Comments on: TiVo + CableCARD = The Best DVR Yet

By: Mike Luke

Mike Luke — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 21:07:55 +0000

I have a TIVO HD. I have basic comcast cable. I do not have a cable box. I presently do not have any M or S-Card. I do not get HD when viewing from the TIVO – I do when viewing from TV. I can record 2-channels one once.
My question is – if I get the 2 S-Cards or 1 M-Card will I then get HD channels on my TIVO HD

By: Peter Capek

Peter Capek — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:10:09 +0000

I have a TivoHD with an M-card from Cablevision and am pretty happy with it. I do occasionally run into the “loss of all channels” problem mentioned above, but it happens only every few months, and then is easily fixed by rebooting, or by ejecting and reseating the M-card.

I’m curious if anyone knows whether it is technical or economic (what other possibilities are there?) reasons which dictate that there isn’t a version of a Tivo 3 which operates with an upstream cable box, and which connects to the cable box with a secure HDMI cable (so the precious content is safe and secure and digital), and possibly an IR dongle if needed. Since so many cable system seem to be slow and/or incompetent are providing cable cards, this would appear to be a good way to go. Or is there a problem I’m missing?

By: mark

mark — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:29:25 +0000

Blue ridge will have an adapter for some TIVO boxes with cable cards. Call them. 800 CABLE 77

By: jsvb1977

jsvb1977 — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:25:13 +0000

We have an HD Tivo and are provided service from Blue Ridge Cable. We were just informed that they will be “upgrading” their technology so we will be losing the ability to view HBO HD [and numerous other HD Spanish Channels] since we are using the Cable Cards. How unfortunate for us. Just an FYI.

Although I like the cable card [dual stream] it would be nice to have the option of an HD tivo that supports an hd cable box provided by our cable company — that would allow us to view HBO HD as well as on demand programming.

The on demand is not such a big deal since we are netflix subscribers and now block buster is also integrated along with Amazon Downloads. There is enough content out there that on demand is not needed.

Lastly, I will ask if any one else has had this “No HBO HD with Cable Cards” thrust upon them without warning?

Thank you.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:46:03 +0000

Nope – you need a whole new TiVo to get the ability to use a CableCARD. These are here:

http://www.weaknees.com/3

By: Chuck

Chuck — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:23:35 +0000

I have an old TIVO with no card slot. Do I need to upgrade my TIVO or can I somehow attach a card reader somehow?

Thnaks

By: Oscar

Oscar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:54:05 +0000

I have just purchased a TiVo HD. We have comcast in the area who want to charge me an additional $9.95/month for a Cable Card. If I could purchase a Comcast M-Card online would that work in my machne? Thanks.

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:51:29 +0000

Thanks Michael. I appreciate the quick response. All the best!

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:32:08 +0000

Nope – the TiVo HD and the TiVo HD XL will NOT work with a regular cable box at all.

The options are:

-antenna

-analog cable with no box

-digital cable with CableCARD

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:04:45 +0000

I’m sure this has been asked and answered, but I can’t find it. I have a small town cable company in Canada. I was their first ever customer to have TiVo. My TiVo didn’t even recognize them. TiVo had to contact the cable company and get their channel listing. Anyway, I’m considering getting an HD XL, but all I’m reading about is CableCARDs. Is this a must or will the HD XL work with my HD box supplied by the cable provider. Thanks and all the best!