CableCard tuners and TWC

[Martyus]

Does anyone in the Milwaukee area have experience with the Ceton InfiniTV4 and TWC?

I am thinking about getting either the Ceton or the (soon to be released) SiliconDust CableCard tuner. I am curious about experiences interacting with the Milwaukee area TWC staff to get the "M-Card" CableCard and whether tuning adapters will be needed (I understand that if necessay, these cards will require 2 tuning adapters). Also, does TWC require a "truck roll" to setup and configure the CableCard?


CableCard tuners for Windows 7 computers:

Ceton InfiniTV4
http://www.amazon.com/Ceton-Infinitv4-Digital-Cable-Quad-tuner/dp/B003B4VLJQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305382033&sr=8-1

SiliconDust HDHR Prime
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815345006&cm_re=silicon_dust-_-15-345-006-_-Product

[Xizer]

Unfortunately, Time Warner Cable are a bunch of *******s who put the "Copy Once" flag on everything which effectively makes the InfiniTV 4 useless. You'll only be able to play back the recordings on the computer you recorded them on, you have to use crappy Windows Media Center to watch them, and if your hard drive or Windows installation ever fails, you're ****ed. The DRM is so pervasive that even if you do a system image and restore it the recordings won't work.

Time Warner Cable requires a truck roll and whoever they send out probably won't know what the hell they're doing. They do indeed require 2 tuning adapters, so there's a good chance your tech will only bring one. Expect to spend hours dealing with dozens of techs and customer service reps before you finally get escalated to someone competent who can get you set up.

[Jack 1000]

Unfortunately, Time Warner Cable are a bunch of *******s who put the "Copy Once" flag on everything which effectively makes the InfiniTV 4 useless. You'll only be able to play back the recordings on the computer you recorded them on, you have to use crappy Windows Media Center to watch them, and if your hard drive or Windows installation ever fails, you're ****ed. The DRM is so pervasive that even if you do a system image and restore it the recordings won't work.

Time Warner Cable requires a truck roll and whoever they send out probably won't know what the hell they're doing. They do indeed require 2 tuning adapters, so there's a good chance your tech will only bring one. Expect to spend hours dealing with dozens of techs and customer service reps before you finally get escalated to someone competent who can get you set up.

Or just call, and ask immediately to be transferred to a level 3 tech support person for an unresolved question.

Jack

[MrZMaster]

I actually ordered a Ceton InfiniTV4. It should be here Thursday; and I have a TWC tech scheduled to bring a CableCard out on Saturday. I'll let you guys know how this goes. Worse case, I return the InfiniTV4. I just figured this could be a good way of getting rid of that horrid TWC guide once and for all and having unlimited space (well, as much space as I have hdd's in my HTPC) for recording.

[MrZMaster]

Xizer, you were pretty much on the money with this one, at least concerning TWC's service. The first truck roll, the TWC tech only brought 1 cisco tuning adapter with the m-card when I had asked for two.

Let me make it clear for anyone else that is thinking about going this route with the Ceton card, you ABSOLUTELY need the TWO tuning adapters to make this work properly. I thought at first that I could get away with just the one tuning adapter--I figured I would get TWC to get me a second one later on and just deal with only being able to use two tuners on the Ceton card. That's not how this works. With only one tuning adapter, I was only able to get about 25% of the channels. The rest would give me a "no signal found". As soon as I was able to talk to a tier 3 TWC tech and request a second tuning adapter, I was in business.

Now that it's all set up, it's pretty bad ***. And TWC only puts the "copy once" flag on premium channel content (e.g. HBO, showtime, etc.). I haven't messed with using an extender yet, as my entertainment center in my living room is where I do all my watching anyway. WMC is so much better than TWC's DVR box interface, hands down.

[LoadStar]

Xizer, you were pretty much on the money with this one, at least concerning TWC's service. The first truck roll, the TWC tech only brought 1 cisco tuning adapter with the m-card when I had asked for two.

Let me make it clear for anyone else that is thinking about going this route with the Ceton card, you ABSOLUTELY need the TWO tuning adapters to make this work properly. I thought at first that I could get away with just the one tuning adapter--I figured I would get TWC to get me a second one later on and just deal with only being able to use two tuners on the Ceton card. That's not how this works. With only one tuning adapter, I was only able to get about 25% of the channels. The rest would give me a "no signal found". As soon as I was able to talk to a tier 3 TWC tech and request a second tuning adapter, I was in business.

Now that it's all set up, it's pretty bad ***. And TWC only puts the "copy once" flag on premium channel content (e.g. HBO, showtime, etc.). I haven't messed with using an extender yet, as my entertainment center in my living room is where I do all my watching anyway. WMC is so much better than TWC's DVR box interface, hands down.

Odd. One tuning adapter should be sufficient to cover two tuners completely. I wonder if there is an oddity about the way the Ceton changes channels that causes it to jump between all tuners... and if there is a way of turning off tuners to prevent this from happening.

[Xizer]

Xizer, you were pretty much on the money with this one, at least concerning TWC's service. The first truck roll, the TWC tech only brought 1 cisco tuning adapter with the m-card when I had asked for two.

Let me make it clear for anyone else that is thinking about going this route with the Ceton card, you ABSOLUTELY need the TWO tuning adapters to make this work properly. I thought at first that I could get away with just the one tuning adapter--I figured I would get TWC to get me a second one later on and just deal with only being able to use two tuners on the Ceton card. That's not how this works. With only one tuning adapter, I was only able to get about 25% of the channels. The rest would give me a "no signal found". As soon as I was able to talk to a tier 3 TWC tech and request a second tuning adapter, I was in business.

Now that it's all set up, it's pretty bad ***. And TWC only puts the "copy once" flag on premium channel content (e.g. HBO, showtime, etc.). I haven't messed with using an extender yet, as my entertainment center in my living room is where I do all my watching anyway. WMC is so much better than TWC's DVR box interface, hands down.

Interesting.

Can you tell me which channels they leave copy freely? I was under the impression Time Warner had a strict policy and put it on EVERYTHING except for the local over-the-air affiliates, despite no obligation to do so from the content providers.

If channels like Discovery, Animal Planet, CNN, Nickelodeon, etc. are "Copy Freely" on Time Warner Cable this would indeed be an awesome development.

[MrZMaster]

Xizer.. you're right, I'm wrong. Everything is "Copy Once" except for local affiliates. :(

[Tivoman44]

Is there anyway whatso ever in getting past the copy control? It would be nice to be able to transfer cable shows between two tivos?

[Olias]

Is there anyway whatso ever in getting past the copy control? It would be nice to be able to transfer cable shows between two tivos?

...not without losing some video quality. There are devices like the Happauge HD-PVR that take any analog HD component video output and re-encode it to a H.264 format. I use a pair of them in a SageTV HTPC setup. It does make the resulting image a bit softer, but I can watch any channels, anywhere, anytime. I recently dumped a bunch of TCM movies to the family laptop for a long trip.

[Zammy]

I just recently replaced my 2 time warner DVR's with a PC with a ceton card and I'm using 360's as media center extenders.

It was quite the pain to get this all setup from time warner. When I got the card they said they had an appointment available the next day. I told the rep on the phone that I needed an M-card and 2 tuning adapters. The next day comes and they TW technician shows up without an M-card and has the other cable card. He calls to see if they have any M-cards available. He was told they have none, and they would have to order an M-card.

2 weeks pass.

I call timewarner to see how long it takes to get an M-card. The lady on the phone looks up my appointment and mentions that they installed a cablecard and that I should be all set. I tell her what happened that day. Now she sees the notes about having to order a card for me. I'm on hold for 20-30 minutes as she starts calling around to find out how they can get an M-card. Finally she says they can order one, and she forwards me to the national cablecard support line. The person on this call knows exactly what I need, but doesn't understand why I need to talk to her. She said that she can't help get the card ordered or anything like that. She puts me on hold and calls Timewarner support back to help straighten things out. After a few minutes of being on hold, she comes back to say they have a card and can come out that night between 6-8pm. I tell her that sounds great and thanks for all the help.

About 20 minutes pass.

I get a call from timewarner dispatch. I'm thinking this is the call to confirm the appointment. I was wrong. She called to inform me they don't have any M-cards and they would have to order one. I told her to do whatever they need to do. She says they can order the card and she'll get back to me.

Another 20 minutes pass.

I get a call from a technician who says he can pick up an M-card from waukesha the next day and come to my house after he gets it. I tell him that sounds great I have the day off anyway. I tell him I also need 2 tuner adapters. He said I won't need those. I tell him I do and to bring them anyway.

The next day comes. I figure I would get a call around 10:30-11:00 am. Which is about how long I would think it would take him to drive up to waukesha and come back with the card. 1 o'clock rolls around and I get a call. The tech has another stop to make and then he will be there between 2-3pm. I have now just wasted a whole day sitting at home on my day off for a 3 o'clock appointment.

It's now about 3 o'clock and the doorbell rings.

The tech is at the door with the cable card. I asked if he had the tuning adapters. He said no, I don't need them. We get the card installed on the PC without too much of a problem. I did have to alter my case a little to get the cable card to fit. I'm using the half height card, so I had to modify my case quick to get the card to fit. It is now time to fire up the pc. The tech has the number off the card and then needs a second number off one of the screens in windows. He gets that number and calls to have the card activated. Once he's off the phone it looks like the ceton card is starting to function. There are a number of steps it looks like the card had to go through in the ceton utility while it was activating. It looks like we're all set. There are quite a few channels that are working so we decide to check some of the HD channels. They are not working. These are channels he said are using switched digital. I told him that's why I needed the tuning adapters. He says he believes they can only give me one. I told him this card doesn't work well with just one tuning adapter. He goes out to his van to some more phone calls. He comes back. He has one tech that is going to drop off 2 tuning adapters and another that is going to help him hook all this stuff up. The adapters and the other tech show up. They get the adapters plugged in and they need this activated as well. After those were activated finally everything is starting to work. The HD channels are starting to work and all looks good.

I tested the xbox's. They work nice as well.

I think I'm all set now. So far the ceton is recording shows and works pretty well as a TV tuner. It seems a little slower on the xbox to change channels, but I think I'm ok with that. I don't really do a lot of channel surfing anymore anyway. I either watch something I want or playback something I have recorded.

Now that everything is working and I'm happy with how it all works. It was just a real pain trying to get time warner to figure everything out.

[MrZMaster]

I just wanted to offer an update now that I've been running the Ceton InfiniTV / WMC setup for a while now. It seems that TWC pushed out a firmware upgrade to the Cisco tuning adapters which upgrades them to support up to 6 (I believe) tuners. I realized this one day when I got home from work and noticed that one of my tuning adapters had a flashing light, which usually indicates that it is not receiving a signal or is rebooting. I checked my Ceton card's utility and found that all four of my tuners are now being controlled by only one of the tuning adapters. So I just unplugged the flashing one and returned it to TWC. It's pretty awesome to now only need one tuning adapter. I read up a bit more on this, and it seems that the FCC passed a regulation requiring cable providers to update their tuning adapters so they would support at least up to 4 tuners by August 1, 2011.

This might be a good thing especially for folks to hear who have been thinking about ditching their TWC box and jumping on the Ceton bandwagon but might have been hesitant to do so because of the horror stories regarding the TWC cablecard+tuning adapter install process.

[jziggity]

I just wanted to offer an update now that I've been running the Ceton InfiniTV / WMC setup for a while now. It seems that TWC pushed out a firmware upgrade to the Cisco tuning adapters which upgrades them to support up to 6 (I believe) tuners. I realized this one day when I got home from work and noticed that one of my tuning adapters had a flashing light, which usually indicates that it is not receiving a signal or is rebooting. I checked my Ceton card's utility and found that all four of my tuners are now being controlled by only one of the tuning adapters. So I just unplugged the flashing one and returned it to TWC. It's pretty awesome to now only need one tuning adapter. I read up a bit more on this, and it seems that the FCC passed a regulation requiring cable providers to update their tuning adapters so they would support at least up to 4 tuners by August 1, 2011.

This might be a good thing especially for folks to hear who have been thinking about ditching their TWC box and jumping on the Ceton bandwagon but might have been hesitant to do so because of the horror stories regarding the TWC cablecard+tuning adapter install process.

This is awesome. I have been waiting to hear if TWC was ever going to come into compliance with the whole 4+ tuner support on their tuning adapters. I have been eye-balling a Moxi DVR setup, but was always hesitant to drop that much cash outright on this setup, especially since only 2 of the 3 tuners would be available thanks to TWC's ubiquitous SDV.

Can anyone else offer independent verification of the firmware update on Cisco tuning adapters and the ability to support 4+ tuners? I would call TWC to ask them directly, but I'm sure their standard-issue trouble shooting cue cards for the tech support phone jockeys won't be updated for quite some time. Thanks!

[jziggity]

Okay, for what it was worth, I attempted calling (a couple of times) to confirm this updated firmware thing with Tier 3 at TWC. The first attempt to speak with them I was cut-off (or hung up on) - no big shock there - ask an intelligent question and get a blank response.

On my 2nd attempt, I did (finally) speak with a guy in tier 3 whom I am really questioning how he received the coveted "Tier 3" credentials. He initially told me the tuning adapters still only support 2 tuners, AND also told me the M-cards also only support 2 streams. I call bull$@#!. A quick online search clearly shows the M-card standard is fully capable of supporting 6 streams. *sigh* However my pregnant pauses coupled with the "are you sure?" line of questioning was only met with dead air. Really TWC, really? This level of ineptitude shouldn't still surprise me, but it does...

So, then comes the callback from TWC. *GASP!* The same tier 3 tech guy I was just talking with actually called me back a few minutes later!! :eek: I don't know if I was more surprised that I actually received a callback from ANYONE at TWC, or that the Tier 3 guy actually had enough technical knowledge to find my phone number, that I just called from.

At any rate, he called back to tell me, after speaking with his colleagues, that apparently he has some outdated information. Yeah, try several years outdated when it comes to the M-cards there, sport. He DID confirm for me that there was a firmware update for the tuning adapters earlier this month, allowing them to now support 4 tuners.

I immediately looked out my window for signs of flying pigs - TWC admitted an error AND called back to give me the correct information! I guess Tier 17 is the new, coveted knowledgeable level to reach. Alas, in the end my question was answered. It's just that TWC's complete incompetence NEVER ceases to amaze me - this was not a complicated question to begin with.

TWC would do well to actually review these forums and see why their business model of "just get as many customers as possible and screw the service side of everything" is not sustainable.

[KryptoNyte]

Hey, guys. This is a fantastic website for local HDTV enthusiasts.

I was just about to head down to Microcenter today to grab one of these;
(As we have pretty much nothing here in Milwaukee, anyone need anything from Microcenter?)

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364572

to work with these two devices left over from a disappointing Tivo Experience;

(1) Cisco STA1520 Tuning Adapter
(1) Scienterrific Altlanta PKM800 Powerkey Multi-Stream Cable Card

I'm hoping this HTPC/Ceton setup will work with just the one tuning adapter.

Reading through this post, I have to admit, I confused. Does Milwaukee Time Warner tag ALL media on ANY channel with the copy once flag, or is it truly only on the premium channels (HBO, Cinemax, etc ...)? How often do you encounter this copy once flag in your daily recordings?

[KryptoNyte]

I'm also curious to know from you folks' experiences, is the copy-once flag persistent based on the channel, or will any given channel have this intermittenly?

[PONIES]

Every single channel except for the local NBC, Fox, ABC, PBS, and CW affiliates is flagged as "Copy Once" (CCx02). Always. Even the basic cable stuff like TBS and Discovery Channel is restricted.

This makes Time Warner Cable the most restrictive cable provider in the country as far as flagging material with DRM. I believe they do this on purpose to make going with a CableCARD tuner less desirable. Time Warner makes some serious dough charging you $18 every month to rent a HD DVR from them. Even Comcast only flags the premium movie channels like HBO with copy once and leaves the basics copy freely.

I am holding out hope that some day someone cracks the copy protection on these CableCARD tuners and releases a custom firmware for them so we can flash the Ceton with it and have it ignore the copy protection flags. I don't like a piece of hardware I purchased bringing content into my home and then locking it down and telling me what I can and can't do with it.

[KryptoNyte]

Heck, I just want to watch stuff on my phone for heaven's sake, and there is simply no path for that with Time Warner. I don't understand it.

[KryptoNyte]

Is this website correct, that we have numerous other potential cable providers right here in the greater Milwaukee area?

http://cable.usdirect.com/wi-milwaukee-local-cable.html

I had no idea there were that many options ...

[LoadStar]

Is this website correct, that we have numerous other potential cable providers right here in the greater Milwaukee area?

http://cable.usdirect.com/wi-milwaukee-local-cable.html

I had no idea there were that many options ...

Heh... love the blatant SEO attempt on that page. :)

[Tivoman44]

Just an FYI, if all you have is basic cable copying works. On my second Tivo, prior to adding the cable card, it worked to copy to the other Tivo, to Tivo desktop, etc, once I added the card and tuning adapter it stopped working.

As for them purposely doing it, of course, they want to make as undesirable as possible. It's all about money, and they get a lot more with $17.00 a month per box VS $2.50 for a cable card.

[KryptoNyte]

Heh... love the blatant SEO attempt on that page. :)

I don't know what SOE is, but can I assume we don't have any other cable service options here in greater Milwaukee?

[LoadStar]

I don't know what SOE is, but can I assume we don't have any other cable service options here in greater Milwaukee?

SEO = Search Engine Optimization. Basically, they're playing games so that their page comes up in search engine results more often, so that people go to their page more often, and they get more ad exposures.

In any case, as far as I'm aware your choices are Time Warner (or Charter, possibly, depending on what area you are in), AT&T, Dish, or DirecTV. That's it.

[KryptoNyte]

Okay, thanks.

[Marc G]

I've got an HDHomerun Prime on its way to me as I type. I should have it by the 15th.

So does Milwaukee TWC still require an installer to come out to plug in the card/tuning adapter? Picking up a kit from Mayfair would be so much more convenient.

(I ask here instead of calling TWC because over at the Silicon Dust forums, users mentioned how TWC service reps didn't even know that self install kits were available in the cities that had them. The customers had to inform the TWC service reps, who then had to check with management.)

[PONIES]

You do have to call them. They will ship a CableCARD and tuning adapter to you for free. Mine was shipped via UPS Ground and received it from Milwaukee in one day.

They only started allowing self installs back in August, per the new FCC regulations.

You probably will encounter incompetence. I had to be escalated to tier 3 support before someone knew what to do. The guy was like "wtf, why do I have to handle this simple request?"

[Marc G]

Sounds good. Thanks, P!

[KryptoNyte]

I was refused the customer install on the CC and TA, even after persisting. They ended up requiring a technician to come to my home and set it up.

[PONIES]

I was refused the customer install on the CC and TA, even after persisting. They ended up requiring a technician to come to my home and set it up.

The new FCC mandates require them to allow self installs. If they charge you for that technician visit I would report them to the FCC, the Better Business Bureau, and keep harassing support until you get that charge removed.

http://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/10/fcc-cablecard-self-install-rules-are-in-effect/
http://www.gizmolovers.com/2011/08/01/time-warner-cable-preps-for-cablecard-self-installs/

To anyone else having problems getting them to ship you the equipment, you may have to keep pestering them to escalate you to tier 3 support. Tier 1 is clueless.

Here is from the FCC's official website: (http://www.fcc.gov/guides/cablecard-know-your-rights)

Self-install your CableCARD. Effective August 8, 2011, cable operators must allow self-installation of CableCARDs if they allow self-installation of other equipment, such as digital boxes or cable modems. By November 1, 2011, all cable operators must allow self-installation of CableCARDs. Your operator may decline your request for self-installation if your equipment manufacturer or vendor does not provide you with instructions on how to install a CableCARD and offer a toll-free telephone number for product support. FCC Rule 76.1205(b)(1).


If your cable operator does not resolve your concern, you may file a complaint with the FCC and/or your local franchise authority. To file your complaint with the Commission, click on www.fcc.gov/complaints.

[KryptoNyte]

Well that's mighty interesting. Thanks Ponies.

[Marc G]

Quick personal update:
I have a new HDHomerun Prime. Ordered cablecard and tuning adapter on the 17th, got the CC on the 22nd with no TA. Called twc who said they'll send someone out with a TA on the 24th. Got a call on the 24th that there were no TA's available. They offered to send someone out on Oct 5(!) when they might have more. Talked to a tier 3 tech later that day who sent out a TA. Received that yesterday (thanks tier 3 John!).

Only some channels came through. This morning more channels work, but still not all.

I know that the TWC experience is typical, but is that behavior also typical for CC/TA setups? Should it take such a long time for channels to work?

Anyone else using a HDHomerun Prime with TWC?

[Tivoman44]

If you ever have to call TWC regarding Cable Cards/Tuning Adaptor, etc, always call this number 866-892-0019, goes to customer retention/account specialists. Based on all of my experiences with them, they seem much more professional and smart. When I called back in February to get an additional CC/TA they actually knew what a CC and TA was, and was fairly simple to get an appointment for the install.

The story that Kryptonyte shared regarding the TWC rep who didn't want to take the order to have a CC shipped to the customer, yes file a complaint with the FCC. A lot of things the FCC does bug the hell out of me, but I love some things they do by requiring the support of a cable card. While the FCC moves slow, the more complaints the better.

I shared this story almost exactly a year ago when I moved and got Cable back. I called the regular TWC call center (800-627-2288) and the guy fought with me and wouldn't let me have Cable Cards. He kept telling me how I will hardly get any channels and demanded that I take the regular box. The stupid twirp got a bad attitude and told me I must pay for it now, not realizing I was a current customer. I didn't think anything of writing his name down, but the next Saturday when the tech showed up with a box, I was furious. I kept my cool with the tech as he was very professional and apologetic. But that just shows utter incompetence. That is when I posted on here and asked if by chance he was right about not getting channels, and I will never forget LoadStar saying "that guy was so full of it his eyes are turning brown" LMAO

so after my babbling on, file the complaint.

[MrZMaster]

Marc G, did you ever get your HDHomerun Prime / CC / TA issues figured out? Hopefully you're getting all the channels that you're supposed to now?

On a personal note, I've had the Ceton/WMC setup going since late June. It got even better in August when I ditched my 2nd TA due to the firmware update. Now that TV "season" has begun, I am wondering how I even survived with TWC's crap DVR box in the past. Recording 4 channels at once is amazing!!

[Marc G]

I don't think I have all the channels I should. I haven't spent a lot more time troubleshooting or working with TWC because I just don't have the time. Maybe by the holiday season a) I'll have more time b) there will be more I want to see c) any problems due to HDHomerun Prime compatibility may get ironed out in firmware.


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=43.121381,-88.243141

[PONIES]

Here is a complete listing of channels you should be receiving with your CableCARD™ tuner as of today:

http://pastebin.com/Jupe4hNZ

The following are the only non-Switched Digital Video channels. If you're only receiving these, you need to fix your tuning adapter:

http://pastebin.com/7CeraXq5

As you can see, these are the only non-SDV HD channels remaining in this market.

1004 WTMJ
1005 WDJT
1006 WITI
1010 WMVS
1012 WISN H
1015 WPXED
1016 WMVT
1018 WVTVHD
1024 WCGV HD
1112 FAMHD
1113 HLMKHD
1130 DISCD
1135 HSTHD
1150 HGTV HD
1203 TNTHD
1204 A&E HD
1205 FXHD
1301 ESPN HD
1603 HBOHD
1642 SHOHD

[ButtonPuncher]

Hi Everyone,
I think that TWC is giving me the runaround. I've got a Ceton InfinitTV 4. I ordered a CC and a TA and received them on Friday the 11th. I called tech support and they supposedly activated the card. I do get the basic digital channels but I can't tune any of the regular HD channels or the premium HD channels (I subscribe to HBO and SHO). In the Ceton diagnostics everything is green except it says that my card needs CP Auth.

I called tech support today and I got a very bad feeling. It sounded like the guy was reading through some kind of Cable Card trouble shooting list. I kept insisting that I have the Cable Card ID and Host Card ID so that he could set the authorization. He said that there was nothing that he could do and HAD to send out a tech. I reluctantly agreed and one will be coming out tomorrow. I guess we'll see but I'm worried.

I'm a former AV systems engineer and I used to design RF (cable TV) systems. The setup at my parent's house is NOT standard. A few years ago my parents had problems and I was out of town. They called TWC and the tech proceeded to rip out my trunk/tap system and replace it with a bunch of stupid splitters. I was irate but the damage was already done.

BP


BTW, I did talk to an extremely competent tech (I think national) and they said that the Cisco STA1520 tuning adapter support 7 channels with the current firmware update.

[LoadStar]

Hi Everyone,
I think that TWC is giving me the runaround. I've got a Ceton InfinitTV 4. I ordered a CC and a TA and received them on Friday the 11th. I called tech support and they supposedly activated the card. I do get the basic digital channels but I can't tune any of the regular HD channels or the premium HD channels (I subscribe to HBO and SHO). In the Ceton diagnostics everything is green except it says that my card needs CP Auth.

I called tech support today and I got a very bad feeling. It sounded like the guy was reading through some kind of Cable Card trouble shooting list. I kept insisting that I have the Cable Card ID and Host Card ID so that he could set the authorization. He said that there was nothing that he could do and HAD to send out a tech. I reluctantly agreed and one will be coming out tomorrow. I guess we'll see but I'm worried.

I'm a former AV systems engineer and I used to design RF (cable TV) systems. The setup at my parent's house is NOT standard. A few years ago my parents had problems and I was out of town. They called TWC and the tech proceeded to rip out my trunk/tap system and replace it with a bunch of stupid splitters. I was irate but the damage was already done.

BP


BTW, I did talk to an extremely competent tech (I think national) and they said that the Cisco STA1520 tuning adapter support 7 channels with the current firmware update.

You could call the Time Warner National Cable Card support center: 1-866-532-2598

Of course, since they are coming out tomorrow, it's probably too late, but maybe you could call in the morning before they get out, then just cancel the call if you can get it working.

[ButtonPuncher]

Cool. Thanks for the info. I'm going to see if I can get out of work a little early today and give them a call. I'd much rather turn the tech away at my door then have them mess with my stuff.

[ButtonPuncher]

ALRIGHT! Thanks again for the number. I got a person who knew EXACTLY what I was talking about. 5 minutes later, my CC is paired and I'm up and running.

Note to others that get the Ceton Infinity 4. In the diagnostics, it will check the box next to pairing even though it's not actually paired. As soon as the tech had my Host ID information, it started working. All green checkboxes in the Ceton diagnostic. :D

The green light on the tuning adapter should also be solid green.

Thanks,
Ben