Can comcast turn off serial support remotely?

[mc2wheels]

I have a motorola cable box through comcast, and last week it stopped being able to change channels over the serial port. I verified that the serial port and cable still work -- I used it them to connect to my mx-700 remote and was able to communicate with that.

So the question is: Is it possible for comcast to remotely disable that port?

The box that I have is one that is capable of having the R5000 mod, and I was seriously considering it. But, if the hardware is going bad, then it seems like I would be spending a lot of money for nothing. I would return it for another box, but I am worried that I will get one that has firewire, or is not provisioned for all of the HD channels. So is it possible that comcast somehow turned this off?

[GKusnick]

Have you tried power-cycling the STB? Maybe it's just got itself into a weird state and needs rebooting.

If that doesn't work, try calling Comcast. I have no idea whether they can shut off the serial port remotely, but I can't imagine why they would want to. Serial control is a perfectly legitimate feature used by high-end home theater systems (that's why the boxes have it in the first place), and you have every right to be ticked off if they've disabled it.

[CollinR]

Yup. Cox does it here.

[gilded07]

Just out of curiosity, is the reason Cox does it because they want you to use their PVR hardware rather than something like Sage?

[CollinR]

Not a clue but thats a very reasonable assumption.

[surge]

Yes they can and they recently turned it off in many locations. Whether or not this was on purpose of just an oversight on a recent upgrade is anybody's guess.

There are a few discussions on the TiVo forums and there are also some threads with contact information for Comcast people that can get the serial ports working again.

BTW: My serial control was dead for about a week and started working this morning.

Here's some more information about the problem.

http://mypageaboutrandomstuff.blogsp...t-control.html

[mc2wheels]

I will try to hook it up again tonight.

My first thought was that they were trying to do it to "encourage" the use of their DVR. I am glad it is not my hardware burning out.

Next question: If I am already getting all of the HD signals to my SD box, can they turn that off remotely? I am sure that if they took the time they could tell what channels I am watching -- and then figure out that I shouldn't be (if I get the r5000 mod). Is this a risky path?

[GKusnick]

The R5000 is a way of recording all the channels that you're legally entitled to receive. There's no special risk to it from that point of view, since Comcast is unlikely to disable channels you're paying for.

If you're asking how to safely record channels you're not paying for, that's not an appropriate topic for this forum.

[mc2wheels]

But you totally missed the point of my question. I, like others, think that perhaps comcast disabled my serial port to push me toward using their DVR. Legally, they probably have no responsibility to give me serial control of their box. They may take a black eye for it, but it is my experience that comcast doesn't care.

It seems equally as likely that they would disable channels that I am paying for the same reason. The box that I am renting from them tunes these channels because I pay for all of the channels. That does not mean that they would not turn off the ability to tune channels that my box is not capable of displaying. They could probably legally get away with that as well. Again, they want me to rent their equipment. They want to up sell (or would that be up rent).

I hate comcast -- I have hated them for a while, but I did not want to put a dish on my house. I hate the fact that they encrypt hi def content that they do not own so that my tvs qam tuner cannot display them -- I am not talking about the premium channels -- they encrypt everything that they are legally able to... stuff that my tv would display and does display in standard def. They are not guarding content, but quality, in order to push me to use their stuff. They are trying to subtle bend the spirit of the FCCs rules to maximize their profits at my expense.

However, this latest serial port debacle is making me think I should switch before I invest any more money in a comcast solution. They are messing with my fair use of standard def content right now -- it's just infuriating.

So no, I am not suggesting anything that is not appropriate for this forum. I am annoyed by your comment, but I guess I understand why. If I were not so mad about the serial port thing, I might not have been aggravated by your comment. I will breathe deeply now and think of a better world in which the service providers give the consumers what they really want instead of derailing obvious technology to maximize their profits because they have the monopoly and can get away with it.

Back to the point: Does anyone know if they can unprovision my box remotely?

[jpwegas]

Originally Posted by mc2wheels

Back to the point: Does anyone know if they can unprovision my box remotely?

Sure they can.

But I think it's unlikely that they would disable channels you are paying for to "push" you to their DVR. While they have no obligation to provide you with a serial port to make it easier for you to change channels, disabling channels customers are paying for seems like something that might get the attention of the FCC or FTC. Not that they wouldn't do this, I just suspect it's much riskier for them.

--John

[sainswor99]

Originally Posted by mc2wheels

So no, I am not suggesting anything that is not appropriate for this forum. I am annoyed by your comment, but I guess I understand why. If I were not so mad about the serial port thing, I might not have been aggravated by your comment. I will breathe deeply now and think of a better world in which the service providers give the consumers what they really want instead of derailing obvious technology to maximize their profits because they have the monopoly and can get away with it.

Back to the point: Does anyone know if they can unprovision my box remotely?

I don't understand why you're annoyed; I interpreted your earlier comment the same way. The impression was given that you believed the R5000 modification gave you access to content that Comcast didn't want you to have; Gkusnick's reply simply clarified that the mod only allows you to record information that is already present.

Lots of people have posted here and other avs forums asking how to get around such and such (i.e, how to unscramble protected channels). Reading your next-to-last post:

I am sure that if they took the time they could tell what channels I am watching -- and then figure out that I shouldn't be (if I get the r5000 mod).

Can you look objectively at that last statement and see how it could be misinterpreted?

As for your question; yes, a cable company can unprovision your box remotely; that's how they can add or remove various tiers to your service when your order. However, if you have an HD-capable box modded to record with the R5000, all they can tell is that you're watching HD. They don't know that you're recording it to view later.

Stu

[GKusnick]

Sorry if I gave offense. The fact is that I wasn't sure what you were asking; that's why I tried to cover both cases with my answer (i.e. the case where you are paying for those channels and the case where you aren't).

[mc2wheels]

Can you look objectively at that last statement and see how it could be misinterpreted?

Yes, I can see how this was misinterpreted. If I wasn't so angry about the serial port, I would have probably written more clearly. I don't think Comcast wants me to watch those channels with the hardware I have. They want me to do it with their DVR. In fact, I don't think they want anyone doing an R5000 mod. They own the box. I was saying that it would probably be easy for them to tell by my viewing patterns... that I would be tuned to HD channels on a box that can't view them. That's what I meant.

I think stealing the pay service is wrong. I pay for the Platinum package or whatever the heck they call it now. I just want fair use of that content in my own home.

[GKusnick]

If you're paying for those channels, then it seems to me they're obliged to deliver them, regardless of what hardware upgrades they might like to sell you. Not delivering service you've already paid is not a good way to convince you to buy more services from them; it's a good way to convince you to become a Dish customer instead. One would hope they're smart enough to know that, but if not, it wouldn't hurt to remind them.