NTHell Cable TV question

[FunkyGibbon]

My NTL cable digi box can now only see 934,935,936,937,950 and 980 when scrolling through channels, yet I get channel not yet available, and the starting icon on the TV.

I've tried the power up/down bit and the cable. The connection is live as if I don't have it plugged in it can't find NTL.

Anyone else seen this problem?

I've not received a bill for 3 months (yet the direct debit is still being taken) - so I was wondering if they think my account is disabled?

TIA

[trevorw]

Have you tried phoning customer services?

[FunkyGibbon]

trevorw said:

Have you tried phoning customer services?

having a laugh right?

I was on hold from 7.30 till 8.15 when my phone died. Try again straight away only to get a different answerphone message - we're closed.

Anyway - I thought I'd ask the might of PH to see if anyone may know what the likely problem might be.

[vex]

It could be a number of things.

First thoughts was that the receiver had kicked into service mode, however reading the whole post it could be the following.

My guess is that the return path isn't working, this is how the NTL box communicates across the cable with the transmission site (headend)

Basically, your box is delivered with a fixed number of credits. As these get used up the set top box is 'polled' (called) at various times to see how many credits have been used, bill them and replenish its piggy bank.

If this polling doesn't work then you can use up all you credit in the box and it will shut down to the minimum service.

I don't think it is a problem at your end, more likely to be the network not being able to find your box, hence not being billed and it being shut down.


Exactly this happened about 5 years ago, NTL set to launch PPV (Pay per view) connect a couple of customers for free, wine and dine the press, take them to the house the following morning and it doesn't work . The customer had used up all the credit the night before watch movies!

Hope that gives you a little insight.

[FunkyGibbon]

vex said:

It could be a number of things. First thoughts was that the receiver had kicked into service mode, however reading the whole post it could be the following. My guess is that the return path isn't working, this is how the NTL box communicates across the cable with the transmission site (headend) Basically, your box is delivered with a fixed number of credits. As these get used up the set top box is 'polled' (called) at various times to see how many credits have been used, bill them and replenish its piggy bank. If this polling doesn't work then you can use up all you credit in the box and it will shut down to the minimum service. I don't think it is a problem at your end, more likely to be the network not being able to find your box, hence not being billed and it being shut down. Exactly this happened about 5 years ago, NTL set to launch PPV (Pay per view) connect a couple of customers for free, wine and dine the press, take them to the house the following morning and it doesn't work . The customer had used up all the credit the night before watch movies! Hope that gives you a little insight.

cheers vex. Lets see what happens