CableCard Error Code 161-53

[NetworkGuy]

I have Xfinity/Comcast as my service provider and have two HDHomeRun Primes. One Prime works perfectly. I have been having an issue with the other Prime for the past few days. At least once a day all recording have a problem. In looking at the HDHomeRun log file, I found the following:

20171208-02:21:09 CableCARD: copy_protection/cp_valid_cnf timeout error (cchost_copy_protection:597)
20171208-02:21:09 CableCARD: technical error 53 (cchost_copy_protection:597)
20171208-02:21:09 CableCARD: message: A technical problem is preventing you from receiving all the cable services at this time. Please call your cable operator and report error code 161-53 to have this problem resolved.
20171208-02:21:09 CableCARD: M-CARD reset
20171208-02:21:13 CableCARD: Motorola card (0000:0715)
20171208-02:21:13 CableCARD: authentication status: authentication in progress
20171208-02:21:23 CableCARD: extended_channel/new_flow_cnf timeout error (cchost_extended_channel:133)
20171208-02:21:23 CableCARD: technical error 53 (cchost_extended_channel:133)
20171208-02:21:23 CableCARD: message: A technical problem is preventing you from receiving all the cable services at this time. Please call your cable operator and report error code 161-53 to have this problem resolved.
20171208-02:21:23 CableCARD: M-CARD reset
20171208-02:21:27 CableCARD: Motorola card (0000:0715)
20171208-02:21:27 CableCARD: authentication status: authentication in progress
20171208-02:21:27 CableCARD: authentication status: authentication success, validation success

I am going to call Comcast later and see what they say. Do you think I need to replace the CableCard?

Thanks,
John

[NetworkGuy]

I just raised the tuner merit of the other HDHomeRun as a temporary fix.

I love how easy this is to do in V9.
https://forums.sagetv.com/forums/sho...ht=tuner+merit

[NetworkGuy]

Comcast says it is a firmware update error and to contact SiliconDust.

Is anyone using the latest SilconDust firmware? I am currently on 20150826.

Thanks,
John

[trk2]

I'm running the latest HDHR Prime firmware with Comcast and OpenDCT without issue.

[NetworkGuy]

SilconDust just responded and suggested that I replace the card.

[JustFred]

Before replacing the card, it might be worth a few minutes to swap power supplies between the two units.

[NetworkGuy]

Originally Posted by JustFred

Before replacing the card, it might be worth a few minutes to swap power supplies between the two units.

I will give it a try.

[NetworkGuy]

Here is the exact reply from SilconDust:

The copy_protection/cp_valid_cnf timeout error message indicates that the HDHomeRun is not getting a response from the CableCARD on a regularly scheduled status update message, and the extended_channel/new_flow_cnf timeout error message indicates that the card isn't responding to the HDHomeRun when it tries to initiate communications with the card after the card gets rebooted. This usually indicates that the card is starting to go bad.

- Silicondust Support

[EnterNoEscape]

I appreciate the technical detail in that response. I often feel a little annoyed when I am told it's a problem with the CableCARD itself because the troubleshooting that got us there didn't really convince me.

[NetworkGuy]

Originally Posted by EnterNoEscape

I appreciate the technical detail in that response. I often feel a little annoyed when I am told it's a problem with the CableCARD itself because the troubleshooting that got us there didn't really convince me.

I am seriously wondering if it is the CableCard. I got the same error last night on the other HDHomeRun. What are the odds of both CableCards failing at the same time?

@EnterNoEscape Can you please take a look and see if you see something else.

I am attaching the HDHomeRun log and the OpenDCT logs. The SageTV log is too large, but can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...Le?usp=sharing

Thanks,
John

[razrsharpe]

Originally Posted by NetworkGuy

I am seriously wondering if it is the CableCard. I got the same error last night on the other HDHomeRun. What are the odds of both CableCards failing at the same time?

If the CableCards are from the same batch or have adjacent (or close) serial numbers they could absolutely be failing at similar times (due to the same manufacturing defect)...

[EnterNoEscape]

Originally Posted by NetworkGuy

I am seriously wondering if it is the CableCard. I got the same error last night on the other HDHomeRun. What are the odds of both CableCards failing at the same time?

@EnterNoEscape Can you please take a look and see if you see something else.

I am attaching the HDHomeRun log and the OpenDCT logs. The SageTV log is too large, but can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folde...Le?usp=sharing

Thanks,
John

I don't see anything of interest in those logs.

[NetworkGuy]

Originally Posted by EnterNoEscape

I don't see anything of interest in those logs.

Thanks for taking a look. It stopped for a few days and just happened again last night. There are only two alternatives left:

1. New CableCards
2. Upgrade the firmware on the HDHomeRuns

I will pickup some new CableCards today and see if that makes a difference. It just seems weird that BOTH CableCards would go bad at the same time.

Thanks,
John

[NetworkGuy]

I thought I would provide an update.

I still had trouble with the possibility that both cable cards went out at the same time. So I decided to upgrade the firmware on the Primes.

It has been a week and the error has not recurred. (It was almost nightly before.) Hopefully that was the cause of the problem.

With the new firmware, I can use the Prime's DVR. Has anyone tried it?

Thanks,
John

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by NetworkGuy

I thought I would provide an update.

I still had trouble with the possibility that both cable cards went out at the same time. So I decided to upgrade the firmware on the Primes.

It has been a week and the error has not recurred. (It was almost nightly before.) Hopefully that was the cause of the problem.

With the new firmware, I can use the Prime's DVR. Has anyone tried it?

Thanks,
John

I don’t have an answer for you, as I don’t have a Prime. However, reading this thread made me wonder If I should get one. How does the Prime interact with SageTV v.9? Does Sage just see all your available channels via a network connection? Do Premium channels like HBO, Statz, etc., become recordable? We have Cox cable, who got rid of all qualc channels years ago. Currently, I have Sage changing channels on a Cox set-top box via firewire, recording via component connections and a HDPVR.
Could the Prime replace that combo?