said by DaveNJ :

Cool now that i know its possible, i might go tivo as well.

said by Princeton :

Well, the tech was here today - and I'm back to where I was - HD & HBO, missing some channels. Replacement TiVo is on the way - ETA of Tuesday. Tech returns Wednesday to install cards in new box.

said by Princeton :

Replacement TiVo arrives Tuesday afternoon. I swapped it in Tuesday night and set it up. Tech arrived Wednesday afternoon and installed M Card. Everything works. I'm good to go.

Thanks to all who offered advice and direction.

said by Princeton :

They called around for the correct cards - were not successful and re-scheduled. Tonight is truck roll #4.

said by Princeton :

They showed up with more M cards. No one told them that they were supposed to have S cards.

New appointment tomorrow evening.

This has gotten old.

said by Princeton :

I don't have issues with them responding anymore - I just have issues with their ability to configure.

Based on the TiVo thread - it seems like the way to get action is to call Comcast or complain to the BPU.

The bad news here is that it seems like they're responding to "squeaky wheels" - when they really need to step up to the issues and solve them (e.g. cable card inventory).

said by enthalpy :

Another thing. I spoke to Jonie this morning, after several calls to customer service asking for cablecards. I just happened to get her, as she was the service person answering the main number.

She reported that they are all out of cablecards, but would be getting some in. Maybe next week, not sure.

I asked her to schedule my house visit, but she won't do that until the cablecards come in. Then I asked how long the waiting list was. "About 130 people". How far down on the list am I? "Number 120". That doesn't sound good for me. :(

said by Princeton :

Update from yesterday:

The tech spent two hours at my house. TiVo has two tuners. Based on which tuner is active when the head end sends a “hit” to the card, the number (and selection) of channels changes. The changes are primarily in the low 100s, and HBO (300s). It seems that they don’t understand the M-Card technology. Latest proposed solution – they are bringing two S-cards on Tuesday morning.

said by PatGod :

hey thomamon beers on you?

said by PatGod :

Congratz you will have your cable cards.

said by PatGod :

Listen you guys who want cable cards need to stand up.
If you want a cable card here is what you do:

1) Pick up a touch tone phone
2) Dial: 215-665-1700
3) Press 0 to be transferred to an operator
4) ask for "Brian Roberts' Office"
5) ask to speak to Brian Roberts
6) You will be declined but then say
8) I am a patriot media customer. Are you familiar with Patriot Media? If yes go to step 10 if no go to step 9
9) Patriot Media is a cable provider that Comcast purchased. There is no senior mangement at Patriot Media because it is run by comcast. Proceed to step 10
10) Patriot Media is in direct violation of an FCC law that states cable provides must provide customers upon request cable cards. State that Patriot Media has claimed they have a waiting list for 6 months of over 100 people but claim they also don't have stock of the cable cards, which they haven't for 6 months. Say this is unacceptable and you demand a call back by the end of the business day stating an update on the situation and hopefully a resolution.

Congratz you will have your cable cards.

As always love,
PatGod
His name was:
Brain Roberts and ca

said by submrge :

comcast did buy the co in sep but patriot probably won't be fully integrated to spring. though we are slowly seeing changes - like the hd tier changes for instance.

as far as cable cards, maybe patriot is still getting them from the same place from before the sale.

but like i said - the techs can't get them either.

said by Thomamon :

I also called Comcast and they said they have the cards in stock, but although they bought PatMedia, they do not have the records or anything to do with it yet and their systems are entirely different. I told them PatMedia told me to call there and they called PatMedia to try and straighten it out. Unfortunately, nothing came of it. Even if I were to get a card from Comcast, they said it would not work because it is a different system. PatMedia said it was Motorolla's fault.

said by robjlevin :

linkedit is probably the only patmedia employee who know's what he's talking about. Don't shoot the messenger.

said by submrge :

if the co can't get them from their supplier where should they get them from??????

we (service techs) can barely get spares for cable card service calls.

actually forget motorola - complain to comcast. that's where our warehouse supplies come from.

said by payload6976 :

Typical pat media response, let's pass the buck, motorola would do nothing for an average cable customer, they have contracts with cable companies to provide the equipment, that is the worst advice, same don't care attitude, i'm sure most of you will be replaced by comcast. so good luck,

said by PatGod :

I don't understand......when I called a few months ago they gave me the same bull shit response that there is a waiting list. Then i said what I said above and they had the cards ready to be delivered the next day.

I guess i should start calling on behalf of people wanting cable cards, because i know how to handle patriot media.

said by robjlevin :

I don't know about free but certainly the same cost as a cable card.

said by Princeton :

Thanks for the advice.

I called again just now - they don't have any cards - and are not impressed with the threat of a complaint to the FCC.

I filed using the online form.

said by patgod :

here is the link to file a complaint. I promise you Patriot Media will not get away with this. This ia serious violation. Also it is within your legal right to purchase your own cable card and then have patriot media provision it. so can you do that too.

»fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgb/fcc475.cfm