[MPSAN]

I agree that the original Thread was posting in an incorrect forum.

I have 2 Tivo's and thought that I could get an X1 NON DVR Box. My account says I have X1 preferred double play. I have the cable cards. etc. and do not want to get a DVR as my TIVO Premieres are doing fine. A rep offered me an Xi6 for no Monthly charge. When I got it, it hooked up just fine via Ethernet ( when I had trouble I tried WiFi too). It got to the screen where I add the rest of my phone number and it said I need to call them to get it authorized! When I called they said it would not be free and even if they authorized it it would not work since I do not have an X1 DVR!!

So, I still have this box. Should it work? Will I get Peacock and On demand? My plan includes EPIX does this mean that OnDemand will let me get the EPIX Library? As a side note they suggested an XG2 that they say does NOT require a DVR. Well, I see it has 4 tuners. What do I do with them...and still, it looks like the Xi6 is a better box and if it works without the X1 DVR I should keep it. I just had it delivered Wednesday. We are staying away from any Store(s) and this includes Comcast, and you can not call the store anyway.

Not sure what to do? Send back this never used Xi6???

 

[chiguy50]

I agree that the original Thread was posting in an incorrect forum.

I have 2 Tivo's and thought that I could get an X1 NON DVR Box. My account says I have X1 preferred double play. I have the cable cards. etc. and do not want to get a DVR as my TIVO Premieres are doing fine. A rep offered me an Xi6 for no Monthly charge. When I got it, it hooked up just fine via Ethernet ( when I had trouble I tried WiFi too). It got to the screen where I add the rest of my phone number and it said I need to call them to get it authorized! When I called they said it would not be free and even if they authorized it it would not work since I do not have an X1 DVR!!

So, I still have this box. Should it work? Will I get Peacock and On demand? My plan includes EPIX does this mean that OnDemand will let me get the EPIX Library? As a side note they suggested an XG2 that they say does NOT require a DVR. Well, I see it has 4 tuners. What do I do with them...and still, it looks like the Xi6 is a better box and if it works without the X1 DVR I should keep it. I just had it delivered Wednesday. We are staying away from any Store(s) and this includes Comcast, and you can not call the store anyway.

Not sure what to do? Send back this never used Xi6???

That is a somewhat different scenario from the one I understood in your previous posts in the other thread.

Based on the above description, it sounds like all you really need is a media streaming device that will accommodate your VOD needs. If that is truly the case, then you are probably better off getting a Roku, even if you were able to resolve your issues with the Xi6. A 4K Roku streamer--such as the Streaming Stick+ (approx. $50) or Ultra (approx. $80)--will pay for itself in the long run and is much more flexible and capable than Comcast's closed-system Xi6. You will have access to almost any imaginable major (and most lesser) OTT apps, including Xfinity Stream (which includes all of the live TV channels in your Comcast subscription package), Epix, SHO, ShowtimeAnytime, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and HBO (with HBO Max no doubt coming soon). For those apps to which you subscribe via your Comcast account, you will log in with your Comcast credentials.

I say that the Roku will pay for itself because adding the Xi6 (or any other Comcast STB/DVR) will normally subject you to a $9.95 p.m. "additional digital outlet" charge based on your pre-existing CableCARD-enabled TiVo's. I can not predict the billing ramifications with certainty because the specifics vary by region and, besides, your X1 Preferred Double Play would appear to be a legacy bundle that is no longer available (the currently comparable bundle is probably the X1 Preferred Pro+ Double Play) and I do not know its particulars.

And, again, the answer to your question is yes, the Xi6 should work with your system. It does not require an X1 DVR host.

I hope this helps.

 

[MPSAN]

Well!!! I called again and got a rep in Washington State and she looked into EVERYTHING and tried a few things! She said that the Xi6 that they sent me should work and played on her end! It is now added to my account with NO Monthly charges! I even added Peacock and I am using the Ethernet connection!!!
I tried a movie on EPIX as it is included in my package and it works. Now, how do I stop it? I only ran it for a minute or 2 but it keeps playing! Also, how do I stop it from streaming live TV? I mean, isn't this going to get my data increased?!!

 

[chiguy50]

Well!!! I called again and got a rep in Washington State and she looked into EVERYTHING and tried a few things! She said that the Xi6 that they sent me should work and played on her end! It is now added to my account with NO Monthly charges! I even added Peacock and I am using the Ethernet connection!!!
I tried a movie on EPIX as it is included in my package and it works. Now, how do I stop it? I only ran it for a minute or 2 but it keeps playing! Also, how do I stop it from streaming live TV? I mean, isn't this going to get my data increased?!!

How do you stop a video stream? Just hit stop (if available) or back out of the app. Live TV or VOD of your authorized linear channels does not count against the data cap. OTT apps (to include Peacock), however, do count.

 

[kpeters59]

Comcast doesn't consider the IP TV Channel Streaming against your internet cap, so you're good.

I don't think the XI6 has an 'off' button anyway. I suppose you could unplug it, but I don't think that's really good idea.

-KP

 

[MPSAN]

How do you stop a video stream? Just hit stop (if available) or back out of the app. Live TV or VOD of your authorized linear channels does not count against the data cap. OTT apps (to include Peacock), however, do count.

Well, I do not see a stop button. By Back out of the app do you mean hit the XFinity Button? Is there a downloadable guide somewhere? I am surprised there is NO info that I have seen about how to use this.

 

[MPSAN]

Comcast doesn't consider the IP TV Channel Streaming against your internet cap, so you're good.

I don't think the XI6 has an 'off' button anyway. I suppose you could unplug it, but I don't think that's really good idea.

-KP

Thank you but I agree, with what I went thru to get this going I sure do not want to turn it off on purpose. Still, I hate to see a TV station on my Ethernet all the time. If there were a power failure, are my settings saved or will I need to set it all up again?

 

[MPSAN]

I see an EXIT button so I can try that. By Linear channels do you mean my normal HD Digital Channels and can I stop them as well? I just would like to just have the box connected and not be doing anything.

 

[chiguy50]

Well, I do not see a stop button. By Back out of the app do you mean hit the XFinity Button? Is there a downloadable guide somewhere? I am surprised there is NO info that I have seen about how to use this.

Generally speaking, on most platforms you can use the back button or the menu button (e.g., xfinity on the X1 remote) to back out of the stream. However, as I have no hands-on experience with the Xi6, I will defer to someone else on the specifics in your case.

As for guides to the X1 operation, you can start here.

I hate to see a TV station on my Ethernet all the time.

I don't see the issue. Similarly, most TiVo users (including myself) do not bother to put the DVR in standby mode, which means that the tuners are all still set to live TV channels.

If there were a power failure, are my settings saved or will I need to set it all up again?

I believe most if not all of your X1 user settings will survive a power failure. But in any case, I strongly advise using a good UPS for all of your essential A/V gear.

By Linear channels do you mean my normal HD Digital Channels and can I stop them as well? I just would like to just have the box connected and not be doing anything.

The linear channels in your system are the broadcast and cable TV channels listed in the guide.

If you want the STB to be placed in standby mode when you are not using it, then you will probably want to use the "Power Saver" feature. See here for instructions.

 

[MPSAN]

Thank you. If I do enable the power save mode, will it stop getting live TV as well? Thank You! They also said that they are now turning this on by default. I will check as when I did switch to the X1 HDMI input it was BLACK on the TV and when I hit XFinity on the remote I believe it came back. Also I found a page that shows my remote...I believe I have the XR15...

Xfinity Voice Remote Overview - Xfinity

 

[chiguy50]

Thank you. If I do enable the power save mode, will it stop getting live TV as well? Thank You! They also said that they are now turning this on by default. I will check as when I did switch to the X1 HDMI input it was BLACK on the TV and when I hit XFinity on the remote I believe it came back. Also I found a page that shows my remote...I believe I have the XR15...

Xfinity Voice Remote Overview - Xfinity

Again, I can not speak from personal experience, only by dint of research. The Power Saver mode turns off most functions in the Xi6 (hence the power saving feature) but does not affect scheduled recordings. You can bring it back to life by pressing any button on the remote.

The XR15 is the most popular of the current Comcast X1 voice remotes and the one usually issued by default. The XR11 is sometimes favored by older or vision-impaired viewers due to the larger-sized buttons. I am not familiar with the XR16, but I *think* it is specifically designed for the Flex system.

 

[MPSAN]

Again, I can not speak from personal experience, only by dint of research. The Power Saver mode turns off most functions in the Xi6 (hence the power saving feature) but does not affect scheduled recordings. You can bring it back to life by pressing any button on the remote.

The XR15 is the most popular of the current Comcast X1 voice remotes and the one usually issued by default. The XR11 is sometimes favored by older or vision-impaired viewers due to the larger-sized buttons. I am not familiar with the XR16, but I *think* it is specifically designed for the Flex system.

OK, well, of course I am not recording anything as I only have TIVO's. Anyway, I printed the page for my remote and thank you again for the help. This all started as my bill said I would get Peacock and wanted to know how. I also see that even thought there are ads it is only about 1 minutes worth per hour! That is OK by me.

I just noticed you are in Atlanta. My in-laws were there and my wife and I spent many weeks at the Perimeter Center area. Boy do you guys have traffic!!! We were even there during the big snowstorm and almost had to sleep at the airport!

 

[chiguy50]

This all started as my bill said I would get Peacock and wanted to know how.

I hope that you will be happy with your Xi6. But I just want to reiterate that you can get Peacock (and much, much more) on a Roku streamer; there's no need to get a Comcast STB for this purpose alone--especially if you wind up paying for it, whether via a device rental fee or by dint of ADO fees for your CableCARDs.

 

[MPSAN]

I hope that you will be happy with your Xi6. But I just want to reiterate that you can get Peacock (and much, much more) on a Roku streamer; there's no need to get a Comcast STB for this purpose alone--especially if you wind up paying for it, whether via a device rental fee or by dint of ADO fees for your CableCARDs.

Well, so far all has been free...even the Xi6!

 

[MPSAN]

Well, all seems OK. I did try the first Thursday Night Football last night at 4K and it looked great! Funny that there was a slide during most commercials saying there was a "break in progress". However, I had an issue that I am going to target on their first NFL 4k broadcast. After about the 3rd quarter, the audio was gone and there was no way to get it back. I do not see how it is anything at my house as 3/4 of the game was perfect!