Unable to validate CableCARD

[tanderson92]

I'm trying to validate a CableCARD to use with my HD Homerun Prime. I called the activation hotline because the automatic activation process didn't work. The rep sent the validation code multiple times, but I didn't receive it on my end. The card is activated and has a good OOB lock, but without validation I can't receive any channels. I contacted SiliconDust support, and their review of my logs indicated the correct card is installed and signal is good. According to them, most users need Motorola cards, but since my area requires a Cisco card, the rep might not have been using the proper validation procedure. Is there a rep here willing to try validating my Cisco CableCARD?

CableCARD Status
Card Manufacturer	Technicolor/Cisco
Card Authentication	success
Card Validation	none <---- this needs to be success
3DES encryption	supported
OOB Frequency	74.000 MHz
OOB Lock	1.544 Mbps
Signal Strength	98% (-1.5 dBmV)
Signal Quality	100% (36.4 dB)
Channel List	cablecard-oob

Thanks!

[tanderson92]

After further research, it looks like this might be the key here. The CableCARD ID changed upon activation, meaning the validation codes were probably sent to the wrong ID:

20191127-20:26:21 CableCARD: CableCARD: card id changed from 4a09149b to 4a33ec42

[tanderson92 · Accepted solution]

I decided to call again since I didn't get a response here. The rep who helped me this time followed the CableCARD activation steps perfectly for my Cisco card. I was on the phone fewer than 10 minutes and now seem to have all my channels on the HDHR Prime 3. I'll mark this solved.

[rpruden]

Does your HDHR Prime show any channels as DRM?

I have a similar issue as yours; My HDHR Prime shows not validated in the same spot, but I retrieve a full channels list. In the Channel Lineup screen, I see some channels listed as HD and some listed as AVC, but none of them say DRM next to the channel.

The strange thing is that I am able to tune all of my channels, exect for premiums. HBO, Showtime, etc will not tune. They start playing for about 5 seconds and then stop. All other channels are working fine.

Do you think this is an issue with pairing or do the "DRM" channels just not play on HDHR? If you look at your channel list, do some of the channels say DRM next to them?

[ComcastMichael]

Greetings, @rpruden! I appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us here on the forums. I hope you are having an amazing day. I apologize to hear you are having issues with getting your premium channels. I would like to have a look into this for you. Can you please send me a PM with your first and last name so I may further assist you?

To send a private message, please click my name "ComcastMichael" then select "Send a Message" on the right side.

[tanderson92]

Sorry I just saw your reply @rpruden . I think because I marked this solved, I wasn't getting replies.

Anyway, after the third or fourth call when validation finally succeeded, I thought I had all my channels. However, as of today, about 30 of the 300+ channels have DRM next to them. The HDHR Prime guide shows a still of what is playing, but it is unable to tune the program. From what I've read on the web, this is because Xfinity (or the broadcaster) has the "Copy Once" flag turned on. Having the CableCARD receive the signal is considered a "copy," even though there's almost no software available that can view the program from there. Annoyingly, the DRM flag isn't restricted to premium channels like Starz/Encore that is part of my package. It is also keeping me from viewing PBS Kids and several other local stations. I'll try messaging here to see if they are able to remedy the situation.

[ComcastMichael]

Hello, rpruden and tanserson92 . I have not heard back from you. If you still need assistance, please feel free to start a new public thread.