Cable Card Program Guide
Eagles of death metal tour. A CableCARD is a smartcard with an embedded chip that can descramble premium channels. You rent a CableCARD — which plugs in to a CableCARD slot on your HDTV — from your cable service provider.
With a CableCARD, you can skip the typical cable set-top box, but you lose some of its features, such as video-on-demand and an onscreen cable guide.
Most new HDTVs are digital cable-ready. When you buy one of these TVs, you can plug the coaxial cable right from your wall into the TV, skipping the set-top box, at least for nonscrambled channels. Some HDTVs let you dispense with the set-top box for even those premium scrambled channels. You can rent a CableCARD device to get these premium channels (such as HBO).
The 1.0 version of CableCARD is limited in its capabilities because it’s a one-way system. That means it can only descramble systems coming into your TV; it can’t communicate back with the cable company. So you lose the onscreen program guide, VoD, and other features that a true set-top box gives you.
A 2.0 version of CableCARD has long been promised by the cable industry. Version 2.0 is supposed to offer two-way communications, providing all the fun program guide and video-on-demand that 1.0 lacks. Unfortunately, CableCARD 2.0 is not currently available.
In early 2008, a number of cable companies and TV manufacturers announced support for a system called Tru2way. When cable companies implement Tru2way and when Tru2way is built in to TVs, the TVs will have the ability to finallydispense with the set-top box once and for all. Tru2way-enabled televisions (or other devices, such as PVRs) will be capable of downloading applications from the cable network and running them just like a set-top box can.
The purpose of a CableCARD is to eliminate clutter around the TV — mainly the set-top box and cables coming to and from it. The CableCARD makes it possible to watch cable TV programming without the aid of an external set-top box. This is a tremendous advantage for owners of wall-mounted, flat panel televisions.
Or record two programs at the same time. It's simple to install via USB, and works with Windows 7 Media Center with the free Electronic Program Guide. This CableCARD receiver works with all U.S. Cable operators such as Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Cable, Cablevision, Fios, and Uverse.
Cable Card Program Guide Pdf
All televisions equipped with a CableCARD slot have a built-in ATSC digital tuner, which means the TV is digital cable-ready. However, not all digital cable-ready televisions include a CableCARD slot. The sales information on the television will state if it has a CableCARD slot. If there is no sales information, look on the back or side of the television for the slot. It resembles the slot on an ATM for a credit card.
The actual card looks like a thick, metallic credit card. They are not sold over the counter and are only available through cable service providers that are equipped with the technology. Service providers may or may not charge a monthly fee for the use of the CableCARD. In most cases, the cable company requires a service call to configure the card to the television.
- CableCARD customers can view their HD lineup, here. Optimum Business Customers can view their Channel Lineups, here. CT Bridgeport Fairfield, Milford, Southport, Stratford Litchfield New Haven Milford, Orange, Woodbridge. Programming My Remote Control • Viewer: Power On Feature • Setting Up My HDTV.
- TV Channel Lineups HD Channels with CableCARDs. With a CableCARD, customers do not automatically get channels in high definition (HD) at the standard channel position.
- The provider of program guide data to TiVo does not collect tuning frequency data from cable providers. As soon as a CableCARD is installed and activated, the card downloads a channel map from your cable provider that tells the UES/DVR which frequency to tune to in order to display each channel in your lineup.
CableCARD technology is only available for cable subscribers. It is not available for DirecTV, DISH Network or other satellite service subscribers.
Benefits of a CableCARD
A CableCARD provides many of the same functions as a traditional set-top box. With most providers:
- The overall cost of programming usually costs less than with a set-top box
- You no longer need a set-top box to watch TV
- Television has a built-in tuner, which is an indirect benefit (in the absence of cable, the TV can receive over-the-air signals)
- Delivers high-quality sound and a clear picture
- Can access premium channels such as HBO and Showtime
Limitations of a CableCARD
- No access to video-on-demand functions, interactive program guide, sports packages or interactive or enhanced TV services
- Prevents users from ordering pay-per-view programming, such as movies, wrestling, and boxing through remote control
- Might prevent the use of parental controls (differs by provider)
How to Trade in Set-Top Box for a CableCARD
Free Cable Card
Call your local cable provider if you decide that CableCARD technology is right for you. Ask about the availability and limitations of the CableCARD from your particular provider. As technology improves, the limits of CableCARD technology will shrink. Already, the CableCARD will work with TiVo and other video recorders in many areas.