Tivo and Comcast/Xfinity Woes

10656 Views 61 Replies 31 Participants Last post by ITGrouch, Nov 26, 2020

MichaelCoffin

Discussion Starter · Oct 12, 2019

I've been using Tivo since my first Series 3 so many years ago I can't recall. I currently have two Roamio Pro units at two different properties, and about 6 Tivo minis. I absolutely love Tivo (especially my current configuration with the minis), but Comcast is the only service provider here, and it's getting harder and harder to use Tivo with Comcast.

Earlier this year Comcast killed off the On Demand app for Tivo, and killed my access to the On Demand content included with my service!
Earlier this year Comcast replaced Cinemax with Hitz. Hitz is an "on demand" service, not a broadcast channel. Since we don't have a Tivo On Demand app we can't access this programming either!
Comcast refuses to recognize Tivo devices for HBO GO, so I pay for that and can't use it either!
Not a Tivo problem, but today I discovered that Comcast moved TCM into a "sports" package, so even though I pay over $200 a month for Digital Premiere to have access to all the movie channels, now they want another $10/month JUST for TCM!

Tivo either needs to get Comcast to change their evil ways (unlikely!), or find a way to make Roku work with Roamio and later Tivos! Comcast recognizes Roku for HBO GO and has an On Demand app that works with Roku. They don't seem to be making any changes that would negatively impact Roku users (well, the TCM change impacts everybody - including customers who rent their crappy boxes!). How about upgrading Tivo to work with a Roku stick that I can plug into a USB port on the Roamio? That would expand Tivo usability using hardware that Comcast will continue to support going forward. I know I can just plug a Roku into my TV, but I already have my Roamio as the center of all programming - I don't want to have to rewire my audio systems and be switching between Roamio/Roku, and obviously want the minis to have access to the Roku-enabled content over Moca as well.

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jaredmwright

· #2 · Oct 12, 2019

Well said, I feel the same frustration. I keep hoping that TiVo will address the on demand situation with an updated app, but my fear is it will only be available on the Hydra interface which I don't want, sigh... Sooner rather than later we may be a TiVo less family and just go to smart devices such as Roku or Amazon and move on.

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KevTech

· #3 · Oct 12, 2019

jaredmwright said:
I keep hoping that TiVo will address the on demand situation with an updated app

That is up to Comcast as they provide the app.

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jaredmwright

· #4 · Oct 12, 2019

KevTech said:
That is up to Comcast as they provide the app.

Agree, but don't think for a minute that the litigation and actions of TiVo aren't at play here in the decision and choices that Comcast makes.

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tiv0 newbie

· #5 · Oct 12, 2019

MichaelCoffin,
Many Tivo users have been able to get HBO GO functioning on their Tivos using a procedure described on this forum. It is working on my Tivo after following the procedure as outlined on this forum. I dont remember the specifics but it involves trying to get it validated via repeated refreshing of your internet browser until your unit gets verified.

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krkaufman

· #6 · Oct 12, 2019 (Edited)

MichaelCoffin said:
Comcast refuses to recognize Tivo devices for HBO GO, so I pay for that and can't use it either!

As mentioned just above, many Comcast customers have had recent success getting HBOGO authenticated via their TiVo boxes.

See here: The Spite of Comcast: HBO Go

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krkaufman

· #7 · Oct 12, 2019

MichaelCoffin said:
How about upgrading Tivo to work with a Roku stick that I can plug into a USB port on the Roamio? That would expand Tivo usability using hardware that Comcast will continue to support going forward. I know I can just plug a Roku into my TV, but I already have my Roamio as the center of all programming - I don't want to have to rewire my audio systems and be switching between Roamio/Roku, and obviously want the minis to have access to the Roku-enabled content over Moca as well.

This approach straight-up won't be happening.

Unless a new Xfinity On Demand for TiVo app is made available you'll need some other device for accessing Comcast's On Demand content, so input switching and add'l wiring it is - unless TiVo delivers on a better than expected app for the Roku platform, when it is currently questionable whether they'll ever deliver one at all.

samccfl99

· #8 · Oct 12, 2019

Does Anyone who comes to this Forum regularly Understand that Tivo, Inc and Comcast do not get along? Also do those people think that Tivo, Inc will do anything NORMAL in their software decisions? They don't have a good track record for that in the past (I do love SM & QM, both great mods, among a few others).

Let's just take one Little example. Years ago I complained that the 30-second skip forward button NEVER made an On Demand show skip (not talking about the "free" channels), like it used to on the Ancient On Demand on Comcast's older boxes (don't know about the X1). I had talked to Level 2 (yes, that's how long ago, when there Was a L2) and wanted L3 to find out if it was dropping the remote code on the Tivo side or ignoring it on the Comcast side. Such an easy thing to investigate...NOPE. They could have cared less.

Here's another one...The V4 Android Tivo App, sometimes if you are having problems, when it kicks you out, it makes you put the username/pw in Manually. Never did that in previous versions AND IT IS QUITE ANNOYING, as is when it kicks you out and tells you that you have TOO MANY STREAMS and you have to play with it to get it back. CAN'T BE DONE WHILE DRIVING ALONE. This software has been update several times and THESE THINGS WERE NEVER FIXED.

So there you have a long streaming rant. Why did I open this site today??? LOL

And thanks for that HBOGO link, KRK

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shwru980r

· #9 · Oct 12, 2019

When you use Tivo, Comcast can't charge the $10 per month per outlet fees. Seems like the best option is to use a PC and cast to your TV.

mishafp

· #10 · Oct 12, 2019 (Edited)

In my building, we had AT&T-only for a while, so I had to mothball my TIVO for that time. So I was thrilled when I had the xfinity option given to me last month. I had some real headaches (to be put it mildly) getting the cablecard to pair (which ended up being Comcast's fault), but once that was resolved, I'm not missing anything that i had in prior locations, with other service providers that worked with TIVO.

Of the items you listed, some of it does seem a little annoying, but it it really true that there are a meaningful amount of programs that you can't get through other means at a similar or marginal more costs that are on Comcast On Demand/Hitz only (through VUDU, Amazon, etc)? I mean, I know it isn't ideal, but just think if your building only worked with a cable provided that didn't even use cable cards...

And even if there is some one or two things you must watch on Comcast On Demand once in a while, can't you just run an HDMI to your laptop for that program? That's what I end up doing for NFL games on Sunday, since Sunday Ticket is only via laptop. I wouldn't want that to be my usual experience in any way, for one or two programs at week it is really nothing.

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mattyro7878

· #11 · Oct 13, 2019

My first reaction is 'just use the Xfinity Stream app on your tv". I forget that not everyone has a smart TV. Even a semi smart TV will do the Stream app which includes all the on demand. My Samsung has limited intelligence but works with Comcast. I'm sure most Vizio and LG and if course any Roku tv will do it.

heyted

· #12 · Oct 13, 2019

MichaelCoffin said:
They don't seem to be making any changes that would negatively impact Roku users...

Comcast at https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/xfinity-stream-beta-app-faqs said:
...during the beta trial, we're waiving the "additional outlet" service charge if you use the Stream app on a Partner Device. Pricing may change in the future.

I wonder how many people catch the additional outlet fee for each device when they purchase a Roku device just to use Xfinity Stream app. There are many sources on the web indicating that purchasing multiple Roku devices instead of a cablecard device is a better choice for cord shavers who want to save money. As shwru indicated above, the FCC requires a single cablecard to be multistream (works with multiple devices) without any additional outlet fees.

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wmcbrine

· #13 · Oct 13, 2019

shwru980r said:
When you use Tivo, Comcast can't charge the $10 per month per outlet fees.

I think they've finally abandoned that in their latest price restructuring.

slowbiscuit

· #14 · Oct 13, 2019

KevTech said:
That is up to Comcast as they provide the app.

Way oversimplification of the IPTV issue as a whole. Tivo is equally to blame here.

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MichaelCoffin

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 13, 2019

krkaufman said:
As mentioned just above, many Comcast customers have had recent success getting HBOGO authenticated via their TiVo boxes.

See here: The Spite of Comcast: HBO Go

This worked! Thanks so much, I enabled it on my Roamio and one first generation mini using IOS and Safari on my iPhone.

MichaelCoffin

Discussion Starter · #16 · Oct 13, 2019

mattyro7878 said:
My first reaction is 'just use the Xfinity Stream app on your tv". I forget that not everyone has a smart TV. Even a semi smart TV will do the Stream app which includes all the on demand. My Samsung has limited intelligence but works with Comcast. I'm sure most Vizio and LG and if course any Roku tv will do it.

Unfortunately the "main" TV in my living room isn't a smart TV, I didn't think I needed a smart TV because I had this fancy all-in-one Roamio that did streaming......

The TVs in guest bedrooms on Tivo minis are smart, I'll try it on one of those.

PSU_Sudzi

· #17 · Oct 14, 2019

mattyro7878 said:
My first reaction is 'just use the Xfinity Stream app on your tv". I forget that not everyone has a smart TV. Even a semi smart TV will do the Stream app which includes all the on demand. My Samsung has limited intelligence but works with Comcast. I'm sure most Vizio and LG and if course any Roku tv will do it.

it's also a matter of how old your tv is too. I have one Samsung smart TV that is brand new and has the XoD app and and another that's 2 years old but doesn't have the XoD app and will never get it because it's too old.

MichaelCoffin

Discussion Starter · #18 · Oct 15, 2019

I just learned today that Comcast will also be yanking Starz from the Digital Premiere package (but they'll still carry it, for $12 more per month!) and all of the Music channels are going away (perhaps replaced with some kind of radio station streaming service). This is really getting ridiculous!

kokishin

· #19 · Oct 15, 2019

What does a one year or two year contract with Comcast mean?

Just about nothing.

What a scam!

mntvjunkie

· #20 · Oct 15, 2019

Tivo has stated that a large part of their business model is to sue Comcast to get it to remove functionality of the X1 platform, or pay extortion fees for the rights to use patents. Perfectly within the rights of Tivo to do this, but they can't expect Comcast to be willing to make their customers happy with functionality when Tivo is simultaneously REDUCING the functionality of the first party hardware.

Tivo could choose instead to put customers first and come to a mutually beneficial agreement for all parties, but that is not Tivo's business model as they make far more by licensing patents than a consumer Tivo box will bring in. Result? Comcast customers (Tivo or X1) suffer. Until Tivo is willing to stop the lawsuits, I would expect Comcast to continue to not have a desire to work with Tivo. And if Tivo is not careful, Comcast could speed up adoption of IPTV and render Tivo's COMPLETELY useless on the Comcast network.

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