Series 3 and HDMI channel issues after 3 months of no problems

[vikingchris]

After having my Series 3 for 3 months, all of a sudden it wouldn't play several channels over the HDMI connection. This problem occurs on livetv and on recorded shows. These channels include FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC, USA, TNT, and many others. Most of the channels that don't work are standard def channels, but both the HD and SD channels of TNT are affected. (I can watch HDCBS, but not SDCBS. The message that appears on the screen is:

"Viewing is not permitted using the Tivo Digital Media Recorder...Try another TV input"

When I try component, composite or any other input, it works fine. But, I bought my HDtivo to use through HDMI and it worked great for 3 months. After doing a little bit more investigating, I found that all of the channels that aren't working give this message when they are recorded and you press info for more details:

"Restrictions: Due to the policy set by the copyright holder, this recording: Cannot be transferred to VCR, DVD, or any other media device. To learn more, visit (tivo website that I can't post until after I've made 5 posts.)

I spoke with many TIVO reps over the past 2 weeks, and they still have not been able to figure out the problem. The last person I spoke with said he thinks it is and HDCP error in communication between the TIVO and the TV. But, it worked fine for 3 months!? So, I'm at a loss to figure out the problem.

Some things that have been tried through recommendations from TIVO that have not fixed it are:
1. Changed HDMI cable
2. Changed video output settings
3. Had COX cable come out and check the video cards.
4. Had COX rep talk with TIVO rep on phone. :)

Other info that people may ask...
I live in San Diego and have Cox communications.
The HDMI cable goes straight from the TIVO to the TV.
I have spoken with TIVO about 6 times, and COX 3 times.
All of the other inputs/output combos work fine.
All channels work fine through any other input/ouput combo.

p.s. I'm going to put this in Help center and Series 3 forum because I'm trying to get the word out about this issue as well as see if _anybody_ has any suggestions.

[jfh3]

Sounds like your cable company set the copy never flag. Post the CCI info from your cable card diag screens.

[djwilso]

After having my Series 3 for 3 months, all of a sudden it wouldn't play several channels over the HDMI connection. This problem occurs on livetv and on recorded shows. These channels include FOX, CBS, NBC, ABC, USA, TNT, and many others. Most of the channels that don't work are standard def channels, but both the HD and SD channels of TNT are affected. (I can watch HDCBS, but not SDCBS. The message that appears on the screen is:

"Viewing is not permitted using the Tivo Digital Media Recorder...Try another TV input"
I am a Cox cable customer located in Phoenix, AZ and have experienced the same error message above. I have my Series3 connected to a Sony HDTV using the HDMI connection.

In my case, I have only received the error on digital channels that are also encrypted, which in my case includes this list:

ESPN HD
iNHD
Discovery HD Theater
Universal HD
TNT HD
MHD
HBO HD

To resolve the issue, I put the Tivo into Standby mode and then bring it back out, making certain that my TV is fully on and set to the HDMI input that the Tivo is connected to.

After doing that, all of the channels display properly.

I have verified that even when this message is being displayed and that particular channel is the one being recorded, the entire recording will play back correctly after performing the Standby / Out of Standby sequence.

I agree with you that it seems to be an HDCP copy-protection issue. If the TV is powered off, it does not appear to be capable of performing the necessary handshake with the Tivo to allow it to decrypt the bitstream. It seems like it could be fixed with retry logic in the software since going into Standby clears it up (for me, anyway).

This is just one more reason in a long list that DRM is bad. Down with DRM!!! :)

I hope this helps.

Dennis

[Roderigo]

Sounds like your cable company set the copy never flag. Post the CCI info from your cable card diag screens.
Any copy protection could cause this problem. If the cable company just switched on copy protection - that could be something out of the OP's control that changed.

[Roderigo]

After doing a little bit more investigating, I found that all of the channels that aren't working give this message when they are recorded and you press info for more details:

"Restrictions: Due to the policy set by the copyright holder, this recording: Cannot be transferred to VCR, DVD, or any other media device. To learn more, visit (tivo website that I can't post until after I've made 5 posts.)

This means the channels have copy protection on them. Do you have any old recordings from these channels that you can view properly? if so, see if they have this message, and you can see if your cable company has recently turned on copy protection.


I spoke with many TIVO reps over the past 2 weeks, and they still have not been able to figure out the problem. The last person I spoke with said he thinks it is and HDCP error in communication between the TIVO and the TV. But, it worked fine for 3 months!? So, I'm at a loss to figure out the problem.

The key bid of diagnostics is in the System Information screen. the HDMI Status needs to say HDCP Enabled (or Not Connected). If it says failed, the S3 won't allow you to view copy protected programs (as required by the cablecard spec). It is kinda surprising that the cable company has copy protection turned on for broadcast stations. Most companies don't do that.

[vikingchris]

jfh3 - I'm not sure what CCI means, but my cable card screen looks like this...

RESERVED
RESERVED
SA CableCARD CP Screen
SA CableCARD Diag Screen
SA CableCARD/Host ID Screen
Reserved

When I click on CP Screen I get...

Scientific Atlanta CableCARD
CP information
__________________
Auth Status:CP Auth Received
Prog number:2
CCI byte 0x02
ECM count:24
EMM count:0
Decryption Status: OK
PowerKey statues Ready
EID: 0x7f
MKS period: 100 seconds
KSE count: 0

Djwilso (Dennis)
Those channels work for me, with the exception of HDTNT. I attempted the standby and then pressed livetv button to bring it out of standby and got the same message.

Roderigo
I delete the old shows after I watch them, but I had no problem with a show on TNTHD 3 days prior to this issue.
My System Information screen says "HDMI status: HDCP not enabled." This seems like it is the problem. How do I fix this?

Thanks to all those helping with this matter. It is extremely frustrating.

[jfh3]

There is a known issue whereby:

- If CCI is 0x02 (copy once) AND
- If HDMI Status: is "HDCP not enabled"

then the TiVo turns off all video outputs. The video still records, but won't display.

[IceStorm]

My System Information screen says "HDMI status: HDCP not enabled." This seems like it is the problem. How do I fix this?

Thanks to all those helping with this matter. It is extremely frustrating.It means HDCP handshaking/negotiation between your TiVo and the TV is failing. Try power-cycling the TV - power it off with the power button, let whatever fans or widgets that may continue to run afterwards shut off, then unplug the thing from the AC outlet. Let it sit for a minute, then plug it back in and power it on.

If that doesn't clear the fault, do the same for the TiVo.

If that doesn't do it, do what I did - switch to component.

My TV (Sony KDF-42WE655) sends the TiVo into an "HDCP not enabled" state when it is in standby mode. As I use a Slingbox on the s-video output when I'm away from home, this isn't acceptable. I went back to using Component and leaving the HDMI disconnected. No big loss. A PS3 is now on the HDMI input. :-)

Last I talked with TiVo (about two months ago) they knew about the problem but there was no word on a "fix". Anyone know if there's been further official information given out yet? I presume this is all the HDMI consortium's doing and TiVo has their hands tied.