Verizon is discontinuing CableCard

Playground Hardware
#1

Hi All,

Verizion is discontinuing the CableCard support and service very soon. That means my HDHomeRun CableCard won’t work anymore and unfortunately my box will turn into a junk box after using the box so many years and with ton of good memories.

My question to community and ChannelsDVR team what’s alternative solution. I know that I can use the Virtual Channels but limited channel support. No more premium channel access for recording.

If anyone can comment I will appreciate very much.

Thanks,

iSpock

#2

I do miss the flexibilities of CC.

@Jean0987654321 reminded me, OTA is still best option for local channels if you can physically get them with an HDHR tuner. 3.0 is fools gold at this point, focus on what you can get with 1.0 tuner. If you aren't able to get OTA or want more than just what OTA offers (assuming yes since you mentioned CC access previously), then the other options are get a subscription to one of the streaming services and use one or more of the following:

TVE = Diminishing flexibility. Still the easiest and a decent option to get certain content (ABC, CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports, etc), but lot of channels no longer available.

Chrome Capture = Works for some. Seems to be sensitive to Chrome updates on the machine acting as the server. Also requires a decent amount of horsepower in your machine to run more than 1 "stream".

ESP+ = Was great at one time for sports, but ESPN has basically DRM all the non-linear content. Still good to get linear ESPN content, but you can get that via TVE, so unless you are using for one of the other sources it provides for (works well with NFL Sunday ticket as an example).

ahc = I've not been successful with this. Seems to have a steeper learning curve that other solutions, but that may just be me. Requires an hdmi encoder and a streaming stick(s) (fire, ONN).

ADBTuner = My "supplemental" solution. I use this with ONN streaming sticks and use this to backfill those channels I want that done't come in through TVE. Also requirees encoder and streaming stick(s).

There's also Fubo Project which used to be awesome when combined with TVE, but several major channels have been DRMed and has reduced the value.

Others can provide additional context and their perspective which may be different than mine. That's the beauty of CDVR, you have several pathways to pursue.

2 Likes
#3

You need to think about what channels you (and/or whoever you live with) watch first. Quality over quantity really.

TVE is shrinking by the minute but its there. If you need locals, then any HDHR model other than the Prime would do along with a good antenna.

2 Likes
#4

What is your source? I'm a FIOS customer and have not received a notice.

Thank you,

Morris

1 Like
#5

Verizon Fios sent out email to Boston, MA customers. I received the email last week.

1 Like
#6

Thank you,

Can you post the email?

#7

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#8

Well at least VZ is telling you what they're doing. Xfinity is just trying to annoy CableCARDs to death. I can't make even a small change to my cable plan without a high probability of losing my cards' authorization, so I'm working on improving my antenna setup for OTA reception. The few cable channels we want to keep are available in much cheaper streaming packages.

1 Like
#9

This is the right answer for legally acquired content. OTA>TVE>ESP+>ADBTuner.

Once my cable card is no longer supported (I already lost my tuning adapter channels) I will probably be moving on from Channels and going full DirecTV Stream. I will miss commercial skip though.

#10

Definitely a trade-off going with service proprietary platform. I prefer the control I have with CDVR (and other behind the scene applications), but that's partially driven by my constant need to tinker. :wink:

#11

They have not notified us in NYC yet. My sister in law was moved off her old cable card based box to a new box. I talked our options if I must give up the cable card and we will get a HDHomerun Antenna box and stream everything else. We will get the lowest tear Internet from Verizon which is 300mb as that's more than enough for our needs and we will use the funds saved to pay for the streaming and probably save a bit though streaming costs are climbing much faster than our FIOS cost has with no contract and a locked in ancient plan.

People seem to have way too many issues using ABDTuner and Chrome Capture. I'm more than capable of making them work yet don't want support hastles affecting our entertainment. We will continue to use Stream Library Manager for Channels as it's rock solid and provides great integration.

1 Like
#12

We got notice in New Jersey in November. Ordered antenna to try and follow antennaman’s advice but waiting out to see when they actually pull the plug.

#13

A cable card is a good way to get cable channels so I too would hold on for dear life but have a backup in case Verizon really abandons ship.

Comcrap already stop selling theirs so I can't even consider getting it.

1 Like
#14

I've had a lot of luck with ADBTuner and Osprey boxes. It works super well and the boxes while hard to hunt down the 4 GB variants are cheap.

#15

Those of us on Xfinity may be nearing the end as well, and not just for CableCards.

At least one article is predicting the end of Xfinity's traditional cable service in 2026, with a shift to streaming only:

Personally, I would be surprised if that happens as soon as 2026, but it is clear that our time is limited.

#16

Yeah...its a prediction...and from the source, I'll take that with a grain of salt