Questions from a new Tivo owner

[AlexK]

Hi all - I recently bought a Tivo and have a few newbie type questions. Apologies if they've been covered before - I have searched help but am hoping someone can offer their advice.
I have it connected to a Sony VTX-D800 freeview box. Is there anyway to speed up the channel changing time when wathing live TV ? When I did the setup I used the correct code for the STB and selected the 'Fastest' option but there is a noticable delay when compared to watching freeview directly.
Second question - I've programmed the Tivo remote with the code for my TV - a Panasonic TX-32PK1. The volume and channel functions work fine but when using Standby, it does not work. When using the TV's remote you have to hold down the standy button for a couple of seconds to turn the TV on/off. When I press the Tivo remote Standby, I see the LED on the TV blink a few times like it's trying but it does not turn off/on.
Apart from that I think the Tivo is fantastic - I know I'm several years behind on all of this :rolleyes:
My Tivo has a 120Gb hard drive but no other upgrades as far as I know and I only use the phone connection.
Many thanks all....Alex

[alan_m_2004]

Hello

Second question - I've programmed the Tivo remote with the code for my TV - a Panasonic TX-32PK1. The volume and channel functions work fine but when using Standby, it does not work. When using the TV's remote you have to hold down the standy button for a couple of seconds to turn the TV on/off. When I press the Tivo remote Standby, I see the LED on the TV blink a few times like it's trying but it does not turn off/on.

I have the same issue with my panasonic tv - apparently it's a design feature of parasonic tvs (a very long sequence for on/off) and effects a number of learning remotes as well as tivo. If you try it repeatedly and hold down the tivo remote button it normally works. Interestingly I found that touching the tivo on off button turns the tv off, it's only turning it on that requires holding it down.

My longer term solution has been to hook the tv up to an x10 applicance module and switch it on and off via that - once you start with gadgets it gets addictive and convoluted :)

HTH,

Alan.

[Tivo_noob]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Tivo!

I'm not the best person to ask but when i first used Tivo i too thought it took longer than normal for it to change freeview channels, all i'll say is you'll get used to it :)

[blindlemon]

Is there anyway to speed up the channel changing time when watching live TV ? Hi Alex - welcome to the forum :)

Short answer: No. Long answer: Once you get into the TiVo way of viewing you should find that you hardly ever watch "Live" TV - as everything you might want to see will have been automatically recorded for you :up:;)

Those of us who have had TiVo for a while tend to lose track of time and TV schedules altogether. When somebody at work says something like "I'm going to watch Lost tonight" I find myself thinking "Oh, so that's when it's broadcast, is it?"... :D:D

[AlexK]

Hi all - Thanks for the welcome and responses. I guess I do need to re-educate myself. If you asked me what I want in terms of TV viewing I would say the ability to select different types of programs to record and watch when I want to - that's Tivo right! I've only had it for a few days but already it has me mightly impressed.

I'm sure we've all been there in the past - after a long day at work, slumping in front of the TV, channel-hopping in the hope of finding something even half decent to watch. Well no more for me - now just need to work on the Mrs :p

Still can't get the Tivo remote to control my TV on/off standby though.
Alan - would you happen to know the code you used when programming your remote ?

Thanks....Alex

[iankb]

The main reason for the apparent delay in changing channels is because the program is being written to the live buffer on the hard drive, and then read back before you see it. That is an unavoidable by-product of being able to pause live TV.

Once you've built up a significant number of season passes and wishlists, you won't want to surf the channels any more. You'll have more than enough to watch from the TiVo's recordings.

[Diamond Mike]

Hi all - Is there anyway to speed up the channel changing time when watching live TV ?

If you just want to watch live TV (without being able to pause) & have quick channel changes then press Aux on the Tivo to revert to a genuine live feed & use your freeview remote to change channels. You can always press Aux again to go back to the Tivo.

[iankb]

If you just want to watch live TV (without being able to pause) & have quick channel changes then press Aux on the Tivo to revert to a genuine live feed & use your freeview remote to change channels.The problem with that is that you won't see any messages that TiVo is about to change channels to start a recording.