[cwoody222]

It's hard to keep up with all the turmoil at Charter regarding CableCARDs but I was under the impression that they are still re-provisioning functioning CCs that are already in use and active on someone's account. But they won't replace a defective CC, or activate a CC on an account that doesn't already have one.

The problem is it seems to vary by region and who you speak to.

Also, the fact that cards rarely are actually defective, but reps don’t know how to fix issues so they choose the easy way out by blaming the card.

It’s almost for sure you won’t get a new card.

Provisioning existing cards to fix issues seems like luck of the draw.

I would never recommend a Spectrum user SURRENDERING a card under any circumstances currently.

 

[dianebrat]

It's hard to keep up with all the turmoil at Charter regarding CableCARDs but I was under the impression that they are still re-provisioning functioning CCs that are already in use and active on someone's account. But they won't replace a defective CC, or activate a CC on an account that doesn't already have one.

The is the Spectrum/Charter issue in a nutshell, there is no stated policy, no official support, just a lot of vague scare tactics and lack of support to people asking for it. That alone would be a reason for me to never use them if they were in my area.

 

[NashGuy]

Spectrum is offering me (a) free DVR for 24 months + free cloud storage for 24 months, after which time, presumably, I will miraculously have enough money to pay for these things I am used to having. But my household lives on a very fixed income, so I would, once again, be stranded.

Sorry for your troubles. I don't know how much you're paying now for internet plus cable TV from Spectrum but you might be able to come close to that price by just getting internet alone from Spectrum and then separately buying a streaming cable TV service (which automatically includes cloud DVR service). Spectrum's slowest, cheapest internet tier is typically 300 Mbps and I think has a regular price (including modem and wi-fi router) of $80/mo. (If you're age 65 or over and qualify for SSI, then you would qualify for a $30/mo discount off the regular price of internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program, which would bring down the cost to $50/mo.)

You could get DirecTV as a streaming service with their Gemini Air box starting at $80/mo, or $75/mo without their box (using their app on your own smart TV or streaming box like a Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, etc.). Another option is YouTube TV, which costs $73/mo. They don't offer their own box, so you'd just use their app on your own smart TV or streaming box. Both services let you record an unlimited number of hours of TV, on as many channels at the same time as you like. But your recordings will automatically disappear after 9 months.

Neither service is going to work exactly the same as using Spectrum cable TV on your TiVos but I think you would come closest to that level of experience with DirecTV and their Gemini Air box. If you want the box, I think there's an up-front 2-year contract, during which time the price is guaranteed for your first two years. The cost of the first box is included but you can buy additional ones for $120 each. I think they let you pay it off at $10/mo for 12 months. Since you'd be switching from cable, you'd qualify for a $200 gift card. The HD picture quality is also reportedly much better on DirecTV than Spectrum. But you'd probably be looking at a monthly bill going forward of at least $160 total, paying $80 each for internet and TV. Don't know if that's more or less than you're paying now.

 

[chiguy50]

^^^^^^

That's a good run-down, but of course there are other options that would be cheaper (e.g., Sling TV) depending on OP's needs/desires/priorities.

I also think that Hulu + Live TV is a good solution for users who are migrating away from TiVo w/CATV--particularly if one is already paying for the Hulu or Disney Bundle streaming service. The cost (upcharge) for adding Live TV to an existing Hulu Base Plan is generally $62 and can be as low as $54 (e.g., moving from Hulu (No Ads) @ $15.99 p.m. to Hulu + Live TV, Disney+, and ESPN+ @ $69.99 p.m.) or even just $50 if starting from the Disney Bundle Trio Premium @ $19.99 p.m.

.

.

 

[madderthanhellny]

This is super-helpful! I've been away for a week, but last Saturday morning my Ring doorbell captured a dude with some coax cables and a box at my door (completely a surprise to me). I'm only assuming it was my HSC to be installed.

All your info gives me confidence that it will work in the end.

Funny thing, right now with my old TA and all, everything is still working fine. I almost hesitate to call them for an appointment.

Anyhow, if I have anything of value to report afterwards, I will be back here.
For the record, I am in Lexington, KY.

I have posted here two days ago about my woes/fighting with Spectrum over cable cards. Please -- what is an HSC?

 

[NashGuy]

I have posted here two days ago about my woes/fighting with Spectrum over cable cards. Please -- what is an HSC?

HSC means high-split converter. In areas where Spectrum has recently done a high-split upgrade their network (which allows for much faster internet upload speeds), CableCARDs will no longer function unless the connected tuning adapter (TA) is replaced with a new HSC.

Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the issue in your case, so getting an HSC isn't going to help.

 

[SirKnowsALot]

I have posted here two days ago about my woes/fighting with Spectrum over cable cards. Please -- what is an HSC?

If the Tivo you took the cablecard from was getting all the channels you expected (right up until the time it broke), then I would call the cable card support line 866-532-2598 and ask them to re-pair the cablecard with your (replacement) Tivo. This does require you to go into the Tivo menus and read a couple of numbers to them, but it is not that difficult.

Technically, each cablecard is paired (or married) to a specific Tivo. Once you put the card into another Tivo, that bond was broken and needs to be re-established with the other Tivo. Back in the good old days before they were phasing out cablecards, I'm extremely confident that this would work. Nowadays, it will probably (maybe even likely) work.

All this assumes, of course, that if the dead Tivo had a Tuning Adapter attached, it was also moved to the new Tivo that received the cablecard.

In the post just above this one, NashGuy has a good explanation of the HSC. As long as your area has not been updated to accommodate higher symmetric upload/download speeds you shouldn't need the HSC. Also, a good indicator is if you have the other Tivo working properly using the Tuning Adapter, you've not been updated.

Good luck,
WallyH

 

[michaelj3]

Note my post (#138) in this thread...as of today, at least in my market...its over.

Spectrum Discontinuing Cable Card Support next month

Received a letter today from Spectrum. My cable card “will lose compatibility and no longer function on or after 08/24/2023”. I know people have gotten similar letters but I haven’t heard of one that had a date. I assume my devices will become useless to me when this happens. I will have to...

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