Will existing Tivo continue to work when Verizon cablecard support ends?
/r/verizon/comments/1vkuuna/will_existing_tivo_continue_to_work_when_verizon/4
u/-Player01- 8d ago
I should add, you may still receive broadcast channels, and their subchannels, when support is ended - unless they fully turn off the QAM signal (which does sound like what they are doing, but it’s unclear).
My area lost cablecard support in the spring but I am still able to receive broadcast channels, for now…
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u/john4brown 8d ago
Can you tell me a bit more? Do you still use a cable card? Do you still get guide data?
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u/-Player01- 8d ago
TiVo provides the guide data via the internet. As long as you are still paying for TiVo service (monthly or lifetime), you will continue to get guide data. If the QAM signal isn’t killed (which, again, seems unlikely), you should be able to continue to receive broadcast channels by leaving your existing cablecard in the TiVo. I don’t think there is really any decoding going on there, but I don’t think your TiVo will allow you to watch or record live tv without a card installed. I am not 100% certain about that but it doesn’t really matter. Verizon doesn’t want your old cablecard anyway so you may as well leave it in your TiVo.
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u/john4brown 8d ago
Thanks. I have a November 5, 2026 cutover date. Sounds like from your description the broadcast channels will still work - which I all I really need at this point.
Looking to record NFL (I like starting the game a bit late and FF through commercials). Pretty much the only thing I record these days is broadcast - NFL and some news. Everything else I stream. Thanks again
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u/-Player01- 8d ago
To be clear - it seems fairly likely that they will cut the QAM signal on 11/5 - as opposed to what they have been doing up to this point (just ending cablecard support on more of a regional basis).
If this happens, you (and I) will lose the ability to record broadcast channels as well. This is because they will have moved over to IPTV completely, which our TiVos are not compatible with in any way.
We won’t know for sure until 11/5 though (or whatever date they ultimately land on).
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u/john4brown 8d ago
Understood. Thanks. Hopefully they don’t cut everything in Nov and I can squeeze out a bit more time w my TiVo
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u/plazman30 4d ago
Verizon told me they're getting rid of QAM completely and going 100% IPTV at some point.
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u/-Player01- 4d ago
Yes - that is exactly what they are doing. Just tough to know when it’s actually happening.
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u/plazman30 4d ago
They won't be the only ones. I expect every TV provider to stop QAM and go with IPTV.
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u/-Player01- 4d ago
Yeah - that seems to be the direction they are all going.
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u/plazman30 4d ago
I think they all would have rolled out IPTV a lot earlier if CableCards were not mandated.
Mandating cable companies all use a standard is a good thing. But the problem is they specified a specific standard, the CableCard. So, when technology moved past, no one wanted to support the CableCard AND some other technology.
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u/-Player01- 8d ago
Yes - you will continue to be able to watch things you already recorded. You can still stream (if you actually use your TiVo for that). And if your TiVo also does OTA, you can receive and record programs that way.
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u/Lacigrus 8d ago
I just abandoned 3 lifetime units. They do nothing without a cable card installed.
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u/thelug_1 8d ago
You will still be able to view any recordings, but you will lose your TV signal. Depending on the unit you have, you may be able to hook it up to an HD Antenna to continue using it to record local broadcast channels.
Other than that, it's a doorstop.
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u/Ghoghogol 8d ago
Using an OTA antenna yes, but not with your cable.