1 Comcast cable card shows premium channels, 1 does not

[haslip]

both my Comcast cable cards show the channels that come as part of their basic package.

That would include the clear HD channels for NBC, CBS, ABC, CW, FOX.

But additional SD channels, and more importantly, HD channels for comcast sports net philly, ESPN, etc. only are available on one of the cable cards.

Obviously this is a problem when recording sometimes, as I cannot specify which tuner to use, and I have already been burned a few times.

I keep hearing the word "pairing". Is the pairing between the two cards, or between each card and comcast???

I have had Comcast "push" whatever it is they push to both cards two times since the initial install, and its a no go.

So.......how can I effectively communicate with the folks at Comcast that have very limited experience with cable cards. I think i need to elevate the call, first off, and I am guessing that perhaps one of the cards is BAD. Not so bad that it does not show regular channels, but BAD in the sense that it will not get the signal that allows me to see premium channels.

Which seems weird to me, you think it would be all channels or none. But I guess they might need to do a "truck roll" and get me a new card. Its a shame they cannot let a consumer put in a card, and then make a call.

Any help would be appreciated.

Comcast Pottstown, PA

Scott

[ah30k]

Call to make sure that your premium channels are authorized in their billing system for both CableCARDs. I had a problem where only was was authorized for the digital tier and that one did not tune many channels. This is analogous to a second STB but that second one is not authorized.

[sfhub]

Pairing is between each CableCARD and the S3 slot they are attached to. The IDs associated with the slot and the CableCARD are unique and need to be entered into a database (at Comcast) so they can associated with each other (paired). This is needed for channels that have CPMS enabled (non-zero CCI value)

First you should figure out if your troubled CableCARD can view any encrypted channels. If not, then it probably isn't pairing, but rather the card hasn't been activated properly. If the card can view some encrypted channels but not others, then that might be a pairing problem but it could also be an authorization problem.

Use the CableCARD "Test Channels" option as it will be more clear which CableCARD is being tested. Also if you post the information from the CableCARD "conditional access" diagnostic screen it might help folks figure out what is going on for your situation.

[errwatt]

you may also have a bad CC.

I have 2 CC on my tivo and they are both bad.. They can record regular channel and digital plus channel just fine.. however won;t be able to record premium channel such as HBO

Check your cable card conditional access > and call Comcast up. Good luck finding a knowledgeable tech... I spent 5 days and 5 cable cards dealing with this and stilll got an imperfect CC.

:(

[jrm01]

When I switched over to Comcast Triple Play they promised me that I would only be charged the package price, no additional charges for the two cable cards. For a month everything was fine until I got my bill and they had an extra charge on it for an additional A/O. I called and complained and they agreed it was a mistake and would fix it. Starting the next day I no longer received premium channels on one of my cards.

I had to call four times and talk to different CSRs each time until I found one who could fix the problem. He said the error was in their billing system and it was difficult to fix it without re-establishing the charge for the additional A/O. But he finally found a way to do it.

I now have his direct dial extension and have also added his name to my Christmas Card list.

[drcos]

Have a truck roll today for a similar problem - no 'non-premium' digital channels on four cards (started with 1, now all 4). According to the local Customer Care 'All specialist are trained in troubleshooting cable cards. Troubleshooting for cable card is extremely limited...'

Once I find a local Comcast tech, I will be getting their direct info as well.
One of the installers actually suggested to me that it would be simpler to keep their box :mad: as they couldn't figure out the problems when installing them.

Time to fire off some email to Comcast's CEO? It's a shame when consumers know more about the technology than the vendors.

[ah30k]

THe problem is that in their world an additional outlet does not exist without an additional outlet fee. Take the fee away and the authorization goes away. They got around that for a few months for me by putting a 3 month promotion of $1 on the second card.

[vashawn]

With my series 3, cable card 1 would show HBOHD, MAXHD, SHOHD, StarsHD and so on, but cable card 2 would not show these channels nothing but blackness even when your recording a season pass. Vice Versa kind of like, whatever channels you could see on CC 1 you wouldn't be able to see them on CC 2.
Comcast and Tivo techs can't seem to find the problem.