So my install was yesterday and I thought it went pretty smoothly as I checked my local hdtv channels before he left on both tuners and all was well. The problem is I am only able to get the locals in hdtv and the regular (basic) channels 0 thru 17 everything else is just a black screen I don't get a no signal error just a black screen. So my question is do you think they just didn't activate all my channels on the cable cards? I almost think I am just tuning QAM but not sure if qam would re-map to their 700 series channels. When I look at the cable card status in media center both say authorized and I have both green lights on my tuners. Any help is appreciated.

I had a similar problem as you described. It turns out that the cable company has to send an "INIT" signal to activate the rest of your channels. You'll need to look up your data address and unit address so you will have it ready when the cable company calls you. You can find these settings in Network/Ati tuner. Or you can just do it in the media center TV signal/ tuner diagnosics menu.

 

 

 

I will call cox tonight and try this.

Will be difficult I have a feeling as I had to argue yesterday to get the cable cards installed. The first thing the installer said was "we don't support those" and I had to argue and threaten FCC with his boss to get them installed. They tried to tell me they weren't cable labs certified. So I have a feeling I am in for a long haul. :(

Definitely sounds like you are just getting the QAM channels because when I hooked my tuner up without the CableCARD, I'm pretty sure it did re-map the local HD channels to the channel in the digital cable lineup.

That sucks about the install for you. I have Cox here in Topeka and while the guy didn't know what the tuner was, he didn't have a problem doing the install. He actually just handed it to me and let me put it in the tuner. I have an install scheduled for tonight for my second tuner. Hopefully I don't have any issues with it (knock on wood).

Good luck getting it straightened out.

Doesn anyone know how to tell me if I am just getting qam or not?? surely there is a way I can check this. I wouldn't think I would get channels 0 thru 20 like i do if that was the case but I have not idea.

When I set mine up I got channels 1-72 and then the QAM HD channels. However, I do remember having to map the channels to the correct local HD channel. Also, I had to perform a search for the channels. Did you have to do any of this?

No no mapping or seaching for channels so it must be the cable cards are not activated correctly. I have a feeling it is going to be a long night on the phone with cox.

Sounds like that is correct to me. Although, they should just have to re-pair the card so I wouldn't think it would take that long. But if they are resistant to the technology, then I can see where you are coming from. Like I said before, good luck!

Save yourself a lot time before you call the cable company. Be sure that your cablecard is "paired". you can check that in the Start menu/Network/Ati Tv tuner. Go through the menus in the ATI window. Also, ask for a higher level of Tech Support at your cable company. If you don't I guarantee the you are going to get nothing but headaches.

Do you know what menu in the ati;s webpage it will say paired on?

PluckyHD, good luck and keep us updated.  We have almost been step in step with our setups and I appreciate all the postings you have done on the forums.

Bump

Anybody able to tell me where it will say "paired"?

it doesn't say "paired" anywhere.

I believe what you look for is a OOB(Out of Band) Lock.

which if your bottom light is green you have it.

here is another thread that has more info for the problem it sounds like your having.

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/245395.aspx

i have 1 tuner working perfectly and a replacement tuner coming friday for the second tuner that has been deemed bad!

goood luck!!!

Dave.

yes the out of band is locked on both tuners no problem there.

I called cox asked them to send a "init" and they said they did but I saw nothing on the traces screen so they are sending out another tech tomorrow. Don't really think this is necessary but didn't have the energy to argue.

I had my cablecards installed today and had the samething. The installer said that because I was getting my locals and local HD the the cards were paired but they did not have the programing or know what programing I have. Side note when they were pairing the cards I could not get any channels. We shut down the pc, rebooted the tuners, then turned the pc on. At that point I had to take a call but 15 minutes later he had it working. So I thing it is something on there end. He did have these two documents when I want upstairs and said they were helpful.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/using/cablecard.mspx
http://utahtechinfo.com/video/cablecard/CableCARD_DCT_TROUBLESHOOTING_GUIDE.pdf

If you can't get anywhere tonight let me know because I get his email address and I could shout him an email to ask him what he did.