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View Full Version : Setup ? - Use TiVo as Dummy VCR

Jeffro7
03-12-2006, 02:30 PM
I've searched and haven't come across what I'm looking for:

Got a TW digital cable box recently and am trying to avoid having to IR blast. I'm looking to use one of my 2 series 2's as a "dummy" VCR. That is to just input whatever the Cable Box is outputting and be able to record that - then be able to transfer between TiVo's or to my computer.

Essentially, wanting to view some of the cable box programming on TV that doesn't have a digital box but does have a TiVo. All without using IR.

Can I do this?

I figure I can go cable box out into Tivo and Tivo out into another input on my TV and thus the TiVo will be showing whatever the cable box is outputting - then I can probably press "record" on the Tivo to record, but the titles and channels being recorded would be mismatched...I guess the question is can I 'strip' the progamming info off the Tivo? I'd consider cancelling the monthly sub on this TiVo and I could probably do it but then I couldn't transfer...

Any thoughts? Does this make any sense at all?
ZikZak
03-12-2006, 03:30 PM
If your cable box has a "VCR Timer," you could use that in conjuntion with regular season passes. But why do that instead of using IR? If you've lost your IR blaster, you can get a cheap replacement.
Jeffro7
03-12-2006, 03:34 PM
Thats not a bad idea that will work with season passes -

As far as IR Blaster, I've used it before and just wasn't a fan of its "flippability" - too slow for me.
ZikZak
03-12-2006, 03:46 PM
What's "flippability?" Are you talking about the 1 to 2 seconds at the beginning of a recording where you see the channel change?
mick66
03-12-2006, 04:56 PM
I'd consider cancelling the monthly sub on this TiVo and I could probably do it but then I couldn't transfer...


Without a subscription, not being able to transfer wouldn't be a problem you'd worry about because you wouldn't be able to record anything.
Jeffro7
03-12-2006, 05:52 PM
Without a subscription, not being able to transfer wouldn't be a problem you'd worry about because you wouldn't be able to record anything.

Got it.

"Flippability" = I guess I just made that up. Talking about liking to flip channels quickly and having IR blaster keep up with me.

Jeff
ZikZak
03-12-2006, 05:59 PM
I'm surprised that you would want to cripple your tivo for the sake of channel surfing; have you tried using a splitter and surfing with the TV tuner when you want to surf?
Jeffro7
03-12-2006, 06:09 PM
Its not really crippling the TiVo to me - I've got the TiVo on another TV right now am fairly flexible about what I watch where.

I've thought about the splitter but then I lose the digital channels - which may be the compromise I make.

The other reason I'm reluctant at this point to use IR blaster is because I really like having digital sound. i.e. digital out on cable box to digital in on receiver.