[ipswichclam]

Last week I developed problems on a few channels (in the 570's in case that matters), pixilation and “searching for signal V52 error” After checking cable connections, rebooting, etc, VZ phone rep said it was a bad cable card in my Tivo. They sent a new one overnight.

I could not active the new cable card using the automated system. Phone rep finally got it to work, it seemed. But within a day some channels went back to pixilated or no signal. Also sometimes the cable card conditional access menu (black and white screen with codes) just appears when on some channels.

I get Val:? In card diagnostic screen which I understand means pairing is not complete.

I reached someone via the VZ chat on Facebook (which they seem to use now more than DSLReports), and they said it seem paired properly from their end. Also rebooted ONT. But Val: ? still here and some channels are bad. They say it is probably a Tivo hardware issue. Refurbished Roamio from Weakness is literally days out of warranty.

Any thoughts? I'm afraid VZ will just blame Tivo, who will say have Weakness replace, who will blame VZ.

 

[NorthAlabama]

cablecards wouldn't be the first place to look when troubleshooting pixelization or v52 errors, that's much more likely to be a signal or service provider issue. and now, verzion has failed to pair the new card correctly, when there was probably nothing wrong with the card to begin with.

on top of all of this, if it is a weak signal, that may also prevent the card from getting a proper activation "hit."

have you checked the signal strength on the channels with issues and errors?

 

[ipswichclam]

thanks. Yes I have checked the signal strength a few times. For example right now, I'm getting moderate pixilation on these channels and strength is 89 on one and 90 and 91 on the others. When they are black (V52 error) strength is 0. So what do you think I should I ask VZ to do next?

 

[ThAbtO]

I get Val:? In card diagnostic screen which I understand means pairing is not complete.

This means its not paired.

Verizon FiOS

• Automated Activation Line: 1-888-897-7499
• Possible other number for CableCARDs/tech support: 1-800-837-4966
• Support Site
• Online Activation
• Self-Install Guide

 

[NorthAlabama]

thanks. Yes I have checked the signal strength a few times. For example right now, I'm getting moderate pixilation on these channels and strength is 89 on one and 90 and 91 on the others. When they are black (V52 error) strength is 0. So what do you think I should I ask VZ to do next?

i hate to say it, but based on the behaviors, especially dropping to zero, and the troubleshooting you've done so far, i'd say a service call would be the fastest way to fix it.

it could be a cable or connector, or even an issue with the signal, but it could take a while to narrow it down without a tech, if you were able to find it at all.

is there another outlet/room you could move the tivo to and see if the issue follows? or, could you run a cable to tivo from a different outlet?

 

[ipswichclam]

This means its not paired.

Verizon FiOS

• Automated Activation Line: 1-888-897-7499
• Possible other number for CableCARDs/tech support: 1-800-837-4966
• Support Site
• Online Activation
• Self-Install Guide

that's what I thought. Tech support told me it the card reported that it was paired, but elsewhere I read that cards are essentially one way and can't report back to cable provider if they are paired or not.

I've tried both the online and the phone activated. Nothing changes after it reports that it has activated.

And "pairing" is different from "activation" right? Pairing is the Tivo recognizing the card, while activation is VZ adding the card to their database so it can receive the correct channels, or am I wrong?

 

[ipswichclam]

i hate to say it, but based on the behaviors, especially dropping to zero, and the troubleshooting you've done so far, i'd say a service call would be the fastest way to fix it.

it could be a cable or connector, or even an issue with the signal, but it could take a while to narrow it down without a tech, if you were able to find it at all.

is there another outlet/room you could move the tivo to and see if the issue follows? or, could you run a cable to tivo from a different outlet?

good ideas. I will try moving the tivo elsewhere to a different line. thanks for helping

 

[SteveD]

Make sure when you talk to the Verizon CSR, you use the magic phrase "manual validation". This seems to be the best way to get them to follow the correct procedure. My guess is that your pixelation is not cable card related, but you still need to get your new card activated correctly.

When tuned to a channel that is pixelating, check the diagnostics screen under Account & System Info for any RS Corrected and RS Uncorrected errors on that tuner. If the errors are growing, this could indicate a bad ONT and you should have a Verizon Tech come out and test it. Also verify that the Signal Strength is above 90%, but under 100%. FiOS signals reading 100% can sometimes be too hot for the Tivo tuners and cause pixelation.

As NorthAlabama mentions, pixelation could also indicate bad wiring or a bad splitter, so those should be checked also.

 

[BosTV]

Make sure when you talk to the Verizon CSR, you use the magic phrase "manual validation". This seems to be the best way to get them to follow the correct procedure. My guess is that your pixelation is not cable card related, but you still need to get your new card activated correctly.

When tuned to a channel that is pixelating, check the diagnostics screen under Account & System Info for any RS Corrected and RS Uncorrected errors on that tuner. If the errors are growing, this could indicate a bad ONT and you should have a Verizon Tech come out and test it. Also verify that the Signal Strength is above 90%, but under 100%. FiOS signals reading 100% can sometimes be too hot for the Tivo tuners and cause pixelation.

As NorthAlabama mentions, pixelation could also indicate bad wiring or a bad splitter, so those should be checked also.

A few months ago, my Roamio Pro box started pixelating on some channels. Diagnostic screens for those channels showed high error counts. Checked all my coax connections and splitters, and they all looked fine. Even ran a new test coax cable direct from the ONT to the TiVo, but didn't improve the problem. So I had a Verizon service tech come, and he found that the ONT had indeed gone on the fritz. The tech replaced it with a new ONT, and no pixelation problems since.