Now Launching TWC TV for PC – in Beta « Time Warner Cable Untangled

Feb 14 2012

Now Launching TWC TV for PC – in Beta

Have you ever been sitting at your computer and thought “man, I would love to watch streaming TV on my iPad, but I don’t want to stand up and walk all the way to the other side of the room to get it?”

If so, you’re in luck. You’re really going to want to clean your feeding tubes out for this one:

Today, we’re launching the beta version of TWC TV, available on any computer to Time Warner Cable subscribers. That means you can stream live TV right to your desktop computer, as well as manage your DVR and tune your set-top box.

Ever since launching the TWC TV app for the iPad, we’ve been expanding the platforms that our customers can use to get value from their video subscription, and this represents the latest star in that particular constellation.

If you’re interested in checking it out, just visit the website at http://www.twctv.com.

Here’s the full list of features:

Live TV – Users scroll the “channel browser” to see a list of available channels with listings displaying network logo, show name, and episode name.
Guide – Up to 7 days of listings data. Option to filter guide display by “favorites only,” “HD only” or ”available to watch on PC.” You can also set channels as favorites from the Guide.
Set-top box tuning – “Watch on TV” button within the program description to tune an MDN/ODN set-top box directly to the channel.
PC tuning – “Watch on PC” button within the program description to tune PC directly to the channel.
DVR management – Schedule one-time and series recordings on MDN/ODN DVRs directly from the Guide’s show pages. Click on the “DVR” tab to see a list of all upcoming recordings and make changes or cancel recordings.
Search – Ability to search the Guide by show title, episode and/or by person.
Settings – Ability to manage Favorite channels, link to set Parental Controls, choose the Device (STB/DVR) to which you are connected for STB/DVR management, and turn on/off Closed Captioning on the website’s video player.

This will work for both PC and Mac. Here are the supported browsers:

Internet Explorer 7.0 and up
Firefox 4 and up for mac and windows
Safari 5 and up for mac and windows
Chrome: Latest stable release which is 17

You’ll need to download or possibly upgrade Silverlight to version 4.

Customers with iGuide or SARA set-top boxes and analog video customers cannot tune their TVs using the TWC TV apps or website. Furthermore, you’ll need a high-speed data connection to use this. If you don’t happen to get our HSD service from TWC or Earthlink,we have to install a “video only” wireless gateway to enable the live video feature within the app. Program guide and set-top box tuning as well as DVR scheduling are accessible from any internet connection both in and out of home.

As always, we will be making refinements and improvements to this over time, adding features, functionality, and fixing bugs in upcoming releases.

Categories: Broadband Penetration/Deployment, Content Delivery, Cool Stuff, Digital Cable, Future of the Industry, Product Launches, Programming, TV Everywhere

110 Comments »

Pin It

Comments for this post are closed – all comment threads close after 14 days from the original post date.

If you are having trouble or need assistance with your phone, cable, or broadband service, please contact our Online Care Team at twcable.help@twcable.com, or at @twcablehelp on Twitter.

110 Responses to “Now Launching TWC TV for PC – in Beta”

Alex
Feb 20, 2012
at 10:27 am

Would be nice if it was not using Silverlight. Can’t use this on any android mobile device in the home.
Davidvr
Feb 20, 2012
at 11:51 am

I sent information to that email address but no luck so far. https://video.timewarnercable.com/. They sent back a message asking if my tab was responding… Really?? That doesn’t help at all, I have two windows laptops. A Mac Desktop and Laptop. A iPod Touch, A iPhone and none of them are able to access the twctv live tv despite my having digital cable and a time warner Docsis 3.0 Connection. I thought it might have been my Airport Extreme so I reset my modem out of bridging mode and connected directly to it but It still doesn’t work. Very Disappointing. Can I get some real assistance making this awesome time warner feature work?
TheRRDon
Feb 20, 2012
at 12:14 pm

Will it be expanded so that you can watch streaming TV from *any* internet connection? I can see where someone who travels might really love to see his favorite program on History2 or the Speed Channel which are not generally available on hotel television.
Chintan
Feb 20, 2012
at 4:39 pm

I have the Cisco 8640 and I am getting the “We apologize, this application is currently offline” message. Anyone able to get their issue fixed?
TWCableJim
Feb 21, 2012
at 3:39 pm

Davidvr- There may be a possible issues with your my services login, if you could please email some account information to twcable.help@twcable.com I would be happy to investigate?
TWCableJim
Feb 21, 2012
at 3:40 pm

Chintan- There sounds like there may be a possible issue with the cable box syncing with the application. If you could please email some account information to twcable.help@twcable.com I would be happy to take a look?
zod
Feb 24, 2012
at 11:11 am

I’m getting the “We apologize, this application is currently offline” error as well in both IE and Firefox. Is there anything I can do to fix that?
TWCableJim
Feb 24, 2012
at 2:48 pm

Zod- There may be a possible syncing issue if you could please email us some account information to twcable.help@twcable.com I would be happy to take a look?
harry
Feb 27, 2012
at 9:43 am

Id does not work for me either. On my pc i get the same “We apologize, this application is currently offline”. I tried teh droid app, i get an error that says “Sorry, we did not find a compatible DVR or set-top box”
TWCableJim
Feb 29, 2012
at 3:43 pm

Harry- If you could please email some account information to twcable.help@twcable.com I would be happy to take a look?
Josh
Mar 01, 2012
at 10:34 pm

(Oops. sorry, wrong screenshot posted previously. Let’s try that again.)

I’m on my home network (cable subscription for Internet and TV with TWC,) I’ve got the latest version of Silverlight installed on my MacBook Pro (running Safari 5 on OS X 10.7.3,) I’m logged in, and I see the channel listing, but when I click on any channel all I get is “Loading.” I haven’t been able to watch any TV channel… no video at all. Just the same “loading” message for every channel.

See screenshot: http://www.fofer.com/sharedimages/Time_Warner_Cable%2C_Inc-20120301-193235.jpg

Any help?
NHS
Mar 06, 2012
at 8:04 am

Pointless service until you’re able to use it away from home. If I’m at home, I’ll watch the TV. In 2012, most folks are going to have TVs throughout their house. Not sure why it doesn’t work just like WatchESPN/ESPN3 service. Good start I guess…
TWCableJim
Mar 06, 2012
at 5:58 pm

Josh- If you could please email some account information to twcable.help@twcable.com I would be more than happy to investigate the issue?
Ronald Johnson
Mar 07, 2012
at 11:21 am

Hey TWCableJim, is doesn’t load at all when I try to use the service. Is this open to all who have TWC 20MB+ and use the Docis 3.0 Modem?
Amanda
Mar 12, 2012
at 11:14 pm

its saying it cannot be viewed at this time i must be on a home network but i am sitting on my couch on my internet i get through time warner.
Mark@Time Warner Cable
Mar 13, 2012
at 5:38 am

Cool feature to take TV along with us anywhere within the house. But as discussed, is there an android version available.
AnhC
Mar 14, 2012
at 2:42 pm

I am getting this error when I try to login at http://www.twctv.com

(stb-config)
HTTP Status 599 – unexpected.failure: Failed parsing JSON source: java.io.StringReader@4dfd83 to Json
RDS
Mar 18, 2012
at 11:14 am

Worthless service —TWCTV. When I try to view a program on my computer it keeps saying ” you cannot view content and that i must be connected to my “home network”.Guessing my “home network is my att yahoo dsl internet connection?
rjtholl
Mar 22, 2012
at 2:57 am

“You can not view content at this time.

To watch live TV, you must be connected to your home network.”

I get this error for every channel I try to watch even when I parse by “available for PC” on the top – right hand side
Don Blackburn
Mar 25, 2012
at 8:30 pm

first it worked great, now I too have received the message “You can not view content at this time. Since I am using my home network I am assuming it’s because it is still in beta.
Robert
Apr 05, 2012
at 12:02 pm

I can’t get TWCTV.com to work on my computer either. Same as others, it says:

You can not view content at this time.

To watch live TV, you must be connected to your home network.”

I have a compatible cable box, I was able to program my DVR from computer, but no Live TV? Do you need TWC internet service? I have Verizon, but I don’t see why wouldn’t work with any high speed internet.

Anyone have suggestions? TWC customer service was awful and clueless.
David
Apr 06, 2012
at 3:29 pm

Have used this feature frequently. Today I had a DOCSIS 3.0 modem installed to upgrade my RR service and now I get the dreaded “You can not (sic) view content at this time” even though I clearly am on my home network.

Suggestions please?
Josh
Apr 16, 2012
at 6:08 pm

I have an iPad and so I’ve had this available to me for a long time at this point. While it’s useful if I’m at home I’m usually going to watch it on my TV. Once this is available outside of the home, that’s when this becomes a game changer. I’m still waiting to be able to watch CNN, TNT and others on their respective website; it’s getting unacceptable at this point!
KK
Apr 20, 2012
at 1:22 pm

I want to watch TWC at work. I have all the compatible equipment. What gives??
Jeff Simmermon
Apr 25, 2012
at 3:24 pm

You have to be within your own home network.
Madstop
Apr 27, 2012
at 2:58 pm

App works great on ipad, ipod and pc. I can now watch a show in bed or on the couch or anywhere else I want. Of course watching shows on a large screen tv is better but having the flexibility to watch any where is very nice! No complaints! The only way it can get better is if we are able to watch via any network through some type of authentication… but I guess Sling may have the patent rights for that?!
tw
May 18, 2012
at 3:13 pm

I regret installing. Thought this would be useful app while on the go but if I can only use it on my home network then it will rarely be needed. Kind of contradicts what a “mobile” app should be
john
Jun 16, 2012
at 4:39 pm

does it cost to have it
Nicky
Jun 16, 2012
at 11:53 pm

I get lots of buffering or screen goes black & pixelated… a LOT!

I have high speed internet and while these things are happening, my download speeds have been between 15 – 19 mbps… what gives?

It happens on all computers in the house. All newer Macs running wirelessly…

Service works flawlessly on iPhone & iPad
Chris Hooten
Jun 17, 2012
at 4:40 pm

I’m getting the http status 599 message above whenever trying to log in. Maybe you are working on the servers this weekend? It worked, then stopped on friday, or saturday. If you are working on the servers and have the service down, a message on the web page stating that would be very helpful. (account is under my email)
steven
Jun 17, 2012
at 11:21 pm

How about a live chat feature on this webpage instead of Twitter? I don’t have, don’t want a Twitter account and a chat feature would be so much faster than waiting on email.
Smoke
Jun 21, 2012
at 12:55 am

I have the same issue as Nicky, frequent buffering, and black screens with pixelation, a LOT.

I’ve noted that pixelation occurs shortly after a buffer, every single time, thus, the message itself or something within that process could be what disrupts the signal.

Following that line of thought, if a buffer were to happen so quickly you didn’t see it, it could still be triggering this behavior. (Thus, you may have one bug, showing itself in multiple ways.)

You should trust me, and check out the entire buffering mechanism from head to toe, I’m 99% certain the problem lies there.
Mysti
Jun 25, 2012
at 8:55 pm

I have two boxes. One box is on the special list of boxes that work with this service (no one mentioned this, nor is it on the info for the android app.) On windows on Chrome, I get “This feature is not currently available”.
mark
Jun 30, 2012
at 1:55 pm

Signed in and “we apologize, the application is currently offline”

Good for nothing?
d3vildoc
Jul 12, 2012
at 12:15 pm

What is the point of TWCTV only working on your home network. Nearly every American has multiple TV’s in their home today, and would probably like to watch their favorite shows on the road the way HBO GO is set up. I find it difficult to believe that this beta is having this much difficuty, If I could switch back to comcast I would in a heartbeat.
Todd
Jul 15, 2012
at 6:02 am

Two things to remember… 1: You must have TWC for both cable TV AND Internet. 2: To program your DVR, you must have one of the approved TWC models listed on their website. Also, keep in mind that this is still in beta. I have been pretty lucky and had no problems. If I happen to have high traffic on my wifi, I will occasionally experience some pixilation. But this is a better trade-off than seeing a “buffering” wheel or dropped frames.
Ed Gold
Jul 16, 2012
at 11:56 am

Worked fine until this weekend now getting this message…. Any way to correct this…

HTTP Status 599 – unexpected.failure: Failed parsing JSON source: java.io.StringReader@fdefc to Json

type Status report

message unexpected.failure: Failed parsing JSON source: java.io.StringReader@fdefc to Json

description Cannot find message assoc
Chuck
Jul 17, 2012
at 11:13 pm

HTTP Status 599 – unexpected.failure: Failed parsing JSON source: java.io.StringReader@fdefc to Json

type Status report

message unexpected.failure: Failed parsing JSON source: java.io.StringReader@fdefc to Json
jenmo
Jul 21, 2012
at 8:12 pm

I get a message telling me this feature (LIVETV) is unavailable at this time.
Elise
Jul 25, 2012
at 7:10 am

Honestly, what’s the point of having this work only when you’re at home. Isn’t that what the tv is for? This application makes no sense unless you can use it when traveling, like I am now, in a hotel with no tv’s, wanting to see the morning news but all I get is, “sorry, but to see this you need to go home”. Absolutely stupid until it is available outside of my home.
Richard
Jul 27, 2012
at 11:07 pm

no pictur is streaming. I see “WATCH on TV” button, but I want to “watch on PC”
John
Jul 29, 2012
at 11:01 pm

Doesnn’t work half the time when I AM home.
Sam
Jul 30, 2012
at 1:13 am

(stb-config)

HTTP Status 599 – unexpected.failure: Failed parsing JSON source: java.io.StringReader@65100e to Json

type Status report

message unexpected.failure: Failed parsing JSON source: java.io.StringReader@65100e to Json

description Cannot find message associated with key http.599
Ben
Jul 30, 2012
at 11:24 pm

this is awesome but will i get charged using this
fred
Jul 31, 2012
at 6:25 am

So from the feedback above ,in order for this to work you have to be home and near some TWC internet. But from the above blog it states that you should be able to access this service anywhere as long as you have high speed internet. I try to log on from my Laptop and get the message this service is not available? So is this app down or what ?
Wendell
Jul 31, 2012
at 10:41 am

What is Time Warner thinking?? Let me see now I can download the app and watch it on my 15″ pc or download app and watch it on my 3″ smartphone or I can watch tv on my 60″ bigscreen. Thought this was going to be nice, I could take my pc to the camper and watch Time Warner from there but NOPE you have to have your Time Warner WIFI signal only, for this stupid thing to work!! What good is this app if the thing is not mobile??? Mobile? HELLO TWC!!!
I guess I will drop my tv and go with a Dish service good bye TWC!!!
Mack
Aug 01, 2012
at 1:40 pm

This makes no sense why is it not available to stream OUTSIDE of your home WiFi. If Im at my home ill just turn on the 60″ tv and watch my desired program. Why would I want to watch it on a little IPad or sitting in front of my PC if I have a big TV just in the other room. This has the possibility to be a great service but come on..it needs to be available for when Im traveling and NOT AT HOME.
star
Aug 03, 2012
at 11:43 am

I’m trying to watch live tv on my laptop and it is telling me this feature is not avalible at this time. ?????
ed
Aug 06, 2012
at 10:16 am

Live TV quit working for four or five days now???
Duane Rodgers
Aug 06, 2012
at 11:26 pm

This thing doesn’t work at all , channels wont change , you can’t get to the favorite channels. it tells you to choose them every time. when you click something it doesn’t respond.