Two CableCARDs (either S-Cards or M-Cards) must be installed in the Series3 HD DVR and activated by your cable provider before you can view and record two digital cable programs at once (including high definition cable programs). If you install only one card, you will be able to view/record only one program at a time.

Many cable providers are installing only M-CARDs. Series3 HD DVRs require software version 8.0.1c or later to use M-CARDs. Some DVRs are shipped with an earlier software version, so be sure to run Guided Setup, as instructed below, before CableCARD installation.

If you already have a CableCARD installed in your TV, contact your cable provider to see if you can transfer it to the DVR. Many cable providers associate CableCARDs with the device numbers of the slots in which they are installed when the CableCARDs are active; if you insert the card in the Series3 HD DVR, the card will not work, and may stop working when inserted back into the TV.

Before the Installer Arrives

Do the following at least two days before your installation appointment to ensure that the DVR can connect to the TiVo Service and download any software updates that are available:

Set up the DVR, plug it in, turn on the TV, and use the TV remote to find the TiVo Welcome screen. Make sure you plug the RF cable coming from your wall to the Cable connector (not the Antenna connector) on the back of the DVR. See How Do I Set Up My Series3 HD DVR? for setup options and links to step-by-step instructions.

Complete Guided Setup. See Running Guided Setup (Series3 and TiVo HD DVRs) for instructions.

If you are waiting for cable installation, choose Cable Only (or Cable & Antenna if you have an antenna).

Installing the CableCARDs

Look at the label of each CableCARD and write down the serial number of each CableCARD (or any other information that the cable provider may need), and make a note of the slot where you intend to install the card.

Insert the first CableCARD in the bottom slot (Slot 1) on the back of the DVR.

After a few minutes, the gray CableCARD MMI screen will appear automatically.

This screen provides data that may be needed to activate the CableCARD decoder. The content on this screen is determined by the cable provider; TiVo makes a screen available to display the information in compliance with CableCARD certification requirements.

The CableCARD will take a minute or two to initialize. During this time, the CableCARD screens will display a message such as "Card not in normal operation". This does not indicate damage to the CableCARD; as soon as initialization is complete, the message will be replaced with information generated by the CableCARD, and the installer will be able to proceed with activation.

If you see the message "Updating Firmware" when you insert a CableCARD, or if the configuration screen does not appear within 5 minutes, it means that your cable provider is updating the CableCARD's internal software. DO NOT remove the CabeCARD or unplug the DVR until the firmware update is complete! Doing so may permanently damage the CableCARD.

Call your cable provider to activate or initialize the CableCARD.

For Motorola CableCARDs, many cable providers send an activation signal that causes the DVR to issue error 161-4. This is normal and can be ignored. If you see 161-4 more than once, or if you see any other 161-x signal, it means that the CableCARD is damaged and needs to be replaced.

Press CLEAR on the TiVo remote to continue installation. On the CableCARD Decoders screen, highlight Configure CableCARD1 and press SELECT. You are about to use the TiVo menus to test the channels on the CableCARD.

Some installers may want to perform a channel scan; this is not necessary.

Highlight Test Channels and press SELECT.

You may see the message “Please wait… Acquiring Channel Information", and then the channel test screen appears:

Press the CHAN UP/DOWN button to make sure the card is receiving channels. Then, using the number buttons on the remote, enter the number of at least one encrypted channel (a premium channel, for example) to make sure the card is decrypting properly.

If the card is not receiving channels, or is not decrypting properly, see Troubleshooting CableCARD Activation and Channel Issues.

When you finish your tests, press CLEAR to return to the menu, and then highlight Go Back and press SELECT to return to the CableCARD Decoders screen.

Repeat Steps 4 through 9 to configure CableCARD2.

When you are finished, highlight Continue on the CableCARD Decoders screen and press SELECT.

Repeat Guided Setup. This will give you program guide data for all the additional channes you now receive with CableCARDs.

You can do this after the installer leaves.

If you need assistance with communicating with your cable provider, or to troubleshoot a CableCARD issue, contact the TiVo CableCARD hotline.