[CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard in RCN http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20992820 en Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:46:51 EDT Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:46:51 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21050395 tvdrew :
said by beltwaydc See Profile :

I told her the missing channels are listed on the RCN website as in the "basic" HDTV pkg. And how are we to know when RCN decides to switch or block channels on us.? She had no answer.

. . .

According to the DC Office of Cable TV, all cable providers are supposed to give 30 day notice of channel changes. I have only recently learned that RCN, on its bill in tiny type somewhere, tells subscribers that it will change channels as of some date. Have you looked at your most recent bill to see if any of this "new HDTV tier" was announced?
I got the same "all I can tell you is that what I'm saying is true" response. Kind of BS . . . she had no explanation for why all the HDTV channels were listed together with no separation between "premium" and "basic" tiers.

I don't think it's really a channel "change" or a new tier. It's more false advertising in that the only information about what HD channels you receive are by looking at the channel guide. And the channel guide provides no explanation of which ones are included or are not.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21050395 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:34:19 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21047908 cdr1000 : Cable TV Channel Lineup Changes
last time it was updated in 2005

»www.rcn.com/customer/cabletv_lin···nges.php

To view your channel lineup, choose your location:
»www.rcn.com/cabletv/lineups/index.php#

My case:
Pixels Food Network HD
Pixels HGTV HD
No picture NFL Network HD
No picture Science Channel HD ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21047908 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:21:14 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21047087 beltwaydc : That's what the dispatcher told me as well on Saturday when RCN technician showed up. I told her the missing channels are listed on the RCN website as in the "basic" HDTV pkg. And how are we to know when RCN decides to switch or block channels on us.? She had no answer.

The RCN technician swapped the CableCard, as the other one didn't refresh. He replaced two splitters outside. And climbed the pole and replaced the connection there which was corroded. Said he also believes there is a problem with the line feed before it gets to the pole. And would report this fact to the Tech Supervisor, on whom I am now in week 2 awaiting a phone call.

According to the DC Office of Cable TV, all cable providers are supposed to give 30 day notice of channel changes. I have only recently learned that RCN, on its bill in tiny type somewhere, tells subscribers that it will change channels as of some date. Have you looked at your most recent bill to see if any of this "new HDTV tier" was announced? ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21047087 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:51:14 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21046808 tvdrew : FWIW, I called RCN again.

New story. They now tell me that the "missing" channels are in fact not part of the HD service *unless* I subscribe to the digital tier of channels. (There's basic/extended and digitalvision). The channels I'm not receiving all happen to be on the digital vision tier)

This explanation kind of makes sense. What does not make sense is that it took 10 calls or more before a tech actually identified this as the problem, as opposed to sending refresh signals and so forth.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21046808 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:54:39 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21025500 cdr1000 : Either the card works or not.

If it works, your TV can display all the data:

FW version, HW version, unit address, cablecard ID, card serial number, network status, etc.

The rest is a matter of you account configuration.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21025500 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:38:39 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21017912 tvdrew : No kiddding. I have Tivo and they told me to turn off the TV and the tivo when they sent refresh. I asked how the CC would possibly receive a signal if there was no power.

BTW, what happens if the TV is on when they send the refresh? What's the fear?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21017912 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:06:14 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21015063 rcbrcb : Sending a Signal with the TV off will do nothing, the CC has to have power for a Signal to reach it. I have been through this with call center before and the consistantly get it totally wrong.....]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21015063 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:52:28 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21014806 beltwaydc : I have yet a 3rd RCN tech visit scheduled for Sat 8/30. Will let you know the results.

also got a callback from a real person at RCN after I complained to the DC Office of Cable TV. She promised me the real RCN tech guy would call me. That was 3 days ago.

Meantime, after I lost Discovery HD from the basic lineup last week, in frustration, I pulled the CableCard last Friday. Reinserted Sat night and ever since the screen has been frozen on the Olympics channel with a box in the middle saying "CableCard has been reinserted. Searching for channel lineup".

After 2 days of that, i called RCN in the Phillipines. They re-pinged the TV with the CC in it and the TV off. Told me to wait 15 mins, then pull and reinsert the CC w/in 10 secs. Didn't work. Called them back. They re-pinged the CC with the TV off with a bigger charge. Told me to wait 2 hrs and if that didn't work to call them back. This AM, the same frozen Olympic channel was there.
So I called RCN and scheduled a tech service call....]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21014806 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:58:52 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21012129 alanisrox69 :
said by tvdrew See Profile :

I'm going to call again tomorrow, but it is very tiring talking to folks in India who keep wanting to do the same things and sending the same incompetent techs.

If you happen to get a solution, could you PM/IM me?
I'll reiterate...don't even bother with the India tech, follow the link in my signature and file a FCC Complaint. You will get a reply back from either RCN or the FCC and they WILL fix it right away, no hee-hawing around with Refresh signals, etc.

-Derek-
--
CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21012129 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:58:54 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21011972 tvdrew : FWIW, I am missing the exact same set of channels on RCN, with a cable card. Same issue with pixelation on Discovery (haven't noticed on wdca). This is with a Tivo. I am convinced that they have misconfigured things (Disc. excepted). They keep hitting me with the refresh, but it hasn't worked. My suspicion is that for whatever reason the CC is set not to receive those channels, which of course is wrong.

I'm going to call again tomorrow, but it is very tiring talking to folks in India who keep wanting to do the same things and sending the same incompetent techs.

If you happen to get a solution, could you PM/IM me?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21011972 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:33:30 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21009670 beltwaydc : Thanks for the "refresh" pointer by calling RCN. I didn't know I could do that myself.
Will try right now.
Meantime, a REAL PERSON at RCN called me after I filed a complaint with the DC Office of Cable TV. She excalated me to another REAL PERSON, who she swears, will call me.
Stay tuned....]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21009670 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:03:28 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21008545 anon :
said by hdguy :

Paul, did you need another tech to come out this weekend for the same problem as before?
Nope, this was a new problem. The failure of our internet service was resolved by RCN without a tech visit (after, of course, they insisted that there were no network problem). Our Tivo/Cablecard has been fine, once the the second tech set it up properly.

This visit was required because the DCT700 box in the kitchen stopped displaying half a dozen channels. The tech replaced the drop to the house and removed another splitter.

The coax runs on our house were installed (if that is the word for running coax in rain gutters) long before we moved in - back when they used twin lead. We'd really like to get rid of the spaghetti on the walls and pull cable inside the house, but haven't been able to get a firm estimate of the cost.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21008545 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 10:23:47 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21006270 spongyfungy : On my tivo cablecard I was missing NFL, Mojo, mgm, smithsonian, 3 starz after the analog crush but I called RCN, they hit my cablecard with a signal and everything works now. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21006270 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:45:58 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21006069 anon : Paul, did you need another tech to come out this weekend for the same problem as before?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21006069 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:12:16 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21003924 alanisrox69 :
said by beltwaydc See Profile :

Thanks for the helpful suggestions.
The RCN tech guy was a direct employee (same buy) both times.
The CableCard worked fine up until about 3 months ago, drawing in most HDTV basic channels. So I don't think it's a card configuration problem.

I see that you also don't get some of the same channels I can't get. Is that the cable line issue? Or box issue you mentioned?
I've filed a complaint with my local govm't cable TV office.
Having spent more time than I care to count on hold to the Phillipines for tech support and getting different answers depending on whom I talked to, I've really run out of patience. Also tried e-mailing RCN which produced faster responses but no remedy.

Friday night I removed the CableCard from the TV overnight. Reinserted Saturday AM. It's still initializing and "searching for channel lineup" as of Monday, noon. Should it take that long?
No, have you tried calling 1800RINGRCN and following the automated 'refresh' signal option? That will resend the activation codes to all your cards/boxes.

-Derek-
--
CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21003924 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:23:27 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21003653 beltwaydc : Thanks for the helpful suggestions.
The RCN tech guy was a direct employee (same buy) both times.
The CableCard worked fine up until about 3 months ago, drawing in most HDTV basic channels. So I don't think it's a card configuration problem.

I see that you also don't get some of the same channels I can't get. Is that the cable line issue? Or box issue you mentioned?
I've filed a complaint with my local govm't cable TV office.
Having spent more time than I care to count on hold to the Phillipines for tech support and getting different answers depending on whom I talked to, I've really run out of patience. Also tried e-mailing RCN which produced faster responses but no remedy.

Friday night I removed the CableCard from the TV overnight. Reinserted Saturday AM. It's still initializing and "searching for channel lineup" as of Monday, noon. Should it take that long?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21003653 Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:30:20 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20999469 alanisrox69 :
said by cdr1000 See Profile :

If you do not see some channels, it probably means that your account is misconfigured.
Yes, that is why I said go straight to the FCC so you get a competent call back from the Virginia RCN headquarters...I've spoken with a lady there (I forget her name, how awful am I?!), who really knows what she's doing and gets my account on the proper packages/pricing/channel line up if I switch something around.

-Derek-
--
CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20999469 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 14:19:45 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20999325 cdr1000 : If you do not see some channels, it probably means that your account is misconfigured.

Here is my list for basic HD

YES CBS HD
YES NBC HD
YES Fox HD
YES ABC HD
NO WWOR 9 HD (My9)
YES CW HD
YES PBS HD
YES TNT HD
YES TBS HD
NO Discovery Channel HD
YES TLC HD
YES Animal Planet HD
NO Science Channel HD
Pixels Food Network HD
Pixels HGTV HD
Yes Travel Channel HD
Yes Lifetime Movie Network
Yes HDNet Movies
Yes HDNet
Yes Discovery Channel HD
Yes National Geographic Channel HD
Yes ESPN HD
Yes YES HD
Yes SportsNet New York HD
Yes ESPN2 HD
No NFL Network HD
No VERSUS/Golf HD ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20999325 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:44:15 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20999315 anon : I had similar problems, but it turned out to have little to do with "RCN HQ" blocking channels. My missing channels were caused by two issues:

1) The original (RCN contractor) tech sent to to perform the install was incompetent, and the card was not properly initialized.

2) The existing cable drop and interface box were defective. The dropouts and digital artifacts on channels in the 165 - 180 range are apparently typical of signal problems, particularly water in the coax or connectors, which strongly attenuates the higher frequencies.

The initial tech also ran a new line and eliminated a splitter, but did not fix the problem. He left without managing to get our Tivo to pass the channel test, saying "I have other things to do".

Most CATV installations are pretty slapdash and running a new line is useless if the tech never identifies the actual problem. Most of the techs I've encountered try a few standard fixes without really understanding what they are doing - we had one here yesterday who tried to convince me that my twenty year old TV, with no cable box, was receiving a digital signal. It's not entirely their fault - they don't seem to get much training.

It took many phone calls to the (worthless) RCN tech support number before we were finally transferred to a special problem resolution office in Herndon. They then sent an actual, competent RCN tech (direct employee), who diagnosed the problem and fixed it in about twenty minutes.

My guess is that you have a bad segment of coax or a bad connector in a part of the cable interface that the tech never touched. Your only chance is to keep pounding on them until they send a competent tech. who has received training on CableCard installations. If the tech arrives in a truck that says "contractor to RCN" on the side, don't get your hopes up.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20999315 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:39:55 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20998949 beltwaydc : Good suggestion. I had hoped I wouldn't have to escalate it that far (FCC). And I'm fairly certain the problem is not the CableCard but RCN "hdqtrs" blocking some basic HDTV channels.
Also appreciate the post about losing Discovery HD in DC metro area. Same thing happened to me last week Aug 19 or thereabouts.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20998949 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 11:48:02 EDT Re: [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20998000 alanisrox69 : Your best bet is to file a FCC claim, RCN is required by the FCC to supply a WORKING CableCard. Follow the link in my signature, in there is a FCC link to file a report. You will get a call from the FCC in about 24 hours, followed by a call from RCN in Virginia who knows what they're doing and have it all fixed for ya. If I ever have a major issue I can't resolve - I have no problem going right above that to the FCC, they get things moving and FAST.

-Derek-
--
CHECK YOUR FSLC TAXES!!!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20998000 Sun, 24 Aug 2008 02:12:57 EDT [CATV] Missing HDTV channels with RCN CableCard http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20992820 beltwaydc : I have a Panasonic TH-42pX600U HDTV with Cable Card and RCN basic HDTV service in the DC metro area.The TV is hooked directly to the cable with no intermediate DVR or other "box".

In the past 3 months, I would lose HDTV channels, gain others, and never know what might be "on". I would check the RCN website for the latest lineup as RCN does not mail me anything, incl. a bill. And TV Guide doesn't work.

I have had an RCN service technician out twice (7/5 and again 7/21) for the missing channels. He swapped the Card, climbed the pole, re-pinged the TV, and even ran a new cable line trying to find the cause of missing HDTV channels. Nothing worked.

I still am missing 6 of the 25 basic HDTV channels:
165 Discovery
171 NFL
173 MOJO
180 Versus / Golf
184 Discovery (pixelated)
189 WDCA 20 HD (pixelated)

The lead technician theorized that someone in the RCN headquarters was blocking some of the channels. He gave me a name and number to call. Which I did. 3 times and left messages asking for a return call and explanation. The RCN "supervisor" never returned my calls.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20992820 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:31:49 EDT