Replaced TiVo & Cable Cards

[Goontoe]

My TiVo HD died this evening (on my birthday no less). I called TiVo Support and they are sending an exchange within a few days. I am using 2 cable cards in the dead unit. When the replacement unit arrives, will I be able to just slip those cards in and go or will a visit from the cable guy be needed?

Thanks gang.

-Scott-

[windracer]

It depends on your provider, but most likely yes. Instead of them sending out a tech, see if they'll let you re-pair them over the phone. Just tell them you got a new box and put the old cards in it. They'll need the Host ID and CableCARD ID for each slot, which you can get from the Diagnostics screens.

[crazi4tv]

Each TiVo tuner has a unique 13 digit number (Host) assigned to it, and the Data is generated between the Host and the card, so your cable provider will need to change the Host & Data that is paired to each card before your channels will come in. The cards can be paired without the need of a technician, however the problem you will face is getting hold of someone on the phone who knows how to pair the Host & Data on their system. First, the Host & Data must be paired to the correct card and second, the correct activation signals need to be sent to the card in order to activate it properly. If you should see error "161-4" it means the card is initializing~just press clear on the remote.

Here is a link for installing Cablecards:
http://support.tivo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/135/c/105%2C110/r_id/100041

I highly recommend that you install one card at a time and keep the phone rep on the phone until you verify your channels are coming in.