How To Get Two CableCARDs For Your Series 3 TiVo
Last night I finally got a chance to call Time Warner (TWC) and order two CableCARDs for my Series 3 TiVo. To my surprise, it was rather easy to order the cards and get the installation scheduled. I know that some people have had a tough time with getting their cable company to provide them with CableCARDs for their Series 3 TiVo. In my case it really wasn’t that bad. The CSR that I spoke with did provide me with some false information however, I don’t think this was done on purpose. According to the CSR, the installation is free and each CableCARD will cost $2.73/month. I have an appointment scheduled for next Tuesday between 12 - 5PM. I’ll be sure to let everybody know how the installation goes.
On an unrelated note, I’d like to thank both Jonahthon and Trevor for providing me with a TiVo referral.
June 8th, 2007 at 8:20 am |
Very interesting phone conversation Alex. They told you what I have heard others have been told. That basically cable card doesn’t get you HD channels that are encrypted (A&E, ESPN etc).
It will be interesting to hear what you actually receive. They are basically claiming that cable card is just a clear QAM tuner. Doesn’t make sense to me.
But then again from their perspective 2.73/month sucks compared to the 7 or 8 bucks a month a HD box gets them. Plus the chance to sell PPV and VOD.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:10 am |
This has me confused as well. Could it be that A&E & ESPN2 are switched digital? Like you said, I don’t think I’ll really know what’s available until I have the cards setup. As a side note, the CSR that I spoke with pretty much just read this website: http://www.timewarnercable.com/centralny/products/cablecard.html
June 8th, 2007 at 9:35 am |
Thanks for posting the phone call, that was really helpful. Do you mind if I ask where you’re located? (I know different offices seem to get different responses). Also, I found it interesting that they offered to bring you a cable box out as well to replace your DVR, I guess if you wanted to then you could use that in addition to the TiVo to get the On Demand and PPV stuff (I know, you don’t care - but I love the on demand concept so will likely try to do that).
June 8th, 2007 at 10:24 am |
i’ve had an s3 with cableCARDS since last fall from TimeWarner/Comcast (Comcast assumed TW’s business in the Twin Cities because apparently Time Warner didn’t like making money here in Minnesota). Anyway, you shouldn’t have a problem with any HD channels that do not involve two-way (onDemand, PPV) communication or that you haven’t paid for (HBO, etc). The ‘varies’ thing on that site probably refers to the specific channel lineup in your city.
now my question is when are the new cableCARDS that are multi-tuner capable coming out? so i don’t have to have two in my tivo - one of which consistently needs to be reseated - and i’d rather have a frontal lobotomy than go thru the rigmarole of having a comcast tech at my house.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:14 am |
No problem…I’m located in New Hartford, NY. You’re right about the set top box. You could keep it but I don’t want it. As of right now, I do have a stp but I plan on getting rid of it.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:16 am |
There’s been tons of phone conversations I’d have liked to record (or admit to) and post, but man I’m scared.
June 8th, 2007 at 5:34 pm |
Good luck. I had a total of 3 “installer” appointments, nearly 20 hours spent on the phone with TWC (sometimes with a TiVo rep also on the line) and only after all of that did I actually get things set up and working. It took far too much effort and clearly there are very few people that know anything about CableCARD technology. I posted a rather lengthy explanation of the ordeal on my site, sent it in to the consumerist and have written a few letters to various people at TWC.
June 9th, 2007 at 1:04 am |
I’m curious, currently I’m paying for Comcast Digital HD service (along with internet and phone), the cable costs me about $75/mnth. If I got a Series3 and two CableCards from Comcast, would I get all the channels I have now for only the cost of the cards? Or do I pay that fee on top of the programming package I need to select to get the channels I want?
June 9th, 2007 at 7:29 am |
You pay that fee on top of the fee it costs you for your cable. CableCARDs simply allows your TiVo to receive and record digital channels. It essentially replaces the set top box with a small card. The S3 probably won’t save you money unless of course you have an antenna and you decided to get rid of cable all together.
June 13th, 2007 at 11:45 pm |
[...] Thursday I blogged about my phone conversation with Time Warner Cable and how I setup an appointment to get two CableCARDs installed in my Series 3 TiVo. Well, my [...]