compuz1
01-20-2007, 11:28 AM
Just wanted to let everyone know, I am having (Comcast of Boston) stop by today to install CableCards in my second house. Thought this would be a good way to directly compare two Cable Operators in their TiVo install (I also have Cablevision of Woodbury).
Review coming shortly!
Best,
Compuz1
__________________________________________________________
In contrast to my multiple (successful and failed) CV installs, the Comcast one was MUCH smoother. The tech might have been a contractor (does Comcast use these?) as he doesn't work in Boston a lot ("They send me wherever") and didn't have the stuff Comcast guys usually do (i.e. even a Comcast uniform).
Brought 3 Cable Cards (as requested). Was rather inappropriate cursing like a sailor. I didn't mind it much, but I wouldn't want him to do an install for a grandmother. Was complaining about the TiVos, etc before he even began. I told him if he followed the directions exactly, it would work. Conversation went like this:
Me: Just follow the directions and usually it works fine.
Comcast: Yeah, I just pop one card in, get the screen, pop the card out, put in the other and then call for activation.
Me: You don't need to take out the card, there are two tuners.
Comcast: Yeah, whatever.
Me: I'm not kidding, don't take the card out of slot one and then put another in.
Comcast: Fine, we'll do it your way, but it won't work.
Me: Good.
Comcast guy puts card one in bottom slot (I left the Green protector over two so he wouldn't try to put it in there).
Me: Ok, it can take a few for the screen.
Comcast: I have a shortcut. (Grabs the TiVo remote and tries unsuccessfully to go into CC info screens to get card info.
Me: That won't work, the MMI screen hasn't come up yet.
Comcast: If it isn't up in 15 seconds this is what I do.
Me: If you want me signing the paper and not complaining, do it my way.
Comcast: (Rolls Eyes)
Two Minutes Pass, MMI screen appears
Comcast: This must be new, we haven't got this screen before (FYI, the guy says he has installed many TiVos already)
Me: :rolleyes:
Puts in second card, this time waits for MMI screen. Calls Comcast. While on hold get 161-4 errors on Card 1. After the card is hit, works fine. Then 161-4 errors come up for Card 2. After Card 2 is rehit Card 1 gets no channels. Finally, I ask to rehit both cards and they agree to. Everything works fine (including CP).
Now, I have found that both CV and Comcast installers have serious literacy issues with following the SIMPLE TiVo directions at all. Every time I have had a failed CC install, it is due to the guy not reading the directions.
Further, I have NEVER got a guy to insert ONE card, activate and proceed to the other (as per the instructions). This includes a CV head-honcho who activated a TiVo that their techs continually fouled up. Perhaps TiVo could put this part of the instructions in RED or block the other card from being recognized until the first is activated.
Lastly, I sincerely hope this Comcast tech was a contractor. Usually I find their employees to be friendly and knowledgeable (far above the level of Cablevision techs). This guy was downright rude. He vented on the following:
1.) Hating Boston
2.) Hating the "yuppies" in Boston (I have an apartment I use occasionally in a yuppie-fied high-rise)
3.) Hating "rude people" in Boston (at which point I told him I actually am from NY)
4.) Venting at his hatred of "Superior New Yorkers" for 10 minutes
5.) His qualms about doing installs for "Gay Guys"
6.) How Miami was better than everywhere else (although I doubt he actually has lived there considering I lived there in the 80s and will never go back)
Whoever this guy was I hope he sticks to Woburn, MA which he said is “One of the bet cities in the Northeast” (I am not familiar with New England so I won’t pass judgment)
BUT, the install was problem-free!
Best,
Compuz1
Review coming shortly!
Best,
Compuz1
__________________________________________________________
In contrast to my multiple (successful and failed) CV installs, the Comcast one was MUCH smoother. The tech might have been a contractor (does Comcast use these?) as he doesn't work in Boston a lot ("They send me wherever") and didn't have the stuff Comcast guys usually do (i.e. even a Comcast uniform).
Brought 3 Cable Cards (as requested). Was rather inappropriate cursing like a sailor. I didn't mind it much, but I wouldn't want him to do an install for a grandmother. Was complaining about the TiVos, etc before he even began. I told him if he followed the directions exactly, it would work. Conversation went like this:
Me: Just follow the directions and usually it works fine.
Comcast: Yeah, I just pop one card in, get the screen, pop the card out, put in the other and then call for activation.
Me: You don't need to take out the card, there are two tuners.
Comcast: Yeah, whatever.
Me: I'm not kidding, don't take the card out of slot one and then put another in.
Comcast: Fine, we'll do it your way, but it won't work.
Me: Good.
Comcast guy puts card one in bottom slot (I left the Green protector over two so he wouldn't try to put it in there).
Me: Ok, it can take a few for the screen.
Comcast: I have a shortcut. (Grabs the TiVo remote and tries unsuccessfully to go into CC info screens to get card info.
Me: That won't work, the MMI screen hasn't come up yet.
Comcast: If it isn't up in 15 seconds this is what I do.
Me: If you want me signing the paper and not complaining, do it my way.
Comcast: (Rolls Eyes)
Two Minutes Pass, MMI screen appears
Comcast: This must be new, we haven't got this screen before (FYI, the guy says he has installed many TiVos already)
Me: :rolleyes:
Puts in second card, this time waits for MMI screen. Calls Comcast. While on hold get 161-4 errors on Card 1. After the card is hit, works fine. Then 161-4 errors come up for Card 2. After Card 2 is rehit Card 1 gets no channels. Finally, I ask to rehit both cards and they agree to. Everything works fine (including CP).
Now, I have found that both CV and Comcast installers have serious literacy issues with following the SIMPLE TiVo directions at all. Every time I have had a failed CC install, it is due to the guy not reading the directions.
Further, I have NEVER got a guy to insert ONE card, activate and proceed to the other (as per the instructions). This includes a CV head-honcho who activated a TiVo that their techs continually fouled up. Perhaps TiVo could put this part of the instructions in RED or block the other card from being recognized until the first is activated.
Lastly, I sincerely hope this Comcast tech was a contractor. Usually I find their employees to be friendly and knowledgeable (far above the level of Cablevision techs). This guy was downright rude. He vented on the following:
1.) Hating Boston
2.) Hating the "yuppies" in Boston (I have an apartment I use occasionally in a yuppie-fied high-rise)
3.) Hating "rude people" in Boston (at which point I told him I actually am from NY)
4.) Venting at his hatred of "Superior New Yorkers" for 10 minutes
5.) His qualms about doing installs for "Gay Guys"
6.) How Miami was better than everywhere else (although I doubt he actually has lived there considering I lived there in the 80s and will never go back)
Whoever this guy was I hope he sticks to Woburn, MA which he said is “One of the bet cities in the Northeast” (I am not familiar with New England so I won’t pass judgment)
BUT, the install was problem-free!
Best,
Compuz1