How's Cablecard these days?

[dwarner]

I have a S3, and I'm about to make the jump into HD (Samsung 6000, 55")

The first reports of cablecard installations were all about problems.. Have the cable companies finally learned to do cablecard installs smoothly, (such as waiting for firmware to update) ?
And, of course, are there any issues with signal / picture quality, etc.

(My provider is Charter in Atlanta)

[ajayabb]

From everyone's experience here, it still seems to be hit or miss. The best thing you can do is be well informed BEFORE the truck roll. Make sure that you have run guided setup and have the latest software version running on your Tivo. Any problems that occur after installation of the cable card/cards is usually NOT the result of a bad cable card but rather incorrectly paired card with the head end. Good luck and let us know how it goes! Also make sure you rerun guided setup after the cable cards are activated and while the technician is still at your home. This way and problems that occur can be corrected while he/she is there. If all your channels are not coming in, do not let the tech go till it is corrected.

[micmason]

My ongoing problems with cable cards is that my cable provider (Comcast) is unable to differentiate between a cable card and what they call " additional digital outlets". I have two TiVos that use three cable cards between them, and according to Comcast website information, I should be charged two dollars per month for cable card use. Instead, they have been trying to continuously charge me for three additional digital outlets instead of 3 cable cards@$8.99 X 3=$26.97. When I call to inform them of the error and tell them that I only have one additional digital outlet,the Comcast service rep thinks the cable cards are additional outlets, so they deactivate them causing me to lose my digital service. This has resulted in five unnecessary service calls, because once they deactivate the cards, they are never able to activate them again without having to send a technician out. I have had 3 "defective" cable cards replaced in the past five months. If you use Comcast make sure you're not being overcharged and look for the A/O charge on your statement.

[tiassa]

My first install with RCN (a little over a year ago) was kind of rough, the first installer thought he was installing an M-card, and refused to believe it was an S-card, even though that is what the Tivo said it was. That required another visit from a different installer who git it right, but there was still some issues getting the correct channels authorized.

My 2nd install (last December) went much more smoothly, the installer was in and out in less than 30 mins and after I rebooted the Tivo everything was just fine.

[rainwater]

Also make sure you rerun guided setup after the cable cards are activated and while the technician is still at your home.

NEVER do this. It is a sure fire way to get a cable tech to leave before testing the channels. Guided setup doesn't affect cablecard pairing. You should verify the channels through the test channels menu of each cablecard. Once you have verified you get all the channels you are suppose to, the tech can leave and then you can run guided setup. There is no need to make a tech wait over a hour to download guide data.

[ajayabb]

NEVER do this. It is a sure fire way to get a cable tech to leave before testing the channels. Guided setup doesn't affect cablecard pairing. You should verify the channels through the test channels menu of each cablecard. Once you have verified you get all the channels you are suppose to, the tech can leave and then you can run guided setup. There is no need to make a tech wait over a hour to download guide data.
I guess I had a better experience than most, as my technician was patient enough to wait. Must be getting paid hourly rates because hanging at my house sure beat climbing a pole on the next job.

[dwarner]

I guess the smart thing to do is call and have them install the cablecards before spending the cash on the new HD set.. If I can't get the Tivo to receive HD content, I may have to reconsider buying the TV, stand, BD player, etc.

Or, just settle for dvd and OTA material, and use the Tivo for SD content only. Unfortunately, if Charter keeps moving stations to digital, I'll have nothing left to record..

[Bierboy]

No, the SMART thing to do is run guided setup and choose the option "I will install CableCARDS later." That way, you have all the channels you should have in your digital lineup BEFORE the tech arrives. Once he installs and gets the cards paired and validated as they are supposed to, it's a snap to see whether you're getting all the channels you should be getting.

[dianebrat]

almost 3 years, and I have never had a CableCARD issue, so I'd say:
"doin just fine"

[twessels]

The first tech that showed up at my house said "we don't do Tivo" after a call he said to me, "well I guess we do, this should be interesting." I asked him to hand me the card, I installed it, he called it in and all was fine, except that he only brought one card. The second card they let me pick up at the office and install myself, that worked great.

[rainwater]

No, the SMART thing to do is run guided setup and choose the option "I will install CableCARDS later." That way, you have all the channels you should have in your digital lineup BEFORE the tech arrives. Once he installs and gets the cards paired and validated as they are supposed to, it's a snap to see whether you're getting all the channels you should be getting.

It can be tricky to verify the cards if you only use live tv. Since the last few revisions, TiVo dynamically allocates the cablecard to the tuners. So if cablecard 1 isn't in use and tuner 1 tunes to a encrypted channel, it is used. So, if you only use livetv, some people think both their cards are working but they probably just switched tuners and didn't actually verify the cards were working since it may have used the same cablecard on both tuners. This is why test channels is the best way to verify the digital encrypted channels are working for both cards.

[spocko]

No, the SMART thing to do is run guided setup and choose the option "I will install CableCARDS later." That way, you have all the channels you should have in your digital lineup BEFORE the tech arrives. Once he installs and gets the cards paired and validated as they are supposed to, it's a snap to see whether you're getting all the channels you should be getting.

This is how I did it. I ran guided setup one time before the cablecard install, there was no need to do it again afterward.

[jtrain]

agreed, no need to re-run guided setup after cablecard installation.

i've had cablecards in an S3 since Dec. '07 (Verizon FiOS), with no issues and also, in a TiVo HD since June '08, also with no issues.

so as one user put it above, i'm doin' just fine too.

[jrm01]

My ongoing problems with cable cards is that my cable provider (Comcast) is unable to differentiate between a cable card and what they call " additional digital outlets". I have two TiVos that use three cable cards between them, and according to Comcast website information, I should be charged two dollars per month for cable card use. Instead, they have been trying to continuously charge me for three additional digital outlets instead of 3 cable cards@$8.99 X 3=$26.97. When I call to inform them of the error and tell them that I only have one additional digital outlet,the Comcast service rep thinks the cable cards are additional outlets, so they deactivate them causing me to lose my digital service. This has resulted in five unnecessary service calls, because once they deactivate the cards, they are never able to activate them again without having to send a technician out. I have had 3 "defective" cable cards replaced in the past five months. If you use Comcast make sure you're not being overcharged and look for the A/O charge on your statement.

Actually I think the proper charge per Comcast terms is that you should be charged for an Additional Outlet fee for your second TiVo.

So, your first TiVo should cost $2.00 for the second card (first card free), and your other TiVo should cost $8.99 for the second Outlet (card free). Total charge $10.99.

[rritterson]

agreed, no need to re-run guided setup after cablecard installation.

i've had cablecards in an S3 since Dec. '07 (Verizon FiOS), with no issues and also, in a TiVo HD since June '08, also with no issues.

so as one user put it above, i'm doin' just fine too.

My Tivo forced me to rerun guided setup after I installed the cable card. Prior to installing it, it appeared to fetch guide information for analog and clear QAM channels, and then had to redo guided setup to fetch encrypted channel information afterward.

By the way, there is no need for a truck roll, period. All you need to do is put the card in, go to the pairing menu under cablecard menus, and give them the Host ID and Data ID, and make sure they type them in correctly. Sending a truck and a dude just leads to confusion, mistakes, and extra overhead for comcast.

Also, when I picked up my cable card at the local office, she scanned it with a barcode reader and added it to my account. Why it can't barcode the host and data IDs then, and then automatically retrieve them from a database when I call later, I don't know. Would obviate the need for me to dig and find the right Tivo menu in case I were not technically inclined, and would prevent the 'typo in the number' problems that can screw up pairing.

[jeepguy_1980]

The first tech that showed up at my house said "we don't do Tivo" after a call he said to me, "well I guess we do, this should be interesting." I asked him to hand me the card, I installed it, he called it in and all was fine, except that he only brought one card. The second card they let me pick up at the office and install myself, that worked great.

The same thing happened to me. But I realized afterwords that it was a blessing in disguise. B/c I had not yet read this (http://support.tivo.com/euf/assets/files/TiVo%20Series3%20HD%20Instructions%20for%20CablecARD%20Insta llers.pdf), which says to install them one at a time.

[Bierboy]

My Tivo forced me to rerun guided setup after I installed the cable card. Prior to installing it, it appeared to fetch guide information for analog and clear QAM channels, and then had to redo guided setup to fetch encrypted channel information afterward....

But it would NOT "force" you to re-do guided setup after installing the CableCARDS if you followed what I suggested above. Do your guided setup BEFORE having them installed and choose the option of installing CableCARDS later. Then you don't have to wait around for setup to complete while a tech is there. Of course, if your cableco doesn't require a truck roll, then it really doesn't matter.

[ajayabb]

My Tivo forced me to rerun guided setup after I installed the cable card. Prior to installing it, it appeared to fetch guide information for analog and clear QAM channels, and then had to redo guided setup to fetch encrypted channel information afterward.

By the way, there is no need for a truck roll, period. All you need to do is put the card in, go to the pairing menu under cablecard menus, and give them the Host ID and Data ID, and make sure they type them in correctly. Sending a truck and a dude just leads to confusion, mistakes, and extra overhead for comcast.

Also, when I picked up my cable card at the local office, she scanned it with a barcode reader and added it to my account. Why it can't barcode the host and data IDs then, and then automatically retrieve them from a database when I call later, I don't know. Would obviate the need for me to dig and find the right Tivo menu in case I were not technically inclined, and would prevent the 'typo in the number' problems that can screw up pairing.
Unfortunately, many cable companies mandate a truck roll rather than allow you to simply pick up the cablecards and pair them yourself

[nhaigh]

I've had a total of 8 cable cards installed over the past few years without an issue on any of them. First I had four from Comcast and then relaced them all with four from Verizon.

[stujac]

I had mine done yesterday and except for an initial glitch, all ended up well. It took and hour and a half. Now, the big mystery will unveil when I get my first post-cc install bill.

[rritterson]

But it would NOT "force" you to re-do guided setup after installing the CableCARDS if you followed what I suggested above. Do your guided setup BEFORE having them installed and choose the option of installing CableCARDS later. Then you don't have to wait around for setup to complete while a tech is there. Of course, if your cableco doesn't require a truck roll, then it really doesn't matter.

That's what I thought I did and I had to do guided setup again anyway?

[hillstones]

I rarely have any problems with my CableCards. They should be done one at a time. Once the first card is established, you can insert the second card. I wish my cable company allowed me to pick them up and do them myself, but they require a truck roll, which is really lame.

[just4fn44]

I got my new tivo hdxl and went and pick up my cable card. I am a comcast customer. I got the multi-stream card. I inserted it called comcast, they initialized it. They could see it on there computer and all is well. I don't see a need for a truck other than to charge for something that isn't necessary

[QZ1]

Actually I think the proper charge per Comcast terms is that you should be charged for an Additional Outlet fee for your second TiVo.

So, your first TiVo should cost $2.00 for the second card (first card free), and your other TiVo should cost $8.99 for the second Outlet (card free). Total charge $10.99.
That is correct.:)

[BrightestBear]

My brand new TiVo HD XL is purring like a high-performance machine after a visit from the Comcast employee this morning. He slapped in an M Card and fretted that it wouldn't work, but then voila, it did. Compared to the weeks and weeks of haggling trying to get the two cable cards in my S3 to work in 2006, this was a breeze. I'd say cable cards these days are goooooood.

[TroyB]

I have had cable cards from 3 different cable companys and to sum up with me on "how are cable cards."
Cable Cards are great, it is the cable company, untrained installers, and lousy customer service that sucks.

[Bierboy]

I have had cable cards from 3 different cable companys and to sum up with me on "how are cable cards."
Cable Cards are great, it is the cable company, untrained installers, and lousy customer service that sucks.
That's exactly right. I'm still in the middle of trying to get an M card properly installed and working in my new TiVoHD. Two tech visits so far have yielded nothing but frustration, and I'm scheduled for a third this coming week. But I've done a lot more homework, and I believe prior problems have been primarily with lack of proper pairing and activation. The techs only radio the local office when trying to send hits and get the card(s) working, and I don't think the local office knows how to properly activate/pair the card(s). If they continue to have problems this Thursday, I'm gonna insist they call Tech Support's 800 number (which I've had success with on my older, original S3 unit). I called their 800 number a few days ago, explained the problems I've had, the the guy I spoke with knew exactly what needs to be done to properly set the cards up. He said to just bypass the local office and call them during this next install. I just hope the local tech will do that.

All that to say when CableCARDS work, it's awesome. 99% of the problem is human error.

[eaglestvo]

I put off cable cards for a long time because of all the reports of problems with ordering and installing the cards. A week ago, i took the plunge, and it was no problem at all!

I have Charter Cable in Outer Banks North Carolina (my vacation home), and they are a very low tech operation. But the technician came to the house with a Multi Stream card (to my surprise). The tech said he had installed on Tivo many times so he just took the remote and had it installed in about 20 minutes. The longest part of the process was just while he waited on hold to get somebody on the phone to activate the card. It works great!

I am thinking about Tivo for my main home in Northern Virginia, and hopefully it will work as well with Fios.

[TDoodle]

We have 2 TivoHD's with the Multi-stream (single cablecard) installed in both units. Comcast sent out a contractor and for the most part I found his knowledge much better than the average Comcast techs that have visited our home. The only thing he got wrong was that part of the Tivo guided setup where you have to answer what is on your lineup for channels 2 and 13. He selected the wrong program as what normally runs on channel 2 in our lineup and it resulted in some channels being incorrect or missing in some areas of our normal lineup. I didn't actually catch this until after he'd left when I started going to a variety of channels and noticed I had a problem. I simply re-ran the guided setup, picked the right channels for channels 2 and 13 and the whole thing was back to normal.

Cablecard is working very well and we are really enjoying the TivoHD's versus the Motorola DVR's that Comcast provides.

Rick