New Contributor II
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9 Messages
TiVo Roamio without Tuning Adapter?
Folks,
I had 2 TiVo Premiere units...basic and XL...with SA (2011 dates) CableCards and Cisco STA-1521 Tuning Adapters.
The basic unit died, so I replaced it with a new Roamio last week. I swapped units, connected everything, and it worked...sort of. Got the 'Call Cox to activate cablecard' screen. I've made that call several times, so no big deal, right?
The card and TA were 'hit' multiple times until the tech said "...well, new Roamios have a TA built in...try it without" To my surprise, it works. I get all but a couple of channels 800 - EncoreHD doesn't get enough signal but 801 and 802 are fine, as is 810 - HBO HD.
I found some articles that TiVo was doing TA functions in software in SOME systems, but didn't see Cox specifically.
Anyone else 'running naked?' By the way, picture quality is noticeably BETTER without the STA-1521 in path.
Accepted Solution
Ernst_Bakerquis
New Contributor II
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9 Messages
10 years ago
So kids, here's some stuff to file away...
The problem was twofold....Cox and TiVo. Here's what happened, what fixed it, and a caution to check every detail.
1) The TiVo Guided Setup does NOT show you there are two channel maps for Cox in my zip code. The default map is Digital Basic.
2) The Cox tech I initially spoke to suggest I didn't need the STA-1520 Tuning Adapter. And indeed, some Comcast regions supply the setup for newer TiVos to use onboard software as a Tuning Adapter...but not Cox in my market, at least.
The cure for #1 is to select 'try another channel...' on the TiVo Guided Setup page that is picking the channel map. When it comes up to 1 of 2 options, the answer is the 2nd choice Digital Extended. The correct map will be downloaded then.
The cure for #2 is...hook up the Tuning Adapter!
Then, make sure the CableCard is re-paired AND THEY VERIFY IT HAS THE CODE FLAGS PROPERLY SET.
I spoke last to "Gary" in CableCard Support, and he spotted the 3 code difference between my living room CC and the "broken" CC in the bedroom on the replaced TiVo that started this whole thing.
I suggested at the next staff meeting he should cite my case for future reference.
So, all is well and I still have hair I haven't pulled out. I'm also posting this on the TiVo Forum so they can educate their techs as well. 4 Cox techs, 3 TiVo reps, and 1 persistent consumer who can read was all it took. <bg>
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Becky
Moderator
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4.3K Messages
10 years ago
Welcome to the Cox Forums! I haven't heard about TiVo models with built-in Tuning Adapters. The Tuning Adapter allows TiVo DVR customers to view Switch Digital Video channels seamlessly, just as if you were leasing a digital receiver from Cox. I'm very interested in hearing from the many TiVo experts active in our Forums. In what city and state are you located?
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Ernst_Bakerquis
New Contributor II
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9 Messages
10 years ago
I returned the STA-1521 Tuning Adapter to my Cox Store nearby.
Since I had started setting up the Roamio WITH a Tuning Adapter, I went into the TiVo Settings and performed a 'Clear And Delete Everything' operation. It does a factory reset on the Roamio, and forces the CableCard to re-pair.
That requires Guided Setup to run again, which I did, and after that...I get ALMOST all of the channels in my packages, including HBO and Encore. I just checked, and I get a V52 - searching for signal for 800 - Encore HD and 798 - Epix HD. I do get 801 and 802, the additional Encore channels, however.
So then the question becomes why the few V52 issues...seems like it'd be all or none or 'Not Authorized' or the CableCard activation screen. Either few channels are SDV, and the Roamio is just tuning a digital channel just like always, pre-SDV, OR the Roamio is performing some sort of SDV tuning adapter function.
Hence, my posts!
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wees41
Contributor II
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699 Messages
10 years ago
what model of roamio do you have? I have a basic roamio in Omaha and it needs a tuning adapter.
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Ernst_Bakerquis
New Contributor II
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9 Messages
10 years ago
It's the basic 4 tuner unit, ordered directly from TiVo last week.
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Becky
Moderator
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4.3K Messages
10 years ago
Since the transition to all-digital began, we've moved quite a few channels off of the SDV lineup. As a result, I no longer have an up-to-date copy of the SDV channel list. HBO HD is on channel 810 in our Oklahoma City area. Are you able to tune channel 811--HBO2 HD?
Needing a Tuning Adapter with a CableCARD truly depends on your channel subscription. For example, if you only subscribe to TV Essential and HBO, it's possible that HBO HD is not an SDV channel, but HBO2 HD and the other HBO channels are SDV. Since you mentioned Encore, you must also subscribe to the Movie Pak. Are you sure that all of the Movie Pak channels are working?
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wees41
Contributor II
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699 Messages
10 years ago
Becky does Cox plan to keep using SDV once all areas are all digital?
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Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
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2.8K Messages
10 years ago
I would also like a confirmation on this. From what I heard, they will still use it, but a lot less since bandwidth will be less of a issue.
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Ernst_Bakerquis
New Contributor II
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9 Messages
10 years ago
IMO, Cox should run screaming from SDV, apologize, and pretend it never happened.
Anytime you put something in-path, you increase the noise floor causing artifacts, and picture quality suffers.
With 4K sets becoming more common...my next set AND TiVo will be 4K capable...upscaling SDV gets ugly, literally. Even now, my main set is 'only' 1080p, but it's a THX certified and calibrated plasma set. I can see the difference.
Even my non-techie wife noticed the difference between the new bedroom Roamio without SDV and the old Premiere with.
Lastly, it would be nice to take the power hit and heat out of my equipment stacks.
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wees41
Contributor II
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699 Messages
10 years ago
or if they require SDV find a way to use the output on the tuning adapter instead of using a splitter
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Ernst_Bakerquis
New Contributor II
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9 Messages
10 years ago
I'm not getting Encore - 800 and Epix - 798. Also don't get a few non-movie channels like DIYHD - 777.
i thought about calling Support and having them init / pair the card again and verify package, but loathe to open a can of worms.
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Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
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2.8K Messages
10 years ago
What does it say when you go to those channels? If tempory off air, it could be some type of signal problem.
If not, try having them ONLY send a "pairing hit". This doesn't unpair/pair the cards, it just resends the info currently on file to the card again. Repairing causes problems because the data code is unique to each pairing, and a lot of representives don't know this, so they just unpair/repair, which leaves the data option blank.
Also, while your at it, have them checking the balancing/bucketing of the services assigned to the cablecard.
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Ernst_Bakerquis
New Contributor II
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9 Messages
10 years ago
I get the TiVo "Searching for signal - V52" and NOT V53 or anything else....
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ColleenD
Moderator
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1.7K Messages
10 years ago
I'm glad everything is working again. My apologies for you ever being told not to use the tuning adapter. As long as we have switched digital in use customers subscribed to services above Essential with a cable card will need a tuning adapter.
Have a wonderful holiday!
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