Cannot Get Basic Cable Signal via Time Warner

[marcinraleigh]

I am just installing my new Tivo 2 and I know for a fact that I have everything plugged in correctly. (it's really not that complicated) - Nonetheless when running the video setup I cannot get a picture on the basic cable. It's just black.

I read in a blog where Time Warner in my market uses "switched channel technology" for it's basic cable to thwart Tivo users. Is this true and if so is it why I cannot get a signal on my basic cable test?

To quote the blog..

"Sadly, I learned today that TWC has essentially crippled the Cable Cards in this area by using switched channel technology, the end result of which is the inability to receive the digital versions of basic cable channels."

I am running the Tivo 2 dual chanel unit and have digital cable with a Pioneer cable box. Am I sol? Any suggestions?

Thanks.

[omni555]

TWC supplies MY signal, and I have had no problems with my two DT units.

...I wonder is it just in specific areas that they are doing this, cause I have heard about problems getting a signal from TWC before... Or maybe there is a problem with your setup or with your hardware??? :cool:

[marcinraleigh]

Eh - people have wanted to blame the hardware but I thik that's just tech support wanting to pass the buck. I'll continue to mess with it and hopfully can get it fixed.

It's a pretty big dissapointment as without that I've pretty much rendered my upgrade from my old tivo useless.

[classicsat]

Basic signal is a different issue, and affects channels on the other end of the spectrum.

Many urban centers scramble most of the basic cable lineup, not to thwart TiVo users, but cable TV pirates. It itsn't a provider wide issue, but an issue based on where on lives, and the policy of the local office.

SDV (search for it, you'll find more info), is basically a meansto provide more channels, by placing extra channels on the cable only as needed, requiring their box to get. SDV has nothing to do with thwarting TiVo users, but on the surface, appears to be a salvo against Cablecard in general. A
lso, SDV is only in certian markets at this time, not TW wide.

[lstorey]

we were recently switched from Comcast to TW and have had no problems with either our S2 or S2DT...but then we also don't have a cable box.

[alansplace]

I am just installing my new Tivo 2 and I know for a fact that I have everything plugged in correctly. (it's really not that complicated) - Nonetheless when running the video setup I cannot get a picture on the basic cable. It's just black.

I read in a blog where Time Warner in my market uses "switched channel technology" for it's basic cable to thwart Tivo users. Is this true and if so is it why I cannot get a signal on my basic cable test?

To quote the blog..

"Sadly, I learned today that TWC has essentially crippled the Cable Cards in this area by using switched channel technology, the end result of which is the inability to receive the digital versions of basic cable channels."

I am running the Tivo 2 dual chanel unit and have digital cable with a Pioneer cable box. Am I sol? Any suggestions?

Thanks.have you tried plugging the cable tv feed (no cable box, no TiVo) directly into the tv's rf input. if your tv can tune and display the cable system's analog channels (normally 1-99) then so can TiVo.
--
Alan :D

[TivoZorro]

have you tried plugging the cable tv feed (no cable box, no TiVo) directly into the tv's rf input. if your tv can tune and display the cable system's analog channels (normally 1-99) then so can TiVo.
--
Alan :D

And if that is the case, you may have to have a new line installed that runs from the pole to where the cable connects to your house. That is what happened to us, our cable was crappy plus the cable box wouldn't work at all for over a year. I didn't do anything about it until lightning struck a house up the street and made the cable signal ten times worse. When the cable guy came out he tested the signal on the pole which was perfect. It just wasn't reaching the house. Two weeks later a sub contractor came out and installed the new line from the pole to the house. He said that he usually replaces these on a house every ten years. But he said if it should happen to get hit by lightning again he would be back out here sooner. Since the replacement our cable box has worked great. Take note, however, that we have the box on the tv closest to where the cable comes into the house. The further away the box is where it comes into the house the less signal it will have and that can affect the performance. In that case you may need a new line and a singal amplifier installed on the house.

[marcinraleigh]

classic forum - everyone looks too far for the problem. Channel 0 was throwing everything off. Even their level 2 tech support didn't know this but I switched channel 0 from local to be handled by the cable box and everything started working just fine. :)

[classicsat]

we were recently switched from Comcast to TW and have had no problems with either our S2 or S2DT...but then we also don't have a cable box.
You must live in a more suburban, smaller, or more affluent city.

I should clarify a bit though. It is in cities like New York or Philadelphia, where there a lot of "poorer" people that would tend to try to steal cable TV (not to disparrage them altogether, I am guessing that most are honest working folk) .

SDV won't affect those that use a cable provided box, juse those that use a cablecard tuner or DVR (like theS3).