CableCARD Channels Not Working (1 Viewer)

[mm1352000]

Seeing as how I have to replace it...

How did you come to the conclusion that you need to replace it?
I ask this because honestly that answer from Ceton sounds suspicious. Apart from not being able to view the FOX channels (which may be expected due to DRM) and upgrade the firmware, have you noticed anything wrong with the tuner? In other words: what would cause you to believe that there really is hardware damage/failure?

...do you suggest I stick with Ceton or do you think going to SiliconDust or Hauppage would be better?

Hauppauge CableCARD tuners are made by SiliconDust. Therefore IMHO the only reason to choose Hauppauge would be if you specifically want a USB-connected tuner (ie. DCR-2650).
I cannot advise on Ceton vs. SiliconDust as I've never really used CableCARD tuners myself.

 

[Lyfesaver74]

You are right, that it is only some channels. But while it does work for others, I need those FOX channels for sports (main reason I use live TV). So, the Ceton as it is is not useful to me. So I deduced I have to replace it. Do you have other suggestions? I am all ears, brother!!

 

[mm1352000]

I need those FOX channels for sports (main reason I use live TV). So, the Ceton as it is is not useful to me. So I deduced I have to replace it.

Well, if the FOX channels really are DRM-protected, replacing the tuner won't make a difference. If the channels are DRM'd with one tuner, they'll be DRM'd with all tuners. DRM'd channels cannot be viewed or recorded by MediaPortal. Period. WMC is currently the only software that would enable you to view or record DRM'd channels.

Do you have other suggestions?

If the FOX channels are so important to you, I suggest you confirm why you're not able to view them in MP. All the signs I've seen so far from the information you've provided suggest the reason is that they're DRM-protected. Verizon should be able to confirm this if you don't trust the Ceton website/diagnostic info. Another way to confirm would be to try viewing them with other software.

If you think it's plausible that tuner hardware damage is the real cause then sure, replace the tuner... but I don't recommend this unless you have good evidence of damage.

Like I said, I currently have no reason to believe that there is damage. My opinion is that the channels are DRM-protected, and therefore getting a new tuner wouldn't help you.

 

[Lyfesaver74]

Well, no. I mean, it does not need to be replaced because it cannot get those channels, it is to be replaced because it cannot update firmware anymore. It is broken in that way. It was my belief that due to the links you shared that a new firmware would allow me to view these channels, meaning that they are not DRM'd. I could be wrong tho.

 

[mm1352000]

It was my belief that due to the links you shared that a new firmware would allow me to view these channels...

To be very clear: the firmware update may help... or it may not. I cannot give you any guarantees about that.

...meaning that they are not DRM'd.

It's actually hard to know.

The screenshot from the Ceton webpage you provided showed that particular channel appeared to be protected with CGMS-A. That's where the relevance of the links I posted comes in. They say things like:
[collapse]...until recently when the specification changed to allow the card to not provide a CCI flag (the digital indicator which notes Copy-Feely/Once/Never) on for content which should be marked Copy-Freely causing the DCT to fall back to CGMS-A, APS and RC (noted in Annex A above) which in most cases have random or incorrect values assigned. Requiring DRM on a show where it shouldn’t.

While Ceton wasn’t at CES, I did run into Eric Kotz while at the show and he mentioned that they were trying to get the OCUR specification changed to remove the need to monitor CGMS-A, APS, and RC so only CCI flags will be honored. That change was approved today (OCUR-N-14.1880-1)»www.cablelabs.com/specif ··· eceiver/ ; which means that everyone who was enjoying CableCARD content outside of WMC and started having trouble when the CCI flags went away are just a firmware update away from getting back to rocking out with their ultimate HTPC DVR.[/collapse]

So the question is: is the DCT (tuner/CableCARD) falling back to CGMS-A in the absence of other DRM/protection markings, or is the channel actually intentionally marked that way? If the DCT is falling back, the firmware update should help; if not, neither the firmware update nor replacement tuner would help.

I don't think it's possible for us to answer the above question without trying the firmware update. However, either Ceton and/or Verizon may be able to. Maybe the best thing to do would be to explain the full situation to Ceton. They may be able to advise whether the firmware update would make a difference. Otherwise like I said in my previous reply, Verizon should be able to confirm if the channels are DRM'd in your area.