about three seconds, freeze then go to grey screen. If the problem goes unfixed for too long, the problem migrates to Card1.

I just recently had them both replaced and CableCARD 2 has given out again. The CP screen reads as follows:

Auth Status:CP Auth Received
Prog number:467
CCI byte:0x00
ECM count:456
EMM count:0
Decryption status: No ECMs detected
PowerKey status:Ready
EID:0x0
MKS period 100 seconds
KSE:0

Also worth noting is that on the HostID screen the CableCARD number has changed to
0-000-000-000-000.

I have talked to Tivo support and they insist that it is a CableCARD problem. They also mentioned that for it to work properly the signal strength under the channel menu needs to be around 95 (out of 100 it seems, not a dB reading). My signal strength has read from 77 - 88 but never 95. After I mentioned this to the last technician (who was one of the good ones) check the signal strength and said it should be fine. He also put an amplifier in line just to see what happens. Since then the signal strength has been holding steady at 82 (up from 77 when he first put it in).

After so many tries with the exact same problem occurring I am getting very frustrated. TWNYC has actually been pretty helpful (mostly anyway) so I can't complain too much about them. My questions are: Am I screwed here? Is there anything TWNYC can do to get my signal strength up to 95? What does 95 translate to in dB? Is this really the problem? The technician hinted that a two way CableCARD may work better. Has anyone had problems with them? Does it ultimately come down to a crap shoot as to whether I get CableCARDS with longevity?

I apologize if this has been covered earlier. I did try to search for a previously posted answer but there are quite a few posts here.

Thank you very much for any help.

Signal strength of 80 or above should be fine. The SNR number is more important and should be at least 32 preferabally 34. Look at the RS Uncorrected number... it should be 0 or low. EMM's dont come down this path anyway... you will see an OOB SNR value on down which should be in the mid to upper 20's IIRC.

If you HostID went to all zeroes then there is definitely something wrong, I just cant say where (but I would bet its the Tivo if its happened multiple times on multiple cablecards). What happens if you reboot? With a zero host id, im surprised you have CP AUTH RECEIVED.

[mercurial]

If you HostID went to all zeroes then there is definitely something wrong, I just cant say where (but I would bet its the Tivo if its happened multiple times on multiple cablecards). What happens if you reboot? With a zero host id, im surprised you have CP AUTH RECEIVED.

FYI, the one card I had go bad had all zeros for the Host ID, I did the pull/insert + guided setup and it came back to a valid number but no (digital) channels. Did the reboot as suggested a few posts ago and it came back. YMMV.

[lylo]

I just now tried pulling/inserting the card and rerunning the guided set-up. No change in the problem. I then restarted the system. Still no change.

The SNR is bouncing between 32 and 33 dB. The RS Uncorrected is 0. OOB SNR is bouncing between 25 and 26 dB.

And to clarify. The Host ID still has a number associated with it but the number above it (the line reads CableCARD(tm):0-000-000-000-000) is what has changed.

[skaggs]

An interesting little bit of information posted on Albany Time Warner Cable's website (http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/FAQ/TWCFaqs.ashx?faqMap=28689&MarketID=5):

Q: If I have a CableCARD, do I still need my digital set-top box to get digital cable?

A: You may choose to use a CableCARD instead of a digital cable set-top box; however, to enjoy the full range of interactive services, such as Pay-Per-View, On Demand and the Time Warner Cable On-Screen Program Guide, you will still need a digital cable set-top box until a new generation of interactive CableCARD supported devices is introduced in late 2007/early 2008.

[jlobster]

I was told they only have Mcards right now from TW. They did not even have any other Scards to test on my tivo, so you should be safe. :)

Follow up:

Lord of spiders, you are correct, though almost no one knows about it. The tech brought in two cards and when I asked him about Mcards, he looked at one of the cards and said, "Oh, this says multistreaming on the card." At least he knew what that meant.

Setup went smoothly after that, including a great followup call from our own cableguy763, who deserves a shout out. It is too bad we had to go through 762 others to get someone as good as you. :)

[CharlesH]

An interesting little bit of information posted on Albany Time Warner Cable's website (http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/FAQ/TWCFaqs.ashx?faqMap=28689&MarketID=5):


Q: If I have a CableCARD, do I still need my digital set-top box to get digital cable?

A: You may choose to use a CableCARD instead of a digital cable set-top box; however, to enjoy the full range of interactive services, such as Pay-Per-View, On Demand and the Time Warner Cable On-Screen Program Guide, you will still need a digital cable set-top box until a new generation of interactive CableCARD supported devices is introduced in late 2007/early 2008.
... which will have a user interface just like the current set-top boxes, since OCAP (required for two-way services) requires that the cable company be able to download the UI.

[soobunny]

I'm in Albany NY and just got my TiVo Series 3.

The install went fine except that I'm only receiving the local HD channels not the TBS, A&E, etc channels that supposedly I should get. Should I be getting them? Also, randomly I not receiving BBC America.

[skaggs]

I'm in Albany NY and just got my TiVo Series 3. Did you get a Mcard?

[smack000]

Just wanted to thank cableguy763 publicly for saving the day. After Trip #3 from installers and lots of calls to their dispatch, I get in touch with cableguy763 and 30 seconds later I get my missing HD tier channels.

Thanks!

[mgoyal]

Hi,

I'm in Austing with TWC. I just purchased a Tivo Series3, so I'll be making use of dual cable cards.

Any tips for ensuring the dual cablecard install is successful?

Finally, how long should I expect the install to take?

Thanks!

[kentfuka]

Hi,

I'm in Austing with TWC. I just purchased a Tivo Series3, so I'll be making use of dual cable cards.

Any tips for ensuring the dual cablecard install is successful?

Finally, how long should I expect the install to take?

Thanks!

S3 does work on TWC Austin, in spite of the their use of Switched Digital video. You won't be able to get pay-per-view, some higher-numbered HD channels, and some less-popular digital channel. This is all because the current cablecard standard doesn't support these Switched Digital very well. If that bothers you, skip the cable cards and use the TWC HD set-top box.

Google "time warner austin tivo series3" for a link to my more detailed description of the Time Warner cablecard install process from a year ago. Hopefully, things will go more smoothly for you.

The actual on-site part of the install should take the contractor less than an hour, as long as you have good signal quality on your cable feed, and as long as the cablecards they bring aren't broken. It really helps if the contractor has installed cablecards into Series 3 before.

Be aware that there seems to be a bug in the newest release of TiVo software (version 9.1) that causes one of the two cablecard tuners go not be able to tune digital channels (QAM encoded channels) on Scientific Atlanta (SA) cablecards, which is what TWC uses. The problem occurs about once ever 1-2 days, and a soft reboot is required to correct it. Hopefully, TiVo will release a fix for this problem. THere's a discussion about it in this formum, " S3, 9.1, and 2nd Cable Card Function thread". If you get your S3 installed and HD channels work on both cablecards on your TiVo, but one of the tuners seems to tune only a blank screen after a few days, your problem is probably this bug and not a bad cablecard or a bad TiVo box, and TWC won't be able to fix it.

Good luck!

Kent

[pkscout]

Just wanted to thank cableguy763 publicly for saving the day. After Trip #3 from installers and lots of calls to their dispatch, I get in touch with cableguy763 and 30 seconds later I get my missing HD tier channels.

That's proof to me that CableCard installs aren't "hard" and the technology isn't "difficult." It's just that most cable techs and back end reps have no idea what they are doing (present company excluded of course). There seems to be one guy in RDU who knows what's going on as well, and if you can get to him your install goes fine. Too bad the cable companies couldn't spend less time poo-pooing the technology and more time actually training their staff.

[abredt]

I have a Series-2 and a Series-3 and will have to disconnect the TV for a week or so, but they will still be connected to the Cable IN line and the phone line. Do the units record without the TV?

Thanks, C.

[Arcady]

Of course they will.

[Torgo100]

My new HDT is showing up on Monday, so I checked with TWC in Oshkosh, WI about Cablecard support. Apparently they only have SCards, but they will allow me to do the install myself.

I'll post here with any impressions etc next week.

[ncbagwell]

TWC here in Raleigh, NC just sent me a nice little note in the mail to say that as of Nov. 16 I will be losing ESPN2HD, MHD and UniversalHD because of SDV. Now I am officially pissed. Not only did I not get TBSHD, GOLF/VERSUS HD and A&EHD when they added it, they are going to start taking stuff away.

Is there any solution for this besides crossing our fingers and waiting on "the dongle solution"?

[SCSIRAID]

TWC here in Raleigh, NC just sent me a nice little note in the mail to say that as of Nov. 16 I will be losing ESPN2HD, MHD and UniversalHD because of SDV. Now I am officially pissed. Not only did I not get TBSHD, GOLF/VERSUS HD and A&EHD when they added it, they are going to start taking stuff away.

Is there any solution for this besides crossing our fingers and waiting on "the dongle solution"?

Note that they didnt mention the HDSuite channels..... I had been told they were the ones being removed from cablecard.... Needless to say, im concerned and need clarification.

[George Cifranci]

TWC here in Raleigh, NC just sent me a nice little note in the mail to say that as of Nov. 16 I will be losing ESPN2HD, MHD and UniversalHD because of SDV. Now I am officially pissed. Not only did I not get TBSHD, GOLF/VERSUS HD and A&EHD when they added it, they are going to start taking stuff away.

Is there any solution for this besides crossing our fingers and waiting on "the dongle solution"?


Oh damn. TW stuck TBS-HD here in Columbus on SDV recently so I guess it is a matter of time when we get the shaft here as well. :-(

And no there isn't anything we can do but wait and hope for the "Tuning Resolver" dongle thingy.

If TW takes too many HD channels away then I will cancel my HD service and the CableCards at least. I can get all the locals with an indoor antenna.

[mercurial]

Got the note as well, it says that as of Nov 16th, I'll loose ESPN2-HD, MHD (MTV), Universal HD (the one I really care about), HBO W, HBO 2W, HBO FamW, HBO SigW, Cinemax W, MoreMax W, ActionMax W, ThrillerMax W, Sho W, Sho Too W, and Showcase W.

It says we'll still get TNT-HD, DHD, ESPN-HD as well as the HD of the movie channels we subscribe to and the east-coast feeds of the other channels associated with our movie channels.

I think I'll write them a note and tell them that as of Nov 16th, I'll be cutting what I pay them for the HD and premium channels to compensate.... I probably will write them a note and file an FCC complaint... Not that it will do any freakin' good. If there is no dongle in site by the first of the year, I may just drop all the movie channels and the HD suite and go with Netflix to supplement the broadcast/digital teir.

[mercurial]

Is there any solution for this besides crossing our fingers and waiting on "the dongle solution"?

Renting an HD DVR... :rolleyes:

[SCSIRAID]

Renting an HD DVR... :rolleyes:

Its sitting right under the S3......

By the way... the 9.2 priority page is up.... Get it while its hot...

http://research.tivo.com/91priority/index.htm

[mercurial]

Its sitting right under the S3......


Been in similar situations... SD DirecTiVo + HD Reciever and SD DirecTiVo + HD DirecTiVo... Both have very low WAFs and lots of drawbacks... I hope I can muddle through until the resolver comes along (if ever). Man I wish we had FIOS here as an option.

[shanebowman]

I am in Winston Salem NC and have noticed several posts relating to using the set top box with the series 3 is this possible??

I am my 3rd set of cards, each time TWC does some sort of upgrade I lose channels. Now I find out none of the new HD channels will be available until they start offering the M Cablecards. Cnveniently there is no date for their arrival.

I ahd thought you had to use two cards

[jacksonian]

shane,
I'm in Greensboro. NO, you can't use the S3 with a cable box. And no, you won't be able to get the new channels with the M card.

The new HD channels that TWC added are all on SDV (switched digital) tier. Read the SDV FAQ in this forum to see what's going on.

Basically, TiVo needs a hardware add-on (dongle) to be able to communicate with the cable system to tune those new channels. There's a message about it on the TiVo website as well.

[BruceShultes]

No you can't use a cable box with the S3, like you could with any of the S2 tivos, but you can use a cable company DVR in addition to the S3.

You just will have to record the SDV channels on the cable company DVR, instead of the S3 until the dongle is released.

I am using both now.

The only question in my area is whether the dongle will be released before FIOS obtains permission to carry TV in my area.

If FIOS obtains the permission first, I will drop TW in a heartbeat.

[abredt]

Its sitting right under the S3......

By the way... the 9.2 priority page is up.... Get it while its hot...

http://research.tivo.com/91priority/index.htm

Do you know what else is in 9.2 that is not in 9.1?

Thabnks, CB

[SCSIRAID]

Do you know what else is in 9.2 that is not in 9.1?

Thabnks, CB

bug spray? ;)

[ncbagwell]

I looked at the note again and they are offering me an HD Cable Box for free for 6 months. Looks like I will be picking that up and just plugging it into another input on my TV. The question is, will that be a plain HD cable box or one with the HD DVR?

I second the post someone else made about availability of FIOS in this area. I would love to stick it to TWC.

[lylo]

Just had my CableCARDS switched out Friday for about the 7th time now. They are dated 2007 so they are both pretty recent releases. I got a message saying to report error 161-38 to my cable provider (TWCNYC). Anyone know what this error is so I can explain it to the inevitably thick customer service person?

[SCSIRAID]

Just had my CableCARDS switched out Friday for about the 7th time now. They are dated 2007 so they are both pretty recent releases. I got a message saying to report error 161-38 to my cable provider (TWCNYC). Anyone know what this error is so I can explain it to the inevitably thick customer service person?

161-38
POD fails to respond to ca_info_inq within 5 second

Google is your friend.

You might try unplugging device... reseating cablecard and powering back up.

[SCSIRAID]

I looked at the note again and they are offering me an HD Cable Box for free for 6 months. Looks like I will be picking that up and just plugging it into another input on my TV. The question is, will that be a plain HD cable box or one with the HD DVR?

I second the post someone else made about availability of FIOS in this area. I would love to stick it to TWC.

I think you can count on it being a SA3250 non-dvr. DVI output turned off so component only.

[addlepated]

Are there any changes to the list of channels you can receive via cable card in Austin?

[cableguy763]

Are there any changes to the list of channels you can receive via cable card in Austin?
Your best bet for that is to check the local AVS forum or actually the local Yahoo cable groups has the complete lineup.

[keefer37]

Arg, we just got the letter last week about losing three of the HD channels too. I wrote them an email (below), and will follow it up with print letters as well to the franchise, and maybe higher up as well.

To Whom it May Concern:

I recently received your communique regarding cable card customers losing three of their high definition channels (ESPN2HD, MHD and UniversalHD). Not only are we losing the ability to tune into these three channels with our high definition package, we also did not receive the recent additions of TBSHD, Golf/VS HD and A&EHD.

I have only recently become a cable card customer, but am already appalled and disappointed that Time Warner Cable treats cable card customers as second-rate customers. It took a total of three installation visits for the cards to get installed, and now we are losing a minimum of six channels.

The cable card standard was created to make an equal footing for customer and cable-related manufacturers to utilize a variety of hardware, but Time Warner is edging toward anti-competitive practices with their discriminatory channel lineup offered to cable card customers. It seems cable card users are punished because Time Warner knows with the current state of the technology, cable card customers will not be using the over-priced features such as pay-per-view and on-demand programming.

Actions such as these make me question why I ever left satellite. They at least offered every channel to every customer.

Sincerely,
Ryan W. Keefer

[timckelley]

Nice letter there. It'll be interesting to hear the response.

[mercurial]

Nice letter there. It'll be interesting to hear the response.

Allow me to use my powers to predict the future....

"Go suck eggs."


:(

[keefer37]

Nice letter there. It'll be interesting to hear the response.

Thanks. I posted it on my site too (http://www.keefermadness.com/2007/10/23/time-warner-cablecard-hdtv-woes/) for a little more exposure.

I'd rather write something and get a crappy response, then just complain to myself, without letting them know it's upsetting to some of their customers.

[SCSIRAID]

Arg, we just got the letter last week about losing three of the HD channels too. I wrote them an email (below), and will follow it up with print letters as well to the franchise, and maybe higher up as well.

To Whom it May Concern:

I recently received your communique regarding cable card customers losing three of their high definition channels (ESPN2HD, MHD and UniversalHD). Not only are we losing the ability to tune into these three channels with our high definition package, we also did not receive the recent additions of TBSHD, Golf/VS HD and A&EHD.

I have only recently become a cable card customer, but am already appalled and disappointed that Time Warner Cable treats cable card customers as second-rate customers. It took a total of three installation visits for the cards to get installed, and now we are losing a minimum of six channels.

The cable card standard was created to make an equal footing for customer and cable-related manufacturers to utilize a variety of hardware, but Time Warner is edging toward anti-competitive practices with their discriminatory channel lineup offered to cable card customers. It seems cable card users are punished because Time Warner knows with the current state of the technology, cable card customers will not be using the over-priced features such as pay-per-view and on-demand programming.

Actions such as these make me question why I ever left satellite. They at least offered every channel to every customer.

Sincerely,
Ryan W. Keefer

Who did you send it to?

[keefer37]

So here's Time Warner's response:

Ryan,
Thank you for taking the time to email us. Your email was forwarded to
me by senior management.

We are constantly looking at ways to improve our services for our
customers. One of the more popular requests from our customers are more
channels, particularly HD programming. We are in the process of
transitioning to switch digital video technology. This new technology
will allow us to maximize our bandwidth and add a large amount of new
channels. However, this new technology requires two-way communication.
As you may know, at this time, all CableCard devices in the marketplace
are only capable of receiving data - not receiving data and
communicating in a two-way fashion.

In the coming months (possibly Q2 2008), new devices will hit the
marketplace compatible with two-way CableCards. These new devices will
include HDTVs (I believe Samsung is producing one) and set top boxes
that you can purchase at big box retailers. Two-way CableCards will be
able to receive all HD channels in our lineup since they rely on two-way
technology. Time Warner Cable will continue to offer one-way CableCards
and also the two-way cards once devices reach the marketplace.

We have a special offer for CableCard customers - free digital service
for 6 months. If you are interested in this offer, please contact us
and we will be happy to set this up for you.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact me directly.
Again, thank you for taking the time to email us. We appreciate having
you as a Time Warner Cable customer.

[Torgo100]

My new HDT is showing up on Monday, so I checked with TWC in Oshkosh, WI about Cablecard support. Apparently they only have SCards, but they will allow me to do the install myself.

I'll post here with any impressions etc next week.

So,

I run to the TWC shop in Oshkosh to pick up my cards, where I am told that they do NOT allow them to be installed by anyone but a technician. They wouldn't budge. I told them that would have been nice to know when I called them originally so taht I could have scheduled someone earlier.

The guy is supposed to show up this afternoon, so I'm leaving work in about 1/2 hour.

[Arcady]

Bravo (264) in north Dallas appears to be broken on all my receivers. Anyone else see the same thing?

[kerobec]

In their ongoing effort to make cable cards as difficult as possible, TW informed me today that they won't be able to install my cable cards in my new THD for 3 weeks. You bet your a** they'd be here this weekend if I'd asked for an HD DVR. My HD box was set up within a week of the request, and that had to come special from storage, since they don't have plain old HD boxes at the satellite offices, I guess.

They can have their very precious 3 weeks, and their $16.99 to roll the truck, but my cards better work on the first try, or I will have to go ballistic on their management. Seriously, in a large city like LA, it takes 3 WEEKS to get an install? Seriously?

Maybe I'll call again tomorrow to see if I can get an earlier time. Just cuz.

[tyoung88]

Wanted to post my experience with Time Warner cable card installation in Southern California. Installer came late and attempted to physically install the card and just leave stating that his job was not to ensure that "programming" was successful. I made him stay as the cards weren't registering and he had no idea he needed to call in with the Host and Data IDs. After calling in the IDs card #1 worked but #2 didn't. This was 2.5 hours after he arrived.

He explained to me that he had to leave as he had not had lunch and my first appointment ended there. The next day I called the local office and after confirming host and data IDs it seemed that one was incorrectly inputted. They sent another hit and said all would be fine when I arrived at home. Later that night AUTH still was invalid_program_rekey.

Based on a thread I read on these forums I called 888 customer service this morning and asked for a "cold hit". This was able to successful change AUTH to SUBSCRIBED.

Thanks everyone... I'm a little concerned with the long term viability of the cable card concept as although federally mandated it seems the cable companies are purposely not training their folks on how to install and setup to make the experience as frustrating as possible in hopes that we give up.

[skaggs]

I ordered two TiVo HD’s on Friday, October 12th. The tracking number I received indicated they would arrive on Tuesday, October 23rd. I contacted Time Warner and set up a service visit for them to install the Cable Cards on Wednesday, October 24th. While on the phone with Time Warner, I asked for two Multistream cable cards (Mcards) instead of four single stream cards. The customer service representative immediately put me on hold so he could speak to a supervisor. He came back on the line and told me that they did not have Mcards yet, but expected to have them in December. :confused: I insisted that they do have the Mcards, having read elsewhere that other Albany TWC customers have had them installed. :mad: The customer service rep wouldn’t budge, so we set up a service visit to install 4 single stream cable cards for Wednesday, October 24th. The service call was scheduled for between noon-4:30PM, and I was to get a phone call 15 minutes before the service rep arrived to I could leave work and meet him at my house. I also confirmed that there would be no charge for installation of the cable cards.

Since I had more than a week before the TiVo’s arrived, I investigated how to upgrade the hard drives in the TiVo HD’s. (The existing 160GB hard drive can store 20 hours of HD programming or 180 hours of SD programming) I started at the TiVo Community Forum (http://www.tivocommunity.com) and ended up on the MFSlive website (http://www.mfslive). I ordered a 500GB SATA hard drive for $169 with the intention of swapping it out with a hard drive on one of the TiVo HD units to give me 64 hours of HD or 607 hours of SD.

My two new TiVo HD’s were delivered on Tuesday, October 23rd. I replaced my two Series2 TiVo’s and ran guided setup on each new TiVo unit.

On Wednesday October 24th, I received a phone call at 8AM from the Time Warner Service Tech supervisor. His name was Tom Landry (yes, the same as the former Dallas Cowboys coach). Tom asked why I needed 4 single stream cards, so I explained my situation and how I asked for two Mcards, but the customer service rep said they didn’t have them. Tom said they do have them and he would send a bunch with the service tech. I thanked Tom for contacting me and arranging for the Mcards.

I got a call at 12:30PM from the service tech, who told me he was on the way to my house. I went home and let the service tech in my door at 12:50PM. By 1:15PM, the tech had left the house after installing two Mcards. Even he was surprised as to how easy the installation had gone. The first two Mcards he tried worked, and he had to make two phone calls back to the office. The first call was to supply the numbers on the cards so they could be activated and the second was to the “head end” of Albany TWC to supply the cards with the channel info for all the services I subscribe to (HBO, Showtime, HD Tier, etc).

After TWC’s service tech left my house, I ran guided setup again on both TiVo HD’s in order to populate the guide data with all the new digital channels. Once guided setup was done, I disconnected one of the TiVo HD’s, took off the metal cover, and removed the hard drive. I copied the hard drive to my laptop using WinMFS and then copied the file from my laptop to the new 500GB hard drive. A few turns of the screwdriver later, the new hard drive was installed into the TiVo HD and I had 64 hours of HD storage capacity. It took less than an hour to install the new 500GB hard drive from beginning to end.

Everything is working great and the experience was essentially pain free. After reading all the horror stories in this thread :eek: , I was surprised how easy everything went. As long as the TiVo HD’s continue to work well for the next week, I will be returning my SA8300HD DVR. I’ll probably get a regular HD box in order to keep access to OnDemand services (until the USB Dongle is released ;) ). Now, only if Albany TWC can resist changing any HD channels to Switched Digital Video (SDV), I would be very happy.

I would suggest that anyone in Albany who gets the "...we don't have Mcards..." response from the customer service reps should call Tom Landry a day before the scheduled installation. PM me and I'll provide you with his direct phone number & extension.

[fill_up]

In their ongoing effort to make cable cards as difficult as possible, TW informed me today that they won't be able to install my cable cards in my new THD for 3 weeks. You bet your a** they'd be here this weekend if I'd asked for an HD DVR. My HD box was set up within a week of the request, and that had to come special from storage, since they don't have plain old HD boxes at the satellite offices, I guess.

They can have their very precious 3 weeks, and their $16.99 to roll the truck, but my cards better work on the first try, or I will have to go ballistic on their management. Seriously, in a large city like LA, it takes 3 WEEKS to get an install? Seriously?

Maybe I'll call again tomorrow to see if I can get an earlier time. Just cuz.

I read the threads, but I figure my household has to be a pioneer and prove that there are real customers out there who want it. So....

First, the guy tried to tell me they couldn't install them. I had to tell him twice that they are required to provide them and it's against the law if they don't (was trying hard not to play that card...). Then he said he couldn't help me and I'd need to go to a CableStore, but they still would not give me a cablecard without a box. I insisted. He put me on hold and came back after a couple of minutes to say he had been misinformed. He seemed like a nice, articulate guy -- if HE's misinformed, I wonder what some of the other duds I've talked to there know.

In fact, they can install it. But the first appointment is....

Tuesday, November 27th

I'll be waiting, you jerks. I'll be waiting.

More than a month away? I asked if this is because they need a specialized technician, but he claimed that all the orders he's been placing for anything have been taking a long time. $16.99 to install, $6.95 per card (two SCards).

Wish me luck!

Has anyone formed a petition around this? I feel like it could be worthwhile.

[quick]

Man I can't believe they are giving you guys such a hard time with the cable cards, what a bunch of idiots...

It was very easy for me, I went to the comcast store, asked for 1 mcard, they gave it to me and a piece of paper explaining some steps for install.

I plugged it in and called the number specified on the paper they gave me, gave them my data/info, and it was up and running. The only thing was I had to wait till the next day for them to activate the scrambled digital channels, which went through no problem the next day.

I don't understand why they would need to schedule an installation, you just stick it in and the rest is done on the phone with comcast... :confused:

[fill_up]

It was very easy for me, I went to the comcast store, asked for 1 mcard, they gave it to me and a piece of paper explaining some steps for install.

I plugged it in and called the number specified on the paper they gave me, gave them my data/info, and it was up and running. The only thing was I had to wait till the next day for them to activate the scrambled digital channels, which went through no problem the next day.

That's great! Which geographic area do you live in?

[quick]

That's great! Which geographic area do you live in?

Houston, Texas (Northwest side)

[fill_up]

It was very easy for me, I went to the comcast store, asked for 1 mcard, they gave it to me and a piece of paper explaining some steps for install.

I plugged it in and called the number specified on the paper they gave me, gave them my data/info, and it was up and running. The only thing was I had to wait till the next day for them to activate the scrambled digital channels, which went through no problem the next day.

Took your advice and went to the Cable Store -- they gave them to me right away, no hassle, no "technician" runaround! Sweet. The woman at the store assures me they've been activated and will work when I plug them in -- even though this was the first time she'd seen one.

...So I get home and run guided setup, but at the point where I would activate my Cable Cards, it says to contact the cable company. So I do, and I give them a bunch of numbers. We go back and forth and I spend a lot of time listening to hold music. Eventually, she just gave up and made a service appointment for me. She said they are not supposed to give out cable cards and you need a professional to install them.

I have a feeling that when the "professional" comes to my house, s/he will experience difficulty as well.

But I'm going through with it. Heck with these guys!!!

[timckelley]

I just activated my TiVo HD yesterday, but I have analog cable through Time Warner, so I guess I don't have to worry about installing/activating cable cards. I'm told that the major networks have HD content. How will my TiVo know to record those in HD quality? When I set up an SP, under options, I can pick basic quality, medium, high, or best quality. But HD quality is not a choice. How does that work?

[MickeS]

I just activated my TiVo HD yesterday, but I have analog cable through Time Warner, so I guess I don't have to worry about installing/activating cable cards. I'm told that the major networks have HD content. How will my TiVo know to record those in HD quality? When I set up an SP, under options, I can pick basic quality, medium, high, or best quality. But HD quality is not a choice. How does that work?
You'll need to get CableCARDs to use the TiVo with the cable HD content. Most likely you will NOT have to pay any additional fees beyond the CableCARD rental fees.

I have analog cable with TWC and pay $2/month per card, for that I get the locals in HD (and I got 3 month free trial of the HD package, but I'll drop that when the trial is over and go back to just analog).

Unlike Cox, which I had before, TWC didn't give me any trouble when I said I just wanted the CableCARDs and no digital or HD package (cox insisted that I get the digital package). I might have just been lucky with the CSR, of course. :)

[SCSIRAID]

I just activated my TiVo HD yesterday, but I have analog cable through Time Warner, so I guess I don't have to worry about installing/activating cable cards. I'm told that the major networks have HD content. How will my TiVo know to record those in HD quality? When I set up an SP, under options, I can pick basic quality, medium, high, or best quality. But HD quality is not a choice. How does that work?

You can also attach an antenna and rerun setup. You will then have guide data for the locals via the antenna.

[quick]

Took your advice and went to the Cable Store -- they gave them to me right away, no hassle, no "technician" runaround! Sweet. The woman at the store assures me they've been activated and will work when I plug them in -- even though this was the first time she'd seen one.

...So I get home and run guided setup, but at the point where I would activate my Cable Cards, it says to contact the cable company. So I do, and I give them a bunch of numbers. We go back and forth and I spend a lot of time listening to hold music. Eventually, she just gave up and made a service appointment for me. She said they are not supposed to give out cable cards and you need a professional to install them.

I have a feeling that when the "professional" comes to my house, s/he will experience difficulty as well.

But I'm going through with it. Heck with these guys!!!

Maybe I just don't know how these cable cards work, but to me there is nothing a tech can do at your house, there is nothing to configure on the tivo, nothing! Whats he going to do tighten the card with a wrench?

The cards are possibly not ready, but thats nothing he can fix on the card when he gets there, its all done at the cable company activating the card from their end in their systems....

It sounds to me like the folks on the phone just don't know how to activate it on their end, or their systems are just not ready or not working properly.

IMO a tech coming to you house is useless. Only thing he can do is bring more cards with him that are perhaps setup properly.

Once they get it right it will just start picking up the channels and do everything automatically.

Good luck!

[TiVoter123]

I currently have a THD with 2 cablecards installed. I am contemplating buying a S3, and moving the THD upstairs to the bedroom. However, I would want to put my CC's in the new S3 downstairs, leaving my THD CC-less.

Has anyone attempted to do a "switch" of the CC's from tivo-to-tivo? I know that they need to be paired with the hardware that they are installed on, but is this re-pairing something that can be done over the phone with a standard tech, without needing a dreaded "service appointment"?

[Frazld]

Just got the TivoHD hooked up yesterday in Frisco. And of course, true to fashion, the cablecard install was the biggest pain.

Fortunately the tech knew what he was doing (he mentioned that it was his second TivoHD of the day). He inserted the card and Tivo threw and error on the card. He calmly pulled out a spare but then simply removed the card (did he blow thing on the pin end of the card. does this really do anything? I mean I do it to but seriously.....I digress) and reseated it. Tivo was happy.

Called up dispatch and he tried to transfer to one of several ladies that he knows can do the cablecard validation. Unfortunately both were out to lunch so we went with the dispatcher that answered the phone. After about an hour and a half and no luck she transferred us to one of the original ladies, now back from lunch, and within 10 minutes I was up and running.

If you live in the Dallas area have your tech ask for Stacy or Kimberly. Cablecard validation veterans!

And for the record I'm so stoked to be back with Tivo.

[shanebowman]

So here's Time Warner's response:

Ryan,
Thank you for taking the time to email us. Your email was forwarded to
me by senior management.

We are constantly looking at ways to improve our services for our
customers. One of the more popular requests from our customers are more
channels, particularly HD programming. We are in the process of
transitioning to switch digital video technology. This new technology
will allow us to maximize our bandwidth and add a large amount of new
channels. However, this new technology requires two-way communication.
As you may know, at this time, all CableCard devices in the marketplace
are only capable of receiving data - not receiving data and
communicating in a two-way fashion.

In the coming months (possibly Q2 2008), new devices will hit the
marketplace compatible with two-way CableCards. These new devices will
include HDTVs (I believe Samsung is producing one) and set top boxes
that you can purchase at big box retailers. Two-way CableCards will be
able to receive all HD channels in our lineup since they rely on two-way
technology. Time Warner Cable will continue to offer one-way CableCards
and also the two-way cards once devices reach the marketplace.

We have a special offer for CableCard customers - free digital service
for 6 months. If you are interested in this offer, please contact us
and we will be happy to set this up for you.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact me directly.
Again, thank you for taking the time to email us. We appreciate having
you as a Time Warner Cable customer.

Who did you send this to? I am in Winston Salem and am fed up with TWC's abuse of CC customers. I would like to get on the bandwagon with complaining to the right folks.

Spoke with a Tech the other day and was informed that ALL the new HD cahnnels will be on switched format at least until Q2 2008 so that probably means 2009 at the earliest.

[jacksonian]

shane,
I'm on the Greensboro system, so I don't know if you're on the same system or if you have different people than we do. But here's who I've contacted about it:

Buck Yarborough
Director, Government & Public Affairs
Time Warner Cable
Greensboro Division
(336) 231-6020
buck.yarborough@twcable.com

Jack Stanley
TWC President Greensboro
jack.stanley@twcable.com

[shanebowman]

shane,
I'm on the Greensboro system, so I don't know if you're on the same system or if you have different people than we do. But here's who I've contacted about it:

Buck Yarborough
Director, Government & Public Affairs
Time Warner Cable
Greensboro Division
(336) 231-6020


Jack Stanley
TWC President Greensboro

Yeah Greensboro is the same Just sent off my message to both. Thanks

[keefer37]

How long till that switched USB dongle comes out to work with SDV?

[ncbagwell]

Regarding this quote from the TWC person:
"Two-way CableCards will be able to receive all HD channels in our lineup since they rely on two-way technology. "

Am I correct in thinking that they are referring to the Open Cable CableCards that basically force the TW interface on you? Sure, they are two-way but they won't work with Tivo, will they?

[mercurial]

How long till that switched USB dongle comes out to work with SDV?

http://www.thejeffersons.net/junk/hell_freezes_over.jpg

[SCSIRAID]

Regarding this quote from the TWC person:
"Two-way CableCards will be able to receive all HD channels in our lineup since they rely on two-way technology. "

Am I correct in thinking that they are referring to the Open Cable CableCards that basically force the TW interface on you? Sure, they are two-way but they won't work with Tivo, will they?

They should have said... Two way Hosts using cablecards will be able.....

There is no such thing as two way cablecards. All cablecards support two way if the Host device supports two way (which the Tivo does NOT). The cable industry 'vision' is for Hosts running OCAP using cablecards. The 'interface' being forced is hidden in the middleware. The 'application' (which could be the Tivo Software) would use the OCAP interface to effect tuning or PPV etc.

[NEisenman]

I have S3 THD with two SA Cable cards, Time Warner Cable in NYC. Before 9.1 everything was working well. Since 9.1, and even after downloading 9.2j, I am having this problem with one of the tuners / cable cards. On one of the tuners I have been losing the signal for some of the channels. I could see the picture for a moment, and then it freezes or the screen goes blank. The other tuner is fine on all channels. Friday, I called TiVo and was on the phone with them for a while trying to nail down the problem. We figured out what the problem is, but not what is the fix for it. On the bad tuner/cable card, all channels which are scrambled by Time Warner are not working where the unscrambled channels are fine. The Tivo technician asked me to call TWC to have them send a "full initialization hit" and not just a "refresh" to the cable cards. The TiVo technician believes the problem is that the cable card is not holding the authorization (why one is and not the other remained a mystery). I called TWC and had them send a full initialization hit to the cable cards. This did not work. I called the TiVo tech back and she told me that perhaps the cable card is not working. While I doubt that this is the case, I will try to have TWC come and replace the cable cards. Hopefully this will work. Has anyone else had this issue and replaced the cable cards? Has it worked? Is there somewhere else in this forum where this has been discussed? Has TiVoPony supplied an answer?

[cableguy763]

I have S3 THD with two SA Cable cards, Time Warner Cable in NYC. Before 9.1 everything was working well. Since 9.1, and even after downloading 9.2j, I am having this problem with one of the tuners / cable cards. On one of the tuners I have been losing the signal for some of the channels. I could see the picture for a moment, and then it freezes or the screen goes blank. The other tuner is fine on all channels. Friday, I called TiVo and was on the phone with them for a while trying to nail down the problem. We figured out what the problem is, but not what is the fix for it. On the bad tuner/cable card, all channels which are scrambled by Time Warner are not working where the unscrambled channels are fine. The Tivo technician asked me to call TWC to have them send a "full initialization hit" and not just a "refresh" to the cable cards. The TiVo technician believes the problem is that the cable card is not holding the authorization (why one is and not the other remained a mystery). I called TWC and had them send a full initialization hit to the cable cards. This did not work. I called the TiVo tech back and she told me that perhaps the cable card is not working. While I doubt that this is the case, I will try to have TWC come and replace the cable cards. Hopefully this will work. Has anyone else had this issue and replaced the cable cards? Has it worked? Is there somewhere else in this forum where this has been discussed? Has TiVoPony supplied an answer?Sounds like the second card is not paired correctly. Check the card's cp status in the cablecard cp screen. You want to see "CP Auth Recieved", not "Waiting for CP Auth".

[NEisenman]

Sounds like the second card is not paired correctly. Check the card's cp status in the cablecard cp screen. You want to see "CP Auth Recieved", not "Waiting for CP Auth".


when I was on the phone with the TiVo tech we checked that. I was receiving the message "CP Auth Received" on both cards.

The issue was that the EMM count was 0 ... meaning that it was not decrypting the signal.

[KRKeegan]

In their ongoing effort to make cable cards as difficult as possible, TW informed me today that they won't be able to install my cable cards in my new THD for 3 weeks.

I got stuck with the same S*#T too. The CSR actually told me that there is a priority scale for service requests and that new cable card requests fall into the miscellaneous non-priority class, which is the lowest.

I am gonna hold them to it too, for what I have to pay for this it better work the first time.

[Combat Medic]

I just wanted to interject a quick data point here. Today I went and visited the local Time Warner Office here in San Antonio. I walked up to the counter and asked for a multi-stream cable card. She handed me one without anything more then asking for my phone number so she could pull up my account. She never pushed me to one of their DVRs or tell me that I needed a truck roll.

[suaspont]

And so it starts again. Time Warner Cincinnati strikes again.

My Series 3 developed a problem with Tuner 1 -- it started showing analog channels in very grainy black and white. TiVo customer service insisted that it was a problem with the strength of the cable signal coming into the box, that I needed to disconnect my terrestrial antenna. Since the problem would go away for several days if I power cycled the box, one genius at Tivo Customer Service told me that there was "no problem" since power cycling the box solved it. Ok. After disconnecting the antenna, having TW check the signal levels, and sacrificing a goat at midnight, the problem still persisted.

At this point, the TiVo Customer Service supervisor authorized a replacement to be shipped to me.

Then the fun begins. I called TW and their customer service person was anything but helpful. I did make the mistake of saying that my cable cards needed to be "re-paired" (as in re-matched) to the new TiVo. She thought that they needed to be "repaired" (as in broken). That only added about 10 minutes to what should have been a simple phone call. In the end, she arranged for a truck roll about a week later.

So, the guy shows up. He's pretty much clueless. I tried to hand him the cable card instruction sheet provided by TiVo, but he immediately jumped on the phone and started calling people to figure out what to do. He plugged both cable cards in at the same time and started calling in numbers from the cable card screen. I told him that I thought that he needed to get card 1 working first before installing card 2. He ignored this.

He spent about 2 hours on various phone calls to TW headquarters and they tried to re-hit the cards again and again. Then I heard him say that he seems to remember that they need to get card 1 working before inserting card 2. Lets see, for two hours, he ignored the written instructions, my telling him that he needed to get card 1 working first, then suddenly he remembers what to do.

Another hour goes by while he tries to get even one card working. Swapping cards back and forth, more phone calls. Still not working. So... Now he tells me that the cable cards need to be replaced entirely. Apparently there is some problem with the billing system and how it interacts with whatever they need to do to re-pair the cards. He said that they need to completely remove these cards from the billing system and start from scratch. What's more, he said that once the cable cards are removed from the billing system, the cannot be activated again.

So, now he is trying to arrange for a supervisor to bring him 2 new cable cards so he can start this all over again. In the meantime he has "18 more calls to take care of today" -- so he left but promised to call me when he is able to arrange for a supervisor to meet him with more cable cards. So far 3 hours and 20 minutes have gone by...

If I were more cynical than I already am, I'd say that TW intentionally makes it hard for their service guys to make cable cards work in TiVos so that we will eventually give up and use their equipment. But, I'm not *quite* that cynical.

[timckelley]

Wow! It shouldn't be this hard. I fear for the day I switch from analog to digital. (Which I probably should do if I want to take advantage of my HD.) I hope you guinea pigs in this thread finish flushing out all these problems before I make the switch. :o

[MickeS]

I just wanted to interject a quick data point here. Today I went and visited the local Time Warner Office here in San Antonio. I walked up to the counter and asked for a multi-stream cable card. She handed me one without anything more then asking for my phone number so she could pull up my account. She never pushed me to one of their DVRs or tell me that I needed a truck roll.
Interesting. When I asked to go to their office and get my cards instead of having to pay $40 for the installation (which I ended up having to redo later myself anyway!) they refused, and said I had to have a technician come to my house to do it. Initially they even wanted to charge me $40x2, one charge for each card...

[MickeS]

If I were more cynical than I already am, I'd say that TW intentionally makes it hard for their service guys to make cable cards work in TiVos so that we will eventually give up and use their equipment. But, I'm not *quite* that cynical.
I think that's part of it, although not intentional. They simply don't give them the proper training on CableCARDs.

Plus these guys really seem intimidated by any suggestion that they read this sheet from TiVo. The guy that came to my house did pretty much the same as yours. Idiots.

[suaspont]

The saga continues... So, about an hour and a half later, the guy shows back up with two more cable cards. He spent the next 3 hours swapping them back and forth, calling everyone on the planet (except anyone who could actually do something useful). By this time, he was complaining about his "productivity numbers." At 4:10 pm he announced that everybody at the head end had gone home for the day, so there was nothing else that could be done.

During all this time, they managed to get 1 cable card paired, but not authorized to receive any channels. He told me that their system shows the second card as not paired, but that it is showing up as a Motorola set-top box and not a cable card. He launched into a long complaint about how the billing system and the authentication systems don't work very well together and that nobody in the computer room has answered the phone since 10:00 am.

So, he left and said that the folks at headquarters were working on the problem and that everything should be fine after a while. He promised to call in 30 minutes to see if everything was working, or if not, to arrange to come back on Friday. (I am not at all surprised that he did not call.)

So, here it is 12 hours after he first arrived, and I'm no closer to getting the thing to work than when we began.

Oh, did I mention that everything was working fine (except for a video output problem) on my Series 3 before TiVo replaced it under warranty?

[MickeS]

The saga continues... So, about an hour and a half later, the guy shows back up with two more cable cards. He spent the next 3 hours swapping them back and forth, calling everyone on the planet (except anyone who could actually do something useful). By this time, he was complaining about his "productivity numbers." At 4:10 pm he announced that everybody at the head end had gone home for the day, so there was nothing else that could be done.

During all this time, they managed to get 1 cable card paired, but not authorized to receive any channels. He told me that their system shows the second card as not paired, but that it is showing up as a Motorola set-top box and not a cable card. He launched into a long complaint about how the billing system and the authentication systems don't work very well together and that nobody in the computer room has answered the phone since 10:00 am.

So, he left and said that the folks at headquarters were working on the problem and that everything should be fine after a while. He promised to call in 30 minutes to see if everything was working, or if not, to arrange to come back on Friday. (I am not at all surprised that he did not call.)

So, here it is 12 hours after he first arrived, and I'm no closer to getting the thing to work than when we began.

Oh, did I mention that everything was working fine (except for a video output problem) on my Series 3 before TiVo replaced it under warranty?
You might want to just take out the cards, follow the instructions and call TWC again. Hopefully you might be able to get someone through the regular customer service who knows the issue (I did - they were really on the ball and knew way more than my installer).

[gcorneau]

So after a lengthy read through this thread, and as a new owner of a Tivo HD in the Austin, TX metro area (Round Rock) with only analog cable (standard package), I can say that I do receive the 15x1 HD regular channels (big 4+PBS) signals. Yeah!

What I don't seem to get is any guide data for those channels. When going through the guided setup, I used my old Zip (78664) because Tivo (like many other companies which should know better) doesnt recognize the new zip code for this area, 78665. I choose Time Warner Cable (not Time Warner Cable Central TX) when given the Cable company option. The TivoHD doesn't know any information about those channels.

Do I have to go with the Cable Card/digital to get the guide data for those 5 channels?

Thanks in advance.

[timckelley]

So after a lengthy read through this thread, and as a new owner of a Tivo HD in the Austin, TX metro area (Round Rock) with only analog cable (standard package), I can say that I do receive the 15x1 HD regular channels (big 4+PBS) signals. Yeah!

What I don't seem to get is any guide data for those channels. When going through the guided setup, I used my old Zip (78664) because Tivo (like many other companies which should know better) doesnt recognize the new zip code for this area, 78665. I choose Time Warner Cable (not Time Warner Cable Central TX) when given the Cable company option. The TivoHD doesn't know any information about those channels.

Do I have to go with the Cable Card/digital to get the guide data for those 5 channels?

Thanks in advance.

I'm in exactly your boat, as I live in northwest Austin. I also am not gettnig any HD content. Somebody earlier in this thread said you have to subscribe to digital to get that content in a way that the TiVo will pick it up. :(

[SCSIRAID]

So after a lengthy read through this thread, and as a new owner of a Tivo HD in the Austin, TX metro area (Round Rock) with only analog cable (standard package), I can say that I do receive the 15x1 HD regular channels (big 4+PBS) signals. Yeah!

What I don't seem to get is any guide data for those channels. When going through the guided setup, I used my old Zip (78664) because Tivo (like many other companies which should know better) doesnt recognize the new zip code for this area, 78665. I choose Time Warner Cable (not Time Warner Cable Central TX) when given the Cable company option. The TivoHD doesn't know any information about those channels.

Do I have to go with the Cable Card/digital to get the guide data for those 5 channels?

Thanks in advance.

Yes... you need a cablecard to get guide data for QAM channels. Another option is an OTA Antenna for which you will get guide data after rerunning guided setup and indicating cable + antenna configuration.

[timckelley]

Yes... you need a cablecard to get guide data for QAM channels. Another option is an OTA Antenna for which you will get guide data after rerunning guided setup and indicating cable + antenna configuration.

Does it have to be a high quality antenna? It seems counterintuitive to me that a cheap antenna would have enough bandwith receive enough digital data to show an HD program.

[cableguy763]

So after a lengthy read through this thread, and as a new owner of a Tivo HD in the Austin, TX metro area (Round Rock) with only analog cable (standard package), I can say that I do receive the 15x1 HD regular channels (big 4+PBS) signals. Yeah!

What I don't seem to get is any guide data for those channels. When going through the guided setup, I used my old Zip (78664) because Tivo (like many other companies which should know better) doesnt recognize the new zip code for this area, 78665. I choose Time Warner Cable (not Time Warner Cable Central TX) when given the Cable company option. The TivoHD doesn't know any information about those channels.

Do I have to go with the Cable Card/digital to get the guide data for those 5 channels?

Thanks in advance.
In Austin all guide data is passed on to the correct channels, i.e. 1501, 1511...etc. I live in the same zip as you and all works fine on mine. You DO NOT have to subscribe to digital or have cable cards.

[timckelley]

In Austin all guide data is passed on to the correct channels, i.e. 1501, 1511...etc. I live in the same zip as you and all works fine on mine. You DO NOT have to subscribe to digital or have cable cards.

Thanks (actually I live in 78729)... when I get home, I'll check to see if I get those channels. They sound kind of familiar to me, so I might have them. (I subscribe to analog cable, by the way).

[SCSIRAID]

Does it have to be a high quality antenna? It seems counterintuitive to me that a cheap antenna would have enough bandwith receive enough digital data to show an HD program.

Its not a bandwidth issue. Its a gain and directionality issue. From the antenna's perspective.. signal is signal... Couldnt care less if its analog or digital. Go to this link....

antennaweb.org

and get started. It will tell you distance and bearing to your providers.

I have a $30 antenna in the attic and get all 5 networks with signal strength in the 90's.

Here is a good source for antennaes...

http://www.solidsignal.com/cat_display.asp?main_cat=03&CAT=TV%20Antennas

This is the one I have.

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_display.asp?PROD=ANCM3022

[SCSIRAID]

In Austin all guide data is passed on to the correct channels, i.e. 1501, 1511...etc. I live in the same zip as you and all works fine on mine. You DO NOT have to subscribe to digital or have cable cards.

So you are saying that in Austin if you config the Tivo as analog cable then you get the guide data for the clear QAM channels? If that is true... it would seem to be the exception rather than the rule. I dont think Ive heard anyone report this anywhere.

It would be GREAT though!!!

[cableguy763]

So you are saying that in Austin if you config the Tivo as analog cable then you get the guide data for the clear QAM channels? If that is true... it would seem to be the exception rather than the rule. I dont think Ive heard anyone report this anywhere.

It would be GREAT though!!!
Yes, Austin is an exception to the rule. We have a very knowledgable director that knows how these things work. All psip data is passed, so even customers with just qam tuners in their tv's get correct guide data.

[SCSIRAID]

Yes, Austin is an exception to the rule. We have a very knowledgable director that knows how these things work. All psip data is passed, so even customers with just qam tuners in their tv's get correct guide data.

Im still confused... I believe the question is not psip guide data but is relative to Tivo guide data to allow Tivo to correlate the clear QAM channel to the NTSC channel number in the Tivo Guide. I dont believe that function exists and thus if you are running cable only into a Tivo S3/THD without cablecards then you have no mechanism to map an NTSC Analog channel number guide data to a clear QAM frequency and pid. The cablecard is the mechanism to provide that association. You can tune those clear QAM channels but Tivo wouldnt have guide data. A TV would be different and if the right virtual channel ID is found, the TV Guide should be able to properly map it and the 'info' function should have the right guide data. But the Tivo is a different story. Am I missing something?

[gcorneau]

Im still confused... I believe the question is not psip guide data but is relative to Tivo guide data to allow Tivo to correlate the clear QAM channel to the NTSC channel number in the Tivo Guide. I dont believe that function exists and thus if you are running cable only into a Tivo S3/THD without cablecards then you have no mechanism to map an NTSC Analog channel number guide data to a clear QAM frequency and pid. The cablecard is the mechanism to provide that association. You can tune those clear QAM channels but Tivo wouldnt have guide data. A TV would be different and if the right virtual channel ID is found, the TV Guide should be able to properly map it and the 'info' function should have the right guide data. But the Tivo is a different story. Am I missing something?

Guess I'm still confused too. I can tune in the HD channels (TWC-Austin numbers them 1501, 1511, etc and after doing a Tivo channel scan, I don't have to enter some XX.xx number). I can record them, but the Tivo doesn't have any guide data for them.

cableguy763, thanks very much for hanging out here and helping us along (much appreciated); but are you saying I *should* see Tivo Guide data for those channels in my situation then? If so, then do I need to get a technician out to check out things? [I guess I could go back into the attic and put a splitter on my antenna which, unfortunately, I ran only to the downstairs TV for HD OTA... not the upstairs bedroom. Alas, I'm still only a 1 Tivo household right now so no convenient way to shift programs between TVs yet].

Thanks again.

[suaspont]

It's not over yet.

I received a call from a Time Warner supervisor yesterday evening. He profusely apologized for all of the trouble that I have had getting my cable cards installed and working. He also expressed "astonishment" that the tech did not call me back as promised. According to the supervisor, the problem was apparently caused when Adelphia (my old cable provider) had their equipment merged with Cincinnati Time Warner's equipment. He believes that they have found the problem and allowed me to chose the time for the tech to come back and finish the job.

More after 1:30 this coming Friday...

[SCSIRAID]

Guess I'm still confused too. I can tune in the HD channels (TWC-Austin numbers them 1501, 1511, etc and after doing a Tivo channel scan, I don't have to enter some XX.xx number). I can record them, but the Tivo doesn't have any guide data for them.

cableguy763, thanks very much for hanging out here and helping us along (much appreciated); but are you saying I *should* see Tivo Guide data for those channels in my situation then? If so, then do I need to get a technician out to check out things? [I guess I could go back into the attic and put a splitter on my antenna which, unfortunately, I ran only to the downstairs TV for HD OTA... not the upstairs bedroom. Alas, I'm still only a 1 Tivo household right now so no convenient way to shift programs between TVs yet].

Thanks again.

hmmmmm... if Tivo sees the 1501, 1511 after channel scan and you set it up for digital cable but without cablecards.... then perhaps the guide data WILL correlate and work... Havent tried to set an S3 up that way but it seems that it might work. Man would that be the cats meow.

So it would seem that Austin TWC has massaged the psip data to get the locals streams to match the TWC designation of virtual channel numbers. I hope he will share the method with the other cableco's.

[dlcrow]

The 15xx channels are no longer in the TiVo channel maps, so you will not get TiVo guide data for them unless you have a CableCARD.

There was a time when they were there and things worked nicely, but no longer.

I have a feeling that all of the issues this year with TWC Austin messing with the PSIP data and the channels not mapping to anything for periods of days or months caused TiVo to remove the channels from the line up.

[dlcrow]

Has anyone attempted to do a "switch" of the CC's from tivo-to-tivo? I know that they need to be paired with the hardware that they are installed on, but is this re-pairing something that can be done over the phone with a standard tech, without needing a dreaded "service appointment"?

I've done this twice with TWC Austin. I just called in and told them that I received replacement hardware and needed to repair my devices. I wrote down the old host ids and had the new host ids and card ids and even though it took about 30 minutes, we were able to get it done.

[cableguy763]

The 15xx channels are no longer in the TiVo channel maps, so you will not get TiVo guide data for them unless you have a CableCARD.

There was a time when they were there and things worked nicely, but no longer.

I have a feeling that all of the issues this year with TWC Austin messing with the PSIP data and the channels not mapping to anything for periods of days or months caused TiVo to remove the channels from the line up.
I forgot that we did an upgrade in Round Rock maybe a month and a half ago that has interrupted our psip data. The guide data works for customers in Austin.

[dlcrow]

I forgot that we did an upgrade in Round Rock maybe a month and a half ago that has interrupted our psip data. The guide data works for customers in Austin.

The programming information in the television stream is different from the guide data downloaded from TiVo, right?

I can do a channel scan and it finds the channel mapping in the PSIP data, so I can go to the TiVo channel mapping page and select the 15xx channels. This allows me to easily tune to them. The channels even show up when viewing the TiVo guide, but they have???? in place of the channel names (instead of KXAN, for example) and there is no TiVo guide data for them.

Without the TiVo guide data, you cannot schedule recordings by name.

Am I missing something?

[cableguy763]

The programming information in the television stream is different from the guide data downloaded from TiVo, right?

I can do a channel scan and it finds the channel mapping in the PSIP data, so I can go to the TiVo channel mapping page and select the 15xx channels. This allows me to easily tune to them. The channels even show up when viewing the TiVo guide, but they have???? in place of the channel names (instead of KXAN, for example) and there is no TiVo guide data for them.

Without the TiVo guide data, you cannot schedule recordings by name.

Am I missing something?
David, does your TV with cablecards have the TV Guide feature built into it? I have heard reports that that is not functioning in Round Rock as well. If the channels in the 1500's are working, wouldn't guide data be a Tivo responsibility?

[SCSIRAID]

David, does your TV with cablecards have the TV Guide feature built into it? I have heard reports that that is not functioning in Round Rock as well. If the channels in the 1500's are working, wouldn't guide data be a Tivo responsibility?

So it sounds like a lineup correction could be submitted indicating the TWC virtual channel number and what network they corrospond to. If Tribune could provide the guide data then Austin would be 'in like Flynn' and the subject of envy by many.

[dlcrow]

David, does your TV with cablecards have the TV Guide feature built into it?

My CableCARDs are in TiVo's and none of my TV's have TV guide capability. Sony doesn't seem to think this is important :-(.

I have heard reports that that is not functioning in Round Rock as well. If the channels in the 1500's are working, wouldn't guide data be a Tivo responsibility?

Yes. I think so.

I see two issues:

1) Are the 15xx channels stable enough (they've been on-again-off-again enough in the last year that I am not sure), and
2) Can they differentiate an S2 and S3/HD lineup?

I don't know how the TiVo channel maps (and therefore what guide data can/will be downloaded) really work to be able to suggest a better solution.

As I said, there was a time when the 15xx channels were placed in the "basic cable" maps - even on my S2. But they went away some time around the time when the S3 was officially released and about the time that the PSIP data got all screwed up the first time (February 2007 maybe?).

[cableguy763]

[QUOTE=dlcrow]

1) Are the 15xx channels stable enough (they've been on-again-off-again enough in the last year that I am not sure), and
QUOTE]
We know exactly what causes the maps to fail, so they will be stable for now on.

[Norm_bone]

Just moved from Nebraska to Ohio. (Ross Township, outside of Cincinnati)

When I went looking for Internet, TV and phone, I couldn't pass up the Time Warner offer here. ($100/month for all three, including unlimited long distance.)

Shortly after that decision, Tivo offered their "Lifetime Transfer" special for Tivo HD units, so I was hooked.

Placing the order went well; I was even able to call back to reschedule the appointment a day earlier. When I asked about CableCards, the first operator I spoke to spun some FUD about how CableCard pictures and sound wouldn't be as clear if I used a Tivo rather than one of Time Warner's DVRs. After I referred her to the Time Warner Website, where it described the picture and sound as "Crystal Clear" in a non-TW device, she backed off. The new tack was how we wouldn't be able to get interactive services.

Anyway, I placed the order without significant incident. The install got pushed back a day because our computer wasn't hooked up, and the installer wanted to put some software on it. (?!?) Since he couldn't do the whole thing at once, he scheduled to come back today.

I stayed home from work, for fear that things would go badly if I didn't. This appeared to be a reasonable concern, as the installer was a contractor, who told me that TW usually didn't allow contractors to do cablecards, and that he appreciated my help, because he'd never done one before.

Despite this, the installation was pretty painless. I convinced him not to shove in both cablecards at once, and he got card #1 running okay. He didn't call in the data on card #2 specifically, which I thought was odd, but when we paged through the channels everything was there. In hindsight, we paged through the channels from channel 2, and didn't look closely at HBO, Showtime, or the HD channels.

About 40 minutes, all told, to get the digital phone, cable modem, a receiver box, and the two cable cards installed. Unfortunately, things have gone downhill from there.

Looking more closely, I found that Cablecard #1 wasn't getting Showtime, and #2 wasn't getting any premium or HD channels. It took an hour and a half (1:27) on the phone with Customer Service while they tried different things, to no avail. They're sending a technician on Monday.

Here's what I see and think is the problem. I'd appreciate tremendously any insight you guys can offer:

* On the Cable Decoder card screen, Card #1 is described as "SCard Inserted" and is described as (Single-Stream)
* Card #2 is described as "Card inserted" and doesn't say (Single-Stream)
* Looking at the installation FAQ, on the Conditional Access page, the Authorization is "MISSING_PROGRAM_REKEY", rather than "Subscribed"

My theory is that the installer didn't activate Card #2 correctly. Since he never called a second time to specifically activate the second card (He said that the dispatcher claimed to be "activating them both") something didn't turn on right.

Searching through the forums, it sounds like my best bet is to ask the CS to "initialize" the card that isn't working. Do you guys have any other suggestions?

Thank you!

[dlcrow]

So it sounds like a lineup correction could be submitted indicating the TWC virtual channel number and what network they corrospond to. If Tribune could provide the guide data then Austin would be 'in like Flynn' and the subject of envy by many.

I've submitted a lineup request. We'll see what they say.

[cahoon]

I have a Tivo HD, with digital cable from Time Warner Austin, and got the multi-stream cablecard installed. My question is - what HD channels should I be receiving. I get the networks channels and PBS (1501, etc). But, I don't get Discovery HD or TNT HD. I thought I should receive those channels as well (I used to get them when I had the Time Warner Box).

The last technician that came said I should receive Discovery HD and TNT HD, but wasn't sure why it wasn't working. He suggested that I set up another appointment to replace the cablecard. I figured I'd ask here first. Thanks.

[cableguy763]

I have a Tivo HD, with digital cable from Time Warner Austin, and got the multi-stream cablecard installed. My question is - what HD channels should I be receiving. I get the networks channels and PBS (1501, etc). But, I don't get Discovery HD or TNT HD. I thought I should receive those channels as well (I used to get them when I had the Time Warner Box).

The last technician that came said I should receive Discovery HD and TNT HD, but wasn't sure why it wasn't working. He suggested that I set up another appointment to replace the cablecard. I figured I'd ask here first. Thanks.
You should be getting tnt hd and discovery hd if you subscribe to at least the "standard" package that has 78 analog channels. Chances are 98% that you don't need to replace your cablecard. It's just the balancing or lack of the correct emm's. I get in at two tomorrow, send me a pm with a contact number and I can more than likely get it fixed over the phone.

[shanebowman]

Arg, we just got the letter last week about losing three of the HD channels too. I wrote them an email (below), and will follow it up with print letters as well to the franchise, and maybe higher up as well.

To Whom it May Concern:

I recently received your communique regarding cable card customers losing three of their high definition channels (ESPN2HD, MHD and UniversalHD). Not only are we losing the ability to tune into these three channels with our high definition package, we also did not receive the recent additions of TBSHD, Golf/VS HD and A&EHD.

I have only recently become a cable card customer, but am already appalled and disappointed that Time Warner Cable treats cable card customers as second-rate customers. It took a total of three installation visits for the cards to get installed, and now we are losing a minimum of six channels.

The cable card standard was created to make an equal footing for customer and cable-related manufacturers to utilize a variety of hardware, but Time Warner is edging toward anti-competitive practices with their discriminatory channel lineup offered to cable card customers. It seems cable card users are punished because Time Warner knows with the current state of the technology, cable card customers will not be using the over-priced features such as pay-per-view and on-demand programming.

Actions such as these make me question why I ever left satellite. They at least offered every channel to every customer.

Sincerely,
Ryan W. Keefer


Here is the email I sent:(edited yours to match my situation)

To Whom it May Concern:

I recently received your communiqué regarding cable card customers losing three of their high definition channels (ESPN2HD, MHD and UniversalHD). Not only are we losing the ability to tune into these three channels with our high definition package, we also did not receive the recent additions of TBSHD, Golf/VS HD and A&EHD.

I have only recently become a cable card customer, but am already appalled and disappointed that Time Warner Cable treats cable card customers as second-rate customers. It took a total of seven installation visits for the cards to get installed plus several service calls to get it figured out. Part of the issue arose when TWC performed the major upgrade in Greensboro, but the inability of neither your call center personnel nor your techs to inform or service is ridiculous. I had one CR on the phone and another field tech tell me that Cable Cards are being removed as an option, just in the last two weeks I had a CR on the phone tell me she could not send a refresh hit to a cable card and really did all she could do to get me off the phone rather than provide me with any modicum of service. The next day a tech came out and informed my wife that the issue was related to one of the CCs not being correctly identified in your system. This was the issue I helped the tech on the visit two months ago fix after the Greensboro upgrade. After all that now I have been informed we are losing a minimum of six channels with all the new HD channels being installed as Switched Format. I did try your DVR service when I first switched to TWC and was extremely disappointed, the point being that I did not dismiss your option out of hand and did give a test run.

The cable card standard was created to make an equal footing for customer and cable-related manufacturers to utilize a variety of hardware, but Time Warner is edging toward anti-competitive practices with their discriminatory channel lineup offered to cable card customers. It seems cable card users are punished because Time Warner knows with the current state of the technology, cable card customers will not be using the over-priced features such as pay-per-view and on-demand programming. We currently use cable, phone and internet so I would hope this is not the issue, but it is odd that we are having so many issues with no end in sight.

Actions such as these make me question why I stay with TWC. Satellite at least offers every channel to every customer

[shanebowman]

Here is their answer blaming it on the Tivo and the TV manufacturers:

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with me. Please be assured that we take your concerns seriously. Time Warner Cable continues to support the use of CableCARD enabled devices and it has not been removed as an option for receiving Time Warner Cable services.



Time Warner Cable has moved rapidly in the last few years developing a scalable, advanced fiber optic network enabling delivery of robust, advanced digital services to our customers including High-Speed Internet service, digital video service (standard and HD), On-Demand programming, Digital Phone and much more.



Consumer electronics manufacturers have been slow in developing, as well as keeping up with the changing technology around CableCARDs. Often times advanced HD television sets are not equipped with the most recent CableCARD software. Even now there is no common standard configuration for CableCARDs. As a result CableCARD support varies by television set manufacturer, which may explain some of your issues. CableCARDs utilize a one-way technology and in order for them to be compatible with advanced two-way cable networks like ours, the CableCARD must be a two-way capable device.



I believe many of your concerns will be resolved once a two-way CableCARD is commercially available. In order for this to happen, an agreement between all interested parties, in particular the consumer electronics industry must occur.



I’m sorry to hear about your bad experience with DVR service. If you could please let us know the specific shortcomings you found with this service, we may be able to address them. Please let us know when and at what number it would be most convenient for you for us to contact you.



Again, thank you for taking the time to let us know about your concerns and for giving us the opportunity to clear up some misunderstandings. I hope you will allow Time Warner Cable to continue to be your provider of choice. Speaking on behalf of all my colleagues at Time Warner Cable, we appreciate the opportunity to serve you.





With very best regards,



:down: Buck Yarborough :down:

Director, Government and Public Affairs

Time Warner Cable

Still formulating my reponse if anyone has any input

[SCSIRAID]

Here is their answer blaming it on the Tivo and the TV manufacturers:

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with me. Please be assured that we take your concerns seriously. Time Warner Cable continues to support the use of CableCARD enabled devices and it has not been removed as an option for receiving Time Warner Cable services.



Time Warner Cable has moved rapidly in the last few years developing a scalable, advanced fiber optic network enabling delivery of robust, advanced digital services to our customers including High-Speed Internet service, digital video service (standard and HD), On-Demand programming, Digital Phone and much more.



Consumer electronics manufacturers have been slow in developing, as well as keeping up with the changing technology around CableCARDs. Often times advanced HD television sets are not equipped with the most recent CableCARD software. Even now there is no common standard configuration for CableCARDs. As a result CableCARD support varies by television set manufacturer, which may explain some of your issues. CableCARDs utilize a one-way technology and in order for them to be compatible with advanced two-way cable networks like ours, the CableCARD must be a two-way capable device.



I believe many of your concerns will be resolved once a two-way CableCARD is commercially available. In order for this to happen, an agreement between all interested parties, in particular the consumer electronics industry must occur.



I’m sorry to hear about your bad experience with DVR service. If you could please let us know the specific shortcomings you found with this service, we may be able to address them. Please let us know when and at what number it would be most convenient for you for us to contact you.



Again, thank you for taking the time to let us know about your concerns and for giving us the opportunity to clear up some misunderstandings. I hope you will allow Time Warner Cable to continue to be your provider of choice. Speaking on behalf of all my colleagues at Time Warner Cable, we appreciate the opportunity to serve you.





With very best regards,



:down: Buck Yarborough :down:

Director, Government and Public Affairs

Time Warner Cable

Still formulating my reponse if anyone has any input

Be sure and tell him that he should educate himself on cablecards since there is no such thing as a one way cablecard..... they are all two way... its the host thats one way.

http://www.opencable.com/primer/cablecard_primer.html

[suaspont]

My saga with TWC Cincinnati continues...

The installer (the same guy who spent 6 hours trying to get this to work on Tuesday) showed up today even a few minutes early. Apparently, this was his day off, but since he had worked on trying to get the cable cards already, he wanted to complete the job. So at least it looks like he was dedicated to to getting this all to work.

Again, he swapped things around, made phone calls, and basically didn't get anything to work. At one time he was able to get the "Auth: unknown" to change to "Auth: MISSING_PROGRAM_REKEY" At this point, he announced that he had done "everything" and that it surely must be a TiVo problem. So, I called the TiVo Cable Card support number from the FAQ and got a very knowledgeable person who I put on speakerphone and she had us look at several of the CableCard screens, diagnostic scrreens, etc. She said that it was very apparent that the CableCards were paired, but they had not received the necessary signal to enable the channels to be viewed. I asked her the pointed question a couple of times, "Is it possible that this is being caused by a problem with the TiVo box?" She said that it surely was not and that my cable provider simply had not sent the proper signal to the CableCards.

So, the installer gets on the phone and actually was able to reach someone at the headend. This person did something, we got the "161-4 error code," so I thought we were on the way to getting this all working. But, the CableCard is now again stuck at "Auth: unknown."

The tech was bound and determined to be finished by 5:00, because he had apparently promised his wife that he would be home shortly after that. So, he made even more calls and someone decided that the problem might be that the signal level to the TiVo wasn't strong enough and an amplifier needed to be installed. Unfortunately, he didn't have an amplifier with him as he was in his personal vehicle, but he contacted another tech who promised to bring one by this evening between 8:00 and 9:00 pm. He also indicated that another tech would bring a CableCard equipped TV to my house tomorrow (Saturday) if the ampllfier didn't work to see if they could get the CableCard to work in it in my house using the same CableCards that have not worked in my Series 3. He then left.

Well, not only did the other tech not show up, he didn't even call. I stayed home to be sure to be here, giving up a dinner engagement. Now, they want me to wait around tomorrow yet again to see if they show up then...

So far, TWC has spent 9 1/2 hours (and I have taken 2 days off work) and we are basically at square one. Right now, my TiVo only has one non-functioning CableCard in slot 1 and none in slot 2. From my on-line research (the tech told me that nobody at TWC could find anything at all about the meaning of "MISSING_PROGRAM_REKEY" even by searching the Internet. Funny, I found stuff right away, all of which points to TWC not sending the proper signal to enable the card to display channels. Further research has seemed to indicate that if the signal that pairs the CableCard and the signal that enables channels are sent too close together, the problem I'm having can occur.

I fear that (assuming they don't break yet another promise and actually show up) the CableCard equipped TV will work and then they will declare that my Series 3 is defective and walk out. Then I'll really be between a rock and a hard place. Then I guess I'll have to punt. Or try an on-side kick...

The especially frustrating part of this is that I've had a Series 3 for more than a year, which worked perfectly with CableCards until it had video output problems and had to be replaced. That installation went pretty smoothly and everything worked fine.

I greatly fear that this story has more chapters before I get this working again...

[MickeS]

Still formulating my reponse if anyone has any input
"Even now there is no common standard configuration for CableCARDs." Since they don't even seem to know there's a CableCARD standard, no wonder they have problems.

Really, how is a customer supposed to reply to something that is so full of factual errors?

[artinsocal]

My saga with TWC Cincinnati continues...

The installer (the same guy who spent 6 hours trying to get this to work on Tuesday) showed up today even a few minutes early. Apparently, this was his day off, but since he had worked on trying to get the cable cards already, he wanted to complete the job. So at least it looks like he was dedicated to to getting this all to work.

Again, he swapped things around, made phone calls, and basically didn't get anything to work. At one time he was able to get the "Auth: unknown" to change to "Auth: MISSING_PROGRAM_REKEY" At this point, he announced that he had done "everything" and that it surely must be a TiVo problem. So, I called the TiVo Cable Card support number from the FAQ and got a very knowledgeable person who I put on speakerphone and she had us look at several of the CableCard screens, diagnostic scrreens, etc. She said that it was very apparent that the CableCards were paired, but they had not received the necessary signal to enable the channels to be viewed. I asked her the pointed question a couple of times, "Is it possible that this is being caused by a problem with the TiVo box?" She said that it surely was not and that my cable provider simply had not sent the proper signal to the CableCards.

So, the installer gets on the phone and actually was able to reach someone at the headend. This person did something, we got the "161-4 error code," so I thought we were on the way to getting this all working. But, the CableCard is now again stuck at "Auth: unknown."

The tech was bound and determined to be finished by 5:00, because he had apparently promised his wife that he would be home shortly after that. So, he made even more calls and someone decided that the problem might be that the signal level to the TiVo wasn't strong enough and an amplifier needed to be installed. Unfortunately, he didn't have an amplifier with him as he was in his personal vehicle, but he contacted another tech who promised to bring one by this evening between 8:00 and 9:00 pm. He also indicated that another tech would bring a CableCard equipped TV to my house tomorrow (Saturday) if the ampllfier didn't work to see if they could get the CableCard to work in it in my house using the same CableCards that have not worked in my Series 3. He then left.

Well, not only did the other tech not show up, he didn't even call. I stayed home to be sure to be here, giving up a dinner engagement. Now, they want me to wait around tomorrow yet again to see if they show up then...

So far, TWC has spent 9 1/2 hours (and I have taken 2 days off work) and we are basically at square one. Right now, my TiVo only has one non-functioning CableCard in slot 1 and none in slot 2. From my on-line research (the tech told me that nobody at TWC could find anything at all about the meaning of "MISSING_PROGRAM_REKEY" even by searching the Internet. Funny, I found stuff right away, all of which points to TWC not sending the proper signal to enable the card to display channels. Further research has seemed to indicate that if the signal that pairs the CableCard and the signal that enables channels are sent too close together, the problem I'm having can occur.

I fear that (assuming they don't break yet another promise and actually show up) the CableCard equipped TV will work and then they will declare that my Series 3 is defective and walk out. Then I'll really be between a rock and a hard place. Then I guess I'll have to punt. Or try an on-side kick...

The especially frustrating part of this is that I've had a Series 3 for more than a year, which worked perfectly with CableCards until it had video output problems and had to be replaced. That installation went pretty smoothly and everything worked fine.

I greatly fear that this story has more chapters before I get this working again...
I had the same error message on one of my cards on my HD Tivo, and so I had TW come out and I told them to bring out a new card. He showed up with a new card, swapped it out, called the headend and they had the new card working in under 10 min. You didn't mention if they tried another card or maybe I might have missed it if you did but if not that might be your next option.

[suaspont]

I had the same error message on one of my cards on my HD Tivo, and so I had TW come out and I told them to bring out a new card. He showed up with a new card, swapped it out, called the headend and they had the new card working in under 10 min. You didn't mention if they tried another card or maybe I might have missed it if you did but if not that might be your next option.

He has tried 6 different cable cards so far. Maybe numbers 7 and 8 will be magic...

[cahoon]

You should be getting tnt hd and discovery hd if you subscribe to at least the "standard" package that has 78 analog channels. Chances are 98% that you don't need to replace your cablecard. It's just the balancing or lack of the correct emm's. I get in at two tomorrow, send me a pm with a contact number and I can more than likely get it fixed over the phone.

Wanted to say thanks to cableguy763 for helping fix the problem. Only took him about 30 seconds on the phone to fix - awesome!

[fred-vo]

I have Time Warner Cable in Columbus, Ohio, and I have a question about possibly moving to a Tivo HD.

I only have the basic channels, 2 thru 27. No digital channels, no HD channels, nuthin' beyond basic channels 2 thru 27.

I understand that with a Tivo HD and an antenna, I'll be able to receive broadcast (air wave) channels on an HD Tivo, both HD broadcast channels AND analog broadcast channels. No cable feed would need to be set into the HD Tivo for the above.

However, IF I want the HD Tivo unit to record from any of the basic cable channels that I receive (2-27):

1) Do I need to purchase and install a cablecard (I know I'd have to get it from TWColumbus - it's only a few dollars a month) into the HD Tivo box in order to view the non-HD channels (2-27) that I currently receive from TW[/B]? Remember, I do NOT have digital service with my basic channels.

2) [B]Do I need to have "digital service" turned on (and paid for, additional charge) in order to record the basic cable channels (2-27) on an HD TiVo? (I know the picture would not be HD.

[SCSIRAID]

I have Time Warner Cable in Columbus, Ohio, and I have a question about possibly moving to a Tivo HD.

I only have the basic channels, 2 thru 27. No digital channels, no HD channels, nuthin' beyond basic channels 2 thru 27.

I understand that with a Tivo HD and an antenna, I'll be able to receive broadcast (air wave) channels on an HD Tivo, both HD broadcast channels AND analog broadcast channels. No cable feed would need to be set into the HD Tivo for the above.

However, IF I want the HD Tivo unit to record from any of the basic cable channels that I receive (2-27):

1) Do I need to purchase and install a cablecard (I know I'd have to get it from TWColumbus - it's only a few dollars a month) into the HD Tivo box in order to view the non-HD channels (2-27) that I currently receive from TW[/B]? Remember, I do NOT have digital service with my basic channels.

2) [B]Do I need to have "digital service" turned on (and paid for, additional charge) in order to record the basic cable channels (2-27) on an HD TiVo? (I know the picture would not be HD.

1) No

2) No

You can connect both your basic cable and an antenna to your TivoHD. It can then record the basic cable channels plus channels available via your antenna.

[jrjeffrey]

I was excited to get the offer of transferring my lifetime subscription to a new Tivo S3 HD. That was until I read through all of these posts about cable card issues.

Has anyone in the Los Angeles area has gone through the process yet & can share their experience with me? I have Time Warner West Hollywood.

I'm wondering if it is just easier to keep my lifetime subscription on my S2 & use the Time Warner HD-DVR (for my HDTV) until the cable cards/SDV issues are resolved (probably exactly what TW wants to hear!). Any thoughts? Experiences?

[fred-vo]

I wanna believe your answer.

I'll call TW Columbus and see what they say, not that I can trust THEIR answer that much.

I am curious....
Are you basing your answer on personal experience with only having basic channels and no CC? A friend of mine here in Columbus just got a CC for his new HD Tivo but tested reception of the basic channels before the TW tech came and installed the CC. He could not get the basic channels until the CC was installed.

Could it be that TW in your area (NC) has different configuration than here in Columbus?

[shanebowman]

Here is my latest response to TWC in Winston Salem

Mr. Yarborough,

I apologize up front for the length, but I think I might have not communicated my points in the previous communication worrying about length.

In reading over my original communication, I realize I might have been a bit unclear that I am using a Tivo. I mention this specifically because of your references to manufacturers not supporting the current technology of cable companies rapidly moving upgrades. You can read about not only the standards, but the advances in Cable Cards here: http://www.opencable.com/primer/cablecard_primer.html. The Multi-stream cards mentioned are being used by TWC in Austin, TX, but not here in Carolina.

Tivo regularly updates the software to accommodate the changes made in the cable environment; all based on the Cable Labs standard configurations that you seem to know nothing about. This is the accepted (and I had thought the FCC mandated standard) that the entire industry is using. Not to mention that the simplicity of the install does not require a cable tech only working cards and phone techs that understand how to pair the cards with the host devices. You can read about or watch the simple operation here: Series 3 http://tivosupport2.instancy.com/LaunchContent.aspx?CID=b03267a0-be94-4f14-8e2c-8ae7b4eb5249&Basetitle=Setup^`^Support&articleTitle=Installing^CableCARDs^in^a^Series3^HD^DVR or the HD http://tivosupport2.instancy.com/LaunchContent.aspx?CID=07e4e622-2e6a-49c7-9885-68fcba4b991a&Basetitle=Setup^`^Support&articleTitle=Installing^CableCARDs^in^a^TiVo^HD^DVR . I do not expect each of your techs (phone or service) to know every piece of equipment out there, but I think Tivo is pretty wide spread. The information for any device is pretty easy to Google, but your support folks might listen to the customer when they explain they have detailed set up instructions rather than the dismissive attitude I have received. It would be nice for the personnel sent out to my home on a Cable Card issue to have a working knowledge of how to trouble shoot a Cable Card device and have a number to phone support with a working knowledge as well.

The reason I and many others feel TWC is not honoring the spirit of the FCC mandates requiring the support of Cable Card devices is the implementation of Switched Channel technology with no time table for when cable card customers will be able to enjoy the HD services that the rest of your customer base is receiving. During the recent changes in the channel lineup, my ABC, NBC, and CBS channels were consistently going out and your phone techs and service techs were quick to complain about cable cards without much in the way of solving the issue. The obvious solution is to send out a refresher hit to all Cable Card customers following a channel lineup change since this procedure evidently causes the cable cards to experience issues. The lack of any workaround suggests the TWC ignores the impact on Cable Card customers when testing these changes. I am assuming here that a technology company might run some sort of testing before implementing wide spread changes to their service, but during this testing usually from a customer service perspective we would discuss the impact to ALL customers. During the major upgrade a few months ago in Greensboro, part of the issue I had was that the Cable Cards installed had not received a firm ware upgrade to accommodate the changes. Something I would have thought a company might have uncovered in testing, but either they were not tested or it was deemed to be too small a portion of your customer base to matter. A communication to your Cable Card customer base to be aware of the issue and either a work around or an option to bring in and exchange the old cards for new working ones would have been polite.


I understand that there is a gap until all the technology is implemented to bridge the divide between Cable Card devices and the next step in Cable Technology, but their needs to be an understanding amongst the Cable Company employees of Cable Card devices and how to support them. Your response seemed to contradict some of the information I have already learned in my own research on the subject, but this is in line with what I have already experienced with your support personnel. I am only asking for the same level of service you are giving your other customers with the understanding that my device is limited in the breadth of options you are giving other Cable customers. I am in Customer Service and put on my “customer hat” before implementing any policy or procedure to think about what the impact is to any customer. The thought process is that every customer needs to be considered and if one customer is negatively impacted how do we as a company address and lessen that impact. We Cable Card customers are not feeling that kind of attention and rather have to call and call and call to get some sort of resolution. It should not take multiple calls and service calls to resolve an issue, I can see two calls in a unique situation, but when a third call comes in for the same customer with the same complaint wouldn’t you agree an automatic escalation should occur??

You can reach me on my cell or my home number after 5PM M-F or on the weekends anytime preferably before 8PM on Saturday or 4PM on Sunday, earlier is better since I am up by 6:30AM everyday since that is sleeping in for me. I am happy to discuss any and all issues I have or have had in the past with any of your services. I did not intend to have this communication be so long, but evidently in my previous one I went a little short in giving you the details.

Thank you for your time.

[shanebowman]

I know it is probably useles, but I would rather scream and get useless answers than not say anything

[SCSIRAID]

I wanna believe your answer.

I'll call TW Columbus and see what they say, not that I can trust THEIR answer that much.

I am curious....
Are you basing your answer on personal experience with only having basic channels and no CC? A friend of mine here in Columbus just got a CC for his new HD Tivo but tested reception of the basic channels before the TW tech came and installed the CC. He could not get the basic channels until the CC was installed.

Could it be that TW in your area (NC) has different configuration than here in Columbus?

If you can hook a TV directly to your cable and see the basic channels then so can Tivo. Low channels are NTSC Analog. Tivo Series 2's are doing it all over the country. S3/THD and cablecard add the ability to receive digital cable channels and decrypt anthing that is encrypted and of course HD capability. They also add digital and HD OTA capability.

You have indicated that you want to record basic analog cable plus use an antenna for OTA. The S3/THD will do that. Before I got my cablecards, My S3 was doing exactly that.

The only way it would be a problem for you is if your cablesystem is all digital and has no analog channels. I have never heard of such a system. With such a system, every TV would require a converter box to receive anything.

[Fofer]

I was excited to get the offer of transferring my lifetime subscription to a new Tivo S3 HD. That was until I read through all of these posts about cable card issues.

Has anyone in the Los Angeles area has gone through the process yet & can share their experience with me? I have Time Warner West Hollywood.

I'm wondering if it is just easier to keep my lifetime subscription on my S2 & use the Time Warner HD-DVR (for my HDTV) until the cable cards/SDV issues are resolved (probably exactly what TW wants to hear!). Any thoughts? Experiences?

I've got TimeWarner SoCal (formerly Comcast) and my S3 with two cablecards is working fine. Called, made the appointment, they came out, no problems encountered over here.

[jrjeffrey]

I've got TimeWarner SoCal (formerly Comcast) and my S3 with two cablecards is working fine. Called, made the appointment, they came out, no problems encountered over here.

That is very encouraging. Glad to hear it went well. And thanks for the info!

[gamo62]

I had an installer come out and install two cable cards. One installed fine, updating the firmware in a few minutes. However, the other one went on for hours at the updating firmware screen.

He tried another card, and the same thing happened. They use the SA Powerkey PKM600. Supposedly they have the PKM800 Multi for use in their boxes. Two queations.

1) Are the SA cards that bad?
2) Where might I be able to find a PKM800 MStream card?

Thanks.

[timckelley]

I think if I decide to install cable cards in my new HD TiVo, that based on this thread, I should wait until the off season to do it, lest I miss a bunch of first run shows.

[gamo62]

I think if I decide to install cable cards in my new HD TiVo, that based on this thread, I should wait until the off season to do it, lest I miss a bunch of first run shows.

With the Writes Guild going on strike, you may have time in the not so distant future.

[suaspont]

This is getting silly -- it reminds me of the 3 Stooges.

So, when last we met, the TWC tech said that another tech would bring an amplifier on Friday night between 8 and 9. He neither called nor showed up. I'm glad I spent my Friday evening waiting on TWC instead of going out with my friends after work.

Then on Saturday, two new techs showed up with a CableCard equipped TV. Their goal was see if they could get the CableCards to work in it, which would demonstrate that the CableCards were at least working. Well, the two guys that showed up did not know anything about the TV they brought and spent about 2 hours trying to get it to work with a CableCard. Apparently, this TV was from another tech's truck and they didn't know anything about it.

Unlike the guy who had been showing up so far, these techs were able to call someone in the "computer room" -- When they finally figured out how to make the TV work, they got one cable card to work properly in their TV. So, they put it into my Series 3 and called the same guy in the computer room and could not get it to work. In the meantime, they were trying to get a second CableCard to work in their TV.

Here's what happened: They were never able to get the second card to work in their TV. After quite a while waiting for the CableCard in my TiVo to be authorized, one of them suddenly realized that they had unhooked the cable connection from the back of the TiVo in order to connect it to their TV. No wonder they never got the CableCard to authorize in my TiVo. By this time, the guy in the computer room that they were working with left for the day. So, they announced that nothing more could be done, plugged the CableCard they could not get to work in their TV into the second slot on my TiVo and told me that I should just be patient, everything would be enabled later that day. (I knew better, but there was nothing I could do.)

Then this morning, the supervisor called me to see if things were working. I said they weren't. He then told me that they think they have it figured out . . . They need to get CableCard 1 working before installing CableCard 2. Not that they didn't hear that from me, the instruction sheet I handed them, the nice lady at TiVo support, and the fact that the first guy finally figured that out as well.

So, tomorrow yet another tech is supposed to show up in the morning to make this all work. I'm not betting the rent money...

[Bernardski]

I just had Time Warner install an M cable card in my TiVo-HD. They have never been able to get the ESPN (780) or ESPN2 (785) channels to work. All of the other HD channels that I receive work fine. Actually, the ESPN & ESPN2 channels appear very briefly and then freeze. I have been told that these are non-encrypted channels as are the other HD channels I receive on the basic digital service. I have been able to find all of the other HD channels with my TVs QAM tuner. They have not been able to tell me the QAM channel for the ESPN & ESPN2. Does anyone know what they are?

The existing TW digital box I have receives 780 & 785 just fine so I do not believe it is a signal level problem. TW has run all over my house with a db meter and hot wired my TiVo directly and I still do not get ESPN or ESPN2.

Other technicians have started rumors that the TiVos have software issues that cause problems with the cable cards. Is this a known problem?

I just got dropped by the TW call I was on. I'll try this one more time.

Thanks for any help. :confused:

[gamo62]

This is getting silly -- it reminds me of the 3 Stooges.

So, when last we met, the TWC tech said that another tech would bring an amplifier on Friday night between 8 and 9. He neither called nor showed up. I'm glad I spent my Friday evening waiting on TWC instead of going out with my friends after work.

Then on Saturday, two new techs showed up with a CableCard equipped TV. Their goal was see if they could get the CableCards to work in it, which would demonstrate that the CableCards were at least working. Well, the two guys that showed up did not know anything about the TV they brought and spent about 2 hours trying to get it to work with a CableCard. Apparently, this TV was from another tech's truck and they didn't know anything about it.

Unlike the guy who had been showing up so far, these techs were able to call someone in the "computer room" -- When they finally figured out how to make the TV work, they got one cable card to work properly in their TV. So, they put it into my Series 3 and called the same guy in the computer room and could not get it to work. In the meantime, they were trying to get a second CableCard to work in their TV.

Here's what happened: They were never able to get the second card to work in their TV. After quite a while waiting for the CableCard in my TiVo to be authorized, one of them suddenly realized that they had unhooked the cable connection from the back of the TiVo in order to connect it to their TV. No wonder they never got the CableCard to authorize in my TiVo. By this time, the guy in the computer room that they were working with left for the day. So, they announced that nothing more could be done, plugged the CableCard they could not get to work in their TV into the second slot on my TiVo and told me that I should just be patient, everything would be enabled later that day. (I knew better, but there was nothing I could do.)

Then this morning, the supervisor called me to see if things were working. I said they weren't. He then told me that they think they have it figured out . . . They need to get CableCard 1 working before installing CableCard 2. Not that they didn't hear that from me, the instruction sheet I handed them, the nice lady at TiVo support, and the fact that the first guy finally figured that out as well.

So, tomorrow yet another tech is supposed to show up in the morning to make this all work. I'm not betting the rent money...
My experience with TWC Cincinnati was less hectic. The tech that came out was here for about 3 hours. The first card came right up, but tried two different cards in Slot 2. Was stuck at Updating Firmware. Another tech came out today with a fresh CC, stuck it in and 5 minutes later it was working as well. Asked about Mstream. Was told that they were for their cable boxes only. Will try at a later date. But for now, all is well. No complaints whatsoever.

[timckelley]

I forgot that we did an upgrade in Round Rock maybe a month and a half ago that has interrupted our psip data. The guide data works for customers in Austin.

I just checked last night. To review, I have analog cable (no cable cards) in Austin, TX. It turns out I do have guide data for the local networks + KLRU, all HD. However, with the exception of KLRU, I can't tune to any of them - I just get a gray screen.

So it seems my problem is the opposite of one of the other users here (I think he was a Round Rock, suburb of Austin, resident.) He can tune, but he gets no guide data. I get guide data, but I can't tune.

[walrobin]

I haven't ordered a S3 yet, but I did call TW here in Raleigh, NC. They charge 1.75 per card per month, but charge 49.99 installation per card. Anyone else here live in Raleigh get the same answer?

Our S2 Tivo is dying, so we ordered a S3 so we could finally use our HD TV with Tivo. I just sent the cable installer on his way after he informed us we can only get three HD channels with the cable cards.

He said in order to get the other HD channels we need to use their HD DVR. No thanks!

[lylo]

After numerous problems with TWNYC and trying to get two cable cards to work consistantly on a S3 for more than a month, I have switched to RCN and their Motorola M cards. They worked immediately and I have had no problem with them at all. With the Scietific Atlanta S cards that Time Warner uses, I would lose all pay channels after a few weeks. Reseating and restarting didn't help, only switching the cards would fix the problem but a week to a month later the same problem would occur.

I may be writing this a bit prematurely, (I am knocking wood as I write this) but the Motorola cards have been completely trouble free. If you have the option to switch, I highly recommend it.

And as a side note, when I dropped my TW service, they seemed practically happy to see me go.

[SCSIRAID]

Our S2 Tivo is dying, so we ordered a S3 so we could finally use our HD TV with Tivo. I just sent the cable installer on his way after he informed us we can only get three HD channels with the cable cards.

He said in order to get the other HD channels we need to use their HD DVR. No thanks!

Well... he wasnt entirely correct with that statement.... If he had said 'In addition to the 5 broadcast network HD channels you get 3 additional HD channels" then he would have been correct.

Raleigh gets 5 HD, 11 HD, 17 HD, 4 HD and 50 HD. In addition, we get Discovery HD Theater, TNT HD and ESPN HD. Their is uncertainty as to whether we will continue to get the extra cost HDNet, HDNet Movies and Mojo HD Channels. The cablecard letter didnt specifically say. We shoudl know in a couple weeks.......

[gcorneau]

I forgot that we did an upgrade in Round Rock maybe a month and a half ago that has interrupted our psip data. The guide data works for customers in Austin.

Well that would explain why my other DVRs (Panasonic models that use TVGuide data) lost all their guide data and clock information.

For those who care, since I was going into the attic anyway to run a Cat5 line from the bedroom to the office with the Ethernet Switch and cable modem reside, I went ahead and put a splitter on my antenna and ran one line to the bedroom.

So now I have the guide data for the Cable (TWC analog) + OTA and am happy. Of course, the SO won't be happy until I patch up this hole in the wall... :)

[SCSIRAID]

Well that would explain why my other DVRs (Panasonic models that use TVGuide data) lost all their guide data and clock information.

For those who care, since I was going into the attic anyway to run a Cat5 line from the bedroom to the office with the Ethernet Switch and cable modem reside, I went ahead and put a splitter on my antenna and ran one line to the bedroom.

So now I have the guide data for the Cable (TWC analog) + OTA and am happy. Of course, the SO won't be happy until I patch up this hole in the wall... :)

Duct tape.....

[Clam_Alert]

When I just called TWC Manhattan to ask about a cable card installation for the Tivo HD, they said they only have cards for the Series 3 (TCD648250A and B).

This just doesn't sound right to me and was likely more just a case of an uniformed CS representative reading off some operations manual. Has anyone in Manhattan (south) successfully had cable cards installed in their Tivo HD? By what I've read in this forum, the answer seems to be yes, but I'd like to hear it first hand. Also, any tips for a successful install (beyond having the install sheet at hand, writing down the card nos. etc.).

Thanks in advance.

[Fofer]

When I just called TWC Manhattan to ask about a cable card installation for the Tivo HD, they said they only have cards for the Series 3 (TCD648250A and B).

This just doesn't sound right to me and was likely more just a case of an uniformed CS representative reading
Not only is that wrong, it's downright laughable as the whole point of cable cards is that there's a standard which allows you to use them in any set top box that supports them.

[MickeS]

When I just called TWC Manhattan to ask about a cable card installation for the Tivo HD, they said they only have cards for the Series 3 (TCD648250A and B).

This just doesn't sound right to me and was likely more just a case of an uniformed CS representative reading off some operations manual. Has anyone in Manhattan (south) successfully had cable cards installed in their Tivo HD? By what I've read in this forum, the answer seems to be yes, but I'd like to hear it first hand. Also, any tips for a successful install (beyond having the install sheet at hand, writing down the card nos. etc.).

Thanks in advance.

Any CableCARD will work in the TiVoHD. Call back again and don't take no for an answer.

[Clam_Alert]

My thought exactly. I got them to schedule an appointment during that original call, but it took a lot of threats about their violating FCC regulations etc.

Thanks.

[suaspont]

Ok, the last chapter is yet to be written.

TW sent a supervisor today and he was very methodical and careful about trying to troubleshoot my CableCard installation problem. He brought a CableCard TV with him and he could not get it to work at first. He then measured some signal levels and determined that my signal level was low in a few places across the bandwidth. So, he brought an amplifier in from his truck and was able to get the CableCards to work in his TV almost instantly.

He then noticed something odd on my Series 3. I had been so focused on getting the digital channels to work that I hadn't bothered to look at the analog channels. The TiVo box was simply not receiving several of the analog channels (14 - 22 and 34 - 64 were missing). He noted that these channels correspond to the remapped cable channels (over the air these channel numbers are UHF stations). We called TiVo support, and the very patient and helpful Juan had us try a number of things and finally concluded that the TiVo Series 3 was defective. He authorized a replacement at no charge to me. He sent an email with the RMA number and a UPS prepaid label. So, in a while, I'll have another Series 3 to try to get the CableCards working in.

The TWC supervisor gave me his card with his direct line and promised that he would personally continue to work with me until this is all resolved.

So, this story will be on hiatus until UPS brings me a replacement box...

[cableguy763]

Ok, the last chapter is yet to be written.

TW sent a supervisor today and he was very methodical and careful about trying to troubleshoot my CableCard installation problem. He brought a CableCard TV with him and he could not get it to work at first. He then measured some signal levels and determined that my signal level was low in a few places across the bandwidth. So, he brought an amplifier in from his truck and was able to get the CableCards to work in his TV almost instantly.

He then noticed something odd on my Series 3. I had been so focused on getting the digital channels to work that I hadn't bothered to look at the analog channels. The TiVo box was simply not receiving several of the analog channels (14 - 22 and 34 - 64 were missing). He noted that these channels correspond to the remapped cable channels (over the air these channel numbers are UHF stations). We called TiVo support, and the very patient and helpful Juan had us try a number of things and finally concluded that the TiVo Series 3 was defective. He authorized a replacement at no charge to me. He sent an email with the RMA number and a UPS prepaid label. So, in a while, I'll have another Series 3 to try to get the CableCards working in.

The TWC supervisor gave me his card with his direct line and promised that he would personally continue to work with me until this is all resolved.

So, this story will be on hiatus until UPS brings me a replacement box...
Funny how TWC was so EVIL in not helping you when you find out your S3 is the culprit. Why aren't you suddenly trying to crucify Tivo? :rolleyes: Did the tivo csr give you his card and direct extension so he could personally offer you help?

[cramer]

I just sent the cable installer on his way after he informed us we can only get three HD channels with the cable cards.

He said in order to get the other HD channels we need to use their HD DVR. No thanks!Your cable installer was being an a**. This seems to be indemic with TW/Raleigh; they are under the impression that 3 SDV HD channels means cable cards are useless in UDCP devices. While you won't get much HD from them, there isn't much to be had. You'll get better HD from an antenna -- and you'll get all of the subchannels that TW doesn't bother to carry.

At any rate, you need the CC to enable and map all the other digital cable channels. TW/Raleigh encrypts everything that they legally can.

Oh yeah, and be sure to log a complaint with the FCC.

[SCSIRAID]

Your cable installer was being an a**. This seems to be indemic with TW/Raleigh; they are under the impression that 3 SDV HD channels means cable cards are useless in UDCP devices. While you won't get much HD from them, there isn't much to be had. You'll get better HD from an antenna -- and you'll get all of the subchannels that TW doesn't bother to carry.

At any rate, you need the CC to enable and map all the other digital cable channels. TW/Raleigh encrypts everything that they legally can.

Oh yeah, and be sure to log a complaint with the FCC.

Seems to me that the installer was pretty close to correct. He just didnt count the local HD's in the 'three' number. Does that make him an a55 deserving of an FCC complaint? Seems like an overreaction.

[dlcrow]

I just checked last night. To review, I have analog cable (no cable cards) in Austin, TX. It turns out I do have guide data for the local networks + KLRU, all HD. However, with the exception of KLRU, I can't tune to any of them - I just get a gray screen.

Have you done a channel scan? I wonder if that is required for the TiVo to find the frequency and read the channel map information out of the stream.

[timckelley]

Have you done a channel scan? I wonder if that is required for the TiVo to find the frequency and read the channel map information out of the stream.I'm afraid that I don't know what a channel scan is.

[dlcrow]

I'm afraid that I don't know what a channel scan is.

See the thread at http://forums.tivo.com/pe/action/forums/displaysinglethread?rootPostID=10341488

[timckelley]

See the thread at http://forums.tivo.com/pe/action/forums/displaysinglethread?rootPostID=10341488

Thanks for that handy tip! I have not done a channel scan, but this evening I'll do one. Maybe I'll be one of the lucky few with HD channels, including guide data, but with no cable cards.

Edit: I see I just did my 14K YAMM. :o

[dlcrow]

1) Are the 15xx channels stable enough (they've been on-again-off-again enough in the last year that I am not sure), and



We know exactly what causes the maps to fail, so they will be stable for now on.

Well, unfortunately, they are failing again. A channel scan on my TiVo and my TV tonight has removed the 15xx mappings. :confused:

I can still tune to the direct frequencies (e.g. 84.2) and find all 5 of the HD locals, but not via the 15xx mappings.

[timckelley]

Thanks for that handy tip! I have not done a channel scan, but this evening I'll do one. Maybe I'll be one of the lucky few with HD channels, including guide data, but with no cable cards.

Edit: I see I just did my 14K YAMM. :o

I did this, and it added NBC, but it didn't add the other local networks. Oh well.

[Norm_bone]

Just moved from Nebraska to Ohio. (Ross Township, outside of Cincinnati)

...

Searching through the forums, it sounds like my best bet is to ask the CS to "initialize" the card that isn't working. Do you guys have any other suggestions?

Thank you!

UPDATE:

Still no joy. I was on hold for 2 hours last week, and the rep was very patient, tried initializing, but no luck.

TW scheduled a tech appointment. He was late, and spent 45 minutes with no results.

We have another appointment for tomorrow morning, and they're bringing a new card. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

---Norm

[daprice]

So i finally did it.. I bought the TIVO HD DVR and of course I love it.

Now here's the problem, I lost over half of the HD channels that I use to get with the crappy TW DVR.

Turns out that TW Austin is putting most of the HD channels on switched digital which the cable cards do not support, of course they do not give a price break for not providing all of the HD channels.

I did some research and it looks like nobody has decided an a standard and when they do it won't be available for quite some time.

My recommendation would be to wait on the Tivo HD, unless you don't mind losing alot of the HD channels.

The other option i have pondered is to switch to satellite and get an old satellite Tivo that supports HD.

Sometimes it is not good to be on the leading edge of technology.

[cmaeditor]

Finally got my 2 Single Stream CableCARDs installed in my TiVo HD today after waiting for 3 weeks to get an install appointment from TWC here in Los Angeles. The technician got here installed both cards and got a rep on the other end who didn't send the proper data from the other end. He called another tech who gave him an extension for a rep who knew what to do.

The only issue was that the TiVo kept rebooting about every 5 mins when we were trying to check that the channels were correct. After the third reboot the Tech had to leave, and I decided to finish the Guided Setup that you have to do after the CableCARDs are installed and the TiVo hasn't rebooted yet. I have a call into TWC because for some reason they say I should not be getting some premium channels that my bill says I should get.

[shanebowman]

Our S2 Tivo is dying, so we ordered a S3 so we could finally use our HD TV with Tivo. I just sent the cable installer on his way after he informed us we can only get three HD channels with the cable cards.

He said in order to get the other HD channels we need to use their HD DVR. No thanks!
I am in winston salem and this is not true while you can't get the entire list of HD you can get ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, TNT, ESPN, ESPN2, DISCOVERY, HBO, SHOW, plus a few more that are escaping me. You can't get any of the new ones like USA & A&E nor will we get any of the other new offerings, but we do have quite a few for now.

[dlcrow]

I did this, and it added NBC, but it didn't add the other local networks. Oh well.

So that "fix" must have made it into the Round Rock system over the weekend. I can now find 1521 (KXANDT NBC), too, but none of the other 15xx stations except on their "native" frequencies.

[Bernardski]

A technician from TWC (not one of the contractors) came to work on the cable card issue Saturday AM. It looked like we were going to start from square one again. I was a little dismayed. He asked what the problem was and put a call in for the cablecard support guy. After a brief conversation the cabledcard support guy started doing his thing. Then technician got the db meter out and started checking the signal strength again while talking on the phone. He said to check the channels again. All of the channels were now working.

The technician said the cablecard support person just reset the card and did the validation. Apparently, to get the cablecard to work is just a matter of getting the right cablecard support guy. The technician said there was nothing he did at the house it was just the remote cablecard support guy.

The successful attempt only took 5 minutes. I was totally amazed after the endless hours with the prior three technicians and the endless hours on the phone with TWC.

It is truely a miracle!

[gamo62]

I just got a TivoHD. The question I have is, do I need cable cards to get the HD Locals? I thought that the new FCC mandate required Cable companies to offer those without cable cards. Thanks.

[timckelley]

I just got a TivoHD. The question I have is, do I need cable cards to get the HD Locals? I thought that the new FCC mandate required Cable companies to offer those without cable cards. Thanks.
As I've said earlier, I can only get partial locals in HD though my analog cable. I get it all though the guide data on 4 digit channels, which are supposed to be the HD version of locals, but when I try to tune in, I get a gray screen.

[gamo62]

Isn't that against the "new" FCC regulations? I thought Cable companies had to give access to ALL of the Big 4 HD channels. Am I reading something into this? Thanks.

[timckelley]

Isn't that against the "new" FCC regulations? I thought Cable companies had to give access to ALL of the Big 4 HD channels. Am I reading something into this? Thanks.

Hmm... I wonder if the signal is there (meaning the cable company is in compliance), but the HDTiVo doesn't know how to tune in to them. That wouldn't be good.

[CrispyCritter]

Isn't that against the "new" FCC regulations? I thought Cable companies had to give access to ALL of the Big 4 HD channels. Am I reading something into this? Thanks.I don't know of any regulation that says that. If they give it to you, it has to be un-encrypted. But as long as they are giving you the SD version of a must-carry channel, they are in compliance as things are currently written.

[Bernardski]

I just got a TivoHD. The question I have is, do I need cable cards to get the HD Locals? I thought that the new FCC mandate required Cable companies to offer those without cable cards. Thanks.

See "QAM mapping letter campaign (HD w/o cablecard)" at
"http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=362736"

This explains some of the problems the TiVo currently has for unencrypted QAM channels even if you do receive them without the cablecard.

I have a TV with a QAM tuner and I am able to get the unencrypted HD channels. However, I have to enter the QAM channel (e.g. 100-1) to access them. I would have to do the same thing with the TiVo box.

[donuteatinsob]

Hrmm, I just got a Tivo HD and the cable guy came around to install the box. The one weird thing is here in Dallas that some of the channels are being duplicated.

For Example - the channels 89, 90, 91, 92, and 92 which should be FX, Comedy Central, TCM, HGTV and SicFi are actually repeats of the lower channels like 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37. They are in sequence at least but its like the channels are duplicated. Any one see this before?

[Fofer]

I had a bunch of duplicate channels too. The basic, analog channels duplicated on the digital tier. Same channels, same guide data, same content. I just disabled the lower numbers in my TiVo prefs.

[markbock]

I just (well, last week) got 2 cable cards put in my S3....surprisingly easy. I called to set the appointment, which was for the next day (!), mentioned that it was a TiVo and needed two cards, and that was it. The guy showed up right on time, but when I asked if he had done this install before, he said, "No." I pulled out the Cable Installer Instructions, just in case, but he just got on the phone with another tech who had done the installs before. Put the cards in, "decoded" them, and in about 15 minutes, we're done!

:up:

[Bernardski]

Hrmm, I just got a Tivo HD and the cable guy came around to install the box. The one weird thing is here in Dallas that some of the channels are being duplicated.

For Example - the channels 89, 90, 91, 92, and 92 which should be FX, Comedy Central, TCM, HGTV and SicFi are actually repeats of the lower channels like 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37. They are in sequence at least but its like the channels are duplicated. Any one see this before?

You may want to look at the cable lineup for TWC North Texas at

http://www.timewarnercable.com/dallas/programming/lineups.html

Do you have "Digital Basic / Expanded Basic"? This shows 89-92 as you stated. However, 33-37 should be CNN, Headline News, TNT, Spike TV, A&E.

It appears that your 33-37 match the Basic/Expanded(B Side) not the (A Side) which is the same as the "Digital Basic / Expanded Basic".

In McKinney a lot of the channels are duplicated, but they are the on the channels greater than 100. I have channels like 8 ABC - WFAA three more times at 368 ABC - WFAA 8(analog), 369 ABC HD, and 370 ABC - WFAA 8 (Digital).

[ymeworry]

Here's another data point for cc installs for time warner for Dayton Ohio.

it took 5 cards to get 2 that worked right. The tech that installed said he only did cc installs in tvs. Overall took about 2 hours for the install. The engineer that he talked to had no idea what to do, just recommended that I box it up and ship it back to Tivo. Luckily the tech didn't listen, and just kept trying ccs till we got 2 to work. The tech really has some bragging rights now, at least for Dayton Ohio...

[ymeworry]

One more thing, it cost $2.50 per card/per month.

[donuteatinsob]

You may want to look at the cable lineup for TWC North Texas at

http://www.timewarnercable.com/dallas/programming/lineups.html

Do you have "Digital Basic / Expanded Basic"? This shows 89-92 as you stated. However, 33-37 should be CNN, Headline News, TNT, Spike TV, A&E.

It appears that your 33-37 match the Basic/Expanded(B Side) not the (A Side) which is the same as the "Digital Basic / Expanded Basic".

In McKinney a lot of the channels are duplicated, but they are the on the channels greater than 100. I have channels like 8 ABC - WFAA three more times at 368 ABC - WFAA 8(analog), 369 ABC HD, and 370 ABC - WFAA 8 (Digital).


Ok, I at least figured out the pattern - channels 3 thru 37 are duplicated starting at 63 all the way thru to 97. So if you look at the Dallas channel linup channel 95 should be Court TV but its actually TNT instead :eek:

This makes no sense to me and what really torques me off is its killing FX, Sci-Fi, and Comedy Central. Anyone have any ideas about this or seen it before?

[kerobec]

I got my 2 cards installed today, and it went fairly smoothly. The tech arrived within the window, and brought two cards. He slid them in, called the mother ship, and had a bit of a problem getting them going. It took about an hour, altogether, and he also tinkered with my HD box in the living room, and swapped out the splitter in the hallway. I didn't ask why at the time, but I am really curious now. Anyway, I recorded a couple things this evening, and that went well. Tomorrow night I'll check out the dual tuner record, but so far, both cards seem to be just fine!

Whew!

[Clam_Alert]

Well, TWC (Manahattan South) came out to me yesterday despite the fight I had with them last week about scheduling an appointment (see prior post). I must say that I am very pleased with the install process.

First, although I rescheduled from a 12-4pm block to a 2-6pm block, the technician came at about 1:30. I told her I could race home, but she said she would just take her lunch and get back to me at 2:30. Perfect.

When she came in, I immediately started asking whether the cable cards were new etc. She was familiar with all of the issues and responded with a big smile that she had a brand new multi-stream card that they just started rolling out for 3d party hardware in NYC. Popped the card in, called the powers that be, and tested a few channels in HD and premium on both tuners. Everything worked, she gave me a few tips about using the Tivo and checking the cable card status (her tips would have ben good had I not known them already), and she left. Ran guided setup again, and I was good to go.

The only little hiccup was last night when the card started going through a firmware update. Once the update completed, the Tivo's GUI worked over a black screen, but no recordings would play and there was no live TV. I waited more than an hour and nothing happened, so I reset the box. It started up perfectly. Finally a happy customer :D

[discokill]

Had one the the Time Warner supervisor techs come over to help me fix a second ccard issue I was having and he mentioned that they've had a huge run of Tivo installations in the Los Angeles area in the last few months. He said TW Los Angeles have changed their system on the back end (it didn't readily show Host ID, etc) and starting training the techs on Tivos as so many didn't know what to do.

Hopefully a sign of a promising future.

[gamo62]

One more thing, it cost $2.50 per card/per month.


It will be nice when they do get the MStream cards in stock.

[gamo62]

I am located in Cincinnati. I took out the cable cards, and reran Guided Setup. I then did a channel scan, and all of the Locals in HD (5-2, 12-1...) showed up without cable cards. Here is my question. If I use BOTH cable and ANT during the setup, I will have duplicates of the local HD's. Since both are there, wouldn't the guide info for the ant, spill over to the cable thus eliminating cable cards for local HD's without remapping? Just a thought.

[benh57]

Cable Cards are free for TWC Los Angeles. It says $0.00 right on the pricing sheet.

Contractor tech (from 'Reliable') came today and left before my encrypted channels worked. Fortunately he gave me the direct number of their desk and the guy who actually activates the cards!
Guy who knows how to do it is coming tomorrow to try swapping cards.

[rlay]

This morning to my surprise there was a message on the Tivo saying there was a major lineup change. When I started going through the channels, I realized that there was NO change on the Time Warner side, but the TIVO re-configured the complete channel lineup (incorrectly). The channel names on the Tivo went from being "HBOP" to "HBO - West" and HDNETMV to "HD Net Movies" and all of the schedules say "To be announced". Most of the channels don't even exist.

Has anybody had this happen to them? How was it resolved? I filled out the form on the Tivo support site, but I cannot wait 5-7 days.

The Motorola box upstairs still has the same listings and nothing has changed.

[rlay]

The Motorola box upstairs still has the same listings and nothing has changed.

Called Tivo support they told me to call Time Warner and have them fax them the "new" lineup.

When I called Time Warner, they said that the line up had changed then reset my channels.... Now the Motorola has a bunch of new channels (MOJO-HD, MHD, ESPN2 & other SD channels) and the Tivo does not....plus all of the listing are incorrect on the Tivo for channels above 100 (ironically they are the same channels as I had before....I have a feeling this new stuff might be on SDV....also, channels 2-100 are on the cablecard now....before they were analog). Time Warner is rolling a truck on Monday. Funny thing is that the Tivo channels are in the right place for the old line-up, but the names of the channels have changed slightly....so after another Guided Setup I have no working Guide for most channels and I'm missing all the new channels they added.

Also...TW offered to swap out my Motorola box with one with a larger hard drive if I bring it into their offices....strange.

[kjmorris]

I just got a Tivo S3 and Tivo HD box and am having some issues with TWC cable cards (Allen, TX). None of the pay channels show up on the second cable card on either unit. Had TWC come out and they replaced the TivoHD cards with an M card. The dual tuners work but neither of them now gets any pay channles. On the S3 they replaced both S cards and still no pay channels on the S3. In fact everytime I access a pay channel on the second card now it goes to the black cable card status screen (the one with the host ID and whatnot). So basically I'm in worse shape then when I started.

Anyone have ideas? I'm thinking of dumping this and going back to DirecTV but I love my Tivo so I'm trying to work through this.

[JYoung]

Cable Cards are free for TWC Los Angeles. It says $0.00 right on the pricing sheet.


Not quite. The cost of services depends on which area of Southern California you live in (http://www.timewarnerla.com/pricingGuides/).

(Although in most areas I checked, the fee for Cablecards is $1.75 per card per month.)

[timckelley]

I just got one of those frequent famous messages on my TiVo that says "A line up change has occurred". Usually this means they've deleted a channel or two and/or added a channel or two.

In this case they DELETED the HD version of KLRU. Since I have analog cable, the local networks + KLRU were my only HD channels, and not even all the local networks are working as they should. KLRU was one of my only two HD channels that was actually working, and now they deleted it, without offering any replacement for it. Of course, my monthly fee from Time Warner remains the same.

[rbjones1]

Okay, I am new to Tivo so please forgive my seemingly simple questions. Can anyone from the RDU tell me what HD channels they do not receive as a result of not owning TWC's DVR box? I have spoken to 3 people there tonight, and none of them were proficient with the cable cards. One person told me that you don't get ESPN2HD or any of the West channels, i.e. HBOW, SHOWW, etc. Also, one person told me that the 2-way cards were available, 1 said they weren't, and the 3rd had no idea what I meant. Any help here? Thanks.

P.S. One last question, if I plug in a 500GB e-SATA drive, does anyone know approximately how many extra HD recording hours I would get?

[dlcrow]

Can anyone from the RDU tell me what HD channels they do not receive as a result of not owning TWC's DVR box?

The answer depends on the market where you live.

[SCSIRAID]

Okay, I am new to Tivo so please forgive my seemingly simple questions. Can anyone from the RDU tell me what HD channels they do not receive as a result of not owning TWC's DVR box? I have spoken to 3 people there tonight, and none of them were proficient with the cable cards. One person told me that you don't get ESPN2HD or any of the West channels, i.e. HBOW, SHOWW, etc. Also, one person told me that the 2-way cards were available, 1 said they weren't, and the 3rd had no idea what I meant. Any help here? Thanks.

P.S. One last question, if I plug in a 500GB e-SATA drive, does anyone know approximately how many extra HD recording hours I would get?

Im in Apex.... Currently, I am getting everything except AEHD, TBSHD, GolfVSHD. That was supposed to change last week with ESPN2HD, UHD and MTVHD also going away but it hasnt happened yet. I cant speak to premiums since I dont subscribe but I believe the characterization was correct in that you will only get East (at least after the 'takaway'). My S3 has 2 M-Cards in it and my THD has 1 M-Card in it.

I believe 500G should get you about 66 extra hours of HD. Note that with an S3, you can use eSATA solutoin but with THD you must use the Tivo blessed Western Digital Solution.

All cablecards are 2-way. Its the host that makes the difference. Tivo's are one way hosts and arent set up to or licensed to do two way.

[kingcull]

I purchased a Tivo HD and called Time Warner NYC to set up the cable card installation. I had to wait over a month to get an appointment and take a day off of work. The technician arrived with 11 cable cards. After inserting a card into slot 1, he would attempt to get a "Host ID" and an error was returned. This happened with all 11 cards. He got on the phone with his tech support and they said it was a problem with the Tivo box. I then called Tivo Customer Service (on hold for about 40 mins.) and the representative said it was a problem with the cable cards. I even had the Time Warner technician speak with the Tivo rep and each blamed each other. The entire process took over 3 hours.
I had no choice but to return the Tivo for a new one. I now have to wait 5 weeks for another cable card installation appointment.

Not a good experience.:down:

[ZeoTiVo]

Not a good experience.:down:

cable company was full of bullhockey. Sorry you could not get a competent install.

[ZeoTiVo]

None of the pay channels show up on the second cable card on either unit. Had TWC come out and they replaced the TivoHD cards with an M card. The dual tuners work but neither of them now gets any pay channles. On the S3 they replaced both S cards and still no pay channels on the S3.

Anyone have ideas? I'm thinking of dumping this and going back to DirecTV but I love my Tivo so I'm trying to work through this.

it is not the cable cards but the billing system is not set coorectly to authorize your cards to receive the channels. This is borne out by the set of channels you are not getting. The tech that kept fiddling with the card hardware had no idea how the back end system works - you need to escalate beyond the front line.

[rbjones1]

Im in Apex.... Currently, I am getting everything except AEHD, TBSHD, GolfVSHD. That was supposed to change last week with ESPN2HD, UHD and MTVHD also going away but it hasnt happened yet. I cant speak to premiums since I dont subscribe but I believe the characterization was correct in that you will only get East (at least after the 'takaway'). My S3 has 2 M-Cards in it and my THD has 1 M-Card in it.

I believe 500G should get you about 66 extra hours of HD. Note that with an S3, you can use eSATA solutoin but with THD you must use the Tivo blessed Western Digital Solution.

All cablecards are 2-way. Its the host that makes the difference. Tivo's are one way hosts and arent set up to or licensed to do two way.

Okay, I just want to clear up something. I understand that you can pretty much use any e-SATA drive with the Tivo HD Series 3 receiver. You mentioned the THD, what is that? Do you mean just a standard Tivo HD box?
When I talked to TWC, they told me that they have plans of taking away all HD content from the cable cards. That would not be a good thing.

[timckelley]

When I talked to TWC, they told me that they have plans of taking away all HD content from the cable cards. That would not be a good thing.They've already started taking HD content away from my analog cable. (They just deleted KLRU HD :down: )

[cableguy763]

They've already started taking HD content away from my analog cable. (They just deleted KLRU HD :down: )

They took away klru hd 2. Not the main feed. It was klru's decision, not TWC's.

[DaveDFW]

I just wanted to share my success story in DFW with Time-Warner.

It did take two cable-guy visits to get it all working correctly--the first guy who came installed an S-card in slot 1, and an M-card in slot 2. I wasn't watching closely enough to catch his error.

After about 2.5 hours of him repeatedly running through guided setup (I told him that would only fix the guide data, but he was convinced otherwise), I was only receiving about half the channels--cable guy said to wait a couple of hours and they'd come in.

It didn't fix itself of course. I ran through the troubleshooting docs at tivo, which told me the cards were not paired correctly. (Val:?)

T-W sent out a second guy who said the activation is immediate and I should not have waited--if the channels aren't showing up, it's broken.

He took back the unneeded S-card, and installed the M-card in slot 1, and got someone on the phone who knew how to activate the cablecards.

Everything now works correctly, and the picture quality is great--I wish I had bought an HD Tivo last year now that I realize what I was missing.

Moral of the story is--don't let your cable guy leave until the channels are working! :)

TTYL
David

[timckelley]

They took away klru hd 2. Not the main feed. It was klru's decision, not TWC's.

Really? When I get home I'll search and see if I can find any HD for KLRU. This might be related to my problem where I don't get all the HD local networks, even though they're in my guide data. My tuner gives me a gray screen on most of the HDs. It's possible the KLRU main feed is one of those gray screens, while the HD 2 was working, but now they deleted the HD 2.