Cablecard validation needed

[revengineer]

I updated to the latest firmware version 20260313 on my cablecard HD Homerun. today I am experiencing the message "Card Validation: none" and the log reads:

19700101-00:00:11 CableCARD: authentication status: authentication in progress
19700101-00:00:29 CableCARD: authentication status: authentication success, validation needed
19700101-00:00:39 CableCARD: message: /get_cc_url?CableCARD///apps/PhoneHome.html

In addition, I see the message "In order to start service for this device please call..." At the same time it finds my channels and they play fine. What might be the issue here?

[revengineer]

I turned on diagnostic information, the Device ID is 131D83D7.

[revengineer]

Also, I did already call Comcast and they sent the signals to repair the cabled card with the HD Homerun device. This, however, had no effect.

[jasonl]

Card validation is only needed for DRM-protected channels, which on Comcast is usually just premium channels like HBO. If you don't subscribe to any of those channels, you can usually just ignore the lack of validation. Otherwise, you'll have to keep after them as the validation process is entirely between the provider and the card, it's not something that you or the HDHomeRun has any control over. Make sure they know you have a Technicolor/Cisco card, as most Comcast regions use Arris/Motorola cards, and at least in the past there was a different process for pairing/validation.

[revengineer]

aha, I did not check HBO before and it does indeed not work. I may pick this up again tomorrow, already spent 30+ minutes with tech support today and got nowhere. I will remember to mention the Technicolor card brand. So to confirm, this cannot be related to the new firmware?

[KeithAbbott]

So, for clarification: both of my Primes are still on 20250623, and they both currently show "Card Validation success". When I decide to upgrade to 20260313, will my card validation switch to none, or should it continue to show success?

[revengineer]

AFAIK, firmware downgrades are not allowed for cablecards, so I cannot test. This could be just coincidence in my case. However, this card has been working without changes for a decade, so the fact that I encounter the issue a day after a firmware upgrade is certainly suspicious. Comcast said they repaired the card again using the host and device IDs I provided.

[tzr916]

Not seeing any issues here. Updated both my HDHR3-CC boxes to ver 20260313 several days ago.

Comcast with Arris/Motorola cards.

[leerandall]

Same here. Both my HDHR3-CC boxes updated to 20260313 firmware a few days ago with no issues. Spectrum with Arris/Motorola CCs in the Detroit suburbs. And by the way, KeithAbbott, both boxes are receiving the new sports network DSN, channel 291.

[revengineer]

I am on chat with Xfinity, combined with yesterday it has been over 2 hours now. I am ready to pull the plug on life TV.

[revengineer]

now they want to sent a tech out to dig in my server rack where the HDHR3-CC is. HELL NO! It has been a nice ride with this device. Unless someone else has another suggestion, I will be joining the cord cutter.

[KeithAbbott]

Good, sounds like I don't need to worry about that when the time comes to upgrade my firmware. As far as channel 291 goes; I'm hoping Jason can figure something out, it seems like whenever I have to involve Spectrum they need to roll a truck and spend a half day in my basement to correct an issue that could be resolved over the phone.

[revengineer]

I want to put this request back at the bottom of the list: If anyone has an idea on how to get a hold of a knowledgeable tech that knows how to properly pair a cable card, please let me know. Thank you.

[signcarver]

what does the CA page of the cablecard state? Often with cisco cards, the local facility has to get involved as they are usually the only ones that have full control of the DNCS and have the original barcodes/disks that may be needed to do the proper modDhctCfg -s [MAC address] command to hit the card using its mac address. That is one reason there is never a reason to get 3rd party cisco cards as they cannot be added without that initial paperwork loading codes into the dncs... in theory moto cards were able to get such info from moto to then be added to the local system but virtually no one would ever do that but it was possible (many island nations could use older moto cable equipment and get such codes, with cisco such wasn't possible they needed the original paperwork). Typically for cisco pairing they only need the card and host id but I always suggest also having the card serial number (on the card itself) as a few things may require "scanning" that card back into inventory then removing from inventory and putting the card back on your account (though many providers are unable to do this now since they stopped issuing new cards).

I am not used to seeing the term validation when it comes to cisco cards... typically when you see that on comcast it is a moto card that needs to have the data number manually added back into the system without sending another hit that changes it. Usually when I see such issues on cisco cards they are either "Not Staged" or possibly "Waiting for CP Auth" (or both). For comcast, I suggest their help on reddit, which I believe you recently did, but I have read in the past few days from some official people that they no longer have access to any tools to do any cablecard pairing, thus only properly provisioned cards that maintain network (coax) connection should continue working for some time but that next year cablecards will be completely gone for most comcast markets as they switch entirely to iptv.

[revengineer]

Nothing sticks out on the CA page. status shows "ready" and subscription expiration time in 3+ weeks in future. I provided card, host, device IDs and the card serial number. I mentioned that this is a Technicolor/Cisco card. I currently making one more attempt through subreddit support.