Actually, despite what the person you talked to said, the SARA headend software does indeed have a list of boxes it will authorize. Rogers purchases these in bulk from their supplier, and as per post 8, they *CAN* request a license, but they've never (or rarely) done so in the past, so I'm not sure why they would start doing so for you.

As 57 said, I would get it in writing (have the CSR fax you) since the person on the phone doesn't appear to have all the facts.

alexgarin: We look forward to your results, as you will be the first person in the world (well North America) to have done this. ;)

We're not saying it's impossible, we're just saying it hasn't been done for anyone before. Good Luck, because if you're successful, Rogers will be deluged with people wanting to do the same.

I plan to move from Milton to Maple this summer,alexgarin, have you moved. Have you been successful?

57, you were right. Rogers won't activate box if it was not sold from Rogers of one of its dealers. After I spoke to multiple technical people in Rogers and did some additional investigation in the internet I found that there is a big difference in the way how encryption keys are transferred to SA and Motorola boxes. When Cogeco or Rogers on the West activate Motorola box they send encryption keys over cable. Scientific Atlanta boxes do not have this capability and the key must be embedded on the factory. When Rogers order their boxes from SA (they buy in bulk) SA put Rogers-specific RSA encryption keys into box and put Rogers label on this box. At the same time box is added to Rogers database so CSR can find it when customer calls and ask to activate the box. Too bad. Now I have to sell all my SA PVRs. Good news that I bought them cheap and can even sell them with profit :-). Case is closed. Rogers cannot (even if they want to) activate non-Rogers box. Period. Thanks!

alexgarin Thank you for the feedback and additional information on "why" outside SA STBs won't get activated.

So basically he should have listened to the people in this thread at the start :)

Hello...

I am new to the 'digital' world.

The first question I asked when I saw the SA STB, "can I keep it in the basement?"

I, like Alex tried to activate a third party STB with a Rogers CSR - I will keep trying.

I had a digital receiver sent gratis years ago and sent it back because I didn't like the UI.

The other problem I have is - I like a 'clean' setup. I find this STB unecessary. I do understand many TV don't have DTV or HDTV capability.

So... I was looking towards the Samsung DTB-H260F Terrestrial DTV STB. I believe it will receive unscrambled HDTV, can anyone verify? Does anyone have the DTB-H260F and Rogers?

More...

I believe this issue with STB is not 'our' problem, it IS the cable companies. The signal should be 'sent' as per 'our' work order meaning billing. If I want the 30 HD channels, send 30, I could care less how you do it, just don't ask me to buy/rent your crap UI, nor hardware. They should have forseen this issue. Again, I understand majority of TV doesn't not receive DTV but that doesn't mean we need large doorstops or boat anchors to provide service, just something clean in basement, I'll decide how I entertain.

I also have to agree, this is monopoly. Also, understand that we are paying for their learning curve, are 'we' entitled to share?

Thanks.

Just purchased Sharp LC46SE94U.

I am new to the 'digital' world.

Welcome

The first question I asked when I saw the SA STB, "can I keep it in the basement?"

You could keep it in the basement and run wires to it in your house, as well as hook up an IR blaster.

I, like Alex tried to activate a third party STB with a Rogers CSR - I will keep trying.
Waste of your time. It will NEVER happen

I had a digital receiver sent gratis years ago and sent it back because I didn't like the UI.

What reciever is this?


The other problem I have is - I like a 'clean' setup. I find this STB unecessary. I do understand many TV don't have DTV or HDTV capability.
All TVs come with HDTV capability now and days. I don't think you can find any that don't. They also come ATSC ready by mandate in America and almost all of those TVs come across to Canada now and days. Again, pretty hard to find a TV without an ATSC for HDTV, as well as QAM. The reason you need a STB is that they decrypt the security system used by your local cable company. Different systems in different region, so its not like they can embed these into the TV (at least they have yet to do so).

So... I was looking towards the Samsung DTB-H260F Terrestrial DTV STB. I believe it will receive unscrambled HDTV, can anyone verify? Does anyone have the DTB-H260F and Rogers?

I have this reciever. It works great for ATSC broadcasts, if thats what you mean by unscrambled HDTV. It does do Clear QAM as well but since there is none of this on Rogers - compared to the USA where local channels are mandated to be in the clear in HD on cable - if that is your plan it is a waste of time. Just use that STB on a TV that doesn't have an ATSC tuner like I do.



More...

I believe this issue with STB is not 'our' problem, it IS the cable companies. The signal should be 'sent' as per 'our' work order meaning billing. If I want the 30 HD channels, send 30, I could care less how you do it, just don't ask me to buy/rent your crap UI, nor hardware. They should have forseen this issue. Again, I understand majority of TV doesn't not receive DTV but that doesn't mean we need large doorstops or boat anchors to provide service, just something clean in basement, I'll decide how I entertain.


I wish TVs could embed everything. This is something they are 'somewhat' looking to work towards, but the cable companies want you to have the STBs cause it puts more $ in their pockets. They need to find ways though to make their signal secure, and from that point of view I understand why this is a problem. I say, just have SA partner up with a manufactuer who sells TVs and the TVs sold in the GTA only work in the GTA becuase they have all of the decrpytion stuff built in. Eventually maybe they could figure out how a TV in one area could go somewhere else, but at least that would be a start.

alebowgm - thanks for the reply

I also understand cable companies trying to protect their signal. I'll pay for what I use. I'm saying the signal should just be sent protected.

alebowgm - perhaps I misunderstood... Are you just OTA or OTA and with Rogers or other cable?

Does anyone know if it would be possible to use a digital receiver (make Rogers happy) then use a third party HDTV tuner?

thanks

I also understand cable companies trying to protect their signal. I'll pay for what I use. I'm saying the signal should just be sent protected.


But that is what is happening, and that is why you need to use the SA terminal to decrpyt the protected signal. The problem is, there are different systems of decrpyt/encrypt all over North America. With the SA system, it uses SAB#s that are unique to the provider, so unless Rogers and other providers want to begin to sell TVs instead of terminals or TV manufactuers can embed SA decrpyt devices into TVs that are sold in certain regions, I don't know how this is going to be solved


alebowgm - perhaps I misunderstood... Are you just OTA or OTA and with Rogers or other cable?

That external STB can recieve unencrpyted digital cable (QAM) signals. There was a time on Rogers that there were numerous stations that were unencrpyted. Today it is only music stations. It CAN NOT do encrpyted stations. In the USA, all local channels must be available in unencrpyted QAM as per law in HD, but you don't have the same rules in Canada. You can use that STB for OTA signals and it does a VERY good job in doing so.


Does anyone know if it would be possible to use a digital receiver (make Rogers happy) then use a third party HDTV tuner?
Not possible.

hi alebowgm

Sorry for the misunderstanding concerning encryprtion - I wasn't very clear. Rogers knows what i'm paying for simply send what I pay for. My problem should not be decrytpting, STBs and the sort. The only problem I should have is finding parking on the couch. Others have written here in thread that it is a monopoly, of course it is. There is no choice. I must use their UI, hardware blah blah for service. Do you recall when they splapped Billy on the pee pee because Explorer came prepacked. This is far more controlling than that.

Concerning DTB-H260F - if the digital receiver decrypts 'my package' then why can't the DTB-H260F tune HD?

thanks

Concerning DTB-H260F - if the digital receiver decrypts 'my package' then why can't the DTB-H260F tune HD?

Because there is no loop through output with the signal decrpyted on the SA boxes. Otherwise in theory in could.

Please restrict posts to the topic of activating an (outside) SA STB. If you wish to discuss other topics, please do so in existing or, if none available, new threads. Thanks. Future OT posts will be deleted.

Well this thing about Rogers not activating an SA8300HD PVR that was bought on ebay is wrong, I did buy one from ebay and all i did was call Rogers, gave them the Serial Number and it has been working flawlessly since i bought it. it is a lot cheaper to buy it from ebay then it is to get it from rogers, $180.00 vs 499.00, also when buying on ebay they will give you the serial number prior to placing your bid, this way you can contact rogers to make sure that the PVR can be registered on your account.

Thanks for the info. It also looks like you can buy SA3250HDs for around $50 on eBay.

upsdriver The only STBs that Rogers will authorize are Rogers units, so the eBay unit you purchased must have been from Rogers originally, in which case there is no problem.

As indicated earlier in this thread, Rogers doesn't activate outside STBs. If you had a different experience and can confirm, we'd like to hear from you, because you'd be the first.

Hello,

I'm just wondering if it's possible to use an HD PVR box that has not been supplied by Rogers. When I signed (almost) 2 years ago, they gave me the 8300 HD PVR box free for 2 years. Seeing as the promo is almost expired, I'm not even considering paying $20 per month to use their outdated PVR... anyone know where I can pick up an HD PVR (not necessarily Scientific Atlanta) and if it will even work (would I just have to swap the card or something?)?

Thanks for looking!!

Martin

There are no third party receivers that are capable nor will rogers allow you to use one on their network.. Your only alternatives are

1) Swapping out your HD PVR for a Standard HD Receiver.. Then go out and buy the Hauppauge HD PVR.. The only drawback with this option is you need a computer. The Rogers HD receiver connects to the Hauppauge HD PVR using component cables.. Then you connect the Hauppauge HD PVR to your computer

2)Switch to a provider that offers more up to date equipment

3) Keep the HD PVR that you currently have and avoid all the hassle it takes to do 1 or 2

Rogers will not activate "outside" STBs as indicated in this thread to which your post was moved:

There's a thread in the digital deals forum here where you can purchase a new HD PVR for less than 2 years rental cost.


See the following post, useful for those new to the forum - FAQs, Search Tips, Optimization, etc:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

My friend wants to send me his 8300 HD from the US. It was programmed to work with Comcast. Is there way to setup to work with Rogers?

Thank you!