TWC reaction to cable card and TA

[Tivoman44]

I had to share this with everyone.  I spoke to a TWC rep to order the cable card and tuning adaptor.  They tried telling me that by having the tuning adaptor and card, would cost more than having the box and that I wouldn't get any HD channels hardly.  I told the guy I was aware that on demand wouldn't work, but he insisted the box would be better and cheaper and the adaptor does not allow the HD channels to come in.  

Has something changed recently?  Or is the customer service rep just not familiar with Tivo?   Loadstar I need your input on this.

[LoadStar]

Guy was so full of crap his eyes must've been turning brown.

TiVo with cable card and tuning adapter will get you everything except:
- OnDemand channels
- Start Over
- Caller ID on screen

That's it, that I'm aware of.

Oh, and cost: based on my most recent statement, the tuning adapter is free, and the cable card is $2.50/mo. That, of course, doesn't include the cost of the TiVo or the service.

[Jack 1000]

Guy was so full of crap his eyes must've been turning brown.

TiVo with cable card and tuning adapter will get you everything except:
- OnDemand channels
- Start Over
- Caller ID on screen

That's it, that I'm aware of.

Oh, and cost: based on my most recent statement, the tuning adapter is free, and the cable card is $2.50/mo. That, of course, doesn't include the cost of the TiVo or the service.

I heard the same thing that Loadstar has posted above.  Thanks Loadstar!

A worst case scenario is that if TWC changes the line-up you might have to rescan with your TIVO, so that the tuning adapter can pick up the new channel placement(s.)  That's all.

Jack

[Tivoman44]

Ok thank you.  I remember doing that last November when I had the cable card/TA.  Just wanted to make sure nothing has changed.  

As mentioned above last night, I just got really irked that the guy didn't quite understand what I was looking for, and kept saying how I need the box to get everything and how he cannot get me a discount, bla bla bla.  As I posted a few months ago I was looking for a way to lower my road runner 7 megs price, so I attempted to ask that but he didn't listen.  

I wonder if the reps have a quota, get a bonus or both on how many boxes they have to sell, or should I say lease.

[LoadStar]

I heard the same thing that Loadstar has posted above.  Thanks Loadstar!

A worst case scenario is that if TWC changes the line-up you might have to rescan with your TIVO, so that the tuning adapter can pick up the new channel placement(s.)  That's all.

Jack

You don't need to rescan, but there may be a delay before TiVo gets the new lineup.

(TiVo gets their guide data from Tribune Data Services, instead of using the guide data provided by Time Warner directly, so there is a possibility of a delay if Time Warner screws up and doesn't get the new lineup over to TDS.)

[Tivoman44]

Hey Loadstar, one more question, is there anything else to prep for the installation saturday on my Tivo.  I believe I have the most recent firmware/software.

Also I have a feeling they will only bring the cable card and not a tuning adapter.

[Tivoman44]

Also I was putzing around on TWC website and searched for cablecards, and it appears there is a newer card called Tru2way, anyone know anything about this?

http://www.timewarnercable.com/wisconsin/support/policies/cablecard.html

[LoadStar]

Also I was putzing around on TWC website and searched for cablecards, and it appears there is a newer card called Tru2way, anyone know anything about this?

http://www.timewarnercable.com/wisconsin/support/policies/cablecard.html

Tru2Way is another name for OCAP (OpenCable Application Platform). It was one concept that cable companies floated to make it look like they were allowing third party devices to have two-way communication services like on-demand and such.

Unfortunately, it was a cumbersome standard that would have required the cable company provided, Java-based, middleware software to be downloaded to the third party hardware. This would have essentially defeated the purpose of having a third party device in the first place. (no, third/first juxtaposition not intended, but I'm leaving it.)

At this point, cable company devices are the only ones using OCAP/tru2way, and for all extents and purposes, it's a dead standard. All it did was result in cable company boxes running slower and buggier.

[Danno321]

My Moxi with Cable Card and SDV Tuning Adapter is better HD picture quality than my previous SA8300HD ever was.  Even TWC techs remark how excellent the picture is.