TiVo is trying to keep CableCARD installation ‘issues from marrin...

TiVo is trying to keep CableCARD installation “issues from marring its new Series3 HD PVR, including “proactively” educating cable operators on the product, the company told the FCC in an ex parte filing. The Series3, which supports up to 2 CableCARDs, is being tested in several markets and soon will be available at retail, TiVo told cable operators in a July 11 letter included in the ex parte. The letter urged cable firms to “make any necessary preparations” to support customers who request 2 CableCARDs for Series3s. TiVo has heard of cable installers “refusing to install or support” CableCARDs in the field, the company said: “We wanted to proactively educate MSOs about this product before it is widely distributed to prevent any misunderstandings like this from occurring in the future.” The letter came with a one-page “instruction guide” for CableCARD installers to be packaged with each Series3. It urges buyers to “please save this sheet and present it to the installer upon arrival.” Since CableCARDs debuted in 2004, cable and CE have been at one another’s throats. CE blames cable’s foot- dragging for CableCARD installation problems. Cable counters that problems have been minimal, fingering faulty DTV sets. In its ex parte on an FCC rulemaking, TiVo sought FCC assurances that CableCARD-ready products like Series3 will continue to work with cable systems using switched digital video technology. TiVo fears consumers using such products won’t have access to the same channels as those who lease set-tops from MSOs, endangering the market potential of products like the Series3. In meetings July 14 with FCC staffers, “TiVo emphasized that it is not against cable’s use of switched digital technology,” the filing said. It “simply wants” assurances that cable operators adopting the technology will “take whatever actions necessary” to be sure subscribers CableCARD-ready boxes like the Series3 “have equal access to the same digital content offerings available to subscribers with MSO-leased set-top boxes,” TiVo said.