XfinityTV and Equipment

[LuisSoto]

Hi,

This is annoying and very confusing.

On Saturday, a Comcast tech came in to hand me a multistream cable card for use with my Ceton InfiniTV 4 CableCARD tuner installed on my Windows 7 Media Center PC.  Apparently, the tech was able to pair the card, but the card still required a "hit" to be sent to it.  On the diagnostics screen for my tuner, it shows that the card still needed to be sent a "hit" from the headend.  This was tried, and also with a different cable card.  The tech did not seem very knowledgeable about this, and he left.  A truck was dispatched for the next day.

The net result is that I can watch only basic channels (the ones that come in through clear QAM), while the rest of the channels display a "subscription required" message.  In the meantime, I extensively researched and diagnosed all potential issues with my hardware.  Everything seems to be working fine with my hardware, and no firewall is installed (a known culprit for this).  My system meets all requirements and there are no issues from my end.

The second truck came on Sunday, with a different card, and the result is the same.  The card would just not receive the hits from the headend.  This tech also did not seem to know much about cablecards, but at least was willing to try and make it work.  While the card was apparently successfully paired, it would not receive the authorization codes. 

As it stands, it's Monday now, and he's supposed to call me to get the card and try to get it authorized using someone else's TiVO, then bring it back and attempt to pair it again with my tuner (I doubt that this will work).  The work order is still open.

For what it's worth, the diagnostics utility for the Ceton card states that there's an OOB lock and that the card is able to receive signals.  The pairing information comes up normally, and a channel map (1) was received.  Again, only basic channels come up.

According to what I've found out (from forums related to Media Center, Ceton, etc.), this may just be:

• Defective cable cards (very likely).
• The headend is not sending the appropriate codes (also very likely).
• A STAGING or PROVISIONING issue on the card.
• The account information (rate codes?) from my account is not being applied to the card.
• The need for Tuning Adapters (not likely, since I understand Comcast has not implemented SDV in the Jersey City market).

I really do get the impression that neither the techs (well-intended though they may be) nor the people "at the other end" necessarily know what they're doing when it comes to this.  Has anyone else had a similar issue, or is there someone that could help me out?  Maybe a way to get someone else (who actually knows about this) involved? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

L.S.

[JayInAlg]

The Comcast Cares Team has been notified of your cable card issues.

Watch this post and your email for updates from the team during the business week.

[LuisSoto]

Update on the issue.

The tech did come back today with a TiVO.  He was able to pair the card and authorize it on the TiVO, and all channels came in.  We then took the card out of the TiVO and tried it again on my PC.  The card did not show as authorized or validated in my tuner's diagnostic software, but the Filipino Channel (encrypted) did come up for a little while in Media Center.  Then nothing.  Of course, the basic channels still came through.

I told him that we needed to pair the card again with my PC tuner.  Upon doing this, we were able to get the card validated, but now I get the message that service has not been turned on to the card by the headend.  I told him that it might be a provisioning issue.  He did try to have the headend send hits twice more, but they both failed.

I still remained convinced that the wrong kind of codes are being sent to the card, or that the card has not been provisioned with my rate information.  The person on the other end kept saying that there was no response from the card, but as I understand it, cablecard are one-way devices (thru-2-way cards are not supported). So we're back to where we were.

The tech left and advised me to call again and this time request a supervisor.  To be fair, this tech lacked the knowledge, but nevertheless really went above and beyond to try to resolve my issue, and deserves a good write up. As instructed, I will call them again while I wait for updates from the Comcast Cares Team (thank you for referring my issue to them).

Thanks again, L.S.

[LuisSoto]

ALSO:

From lurking in other forums, I've found that a lot of Comcast customers that have had the same, or similar, issues have traced the cause to cards that have not been STAGED properly.  Apparently, this is a farily common thing, and it's a completely separate and different process than pairing.  It seems that this can be accomplished over the phone by an engineer (?).  It turns out that a lot of cards are being paired without proper staging, and this is causing this kind of issue.  Just thought I'd mention that, if it helps anyone.

Regards,

L.S.

[LuisSoto]

Update:

The problem is still unresolved.

But I called and requested a supervisor, as suggested by the last Comcast tech.  The person attempted to pair the cablecard again, and stated that the hit was going through, but that it was not working, from what she could see from her end.  Interesting that even though I told her I had all the information in front of me, she only asked for the host ID and card serial number (I understand you also need the cablecard ID).  She did not know what I was talking about, re: staging, provisioning, ADS, etc.

She did say she would refer the issue to a supervisor, who would call me ASAP the same evening, but the call never came.

Honestly, cablecards on PCs have been around long enough that I shouldn't have to lurk forums and research, etc., and then have to basically school every new person I talk to on the Comcast end.  If they insist on rolling out trucks to tend to issues that (with proper training) could be resolved over the phone, so be it - I'm happy to pay the $15 or whatever, but it really shouldn't take 5 days, several phone calls, 2 additional truck rolls and endless Internet forum lurking and posting. C'mon, people - I'm not trying to set up a TV studio, here.

Anyway.  I see some people in this forum with similar issues and they've gotten them resolved, so I don't think this is that big of a deal, just a matter of getting someone on the case with the necessary knowledge.

L.S.

[LuisSoto]

Some more information I've found (from another thread on this very forum - thanks!!).  This seems to also apply to my case:

• The CableCARD(s) are configured for a two-way device. TiVo DVRs are one-way devices, meaning that they accept signals from the cable headend but cannot send signals back. CableCARDs configured for a two-way device are expected to send a signal back to the headend to confirm the activation. Because a TiVo DVR cannot send this signal, activation fails. 

• The CableCARDs did not receive the proper activation signals to provision a UDCP (unidirectional digital cable products) device. DVRs leased by cable providers are two-way and use CableCARDs that receive extensive pre-provisioning at the warehouse. Because so much of the information normally sent during activation has already been programmed into these CableCARDs, they require a different activation protocol than CableCARDs that are installed in devices such as TiVo DVRs and CableCARD-ready HDTVs. If the headend sends the wrong activation signal, your CableCARDs do not receive enough information to activate, or will activate enough to get a channel map, but no EMMs. The result is that you will be able to view only analog and unencrypted digital channels. (my bolding - L.S.)

• The activation signal may not be reaching the DVR. Occasionally, activation signals are misrouted to the wrong node on the cable system, or some other problem prevents the DVR from receiving the activation signals. Because the TiVo DVR is a one-way device, the headend has no way to determine that the signal was never received by the host. Your cable provider must determine if this is the case. 

Hopefully this will help whoever ends up looking at my issue, and perhaps others with similar issues.  Thanks again in advance...

L.S.

[dharby]

just posting to get updates on this issue.....I'm buying the Ceton PC cablecard tuner to make use of my mediacenter PC that was rendered useless when comcast went digital (have to rent a converter and leave my pc tuner on channel 4 - losing all of it's DVR capability).

[LuisSoto]

Another update:

I did get a call from a supervisor.  I relayed all of the information I've posted here (as to possible causes, etc.).  He had no idea what I was talking about, regarding staging, provisioning, etc.  He then proceeded to send another unsuccesful hit, and then schedule yet another truck roll.  We're now in a vicious cycle, it seems.  Hopefully someone from the Comcast Cares team will be able to help.

@dharby: I think you're doing the smart thing waiting to see what happens with people like me...those who have had to weed their way through this frustrating endeavor (or who were lucky to get knowledgeable people on their first try) seem to experience great results using this hardware.  It's definitely NOT the techs' fault (to a person, they seem very helpful, accomodating and wiling to learn).  However, more training is required on the Comcast side, as there seem to be only a few people with the required knowledge, and getting to them has been tricky, at best.

If I can go from having what amounts to only peripheral knowledge about cablecards, to seemingly knowing more than the average Comcast support tech in only the past 5 days, surely they can improve how they disseminate this knowledge to a staff consisting of mostly young people that seem willing to learn.  My $0.02.

L.S.

[CC_Dete]

We are working to have this resolved Luis - I understand that we have a service call scheduled for someone to visit you tomorrow. A supervisor will be visiting as well to make sure we get this resolved tomorrow.

[LuisSoto]

Thanks, Dete...

Will post here and let you know how it turns out today.

Regards,

L.S.

[LuisSoto]

Finally...

A Comcast supervisor came in - Curtis - as soon as I saw him I knew things were looking up, as he had come to my home a few years ago.  As then, he was very curious about Media Center and HTPCs.  All he did was:

• Scanned a new cablecard to make sure the information was entered correctly.
  •  
    •  
      •  
        • Spoke to the appropriate person and carefully relayed the card's pairing information, asking the person on the other end to read the numbers back to him.
      
      
      • Made sure the appropriate signal was sent (for a one-way card).  Also entered in the appropriate order, with the appropriate time intervals between signals (validation, Hit, refresh).
        

• Made sure I was receiving all the channels in my tier before he left.

So it seems that the issue has been resolved...but  I am keeping my HD STB for now, just in case. 

Again, this really seemed like it could have been resolved over the phone and in much less time.  All kudos to Curtis.  But I really think Comcast should invest in a knowledge base for their Tier I responders, which would really cut down on call escalations and better disseminate the necessary knowledge to resolve customer issues much more efficiently.  As it is, Comcast seems to depend on an ill-conceived structure by which the customer lingers in limbo for a long time while truck after truck and call after call come and go, repeating activities that will not advance resolution, all the while missing the real solution, which in this case was well-within their grasp.

If Comcast wants to find out more about knowledge bases and their benefits, you know where to reach me.

For now, all seems well and many thanks to those who responded to this post.

Regards,

L.S.

[JohnD22]

I finally got my Ceton card partially working after numerous calls to Comcast to discuss the pairing. I now receive all channels except my premium movie channels. Comcast in the Pittsburgh area is less than cooperative in working through the setup of a media center computer. A Comcast technical supervisor even went so far as to say they only support TiVo and Moxi devices. Does anyone have a connection at Pittsburgh Comcast that could properly pair my card so everything works?

[Gripweed107]

I'd like to know if Comcast, by company policy, not just local offices that wing it their own way, is going to comply anytime soon with the Oct.14th, 2010 directive by the FCC that cablecards should be self-installible.  Since they allow you to self-install DTA and STBs they are required to make available self-install cablecards within 9 months of the decree (July 1st).  Cable companies that never allowed any other self-installs have until November 1st to do so.  Why is Comcast waiting to the last minute?  Ceton InfinitiTV 4 tuners are readily available now, even from Amazon, and the Silicondust HDHomerun Prime tuner is supposedly going to be released any day now after approval by the CableLabs. This is ridiculous having to take time off from work to babysit a tech that hasn't been trained properly in reading 3 codes off to an equally untrained CSR.  Give me a good CSR and 5 minutes of their time on the phone and I'll get it working myself with no problem.  You forced me to go digital, now let me have the equipment to watch it.

[LSJS]

My cable is validated, but doesn't receive a channel map. No solution as of yet. Very frustrating!

@Gripweed107: You mention 3 codes in your post. I always just provide host id and data. What is the third one?

[Davenlr]

They asked me for the CC Serial Number, Data, Host ID, and Mac address for the cablecard for my TIvo.

Do not know if they needed all that.  After doing two, one involving a tech visit, I discovered two things.  Even new cablecards have about a 50% failure rate (unknown if its from being programmed wrong at Comcast, or just bad hardware), and even when it appears to be working, sometimes unplugging it, and plugging it back in will kick start it.

[LSJS]

Ok. I guess I can do some unplugging and then exchange the card again.

I just don't understand why Comcast is unable to properly determine if a card is working or not. It seems that the technician who comes out also has no idea. He also told me that he has never worked with anything like this...

[danafra]

Amazing!  Your issue reads exaclty like mine with the Centon card.

I've been exchanging emails with one of the executives of Centon Corp for over two weeks now.  She's even been contacting Comcast herself and we still haven't got very far.

I'd like her to see this thread so I'm going to send her the link.

[Davenlr]

I can give Comcast a little slack here, because they are used to dealing with cable boxes, DVRs, and Cable Modems that are two way.  They can program them from the office, get feedback, and know when something is wrong.  Cablecards, being one way are a shot in the dark for them.  They have no way to tell if their programming is actually even reaching the card, except for feedback from the person in front of the TV. 

I went to watch Encore on my second Tivo yesterday, and it gave the the cablecard screen.  Seems it was never paired.  It got the channel map, and gets all the un-copy protected channels fine, but wont authorize on a copy restricted channel at all.   Im not even going to mess with it   Might get worse!

[danafra]

I assume Comcast tech people are monitoring these forums.  If so, can someone please contact from Comcast who has been reading this thread? 

I've been dealing with this issue for nearly three weeks and it still hasn't been resolved.   I'm thinking that either I have a dead card or I'm in need of "staging".  According to the tuner card, I'm getting a strong signal, so that's pretty much been knocked out as an issue.

Please let me know what I need to do to get something else going with someone who knows how to fix this.

[JayInAlg]

Comcast folks do not regularly monitor the forums.

The Comcast Cares Team has bee notified of your cable card issue and will get the right people involved to fix it.

Watch this post and your email for updates from the team next business week.

[ComcastLarry]

I'm going to have this escalated so we can can get this matter resolved.

Thanks,

-ComcastLarry-

[Kevin_H]

Did you resolve your installation problems?  Chances are very high that the CableCard was not staged properly for the InfiniTV.  The quickest solution is to get in touch with the people in your area that provision the cards (ask for the cablecard installers) and tell them your cable card is for a Ceton InfiniTV OCUR tuner, a one-way device, not a TIVO.

If the card is not staged properly no amount of initializing (sending hits) will make it work.

-Kevin

[CalloMann]

I called twice today to have my Ceton InfiniTV4 tuner paired with a cablecard.  Both times they failed to get it to work.  The last guy sent in an escalation as he did not know what else to do to get it to work.  He was asking for numbers that was not available like, the serial number of the InfiniTV card.  So I guess trying returning the card will not fix the problem based on what I have read here.

[Brucep523]

Not sure it you are still having problems but I had similar problems. I have it working now. Here is what I did:

-check cable connection to the outside
-disable firewall
-run resetDRM (available from Microsoft)
-re-installed Ceton driver software multiple times (this seem to product the best results - I re-installed the drivers at least 4 times)
Install all Windows patches (running Windows 7)
-run in Windows in full admin mode (disabled user access controls)

The biggest help came from running the Ceton diagnostics program and from reading their forum. A critical link in their support forum can be found at http://www.cetoncorp.com/support/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/16/17/no-ocur-pid-after-passi...

This really describes well the whole encoding and the role that the Digital Cable Advisor (critical - you need to run this multiple times). I am copying the contents of this one forum post because it really is so informative and needs to be available to those trying to get this CableCard technology to work:

No OCUR PID after passing Digital Cable Advisor

Posted on 07 April 2011 04:53 PM

Before September 2009, in order to allow cable TV on the PC, Microsoft and CableLabs required each PC motherboard to be "Cable Ready". This meant the motherboard had a bios flag which Windows checked for and Media Center setup required an additional separate (not the Windows key) 5 X 5 key be input in order to receive Digital Cable TV. The key usually came on a small sticker glued to the back of the PC chassis.

After September 2009 Microsoft and CableLabs eliminated the requirement for a separate key and initiated the Digital Cable Advisor. Running the Advisor checks your PC system resources and things like HDCP copy protection to make sure the PC can handle cable TV. If the system passes the Advisor, it generates a key and automatically inserts it during Media Center setup.

The problem is, if the PC motherboard is one with a bios flag the DCA only says the PC is "Cable Ready" and does not generate a new key. It expects the owner to have the key issued with the PC and input it during MC setup. There have been several people who have a bios flag motherboard but no key. There is no way to generate a new key but some have had success getting around this in a couple of ways.

1) Try using this key: 263DJ-2Y9YT-6X9G6-W28DB-697TF

2) If you have another Windows 7 PC which will pass the DCA then you can have the DCA generate a key on that PC and copy it to the "OCURPID" location in the Windows registry. This registry entry can be found by going to Start and typing "regedit" into the "Search programs and files". Next navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Service\Content Security "OCURPID". Enter the PID with "-" at this location.

[maver1ck01]

Comcast M-cards have the ability to stream as many as 4-6 channels simultaneously by design.  What is required for the card to descramble the full potential, or will they only configure the card to descramble 2 channels per card? 

With the new hardware designed with 4-6 tuners with a single cable card, how do we get to utilize the single card for this functionality?  Or will Comcast simply refuse to support such features? 

[Kevin_H]

---

maver1ck01 wrote:

Comcast M-cards have the ability to stream as many as 4-6 channels simultaneously by design.  What is required for the card to descramble the full potential, or will they only configure the card to descramble 2 channels per card? 

With the new hardware designed with 4-6 tuners with a single cable card, how do we get to utilize the single card for this functionality?  Or will Comcast simply refuse to support such features? 

---

I'm confused by your post ... what leads you to believe there is any problem with using more than 2 channels per card?  InfiniTV supports 4 channels using a single M-card ... Comcast is no exception to this.

The only thing I can think of that might be confusing you is something called SDV, which is a technology cable companies use to help control bandwidth usage.  SDV has nothing to do with the m-card, though, but it will require the use of 2 devices called tuning adapters as well as the m-card.  These are supplied free of charge.  They look quite a bit like a cable box.  What they do is provide 2-way communications (m-cards are one-way devices), so when you want to tune a channel, the tuning adapter sends that request.  Each tuning adapter can only support 2 channels, so I thought perhaps this is where you got confused.

-Kevin

[maver1ck01]

Thank you Kevin, that was precisely what I was looking for.  I could only find the potential of the equipment to support 4-6 channels, but nothing stating that when activated would in fact already be enabled to do so. 

I was concerned that this was a feature that had to be enabled within the card by the provider.  Thank you for clarifying the matter for me. 

I was considering investing in the Ceton and was wondering just how much of a headache the M-card would be to utilize it's full potential.

[Mylkshake]

It seems I am having the same issue. I was told that I had to pick up my CableCARD from a Comcast store. When I went there I was given a Scientific Atlanta (Cisco) M-Card. I have spoken to no less than 10 different people on the phone, including a supervisor, and thusfar have yet to get my card activated. It seems like it should not be that difficult to get it working. The last person I spoke with said my card was activated, and he sent a signal, but it was not received. He readily admitted he did not have much information available to him to help him troubleshoot the problem, so he went ahead and scheduled a dispatch for next week.

In Media Center I am only able to watch a few local channels. Everything else is saying a subscription is required which is probably the result of the CP Auth not being received.

Hopefully I can get this resolved soon. 

[JayInAlg]

Bruce,

Your latest post was moved to a secure area due ot violation of posting guidelines posted HERE

9. Post advertisements or solicitations

The Comcast Help Forums are not to be used for trading/swapping, selling or advertising non-Comcast products, services, or other online venues. This includes multilevel marketing schemes and soliciting funds or other donations for what may or may not be a charitable cause. Members who post referral links to these sites will have their posts/signatures edited and may be subject to banning. Community memberships created solely for such purposes will be banned.

[Brucep523]

Where is me post? I have seen posts on here for months go unsolved and am trying to help. In talking with Comcast personnel there seems to be limited understanding of CableCards and how they work in HTPC setups. I put a post up to help and you remove it (probably because your don't like my signature). Please put my post back  (remove the offending signature) since I am trying to help people get their InfinitiTV tuners work with Comcast CableCards since I actually have done it successfully numerous times and have helped others. People are angry because they are not getting the help they need.

Sincerely,

Bruce P.

[GCHOFFJR]

Filed a complaint with the FCC (http://www.fcc.gov/) to see if maybe that will prompt some action on the part of Comcast to resolve issues with their support for cablecards with the Ceton InfiniTV 4.   The local office when I called again stated that with the switch to all digitial, they won't be supporting cablecards and that I need to get a Comcast DVR for each TV that I want to watch recorded shows on.

[Kevin_H]

GCHOFFJR,
Wow, your local office is confused. Look up the thread here for ComcastLarry ... he will be able to get you the attention you need.

[boobugpoc]

I have the identical problem with two ATI Digital Cable Tuners in Win7 MC. I can see all non-encrypted HD and the standard channles up to 13 but nothing encrypted. I just get "Subscription Required". Cheacked my splitters, calbes and signal quality. Comcast techs could not get it going either.

[adam7950]

I have the same exact problem (Leesburg VA), I get all of the channels that arent premium/encrypted and my cable card (I have tried 5 different ones that already work in my tivos) with no success.  Ive talked to countless techs on the phone and they dont have a clue.

Is there a way that I can get help without going through the same horror that you went through?

[JayInAlg]

adam

Try the Comcast cable card hotline during the weekdays 877-405-2298.

[boobugpoc]

WhenI got 2 techs to my house, they were clueless as well. After an hour and a half, we finally got hold of soemone who knew what to do. The way their system is set-up, the cable card(s) have to show on the account as the first device(s), then add the cable boxes you already have. Crazy that their system works like that, but it does. The only problem is you get charged for the second card ( not supposed to). They have to give me a credit from year to year ( for a years worth of charges) to make-up for the $9.99 a month I should not be charged.

[BikeRider64]

Not sure if this is what's going on with other peoples' setups but I've also been unable to view certain channels that I subscribe to on my Ceton InfiniTV-equipped WM7 HTPC, such as Encore and HBO. Non-premium encrypted channels like CNN and TCM I can view. Turns out that it's likely due to the fairly old video card in my HTPC that isn't fully HDCP-compliant, an ATI AIW x1900. I haven't yet gotten a new, fully HDCP-compliant card to test this out, but there's a good chance that this is the problem.

So for at least some people, the problem might not be on Comcast's end, especially if you can view some or most encrypted channels you subscribe to, but on your HTPC, as some of its components (including video and other drivers or firmware) might not be HDCP-compliant.

I'll post back with my results when I get a new card to let everyone know if it fixed things.

[mallydad]

I am in total agreement with you on this...   I just went through my own CableCARD heck with Comcast this evening.

1. Ceton has done a wonderul job in making the setup/config of their PCIe Quad Tuner very easy.

2. I talked to a total of 3 different techs starting at 7:30pm and continuing on until almost 11pm 

3. The first two techs told me the information I was giving them was correct and that i should wait 1 hour for the channels to download.

4. The third tech was a little better but what really ticked me off was that the second tech, at 9:15pm said that if nothing came down to call back in 1 hour..  I tried at at 10:15 and guess what?  got a message to call back during business hours.

5. The last tech was of the online chat variety and we went through the same steps as before but this one insisted that i close Media Center to let the CableCARD work..  I was only using the Ceton diagnostics that show the 10 steps to configure the card and all were green except #6 (validation not received) and #8 no channel list (due to no validation being sent)

6. I thought it MIGHT be the APC UPS that has a cable in/out for filtering out lightning or power surges to protect your TV...  still did not work

7. I am now waiting for them to call ME back to setup a tech to come out..   I am somewhat disappointed in Comcast's knowledge of this stuff..   I think the folks in this group know more than the folks selling it.

8. The sales guy at the Comcast store was really nice BUT he told me that I could go purchase a PC Card to USB adapter to get the card working in my PC...   I actually had to go do some research and you CANNOT do this...  again, more mis-information...

[mallydad]

I had a tech scheduled to come by tomorrow after the debacle yesterday then I realized i needed to return my old cable modem after upgrading to a triple play package...  so i took the CableCARD down while returning my modem and swapped it out for another Motorola M-Card...  got home, popped it in and withing 10 minutes i got the Validation Signal and another 5 minutes later i had the channel list down and was able to start viewing premium channels...   let out a little OH YEAH and enjoying some HD content right now... 

reading the forums here got me pointed in the right direction.. thanks all..

[TheTesterMan]

I was told today by the Comcast tech that the reason my cable card is not working is because I am a basic cable suscriber.  Although basic cable does include digital channels, the cablecards are not designed to work with these.  I have to upgrade to a higher package.

First, I called Comcast prior to buying this hardware to verify hardware compatability and I was told I should have no issues.

Second, I am having a hard time believing this

Not sure what I am going to do next.  I wish someone could verify this info for me.

[barbie123]

Make sure you are only calling the Cablecard support line,877-405-2298. The other numbers will not be any help. 

[TheTesterMan]

I am having the same issue as Luis..  My card is paired ( 3rd one now ), but does not get a CCV signal.  Had tech come out today and was told the reason for this issue is that I am on basic cable and not a higher package.  

I find this hard to believe since their basic package is now also all digital.  Can anyone here confirm this ?

Or am I having the issues I see here getting Comcast to properly communicate with their CableCards ?

[mallydad]

I spoke too soon...  the first cable card I was given did not work..  I went in and swapped it out with one that worked fine from thursday afternoon and setup some things to record...

I just got off the phone and the support guy sent another hit/init to it and things started working again..

this is the first time this has happened so will give it a couple more chances to prove itself...

Are others seeing the need for comcast to send another hit/init to a cablecard to get thigns working again?  I just don't see this as a resolution to the problem...  I had left for the morning and set my tuner up to record a tennis match only to come home and see that it had stopped due to the problem...

????

[mallydad]

All of my premium channels just disappeared and all i get is the Subscription REquired screen on them...  what sucks is that I left for the morning with 2 recordings scheduled only to come home and find both stalled with the message...

A quick call to Comcast and the tech sent a hit/INIT and things started working again but i don't see this as a solution to the problem...   I do not plan on calling them everytime this message pops up...   now, if this happens once a year, fine.. if it happens once a week it ain't happening... 

Any others seeing this happening and if so, how often?

[mallydad]

great info Luis...   I have run into the same sort of experience with Comcast around CableCARDs...  I have a Ceton quad pcie and when things work, they work WONDERFULLY but this mroning all of my subscriptions channels quite working...   I had 2 days of perfect service...    if this is a once  a year glitch (needing to call comcast to have them resend a hit/init i am okay with that) but if this is happening every 2-3 days???

[bradlustig]

similar issues hereexcept that my card has green checks all the way down except for the channel list.  It all started about a month ago when I started missing channels. A lot of the channels were the same that went missing several months ago when a certain frequency went out.  Anyway the same tech from several months ago arrived and checked everything and the signals were good.  Put in a new cablecard and paired and even more channels were missing.  Tried a few things with Ceton tech support including clearing the channel map.  Everything was paired up but channel list never came through.  Comcast came out (same tech) and paired another card.  Still nothing. Just got off the phone with the 877 number from above.  I now have an appt tomoorow am and it should be one that knows cablecards.  Ceton was really resposive at first but it seems lioe theyve thrown their hands up and putting it off on Comcast.  I'm thinking they're probably right but still surprised they arent a little more involved

[TheTesterMan]

My issue is unresolved but I will give an update summary.

* 2 techs out, only 1 had CableCard knowledge

* 5 total cable cards have been tried on my system with various results, however each one of them would not receive the CCV signal

* Comcast has thrown their hands up in the air and asked me to contact Ceton

* Ive contacted Ceton, opened a ticket and was told that Ceton contacted Comcast and were waiting for a     response, that was 3 days ago.

* of the many times either I or the tech called Comcast to pair the cards, the operator had the wrong ID #.  Not sure why this is so complicated for Comcast operators when I give my Credit Card info on the phone all the time and never had a problem.  

[bradlustig]

Unbelievably simple fix for me!  First off a tech came out on Sunday, installed one card and it went through a firmware update.  Took a long time do he tried another card which also immediately went into a firmware update.  I told him he could go to another job and come back later in about an hour.  He never came back! So I called for another tech.  Supposed to come out Sunday.  Never came.  Monday I received a call from Pam Hammer from Ceton asking if I'd had any luck.  She then said with the heat wave going through there seems to be a lot of noise on the line due to corrosion.  Even though the signal might be strong the noise is blocking certain downloads.  Comcast just got here around 1, told the tech everything I've already tried.  Told him the possible noise issue and fix.  He tested all of the connections and found some noise on 2 connections, went through the entire house and checked and fixed any possible bad connections.  Hooked things back up and no apparent change.  Unhooked behind the tv and he was checking back there and next thing I know the channel map had populated!  Must have done it before unhooking.  Anyway have a tech go through and repair any bad connections.  Start at the street and work his way back   

[TheTesterMan]

Bradlustig, firmware update for the cablecard or for the ceton card ?   I've now tried a total of 6 cablecards and none ever requested a firmware udpate, this is why I am asking.

Ceton did get involved but I am told by Ceton that they are not waiting for Comcast to respond to their 2 attemps at a contact.

I have been down for 3 weeks, Comcast doesnt really seem to care so I am hoping Ceton gets through to them.

[bradlustig]

It was the cablecard itself going through the update.  I had already loaded the latest beta on the Ceton.  The tech said he'd never seen the update but he did know of an update being pushed out by Comcast last week.  I had the same issue with Ceton trying to contact Comcast.  No response.  Just glad Ceton gave me the heads up on this possible fix.  I had been without cable on this one tv for over a month.