Last year, the FCC ordered CableCARD reform. While I had doubts that change would arrive, and in a relatively timely fashion, at least one “cable” operator has gotten with the program. Beginning this past weekend, current and potential Verizon FiOS TV customers can now order CableCARDs online ($3.99/month) for their TiVo, Windows Media Center, or old school CableCARD-equipped HDTV. Further, Verizon also now provides an online widget and associated two page guide enabling customers to handle CableCARD pairing themselves. No technician visit required. Amen for progress.
In my experience Verizon is the most CableCARD- and TiVo-friendly operator out there with personnel who clearly understand the technology and who don’t assume their customers are video pirates (compared to say Cox Communications). But TiVo Inc looks forward to 8/1/2011 – the date by which supposedly all cable operators get with the program and allow CableCARD self installs. Unfortunately, even if it comes to pass, the scourge of SDV will remain.
FiOS can’t roll out fast enough here. I cannot wait to kick Cox to the curb, at least for the TV side. They still haven’t heard of 10-181 … really looking forward to the call on August 1st.
Dave — isn’t November 1, 2011 the drop-dead date for ALL cable providers? August 1 is for those who allow self-installs of modems or cable boxes.
Honestly, I haven’t been paying close attention as I figure it doesn’t matter until they make themselves compliant. I remember the FCC fining a Hawaiian cable franchise like a ridiculously low amount, maybe $2500 for not conveying a SDV migration to customers in a timely fashion. With penalties like that, what’s the incentive for anyone to do anything as requested. The self-imposed and missed tru2way MOU was amusing, too. ;)
Exact language from FCC-10-181:
(1) provide the means to allow subscribers to self-install the CableCARD in a CableCARD reliant device purchased at retail and inform a subscriber of this option when the subscriber requests a CableCARD. This requirement shall be effective August 1, 2011, if the MVPD allows its subscribers to self-install any cable modems or operator-leased set-top boxes and November 1, 2011 if the MVPD does not allow its subscribers to self-install any cable modems or operator-leased set-top boxes;
As a Bright House Networks subscriber in Tampa with FiOS literally “down the street” from my condo I’m continually frustrated that I can’t dump BHN and move to FiOS. The lack of Tuning Adapter alone is enough justification to switch. Unfortunately I just read another article that says Verizon isn’t planning on increasing their footprint in the Tampa area until the housing market recovers. Oh well, should be interesting to see if BHN meets the August 1st deadline or face the risk of a $2,500 fine from the FCC!
Nothing from Comcast yet. Looking forward to the day I try my first self install. Can’t do it any worse than the guys who come to my house and screw the long strings of numbers up with their carelessness.
How does this order impact Time Warner though? Given that most TW systems use SDV and require you to use TA’s as well as cable cards, is TW only required to support self install of the cable card and not the TA’s? Or what?
I was just reading a horror story post on Tivo Community about some ‘new’ TA’s from Cisco that appear to simply not work at all and the lengths one guy had to go to, even with massive support from a great guy at TW, to get a working Tivo on them. Jeez. Glad Comcast doesn’t use SDV (course it would be Motorola TA’s instead, but I assume the same rules apply).
Waiting for the August 1st date that Comcast will supposedly offer self-install.
Thanks for the order details, Sam.
Glenn, Motorola SDV TAs have been less painful. Perhaps the firmware updates, including increasing supported streams from 2 to 4, have stabilized the Cisco platform. I had a heck of a time on Cox.
There is however a caveat to Verizon’s CC self install policy. All CC orders/installs are considered “self install” unless an additional STB is on the order. Also, if a truck roll is required expect a bill for 79.99.
Dave, yeah I’ve heard that. Problem is TW is the biggest deployer of SDV in the country and they use the apparently horrendous Cisco TA’s…
About 3 years ago, Verizon shipped me 4 cable cards and I put them in my two TiVo’s myself. At first I was charged $2.99 per card, but now it’s gone up to $3.99. I didn’t have any problem getting Verizon to send me the cards and they seemed happy to do so, even back then.
Despite all the deadlines, I’m quite skeptical, especially given absurdly low fines. Cable/satellite companies simply don’t care for TiVo and are happy to push their own DVRs.
For example, I live in Houston, a former TW market that Comcast acquired some time ago. When I spoke to them a couple of weeks ago to get a lowdown on pricing, I was quoted $9.95/mo for 1st HD DVR (12.45/mo regular price). When I asked about TiVo, they quoted me $8.50/mo price for a cable card.
How many people are going to choose TiVo over a cable company solution when it costs more? You have to buy your own TiVo, pay cable card fee, and pay a monthly TiVo fee. I’m on a grandfathered $6.99/mo TiVo plan, so I’d pay $15.50/mo without hardware costs. Current subscribers would pay $28.50 ($8.50+$19.99).
P.S. Now, if that wasn’t bad enough, as soon as I started talking about TiVo, Comcast sales rep was quick to offer me a “promo” price of $8.50 on HD DVR.
“How many people are going to choose TiVo over a cable company solution when it costs more?”
If you’re in a locale with multiple competitive wireline providers, the freedom a 3rd party TiVo offers can provide leverage to find other paths to save money.
Until/if AllVid hits, TiVo is at a major disadvantage on so many levels – marketing, financial, technical, conceptual. As far as promos, Verizon offered me a HD DVR free for 12 months. Doesn’t get much simpler or cheaper than that.
I just did a search on the Cox support site and it seems Cox now has self-install instructions for both the SDV tuning adapter and the cablecards. I’m not sure when self-install became an option – definitely within the past few months since I had to have Cox come out to finish the setup on my Tivo.
That’s a good sign… and hopefully the Cisco TAs are more stable these days with updated firmware. Now about the CCI Byte…
John, do you have a link? I don’t see it on my franchise’s (Cox Northern VA) page.
Just did a self-built HTPC with Win 7 Media Center and a Ceton quad tuner with FiOS cable card. They mailed me the card. Media Center configured it, told me what number to call; the agent was clearly not experienced with the process but accomplished it within 20 minutes. Now I have 4 channel record capability for the price of 1 $4/mo. card versus the $6 each cost of HD STBs and I’m thinking of selling a Tivo HD, saving $13/mo (Tivo) plus $4/mo for the Tivo’s cable card. Still need one STB to do on-demand but as more HBOGO-like internet viewing becomes available I may be able to flog that. Sadly it sounds like MS is going to orphan Media Center, just as it becomes the best DVR that comes free with Windows. Well I guess Win 7 will be around a long time.
“Well I guess Win 7 will be around a long time.”
And WMC will still be maintained in Win 8.
Hell, what’s the lifespan of CableCARD? 5 to 10 years? A WMC rig should last through most of that…
FYI, I just used this for my tivo S3 installing 2 M Cards on FIOS tv. Self-install page process worked smoothly using activation code Verizon provided with the 2 cards. FYI it took Verizon ~20 mins to provision the M Cards in the Tivo but once they did it is solid.
Dave,
Thanks, I had (having) a dog of a time. Surprised yesterday to be able to get Mcard yesterday. Stopped at a Verizon Fios store & picked one up. Went to the activation website & entered activation code & zip. FAILED! call tech support. After 2 hours they said it was finally activated. TiVo still didn’t work. Of course I thought everything would be paired, provisioned (whatever) but not.
Now I see your post and the additional steps after step one. Can’t wait to get home & try to finish the job. Hope I don’t need tech support again.
I was surprised that all the companies actually complied. I was expecting more complaints and some pulled teeth. However, the date came and went with little fuss and muss. People got the card and it seemed to just flow by.