XfinityTV and Equipment

[TheTesterMan]

Bradlustig, very interesting info.  How is the cablecard updated with new firmware ?  Did you use the ceton diagnostics software or a different software package ?

[JayInAlg]

I've seen many new cable cards get automatic firmware upgrades the first time you plug it in, in my case many Tivo installations.  That's why you don't do anything for an hour once the cable card is inserted until it's fully updated with the latest firmware from the Comcast headend before any attempt to get it paired is done.

[bradlustig]

When it got plugged into the ceton it acted like it was going through a few green checks then all the checks went away and the first option said the card was going through the update.  No prompting on our end.  The message did pop up in the ceton software but again had nothing to do with ceton.  When I went into Media Center it wouldnt recognize any tuners.  

[TheTesterMan]

thanks for the responses guys, this is helpful.

Of all the cards Ive tried, I was able to get one to get all green checkmark ( including channel list downloaded ) on all the items on the list but CCV Signal Validation.  It is for this reason that I believe that my system is working correctly but Comcast is not communication the CCV siganl correctly.  But trying to explain this to them without any concrete evidence is a lost cause..

[bradlustig]

Definitely go through and check all your connections in the house and outside.  Can't say it will fix it but there was no logical reason mine wasnt working since everything was showing as good.  

[TheTesterMan]

Update:  Ceton has contacted Comcast 3x now and still no response, therefore I am still down for about a month now.

I had the connections checked by last tech and had a very nice strong signal.  Have tried 5 cablecards and still same issues.

No one seems to be able to help at this point, especially Comcast.. yet I am still getting charged for NO SERVICE !!!

[TheTesterMan]

FINAL UPDATE

After 5 cablecards, 2 tech visits and more than 7 phone techs.. my cablecard is finally paired and working.

Final fix was an update from the headend, not sure what that means but I was told it was a Comcast issue, not a Ceton issue.  I was therefore giving 1 month's credit given the amount of time I was done.

Clearly there is not much experience in Comcast in regards to CableCards, but I will give some of the last techs ( Sam, Nick, forgot last ) alot of credit for not giving up and trying to fix my ( their ) issue.

I hope others with the same setup do not have to go through this ordeal, Comcast should properly train their staff on cablecard set up.

[alex409]

Hey Testerman,

I was wondering if you could help explain what exactly it took to get a cablecard to pair and download a channel list for you?

Is it just a series of cable cards until you get a good one?

Is an update to the "headend" something i can request from Comcast?

[lastj79]

Wow this sounds like a nighmare...... so here is my situation i have a PCI-e Ceton InifitV 4... my old card which was a pain, to get running by comcast crapped out so Ceton sent me a new one, the network portion of the tv tuner is what failed, so i could verify before the swap all my channels were coming including premium HBO/SHO, but now i get the Cable Card hs not recieve Validation Signal... my premuim channels are not coming in.. lower channels are fine. 

So.... i called and they sent refresh and hits to the cable card with no effect, they the supervisor had to escalate it to the "online tv" department that wasnt staffed this late at night.. 

Comcast is obviously missing something when it comes to this setup and needs to get with the program.. 

maybe i should conference in Ceton on my next support call.. 

[TheTesterMan]

Alex409, sorry for the late response. 

Although I was told one of the cable cards ( the last one I have now installed ) had to be updated by Comcast, that particular update did not work.. I am not really sure if it was even updated nor what it means.

Since I went through 5 cards and probably 5 high level techs ( maybe more ) over a month, it is hard to know exactly what they did since just about everything did not work.

In the end they told me they had to update the headend with no further explanation.  I know I should have pressed for further details to share with U guys but I was so happy at the time that I simply did not think of it.  I would suggest that when U do speak to a tech, U mention my case. 

Lastj79, I wish U luck, your issue doesnt sound as severe as ours.

[lastj79]

and of course i called the online tv department today and they had no idea what i was talking about.. and referred me back to cable tv repair.

[TheTesterMan]

lastj79.. believe me when I say this dude, I totally feel your pain.

My suggestion is that U open up a ticket with Ceton to get them to make some calls and then ask to have your comcast ticket elevated to local techs, the first line tech support at comcast is in my opinion worthless.

Anyway, it took over a month to get my issue resolved, I hope U do not have to wait as long.

Good luck

Tester

[lastj79]

So i talked to internet support and they submitted a ticket which required a truck, so i guess ill have the tech come out and figure this out.. 

[bradlustig]

Make sure the tech checks for interference at all connections in the house. i had a perfect signal at the htpc but had AM radio feedback on two other lines.  It was caused by poor and corroded connecters.  

[alex409]

I openned a ticket with Ceton, they were great.  They sent me a new card.

I just installed in and then attempted to activate the card with Comcast again.  They successfully authorized my card but I still have not received a channel map.

I now have a tech scheduled to come out on the 11th.  So I guess I will just wait.

I unfortunately have lost my patience with the phone support as each time they tell me to wait 45 minutes to an hour and then they're safely off the call with me.  I swear I can hear them afterwards laughing amongst themselves keeping track of how many times they can get someone to sit and wait.

[boobugpoc]

To get it to work right the first time, the cable cards MUST be added to your account as the 1st cable box. Then they can add the other set top boxes to your account. The set top boxes have a cable card in them too. The 3 days and truck roll it took me to get it working, and I was the one to figure it out, this is the best solution. An update from the head end only works for their cable boxes, not cable card tuners like ATI and Ceton. These cards have been out since 1995 and originally were used for HDTV's that had the card slot in them, Like SONY  RPTV LCD and Mitsubishi's DLP sets. The cable line up only takes a few minutes in Media Center and ir provided by TV-Guide, not Comcast via Microsoft.

[JayInAlg]

1995?

[Crash2009]

Don't know if you are still having trouble.  Have you tried your questions over at TheGreenButton?  http://www.thegreenbutton.tv/forums/index.php  Always get good suggestions over there.  Recently, TheGreenButton and Ceton have arranged some kind of partnership.  http://www.thegreenbutton.tv/forums/viewforum.php?f=62

[boobugpoc]

The "hard wired" version was in 1995 and the S and M cards were out around 2004.

[boobugpoc]

I am really surprised that Comcast has so much trouble with a technology that has been out for 8 years. I do understand the turn-over in support but that is no excuse for so many having this issue.

[edpeters]

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boobugpoc wrote:

I am really surprised that Comcast has so much trouble with a technology that has been out for 8 years. I do understand the turn-over in support but that is no excuse for so many having this issue.

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It's the way 'modern' corporation (not people) now operate.  They used to train employees, but after finding out that cost money, they now expect employees to come in pre-trained.  And then they turn around and say who needs infrastructure.