it is suppose to be 6.... but That is new stuff so..... it is my understanding that for pc cards like centon it can do 4 per card if the card is updated with newer firmware. in hd homeruns case cardlabs required on of the 4 streams for the newwork interface. is is my understanding that I can dedicate each tuner to a media center in the house.... or have all go to the main machine. And i am curious about the flags.... i understand the concept.... but all are set to copy once? except for hp primetimes?

I'm kind of going by memory but as I recall, 0x2 means copy once, 0x3 means copy never (you shouldn't see that) and 0X1 is copy freely.

So you would have to tune to the channel and see what the diagnostics say, but I can tell you that its TWC policy to tune EVERY digital channel, with the exception of your local channels to 0x2.

The reason for doing this is to prevent unauthorized copying. But here's where it doesn't make sense: You can freely copy USA, FX, ESPN or anything that's on their analog system. You can transfer from one device to another, for example if I want I can move my recordings either to another TiVo or to my computer. But the HD versions of these channels can only be copied to one device.

Now in my case I could record 2 copies of the same digital channel but I wouldn't be able to move them from my computer or back and forth from TiVo to TiVo. How your unit works, I don't know but those copy codes should work exactly like it does with my TiVo.

I don't know what local channels you get in PA but for me that's the only HD I can record. Now I'm not sure about the sub channels, I never look at them but I would think that since they are local they would be copy freely as well. But anything else on their digital tier, regardless of HD or SD is copy once.

When they started doing this I went to TWC main headquarters and pointed out that how much sense does it make to have a digital channel showing wrestling from the 1980's restricted. And why is it OK to record the analogs freely but not the same channel in HD (digital).

I was given a $20.00 credit for my inconvenience and told to have a good day. As it turns out now with the eSATA's available now at 2 or 3 tb's it's not as big of a deal as it was when it first started. We were restricted to a 250 gb hard drive and 500 gb eSata. So that's why I wanted the ability to move certain programs to my computer. There are also probably ways around it now, I'm just not that much into it anymore to care.

I'm wondering why you need internet tv if you have cable, satellite or OTA.
JJK

I have a pretty simple question but wanted to ask the experts. My brother just bought an Insignia 720p plasma that has a QAM tuner. He has the most basic (I think 18 channels) Time Warner cable hook up. He connected his cable directly to the set, hit auto scan but he is not seeing any of the local HD channels (3.1, 5.1 etc). When he enters 3.1 with his remote it goes to channel 4. So my question is should he be getting those channels even with the cheapest service or would TW be blocking those channels or something else. thanks for the help.

I'm going to ask: Did he assume they weren't there by the fact channel numbers 3.1, 5.1, etc.. didn't show up? It's very common for these channels to show up on random numbers like 151-2, 384-80, and other random locations. Would be worth scanning through what actually shows up digitally (XX-X channels) and see if they are there somewhere.

TWC also moves it's QAM channels from time to time. So if he tunes to a certain channel and it's no longer there, another scan may be necessary.

When I first got my TiVo S3 without cable cards essentially that created the same type of situation your brother has. I did like Vchat20 said but I distinctly remember that I couldn't locate FOX 8. I even asked for a current QAM list and was told what channel it was on yet I still couldn't tune it in.

I know from time to time some people have made listings in this Forum of current QAM channels. I think toby10 use to but to be honest everyone either has a DVR or uses a digital box these days.

If all else fails and toby10 doesn't see this post try sending him a pm and see what he can tell you.

Wish I could help, but my service is WOW not TWC. :(

I'm going to ask: Did he assume they weren't there by the fact channel numbers 3.1, 5.1, etc.. didn't show up? It's very common for these channels to show up on random numbers like 151-2, 384-80, and other random locations. Would be worth scanning through what actually shows up digitally (XX-X channels) and see if they are there somewhere.
thanks for the replies and I will pass this info on.

okay, so I guess I still need some info. My brother returned the Insignia and bought an LG plasma that did specify having a built-in HD tuner. Now he has Time Warner basic service and again after doing an auto scan none of the local HD stations are showing up. So my question is can you NOT get the local HD stations with TW's basic service? Do you have to step up to the standard service in order to have them show up? I have two lcd's hooked up directly to the cable (it is the standard service) and both displays have HD tuners and the local HD stations show up on both. It's still confusing since another brother has a Sharp display that is hooked up to TW basic service and he gets the local HD stations on his after scanning. Of course when my brother called TW and asked about why he couldn't get the local channels a SR told him he had to get a box and the HD tier. I told him that was BS, that he should be able to get the locals as long as his display has the HD tuner. So if anyone can clear this up and can offer some more advice he is tying to enjoy some HD after years of putting off getting a new display. thanks.

okay, so I guess I still need some info. My brother returned the Insignia and bought an LG plasma that did specify having a built-in HD tuner. Now he has Time Warner basic service and again after doing an auto scan none of the local HD stations are showing up. So my question is can you NOT get the local HD stations with TW's basic service? Do you have to step up to the standard service in order to have them show up? I have two lcd's hooked up directly to the cable (it is the standard service) and both displays have HD tuners and the local HD stations show up on both. It's still confusing since another brother has a Sharp display that is hooked up to TW basic service and he gets the local HD stations on his after scanning. Of course when my brother called TW and asked about why he couldn't get the local channels a SR told him he had to get a box and the HD tier. I told him that was BS, that he should be able to get the locals as long as his display has the HD tuner. So if anyone can clear this up and can offer some more advice he is tying to enjoy some HD after years of putting off getting a new display. thanks.

He lost a little in the translation of what the CSR said. CSR said he had to have digital service, not a HD tier. HD on TW is free. There is a separate digital tier with a few channels on it but the vast majority are free.

Now having said that to the best of my knowledge all you need to get the local HD channels was to have them clear in the QAM.

However I went a step further to get an answer. http://www.timewarnercable.com/neowpa/site.faqs/DigitalCab/HDTV/HDTVSet-to/My-TV-has-a-built-in-digital-T

You see that confirms that you should be able to get it when it's clear in the QAM. The CSR probably said what they were told to say or have learned from their co-workers. If you were to ask them "What about clear in the QAM?" I'm pretty sure they wouldn't know what you were talking about.

Edit: One other thing. Don't expect TWC to consider this their issue. They definitely won't, it will be your brothers issue. If he does get someone to understand what he's talking about they will say sorry, we can't help him with his television tuner.

Those with 8300 boxes in the north might notice an upgrade to ODN 3.0 tonight. Your box will reboot after being upgraded.

He lost a little in the translation of what the CSR said. CSR said he had to have digital service, not a HD tier. HD on TW is free. There is a separate digital tier with a few channels on it but the vast majority are free.

Now having said that to the best of my knowledge all you need to get the local HD channels was to have them clear in the QAM.

However I went a step further to get an answer. http://www.timewarnercable.com/neowpa/site.faqs/DigitalCab/HDTV/HDTVSet-to/My-TV-has-a-built-in-digital-T

You see that confirms that you should be able to get it when it's clear in the QAM. The CSR probably said what they were told to say or have learned from their co-workers. If you were to ask them "What about clear in the QAM?" I'm pretty sure they wouldn't know what you were talking about.

Edit: One other thing. Don't expect TWC to consider this their issue. They definitely won't, it will be your brothers issue. If he does get someone to understand what he's talking about they will say sorry, we can't help him with his television tuner.
thanks so much for clearing this up. I'll send him your info and hopefully it will help.

I have a pretty simple question but wanted to ask the experts. My brother just bought an Insignia 720p plasma that has a QAM tuner. He has the most basic (I think 18 channels) Time Warner cable hook up. He connected his cable directly to the set, hit auto scan but he is not seeing any of the local HD channels (3.1, 5.1 etc). When he enters 3.1 with his remote it goes to channel 4. So my question is should he be getting those channels even with the cheapest service or would TW be blocking those channels or something else. thanks for the help.

Some TVs have separate modes for scanning either OTA channels (ATSC/8VSB format) or Cable (QAM format). Make sure his set isn't configured to look for "antenna" channels only.

Cable CSR's have little (if any) training for QAM service so you will almost always get goofy or inaccurate info from them.

As Cathode suggests make sure he is properly selecting the correct input and settings for QAM.
Is he getting anything on these scans like the shopping & public access ch's? Or he is getting everything except the local HD's?

IIRC with a digital tuner available you should also be able to receive the music channels. So that's something else to look for. Now I"m not saying Paladia or VH! HD, just the digitial music channels that cable provides.

Just an update on this weird situation. My brother still can't get the local HD stations even after scanning on cable or antenna or whatever other setting is on the 42" 720p Insignia plasma. We confirmed that his new display has all three tuners but after scanning and going to channel list he is only showing 22 channels (when he scans set to cable he says it goes to 120 or so). So no matter what he does only those channels are showing up after a scan. I don
't know if this matters but he has been on TW old $8 a month plan for their most basic cable plan for a very long time so could that be the problem? Would they not include the clear channels for that plan or have a filter placed on his line. Anyway, it's all a bit strange to the point that I even suggested since he only wants those 12 or so channels to just get an antenna since FoolTV indicates he can get all those easily with one. So the beat goes on. thanks again.

Just an update on this weird situation. My brother still can't get the local HD stations even after scanning on cable or antenna or whatever other setting is on the 42" 720p Insignia plasma. We confirmed that his new display has all three tuners but after scanning and going to channel list he is only showing 22 channels (when he scans set to cable he says it goes to 120 or so). So no matter what he does only those channels are showing up after a scan. I don
't know if this matters but he has been on TW old $8 a month plan for their most basic cable plan for a very long time so could that be the problem? Would they not include the clear channels for that plan or have a filter placed on his line. Anyway, it's all a bit strange to the point that I even suggested since he only wants those 12 or so channels to just get an antenna since FoolTV indicates he can get all those easily with one. So the beat goes on. thanks again.

You likely have the upper frequencies trapped out if you only have lifeline basic, so this would explain the behavior. Regular basic and above would not have this issue. Your options would be to move to upgrade to a higher tier or use an antenna for the OTA HDs. If you're on the SW side of Cleveland you could probably get by with an indoor antenna (http://antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx).

You likely have the upper frequencies trapped out if you only have lifeline basic, so this would explain the behavior. Regular basic and above would not have this issue. Your options would be to move to upgrade to a higher tier or use an antenna for the OTA HDs. If you're on the SW side of Cleveland you could probably get by with an indoor antenna (http://antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx).
thanks for the update. I don't think he wants to upgrade his cable so maybe he'll opt for the antenna. I just feel bad for him since he finally broke down and got the new display only to have this happen after I told him he could at least have local HD with a new set, not realizing this was a possible scenario.

thanks for the update. I don't think he wants to upgrade his cable so maybe he'll opt for the antenna. I just feel bad for him since he finally broke down and got the new display only to have this happen after I told him he could at least have local HD with a new set, not realizing this was a possible scenario.

It really depends on where he is at in regards to several thing as to whether or not he's going to get a good signal.

Where I live I could only get about 5 channels via antenna. Now granted, I didn't have a good high quality antenna and it was an indoor antenna. But some of the channels, like FOX 8 still broadcast on VHF. Digital signals do not carry well on VHF.

Most of us are familiar with antennaweb.org and they do the best they can but as I said it sort of depends where you live. I'm about 40 minutes from Cleveland and I can't get squat, but someone in Akron probably can.

He's entitled to free HD television if he can receive it. If that doesn't work though he will have to get basic cable, not life line. If he does get a good signal he will be quite pleased I'm sure.

Now I'm not throwing you out of here, I'm just letting you know that if you need more assistance in regards to antennas and such there is another Cleveland forum on OTA that split off of this one. Good people over there, they will be more then willing to help you. Good luck.

I second the idea of just getting a good antenna for the HD locals, picture quality will often be better than on cable anyway.

I'm in SW Cleveland (Strongsville, almost into Columbia Station) and I use a very discreet outdoor antenna to pick up all Cleveland HD locals.

Poster Coldwar just posted a pic of his Winegard MS 2000 amplified omnidirectional saucer antenna (same one I use) in the Cleveland OTA forum:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1139546&page=73

thanks for the update. I don't think he wants to upgrade his cable so maybe he'll opt for the antenna. I just feel bad for him since he finally broke down and got the new display only to have this happen after I told him he could at least have local HD with a new set, not realizing this was a possible scenario.

Has he tried to punch in the HD channels directly? 3-1, 5-1, 8-1, etc. Just wondering.

Ben Music

Has he tried to punch in the HD channels directly? 3-1, 5-1, 8-1, etc. Just wondering.

Ben Music
Already been asked and answered.:)

Hello. My old SA8300HD is taken a dump. I'll be heading to an office to swap for a new one tomorrow. Is there any thing newer/better/higher capacity available then the old SA8300 I should be asking for?

I know this is really stupid but is he punching in 3-1 or 3.1?
JJK

Hello. My old SA8300HD is taken a dump. I'll be heading to an office to swap for a new one tomorrow. Is there any thing newer/better/higher capacity available then the old SA8300 I should be asking for?

What they have available may depend on where you live. There is a Samsung that they use now, and you certainly can ask for it but what you get is what they have available for you.

Most people seem to have pretty good luck getting what they want.

I'm sure you know they also offer a whole house DVR. More money, of course.

Im in Westlake. Hopefully they will have the Sammy when i trade in tomorrow.

I received an update on the Sa8300 last night. Anyone know if there are any new features? The only thing i can see is it looks like a different font when you fast-forward or rewind and if you hit guide twice it brings up a new menu called "select guide channels".

I've only heard one negative report about the Samsung and that member doesn't come around anymore. He also preferred SARA over Navigator. :rolleyes:

I really don't see what difference the machine you use matters. You'll still be running Navigator, and it will update just like yours did last night.

For some reason my Samsung pn50c550 plasma has never played right with the SA8300. I have to force 1080i resolution to the tv or the picture gets funky when resolutions change. Hopefully a Sammy box will play nicer. Plus the Sa8300 is an eye sore.

The reason im trading is the record light never goes off on the box, the remote dvr service never works, and the box freezes at least once a week.

No luck on the Samsung box. North Olmstead office gave me a sa8300hdc and a new remote ur5u-8780L both of which are absolute junk! The lag on the box is unbelievable. Push guide and 2-3 seconds later it comes up. The software is also different than my old 8300hd with fewer features.
The new remote has to be pointed directly at the box! If your off by a degree or two, nothing. Extremely annoying.

Anyone know how/where i can get the Samsung DVR?

These boxes have been out since 2007. I have paid for this thing 10 times over, you'd think i would be able to get the box i want or at least things that work.

No luck on the Samsung box. North Olmstead office gave me a sa8300hdc and a new remote ur5u-8780L both of which are absolute junk! The lag on the box is unbelievable. Push guide and 2-3 seconds later it comes up. The software is also different than my old 8300hd with fewer features.
The new remote has to be pointed directly at the box! If your off by a degree or two, nothing. Extremely annoying.

Anyone know how/where i can get the Samsung DVR?

These boxes have been out since 2007. I have paid for this thing 10 times over, you'd think i would be able to get the box i want or at least things that work.

:)

I'm not even certain you can use the Samsung Box in your area. I know that in the old "Native" TWC area they were available.

To the best of my knowledge the HDC is the "latest" TWC box. And yes, you could have paid for it several times over but remember that even if you did your average DVR probably goes 5 years IF you're lucky. That's why you rent, right?

Of course you could upgrade to their new whole house system. But don't expect anything new in DVR's, TWC is just going to recycle what they have. They probably are out of Samsung (if available) anyway.

TiVo's and other DVR's are available as well. I didn't get a TiVo just so I could have my own DVR, I thought the SA 8300 was a piece of garbage.

Well over bere in Bainbridge we are enjoying the luxury of a power outage and cable outage. Anybody else? I've been down on power for a couple of hours and cale went out around 6:30.

I do have a natural gas powered generator.

I think power just came on. Yep but still no internet. Modem is flashing like its on. Well thats back too. Nevermind.:)

I see they updated the software recently. Some features such as favorites have changed.

So i've had this SA8300 HD box for a few days now. For some reason i dont have all of the menu options I had with the standard 8300HD. Most importantly I have no audio options. I have my tv connected HDMI but my audio receiver is connected via digital coax. Before i had the option under audio settings to choose where to route the audio signal. HDMI, Dolby Digital, or PCM where the options. Now i have no way to send DD to my receiver. Is this a limitation of the box or a software issue? I have unplugged and rebooted to try and get an update or something to try and resolve the issue but that has lead nowhere. Any help is much appreciated.

So i've had this SA8300 HD box for a few days now. For some reason i dont have all of the menu options I had with the standard 8300HD. Most importantly I have no audio options. I have my tv connected HDMI but my audio receiver is connected via digital coax. Before i had the option under audio settings to choose where to route the audio signal. HDMI, Dolby Digital, or PCM where the options. Now i have no way to send DD to my receiver. Is this a limitation of the box or a software issue? I have unplugged and rebooted to try and get an update or something to try and resolve the issue but that has lead nowhere. Any help is much appreciated.

I'm pretty sure that setting is there. I remember seeing it there, there is no way they would not have it on the SA8300 HDC. Go through your settings again and don't look for sound, look for something like Audio and see if it's on Coax. If it is you should be able to just press the up button and it will switch.

Now if you had an SA8000, that was the one before that then that option wouldn't be available. But the first SA8300 definitely had it. I'm sure the HDC does too.

This is something that a CSR can step you through. If you can't find it give them a call. It's got to be there.

If memory serves, and I don't know if it's changes since I've been with TW, but the HDC boxes have a completely extra menu for some box specific settings compared to the non-HDC boxes where it was all combined into the main Navigator settings menu. I wanna say to get to it you hit the settings button and then hit the 'A' button on the remote (should say on the screen somewhere?)

Another thing to keep in mind is I seem to recall the HDC boxes were bad about retaining settings specifically when it came to running HDMI and audio separate over optical/coax. It would revert to HDMI after soft-cycling the box. Once again, been a while and I'm fuzzy on all of it.

Thanks guys. I finally found it. Its under quick settings - devices for some reason. You will find the audio coding, audio d-range, and volume controll in this menu.

Since the software update last week I've had to reboot my 8300 box twice and it has rebooted on it own after locking up at least 3 times.
Nice

Since the software update last week I've had to reboot my 8300 box twice and it has rebooted on it own after locking up at least 3 times.
Nice

I remember one of the things I use to try to do with mine to get it working right was like a reset or a format. It didn't actually remove any recordings. but it cleaned things up, supposedly. I never could get it working right, I went through 3 of them and they all did the same thing. Miss recordings for no reason.

Anyway there is a page in the DVR section on the front of the forum where on page one they go through a lot of basic procedures. You may want to look at that.

It looks like I received some sort of software upgrade to my boxes in the Canton, OH area. Does anyone know what it was for or what it entailed? I couldnt find any info on it and this is the first I have heard of the upgrade. I am not sure if I am a fan of it. Seems like the guide goes to SD when you bring it up or my TV is fooled by the guide and tries resizing it. Also, when you cancel a show recording, the box to do so seems to fall off the bottom of the TV. Weird
Thanks for any info you could provide!

mgd

Another power cycle this morning. I get up and like only 1 channel works, the rest are blank.

Does anyone else hate the new TW Navigator update as much as I do? The screens look like they were designed by a 6 year old, you now need multiple clicks just to get out of the guide, and the worst is how they screwed up the Scheduled Recordings list. It seems that you can't just easily delete shows like you always could before. I've spent the last half hour trying to delete Terra Nova and Homeland (set up as Series), but Navigator keeps them in the list and changes the recording date instead of deleting them. It insists on recording Terra Nova tonite, when it is a rerun from earlier in the week. What a pain!

Anyone have any ideas on how to live with this mess?

Absolutely. Get rid of it and get a TiVo. :)

With TiVo you can set it up for first run only and there is a "28 day" rule. That means that if the same episode shows up on a season pass anytime after 28 days it won't record it. You can also tell it to skip a recording without canceling the season pass.

Now I'm pretty sure you can do the same thing with Navigator as far as setting up first run programs, but I have no idea why you wouldn't be able to cancel it.

My guess is that maybe it doesn't delete it immediately. The other guess I have as to why Terra Nova would show up when you already recorded it is that it's getting bad guide data from whomever is providing it.

Even my great TiVo has that happen once in a while. You'll see it is going to record a show that isn't suppose to be recorded. Usually it's because either the episode number is missing or it has a generic description of the show, not the description of the episode. However usually TiVo catches that and cancels the recording before it gets to it.

Truth is if you want better performance from a DVR you may have to pay extra for it. I haven't looked for a while but I'd try to find something that uses tru2way in a DVR if there is one available. They are obligated to allow you to use your own DVR if you choose.

Does anyone else hate the new TW Navigator update as much as I do? The screens look like they were designed by a 6 year old, you now need multiple clicks just to get out of the guide, and the worst is how they screwed up the Scheduled Recordings list. It seems that you can't just easily delete shows like you always could before. I've spent the last half hour trying to delete Terra Nova and Homeland (set up as Series), but Navigator keeps them in the list and changes the recording date instead of deleting them. It insists on recording Terra Nova tonite, when it is a rerun from earlier in the week. What a pain!

Anyone have any ideas on how to live with this mess?

Press "List" on the remote, then go to "Series Manager" on the menu list at the bottom of the screen, then select the series that you want to delete or make changes to.

Press "List" on the remote, then go to "Series Manager" on the menu list at the bottom of the screen, then select the series that you want to delete or make changes to.

I finally did have to go into the series list and delete it there. It still didn't cancel Terra Nova until I went in again and deleted it separately.

Now I see I also have an issue with picture size on 2 of my my TVs. I always had the DVR in Stretch mode before, but now it is cutting off the scrolls on TBS for the playoff games. If I change it to normal, it looks OK. But then non-HD programs don't fill the screen. My 3rd TV is also on stretch, but it still looks OK. Can anyone suggest proper settings? Why would picture size change with a revised Navigator?

I finally did have to go into the series list and delete it there. It still didn't cancel Terra Nova until I went in again and deleted it separately.

Now I see I also have an issue with picture size on 2 of my my TVs. I always had the DVR in Stretch mode before, but now it is cutting off the scrolls on TBS for the playoff games. If I change it to normal, it looks OK. But then non-HD programs don't fill the screen. My 3rd TV is also on stretch, but it still looks OK. Can anyone suggest proper settings? Why would picture size change with a revised Navigator?

This use to be done in set up. You are using the buttons on your TW remote to stretch it. That's not how HD is done.

Setup Wizard. UG-3 Instructions for Advanced Setup Wizard to choose TV type and resolutions, done after the box has received it's initial download from your cableco.
Using Power button on unit (not remote), turn off power, then press both GUIDE/INFO at same time.
Choose Easy or Advanced setup - Easy selects 1080i output only - Advanced provides options for TV type (4x3 or 16x9) and user selected outputs.
Follow instructions on the screen. Read instructions carefully. If screen goes blank, it is trying to display a resolution not supported by TV - disable resolution.

Everything you need to know about how to work your DVR is here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=471859.

That should get you straightened out.

Anyone else getting audio-only on the History International / H2 channel (1136)?

Believe it has been this way for a few days.

TiVo user if that makes a difference.

I'm just putting this up here for anybody who may have thought about TiVo. I don't think you can possibly get one cheaper then this, but they do lock you into a whopping $20.00 a month.

I'm not biting, I have lifetime service, it only offers 25 hours more HD record time then my current TiVo's and I have eSATA's on both of them.

But if you want hulu plus, netflix, 1080p, then you might be interested. 1 day only.

http://www3.tivo.com/promo/cascade/cfdypd.html?WT.mc_id=EM6031

Your forgot to mention that you have to have a subscription to hulu plus and netflix so that's roughly another $20 a month for both. Plus the cost of the Cable card and tuning adapter.

Your forgot to mention that you have to have a subscription to hulu plus and netflix so that's roughly another $20 a month for both. Plus the cost of the Cable card and tuning adapter.

lol, I didn't forget to mention it, I just thought everyone knew that. Of course netflix, Amazon, all that stuff you see is extra. The only thing that isn't would be YouTube and I think Pandora is free, I'm not certain. But you can't access any of that with any TW DVR, including their new whole house one. This just gives you access to these things on your television. That and it does 1080p.

Like I said it's a good deal if you want TiVo. You can always negotiate a lifetime service with them, thats what I did.

Tuner adapter is free. Cable card is $5.00.

TiVo is a luxury. it's not for someone who has a tight budget, no doubt. And you have to be willing to lose a lot of TWC features like On Demand. I just was passing along word since it's a 1 day deal, nothing more.

Pandora has an ad supported free service and is limited to 40 streaming hours per month.
Paid Pandora has no commercials and is unlimited streaming, also offers higher bitrate streams.
I presume Tivo is like any other device and allows access to the free Pandora service.

BTW & OT: Napster is going away being absorbed (purchased by) Rhapsody.

Pandora has an ad supported free service and is limited to 40 streaming hours per month.
Paid Pandora has no commercials and is unlimited streaming, also offers higher bitrate streams.
I presume Tivo is like any other device and allows access to the free Pandora service.

BTW & OT: Napster is going away being absorbed (purchased by) Rhapsody.

40 hour limit is gone

40 hour limit is gone

Great news! Thanks :)

I finally did have to go into the series list and delete it there. It still didn't cancel Terra Nova until I went in again and deleted it separately.

Now I see I also have an issue with picture size on 2 of my my TVs. I always had the DVR in Stretch mode before, but now it is cutting off the scrolls on TBS for the playoff games. If I change it to normal, it looks OK. But then non-HD programs don't fill the screen. My 3rd TV is also on stretch, but it still looks OK. Can anyone suggest proper settings? Why would picture size change with a revised Navigator?

Now I'm also having issues with the DVR needing to be rebooted fairly often and the closed captioning hardly works at all. Is no one else having any issues since the Navigator latest release?

I reported the same thing a few weeks ago after the last update.
I typically have to reboot the dvr every few days. Besides locking up at times it cant go to any of the channels or sometimes will only go to 1 or 2 channels and the rest are blank.
Seems to occur most often late night and I have lost recordings due to the problem.

I reported the same thing a few weeks ago after the last update.
I typically have to reboot the dvr every few days. Besides locking up at times it cant go to any of the channels or sometimes will only go to 1 or 2 channels and the rest are blank.
Seems to occur most often late night and I have lost recordings due to the problem.

Exactly what I'm experiencing! All of sudden, I only can see a couple locals, and the rest are just blank. Very strange. A reboot is then necessary. It happened again last nite, and I also lost recordings. Glad I'm not alone with this. Way to go, TW!

First, I'll assume both of you have actual HD televisions. Now if you have an HD television and you have it set on the basic 1080i setting, then you will have panels on both sides of the non had programming. If you use the stretch on the remote it will stretch the HD picture beyond the parameter of the HD picture. This will only happen if you use the stretch on the HD. So you need to put the picture back at the normal setting when watching HD.

Really it shouldn't happen at all, my TiVo will not stretch any HD, it knows that's the proper size without me telling it. But I've seen the SA 8300 and I know it does this.

Now this is why I gave you the instructions on setting up HD. That way when you are watching an HD channel you with HD programming you will see it as it is meant to be seen.

If you're watching a SD channel, be it digital or analog then you can set your DVR to show that picture on the proper setting on your television, however you may also have to do the same thing with your television to make it work properly. Depends on the television.

If this was working all fine before you got the update and you have gone through set up again and checked both the television and the DVR, I don't know. I do know that you do not stretch your picture when you are on TBS HD. That will distort the picture and put the logo where you can't see it.

Now as far as these other issues about not having a picture in the instructions I copied it said this: Read instructions carefully. If screen goes blank, it is trying to display a resolution not supported by TV - disable resolution.

I'm just going back over the basics here and maybe you're saying yeah, we know all that. If that's the case I can't give you any further help on picture.

A DVR that reboots frequently is usually the sign of either a hard drive that's going bad or a bad power supply. You may have to return it again. As far as night time goes, there might be something to that. Maybe they are making adjustments or doing something at TWC. I don't know. I do know that SDV can cause some issues on my TiVo from time to time. However that's like talking apples and oranges.

My guess with the reboots is with all these old DVR's they got out there it's probably hard drives going out. I have no idea how closely they check these things when someone turns it in.

In any case an update shouldn't be causing all these problems. I'm sorry if I wasn't much help.

One bit of a warning: If you have TWC come out to look at the issue ask if they will charge you something for coming out. They are slipping in $9.95 house visits now and not informing people. If you catch it you can say something and they will take it off, but ask first in case they stop doing that. Comcrap will charge you the same thing if they come out and they don't find anything wrong with your cable. They all are making money anyway they can.

My TV displays all resolutions 480,720 and 1080
I had no problems at all until a few weeks ago when the most recent update came through. This update also changed some of the menus and functions and added the favorites menu to the channels display.
Its not a display problem, its like the DVR refuses to decode various channels until a reboot.

Well, maybe Cathode Kid knows what's going on, he's got all the info on all this stuff. :)

I have been all kinds of problems recently with pixilation and stuttering on HD channels. Also, my DVR has been stuttering during almost every recording. Makes watching anything super annoying. I have a 8300HD connected via HDMI to the tv.

I rarely watch live television unless it's the news or sports. I did notice some problems on TBSHD but this was a complete drop off of the picture and sound. I checked other channels and they were fine and after about two minutes it was back up.

But I haven't had issues with recordings, at least nothing worth mentioning. If there is Sunspot activity going on that's usually the cause.

It could be a variety of things. If it's cable then it may be that you are either running hot or not getting enough signal. TWC can fix that. It could be the DVR I suppose too.

You can try getting another DVR or have them do a service call if it doesn't improve.

I have been all kinds of problems recently with pixilation and stuttering on HD channels. Also, my DVR has been stuttering during almost every recording. Makes watching anything super annoying. I have a 8300HD connected via HDMI to the tv.

Right off the bat, try removing the HDMI cable and using YPbPr analog. This will isolate whether the stuttering is happening at the input or output of the box. HDMI has it's own set of issues so it's good to isolate it from the equation. If it still stutters using analog, chances are that your signal is either too hot, too low or distorted. TWC can read your signal levels remotely so it only takes a phone call to have this checked.

Not too familiar with the latest firmware push.

Also sun outage activity ran from October 1st to about October 10th and occurs between around noon - 5:15pm. Sun outages happen every spring and fall and are related to position of sun, earth and satellite dish. Sun spots and CMEs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronal_mass_ejection) are different and can happen anytime, but they usually affect radio comms and power lines.

Right off the bat, try removing the HDMI cable and using YPbPr analog. This will isolate whether the stuttering is happening at the input or output of the box. HDMI has it's own set of issues so it's good to isolate it from the equation. If it still stutters using analog, chances are that your signal is either too hot, too low or distorted. TWC can read your signal levels remotely so it only takes a phone call to have this checked.

Not too familiar with the latest firmware push.

Also sun outage activity ran from October 1st to about October 10th and occurs between around noon - 5:15pm. Sun outages happen every spring and fall and are related to position of sun, earth and satellite dish. Sun spots and CMEs (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronal_mass_ejection) are different and can happen anytime, but they usually affect radio comms and power lines.

Picky picky picky. Sunsposts, sun outages, it has to do with the sun.

Please excuse my lower comprehension on such hi-tech matters, most knowledgeable one.

I'll bet a hundred dollars it's not the HDMI but it's a good idea to test with component cable just to make sure. That's what most of us not so hi-tech common folk refer to YPbPr as. ;)

Hi everybody:

Just wanted to invite you all to check out the new (3 weeks old) Cleveland Classic Media Messageboard;;

http://clevelandmedia.boardhost.com/index.php

Not a lot of activity as yet..This board is related to my Cleveland Classic Media Blog..I have several forums going, including General TV/Radio talk, either vintage or recent..We also talk about recent stories about media as well..

There's also forums for every full-power station in the Cleveland Market, and a place to talk about former stations..

Been wanting to do this for awhile, but more people would make it more fun..

Two things:

1. Just follow the instructions to join..To avoid spam from the outset, I will approve all new members..

2. Any technical TV questions, reception, etc..will be referred to this thread and the Cleveland/OTA Thread at avsforum.com..

Thanks..

TWC has once again increased the price for their services. This time it has come in the form of HBO going from $12 to $14.oo and then they have rolled several of my services into a packadge. Bottom line, my cable bill went up over 8.00.

Something to think about. They said to me that you were informed of this on your last statement, but the wording wasn't cleara all.

So ceck you bills TWC people. Tells us about your price increase.

Anybody else having trouble with "Series Manager" and NBC shows?

For the past couple weeks my NBC shows that I have set to record have not been scheduled by the DVR.
I've had to manually schedule episodes to record. Specifically it has been "The Office" and "Parenthood."

I double checked. Set to record as follows:
New episodes
All showings
Keep up to 5 episodes

I checked and I have plenty of room (approx 50%) of available space.
I have no conflicts.
These shows are at top of priority list.
I'm not at the limit of shows to keep.

Other shows on ALL others networks are recording fine.

The episodes have been NEW and the guide even says they are NEW in the description.

Been having a lot of trouble lately with TW with having to reboot my boxes. Most of the channels just disappear with blank screens all of a sudden. Once I reboot, things are OK for a couple days. It started after their last update about a month ago.

Anyone else going thru this?

I have started to switch back to Time warner because of costs of the switchback program which I am told my price WILL NOT go over 130 a month over the next three years for tv and internet, which is amazing to me...anyways I have had zero problems (its only been two weeks I know) and have really really enjoyed the new time warner ( I have been gone for 3-4 years) The look back and Start over programs are working very well and are life savers for people with newborns or kids in general as we always seem to miss some of prime time! I will write more later but I wanted to throw that out there now.

Been having a lot of trouble lately with TW with having to reboot my boxes. Most of the channels just disappear with blank screens all of a sudden. Once I reboot, things are OK for a couple days. It started after their last update about a month ago.

Anyone else going thru this?

My 8300 DVR has been a mess for a few weeks now. We lost many of the series recordings that have been in the box for awhile now and we still have trouble recording when we reprogram the series. I have had this problem in the past with firmware upgrades but this seems more chronic than in the past. I am going to try swapping the box out next. The problem has not affected me much since practically all the shows I had been recording are in the Prime Time On Demand channel selections so I can get to them the next day.

I'm in Mentor,

Ray

Horrible performance on my TW box in the Macedonia area.

Recorded Glee, while watching the recording there was a scene that the macro blocking got so bad that the entire box froze and nothing worked. tried again and exact same spot froze. Pulled the power again and had to fast forward through that part of the show to get it to work.

I have noticed that a lot of recording at night now are getting lots of blocking, stuttering, and freezes, really ruining the shows. In addition, randomly a show will not record. No rhyme or reason. Just suddenly doesn't record something and there are no conflicts in the listing.

Getting so fed up, but my neighbor has satellite and he has nothing but problems in our area, they are out all the time, so hesitant to switch.

Does TW finally have a new box over this old gray (8300 I think it is)?

WilliamR, Satellite television is so much better then cable there is really no comparison. If your neighbor was having issues it could be due to solar activity, which would also explain your issue during whatever recording you may have been making.

You do get a bit of rain fade but that's only from a real heavy storm. If he's having issues all the time then maybe he needs to get his dish adjusted. Heavy winds and such can cause these thing to move a bit.

As far as DVR goes, we've discussed that many times. Please take the time to read a few pages back.

Well, at least part of my house had a failure. It appears that on my set in the birds room where there are no boxes and TV is hooked up directly to the cable the message went off without a hitch, however my set where the TiVo is hooked up to the big screen got nothing but a grey screen. No message or sound, not even Lady Gaga.;)

I happened to be on CNNHD when the test occurred, which meant I was on an SDV channel. When the test concluded and programming resumed I heard the tone the my DVR makes when you are searching for something and it finds it. That was sort of odd.

So I'm kind of wondering how other boxes and DVR's did. Was anyone around that had a box or a DVR and what was your experience?

I think it's almost funny that as many years that we've had this, going back to when it was the Emergency Broadcast System this is the first time anyone tried to use it on a national level.

WilliamR, Satellite television is so much better then cable there is really no comparison. If your neighbor was having issues it could be due to solar activity, which would also explain your issue during whatever recording you may have been making.

You do get a bit of rain fade but that's only from a real heavy storm. If he's having issues all the time then maybe he needs to get his dish adjusted. Heavy winds and such can cause these thing to move a bit.

As far as DVR goes, we've discussed that many times. Please take the time to read a few pages back.

They came out and replaced his dish with a larger dark grey version. Then they have been out twice since with a large ladder on the side of his house.

My parents had satellite last year and the tech had to come out monthly, they always lost picture quality and it was always blamed on rain. We get some serious storms around here. Not sure if the location wasn't idea (picked up the wind) but they got so frustrated they took it out and switched back.

Makes me nervous, I can't take off work that often to wait for a tech to come out but my cable performance makes me want to smash something, I'm getting sooo fed up with this crap.

The latest update totally boned up my SA8300 box. Almost unusable. Misses recordings or gets partials with lots of dropouts.
And yes they are raising our rates again.

Well, at least part of my house had a failure. It appears that on my set in the birds room where there are no boxes and TV is hooked up directly to the cable the message went off without a hitch, however my set where the TiVo is hooked up to the big screen got nothing but a grey screen. No message or sound, not even Lady Gaga.;)

I happened to be on CNNHD when the test occurred, which meant I was on an SDV channel. When the test concluded and programming resumed I heard the tone the my DVR makes when you are searching for something and it finds it. That was sort of odd.

So I'm kind of wondering how other boxes and DVR's did. Was anyone around that had a box or a DVR and what was your experience?

I think it's almost funny that as many years that we've had this, going back to when it was the Emergency Broadcast System this is the first time anyone tried to use it on a national level.


I got home after 11pm last night, took a shower and went to bed. My bedroom TV was stuck on channel 8. I rebooted, pulled plug, and went to bed so I'm not sure if its back or not. There was some emergengy banner moving around the screen when I first turned it on. I could turn the box on and off but notheing else would work.

Ray

So I'm kind of wondering how other boxes and DVR's did. Was anyone around that had a box or a DVR and what was your experience?

I think it's almost funny that as many years that we've had this, going back to when it was the Emergency Broadcast System this is the first time anyone tried to use it on a national level.

The 8300 HD box on Time Warner was on HD channel 1005. When the test started the box automatically switched to channel 100 and stayed there.

They came out and replaced his dish with a larger dark grey version. Then they have been out twice since with a large ladder on the side of his house.

My parents had satellite last year and the tech had to come out monthly, they always lost picture quality and it was always blamed on rain. We get some serious storms around here. Not sure if the location wasn't idea (picked up the wind) but they got so frustrated they took it out and switched back.

Makes me nervous, I can't take off work that often to wait for a tech to come out but my cable performance makes me want to smash something, I'm getting sooo fed up with this crap.

I lived in Northern Kentucky near Cincinnati when I had Direct TV and I think that the severe weather we had down there happens more frequently. At the time I didn't have HD, and I had a real sweet set up. I complained that I couldn't get OTA channels with an antenna and they didn't do locals. So they gave me feeds from New York and Los Angeles.

When they got around to giving us the locals they let me keep my other feeds. So while I didn't have the NFL package I did get Jets, Giants, Bengals and Raiders. Sometimes in L.A. they would show either St. Louis (Rams) or San Diego.

Saturday the Ohio State game was on Big 10. It was my birthday so I went to a local establishment and they had a channel unavailable message on all 3 Big 10 channels. Customers were walking out the door left and right, it was a shame.

When I got home I noticed my tuner adapter had the 8 blink thing which means it was in brick mode. 2 days prior to that I had the same thing happen with my other tuner adapter (used with TiVo's) and I called Cable Card Support. They use to work with me and send me a hit and that would fix it. Not anymore. They say they only have 2 people working that desk and we are not suppose to call directly. I know that but I had tried calling TW and I was on hold 20 minutes.

So the guy at Cable Card Support said "the issue regarding the brick mode has been fixed. If you can't get the light to stop flashing then we will have to set up a truck roll." He also said, "I'm looking at your tuner adapter and it looks connected to me. You are probably only seeing 6 blinks and a pause."

I was pretty p.o'd at that time so I asked the jerk if he thought I couldn't count and hung up.

TWC has a lot of issues, that's why I say if I could I'd go to satellite in a heartbeat.

I finally sent an email to my contact and once again she fixed it for me. Ridiculous.

The 8300 HD box on Time Warner was on HD channel 1005. When the test started the box automatically switched to channel 100 and stayed there.

I'd say that was a #fail. What if you were recording? I would have had 30 seconds of dead air, that's all.

And I'll bet they aren't even aware of how it worked on TiVo's anyway.

Oh, and to continue with my rant about cable card support when this guy gave me his sob story about only 2 people working that desk nationally (that's true) I said well, if you're that busy how come you picked up on the first ring? He acted like I didn't say anything and kept talking, and I said "look, I pushed the button for a call back about your experience so why don't you cut the crap and lets get this fixed." He changed his attitude but still wouldn't send me out a hit.

I happened to be on CNNHD when the test occurred, which meant I was on an SDV channel. When the test concluded and programming resumed I heard the tone the my DVR makes when you are searching for something and it finds it. That was sort of odd.

That's because the STB gets a force-tune command to go to the EAS channel for the alert. When the event is over, your STB goes back to the channel it was viewing previously. This is completely different from the way that analog cable-ready alerts work.

The goal of EAS testing isn't to show the public how well it works; the purpose is to identify the gaps and correct them for the next time. This was the first time in my recollection that a national test was attempted. The results were interesting and enlightening.

The goal of EAS testing isn't to show the public how well it works; the purpose is to identify the gaps and correct them for the next time. This was the first time in my recollection that a national test was attempted. The results were interesting and enlightening.

That's what I said, it was the first time they ever tried it nationally. What I find interesting is considering how long this system (EAS) and it's prior version (EBS) have been around since I was a child, well over 50 years that this was the first test. Now granted EBS was for analog television and radio. Communications are much more complicated today but the idea of no one testing it on a national level prior to this is pretty astounding.

Since this was the first test I'm not surprised that it didn't work that well. It will be interesting to see when they try it again.

I'm having trouble with my wonderful?? TM DVR recording Bruce Drennan on STO. I've tried 21, 308, and 1308. It shows it's recording, but it's blank when I try to play it. I also get a message that recording is not allowed??? Anyone else having problems?

I'm having trouble with my wonderful?? TM DVR recording Bruce Drennan on STO. I've tried 21, 308, and 1308. It shows it's recording, but it's blank when I try to play it. I also get a message that recording is not allowed??? Anyone else having problems?

I have a couple of minutes so I went there to 1308 and pressed record on my TiVo. It started recording. Went to my now playing list a minute later, pressed play and it was recording just fine.

Edit: I did not insert the link to tivo. It must be built into the software of the forum now.

And now it's gone! How strange.

I keep getting an issue where when I switch back to the cable input on my TV (from being on another input), I can only see the last channel the cable box was on. Whatever channel I turn it to I get no picture or sound, but I do get the name of the show, the channel number, the description, etc. Guide works, list works, etc. but no picture or sound regardless of the channel. I turn it off and on, same thing, I have to unplug it. Happens often.

I keep getting an issue where when I switch back to the cable input on my TV (from being on another input), I can only see the last channel the cable box was on. Whatever channel I turn it to I get no picture or sound, but I do get the name of the show, the channel number, the description, etc. Guide works, list works, etc. but no picture or sound regardless of the channel. I turn it off and on, same thing, I have to unplug it. Happens often.

Are you using the HDMI connections for the TV inputs? If so you may have an HDMI handshake issue with the TV or cable box. Next time it happens try recycling the TV if you are using the HDMI connections and see it that straightens it out. If not it looks like its time to swap out the box.

Ray

I think he is having the issue I have had with my 8300 ever since the last software update about a month ago. The only solution I have found is to power cycle the cable box.

HDMI is evil. In theory, it could be a good thing, but I have not yet found an implementation that doesn't have some sort of problem.

I find it very funny that "reboot your TV" is an acceptable remedy. Haven't we gotten past the days of Windows 1001 BC when you had to reboot your PC after changing the desktop background color?

Although short in days, this has been a long week. Sorry about the rant.

HDMI is evil. In theory, it could be a good thing, but I have not yet found an implementation that doesn't have some sort of problem.

I find it very funny that "reboot your TV" is an acceptable remedy. Haven't we gotten past the days of Windows 1001 BC when you had to reboot your PC after changing the desktop background color?

Although short in days, this has been a long week. Sorry about the rant.

HDMI is evil? Well, maybe when you use the crap that TWC gives you. Get a quality DVR or even a PC and you won't have that issue.

Back in the days when I used the SA8300 I used HDMI and to the best of my knowledge that was not responsible for it's failure to simply record programs. I even tried component cable and I still had the same issue.

Now their regular digital boxes, they worked just fine. I believe HDMI was available on that as well.

There is nothing wrong about HDMI. Beat the hell out of DVI and component IMHO.

So I could keep TW if I want, and then just purchase a Tivo, correct? Or am I missing something?

So I could keep TW if I want, and then just purchase a Tivo, correct? Or am I missing something?

Well, it's not quite that simple. First, TiVo requires a cable card. That would be $5.00 more a month. Then you have to pay for TiVo service, which can run $20.00 a month. However you might be able to purchase lifetime service, that means you would pay around $200.00 and your TiVo service would be paid.

I said "might" be able to. Usually the best way to do this is to purchase a TiVo from TiVo. When you are talking to them tell them that either you get the lifetime service or you're not buying.

The other thing about TiVo is you will need a tuner adapter. The good news about that is it's free. You have to go to their website to order one.

Now the downside of it is that you cannot get pay per view or on demand. TiVo however does give you access to the internet to things like Amazon and Netflix for streaming. Also TiVo has access for You Tube and Pandora.

If you are a big DVR user like I am and you don't mind not having on demand then you might be right for a TiVo. There are other DVR's out there as well but I really don't know anything about them I just know that TiVo's picture quality and reliability far exceed my experiences with the SA 8300.

There are other advantage as well like wish list. TiVo will look for a program, movie, actor, director...whatever you may want. If you like concerts you can set it up for that. Very versatile.

I should also mention that TWC does have their "Whole Home" DVR. I don't know anything about that other then you can use one DVR to play on multiple sets and record up to 4 programs at a time.

My wife DVR's Young and The Restless/Bold And the Beautiful every weekday from 12:30-2..A Green Icon shows up on the list of recordings beside these shows on the SA 8300HDC..We're wondering what it means.

TWC has once again increased the price for their services. This time it has come in the form of HBO going from $12 to $14.oo and then they have rolled several of my services into a packadge. Bottom line, my cable bill went up over 8.00.

Something to think about. They said to me that you were informed of this on your last statement, but the wording wasn't cleara all.

So ceck you bills TWC people. Tells us about your price increase.

Up $15.00 since last month. No premium channels, just Digital Cable, HD DVR, and Internet.

Just came back to Time Warner after a long absence and was pleasantly surprised by the very good customer service I got (left partly because I was fed up with it!) Installation went quickly with the longer part waiting for the Cablecards to be properly set up. Great job by the installer to deal with all of it. Called today to make changes and spoke to a VERY pleasant CSR.

Here's the problem: I added the variety pack (I missed this on my original order). At this point, the stations aren't coming in yet. Should I assume that I need to call again? I'm using TiVo with cablecards and tuning adapters. I'm getting the other channels with no problem, so it's the new channels for sure that are missing.

Moot point! Channels are now showing up...

Moot point! Channels are now showing up...

Good. That shouldn't have been an issue.

I'm surprised that you didn't have to jump hoops to get a tuning adapter. Last person I saw had all kinds of issues.

Only have one so far, even though I ordered 2. I will give it a day or so before I start pushing.

I can't complain when my bill comes in the next month $25.00 less then the previous month. And I'm not going to call for an explanation but here's what I saw this month.

For some reason TWC gave me a $9.95 credit on turbo road runner last month. I wasn't billed twice so I don't know why they did that but I'll take it. This month turbo road runner was on the bill but the charge was 0.00. Lower taxes and fees and I'm paying $25.00 less this month then last month.

Go figure. If anyone else sees a drop similar let me know.

Finally have my 2nd tuning adapter and all is good.

We had a update last night in the Elyria area, now I have channels not coming in, "try again later" and freezing.
I have call it in to Time Warner.

Same thing with my DVR in North Ridgeville. The firmware update that was pushed out this morning is a mess!

Got the update in Amherst too. No problems so far.... What are the changes, as I don't notice anything different?

Hook or any other cable card subscribers:

Can a TiVo user subscribe to a sports package like MLB or nba?

Thanks!

Yes, absolutely. Just make sure that when they set up the billing its to your cable card (s) not the tuner adapter. That caused me a lot of headaches this year. Previous years it was never a problem.

TW has a new URL for channel change info:
http://www.timewarnercable.com/Midwest/support/policies/channelchange.html

Anyone know if RSNX is just an overflow channel or is it going to be the TWC Sports channel?

Anyone having problems with ESPN tonight?

Time Warner is running commercials that access to HBO Go will be available in mid-January.

Time Warner is running commercials that access to HBO Go will be available in mid-January.

About time. Not that it matters to me, I don't use my iPad for anything but wifi in the house. But everyone else had it.

Now here's what's weird. I thought HBO was owned by Time Warner. At least they use to be, I remember when every "New" Saturday movies was always a 20th Century Fox film. Also owned by TW. So why the delay?

Now here's what's weird. I thought HBO was owned by Time Warner. At least they use to be, I remember when every "New" Saturday movies was always a 20th Century Fox film. Also owned by TW. So why the delay?

Time Warner Cable was split off as a separate company nearly three years ago.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Warner_Cable

Originally controlled by Time Warner, that company spun out the cable operations in March 2009 as part of a larger restructuring. Since then, Time Warner Cable has been an entirely independent company, merely continuing to use the Time Warner and Road Runner brands under license. Time Warner Cable does own several local news and sports channels, but it no longer has any corporate affiliation with national cable channels such as CNN or HBO, which remain the property of the original Time Warner.

I'm getting an increasing number of missed recordings on my TW 8300HD. All the log says is Setup was Unable to Record. Anyone else seeing this problem?

I'm getting an increasing number of missed recordings on my TW 8300HD. All the log says is Setup was Unable to Record. Anyone else seeing this problem?

My 8300 box was missing recordings and also had some bad "reception" problems on several local channels so I finnaly swapped it out while home over the holidays. I have a Cisco 8650? DVR now that seems to work fine.

Ray

I'm getting an increasing number of missed recordings on my TW 8300HD. All the log says is Setup was Unable to Record. Anyone else seeing this problem?

My 8300 box was missing recordings and also had some bad "reception" problems on several local channels so I finnaly swapped it out while home over the holidays. I have a Cisco 8650? DVR now that seems to work fine.

Ray

Saw it so often that I spent a thousand dollars on a TiVo. They are much cheaper now, but I had 3 of those DVR's and all 3 did the same thing.

Just like everyone else, I feel the pinch of costs. My wife who is actually home today also has an apartment in Virginia because that's where her job is. The building she lives in had a rate increase and they raised her rent to 1385.00 from 1185.00 Well, things in that area go by a market basis and by waiting a bit she was able to get a rate of 1260.00. Still, another expense.

So MLB Extra Innings is out for me this year and I also decided, sadly, to drop HBO and Showtime. That's 25.00 a month. So when I called the CSR said didn't sound like I really wanted to do it, I said no, I didn't but I have to. Then she fiddled around a bit and said, "How about you keep both of them and I'll give you a credit of 12.35 per month for 1 year?"

This isn't the first time I have got a reduced rate offer from them but the first in several years. I think the last time when the discount fell off I called and said I was going to cancel and they said, sorry to hear that. But that was the whole service. They called my bluff.

I don't know how they decide to do it, I'm not the first to have it happen many others have talked about it but it doesn't hurt to ask. Give it a try. If you get lucky, let us know.

I'm having missed recordings on both my DVRs.

I'm rebooting both DVRs to see if it fixes the problem.

I tried rebooting, reformating. I had the old SARA software, It seemed like Navigator had less problems.

No matter how you slice or dice it those DVR's are a real piece of garbage. You might want to see if a Samsung is available, or upgrade to the whole house DVR. You don't see a lot of iot anymore but people complained about that DVR for years.

FYI there is a thread on SA 8300 which does have tips and information. Go to the Forum page and look under DVR's. There is suggestions and insturctions. I tried them, none of them worked for me.

I'm having missed recordings on both my DVRs.

I'm rebooting both DVRs to see if it fixes the problem.

If you have the 8300, you should switch it out with a different DVR. With the latest software update there has been some hard drive communication issues. I was missing recordings and could not access the online DVR manager.

Alright, so I know this is a TWC thread but does anyone in here by chance have experience with the WOW service?

Alright, so I know this is a TWC thread but does anyone in here by chance have experience with the WOW service?

WOW has been very reliable for me for years. Digital cable TV + premiums, hs internet, two VOIP lines. Never regretted going with WOW.
How WOW compares to TWC in price, service, reliability I cannot say.

Hello local clevelanders

I live in Mentor and i currently only subscribe to twc's broadband Internet. I also have my tv's hooked up to the same cable feed that my broadband data comes in on and I get all the local basics (NBA, ABC,FOX, PBS...) and I used to get all the basic cable channels in SD (ESPN, MTV, COMEDY CENTRAL, HGTV...) as well, but they recently disappeared last Friday.

I also asked my Parent that live in Ravenna Ohio if they still get all those basic channels unencrypted SD channels and they lost theirs too. They only get the local basics too. They actually have a HD DVR and pay for tv service.

So if anyone has the same happening or can shed some light on the situation it'd be great.

Thanks

Never mind, I got a notice saying they did a audit and found out my address was getting services I never subscribed for so they cut it.... Sucks.

Never mind, I got a notice saying they did a audit and found out my address was getting services I never subscribed for so they cut it.... Sucks. You weren't paying for cable TV, so why are you complaining now that your "free TV" service has ended?

Hey this is weird. Had a power blackout and an analog channel froze. No box, I think its channel 66 Nickolodeon. or 65. Cartoon network and all the other ones are working. How the heck could that happen? Anything I can do?

Edit: Must be a TWC thing, Animal Planet, TLC, and Nick seem to be frozen.

There have been frozen analog channels on my setup (also no box). Usually clusters. They usually unfreeze at some point...it doesn't happen often.

Meanwhile, in our TWC outpost (former Adelphia/Cuyahoga Valley), some of the PSIP has disappeared for the free HD QAM local channels.

No more 19.1/19.2/25.1/25.2 etc. on RF 75. You have to go to RF 75 and tune them in manually. All the other locals are fine.

Nevermind on that QAM problem...it's back to normal, tonight...

There have been frozen analog channels on my setup (also no box). Usually clusters. They usually unfreeze at some point...it doesn't happen often.

Channels pass through a D-->A stage in groups at the hub. These devices have framebuffers in them, hence the frozen screens when they have trouble.


Meanwhile, in our TWC outpost (former Adelphia/Cuyahoga Valley), some of the PSIP has disappeared for the free HD QAM local channels.

No more 19.1/19.2/25.1/25.2 etc. on RF 75. You have to go to RF 75 and tune them in manually. All the other locals are fine.

WVIZ PSIP is being worked on.

WVIZ PSIP is being worked on.

It's fixed now, at least here.

WOIO and Me-TV were in there, too, they're also both fine now. RF 75 carries a LOT.

I've got twc cable tv and internet in Cleveland heights -- if I drop the tv subscription, can I still get the local channels in hd through my cable box? Or do I need an antenna?

I've got twc cable tv and internet in Cleveland heights -- if I drop the tv subscription, can I still get the local channels in hd through my cable box? Or do I need an antenna?

You don't need a cable box if the TWC service is internet-only--you just connect the cable modem to the cable outlet in the wall. Why would you even have a cable box if you discontinue your TWC cable service?

I didn't realize twc retrieves the box after a customer cancels cable tv. Time to buy an antenna

Not to mention once you cancel your service, they send a hit to the box to disable it anyways. Or at least most times they do/should. So the cable box would be useless anyways.

Good thing is if your TV has a ClearQAM tuner (Anything made within the past couple years does, farther back most do) you should be able to hook it up to the cable line directly evem after you cancel your TV service with them and receive at least all your Locals in HD, some subchannels (depends on what they leave on there. Been a few years since I tried but in the Legacy area there was at least WKYC's weather subchannel that I distinctly remember, possibly more), analog basic channels that are still left, and even some digital non-local channels if you are lucky. Only downside to this is you miss a number of OTA subchannels so if that is a big thing for you, go with the antenna. TWC also tends to shift the ClearQAM locations every so often, but if memory serves it was somewhere in the realm of every year or two, every 6 months at the worst. All this means is if one day one of your local HD channels goes missing you just have to rescan your channels.

Caveat: This all depends on the possibility they don't come out and trap the line once you cancel tv service. A lot of techs are real lazy on this and don't.

What is "trapping" the line?

Basically they put a little device on your incoming cable line that blocks most of the TV frequencies while leaving those used for internet intact so all that your devices can retrieve is internet service and no cable TV.

Not to mention once you cancel your service, they send a hit to the box to disable it anyways. Or at least most times they do/should. So the cable box would be useless anyways.

Good thing is if your TV has a ClearQAM tuner (Anything made within the past couple years does, farther back most do) you should be able to hook it up to the cable line directly evem after you cancel your TV service with them and receive at least all your Locals in HD, some subchannels (depends on what they leave on there. Been a few years since I tried but in the Legacy area there was at least WKYC's weather subchannel that I distinctly remember, possibly more), analog basic channels that are still left, and even some digital non-local channels if you are lucky. Only downside to this is you miss a number of OTA subchannels so if that is a big thing for you, go with the antenna. TWC also tends to shift the ClearQAM locations every so often, but if memory serves it was somewhere in the realm of every year or two, every 6 months at the worst. All this means is if one day one of your local HD channels goes missing you just have to rescan your channels.

Caveat: This all depends on the possibility they don't come out and trap the line once you cancel tv service. A lot of techs are real lazy on this and don't.

This happened to me when I cancelled cox a few years ago in Parma. Wish I would have known that and cancelled well before moving :)

I'm sick and tired of both of my TW 8300HD boxes missing recordings every day. I keep getting "Set-top was unable to record this program." I can't depend on them ever to record all my shows for sure. $220/month for this???

I've kept the boxes because I use external drives with them, and I do record a lot of shows. Has anyone been able to solve this problem? What other TW DVR's do you recommend, that also have large hard drives?

I'm sick and tired of both of my TW 8300HD boxes missing recordings every day. I keep getting "Set-top was unable to record this program." I can't depend on them ever to record all my shows for sure. $220/month for this???

I've kept the boxes because I use external drives with them, and I do record a lot of shows. Has anyone been able to solve this problem? What other TW DVR's do you recommend, that also have large hard drives?

Just got signature home with whole house Cisco boxes. Double the recording space. Loving the 50mbit downloads too.

I got a replacement 8300HD today, and there is no Caller ID listed in Settings, like my other 2 boxes. How do I get it to appear on this box?

I got a replacement 8300HD today, and there is no Caller ID listed in Settings, like my other 2 boxes. How do I get it to appear on this box?

On my WOW service "Caller ID to TV" setup and management is an actual ch you tune too, not in the DVR menus itself.
Find out if that is the same for you and what ch to tune in.

Does anyone else have a problem with their 8300 where the red recording light goes off and on intermittently? Makes it hard to know whether something is recording or not. This is my 2nd 8300HD and it does the same thing.

On my WOW service "Caller ID to TV" setup and management is an actual ch you tune too, not in the DVR menus itself.
Find out if that is the same for you and what ch to tune in.

I had to call TW, and they activated it from their end.

No body here since 2/21? Sad.

Anyway I just looked at TWC lineup because I was positive that WGN was available in HD. It still is not.

Wondered what happened to this thread. I figured I'd report that I had a cablecard and tuning adapter installed for my tivo last week. Install went smooth, after the installer left, and I promptly called the cablecard support line.

Wondered what happened to this thread. I figured I'd report that I had a cablecard and tuning adapter installed for my tivo last week. Install went smooth, after the installer left, and I promptly called the cablecard support line.

If it went smooth, why did you call cable card support? When I call them they bitch and moan about they only have one guy now for the whole country, yaddi yaddi ya ya. He refused to send a hit to my box, told me he would arrange a truck roll. I don't remember what I said back but I know it wasn't OK, have a good evening.;)

You guys all know I have someone at TWC that I usually will report my problems too but you know I hate to keep bothering her. However 2 or 3 weeks ago TWC must have done something because I could see the downstairs box and rebooted. The message "a tuner adapter is attached" when I turned it on and both cards were on the same channel. Everything worked OK but when I got upstairs I got the 8 blinks and a pause (I'm bricked) message. Emailed her and didn't get a response so I tried everything. Sometimes it looked like it was taking, I got the loading channels message but then it would brick. She sent me a hit, fixed it right up.

I think she's given me personal service for around 6 years now, maybe 7. I asked her who I can write so she could receive well deserved credit. She said just email the company. First response was not encouraging they said "our CSR………." But it did get where it was suppose to go eventually.

If it went smooth, why did you call cable card support? When I call them they bitch and moan about they only have one guy now for the whole country, yaddi yaddi ya ya. He refused to send a hit to my box, told me he would arrange a truck roll. I don't remember what I said back but I know it wasn't OK, have a good evening.;)

LOL, I was being sarcastic. I'd researched before about cablecard installs and knew what to expect. The installer had never done a cablecard, and wasn't even suppose to be my installer. Apparently his buddy gave him my appt. Then the call he puts into TWC to activate things ends up with a lady who also had never worked with cablecards. So after they half assed the install I let him know I'd be fine from there. I called the support number, and got great service. It is unfortunate that they work solo.

Most of the time I have got great support from Cable Card Support, but I think there is one guy there that gets a hair up his butt if you call in directly. I assume that my phone number comes up but that will happen if TWC drops you off over there anyway.

You sound like you know what you're doing but I have to ask, you did get a tuner adapter right?

Enjoy your TiVo. I'll assume you got a premeir, if you have an iPhone, iPad, or Android there's an app to fool around with. Mine doesn't do anything but work as a remote control.

One last thing. If you do decide to get a sporting subscription make sure that they use your cable card and not your TA as the billed device. I've been getting MLB Extra Innings for years but the last two with SDV being introduced there was some problems. I decided this year to get a Roku and use that to watch MLB. You get more games when you buy from MLB.com and you can choose which announcer you want. All games are in HD, not so for cable.

Most of the time I have got great support from Cable Card Support, but I think there is one guy there that gets a hair up his butt if you call in directly. I assume that my phone number comes up but that will happen if TWC drops you off over there anyway.

You sound like you know what you're doing but I have to ask, you did get a tuner adapter right?

Enjoy your TiVo. I'll assume you got a premeir, if you have an iPhone, iPad, or Android there's an app to fool around with. Mine doesn't do anything but work as a remote control.

One last thing. If you do decide to get a sporting subscription make sure that they use your cable card and not your TA as the billed device. I've been getting MLB Extra Innings for years but the last two with SDV being introduced there was some problems. I decided this year to get a Roku and use that to watch MLB. You get more games when you buy from MLB.com and you can choose which announcer you want. All games are in HD, not so for cable.

I'm only informed because of this thread. I do have a Premiere, that I bought 9mo ago when I dropped TWC. I had moved into a house to rent and we needed the bill relief. So we used it with the awesome ota antenna on the roof. I made certain to note of all the trouble with the Tivo installs, and most importantly that support number.

I had to wait a week after the cablecard install to get the tuning adapter. In that mean time I used a SA8300HD, and my gosh I had forgotten how terrible the interface and guide are. It makes the Tivo seem like quad-core speeds. I'm never going back to that crap box. I'll check out the apps for the phones too. Thanks, your info has been a huge help.

Yes, the SA 8300 even with the updated software is still a pos. Glad to see someone actually doing their homework before asking questions. If you have any other you can pm me or post.

Anyone seeing this new issue? When I try to set up some shows for future recording in the Guide, I get the message "Unable to Record Now - Try Again Later." And of course later makes no difference - I can't record these shows. Never saw this message before until last week. One more "improvement" from TW??

Has anyone tried to watch videos of shows on TNT.com, and found out you have to unlock them by using a password from your cable provider? Problem is, TW is not a listed company. Even though TNT is owned by TW??? I asked the TW rep on chat, and they said "We don't support TNT services" Yikes - and this makes sense to them??

The message "a tuner adapter is attached" when I turned it on and both cards were on the same channel. Everything worked OK but when I got upstairs I got the 8 blinks and a pause (I'm bricked) message. Emailed her and didn't get a response so I tried everything. Sometimes it looked like it was taking, I got the loading channels message but then it would brick. She sent me a hit, fixed it right up.

My tuning adapter spends about a week a month in this state. The first time I called them they sent out a tech who had no idea what a tuning adapter was. Then they sent out another tech who said that "my box did not have an 'instance', and eventually he got it reset after ages on the phone. I have better things to do than keep calling them for hits, assuming I'm even in town.

Each time it happens I try all permutations of resetting, power-cycling, and unplugging the TA and the TiVo but it never makes any difference. It generally comes back eventually, but soon eventually is going to be too late for all the recordings I keep missing and I'm just going to finally dump these clowns.

Open to any suggestions short of moving to a Comcast area...

My tuning adapter spends about a week a month in this state. The first time I called them they sent out a tech who had no idea what a tuning adapter was. Then they sent out another tech who said that "my box did not have an 'instance', and eventually he got it reset after ages on the phone. I have better things to do than keep calling them for hits, assuming I'm even in town.

Each time it happens I try all permutations of resetting, power-cycling, and unplugging the TA and the TiVo but it never makes any difference. It generally comes back eventually, but soon eventually is going to be too late for all the recordings I keep missing and I'm just going to finally dump these clowns.

Open to any suggestions short of moving to a Comcast area...

It happened just a couple of days ago as well. Both of my TiVo's had that tuner adapter is connected message. Fortunately neither tuner adapter bricked.

I think that they do something that causes the tuner adapters to reset. What that is I don't know, perhaps it changes the channel list. Now the problem is that when you call Cable Card Support there is at least one guy there who will tell you that the issue with brick has been resolved. He even suggested that I probably was seeing 6 blinks and a pause. I'm like, are you serious? You don't think I can count? He then tells me that he will assist me by sending a truck out.

All he needed to do was send me a hit but he absolutely refused to do it, I asked him several times.

Now I happen to know that cable card support is ran by only a couple of people. Once they told me the best time to call was on Wednesday as they had 4 people at the desk at that time but that was before they "fixed" the issue concerning brick mode.It's crazy, really.

IMHO TiVo really needs to deliver Tru2Way. If they would do that we wouldn't need cable cards (I think) or a tuner adapter. TiVo does offer some internet stuff but my Roku offers more. I think TiVo should offer things like MLB, NFL, NBA etc withut using the cable company, offer it via Internet. Until TiVo changes, we are stuck.

Checking in with the gurus on some items that TWC are confusing me about:

1 - Is there a minimum cable TV package that must be purchased to receive broadband internet service (in NE Ohio obviously)? In the past (5+ years ago when I signed up), I was told that if I didn't have at least the first tier of non-basic service then all internet access would be disabled as well. I'm reasonably sure that's not true anymore, if it ever was, but wanted to see if someone else had zero (or non-STB basic) cable TV but a working cable internet from them?

2 - I just ended up with my first HD-capable television, and when I hooked it up to the normal coax (without the non-HD STB that I have) I am able to get the clear QAM channels reliably. I was glad to see it, but then I did a full channel scan and saw 10-15 additional HD channels (A&E, ABC Family, Animal Planet, etc.). I marked them all as "favorites", but over time those channels have disappeared either due to "weak/scrambled signal" messages, or the channel itself refuses to appear when dialing through. Direct entry of the virtual channel number shunts me to the nearest available one instead of the one I enter on the remote; this can happen in the space of five minutes, basically if I switch off a channel there's no guarantee I'll be able to get it back. Anyone know of any explanations for this weird behavior?

Thanks in advance!

Has anyone tried to watch videos of shows on TNT.com, and found out you have to unlock them by using a password from your cable provider? Problem is, TW is not a listed company. Even though TNT is owned by TW??? I asked the TW rep on chat, and they said "We don't support TNT services" Yikes - and this makes sense to them??

Time Warner and Time Warner Cable aren't the same company anymore.

Checking in with the gurus on some items that TWC are confusing me about:

1 - Is there a minimum cable TV package that must be purchased to receive broadband internet service (in NE Ohio obviously)? In the past (5+ years ago when I signed up), I was told that if I didn't have at least the first tier of non-basic service then all internet access would be disabled as well. I'm reasonably sure that's not true anymore, if it ever was, but wanted to see if someone else had zero (or non-STB basic) cable TV but a working cable internet from them?

At first I thought no but truth is that if you had just internet you would be able to access their basic service. So probably.

2 - I just ended up with my first HD-capable television, and when I hooked it up to the normal coax (without the non-HD STB that I have) I am able to get the clear QAM channels reliably. I was glad to see it, but then I did a full channel scan and saw 10-15 additional HD channels (A&E, ABC Family, Animal Planet, etc.). I marked them all as "favorites", but over time those channels have disappeared either due to "weak/scrambled signal" messages, or the channel itself refuses to appear when dialing through. Direct entry of the virtual channel number shunts me to the nearest available one instead of the one I enter on the remote; this can happen in the space of five minutes, basically if I switch off a channel there's no guarantee I'll be able to get it back. Anyone know of any explanations for this weird behavior?

Thanks in advance!

Certain Qam channels are changed from time to time by TW. Probably because they want you to purchase their product. :D

Checking in with the gurus on some items that TWC are confusing me about:

1 - Is there a minimum cable TV package that must be purchased to receive broadband internet service (in NE Ohio obviously)? In the past (5+ years ago when I signed up), I was told that if I didn't have at least the first tier of non-basic service then all internet access would be disabled as well. I'm reasonably sure that's not true anymore, if it ever was, but wanted to see if someone else had zero (or non-STB basic) cable TV but a working cable internet from them?

2 - I just ended up with my first HD-capable television, and when I hooked it up to the normal coax (without the non-HD STB that I have) I am able to get the clear QAM channels reliably. I was glad to see it, but then I did a full channel scan and saw 10-15 additional HD channels (A&E, ABC Family, Animal Planet, etc.). I marked them all as "favorites", but over time those channels have disappeared either due to "weak/scrambled signal" messages, or the channel itself refuses to appear when dialing through. Direct entry of the virtual channel number shunts me to the nearest available one instead of the one I enter on the remote; this can happen in the space of five minutes, basically if I switch off a channel there's no guarantee I'll be able to get it back. Anyone know of any explanations for this weird behavior?

Thanks in advance!

I can definitely confirm that you can have high speed internet without tv service. I just got done doing it for about 10mo. What they will do is send someone out, and they put a trap on the line (up at the pole). The trap blocks tv, but allows internet. HTH

Hey hookbill,

TWC added a new kids channel Disney Junior. According to their programming notice (and channel guide) it's located on channel 110. I don't see it on my guide though. Does the tuning adapter have to be updated with the channel location? If so can the cablecard support folks help with that? Thanks for your insight.

Thanks for the confirmation on Internet-only!

Checking in with the gurus on some items that TWC are confusing me about:

2 - I just ended up with my first HD-capable television, and when I hooked it up to the normal coax (without the non-HD STB that I have) I am able to get the clear QAM channels reliably. I was glad to see it, but then I did a full channel scan and saw 10-15 additional HD channels (A&E, ABC Family, Animal Planet, etc.). I marked them all as "favorites", but over time those channels have disappeared either due to "weak/scrambled signal" messages, or the channel itself refuses to appear when dialing through. Direct entry of the virtual channel number shunts me to the nearest available one instead of the one I enter on the remote; this can happen in the space of five minutes, basically if I switch off a channel there's no guarantee I'll be able to get it back. Anyone know of any explanations for this weird behavior?

Thanks in advance!

You've either found some channels that are encrypted or are SDV. An SDV channel is only present when a STB has requested it. If a particular SDV stream is no longer being watched, it will time out and disappear, relinquishing that bandwidth for another SDV selection.

QAM tuners very in terms of how they interpret encrypted channels. Some will add those channels to the channel map when scanning, but others have enough intelligence to recognize and skip encrypted channels.

The only clear-qam channels you can always count on are the broadcast channels.

I'm sick and tired of both of my TW 8300HD boxes missing recordings every day. I keep getting "Set-top was unable to record this program." I can't depend on them ever to record all my shows for sure. $220/month for this???

I've kept the boxes because I use external drives with them, and I do record a lot of shows. Has anyone been able to solve this problem? What other TW DVR's do you recommend, that also have large hard drives?

Update - I posted this on the TW Direct Forum, and they arranged for a tech visit. He was very helpful. He checked my signal levels and they were OK outside the house. He checked all of my TV's and replaced several cables. He also added a whole house amplifier and so far everything is working well.

Hey hookbill,

TWC added a new kids channel Disney Junior. According to their programming notice (and channel guide) it's located on channel 110. I don't see it on my guide though. Does the tuning adapter have to be updated with the channel location? If so can the cablecard support folks help with that? Thanks for your insight.

You can see guide info but you won't get guide data. If I recall correctly I saw that one added.

There is a link that you can report missing channels at TiVo site. http://www.tivo.com/setupandsupport/contactsupport/lineup_tool.html

Last night I was set to record two AMCHD programs on my SA8300HDC DVR. About halfway through one of the programs, I was not watching TV but noticed that the red RECORD light wasn't illuminated. I turned on the DVR and looked at the list of programs, which listed the name of the show that was supposed to be getting recorded, with the little "REC" logo next to it. I then tuned to the AMCHD channel and got a screen saving "AMCHD not available." Something like this hasn't happened for well over a year. The program was "The Killing," and I highly doubt I was one of the only people in the area wanting that channel (1277) to see the show. Later in the evening, I went back to that channel and found it was back, so I programmed the DVR to record later viewings of those shows, and they recorded as expected.

Anybody else have this happen?

Last night I was set to record two AMCHD programs on my SA8300HDC DVR. About halfway through one of the programs, I was not watching TV but noticed that the red RECORD light wasn't illuminated. I turned on the DVR and looked at the list of programs, which listed the name of the show that was supposed to be getting recorded, with the little "REC" logo next to it. I then tuned to the AMCHD channel and got a screen saving "AMCHD not available." Something like this hasn't happened for well over a year. The program was "The Killing," and I highly doubt I was one of the only people in the area wanting that channel (1277) to see the show. Later in the evening, I went back to that channel and found it was back, so I programmed the DVR to record later viewings of those shows, and they recorded as expected.

Anybody else have this happen?

Sure, or something similar. If the channel isn't available then it can't record anything.

I frequently have an issue with Spyke on my oldest TiVo. I think it's just a matter of either the tune adapter doesn't change to the channel fast enough because it's SDV or my TiVo is slow following up. On my TiVo DVR whenever I change to a switched digital channel there is like a short pause, probably a handshaking event. If it doesn't go off right it looks like the show is being recorded but all I have is a blank grey screen. Once I stop the recording and go back to the channel live, there's the picture. Weird.

But yes, I've seen times when a channel isn't on line and there is no recording.

Sure, or something similar. If the channel isn't available then it can't record anything.

I frequently have an issue with Spyke on my oldest TiVo. I think it's just a matter of either the tune adapter doesn't change to the channel fast enough because it's SDV or my TiVo is slow following up. On my TiVo DVR whenever I change to a switched digital channel there is like a short pause, probably a handshaking event. If it doesn't go off right it looks like the show is being recorded but all I have is a blank grey screen. Once I stop the recording and go back to the channel live, there's the picture. Weird.

But yes, I've seen times when a channel isn't on line and there is no recording.

I have always wondered why you guys with SA/Cisco systems are having SDV problems like this. My Motorola area has some issues with iGuide and SDV where the box will lose contact with SDV server IP addess and you either have to reboot the box or wait for the channels to come back I honestly think that issue that the box misses an arp request for feedback saying that it is connected to the server and the server releases the connection and the box loses contact with the server. And then there is the mystery 12-6am outages with the box losing random SDV channels late at night for no reason unless they are performing maintence. I have seen what is like to see channels go from Broadcast to SDV and takes a little while as the channel goes off air and later it reappers as an SDV channel seen it happen twice once in 2010 when SDV went live in my hub and last year when they moved a ton SD channels to SDV to make room for 8 more SDV QAMs per node for a total of 24 SDV QAMs for the SDV pool. I am sure my area can still add more SDV channels without needing to move more to SDV as we currently only have 116 SDV HD channels and about 150-200 SD channels switched on an 860MHz system.

Sure, or something similar. If the channel isn't available then it can't record anything.

I frequently have an issue with Spyke on my oldest TiVo. I think it's just a matter of either the tune adapter doesn't change to the channel fast enough because it's SDV or my TiVo is slow following up.

I don't have Tivo or a tune adapter, and I thought SDV would make a channel unavailable if few people were trying to tune to a channel. But I find it hard to believe that nobody in the Cleveland suburbs wanted to watch the highly touted season opener of The Killing. And I have seen zero problems with "channel not available" messages in many, many months.

I don't have Tivo or a tune adapter, and I thought SDV would make a channel unavailable if few people were trying to tune to a channel. But I find it hard to believe that nobody in the Cleveland suburbs wanted to watch the highly touted season opener of The Killing. And I have seen zero problems with "channel not available" messages in many, many months.

What it does is basically lock the channel up, at least that's what I see. I know that SDV isn't just for one individual channel but for a group of channels. So if you have a lot of people say on Spike and True is on the same group then True will stay on.

And it does it by polling. How that works exactly Cathode Kid would have to explain if he knows. I don't have a clue.

SDV didn't cause that channel to go down. Something else did, maybe a technical issue coming out of your head end. Hard to say.

I tried to turn on MLBnet HD this morning and I see the message saying TiVo does not receive this channel or something similar. Looked at my Tuner Adapter and saw that green light flashing 8 times and a pause. Started towards my computer area and thought maybe I should check upstairs too. Yep, same thing up there too.

Sent an email out and didn't get a response. After 3 hours I sent another message saying If she's busy I'll call customer service, after all it's Sunday and everything.

So I waited an hour and didn't hear from her. I decided then to call customer service. Now sometimes you get reps here in the U.S. other times you can get reps in other countries. I personally have a problem with CSR in other countries. Not only do you have the lack of understanding with the English issue but they usually waste a half hour of my time before turning me over to an American CSR.

So I got a non American rep on the phone and admittedly copped an attitude. The guy put me on hold and I thought "Here we go." He ask me to unplug the device. I'd already done all those tricks so I said yes, ah, ha...etc. So then he said he sent a hit out to me. I'm surprised by that right there and I go upstairs and yes, the light is solid. I did have to unplug the USB and plug it back in to get it going but wow, and I'm starting to feel like a real jerk. Downstairs I see a solid light but still no access to SDV so I unplug that and did not see the channel download but I was tuned to MLBnet and it came on.

I thanked him for his help, stunned and a bit embarrassed and went to my computer.

Guess what? It appears my person at TWC was working on it at the exact same time. I'm putting my money one her fixing it, not him but I guess I'll never know.

I notice these issues with the TA seem to be happening now about once a month on weekends so I think TWC does something and that causes the issue.

How about you other Tivo people. Any issues?

I just got a "new" Cisco 8742 DVR and was wondering if anyone here knew the HD size and how I can view the diagnostics screen to see which which ODN version it had running.

You lost me at HD size.........

Sorry should have been more specific. I meant HD as in Hard Drive.

i.e. The theoretical amount of programming I could record before this thing blows up.

Generally most of these newer boxes come with 500GB stock. Now as far as how that equates to 'hours of recording time', all depends on what you are recording and what the bitrates are. But just talking theoretically here and doing some simple math, lets say you are recording 100% 1080i programming. Guesstimate on the high end a channel pushes 18mbps at 1080i.

18mbps = 2.25 MB/s = 135MB per min = 7.9GB per hour = roughly 69 hours and 20 minutes reocrding time. That doesn't include stuff like overhead as these DVR's also separate a few gigs for non-DVR use and no hard drive out there comes to exactly 500GB, usually 475 or so. So more like 65 hours give or take at the lowest guessing number. More likely you'll see higher hour numbers of what you can record.

Sorry should have been more specific. I meant HD as in Hard Drive.

i.e. The theoretical amount of programming I could record before this thing blows up.

320gb.

Just replaced my 8300HD with a Cisco 8742HDC. Can't get my external hard drive to work with it. Any suggestions?

Just replaced my 8300HD with a Cisco 8742HDC. Can't get my external hard drive to work with it. Any suggestions?

I tried 3 different drive enclosures plus a WD My DVR Expander with the 8742 I had and none of them worked. I wound up getting a Tivo Premiere and put a 2TB drive in it.

I tried 3 different drive enclosures plus a WD My DVR Expander with the 8742 I had and none of them worked. I wound up getting a Tivo Premiere and put a 2TB drive in it.

Don't know if you'll find help here, I haven't got time to look for you but give this a shot: http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/support/prod_tv_set_tops.html

Don't know if you'll find help here, I haven't got time to look for you but give this a shot: http://www.cisco.com/web/consumer/support/prod_tv_set_tops.html

Thanks, but the 8742 is not listed. For everyone's "enjoyment", here's a transcript of my talk with TW chat on this. Yikes, talk about confusing!!

Tom_>

I just got a Cisco 8742HDC DVR. Can you tell me how to hook up my external hard drive thru the eSATA port? This worked on my old 8300HD DVR.

Carlton>

The Port to connect the external drive is disabled on the New Cable boxes it cannot be added

Tom_>

Do you know why? I should be able to add as much storage as I want to.

Carlton>

eSATA (Extended Serial ATA) is an external hard drive that can be connected to a subscriber’s DVR set-top box via an eSATA connector, not a USB. Once connected, the eSATA drive will allow the subscriber to record and store more TV shows, sporting events, and movies.

PATA, (Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment) was the original interface to connect hard disks to desktop computers, originating in 1986. SATA (Serial ATA) was launched in 2002, and provided faster speeds, and SATA II provided even faster speeds. eSATA, which is faster than SATA II, allows drives to be connected externally, whereas with the previous technologies, only internal connections were possible. With the ability to connect external drives came the issue of choosing the appropriate eSATA connector, and while other external hard drives may connect using USB 2.0 or FireWire 400 or 800, the eSATA connector is distinct from these, as well as from the internal connector. eSATA connectors are also hot pluggable, meaning the cable running to it can be connected and disconnected while the computer is running without requiring a shut-down for safety.

Carlton>

eSATA devices are only supported on set-top boxes running MDN (Mystro Digital Navigator.)

Tom_>

My box does say Mystro when it boots up?

Carlton>

Mystro is a software language

Carlton>

OCAP...... APP...........ALT................MYSTRO..........

Carlton>

These are all software messages.

Tom_>

yes - so should it work on my box or not?

Carlton>

No external equipments can be attached to the ports as they are disabled and can be used by a technician to resolve the issue.\

Tom_>

ok - do you know the size of the hard drive in the box? Is it 500GB?

Carlton>

Shows up 80 hours can be recorded. However we do not have any information for the capacity in Bytes

Tom_>

ok, thanks.

How about you other Tivo people. Any issues?

Knock on wood, my setup has been extremely stable so far. I have two Tivo Premieres with the Cisco tuning adapters attached. I can count on one hand the number of times I've had problems tuning channels that are switched.

After my initial installation problems and trying to get CableCards and tuning adapters (with power supplies) from Time Warner, I've not seen the 8 blinks authorization error. About the only thing I see is occasionally when I turn on the TV I get a message stating that a Tuning Adapter has been connected, presumably because the TA rebooted. Had them since July of 2011.

One thing I can't explain is some of my wife's shows on Bravo and E! occasionally have the last minute or two cut off unexpectedly. The Tivo says it was a partial recording and have 28 or 29 of the 30 minute show. It's not clipping since I have that turned off. Doesn't happen on other channels.

Knock on wood, my setup has been extremely stable so far. I have two Tivo Premieres with the Cisco tuning adapters attached. I can count on one hand the number of times I've had problems tuning channels that are switched.

After my initial installation problems and trying to get CableCards and tuning adapters (with power supplies) from Time Warner, I've not seen the 8 blinks authorization error. About the only thing I see is occasionally when I turn on the TV I get a message stating that a Tuning Adapter has been connected, presumably because the TA rebooted. Had them since July of 2011.

One thing I can't explain is some of my wife's shows on Bravo and E! occasionally have the last minute or two cut off unexpectedly. The Tivo says it was a partial recording and have 28 or 29 of the 30 minute show. It's not clipping since I have that turned off. Doesn't happen on other channels.

The clipping issue, I have no idea.

The tuner adapter message. I've seen that a lot and I suspect that you are correct. If you see that today let me know because both of my TA's bricked and guess what? The last time they did it was the 15th of April.

I suspect that what's happening with mine. It reboots but a handshaking error is occurring and that could mean I'm back to monthly calls. I had my person at TWC send out hits to both boxes but it didn't work. I remembered that usually I try powering off the boxes, it never helps but I didn't do it this time so I powered down the TA's and she sent me a hit out again. Success so I'm up for at least another 30 days.

She said she would look into the date of the 15th to see if she could find something. I may get back to her in a week if I don't hear from her, I doubt it was a coincidence.