Has anyone successfully installed 2 cablecards into TivoHD?

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Why? What's so flawed with CableCards that there's such a bad failure rate?


I'm really, really not looking forward to my CC install on 8/11.

 

In the middle of my install here. Card 1 initialized on 2 units and works OK, some pixelation, but tech is checking signal. Card 2 on both units has heavy pixelation on premium channels. IN both cases the location of the Tivos are replacing SA 8300s that worked fine, no problem.

Guess all the cr*p I have been giving the SA 8300s I have to take back. Tivo is just as annoying, if not more when you consider the setup issues. Tech has already been here for over 2 hours...

 

Just finished an install on my TivoHD with TWC Cleveland and Sci Atlanta cards. Same issue as everyone describes. Card 1 is fine, Card 2 gets pixelation with it worst on premium channels.

Has anyone tried just swapping the two cards around to verify it's not a cable card issue?

 

My guess is that the cable company field office has no easy way of comprehensively testing the cards. So if they fail in one install they just go back to the field office to eventually be sent out to another install. Over time, this means that a lot of "hangar queen" cards build up in the system.

 

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Remember that CableCARDs are blank when your cable co gets them, and must be programmed. The most likely point of failure is a bad flash at that point, given the general competence level of cable company employees....

BTW, is this problem specific to s-cards, or are people with m-cards getting it as well?

 

Yes, took a working card from slot 1, reauthorized it for slot 2, yielded the same result. Put the card back into slot 1, reauthorized it, and it's golden. Conclusion, TiVo problem with Sci Atlanta cards.

 

So, this is what i've tried so far:

1. Cable Card 1 works fine by itself. All channels, incl prem. and HD work great.
2. When Card 2 is inserted, the premium and HD channels tile/pixelate. Not only that, but HD channels on Card 1 start to tile/pixelate as well.

Swapped the cards out, same issue. Had the signal strength checked and no problems there. Talked to tech who does the hard hits from the back-end server, but no luck. Problem is ongoing. He told me to let it sit overnight for it to receive Auth., but even after Authorization, it seems to hold true.

Now, I talked to the Tivo Tech Rep, but he hasn't seen any issues on the headlines. He did mention something about a patch coming out in Fall. Mostly general answers.

My next steps:
1. Will replace both cards to see if it is a card issue. I probably don't think so.
2. Replace the unit. And check if my unit is bad.
3. I also purchased an S3 that I got a good deal on, might have to load the cards on that to see if the issue persists.

Let's see how this rolls out in the next few weeks.

PS: I am using single-stream SA cards with Everest (Local cable co in Kansas City)

 

Certainly seeing a pattern here with SA vs. Motorola cards....

 

I too, have been having difficulties with my cable cards similar to the ones here. Tivo is actually sending me out a new TiVo, but this evening I did get my cards to work (don't know if it will last). Here is what I did.

I unplugged my TiVo.
I I removed my cards and reinserted them.
I plugged the TiVo back in.

In a few minutes both worked find.

Time Warner (Scientific Atlanta Cards).

 

I self-installed two Motorola cards. Works perfectly.