US Cable Support > Cox HSI > [CATV] Plus Package HD Channels & CableCARD

reply to tim85254

Re: [CATV] Plus Package HD Channels & CableCARD

FWIW, I receive all plus package channels fine on both my TiVo's here in SoCal. We've had the Plus Package channels for a few months now. I don't subscribe to the premiums like HBO or SHO, but everything else comes and authorizes just fine.

I've been through these "Authorization" headaches with COX before and they are clueless when it comes to this stuff.

I've had other non-plus package channels and premiums that wouldn't "Authorize" properly. After going round and round, I eventually canceled the channels for this reason. The COX CSR's did the same re-provision trick of removing the equipment and adding it back. Same deal with no change in picture tuning. Either they are faking it, or their system really doesn't toggle the authorization signal until either the account is canceled or the associated billing plan is removed. Neither of which they are likely to gamble with given potential proration and other billing headaches may occur.

Is your CableCard new, or reused from another CableCard device?

I've had authorization issues in the past when moving cards between TiVo units, even when COX updated their records with the correct/NEW TiVo Host ID, Data, etc..

My guess is there one engineer at COX Atlanta that handles channel authorization mapping. Right now everyone is trying to figure out either A) Who that person is and/or B) If said individual is authorized to make the necessary change to resolve the issue. Welcome to the world of big business politics where no one really knows who owns what let alone who is internally authorized to make a decision on behalf of the customer.

The cablecards are likely not new, but they're activated in the first device in which I've placed them. Every time I've added a TiVo, I go get a card/ TA.

My patience isn't all that thin yet - kind of enjoying watching them stumble and bumble actually. It's funny that they're equally as incompetent as they can be arrogant.

maybe some should file with the FCC

»www.fcc.gov/guides/cablecard-kno···r-rights

Receive all “linear” channels (channels other than “on-demand”) in your subscription package. This includes premium channels and specialty channels. For some channels delivered using a technique called “switched digital video,” you may need a second device called a “tuning adapter.” This device is typically provided at no additional charge to CableCARD customers. FCC Rule 76.1205(b)(4). CableCARD-ready devices currently cannot receive your cable operator’s Video on Demand service

They sent a contractor who had no clue what the issue was.

After I brought him up to speed, he had his dispatcher on speakerphone and the guy said "I don't even know why they scheduled a service call, we may not have this fixed for weeks."

Now I'm pissed. FCC complaint has been filed.

reply to tim85254

reply to BryanInPHX
Well, I'll predict the future - as it stands, one month from now there will be an OTA antenna on my apartment balcony and I will own two fewer TiVos, having retained only the unit with lifetime subscription. I will own another Roku and my Cox subscription (if any) will very likely be Internet-only.

I've been on the phone for the last hour with their cablecard activation center in Omaha and we found that two of my cablecards are associated with the same tuning adapter. They were very helpful, going so far as to help me cross reference cable card with tivo host ID with tuning adapter serial number.

But, at the root of it - why am I spending all this time out of my weekend to mess with this?! What's more, why on earth am I spending SO much money on teevee?!

At the end of all of it, I don't have the plus package HD channels. There's Yet Another Service Call scheduled for next Saturday in the morning (to look at signal levels), but I may cancel it.

Going to cool off for about 24 hours and see if I'm still feeling the same way - but I think I've had my "Come to Jesus" "Cut the Cord" moment. This simply isn't worth it.

reply to BryanInPHX

reply to BryanInPHX
Check out my beautiful picture quality on Cartoon Network HD - after TWO truck rolls. (This is topical because the second truck roll was the attempt at authorizing my TiVo Premieres.)

Doesn't get any better than this, cox....

If it was a painting, someone would pay big bucks for that!

reply to tim85254

It's a TiVo-specific problem... the channels are authorized

reply to BryanInPHX

Re: [CATV] Plus Package HD Channels & CableCARD

Tim, I forgot to ask if you are getting these channels also.

1101 - Hub HD (Bonus Pak also required)
1133 - DIY HD (Variety Pak also required)
1134 - Cooking Channel HD (Variety Pak also required)
1161 - Outdoor Channel HD (Sports and Info Pak also required)
1900 - SWRV HD (Variety Pak also required)
--
Cox Premier HSI, SB6120, DIR-628, Win7 Desk, Win7 Toshiba Satellite A505-S6973
TiVo Premiere 2TB-WD20EURS, SA8240HDC DVR, Passport Vers: 3.1.091, OS Vers: PowerTV 6.20.75.106sp
DIY-Ext. eSATA DVR Expander No Enclosure Bare HDD - WD Caviar Black WD1002FAEX

Yes, I get all of those.

reply to tim85254

Cox was out for the 3rd and 4th time this morning. Not sure what they replaced outside, but all my signals are now crystal clear. Strength readings are a little on the weak side but the quality measurements are where they should be - and those are what matter. NGCHD and TOONHD are viewable now.

As for the plus package HD channels - still not working on TiVo although they've made zero (visible) effort in that regard. The two guys that were out here this morning said their focus was solely on signal strength - they were pretty insistent they I focus only on that with regard to any survey responses.

Those same channels continue to work perfectly on the non-TiVo cablecard device. The only thing stopping me from dumping TiVo is the 600watt power supply in my media center PC and having to buy an xbox to connect to my second TV.

TiVo's suggestion was laughable. After spending another 45 minutes on the phone with them... "You should see if Cox has a MOTOROLA tuning adapter and cablecard you can try."

Tim,

There are Internal Memos going around that Cox is fully aware of the problem. It is nothing anyone in the field can fix.

Hopefully it get's fixed soon.

I don't understand why Cox can't take ownership of it to my face!

Don't get me wrong I appreciate you posting (because it *sort of* is equivalent to Cox taking ownership - but not quite), but it's really annoying to be paying serious coin every month for internet and cable to one provider, paying TiVo for enhanced guide data and a better user interface -- and both parties can't come up with anything better than to say "it's that other company's fault."

I'd like to be able to just appreciate TV and use it as entertainment - I do software development for a living, why on earth should I have to use those skills to solve problems (or spot a line of BS) with my TV providers?

Why should cox take ownership of a problem with someone elses product? You said it is a tivo problem, cox is obviously supporting the cablecard or it wouldn't be working in the non-tivo devices, I think your directing your anger towards cox when the problem lies with the tivo not working as it should, it is not cox's responsibility to fix tivo's problems, thats like blaming the power co because your light switch doesn't work anymore