CableCARD and Digital Cable FAQ

Your computer must be specially configured by the PC manufacturer to receive digital cable and high-definition TV signals. These systems, commonly known as "Windows Vista Digital Cable compatible," include at least one Digital Cable Tuner, which uses a CableCARD to decode premium digital and high-definition (HD) channels that your TV provider delivers through the coaxial cable to your home.

If you're not sure whether your computer is ready to receive digital cable signals, try the following:

• Identify the Digital Cable Tuner(s), configured as either a card installed inside your computer or a device that connects to your computer. Both internal and external Digital Cable Tuners have a coaxial cable input and a slot for a CableCARD.

• Look for the Digital Cable Product Identification (PID) located on a sticker affixed to the computer.

• Contact the computer manufacturer and ask if your system includes or is compatible with a Digital Cable Tuner.

A CableCARD is a security card that, when inserted in a slot on the Digital Cable Tuner, decodes the encrypted premium and HD content from digital cable channels.

You'll need a CableCARD if you want to watch encrypted digital and HD channels. If you choose not to use a CableCARD, you can watch and record basic cable TV channels, over-the-air HD channels (sometimes referred to as ATSC), and digital cable channels that are not encrypted (sometimes referred to as "clear QAM").

The channels and programming you can access depends on your cable provider, subscription package, and location.

Contact your cable provider to order a CableCARD. You will need to schedule a visit from a technician or pick up a CableCARD at your cable provider's service center. If your system has two Digital Cable Tuners, you will need one CableCARD for each tuner.

You will need an active digital cable TV subscription—contact your local cable provider to ask about available packages. Be sure to confirm that your cable provider distributes CableCARDs to subscribers; without one, the Digital Cable Tuner will not be able to decode encrypted digital and HD channels.

Your computer must also be connected to the Internet to set up the CableCARD and TV signal. If you do not have Internet service, contact a local provider to order a subscription.

Follow the steps below before the cable TV installer visits your home to help ensure a quick, trouble-free CableCARD activation.

• Set up a standard cable TV signal in Windows Media Center. To do this, connect the coaxial cable from the cable source (wall jack) to the Digital Cable Tuner. From the Windows Media Center start screen, scroll to Tasks, click settings, click TV, and then click Set up a TV signal. Follow the steps to connect a TV signal.

• Set up Guide listings. On the start screen, scroll to Tasks, click settings, click TV, click Guide, and then click Set Up Guide Listings. Follow the directions on the screen to set up Guide listings for your area.

• Confirm that you can view basic cable channels (02-99) available in your lineup.

• If the tuner is installed inside your computer, be sure the installer can easily access the connections and CableCARD slot on the back of the computer. If the tuner is an external device, the installer will need access to the CableCARD slot and indicator lights (LED) on the front panel.

That depends on your cable provider. Most cable providers will send a technician to your home. Some might provide the option to pick up a CableCARD at a service center and instruct you to call customer service to activate the CableCARD.

If your cable provider did not give you specific instructions to install and activate the CableCARD, follow the steps below:

1. Set up your computer. Follow the manufacturer's setup instructions included with your PC to ensure all cables and devices are connected. Be sure to set up your PC within reach of the coaxial cable that connects to the cable TV wall outlet.

2. Connect the Digital Cable Tuner(s). Follow the manufacturer's setup instructions to connect the Digital Cable Tuner to the computer and cable wall jack.

3. Install the CableCARD: Follow the manufacturer's setup instructions included with your PC to ensure all cables and devices are connected. Be sure to set up your PC within reach of the coaxial cable that connects to the cable TV wall outlet.

   • Write down the serial number located on the CableCARD. The number will not be visible when the CableCARD is inserted into the Digital Cable Tuner. If you have two Digital Cable Tuners, be sure to note which CableCARD is paired with each tuner.

   • If it's powered on, shut down the computer. On the Windows Vista desktop, click the Start button, and then click the arrow next to the Lock button. Select and click the Shut Down option.

   • If the Digital Cable Tuner is an external device, unplug the power cord from the back of the unit.

   • Insert the CableCARD in the slot on the Digital Cable Tuner.

   • Reconnect the power cord on the tuner and turn on the power to the computer to start Windows Vista.

   • External digital tuners include two indicator lights (LED) on the front panel. The LEDs will aid in determining the current status of the device. Confirm that both LEDs are solid green. If the LEDs are flashing or red, consult troubleshooting steps in the user documentation provided by the computer manufacturer.

4. Set up Windows Media Center. On the Start screen, scroll to Tasks, click Settings, click TV, and then click Set Up TV Signal. Follow the steps to set up a TV signal with a CableCARD.

5. Call your cable provider. Tell the representative that you want to activate a CableCARD installed on a Windows Vista Digital Cable compatible computer. Provide the CableCARD serial number that you wrote down if it is requested.

6. Set up Guide listings. After the CableCARD is activated, configure Program Guide listings. Scroll to Tasks, scroll left and click Settings, click TV and then click Guide. Click Set Up Guide Listings and follow the steps on the screen.

If you are having trouble activating the CableCARD, follow the steps listed in the CableCARD Activation Guide below.

Your Digital Cable Tuner works much like a cable set-top box. The CableCARD is the "key" that lets the tuner unlock the premium channels that you subscribe to. When you contact your cable provider, the technician will first confirm that the CableCARD's unique ID matches your account. Then, the technician will transmit an "INIT" message to initialize the CableCARD and a "hit" message to activate the service. After that's done, your CableCARD is "paired" to the tuner and you should be ready to watch and record all your favorite shows.

Restart your computer and tune to a TV channel. If you receive the error again, you may need to update the firmware for the Digital Cable Tuner. Refer to documentation or contact your computer manufacturer for assistance.

You may also see the error message if a firewall program, such as an anti-virus program with firewall features, closes ports on your computer that must be open for the Digital Cable Tuner to work. If you have one of the anti-virus programs below, follow the steps to resolve the problem.

Windows Live OneCare: Use the firewall connection tool to allow the Windows Media Center ports to be available to the Digital Cable Tuner. To do this, follow these steps.

1. Start Windows Live OneCare.

2. In the left pane, click Change settings.

3. On the Firewall tab, click Configure firewall.

4. Click to expand the Media Center Extender item.

5. Select the Turn on Media Center Extender radio button.

6. Click the Apply button.

7. Click Close, and then close the Windows Live OneCare Settings dialog box.

8. Restart the computer.

Symantec Norton Internet Security 2007: Run LiveUpdate to install the latest signature files (released after January 31, 2007).

McAfee Internet Security Suite 2007: You will need to manually allow access to the system service port in the Firewall feature.

1. Right-click the McAfee icon in the Windows system tray and click on SecurityCenter. On the Internet & Network Configuration pane, click Advanced.

2. On the Firewall tab, click Firewall connection tool.

3. On the Firewall pane, click System Services.

4. Under Open System Service Port, select Universal Plug & Play (UPnP).

5. Click OK.

Other Firewall Programs
If you have a firewall not listed above, try the following steps:

1. Go to your firewall's settings option.

2. Look for a list of applications that are allowed or prevented access to the Internet.

3. Look for the applications listed in the table below. If it's designated as blocked or prevented access to the Internet, change the setting to allow access. If it's not listed at all, manually add it and allow access to the network.

4. Save your changes and restart your firewall program.

If you configure a firewall after you install and configure your Digital Cable Tuners, you must manually configure the firewall to open the following ports.

	Application	Protocol / Port	Direction	Network
	ehprivjob.exe	UDP 5001-5006	Inbound	Local Subnet
	svchost.exe	UDP 1900	Inbound, Outbound	Local Subnet
	system	TCP 2869	Inbound, Outbound	Local Subnet
	ehprivjob.exe	TCP 554	Outbound	Local Subnet
	ehprivjob.exe	UDP 5757-5772	Outbound	Local Subnet

The procedure that you use to manually configure these ports is different for each firewall model and for each firewall manufacturer. For more information about how to configure your firewall, see its documentation.

You can connect your computer to many different types of displays, ranging from a standard CRT computer monitor to a flat panel LCD or plasma TV. When connected to a HD-ready display, your system can provide theater-quality TV entertainment. Make sure you use the best possible cables for connections between the Media Center PC and the TV. Before connecting any display, check with your computer manufacturer to confirm it is authorized for use with your system.

DVI and HDMI cables provide the best quality connections between a computer and a display. DVI transmits the digital signal in its raw form. HDMI, the newest standard digital interface, transmits audio and video signals together in an uncompressed format.

Learn more about the types of video cables that can be used to connect the Media Center PC to other A/V components here.

If you don't have a picture on a connected display, try the following:

• If you are using a DVI or HDMI cable, confirm the display is HDCP-compliant and authorized for use with your system by the computer manufacturer. HDCP stands for High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection and is used to prevent unauthorized duplication of copywritten material.

• Confirm that the power supply and cables are connected and that the display is powered on.

• Check the display and connection selection in the display's settings menu, if available.

A Windows Vista Digital Cable compatible computer supports up to two Digital Cable Tuners, providing more flexibility in the way you watch and record TV. With two Digital Cable Tuners, you can watch a live program while recording another program for viewing later or record two programs at the same time.

Contact your PC manufacturer to purchase an additional Digital Cable Tuner. Both Digital Cable Tuners must be identically configured with CableCARDs to enable viewing and recording of encrypted and high definition programming. Schedule an appointment with your cable provider to install the additional tuner and CableCARD.

You can use a splitter to divide the TV signal from the wall jack to the tuners. Each tuner must have a TV signal connected to the TV IN jack on the tuner.

This tutorial provides advanced steps to activate a CableCARD on a Windows Vista Digital Cable Compatible PC. To get started, you will need to contact your cable TV provider to order a CableCARD, a security card that fits a slot on the Digital Cable Tuner(s) included with your computer and decodes the encrypted digital TV content that your TV provider delivers through the coaxial cable to your home. To receive premium and/or high-definition programming, you will need an active digital TV subscription from your local cable TV provider.

1. Your PC includes one or two Digital Cable Tuner(s), configured as a pre-installed internal tuner board or a separate device that connects to your PC. Follow the installation and setup instructions in the Digital Cable Tuner user manual, included with your system or available at the manufacturer's Web site.

2. Connect the cable from the cable source (wall jack) to the TV IN jack on the Digital Cable Tuner. If you have two Digital Cable Tuners that you want to use with Windows Media Center, you can use a splitter to divide the TV signal from the wall jack to the tuners. Each tuner must have a TV signal connected to the TV IN jack on the tuner, as well as its own CableCARD.

3. Write down the serial number located on the CableCARD, and then insert the CableCARD into the Digital Cable Tuner.

4. On the start screen, scroll to Tasks, scroll left and click Settings, click TV, and then click Set Up TV Signal.

   

5. Follow the steps to connect a digital cable signal. Make sure that Windows Media Center identifies the correct number of connected Digital Cable Tuners.

   

6. Configure Program Guide listings. Scroll to Tasks, scroll left and click Settings, click TV and then click Guide. Click Set Up Guide Listings and follow the steps on-screen.

   

7. From the Windows Vista desktop, click Start, and then click Network. Double-click the Digital Cable Tuner to open the Web-based administrative utility.

   

8. Click on tuner tab.

   

9. In the OOB Tuner section, confirm that the Carrier Lock field displays "1." This value confirms that the Digital Cable Tuner is receiving an "out-of-band" signal, which transmits messages that are not part of the broadcast signal.

   

10. In the Internet Explorer address bar, change "/index.html" to "/advindex.html" and click Refresh (F5).

    

11. Click the Traces tab, and then click Display Traces.

    

12. Call your cable TV provider. Tell the representative that you want to activate a CableCARD installed on a Windows Vista Digital Cable Compatible PC. The representative may ask for the CableCARD's serial number.

13. The technician will transmit an "INIT" message to initialize the CableCARD, and then send a "hit" message to activate service. For best results, ask the technician to wait approximately one minute after sending the "hit" message before transmitting the "INIT" message.

    Activation may take between 5 and 45 minutes.

14. Carefully watch the debug messages in the Traces window. When you see the following message, the card has received the INIT message:

    link.c > link_StopFromPhys: channel 0 is not active

15. Allow approximately five minutes for channel information to load onto the CableCARD. Then, try tuning several premium channels, including high definition programming.

16. If you do not receive the message in step 14 and, instead, receive the message tunemngr.c > TuneByVirtualChannelNumber: data for channel 664 is not available in SI database the CableCARD was not successfully paired. Repeat steps 12-16 to try pairing the CableCARD again.