CABLE CARD - IN HOME TROUBLESHOOTING - HOST DIAGNOSTICS
Most but not all, CADTV (Cable Digital Television) channels
are scrambled and or encrypted. Therefore decryption is a part of a premium
package the customer pays for. There are a few channels the cable company has
to provide as open channels. This allows the customer who purchases an HD ready
TV that is capable of processing QAM to receive a few HD channels thru the
cable system. In LG units there are two ways the channels are displayed, as 2
part channels (EX: 107-1) and as single part channels EX: 107. With the Cable
card inserted the CADTV map will show only single part channels. Without the
card installed the CADTV map will show two part channels. Due to this it will
be in the ASC’s best interest to have a constantly updated channel lineup
showing which are scrambled and which are open channels for all the head ends
in the area you service product. A good relationship with the local cable
company is crucial to this so you are kept up to date with fast changing
channel lineups. This can prevent you from trying to repair a product that is
not defective. EX: The customer complains they no longer receive CH 186 which
was Discovery HD a scrambled channel. The real cause is the head end moved that
channel to CH 205 and CH 186 is no longer in the channel map. All this occurs
through the OOB channel.
IN-BAND/OOB SPECIFICATION
1.
It is recommended that installers bring along a couple of CableCARDs for
troubleshooting, This will help eliminate the CableCARD as a possible problem
during the installation.
2.
Before installing the CableCARD, installers should check that the Digital Cable
Ready (DCR), also referred to as a HOST, is functional without a CableCARD.
a.
Verify Host (TV) Operation: The installer can perform this by connecting the RF
cable to the correct cable input of the DCR (there may be connections for a
terrestrial antenna) and verifying good picture quality. The DCR will display
all non~encrypted analog and digital content. (The DCR must not receive RF
signal via an STB or accessory RF modulator.) This will eliminate basic TV
circuitry as a possible problem.
b.
Check that the CableCARD is inserted properly. When inserting cable card push
carefully but firmly until you feel the card click into place.
c.
Verify RF from Cable System Tap: The installer can also connect a cable set top
box to confirm reception of encrypted digital services. This will help
eliminate the RF signal as a possible problem.
3.
If the first CableCARD installed does not result in a User Interface screen
(also referred to as MMI screen) within 5 ~ 7 minutes, try unplugging the AC
Power cord of the DCR and reconnecting it (to reset the DCR) then try to await
coming out of the User Interface screen again. If this is still unsuccessful,
try another CableCARD.
a.
To eliminate the possibility of a damaged CableCARD or DCR device, the
technician should look closely at the CableCARD device to ensure that none of
the pinholes are blocked or clogged.
b.
Check Host Interface. Using a flashlight, the technician should check the
CableCARD slot on the DCR TV to ensure that there are no bent pins.
4.
If the second CableCARD is successful, make sure the CSR or Dispatcher knows
the new MAC ID and CableCARD ID to complete the installation. The original card
should be marked accordingly and returned for repair.
5.
Check the CableCARD menu options. If the second CableCARD fails to bring up the
User Interface screen, the technician should refer to the diagnostic menus on
the DCR for further troubleshooting. The
technician can pull up the User Interface screen manually through the menu
choices. The customer should provide the User Manual, so the technician can
easily navigate through the DCR TV menu screens. The table on the next page
describes how to navigate the CableCARD
menu.
The list of selectable CableCARD options will vary, depending on your cable
service provider or CableCARD manufacturer. The table also shows how to access
diagnostic screens for the DCR TV. Many of these screens are not described in
the User Manual.
6.
If the second CableCARD is successful, make sure the CSR or Dispatcher knows
the new MAC ID and CableCARD ID to complete the installation. The original card
should be marked accordingly and returned for repair.
7.
Check the CableCARD menu options. If the second CableCARD fails to bring up the
User Interface screen, the technician should refer to the diagnostic menus on
the DCR for further troubleshooting. The technician can pull up the User
Interface screen manually through the menu choices. The customer should provide
the User Manual, so the technician can easily navigate through the DCR TV menu
screens. The table below describes how to navigate the CableCARD menu. the list
of
selectable CableCARD options will vary, depending on your cable service
provider or CableCARD manufacturer. The table below shows how to access
diagnostic screens for the DCR TV. Many of these screens are not described
in the User Manual.
Click on image to Enlarge
- If the installer is still having a problem, the installer should report the problem to the MSO headend dispatcher for troubleshooting. If the cable company dispatcher (headend personnel) has completely checked their channel set-up, confirmed the accounting/billing system to setup is correct, and has confirmed normal channel map with one or more other DCR TVs at the MSO head end, then go on to the next step.
- If the installer determines that the DCR device is the problem (unit failed either item 2a or 3b above) and can go no further in correcting the problem, and if the installer determines that the host-pod pairing screen cannot be displayed with multiple CableCARDs, he or she should follow the directions given by the CE manufacturer in informing the customer of their options, The customer should start by contacting the CE manufacturer directly for assistance and/or repair infomation. In many cases, if the HOST is under warranty, the repair will be done at the customer’s home when possible.
- If using an STB will allow the customer to receive services on the damaged DCR device, the installer can leave a box in the customer’s home until the customer resolves the issue with the CE manufacturer.
- If the technician is able to install the CableCARD device and access the User Interface screen (also rreferred to as MMI screen), and has relayed the information to the dispatcher, but is still not receiving encrypted programming, this programming may be protected through the use of copy protection directive. Ensure that the information passed to dispatch is correct. Relay again the Host ID, CableCARD ID and Data ID (Motorola only). Dispatch will send a hit to the CableCARD once the infomation is checked and verified. The CableCARD must be paired to the Host before copy protected programming can be displayed. Note that it may take several minutes from the time dispatch sends the authorization before it reaches the DCR device. The MMI screens should be checked to verify if the authorization has been received. For SA systems the host-pod pairing screen should say “Authorization Received.” For Motorola the Conditional Access MMl State parameter should say “Subscribed”. (These should be verified by POD Manufacturers or cable companies.)
- To confirm the Headend Validation for displaying the encrypted channel, the technician should check the CableCARD menu. For SA systems, the CableCARD Copy Protection Infom1ation menu should say “Authorization Received”. For Motorola systems, the Conditional Access menu should say “Valid xx (2 digit).
- If encrypted programming is still not displayed, installer should check the status of followings.
a.
Cable Channel List: Ready
b.
CableCard: Inserted
c.
FDC status (OOB Status):Lock
d.
SNR(Signal to Noise Ratio): higher than 12 dB is normal range,
The table below describes how to check status in the LG DCR
TV.
HOST DIAGNOSTICS
This Menu is only active on Cable card ready units.
Accessing Host Diagnostics:
1. Press Menu on the customer’s remote.
2. Press the up or down arrow key to highlight CABLE.
3. Press the 0 key three times. Scroll up and down this menu
by using the up and down arrow keys.
The model info gives the factory model information also used
to access the debug menu for software updates. Memory shows the available
memory in the unit for video and audio processing and Cablecard functions. Host
release is the present software revision in the unit.
Gemstar Guide Version gives the original version of Gemstar
in the unit when installed. Guide Update Version is the latest version of Gemstar
loaded into the unit by Gemstar. Cable Channel List gives the status of the
list of available channels in memory, with a Cable card installed this should
always display Ready. Cable card indicates if the cable card is inserted. If
the Cable card is inserted and the unit does not indicate that it is. There
could be an issue with the Cable card itself or with the programming in the
card. Once this has been eliminated as the cause. The card slot or Digital PCB
could be the cause.
FAT Status tells the frequency of the presently
tuned channel as well as the modulation QAM 256/64, digital, analog. Carrier
locked indicates the carrier is locked on the center frequency. SNR gives the
(Signal to Noise Ratio) of the present signal tuned. FDC is your (Forward Data
Carrier) this gives the state of the OOB signal thru which the Cable card
receives data from the head end. It indicates the center frequency that the
card told the unit to look at to find the signal. Carrier indicates the unit
has the carrier locked or not locked. This must be locked for the Cable card to
operate. FDC_SNR gives the (Signal to Noise Ratio) for this OOB signal. Current
Channel shows the channel type Digital or Analog as well as the Parental Control
setting for this channel and the channel number.
This indicates the state of the IEE1394 and DVI ports and
connection settings.
