jbollyn
adsum
Premium
join:2006-08-14
Hoffman Estates, IL
 ·Comcast Formerly ..
| TiVo Series3 and MCard in Chicago - any hope?
I am expecting UPS delivery of the following tomorrow (29-Aug):
TiVo TCD648250B Series3 HD Digital Media Recorder
I already have a (single) MCard, which I picked up today from my local Comcast office. I am hoping to plug the card into the TiVo, call Comcast with the MCard's MAC for the initial setup, and I will be up and running.
(My Comcast office is known as 'Rolling Meadows, IL'.)
Does my plan have any hope, or am I living in the land of Oz?
I also bought the TiVo-specific wireless USB device, but I am not sure that is relevant to this discussion.
Thanks - J. |
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Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
·Comcast
| I think you're living in land of Oz. The chances of it working are highly unlikely (but there is a chance it will work). I think 2 single-stream cards are easier way to go.
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CheckSite.us | YourIP.US |
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caddyroger
Premium
join:2001-06-11
clubs: 
·Comcast
1 edit | reply to jbollyn
said by jbollyn  :I am expecting UPS delivery of the following tomorrow (29-Aug): TiVo TCD648250B Series3 HD Digital Media Recorder I already have a (single) MCard, which I picked up today from my local Comcast office. I am hoping to plug the card into the TiVo, call Comcast with the MCard's MAC for the initial setup, and I will be up and running. (My Comcast office is known as 'Rolling Meadows, IL'.) Does my plan have any hope, or am I living in the land of Oz? I also bought the TiVo-specific wireless USB device, but I am not sure that is relevant to this discussion. Thanks - J. As Rob mention,if you have the series3 tivo the mcard will only give 1 tuner. In order to have daul turners you would need 2 Mcards or 2 Scards. You can use a ota antenna for the second tuner with 1 Mcard.
The TiVo usb wireless will work with TiVo series3.
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Caddy |
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Get a tech
@comcast.net
| reply to jbollyn
The TS3 HD only needs one multi stream card for both tuners. When you insert the card the second slot will actually grey out and state a second card isnt needed.
As long as you give the correct host and data info to the rep and the rep has a clue how to add it you are safe.
The problem here however is adding in cable cards ISNT something a customer service rep can do. And since you picked up the card already it is placed on your account. It is not tied to a host or pairing info. So technically it is already placed on the account incorrectly.
You really should schedule a tech to come out and take care of the install since he can call his dispatch dept which does this all day long.
Even if customer service was trained to complete this task, out of the 500 reps you have a chance to speak to ( locally ) they might have actually had to add one maybe once a month or so ago.
So at that point it isnt even training, its a lack of oppurtunity to practice.
Just like when a tech shows up and states.. "man, Ive never even installed one.."
They have all been trained how to but you can go months without ever installing one.
YMMV. |
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ajwees41
Premium
join:2002-05-10
Omaha, NE
·Cox HSI
| The TS3 HD only needs one multi stream card for both tuners. When you insert the card the second slot will actually grey out and state a second card isnt needed.
Get a tech you are wrong the tivo hd takes 1Mcard, or 2Scards, but the Series3 which he order needs 2 of the cards no matter what kind. |
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caddyroger
Premium
join:2001-06-11
clubs:
1 edit | reply to Get a tech
Sorry the TiVo series3 you have to use 2 card M or S. The TiVo HD you can use 1 M card or 2 S card.
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Caddy |
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jbollyn
adsum
Premium
join:2006-08-14
Hoffman Estates, IL
·Comcast Formerly ..
| reply to caddyroger
At this point, I am curious about how TiVo will change my TV-viewing experience. This is my first TiVo. If I can get this single MCard working, I suppose I will eventually want a 2nd card. That is not high on my wish list right now.
One of my concerns is not having On Demand. So I was thinking about having the coaxial cable (from Comcast) plug into some kind of switch, which would have one coaxial output to the TiVo, and one output to the converter box. So I could easily switch back and forth. Is this type of thing available from Radio Shack? |
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caddyroger
Premium
join:2001-06-11
clubs:
·Comcast
| said by jbollyn :At this point, I am curious about how TiVo will change my TV-viewing experience. This is my first TiVo. If I can get this single MCard working, I suppose I will eventually want a 2nd card. That is not high on my wish list right now. One of my concerns is not having On Demand. So I was thinking about having the coaxial cable (from Comcast) plug into some kind of switch, which would have one coaxial output to the TiVo, and one output to the converter box. So I could easily switch back and forth. Is this type of thing available from Radio Shack? What type of tv are you connecting this to? what type Comcast package are you on. If it is a HD tv and wanting all HD you could do like this. Connect your hemi or component output from the tivo to your tv. Get a Hd receiver form Comcast and connect it to one of your other tv inputs.
This way if you want to watch vod or ppv you can use the Comcast receiver. The Hd receive might cost you $5.00 a month. If you don't want hd then the receiver is free.
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Caddy |
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Snoopy2
Premium
join:2001-03-29
Mobile, AL
·Comcast
| reply to jbollyn
said by jbollyn :At this point, I am curious about how TiVo will change my TV-viewing experience. This is my first TiVo. If I can get this single MCard working, I suppose I will eventually want a 2nd card. That is not high on my wish list right now. I too, am looking to go the tivo route, so would appreciate you letting us know how it went/goes after getting it all hooked up. Channels you can view, hd, dtv, etc. Let us know.
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RM1 (USN-RET) |
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jbollyn
adsum
Premium
join:2006-08-14
Hoffman Estates, IL | Yes, I will do that. I know my way around an Ethernet network, but I have minimal experience with AV.
Most people say nice things about TiVo, compared with Comcast's DVR. I don't have any experience with Comcast's DVR. |
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jbollyn
adsum
Premium
join:2006-08-14
Hoffman Estates, IL | reply to Snoopy2
I went through the TiVo setup process until I was prompted to call Comcast. After powering off/on the Tivo several times, the MCard's MAC still read all zeros. So they scheduled a tech to come out tomorrow. |
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jbollyn
adsum
Premium
join:2006-08-14
Hoffman Estates, IL
·Comcast Formerly ..
| reply to Snoopy2
I am *very* happy so far!
The CC tech came by and spent about one hour here. I get all my channels, HD and premium, and he gave me a splitter. The splitter will allow me to switch between my cable box and TiVo. I mainly use the cable box for On Demand, to watch the Howard Stern premium stuff. As far as I know, the cable box is required to watch HS. No way around it. If I am incorrect, please let me know.
I don't know if I can record two inputs, while watching a recording, at the same time. As I mentioned earlier, this is not a high priority for me, at this time. There is certainly a learning curve with TiVo. But TiVo must be better than CC's DVR, otherwise there would be no reason for TiVo to exist.
I will post more as time goes on. Bottom line is, I am more inclined to buy from TiVo than CC. I really do not like CC. They are fat and sassy, and I like to see 3rd party 'we can do it better' companies eating their lunch. |
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jbollyn
adsum
Premium
join:2006-08-14
Hoffman Estates, IL
·Comcast Formerly ..
| Perhaps I spoke too soon. I wanted to watch channel 190, which is HD for Fox Network (America's Most Wanted). Got nothing but aggravation. So I switched back to CC converter box as the input source, and am watching AMW without any problem.
Anyone who wants to go the TiVo route instead of CC's DVR needs to have the patience of Job. And plenty of time to hang around the house for multiple truck rolls.
I hope there is a special place in Hell for CC. They are really abusing American consumers. |
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Flippant
So Much For Subtlety
Premium,Mod
join:2000-06-04
Katy, TX
Host:
Filesharing Software
Earthlink Cable
Texas Gulf Coast
AT&T U-verse
AT&T Southwest
| I have a Tivo HD unit and was lucky enough to have a single MCard install myself on the first try. From what I am reading it really Depends on what area you are in, some areas handle cable cards much better than others. I am guessing you are in one of the good areas.
Anyway to answer some of your questions. You flat cannot watch On Demand on a Tivo and there is no talk of making that happen. You do need your current setup to do what you want.
As far as multi-stream use (ie two cable cards, you can use SCards as well a MCard, but you will need 2 of them) yes it really is a much better experience to have at least two streams. One of the things you will become annoyed with at some point is having to watch a Season Pass recording while it is being recorded. Why record it if you have to watch it anyway. With two streams you can watch something else while you are recording the other program. Yes being able to record two programs at the same time is very handy as well. The Tivo firmware has many many options that may take a while to find and get used to using. The Tivo Desktop and To Go features are some of my favorite to use.
I hope you get to enjoy your Tivo experience as much as I am enjoying mine. |
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Snoopy2
Premium
join:2001-03-29
Mobile, AL | reply to jbollyn
In the case of going w/tivo and NO set-top box, how much does the card/s cost. I just know CC is making a buck or two from them. Rent? Buy? What are the rules for going that route?
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RM1 (USN-RET) |
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insomniac
Oh Yeah
Premium
join:2002-09-22
Naperville, IL
clubs:
 ·AT&T Midwest
| reply to jbollyn
said by jbollyn :Anyone who wants to go the TiVo route instead of CC's DVR needs to have the patience of Job. And plenty of time to hang around the house for multiple truck rolls. I hope there is a special place in Hell for CC. They are really abusing American consumers. You've hit the nail on the head there.
I had to deal with four truck rolls to get working CableCARDs for my TiVo HD last fall. The tech didn't even bring any cards with him on one of the appointments, and then he had the gall to ask me to sign the work order "so he wouldn't get in trouble." I laughed him out the door. The fine print on the work order states that a signature indicates work has been completed satisfactorily. When you don't do any work, you don't get a signature.
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If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something. |
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insomniac
Oh Yeah
Premium
join:2002-09-22
Naperville, IL
clubs:
·AT&T Midwest
| reply to Snoopy2
said by Snoopy2 :In the case of going w/tivo and NO set-top box, how much does the card/s cost. I just know CC is making a buck or two from them. Rent? Buy? What are the rules for going that route? Depends on the market. Here in suburban Chicago, it's treated as multiple cards on the same outlet--first card is free, second card is $1.50. I have a "T3ddvrcards" line item on my bill every month for $1.50.
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If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something. |
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Snoopy2
Premium
join:2001-03-29
Mobile, AL
·Comcast
| said by insomniac :said by Snoopy2 :In the case of going w/tivo and NO set-top box, how much does the card/s cost. I just know CC is making a buck or two from them. Rent? Buy? What are the rules for going that route? Depends on the market. Here in suburban Chicago, it's treated as multiple cards on the same outlet--first card is free, second card is $1.50. I have a "T3ddvrcards" line item on my bill every month for $1.50. This is in addition to the monthly charge for whatever package you're subscribing for?
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RM1 (USN-RET) |
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insomniac
Oh Yeah
Premium
join:2002-09-22
Naperville, IL
clubs: | Yes. |
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jbollyn
adsum
Premium
join:2006-08-14
Hoffman Estates, IL
·Comcast Formerly ..
| reply to jbollyn
According to the following link from TiVo, TWO CableCARDs are needed in the Series3, in order to get two tuners. *Regardless* of card type (M or S).
»www.tivo.com/setupandsupport/tec···DVR.html
I will do a detailed review of my TiVo CableCARD experience with CC later. Bottom line, don't try to pick up the card and install it yourself. I am an IT administrator, so I am familiar with networks. But the CC tech on the phone needs to know what to do. And the CC CableCARD initialization system needs to facilitate that. I feel both those factors are lacking.
The truck roll installer speaks with a technician, who has had at least a little training installing CableCARDs. Compared with a customer calling CC, who speaks with a CSR in a call center. The difference is critical. |
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