New Navigator Software in Texas, Handy Checklist

Apr 23 2010

New Navigator Software in Texas, Handy Checklist

We’re rolling out a series of software upgrades to our set-top boxes across Texas starting on April 26, finishing on May 15. The deployments start in waves, starting in Austin, TX on Monday, April 26.

The new Navigator software/on-screen guide has improved parental controls and enhanced DVR capabilities as well as easier access to program searches, settings, DVR programming, and more.

And look: we know that not everyone is going to love this at first. A lot of times, it feels like right when you get comfortable with a user interface it goes and changes and you have to learn it all over again. I just got a new computer with an updated version of MS Office and it’s making me nuts right now. So trust me, I understand.

But ultimately, this is going to be better in the long run.

We’ve designed this to be a seamless transition, and everything should go smoothly. However, before this rolls out, please take a minute to check your settings and write them down. In the unlikely event that there are glitches, bugs, or Gremlins, we want to make sure that you experience the smallest interruption in programming as possible.

Prior to the conversion, take a minute to check the following settings on your box and write them down:

• Parental Controls: Make sure all channel, rating and other blocking settings are in place.

• Favorite Channels: Verify that the channels selected as favorites are still selected.

• Timers: Check any time settings (power on/off, reminder or sleep timers).

• HD Aspect Ratio (for HD service): To make sure the aspect ratio is correct after the upgrade, press Settings, select Display, then Aspect Ratio.

• DVR Settings: Settings for shows airing within seven days should not be affected by the download. However, for a recording set for a series that is not airing within seven days will need to be rescheduled on the DVR.

We’ve actually created a checklist in PDF form that you can print out and keep by your TV, too: Navigator Checklist

This checklist is part of a larger brochure (also a printable PDF) that will guide you through a number of the functions that are new or different with the new Navigator software. You can download that PDF here: The New Time Warner Cable Navigator

We’ll also be creating a series of blog posts in the coming weeks that will show you tips and tricks to getting the most out of your software. We know the change may take a little getting used to, and we want to do everything we can to ease this transition into a better platform.

If you need help with Navigator, find something difficult or want to see a post that explains some aspect of the new software, I’m happy to take requests — just let me know in the comments section.

Categories: What's New

69 Comments »

69 Responses to “New Navigator Software in Texas, Handy Checklist”

Pat Arrabito
Jul 16, 2010
at 1:11 am

This new navigator system sucks big time. I’m all for upgrades but there are so many glitches that it is painful using it. There is an enormous time delay when changing channels and some channels are not available when first tuned in, you have to backtrack to another channel and then go back and hopefully it appears. In addition my box automatically reboots whenever a channel locks up. Techs have come to my house and the box and signal coming in are fine. It’s the damn software. They don’t even know when the problem will be resolved; but they do admit it is a software issue they had not anticipated.
Talking to the reps is like talking to a container of milk. They know nothing, and keep giving me the run around. I think they’re giving me the run around; can barely understand them. I’ve spoken with friends in other parts of town and they are experiencing the same problems. When you ask for a credit you might as well have asked for them to give you a body part. I guess Dish or Direct TV is in my future.
Michael Reed
Jul 19, 2010
at 9:17 am

Ever since they added the new SDV HD premium channels and Navigator within the same week (early June), I cannot record the 17## channels after about 11PM. With most of these channels now being the west coast feed, that’s when the movies I want are on. What happens is (I had the box turn on and recorded on my non-TWC DVR), the show starts recording. At two minutes in, the Press A to watch this show prompt comes on. When the A button is not pressed, it goes to the Channel not available at this time prompt and the recording stops (none of this shows in the recording on the TWC DVR). I shouldn’t have to be present to record a show by pressing buttons saying I want to when I have already scheduled it to record. No parental controls are set. I tried calling TWC, but hung up after 20 minutes of waiting (hate this new all in one phone number). So I sent an e-mail trouble ticket. The best they could come up with was to send a signal to my boxes which didn’t do anything. I bought a cable amplifier and put in on the cable to the box. That didn’t help either (my signal is good). So now I am going to have to take a day off and wait for a technician to come out and probably still won’t have it fixed.
CableTied
Jul 22, 2010
at 12:06 pm

“Channel not available at this time”

basically means that TWC has oversubscribed the node in your area and there are too many other SDV slots being allocated to other channels that people are watching.

This is pretty common. TWC don’t upgrade the node capacity unless they really, really have to because that costs them money. They would rather that everyone fight for the channel first.

Which is exactly the reason SDV exists to begin with. Because they didn’t upgrade the infrastructure sufficiently to handle the HD generation without the SDV kludge.

Just be glad you don’t have the piece of crap tuning adapter. That combines all the issues with SDV with a whole batch of other flashing LEDs, lack of signal lock and constant reboots.
WRCFanatic
Jul 22, 2010
at 12:15 pm

A good keyword search feature should be added into Navigator.
Jeremy
Jul 25, 2010
at 2:10 pm

So, will we ever have our eSATA restored?
WRCFanatic
Jul 26, 2010
at 6:39 pm

Maybe someday eSATA will be fixed. eSATA has been broken, but if you want it now, then get a SA 8300HD and then you can plug in an external drive.
WRCFanatic
Jul 27, 2010
at 12:29 pm

I’ve heard some mumblings in Charlotte that there will be a future update that will enable it but ODN v4.0.1_0 was recently deployed there. A newer version of that software might enable eSATA but again, if you really want it, then get a 8300HD if you can since that has working eSATA. ODN v4.0.1_0 supports the MR-DVR feature and maybe some bug fixes, but thats about it.

TWC has never promised eSATA support at all and don’t even advertise it, so why should they enable it.
wrcfanatic
Aug 09, 2010
at 4:47 pm

Not for a while. ODN v3.2.0_15 can work with some eSATA drives, but it’s TWC decision to enable eSATA.
amy
Aug 18, 2010
at 11:11 pm

Where is the auto tune feature?
Jack
Aug 19, 2010
at 4:05 pm

Amy,

The auto tune feature is called “Nearest Tune” and is available on HDC and Samsung DVR’s running the ODN (latest version) of Navigator.

To get to it:

1.) Press Settings on Your Remote
2.) Scroll Left-Right to “Display”
3.) Scroll Down through the “Display” options are select “Nearest Tune.” If turned off, select it and switch it to “on.”

The use of this setting allows customers to have the box “auto tune” to the next highest channel number in the guide, when in incorrect number is pressed.

Unfortunately, this feature has not been released to the MDN (legacy) boxes yet. MDN boxes are defined as ANY box without a C in the model number that is NOT a Samsung.

Jack
Ali F.
Aug 22, 2010
at 1:34 am

I could not be more annoyed with the answers i got for the reason they took out Sort by Favorites feature. After talking to several supervisors and technical people the best answer i got was it was a Corporate decision and they don’t know why.

I’m so mad I’m in the process of going canceling my service pending cancellation fees. Taking out this feature to “save memory for future upgrade” is total crap. This feature alone does not take up any more memory then a simple 0/1 logic since the favorites are stored anyway in this upgrade they did. In a good business model you don’t take something out in anticipation of future updates when those updates could be as long as a year away.

No way to get it back unless enough people complain in my opinion to get that simple feature back. I suggest you call 800-TWCABLE and express your concern like i did.
IRCfan
Sep 04, 2010
at 4:47 am

Any plans for Hawaii to dump SARA for Navigator?
John in Bastrop
Sep 23, 2010
at 8:54 pm

I hate this new software, it’s hard to use. It seems they have done away with “first run only” selection on season recording? It records all of them now..
Ben
Sep 24, 2010
at 10:05 pm

Please, PLEASE Implement a Guide Filter into Navigator soon! I’m in Central New York and our channel lineup is horrendous. The channels are grouped in no logical order and the SD channels don’t line with the HD equivalent. The HD channels span FOUR tiers (700,800,900 & 1000′s). I do installation work in the area and this is the number one complaints I hear because people are continually using SD content on their brand new HDTV because a) they can’t find the HD channel or b) doesn’t know it exists. We need a robust Guide Filter like the satellite providers have had for the last 10 years! I want to be able to add/delete or otherwise block channels I don’t watch or want to show in the guide. I’d love to see an option to “Show HD” when an HD equivalent is available. This should be a priority.

Next most important feature would be Keyword Search. The keyboard is certainly better than SARA’s search was, but is still weak. I’ve found myself using the Remote DVR Manager more for this. That is one thin you guys nailed! The only addition that would make your Remote DVR tops would be the ability to see the used/remaining space as well as delete shows currently stored on the DVR.

It’s good to hear that speed fixes are already in the works.
Pookie.Charms
Sep 25, 2010
at 4:40 am

Keyword Search with VOD search would be ideal.
jesus m. rodriguez
Sep 26, 2010
at 9:15 am

This is precisely the reason I bought a TiVo because I got tired of the TWC set top boxes and the awful UIs. Sadly TWC makes getting a TiVo installed almost unbearable, it’s not for the meek.
dread pirate roberts
Sep 28, 2010
at 2:17 pm

@John in Bastrop

Go to your series recordings then edit series, then move done to the option of firts run, reruns then arrow right and the first run only option it there. Save it and you are good to go.
Ben
Oct 07, 2010
at 6:02 am

Where is the Guide Filter? Keyword Search? These are must have features for a 2010 Guide, features whice satellite has had for over 10 YEARS!
Jack
Jul 13, 2011
at 3:14 pm

I am hoping that Navigator gets a keyword search option soon! I am having so much fun using it on the Remote DVR Manager, and believe this added feature would eliminate some of the frustrations that customers have having, trying to Find Shows with the “B” button using the keyboard.

This frustration comes from the Keyboard being able to only locate shows by Title. Keyword Search would make results more specific to a customer’s desired search, and the customer would be able to find shows that interest them faster than they do now.