Charter tuning adapter notice!

At least they are switching to SDV only after the tuning adapter is available, unlike TWC.

 

I just got my letter and called them and they setup an install for next week. Hopefully it works seamlessly.

 

Gee. Must be nice. Going on 2 years of SDV here and still no TA. Makes me hate TWC.

 

I'm in Southborough, MA, and I too got notified by Charter on Saturday about the need to get an SDV/Tuning Adapter. I called this morning to schedule an install.

While the helpful person I spoke to (Nicole - in Michigan) was not initially aware that there was any alternative to switching out the CableCARDs for a regular HD Set Top Box, I explained the "special" TiVo situation and she was able to eventually figure out what I meant, and also identify the correct code in Charter's system for ordering/scheduling an install of the Tuning Adapter. The truck rolls at lunchtime this Saturday, so my fingers are crossed for a trouble-free exercise.

I'll report back here on my experience, if anyone cares?

 

Yes. Please let us know.

 

So, I was scheduled to get the Tuning Adapter installed today and promised a report on my experience.

Well, owing to my hard drive being completely hosed since my last correspondence (was it a Netflix streaming problem? maybe...who knows?) I have had to re-schedule the install - which should now happen on Tuesday. This is assuming that I get the replacement hard drive from Seagate and that my Instantcake efforts get the bloody TiVo S3 to the point where there's even any point in the truck rolling.

This Netflix problem seems to be pretty serious - check the threads on that if you haven't already.

Steve in Southborough.

 

don't hate on the noob, but what implications does this have for me? I just bought a tivo and was about to buy the lifetime subscription. I live in souther california and have charter also. A tech is coming this wednesday. what do i or the tech need to be aware in regards to this issue. sorry for all the questions, please help a noob out!

 

Well, it's pretty simple. If they move to SDV on any channels you care to watch, you will need a TA. If they don't move to SDV, or if the channels they moveto SDV are not ones about which you are really concerned, then you don't need a TA.

 

what extra work/equipment/costs are involved with a tuning adapter and wtf is the point of it? i tried researching the forums and couldn't really find info on it? i was going to pull the trigger on a lifetime subscription but now finding out about cablecards with monthly fees and sdv im hesistant. by the way do i even need cable cards for the tivo if im satisfied with my hdtv that has an hd attenna built in and gives you basic local channels in hd? i can record those basic channels in hd right? Sorry again for the list, i apologize for being noob in advance

 

There's plenty of info on this forum, including the SDV FAQ on CableCards and SDV. To answer your question, no, CqableCards are not required for OTA reception. They are only required for encrypted digital videos suchas are found on CATV systems. The Tuning Adapter is only (and additionally) required if the CATV system employs SDV on channels the TiVo owner wishes to receive.

Installation of a TA is trivial. Most CATV systems are offering the TA free of charge at this time, and for the time being.

 

thank you for the info sir...i did some research, and please correct me if i'm wrong but if i don't use the cable cards then it would be pretty difficult to use tivo since their is no onscreen guide to coordinate recording? (i.e. if i tried to record the show "pti" everyday on espn at 2:00pm it would be pretty difficult to do so since their is no guide if im recording ota channels) I just need to find out if tuning adapter are required with charter in so cal, anyone know?

 

The guy came out today and installed the Unit, but when he installed the Unit he didn't connect the USB Cable (and in fact he didn't leave a USB Cable). I contacted Charter and they told me that the Tuning Adapter will function without a USB Cable Connected because I am currently rec'd all premium channels. I told them from my understanding that a USB Cable must be connected in order to allow two way communication, and that is when Charter and they told me that I have to purchase the USB Cable from TiVO which I know isn't true.

They then decided to schedule another appointment on Saturday with a different technician to verify the previous install / reinstall the tuning adapter, because I insisted that the install wasn't complete according to the CISCO install instructions that were left behind.

After that I contacted TiVO to verify that the USB Cable has to be connected, and they confirmed that I was correct in my assumption and the USB Cable does in fact need to be connected to the TiVO device.

I was able to get the Tuning Adapter working correctly without the second schedule appointment on Saturday, so I guess it was a less painful than the three attempts to get the CableCard working correctly.

 

Without the USB cable, the TiVo doesn't even know the TA exists. You should be able to verify the TA status in the TA screens on the TiVo. Unfortunately, you can't do the TA test channels feature until SDV is enabled. Until then, you can't be 100% certain it will work.

 

Bummer, I should have read this first.

They guy was here today, hooked it up and before we connected it to the TiVo, he was expecting it to do something besides just the blinking light and before he pushed the activation to it. After an hour where nothing would get it to do anything else, he scheduled another trip with a new adapter and left.

He did try to call some other techs to see if he could get another adapter that was close, but had no luck. Kept calling it a trouble adapter.

Next time, I'll just hook up the USB cable right away, as soon as it's powered.

 

The Tuning Adapter was working fine and I was able to use the Tuning Adapter to access channels for about 4 hours, but now for no known reason, the light starting to blink on the Tuning Adapter and I have lost all access to any change using the TiVO.

I have attempt to reboot te TiVO, and the CISCO Tuning Adapter. Does anyone have a clue on what is the next troubleshooting item, other than calling Charter to get a new unit?