tivo work with "cable" phone?

[catfan64]

I am moving in one week, and having to give up my Directv, in favor of Cable.
I have already bought 2 series 2 tivo's (with the $150 rebate) and have activated both of them, but have never taken them out of the box. Since I am having to switch to cable, I thought I might as well go ahead and get the package deal, with cable TV, broadband, and phone service also. Does anyone know if my Series 2 boxes, will have any trouble using the cable company provided phone service? If not, could I go through guided setup here, while I still have Bellsouth phone service, even though I don't have "cable " to hook it up to?

[jfh3]

If you hook your Tivos up to a home network, you should have no problem using the Tivos with your cable "phone" service, since it's really just using the broadband connection like any other internet traffic.

If you want to have your Tivos literally dial out using the modems (e.g. a true "phone" connection, you might be able to do that, but it'd be a lot more work (getting the right devices, etc.).

[TiVoStephen]

I'm assuming by "cable phone" this is some type of Voice over IP phone system?

You may have some difficulty. If they have instructions on how to get fax/modems working, follow those. The best bet is to pick up two network adapters and then use broadband for both of your new Series2 units.

If the units have 7.2 pre-installed, you can complete Guided Setup using broadband. If not, it's a better idea to do what you say and set them up now with real phone service. (Answer the questions during Guided Setup as best you can for what you think you'll be using in the future. It's pretty quick to repeat Guided Setup later if you have to.)

To tell if 7.2 is pre-installed:
* You can look for the "SS" label above the TiVo Service Number and to the left of the UPC code (below the words "UPC Code:" on the carton label. That indicates that 7.x is pre-installed.
* Or, you might note the new verbiage regarding broadband/phone lines.

[catfan64]

I'm assuming by "cable phone" this is some type of Voice over IP phone system?

You may have some difficulty. If they have instructions on how to get fax/modems working, follow those. The best bet is to pick up two network adapters and then use broadband for both of your new Series2 units.

If the units have 7.2 pre-installed, you can complete Guided Setup using broadband. If not, it's a better idea to do what you say and set them up now with real phone service. (Answer the questions during Guided Setup as best you can for what you think you'll be using in the future. It's pretty quick to repeat Guided Setup later if you have to.)

To tell if 7.2 is pre-installed:
* You can look for the "SS" label above the TiVo Service Number and to the left of the UPC code (below the words "UPC Code:" on the carton label. That indicates that 7.x is pre-installed.
* Or, you might note the new verbiage regarding broadband/phone lines.

I dont see any "SS label". Both my boxes, (a 40 hr TCD540040, and a 80 hr TCD540080) only have one label on each one, which has a upc code at the top, then the TVO serial number under that, then the ivo model number, then theTivo SKU number. I guess they dont have 7.2 installed. So can I hook them up to my tv, and phone line here, and do guided setup, WITHOUT having any type signal input going to the boxes? Won't the guided setup process, at some point, check to see if it is getting a good input signal form some source?

[rainwater]

Won't the guided setup process, at some point, check to see if it is getting a good input signal form some source?

Yes, but you can still continue. I believe it tries to verify a single channel in your lineup. But as long as you are sure its the right lineup you will be ok.

[Sirshagg]

My phone service is with Cox cable. I have no idea how it's done (nor do I want to) but the only think i have coming into the house is the coax cable. My phones operate just like any other phone line I have ever had. I have many Tivo's sucessfully using it to dial out and have never once seen any indication of a problem.

[jfh3]

To tell if 7.2 is pre-installed:
* You can look for the "SS" label above the TiVo Service Number and to the left of the UPC code (below the words "UPC Code:" on the carton label. That indicates that 7.x is pre-installed.
* Or, you might note the new verbiage regarding broadband/phone lines.

Is this also true for the 40 hour boxes? I've seen it on the slim 80 hour boxes, but never on a slim 40 hour box.

[catfan64]

When I set everything up at my new apartment, I plan on having them networked. I have already bought two of the Tivo brand network adapters, and they arrived yesterday. If I hook the Tivos up here, before I move, and go through the guided setup (without having any input signal) and get the upgrade to 7.2, will I have any trouble setting up networking, after I move? Will have to go through guided setup again, to get networking started? Also, after I go through guided setup here, before I move, will I have to wait for the software to upgrade to 7.2, or will it be upgraded to 7.2, DURING the guided setup? I only have a couple of days, before I move.

[catfan64]

My phone service is with Cox cable. I have no idea how it's done (nor do I want to) but the only think i have coming into the house is the coax cable. My phones operate just like any other phone line I have ever had. I have many Tivo's sucessfully using it to dial out and have never once seen any indication of a problem.

I'm sure it is the same type setup they have here in Louisville KY, with Insight Cable, and I would REALLY love to leave these things in the boxes, until after I move, but am worried that if I wait, that I will run into trouble.

Is there any way that I can hook them up to my phoneline now, before I move, and get the 7.2 software update only, and not go through guided setup? Then, after I move, I could do the guided setup, through the network, as TiVoOpsMgr said.

[Sirshagg]

You can hook them up now and get the software but you will need to go through guided setup. The setup isn't really that difficult and you can always tell the tivo you want to repeat it when you get to the new location.

The problem with doing guided setup over the network is that it's hightly unlikely the boxes shipped with support for a network adapter you will be able to find and purchase at retail today.

[catfan64]

Thanks for the info. I guess I will go ahead and break open the boxes tomorrow after work, and go through guided setup. Hope I can get both boxes setup in one night.

[classicsat]

Is this also true for the 40 hour boxes? I've seen it on the slim 80 hour boxes, but never on a slim 40 hour box.
This is so for any TiVo manufactured after mid Oct 05, although I think the Chinese ones have 7.2.

Before you move, you can set up with Antenne, Zip 0000, Tinytivo, for a small lineup you can use to download new software.

[HIHZia]

My phone service is with Cox cable. I have no idea how it's done (nor do I want to) but the only think i have coming into the house is the coax cable. My phones operate just like any other phone line I have ever had. I have many Tivo's sucessfully using it to dial out and have never once seen any indication of a problem.


Mine is the same, to the phones and the Tivo it's just a phone line. If you don't have to buy a special phone to use your phone service your Tivo shouldn't have any problem. :up:

[smark]

Comcast Digital Voice should allow it to dial out fine.

[GoHokies!]

If you don't have to buy a special phone to use your phone service your Tivo shouldn't have any problem. :up:

Not true - you use regular phones with Vonage, but you still can't dial out successfully on Tivo or on a fax. (actually, that's a gross oversimplification, there are workarounds, and diferent things you can play with, but they don't "work" in the sense that you can plug and go)