Migrating from Comcast X1 DVR to TiVo Roamio

That's the method I used when migrating from an old Comcast DVR (never had X1). A few suggestions:

I kept the old Comcast hardware for one week. It only took a few days to know the TiVo was a keeper.

Your local Comcast office should have CableCards in stock. I would suggest asking for at least two CableCards. They don't test the CableCards they give out, a high percentage of them are defective. I went through four CableCards to get two that worked. Return the unused CableCard when you return the X1 crap.

The Roamio startup process will tell you when to insert the CableCard and when to call Comcast for activation. Do not call the regular Comcast tech support number, call the CableCard activation number: 877-405-2298

There's a chance the CableCard you receive will have out of date firmware. If all six tuners on the Roamio don't work you'll know you have out of date firmware. Post a note to ComcastTeds on the Xfinity TV support forum and he'll get you updated quickly.

 

I recently switched from X1 to a Roamio Pro and at first they gave me the wrong card and I was having pairing problems. After finding a number for a Comcast dedicated TiVo department, 1.855.484.1453, they finally determine I had the wrong card. My local office had given me an 802, where as the Roamio Pro needs either an 800 or 801.

 

You can use the Info button (I think that's the right one) on the remote and then scroll down to see what all six tuners are doing. You can select each tuner and cycle through them.

The only (best?) way to get the CableCard's firmware updated is by asking ComcastTeds on the Xfinity TV forum. Or possibly by asking on Comcast's Twitter feed? I'm not a Twitter user so I'm not sure about that.

 

Here is but one example of the pain some new TiVo owners go through:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=529587

 

Lets be clear, most installations are not problematic and you don't see those stories posted here. Some are, and coming to seek advice here is helpful to many.

 

Carefull with that advice. My local Comcast added an ADO fee the day I picked up a CableCARD. Pick up two, and they might add two. I returned one in March that they continued to charge me for, while removing the Customer Owned Equipment credit. The last time I called, they credited my account but I see no evidence that they made a permanent change so fully expect the charge to be there on my next bill.

 

You're right, one has to watch their bill.

In my case I only had the extra CableCards and Comcast STBs for one week. I returned them on a Saturday morning and asked the rep to double-check my account before I left. She was great -- she triple-checked everything and my bill was correct.

 

If the goal is to minimize viewing downtime, I'd first look at whether both systems, X1 & TiVo, can be setup simultaneously, allowing you to keep the X1 equipment operational until the TiVo setup is both running and primed with content.

The main roadblock to this approach is whether you have the ability, connectivity and spare parts to hookup all the components at the same time, whether located at or near their final resting places, or staging some or all of the TiVo equipment in an out-of-the-way location.

You'll also need unused TV inputs to which the TiVo devices can be connected; otherwise, you may need to swap inputs when using the TiVo equipment. The Roamio Pro can be connected via any of HDMI, Component or Composite, while the Mini is HDMI-only, unless you've ordered a set of the "A/V Breakout Cables."

So, for the sake of argument, I'll assume you *can* have it all (connected) -- in which case, I'd break the effort down into the following blocks:

A. Acquisition
B. TiVo Staging & Initialization
C. Roamio CableCARD Authorization
D. TiVo Setup & Evaluation
E. X1 Shutdown
​

In more detail...

p.s. On an only slightly related note, I felt compelled to share this post that I stumbled across over on Comcast's forums whilst gathering links and what-not...

 

Make sure to get a tuning adapter with that cable card if your area uses them.

 

You can can hit the live TV button to go to the next tuner, change the channel, and repeat until you have 6 different channels on all 6 tuners. You can do a right arrow and down to see the channels tuned on all 6.

You are kind of recording since each tuner has its own buffer, but you won't save any show as a recording.

 

Comcast doesn't use SDV, so no tuning adapter needed.

 

They do in some parts of their system, specifically areas they bought out from another company that may have used them.

 

Okay then. Sf is not one of those areas.