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CableCARD
Digital-cable-ready (DCR) devices have built-in technology that allows consumers to receive digital and high-definition (HD) cable TV without leasing a set-top box from their cable company. Instead, consumers can lease and install a CableCARD in their DCR device, providing them (depending on the programming to which they subscribe) access to digital, HD, and/or premium cable channels.
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CableCARD is sometimes referred to as Plug & Play. |
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Please note that, when using a CableCARD, the following services are not available:
- Interactive Program Guide (IPG) including Suddenlink's Parental Controls
- Impulse Pay Per View (IPPV)
- Video on Demand (VOD)
- Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
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CableCARD - Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any alternatives to leasing a Suddenlink digital set-top box in order to receive digital channels, including digital premium and HD channels?
What is a CableCARD?
What type of TV or other device do I need in order to use a CableCARD instead of a Suddenlink digital set-top box?
Are there any drawbacks to using a CableCARD instead of leasing a Suddenlink digital set-top box?
Why is Suddenlink offering CableCARDs?
How can I obtain a
CableCARD?
Can I install a Cable
CARD myself?
How do I install a Cable
CARD myself?
What is the typical charge for leasing a Cable
CARD from Suddenlink?
Will a Cable
CARD work with more than one digital-cable-ready TV or device?
Does a CableCARD offer parental controls?
What if my TV or VCR is not “digital cable ready”?
Will I get a discount if I have my own digital cable ready box in which a Suddenlink CableCARD is used? If so, how much will that discount be?
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Are there any alternatives to leasing a Suddenlink digital set-top box in order to receive digital channels, including digital premium and HD channels?
Yes. You can lease a CableCARD, for use in either of the following:
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A digital-cable-ready TV set (i.e., a set that has a CableCARD slot and built-in digital QAM tuner)
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A digital-cable-ready device (e.g., a TiVo box or Microsoft digital cable tuner)
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If you have newer digital TV sets and live in areas where Suddenlink offers "digital simulcasting," you will likely not require either a Suddenlink digital set-top box or CableCARD to view digital versions of Limited Basic and Expanded Basic channels.
You may only need a Suddenlink digital set-top box or CableCARD to view channels that you subscribe to outside the Limited and Expanded Basic lineups, namely:
· Channels offered on one or more of Suddenlink's "digital tiers" (sports, movies, variety, etc.)
· Digital premium channels (HBO, Showtime, etc.)
- HD Basic, HD Plus, or HD Premium channels. (HD Broadcast channels can be viewed without a digital set-top box or CableCARD if your TV set has a built-in digital QAM Tuner.)
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What is a CableCARD?
CableCARDs are shaped like a thick credit card with electronics that “decrypt” or “decode” digital cable channels so they can be displayed on your TV screen. The card is designed so it can be inserted into a CableCARD slot on a digital-cable-ready TV set or other digital-cable-ready device such as TiVo.
There are 2 types of CableCARDs: an M-Card and an S-Card:
1. Pictured below are the Motorola and SA (Scientific Atlanta) M-CableCARDs. The M stands for "multi", and decrypts multiple streams. We use the M-Card with TiVo HD boxes purchased at electronics and other retailers. This particular card will decrypt both tuners in the TiVo box.
NOTE: The M-Card will work with TiVo boxes if those boxes have the most current software in them. If the M-Card is not working, you will need to check with either the maker of the box (TiVo) or the retailer from which you purchased it, to obtain the most current software. Because this software is proprietary to TiVo, Suddenlink does not have access to it. TiVo devices that are purchased at electronics or other retailers require a CableCARD to access Suddenlink programming. TiVo devices that are leased from Suddenlink do not.
2. Pictured below are the Motorola and SA (Scientific Atlanta) S-CableCARDs. The S stands for "single" and decrypts one stream.
What type of TV or other device do I need in order to use a CableCARD instead of a Suddenlink digital set-top box?
In order for an S-CableCARD to work with your TV set, the set must have a CableCARD slot and a built-in digital QAM tuner. (You should be able to confirm if your TV set meets these two specifications by checking your owner’s manual or contacting your TV set’s manufacturer.)
The M-CableCARD works with other digital-cable-ready devices – such as a TiVo box or a Microsoft digital cable tuner – by inserting the CableCARD into the appropriate slot on those devices.
Note: If you need more than one card there may be a nominal fee associated with each CableCARD installed.
Are there any drawbacks to using a CableCARD instead of leasing a Suddenlink digital set-top box?
CableCARDs do not allow access to certain features of Suddenlink digital service. CableCARD users will not be able to access:
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Interactive Program Guides (IPG’s), also known as interactive channel guides
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Parental Controls
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Entertainment on Demand (EOD), also known as Video on Demand (VOD)
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Pay-Per-View (PPV) movies or special events (e.g., boxing matches)
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Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
The cable and consumer electronics industries are discussing the development of two-way devices that, once equipped with a CableCARD, would provide access to the above-noted services; however, we do not currently know when such devices will be available to consumers.
Why is Suddenlink offering CableCARDs?
Suddenlink is committed to supporting digital-cable-ready TV sets and other digital-cable-ready devices that consumer electronics manufacturers are developing.
How can I obtain a
CableCARD?
CableCARDs can be leased from Suddenlink. At this time, CableCARDs are available for lease only, not for purchase. There is a nominal fee associated with leasing a CableCARD from Suddenlink. For all new customers as of August 8, 2011, CableCARDs can be leased for $2.50 per month per card.
Can I install a Cable
CARD myself?
Yes, you can lease a CableCARD from Suddenlink and install it yourself, if you so choose. Please contact Suddenlink Customer Service at 888-822-5151 to arrange to pick up a CableCARD from your local customer service center. Installation instructions will be provided when you pick up your CableCARD.
How do I install a Cable
CARD myself?
If you choose the self-install option, please follow this link to a set of instructions to help you install your CableCARD.
What is the typical charge for leasing a Cable
CARD from Suddenlink?
For all new customers as of August 8, 2011, CableCARDs can be leased for $2.50 per month per card.
Will a Cable
CARD work with more than one digital-cable-ready TV or device?
After a CableCARD is installed and activated, that CableCARD is “paired” with the specific TV set or device in which it was installed. For the CableCARD to operate in a different digital-cable-ready TV set or device, it must be re-programmed to work with the new set or device by a Suddenlink representative. Please contact Suddenlink Customer Service at 888-822-5151 if you need your Suddenlink CableCARD reprogrammed.
Does a CableCARD offer parental controls?
No. A CableCARD only enables the decryption (decoding) of digital cable channels to which you subscribe. While a CableCARD does not offer parental control functions, many digital-cable-ready TV sets offer these functions in addition to the legally required “V-Chip” function. (A “V-Chip” allows parents to block programming they don’t want their children to view.) You can check your owner’s manual, or check with the manufacturer of your particular TV set/device, to learn what (if any) parental control functions might be available through that TV set/device.
What if my TV or VCR is not “digital cable ready”?
Some TV sets and other devices – especially older devices – may not be “digital cable ready” (i.e., do not contain a digital QAM tuner and CableCARD slot). If that is the case, you can lease a Suddenlink digital set-top box or purchase a digital-cable-ready TV set or device from an electronics retailer.
If you plan to purchase encrypted cable services, such as premium or certain other digital services, and do not want to lease a digital set-top box, you should make sure any TV set or device you purchase is “digital cable ready” (i.e., has a digital QAM tuner and a CableCARD slot).
Will I get a discount if I have my own digital cable ready box in which a Suddenlink CableCARD is used? If so, how much will that discount be?
As of August 8, 2011, a discount of $10 per month will be applied to the price of a bundled service package that includes the lease price of a digital set-top box from Suddenlink, when a new customer elects to replace the leased box with his or her own digital-cable-ready box that has a Suddenlink CableCARD installed.