Switched Digital Video (SDV)

Time Warner Cable has launched Switched Digital Video (SDV) in many neighborhoods around the country. This exciting new technology allows us to bring you many additional services, including new HD channels and HD versions of popular existing channels.

About SDV
Channels delivered using Switched Digital Video (“SDV”) are only transmitted over our cable system on an as-needed basis. As a result, SDV uses system capacity more efficiently than the traditional, always-on method. This frees up bandwidth and allows Time Warner Cable to offer its customers additional digital channels and HD digital channels. Some existing services may be delivered using SDV in order to make additional bandwidth available. Once channels are delivered using SDV, they will no longer be available to CableCARD devices, like TiVo HD DVRs, unless you have a Tuning Adapter.

CableCARD devices and the Tuning Adapter
Once channels are switched, they will no longer be available to CableCARD devices, also known as UDCPs.  These CableCARD devices sold at retail are designed to view one-way broadcast channels and cannot display switched (“SDV”) channels, which require two-way communication.   A Tuning Adapter can be connected to a compatible CableCARD device, enabling that device to display switched channels.  The number of devices compatible with the Tuning Adapter may increase, but for now these are the only compatible devices:

• TiVo Series 3 DVR
• TiVo HD DVR
• TiVo HD XL DVR
• Moxi HD DVR
• ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner

Time Warner Cable is actively rolling out Tuning Adapters in those divisions using SDV.  If you have a compatible CableCARD device listed above, you can pre-order for a Tuning Adapter, and we will notify you when the Tuning Adapters are available.

Question about CableCARD? Use this form.

You can order a FREE Tuning Adapter now by filling out a pre-order form.