Last night, I got home at about 10 pm and turned on my Vista Media Center to find a "Restricted Content" message when I switched to Live TV.  I tried changing channels, but either got a blank screen or the "Restricted Content" message.  I restarted the computer, and when that didn't help, I shut it down and unplugged the external cable tuners.  That didn't work either, so I called Comcast, and they re-sent the authorization down to my 2 cable cards; that also didn't help.  At that point, the support person gave up and scheduled a service call.

This morning, after about noon, it started working again.  I could tune any channel.  I later started watching a recorded program, and when I went to go back to Live TV at about 8 pm, I got the "Restricted Content" message again.

Is this another chapter in the recent problems with recording flags?  Could it be a signal problem?  Or (puts on tinfoil hat) is this some conspiracy by Comcast to get me to rent their DVR?  I had canceled the tech appointment, as everything seemed back to normal; I could get the technician out, but if it works during the day, that won't help.

I'd appreciate any ideas anyone has.  For the record, I have a Dell XPS 420 with 2 external tuners, which has all been working fine since late January.  My cable service is Comcast in Ashland, MA.  Thanks.

Melissa

mskenny:

Last night, I got home at about 10 pm and turned on my Vista Media Center to find a "Restricted Content" message when I switched to Live TV.  I tried changing channels, but either got a blank screen or the "Restricted Content" message.  I restarted the computer, and when that didn't help, I shut it down and unplugged the external cable tuners.  That didn't work either, so I called Comcast, and they re-sent the authorization down to my 2 cable cards; that also didn't help.  At that point, the support person gave up and scheduled a service call.

This morning, after about noon, it started working again.  I could tune any channel.  I later started watching a recorded program, and when I went to go back to Live TV at about 8 pm, I got the "Restricted Content" message again.

Is this another chapter in the recent problems with recording flags?  Could it be a signal problem?  Or (puts on tinfoil hat) is this some conspiracy by Comcast to get me to rent their DVR?  I had canceled the tech appointment, as everything seemed back to normal; I could get the technician out, but if it works during the day, that won't help.

I'd appreciate any ideas anyone has.  For the record, I have a Dell XPS 420 with 2 external tuners, which has all been working fine since late January.  My cable service is Comcast in Ashland, MA.  Thanks.

Melissa

Same boat the rest of us are in, it's not a provider issue, it's a Microsoft issue.  Am using FIOS and am having the same issue.  Was working all day stopped working this evening.  I had to reflash the firmware again, to get it to work again.

Frustrating.

-D

Rerun the TV Signal Setup process again. This fixed the problem for me this morning. I recieved the Restricted Content message today for the first time ever and i have had my system for months.

Hi,

I just tried that suggestion, but it didn't help.  I'm going to try flashing the firmware next.

Thanks!

Melissa

Sorry, I should have been more specific. This is what i have to do to fix the problem

1. Remove the cable cards from the ATI DCTs
2. Run the TV Signal setup process and answer Yes when prompted to continue without cable cards.
3. No need to setup the guide again, just choose Finish instead.
4. Tune a low number channel to verify it works, i normally tuner something under 78.
5. Plug cable cards back into DCTs.
6. Waite till both my DCTs show green lights on cable cards and then click Yes to the cable card setup pop-up messages.
7. A few clicks through dialog boxes and everything works again.

Good luck.

Thanks for this suggestion!  I flashed the tuners with the newest AMD firmware, and now it works.  Let's see how long it lasts.

Melissa

OK, I'm putting on my tinfoil hat again.  The "Restricted Content" message came back at exactly 7:30 pm tonight.  This must be Comcast doing this, intentionally or not.  Is this the infamous "broadcast flag" that causes this message?  I want to call Comcast back, but want to be sure of what I'm saying.

Thanks for all the help so far!

Melissa

This is very odd. I'm having the same problem in Houston. System has been stable for months. I do the rescan shuffle, reboot, restart, and things are fine for just a little while. Then, "Restricted Content" again or green screens on my XBox 360 extenders.

I wish I had a suggestion. Instead, I share your pain.

BTW, did you have the problem before you flashed the new bios for the DCTs? I'm not sure but I do recall having the problem before I upgraded.

Ed

 

Having the same exact problems in Rhode Island w/ Cox Cable.  Started 3 nights ago and has happened every night since at around 9:15pm.  I can't watch any live tv without getting the Restricted Content by broadcaster message.  I shut down my computer when it happens, unplug the power cords to both tuners, let them sit for 10 minutes, restart the computer, and then plug in the tuners.  This fixes the problem until the following night. 

I'm pretty frustrated, but everything I've read suggests it's not a cable provider problem. 

Can anyone help?

I thought I was the only one with this problem, thought it was a problem with one of my tuners.  It starts about 8:30pm here on the east coast with Brighthouse.  But when I disable my internal tuners and switch to the external it works fine.  So it seems to be happening with Comcast, Cox, and Brighthouse so far.  I'm don't think its a provider issue, unless they all are messing with the broadcast flags.

It started Thursday night, before I flashed the firmware this afternoon.  I wasn't rushing into the new firmware since everything was working, but I tried it today and the problem stopped.  I might try flashing again to see what happens.

It's interesting that it's happening with other cable systems.  Since it's happening at different times, that would tend to suggest it's not a Microsoft thing.  Perhaps the cable providers are experimenting?

Melissa

I am having the same problem in Michigan using Comcast with Dell XPS 420 and dual DCT's.  Went out while I was away - I revived it last night by powering down the DCT's and turning them back on.  Worked OK till sometime tonight.  The system has been working well since since cablecard installation in March.

Based on this posting it does not seem to be the service provider. - Could it be a reaction with a MS automatic upgrade?

Wish I could help - will investigate further and update if I learn anything useful.

Verizon FIOS is having issues too, every evening at 10pm for me.

-D

Possibly a clue here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929011 I am using the ATI TV Wonder DCT which (according to this) supports ATSC and NTSC...

Do not have SP1 installed which is the recommended resolution.

Not sure why the automatic updates (Vista Ultimate 32 bit) did not automatically update SP1.  (??) so am reluctant to update to SP1.

Interested to know if others with this problem have SP1.

Strangely: update history shows KB890830 May 16 and KB905866 May 14 - neither relate to above hotfix or SP1 - Did others have same recent updates?

I installed SP1 last month and VMC has been working fine until this week, so I don't think it's related to SP1.   I also have a buddy who lives down the street in RI who has the same set-up I do with no problems.