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Orange County, CA - Cox - Page 241

post #7201 of 7251
3/15/13 at 10:17pm
This must be something related to the new box for Aliso Viejo at least that's my guess.

Upgrade to Cable Receiver

Service Interruption Notification

Dear Valued Customer,

During the week of 3/18 - 3/24, Cox will be performing maintenance in your area.

The majority of this work will take place in the early mornings of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM. During these times, all services including Video, High Speed Data and Telephone services provided by Cox will experience service interruptions of up to 2 hours in length.

In addition, you may experience brief (less than 10 minutes) service interruptions in the following week as we fine tune the systems.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Thank you,

Cox Communications
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post #7202 of 7251
3/21/13 at 5:40pm
we have three Tivo Premieres - all with Cox cable cards, Orange County, Ca.

this week, several HD channels have become dead, with a "network problem" requester filing the screen.
Some of the channels are Bravo HD, Food HD, and several more in the 1040-1060 range.
All three Tivo's suffer the same channel outages.
My single, Motorola set-top box GETS all those channels.
Signal strength seems fine.

can anyone else with Tivo/Cable card in Orange County check some of those channels and report here if you're having the same problems?

thanks

Cox CSR's are mostly un-helpful, usually resorting to "we have to send someone out to your house", which is usually a complete waste of both of your times.
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post #7203 of 7251
3/21/13 at 5:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tvmaster View Post

we have three Tivo Premieres - all with Cox cable cards, Orange County, Ca.

this week, several HD channels have become dead, with a "network problem" requester filing the screen.
Some of the channels are Bravo HD, Food HD, and several more in the 1040-1060 range.
All three Tivo's suffer the same channel outages.
My single, Motorola set-top box GETS all those channels.
Signal strength seems fine.

can anyone else with Tivo/Cable card in Orange County check some of those channels and report here if you're having the same problems?

thanks

Cox CSR's are mostly un-helpful, usually resorting to "we have to send someone out to your house", which is usually a complete waste of both of your times.
Just checked on my Premiere 1055=Bravo & 1056=Food and various other channels from 1043-1060 and no problems here.
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post #7204 of 7251
3/21/13 at 6:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by moyekj View Post

Just checked on my Premiere 1055=Bravo & 1056=Food and various other channels from 1043-1060 and no problems here.

thanks - it must be a ****-up with our account then - that should be something they can solve from remote locale I should think

do you ever have problems with BBC HD? that channel drops out all the time from our Tivo's
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post #7205 of 7251
3/21/13 at 7:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tvmaster View Post

thanks - it must be a ****-up with our account then - that should be something they can solve from remote locale I should think

do you ever have problems with BBC HD? that channel drops out all the time from our Tivo's
I never watch or record anything from BBC HD so couldn't tell you if it is problematic or not.
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post #7206 of 7251
3/21/13 at 8:25pm
just got off the phone with a cable card "specialist" ...... sigh.....
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post #7207 of 7251
3/21/13 at 10:25pm
solved problem...unplugged TA, Tivo, removed cable cards, reversed process, and missing channels return smile.gif time to cancel the tech visit, thank goodness
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post #7208 of 7251
3/22/13 at 7:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tvmaster View Post

solved problem...unplugged TA, Tivo, removed cable cards, reversed process, and missing channels return smile.gif time to cancel the tech visit, thank goodness
My guess is just power cycling the TAs would have been sufficient.
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post #7209 of 7251
3/28/13 at 5:10pm
FYI, this afternoon the Lakers game on 1065 was recording a "blank channel" on both my Elite and my Premiere. I was unable to tune that channel along with a few other SDV ones. Had to power cycle my Tuning Adapters to get the channels back. Seems like the TAs are a lot more flaky lately than they used to be when we first got them...
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post #7210 of 7251
4/1/13 at 3:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tvmaster View Post

solved problem...unplugged TA, Tivo, removed cable cards, reversed process, and missing channels return smile.gif time to cancel the tech visit, thank goodness
Quote:
Originally Posted by moyekj View Post

My guess is just power cycling the TAs would have been sufficient.

I was just getting the "network problem" with 1056 (FOODHD) on both TiVos. Unplugged the TA and the channel came back. Thanks for the info, saved me from having to "troubleshoot" with Cox.
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post #7211 of 7251
4/2/13 at 12:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dong-Kinh View Post


I was just getting the "network problem" with 1056 (FOODHD) on both TiVos. Unplugged the TA and the channel came back. Thanks for the info, saved me from having to "troubleshoot" with Cox.

Exact same issue. Reset the TA and all was well.
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post #7212 of 7251
4/2/13 at 1:07pm
Unfortunately it seems lately any channel frequency update requires power cycling the TAs.
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post #7213 of 7251
4/3/13 at 7:52am
channel frequency update? how often should we expect those to occur? did anyone notice if their IP address changed at your residence around the time the TA problem occurred?
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post #7214 of 7251
4/3/13 at 8:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tvmaster View Post

channel frequency update? how often should we expect those to occur? did anyone notice if their IP address changed at your residence around the time the TA problem occurred?
Channel frequency updates can happen all the time. Part of the job of the Tuning Adapter is to communicate with the headend to handle them. My WAN side cable modem IP has not changed in several months - I know because I rely on it for accessing some networked devices away from home.

Last night my Elite would not record or tune any encrypted channels. Unencrypted channels would tune and record fine. Even power cycling the TA did not fix the problem. Had to reboot my Elite to fix it so looked like a CableCard related issue of some sort that fixed itself after a reboot.
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post #7215 of 7251
4/8/13 at 7:15am
so I decided (finally) to try the Tivo service and ordered a new XL4 which should arrive in the next day or two. I stopped by the local Cox store and picked up an M-card and tuning adapter installation kit (MTR700 is what they provided). I am going to replace a Cox HD STB (Motorola model DCH3200) with the Tivo and had a couple of installation questions (as I have seen a lot of conflicting information):

(1) the instruction sheet for the MTR700 indicates that you should use a splitter (provided with the adapter kit) and connect one output to tuning adapter and other to Tivo. Is this necessary? or can I just connect Cox coax to tuning adapter input and then connect its rf output to Tivo?

(2) there is also a filter provided (I think its referred to as POE); instructions indicate that this should be connected to coax input going to tuning adapter box (i.e. so that coax -> filter -> mtr700) (and, I guess it the splitter is used, it would be applied on the output cable between splitter and mtr700). Is this filter really necessary? What does it actually do?

thanks for any response
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post #7216 of 7251
4/8/13 at 7:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by twarren View Post

(1) the instruction sheet for the MTR700 indicates that you should use a splitter (provided with the adapter kit) and connect one output to tuning adapter and other to Tivo. Is this necessary? or can I just connect Cox coax to tuning adapter input and then connect its rf output to Tivo?

(2) there is also a filter provided (I think its referred to as POE); instructions indicate that this should be connected to coax input going to tuning adapter box (i.e. so that coax -> filter -> mtr700) (and, I guess it the splitter is used, it would be applied on the output cable between splitter and mtr700). Is this filter really necessary? What does it actually do?

thanks for any response
1. That is the recommended hookup since otherwise:
a/ Signal loss through the TA can sometimes be worse than through a normal splitter
b/ If something goes wrong with TA your TiVo may not get a signal at all

2. POE filter is only recommended if your are going to use MoCA with your TiVo XL4 for networking but even then is not required.
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post #7217 of 7251
4/8/13 at 8:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by moyekj View Post

1. That is the recommended hookup since otherwise:
a/ Signal loss through the TA can sometimes be worse than through a normal splitter
b/ If something goes wrong with TA your TiVo may not get a signal at all

2. POE filter is only recommended if your are going to use MoCA with your TiVo XL4 for networking but even then is not required.

ok; thanks for the quick response! Based on your experience, are there any other caveats when doing this install?
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post #7218 of 7251
4/8/13 at 9:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by twarren View Post

ok; thanks for the quick response! Based on your experience, are there any other caveats when doing this install?
Follow instructions for TA carefully. I think you are supposed to get the CableCard installed and authorized 1st, then hook up and activate the TA after that.
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post #7219 of 7251
4/8/13 at 9:42am
Make sure you do everything in the right order.

1) Guided setup, including all the updates -- tell it you will install a cable card later. This will take some time because of waiting for the updates and data.

2) Cable card install, make activation call to special number. Check to make sure any premiums on your account are coming in, including pluspak channels, while you have them on the phone.

3) TA install, activation card to another special number. Keep them on the phone while you test a bunch of TA channels (I'm sure moyek has a list somewhere, but 1017 is definitely one of them.) If you are lucky you will get good people for 2 & 3 as I did this last time. Everything worked right the first time.

4) It will take a day or so for all the data to index, etc. The interface may be a bit slow. Set a couple of recordings for things you can see in the guide that day just to make sure recording works as it should.

5) There are quite a few idiosyncrasies to TiVo, but we'll be here to help you along. smile.gif
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post #7220 of 7251
4/8/13 at 11:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by moyekj View Post

Follow instructions for TA carefully. I think you are supposed to get the CableCard installed and authorized 1st, then hook up and activate the TA after that.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitearrow View Post

Make sure you do everything in the right order.

1) Guided setup, including all the updates -- tell it you will install a cable card later. This will take some time because of waiting for the updates and data.

2) Cable card install, make activation call to special number. Check to make sure any premiums on your account are coming in, including pluspak channels, while you have them on the phone.

3) TA install, activation card to another special number. Keep them on the phone while you test a bunch of TA channels (I'm sure moyek has a list somewhere, but 1017 is definitely one of them.) If you are lucky you will get good people for 2 & 3 as I did this last time. Everything worked right the first time.

4) It will take a day or so for all the data to index, etc. The interface may be a bit slow. Set a couple of recordings for things you can see in the guide that day just to make sure recording works as it should.

5) There are quite a few idiosyncrasies to TiVo, but we'll be here to help you along. smile.gif

thanks! I'm really looking forward to seeing how this works. So it looks like the first round of updates will happen after the unit has been activated through the website and then connected directly to the coax cable and the internet.

On your item (2), does this mean I should be able to get all of the channels without the TA? (if so what is the TA for?)
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post #7221 of 7251
4/8/13 at 2:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by twarren View Post


thanks! I'm really looking forward to seeing how this works. So it looks like the first round of updates will happen after the unit has been activated through the website and then connected directly to the coax cable and the internet.

Yes -- IMO, it's easiest if you activate on the web first, then plug in the coax (without the TA) and the network cable before you power up for the first time. Even if you are planning to use wifi, an ethernet cable connection will make first time setup a little easier. I use the wireless N adapter on my older HD TiVo, and unlike the older G adapter, you need a computer to set it up, and it's just one less thing to be dealing with at that moment. I guess it's possible, but then I'd follow the instructions for the wireless N setup and have that ready to plug in at powerup. One of the first things the TiVo is going to do is try to connect to your network, IIRC.
Quote:
On your item (2), does this mean I should be able to get all of the channels without the TA? (if so what is the TA for?)

No, you won't get all the channels, but none of the premiums (HBO, Sho, etc.) require the TA (at least I don't think so... I'm sure there's a list somewhere, but I usually try 1017 because I know for a fact that one does). Testing your premium channels is a good way to check the cable card just because those seem to be the ones that are likely to be missing if the cable card isn't authorized properly.
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post #7222 of 7251
4/8/13 at 5:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitearrow View Post

Yes -- IMO, it's easiest if you activate on the web first, then plug in the coax (without the TA) and the network cable before you power up for the first time. Even if you are planning to use wifi, an ethernet cable connection will make first time setup a little easier. I use the wireless N adapter on my older HD TiVo, and unlike the older G adapter, you need a computer to set it up, and it's just one less thing to be dealing with at that moment. I guess it's possible, but then I'd follow the instructions for the wireless N setup and have that ready to plug in at powerup. One of the first things the TiVo is going to do is try to connect to your network, IIRC.
No, you won't get all the channels, but none of the premiums (HBO, Sho, etc.) require the TA (at least I don't think so... I'm sure there's a list somewhere, but I usually try 1017 because I know for a fact that one does). Testing your premium channels is a good way to check the cable card just because those seem to be the ones that are likely to be missing if the cable card isn't authorized properly.

well, here's my progress so far; tivo xl4 arrived this afternoon and I was able to connect and activate it as described above (coax connected directly, ethernet network connection, no cable card) - it went through a software update and then downloaded initial programming guide after I selected all channels I am supposed to get. Then plugged in m-card and called Cox number to verify its pairing. The technician recorded info (card id, sn, tivo host id, etc) and indicated it was paired successfully. However, when I tried to view channels, only a very few (like 5 or 6) are viewable. The others show signal strength of 88 - 90 but no video/audio - some, but not all, say channel not authorized. The technician didn't have any suggestions other than to schedule a service call (said it could be a bad m-card) - I said I'd schedule it by calling back tomorrow. If I connect the Cox coax feed directly to the tv set, all of the channels 2 - 75 come in fine, so not sure what the problem might be. Is there a way to reset the channel map? I initially chose Aiieso-Viejo basic digital plus extended because that seemed like the best of the 2 alternatives given (and it did show all the correct channels).
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post #7223 of 7251
4/8/13 at 5:29pm
Which city are you in?

I'm sure moyek will have better and more specific suggestions, but it sounds like it might be a bad cable card (they aren't that infrequent, apparently).
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post #7224 of 7251
4/8/13 at 7:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitearrow View Post

Which city are you in?

I'm sure moyek will have better and more specific suggestions, but it sounds like it might be a bad cable card (they aren't that infrequent, apparently).

I'm in unincorporated OC, between Tustin and Orange.

I'll probably make a second call tomorrow morning just to see if there's any other information.
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post #7225 of 7251
4/9/13 at 10:52am
On the Cox box, did you get the Irvine government access channels? If so, you might have the Irvine lineup.
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post #7226 of 7251
4/9/13 at 1:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by twarren View Post

well, here's my progress so far; tivo xl4 arrived this afternoon and I was able to connect and activate it as described above (coax connected directly, ethernet network connection, no cable card) - it went through a software update and then downloaded initial programming guide after I selected all channels I am supposed to get. Then plugged in m-card and called Cox number to verify its pairing. The technician recorded info (card id, sn, tivo host id, etc) and indicated it was paired successfully. However, when I tried to view channels, only a very few (like 5 or 6) are viewable. The others show signal strength of 88 - 90 but no video/audio - some, but not all, say channel not authorized. The technician didn't have any suggestions other than to schedule a service call (said it could be a bad m-card) - I said I'd schedule it by calling back tomorrow. If I connect the Cox coax feed directly to the tv set, all of the channels 2 - 75 come in fine, so not sure what the problem might be. Is there a way to reset the channel map? I initially chose Aiieso-Viejo basic digital plus extended because that seemed like the best of the 2 alternatives given (and it did show all the correct channels).
You should check CableCard->Conditional Access screen to see if your CableCard is properly paired. You should see a "V" after Val for properly paired CableCard.
EXAMPLES:

NOT PAIRED PROPERLY
Con: Yes EBCP: Yes Val: ? 0x15

PAIRED PROPERLY
Con: Yes EBCP: Yes Val: V 0x0E
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post #7227 of 7251
4/9/13 at 2:57pm
See, I knew he would know smile.gif
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post #7228 of 7251
4/9/13 at 3:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by moyekj View Post

You should check CableCard->Conditional Access screen to see if your CableCard is properly paired. You should see a "V" after Val for properly paired CableCard.
EXAMPLES:

NOT PAIRED PROPERLY
Con: Yes EBCP: Yes Val: ? 0x15

PAIRED PROPERLY
Con: Yes EBCP: Yes Val: V 0x0E

Quote:
Originally Posted by Whitearrow View Post

See, I knew he would know smile.gif

thanks; I have made some progress - I revisited Cox store this morning and exchanged m-card, ta for a new set. Then with the m-card in (w/o ta) and re-paired by Cox I am able to get a lot of channels including most of the 12xx premiums. (the COND status shows V); however, when I connect and power on the TA it just continually blinks yellow light (let it run for 30 minutes, then unplugged TA and Tivo and replugged in, still just yellow blinking light). I also tried going directly through TA and back out of it to Tivo (rather than using splitter) with same results.

PS - I apologize to the readers here for posting a lot of specialized messages, but hopefully the answers might be useful to some.
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post #7229 of 7251
4/9/13 at 3:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by twarren View Post


thanks; I have made some progress - I revisited Cox store this morning and exchanged m-card, ta for a new set. Then with the m-card in (w/o ta) and re-paired by Cox I am able to get a lot of channels including most of the 12xx premiums. (the COND status shows V); however, when I connect and power on the TA it just continually blinks yellow light (let it run for 30 minutes, then unplugged TA and Tivo and replugged in, still just yellow blinking light). I also tried going directly through TA and back out of it to Tivo (rather than using splitter) with same results.
So the CableCard looks like it's now fine. If TA amber light is flashing then that means it's not communicating properly with headend. I'm assuming you did activate the TA as instructed over the phone right? 1st thing you should check is if the TA is properly added to your account. Then, from my understanding of previous calls to Cox there are 2 signals they can send to a TA, similar to the signals they can send to normal set top boxes. Cox should be able to determine if the TA is receiving the signals they send. Once they send the right signal(s) within 2-3 minutes the amber light should go solid and then the TiVo will go to a "TA Connected" screen and then everything should be working normally. If you can't get the TA to stop flashing then try calling a different tech as some of them are better than others.
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post #7230 of 7251
4/9/13 at 4:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by moyekj View Post

I'm assuming you did activate the TA as instructed over the phone right? 1st thing you should check is if the TA is properly added to your account.

Yes, you need to make a phone call to another special number, different than the cable card one... let me know if they didn't give you the instruction flyer, I think I have it saved as a PDF somewhere.
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