Warn me of potential conflicts with adding a 2nd HDtivo in same room

[newsposter]

I'm trying to make sure I research everything before finalizing a decision to replace my T60 with a 2nd HDtivo (they are stacked). the only conflict I can think of now is that I only have one HDMI on my TV but I'm 99.9% sure I have another input that has component on my new tv. (i dont want to get into hdmi switching unless i discover component is worse on my tv as I already have too many switches on the back of my system)

Of course I'd have to do a test period right now to make sure i'm just as happy with the component picture since i've never hooked it up that way. I've heard both sides of camp, they are equal and not equal pics thru each.

Since the T60 is currently under the Hdtivo, it should be all of a 5 minute swap out from the cabling perspective. I'd still be using the s vid to run to the dvd burner so the only additional cables needing to be run would be component to the tv.

I guess I have to buy a splitter for the OTA also, recommendations on powered or not? I already have a leviton amp in the attic (125ft run) so i'm guessing adding another amp wouldn't be smart.

So this seems too easy. Everything I usually do is more difficult or something goes wrong. What am I overlooking as potential problems? The only thing I can think that I did "wrong" was recently upgrading the first Hdtivo instead of researching that you can indeed still own a HD tivo for 500 bucks through the internet retailers....argh

[phox_mulder]

Shouldn't be any conflicts or problems at all.
(except setting the TiVo's remote codes you mentioned in the other thread)

As long as component input looks good on your TV.

If HDMI looks better, you could watch both through component, then one wouldn't look better than the other.

I don't see a big difference between HDMI and Component on mine.

Ability to record 4 HD programs at once, go for it.


phox

[Dssturbo1]

If your hdtv set has independent adjustments for each input just use that to calibrate each one to the best PQ.
many people just plug into the inputs and never calibrate the inputs and if the component or hdmi look worse they just accept and blame it on the input.

[Sirshagg]

Remote codes should be the only issue.

Not that you asked but...
be aware that by activating another unit you are agreeing to another two years of D* service and that the HD TiVo will not be able to handle the new Mpeg4 channels they are rolling out. So unless you like in LA or NY (or can get those channels) you will not be able to use the unit to record much (if any) HD from D* by the tail end of your committment.

[newsposter]

As long as component input looks good on your TV.



I hooked up component, watched a bit of golf and one other OTA show then CSI. can't see the diff with component. Will watch some more HD tonight to see. I think the fact that I have CRT RPTV means i'll have more luck with not finding differences but that's just a feeling, no real evidence to support that.

If your hdtv set has independent adjustments for each input just use that to calibrate each one to the best PQ.
many people just plug into the inputs and never calibrate the inputs and if the component or hdmi look worse they just accept and blame it on the input.

Yup it does for each of 5 inputs. I just copied over the settings I had on hdmi. And those I got by using DVE thru S vid . No, it's not perfect, but it is pretty good. I noticed the difference right away on my component input because i never used it before and it wasn't calibrated before tonight.

Remote codes should be the only issue.

Not that you asked but...
be aware that by activating another unit you are agreeing to another two years of D* service and that the HD TiVo will not be able to handle the new Mpeg4 channels they are rolling out. .

I can't see the 119 now so HD isn't an issue at all except OTA but thx for the warning. I'm happy with ota, hbo, sho and heck even if they do get channels worth me watching, I'll just have to try to get in the 119 since all the nationals will be in mpeg2 until the turn off. I believe that is at least 2+ years away but that's just my gut feeling, no proof. Also i'm only 6 months into my 1st commitment so it's only really a 6 month extension for me.

Truth be told, my biggest fear is when all these leaves grow in that my OTA goes out :) -- tree is 200 ft away though-- But as long as i get OTA, (which will be mpeg2 forever), I'd be more than happy to keep these 2 tivos on my account 'forever' when i'm forced to get an mpeg4 receiver even for SD stuff.

[Runch Machine]

Leaves should not affect OTA. How strong are your signals now? Even if you do have a problem, it's just a matter of moving your TV antenna some.

[newsposter]

well i hope you are correct about leaves but i've seen other data that says i could be in for trouble...and i've seen data that says no trouble because people point right at a big tree. The signals are pretty good and even for the low ones, they are about a stable 65-71. And no, can't move the antenna. I already spent 400 bucks over 2 visits from an installer just getting in the signal I have now(he wore a hole in my roof walking back i think lol). higher on the chimney wasn't better and moving just 6 inches made a big difference. It was not a fun installation. I'm shooting through a 'tunnel' it appears.

[RonMan]

Shouldn't be any conflicts or problems at all.
(except setting the TiVo's remote codes you mentioned in the other thread)



I was gonna say remote problems. From the comment I read above I assume there is a way to change the remote codes for one of your boxes. I have two boxes stacked and no way to control just one. How is this done?

[TyroneShoes]

Leaves should not affect OTA... Well, then there ought to be a law :) .

Unfortunately, leaves can indeed affect reception, although it's not really so much the leaves, it's primarily the water in them that can absorb and refract the signal (so dry leaves are much less of an issue than green leaves). Absorption affects the signal level directly by reducing it at the antenna, and refraction affects is by changing the polarization slightly, which makes reception by the antenna slightly less efficient for a given orientation.

If you have a lot of signal and little multipath, the addition of heavy leaves will not be an issue. If you are on the borderline for either signal or multipath, reducing the amount of direct signal by shooting through leafy trees can make the difference between solid reception and spotty reception. The best strategy is to pick an antenna system that will give you more fade margin and more directionality to begin with. Then when summer comes, you won't have an issue.

[newsposter]

well i'm either gonna be happy as a lark or selling my old and newly ordered hdtivo when these leaves come in ...stay tuned :)

will a plain $3 splitter for OTA degrade the signal much? Hdtivos will be stacked so cable length isn't an issue

[fjwagner]

Ability to record 4 HD programs at once, go for it.


phox

I need some help here. How often is there a need to record 4 shows at one time. I dont think I could ever find the time to watch all of that!!! :)

[phox_mulder]

I need some help here. How often is there a need to record 4 shows at one time. I dont think I could ever find the time to watch all of that!!! :)

I do tend to get behind, thankfully the networks do a month of reruns prior to sweeps months, usually.


phox

[aaronwt]

Leaves should not affect OTA. How strong are your signals now? Even if you do have a problem, it's just a matter of moving your TV antenna some.

Leaves affect one channel on my OTA. In late November, when the leaves are off the trees, I lose my local NBC station. The signal will jump up and down so I can't get a constant picture. When the leaves grow back, like this month, my signal becomes rock solid for that station. No dropouts at all. This has been like clockwork the last couple of years since I mounted my square shooter.
My other stations are not affected by the foliage. Those signal strengths are within 5 points all year.

[A J Ricaud]

will a plain $3 splitter for OTA degrade the signal much? Hdtivos will be stacked so cable length isn't an issue

A plain old hybrid splitter reduces the signal by about half (3 dB) or a little more (typically 3.8 dB). Chances are it won't hurt, assuming you have enough signal. Try it--if it doesn't work you will need to amplify the signal to overcome the loss.

[newsposter]

assume for the moment it loses the signal to the point of being unwatchable (im a pessimist). Can I safely put another amp on the same line is the 25db leviton amp? That amp is about 100 ft away from the tivos.

[newsposter]

I need some help here. How often is there a need to record 4 shows at one time. I dont think I could ever find the time to watch all of that!!! :)
i'm not at my tivo so i cant think of the 4th ...but i think lost/heist/american idol/??? are on the same time every week..then there is law and order/csi/evidence/south part (easily bumped) but i also think black white and unique whipes are on...so that's SIX things on wed. night at 10.

As far as the time to watch...nope never enough and thank goodness for months of all repeats to catch up(but then the other networks start their shows on fx etc). And with a disabled spouse, gotta have a full tivo so they have something to watch all the time :)

[A J Ricaud]

Can I safely put another amp on the same line is the 25db leviton amp? That amp is about 100 ft away from the tivos.

Yes, you can add another amp at the HD Tivos but you would probably want just enough to overcome the splitter loss. That said, you may have to put an attenuator on the new amp to achieve the right amount of amplification w/o overpowering the tuners.

[newsposter]

well i used 6 ft cable and a splitter and so far i dont see any signal loss thankfully....dont really wanna add another amp.

[A J Ricaud]

Glad it worked out for you.