Time Warner Cable Navigator - Page 502

Sorry for the newbie question, but is the MDN 3.0 still not available in NYC? My 8300HD is still running 2.5.

I have two 8300 HD boxes. I was recently hit with an upgrade to both boxes. I'm not sure of the version but now the screen saver shows a Time Warner logo and a digital clock.

On one of my boxes, I use Firewire channel changing. It seems that the new software incorrectly interprets certain Firewire commands that use to work. I am unable to tune 4 digit channels via Firewire channel changing. It simply refuses to process the last digit. So sending a tune request for channel 1002 results in the box tuning channel 100 since the last digit is dropped. This is highly annoying because I use a computer to issue channel change commands. Anyone else have this issue? I've tried ever combination of Firewire commands available and I'm unable to tune 4 digit channels.

I dont think your gonna like coming back to them! (Navigator - SLOW CRAP / Sara - EXCELLENT)

Only Partly True (like a politician these days).
SARA (Gone, but was excellent)
Navigator MDN (Very Excellent)
Navigator ODN (Slow Crap, as you said)

What you want is the OLD 8300HD - NOT any box with a CableCard in it (Such as the 8300HDC. The non-C boxes run MDN, while the C boxes run ODN.

The problem is actually getting a 8300HD (or other "non-C" box). The FCC prohibited cable companies from acquiring STBs without CableCards starting on July 2007. However, the FCC did not prohibit cable companies from recycling "non-C" boxes. So finding one of these boxes can be a challenge.

Note that the non-C Samsungs also run ODN. You want a non-C SA 8300. The Samsungs are faster than the SA-HDC's, but have HDMI issues, excpet for the Samsung 3090, which is a great box. Switch to Component Cables if you have HDMI problems consistently. This may also speed up the boxes.

Jack

I have an SA 3250 (NO HD,No card) And its slow as anything now with this crap on it....

It was PERFECT with Sara (Best response of any IRD they issued) .. I dont even it watch anything on it anymore to be honest,i cant stand how bad/ugly it is!!

If Only The Navigator Developers Would Talk To Us

I hate how TWC likes to lump all customers as one, as if we are brain-dead dolts or something. That's OK for people like older generations and the elderly who just want to know how to find their shows on TV.

My problem is that there are no advanced software techs/engineers to whom we could communicate about this technology, and I think that is not fair. Give some extra support for people who are into this, such as those who post on the forums like these. What's out there with regards to TWC for people who ARE actually interested in knowing about service updates and could even provide feedback that doesn't just go to some sales-happy marketing guy, but provides actual communication and feedback to the Navigator development team.

We would LOVE to talk to them! Why can't they talk to us? We are treated like the 80 year old customer who can't find the "B" button on the remote and that's a problem for advanced users.

It would be a great asset and help for us to communicate directly to the Navigator software development team for features and updates. Tell us what's being worked on! You don't even have to say when it is coming, I know that software updates can be delayed at any time. Just give us some idea of what you're doing. We are not asking you to revel program code or do any unethical crap. Why can't say for example, "Mike" and "Joe" from corporate tech support create a sticky thread in a forum like this and say, "Here's what's cooking in the Navigator Lab!"

Than inside they could produce a monthly to by-monthly newsletter that goes something like this: (Example only)

************************************

Dear TWC Customers,

Thank you for allowing us this opportunity to use this forum to provide information about Navigator updates and service. Monthly to bi-monthly, we will provide some information on features that we are working on to assist customers in using the guide. Please note that due to the rate of change and different box models and update roll-outs across divisions, we cannot give exact dates for roll-outs of these updates, but you will be pleased to know that based on customer surveys, inquiries, and feedback, we can release the following information:

1.) We are working on expanding the Search function in Navigator for the ODN platform. This will expand the search capacity of the boxes to allow the users to search by keywords.

2.) A Guide Filtering System is also being developed.

3.) We are trying to bring the Sort By Favorites option and expand on the "Favorite Channels" list in the next Navigator update.

Regards,

Mike and Joe
From the Navigator Development Team.

***************************************
Why couldn't we get something as simple as that?

Satch

Companies don't talk about problems with their products because it opens them up to lawsuits, possibility the costly class action type

They don't talk about new products or enhancements to existing products because if they change their mind or don't make the announced delivery date no one ever knows

They claim they do. Everytime I fill out the feedback form (see link in my sig) I now get a phone call telling me they got it and are listening, etc. blah, blah, but they never really do anything beyond that. It comes off as lame lip service to make us think they are listening. Think about it, I know I and many others flooded that feedback form for useful options like keyword search and a guide filter. Not one person I know EVER suggested or wanted Guide Transparency. So, what option did we get?

The CSR's are totally clueless beyond reading script. Even the so called specially trained PSA (Personal Solution Advisors) with my Sig Home package are lost. Sure, I get quicker response (no long holds, etc.) but not even close to what I thought Signature Home would be. In fact, I'm in the process of trying to get them to put me back in my old promotion because I've had nothing but issues with Sig Home to this day. I mean, they can't even give me straight answers on what modems they support or what modems they issue without wireless. Simple equipment questions.


Maybe so, but they could at least issue release notes so we know what they added, fixed, removed or enhanced. How many people have things like DVR Compensation and Guide Transparency now, but aren't even aware of it?

ADD ON/UPDATE: It appears they've removed just about every decent option from the "My Services" Account as well. I logged in to check some things and there is no more DVR Manager or Equipment list or VoiceMail.

Also, Time Warner is going to be giving Sling Boxes out to Sig Home and Top Tier subs Read About it HERE

Why do I think this has disaster written all over it?

I ran into a similar problem with them back in June. It turns out that they combined the accounting functions with the phone/DVR functions and changed the log-in as well. It was not obvious what was going on and the CSRs seemed incapable of dealing with the issue. Ultimately I got it squared away, but not without having customer retention get involved (though going through them saved me $40/month). It could be that a similar change is now hitting Syracuse.

I just checked "My Services" here (Rochester, NY) and everything seems OK.

I'd love a free Slingbox, but you need RR wideband to get one....with all the issues Ben's had there's no way I'd sign up for wideband at this point in time.

They seem to be missing from the My Services pages here as well.

DVR Manager can still be accessed directly at dvr.timewarnercable.com

Anybody have a status on the 4.1/5.0 roll out? I'm just trying to get an idea when it will hit the west coast. I'm in San Diego, so as a beta test site, we used to get the Nav updates early in the cycle. Nowadays, we're left twisting in the wind.

Same here in Charlotte.

Thanks so much Ben!

I just don't understand how for the last five years, the requests that customers have wanted for Navigator, such as Keyword Search, Permanent Guide Filtering, Manual Recording, have gone ignored by the tech team.

I mean WTF? Why did we get Guide Transparency? So far not one customer with whom I have talked, for the last five years of Navigator's development has requested Guide Transparency? There was no reason to add that. Absolutely none! It doesn't do anything useful.

When TWC says that they are listening to customers, sad to speak, I think it's just PR that they are saying what the customer wants to hear. We have not even gotten ONE of the big features talked about in FIVE YEARS. Not a one. I just don't understand that.

And you all know that Passport had ALL of those features ten years ago!!! Passport had a fine Keyword Search System, you could do Manual Recordings as well. When oh when are we gonna start seeing some serious Navigator updates on the boxes that proves that TWC does actually listen to its customers?

I mean seriously, can you imagine hundreds of people, thousands of people calling in and requesting a Transparent Guide on/off option? That's just retarded. How much longer are customers going to have to wait for new Navigator features that MEAN SOMETHING? I doubt TWC cares about adding new Navigator features as much as they should.

I would give anything for TWC to prove me wrong!!! And even if we get my most requested feature on Navigator, a proper keyword search option, I will praise and thank every TWC CSR, tech and feedback form I can find with the most sincerest of thank you's and best wishes.

Keyword Search is my NFL Network. That's how strongly I feel about it. I want so badly for TWC Navigator to be an awesome guide. I just feel like I'm gonna be dead before any of those features are added.

Jack

I'm a software developer. Sometimes i'll do something like guide transparency because it's easy, quick, fun, doesn't take up extra memory or CPU cycles. Complain about what you didn't get but just because you don't care for some feature don't complain about it.

what twc needs to do is forget navagator and consentrate on gettin every one a cable box that has HDMI 1.4 connectors and then distroy all cable boxes that have HDMI 1.0 connectors

Not gonna happen - TWC is still giving out 3000 Series boxes. I always said that they should offer a high end unit for subs that want one. IE: I've been looking at the Dish VIP 922 and it's probably the best set top on the market right now of any company. Dish offers different units for subs who want more options. TWC should do that - I'd pay for a high end set top.

Bottom line is that the equipment will always be TWC's Achilles Heel until they get with the times. The have great network infrastructure in my division, but even as a Sig Home customer I have to deal with garbage modems and slow, buggy set tops (mainly due to Navigator).

Agree Ben,

TWC's crappy equipment is what is hurting the company more than anything.

Jack

Well, I got nowhere with TWC this morning with my Sig Home issues. However, I was going to cancel (drop back to prior service) later today and lo and behold I get a follow up email from ARRIS telling me the TG852 Gateway has been approved by Time Warner and I should be able to get one from them. She says purchase, but it TWC is going to start using these, it could very well save Signature Home!

Sorry to go off topic, but it did kinda relate to crappy equipment! LOL

Finally some good news, Ben! That's awesome!!!! So how soon do you think you will be able to get your own gateway? I hope you can that $10 discount too!

E-mail me Ben when you get more details!

Jack

I wonder if a bunch of ppl threatening to cancel (LIKE 500+) unless Sara was put back IF THEY WOULD DO IT??

Nope, they lost 10's of thousands of subs this past year and still made more money than ever. I want to like Navigator - I want it to be a good functional guide, but I don't know if it will ever get there. If they could get SARA reliability and speed in Navigator, it'd be better. However, it still needs features that even a most basic GUI should have like Keyword Search and Guide Filtering.


Jack the response came from Arris (the device manufacturer) which I didn't expect. I'll bet a years pay that when I call Time Warner, they won't even know what it is! I'll float you an email because I don't want to hijack the Navigator thread with Sig Home stuff.

I just got back from the TWC NYC service center on Atlantic Ave., Queens today after going to replace my Samsung SMT-h3090 which yesterday went belly up after only about a year's service. They gave me a Cisco 8640HDC. I'd asked for a SMT-h3270, but they didn't have any, so I hope this Cisco DVR is a decent model. At least it has a Western Digital 320 GB drive in it which is a step up from the 3090's 160 GB drive. I usually only used around 50% of the drive's capacity anyway, since I'd would only keep my usual programmed shows for about 5 episodes and only did occasional spot recording. I lost a day's worth of programming (four shows) when the 3090 suddenly died overnight without warning and I'm pissed. That's why I always try to watch everything within a day of recording just in case the box dies. I'll have to download the episodes from d-addicts if they're available. So, anyway, I reset my programming schedule on the 8640HDC and so far the DVR seems to work well enough. It would be nice if TWC had account cloud storage for users so they could just pull down their old record schedules in case they have to replace their DVRs and there sure were plenty of customers swapping their DVR boxes which were mostly SA-8300HD(C) boxes. I had to guess at my padding times because I didn't precisely remember what I set on the dead DVR because I never bother to write down all those particulars.

The thing I hate most about the TWC boxes/software in Queens is that there's no manual recording feature anymore. I mostly record programs from a Korean station MKTV 532 and I'm always having problems due to missed show episodes. There always seems to be a programming guide problem with the same show having two slightly different names on different days of the week or sometimes the programming guide suddenly shows a completely different name for a series that is in progress. Sometimes the DVR doesn't care and records it and sometimes it doesn't record it. I have to check the show name in advance for every day of the week to be sure and sometimes set recording for both names which can sometimes produce double recording or some record overlapping.

I just can't reliably tape Korean serial dramas that usually have 16 episodes or as many as 160 episodes because the programming guide is not reliable or consistent enough over a month's span. When I had manual recording with an older Navigator system I could set a certain time and pad it over/under and no matter what show name the programming guide had, it would still get recorded. Set it once and forget it. No manual recording seriously sucks. I wrote in to complain about lack of manual recording but they claimed using only the programming guide is much better. Not for me it isn't. Especially if whoever/whatever is in control of setting the programming guide doesn't update it properly. I've been stuck using Mystro for a couple of years and nothing has improved. Also with that Korean channel, the shows can have as much as 15 minutes shift and usually I can compensate but there needs to be more flexible padding control, say 10, 17 or 20 minutes instead of jumping to a set extra 30 minutes. What is so difficult for them to add manual recording? How hard could that be?

Hopefully, I'll be moving on to Verizon FiOS by the end of the year now that it's available to me, but I've got to switch a lot of my RoadRunner-based email accounts over to some temporary mailbox from my RoadRunner account which I've used for almost eleven years before I make my change. Then it's good riddance to TWC and their high costs for slow upload speeds.

I just thought I'd share my little adventure for those who are interested in hearing about TWC NYC exploits. That's it for now.

I have TW phone service and I have had Caller ID on tv ...the option is supposed to be in the settings but it is no longer there....this was a great feature for those of us who unplug their phones....I have Navigator on a SA8300 box. and I am located in Southern Calif. is this feature gone forever?

Check the Access Menu, see if they moved Caller ID settings there. (Press A on remote.) Can't see they would take that out, that is one of TWC's most loved features according to the reps. Might be a software update coming. When did you lose that setting?

For new or swapped boxes, Caller ID settings can take between 5-24 hours to activate because the data linked to your account has to be downloaded from the head-end.

Jack

I just noticed on Wednesday that it was no longer available...I checked the menu ...then settings....gone....I have not swapped a box so I guess I will have to call TW....I will let you know what happens...

I recently had the same problem. I had to call Time Warner customer support. Once I found a person intelligent enough to comprehend the problem they changed some settings in their system and fixed it.

update: Just called TW and something is wrong. Someone in Huntington Beach close to me is having the same problem ..no CallerID on Tv....it is NOT a box problem unless you consider a software update that went wrong a box problem...got to a level 3 tech named Anthony who told me emails have been coming in since Monday complaining about this. So I need to wait to see if it can be resolved.

Leave your feedback about navigator

http://www.timewarnercable.com/north.../feedback.html

EXCELLENT,KEWL,K-RAD!!!