Official Time Warner Cable Thread

[lamotte]

i also got my letter telling us SDV will be here on November 30

[Sbmocp]

I dumped DirecTV almost six months ago as I got tired of waiting for their new HD TiVo. Bought two TiVo HD's at Blockbuster, called the Antichrist (TWC) for Southwestern Ohio and signed up for service. The service tech brought two tuning adapters and two M-cards, plugged everything in, spent fifteen minutes on the phone with their control center, and all was good.

Until this past weekend. One of the TAs started doing the "8-blink" trick. I powered everything down and restarted, tried unplugging the TA and plugging it back in, no go. Still 8 blinks, until I unplugged the CableCard and plugged it back in. Then I got constant blinking.

I called TWC and explained the situation, including what I tried. The woman said she'd re-send the authorization, and within a minute everything was working again. I was anticipating a horrible experience but it was...pleasant.

Now for a question...is there a "national" customer service entity I can contact? When I signed up for my HD service, all they had in the office was a single sheet listing all the HD channels. I was told that I'd get all the channels except for the movie channels in HD. After a while I noticed that I wasn't getting all the channels, and when I went back down to the office was given a piece of paper listing HD 'tiers.' When I asked if they had a price sheet I was told they didn't, but they wrote the prices for the tiers next to them. In my mind they misrepresented what they'd provide to me by not providing enough information in the beginning. What's worse is that I received new promo materials in my bill this month for their services...and none of those materials mentions tiering or prices. If I contact the local office (and I know they all operate independently) I'm afraid I'll just get blown off if I complain to them.

[A J Ricaud]

I got the letter re: SDV too, so I went on TWC's website and ordered 4 TA's a couple of weeks ago. The letter indicated that SDV would be starting on Nov 9. Yesterday, the 5th., still no TA's so I went to the local office. They said they don't have them and to order on the website.

I called TWC yesterday to check if they did have my order. The first CSR said to go to the local office. I related what I was told. She then disconnected me while looking up my account.

The second CSR scheduled a tech. to come out on Tue, the 9th, when is when SDV is starting and install 4 TA's. It didn't sound like they got my initial order from the website.

I'm not holding my breath that the tech. will have the TA's since the local office said they didn't do that. I'm also wondering if they will be delivered and the tech also comes with them.

The website made it sound like it was a self install, which is fine by me but I guess I'll see what happens this Tue. I also hope I don't get into TA hell like others have posted. Wish me luck.
Well, Tue. came and so did the TWC tech. He called about an hr. before the install time and asked what a "tuning adapter" is. I explained and he said he would chk. w/the office before coming out.

He showed up on time--no TA's. He said no one in the office knew anything about them. They have never received any TA's or any training and was not aware that Nov 9th was the SDV switchover date for my area.

He took a copy of TWC's SDV notification letter to me back to the office and said that they will be following up w/corporate on the issue of TA's.

Once again, I am not holding my breath. I'll be checking to see if any of the supposedly affected channels are now on SDV and complain for concessions.

I'll keep you guys posted.

[cwoody222]

Now for a question...is there a "national" customer service entity I can contact? When I signed up for my HD service, all they had in the office was a single sheet listing all the HD channels. I was told that I'd get all the channels except for the movie channels in HD. After a while I noticed that I wasn't getting all the channels, and when I went back down to the office was given a piece of paper listing HD 'tiers.' When I asked if they had a price sheet I was told they didn't, but they wrote the prices for the tiers next to them. In my mind they misrepresented what they'd provide to me by not providing enough information in the beginning. What's worse is that I received new promo materials in my bill this month for their services...and none of those materials mentions tiering or prices. If I contact the local office (and I know they all operate independently) I'm afraid I'll just get blown off if I complain to them.

Prices vary greatly from area to area so there is no national sales office or price sheet.

You should go to their website, figure out the channels you want to receive but aren't, find out what tier they're in and then ask how much that tier costs.

There's usually no set price per tier either (like "This tier costs $5.99") because it's based on other factors such as introductory offers, other packages you have, how long you've been a customer, etc.

Although it takes a bit of homework I understand every penny of what I pay on my bill and what it gets me and you should too.

[pL86]

So I picked up a tuning adapter and within about 3 minutes of plugging it in I am up and running with all my previously missing HD channels. I didn't think to make a full list of the ones that I was missing pre adapter but I'll add BBCAHD and SCHD off the top of my head.

This is interesting. TWC NYC has shifted a couple channels from SDV to linear, including BBC America HD and Nick HD. BBC America used to be linear before converting to SDV and back to linear now while Nick HD launched as an SDV channel a couple months ago.

[cwoody222]

This is interesting. TWC NYC has shifted a couple channels from SDV to linear, including BBC America HD and Nick HD. BBC America used to be linear before converting to SDV and back to linear now while Nick HD launched as an SDV channel a couple months ago.

I had that happen over the summer... TW here transitioned about a dozen channels from SDV back to analog. No idea why.

We're heavy SDV here... easily over 50 channels here.

[Mad Chemist]

Chino Hills, SoCal just went SDV. Got the letter and then a tuning adapter in the mail. Hooked it up, didn't work. Blinking yellow light. Called TWC and spoke to 3 people who didn't have a clue as to what a tuning adapter was. I asked all of them to send a refresh hit or something and none of them would wtf. They insisted it had to be installed by a field tech. They get here and of course have no idea what that box is lol. They call everyone under the sun and no one knows anything. Finally, they were talking to a cable card support line who did something (they weren't sure) and at about the same time one of the service techs sent a refresh hit and boom, it worked, solid yellow light. Not sure who fixed it and obviously the service roll was not necessary. TWC customer support is such a joke. Its not the techs/customer support peoples fault but their training. At least everything is working now. Shall see if any TA issues I've been reading about happen to my setup.

[pL86]

The biggest gripe I have with SDV after a couple months of living with it in NYC is not SDV per se but the tuning adapter with the Tivo. The "channel not available" errors and picture freezes are annoying and shouldn't happen but it's par for the course; it's not as if linear channels didn't have their glitches as well. But these tuning adapters just don't interface smoothly with Tivos. They add a significant amount of time it takes a Tivo to download and process new program guide data. A step that used to take an hour now lasts 6-7 hours, that is, if it doesn't time out as a failed connection which is frequently does.

I've learned now to unplug the USB connection between my Tivo and the tuning adapter when I have to reboot. If I leave the two devices connected, the initial data download and indexing takes forever and frequently ends with an error. However, when the adapter is detached, the Tivo connects with the servers and indexes in a timely fashion. The only downside is being unable to view or record SDV channels while the devices are disconnected so I take care to reboot overnight.

[A J Ricaud]

Well, Tue. came and so did the TWC tech. He called about an hr. before the install time and asked what a "tuning adapter" is. I explained and he said he would chk. w/the office before coming out.

He showed up on time--no TA's. He said no one in the office knew anything about them. They have never received any TA's or any training and was not aware that Nov 9th was the SDV switchover date for my area.

He took a copy of TWC's SDV notification letter to me back to the office and said that they will be following up w/corporate on the issue of TA's.

Once again, I am not holding my breath. I'll be checking to see if any of the supposedly affected channels are now on SDV and complain for concessions.

I'll keep you guys posted.

Well, my SDV saga continues. FedEx delivered 2 Motorola MTR700 TA's (I ordered 4) on Fri, 10/12. I hooked them up--yellow lights keep flashing. I called TWC; the CSR seemed to understand and sent "re-authorization codes to everything" on my system.

Flashing light continue. I wondered if it was because my area had not yet transitioned to SDV. She looked it up and said it looked like only Western greater L.A. area was affected by SDV. That info. is not up to date, as the poster above in Chino Hills has SDV and is about 15 mi. from me and we are East of L.A.

As for the need for 2 more TA's, the CSR instructed me to go on the website and order them.

I'll try the steps that others have posted to get the TA's to sync but I'm not holding my breath.

[questors]

I'm in Anaheim. When I picked up my tuning adapter this week, I was told that SDV would not be implemented until next week. When I hooked it up I got the steady flashing yellow light. I am assuming that is because SDV is not yet implemented. The TiVo does recognize the TA.

[A J Ricaud]

I'm in Anaheim. When I picked up my tuning adapter this week, I was told that SDV would not be implemented until next week. When I hooked it up I got the steady flashing yellow light. I am assuming that is because SDV is not yet implemented. The TiVo does recognize the TA.
Same here.

[Grumock]

Well, my SDV saga continues. FedEx delivered 2 Motorola MTR700 TA's (I ordered 4) on Fri, 10/12. I hooked them up--yellow lights keep flashing. I called TWC; the CSR seemed to understand and sent "re-authorization codes to everything" on my system.

Flashing light continue. I wondered if it was because my area had not yet transitioned to SDV. She looked it up and said it looked like only Western greater L.A. area was affected by SDV. That info. is not up to date, as the poster above in Chino Hills has SDV and is about 15 mi. from me and we are East of L.A.

As for the need for 2 more TA's, the CSR instructed me to go on the website and order them.

I'll try the steps that others have posted to get the TA's to sync but I'm not holding my breath.

Check your tuning adapter diagnostics. If it is the Motorola MTR700 look in the code modules If the platform version is not 1.35 that is why they are not locking in. From what I understand they need to be at the very least 1.32 & not 1.27. The 1.27 will not lock in & it is possible that the tuning adapter is not taking the firmware update because of a signal issue. Normally they are supposed to update to the 1.35 once attached to the plant. If the local reps have sent a Refresh hit to the tuning adapters & they have been rebooted, it's possible that because they have not launched SDV they are not locking in, but check that Platform Version.

[questors]

I checked mine out and the platform version is 01.35.

[MustHaveTivo]

I'm in Sierra Madre (which I think is served out of the Hacienda Heights office) and I got the letter that said Nov 9. So far, the channels listed are still coming in for me. Further, when I went to http://timewarnercable.com/tuningadapter as directed, I started filling out the form to get the TAs but as soon as I entered my zip code it put up a message saying "The zip code you entered is not impacted in this phase."

I note that TW has a history of sending letters to every single customer in the greater LA area when only a subset are affected (last year's letter (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=7601251#post7601251)). On the other hand, I can also believe the web page is not reflecting current info in telling me I'm not impacted. Anyone know what is going on? :confused:

[A J Ricaud]

I checked mine out and the platform version is 01.35.
Same here.

[A J Ricaud]

Well, my SDV saga continues. FedEx delivered 2 Motorola MTR700 TA's (I ordered 4) on Fri, 10/12. I hooked them up--yellow lights keep flashing. I called TWC; the CSR seemed to understand and sent "re-authorization codes to everything" on my system.

Flashing light continue. I wondered if it was because my area had not yet transitioned to SDV. She looked it up and said it looked like only Western greater L.A. area was affected by SDV. That info. is not up to date, as the poster above in Chino Hills has SDV and is about 15 mi. from me and we are East of L.A.

As for the need for 2 more TA's, the CSR instructed me to go on the website and order them.

I'll try the steps that others have posted to get the TA's to sync but I'm not holding my breath.
Well, this is interesting. I had turned the 2 TA's that I had installed so I couldn't see the annoying flashing yellow lights.

Today I looked into the cabinet and saw that the yellow lights had gone solid on. I chk'd the TA diag. and found that they seem to be working fine on both CableCards.

I haven't lost any channles on the other 2 Tivos w/o TA's, so I guess I'm not on SDV yet. I haven't received the 2 other TA's I ordered yet, but after I get them installed I guess I'll be ready for SDV when it comes.

[MustHaveTivo]

I got the letter re: SDV too, so I went on TWC's website and ordered 4 TA's a couple of weeks ago.

How did you order them? If you are in 91745, it looks to me like that zip also triggers the "not impacted during this phase" message when you put it into http://timewarnercable.com/tuningadapter. Is there another URL to order TAs?

[A J Ricaud]

How did you order them? If you are in 91745, it looks to me like that zip also triggers the "not impacted during this phase" message when you put it into http://timewarnercable.com/tuningadapter. Is there another URL to order TAs?
Here's the one I used:
http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/learn/cable/sdv/ordersdv.html

[MustHaveTivo]

Here's the one I used:
http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/learn/cable/sdv/ordersdv.html

Thanks.... if I put 91745 or 91024 in the Zip box and hit return, I get a popup saying "The zip code you entered is not impacted in this phase" and it won't let me continue on that form.

Does it not do that for you? :confused:

[A J Ricaud]

Thanks.... if I put 91745 or 91024 in the Zip box and hit return, I get a popup saying "The zip code you entered is not impacted in this phase" and it won't let me continue on that form.

Does it not do that for you? :confused:
No. It worked fine when I ordered about 3-4 wks. ago and again earlier this last wk. Strange.

[lamotte]

received a letter about SDV from time warner about 2 weeks ago switch is to take place on November 30. home for me is nothwest Ohio near defiance. had tech out earlier this week to check signal strenght on the tivo. strenght is between 50 to low 60's on all channels. told me there was nothing he could do to make this numbers any higher than the are now. totally disappointed.

while here also mentioned some of the channels in the lower numbers will be totally disappearing once this takes place. when they do the switch i have some channels currently being duplicated. so will i be able to go thru and delete these channels as they are totally useless and not necessary. have had my premier for approximately 8 weeks now and so far absolutely flawless performance for me. only problem was getting cable card installed that took 6 trips

[Grumock]

received a letter about SDV from time warner about 2 weeks ago switch is to take place on November 30. home for me is nothwest Ohio near defiance. had tech out earlier this week to check signal strenght on the tivo. strenght is between 50 to low 60's on all channels. told me there was nothing he could do to make this numbers any higher than the are now. totally disappointed.

while here also mentioned some of the channels in the lower numbers will be totally disappearing once this takes place. when they do the switch i have some channels currently being duplicated. so will i be able to go thru and delete these channels as they are totally useless and not necessary. have had my premier for approximately 8 weeks now and so far absolutely flawless performance for me. only problem was getting cable card installed that took 6 trips

First of all, telling you there is nothing he can do about the signal is unacceptable. Do you live in an Apt.?

The channels will only disappear if you do not have a tuning adapter, which more then likely means they are moving some to the SDV format. Do you know if they installed a Motorola card into your TIVO? If so, then you should need a MTR700 Motorola Tuning Adapter for those channels once they move them. If you already have a tuning adapter in place then I would disregard the letter.

[Stephen_A]

Hi, So I just got a new Tivo Premier HD 45-Hour DVR (TCD746320) and live in Columbus, OH and have Time Warner Cable. From what I have read it seems that I will need a tuning adapter. My question is where do I get the tuning adapter? Does TW provide these? I called them and the operator I spoke with said I would need one but that's all she knew. She did say I can pick up a cable card at their main office and it would not have to be installed by one of their techs.

Nevermind, I found this on the TW website:
Question:
Will there be an additional charge on my bill?
Answer:
No. At this time Tuning Adapters are being provided at no cost.

[lamotte]

grumock we live in a modular home and the tuning adapter is the motorola MTR700. after getting here the tech was outside approximately 20 minutues and when coming back into the house told me that was all the signal we were going to have and left guickly.

since getting the tuning adapter in the system has been flawless for the last 8 weeks with no issues at all. have tivo wireless g in place and when checking signal strenght that is in the low 90's to 100m all the time.

[dlfl]

Hi, So I just got a new Tivo Premier HD 45-Hour DVR (TCD746320) and live in Columbus, OH and have Time Warner Cable. From what I have read it seems that I will need a tuning adapter. My question is where do I get the tuning adapter? Does TW provide these? I called them and the operator I spoke with said I would need one but that's all she knew. She did say I can pick up a cable card at their main office and it would not have to be installed by one of their techs.

Nevermind, I found this on the TW website:
Question:
Will there be an additional charge on my bill?
Answer:
No. At this time Tuning Adapters are being provided at no cost.
Surprising change for TWC if they actually let you install your own CC. Keep us posted. There are three ways to get a TA:
1. Brought by installer when installing CC's.
2. Ordered on TWC web site and sent by mail.
3. Pick up at TWC store.
and sometimes NONE of them work. Just keep pestering their support.

[cwoody222]

Hi, So I just got a new Tivo Premier HD 45-Hour DVR (TCD746320) and live in Columbus, OH and have Time Warner Cable. From what I have read it seems that I will need a tuning adapter. My question is where do I get the tuning adapter? Does TW provide these? I called them and the operator I spoke with said I would need one but that's all she knew. She did say I can pick up a cable card at their main office and it would not have to be installed by one of their techs.

Nevermind, I found this on the TW website:
Question:
Will there be an additional charge on my bill?
Answer:
No. At this time Tuning Adapters are being provided at no cost.

The rep was most likely confused. When she said you can pick up your CableCARD she probably meant the TA.

[treeg]

So, I'm thinking of returning to TWC (crazy, I know). They provide the most reliable Internet service in my area, and I need reliability now that I work from home.

Originally, I left because I couldn't get Tivo to work with TWC. I'm seeing somewhat better results this time around on the boards, so I'm game to travel this path again.

What do you recommend? I will have to upgrade my equipment, so I'll be purchasing at least two of the Tivo Premiere boxes. I see great installation instructions from Tivo, so I'm confident there.

What do I need to ask for from TWC when I place that call (other than my service channels)? I see lots of discussion on cards and such...what do I need to know about those? I know my area went to digital cable and killed the analog a while back (Matthews, NC).

Thanks!

[PebbleRocker]

I'm in NC. All I needed was an m-card and I had to order my tuning adapter online from the TWC website (it arrived in less than a week). So far I've had no problems.

[treeg]

I'm in NC. All I needed was an m-card and I had to order my tuning adapter online from the TWC website (it arrived in less than a week). So far I've had no problems.


An m-card and tuning adapter...ok. I can do that. I just tell the people on the phone when I call and order the services (bundling the whole ball of wax) that I'll get the tuning adapter online for TV, right? (Sorry, I'm still kind of new to all of this)

[dlfl]

So, I'm thinking of returning to TWC (crazy, I know). They provide the most reliable Internet service in my area, and I need reliability now that I work from home.

Originally, I left because I couldn't get Tivo to work with TWC. I'm seeing somewhat better results this time around on the boards, so I'm game to travel this path again.

What do you recommend? I will have to upgrade my equipment, so I'll be purchasing at least two of the Tivo Premiere boxes. I see great installation instructions from Tivo, so I'm confident there.

What do I need to ask for from TWC when I place that call (other than my service channels)? I see lots of discussion on cards and such...what do I need to know about those? I know my area went to digital cable and killed the analog a while back (Matthews, NC).

Thanks!

An m-card and tuning adapter...ok. I can do that. I just tell the people on the phone when I call and order the services (bundling the whole ball of wax) that I'll get the tuning adapter online for TV, right? (Sorry, I'm still kind of new to all of this)
Tell them to bring a TA on that service call. That should be the easiest way to get one.

The Premiere is generally better than the HD except in OTA (antenna) reception. If OTA is important to you, give that some thought before you choose. Here's a huge thread on Premiere OTA limitations:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=446075&highlight=antenna

[MustHaveTivo]

Did anyone in SoCal get SDV activated on Nov 9 or after?

I'm still trying to figure out if 91024 is truly not affected in this wave.

[Fofer]

What channels should I check? I currently have no SDV tuner installed on my Series 3.

[abredt]

Try 59 - The Weather Channel
cb

[Fofer]

59 isn't on my Channel List at all (I checked Messages & Settings -> Settings -> Channels -> Channel List too)

[Mad Chemist]

What channels should I check? I currently have no SDV tuner installed on my Series 3.

Speed HD and ESPNU HD were that channels I noticed.

[questors]

Did anyone in SoCal get SDV activated on Nov 9 or after?

I'm still trying to figure out if 91024 is truly not affected in this wave.

I'm in 92807 and got the letter stating SDV would be implemented starting Nov. 9. I got the TA and hooked it up. The amber light is still blinking and all the channels they said would go to SDV are still working. Looks like they haven't done anything yet.

[MustHaveTivo]

I'm in 92807 and got the letter stating SDV would be implemented starting Nov. 9. I got the TA and hooked it up. The amber light is still blinking and all the channels they said would go to SDV are still working. Looks like they haven't done anything yet.

Thanks for that.

This is driving me crazy. If I enter any of 91024, 92807, or 91745 in TWC's TA order form at
http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/learn/cable/sdv/ordersdv.html
it immediately tells me that zip code is not impacted in this phase. I seriously do not get how you folks have successfully used this form. :confused:

[questors]

Thanks for that.

This is driving me crazy. If I enter any of 91024, 92807, or 91745 in TWC's TA order form at
http://www.timewarnercable.com/SoCal/learn/cable/sdv/ordersdv.html
it immediately tells me that zip code is not impacted in this phase. I seriously do not get how you folks have successfully used this form. :confused:

Here is the response I got from using the from you linked to:

CONFIRMATION OF WEB ORDER

Dear Valued Customer,

Thank you for your tuning adapter(s) request. You selected the cable store pick-up option during your web order. Please pick up your tuning adapter(s) at one of the following cable stores within 5 business days.

City Street Address Hours of Operation
Anaheim 3041 Miraloma Ave Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat/Sun Closed
Arcadia 815 West Naomi Ave., Unit J Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat 9:00 – 5:00
Brea 185 E. Adler St. Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat/Sun Closed
City of Industry 15255 Salt Lake Ave. Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat 9:00 – 5:00
Costa Mesa 200 Paularino Ave. Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat 9:00 – 5:00
Covina 934 N. Citrus Ave. Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat/Sun Closed
Fullerton 1565 S. Harbor Blvd. Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat 9:00 – 5:00
Garden Grove 11935 Valley View St. Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat 9:00 – 5:00
Glendora 1041 E. Route 66 Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat 9:00 – 5:00
Huntington Beach 7801 Edinger Suite 100 Mon – Sat 11:00 – 8:00
Orange 303 W. Palm Ave Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat/Sun Closed
Santa Ana 2020 N. Grand Ave., Suite 102 Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat 9:00 – 5:00
South Gate 9723 Otis Street Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat/Sun Closed
South Whittier 13553 Telegraph Road Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat/Sun Closed
Westminster 16348 Beach Blvd Mon - Fri 9:00 - 6:00 Sat 9:00 – 5:00

For additional information, please feel free to contact us 1-888-TW-CABLE (892-2253). We thank you again for choosing Time Warner Cable.

Sincerely,
Time Warner Cable

[MustHaveTivo]

Finally I discovered that in one of the several browsers I tried, I still get the message but it didn't kick me out of the page, so I could ignore it and continue filling out the form. So we'll see if it works out from that before they get around to turning SDV on. Thanks for the zip codes that worked for you. That convinced me that the error message was probably not germane.

[Joey Bagadonuts]

I'm in 92807 and got the letter stating SDV would be implemented starting Nov. 9. I got the TA and hooked it up. The amber light is still blinking and all the channels they said would go to SDV are still working. Looks like they haven't done anything yet.

I'm in 92807 also (off Canyon Rim) and I haven't received anything from Time Warner about a TA or SDV. :confused:

[Fofer]

Speed HD and ESPNU HD were that channels I noticed.

In SoCal, receiving these two just fine. I still have no SDV tuning adapter.

[cwoody222]

I was out of town Wed - Fri. Came home and found out my stupid Tuning Adapter needed to be rebooted. It was still a solid green light but everything that TiVo tried to record on an SDV channel (which for me is practically every channel except locals) failed due to "no signal available".

A reboot of the TiVo didn't help, I had to pull the plug on the TA.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. And why was the light still green?

We did have bad weather here so maybe that knocked something out but you'd think it'd be smart enough to reset itself or even blink or something to tell me.

God, Time Warner hardware is such crap.

[questors]

I'm in 92807 also (off Canyon Rim) and I haven't received anything from Time Warner about a TA or SDV. :confused:
I'm just south of Nohl Ranch near Anaheim Hills Rd. The letter I received is dated Oct 8 and states that SDV will be implemented starting Nov 9. It has the channels that will be converted listed on the back. I picked up my TA from the Anaheim TW office. They had several boxes of them behind the counter.

[MustHaveTivo]

I picked up my TA from the Anaheim TW office. They had several boxes of them behind the counter.

Could you just walk up and ask for them (after demonstrating you're a customer), or did you have to go through the web ordering process before they'd hand them over?

[questors]

Could you just walk up and ask for them (after demonstrating you're a customer), or did you have to go through the web ordering process before they'd hand them over?
I just walked in and said I wanted to pick one up. They asked my name and address, looked it up on their computer, made a record that they gave me one and that was it. You don't need to place a web order.

[Kablemodem]

I don't know if SDV has been activated here yet, but I've lost several channels. My tuning adapters still don't lock in.

[Fofer]

What channels have you lost?

I type in my zip code at the TWC web site, and no less than 4 lineup choices appear, I've no idea which one to choose.

Once I select any of them, I also see no indicator about which channels will be/are affected by SDV. Why does TWC have to make this so difficult? Sheesh.

[Fofer]

EDIT: I did find this page:

http://www.timewarnercable.com/socal/learn/cable/sdv/

I checked a bunch of those channels (most importantly, IFC, Speed HD, and ESPNU HD) and they come in just fine.

I am not getting these however, even though I am pretty sure I am paying for that "Choice" tier.

Smithsonian HD - 420
Crime & Investigation - 421
MGM HD - 422

[Kablemodem]

I am not getting any of those channels. With the TA connected I get even fewer channels. I do get them on my TWC DVR, so it's not a signal issue.

It may be time to go back to DirecTV for me.

[Grumock]

I am not getting any of those channels. With the TA connected I get even fewer channels. I do get them on my TWC DVR, so it's not a signal issue.

It may be time to go back to DirecTV for me.

if they are on that list it could be that they are SDV & if your tuning adapter is not locked in that would be why they are not coming in. Take a look at the tuning adapter diagnostics & pick "Code Modules" if the platform version in there is less 1.35 that is why it's not locking in. Now normally that should just get updated by being connected to the cable, but if it has been connected directly from the wall into cable in on the back, & has not gotten that update, then it wont & they will have to replace it.

[davins]

Here's my story about my experience getting TWC out to install a cablecard in my new Premiere XL in La Habra, CA (90631).

Initially he called in the info and started setting up a tuning adapter (Motorola MTR700). This struck me as unusual since I didn't believe that we had SDV yet in this area, but I figured, eh, I'll have it once they do switch over. I then noticed that he did not seem to have brought a cablecard with him. So, I asked him about the tuning adapter and the cablecard and he said "Apparently there's a cablecard in the TA now, and you don't need one in the TiVo." Mmm hmm. I understand that the techs get zero training about this stuff, so I didn't make a stink, I just waited for him to finish and see that no channels were coming in.

He calls the service line and asks for the one dispatcher who actually is familiar with CCs and is of course told that he needs to put a CC in the TiVo. Luckily he had one in the truck, so he went out to get it, and installed it with no problem. While we were waiting for things to sync up he complained about how they don't receive any training on this stuff, and how it was his supervisor who told him that very morning that he only needed a TA and not a CC for a TiVo install.

Once the CC was in and everything synced up, all channels came in perfectly and he took off. Total time was less than an hour. I did have to reboot the TiVo that evening since I was getting the "out of info" message for guide data and the box was stuck trying to connect with the server. After the reboot and letting it sit overnight, guide data was up and season passes showed upcoming episodes just fine.

Overall, an expected hiccup, but everything works great.

[Joey Bagadonuts]

I'm just south of Nohl Ranch near Anaheim Hills Rd. The letter I received is dated Oct 8 and states that SDV will be implemented starting Nov 9. It has the channels that will be converted listed on the back. I picked up my TA from the Anaheim TW office. They had several boxes of them behind the counter.
That's strange. We're what, a mile apart and I didn't receive anything from TWC. Can you do me a favor? I've been having trouble with my Center Ice channels for a few weeks and now I wonder if it's due to the SDV implementation (even though that was never mentioned by either the TWC tech or the TiVo techs I spoke with about the problem :mad:). Can you check and see if channels 755-768 are affected? If so, I will try the walk-in approach at the local TWC office and get a TA.

Joe

[questors]

That's strange. We're what, a mile apart and I didn't receive anything from TWC. Can you do me a favor? I've been having trouble with my Center Ice channels for a few weeks and now I wonder if it's due to the SDV implementation (even though that was never mentioned by either the TWC tech or the TiVo techs I spoke with about the problem :mad:). Can you check and see if channels 755-768 are affected? If so, I will try the walk-in approach at the local TWC office and get a TA.

Joe

YES! Those channels are listed as "channels that will be delivered using SDV technology."

[Joey Bagadonuts]

YES! Those channels are listed as "channels that will be delivered using SDV technology."

Really? Oh man. :mad: I've been w/o Center ice for a few weeks now. Not only did I have a TWC tech at the house but I spoke with a TiVo CS rep and posted a question in the Help forum on this site (150 views but no responses). You'd think someone, especially the TWC tech would have thought of the SDV issue.

Thanks for the help questors. I'll be paying the Anaheim TWC office a visit later today. :)

Oh! Is the SDV situation an issue on Series 2's? I have 3 of those and the Center Ice channels are acting strangely on those as well. The channels won't lock in. The TiVo automatically scrolls through them, pausing just long enough for me to see a glimpse of the feed, and then changes to the next channel. All of my series 2's do this for the entire Center Ice channel group.

Thanks again for your help.

[SCSIRAID]

Really? Oh man. :mad: I've been w/o Center ice for a few weeks now. Not only did I have a TWC tech at the house but I spoke with a TiVo CS rep and posted a question in the Help forum on this site (150 views but no responses). You'd think someone, especially the TWC tech would have thought of the SDV issue.

Thanks for the help questors. I'll be paying the Anaheim TWC office a visit later today. :)

Oh! Is the SDV situation an issue on Series 2's? I have 3 of those and the Center Ice channels are acting strangely on those as well. The channels won't lock in. The TiVo automatically scrolls through them, pausing just long enough for me to see a glimpse of the feed, and then changes to the next channel. All of my series 2's do this for the entire Center Ice channel group.

Thanks again for your help.

Are you using the analog tuner of the S2 or controlling an external cable box?

If its the former and the analog channel is moved to digital only and SDV then you wont be able to get it via the S2. If you are controlling a cable box then SDV should be transparent as the cable box is handling all the tuning and the SDV fun.

[Joey Bagadonuts]

Are you using the analog tuner of the S2 or controlling an external cable box?

If its the former and the analog channel is moved to digital only and SDV then you wont be able to get it via the S2. If you are controlling a cable box then SDV should be transparent as the cable box is handling all the tuning and the SDV fun.

SCSIRAID,

First, thank you for helping troubleshoot my problem. All 3 S2's have an ext. cable box. I have to believe the automatic channel scrolling is related to the SDV change because it's too coincidental that it just recently started occurring. I've been a Center Ice subscriber for roughly 6 years (I've had Time Warner since moving here in 2000) and I've never had a problem. Suddenly, TWC makes the SDV change and my HD TiVo stops receiving all the CI channels and the S2's act like they're possessed and do an auto scroll through that group of channels.

I just got home from work and I have the tuner so let's see if that effects the HD DVR.

Update: OK, well, no luck after the tuner install. Seeing a flashing amber light on the tuner and my Center Ice channels still display a black screen with the message "Searching for signal on: Cable In" displayed. Arrrrrrrrrrrgh!

[SCSIRAID]

SCSIRAID,

First, thank you for helping troubleshoot my problem. All 3 S2's have an ext. cable box. I have to believe the automatic channel scrolling is related to the SDV change because it's too coincidental that it just recently started occurring. I've been a Center Ice subscriber for roughly 6 years (I've had Time Warner since moving here in 2000) and I've never had a problem. Suddenly, TWC makes the SDV change and my HD TiVo stops receiving all the CI channels and the S2's act like they're possessed and do an auto scroll through that group of channels.

I just got home from work and I have the tuner so let's see if that effects the HD DVR.

Update: OK, well, no luck after the tuner install. Seeing a flashing amber light on the tuner and my Center Ice channels still display a black screen with the message "Searching for signal on: Cable In" displayed. Arrrrrrrrrrrgh!

As long as the TA light is flashing... its not working. Is it a Cisco or Motorola box?

On your S2's, if you do a direct tune to one of the CI channels, what do you see? Can you see the display of the cable box? Is it on the right channel?

[Joey Bagadonuts]

As long as the TA light is flashing... its not working. Is it a Cisco or Motorola box?

On your S2's, if you do a direct tune to one of the CI channels, what do you see? Can you see the display of the cable box? Is it on the right channel?

It's a Motorola box and I am still seeing a blinking amber this morning.

For the S2's, when I take the TiVo DVR out of the equation (cable box directly to TV), the CI channels work fine. Of course with the HD, I don't have that option as there is no cable box. With the TiVo DVR in the equation with the S'2s, when I manually change to channel 755, I will see a glimpse of the feed and then I see channel 756 for a second or two, then 757, then 758, and so on until the sequence reaches a non-CI channel and the auto changing stops. Short of unplugging the TiVo DVR while it is doing this, I can't stop it from doing this auto-cycle through the CI channels. And all 3 S2's are doing this exact same thing.

[rich]

So here's my story (so far) about getting a new Premiere installed (TWC Elmira NY).

While I was waiting for the Premiere box to arrive I called TWC and placed an order for a multistream CableCard.

On Monday the Premiere arrived and I installed it. All analog channels were coming through fine at this point.

Yesterday the TWC installer arrived and my first question to him was, "do you have a multistream card?" No, it was a single stream card. He eyed the system and left to get a multistream card.

Fortunately there was one left at the office and he grabbed it and returned.

He installed the CableCard and got it paired via an IM session on his laptop with technical support and a few phone calls. But, as he pointed out, with the CableCard in place, it would now only get about five local channels without a Tuning Adapter since everything else is now SDV ... even the analog channels since they are distributed digitally and converted to analog, and if you have a CableCard it knows they are SDV.

He popped out the CableCard and left it hanging out of the slot so I could pop it back in later, and left. I called TWC and they said they would mail out a Tuning Adapter ASAP and I should have it by Saturday.

Hopefully when it arrives I should be able to pop the card back in, hook up the Tuning Adapter and be good to go. We'll see.

The installer seemed to be familiar with TiVo and he said this was his sixth installation.

[SCSIRAID]

It's a Motorola box and I am still seeing a blinking amber this morning.

For the S2's, when I take the TiVo DVR out of the equation (cable box directly to TV), the CI channels work fine. Of course with the HD, I don't have that option as there is no cable box. With the TiVo DVR in the equation with the S'2s, when I manually change to channel 755, I will see a glimpse of the feed and then I see channel 756 for a second or two, then 757, then 758, and so on until the sequence reaches a non-CI channel and the auto changing stops. Short of unplugging the TiVo DVR while it is doing this, I can't stop it from doing this auto-cycle through the CI channels. And all 3 S2's are doing this exact same thing.

Hmm... thats odd. So for the case where you say the TiVo is out of the picture... you are using the cableco remote to change the channel to 755... right? And when you reinsert the TiVo then you are using the peanut to tell the Tivo that you want 755 and TiVo is commanding the channel change over the IR Blaster... right?

Can you set the cablebox to have it show the digits on its display while tuning to verify exactly what TiVo is doing over the IR blaster? Would like to know if its TiVo that is changing the channel to 756... 757...

[Joey Bagadonuts]

Hmm... thats odd. So for the case where you say the TiVo is out of the picture... you are using the cableco remote to change the channel to 755... right? And when you reinsert the TiVo then you are using the peanut to tell the Tivo that you want 755 and TiVo is commanding the channel change over the IR Blaster... right?

Can you set the cablebox to have it show the digits on its display while tuning to verify exactly what TiVo is doing over the IR blaster? Would like to know if its TiVo that is changing the channel to 756... 757...

OK, so good news and maybe some more good news. Called TWC and had them re-ping the cable cards in the HD and, voila' I have Center Ice again! I am still slightly pissed that this was an easy fix that surely either the TWC tech who came out or the TiVo CS Rep I spoke with should have known about. But, water under the bridge. The other potential good news is, when I was talking with TWC today, I was told that I need TA's for all my TiVo DVRs, not just the HD. Hmmmmmm, really? OK, so tomorrow it's back to TWC to get another 3 TA's and I'll give that a try.

SCSIRAID, again thanks for the help troubleshooting this thing. To answer your questions, yes when I take TiVo out and use just the cableco box and corresponding remote, life is good. The CI channels work as they should. Then, would I put TiVo back in the mix, I use the peanut, punch in 755, the cable box displays 755 and the TV changes to 755, I see a second or so of the feed on 755 and then the auto channel changing thing kicks in. 756 pause, 757 pause, 758 pause, and so on until channel 771 is reached, which is the next non-Center ice channel and the auto changing stops. While this is occurring, the cable box displays the channel number as it normally does. It will display 755 while the TiVo is there for a second, then, when the auto changing kicks in, the display shows each channel number as it should. It's as though I am changing the channels manually, except I'm not. Ever seen the movie "Christine" where the car does what it wants? Well, I now have "Christine" for my 3 S2's. :confused:

[SCSIRAID]

OK, so good news and maybe some more good news. Called TWC and had them re-ping the cable cards in the HD and, voila' I have Center Ice again! I am still slightly pissed that this was an easy fix that surely either the TWC tech who came out or the TiVo CS Rep I spoke with should have known about. But, water under the bridge. The other potential good news is, when I was talking with TWC today, I was told that I need TA's for all my TiVo DVRs, not just the HD. Hmmmmmm, really? OK, so tomorrow it's back to TWC to get another 3 TA's and I'll give that a try.

SCSIRAID, again thanks for the help troubleshooting this thing. To answer your questions, yes when I take TiVo out and use just the cableco box and corresponding remote, life is good. The CI channels work as they should. Then, would I put TiVo back in the mix, I use the peanut, punch in 755, the cable box displays 755 and the TV changes to 755, I see a second or so of the feed on 755 and then the auto channel changing thing kicks in. 756 pause, 757 pause, 758 pause, and so on until channel 771 is reached, which is the next non-Center ice channel and the auto changing stops. While this is occurring, the cable box displays the channel number as it normally does. It will display 755 while the TiVo is there for a second, then, when the auto changing kicks in, the display shows each channel number as it should. It's as though I am changing the channels manually, except I'm not. Ever seen the movie "Christine" where the car does what it wants? Well, I now have "Christine" for my 3 S2's. :confused:


You dont need TA's for the S2's... Only Cablecard based TiVo's know anything about TA's.

On the S2's you may have to go in and mess with the parameters for the IR Blaster. Its been a long time since Ive messed with an S2 so im not sure there. The S2 may be getting upset by the cable box delay in doing the SDV tune and getting video out. Is 755 in the guide data and checked as 'channel I receive' for the S2?

[Joey Bagadonuts]

You dont need TA's for the S2's... Only Cablecard based TiVo's know anything about TA's.

On the S2's you may have to go in and mess with the parameters for the IR Blaster. Its been a long time since Ive messed with an S2 so im not sure there. The S2 may be getting upset by the cable box delay in doing the SDV tune and getting video out. Is 755 in the guide data and checked as 'channel I receive' for the S2?

Thanks, I was afraid of that (the TA-S2 advice from TWC). With regard to the guide data, if you are referring to Messages&Settings --> Settings --> Channels, yes 755 is checked as a channel I receive.

[frannip]

Hi Everyone,

I'm in Brooklyn, NY 11211. I've got a Tivo Premier and I signed up for the Premier package with TWC.

Tech was out yesterday to install a cable card but no tuning adapter. Everything seemed to go smoothly but last night I noticed that I was missing a handful of HD channels like Biography (763), G4 (692), DIY (688), BBCA (685), VH1 (719) just to name a few. Plenty of others MTV (720), E! (724), ESPN (728), etc work just fine.

After poking around the internet I'm fairly certain that the non functioning channels have recently gone SDV but I can't find a definitive answer.

I've spoken to Time Warner a couple of times and I've repeatedly been told that everything looks good but:
1. They'll resend the signal just in case (nice try but no cigar)
2. It takes up to 48 hours "for all the channels to fill in" (no it doesn't)
3. They'll restart the box from their end (which they apparently don't know that they can't do with a Tivo)
4. I should see On Demand content on channel 1008 (naturally I can't, but even if On Demand was available on Tivo this has exactly what to do with issue I'm calling about?)
5. Cable Cards "can be slow" (a clever variation of the 48 hour line)
6. HD only works with our cable box (my personal favorite, especially as I had just finished explaining that I receive the majority of HD just fine).

So, I've heard a lot of nonsense but what I haven't heard is a straight answer to a very straightforward question that I keep asking; do these channels require a tuning adapter?

I'm asking here because if my thoughts are correct then this should be as simple as swinging by the TWC store and picking up a tuning adapter but I don't want to waste my time doing that if I'm chasing the wrong elephant. Support wants to send a tech out but I don't want to waste my time waiting for one to show if it is a tuning adapter issue and I can pick one up and install it myself in a few minutes.

What do you guys think, is it a quick trip to the TWC store to pick up an adapter or am I supposed to be receiving these channels just fine without an adapter in which case it's time to schedule a visit from a tech?

I want to add my own frustrating experience with TWC. If others are having this problem please chime in. I live in Brooklyn, NY as well. Turns out almost all the new HD channels that TWC has pushed through since about August do not get received by the cable card. This includes the newest 3D channels as well and this has nothing to do with SDV (I have the adapter) or special packages (like premium channels). As of today I have 33 channels that my card does not get that are from my basic and standard packages. oh and 3 of those are from my showtime package. After several customer service hours, escalations, technicians at my house for hours, etc I was finally told (from higher ups on the phone) that TWC was not making those channels available to cable cards at this time and they don't know when they will ... AND (this was my favorite) that I should get an HD cable box with DVR in place of my TIVO.

Here are some of the channels that you can all check for yourself if you are missing them which includes those in the quote as well ...
485
545
670, 671, 673 (various showtime HD channels)
683, 684
686
688
690 - 694
696
698
719 (VH1HD)
722, 723
734
739
751 (COOK HD)
757
763
767
769, 770 (C-SPAN HD)
776, 777
781
783
791
1910

:eek:

[frannip]

Hi Everyone,

I'm in Brooklyn, NY 11211. I've got a Tivo Premier and I signed up for the Premier package with TWC.

Tech was out yesterday to install a cable card but no tuning adapter. Everything seemed to go smoothly but last night I noticed that I was missing a handful of HD channels like Biography (763), G4 (692), DIY (688), BBCA (685), VH1 (719) just to name a few. Plenty of others MTV (720), E! (724), ESPN (728), etc work just fine.

After poking around the internet I'm fairly certain that the non functioning channels have recently gone SDV but I can't find a definitive answer.

I've spoken to Time Warner a couple of times and I've repeatedly been told that everything looks good but:
1. They'll resend the signal just in case (nice try but no cigar)
2. It takes up to 48 hours "for all the channels to fill in" (no it doesn't)
3. They'll restart the box from their end (which they apparently don't know that they can't do with a Tivo)
4. I should see On Demand content on channel 1008 (naturally I can't, but even if On Demand was available on Tivo this has exactly what to do with issue I'm calling about?)
5. Cable Cards "can be slow" (a clever variation of the 48 hour line)
6. HD only works with our cable box (my personal favorite, especially as I had just finished explaining that I receive the majority of HD just fine).

So, I've heard a lot of nonsense but what I haven't heard is a straight answer to a very straightforward question that I keep asking; do these channels require a tuning adapter?

I'm asking here because if my thoughts are correct then this should be as simple as swinging by the TWC store and picking up a tuning adapter but I don't want to waste my time doing that if I'm chasing the wrong elephant. Support wants to send a tech out but I don't want to waste my time waiting for one to show if it is a tuning adapter issue and I can pick one up and install it myself in a few minutes.

What do you guys think, is it a quick trip to the TWC store to pick up an adapter or am I supposed to be receiving these channels just fine without an adapter in which case it's time to schedule a visit from a tech?

I want to add my own frustrating experience with TWC. If others are having this problem please chime in. I live in Brooklyn, NY as well. Turns out almost all the new HD channels that TWC has pushed through since about August do not get received by the cable card. This includes the newest 3D channels as well and this has nothing to do with SDV (I have the adapter) or special packages (like premium channels). As of today I have 33 channels that my card does not get that are from my basic and standard packages. oh and 3 of those are from my showtime package. After several customer service hours, escalations, technicians at my house for hours, etc I was finally told (from higher ups on the phone) that TWC was not making those channels available to cable cards at this time and they don't know when they will ... AND (this was my favorite) that I should get an HD cable box with DVR in place of my TIVO.

Here are some of the channels that you can all check for yourself if you are missing them which includes those in the quote as well ...
485
545
670, 671, 673 (various showtime HD channels)
683, 684
686
688
690 - 694
696
698
719 (VH1HD)
722, 723
734
739
751 (COOK HD)
757
763
767
769, 770 (C-SPAN HD)
776, 777
781
783
791
1910

:eek:

[Grumock]

I want to add my own frustrating experience with TWC. If others are having this problem please chime in. I live in Brooklyn, NY as well. Turns out almost all the new HD channels that TWC has pushed through since about August do not get received by the cable card. This includes the newest 3D channels as well and this has nothing to do with SDV (I have the adapter) or special packages (like premium channels). As of today I have 33 channels that my card does not get that are from my basic and standard packages. oh and 3 of those are from my showtime package. After several customer service hours, escalations, technicians at my house for hours, etc I was finally told (from higher ups on the phone) that TWC was not making those channels available to cable cards at this time and they don't know when they will ... AND (this was my favorite) that I should get an HD cable box with DVR in place of my TIVO.

Here are some of the channels that you can all check for yourself if you are missing them which includes those in the quote as well ...
485
545
670, 671, 673 (various showtime HD channels)
683, 684
686
688
690 - 694
696
698
719 (VH1HD)
722, 723
734
739
751 (COOK HD)
757
763
767
769, 770 (C-SPAN HD)
776, 777
781
783
791
1910

:eek:


Hmm you say it doesnt have to do with SDV cause you have an adapter. Are you sure the TIVo & it are talking? One way to find out is to just remove the USB off the back of the tuning adapter.

If the tivo tells you "Tuning adapter disconnecte or power down....." then reconnect the USB cord. You should then get the "Tuning adapter connected to the DVR..." If you do & it is a CISCO STA1520 go to tuning adapter menu & then "Tuning adapter diagnostics" Then choose "Powerkey information" hit select 2x so that it puts you on page 3 in powerkey information, take a look at your "Sub expires" it should show number there, & not say expired. The first 4 numbers are a Date i.e 0112 which would be Jan 12. If it has a date that is out about 28 days then hit "HOME" at the bottom of the page & take a look at "Status Summary" Status in ther should say nothing but "READY" if it has a B_cast only next to it then it is not in 2way, & that could be why the SDV channels are not coming in as well.

[SCSIRAID]

Hmm you say it doesnt have to do with SDV cause you have an adapter. Are you sure the TIVo & it are talking? One way to find out is to just remove the USB off the back of the tuning adapter.

If the tivo tells you "Tuning adapter disconnecte or power down....." then reconnect the USB cord. You should then get the "Tuning adapter connected to the DVR..." If you do & it is a CISCO STA1520 go to tuning adapter menu & then "Tuning adapter diagnostics" Then choose "Powerkey information" hit select 2x so that it puts you on page 3 in powerkey information, take a look at your "Sub expires" it should show number there, & not say expired. The first 4 numbers are a Date i.e 0112 which would be Jan 12. If it has a date that is out about 28 days then hit "HOME" at the bottom of the page & take a look at "Status Summary" Status in ther should say nothing but "READY" if it has a B_cast only next to it then it is not in 2way, & that could be why the SDV channels are not coming in as well.

He could also go into DVR Diags and go to the very bottom and see if TiVo has recognized the TA and has downloaded a channel map from it.

[Grumock]

He could also go into DVR Diags and go to the very bottom and see if TiVo has recognized the TA and has downloaded a channel map from it.

true but i have seen at time the TIVO will see the tuning adapter but, as if stuck in memory. At times removing the USB cord will get no reponse even if you are in the tuning adapter diags when you pull it.

[SCSIRAID]

true but i have seen at time the TIVO will see the tuning adapter but, as if stuck in memory. At times removing the USB cord will get no reponse even if you are in the tuning adapter diags when you pull it.

True... but if it doesnt see it at all or the channel map hasnt been loaded... then you have a smoking gun. I agree that just because TiVo does see it and has downloaded a channel map does not mean that all is well in river city. ;)

[Grumock]

True... but if it doesnt see it at all or the channel map hasnt been loaded... then you have a smoking gun. I agree that just because TiVo does see it and has downloaded a channel map does not mean that all is well in river city. ;)

lol only in a perfect world without a doubt, but then that would make it too easy for us all.

[pL86]

I was finally told (from higher ups on the phone) that TWC was not making those channels available to cable cards at this time and they don't know when they will ...

BS nonsense from people without a clue at TWC. They're just making stuff. I don't have the complete SDV channel list handy but I recognize some of the channels you list as SDV: 719 (VH1), 485 (Fox Soccer HD), 751 (Cook HD). I believe all the other channels you listed are also SDV. My Tivo Cablecard setup with a tuning adapter in Manhattan receives and has received all those channels just fine since they launched. I can't say what's preventing your setup from receiving these channels but it's certainly not that they're not "available to cable cards" as your TWC contacts claimed.

If you haven't already, I suggest swapping your tuning adapter for a new one. The very first ones that TWC distributed were defective. Perhaps you have one of the bad ones that's preventing the adapter from downloading the channel map. Good luck.

[A J Ricaud]

Thanks.... if I put 91745 or 91024 in the Zip box and hit return, I get a popup saying "The zip code you entered is not impacted in this phase" and it won't let me continue on that form.

Does it not do that for you? :confused:
Update: I ordered 2 more TAs a couple of wks. ago and nothing has come. I went to the ordering site again and got the same message you did.

Now I'm confused. The 2 original TAs seem to be working OK and it appears I haven't lost any channels on the other 2 S3s w/o TAs.???

[rich]

Update: my Tuning Adapter arrived early (on Friday) ... I hooked it up and am still getting nothing but local channels when the CableCard is installed. I suspect that the CableCard is not actually paired properly. I will be calling TWC later to see if they can help.

[frannip]

Hmm you say it doesnt have to do with SDV cause you have an adapter. Are you sure the TIVo & it are talking? One way to find out is to just remove the USB off the back of the tuning adapter.

If the tivo tells you "Tuning adapter disconnecte or power down....." then reconnect the USB cord. You should then get the "Tuning adapter connected to the DVR..." If you do & it is a CISCO STA1520 go to tuning adapter menu & then "Tuning adapter diagnostics" Then choose "Powerkey information" hit select 2x so that it puts you on page 3 in powerkey information, take a look at your "Sub expires" it should show number there, & not say expired. The first 4 numbers are a Date i.e 0112 which would be Jan 12. If it has a date that is out about 28 days then hit "HOME" at the bottom of the page & take a look at "Status Summary" Status in ther should say nothing but "READY" if it has a B_cast only next to it then it is not in 2way, & that could be why the SDV channels are not coming in as well.

You are my absolute hero. I can't tell you what I've gone through with that stupid adapter, had it replaced twice. Had a technician at my home for hours troubleshooting. I just assumed it was plugged into the right places. Ready for this ... I have TiVo Premier, with 1 USB for my wireless adapter and one USB for my cool querty remote (that I love), and the adapter USB was plugged into the ETHERNET HOLE. IDIOTS!!

Needless to say, there are only 2 usb ports in the unit so I have to give one of them up for this adapter, at least until I can get myself a USB splitter. Gotta have my cool qwerty remote!

FYI, once I fixed the connections I got all those channels. It's taken MONTHS to get to this point so you are my official TiVo hero! Thank you :D:D

Now who can help me with a GSOD infinite loop on my beloved series 2 ??? :( ... I know I know, the drive is DOA. Trying to save it anyway. UGH.

[cwoody222]

I hope you take the time to call up Time Warner and tell them that they were absolutely 100% wrong with everything they told you about CableCARDs and SDV and explain to them what a USB plug looks like so they can tell their installers.

Mistakes like that are just unacceptable. You should be asking for a refund for missed channels also since you gave them ample opportunity to fix the problem and they never could.

[dlfl]

............, and the adapter USB was plugged into the ETHERNET HOLE. IDIOTS!!
................
That's a new one! I would have thought it impossible. It must have been just loosely sitting in the receptacle, right?
I hope you take the time to call up Time Warner and tell them that they were absolutely 100% wrong with everything they told you about CableCARDs and SDV and explain to them what a USB plug looks like so they can tell their installers.

Don't bother doing this unless you can find someone in TWC who cares about TiVo-related service. I don't think that person exists. It's not that TWC is evil, it's just they have no business incentive for this. They have enough trouble making their service personnel competent on their own equipment.
Mistakes like that are just unacceptable. You should be asking for a refund for missed channels also since you gave them ample opportunity to fix the problem and they never could.
That's the call to TWC that may pay off.

BTW frannip, did you try TiVo customer service on this? Of course when someone plugs USB into Ethernet, I wouldn't expect any remote troubleshooting to detect that.

[jayn_j]

That's a new one! I would have thought it impossible. It must have been just loosely sitting in the receptacle, right?


Not that hard. I've done it myself when trying to hook something up by touch. The USB cable is the same width as an RJ-45. It wiggles a bit vertically, but is snug horizontally. Then it takes a WTF moment before you figure it out, give yourself a head slap and move on. ;)

[rich]

Update: I called TWC last night and they sent a "hit" to the CableCard and it started getting some channels. It does not get the premium channels like HBO or the SDV channels (even though I have a Tuning Adapter) but it now gets the rest which is progress. They are going to roll a truck on Monday to see what's up with the rest.

[Grumock]

Update: I called TWC last night and they sent a "hit" to the CableCard and it started getting some channels. It does not get the premium channels like HBO or the SDV channels (even though I have a Tuning Adapter) but it now gets the rest which is progress. They are going to roll a truck on Monday to see what's up with the rest.

check & make sure that your tuning adapter is being seen by the TIVo. Doesnt get any HBOs at all?

[Grumock]

You are my absolute hero. I can't tell you what I've gone through with that stupid adapter, had it replaced twice. Had a technician at my home for hours troubleshooting. I just assumed it was plugged into the right places. Ready for this ... I have TiVo Premier, with 1 USB for my wireless adapter and one USB for my cool querty remote (that I love), and the adapter USB was plugged into the ETHERNET HOLE. IDIOTS!!

Needless to say, there are only 2 usb ports in the unit so I have to give one of them up for this adapter, at least until I can get myself a USB splitter. Gotta have my cool qwerty remote!

FYI, once I fixed the connections I got all those channels. It's taken MONTHS to get to this point so you are my official TiVo hero! Thank you :D:D

Now who can help me with a GSOD infinite loop on my beloved series 2 ??? :( ... I know I know, the drive is DOA. Trying to save it anyway. UGH.

Glad I could help. :D

[rich]

check & make sure that your tuning adapter is being seen by the TIVo. Doesnt get any HBOs at all?
No HBOs, no Showtimes, no Cinemaxes, etc.

The TiVo does see the Tuning Adapter but when I try to tune an SDV channel it says there is no signal on Cable.

The Tuning Adapter is a Cisco box so I will be trying out your steps about the Powerkey information.

[Grumock]

No HBOs, no Showtimes, no Cinemaxes, etc.

Odd normally they leave two of each out of the SDV lineup.

[frannip]

I hope you take the time to call up Time Warner and tell them that they were absolutely 100% wrong with everything they told you about CableCARDs and SDV and explain to them what a USB plug looks like so they can tell their installers.

Mistakes like that are just unacceptable. You should be asking for a refund for missed channels also since you gave them ample opportunity to fix the problem and they never could.

As a matter of fact, I've been calling monthly and complaining and getting credits. I think the most credit I got 2 months ago was $120. Recently I got them to give me a free HD box with monthly DVR (service also free) to backup my tivo's missing channels (that are no longer missing, shhh!), the installation of said box for free as well, $5 credit per month for a year on my bill, AND free Showtime for a year. I by far am no push over and insist on getting my money's worth and don't stop until I do! ;)

Thanks to all of you who helped out though. Couldn't have done it without you!

[frannip]

No HBOs, no Showtimes, no Cinemaxes, etc.

The TiVo does see the Tuning Adapter but when I try to tune an SDV channel it says there is no signal on Cable.

The Tuning Adapter is a Cisco box so I will be trying out your steps about the Powerkey information.

I had to go through 3 tuning adapters. And on the 3rd the technician didn't connect it properly as you'll see if you read a few posts back. I had to redo the whole thing. Try recycling all the connections and end with a TiVo restart. If that doesn't work I suggest getting the tuning adapter replaced as there seems to be many faulty ones. Good Luck!!

[BruceShultes]

As far as your missing premium channels, your problem might be similar to the one I had.

When TW in the Albany, NY area starting setting up digital channels for their customers, they created separate accounts for the digital portion and needed to add the premium channels to the digital accounts.

Then they needed to add the premium channels to each cable card used by the digital account.

It took over a month before I received all my premium channels after the cable cards were installed in my S3.

Then when they started to use SDV they appeared have to add all the premium channels again to each tuning adapter. At least it took awhile again before I received all my premium channels again.

Another thing I found was that each time I had a power outage, I had to restore power to the TA first and then to the S3 to receive the SDV channels. This happened even though both the TA and the S3 were plugged into powered sockets on the same UPS.

[aarmida]

Hi everyone,

I recently moved to El Paso, TX and hired TWC. I have a TiVo Premiere box that I was using with Comcast service before without a problem, and now I am about to loose it. Initially, two technicians from TWC came in to set up my TA and MCard. They were at my house for about 5 hours calling TWC in Houston back and forth because, of course, they had no training on how to set it up. They switched the TA box twice and they left after all those hours without my TA working properly (but, at least I was getting most of the channels).

Now I moved to a new house and I am not getting mostly any channels! I have called TWC several times but they really don't know what to do. Today, I removed the MCard and rebooted the TA, and while the green light was still blinking, I realized I could see all the channels I was missing. But as soon as the green light in the TA stopped blinking and was permanently on, all those channels were gone again! Now I am going through all the rebooting and setting up process, but I am at my wits end having already dealt with this for 3 months. Any ideas?

Should I be using the MCard and the TA box both or just one of them? I really don't know what to do anymore. I have a TiVo Series 2 box in the guest bedroom with an analog tv and it works fine and receives all the analog channels that I can't see on my Premiere box, but I really would like to be able to use my Premiere box to it's full extent! Any suggestions are welcome.

[MustHaveTivo]

Update: I ordered 2 more TAs a couple of wks. ago and nothing has come. I went to the ordering site again and got the same message you did.
Thanks, that's comforting in some way. I have not received anything from the request I finally managed to put in, either.

Now I'm confused. The 2 original TAs seem to be working OK and it appears I haven't lost any channels on the other 2 S3s w/o TAs.???
No lost channels here either. It seems to me that either they delayed the rollout, or once again sent the notice to every single SoCal customer when only a subset of offices is impacted. Wish I could figure out which.

[Pilot20]

Hi everyone,

I recently moved to El Paso, TX and hired TWC. I have a TiVo Premiere box that I was using with Comcast service before without a problem, and now I am about to loose it. Initially, two technicians from TWC came in to set up my TA and MCard. They were at my house for about 5 hours calling TWC in Houston back and forth because, of course, they had no training on how to set it up. They switched the TA box twice and they left after all those hours without my TA working properly (but, at least I was getting most of the channels).

Now I moved to a new house and I am not getting mostly any channels! I have called TWC several times but they really don't know what to do. Today, I removed the MCard and rebooted the TA, and while the green light was still blinking, I realized I could see all the channels I was missing. But as soon as the green light in the TA stopped blinking and was permanently on, all those channels were gone again! Now I am going through all the rebooting and setting up process, but I am at my wits end having already dealt with this for 3 months. Any ideas?

Should I be using the MCard and the TA box both or just one of them? I really don't know what to do anymore. I have a TiVo Series 2 box in the guest bedroom with an analog tv and it works fine and receives all the analog channels that I can't see on my Premiere box, but I really would like to be able to use my Premiere box to it's full extent! Any suggestions are welcome.

I live in the Rio Grande Valley, and I had a terrible time trying to get the TA to work with my Tivo. I went through 3 TAs and 5 techs, and not one of them had even heard of a Tuning Adapter.

Finally, I got in touch with a guy that knows TA's and Tivo's. Apparently, this guy has clout in S. Texas. Actually, it was someone from El Paso that put me in touch with him.

Call this guy, tell him your in El Paso, and hopefully he gets things going for you.


Henry Kohl
Tech Ops Supervisor
956-535-0734


Henry sent out a guy that actually knew what he was doing, and the guy spent about an hour on the phone with the tech guys. He had to guide them through the process because they were clueless.

Once they got it working (about 9 months ago) it's been smooth sailing.

Good luck.

[MustHaveTivo]

I have not received anything from the request I finally managed to put in, either.

Spoke too soon! 2 Motorola boxes arrived on the porch today. Still getting the channels listed on TW's letter without the TAs.

[ShaneF]

TWC Western New York with HD TiVo, 2 "S" CableCards and a tuning adapter.
I also pay for HBO and Road Runner, monthly bill is about $130.

Yesterday I tried to add the Movie Pass tier (Encore, IFC and a couple of others) to my account, supposedly the cost was an additional $4.95 per month. With the cablecards I assumed this process wouldn't go smoothly and of course it hasn't. After several emails, calls, and support escalations I got a call back that stated the following (paraphrased as the customer service rep did a pretty lousy job of communicating in coherent English):

My monthly bill would actually increase by $20, not $4.95, because my account was originally set up incorrectly. Because I have CableCards I should NOT have been eligible for the "digital cable bundle" and would be forced to pay for everything a la carte... the HD tier, the Digital cable tier, etc, would all need to be paid for individually. If they add the Movie Pass tier they would be forced to change my account to this a la carte billing. If I don't add the Movie Pass they can leave it as is although there's no guarantee they wouldn't force me to a la carte pricing at any time.

Does this sound legit? Sounds like complete nonsense to me. Overall I've been relatively satisfied with TW but this is really ridiculous considering how much I'm already paying per month.

[A J Ricaud]

Spoke too soon! 2 Motorola boxes arrived on the porch today. Still getting the channels listed on TW's letter without the TAs.
Did you get an e-mail w/FedEx shipping info before they came?

[MustHaveTivo]

Did you get an e-mail w/FedEx shipping info before they came?
No, nothing. 2 Motorola boxes just showed up on the porch. I was sure that web request had gone in the bit bucket.

[cwoody222]

A friend contacted me last for help with his CableCARD / TiVo HD / SDV Adapter setup. He's nearby but not on the exact same system I'm on here.

His problem is that sometimes some channels won't come in. It's not always the same channels and it's not all the time. Different channels just come and go. He gets a "Searching for channel on Cable In" message.

Last night he was missing dozens of channels. Some of them have come in recently, though. He had a tech out for 3.5 hours Wednesday trying to figure it out and of course never did, and left.

After a while of dialog with him I discovered that for the past 3 years with his unit he only had ONE S-Card installed! Wednesday they did give him an M-Card. That certainly could have been a major issue in the past!

(and I can't believe TW ever did that in the first place!)

He's rebooted everything a million times and he did re-run Guided Setup after installing the M-Card. I verified with him last night that he could record 2 things at the same time so TiVo IS recognizing and using both tuners now.

He's not sure if the channels that don't work are SDV or not. Some he had problems with last night most certainly are but others perhaps not. His adapter light is solid green.

Although he's convinced problems got worse when SDV was rolled out, I'm thinking it's a CableCARD / account settings problem instead. I mean, he used his TiVo for almost 3 years with only one tuner so what does he know?! :)

Any ideas? I can walk him thru some of the diag screens to look for hints.

[jayn_j]

I lean more toward a signal strength issue. The Premiere seems to be less tolerant of low signal levels and will show no signal when other boxes are macroblocking.

Have a tech come out and insist on a signal strength check. If low, insist on an amplifier. Also try to minimize the number of splitters before the TIVO.

[dlfl]

I lean more toward a signal strength issue. The Premiere seems to be less tolerant of low signal levels and will show no signal when other boxes are macroblocking.

Have a tech come out and insist on a signal strength check. If low, insist on an amplifier. Also try to minimize the number of splitters before the TIVO.
Before that, look at Signal Strength, SNR and RS Errors in DVR Diagnostics. Strength should be above 80 on all channels for reliable reception and SNR should be around 33 or higher. Both RS Error counts should be zero or at least less than 1000 and not increasing rapidly. Of course you can only do this when the channel is tuned. This advice applies to the HD specifically but I think it is the same for the Premiere.

If these numbers are healthy you don't have a signal problem.

[SCSIRAID]

Before that, look at Signal Strength, SNR and RS Errors in DVR Diagnostics. Strength should be above 80 on all channels for reliable reception and SNR should be around 33 or higher. Both RS Error counts should be zero or at least less than 1000 and not increasing rapidly. Of course you can only do this when the channel is tuned. This advice applies to the HD specifically but I think it is the same for the Premiere.

If these numbers are healthy you don't have a signal problem.

Premiere is going to show a much lower signal level than HD or S3... The scale calibration is 'different'. SNR and RS counts will tell the tale.

[cwoody222]

He's got a TiVo HD, not a Premiere. He's got the model with the CableCARD slots in the front, not an S3.

Either way, I'm sure they checked signal strength when the tech was there Wed but I'll have him check himself.

[dougdingle]

I'm on TW in Southern California, Eagle Rock to be specific.

After filling out the web form, a couple of Motorola units arrived a month later with no email or notice.

Hooked them up, one had a dead power supply which I replaced from my shop, steady flashing yellow light on both.

Checked firmware version, it was 1.27. I had read here (or somewhere?) that 1.35 was required to have them work.

Called TW. They tried hitting them a couple of times, no joy, the CSR kept saying I had to reboot the TiVo. I said that was like computer tech support insisting I reinstall Windows, and I wouldn't reboot the TiVo until I had a solid yellow light.

Finally, he said they would roll a truck. Despite my asking the tech have two TA's with him, he shows up with one, says the guy at the factory would not give him two. Also admits he knows NOTHING about TA's, they're not due for training until the following week although TW's been shipping them for a month in this area. So I ask him if he's interested, and when he says yes, take about 10 minutes and school him. He pays attention, makes some notes, gets the concept.

We hook up the one he's brought with him, it's at firmware 1.35, he calls in, they hit it from Mom, and the TiVo spontaneously reboots. While it's rebooting, the yellow light turns solid. When it's done rebooting, it's all working. He's remarkably impressed that I knew which firmware version was required, knew where to look on the diagnostics screen, and that the damn thing actually works now.

He calls back in and insists another tech be sent to his next call because he's not done, drives all the way back to the factory to get me another TA. Shows up about 45 minutes later, we install the second one, it's also at 1.35, he calls in, they hit it, it begins working immediately. The second S3 did not reboot.

No problems so far, it's been about a week.

[JimWall]

Some time ago I have a problem with channels coming and going in southwest ohio. It turned out to be signal interference issue. From a TV station in Lousiville KY!!
Because digital is so good at error correcting the signal is very low.
TWC tech replaced cheap cables and put in high quality signal splitters to keep the wiring from picking up the interferring signal. Problem solved. and tech said the RF cable that comes with the tuning adapters is junk.

[MustHaveTivo]

I'm on TW in Southern California, Eagle Rock to be specific.

Is SDV actually activated in Eagle Rock?

[dougdingle]

Is SDV actually activated in Eagle Rock?

Yes. At least 6 HD channels have been moved to SDV (MGM, IFC, Smithsonian, and a few more).

[MustHaveTivo]

Yes. At least 6 HD channels have been moved to SDV (MGM, IFC, Smithsonian, and a few more).
Thanks. I don't subscribe to those, but it appears they are on SDV here too (got the searching for signal message).

Checking things I'm supposed to get on my Variety tier, I only found ESPNU HD and NBA TV HD seem to have SDV activated. The HBO2, HBO2 E, HBO Signature, etc channels listed on the Nov 9 letter are still coming in fine with no TA.

Guess I have a project for today (TAs).

[dougdingle]

Yes, those were missing here as well.

I noticed the three I mentioned (MGM, IFC, Smithsonian) immediately because they're part of my (relatively) commercial-free favorites list.

If you were sent the Motorola TAs, once you hook them up and the TiVo sees them, have a look at the various info on the diagnostics page to see what level firmware they have. If it's lower than 1.35, my info is they will never sync nor update, and you will need them to roll a truck with newer ones. The ones I was originally sent were 1.27, and they could never get them to work.

[Fofer]

I am not getting these however, even though I am pretty sure I am paying for that "Choice" tier.

Smithsonian HD - 420
Crime & Investigation - 421
MGM HD - 422


Turns out, these are part of a $6 "HD Tier" that I am not paying for.

[janeway177]

questions:

I am thinking of upgrading to the premiere XL and would actually get digital cable since I would not have to worry about another box. Though I do have a HD TV I still watch on my Series 2 TIVO (love it) and never though about the cable card slot.

While I know I have to get a cable card if I go digital cable with a premiere. What does the cable card in the TV do for me- the same thing (just no HD on the old TIVO)?

I have paid the outrageous prices of TWC and gotten very little for my money except heaps of phone calls hawking the products. I want to come out on top before I make any new changes.

[Grumock]

questions:

I am thinking of upgrading to the premiere XL and would actually get digital cable since I would not have to worry about another box. Though I do have a HD TV I still watch on my Series 2 TIVO (love it) and never though about the cable card slot.

While I know I have to get a cable card if I go digital cable with a premiere. What does the cable card in the TV do for me- the same thing (just no HD on the old TIVO)?

I have paid the outrageous prices of TWC and gotten very little for my money except heaps of phone calls hawking the products. I want to come out on top before I make any new changes.

Worse, because if they have Switched digital in your area, the TV will not get any of those channels. Tuning adapters do not work with TVs

[janeway177]

So I need a card for my new TIVO and a card for the TV? I think they are only $3 here in El Paso but TWC will take you for all you can get. If I can just do the TIVO that would be great.

[BruceShultes]

So I need a card for my new TIVO and a card for the TV? I think they are only $3 here in El Paso but TWC will take you for all you can get. If I can just do the TIVO that would be great.

You don't need cable cards for both your TIVO and your TV, just one for your TIVO.

The only reason you might want a separate one for your TV is if you want to watch a live program on your TV while your TIVO is recording something from 2 other channels.

[janeway177]

thank you so much for the info... now how to break the news to my husband...another TIVO on the way11

[rich]

Update: I called TWC last night and they sent a "hit" to the CableCard and it started getting some channels. It does not get the premium channels like HBO or the SDV channels (even though I have a Tuning Adapter) but it now gets the rest which is progress. They are going to roll a truck on Monday to see what's up with the rest.
update: the tech showed up yesterday and saw that all of the hardware was good but the pairing was not done correctly which was why I was not getting all channels. He called someone and it was taken care of in five minutes. He rebooted the TiVo and the tuning adapter and when it came back up all was fine.

[vitamina]

Have a TiVo HD which has been working perfectly on Time Warner Cable (Los Angeles) with an M-card for two years. I bought a new Tivo Premiere (the current promotion sealed the deal) which arrived Monday. Moved the HD into the bedroom, hooked it up, worked flawlessly. Hooked up the Premiere in the living room where the HD was, ran the setup, got all updates, worked fine with clear channels, Netflix, etc, and even MRV despite the slow Tivo-to-Tivo transfer rate for HD shows, and the appalling number of CCI-byte protected channels (Note to self: Take up that fight later, once we figure out the card issue.)

Called TWC to come install another M-card in the Premiere. Appointment was from 8-12 yesterday. Guy finally shows at 12:30, claiming he had to locate a card. Ok, fine... he was nice about it. Can't get card to initialize. (Pairing screen - "No information available.") He leaves around 1:30, and says he'll send someone by with another card. I leave to run errands, and leave my girl to wait for the other tech. Guy shows up at 6:30 tries a couple of M-cards, can't get it working, but swears he'll come back tonight after he's talked to "his guy who really knows the Tivo stuff" to get it working.

So, I get home, and <WTF!!> now the HD in the bedroom isn't working either!</WTF!!> I'm supposed to call him on my way home, in about two hours. I can see that the new M-card he left does show some information on the pairing screen now, instead of the "No info..." message, but the Premiere won't sync any channels at all, and the HD is only showing the clear channels, and their HD couterparts - no digital, no Premium channels. I'm hoping that a simple reset will fix the HD, but my questions are:

While I'm waiting for the tech to arrive, is there anything I can look for in the CableCard information screens on the Tivo, to verify that everything is installed properly, and that it's simply a matter of syncing the card with TWC?

Is there anyone reading this forum who's had a successful install of one or more M-cards in the LAX-Westchester area, who can recall the name of the tech who was able to get it working? I'm not supremely confident in the current bunch.

I think I saw mention of a National Cable Card Help number for TWC in another post on this forum. Does anyone know that number, and would it help if I call them?

Is it possible that there are problems having two M-card Tivos on the same account? (Seems unlikely.)

[dlfl]

The NCCS phone is 866.532.2598 but see if you can get one of your local reps to call them and work with them. Call them directly only as a last resort if the locals give up. There's a good chance you don't need a tech on site to get your problems fixed, so call TWC support and see if they will call NCCS. Local TWC reps sometimes aren't aware of NCCS (:eek: it's only been around a couple of years) so you can clue them in and furnish the number.

[SCSIRAID]

Is it possible that there are problems having two M-card Tivos on the same account? (Seems unlikely.)

Nope... I have 4 MCards and 3 TA's on my account with no issues.... (I shouldnt have said that... Lightning will prolly strike me tonight...)

[vitamina]

The NCCS phone is 866.532.2598 but see if you can get one of your local reps to call them and work with them. Call them directly only as a last resort if the locals give up. There's a good chance you don't need a tech on site to get your problems fixed, so call TWC support and see if they will call NCCS. Local TWC reps sometimes aren't aware of NCCS (:eek: it's only been around a couple of years) so you can clue them in and furnish the number.

Thank you, dlfl, for the quick (and helpful) reply. :up::up:

Do you know if the NCCS also accepts calls from TWC contractors?

The guys who came yesterday (and swore to come back today, even though they aren't answering and haven't replied to or acknowledged my voicemail) were not badged TWC reps, but contractors.

Or, assuming he shows up, should I just call TWC support and have them call the NCCS while the contractor is there?

Might I benefit from calling TWC support and having them call NCCS even if he doesn't show?

[vitamina]

Nope... I have 4 MCards and 3 TA's on my account with no issues.... (I shouldnt have said that... Lightning will prolly strike me tonight...)

Ok, then... rules THAT out. Good to know. TYVM, kind sir. :D

[WPe]

I would try calling TW's tech support at 888-892-2253. Just tell them with your cablecard, you can only get 10% of the channels that you are paying for. They will check your account settings, hit your card, perform a reboot, and who-knows-what-else. Does not hurt to try, as it seems like that is exactly what the techs would do when they show up a week later.

[dlfl]

........Do you know if the NCCS also accepts calls from TWC contractors?
I would assume so.
I would try calling TW's tech support at 888-892-2253. Just tell them with your cablecard, you can only get 10% of the channels that you are paying for. They will check your account settings, hit your card, perform a reboot, and who-knows-what-else. Does not hurt to try, as it seems like that is exactly what the techs would do when they show up a week later.
........Might I benefit from calling TWC support and having them call NCCS even if he doesn't show?
That was the idea I was suggesting -- don't wait for the truck roll. You can always cancel that. I don't know what the 888 number given by WPe is, but I would just call your local support. In some TWC systems their "Tier 3" support reps handle CableCARD so you might try asking for that if the rep you get seems to be clueless. In either case, unless they fix it by sending "hits", ask them to call in NCCS.

[WPe]

I don't know what the 888 number given by WPe is, but I would just call your local support.



888-892-2253 = 888-TWCABLE

[vitamina]

So, tonight they had the nerve to tell my that the Tivo Premiere is simply not compatible with the M-cards they use, when everything I've read seems to indicate otherwise. Finally, they said they needed to roll a truck again later to fix the TivoHD, which was working perfectly before they arrived.

Of course, by the time they left my house, it was too late for local TW support to call the NCCS Desk, which closes, BTW, at 11pm EST.

[cwoody222]

FYI:

Aside from my initial install I've had a few problems here and there with my TiVo setup and TWC.

EVERY TIME they wanted to send a truck to fix it. But, EVERY TIME I was able to have them fix it via the phone and cancel the truck roll.

A truck roll is RARELY needed. It's just their way to get you off the phone.

Your setup is probably screwed up in their computers. They can fix that for you remotely. Plus, the installer who comes to your house probably has no idea about CableCARDs anyway.

[dlfl]

FYI:

Aside from my initial install I've had a few problems here and there with my TiVo setup and TWC.

EVERY TIME they wanted to send a truck to fix it. But, EVERY TIME I was able to have them fix it via the phone and cancel the truck roll.

A truck roll is RARELY needed. It's just their way to get you off the phone.

Your setup is probably screwed up in their computers. They can fix that for you remotely. Plus, the installer who comes to your house probably has no idea about CableCARDs anyway.
And the beat goes on....

TWC and the other cable operators are giving the FCC glowing reports of the success of their CableCARD and TA support while anyone who reads these forums knows the truth. See ***this post*** (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=450967) for info on the FCC's information gathering on this topic, and to see how you can easily submit some truth to them.

[jayn_j]

I had the local TWC office give me the same incompatability song and dance. Just keep at it.

Look back in the thread a bit. There are three numbers that need to get added to their database and when that happens, it just works. You need s/n for both the cablecard and tivo and also the host id. I believe those are the three, but I am working from memory.

Is this a tuning adapter setup? If so, you need to get the TA working as well. If the green light isn't on solid, it isn't working. You will also see a popup on the TIVO when it pairs.

[Avon]

I have a HD Tivo with the official external hard drive, and one m-card, now in the North San Diego TW area.

While with Cox, there were no problems with this setup.

I just moved into the TW area recently and for the first two months everything worked fine.

Now, one tuner of the M-Card seems to be working fine (all channels come through, I think). However the other tuner (on the same card) only gives me a blank screen.

A service worker came out and replaced the m-card and ta. When that didn't work he told me that Tivo was not keeping up with the TW service updates and that there was nothing he could do.

He however did mention that he had a Samsung DVR in his truck :mad:

Given that one tuner appears to be working, does this sound like a TA issue?

Thanks,

Mark

[hellsop]

Ahoy all!

I think I've at least got a different problem from all the other issue with TAs people are having. Specfically, the new Premier doesn't seem to be recognizing that it has a TA attached. At least, I think that's the problem...

1) TA (Cisco STA-1520) has solid light, and always eventually comes back to solid light after power cycle.
2) On Tivo, Settings::Remote&Device Settings::Tuning Adapter still presents a "No Tuning Adapter" screen.
3) I've tried both USB ports on the Tivo, tried a replacement USB cable, re-ran Guided Setup. Still no acknowledgment by the Tivo that it has the thing hanging off of it.

I suppose my question is: is there any way to tell without having a tech show up, reliably whether it's the Tivo's USB issue or the TA's USB issue, so I can avoid the "dueling Help Desk fingerpointing" dance?

[dlfl]

Ahoy all!

I think I've at least got a different problem from all the other issue with TAs people are having. Specfically, the new Premier doesn't seem to be recognizing that it has a TA attached. At least, I think that's the problem...

1) TA (Cisco STA-1520) has solid light, and always eventually comes back to solid light after power cycle.
2) On Tivo, Settings::Remote&Device Settings::Tuning Adapter still presents a "No Tuning Adapter" screen.
3) I've tried both USB ports on the Tivo, tried a replacement USB cable, re-ran Guided Setup. Still no acknowledgment by the Tivo that it has the thing hanging off of it.

I suppose my question is: is there any way to tell without having a tech show up, reliably whether it's the Tivo's USB issue or the TA's USB issue, so I can avoid the "dueling Help Desk fingerpointing" dance?
You should contact TiVo support immediately if the TiVo is "new" as you say. That way you get on record that you have a problem within the 30-day replacement warranty. Or did you buy it from TiVo?

You have rebooted the TiVo, right? Do it by pulling the power plug for 30 secs.

While power-cycling the TA, disconnect the TiVo USB. After the TA light either goes solid, or 6-blinks-pause (meaning it sensed it isn't connected to a TiVo), THEN reconnect the USB, and reboot the TiVo if it doesn't recognize a TA has been connected.

It's either the TiVo or the TA. If a TA hasn't been authorized, it blinks 8-blinks-pause. It's usually easier to get a new TA to substitute from the cable co., so try that first. If that doesn't work go for a warranty replacement of the TiVo. BTW, don't expect any expert from anywhere to come to your house who can actually diagnose this other than by trial-and-error (mostly substitution). One of TiVo's curses is having to make equipment interoperate with 10 or more cable operators who have no incentive to promote that interoperability. And TiVo can't provide sophisticated diagnositics or on-site service, so you end up in this situation.

[Kablemodem]

I am sick of SDV, tuning adapters, cable cards, and TWC's overall cluelessness. I placed an order to go back to DirecTV. Hopefully, the new HD DirecTiVos will be released in my lifetime.

[hellsop]

Ahoy all!

I think I've at least got a different problem from all the other issue with TAs people are having. Specfically, the new Premier doesn't seem to be recognizing that it has a TA attached. At least, I think that's the problem...

1) TA (Cisco STA-1520) has solid light, and always eventually comes back to solid light after power cycle.
2) On Tivo, Settings::Remote&Device Settings::Tuning Adapter still presents a "No Tuning Adapter" screen.
3) I've tried both USB ports on the Tivo, tried a replacement USB cable, re-ran Guided Setup. Still no acknowledgment by the Tivo that it has the thing hanging off of it.

I suppose my question is: is there any way to tell without having a tech show up, reliably whether it's the Tivo's USB issue or the TA's USB issue, so I can avoid the "dueling Help Desk fingerpointing" dance?

After some experimentation, I'm ready to point a finger at the Tuning Adapter. What I did was try the Tivo end of the USB connection in my laptop. I wasn't expecting function or even drivers to load, but I was expecting to get a noise and an error message that no drivers could be loaded. Nothing. Silence. I then ran a USB cable from the Tivo to my phone, and while I again didn't expect the Tivo do much with a Blackberry, I DID get the phone saying "Hey look! Power!" and it cheerfully started charging.

So, time to call TW ask them to kindly replace the dead thing and re-pair everything.

[dlfl]

I am sick of SDV, tuning adapters, cable cards, and TWC's overall cluelessness. I placed an order to go back to DirecTV. Hopefully, the new HD DirecTiVos will be released in my lifetime.
My sentiments, almost exactly -- and finding another source of video programs is the right answer -- griping obviously does little good. I tend to think TiVo deserves some blame here too, although they do have an uphill battle trying to interoperate with all the different cable systems. One example where I know TiVo has to take the blame was the SDV pixelation problem, which was only belatedly fixed, or even understood, by TiVo as the result of extraordinary efforts by forum member SCSIRAID.

The basic problem however is simply that TiVo is seen as an adversary by the cable cos, although they try to appear to be cooperative in order to keep the FCC off their backs. This is an unhealthy situation which tends to lead to problems as we have experienced. Hopefully, the HD DirectTiVo project will involve a friendly cooperation of the parties involved, so both of them will be invested in its success. (If it ever happens. ;))

[SCSIRAID]

My sentiments, almost exactly -- and finding another source of video programs is the right answer -- griping obviously does little good. I tend to think TiVo deserves some blame here too, although they do have an uphill battle trying to interoperate with all the different cable systems. One example where I know TiVo has to take the blame was the SDV pixelation problem, which was only belatedly fixed, or even understood, by TiVo as the result of extraordinary efforts by forum member SCSIRAID.

The basic problem however is simply that TiVo is seen as an adversary by the cable cos, although they try to appear to be cooperative in order to keep the FCC off their backs. This is an unhealthy situation which tends to lead to problems as we have experienced. Hopefully, the HD DirectTiVo project will involve a friendly cooperation of the parties involved, so both of them will be invested in its success. (If it ever happens. ;))

I personally dont think the cableco's see TiVo as an adversary.... I would characterize that they see them (and other cablecard devices) as a 'burden' for which there is little return on the investment they have to make to properly 'embrace and support' them. I would say its like Mom (FCC) making you (cableco) take your pita little sibling (cablecard) to the movies. You do it but you dont have to like it and you dont go out of your way to make it enjoyable for them. :D

[dlfl]

I personally dont think the cableco's see TiVo as an adversary.... I would characterize that they see them (and other cablecard devices) as a 'burden' for which there is little return on the investment they have to make to properly 'embrace and support' them. I would say its like Mom (FCC) making you (cableco) take your pita little sibling (cablecard) to the movies. You do it but you dont have to like it and you dont go out of your way to make it enjoyable for them. :D
Good analogy -- I'll go along with that instead of "adversary" :D
Hopefully, the future will see attractive delivery systems that don't require cooperative efforts in which one or more of the parties views another as a PITA (or as an adversary ;)).

[dlfl]

I personally dont think the cableco's see TiVo as an adversary.... I would characterize that they see them (and other cablecard devices) as a 'burden' for which there is little return on the investment they have to make to properly 'embrace and support' them. I would say its like Mom (FCC) making you (cableco) take your pita little sibling (cablecard) to the movies. You do it but you dont have to like it and you dont go out of your way to make it enjoyable for them. :D
Good analogy -- I'll go along with that instead of "adversary" :D
Hopefully, the future will see attractive delivery systems that don't require cooperative efforts in which one or more of the parties views another as a PITA (or as an adversary ;)).

[Avon]

Hello,

I’m looking for anyone’s opinion or input on my problem.

I have a HD Tivo with drive expander and it’s worked fine for the last two years with Cox cable. I just moved to a Time Warner area (Northern San Diego, CA) and it worked fine with a Cisco TA (STA1520) and Scientific Atlanta M-Card for two months.

Mid-December, one tuner of the M-card started just showing a gray screen with a Tivo No Signal error message. I’ve had TW out to the house two times and they’ve replaced the Tuner Adapter and Cable card to no effect. One tuner in the M-Card receives a signal, the other does not.

The Tuning Adapter is running software version STA1.0.0_1520_LR_F.0801 with the TIVO Tuning Adapter Diagnostic showing:

Tuning Mode: QAM:256
Tuner Status: Idle/Available

The SARA Information section shows:
WARNING! 101230.23:41 (SLP) @slp.c:1667 (SLP Write Request Ox12B NAIC!)
WARNING! 101230.23:41 [SLP]@slp.c:477 (SLP: StatusRsp Timed Out)
WARNING! 101230.23:41 101230.23.41 [SLP]@slp.c 1667 (SLP:WRITE Request Ox12A NAK!]

Do these look like the problems that an INIT update/hit from Time Warner might help? Do I need to do a firmware update?

While I can maneuver around the TIVO screens, my technical understanding is limited. Do anyone have any ideas for suggestions?

Thank you,

Avon

[SCSIRAID]

Hello,

I’m looking for anyone’s opinion or input on my problem.

I have a HD Tivo with drive expander and it’s worked fine for the last two years with Cox cable. I just moved to a Time Warner area (Northern San Diego, CA) and it worked fine with a Cisco TA (STA1520) and Scientific Atlanta M-Card for two months.

Mid-December, one tuner of the M-card started just showing a gray screen with a Tivo No Signal error message. I’ve had TW out to the house two times and they’ve replaced the Tuner Adapter and Cable card to no effect. One tuner in the M-Card receives a signal, the other does not.

The Tuning Adapter is running software version STA1.0.0_1520_LR_F.0801 with the TIVO Tuning Adapter Diagnostic showing:

Tuning Mode: QAM:256
Tuner Status: Idle/Available

The SARA Information section shows:
WARNING! 101230.23:41 (SLP) @slp.c:1667 (SLP Write Request Ox12B NAIC!)
WARNING! 101230.23:41 [SLP]@slp.c:477 (SLP: StatusRsp Timed Out)
WARNING! 101230.23:41 101230.23.41 [SLP]@slp.c 1667 (SLP:WRITE Request Ox12A NAK!]

Do these look like the problems that an INIT update/hit from Time Warner might help? Do I need to do a firmware update?

While I can maneuver around the TIVO screens, my technical understanding is limited. Do anyone have any ideas for suggestions?

Thank you,

Avon

Cablecards dont have 'tuners' in them. They are decryption/encryption devices. The tuning is done by the TiVo. If you have one tuner dead then you may have a bad TiVo. Is it always the same tuner? You can go into DVR Diags and see which one it is (showing signal level 0 among other things). Is it all channels or just SDV channels? You could remove the Cablecard entirely and see if the analog channels and clear QAM channels work on both tuners. You could try adding an antenna and enabling OTA and see if the 'dead tuner' persists there.

[Avon]

Cablecards dont have 'tuners' in them. They are decryption/encryption devices. The tuning is done by the TiVo. If you have one tuner dead then you may have a bad TiVo. Is it always the same tuner? You can go into DVR Diags and see which one it is (showing signal level 0 among other things). Is it all channels or just SDV channels? You could remove the Cablecard entirely and see if the analog channels and clear QAM channels work on both tuners. You could try adding an antenna and enabling OTA and see if the 'dead tuner' persists there.

Ahhh, perhaps my word choice is part of the problem.
When you press the "Live TV" button with a M-Stream card, are you changing inputs or tuners?

Either way, it's always the secondary signal that is not coming through on any (all) channels. I'll check the DVR Diag's for signal level when I get home.

Avon

[SCSIRAID]

Ahhh, perhaps my word choice is part of the problem.
When you press the "Live TV" button with a M-Stream card, are you changing inputs or tuners?

Either way, it's always the secondary signal that is not coming through on any (all) channels. I'll check the DVR Diag's for signal level when I get home.

Avon

Pressing Live TV toggles between the two tuners regardless of whether a cablecard is present. The trick with the Live TV button is that you dont know which tuner is which unless you dig into DVR Diags and find out which tuner is supposed to be tuned to which channel.

[RTPGiants]

Nevermind...cable problems from diagnosing lsat issue. All resolved.

[SR718]

I scrolled through a bunch of posts but couldn't find exactly what i'm looking for or better yet dealing with. Just got an Tivo Premiere and I'm on TWC in Beverly Hills. They came and installed an M card which got my HD channels working but that stopped all HBO/SHO and it also stopped anything past channel 99 from working. So they came back and installed some Motorola tuner (supposed to fix this issue) which did absolutely nothing. Has anybody had a similar issue and did you get it resolved and how? thanks!

[trailmix]

I scrolled through a bunch of posts but couldn't find exactly what i'm looking for or better yet dealing with. Just got an Tivo Premiere and I'm on TWC in Beverly Hills. They came and installed an M card which got my HD channels working but that stopped all HBO/SHO and it also stopped anything past channel 99 from working. So they came back and installed some Motorola tuner (supposed to fix this issue) which did absolutely nothing. Has anybody had a similar issue and did you get it resolved and how? thanks!

Did you make sure the channels are checked off in your Channel List under TiVo settings? I would call TiVo customer support first and see if they have any suggestions. If not, call TWC customer support and tell them to try to fix it over the phone (it probably won't work), and otherwise send out another technician. I assume the last technician who installed the tuner left before confirming everything worked? Or he did the usual "it will work eventually" excuse to get out of there? Also apparently some of the TWC Motorola Tuning Adapters are an outdated version which won't work, so that could be another problem.

[klrobinson999]

Time Warner offers a "standard" service package of 71 channels...does anyone know if these are all unscrambled? Their on-line listing says it requires "no box". You don't get HD or the higher digital tiers (which repeat many of the channels anyway), but I'm not concerned about those.
Would I be able to use a new Tivo Premiere without a CableCard if I went with this standard service package? I basically would like to simply plug-and-play without the hassle of a CableCard or a Switched Digital box. Thanks for any info.

[dlfl]

Time Warner offers a "standard" service package of 71 channels...does anyone know if these are all unscrambled? Their on-line listing says it requires "no box". You don't get HD or the higher digital tiers (which repeat many of the channels anyway), but I'm not concerned about those.
Would I be able to use a new Tivo Premiere without a CableCard if I went with this standard service package? I basically would like to simply plug-and-play without the hassle of a CableCard or a Switched Digital box. Thanks for any info.
You might get more accurate responses if you provide your location, or put it in your profile. Anyway, if your TWC is like my TWC, the answer is yes, you can run your HD or Premiere as an analog SD box tuning the analog SD channels without CableCARD, and they will not be copy protected. I ran that way for a month or so before getting digital cable and the cards.

I can empathize with your desire to keep it simple but once you experience HD on a 40" or greater TV it's hard to settle for less. So far (1 yr, 7 mos) it's been worth the considerable hassle of nursing my TA along -- although not by a large margin. And the HD and all the extra channels only add about $10/mo. to the bill.

[WPe]

Look on your local TW channel listing. TW marks (2-78) digital channels with an asterisk that cannot be received without a box or cablecard. That would be 8 in my area. Also, see what the price difference between analog vs. digital + cablecard. You might find the difference minimal.

[dbelardocorrea]

My experience with TIVO premier and TW - in North Dallas.
I was so excited getting my new tivo! at last MORE MORE MORE. I poped out the cable card plugged it in and OF COURSE had to call TW. It was a saturday night (I am partnered so yeah I was sitting around saturday night teching out). I was told i SHOULD NOT EVER touch the cable cards. DUH like it is so hard to put a card in a slot. I was told a tech HAD TO COME TO THE HOUSE. I asked the lady to send a signal and fire up my card. She said she could not, so I requested an escalation. Again I was told they could not do it. Good thing I am a super tech because I told him that HE COULD. All the tech does when he comes out is pick up the phone, speak to the appropriate person and they send a signal. I had to raise my voice and shoot off an email to the president of TW Dallas to emphasize the point that the escalation guy COULD do it. Guess what? He learned something new that night. He had more power than he thought. I got my channels - even the HD's (via the sd box) and all is well. But really folks almost 2 hours to convince someone they CAN send a signal? And to tell me I am not intelligent enough to take out a cable card and plug it in? and provide the correct numbers from the card to the TW tech? WOW.

[cwoody222]

My experience with TIVO premier and TW - in North Dallas.
I was so excited getting my new tivo! at last MORE MORE MORE. I poped out the cable card plugged it in and OF COURSE had to call TW. It was a saturday night (I am partnered so yeah I was sitting around saturday night teching out). I was told i SHOULD NOT EVER touch the cable cards. DUH like it is so hard to put a card in a slot. I was told a tech HAD TO COME TO THE HOUSE. I asked the lady to send a signal and fire up my card. She said she could not, so I requested an escalation. Again I was told they could not do it. Good thing I am a super tech because I told him that HE COULD. All the tech does when he comes out is pick up the phone, speak to the appropriate person and they send a signal. I had to raise my voice and shoot off an email to the president of TW Dallas to emphasize the point that the escalation guy COULD do it. Guess what? He learned something new that night. He had more power than he thought. I got my channels - even the HD's (via the sd box) and all is well. But really folks almost 2 hours to convince someone they CAN send a signal? And to tell me I am not intelligent enough to take out a cable card and plug it in? and provide the correct numbers from the card to the TW tech? WOW.

I would have asked for a free premium channel for my hassle.

God, will they EVER learn?

[dlfl]

My experience with TIVO premier and TW - in North Dallas.
I was so excited getting my new tivo! at last MORE MORE MORE. I poped out the cable card plugged it in and OF COURSE had to call TW. It was a saturday night (I am partnered so yeah I was sitting around saturday night teching out). I was told i SHOULD NOT EVER touch the cable cards. DUH like it is so hard to put a card in a slot. I was told a tech HAD TO COME TO THE HOUSE. I asked the lady to send a signal and fire up my card. She said she could not, so I requested an escalation. Again I was told they could not do it. Good thing I am a super tech because I told him that HE COULD. All the tech does when he comes out is pick up the phone, speak to the appropriate person and they send a signal. I had to raise my voice and shoot off an email to the president of TW Dallas to emphasize the point that the escalation guy COULD do it. Guess what? He learned something new that night. He had more power than he thought. I got my channels - even the HD's (via the sd box) and all is well. But really folks almost 2 hours to convince someone they CAN send a signal? And to tell me I am not intelligent enough to take out a cable card and plug it in? and provide the correct numbers from the card to the TW tech? WOW.
Not sure what if means to be "partnered" or a "super tech" but it's been standard TWC policy to require a truck roll to install CableCARD's and to charge for it too. You got off easy compared to the rest of us!

[Lorcane]

I called up TWC 5 days ago about switching CC from one TiVo to another one. The guy on the line said, piece of cake. just call back when the new TiVo arrives and we can do it right over the phone. So my new TiVo arrives, I get is all setup with TiVo. I call TWC and they say they need a truck rollout so the Tech can sprinkle magic fairy dust over the CC so it will pair. TWC employes don't even know what they are doing, or the ppl that answer the phone after 5, rode the short bus while in school.

[m_jonis]

I called up TWC 5 days ago about switching CC from one TiVo to another one. The guy on the line said, piece of cake. just call back when the new TiVo arrives and we can do it right over the phone. So my new TiVo arrives, I get is all setup with TiVo. I call TWC and they say they need a truck rollout so the Tech can sprinkle magic fairy dust over the CC so it will pair. TWC employes don't even know what they are doing, or the ppl that answer the phone after 5, rode the short bus while in school.

All I had to do was call up and say my old one "died". The first tech was an idiot and couldn't get it working so scheduled a truck roll.

I called back the next day and got someone who knew EXACTLY what they were doing and in a few minutes voila!

[craigf]

All I had to do was call up and say my old one "died". The first tech was an idiot and couldn't get it working so scheduled a truck roll.

I called back the next day and got someone who knew EXACTLY what they were doing and in a few minutes voila!

I had the same issue tonight. I spoke to 2 levels of supervisors. The most senior one said no more activations/pairing over the phone. The used to do it as a courtesy, but no more. They had a software change and no longer have access to screens. A truck roll is required. Very silly considering that the technician will just call the numbers in anyway. I hate Time Warner logic!

[craigf]

I had the same issue tonight. I spoke to 2 levels of supervisors. The most senior one said no more activations/pairing over the phone. The used to do it as a courtesy, but no more. They had a software change and no longer have access to screens. A truck roll is required. Very silly considering that the technician will just call the numbers in anyway. I hate Time Warner logic!

I called in one more time to see if I got a different answer. I did not. According to the agent that I spoke to, their software changed about 2 weeks ago and they no longer have access to enter the information required for activation or pairing. They can only re-hit the cards.

[philbo]

For long time TimeWarner Tivo users in SoCal who need a tunning adapter, order here: timewarnercable.com/SoCal/learn/cable/sdv/ordersdv.html
Cheers,
-phil

[philbo]

I am wondering how long it takes for TWC to ship TAs from time of order and also if tuning adapters work with M-cards (i.e., support recording multiple streams, they use Cisco hardware?). I have Tivo XL HDs and Tivo HD (last generation not latest gen)
-phil

[Grumock]

I am wondering how long it takes for TWC to ship TAs from time of order and also if tuning adapters work with M-cards (i.e., support recording multiple streams, they use Cisco hardware?). I have Tivo XL HDs and Tivo HD (last generation not latest gen)
-phil

Do you know if you have a motorola card in your TIVO? If you do then you will get an Motorola MTR700 tuning adapter. Yes they work with M cards, & no idea on shipping. Did you already check locally if you can pick it up at the local office?

[bananaman]

Time Warner Cable NYC just added a new fee for CableCard users. It's been done in a rather arbitrary way. They've invented out of the sky a new $4.00 charge called the "Digital Programming Duplication" fee. It's applied to all but your first CableCard.

This means that you must pay Time Warner $2.50 for your first CableCard, and $6.50 for each CableCard after that.

For a Series 3, which requires two, that's $9 a month for CableCards :-(. And on top of that those terminal adapters just sit there doing nothing but burning electricity.

For our household, this is the straw that broke the camel's back. I just reduced our Time Warner Cable bill by more than $1,200 a year by cancelling cable TV.

We get good TV antenna reception so there's plenty OTA content to record. A Netflix subscription is just $8 a month. There's Amazon. Hulu Plus is coming. We have VUDU. New alternatives to cable TV are appearing every week.

My wife thinks that's $1,200 saved every year. Me, I think I have a bigger gadget budget!

[cwoody222]

I believe here in Buffalo I pay $2.50 per card and then another $1 for the 2nd card for an "additional outlet" fee. So I pay $6 for my Series3.

[dlfl]

Time Warner Cable NYC just added a new fee for CableCard users. It's been done in a rather arbitrary way. They've invented out of the sky a new $4.00 charge called the "Digital Programming Duplication" fee. It's applied to all but your first CableCard.

This means that you must pay Time Warner $2.50 for your first CableCard, and $6.50 for each CableCard after that.

For a Series 3, which requires two, that's $9 a month for CableCards :-(. And on top of that those terminal adapters just sit there doing nothing but burning electricity.

For our household, this is the straw that broke the camel's back. I just reduced our Time Warner Cable bill by more than $1,200 a year by cancelling cable TV.

We get good TV antenna reception so there's plenty OTA content to record. A Netflix subscription is just $8 a month. There's Amazon. Hulu Plus is coming. We have VUDU. New alternatives to cable TV are appearing every week.

My wife thinks that's $1,200 saved every year. Me, I think I have a bigger gadget budget!
:up::up::up: Bravo! That's the positive way to deal with problems, rather than whining about them on a forum! I still have cable but I maintain myself in a continual state of readiness to "cut the cord" just like you did. I hope my TWC doesn't do this extra cable card charge. I have 2 CC's in my TiVo HD (which only needs one m-card but they told me they only had s-cards). If they add that charge I will insist they either remove it or provide me with an m-card -- and if they refuse I will be joining you!

[Joey Bagadonuts]

In Anaheim CA, TWC is charging $7 for the second cable card. That's a small price to pay in my mind when you figure what the competition is here. U-Verse which I had a bad experience with BEFORE I even officially signed up for the service. And the Dish networks which I tried prior to TWC and had nothing but problems. I'll have one less glass of wine when I go out to dinner once a month to cover the extra 7 bucks TWC wants.

[Fofer]

Wow, I am astounded by how LAME LAME LAME this is. Seriously, Time Warner couldn't have done their homework and gotten whatever clearances/allowances they needed FIRST? How stupid.

http://www.fofer.com/sharedimages//Mailplane_for_Gmail-20110331-182613.jpg

[cwoody222]

Agreed... it astounds me how they thought "hey, let's just do this, legal says it's OK".

Surely at LEAST they realized this is a grey area at best?!

The registered that domain name on 3/21... 6 days after launch. Guess they really didn't think it'd be an issue?!

[mlprice]

You wouldn't remember any of the names of people that dealt with your problem would you? I have EXACTLY the same problem in Downtown LA. Too many truck rolls to count since December of 2010. Too many excuses. Any additional info would be greatly appreciated.

[jwagner010]

I am a TWC New York City Customer. Any idea when TWC will offer CableCard self installs in New York City? I want to upgrade my series 3 to a Premier but do not want to deal with a truck roll and taking a day off work (my building doesnt allow workers to enter the building on a weekend) to get the CableCard installed.

[pszypko]

Just Purchased a Premier XL. Have TWC Binghanmton, NY and will try to do a self install of the CC. Does anyone know if a TA is also required for the standard package (no Premium channels)?

[cwoody222]

Just Purchased a Premier XL. Have TWC Binghanmton, NY and will try to do a self install of the CC. Does anyone know if a TA is also required for the standard package (no Premium channels)?

It'll depend on your market's use of SDV channels.

If you're anything like Buffalo and Rochester, a LOT of channels are SDV... almost all of the HD channels. Here in Buffalo even some sub-100 channels are SDV.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say you're probably going to need a TA unless you want to miss a lot of channels you're paying for.

For what it's worth, my TA works pretty well - once it's set up right. I miss less than 1 channel change a month, on average and I have over 100 Season Passes so I record a lot.

[pszypko]

Thanks CWoody.

Any tricks to setting up the TA right, or is it hit and miss with an installer from TWC?

[cwoody222]

It's pretty much hit and miss if your installer knows what he/she is doing and that the person that they call into knows too.

One hint: I had better luck when I did not use the coax pass thru on the TA and ONLY connected the TA to the TiVo via the USB cable. (so, use a splitter on your coax to go into the TA and the TiVo separately)

The TA boosts the signal a bit on pass-thru and that caused my TiVo some tuning problems.

[dlfl]

......One hint: I had better luck when I did not use the coax pass thru on the TA and ONLY connected the TA to the TiVo via the USB cable. (so, use a splitter on your coax to go into the TA and the TiVo separately)

The TA boosts the signal a bit on pass-thru and that caused my TiVo some tuning problems.
I think your case is the exception rather than the norm. I would recommend trying the "normal" configuration (cable passes through TA) first. That way you save the cost of the splitter. And if your signal happens to be a little weak, the 6 dB advantage will help. In any case, don't use the short cable that comes in the TA box -- get TWC to make you a new one.

[pszypko]

Thanks to all! Good tips. I assume the splitter should be less than 2Ghz?

[andyw715]

I have "broacast" cable, TWC in Wilmington, NC.
I did the channel scan and now see the HD channels available with the package, but I don't see guide data.

Note: I do get the correct channel call signs in the display, just no guide data

Do I need CCs to get the data?

[cwoody222]

Do I need CCs to get the data?

Yes.

[andyw715]

I have "broacast" cable, TWC in Wilmington, NC.
I did the channel scan and now see the HD channels available with the package, but I don't see guide data.

Note: I do get the correct channel call signs in the display, just no guide data

Do I need CCs to get the data?

Just an update.

Tech came out with M-Card. Install took all of 15 min, including the call to the mothership.

Works great.

TWC Wilmington, NC truck roll was $17.00
CC monthly fee is $2.83

[snowbunny]

The truck rolled (for a $40 fee) to install my TA - I am in Austin which is a heavily SDV area. I got out the Series 3 for the first time in two years (have been using TW's awful DVR) and it fired up, connected to the Internet, etc. The tech arrived late Friday night (my appointment window was 5-8 pm; he was there at 9) and "installed" the TA.

Right.

First, there was no signal. It took me some headscratching to finally pull the crap short cable connecting the TA to the TiVo and one of the coax ground pins was smashed flat. I replaced that one and finally got signal. The tech left *without testing* because TiVo was taking its time rebooting. It's started to reboot for no reason, but not continuously.

Now I am finding that I can't receive channels above channel 21 - which may well be the SDV channels. Has anyone else had a similar problem? I have two CableCards in the TiVo that have been there since the switch to SDV made using TiVo impossible (until the advent of the Tuning Adapter). I have guide information and the cable cards "know" about the channels - but I get a grey screen.

Any clues?

[dlfl]

snowbunny,

Your experience is not that unusual. You should file a complaint with the FCC **here** (http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&drKey=1147&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tivocommunity.com%2Ftivo-vb%2Fshowthread.php%3Fp%3D8537085%23post8537085&v=1&libid=1306329923987&out=http%3A%2F%2Fesupport.fcc.gov%2Fcomplaints.htm%3Fsid%3Dd 1e664%26id%3Dd1e752&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tivocommunity.com%2Ftivo-vb%2Fforumdisplay.php%3Fs%3D%26daysprune%3D30%26f%3D3&title=Q1%202012%20TiVo%20Inc%20Earnings%20Conference%20Call% 20-%20TiVo%20Community&txt=complaint%20process). It's a very easy on-line form, 5 minutes at most. When asked for the company the complaint is against, I would enter "Time Warner" rather than "TiVo", since TWC furnishes the Tuning Adapter and the poor support for it.

[cwoody222]

The FCC complaint won't do anything to help him fix his problem.

Snowbunny - you're not getting services you're paying for. Call them. Demand they come out and fix it free of charge. Demand they STAY until the problem is fixed.

The twitter folks at @twcablehelp are excellent. They should be able to tell you exactly what stations are SDV. My bet is not EVERYTHING above 21 is SDV (local channels cannot be SDV legally) so I don't think your problem is PURELY SDV related.

Also, search this thread or the SDV thread for the special SDV 1-800 help line number. Get the CableCard help number from TiVo.com and keep that handy in case your TWC tech needs to call them.

Have you gone thru the Settings screens to test your TA and the Cards to get any info from there?

The problem IS fixable and CAN work. It just make take some persistence to get them to do it correctly.


PS My Series3 takes about 7-10 minutes to reboot fully and go thru "Acquiring Channels". No reason at all a tech can't wait for that.

[SCSIRAID]

The truck rolled (for a $40 fee) to install my TA - I am in Austin which is a heavily SDV area. I got out the Series 3 for the first time in two years (have been using TW's awful DVR) and it fired up, connected to the Internet, etc. The tech arrived late Friday night (my appointment window was 5-8 pm; he was there at 9) and "installed" the TA.

Right.

First, there was no signal. It took me some headscratching to finally pull the crap short cable connecting the TA to the TiVo and one of the coax ground pins was smashed flat. I replaced that one and finally got signal. The tech left *without testing* because TiVo was taking its time rebooting. It's started to reboot for no reason, but not continuously.

Now I am finding that I can't receive channels above channel 21 - which may well be the SDV channels. Has anyone else had a similar problem? I have two CableCards in the TiVo that have been there since the switch to SDV made using TiVo impossible (until the advent of the Tuning Adapter). I have guide information and the cable cards "know" about the channels - but I get a grey screen.

Any clues?

If your cablecards have been inactive for a while, they may need a hit to get authorized. If you go into Diags and check out the cablecard screens do you show CP Auth Recvd? You have to get the cablecards working before the TA will do you any good.

[dlfl]

The FCC complaint won't do anything to help him fix his problem.No, but it's worth five minutes just for the chance it has of favorably influencing the future.
Snowbunny - you're not getting services you're paying for. Call them. Demand they come out and fix it free of charge. Demand they STAY until the problem is fixed.
+1 :up: And if for some strange reason they don't bow to your "demands", at least request an account credit for loss of service.
The twitter folks at @twcablehelp are excellent. They should be able to tell you exactly what stations are SDV. My bet is not EVERYTHING above 21 is SDV (local channels cannot be SDV legally) so I don't think your problem is PURELY SDV related.
This is fascinating if true. Please let us know how well it works snowbunny. It would be ironic that calling the local support number and going through the aggravating menus will not usually work to get this type of information (didn't for me anyway) but a tweet will do it.
Also, search this thread or the SDV thread for the special SDV 1-800 help line number..........
The TWC National Cable Card Support (NCCS) number is 866.532.2598. Last I checked their policy prefers you have a TWC rep call them rather than calling directly yourself -- but many have called direct. They operate until 10 pm EST and on weekends.

[snowbunny]

Yes, the CableCards show as authorized. I called TW last night and got a very friendly representative who "hit" them. I believe they were also re-authorized on the install.

My time is very tight at the moment and I need something that works without having to spend hours on it. :mad:

[dlfl]

........I need something that works without having to spend hours on it. :mad:
It would be extremely interesting to know what percentage of TiVo/Cable installations fit that requirement. But no one knows, not even TiVo or the Cable Cos, despite the glowing reports they provide the FCC.

It's bad enough, although probably unavoidable, that you have to schedule several hours of time off work for the cable guy, but then when he arrives late and then rushes off...... A very similar thing happened when my CableCARDs and TA were installed and of course I wasn't getting all my SDV channels. Unless you get lucky, I don't think there is any way to avoid spending a lot of time on this.

One thing though: What software version is your TiVo on? If you re-connected after being inactive a long time, it may take several connections and a reboot before you have the latest version, which is 11.0k. If you're still on an older version that might cause some of your problems.

[SCSIRAID]

Yes, the CableCards show as authorized. I called TW last night and got a very friendly representative who "hit" them. I believe they were also re-authorized on the install.

My time is very tight at the moment and I need something that works without having to spend hours on it. :mad:

Ok... Obviously you can ignore my other response in the other thread.

If you disconnect the TA and then reboot the S3, can you now receive the low number channels such as the locals in SD?

[snowbunny]

I do have version 11k - and have been through several reboots, some of which were not planned! (system simply rebooted itself)

The TiVo is still very slow (I've disconnected it from the TA) and is taking a very long time to connect to the Internet. It takes a very long time in the "preparing...." phase. I've gotten one "error 126" message but only one.

[n64ra]

Tech came out with M-Card. Install took over an hour since he didn't know what to do. Had to get backup to come and do it. Second guy knew what to do.

Works great.

TWC Austin, TX truck roll was like $40!
CC monthly fee is $2.50

So I have a question regarding my second TV, where the cable is straight from the wall to the TV. Some of the standard cable channels (0-99) are now digital. Is there a device I can buy to get those channels (don't want to buy a 2nd Tivo or rent a cable box)? Thanks!

[SCSIRAID]

Tech came out with M-Card. Install took over an hour since he didn't know what to do. Had to get backup to come and do it. Second guy knew what to do.

Works great.

TWC Austin, TX truck roll was like $40!
CC monthly fee is $2.50

So I have a question regarding my second TV, where the cable is straight from the wall to the TV. Some of the standard cable channels (0-99) are now digital. Is there a device I can buy to get those channels (don't want to buy a 2nd Tivo or rent a cable box)? Thanks!

Assuming the channels are encrypted, No, you would have to use a cablebox or a TiVo or a Cablecard TV or PC Tuner.

[dlfl]

I do have version 11k - and have been through several reboots, some of which were not planned! (system simply rebooted itself)

The TiVo is still very slow (I've disconnected it from the TA) and is taking a very long time to connect to the Internet. It takes a very long time in the "preparing...." phase. I've gotten one "error 126" message but only one.
Taking a long time "preparing" is normal in my experience.

Tech came out with M-Card. Install took over an hour since he didn't know what to do. Had to get backup to come and do it. Second guy knew what to do.

Works great.

TWC Austin, TX truck roll was like $40!
CC monthly fee is $2.50

So I have a question regarding my second TV, where the cable is straight from the wall to the TV. Some of the standard cable channels (0-99) are now digital. Is there a device I can buy to get those channels (don't want to buy a 2nd Tivo or rent a cable box)? Thanks!
Have you tried the second TV? It's not uncommon for the analog 0-99 channels to be on the cable, "simulcast" with the digital versions.

[cwoody222]

This is fascinating if true. Please let us know how well it works snowbunny. It would be ironic that calling the local support number and going through the aggravating menus will not usually work to get this type of information (didn't for me anyway) but a tweet will do it.


Their twitter account gave me the info for my market (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=19096124&highlight=cwoody222#post19096124).

Their twitter customer service - for better or worse - is much better connected, informed and prepared to directly interact with the public.

Should the phone agents be able to supply this info? Sure. But for now, for whatever reason, they can't... or don't.

[cwoody222]

My time is very tight at the moment and I need something that works without having to spend hours on it. :mad:

Agreed.

When I moved a year ago and had a new install it took me about 5 hour-long phone calls and 2 installs over a 10 day period. But they gave me some free stuff along the way :)

But since then? A call here or there and one truck roll a few weeks ago for an unrelated issued.

It'd be great if they could get it right on the first time every time but they don't. But just stick with it. You won't be upset you did.

[dlfl]

Their twitter account gave me the info for my market (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=19096124&highlight=cwoody222#post19096124).

Their twitter customer service - for better or worse - is much better connected, informed and prepared to directly interact with the public.

Should the phone agents be able to supply this info? Sure. But for now, for whatever reason, they can't... or don't.
That's cool. I'm new to twitter so I'm curious how they got that info to you, since it's obviously more than 140 characters. Did they tweet you a link to download that PDF, or what?

I did manage to get local TWC support to read me a list of SDV channels over the phone -- which was a tedious exercise and also involved a long delay while the rep went somewhere to get the information. I wrote the list down and soon discovered it was inaccurate and incomplete. This info is something of interest only to someone using a Tuning Adapter, which is only around 0.5% of their customers, so it's not surprising their reps don't have it handy. Rather it's surprising even their twitter people can furnish it.

[cwoody222]

They asked me my email over twitter and emailed me the PDF.

[snowbunny]

Still no joy. Twitter folks have made a first response, but no followup. My daughter & I have been watching Comedy Central - she's leaving for university this August - and now can't enjoy our evening ritual because we can't tune the channel.

I do not have another television in the house.

Next available appointment is next Tuesday.

TW officially SUCKS.

I have looked and looked at settings etc and everything seems to be correct.

[cwoody222]

Plug the coax directly into your TV. You should get all the analog channels which should be approximately 2-99 which should include an analog, SD version of Comedy Central.

Not great, but better than what you have now.

[snowbunny]

cwoody - genius. Why didn't I think of that? It was tough to find the coax input on my Bravia television, but once there, yes, I can see a lot of channels.

Apparently my tuning adapter is not in "two-way" mode. Which means it cannot send the request to change the damned channel. The Twitter route did work to get a specialist to call me but there is still little they can do without a truck roll. I can pick up a different TA and try that, but if that's not the problem, then I've wasted my time.

I'll update when there's been further progress.

[cwoody222]

The adapter should only have a two way mode. There's no point in a one way mode with that device.

What is/was your connection setup? Be specific. Describe your cabeling/wiring.

[snowbunny]

The adapter should only have a two way mode. There's no point in a one way mode with that device.

What is/was your connection setup? Be specific. Describe your cabeling/wiring.

Pretty simple - main coax in to TA, coax out from TA to Tivo's coax in, Tivo's HDMI out to stereo receiver HDMI in, stereo receiver's HDMI out to television's HDMI in. USB connection between TA and Tivo. CableCards installed in TiVo.

Took same coax in as was connected to TA, connected it directly to the television, et voila, more channels.

I was told by TW national support that (before the recabling) my TA was not in two-way mode, whatever that means. I asked them if there was a way that I could force it either into two-way mode, or run diags, and was told no.

[cwoody222]

That really doesn't make any sense since the ONLY purpose of the TA is to send a channel request to the head end and then send the signal to the home. That's a two-way communication.

But I guess you're at their mercy to come out to try and fix it.

Did you ever find out which channels are SDV? Are you sure you get NOTHING above channel 21? Your local HD channels CANNOT be SDV (legally) and it's very unlikely EVERY channel above 21 is SDV. So assuming there's at least a few non-SDV channels up there if you're really not getting ANY channels above 21 then the problem isn't the TA.

Looking at their channel lineup (http://www.timewarnercable.com/texas/support/clu/clu.ashx?CLUID=231&Image1=&Zip=), it shows channels 2-22 is their "Basic Service Tier" (or "El Paquetazo Package" which also includes other Spanish channels).

I'm willing to bet the problem is as simple as they don't have your account set up properly on the Cards and their system only has you down for receiving the Basic Service Tier. And that's a problem that can easily be fixed on the phone.

PS The Basic Tier also includes channels 605, 1512 and 1542. Do you get those?

[SCSIRAID]

That really doesn't make any sense since the ONLY purpose of the TA is to send a channel request to the head end and then send the signal to the home. That's a two-way communication.

But I guess you're at their mercy to come out to try and fix it.

Did you ever find out which channels are SDV? Are you sure you get NOTHING above channel 21? Your local HD channels CANNOT be SDV (legally) and it's very unlikely EVERY channel above 21 is SDV. So assuming there's at least a few non-SDV channels up there if you're really not getting ANY channels above 21 then the problem isn't the TA.

Looking at their channel lineup (http://www.timewarnercable.com/texas/support/clu/clu.ashx?CLUID=231&Image1=&Zip=), it shows channels 2-22 is their "Basic Service Tier" (or "El Paquetazo Package" which also includes other Spanish channels).

I'm willing to bet the problem is as simple as they don't have your account set up properly on the Cards and their system only has you down for receiving the Basic Service Tier. And that's a problem that can easily be fixed on the phone.

PS The Basic Tier also includes channels 605, 1512 and 1542. Do you get those?

The TA works in 'one-way' mode until it gets its authorization over the cable (kinda like Cablecards getting CP Auth Rcvd). Once it gets its authorization it then has 'permission to speak' on the network and goes into two way mode.

[cwoody222]

The TA works in 'one-way' mode until it gets its authorization over the cable (kinda like Cablecards getting CP Auth Rcvd). Once it gets its authorization it then has 'permission to speak' on the network and goes into two way mode.

Ah. I stand corrected. Good to know.

But doesn't sound like a truck roll would be necessary to do that. They could do it over the phone, no?

[SCSIRAID]

Ah. I stand corrected. Good to know.

But doesn't sound like a truck roll would be necessary to do that. They could do it over the phone, no?

Should be easily correctable over the phone. Balance the account or perhaps a staging hit. Couple keystrokes and it would be working. Grummock can fill in the details.

[snowbunny]

I did notice the correspondence of the channels I get and don't get, to the basic cable tier, but I can't get channel 22, which is supposed to be included. Also, I get many, many channels if I connect the coax direct to the television, so unless it's ONLY the CableCards that control the "tier" I get, then I'm getting more. I've mentioned the possibility of "basic tier" set up to the phone rep, and implored the Twitter-contacted national rep as to what I could do (or they could do remotely) without a truck roll, to diag the TA. I was told *nothing*. I was told that signal strength, interference, ingress.... could all cause this and since those are physical causes, they cannot be remotely diagnosed. (I actually *understand* the technical jargon. I don't know if this makes it better or worse.)

I can try the higher channels that I'm supposed to get, but cannot do that until later.

This should not be so hard, and if it is, then the installer should be forced to stay until functionality is confirmed. TW should pay for this extra time, because the alternative when this fails is a very pissed-off customer. Unless this *rarely* happens and they are willing to make up for it.

[cwoody222]

Another hint: request a time Warner employee (not a contractor) who has experience with TiVo installs.

And the reason you get 2-99 when you plug into the tv is because they're analog and not encrypted.

[JimWall]

They need to update the cable card with your billing information so it knows what channels you are allowed to see.
also verify they have to correct host id and if that does not work then also the cable card serial number.
It took many months for TW in southwest Ohio to get their together. Like CC losing authorization every X days. But things have been good for many months now. Last time I had to call the customer service person was new but had a procedure to fix things and they worked. There are many different kinds of hits and they even remotely reboot the tuning adapter.

[wlwest82]

I have a series 3 hd tivo and Time Warner basic service (not even cable). So basically I get the local channels, and for some reason, Discovery Channel. Anyways, I have a tv at the back of the house (not connected to a Tivo) that can get HD signal directly off the coax. Fox is channel 4 in my market, and FoxHD is 4-1. This works for the other locals as well.

So here's the question. When I type in 4-1 on the HD tivo it looks like it's going to accept it, then switches to channel 1 (which would be OnDemand if I had a TWC cable box). However, if I channel down from there, it will go to channel 4 just as it would at the back of the house. So I'm wondering, is the cablecard blocking the HD signal on the Tivo since I don't have digital service? Do I even need the cablecard if I don't have digital service? If I took it out, and re-ran guided setup without it, would I be fine?

Oh, I'm in the Dallas area. Thanks!

[dlfl]

I have a series 3 hd tivo and Time Warner basic service (not even cable). So basically I get the local channels, and for some reason, Discovery Channel. Anyways, I have a tv at the back of the house (not connected to a Tivo) that can get HD signal directly off the coax. Fox is channel 4 in my market, and FoxHD is 4-1. This works for the other locals as well.

So here's the question. When I type in 4-1 on the HD tivo it looks like it's going to accept it, then switches to channel 1 (which would be OnDemand if I had a TWC cable box). However, if I channel down from there, it will go to channel 4 just as it would at the back of the house. So I'm wondering, is the cablecard blocking the HD signal on the Tivo since I don't have digital service? Do I even need the cablecard if I don't have digital service? If I took it out, and re-ran guided setup without it, would I be fine?

Oh, I'm in the Dallas area. Thanks!
You don't have digital service but you do have a CableCARD ??? How did that happen? Who provided the card? The card can do nothing useful for you without digital service and proper installation (pairing, etc.). Take the card(s) out and I predict you will get the clear QAM channels (e.g., 4-1). But then TiVo guide data will not be provided for those channels, just the analog ones (assuming they are there, i.e., via analog/digital simulcast).

[SCSIRAID]

You don't have digital service but you do have a CableCARD ??? How did that happen? Who provided the card? The card can do nothing useful for you without digital service and proper installation (pairing, etc.). Take the card(s) out and I predict you will get the clear QAM channels (e.g., 4-1). But then TiVo guide data will not be provided for those channels, just the analog ones (assuming they are there, i.e., via analog/digital simulcast).

A cablecard even without digital service should provide mapping for HD Locals which will give you guide data for those locals which enables season passes etc. Those locals should appear at the cable co virtual channel number... no dashes.

[pszypko]

I have Time Warner Binghamton, NY. Just had the cable card and tuning adapter installed yesterday. Everything worked great until I shut 'er down just after midnight. Today, the picture will freeze and display a message "this channel is not authorized. Contact your cable provider for more information". This happened on ESPN, TLC and TBS. It seems to happen a couple of minutes before the hour.

If I tune to a different channel, I get the folowing message, " This channel is temporarily unavailable. Press SELECT to try tuning to this channel again. Contact your cable previder for more information."

The locals in HD work fine. The frozen channels will come back without a reboot at about 3 to 5 minutes past the hour.

Anyone experiece this and was it the cable card or the tuning adapter?

Thanks!

[cwoody222]

I have Time Warner Binghamton, NY. Just had the cable card and tuning adapter installed yesterday. Everything worked great until I shut 'er down just after midnight. Today, the picture will freeze and display a message "this channel is not authorized. Contact your cable provider for more information". This happened on ESPN, TLC and TBS. It seems to happen a couple of minutes before the hour.

If I tune to a different channel, I get the folowing message, " This channel is temporarily unavailable. Press SELECT to try tuning to this channel again. Contact your cable previder for more information."

The locals in HD work fine. The frozen channels will come back without a reboot at about 3 to 5 minutes past the hour.

Anyone experiece this and was it the cable card or the tuning adapter?

Thanks!

SDV channels "time out" after X period of time without a channel change to them (which happens every time your TiVo starts to record something).

So if it only happens in the mornings, that's normal. It'll only affect Suggestions.

Just Ch Up and Ch Down to get the channel back.

[wlwest82]

You don't have digital service but you do have a CableCARD ??? How did that happen? Who provided the card?

I used to have digital service, which is why I got the card. But in 2008 we scaled back our service to save money, and frankly I never thought about it until recently. We're thinking of getting an HDTV soon to actually hook up to the HDTivo, so I was wondering about getting the HD channels. ("Why did you get an HD Tivo without an HDTV??" he heard ringing throughout the land. Well we got the Tivo and the TV for free, so it's hard to complain.)

[dlfl]

I used to have digital service, which is why I got the card. But in 2008 we scaled back our service to save money, and frankly I never thought about it until recently. We're thinking of getting an HDTV soon to actually hook up to the HDTivo, so I was wondering about getting the HD channels. ("Why did you get an HD Tivo without an HDTV??" he heard ringing throughout the land. Well we got the Tivo and the TV for free, so it's hard to complain.)
Your's is a very unusual situation. I've always assumed I would have to surrender my CableCARDs if I dropped digital cable (or dropped cable TV altogether). And I've wondered if they would roll a truck to pick up the cards and tuning adapter or make me take them to the nearest TWC store, which is a 40 minute drive each way. Did they stop the card rental charge on your account?

[pszypko]

SDV channels "time out" after X period of time without a channel change to them (which happens every time your TiVo starts to record something).

So if it only happens in the mornings, that's normal. It'll only affect Suggestions.

Just Ch Up and Ch Down to get the channel back.

Thanks!

I've tried this, but still get the error message " This channel is temporarily unavailable. Press SELECT to try tuning to this channel again. Contact your cable previder for more information."

I've narrowed it down to channels in the 800 - 821 range, mostly sports related (Golf, Versus, MSG, YES, ESPN NEWS, ESPN1 and ESPN2). I called tech support and tried an automated hit and that worked for a day. Bruins vs. Canucks are on Versus tonight so I'm starting to panic!

[cwoody222]

Thanks!

I've tried this, but still get the error message " This channel is temporarily unavailable. Press SELECT to try tuning to this channel again. Contact your cable previder for more information."

I've narrowed it down to channels in the 800 - 821 range, mostly sports related (Golf, Versus, MSG, YES, ESPN NEWS, ESPN1 and ESPN2). I called tech support and tried an automated hit and that worked for a day. Bruins vs. Canucks are on Versus tonight so I'm starting to panic!

If it's in a certain range I'd suspect that your cards are not properly authorized to receive that programming tier and/or a signal issue.

Just a guess, though.

[cwoody222]

I used to have digital service, which is why I got the card. But in 2008 we scaled back our service to save money, and frankly I never thought about it until recently. We're thinking of getting an HDTV soon to actually hook up to the HDTivo, so I was wondering about getting the HD channels. ("Why did you get an HD Tivo without an HDTV??" he heard ringing throughout the land. Well we got the Tivo and the TV for free, so it's hard to complain.)

Do your local channels appear in your channel guide? If so, what number are they?

Can you tune to them using something like 704 instead of 4-1?

[snowbunny]

Another hint: request a time Warner employee (not a contractor) who has experience with TiVo installs.

And the reason you get 2-99 when you plug into the tv is because they're analog and not encrypted.

I had THREE employees at my house yesterday. It was almost comical.

They claim they simply rebooted the TiVo and et voila, all the channels were there.

I find this rather improbable given being told that the problem was in the tuning adapter (being one-way) and the fact that both TiVo AND the tuning adapter had been rebooted multiple times.

However, I can now receive all the channels I checked on - will have to do a more thorough check this weekend, but things are vastly improved, including the time it takes to change channels.

[cwoody222]

I had THREE employees at my house yesterday. It was almost comical.

They claim they simply rebooted the TiVo and et voila, all the channels were there.

I find this rather improbable given being told that the problem was in the tuning adapter (being one-way) and the fact that both TiVo AND the tuning adapter had been rebooted multiple times.

However, I can now receive all the channels I checked on - will have to do a more thorough check this weekend, but things are vastly improved, including the time it takes to change channels.

My guess is that it was fixed remotely before the techs arrived at your place and they actually did nothing. (not that they knew that)

[dpratt]

My trusty series 3 is on it's way out, and I'm looking at this as an excuse to buy a premiere.

I know that the customer support person is going to say that this requires a technician to come out, but all he's going to do is swap the cards, move the TA and call a hotline to get the authorization done. I see no reason at all that I can't do this myself.

I'm in Austin, TX - is there a contact at the local time warner office that I can talk to to do this? I can't imagine that it would take more than a few minutes if everything goes well.

[Fofer]

My S3 used two S-Cards so I could use both tuners. (Pretty sure even I put in an M-Card, I'd need two of them in that device.)

The Premiere will need one M-Card so you can use both tuners.

[cwoody222]

Correct, the original Series3 required 2 Cards even if they were M-Cards. Depending on the original install, they may be M-Cards (S-Cards were discontinued awhile back)

The Premiere requires 1 M-Card (it only has one slot so it cannot use 2 S-Cards).

So if the original poster has S-Cards in his Series3, he's going to need a truck roll to get an M-Card.

[Fofer]

If he has any M-Cards in his Series 3 though, can he use that in his Premiere?

[cwoody222]

If he has any M-Cards in his Series 3 though, can he use that in his Premiere?

Theoretically, I think so.

But they'd still need to be paired.

To the Original Poster - have you tried to contact TWC support via twitter or the special CableCARD 800 number (both in this thread). They MAY be able to help. But I have a feeling they're going to require a truck roll, unfortunately.

[cwoody222]

Is there anywhere on the diag screens to tell the original poster if they're S or M cards? In case he's scared to pop them out or if it's inconvenient to do so?

[wlwest82]

Did they stop the card rental charge on your account?

TWC? Is that a joke? Cause it's funny. At this point, I look out on the future and reason with myself that I may get digital service again soon (next year, maybe) and paying the rental over that time is going to be less than giving the card back and having them roll a truck to reinstall it.

Stop the rental charge...What a comedian!


Do your local channels appear in your channel guide? If so, what number are they?

Can you tune to them using something like 704 instead of 4-1?

Hmm, now that's an interesting question. I hadn't thought of that. I'll check tonight.

[wlwest82]

Hmm, now that's an interesting question. I hadn't thought of that. I'll check tonight.

cwoody222 was correct! I was indeed receiving the HD signals way up in the 400s. Never dawned on me to check. Thanks for the help!

[MicahG]

I keep hearing that TWC is moving away from CableCards, but I feel like they've been saying this for a long time. Anyone have any info or insight? I heard one TWC dude say they take the cards and they hook up a box to the tivo, which didn't make much sense to me. I haven't experienced a loss of channels which TWC is saying will happen. Just wondering though...

[cwoody222]

I keep hearing that TWC is moving away from CableCards, but I feel like they've been saying this for a long time. Anyone have any info or insight? I heard one TWC dude say they take the cards and they hook up a box to the tivo, which didn't make much sense to me. I haven't experienced a loss of channels which TWC is saying will happen. Just wondering though...

Not true.

They'd LIKE to stop offering them but they legally have to support 3rd party devices like TiVo and it wouldn't work with another box.

Your TWC person is either lying or uninformed. Or speaking about a SDV Adapter box which works WITH CCs not in place of them.

[Fofer]

The box is's talking about sounds like the SDV adapter for areas that have employed Switched Digital Video... but even still, the TiVo still needs CableCards.

[MicahG]

The box is's talking about sounds like the SDV adapter for areas that have employed Switched Digital Video... but even still, the TiVo still needs CableCards.

Ok that makes sense. Has anyone in the So Cal area had one of these adapters installed? I think I read they are free, right? It doesn't mess with the CC's config does it? I just don't want to go through that pain again. I don't even know if my area is SDV or not.

[Joey Bagadonuts]

Bit of a curve ball here but, would anyone know why I can't get my HBO channels (503-512) or my Encore channels (283-289) on my Series 2's anymore? The box will auto scroll through these channels and lock on whatever the channel is after 289 or 512. For example, I will manually go to 503 and the box will then auto-scroll until it gets to a 600 series number. Same thing when I manually go to 283 - the box will auto scroll to channel 290.

[Teeps]

Bit of a curve ball here but, would anyone know why I can't get my HBO channels (503-512) or my Encore channels (283-289) on my Series 2's anymore? The box will auto scroll through these channels and lock on whatever the channel is after 289 or 512. For example, I will manually go to 503 and the box will then auto-scroll until it gets to a 600 series number. Same thing when I manually go to 283 - the box will auto scroll to channel 290.

Maybe SDV is enabled in your area.

[Teeps]

With regard to SDV channels:
If a SDV channel is requested by one "box" on the pipeline...
Would this channel be available to all boxes on the same pipeline?
Or, specifically a TiVo with cable cards, without using a tuning adapter?

[SCSIRAID]

With regard to SDV channels:
If a SDV channel is requested by one "box" on the pipeline...
Would this channel be available to all boxes on the same pipeline?
Or, specifically a TiVo with cable cards, without using a tuning adapter?

The stream is going to be present on all sets within the service group but the TiVo with cable cards but without TA isnt going to know what QAM to tune to in order to find the program.

[Joey Bagadonuts]

Maybe SDV is enabled in your area.
But I didn't think SDV effected series 2's. If so, how do I correct this? :confused:

[Wait_What]

Sounds like it might be a simple lineup issue, did you check your channel list?

[Joey Bagadonuts]

Sounds like it might be a simple lineup issue, did you check your channel list?
Yep, the line up list is accurate. I should have mentioned, we have three series 2's in our home and each is doing the same thing. No problems with the TiVo HD we have.

[abredt]

Ok that makes sense. Has anyone in the So Cal area had one of these adapters installed? I think I read they are free, right? It doesn't mess with the CC's config does it? I just don't want to go through that pain again. I don't even know if my area is SDV or not.

I'm in the West Valley and my tuning adapter works fine. Lots of SDV channels, especially The Weather Channel. The first one kept rebooting so I had to get another one. It was a while ago, so I don't remember if the TiVo needed setup again.
cb

[SCSIRAID]

Yep, the line up list is accurate. I should have mentioned, we have three series 2's in our home and each is doing the same thing. No problems with the TiVo HD we have.

Does the TiVo HD have Cablecards and a tuning adapter? Are your S2's set up to control a cablebox? Given the channel numbers I would assume yes? If so, your account may need a balancing hit to get them authorized?

[Joey Bagadonuts]

Does the TiVo HD have Cablecards and a tuning adapter? Are your S2's set up to control a cablebox? Given the channel numbers I would assume yes? If so, your account may need a balancing hit to get them authorized?

Thanks for the troubleshooting efforts - I appreciate it. Yes, the S2's control a cable box via IR and yes, the HD has Cablecards and a tuning adapter.

How does one execute a balancing hit?

Again, thanks for your time.

[dlfl]

.......How does one execute a balancing hit?......
Call TWC service and ask the rep to go to the Customer Balancing Screen (Screen 07) and hit the Enter key. If the rep won't or can't do it, hang up, wait a few minutes and call back again (getting a different rep).

[Teeps]

The stream is going to be present on all sets within the service group but the TiVo with cable cards but without TA isnt going to know what QAM to tune to in order to find the program.

So is the QAM frequency selection random or rolling?

The reason I ask is, TimeWarner sent me out a tuning adapter late last year, November if I recall.

I have yet to experience SDV, here in Torrance.

[SCSIRAID]

So is the QAM frequency selection random or rolling?

The reason I ask is, TimeWarner sent me out a tuning adapter late last year, November if I recall.

I have yet to experience SDV, here in Torrance.

It is based on current service group load. The group has a set of frequencies allocated for SDV usage. When a channel is selected, the STB or TA will request the program to be supplied and the SDV server will allocate it to an open slot on one of the allocated QAM's and then tell the STB/TA where to go get it.

If you dont have SDV, why did they send you a tuning adapter? Do you have it plugged into the TiVo?

[Teeps]

It is based on current service group load. The group has a set of frequencies allocated for SDV usage. When a channel is selected, the STB or TA will request the program to be supplied and the SDV server will allocate it to an open slot on one of the allocated QAM's and then tell the STB/TA where to go get it.

Makes sense.



If you dont have SDV, why did they send you a tuning adapter? Do you have it plugged into the TiVo?

TimeWarner sent notices out about a year ago announcing that SDV was eminent... Fast forward to the end of 2010 and a tuning adapter shows up.
I had ordered it on TW's web site at the start of 2010.
That's why I have the adapter.

No, I do not have the T/A installed... yet. I figured if it's not broken, I'm not going to fix it.

[cwoody222]

Makes sense.




TimeWarner sent notices out about a year ago announcing that SDV was eminent... Fast forward to the end of 2010 and a tuning adapter shows up.
I had ordered it on TW's web site at the start of 2010.
That's why I have the adapter.

No, I do not have the T/A installed... yet. I figured if it's not broken, I'm not going to fix it.

Looks like lots of other So Cal locations use lots of SDV. Maybe Torrance lucked out and hasn't switched over yet. But you may eventually.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/socal/learn/cable/sdv/

[Teeps]

Looks like lots of other So Cal locations use lots of SDV. Maybe Torrance lucked out and hasn't switched over yet. But you may eventually.

http://www.timewarnercable.com/socal/learn/cable/sdv/

Looks like areas north/north-west of Down Town L.A. according to the list.
Even so, I did not see Speed TV or any other stations I watch on that 2009/2010 list.

Well, "when" it happens I have the technology in hand, providing there are no other problems.

[cwoody222]

Here's a new one. Last night I was recording Teen Wolf on MTVHD from 10-11pm and recording/watching Nurse Jackie & United States of Tara on SHOHD from 10-11pm also.

Teen Wolf recorded fine, as did Nurse Jackie. But Tara didn't. No signal. Playing around, waiting until 11pm, I could see that that tuner wouldn't get ANY channel! Then, after Teen Wolf ended I tried that tuner and it couldn't tune anything either!

I did a soft reboot of the TiVo and that brought back some analog and digital cable channels. But no HD and no SHO. But I set Tara to record a rerun at 11:30pm anyway and went to bed.

Lo and behold this morning that Tara DID record on SHOHD at 11:30pm. And now I can see a few more HD channels (just about half a dozen including ESPN, HBO, SHO - but just the main HBO and SHO, none of the secondary ones). I've lost all my other stations in the 700+ range.

I tried a reboot of the SDV Adapter and a cold reboot of the TiVo this morning. That seemed to get everything back. Really weird that it would just stop working right after 2 recordings.

[Teeps]

Looks like areas north/north-west of Down Town L.A. according to the list.
Even so, I did not see Speed TV or any other stations I watch on that 2009/2010 list.

Well, "when" it happens I have the technology in hand, providing there are no other problems.


It's here........
Yesterday I went to watch the new Covert Affairs, which I saw recording the day before.
No joy.
The recording was not on the now playing list. On "to do list" TiVo said the program did not record, because it did not have a signal.

Installed the Tuning Adapter about 30 minutes ago (5pm pst) still waiting for Speed (468) Channel to show...

[Greywacke99]

It's here........
Yesterday I went to watch the new Covert Affairs, which I saw recording the day before.
No joy.
The recording was not on the now playing list. On "to do list" TiVo said the program did not record, because it did not have a signal.

Installed the Tuning Adapter about 30 minutes ago (5pm pst) still waiting for Speed (468) Channel to show...

Similar story down here in Fountain Valley with my S3. Got original SDV letter back in Nov, ordered TA, got TA, but didn't need to install b/c SDV rollout was delayed.

Got second SDV letter in mid-May ("coming soon, for real this time"), and last night recordings and channels begin to fail. Installed TA (Cisco STA1520), called TWC and reauthorized channels/box, per instructions. Getting steady blinking green light on TA for 15 min since power up. Will check on status in morning and report. Hoping for the best in this brave new world....

[Teeps]

Similar story down here in Fountain Valley with my S3. Got original SDV letter back in Nov, ordered TA, got TA, but didn't need to install b/c SDV rollout was delayed.

Got second SDV letter in mid-May ("coming soon, for real this time"), and last night recordings and channels begin to fail. Installed TA (Cisco STA1520), called TWC and reauthorized channels/box, per instructions. Getting steady blinking green light on TA for 15 min since power up. Will check on status in morning and report. Hoping for the best in this brave new world....

I hope your's goes better than mine.
2 hours after reauthorization, blinking light; NO JOY...

Last night I call TW to have them "hit" the box again. Pretty much exactly what you are seeing, blinking green light. (This morning 23Jun and, it's still blinking.)

Call TW again (22 Jun), they schedule a truck roll for Saturday.

I'm going to check if the TW office here in Torrance has an adapter. If so, try swapping that out today.

[cwoody222]

I hope your's goes better than mine.
2 hours after reauthorization, blinking light; NO JOY...

Last night I call TW to have them "hit" the box again. Pretty much exactly what you are seeing, blinking green light. (This morning 23Jun and, it's still blinking.)

Call TW again (22 Jun), they schedule a truck roll for Saturday.

I'm going to check if the TW office here in Torrance has an adapter. If so, try swapping that out today.

I've gone thru the replacement box and a truck roll. That's rarely the cause... it's usually something they can 100% fix over the phone but they're not trained how to.

PS Have you tried calling TW's CableCARD support or tried their @TWCableHelp twitter account?

Good luck! :)

[Teeps]

I've gone thru the replacement box and a truck roll. That's rarely the cause... it's usually something they can 100% fix over the phone but they're not trained how to.

PS Have you tried calling TW's CableCARD support or tried their @TWCableHelp twitter account?

Good luck! :)

Good news:
TW Torrance had tuning adapters and cheerfully swapped it out.
Reauthorized the "boxes" and within 5 minutes Speed TV was back on the screen.
However, the green indicator on the front, of the adapter, is still flashing.
Long as it works I'm happy.
A spot of black electrical tape will take care of the flashing, if it comes to that.

[Greywacke99]

Good news:
TW Torrance had tuning adapters and cheerfully swapped it out.
Reauthorized the "boxes" and within 5 minutes Speed TV was back on the screen.
However, the green indicator on the front, of the adapter, is still flashing.
Long as it works I'm happy.
A spot of black electrical tape will take care of the flashing, if it comes to that.

My SDV channels weren't coming in this morning, the HD ones had a bizarre test pattern showing on them, while the SD ones were just a blank screen. Luckily, I don't record/watch much programming on the SDV ones.

I'll try one more "box" reauth tonight before calling TWC and/or attempting a TA swap on Friday.

Please post an update indicating if you new box has remained stable and that you are getting all your SDV channels. Thanks!

[Greywacke99]

Ok, after another call to reauthorize "box"', turning TA off and back on using power button, and disconnecting/reconnectng USB cable, I got a steady green light on the front of the Cisco TA and my SDV channels are now coming in!

Hoping for stability now....

[Teeps]

About 4 hours after I last posted Speed TV was listed as not available at this time call the cable co.
The green indicator, on the T/A, was still blinking.
Later on that night I noticed TiVo was recording "Speed Makers" on Speed. Pressed the play button and yep, Speed was recording.
The green indicator continued to blink.
This morning the green indicator was steady on.

So it would appear that it takes many hours for this T/A to get fully initialized.

[Chazz8]

Just wanted to share a good story (not great) experience here in Syracuse NY with Time Warner. Got my first HD tv (Panasonic p46st30), and quickly added a refurb Premire XL. Scheduled my install CC install for Mon and TiVo came before that on Fri. The nice man arrives on time and comes in, takes a look and says "I wish I knew you wanted to install a CC in a TiVo, because I don't have a TA in the van." I calmly inform him that I was very specific about the TiVo when I made the appt, and played nice because it looked like he was thinking about how to fix it (and he seems to have some experience). The solution was that he will make sure somebody comes back next day with TA. Next day I get another experienced tech plus trainee and a TA. The install was not easy, but after a second TA (the last one available from warehouse ... Really?) and three more calls to try to get that little green led to stop blinking and go solid. Then nothing but TiVo HD bliss. We even had a short power outage, and everything powered up and was working fine when I checked. Time Warner CC was the cheapest way to get lots of HD channels, just $3/month extra. Love the dual tuner and almost sorry that I ruined SD signal forever for myself.

[Snacko]

I got my Tivo Premier 45hr about a month ago and it worked fine with the card and Tuning Adapter until last Thursday 6/17/2011. Some switched digital channels stopped working. My Time Warner cable guy has been here 3 times and is still here as I speak, talking to their Cable Card Hotline.

My Tivo loses some SD channels. We have replaced the card, and 2 tuning adapters. We have rebooted the Tivo and TA many times. We unplug the Tivo Wireless, and TA USB, reboot both devices, then plug in the wireless adapter and then the TA usb. (I read here that this is the sequence recommended.) It does not fix it.

The guy on the Time Warner Cable Card Hotline just told us that there was a bug in the last Tivo Software Update that loses SD channels as we described. Does anybody know about this???? Where can you find the actual date of the last software update?

[randywalters]

I hope your's goes better than mine.
2 hours after reauthorization, blinking light; NO JOY...

Last night I call TW to have them "hit" the box again. Pretty much exactly what you are seeing, blinking green light. (This morning 23Jun and, it's still blinking.) Call TW again (22 Jun), they schedule a truck roll for Saturday.SDV struck El Segundo the same morning as Torrance and Hawthorne (we're on the same local Torrance/Gardena/Hawthorne/El Segundo network). I installed my TA about a month ago since it looked like SDV was finally going to be activated soon (and two years of SDV warning letters) in the hopes that things would go seemlessly once SDV came online, but it still all went sideways on 6/22. I came home for lunch that day and saw that my TA was blinking for the first time since i connected it last month, and my Tivo S3 would not tune so many channels, and the more i tried the more channels seemed to be dropping.

Then after work, my Tivo wouldn't tune to any cable channels at all (not even 3, 5, 405, 468, nothing) so i first called and selected their automated re-authorization but that didn't get it working. So i called to speak to a CSR and the guy was knowledgeable and sent a few signals to it, but it still wouldn't work so he scheduled a Saturday truck roll. I rebooted the TA a few times but still nuthin. I gave up and went out for dinner.

But after dinner a few hours later i noticed the LED was now solid, and i was now able to tune to all my previous and new channels and so far the TA has been working fine and my Tivo hasn't missed any recordings (i'm mostly concerned about Speed Channel and Versus - i don't want to miss any races in the various series that i'm following). I think they were having a problem at the head-end which got rectified later that evening. I canceled my truck roll this morning.

But i don't trust it yet. A few times during testing it was unable to tune a channel i'd just selected and i had to try it again then it worked. So for the time being, i'm going to also set my SA8300HD (sits next to my Tivo) for my racing as a backup. I'm also thinking about trading my trusty 5-year-old 8300HD for that fancy new 500GB/70hrs HD Whole House DVR that they're advertising heavily on TV here (although my local TWC office doesn't know anything about it).

Edit - i just went into the other room (where i had been watching Sprint Cup Practice from Sear Point) and my friggin TV has a black screen and a Tivo message that the channel is unavailable and to press Select to tune the channel. Pressed SELECT and the channel re-appears, but my buffer is gone so i can't rewind. I hope this doesn't happen when it's recording a program while i'm away from the house.

[djwilso]

Edit - i just went into the other room (where i had been watching Sprint Cup Practice from Sear Point) and my friggin TV has a black screen and a Tivo message that the channel is unavailable and to press Select to tune the channel. Pressed SELECT and the channel re-appears, but my buffer is gone so i can't rewind. I hope this doesn't happen when it's recording a program while i'm away from the house.

This won't happen if the TiVo is recording. When it's not recording, it will time out and display a message on the screen telling you to press Select or else it will release its lease on that SDV channel and it will go black.

This is done because there are only so many leases available for an SDV channel, and someone else might not be able to tune it if all the leases are in use, which could happen if enough people just tuned to the channel and left it there for a long time.

[Teeps]

(i'm mostly concerned about Speed Channel and Versus - i don't want to miss any races in the various series that i'm following). I think they were having a problem at the head-end which got rectified later that evening. I canceled my truck roll this morning.


Me too!

Canceling the truck roll might have been a mistake, but good to hear that your setup is working.

The story here continues... Same issues, one hour speed is there and versus is not, then visa versa.
However, TiVo did manage to get the Tour de France preview and F1 qualifying recorded, since my T/A ordeal started.

Had truck roll scheduled for Saturday 3-5pm.
Got a call from T/W about 5:30 saying they were running behind.
At 6:30pm they called back, apologizing all up and down for my troubles.

The T/W agent that called the second time told me that it was all on their end, that it was not a TiVo problem. And, that they could not fulfill truck roll because the Technician in the field ran out of hardware solutions on the truck. Evidently due to, the unexpected, high volume of SDV problems with TiVo S3 customers.

I did learn that the blinking light on the T/A means it's not active (or communicating correctly.) The agent, also, hinted that T/W might be able to resolve this issue in house and that a truck roll may not be needed.

Another truck roll scheduled for Tuesday 28Jun2011, we'll see how that goes.
Hope it's not needed.