Cannot get M-card in South California?
SamD
Newbie

I have two S cablecards installed on my TiVo HD and would like to to replace them with a single M-card. Called Verizon, rep never heard about cablecards, asked someone, said they don't have M- cards. Well, called tech support, they said they never had M-cards and advised to buy M-card elsewhere (!!!).

 Okay, I requested to escalate me to higher support level...this guy knew about M-cards, promised to help, kept me on hold for about half an hour, said he talked to two specialists and they don't have any M-cards.
Do they really don't have M-cards for South California ?
I read some postings on this forum about successful installations of M-cards, so I still hope that someone may give me a hint how to obtain one.

May be some obscure phone number to talk to someone knowledgeable?

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Re: Cannot get M-card in South California?
KenAF
Specialist - Level 2

@SamD wrote:

I have two S cablecards installed on my TiVo HD and would like to to replace them with a single M-card. Called Verizon, rep never heard about cablecards, asked someone, said they don't have M- cards. Well, called tech support, they said they never had M-cards and advised to buy M-card elsewhere (!!!).

 Okay, I requested to escalate me to higher support level...this guy knew about M-cards, promised to help, kept me on hold for about half an hour, said he talked to two specialists and they don't have any M-cards.
Do they really don't have M-cards for South California ?
I read some postings on this forum about successful installations of M-cards, so I still hope that someone may give me a hint how to obtain one.

May be some obscure phone number to talk to someone knowledgeable?


Verizon has M-CARDs in all service areas.  Verizon standardized on M-CARDs more than a year ago.  That's all they offer now.

From the TiVO HD FAQ:


Does the TivoHD work with Verizon FiOS?

Yes. The TivoHD replaces the FiOS STB and DVR, so you no longer need to pay those fees to Verizon. It supports all the same SD and HD channels as the FiOS DVR, including all subscription sports packages. TiVo supplies its own guide data for all FiOS channels with more accurate and complete program information than Verizon provides for its own boxes.

The TivoHD does not support Verizon's own Video On Demand (VOD), nor does it support Verizon's on-screen widgets for weather and traffic. If you don't want to lose Verizon's VOD, you can rent their Motorola STB and connect that to a separate input on your television. Note the TiVo does not support multi-room viewing with Verizon's Motorola boxes; it only supports multi-room viewing with other TiVos.

The TivoHD requires one CableCard (M-CARD) from Verizon to support both tuners. This card plugs into the front of the box to authorize all of the channels you pay for. Verizon charges $3.99/mo for this CableCard, and requires a "truck roll" to install it. Verizon will not ship CableCards or allow local pickup under any circumstances; to the representative, it may look like they can ship you the cards, but if they submit the order that way, you will receive an automated phone message within 2-3 days with the date and time of the scheduled installation.

There is no charge for FiOS CableCard installation, so long as the only action performed is a CableCard install. Anything said to the contrary is outdated information. If you want to return or remove existing equipment, do not mention that when you order the CableCard. Verizon charges $79 for truck roll orders where the caller references equipment removal. Officially, free equipment return is only available by request of a prepaid mailing label or through a visit to the local office.

Note Verizon's order system and CSRs scripts only list "CableCards." Verizon sales does not have any information on S-CARDs or M-CARDs. As of 2Q 2009, Verizon FiOS uses M-CARDs for all new installs in all markets, without exception. No matter what the sales rep says, that is what you get when you order a CableCard from Verizon. Anything said to the contrary is outdated information.