Anyone have ComCast CableCard?

Don't know the tech details, but I've read that CableCards are actually matched to the TV. Don't know exactly what's involved, but imagine it is something like bluetooth pairing between devices.

I have a CableCard in my Samsung HL-S7178. The TV Guide works, once I ran setup. It did take more than a day for the guide to update. Note that it only works for me when I hit the TV Guide button ... it does not show descriptive info for individual channels (meaning, when I'm on a channel, and hit "info", it says detailed info unavailable).

It doesn't stop working when removed, it stops working when you attempt to plug it into a new display or device. If authorized CableCards would work in any TV, there'd be nothing stopping you from giving one to your neighbor down the street. Hence, CableCards are mated to the original device where they are installed.

Most cable companies are doing this, or soon will be, and Comcast is not alone by any means. Older versions of Motorola and SA head-end software did not support this, which is why Comcast and some other cable companies weren't able to do it in the past, even though it was their plan / intention all along. Now that the software is available to them, they are taking advantage of it to curb piracy.


Only the cable company can authorize cards. In some areas, cable companies will let you perform the initial CableCard installation -- basically, they give you the card, you stick it in the TV, and call a 1-800 number to activate. However, after that is done, the card is typically mated to that TV, and will de-authorize if plugged into another device.


Current CableCard technology is unidirectional, meaning your CableCard device receives data, but it can't send a request for guide data. Since your TV can't request guide data from Comcast, it has to get it somewhere else. For its CableCard DVR, Tivo gets its guide data using the Internet (i.e. wireless).

Most TVs with integrated CableCard use the TVGuideOS software from Gemstar, which pays broadcast stations like PBS money to deliver their guide data in the blanking interval of the television signal. Unfortunately, this free service is not available inmany areas. In some markets, the broadcasters want more money than Gemstar is willing to pay for the datacast; in others, Gemstar simply doesn't feel the market is large enough to justify the effort / expenditure.

Currently, the only way to get guide information from Comcast is by using their set-top box or DVR. Most Comcast customers on this forum choose to get the HDTV DVR, since it is only $9.95/mo, pretty cheap considering it is a $600 box.

Thanks for the info in your post. But ... if the above is true, then why is my guide working, since I have a CableCard from Comcast in my TV ... and no set-top box or dvr?

He just stated why. Your getting that info via TVGoS. My set has the same feature but it isn't available in my area. Your guide isn't the same as the one you would get if you had the DVR.

Thanks for clearing that up! The point I missed was guide information from Comcast. I know the Guide I'm getting on the CableCard isn't the same as the one from Comcast, as I've got a Comcast DVR set up in the other room.

As noted above, the TVGoS guide data isn't available in many markets. The only way to guarantee guide data is to buy a product that gets this information via the Internet (like the Tivo Series3) or the box from the cable company.

Have you considered replacing your CableCard with Comcast's $600 DVR for $9.95/mo? That would let you skip commercials and watch all programming on your schedule; it would also give you reliable guide data and VoD.

Since Comcast offers the cablecard for free, I have one in addition to my HDDVR so that I can use the PIP on my Mits 65732. I haven't bothered with the guide since I have the DVR, but I haven't managed to figure out how to change channels on the cablecard when I'm in PIP mode using a Harmony 890. It will only move up or down one channel using the channel up/down buttons. I've programmed the remote to work the TV channels in "device" mode and the DVR channels in "activity" mode. I can bring up the cablecard without PIP and punch in the channel and it works. In PIP, no joy. Anyone found a good solution?

I agree, an HD DVR is must for many people.

Actually, Comcast now charges $11.95 to upgrade the included Box to a DVR.
The included non-itemized box would otherwise be $4.15.
Total effective price is $16.10.

In areas that itemize all boxes, I would imagine the DVR is ~$15.95.

Greetings

Comcast S/A Cablecards cannot be switched from one TV to another unless the headend updates card info:

it may work for just a day or two after you put it in another TV