Official Time Warner Cable Thread

[Fofer]

Okay let me see if I understand my Time Warner situation. Since I only have a HD capable TV I going to need a HD Cable Box from Time Warner. The HD Cable Box and the cable cards perform the same function in decoding the feed from Time Warner so if I have the HD Cable Box I will not need the cable cards for my TIVO HD. Sorry for my confusion and thanks for everybodies help.


No, the TiVo HD (with cable cards) replaces the cable box. It's basically a cable box with TiVo software built into it. You have no need for the cable box any longer.

[SCSIRAID]

No, the TiVo HD (with cable cards) replaces the cable box. It's basically a cable box with TiVo software built into it. You have no need for the cable box any longer.

One need you may have for it is to keep yourself eligible for a 'package' such as Digipic (which comes with a cablebox). If you dont have at least one box, you may be going 'ala carte' which could cost more. Just put it in the closet if that is the case :D

[Fofer]

Ah, gotcha. I don't think my market (SoCal) has any such "packages."

[LA Dave]

I live in the Los Angeles area and Time Warner in December added several HD channels such as USA Network HD, SciFi HD, etc....

My problem is that all the channels state 'To Be Announced' for the guide.
Tivo appears to know what the channels are since they are listed properly on the Guide listing, but there is no data.

I cannot manually record any shows - the record button does nothing and setting up a manual season pass automatically gets removed every time the guide data is refreshed.

I found a thread via Google on tivoblog com/archives/2008/02/08/tivo-guide-to-be-announced-now-thats-what-i-call-customer-service/)but the link to submit/update channels is no longer working.

Does any one have any suggestions?


Thanks

[PumiceT]

...Tivo appears to know what the channels are since they are listed properly on the Guide listing, but there is no data...
I have a similar problem. In our area, channel 700 sits essentially empty all the time, showing Time Warner self-promos, but during Buffalo Sabres home games, it's where the MSG HD feed is shown. My problem is, although TiVo can watch that channel (yes, this usually empty channel is NOT SDV—waste of bandwidth?) the guide data on TiVo shows all sorts of Weather shows. The guide data on the Time Warner box is (relatively) accurate, so I can set the TW HD DVR to record the games, but I'd prefer to use TiVo.

Is there a (new / current / working) way to help TiVo pick up the Time Warner guide data?

[jotsbox]

I should have posted in this thread. Anyway, you can read about my TW (Albany, NY)+TiVo HD+mCableCARD+TA fun and games here: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=415601

[Gilgamesch]

Okay maybe I am wrong, but my understanding is I will need a cable box because my TV (an older Sony KP-51WS510) needs a tuner to decode the HD signal because it is only HD capable. Does the TIVO HD with the cable cards decode the signal for the TV? Sorry for all the questions.

[SCSIRAID]

Okay maybe I am wrong, but my understanding is I will need a cable box because my TV (an older Sony KP-51WS510) needs a tuner to decode the HD signal because it is only HD capable. Does the TIVO HD with the cable cards decode the signal for the TV? Sorry for all the questions.

Yes. The TiVo has two tuners and does all the tuning and decoding. Your set is probably a 'monitor' and doesnt have any tuners in it. It probably has component video or perhaps DVI which TiVo also supports. If you try to do DVI, your display must support HDCP.

[PumiceT]

Okay maybe I am wrong, but my understanding is I will need a cable box because my TV (an older Sony KP-51WS510) needs a tuner to decode the HD signal because it is only HD capable. Does the TIVO HD with the cable cards decode the signal for the TV? Sorry for all the questions.
The TiVo REPLACES the cable box. The TiVo will provide your TV with an audio/video source, the same way the Time Warner box does, effectively rendering the cable box useless.

Of course, none of this mentions the likelihood of SDV (Switched Digital Video) channels in your area, which TiVo won't be able to tune without a Tuning Adapter. TiVo by itself can't send channel requests to the cable company like their cable box can. A Tuning Adapter sends the appropriate request for SDV channels on an as-needed basis.

Make any more sense now?

[SCSIRAID]

Okay maybe I am wrong, but my understanding is I will need a cable box because my TV (an older Sony KP-51WS510) needs a tuner to decode the HD signal because it is only HD capable. Does the TIVO HD with the cable cards decode the signal for the TV? Sorry for all the questions.

I looked up your set and it isnt just a monitor. It is NTSC only as far as its tuner. It supports 1080i, 720p, 480p and 480i. It has DVI and says its HDCP compliant. I would set the TiVo to Hybrid mode and use either DVI or Component. I would recommend component as older TV's tend to have HDCP issues. The TiVo will act as the 'cable box' (but in a FAR FAR superior manner ;) )

[Gilgamesch]

Guys thanks for al the information. You have all been very helpful. I will just get the cable cards and plan to give the DVI hookup a try since I already got the HDMI to DVI cable and if that does not work I will try component.

[tgrad]

I have a similar problem. In our area, channel 700 sits essentially empty all the time, showing Time Warner self-promos, but during Buffalo Sabres home games, it's where the MSG HD feed is shown. My problem is, although TiVo can watch that channel (yes, this usually empty channel is NOT SDV—waste of bandwidth?) the guide data on TiVo shows all sorts of Weather shows. The guide data on the Time Warner box is (relatively) accurate, so I can set the TW HD DVR to record the games, but I'd prefer to use TiVo.

Is there a (new / current / working) way to help TiVo pick up the Time Warner guide data?

Being in the same area I have the same problem. I usually record whatever it says is on the weather channel then change the settings and add three hours to it. That is the only way I can record the Sabres in HD.

[PumiceT]

Being in the same area I have the same problem. I usually record whatever it says is on the weather channel then change the settings and add three hours to it. That is the only way I can record the Sabres in HD.
Yeah, I pretty much set a manual recording. The point is, I thought the days of programming based on time and channel went away with the VHS VCR!! :)

[eddieb187]

Another day with TWC and Tivo problems.
TWC tech came back again today.
Different guy with one M card and one S card.
They should know to bring two single stream cards, no?
Anyway after 3 hours I am still not getting 13 HD channels.
They confirmed that SDV is not active in Hudson Valley NY TWC.
The person on the phone with the tech at my house had a Tivo HD DVR at the TWC office and she said she was getting all those channels I'm missing.
So they are going to come back tomorrow with the cable card from her Tivo.
I hope that works because no one seems to know what's wrong.
I guess they have not done many CC installs up here.

[notting]

Albany TWC has set the CCI byte for EVERY CHANNEL (except the local broadcast stations) at 0x02 when using a cable card and it has been this way for over a year. Several local people have tried to get Albany TWC to change their CCI byte, but are met with unknowledgable customer service reps who don't know/understand what a CCI byte is. Complaints to the FCC and NYS Public Service Commission have not resulted in any movement to rid the broadcasts of the 0x02 CCI byte.


Ah, so this is a global corporate policy? I've noticed this in the Carolinas and have been poking them via e-mail about it, but I was hoping that this was local misconfiguration.

[AgentMunroe]

Ah, so this is a global corporate policy? I've noticed this in the Carolinas and have been poking them via e-mail about it, but I was hoping that this was local misconfiguration.

I don't know if it's a corporate policy, but we have the same problem here in Rochester - everything except for the HD locals are copy protected.

[m_jonis]

I was told by the CSR that this was "Corporate Policy" but others have posted, I think in Austin TX, that this is NOT the case (ie, not all their channels are CCI byte=2 or whatever it is).

[cableguy763]

I was told by the CSR that this was "Corporate Policy" but others have posted, I think in Austin TX, that this is NOT the case (ie, not all their channels are CCI byte=2 or whatever it is).
All but the locals are set to CCI 2 in Austin.

[ljcaswell]

I'm considering getting back into the Tivo world after a two year hiatus. I upgraded to HD a couple of years ago and had to ditch the Tivo. Now I see the Tivo HD has come down in price, and I'll be very happy to get rid of the TW DVR (SA8300HD)

I realize I'll lose my On Demand service...I have an Apple TV that happily feeds my movie fix.

However, I'm concerned about a note on TW's web site that says "*As of January 2006, any new digital services added will NOT be available with a CableCARD" and then goes on to list a host of HD channels that aren't available, many of which I watch regularly.

Is this true, or does the release of the tuning adapter make this statement obsolete?

Is there any thing else I'm overlooking or will be losing by making this switch?

TIA

[skaggs]

I'm considering getting back into the Tivo world after a two year hiatus. I upgraded to HD a couple of years ago and had to ditch the Tivo. Now I see the Tivo HD has come down in price, and I'll be very happy to get rid of the TW DVR (SA8300HD)

I realize I'll lose my On Demand service...I have an Apple TV that happily feeds my movie fix.

However, I'm concerned about a note on TW's web site that says "*As of January 2006, any new digital services added will NOT be available with a CableCARD" and then goes on to list a host of HD channels that aren't available, many of which I watch regularly.

Is this true, or does the release of the tuning adapter make this statement obsolete?

Is there any thing else I'm overlooking or will be losing by making this switch?

TIA

The release of the tuning adapter makes this statement obsolete.

[ljcaswell]

Great. Thanks.

I've got an install scheduled for next Friday for 2 x S Cards and a Tuning Adapter.

The TWC CSR told me that I wouldn't get any new channels with the Cablecards, but after I corrected him about the tuning adapter, he seemed satisfied that I'd be ok. Of course, he also said that I should be Ok because one card was for up communication and one card was for down communication :eek:

[dave13077]

I am also in Time Warner CNY (Syracuse Division)

Does anyone have a list of the SDV channels? Also is it just HD channels that are currently on SDV or are there any SD channels as well?

I am going to set up my 2 Tivo HD's this weekend and it might be a little bit before they get me the adapters. I don't have any HDTV's so if only HD channels are SDV then it really doesn't affect me.

[notting]

I don't know if it's a corporate policy, but we have the same problem here in Rochester - everything except for the HD locals are copy protected.

Yeah, the escalation rep came back to me and said that it was their policy due to "affiliate's request and due to regulation guidelines" and they won't be changing/removing it at this time. They're within their rights, but it's irritating as hell.

[Fofer]

I live in the Los Angeles area and Time Warner in December added several HD channels such as USA Network HD, SciFi HD, etc....

My problem is that all the channels state 'To Be Announced' for the guide.
Tivo appears to know what the channels are since they are listed properly on the Guide listing, but there is no data.

I cannot manually record any shows - the record button does nothing and setting up a manual season pass automatically gets removed every time the guide data is refreshed.


Huh? I am in LA and am getting those same channels and see all the guide data (show name, description, etc.) right now (for USA HD and SciFi HD too)


I suspect this issue went away for you, maybe the guide data was still indexing on your system or something?

[Lorcane]

Anyone know why my cable cards can't seem to get the channel map update? Both cards are activated and paired correctly. I'm receiving my premium channels and encrypted channels just fine. I am still having channels such as SCIFI showing ESPN and E showing USA and TNTHD showing ESPNHD. I have a tech coming out Monday with 2 new cards. It seems something is always happening either Thursday or Friday, might be when my local TWC office updates all cable card data. (shrug)

[SCSIRAID]

Anyone know why my cable cards can't seem to get the channel map update? Both cards are activated and paired correctly. I'm receiving my premium channels and encrypted channels just fine. I am still having channels such as SCIFI showing ESPN and E showing USA and TNTHD showing ESPNHD. I have a tech coming out Monday with 2 new cards. It seems something is always happening either Thursday or Friday, might be when my local TWC office updates all cable card data. (shrug)


You might try a complete power cycle. Pull the plug... count to 10... plug it back in. That will insure that the current channel map will be loaded.

[ABO401]

We have been (trying to) using/trying to use an HDTivo box in Manhattan since the middle of January. The problem is this:

At times, the signal pixellates (usually on an HD broadcast) and then freezes. The image will then freeze, and the Tivo will not re-establish the signal. (As a control, the two set-top boxes in our house, one of which is HD, have no pixellation probs).

The only way to re-establish the signal is to move both tuners to a new channel. The signal will then be there when you re-tune to the lost channel. This, of course, costs you whatever buffer you had built up.

This happens both when viewing live TV, and on recorded programs. It doesn't happen frequently (approximately once a week, generally, but as often as once a day on HD ESPN and HD TNT), but it makes the whole system very unreliable. When it does, it's frustrating, because there's no recourse (i.e., no way to recover what you've lost).

Time Warner insists that its cable cards are fine. Tivo insists that the cable cards are not fine (but will, at this point, replace the box if need be because we've already tried so many times with Time Warner). N.B. Time Warner is scheduled to arrive later today to replace what they insist is a properly functioning cable card. Score one for the squeaky wheel.

It seems to me (and I profess to knowing nothing technical about this device, or anything else north of a stapler) that the card isn't decoding the signal 100% of the time, and that for whatever reason, when the card gets quirky, Tivo quickly gives up on the channel and then the software presumes that this is because we are not supposed to be receiving the channel, and doesn't bother to re-establish a connection. That is, it is a problem with both the card, and with the Tivo software.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice?

It's also worth mentioning that we have replaced the hard drive in the Tivo with a much bigger one. So it could be the hard drive, but it's a brand new one, so I think that's unlikely.

Additionally, Time Warner tested our signal strength at multiple points (entry for the building, entry for the apartment, spots along the wire, and just before the TV). In fact, they complimented us on our strong signal strength (why this is a source of pride escapes me).

Oh Tivo community, please help us. We are ready to pull out the rabbit ears again.

[SCSIRAID]

We have been (trying to) using/trying to use an HDTivo box in Manhattan since the middle of January. The problem is this:

At times, the signal pixellates (usually on an HD broadcast) and then freezes. The image will then freeze, and the Tivo will not re-establish the signal. (As a control, the two set-top boxes in our house, one of which is HD, have no pixellation probs).

The only way to re-establish the signal is to move both tuners to a new channel. The signal will then be there when you re-tune to the lost channel. This, of course, costs you whatever buffer you had built up.

This happens both when viewing live TV, and on recorded programs. It doesn't happen frequently (approximately once a week, generally, but as often as once a day on HD ESPN and HD TNT), but it makes the whole system very unreliable. When it does, it's frustrating, because there's no recourse (i.e., no way to recover what you've lost).

Time Warner insists that its cable cards are fine. Tivo insists that the cable cards are not fine (but will, at this point, replace the box if need be because we've already tried so many times with Time Warner). N.B. Time Warner is scheduled to arrive later today to replace what they insist is a properly functioning cable card. Score one for the squeaky wheel.

It seems to me (and I profess to knowing nothing technical about this device, or anything else north of a stapler) that the card isn't decoding the signal 100% of the time, and that for whatever reason, when the card gets quirky, Tivo quickly gives up on the channel and then the software presumes that this is because we are not supposed to be receiving the channel, and doesn't bother to re-establish a connection. That is, it is a problem with both the card, and with the Tivo software.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice?

It's also worth mentioning that we have replaced the hard drive in the Tivo with a much bigger one. So it could be the hard drive, but it's a brand new one, so I think that's unlikely.

Additionally, Time Warner tested our signal strength at multiple points (entry for the building, entry for the apartment, spots along the wire, and just before the TV). In fact, they complimented us on our strong signal strength (why this is a source of pride escapes me).

Oh Tivo community, please help us. We are ready to pull out the rabbit ears again.

What does 'DVR Diagnostics' show for signal strength, SNR and RS Corrected and Uncorrected counters? Tune the effected channels for 15-20 mins and then go in and get the stats. SNR should be higher than 33db. RS Uncorrected should be zero or very small number.

[ABO401]

What does 'DVR Diagnostics' show for signal strength, SNR and RS Corrected and Uncorrected counters? Tune the effected channels for 15-20 mins and then go in and get the stats. SNR should be higher than 33db. RS Uncorrected should be zero or very small number.

Those numbers look good: SNR is 35 DBR on the affected channel, and RS Uncorrected and Corrected both say 0.

[LA Dave]

Huh? I am in LA and am getting those same channels and see all the guide data (show name, description, etc.) right now (for USA HD and SciFi HD too)


I suspect this issue went away for you, maybe the guide data was still indexing on your system or something?

I looked at my guide closer this weekend and I noticed it seemed off from what Zap2it.com's guide was listing my channels.
I had 'HD SCI FI Network' instead of 'SCIFIHD'.
I tried to restart my guided setup and re-entered all my settings.
After downloading all the guide data again, it worked and is now picking up all the channels and guide data properly.

I'm not sure how the Guide got out of whacked out, but it works fine now after restarting the Guided setup.

[dmband]

I am also in Time Warner CNY (Syracuse Division)

Does anyone have a list of the SDV channels? Also is it just HD channels that are currently on SDV or are there any SD channels as well?

I am going to set up my 2 Tivo HD's this weekend and it might be a little bit before they get me the adapters. I don't have any HDTV's so if only HD channels are SDV then it really doesn't affect me.

i don't have a list
but there are SD and HD channels
however i got a TA today (CNY - Syracuse) delivered out of the blue
so check into it you might be able to get one fast

[bitbanger]

I am also in Time Warner CNY (Syracuse Division)

Does anyone have a list of the SDV channels? Also is it just HD channels that are currently on SDV or are there any SD channels as well?

I am going to set up my 2 Tivo HD's this weekend and it might be a little bit before they get me the adapters. I don't have any HDTV's so if only HD channels are SDV then it really doesn't affect me.

See http://www.timewarnercable.com/CustomerService/CLU/TWCCLUs.ashx?CLUID=284&Zip=&Image1.x=24&Image1.y=7&Image1=submit

channels labelled "not available on cable card" (in red) are the SDV channels

[PilotSteveB]

Last Friday I had my cable card installed in my TiVo HD (Motorola M-Card). I found out that I was only the second person in the entire area to have a cable card installed in a TiVo, and the previos installation never worked!!!:eek:

After 45 min, they were able to pair the card. However, I was not recieving all the channels. After investigating this more, it turns out that the channels I could not recieved all had a CCI byte of 0x02. Mine card validation was set to 0x00. (conditional access screen read "Val:V 0x00")

They came back out to try to solve this, but seem to not know how. Now it appears my card is no longer paired (conditional access screen now reads "Val:? 0x00"). They know that it has to be done at the headend, but don't know what exactly to do. That, and the headend is about 150 miles away in Laredo, TX. The service people seem very motivated to fix the problem.

Is there anyone who can help me to help them?

Thanks,
Steve in Del Rio,TX

[Lorcane]

Last Friday I had my cable card installed in my TiVo HD (Motorola M-Card). I found out that I was only the second person in the entire area to have a cable card installed in a TiVo, and the previos installation never worked!!!:eek:

After 45 min, they were able to pair the card. However, I was not recieving all the channels. After investigating this more, it turns out that the channels I could not recieved all had a CCI byte of 0x02. Mine card validation was set to 0x00. (conditional access screen read "Val:V 0x00")

They came back out to try to solve this, but seem to not know how. Now it appears my card is no longer paired (conditional access screen now reads "Val:? 0x00"). They know that it has to be done at the headend, but don't know what exactly to do. That, and the headend is about 150 miles away in Laredo, TX. The service people seem very motivated to fix the problem.

Is there anyone who can help me to help them?

Thanks,
Steve in Del Rio,TX

You have to get lucky and get a phone tech that KNOWS how to install cable cards correctly. Took me 4 service calls before that happen for me. Sadly my cards are missed up again due to TWC thinking one of them was bad, so I'm in your same boat... 2nd service call is on Friday. I've got my fingers crossed that a trained cable card tech is there.

[bobrt6676]

Last Friday I had my cable card installed in my TiVo HD (Motorola M-Card). I found out that I was only the second person in the entire area to have a cable card installed in a TiVo, and the previos installation never worked!!!:eek:

After 45 min, they were able to pair the card. However, I was not recieving all the channels. After investigating this more, it turns out that the channels I could not recieved all had a CCI byte of 0x02. Mine card validation was set to 0x00. (conditional access screen read "Val:V 0x00")

They came back out to try to solve this, but seem to not know how. Now it appears my card is no longer paired (conditional access screen now reads "Val:? 0x00"). They know that it has to be done at the headend, but don't know what exactly to do. That, and the headend is about 150 miles away in Laredo, TX. The service people seem very motivated to fix the problem.

Is there anyone who can help me to help them?

Thanks,
Steve in Del Rio,TX

I had an M-card installed Sunday. No digital stations,HBO,Showtime, or HD channels other than local HD. Techs first C-Card. no one at homebase to help. Rescheduled for Monday to fix. Mondays Tech had never been on a CC call. No help, called TW cablecard line. They do not see M-card suggest replacing card. New appt. for Tuesday to replace. Local tech calls, well the M-card won't work until the adapters come.:eek::eek::eek: After I explained the world of CC's, SDV, and Tuning adapters he decided to get someone else with more knowledge to help me. Finally Aaron from Cincinnati tech office called, researched and found the EMM's to the card were 6 instead of 60. He made the correction and all stations are now present. When I told him the CC status was "Not Staged" that seemed to help him as to where to look. I hope this helps!

[PilotSteveB]

You have to get lucky and get a phone tech that KNOWS how to install cable cards correctly.
.... I've got my fingers crossed that a trained cable card tech is there.


I really don't think any of the tech's in my area are trained. The guy that was at my house on Saturday afternoon was supposedly the supervisor. He as much as admitted that nobody really had any idea of how to get these working, particularly in TiVo. He gave me his personal cell phone number and did follow up yesterday afternoon that they were trying to sort things out at the headend.

So I am with you, praying for a miracle that somebody will be smart enough to figure this out in my area.

Steve

[n64ra]

I just called TWC here in Austin, TX.

They want to charge a $41.26 install fee! I didn't think it would be more than half that.

Then I asked if the cards were SCards or MCards. She went to ask then returned to say they were all SCards!

Does TWC Austin really only have SCards? Anybody here gotten an MCard from them? I really don't want to pay for two SCards. How much was your install fee? When was your installation date?

[n64ra]

Well, looks like lots of us are getting screwed with the $40 install fee. What about the SCard vs MCard availability in Austin?

[ChrisFix]

Here in Raleigh-Durham NC...TWC gets $42.95 for cable card install, but they only charge $9 to install a digital STB (or DVR) which you can also pick up for self install. It is anti-competitive pricing at its finest. My CC install took literally less than 10 mins...and half of that was the installer trying to figure out which number he needed to read to the head-end person on the phone.

I was also told by 3 different sales & customer service reps that they absolutely didn't have M-Cards (because they are incompatible with SDV!!), but the installer arrived with both M and S cards, and the M card worked perfectly for both tuners.

When I tried to install a Tivo HD a year ago (wound up returning and canceling TWC CC install)...TWC wanted $42.95 Per Card (and really only had S cards at that point).

[ShaneF]

I think I would have hit the roof had I been charged by TW western NY for my cable card install back in the fall. I knew more than the 3rd party tech who did the install. The only thing he knew that I didn't was the phone number to call to complete the activation.

Still no call from TW to schedule the tuning adapter install. It was supposed to happen in "early 2009". "Early" apparently is open to interpretation. Meanwhile more and more HD channels appear to be heading the SDV video, the latest being Versus.

[szurlo]

Still no call from TW to schedule the tuning adapter install. It was supposed to happen in "early 2009". "Early" apparently is open to interpretation.

The response I got from TWC said January. Apparently "January" is open to interpretation as well, as I still don't have a TA either.

[jmaditto]

The response I got from TWC said January. Apparently "January" is open to interpretation as well, as I still don't have a TA either.


I'm ping'ng the engineer again...will post what I get back. Noticed Murrells Inlet has TA so I see no reason for us to get one now too.

[Carfan]

Anyone have a feel for how long it should take for the TA to acquire the channels it needs to work? My diagnostic page shows it is available and operational, but channels not downloaded.

Waited 2 plus hours last night, no joy.

Anything I should be looking for on my end?

Thanks

[skaggs]

Anyone have a feel for how long it should take for the TA to acquire the channels it needs to work? My diagnostic page shows it is available and operational, but channels not downloaded.

Waited 2 plus hours last night, no joy.

Anything I should be looking for on my end?

Thanks

Try removing the USB plug from the back of the TiVo and then re-inserting.

[n64ra]

Add this to my list of questions...

Anyone in Austin got a TA from TWC?

[Mindflux]

Add this to my list of questions...

Anyone in Austin got a TA from TWC?

Yeah, just about EVERYONE in Austin with a TiVo has a TA by now.

[skaggs]

Add this to my list of questions...

Anyone in Austin got a TA from TWC?
Take a look at this thread:
Time Warner Austin tuning adapter (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=398126&highlight=Austin)

[jrm01]

Well, looks like lots of us are getting screwed with the $40 install fee.

TW reported to the FCC that their average truck roll fee to install cablecards was $23.95.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6520191566

[n64ra]

holy hell! To average out my $40 means somebody is getting it installed for free because TWC would never lie...

[marano]

Does anyone know if Time Warner NJ/NYC has deployed SDV? and if so any word on the Tuning Adapter? I have been having intermittent channel black outs ever since I received the new HD channels they recently deployed, some days the channels there and other days they are not. Over the last three weeks I noticed that Battlestar Galactica and Star Wars (which are both on the newly deployed HD channels) did not record two out of the three times they were on even though they appeared in the TO DO list, tonight I was home when they did not record and noticed that both SciFiHD and Cartoon Network HD were blacked out (SciFi and Cartoon Standard Def also seems blacked out). Could this be SDV or could both of my cable cards be acting up?

[isr]

I'm looking forward to getting my new Tivo HD. Time Warner being what it is, they say that I can't get a cable card installation for 3 weeks. Does anyone know about public service commission guidelines that require prompter service -- or any other way to get prompter service so that the TIVO won't be morbid without the cable cards?

Also, can one get a single M card from Time Warner and does it work?

[Carfan]

Try removing the USB plug from the back of the TiVo and then re-inserting.

Yeah, tried that, tried rebooting both TiVo HD and TA one before the other, no joy.

At this point, I packed it back in the box, and will go to the local office to swap (if they have it). If not, I have a truck roll scheduled for Wednesday as my fallback position.

I am almost thinking it is not the TA but the M Card having an issue - when the system times out (once with a TiVo reboot I did nor prompt) it says the CableCard is not getting the channels it needs. I am not sure what resides where as far as this new combo, what do you think?

Thanks!

[macd2]

Time Waner-NC, on their website, says that they offer two kinds of CableCARDs: A UDCP (Unidirectal Digital Cable Product) version and an "Open Cable" version. It says the Open Cable version is capable of two way communication. It almost sounds like that version has a tuning adapter build in. In addition to SVC, it says the Open Cable version would allow for OnDemand and the interactive guide.

Does anyone know if an HD Tivo supports the Open Cable version (at least for SVC)?

[SCSIRAID]

Time Waner-NC, on their website, says that they offer two kinds of CableCARDs: A UDCP (Unidirectal Digital Cable Product) version and an "Open Cable" version. It says the Open Cable version is capable of two way communication. It almost sounds like that version has a tuning adapter build in. In addition to SVC, it says the Open Cable version would allow for OnDemand and the interactive guide.

Does anyone know if an HD Tivo supports the Open Cable version (at least for SVC)?

Its not two different kinds of cablecards.... its two different types of devices that use cablecards. The only cablecards that exist are an S-Card and an M-Card. Either will work in a UDCP device or Open Cable (aka <tru2way> ) device.

[JSY]

I hope someone can give me some advice here...

I am having the hardest time convincing Time Warner Cable NYC that they are supposed to install a cablecard in my HD XL. I stopped by the service center today (Queens) to set up an appointment, and the rep blatantly said that they don't do that and that he was 150% sure of it as he gets that question all the time. I asked to speak to his manager. She came out and said that it depends on the TiVo and she can set up a tech to come out but she could not guarantee that they could do it. So, she set the appointment up this week. I asked, well - if the tech discovers that he could do it, will he be equipped to do it? She said yes.

So, I leave the service center still unsure what to expect of the tech (I'm envisioning him coming out not knowing anything without any service order and not being able to do anything), so I call TWCNYC on the phone to verify. Well, lo' and behold, the service rep had no clue either and admitted that he wasn't a tech and didn't know. However he said that since the tech is coming out, his best advice was just to wait for him.

So, I'm still left here a bit confused. They almost had me thinking that cable cards were not available here. Anyway, the tech is supposed to come out on Wednesday but I am wondering if the tech has any clue on why he's coming out here despite what the service center manager said. I've spoke two two persons face to face and someone on the phone, and each one of them was not encouraging.

Anyway, I ask - does anyone have any advice on whether or not I should do anything else to avoid a wasted visit by the tech this week? I am sort of a bit uncomfortable that it didn't appear to me that they have any service order written up for this and that the tech will not be prepared to do anything. I haven't spoken to anyone about pricing and I can't even get a price list because the website appears to be screwy as they have redesigned it. I was thinking of writing them an e-mail to see if I could get someone knowledgeable.

I do not want to replace my existing cable boxes - I want a new outlet installed for the cable card.

Should it be this hard?? I didn't even break the subject of tuning adapters to them for fear of really confusing the hell out of them all. :confused:

[Blitzenn]

I am in Upstate NY and TW gave me a real run around and noted on multiple 'official' occasions that they wouldn't guarantee it would work, and didn't have any experience getting it set up and all of the typical escape whines. I scheduled anyways and they installed two cable cards successfully. Make sure they bring the latest versions of cards with them. Jut ask when the guy comes if necesssary. (now mine is at least a year out from the install from this post, so really you should be ok). I only mention this as I noticed they brought a bunch of cards and really tried to pawn off the oldest and worst of them first. I just made the guy feel bad right off the bat about pulling out two year old models (obvious scratch and dent versions).

Anyways, shorter story, they worked (the new cards). He absolutely had to call the home office to get them to start a 'sync' and get the cards to accept the codes and start working. It took a long time for them to get recognized and had to wait up to 15 minutes after the start of the sync to see ANY results. Be patient and make the guy wait. We did one card at a time so ended up spending an hour and a half, but its worth the wait. I printed out the instructions from Tivo and had my manual ready. The cable had no instructions. I think that was on purpose. Get your documentation together.

Its true I don't get (and you wont) premium or payper view. SO WHAT! You get Amazon and Netflix that are hundreds of times cheaper. They (TW) are still screwing around with some other channels that they say they can't 'recode' for the cable card (such as ESPNU). I resign myself to that as the cost of fixing it (rent their DVR) is $200/year per unit. That's rape.

[DawnW]

Actually, TWC DVRs, with tax, is $22/month, making it $264 per year for EACH DVR!

[QUOTE=Blitzenn;7040714] Its true I don't get (and you wont) premium or payper view. SO WHAT! You get Amazon and Netflix that are hundreds of times cheaper. They (TW) are still screwing around with some other channels that they say they can't 'recode' for the cable card (such as ESPNU). I resign myself to that as the cost of fixing it (rent their DVR) is $200/year per unit. [QUOTE]

[ChrisFix]

[QUOTE=DawnW;7041147]Actually, TWC DVRs, with tax, is $22/month, making it $264 per year for EACH DVR!

Same here in TWC Raleigh-Durham, the SA8300 POC is $20/month + Tax...

My M-card is $3.93/month ($2.50 for the card and $1.43 for additional digital tier outlet)

I paid $575 for a Tivo HD with Lifetime sub...which is a bunch to lay out up front, and is a long 3 year break-even, but provides a better solution. And since I've paid for it all upfront...come hell or high water, it is mine to use even if I lose my job and just go to OTA (with Netflix of course!!).

[DawnW]

My calculation is $649 for $399 lifetime and $250 for the box through Amazon.

Did you already have a lifetime? Is that how you got it for less?

Dawn

[QUOTE=DawnW;7041147]Actually, TWC DVRs, with tax, is $22/month, making it $264 per year for EACH DVR!

Same here in TWC Raleigh-Durham, the SA8300 POC is $20/month + Tax...

My M-card is $3.93/month ($2.50 for the card and $1.43 for additional digital tier outlet)

I paid $575 for a Tivo HD with Lifetime sub...which is a bunch to lay out up front, and is a long 3 year break-even, but provides a better solution. And since I've paid for it all upfront...come hell or high water, it is mine to use even if I lose my job and just go to OTA (with Netflix of course!!).

[jaming1982]

Ok so I am getting my new TV tomorrow and I already have a Tivo HD I just need to call TWC to make an appointment for digital cable. Does anyone have any good recommendations of good CSRs in the Raleigh/Durham area to talk to over the phone who know what they are talking about? I just don't want to spend an hour arguing to someone about cable cards if they don't know what they're talking about.

[ChrisFix]

[QUOTE=DawnW;7041251]My calculation is $649 for $399 lifetime and $250 for the box through Amazon.

Did you already have a lifetime? Is that how you got it for less?

Dawn



I did indeed buy from Amazon for $250 and bought a lifetime from a guy on ebay for $323...this is my first and only Tivo, so no multi-unit discounts. At this price for lifetime, it made sense to me to go this route vs yearly or monthly.

I don't know enough about the intricacies of Tivo's subscription policies, and therefore the exact way this seller makes money on selling the lifetime, but the transaction worked perfectly...I sent him the TSN and he activated and transferred the unit to my Tivo account - took less than an hour after I contacted him with the TSN. There are several sellers doing this, and the one I used had very good feedback...including from me at this point.

[ChrisFix]

Ok so I am getting my new TV tomorrow and I already have a Tivo HD I just need to call TWC to make an appointment for digital cable. Does anyone have any good recommendations of good CSRs in the Raleigh/Durham area to talk to over the phone who know what they are talking about? I just don't want to spend an hour arguing to someone about cable cards if they don't know what they're talking about.

Hey from Chapel Hill...
Just had my CC installed a couple of weeks ago and can make one suggestion:
Don't waste your time discussing with the CSR...they know less than nothing regarding CCs / SDV / TAs...

Just call and order your CC install from the CSR (which you'll pay $42.95 for the privilege) . Ask / Insist that they simply note on your work order that you are requesting an M-Card for a Tivo. Do not wast your time arguing with them when they tell you they don't have M-Cards...just politely insist they add the note to the work order.

When the actual installer arrives, verify he has an M-Card...and if not, ask him to call his dispatch/supervisor to obtain one and come back.

After an hour of being told by three separate CSRs that TWC Raleigh-Durham do not have M-Cards (despite my neighbor using one), the suggestion above is what I did. The installer arrived with both M and S cards..."not knowing what I needed"...and the M-Card installed in under 10 mins. and all has been well since.

Best of luck!!

[BruceShultes]

It makes no sense at all to me why any TW office would not have M-Cards available for their installers.

It seems to take them at least 15 minutes for each card they install. Mine took close to 30 minutes each.

Unless the are charging you by time spent for the install, they are losing money each time they insist on using two S-Cards instead of one M-Card.

[SCSIRAID]

It makes no sense at all to me why any TW office would not have M-Cards available for their installers.

It seems to take them at least 15 minutes for each card they install. Mine took close to 30 minutes each.

Unless the are charging you by time spent for the install, they are losing money each time they insist on using two S-Cards instead of one M-Card.

Here the install fee is PER CARD....

I believe one factor could be that they have a bunch of S Cards that they have in inventory and circulation that they want to use up. Personally, I have M-Cards in my S3 and my THD. I asked for them... I got them.

[Ilovemyteevo]

Sorry if someone else already posted this, but just saw that TW SD has the tunning adapter page up to put your pre order in. First time poster so I can't put in a link, but if you go to TW SD and search "SDV Tunning Adapter" it will pop up.

[boswic]

An update from Milwaukee-

Back in Nov., I filed a complaint with the FCC about TW deploying SDV in my area without a solution for TiVo customers. I received a copy of the complaint from the FCC on Friday and they must have sent a copy to the local TW HQ also.

I received two calls on Monday from TW, wanting to know what they could do for me. They're going to retroactively credit me about $10/month for each month since I've had the TiVo. Unfortunately, they don't know any more than we do on when the TA will be available in my area, though the person I spoke with said that it should be in place this quarter (by the end of March). I'm not holding my breath.

If you have yet to get a TA, I highly recommend filing a complaint with the FCC (can be done through the FCC website). TW will listen to you if you do that. I had been trying for months to get some straight answers from anyone at TW, even speaking with several customer care supervisors, but it wasn't until they received a copy of the FCC compliant that I actually got any. If you are in Milwaukee or SE Wisconsin, I highly recommend calling TW and asking to be transferred to the "Solutions" department and voicing your concerns there. At the very least, you should get some kind of a credit to your bill.

[ajergo]

Please reply to this post if you are using Time Warner Cable in Rochester, NY and have successfully used a Tuning Adapter for SDV channels with a TiVo HD box. Also let me know if you have had problems with this. I am about to purchase a TiVo HD box and want to make sure that there are no problems with getting Time Warner (specifically in Rochester, NY) to come out and install the Cable Cards along with hooking up the Tuning Adapter.

I understand you have to order the Tuning Adapter by mail first before the TWC installer comes to install a 'M' cable card.

Thanks in advance for your help.

A.J.

[59er]

The channels aren't scheduled to go live until midnight, but my TiVo downloaded guide info for over 50 new HD channels.

I cannot wait to see if they work overnight!

[nobodeuno]

I'm a past Tivo user and am so frustrated with the TWC HDDVR box...So I live in Chapel Hill and your post is helpful. Does TWC Raleigh-Durham have TA's yet? And will I pay $42.95 for each TivoHD CC install if I have more than one or is that a flat fee? And how much do you pay for each CC/TA?

Thanks in advance,

Justin


Hey from Chapel Hill...
Just had my CC installed a couple of weeks ago and can make one suggestion:
Don't waste your time discussing with the CSR...they know less than nothing regarding CCs / SDV / TAs...

Just call and order your CC install from the CSR (which you'll pay $42.95 for the privilege) . Ask / Insist that they simply note on your work order that you are requesting an M-Card for a Tivo. Do not wast your time arguing with them when they tell you they don't have M-Cards...just politely insist they add the note to the work order.

When the actual installer arrives, verify he has an M-Card...and if not, ask him to call his dispatch/supervisor to obtain one and come back.

After an hour of being told by three separate CSRs that TWC Raleigh-Durham do not have M-Cards (despite my neighbor using one), the suggestion above is what I did. The installer arrived with both M and S cards..."not knowing what I needed"...and the M-Card installed in under 10 mins. and all has been well since.

Best of luck!!

[ChrisFix]

I'm a past Tivo user and am so frustrated with the TWC HDDVR box...So I live in Chapel Hill and your post is helpful. Does TWC Raleigh-Durham have TA's yet? And will I pay $42.95 for each TivoHD CC install if I have more than one or is that a flat fee? And how much do you pay for each CC/TA?

Thanks in advance,

Justin

The Raleigh-Durham TWC CSRs will tell you different things depending on who you talk with...a year ago I bought (and returned) a Tivo HD because we only had S-Cards and TWC did get $42.95 per card to install (and at the time, all the channels below 100 were analog on Cable Cards, but that is now fixed). I think they will still charge you per card installed...a rip at best. I had an M-Card installed (one card, two tuners) and it was $42.95.

We do not have the Tuning Adapter yet, but there is a pre-order page on their website you should use...some are saying we will get them soon, but time will tell. The Tuning Adapter is free.

Our CC price is $2.50/month plus $1.43 for an additional outlet of Digital Tier...this pricing assumes you have Digital Tier...as the price for the initial Digital Tier outlet is $9.10 on top of Basic and Standard packages (does not include a digital box and is from their revised Jan pricing.)

[wireless200]

I'm in Cary, NC. Dropped TW last month and saving $100 a month. Getting OTA HD from Raleigh and Burlington. Come on in the water's fine!

[crazywater]

I'm in Cary, NC. Dropped TW last month and saving $100 a month. Getting OTA HD from Raleigh and Burlington. Come on in the water's fine!
I am also a very upset TWC Raleigh customer largely due to their absolute clueless CSRs I talk with when I call about the Tuning Adapter. Most either don't know what they are, don't know what SDV is, they deny that channels are being moved or they say the adapter is coming soon. TWC Raleigh sent a letter back in September that it would be out by the end of 2008. It's now February and nothing. TWC Greensboro is handing them out, why not Raleigh? Add to that the monthly bill is over $100, they are taking away channels (some of the HBOs are now on SDV, BBC America is moved to SDV), they raised the price in January and I do not receive any of the new HD channels due to SDV.

I am seriously considering moving to Dish Network and one of the TurboHD packages...their current promotions/pricing are very enticing.

[nobodeuno]

No kidding...I'm so frustrated with TWC...I reluctantly had to switch over from Directv because my new home has trees all around it and I couldn't get a clear shot at the dish...The SA DVR is so far from the DTV DVR I was using...to be honest it wasn't too much of a switch from Tivo -> Directv DVR the did a pretty decent job but the SA DVR I'm afraid is horrible from what I can tell...although I'm not sure if the source is the dvr or the horrible service that frequently goes out and pixilates...etc.

Anyways I guess I'm stuck unless U-Verse makes it out my way...I'm trying to get anyone in my neighborhood to call AT&T at least so TWC would have some competition.

Anyways thanks for the information! I think I may try to make things a bit less miserable and try get a DVR...some have said that there is no SDV in Raleigh but I wonder? I sure wish they would get some more damn HD Channels...coming from Directv I was spoiled almost all the main channels are in HD....AHHH

[SCSIRAID]

I am also a very upset TWC Raleigh customer largely due to their absolute clueless CSRs I talk with when I call about the Tuning Adapter. Most either don't know what they are, don't know what SDV is, they deny that channels are being moved or they say the adapter is coming soon. TWC Raleigh sent a letter back in September that it would be out by the end of 2008. It's now February and nothing. TWC Greensboro is handing them out, why not Raleigh? Add to that the monthly bill is over $100, they are taking away channels (some of the HBOs are now on SDV, BBC America is moved to SDV), they raised the price in January and I do not receive any of the new HD channels due to SDV.

I am seriously considering moving to Dish Network and one of the TurboHD packages...their current promotions/pricing are very enticing.

Hang in there... The TA is very very close. Some may be seeing something in their mailbox in the next couple days.....

[ChrisFix]

Anyways thanks for the information! I think I may try to make things a bit less miserable and try get a DVR...some have said that there is no SDV in Raleigh but I wonder? I sure wish they would get some more damn HD Channels...coming from Directv I was spoiled almost all the main channels are in HD....AHHH

Raleigh-Durham is using SDV (which can't be received on Tivo without a Tuning Adapter - which hasn't been released yet in this area).

All the new HD channels being added are SDV...the HD channels from about a year ago are not SDV and tune just fine with the CC.

As an example, USA is being added in HD this month...but SDV, so you won't get it without a TA or one of TWC's digital boxes.

[szurlo]

Yeah, I'm running out of patience with TWC as well. We continue to pay more while getting less. Customer service is... well, it isn't, really. The fact that CSRs are so poorly informed is inexcusable. TWC appears to be making no effort to event present the appearance of giving a crap. If a product or service is covered on the TWC website, as the TA and SDV are, is it unreasonable to expect their support staff to be versed on it? No it's not unreasonable, and in fact, it's absolutely ludicrous that they are not. Common sense would dictate that BEFORE you publish information on a new offering, you would train your support staff on it. I simply can't see a reasonable excuse for why this would not have happened. Are we to believe that this was an isolated incident and that somehow the CSR training didn't take place prior to the publication of the SDV and TA information? I doubt it, since many CSRs STILL don't know what SDV even is. No, I think the more likely explanation is that they simply don't have the appropriate policies and procedures in place to keep their CSRs trained properly. Imagine if our military were run using the same interdepartmental communications, information dissemination mechanisms and training practices that TWC apparently uses. I've come to the conclusion that TWC is mismanaged from the top down. Well, with a couple of exceptions... marketing and accounts receivable are doing a really good job.

[JSY]

I hope someone can give me some advice here...

(snip)

Anyway, I ask - does anyone have any advice on whether or not I should do anything else to avoid a wasted visit by the tech this week? I am sort of a bit uncomfortable that it didn't appear to me that they have any service order written up for this and that the tech will not be prepared to do anything. I haven't spoken to anyone about pricing and I can't even get a price list because the website appears to be screwy as they have redesigned it. I was thinking of writing them an e-mail to see if I could get someone knowledgeable.

I do not want to replace my existing cable boxes - I want a new outlet installed for the cable card.

Should it be this hard?? I didn't even break the subject of tuning adapters to them for fear of really confusing the hell out of them all. :confused:

I thought I'd post on my tech experience today with the TWCNYC install.

Well, I guess I was incredibly lucky that the installer had a TiVo himself so he knew everything about it and installed an M-Card in my TiVo. It was actually pretty painless and he admitted that the CSRs and the reps at the walk-in customer service center had little knowledge and probably no training at all on these things. However one thing he didn't know was about the tuning adapters. He doesn't use one nor does he know that there is a need for it now. I anticipate this to be an issue in the future but his response made it seem like these adapters have not been deployed. Has anyone in the TWCNYC area received and is using one? Other than that - everything looks like it went well and I am very pleased to go back to my familar TiVo OS.

I still haven't seen any price list but he said that it was $1.75 for the card and that there may be a $2.99 or something duplicate programming charge (since I did not replace any boxes).

He was very cool and it took about a goot 30-40 minutes for everything to load up, etc.

So until I start noticing that I'm losing channels (heck it could be happening now, I don't know as I haven't gone through it all yet), I guess I'll find out more about the tuning adapters. :)

[59er]

I thought I'd post on my tech experience today with the TWCNYC install.

Well, I guess I was incredibly lucky that the installer had a TiVo himself so he knew everything about it and installed an M-Card in my TiVo. It was actually pretty painless and he admitted that the CSRs and the reps at the walk-in customer service center had little knowledge and probably no training at all on these things. However one thing he didn't know was about the tuning adapters. He doesn't use one nor does he know that there is a need for it now. I anticipate this to be an issue in the future but his response made it seem like these adapters have not been deployed. Has anyone in the TWCNYC area received and is using one? Other than that - everything looks like it went well and I am very pleased to go back to my familar TiVo OS.

...

So until I start noticing that I'm losing channels (heck it could be happening now, I don't know as I haven't gone through it all yet), I guess I'll find out more about the tuning adapters. :)
I'm in Southern Manhattan (yay for 50 new HD channels this week!), and SDV has not been deployed here. So far, no disappearing channel and no need for the TA.

Fingers crossed that we stay like this for awhile.

[jfischetti]

So the new HD channels were added in Southern Manhattan today, and when i woke up, i noticed they were there.

I went into my TiVo's Channel list and added the new channels, all of which had no information because the Tivo didn't know that TWCNYC-S offered those channels.

Much to my surprise, after a few minutes of adding the channels, program data and channel names started appearing in the guide data. I would have figured that Tivo/Tribune would need to inform the Tivo of the newly offered channels, but i guess it doesn't.

I still have not received a "new message" telling me of the new channels, but everything looks to be in working order.

Impressed.

[KeithB]

I filed an FCC complaint (#09-C00091130) online using Form 2000F "Other Communications Complaint" after TWC Charlotte failed to provide a callback regarding TA availability after waiting more than three days. They can't keep publicly advertising "Free HD" while requiring their fee-based set-top box, charging $9.99 monthly for an "HD Tier", and not providing Tuning Adapters.

Guidelines for submitting an FCC complaint online (http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/complaint_tips.html) are here.

[59er]

So the new HD channels were added in Southern Manhattan today, and when i woke up, i noticed they were there.

I went into my TiVo's Channel list and added the new channels, all of which had no information because the Tivo didn't know that TWCNYC-S offered those channels.

Much to my surprise, after a few minutes of adding the channels, program data and channel names started appearing in the guide data. I would have figured that Tivo/Tribune would need to inform the Tivo of the newly offered channels, but i guess it doesn't.

I still have not received a "new message" telling me of the new channels, but everything looks to be in working order.

Impressed.
You'll probably get "notified" once the guide data has been fully processed. I was notified of the new channels yesterday, but didn't have them available until maybe 4:30 AM.

[StarSage]

Let me know what you find out. I'm moving to Rochester in the Spring and was hoping to buy a TiVo HD myself

Please reply to this post if you are using Time Warner Cable in Rochester, NY and have successfully used a Tuning Adapter for SDV channels with a TiVo HD box. Also let me know if you have had problems with this. I am about to purchase a TiVo HD box and want to make sure that there are no problems with getting Time Warner (specifically in Rochester, NY) to come out and install the Cable Cards along with hooking up the Tuning Adapter.

I understand you have to order the Tuning Adapter by mail first before the TWC installer comes to install a 'M' cable card.

Thanks in advance for your help.

A.J.

[jaming1982]

I just got off the phone with TWC and the CSR was actually pretty helpful. She actually knew what a cable card was and when I told her that I wanted an M Card she told me that the M Cards is all they give out now. She also ordered a tuning adapter for me b/c she said those would be rolling out on Monday the 9th. So if anyone in the RDU area looking to get a tuning adapter i would give them a call to have them send it to you.

[ljcaswell]

I put in my request for a Tuning Adapter about 2 weeks ago. Has anyone in the Rochester, NY area received one yet?

[ajergo]

To ljcaswell -
Not sure if you can find posts on this bulletin board by post number, but mgerenser put a good entry about this in post # 2094. He is in Rochester and just had two Tivo boxes hooked up last month (January/2009). The post date was 2/4/2009 under the SDV FAQ, Page 70 of TiVo Series 3 HDTV DVR's thread.
You can also try searching threads by "TiVo HD with Tuning Adapter in Rochester, NY". He said that he asked the Time Warner installer who put the cable cards in to request that the TA got sent to him and it only took 2 to 4 days (last month in January).

How did you request the TA? Did you do this via the Time Warner web site?
I just submitted one via the web site myself last week. Not sure how long it will take to get it in the mail.

Let me know if you do get this TA in the mail.

[mpastreich]

After everything working for ~ one month, my service broke again Saturday night Feb 1st. All our channels (except NY1 and OTA channels they are rebroadcasting) go out. Every other channel is black, often (but not always) with a "Channel not available. You may need CableCARD decoders to view this channel. Contact your cable provider for more information."

I've tried rebooting the box, no joy, doesn't help.

The CCs say they are Authorized (Two Scientific Atlanta s-cards in a TiVo Series 3).

I've got another call scheduled for a tech to come out this coming Friday, and I'm trying anything I can think of to help diagnose where the problem is before they get here (they seem useless).


Is there any way I can check wether the signal strength on one of the channels is an issue from the TiVo?
Is there any way I can check if the cards have both spontaneously gone bad together?
Is there anything else I should have ready for the tech (and supposedly field manager) thats coming out this Friday?

As far as I'm concerned this is their last chance. I'd like it to work. It would be simpler to keep them, but if they don't get this working I don't really need cable. There may be things I'll miss seeing that I want to, but between their draconian CCI policy on everything but local OTA, their overpriced service, and the rise of DigitalTV, AmazonVideo and Hulu, I figure I can still get all my TV Viewing and save lots of $$$ a year.

Has anyone in the NYC area decided to drop Cable and switch to OTA supplemented with DSL delivered Video?

[SCSIRAID]

After everything working for ~ one month, my service broke again Saturday night Feb 1st. All our channels (except NY1 and OTA channels they are rebroadcasting) go out. Every other channel is black, often (but not always) with a "Channel not available. You may need CableCARD decoders to view this channel. Contact your cable provider for more information."

I've tried rebooting the box, no joy, doesn't help.

The CCs say they are Authorized (Two Scientific Atlanta s-cards in a TiVo Series 3).

I've got another call scheduled for a tech to come out this coming Friday, and I'm trying anything I can think of to help diagnose where the problem is before they get here (they seem useless).


Is there any way I can check wether the signal strength on one of the channels is an issue from the TiVo?
Is there any way I can check if the cards have both spontaneously gone bad together?
Is there anything else I should have ready for the tech (and supposedly field manager) thats coming out this Friday?

As far as I'm concerned this is their last chance. I'd like it to work. It would be simpler to keep them, but if they don't get this working I don't really need cable. There may be things I'll miss seeing that I want to, but between their draconian CCI policy on everything but local OTA, their overpriced service, and the rise of DigitalTV, AmazonVideo and Hulu, I figure I can still get all my TV Viewing and save lots of $$$ a year.

Has anyone in the NYC area decided to drop Cable and switch to OTA supplemented with DSL delivered Video?


What happens if you reboot the S3... complete power cycle.. pull the plug and plug back in after 30 sec. Do the CC's still say authorized? If you go to the cablecard menu and 'test channels' on each cablecard... are the results the same? 'Every other channel' is suspicious... Is only one cablecard misbehaving or both..

[mpastreich]

What happens if you reboot the S3... complete power cycle.. pull the plug and plug back in after 30 sec. Do the CC's still say authorized? If you go to the cablecard menu and 'test channels' on each cablecard... are the results the same? 'Every other channel' is suspicious... Is only one cablecard misbehaving or both..

I haven't tried pulling the plug, just the "reboot" option from the menu.

Every other channel = Every channel that is not (rebroadcast OTA channel + NY1) comes in black.

I tested both cards via the "test channels" menu and both received the exact same set of channels.

Sorry for the confusing wording, but its definitely both cards behaving in the exact same way. :(

[SCSIRAID]

I haven't tried pulling the plug, just the "reboot" option from the menu.

Every other channel = Every channel that is not (rebroadcast OTA channel + NY1) comes in black.

I tested both cards via the "test channels" menu and both received the exact same set of channels.

Sorry for the confusing wording, but its definitely both cards behaving in the exact same way. :(

Id pull the plug and restart and see what happens... but it sounds like the cableco simply has your account misconfigured.

[ljcaswell]

To ljcaswell -
Not sure if you can find posts on this bulletin board by post number, but mgerenser put a good entry about this in post # 2094. He is in Rochester and just had two Tivo boxes hooked up last month (January/2009). The post date was 2/4/2009 under the SDV FAQ, Page 70 of TiVo Series 3 HDTV DVR's thread.
You can also try searching threads by "TiVo HD with Tuning Adapter in Rochester, NY". He said that he asked the Time Warner installer who put the cable cards in to request that the TA got sent to him and it only took 2 to 4 days (last month in January).

How did you request the TA? Did you do this via the Time Warner web site?
I just submitted one via the web site myself last week. Not sure how long it will take to get it in the mail.

Let me know if you do get this TA in the mail.

Thanks. I spoke to TWC and they said they won't send one until my Cablecard install happens this week. I was hoping to get it all set up in one day so I had all my channels, but guess I'll have to wait a week or so.

My first Cablecard install was cancelled because my new refurb Tivo HD decided to start rebooting over and over again on the day of my install.

[mpastreich]

Id pull the plug and restart and see what happens... but it sounds like the cableco simply has your account misconfigured.

I'm inclined to agree, but I'm surprised that they couldn't figure that out the first couple of times they've been out here.

I'm also surprised that everything was fine until around the middle of November (2+ years at an old location, and 4-5 months at the new location same CCs), then it stabilized and was good through all of January, and then it went completely "broken" to the state its in now.

[jeremyz]

I'm inclined to agree, but I'm surprised that they couldn't figure that out the first couple of times they've been out here.

I'm also surprised that everything was fine until around the middle of November (2+ years at an old location, and 4-5 months at the new location same CCs), then it stabilized and was good through all of January, and then it went completely "broken" to the state its in now.Check this thread: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=417886

The problem is annoying, but easily resolved. TWCNYC knows about the issue, and knows how to fix it. Unfortunately, I don't think they know what causes it.

[Lorcane]

Well, I'm stuck in an infinite loop it seems. The customer service people say I need a technician and the technician says I need a customer service person that knows something about cablecards. The only good news is the last tech(5th so far) they sent out to my house had done dozens of cable card installs in the Austin area. He took the time to look through all the cards in the office and bring me out the mythical M-Card :)

Sadly, the customer service personal was unable to activate the card correctly so I don't get any of my premium channels. I have another tech visit for this Friday, earliest they could schedule me and he is suppose to check the firmware.

Anyone know what the current firmware number is for a Scientific Atlantic M-Card? I'm in South Texas if the area makes a difference.

[BruceShultes]

If the only thing you are missing is your Premium channels, it usually means that the cable company has not correctly linked the Premium channels to your account.

Many of the cable companies seem to use software that treats each cable card almost like a seperate account where they need to link each seperate package you have to that particular card.

[ljcaswell]

Just thought I'd post a positive experience installing a cable card from TWC Rochester, NY.

The installer showed up with an M Card, even though I was told on the phone all they had was S Cards, so that was good news.

He put the card in, made a phone call, and about 3 minutes later, I had all my channels (except the SDV ones).

The whole experience took less than 10 minutes.

Now I'm just waiting for my Tuning Adapter.

[ajergo]

To ljcaswell -

I am in the Rochester, NY area also. Glad to hear that all went well with your cable card install.

I will be scheduling an Appointment for TW to install a cable card also ... probably next week. By any chance did you get the name of the installer; although I doubt they would let me ask for a specific person to do my install.

Do you know if you can order the Tuning Adapter (TA) before the cable guy comes to install the Cable card? There is a link on their web site for ordering a TA, which I filled out about 10 or 12 days ago, but it has yet to arrive in the mail. Did they tell you the TA would be shipped via UPS to you? Somebody else from Rochester NY (think it was mgerenser) had this done for 2 TiVo's at once last month and he said it only took 2 to 4 days for the TA's to arrive via UPS after his cable cards was installed.

Which TW channels are you unable to get without the tuning adapter now?
I assume you can get all the major HD network channels without the TA; i.e: 1007, 1008, 1010 and 1013?

Thanks for the post.
A.J.

Just thought I'd post a positive experience installing a cable card from TWC Rochester, NY.

The installer showed up with an M Card, even though I was told on the phone all they had was S Cards, so that was good news.

He put the card in, made a phone call, and about 3 minutes later, I had all my channels (except the SDV ones).

The whole experience took less than 10 minutes.

Now I'm just waiting for my Tuning Adapter.

[ljcaswell]

I think it was Scott (but don't quote me on that). He had done Cablecard installs before, but said that he wasn't a fan of cablecards because they caused a lot of problems for him. However, he WAS a Tivo fan and said that his Mom had one and loved it.

I have yet to receive my TA. The CSR told me it would be shipped as soon as the install was done. The technician said to give it a day or two and call to make sure it was on the way.

I get all the major networks in HD, but not much else at the moment. I still get basic cable obviously, so I'm not missing many shows, just the HD part.

[Diacritical]

I haven't tried pulling the plug, just the "reboot" option from the menu.

Every other channel = Every channel that is not (rebroadcast OTA channel + NY1) comes in black.

I tested both cards via the "test channels" menu and both received the exact same set of channels.

Sorry for the confusing wording, but its definitely both cards behaving in the exact same way. :(

Just had the exact thing this morning... no ECM or EMMs being received and getting local channels (plus TBS) fine, but nothing else. Asked the guy on the phone for a hit to be sent and it was all back in a few seconds.

I have not needed this for years -- not since the first few months of install in late 2006/early 2007.

[DealDuderino]

Southern Manhattan. I'm considering getting service now that they finally stepped up the HD offering. Would anyone be so kind as to post which channels are missing by not having a tuning adapter?

[jeremyz]

Southern Manhattan. I'm considering getting service now that they finally stepped up the HD offering. Would anyone be so kind as to post which channels are missing by not having a tuning adapter?No tuning adapters necessary in NYC.

[seggers]

My TA arrived last night. My truck roll is scheduled for this Sunday to install 2 S type cards and the TA, and take away the HD DVR! :D

Good times.

Can someone point me in the directions for the cable install guy please.

Seggers

[ShaneF]

Time Warner WNY:

Received my tuning adapter out of the blue today (shipped via FedEx). I was under the impression that they had to roll a truck to set it up so I expected it would be delivered by a clueless tech.

2 S-card cable cards have been installed and working great for months now.

Unboxed it (it's huge! much bulkier than expected). Took a quick look at the instruction sheet, hooked it up and.... nothing. Decided to power cycle the TiVo and everything works!

Actually I had a moment of fleeting frustration. The first SDV channel I tried was VSHD. It looked great for 10 seconds and then the picture froze in pixelation although the sound was fine. I was ready to rip the new TA out but then I heard the announcer of the live bicycle race on Vs apologize for their picture problems. Haha, what are the odds.

[PumiceT]

Took a quick look at the instruction sheet, hooked it up and.... nothing. Decided to power cycle the TiVo and everything works!

By "power cycle," do you just mean "restart," or did you unplug the TiVo's power cable, too?

[ShaneF]

By "power cycle," do you just mean "restart," or did you unplug the TiVo's power cable, too?

I just did a restart from the TiVo menu, I guess power cycle wasn't really accurate.

[PumiceT]

I just did a restart from the TiVo menu, I guess power cycle wasn't really accurate.
I was just checking because I was having similar problems getting the Tuning Adapter to work.

Ends up, I overlooked a pretty important cable—the Cable In on the Tuning Adapter! LOL

After a TiVo reboot, everything seems to be working fine.

I did notice that sometimes a channel will be "tuned" in, but not actually receiving anything. That is, TiVo will be sitting on that channel, but nothing is being shown or heard, just black silence. Changing to another channel and then back, the original channel will show up. Not a big deal, I just hope it never happens when TiVo is trying to record in such a situation.

[m_jonis]

I was just checking because I was having similar problems getting the Tuning Adapter to work.

Ends up, I overlooked a pretty important cable—the Cable In on the Tuning Adapter! LOL

After a TiVo reboot, everything seems to be working fine.

I did notice that sometimes a channel will be "tuned" in, but not actually receiving anything. That is, TiVo will be sitting on that channel, but nothing is being shown or heard, just black silence. Changing to another channel and then back, the original channel will show up. Not a big deal, I just hope it never happens when TiVo is trying to record in such a situation.

Oh trust me, it'll happen and it'll be a big deal because you'll get either nothing (it won't record) or a few seconds of the channel and then it'll end.

I've had several programs on SDV do that to me lately.

[PumiceT]

Oh trust me, it'll happen and it'll be a big deal because you'll get either nothing (it won't record) or a few seconds of the channel and then it'll end.

I've had several programs on SDV do that to me lately.
That is not encouraging news!!

[seggers]

That is not encouraging news!!

At least with the TiVo you can go back into the list and force record that episode later (assuming it's on again of course).

The crappy HD DVR doesn't do that.

Seggers

[SCSIRAID]

Oh trust me, it'll happen and it'll be a big deal because you'll get either nothing (it won't record) or a few seconds of the channel and then it'll end.

I've had several programs on SDV do that to me lately.

Ive seen that only once.... You may only know it if you catch it in the act (which I did). If a digital channel recording is totally blank, it will not remain in the Now Playing List and the only way you will find out is if you notice it missing or if you go thru the recording history and find a 'failed to record because video signal was missing' (something like that) explanation.

[PumiceT]

Ive seen that only once.... You may only know it if you catch it in the act (which I did). If a digital channel recording is totally blank, it will not remain in the Now Playing List and the only way you will find out is if you notice it missing or if you go thru the recording history and find a 'failed to record because video signal was missing' (something like that) explanation.
I don't think I explained it clearly enough.

The one time (so far) that I saw it happen, it was on a channel that I DO get. I merely changed the channel down, then back up, and the channel began streaming. It seems that if the TiVo stays on a channel too long, the channel will stop streaming. Chances are the TiVo will need to change channels to begin recording the next program, but if you record the same channel for a long time, I have a feeling it'll lose the stream—recording black silence.

[SCSIRAID]

I don't think I explained it clearly enough.

The one time (so far) that I saw it happen, it was on a channel that I DO get. I merely changed the channel down, then back up, and the channel began streaming. It seems that if the TiVo stays on a channel too long, the channel will stop streaming. Chances are the TiVo will need to change channels to begin recording the next program, but if you record the same channel for a long time, I have a feeling it'll lose the stream—recording black silence.

The TiVo is providing an indication to the TA that he is recording a channel so the TA wont take it away... so you dont have to worry about that. If you stay on a channel for a long time... TA will tell TiVo to prompt user and ask if you are still there... if you dont hit a key... TA can take away the channel.

The black screen... then channel down, channel up and it comes back has been around for quite some time.... its just not fixed yet. This is what I was referring to. My 'catching it in the act' was for a channel I get... I was recording a black screen... stopping the recording caused the channel to return.... its a bug.

[PumiceT]

...The black screen... then channel down, channel up and it comes back has been around for quite some time.... its just not fixed yet. This is what I was referring to. My 'catching it in the act' was for a channel I get... I was recording a black screen... stopping the recording caused the channel to return.... its a bug.

Ahhh! Ok. Thanks for the clarification!

For what it's worth, I'll take a buggy TiVo over that Time Warner piece of crap DVR! I've had it for free for the past couple months as a way to record HD SDV channels, but I can't tell you how many times it would record 38 minutes of a 60 minute show, just not record anything at all, or not play a recording!!

[SCSIRAID]

Ahhh! Ok. Thanks for the clarification!

For what it's worth, I'll take a buggy TiVo over that Time Warner piece of crap DVR! I've had it for free for the past couple months as a way to record HD SDV channels, but I can't tell you how many times it would record 38 minutes of a 60 minute show, just not record anything at all, or not play a recording!!

You betcha!!! The SA8300HD went back to TW the day after I got my TA.

[AndrewWK]

You betcha!!! The SA8300HD went back to TW the day after I got my TA.

How long ago did you get your TA? I'm still waiting... If anyone wants the full list of SDV channels for Raleigh/Fayetteville, let me know.

thanks,
Andrew

[SCSIRAID]

How long ago did you get your TA? I'm still waiting... If anyone wants the full list of SDV channels for Raleigh/Fayetteville, let me know.

thanks,
Andrew

Early Feb like the 3rd or so. Early beta. Got my second one 2/18.

Did you go this website and place an order?

http://www.yourtwc.com/TuningAdapter

[AndrewWK]

Early Feb like the 3rd or so. Early beta. Got my second one 2/18.

Did you go this website and place an order?


The url you provided gives me the following message when I enter my information: "No Upgraded Equipment Required"

This is the URL I was told to use by TWC customer service:

(I don't have enough posts to make this a link...)
www_timewarnercable.com/Carolinas/learn/cable/dvrhddvr/dtaform.html

I received a form email response from a D. Jacobs with the following relevant information:

"We expect the release of the Tuning Adapter in February in many remaining areas. Although we do not have a specific release date for your area, once the testing has completed a local service representative will contact you to schedule the installation."

[ddstreet]

The url you provided gives me the following message when I enter my information: "No Upgraded Equipment Required"




I got the same message when I tried it. I called my local office and talked to Technical Support and they knew exactly what I was asking for and within 15 minutes they had it set up to ship one to my house. So forget the online forms and just call your local office. The phone number is on your bill.

[SCSIRAID]

I got the same message when I tried it. I called my local office and talked to Technical Support and they knew exactly what I was asking for and within 15 minutes they had it set up to ship one to my house. So forget the online forms and just call your local office. The phone number is on your bill.


What he said..... :D

[AndrewWK]

I got the same message when I tried it. I called my local office and talked to Technical Support and they knew exactly what I was asking for and within 15 minutes they had it set up to ship one to my house. So forget the online forms and just call your local office. The phone number is on your bill.

Wow, super frustrating! I called them the 1st time and they told me I had to do the online form. I called them a few weeks later to check on the status and the person seemed to be clueless, other than to point me back to the form again. I've always called the 919 number.

[ddstreet]

Wow, super frustrating! I called them the 1st time and they told me I had to do the online form. I called them a few weeks later to check on the status and the person seemed to be clueless, other than to point me back to the form again. I've always called the 919 number.

I posted the steps of exactly what I did on the phone here:
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=7086072#post7086072

If it was a while ago when you called, things might be different now since I think the TA rollout in Raleigh just recently started.

[pinkmuppet]

I have TWC in NYC with a SA 8300. Trying to reduce costs, can I get a Tivo HD without having to pay for a cable card? What will I loose? Will I not be able to see anything? or just HD? I dont really care about HBO, ondemand, etc.

thanks!

[SCSIRAID]

I have TWC in NYC with a SA 8300. Trying to reduce costs, can I get a Tivo HD without having to pay for a cable card? What will I loose? Will I not be able to see anything? or just HD? I dont really care about HBO, ondemand, etc.

thanks!

If your system is like most... and they will give you one... a TA without a cablecard would get you the local network HD channels and no other digital content. If you already subscribe to digital cable... a cablecard shouldnt be a big monthly expense.

[Undertakernv]

I looked at my guide closer this weekend and I noticed it seemed off from what Zap2it.com's guide was listing my channels.
I had 'HD SCI FI Network' instead of 'SCIFIHD'.
I tried to restart my guided setup and re-entered all my settings.
After downloading all the guide data again, it worked and is now picking up all the channels and guide data properly.

I'm not sure how the Guide got out of whacked out, but it works fine now after restarting the Guided setup.
Had the exact same problem and after seeing your post I re-ran guided setup and now have all the guide data working. Whoo, I can finish watching BSG in HD now!

[jtm7x2]

I'm new to the forums, but has anyone had any good experiences with the new TA? I've had mine a week, and all I get is the 8 blinks of death with no access to SDV channels. I've browsed the thread where everyone recommends cableguy to fix them up, but I don't have enough PMs to send him my info yet. Any other fixes out there?

[SCSIRAID]

I'm new to the forums, but has anyone had any good experiences with the new TA? I've had mine a week, and all I get is the 8 blinks of death with no access to SDV channels. I've browsed the thread where everyone recommends cableguy to fix them up, but I don't have enough PMs to send him my info yet. Any other fixes out there?

I believe the 8 blinks means not authorized.... so the box isnt properly set up in the cableco system. Im sure cableguy will keep me straight though.

[59er]

I have TWC in NYC with a SA 8300. Trying to reduce costs, can I get a Tivo HD without having to pay for a cable card? What will I loose? Will I not be able to see anything? or just HD? I dont really care about HBO, ondemand, etc.

thanks!
I'm paying TWC NYC $1.75 per month for my M-Card, which is more than worth it. However, they wouldn't give me Triple Play pricing without keeping a cable box; given that I save a huge amount by having a cable box that I don't actually have to use, I am happy to have their lousy (non-DVR) HD box.
No tuning adapters necessary in NYC.
Yeah, we've finally got our 100+ HD channels, with no SDV.

I for one LOVE TWC!

[seggers]

I believe the 8 blinks means not authorized.... so the box isnt properly set up in the cableco system. Im sure cableguy will keep me straight though.

I also had the 8 blinks. They had me unhook the USB cable, and ensure that the supplied one was being used.

I'm sure they did some "stuff" at their end too.

Seggers

[bobrt6676]

I'm new to the forums, but has anyone had any good experiences with the new TA? I've had mine a week, and all I get is the 8 blinks of death with no access to SDV channels. I've browsed the thread where everyone recommends cableguy to fix them up, but I don't have enough PMs to send him my info yet. Any other fixes out there?

Some have replaced the supplied coax cable after no channels and had success. I have 2 TA's. One blinks constantly but all SDV stations tune just fine. The other blinked and I received no SDV channels and Tivo did not recognize it. I unplugged the TA waited 30 sec and replugged. After a minute or 2 the light turned solid and Tivo popped up a screen saying a TA was attached. It has worked fine since.

[wtherrell]

Just got off the phone with TWC CSR to set appointment for cablecard install on my HD. I requested Multistream card. Trish (the CSR) said they don't have M-cards. Only S-cards. So I know some of you other Charlotte folks said you got M-cards. I guess I'll find out more tomorrow. $1.75 per card per month. I guess $3.50 a month isn't too bad.

[ajergo]

Just a post to document a very positive experience I had with Time Warner Cable in Rochester NY as far as a Cable Card install and obtaining a Tuning Adapter for a new TiVo HD. Just had an extremely bad experience with TiVo Technical support that totally screwed me up, but that will be a different post I will make in a couple of days. This post just concerns Time Warner.

I ordered a TiVo HD from Amazon.com on Sunday, Feb. 15th with free 10 day shipping. I live in NY and it was being shipped from PA, so it never takes 10 days when I order from Amazon. As soon as I saw the UPS delivery info state that I would have it delivered by Wed. the 18th, I called Time Warner (Rochester) on Monday the 16th. Soonest appointment they could schedule was Sunday the 22nd, so I took that one. At the same time I asked for a Tuning Adapter to be mailed to me. They said something to the effect that it was in a local warehouse but could be retrieved and shipped to me ASAP.

I did get my TiVo HD delivered by UPS on Wednesday the 18th, but due to very bad advice by TiVo technical support on Thursday the 19th, they told me my unit from Amazon.com had a Hardware problem and I needed a replacement unit. This was completely wrong :(, but in any event this caused me to change my Time Warner Cable Card installation date from Sunday the 22nd to Wednesday the 25th. :mad:

My Tuning Adapter arrived by UPS on Monday the 23rd, so that was good that I had the Tuning Adapter before the Cable Card install ... both could be connected with the Time Warner install guy here. Although installing a Tuning Adapter rarely is a problem from the posts that I have read here.

The Installer that came from Time Warner said he was trained on the cable cards, but had little to no experience installing them. In any case, everything went very smoothly. He had the M-Card for me. After he got some info from my TiVo, he had to call the office and that took a little while. BUT, once the office called him back, we were able to install the cable card and within two to four minutes, I was able to see some of the non SDV (Switched Digital Video) channels as long as I punched in the channel number on my TiVo remote. Next step was to attach the Tuning Adapter. The installer told me it may take up to 2 hours for the Tuning Adapter to register all the SDV channels, but it was really just a few minutes. The Tuning Adapter was a Cisco unit and the green power light blinked for a few minutes ... no more than 3 to 5 minutes. After I got a solid green light on the Tuning Adapter, I was able to see all the SDV channels that I tried by punching in the channel number on the TiVo remote. It worked perfectly!

After the Time Warner installer left, I repeated the TiVo guided setup. This went smoothly, but my network connection to the TiVo service only got me one day of Guide Info. It took a second manual connection (that I did shortly after the guided setup) and then about 2 hours of TiVo processing time to get me the full Program Guide info for the next 12 days or so. BUT, all went extremely smoothly. :)

Been using this TiVo HD to watch HD channels now for two days. With just one exception of the channel for FX HD, I have had an excellent picture and everything has been going extremely well. There was one show I recorded on the FX HD channel that had drop outs and spotty poor picture for the first 5 or 10 minutes of the hour show; then it was fine. Later checked the Cable Strength of that channel via the TiVo screen (under Settings/Channels) and found the signal strength on that channel was about 88 or so, while most others were at or close to 100%.

BUT, bottom line is anybody using Time Warner in Rochester, NY should not have any problems with a Cable Card install nor a Tuning Adapter usage.

[DPick]

I'm paying TWC NYC $1.75 per month for my M-Card, which is more than worth it. However, they wouldn't give me Triple Play pricing without keeping a cable box; given that I save a huge amount by having a cable box that I don't actually have to use, I am happy to have their lousy (non-DVR) HD box.

Yeah, we've finally got our 100+ HD channels, with no SDV.

I for one LOVE TWC!

I just got off the phone with TWC in NYC and was told that I can not keep my box and I have to lose my discounted package if I want to move forward with installing a cablecard

[59er]

I just got off the phone with TWC in NYC and was told that I can not keep my box and I have to lose my discounted package if I want to move forward with installing a cablecard
You just spoke to an idiot is all. Try calling back, and see if someone else is a little smarter. Or perhaps call back and say you'd like to "add a cable card for a second television."

I am paying $89.95 per month for Triple Play + $10 for the faster internet + $1.75 plus $23 or $24 for 2 premiums. It's a great deal, but I had to ask REALLY nicely for those rates! (I'm getting $40 or so off standard triple play pricing.)

[wireless200]

[,,,]

I am paying $89.95 per month for Triple Play + $10 for the faster internet + $1.75 plus $23 or $24 for 2 premiums. It's a great deal, but I had to ask REALLY nicely for those rates! (I'm getting $40 or so off standard triple play pricing.)

Sounds like they've got you right where they want you: a customer who's happy to pay $125 a month for TV.

[59er]

Sounds like they've got you right where they want you: a customer who's happy to pay $125 a month for TV.
...And fast internet and unlimited phone calls (US/Canada).

And yeah, I love the TV I'm getting.

[BigLoopy]

Great thread, lots of good advice.

We just had the installer here to put in 2 cable cards (which are working) and a Tuning Adapter (which is not working). We have an appointment for another tech to come out on Monday morning, but until then, here's what I am looking for from the hive mind:

I need a list of the current SDV channels on Time Warner Cable so that I can tell TiVo not to tune to them and record stuff. We are in WNY Suburban.

Thanks!

[ajergo]

BigLoopy - you said you are in WNY Suburban. What city is that in. Buffalo or Rochester? I have Rochester TW so I may be able to help you if you are the same, but if you mean Buffalo then the channel lineup is completely different. Also do you have a HD cable box from TW now. Is it made by Scientific Atlanta?

From,
A.J.

[SCSIRAID]

Great thread, lots of good advice.

We just had the installer here to put in 2 cable cards (which are working) and a Tuning Adapter (which is not working). We have an appointment for another tech to come out on Monday morning, but until then, here's what I am looking for from the hive mind:

I need a list of the current SDV channels on Time Warner Cable so that I can tell TiVo not to tune to them and record stuff. We are in WNY Suburban.

Thanks!

You might want to add your location to your profile... makes it easier. :D

[wtherrell]

Just got off the phone with TWC CSR to set appointment for cablecard install on my HD. I requested Multistream card. Trish (the CSR) said they don't have M-cards. Only S-cards. So I know some of you other Charlotte folks said you got M-cards. I guess I'll find out more tomorrow. $1.75 per card per month. I guess $3.50 a month isn't too bad.

Well, the appointment window was for 12:00--2:00 PM today. No show, no call. It's now an hour and a half past the end of the window and have not heard from them.

[Xunaka]

For reference this is an up to date list of SDV channels in the Western New york division (Buffalo)

ESPN Deportes Esp 123
NYS Legislative Channel 127
MTV TR3S 158
Trinity Broadcast Net 168
Cine Latino 190
CNN Esp 191
Discovery Esp 192
Fox Sports Esp 193
Mun2 195
Toon Disney Esp 196
History Esp 197
PPV Barker (Previews) 300
PPV Channels 301 - 346
NBA 1-9 + NBA Channel 510 - 519
MLB Game 1 thru Game 14 531 - 544
HGTV HD 715
Food Network HD 716
Fox Business Network 719
Fox News HD 720
CNN HD 721
CNBC HD 722
TBS HD 723
TNT HD 724
ESPN NEWS HD 728
NHL NETWORK HD 729
MSG HD 730
SNNY HD 731
Tennis Channel HD 732
Outdoor Channel HD 733
National Geographic Channel HD 734
Travel Channel HD 735
The Learning Channel HD 736
Science HD 737
Discovery HD 738
Animal Planet HD 739
Planet Green HD 741
A&E HD 742
Biography HD 743
History Channel HD 744
Crime and Investigation HD 745
Cartoon Network HD 747
Toon Disney HD 748
ABC Family HD 749
Disney Channel HD 750
Lifetime Movie Network HD 751
MGM HD 753
Bravo HD 754
IFCHD 755
FX HD 757
USA HD 758
SCIFI HD 759
Palladia 760
Big 10 Network 768
Speed HD 769
Yes HD 770
Game HD MLB/NHL 773
GAME HD NBA 774
FUSEHD 778
WEHD 779
AMCHD 788
Hallmark Movie Channel HD 789
Mojo HD 793
Pay For View HD 798


Tuning adapters are available in limited quanity in the Buffalo division, it was on a first come first serve basis to customers whom had signed up for them online through the TWC website.

[notting]

Chapel Hill, NC - TWC-NC.

I'm using a TivoHD with a single M-Card. It works fine for every channel it's supposed to ... except for Telefutura, which shows 'Not Tuned: Wrong Card State'. Given that this channel is available in the clear both in analog and digital form, there's obviously something wrong.

I'm curious if anyone else has seen something like this, as it seems a rather bizarre way for the cablecard to fail.

[SCSIRAID]

Chapel Hill, NC - TWC-NC.

I'm using a TivoHD with a single M-Card. It works fine for every channel it's supposed to ... except for Telefutura, which shows 'Not Tuned: Wrong Card State'. Given that this channel is available in the clear both in analog and digital form, there's obviously something wrong.

I'm curious if anyone else has seen something like this, as it seems a rather bizarre way for the cablecard to fail.

Its not failing... Telefutura (digital simulcast version) is SDV. That message is what you see on an SDV channel. If you try to tune 260 (Discovery) you will see the same thing.

[notting]

Its not failing... Telefutura (digital simulcast version) is SDV. That message is what you see on an SDV channel. If you try to tune 260 (Discovery) you will see the same thing.

Given that the digital version of it comes in clear-QAM on 117.12, I find that hard to believe.

[SCSIRAID]

Given that the digital version of it comes in clear-QAM on 117.12, I find that hard to believe.

Hmmm.... its on the list that csmith gave me of Raleigh SDV channels... and the message he sees for the cablecard is what you get with an SDV channel. The channel map is what determines what is where... so even if its on a clear qam carrier... the channel map may be indicating differently... and the channel map wins.

[notting]

Hmmm.... its on the list that csmith gave me of Raleigh SDV channels... and the message he sees for the cablecard is what you get with an SDV channel. The channel map is what determines what is where... so even if its on a clear qam carrier... the channel map may be indicating differently... and the channel map wins.

Is it actually a SDV channel for you (as you have a TA and can verify...)?

The CSR said it shouldn't be, but their only solution so far has been attempting to set up a visit with a tech.

[SCSIRAID]

Is it actually a SDV channel for you (as you have a TA and can verify...)?

The CSR said it shouldn't be, but their only solution so far has been attempting to set up a visit with a tech.

Both my tuners are dutifully recording right now... Ill check later and get back to you...

[SCSIRAID]

Is it actually a SDV channel for you (as you have a TA and can verify...)?

The CSR said it shouldn't be, but their only solution so far has been attempting to set up a visit with a tech.

Ok... checked this morning... Telefutura, channel 20 digital simulcast as mapped by the TA, IS SDV.

[ljcaswell]

I just wanted to add to my previous posts describing my Tivo HD/Cablecard/Tuning Adapter install.

I got my Tuning Adapter from TW Rochester NY yesterday and installed it today. It's the CISCO unit. Worked perfectly as soon as it was plugged in and I had all my SDV channels immediately. If anyone is sitting, waiting for the TA after putting a request in on their web site, make sure you are calling them. They didn't have my order in their system. As soon as I called, I had the TA 3 days later.

All in all, I have to say that TW Rochester has been wonderful to deal with. They all seemed very knowledgeable about Tivos, Cablecards and Tuning Adapters and everything worked perfectly as soon as it was installed, and has continued to work perfectly. After reading all the horror stories here, I guess I'm feeling pretty lucky.

The only glitch in the whole process was the first defective Tivo I received, which had to be returned and replaced by Tivo.

[ajergo]

I have to second what ljcaswell has said. I also have Time Warner in Rochester, NY and they did an excellent job with the Cable Card install for a new TiVo HD. I also tried the Web site form approach to getting a Tuning Adapter and that did not work, but a phone call worked much better. Billing seems to have worked well also with appropriate credits for returning a Scientific Atlanta DVR piece of junk and just a $2.50/mo charge for the M-card I needed in the TiVo HD. A reasonable one time charge of $19.99 for the Cable Card install. Tuning Adapter is completely free; did not even have to pay the UPS charge for delivering it to my house.

I do have problems with one SDV channel for FX HD Channel 1067 in Rochester. TiVo says the cable strength is only 88 or 89% and that seems to be causing drop outs and somewhat poor HD picture quality.

ljcaswell - Have you tried recording any shows on 1067? If yes, do you have problems with the picture there. All other channels seem to have a higher cable strength with no picture quality problems.

A.J.

[ljcaswell]

@ajergo - 1067 has a strength of 93 for me. No problems with viewing. I haven't recorded anything on that channel.

[m_jonis]

@ajergo - 1067 has a strength of 93 for me. No problems with viewing. I haven't recorded anything on that channel.

I'm in Albany, but I've got a "chunk" of channels whose signal strength fluctuates between 93 and 100 (it will show 100 and maybe 5 seconds later, go to 93, and back and forth)

I've noticed that the channels with the most pixelation are usually SDV, although I'm getting it on two others that aren't.

Look in your cable card DVR diagnostics menu in the Tivo and see if the RS Uncorrected and corrected counts keep increasing.

Last Friday was pretty bad (BSG on SciFi and Clone Wars on Cartoon HD).

I've had TW out 6 diff. times and they keep saying they can find nothing wrong with the signal.

So I'm guessing it's either the Tuning Adapter or the Tivo. They've replaced all cables and splitters at this point.

[SCSIRAID]

I'm in Albany, but I've got a "chunk" of channels whose signal strength fluctuates between 93 and 100 (it will show 100 and maybe 5 seconds later, go to 93, and back and forth)

I've noticed that the channels with the most pixelation are usually SDV, although I'm getting it on two others that aren't.

Look in your cable card DVR diagnostics menu in the Tivo and see if the RS Uncorrected and corrected counts keep increasing.

Last Friday was pretty bad (BSG on SciFi and Clone Wars on Cartoon HD).

I've had TW out 6 diff. times and they keep saying they can find nothing wrong with the signal.

So I'm guessing it's either the Tuning Adapter or the Tivo. They've replaced all cables and splitters at this point.


Pixelation can also be coming from the source. The only way to tell is to watch live and check RS Uncorrected whenever you see breakup. I had that exact situation on NatGeo HD here in Raleigh. RS Uncorrected stayed at zero even though the pic was breaking up. Spoke with TWC Engineering and they were able to trace it back to NatGeo as the source.

[m_jonis]

Thanks for the information. I'll have to see if there's some known problem with the Fox channels.

[notting]

Hmmm.... its on the list that csmith gave me of Raleigh SDV channels... and the message he sees for the cablecard is what you get with an SDV channel. The channel map is what determines what is where... so even if its on a clear qam carrier... the channel map may be indicating differently... and the channel map wins.

Thanks. After bouncing around some confused CSRs over e-mail, finally talked to an escalation tech on the phone, who claimed:


that the digital version is supposed to be SDV (sure, OK)
that the unencrypted version coming in on QAM 117.12 is the SDV version of the channel (?!)


Not sure I believe them, but I doubt pushing more is going to get them to make it make any more sense.

[SCSIRAID]

Thanks. After bouncing around some confused CSRs over e-mail, finally talked to an escalation tech on the phone, who claimed:


that the digital version is supposed to be SDV (sure, OK)
that the unencrypted version coming in on QAM 117.12 is the SDV version of the channel (?!)


Not sure I believe them, but I doubt pushing more is going to get them to make it make any more sense.

Dont believe them... Channel 117 (753 Mhz) is not one of the SDV QAM's. 108-115 (699Mhz - 741Mhz) are the SDV QAM's.

[vonivo]

Has anyone bought (like on ebay or wherever) a s-card or m-card and returned time warners cards to them and called them with the serial # of your card ? will they do it and if so did they take the stupid card lease fee off?

[CintiDave]

Anyone having problems receiving Music Choice channels? They suddenly stopped working this week and TW Cincinnati says we're not supposed to get them on Tivo S3/cable cards - according to TW "It's a fluke that you were getting them for the last 3 years..."

Already have a tuning adapter and all is well with that and the SDV channels.

[bobrt6676]

Anyone having problems receiving Music Choice channels? They suddenly stopped working this week and TW Cincinnati says we're not supposed to get them on Tivo S3/cable cards - according to TW "It's a fluke that you were getting them for the last 3 years..."

Already have a tuning adapter and all is well with that and the SDV channels.

I have Music Choice in the Dayton market. 2 TivoHD's one with M-Card one with 2 S-cards. Look on your bill. Music choice in Dayton is billed @ 50 cents per month per DVR. (Tivo or TW box)

[Johnwashere]

I have Music Choice in the Dayton market. 2 TivoHD's one with M-Card one with 2 S-cards. Look on your bill. Music choice in Dayton is billed @ 50 cents per month per DVR. (Tivo or TW box)

We get them in Columbus for free. I wouldn't ever pay for music choice!

[muya]

Just wanted to let everyone know that the tuning adapter is now available in San Diego. I have been beta testing for about 3 months with no problems. Call and get one!

[ApexRon]

How current is program guide?

What I dislike about TWC program guide is that you can set up your TWC DVR to record a program but if the program moves its time slot because of a prior program you wind up recording the wrong program.

Does the TiVo have the same issue?

[muya]

How current is program guide?

What I dislike about TWC program guide is that you can set up your TWC DVR to record a program but if the program moves its time slot because of a prior program you wind up recording the wrong program.

Does the TiVo have the same issue?

No. TiVo will follow the name and episode number. That's one of the big reasons why i won't use the TWC DVR, among several other reasons.

[Chun]

Just wanted to let everyone know that the tuning adapter is now available in San Diego. I have been beta testing for about 3 months with no problems. Call and get one!

I'm in Carlsbad and my S3 literally just stopped working. Tivo said the box was fine and to look at the cable cards. TWC came out with 2 new cards and can't get them to go and says it's the S3 (imagine that) I've asked over and over if SDV has been rolled out and is a factor and they say no. interesting to see you have the adaptor............

[mrjosh]

Keith and other Charlotte, NC-area TWC customers, I called customer service two days ago and found out that TAs have been available since March 4 and hat they would contact me when they would ship one. The CSR said something about a self-install as she read very quickly through the note she had received on them. The next day, I went to our local TWC office to see if, by chance, they had any in stock. The lady who waited on me had never even heard of Tuning Adapters, but the lady next to her said she had "read something about them the other day." They didn't have them in stock. Let me know if any of you have any luck.

[monkeyhouse]

Keith and other Charlotte, NC-area TWC customers, I called customer service two days ago and found out that TAs have been available since March 4 and hat they would contact me when they would ship one. The CSR said something about a self-install as she read very quickly through the note she had received on them. The next day, I went to our local TWC office to see if, by chance, they had any in stock. The lady who waited on me had never even heard of Tuning Adapters, but the lady next to her said she had "read something about them the other day." They didn't have them in stock. Let me know if any of you have any luck.

I finally got an email from TWC on Monday indicating asking me to confirm that I wanted a tuning adapter after previously registering for one. So I did that. The following day I got an email saying it had been mailed out. Wednesday I received the tuning adapter on my doorstep. At least that turn around was quick despite them being available since March 4 - I didn't know that.

I only just got round to installing the Cisco tuning adapter last night. I thought it was a simple install and the instructions indicated as much too. So I have it all plugged up but no SDV channels are coming through. I've reset the TiVo twice and still no luck.

Today I did a restart and a (long) guided setup. And it still doesn't work.

I checked at tivo.com/switched to see what that had to say and found out there was a menu option for it...
Messages & Settings > Account & System Information > Tuning Adapter
It said that no tuning adapter was present!
I reset the TiVo again and the tuning adapter.
Now it recognises the tuning adapter is there but it's not picking up any channels at Messages & Settings > Account & System Information > Tuning Adapter > Test Channels
At no point have I seen the screen for receiving channel info
http://www.tivo.com/assets/kdb/images/Acquiring_Channels.jpg
And the green light on the tuning adapter continues to blink (receiving data?) since I restarted it about an hour ago.

Only last week a friend of mine had a new TiVo cable card install and got the tuning adapter installed at the same time and he's not had any problems.

It sure would be typical that I've received a kaput unit

[monkeyhouse]

Well, the appointment window was for 12:00--2:00 PM today. No show, no call. It's now an hour and a half past the end of the window and have not heard from them.

What was said to you about not having any multistream cards is cobblers. I have one and had it for over a year. Now unless they have run out and all they have left is single stream cards - I guess that's possible but I started out with 2 single stream stream cards and TWC never got them working then finally they brought a multistream card out and it's been fine.

Hope your tech shows up eventually!

[monkeyhouse]

My tuning adapter is working now.
I disconnected all the cables to the tuning adapter, resting for 30 seconds, then reconnected them back up again - power being last. I didn't reset the TiVo.
After a few minutes I got the following screen
http://www.tivo.com/assets/kdb/images/TuningAdapterConnected.jpg
And all the SDV channels are now coming in from what I can see so far.

[Klankster]

OK, I got a Cisco tuning adapter for our Series 3 unit from the Milwaukee Time Warner office a couple of days ago and it mostly seems to be working OK, but while changing channels around tonight trying out stuff, we ran into several instances where we'd go to a channel we should be receiving and it was black. Changing the channel up and down didn't make it work, but hitting the LIVE TV button twice to switch to the other tuner and back got it working. At the time the other tuner was recording a program, so I'm pretty sure both cablecards are working.

This happened a couple of times, and I'm a bit worried that this will happen when the unit is trying to record something. This obviously shouldn't happen -- Is there a way I can troubleshoot this? Or is there a known solution to this issue?

[mrjosh]

Thanks for the update, monkeyhouse - I'm glad everything is finally working for you!

I signed up to receive my TA from TWC on November 14, but I haven't heard the first thing about getting one. Any suggestions besides just being patient? I've tried that already. ;)

[SCSIRAID]

OK, I got a Cisco tuning adapter for our Series 3 unit from the Milwaukee Time Warner office a couple of days ago and it mostly seems to be working OK, but while changing channels around tonight trying out stuff, we ran into several instances where we'd go to a channel we should be receiving and it was black. Changing the channel up and down didn't make it work, but hitting the LIVE TV button twice to switch to the other tuner and back got it working. At the time the other tuner was recording a program, so I'm pretty sure both cablecards are working.

This happened a couple of times, and I'm a bit worried that this will happen when the unit is trying to record something. This obviously shouldn't happen -- Is there a way I can troubleshoot this? Or is there a known solution to this issue?

Next time you get the black screen... suggest that you pop into DVR Diagnostics and check (for the tuner with the black channel) the Signal Lock, Program Lock and Search Complete values... I expect you will find Yes, No, No. Also check the three PID values a little further down. When you get the channel back to normal... check DVR Diags again... The first three should all be Yes and hopefully the PID values will be the same.... Please let us know what you find.

[Klankster]

Next time you get the black screen... suggest that you pop into DVR Diagnostics and check (for the tuner with the black channel) the Signal Lock, Program Lock and Search Complete values... I expect you will find Yes, No, No. Also check the three PID values a little further down. When you get the channel back to normal... check DVR Diags again... The first three should all be Yes and hopefully the PID values will be the same.... Please let us know what you find.
Will do. Thanks.

[allietx]

Holy crap... any other Austinites following this TWC Pricing Tiers (http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/digitalsavant/entries/2009/04/01/twcroad_runner.html) story?!! If there is already a thread of people freaking out about it, please point me to it!

[Klankster]

Next time you get the black screen... suggest that you pop into DVR Diagnostics and check (for the tuner with the black channel) the Signal Lock, Program Lock and Search Complete values... I expect you will find Yes, No, No. Also check the three PID values a little further down. When you get the channel back to normal... check DVR Diags again... The first three should all be Yes and hopefully the PID values will be the same.... Please let us know what you find.

It happened to my wife today. The Signal Lock, Program Lock and Search Complete values were YES, YES, YES. Signal level was fluctuating between 86 and 91. When I exited the screen the channel was up. Odd. I'll keep checking if it comes up again, but perhaps the signal level wasn't quite up to snuff.

[notting]

Dont believe them... Channel 117 (753 Mhz) is not one of the SDV QAM's. 108-115 (699Mhz - 741Mhz) are the SDV QAM's.

Going back to this for a second... please check my understanding:


unless they really overcompress, they can't fit more than 2-3 channels in a QAM
which leaves them a SDV capacity of 14-21 HD channels
yet there currently are at least 29 HD SDV channels (in RDU), not to mention the 20+ SD SDV channels


So, less than 50% of the HD channels can be made available simultaneously at any particular head end (and this percentage drops with each month and each set of new channels...)?

[SCSIRAID]

Going back to this for a second... please check my understanding:


unless they really overcompress, they can't fit more than 2-3 channels in a QAM
which leaves them a SDV capacity of 14-21 HD channels
yet there currently are at least 29 HD SDV channels (in RDU), not to mention the 20+ SD SDV channels


So, less than 50% of the HD channels can be made available simultaneously at any particular head end (and this percentage drops with each month and each set of new channels...)?


Two HD's per QAM would be optimal... Three is pushing it. My understanding is that TWC is allocating 15Mbits for SDV HD and 3.5Mbit for SDV SD which would allow 2 HD's and 2 SD's per QAM.

As to the rest... close... There are multiple 'service groups' serving a number of 'nodes'. All the service groups are created at the head end and distributed to the nodes. So within a given service group there are 8 QAM's which are carrying SDV content. Now... each service group is independant from the other service groups... so the ratio is not 8 QAM's for all of the Raleigh area (hundreds of thousands of homes)... its 8 QAM's per service group (100 or so homes or thereabouts). SDV really only works if you put lower usage stuff on it. The high usage stuff should be linear. If they start getting blocking... TWC will likely adjust what is SDV and what is not. Have faith... they arent stupid... :D

[notting]

Have faith... they arent stupid... :D

Thanks... I was just trying to get some data since it appeared I was running into SDV over-commital with my TA; turns out it was an entirely different bizarre error.

[mercurial]

Have faith... they arent stupid... :D

**BOGGLE**

I guess that's why I'm an agnostic. ;)

[Lovetroll]

Holy crap... any other Austinites following this TWC Pricing Tiers (http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/digitalsavant/entries/2009/04/01/twcroad_runner.html) story?!! If there is already a thread of people freaking out about it, please point me to it!

I think I'm going to freak out a little about it. I wonder how this affects those of us who are "locked in" on our pricing for 2 years.

[mmcgown]

I think I'm going to freak out a little about it. I wonder how this affects those of us who are "locked in" on our pricing for 2 years.

The answer to that was in the original story.........

One more update before I leave the office. In answer to the question about whether current contract customers will be able to get out of their contract based on this change, Time Warner Cable spokeswoman Melissa Sorola said via Twitter, “too early to tell - we’re still in the data collection phase of this.”

[KeinoDoggy]

received my TA today. Seems to be very flaky device. Sometimes the green light on it after plugging it in will blink for hours unless I unplug it and start over. With it, I'm basically losing all of my analog channels except way low ones like 2-99. They come back after unplugging and keeping unplugged the TA. I'm getting none of the new HD including Discovery HD, Palladium, USA HD, Diisney HD and Sci Fi HD. I beleive all the new HD should be coming in through the Cable CARD not the TW. I'll try to get a hold of someone at TW today but doubtful they'll have any ideas.
BTW,

I have one of the old TW HD boxes in another room and it is getting all of the channels.

[MrPlastic]

Not sure where to post this so if some one knows a better thread please let me know.
I live in Austin and have a HDXL with tuner adapter and also a regular box. I used to have pixelation problems but using a different cable and moving the Tivo unit closer to the source I now have excellent stable images.
My new problem is channel unavailable and it happens on both the Tivo and the cable box. It is only on certain channels in the Sports pack. Tennis and Soccer all come in fine but Fuel and the College channels will lose signal. The error message is "channel unavailable try again later." And it'll happen while I am watching, the picture freezes.
I have called TWC and they don't seem to know what the problem is. When I do get a signal it is 100 percent. It doesn't happen to all of the channels in the Sports Pack, like Tennis or Soccer. Speed is pretty stable but sometimes I lose it too. TWC seems to think a tech can help but I am not sure. Any one have a similar problem?

[SCSIRAID]

Not sure where to post this so if some one knows a better thread please let me know.
I live in Austin and have a HDXL with tuner adapter and also a regular box. I used to have pixelation problems but using a different cable and moving the Tivo unit closer to the source I now have excellent stable images.
My new problem is channel unavailable and it happens on both the Tivo and the cable box. It is only on certain channels in the Sports pack. Tennis and Soccer all come in fine but Fuel and the College channels will lose signal. The error message is "channel unavailable try again later." And it'll happen while I am watching, the picture freezes.
I have called TWC and they don't seem to know what the problem is. When I do get a signal it is 100 percent. It doesn't happen to all of the channels in the Sports Pack, like Tennis or Soccer. Speed is pretty stable but sometimes I lose it too. TWC seems to think a tech can help but I am not sure. Any one have a similar problem?

It sounds like you are having a problem with SDV overcommitment... not enough QAM's for the number of channel requests. I suggest you post this in the Austin Tuning Adapter thread and cableguy will likely be able to help.

[prewittj1]

Just had my multi-stream cable card and tuning adaptor installed yesterday by time warner in Austin.

Is it normal for the whole screen to go grey for a second every time I change the channel? I figure this is normal and it just takes a second for the next channel to load but wanted to make sure.

[Klankster]

This is starting to get old.

We keep having channels that are black when we change to them or we get a "this channel is temporarily unavailable" message.

I just tried to switch to CNNHD (channel 544) and it would not tune -- it was just black, no "unavailable" message. I brought up the diagnostics and got:

Tuner 0
Channel 544
Frequency 735000kHz
Mod. QAM256
Connection type RF2
Signal source Cable
Cablecard assoc. Cablecard 2
Signal strength -
Signal lock NO
Program lock NO
Search Complete NO
SNR 33db
RS Uncorrected 0
RS Corrected 0

I wonder what the "signal strength -" means. Maybe I should bring down one of our TW regular HD boxes and see if it is getting anything at these times.

At one point, after several seconds, PROGRAM LOCK and SEARCH COMPLETE went to YES and I popped back to live TV to see the UNAVAILABLE message. I went back to diagnostics and after a short period all went to YES and hitting Live TV again showed that the channel was up.

What should I do? Will the cable company have a clue how to address this? I have to wonder if it's just our box, our cablecards or the tuning adapter. This whole system seems like such an awful kludge because it has so many possible failure points. How TW will deal with the troubleshooting for this is beyond me.

My wife is extremely unhappy with this situation. $600 spent on a new Tivo and we get freaking black screens three or four times a day. And I was annoyed at rain outages every couple of months on DirecTV.

[oldshad]

I am trying to get a correct equipment in order to have a compatible hardware with West Los Angeles TWC. If anyone has a successful setup please tell me about your experience and the type of equipment for TIVO and TWC are used.

Thanks

Tim

[Xunaka]

I am trying to get a correct equipment in order to have a compatible hardware with West Los Angeles TWC. If anyone has a successful setup please tell me about your experience and the type of equipment for TIVO and TWC are used.

Thanks

Tim

Series 3 or TiVOHD, anything below this will not operate with a tuning adapter. Call your local, depending on their procedures 2 or 1 cable card and the tuning adapter.. its pretty simple

[KeithB]

This is starting to get old.

We keep having channels that are black when we change to them or we get a "this channel is temporarily unavailable" message.


You said it. :( I left voice mail messages for two area supervisors at the Charlotte TWC office this weekend and Monday, because a similar thing is happening to me. Plus, nobody in the TWC office can tell me exactly WHICH channels are SDV. The internet chat agent on Sunday didn't even understand what SDV or the Digital Variety tier were. If they can't tell me which HD channels are transmitted via SDV, how am I supposed to diagnose the cause of the problem? :confused:

[Klankster]

Well, tonight I am cautiously optimistic.

This morning my wife calls me down to tell me that something is totally hosed on the Tivo -- She says there's a message on it that I need to look at. It's the "Tuning adapter is connected" message. Well, freaking DUH. It's been connected for two damn weeks. I OK the message. The Tivo guys need to address this, I think.

Another message comes up about a new channel having been added to our lineup. So I'm thinking, "what -- every time we get a new channel the TA hiccups and has to be OK'd???" This may be an issue for the Tivo software guys. I OK that and the channel banner pops up saying it's on CNNHD but the screen is black and it says something about "Channel not available" -- BS because we watch CNNHD all the time. I played around, switching channels around until CNNHD finally comes up.

I got fed up at this point and called TW to see if we could start troubleshooting our installation. I gave the woman massive detail and told her that I had to see a tech familiar with CableCards and TAs. They said a guy would be out here this afternoon in the 5-8PM timeframe!

Well, at around 5:30, TWO guys showed up. One was a fairly new guy getting trained, the other was an honest-to-god tech with experience. They started by changing channels on the Tivo as I explained the troubleshooting I had done so far and I started thinking, "the problem will never show up". Then it did. On several channels. The lead tech made a note of all the channels that wouldn't tune. Then he had the other guy hook up the meter to the line and move through the various frequencies. They found a bunch that were bad. They replaced the F-connector on that cable and retested. Still bad.

Went to the basement, where the line comes in, goes thru an amp and is split to the cable modem, 2 other digital TVs and 2 analog lines. They test the signal and it is bad there too. Tested on a couple of the splitter ports, there was a problem with it so they replaced it and a couple of the F-connectors there. While tech #2 is replacing connectors, the lead tech connects the Tivo feed directly to the output of the amp and we go back up to the Tivo, which is still having tuning issues.

Now we go out to the pole and I show him the setup, where the power company moved a pole about 15 years ago and left the TW junction box hanging in the middle of the span. They get a ladder and replace the drop to where our line goes underground to the house.

When all was done, it looks like the Tivo is now tuning OK -- I could not get it to fail. Checking the CableCards, I am now getting signal strength of 90-95 and SNRs of 35/36db where I was getting strengths of 81-85 and SNRs of 33db.

Like I said, I'm cautiously optimistic. I hope this will take care of most of our problems. I'm just really glad I had a competent technician show up.

[Conard]

Western NY Finger Lakes TWC:
I bought and received a new HD unit last Tuesday 4/14/09. I hooked it up that night and scanned for channels to see if I could pull up some hd programming from the local channels. Smooth as silk.

Called TW for a cable card install that evening. They were here on Thursday the 16th and installed 1 M card and set it up in less than a half hour.
I have a contract for 2 cable boxes that runs out in Sept. so I had them hook up an HD cable box with HDMI cable to my new HD TV.
They told me the price would stay the same until my contract was up and then I should call for a pick up on one of the boxes.

As soon as they left I called to order their SDV box which arrived today, Tuesday 4/21. I had just arrived home from a hernia operation and was hesitant to get down on my hands and knees to hook it up but with a little help from a pain killer and blurry eyes I went for it.

When I checked the SDV screen on the TiVo it said the unit was not authorized. I called TW, they sent the unit a hit after setting it up on their end and all is good. I went through most of the HD and regular channels and things are working great.

After all the stories on this forum I was prepared to have to do some major tweaking and calling to get this thing up and running.
Now if the feeling of a horse kick on my abdomen goes this smooth, I'll be a happy camper.:up:

[xtoyz]

All,

My tuning adapter has been giving me some serious grief lately. I received mine from the Rochester branch VERY early on (beginning of January?) I vaguely remember hearing about some units going out with old software, right around the time I received mine. For the most part I have had little issues, but lately I've been getting a lot of black screens. After hitting the power button multiple times, flipping between SDV and non SDV channels, and finally rebooting the TA by unplugging power I got it to come back. It's done it a few times right in the middle of recording multiple shows during primetime hours. Is it possible to update these things? Or to check current versions?

Thanks for any help,
Shawn
p.s. Loving my Tivo otherwise!!!

[skasol]

do we need the TA? I got a tivo installed 2 weeks ago in santa clarita california, and now I got me a 2nd one for my bedroom, the installer said that he is going to add the TA adaptor to both of them today when they come back to install it.

my tivo seems to work fine without the adapter so my question is , do I need the adapter?

it seems that too many people are having trouble with it.

thanks for your help in advance.

[xtoyz]

do we need the TA? I got a tivo installed 2 weeks ago in santa clarita california, and now I got me a 2nd one for my bedroom, the installer said that he is going to add the TA adaptor to both of them today when they come back to install it.

my tivo seems to work fine without the adapter so my question is , do I need the adapter?

it seems that too many people are having trouble with it.

thanks for your help in advance.
Depends on whether or not you're getting all of your channels? The tuning adapter allows the tivo to receive channels it normally would not be able to because TWC made them "switched digital video" channels.


Shawn

[skasol]

Depends on whether or not you're getting all of your channels? The tuning adapter allows the tivo to receive channels it normally would not be able to because TWC made them "switched digital video" channels.


Shawn

thanks shawn,

the technician said it was up to me, is there a fee for the TA?

[xtoyz]

thanks shawn,

the technician said it was up to me, is there a fee for the TA?
Sort of. Mine was free, and the tech ordered it when he came out to "install" my cable card. It was shipped direct to me, and I hooked up. TWC tried charging me an installation fee, which I argued was ridiculous since I installed it myself. Also,it came without a USB cable so I had to buy one myself.

I ended up getting out of the install fees plus I received a credit for my cable, but you may not. If he's doing the cable card at the same time it will probably be one flat fee.

Shawn

[skasol]

thanks he tried to say it was a monthly fee.

[BruceShultes]

Depends on whether or not you're getting all of your channels? The tuning adapter allows the tivo to receive channels it normally would not be able to because TWC made them "switched digital video" channels.


Shawn

Even if you are receiving all of your channels now, your local TWC branch may still start using SDV sometime in the future.

[xtoyz]

thanks he tried to say it was a monthly fee.
I guess you guys could be different? I definitely have a fee for my cable card, but now you're gonna make me go check my bill!!! I'm almost positive there is NOT a fee for the TA, then again I don't do the bills every month (that's what woman are for!:eek:)

Shawn

[szurlo]

I guess you guys could be different? I definitely have a fee for my cable card, but now you're gonna make me go check my bill!!! I'm almost positive there is NOT a fee for the TA, then again I don't do the bills every month (that's what woman are for!:eek:)

Shawn

Cable cards are $2.50 per month here. The tech that put my TA in said that there would be no fee for the TA "for the first year". I asked him if that meant there would be a charge thereafter, and he said "maybe". It'd be nice to think that the TA would be free forever, but I seriously doubt that will be the case. The initial thinking for most of us would probably be that TWC "owes" us the TA for breaking our one-way host devices with SDV and thereby violating a few FCC rules and regs, but cablecards pretty much also exist because the cablecos have to provide them to satisfy many of the same FCC rules and regs, and we pay for those anyway. I'm not even sure why the TA is free for the first year. Has to be a huge money loser and I'm not sure how they could recoup it. Not sure the TAs will need to be in service for enough years for them to recover their costs via rental/lease/whatever-you-want-to-call-it fees.

[skasol]

my cable guy also stated that the TA would be free for the first year and that he didn't know the cost there after

[gsdaddy]

I just purchased a Tivo HD and Time Warner Cable (TWC) told me that they don't support CableCards and that all I need is a SDV box. After reading though the posts on this site, I come to the conclusion that I still need CableCard(s) to pickup digital & HD signals. I called TWC back and asked a different person for 2 CableCards and a SDV box. She informed me that the SDV switch is built into the CableCards. I don't think is correct and I have already ordered the SDV switch from the TWC website. I have an appointment this Saturday for CableCard installation. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

[skasol]

I just purchased a Tivo HD and Time Warner Cable (TWC) told me that they don't support CableCards and that all I need is a SDV box. After reading though the posts on this site, I come to the conclusion that I still need CableCard(s) to pickup digital & HD signals. I called TWC back and asked a different person for 2 CableCards and a SDV box. She informed me that the SDV switch is built into the CableCards. I don't think is correct and I have already ordered the SDV switch from the TWC website. I have an appointment this Saturday for CableCard installation. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

try to get their multi stream cards.

[szurlo]

I just purchased a Tivo HD and Time Warner Cable (TWC) told me that they don't support CableCards and that all I need is a SDV box. After reading though the posts on this site, I come to the conclusion that I still need CableCard(s) to pickup digital & HD signals. I called TWC back and asked a different person for 2 CableCards and a SDV box. She informed me that the SDV switch is built into the CableCards. I don't think is correct and I have already ordered the SDV switch from the TWC website. I have an appointment this Saturday for CableCard installation. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

The Tuning Adapter and the CableCard are two different devices. The CableCard goes in the slot in the front of your TivoHD and decrypts the digital data stream sent to your TivoHD by the cable company. It also controls which channels you are and are not authorized to watch, etc.
The TA is a box about the size of a small cable box that plugs into your Tivo via USB and coax. The TA is what gives your Tivo the ability to tune Switch Digital Video channels, since it cannot do that itself.
There are single and multi-stream cablecards, which refers to the number of streams that can be decoded simultaneously. For a device that has two tuners, like the TivoHD, you need either two single stream cards or one multi-stream card. Most people seem to agree that for the TivoHD one multi-stream card is the way to go. Plus, in all likely hood, you are going to have to pay a monthly fee for the card(s) and you'd rather only have to pay for one ;)

[Swervo]

Just wanted to throw this out there. I've been trying since May 15th of last year to get my Tivo HD working. Replaced the Tivo unit, tried multitudes of cable cards, nothing. It would never get past the "Acquiring Channel Information" screen. We ended up having our cable company DVR go out, and while the guy was out replacing it, he claimed he could get any Tivo working. About a day and a half after that, they found the problem:

They had us listed as being in Santa Monica, CA, when we're actually in West Los Angeles, CA. Because of this, it was trying to authenticate on the wrong head end.

I thought that might be helpful to someone, I'd never seen anyone mention it and it's one of those "last place you look" kinds of things.

[gsdaddy]

I just purchased a Tivo HD and Time Warner Cable (TWC) told me that they don't support CableCards and that all I need is a SDV box. After reading though the posts on this site, I come to the conclusion that I still need CableCard(s) to pickup digital & HD signals. I called TWC back and asked a different person for 2 CableCards and a SDV box. She informed me that the SDV switch is built into the CableCards. I don't think is correct and I have already ordered the SDV switch from the TWC website. I have an appointment this Saturday for CableCard installation. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Has anyone experienced the second tuner not working with an M-CARD?

The tech came out yesterday with two S-CARDs and he could not get the second one to work because TWC mistyped a number on the first one. Since he had to start over, he asked me if I wanted the M-CARD he had with him. The M-CARD had the same results: "No Signal on Tuner Two". I called TWC and they told me the card was fine. I called Tivo and we worked through screens where we found the EMM was 0 and they suspected a bad card. I call the installer back and a different tech came back this morning with 2 more M-CARDs to try out. The first M-CARD showed a failure on TWC side. The second one paired and EMM is stuck at 2. The tech said give it a few hours to finish updating and call him back. Grrrrr.

[machead]

Got my first Tivo this past weekend. TivoHD.

I use TWC out of San Antonio and have basic/standard analog. On my Mac and PC, I get great clear-QAM pictures.

Anyway I just went down to my local TWC office and talked to a rep about digital cable, cable cards and tuning adaptors.

The rep had the following answers:

1. They will not lease me a cable card unless I pay for the digital service.
2. They will not give me digital service unless I also pay for their cable box (which I won't be using).
3. The rep says they know nothing about tuning adaptors or SDV.
4. A rep sitting next to him said that the TWC store in SA on San Pedro has tuning adators and cable cards available over the counter for self-service.

[Lorcane]

This post goes out for anyone that works for or knows someone that works for TWC. I'm in the Rio Grande Valley Area and know one seems to know how to get my cable cards activated again. I has something to do with the warehouse not getting anymore Motorola S-Cards, they are only getting M-Cards from SA. Trouble is the system in the RGV reads those cards as S-Cards and my TivoHD sees them as M-Cards thus they can't get them to activate anyone have a solution? I'm one of a handful of customers having this problem and they don't seem to be trying to fix it quickly. My CC have not worked since December.

[RichieW13]

Will I be able to access my Time Warner OnDemand programming through my TiVo HD box once I've installed the CableCard (which I don't have yet) - or am I still going to need my cable box for that?

[RichieW13]

I went into the local Time Warner office today. They said they can't just give me a CableCard. They say I have to get a tech to come to my house and install it.

What's that all about? Does the tech actually do something special to set my TiVo up with a CableCard, or is it a stupid scam to make it more difficult for me to get rid of their crappy cable box and switch to TiVo?

[Lorcane]

Richie,

I was told by a tech when I asked about why they had to come out and install the cards is the fact they had to buy too many replacement TVs when customers installed the cards wrong and bent the pins the card slides into. But don't believe that because they charged me for two installs when I had both my cards installed into my TiVo. FYI, its possible that the TWC reps in your area are clueless about CCs. Most of mine are. In fact my CC stopped working in Nov and they haven't been able to figure out how to reactivate them.

[JimWall]

Richie,
Most people probalby can do it themselves. But problem can happen and at least they can then blame their own people. Tech has to send the S/N of each card and host IDs to someone at TWC who then pairs your billing information to the cards so they can have the keys to decrypt scrambled channels. If some channels don't show up the tech can check the digital signal strength and noise level to see if that is why a particular channel does not appear. If so then tech can troubleshoot it.

[alansrobot]

Okay, I live in Kansas City MO, and have Time Warner Cable. I rent a Scientific Atlanta 8300 explorer PVR and was told by TWC that i could buy my own Tivo as long as it has a cable card slot. I don't have an HD TV so I don't need the box to do HD; but I want to continue getting the same channels. I need help figuring out which model I should get that is equivalent to the SA 8300 while spending as little as possible. Thanks!

[Yoav]

Okay, I live in Kansas City MO, and have Time Warner Cable. I rent a Scientific Atlanta 8300 explorer PVR and was told by TWC that i could buy my own Tivo as long as it has a cable card slot. I don't have an HD TV so I don't need the box to do HD; but I want to continue getting the same channels. I need help figuring out which model I should get that is equivalent to the SA 8300 while spending as little as possible. Thanks!

You should probably get a TivoHD anyways... None of the non-HD tivos support cablecard. Be aware that most cable companies charge a fee for using cablecard too.

You *can* use an older tivo and attach it to one of your cable company's regular cable boxes, although then you will only be able to record/view one channel (and you'll still have to rent a cable box from your cable company).

[adsnova]

I have a new unopened TIVO HD DVR. It may stay unopened since I seem to have a common problem.
The Bakerfield, Ca office of BH will be happy to rent me a cable card; however, they informed me that about half of the stations I subscribe to will be unavailable unless I continue to rent the BH box. They do not acknowledge the the FCC directive to provide me access to all that I subscribe to. They know nothing about the so called "Free Channel Tuning" gadget as referenced on TIVO's web site.
Has anyone successfully challanged BH on this?
Is the only option open to me at this time my option to return the TIVO and get my money back? Should I just call DirectTV and get their HD service?

[jablon10]

I've got Broadcast Basic on Time Warner (Southern California) and a Tivo HD. I currently have a multi-stream cable card installed and it works great. I have another HD TV that is hooked up directly to the coax (no box). Both TVs get regular and HD stations.

Do I really need the cable card for my "big" TV? Would I still get guide data for my broadcast basic stations? Would the Tivo guide/season pass work any different if I didn't use the cable card?

I've read that you need the cable card to get guide data for HD stations, but then I've also seen screen shots in the forum of stations like 7-1 (ABC HD) with guide data.

[alyssa]

They know nothing about the so called "Free Channel Tuning" gadget as referenced on TIVO's web site.
Has anyone successfully challanged BH on this?
Is the only option open to me at this time my option to return the TIVO and get my money back? Should I just call DirectTV and get their HD service?

you might want to post this question in a BH thread. this thread addresses issues with Time Warner cable.

[adsnova]

you might want to post this question in a BH thread. this thread addresses issues with Time Warner cable.

Where I am (at least) Brighthouse is Time Warner. When you search for Brighthouse, the hit at the top of the list is TWC. Thanks for the reply:)

[LoadStar]

Brighthouse is a separately run and managed company from Time Warner Cable. Time Warner does own a small portion of Brighthouse, but has no role in the operation or management of the company. (Brighthouse is majority owned by Advance/Newhouse.)

[adsnova]

Brighthouse is a separately run and managed company from Time Warner Cable. Time Warner does own a small portion of Brighthouse, but has no role in the operation or management of the company. (Brighthouse is majority owned by Advance/Newhouse.)

Thank you very much for the info. At one time our service was "Time Warner". I just assumed :confused: when the name changed -- that that was what is ws, namely a name chnge. I did not realize there was also an ownership change. Thank you for the information!

[edeese]

I have a new TiVo HD. So far, TWC Columbus has been here twice - the first time with 3 cable cards, the second time with 5 more cable cards. The most progress thus far has been to get channel 4 (the local NBC affiliate) and most the the 700's (the HD channels) but nothing else. The listings were coming in, but no picture and no sound for the other channels. This is being escalated to a senior tech, who will be out Thursday evening. Any suggestions before they get here? Anything else I should try to make further progress in receiving more channels? Without a cable card, I get channel 2-70, but no HD.

[JimWall]

The two most likely issues are either TWC back office is not entering the billing information properly so the cable cards can get the digital signal or the digital signal is too weak for the cable card to lock onto. A weak signal can be checked by TWC techition on-site.

[Myphsto]

Couple suggestions which have worked for me with cable card issues on TWC.


Be sure the tech checks the signal strength at the cable end which plugs into the Tivo before anything else (not at the jack, at the cable end)
Insert ONE cable card at a time, activate and test that single card first, if it works correctly during a channel test then do the second card
If a single card is not working tell the tech to tell the office (gotta love communication by proxy) to clear out the programming on the account and enter it in as a brand new account. Sometimes old cable cards and boxes can be on the account which cause major problems
Use the Tivo diagnostics page for the cable card while they are sending a 'hit' to it to marry the card to your account. Make sure the card gets a "CP Auth Received", if it doesn't then there is a programming issue at the office, don't let them tell you otherwise


Check my original post http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=4456698#post4456698
for more info.

[machead]

Well I found out today that the San Pedro TWC store in San Antonio does indeed have self-install service for CableCards and Tuning Adaptors. I picked up two S-Cards and a TA this afternoon. One of the S-Cards initialized with no problem. The single page instruction sheet from TWC says to call the normal number and instead of putting in your home number to input a "special" 10 digit number got CC activation. Doesn't work. I talk to a rep and they said the card was already activated.

The second card however doesn't work and now I have to have a tech come out. grrrrr.

The TA at first would not initialized and give a steady green light. A call to support and it now is active however the TA doesn't work. Goto any HD channel (i.e. 172 SCIFI or 147 FOODTV) and all I get is a grey screen.

Tech is coming out for that too. sigh

[questors]

I have TWC in Orange Co. CA. I got a screen message stating I needed to call my cable provider because my cable cars were not functioning. They had been working fine for over a year and nothing had changed. I called and they sent a tech. He said he has been getting calls like this all day. He said TW was doing something that had to do with "Copyrights" that caused the problem. After he paired the cards and got my channels back every newly recorded show is now copy protected. TiVo Desktop in now useless. Anybody else run into this?

[szurlo]

I have TWC in Orange Co. CA. I got a screen message stating I needed to call my cable provider because my cable cars were not functioning. They had been working fine for over a year and nothing had changed. I called and they sent a tech. He said he has been getting calls like this all day. He said TW was doing something that had to do with "Copyrights" that caused the problem. After he paired the cards and got my channels back every newly recorded show is now copy protected. TiVo Desktop in now useless. Anybody else run into this?

Here in TWC Carolinas, everything expect the broadcast networks is copy protected and has been for some time.

[MustHaveTivo]

Anybody else run into this?
Yes, not far from you in LA county. I think the franchise is based in Hacienda Heights. We thought the thunderstorms crashed our cable cards, had them reset, and then noticed we couldn't transfer anything between TiVos. Holding on the phone for them now. Your story is not encouraging.

We switched from DirecTV just over a year ago. No MRV kills the deal.

[mercurial]

That CAN'T (at least by my understanding) apply CCI 0x02 to the broadcast channels but they can (and have for sometime here) apply it to EVERYTHING ELSE. Thank goodness I have a S2DT that I record all the shows for the kids on. It let's me keep their stuff contained to on box but still watch it everywhere (since the analog "hole" allows them to be transferred still).

[seggers]

Anybody else run into this?

TWC in WNY has pulled this stunt too. Like you say, make the TiVoDesktop stuff pretty much useless. All the 1xx (digital) and HD channels - that aren't got as over the air - have now been locked down.

Of course, none of this stuff can be had from torrents...... :eek: :cool: :D :p (just bitching.)

Seggers

[dlfl]

Just got a TiVo HD and am about to go digital cable.

In my cable service area, digital cable service includes the same channels in the 1-99 range that are included in analog cable service. With digital cable are these channels still delivered via analog signal or are they digital versions? This is TWC, Southwest Ohio, Dayton North area.

I'm wondering if our second TV (with no TiVo) might still be able to tune the analog channels after we go to digital cable (with no STB). This would be enough for this TV and thus save us the STB rental fee.

On the other hand, I would rather get the 1-99 channels as digital versions, because my HD analog tuners introduce a slight audio problem (popping noises) on some movies on TCM, one of my favorite channels in the 1-99 analog package. If TCM is digital, I can hope the digital version will not have the audio problem.

[Teeps]

Anyone else having pixelization problems on Speed TV?
Recorded Formula 1 practice, the picture would break up at least once every 60 to 90 seconds. Sometimes a few times in the same time period.

time warner, Torrance,CA

[kingkong316]

Ok I am moving to the dallas area and will be getting TWC and am switching from FIOS. Just to make sure I understand when I call I want a M Card (Knew this from before) in ADDITION I need a tuning adapter to get the chanels the cablecard won't pick up. Am I understanding this right?

[DougJohnson]

Ok I am moving to the dallas area and will be getting TWC and am switching from FIOS. Just to make sure I understand when I call I want a M Card (Knew this from before) in ADDITION I need a tuning adapter to get the chanels the cablecard won't pick up. Am I understanding this right?

Nope. In Dallas you just need the M card (or two M or S cards if you have a S3). -- Doug

[JimWall]

Just got a TiVo HD and am about to go digital cable.

In Mason Ohio South of Dayton the analog channels are still transmitted so analog tuners will still work. With cable cards TWC sends all the channels digitally and normally they are of higher quality than the analogue versions.
The cable card maps the channel you enter to the digital one instead of the analog one. If the picture isn't better you may have problems with a weak digital signal like I did. TWC replaced the outside cable which was water damaged.

[kingkong316]

Nope. In Dallas you just need the M card (or two M or S cards if you have a S3). -- Doug

Great. Thanks I didn't know Dallas wasn't using SDV.

[DougJohnson]

Great. Thanks I didn't know Dallas wasn't using SDV.

I'll probably be banned for saying something nice about TWC, but they rebuilt their entire cable system in Dallas about two years ago. So there is no SDV in the foreseeable future.

Also, after being a ATT DSL customer for almost 10 years, I switched to TWC for my Internet in March. Faster, cheaper, and more reliable. What's not to like? Even their customer service hasn't been too big a PITA.

But if FIOS comes by my door, I'm outta here.

-- Doug

[dlfl]

In Mason Ohio South of Dayton the analog channels are still transmitted so analog tuners will still work. With cable cards TWC sends all the channels digitally and normally they are of higher quality than the analogue versions.
The cable card maps the channel you enter to the digital one instead of the analog one. If the picture isn't better you may have problems with a weak digital signal like I did. TWC replaced the outside cable which was water damaged.
Thanks, JIm,

Based on this I get the best of both worlds: I can use my second TV without a STB and get the analog channels and I can get a superior digital version of TCM with my TiVo HD and cable card(s).

[ApexRon]

This morning, I am unable to receive channel 279 (NGCHD) and excessive pixelation on channels 277 (HGTVD) and 278 (FOODHD). All other channels are fine as well as the non-HD channels for the three with issues.

TWC says dispatch but I was wondering if anyone else is having this issue. Send me a private message if you like.

Cheers

[SCSIRAID]

This morning, I am unable to receive channel 279 (NGCHD) and excessive pixelation on channels 277 (HGTVD) and 278 (FOODHD). All other channels are fine as well as the non-HD channels for the three with issues.

TWC says dispatch but I was wondering if anyone else is having this issue. Send me a private message if you like.

Cheers

All three seem fine at my place (in Apex) at 5pm. For what its worth, 277 and 278 are on the same QAM (777) and 279 is nextdoor at 771.

[NCGrimbo]

Just thought I'd post my TWC Carolinas story here. I'm in Clayton, NC and I think the main office for me is in Garner.

Friday 6/5/09: I called the TWC customer care number to request an M-card and a tuning adapter for the TiVo I had just purchased. The customer care agent was able to schedule the cable card install but told me that I couldn't get the tuning adapter until the card was "on my account". So I had them schedule the appointment for Saturday afternoon between 1pm and 5pm.

Saturday 6/6/09: Cable installer shows up at 4:56pm and doesn't know anything about the two cable cards he's brought, an S-card and an M-card. He doesn't even know which piece of hardware the TiVo is when he sees the 4 boxes in my entertainment center. So, I basically took the M-card from him and popped it into the Tivo and then told him what he needed to do to get it up and running. Luckily, there were no more problems and 10 minutes after we started the install, it was over and I had all the non-SDV channels. After he did some work to the line outside, he left. For $45, I don't feel like I got my money's worth.

Monday 6/8/9: Due to circumstances that I couldn't control, I wasn't able to get back in touch with TWC until Monday. I called TWC CS to get the tuning adapter and was told that I needed to go to a web site to get one sent to me. The agent on the line was kind enough to do the work for me and was surprised to see the web site say that I did not need one. She had me try from my computer and I got the same message. (This is what I get for having a 10 minute install on Saturday. LOL!) The agent put me on hold and about ten minutes later she told me that her supervisor said I needed 2 cablecards to qualify for the tuning adapter. I told her that her supervisor was wrong on two accounts. The first being that I needed 2 cards since I had a M-card and the second being that even if I had only 1 S-card, I would still need the TA. She said she needed to put me on hold again. I said OK. 5 minutes later, she returned and said that the supervisor was gone and that she would look into it and call me back. I told her that I would be shocked if she did, but I gave her my phone number anyway. She promised me she would call back. BTW: It's now two days later and she still hasn't called. LOL!!

Monday afternoon 6/8/09: Knowing that the first agent wouldn't call me back, I called TWC CS again. This time I got an agent that seemed to know a little more and told me that there was a flag on my account that needed to be set so that I could get the TA, but she couldn't set the flag. She needed a supervisor to do that and that I should check to see if the web site worked for me on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Tuesday morning 6/9/09: I return from my Tues. morning physical therapy and as I getting ready to fix my lunch before heading to work the phone rings. It's a TWC installer saying that he's on the way to my house with a TA. After I get over the shock of hearing this, I tell him to come on over. I never mention to him that I didn't schedule the install and no one informed me that there was going to be an install. Had I not had PT this morning, I would have been at work and missed the install. Anyway, the installer shows up and he gets to work. He even replaced all of my cables from the wall to the TiVo and TV with new cables. It took him about 15 minutes to get it all done and everything worked like a charm. From what he told me, he's the only installer in the Garner office that knows anything about TiVo and the TA's, so he takes all of those calls. I also found out that they are having problems keeping a good supply of the TA's in stock. After my install, he said they only had 1 more in stock and they didn't know when more were coming.

The best thing about the Tues. install was that it was free. But had they tried to charge me, I would have raised a fit since it's something that I could have done with no problems. I do plan on seeing if I can get a reduction of the install fee since I did everything except call TWC when the cablecard was installed.

[feiter]

Will I be able to access my Time Warner OnDemand programming through my TiVo HD box once I've installed the CableCard (which I don't have yet) - or am I still going to need my cable box for that?

I just added the Tuning adapter to my system and got all the channels I was missing without it but I can't access on demand--get a message to call my cable provider. This stinks! I just switched from Comcast in northern CA to TWC in Southern CA--I had zero problems with Comcast and nothing but problems with TWC-I don't think anyone knows how to handle Tivo--it took the tech 2.5 hours to get my cards working and he did not install the tuning adapter--I had to go get that and install today and the whole process took 4 hours of my time--long story but basically given wrong info by tech people and people at a TWC office.

Sure would like to have on demand. Did you get any solutions?

[feiter]

Just thought I'd post my TWC Carolinas story here. I'm in Clayton, NC and I think the main office for me is in Garner.

Friday 6/5/09: I called the TWC customer care number to request an M-card and a tuning adapter for the TiVo I had just purchased. The customer care agent was able to schedule the cable card install but told me that I couldn't get the tuning adapter until the card was "on my account". So I had them schedule the appointment for Saturday afternoon between 1pm and 5pm.

Saturday 6/6/09: Cable installer shows up at 4:56pm and doesn't know anything about the two cable cards he's brought, an S-card and an M-card. He doesn't even know which piece of hardware the TiVo is when he sees the 4 boxes in my entertainment center. So, I basically took the M-card from him and popped it into the Tivo and then told him what he needed to do to get it up and running. Luckily, there were no more problems and 10 minutes after we started the install, it was over and I had all the non-SDV channels. After he did some work to the line outside, he left. For $45, I don't feel like I got my money's worth.

Monday 6/8/9: Due to circumstances that I couldn't control, I wasn't able to get back in touch with TWC until Monday. I called TWC CS to get the tuning adapter and was told that I needed to go to a web site to get one sent to me. The agent on the line was kind enough to do the work for me and was surprised to see the web site say that I did not need one. She had me try from my computer and I got the same message. (This is what I get for having a 10 minute install on Saturday. LOL!) The agent put me on hold and about ten minutes later she told me that her supervisor said I needed 2 cablecards to qualify for the tuning adapter. I told her that her supervisor was wrong on two accounts. The first being that I needed 2 cards since I had a M-card and the second being that even if I had only 1 S-card, I would still need the TA. She said she needed to put me on hold again. I said OK. 5 minutes later, she returned and said that the supervisor was gone and that she would look into it and call me back. I told her that I would be shocked if she did, but I gave her my phone number anyway. She promised me she would call back. BTW: It's now two days later and she still hasn't called. LOL!!

Monday afternoon 6/8/09: Knowing that the first agent wouldn't call me back, I called TWC CS again. This time I got an agent that seemed to know a little more and told me that there was a flag on my account that needed to be set so that I could get the TA, but she couldn't set the flag. She needed a supervisor to do that and that I should check to see if the web site worked for me on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Tuesday morning 6/9/09: I return from my Tues. morning physical therapy and as I getting ready to fix my lunch before heading to work the phone rings. It's a TWC installer saying that he's on the way to my house with a TA. After I get over the shock of hearing this, I tell him to come on over. I never mention to him that I didn't schedule the install and no one informed me that there was going to be an install. Had I not had PT this morning, I would have been at work and missed the install. Anyway, the installer shows up and he gets to work. He even replaced all of my cables from the wall to the TiVo and TV with new cables. It took him about 15 minutes to get it all done and everything worked like a charm. From what he told me, he's the only installer in the Garner office that knows anything about TiVo and the TA's, so he takes all of those calls. I also found out that they are having problems keeping a good supply of the TA's in stock. After my install, he said they only had 1 more in stock and they didn't know when more were coming.

The best thing about the Tues. install was that it was free. But had they tried to charge me, I would have raised a fit since it's something that I could have done with no problems. I do plan on seeing if I can get a reduction of the install fee since I did everything except call TWC when the cablecard was installed.

Do you get on demand with the TA working?

[kingkong316]

I'll probably be banned for saying something nice about TWC, but they rebuilt their entire cable system in Dallas about two years ago. So there is no SDV in the foreseeable future.

Also, after being a ATT DSL customer for almost 10 years, I switched to TWC for my Internet in March. Faster, cheaper, and more reliable. What's not to like? Even their customer service hasn't been too big a PITA.

But if FIOS comes by my door, I'm outta here.

-- Doug

I hear that. I miss my FIOS already. Doug, or anyone else, any advice for me about the installers out there. I know when I was in MD the CC installer there had trouble getting them activated. But here both the installer, and the woman he was talking to on the phone who I assume was activating them, admitted they had no idea what they were doing. Needless to say they got one activated (I have two Tivo's) but I only get the basic channels. The other one didn't even get activated. And the guy skipped out on me before everything was setup. Any suggestions on what might be wrong or what needs to be done to get this corrected so I can pass it on to the installer?

[SASouth]

Do you get on demand with the TA working?

Sorry to burst your bubble, but On Demand is not available on Tivo.

I pulled the following info from TWC's FAQ website:

Question:
Why can't I view some channels on my TiVo Series3, TiVo HD, or TiVo HD XL DVR using a CableCARD?

Answer:
TiVo Series3, TiVo HD, and TiVo HD XL DVRs are not able to access channels delivered using two-way technology, including Switched Digital Video (SDV) technology. However, Time Warner Cable has worked with the rest of the cable industry and TiVo Inc. to develop an external device called the Tuning Adapter, which allows customers with CableCARD-equipped TiVo DVRs to receive programming delivered using SDV technology, while they continue to enjoy all the features of their TiVo DVRs. Please note that the Tuning Adapter does not provide access to our other interactive features (such as the Electronic Programming Guide, Video On Demand, and other two-way services that HD TiVo DVRs are not designed to access). For more information, please visit www.timewarnercable.com/tuningadapter.

[digitalant]

Been dealing with an HR-250 for a while and time to make the move to TWC NYC & the Tivo HD XL.

I've read SO many conflicting threads on what card I would need to record 2 channels at once. I thought I'd be set with 1 Mcard to record 2 streams/channels at once, but some posts say, no, you need 2 Mcards to record 2 streams/channels at once.

Can you someone confirm they have TWC in NYC and can record 2 channels/streams with only 1 Mcard? I don't want to pay for 2 cards if we only need 1.
Thanks!

[raianoat]

Been dealing with an HR-250 for a while and time to make the move to TWC NYC & the Tivo HD XL.

I've read SO many conflicting threads on what card I would need to record 2 channels at once. I thought I'd be set with 1 Mcard to record 2 streams/channels at once, but some posts say, no, you need 2 Mcards to record 2 streams/channels at once.

Can you someone confirm they have TWC in NYC and can record 2 channels/streams with only 1 Mcard? I don't want to pay for 2 cards if we only need 1.
Thanks!

I have one mcard in my HD and I am able to record two shows at once.

[SheltieBlue]

Not in NYC, but do have one m-card and TiVo HD XL, and can record on two channels at once.

TWC - NE Ohio

[jharvey31]

Also in NYC - Just got a Tivo HD, and have an appointment with TWC set up for this weekend. The support person on the phone said she would line me up for a single M card, so hopefully that's what they show up with.

I've read a lot on this site about the tuning adapters and it seems like even if NYC TWC doesn't have a lot on SDV now, they will down the road. I even found a reference to tuning adapters on the TWC NYC site.

However, when I spoke to customer support, they claimed to know nothing about tuning adapters. So my question to everyone is: Is anyone in NYC using a tuning adapter? If so, how did you get a hold of it?

Been dealing with an HR-250 for a while and time to make the move to TWC NYC & the Tivo HD XL.

I've read SO many conflicting threads on what card I would need to record 2 channels at once. I thought I'd be set with 1 Mcard to record 2 streams/channels at once, but some posts say, no, you need 2 Mcards to record 2 streams/channels at once.

Can you someone confirm they have TWC in NYC and can record 2 channels/streams with only 1 Mcard? I don't want to pay for 2 cards if we only need 1.
Thanks!

[dlfl]

In Mason Ohio South of Dayton the analog channels are still transmitted so analog tuners will still work. With cable cards TWC sends all the channels digitally and normally they are of higher quality than the analogue versions.
The cable card maps the channel you enter to the digital one instead of the analog one. If the picture isn't better you may have problems with a weak digital signal like I did. TWC replaced the outside cable which was water damaged.
I've heard that most or all TWC digital channels have the CCI set so you can't transfer them to a PC (TTG). Can anyone provide more detail on which (if any) digital channels are not CCI ?

Edit: Sorry, I should have searched this thread before posting. It's pretty clear all digital channels except OTA (?) are CCI flagged. I use TTG extensively and just switched from an S2DT to an HD. I haven't upgraded my cable to digital yet or got the cable cards. My LCTV is only 40" so I'm now considering just staying analog so I can have TTG -- but then I miss all the extra digital channels. Can't win! I know about the PROM/software hack to defeat the CCI but I don't think I want to mess with that.

[jharvey31]

I got set up by TWC today on my Tivo HD with a Scientific Atlanta M card. One card - so far it works great to record two channels simultaneously.

I also was told by customer support that SDV is not used in the NYC area, although there are plans to begin using in late 2009/early 2010.

The installation guy suggested that a new generation of "2 way" CableCARDs was coming. He was dismissive of the tuning adapter technology, saying that these new cards would be the next step for TWC. I'm not seeing how that could be the case for a Tivo HD, but that's what he said.

Also in NYC - Just got a Tivo HD, and have an appointment with TWC set up for this weekend. The support person on the phone said she would line me up for a single M card, so hopefully that's what they show up with.

I've read a lot on this site about the tuning adapters and it seems like even if NYC TWC doesn't have a lot on SDV now, they will down the road. I even found a reference to tuning adapters on the TWC NYC site.

However, when I spoke to customer support, they claimed to know nothing about tuning adapters. So my question to everyone is: Is anyone in NYC using a tuning adapter? If so, how did you get a hold of it?

[SCSIRAID]

I got set up by TWC today on my Tivo HD with a Scientific Atlanta M card. One card - so far it works great to record two channels simultaneously.

I also was told by customer support that SDV is not used in the NYC area, although there are plans to begin using in late 2009/early 2010.

The installation guy suggested that a new generation of "2 way" CableCARDs was coming. He was dismissive of the tuning adapter technology, saying that these new cards would be the next step for TWC. I'm not seeing how that could be the case for a Tivo HD, but that's what he said.

He is misinformed. There arent any new cablecards coming. The current ones will work just fine in 2way <tru2way> hosts.

[kingkong316]

I am a recent TWC Dallas customer and I must admit I am having some HD withdraw. I was a DC Metro Verion Fios customer and compared to them this is just pitiful. Anyone know of any planned channel expansion or any ideas where I can search?

[bballcards]

I'll share my experience with TimeWarner in Kansas City:

Shockingly, Time Warner here is VERY prepared with respect to availability of equipment. First off, apparently when CableCards are involved in an installation, they dispatch an actual TimeWarner-employed installer, as opposed to an outside contractor. The installers have a very cut-and-dry policy as to what type of CableCards to install in the various high definition TiVo models (i.e. they won't install S-Cards in TiVo HD models, and they won't install M-Cards in the TiVo Series 3, even though the cards would be compatible, if not ideal). This also means that the installer brought multiple cards of each type, so installation was not difficult (interestingly, the CableCard installation was more of a self-install then a technician-install -- the tech asked me to insert the cards myself).

TimeWarner Kansas City DOES use SDV (meaning a pretty good HD channel selection), so you obviously need a Tuning Adapter to access these channels. The installers do NOT bring Tuning Adapters with them (apparently they can't -- and the tech sent to me didn't even know they existed). However, the Tuning Adapters are readily available for pickup at the TimeWarner Customer Service Center / Cable Store. All you have to do is show up and say you want to pick up the Tuning Adapter -- no calling beforehand necessary.

When phoning customer service regarding CableCard issues (for instance, one of the cards I had wasn't activated properly), the CSR was surprisingly knowledgable about CableCards and fixed the issue in a couple minutes. The CSRs are also well-versed in Tuning Adapters.

All-in-all, a surprisingly painless experience in Kansas City.