Original Roamio CableCard question

You would need a cable card, it does the mapping of digital channels.

 

Minis does not involve anything from the cableco.

 

Advertisements

As stated, you'd need a CableCARD for the Roamio.

As for costs, you'd then be eligible for a $2.50/month "Customer-Owned Equipment" credit for supplying your own set-top box (the Roamio), and, as hoped, the Minis would not result in any additional costs/fees.

 

One drawback of using this TiVo setup on Comcast/Xfinity is that you'll be limited to a single active Xfinity On Demand stream between your host DVR and all its connected Minis.

Of course, this could be viewed as a glass half full, since you *do*, at least, get access to Xfinity On Demand content. It's usually the case that going TiVo means losing access to the provider's on demand library.

 

No problem.

Just to be clear, I was referring primarily to the free/included content available through the XOD4TiVo app, not PPV content, though that's available, as well.

Also, did you see the comment re: the Comcast COE credit?

 

$5 is a good deal regardless.

I don't know what Comcast is doing now and their billing practices are different for different areas (and sometimes doesn't match corporate), but the way it used to work is the limited basic package didn't include any equipment so there wasn't an "embedded" outlet/STB in the package, thus you wouldn't get the -$2.50 Customer Owned Equipment credit. On the bright side though, you shouldn't be charged an "Additional Outlet Fee" of $9.95 / device (which then qualifies you for the -$2.50 COE credit) Instead you should be just charged something like $1.50 for each CableCARD when on a limited basic plan.

This is as opposed to a regular cable package, where the package "includes" one outlet, so you immediately qualify for the "Customer Owned Equipment" -$2.50 credit and the first CableCARD is your first "outlet" that is bundled in. The bad part on Comcast regular cable packages is when you want an additional CableCARD, you can't just pay $1.50 for the CableCARD. They charge you another $9.95 "Additional Outlet Fee", then give you a -$2.50 COE credit for taking a CableCARD instead of a STB, so effectively your CableCARD costs $7.45.

The caveat is Comcast has different billing practices around the country and YMMV.

 

Not sure, they look like some type of filter or attenuator. Do they have any markings on them?

It is possible there were cable modem problems at some point and they bumped up the signal strength but didn't want it too high for the rest of the house so they installed some attenuators to lower the power back down?

It could be they want to block ingress back into their system.

Maybe these are leftover from the days when they didn't encrypt limited basic and they wanted to block you from receiving "free" TV in your rooms, but usually they do that outside your house.

 

Have you planned how you would network your Minis?

See: https://support.tivo.com/articles/Installation_Setup_Configuration/TiVo-Mini-Setup

 

I wouldn't worry too much about those gold cylinders (whether filters or attenuators), since nothing is connected to them, and you'll be removing them, regardless. You could replace each of them with a 75-ohm terminator, I would think, short-term. That said, you may end up replacing the current splitter, as well, depending on how you'll be connecting your Minis.

First thing you may want to do, though, is get into your modem's UI to determine its current signal levels. This will enable you to know how the various changes you are about to make affect the modem's signal.
e.g.

• http://arris.force.com/consumers/articles/General_FAQs/SB6183-GUI-Access/
• http://arris.force.com/consumers/articles/General_FAQs/SB6183-Cable-Signal-Levels

​

 

Yep, you should be set with Ethernet.

And those terminators are where they need to be, then, with nothing connected to those two unused outputs of your splitter. It seems like some past tech used the 3-way splitter and terminators simply to attenuate the signal reaching your modem -- rather than just using an attenuator.

 

You'll likely need a tool like this to remove the terminator locks: https://www.amazon.com/RioRand-LTT-...id=1508980936&sr=8-1&keywords=terminator+tool

Might be cheaper to buy a new splitter.

 

You should probably just replace that 3-way splitter. I can't tell if that's a 'balanced' 3-way or not, but you'd do well to have one. Those locking terminators are removable with a carefully applied set of vise-grip type pliers.

I'd be pretty surprised if the 'package' Comcast is offering you for $5 includes HD...they LOVE the $10 up-charge for "HD Technology".

-KP

 

According to the specs, it is balanced.

In my experience Comcast doesn't charge the HD Technology fee on limited basic subscriptions unless you ask for an HD STB. Again the big caveat is Comcast billing practices vary from area to area.

There are a lot of "exceptions" on the rate sheet for limited basic subscriptions where customer-unfriendly practices they impose on regular cable packages don't apply to limited basic.