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Thread: CableCARD problems! |
    
New member Username: Bugged
Post Number: 9
Registered: Jan-07
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| Posted on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 07:23 pm: |
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Cableguy,
Correct--no error message was displayed. The CableCARD CP screen looked OK to me. Auth Status was "CP Auth received." I don't recall specifically what was listed for the other specs on the CP screen, but as I remember they looked in line with what I have seen before. To make this even more mysterious, later that day ESPN HD returned. Go figure... |
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Relevant Product Info
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New member Username: Busiris
Greer,
SC
United States
Post Number: 7
Registered: Jan-07
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 04:33 pm: |
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Cableguy,
I am pretty sure that I made a great leap forward today in resolving my cable card issues...I swapped the set out for a Pioneer Plasma unit. I'll let you know how the card works in the new set...
Thanks again for all of your help and assistance. |
Silver Member Username: Cableguy
Somewhere on...
U.S.
Post Number: 925
Registered: Mar-05
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| Posted on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 07:16 pm: |
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John~ I wonder what LG will have to say if you don't have any problems with the new Pioneer? lol, please let us know how it works out. |
New member Username: Busiris
Greer,
SC
United States
Post Number: 8
Registered: Jan-07
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| Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 03:08 pm: |
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Cableguy,
The Pioneer set is up and running. I installed the cable card without a single issue...worked right off the bat. Its a really good looking unit with a great display, maybe better than the LG (although I had absolutely no problems with the LG display quality...in fact, it was so clear that I was hesitant to swap out the unit). I guess the final straw was, even after removing the card, it continued to "power-up" all by itself, sometimes in the middle of the night....sometimes, adding a little excitement to my evenings, if the volume was turned up.
However, I have had enough experience with these things to be a bit reserved and not get too overconfident, so I will reserve my final judgment for a couple of months. I will keep you updated over the next few weeks, just to keep you appraised of the situation.
So, for now...Pioneer---GOOD, LG---BAD! |
New member Username: Wtbrown
Post Number: 2
Registered: Jan-07
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| Posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 - 09:09 pm: |
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Cableguy: I have a Sammy LN-S4696d, and Cablevision has twice installed S.A. cablecards. The cablecard shows CP authorized, and the EMS and EEms show proper numbers. But the first card went only 9 days before it lost the channels, so Cablevision replaced it with a new card, which lost all channels after only 6 days. I can always get the channels back doing a reset, but it means I can't watch tv for up to a half hour while it acquires the channels, then another 20 minutes to program the Sammy channel manager for the channels I want to surf. Any suggestions? Cablevision thinks that Scientfic Atlanta is working on an improved firmware card, but no date is available. What to do? I have a Toshiba set running fine on a cablecard since last March. |
New member Username: Beady
Smithtown,
Ny
Post Number: 6
Registered: Jun-06
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| Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2007 - 11:31 am: |
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If you have a card that is working in the Toshiba set why don't you have them come and swap the cards? You'll at least know if it is still a problem with the card or if there is some interaction between the Sammy and the SA card. That might at least give you more information to get Sammy involved. |
New member Username: Mikenj
Post Number: 1
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2007 - 03:49 pm: |
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I am planning on installing a wall mounted HDTV LCD in my bedroom. I wanted to avoid the cable box and so was planning on getting a Cable Card from Comcast. But after reading the postings in this forum, I am starting to get nervous about that route so need some advice from the experts.
I currently have Comcast service in southern NJ. I have been told the cable cards (which provide HDTV reception) are on order. The rep couldn't tell me if there was a charge for the card or the manufacturer of the card.
As I start to shop around for a 32" LCD, does anyone have any suggestions for a particular brand that will work with the cable cards provided by Comcast? Also would you suggest that the installation is performed by a tech other than Comcast? Or do you think it is wise to stay away from using the cards at this time? |
Silver Member Username: Cableguy
Somewhere on...
U.S.
Post Number: 936
Registered: Mar-05
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| Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2007 - 09:26 pm: |
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John~ I knew a Pioneer wouldn't let you down, they've been pretty reliable.
w.t.brown~ have you called Samsung to report the problem? It's very possible you have some outdated software in your TV. Something else you should try is to take the card out, autoprogram without the card in, then manually set the clock before you put the card back in. If that fails to correct the problems call Samsung and see if your software is up to date.
Beady~ most cable company's won't swap cards between TV's. They will bring a new one before they'll allow interchanging between sets. Also if he tries to do that himself, the card not only won't work in the Samsung, it won't work when he puts it back in the Toshiba.
Mikenj~ I don't work for Comcast so I can't offer much except ask a Comcast service tech which ones they have the least amount of problems with. If you're in no hurry, I'd wait to see how long before the new 2-way products hit the shelf. |
New member Username: Beady
Smithtown,
Ny
Post Number: 7
Registered: Jun-06
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| Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 03:24 pm: |
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Cableguy,
I have Cablevision on Long Island. Only the premium movie channels like HBO require the host bindings. I don't have these channels and was able to swap the card from my Sony TV to my Series 3 Tivo and back without any problems. I receive the locals and also channels like ESPNHD, INHD1, TNT, YESHD, etc.
My thought was to see if Cablevision would come and swap the cards. If he saw the same problem this would reduce the number of unknowns and allow them to point to either the TV or connection to that TV as the problem. At that point Samsung would have to prove why it is not them. |
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New member Username: Sanremo
Kings Park,
N.Y.
Post Number: 1
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 05:02 pm: |
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Hi guys. I live on Long Island,like Beady,and have Cablevision. I have a JVC D-ILA rear projection. My problem with cablecard is I get an error message that says " Timeout during CCI exchange." After this, the card usually re-initializes. Sometimes, when I turn the set on I get nothing. I pop the card out and put it back and after it initializes everything is good. I've gotten a message that said " This is not a viewing card" and "Your equipment is defective." All channels come in great. Usually, before I get the error message, the picture will start to pixilate or freeze. Cablevision has no idea what this error message means. I get the standard response from the techs that cablecards are nothing but trouble and they don't work on 7 out of 10 installs. I am wondering if the problem can be signal related. The main cable goes into a 3-way splitter. One to my tv, one to the cable modem, and one to my daughters tv. It is also splits again on my tv with a separate feed to each of the two tuners on the set. Cablevision says the signal passes when they test it but when I look at the antenna strength in the tv menu it shows 40. I'me assuming that is based on a scale of 100.
I've had two cards already and I gave in the other day and had the tech put in the STB. I miss my card and want it back. Not to mention monthly rental for the card is $1.25 and the box is $6.25. No wonder they push the box. Any ideas on that error message? Thanks |
New member Username: Anthony522
Post Number: 2
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 11:16 pm: |
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-----Comcast CableCARD hangs when updating firmware (Samsung HL-S5688w)-----
I see others have posted a lot of issues with CableCARD and it looks like I'm going t hop on board with the rest.
I have had Comcast out to my house 3 times and they have tried a total of 7 CableCARDs. None of them work and each get to the same point and do not advance. Comcast says its not them, Samsung says its not them either. Great.
Basically, I insert the card, the TV reads "Updating Channel List" as indicated in the manual but then in the middle of the screen it says something to the effect that is upgrading the CableCARD firmware. The screen never changes and so far I have left it up for as long as 3 hours just to make sure.
So my questions are as follows:
1. Is it updating the firmware on the CableCARD or my TV?
2. If the firmware on my TV is being updated or attempting to be updated why would it need an update at all considering the TV is brand new.
3. Could the cable card (Scientific Atlanta PowerKEY PKM600, dated 03/08/2005) be the problem because of age or compatability?
Many thanks in advance. |
Silver Member Username: Cableguy
Somewhere on...
U.S.
Post Number: 937
Registered: Mar-05
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| Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 12:51 pm: |
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Beady~ Not discounting what you are saying, but that isn't normal for the card to allow viewing of encrypted channels in a device it has not been paired to.
Stephen~ JVC would be better at telling you if the signal strength is sufficient or not because that level indicates their TV's gauge not a signal meter telling me the actual dBmV. It sounds like JVC would be a better all around source to help you determine what the problem is, but it wouldn't hurt to have a cable technician come out and verify the signal strength at the entry point to your TV. Have them swap the card out at least once and if that doesn't resolve the problem, demand JVC get involved.
Anthony~ If the screen indicates the cable card is upgrading firmware, the card could be stuck trying to load new firmware. Something you could ask Comcast is if they have the ability to load the card on a cable card tv at their office before they bring it out to yours. If it works at their office, it should work at your home. If it continues to fight you in your home, call Samsung and have them verify your tv has the latest version of software installed on it as well. You should be able to scan for channels without the card installed, do that and check to see it is working properly without the card in it. Set the clock on your TV before you reinstall the card. If you still get the error message indicating the card is upgrading the firmware, you need to get comcast to provide you with a card that is pre-loaded. |
New member Username: Sanremo
Kings Park,
N.Y.
Post Number: 2
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 02:40 pm: |
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Cableguy~ Thanks. Cablevision is coming out on Wednesday to try another card. JVC said to call them after the card is installed if I'm still having problems and they'll troubleshoot. They haven't heard of that error message either so I went to the Scientific Atlanta site and looked in their listing of cable acronyms. CCI stands for copy control information. What I'm thinking is that the card is trying to get this information and is having a problem and it eventually times out. |
New member Username: Dja2k
Post Number: 1
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 05:15 pm: |
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I just got a cablecard from Time Warner being a Motorola for my Samsung HL-S5688W but I inserted the card said it was "updating channel list" then it said finished, and the screen changed to the info I was suppose to call in with, but while I was dialing, that screen with the info disappeared on me. I tried to turn off the tv, remove the card, then pop it back in, but now I only get the "updating channel list" but it never finishes.
Does anyone know how to reset it to make that screen again or do I have to go return the card or call some tech?
dja2k |
New member Username: Anthony522
Post Number: 3
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 05:56 pm: |
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cableguy: I have a lead technician who will be coming out to my house to try and troubleshoot. They attempted another card today and it didn't work so I have a feeling the two devices are communicating properly
Alejandro: I'm certainly no expert but don't you just go into your settings, where you'll see CableCARD and then you can reset the channel list? I believe there are a couple options in there that you can try. Not sure if it will solve the problem because I have the same TV and mine hasn't even worked yet. Good luck. |
New member Username: Dja2k
Post Number: 2
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 07:47 pm: |
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I already called to give them the pairing info for the tv and card. They said they would call me back, this thing still says "updating channel list" so I hit the reset button and began doing the same thing.
dja2k |
New member Username: Dja2k
Post Number: 3
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 02:15 am: |
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I am totally lost here, don't even know if I should call my cable company or my tv manufacturer. I swear that the first time I put this card in, the "update channel list" came up and then said "channel list complete". I called the cable company to give them the pairing information, but the screen went away. I didn't know about the info being able to show again from the setup\cable card options so I removed the card and inserted in again. Now it stuck at "updating channel listing" . My cable company already has the paring information and they said it might take some time to work and they would call me back the next day. Tv has been on ever since to see if it finishes updating and nothing. Can anyone point me to the right direction of where to go from here?
dja2k |
Silver Member Username: Cableguy
Somewhere on...
U.S.
Post Number: 941
Registered: Mar-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 07:48 am: |
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Alex~ take the cable card out, autoprogram the channels, manually set the clock, make sure any in the clear HD channels are working without the card in, then put the card back in. If that doesn't fix your problem, call Samsung and have them verify you have the correct and latest version of firmware installed on your TV. Samsung is very good about recognizing problems and resolving them.
Same thing I told Anthony, and Anthony you need to call Samsung and demand to speak with tech support for cable cards. |
New member Username: Pixelswim
Post Number: 3
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 08:13 am: |
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cableguy--I'm another guy into my 2nd month of Rx trying to get a cablecard to work. Before I get around to describing my problem however, I'm trying to do my homework by taking notes from all the wonderful work you've done in this thread answering other's questions! I'm going to try to ask some specific questions to fill in the gaps in my notes, then I'll hopefully share them here with you.
What does the term "provisioned" mean to you exactly?
Here are some guesses I've made:
(Just a general term that CC has rcvd all digital data for correct operation?)
(A term that means the account at cableco has had the customers premiums added by the CSR?)
(A term that means the CC has rcvd a "cold init" or an "EMM staging init"? (and which of -those- terms is correct?))
Thanks!--pixelswim |
New member Username: Pixelswim
Post Number: 5
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 11:11 am: |
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cableguy--Next question...
What does the acronym "CP Auth" actually stand for?
Auth is obviously "authorization" but what does CP stand for and what does "CP Auth" as a whole stand for?
Also, elsewhere I found a phrase a cable person used that was "CA/CP information." Is CA an acronym related to CP? |
New member Username: Anthony522
Post Number: 6
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 12:54 pm: |
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It looks like I'll be setting up an appointment with a lead technician with Comcast. I asked and they confirmed that at that point I can call Samsung and get the two speaking to each other directly.
I thought CableCARDs were supposed to make things easier?
I will probably just end up settling for the box because this doesn't seem like its going anywhere at all. |
New member Username: Dja2k
Post Number: 4
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 02:13 pm: |
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Okay last night it was still saying "updating channel list" but today it didn't show it and now my channel line is complete from 1 - 970. Yesterday was from 1 - 125. Now a lot and I mean a lot of channels still don't work, says scrambled or weak signal , but I have full strength on the rest. Status on the cablecard still says "waiting to start" does this mean they haven't unblocked them?
dja2k |
New member Username: Anthony522
Post Number: 7
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 04:18 pm: |
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I'm jealous. |
Silver Member Username: Cableguy
Somewhere on...
U.S.
Post Number: 942
Registered: Mar-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 04:35 pm: |
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pixelswim~ provisioning from my definition is making sure the card is properly on the account, correct services are assigned to the cable card, and the proper hits were sent.
cp authorization indicates it has received copy protection authorization to release the video if the channels in question are authorized to be viewed by the customer. Not sure about the CA side of things, I know of a CA acronym, but don't relate that to anything found on the CP information screen.
Alex~ which channels are working versus not working. There is some pattern that would indicate if the card is properly provisioned. I don't work with Motorola cards so I can't help too much there. If it says it's waiting to start, it might mean it's waiting for somebody to tell it to start working.
Anthony~ they are easier once you get past all the BS. I wish they were more uniform, it would make it easier, but alas everybody does things differently. |
New member Username: Anthony522
Post Number: 8
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 05:05 pm: |
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Saturday is D-Day for me. The lead technician will be at my place first thing in the morning and if he is stumped like the others, I will try to connect him right to Samsung.
Any tips or suggestions that I should share with him? |
New member Username: Dja2k
Post Number: 5
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 05:25 pm: |
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Well for sure Cable channels work, but some DTV Cable channels are limited. Some examples are my Encore channels, none work.
dja2k |
New member Username: Pixelswim
Post Number: 7
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 05:32 pm: |
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Anthony--Maybe Comcast will be better but when TWC said they were sending a Lead Technician it just turned out to be another guy armed with nothing more than the phone number to the headend guy but not a clue how to Rx the cablecard process. I now know every guy who works for their local subcontractor.
I assume you've seen my lengthy thing over in your other thread, I won't get much time for part2 tonight, too many basketball games.
Hang in there, $1.75/month is a lot less than $6.95 plus whatever. They are giving me a free DVR until they figure out how to do the cablecard. |
New member Username: Dja2k
Post Number: 6
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 05:48 pm: |
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I just noticed that some channels are completely blacked out, no audio, scrambled and others are visible with audio but scrambled.
Has anyone gotten the TV Guide thing to work with the CableCard or other?
dja2k |
New member Username: Wtbrown
Post Number: 3
Registered: Jan-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 07:59 pm: |
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Thanks for your help, cableguy, I tried all your suggestions and believe the Samsung LN-S4696d is defective when using a cablecard. Today channl 707 wouldn't come in , the screen went blank, then green vertical bars came up all across the screen then it went blank again. Couldn't turn off tv with remote. After 6 or 7 minutes, 707 came on. I have seen this before with this set. Sammy techs say there is no firmware fix in the works and are no help. So, I am returning the set to BB and have purchased a Pioneer 5051hd and will try it with a cablecard. Alex: I have a Toshiba that works great with a cablecard and TV Guide on screen. |
New member Username: Pixelswim
Post Number: 9
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Thursday, February 08, 2007 - 11:39 am: |
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Well, w.t.brown, that is depressing (I have a Samsung LN-S5296D and am hoping to eventually get the cablecard working...)
cableguy--Again, thanks so much for your help. Next question: Have you ever heard the "headend guys" use "names" for different types of hits? Do cablecards need a different sequence/type of hit? I've been told SA cablecards in TWC system need the two hits called "Addressable" and "Refresh." |
New member Username: Dja2k
Post Number: 7
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Thursday, February 08, 2007 - 02:35 pm: |
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Well I am getting things straighten out with my cable company, so thanks for the help you provided cableguy.
dja2k |
New member Username: Busiris
Greer,
SC
United States
Post Number: 9
Registered: Jan-07
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| Posted on Thursday, February 08, 2007 - 06:02 pm: |
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WTBrown,
I had an LG 50PC1DR Plasma that refused to work correctly with a cablecard, and even had issues with it removed. I returned it to Best Buy and, like you, bought a Pioneer PDP 5071HD Plasma set. So far, it works perfectly with the cablecard...Good luck! |
New member Username: Txmitsu
Post Number: 1
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Friday, February 09, 2007 - 11:25 am: |
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Here's another data point. I have a new Mitsubishi WD 57732. I switched to digital cable (Time Warner in the Dallas area) about 2 weeks ago using a CableCard. I asked them if there were issues with CCs (having read this forum...). They said no, just no PPV or On Demand.
After a couple of days, I noticed that the set would lose favorite channels, ignored channels, and TVGOS ignored channels. It also seems to lose channels over time (pixelation, black screen), but only the HD and SD channels.
I called Mitsu and they sent me a firmware update (from V33+ 008.01 to V33+ 008.02), which I applied. It now seems to save channels overnight, but the "channel rot" still seems to be happening. I've pulled the CC out once (which forces me to redo all of the channel erasing) and disconnected power once (same story). Once the CC is reinserted or the power is reconnected, the channels are all restored.
Is this the CC or the TV? Am I stuck with a cable box (which I don't want)? |
Bronze Member Username: Wanabtech
Post Number: 67
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Saturday, February 10, 2007 - 11:10 pm: |
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From what you've described in my opinion your symptoms are on the tv side. The CC has already been authorized and works, once you reset power, you've in essence rebooted the TV software.
Next time it happens, call your provider and ask them to send a hit to the CC. Don't recycle power or pull the card. I'm curious if this makes a difference. I suspect that it won't. |
New member Username: Mike_farrington
Post Number: 3
Registered: Jan-07
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| Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 10:56 am: |
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Here's an update for anyone curious about my issues getting "CP Auth" on my SA PKM600 cards on my TiVo S3. My 6 week ordeal is finally over. The Comcast NOC folks finally came to the realization that it was a local system-wide problem for customers who were recently transitioned from Adelphia. I was on a 45-minute 3-way conference call with the Comcast NOC engineer and with Scientific Atlanta tech support in Georgia. The problem centered mostly around the inability to get the CableCARD and POD servers updated properly. From what it sounded like, my local Comcast had seperate CableCARD- and POD-servers where most are an all-in-one server. I was not privy to the followup call they had with each other, but from the first call it sounded like the main issue was their inability to get the POD file updated. It sounded like S.A. had remote access to the server for diagnostics. Everytime they tried to update the file, it kept showing the old date/time stamp. They must have finally been able to get the new file dropped in place, but I was not privy to that conversation. S.A. needed to get one of their tech support gurus on the phone (instead of the two very knowledgeable protoges who was on the line), and he was at lunch during our conference call.
Phew, that was long-winded. Bottom line is that I can now get "CP Auth Received" on both my CableCARDs and I can now view/record all of my encrypted content (digitals and premiums).
Keep it up everyone, we'll beat all the cable companies into submission. Then, once they're all experts with CableCARDs.... they roll out SDV. ;) |
Bronze Member Username: Pixelswim
Post Number: 15
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 12:51 pm: |
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I received a new cablecard-ready Samsung LN-S5296D at the end of November and have not been able to get a cablecard working in it since then. I'm hoping for advice on what to ask the techs when they next help me.
Here are the particulars of my case:
(for the guys who have answered my questions before - I'll try not to get ahead of myself with questions and just tell you my case this time!)
TV: Samsung LN-S5296D Cable company: Time-Warner Cable Central NC (Raleigh/Durham/ChapelHill)
CableCARDs: Scientific Atlanta Powerkey PKM-600
Temporary Set-Top-Box: Scientific Atlanta 8300HD-PVR using HDMI to TV
Wiring: Cable from telephone pole to house (new underground a couple years ago by TWC)
(new gray box with block inside on side of house)
Inside: All new wiring by good installer. Short run from gray box to amplifier block. Cable Modem run splits off before amplified splits. Three room runs that are amplified. Installer said incoming signal from pole was excellent.
My CC-setup visits: I have had about 8 visits for CC install attempts. In all cases we have started by bypassing the house wiring and running a cable freshly made by the tech from the outside gray box into the TV cable input. All SA cablecards have been the latest ones they could get after the first visit. We unPower/rePower the TV, perform full autoprogram to memorize channels and then manually reset the clock. Then the tech gets the TWC console on the line (they always ask for and get a particular guy who the say is better with CC installs) and reads off the card s/n and date and he inserts the CC in the TV.
At this point various things have happened on different visits. Sometimes it gets stuck on "updating firmware" and the tech has finally given up on it. The tech checks status screens per request of the headend guy: In virtually all my cases we get "waiting for CP Auth" (never CP Auth received) and EMM count = 0 and ECM count = 0.
In the last case where they ended up giving me the temporary box (STB), the tech said my SNR was good (at the last stage when he removed the bypass wire and hooked up to my house wiring he said it was a little high for "their new number range" and he put a passive splitter right there between the wall and STB which brought it down to 36 I think. He never did any testing of individual carriers that I remember and any values for BER or OOB I would not trust from my notes now. (The STB works great except I have separate issues with occasional sound but no pic on powerup.)
On one attempt, the headend got Samsung tier2 on the phone 3-way with me and my impression was that the Samsung guy thought the TV had the latest firmware. He also took us through the samsung clock-sync problem, teaching us the steps of the manual clock reset. He felt that the TV and CC were working properly but just not receiving the signals they needed from the cable system.
What advice does anyone have for troubleshooting my next CC-install attempt? |
New member Username: Txmitsu
Post Number: 2
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 12:55 pm: |
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Thanks, Wanabtech. Sounds like a reasonable deduction to me. However, I just hung up with Mitsubishi customer relations and they claim that the issue is the CableCard itself. Called TWC and they are sending a tech out to check in a few days. |
Bronze Member Username: Wanabtech
Post Number: 68
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 - 06:09 am: |
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Here are the steps that I followed on any CC job whether it was a t/c or an install.
1)Check signal at the tap, check the signal @ the demarc, check it behind the set. Correct where necessary.
2) Perform any steps that maybe brnad specific, such as manually setting the clock. etc.... Yes, it can be very painstaking realizing there are steps like this. Remember these would be a product of your TV, not a symptom of the card, therefore no training given, except trial & error.
3) Insert card: tv should give some sort of acknowledgement of a card installed: again, brand specific as to the exact message.
4) Navigate the tv menu to the CC host id/CC id screen. Call disp, and give them the pairing info.
5) Disp will then enter the pairing info, the TV make, model# into billing.
6) Disp will verify rate codes: I always ask them to verify no VOD, or PPV codes on the CC outlet as this can effect the card and cause problems.
7) Once disp completes the order & closes the job, the system automatically will send an authorization to the card. This is when the card will go to saying "CP authorized". It can not receive the authorization if the above info is not given to the person responsible for placing it on the acct. In our case its disp, however I've read other places stating headend tech.
8) Once the card states authorized, you will see your EMM's start to rise. Most screens dont auto refresh, so you will have to leave the screen and come back. Once you get to about 39 EMM's you will see your ECM's start to rise. In our system, as long as you had the 1 ECM, your lineup would display.
Things that I've learned along the way: CC's are hit into the billing system just like STB's. In other words they have a time to live, and if not installed into an acct, they will need this hit again. Some call it a STAGING HIT. Different providers have slightly different technology. In our case, 30 days is how long they're staged. However, in my experience, if the cards were much over 20 days, it appeared there were more problems. I would always call the data center and have them check the card to see how long it had been. If near the 20 day mark, I'd have them update that. Our warehouse use to enter a case at a time. Sometimes we would go through them rather quickly, sometimes not.
Biggest thing I would emphasize to any tech: CHECK YOUR SIGNAL, CHECK BER - PRE & POST To many times, I've seen the shortcuts for things not to work. |
Bronze Member Username: Pixelswim
Post Number: 16
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 - 06:59 am: |
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Wow wanabetech, what a clear outline. Thanks for writing that up! |
New member Username: Dja2k
Post Number: 8
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 - 07:47 pm: |
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I went to TimeWarner for my second CableCard and they said this one should work and has the channels unlocked. I inserted it into my Samsung HL-S5688W and said CableCard inserted and then popped up the screen to call in. The channel list was already established from prior card and some channels already worked. So then I called in and gave them the information and said to wait about 15 minutes, but its been longer and CableCard status still says "Wait to Start" - NOT AGAIN! Any advice on why not all my DTV Channels work? Is there something I don't know that maybe not all channels work with the CableCard or am I just unlucky like other people having problems.
dja2k |
Bronze Member Username: Wanabtech
Post Number: 69
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 - 09:19 pm: |
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To be perfectly honest, I'm not familiar on the exact protocol that TWC uses. I'm a Comcast/ former Adelphia employee. I believe Cableguy is with TWC and could probably answer better. We don't give cards out to subs period. We require them to be installed. When you say gave the info, be more specific. You gave them CC id/ host id? For us, until the pairing info is given, and our software tells us they have successfully paired, the card will not authorize. |
New member Username: Dja2k
Post Number: 9
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 - 09:40 pm: |
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Well I don't know the difference between authorized or not. Before I got the CableCard, my tv had already gotten a lot of channels like 125 - 2, 125 - 3 which are just example of how it made all 900 and some channels on a 125 channel line up. Some already worked without the CableCard. First CableCard actually updated my channel line up and gave me all 900 and some channels. I called in because not all DTV Channels worked nor my Encore Channels. Some channels looked Scrambled and others are just Blacked out. I called in and they told me there was a problem with the card. I went in for a replacement, they gave me a new one, which they said had the channels open. I called in right after and gave them the CableCard number, the host number, the unit number etc. She said they were going to work on it and should take about 15 minutes though this was around 5:40 and they close at 6:00. I don't know if they got to it, but my channels that worked before still worked right away without the authorization, but the other ones still don't work, i.e. some DTV channels and Encore channels. I want to find out if that is normal for them not to work or not, but in the TW website, it says there suppose to work with the CableCard.
dja2k |
Silver Member Username: Cableguy
Somewhere on...
U.S.
Post Number: 950
Registered: Mar-05
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - 08:03 am: |
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Alex,
Go to 1 of the channels that isn't working and then go into your CP information screen and post all the data on that page in here. Something else you can do is go into the cable card diagnostics and find the current date and time and report that as well. |
New member Username: Dja2k
Post Number: 10
Registered: Feb-07
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| Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - 10:32 am: |
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Cableguy, I don't think I have the CP information screen, is that the screen where it suppose to say Access Granted cause I don't have such a choice. All I can show is CableCard Pairing information that shows only addresses and also have CableCard Status that shows more addresses and download status which is "0" right now. I don't show date nor time anywhere.
dja2k |
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