Does Tivo work apartment provided cable?

[GuRu44]

Ive read through FAQ's and Most of the help links, and couldnt find an answer. Ive also searched the web and never really found anything definitive. Ive also been to BestBuy to ask questions, but quite frankly, those guys just didnt really know what they were talking about either....

So, here is my situation. I absolutely love Tivo. I have friends and family that have it, and I think its great. Everyone that I know that has it says they cant imagine what they did before it. Bottom line, I want it.

But here is the problem....I live in an apartment complex in which the cable is provided. Its also impossible to pay for a seperate cable service because no one else in town provides there due to an exclusive contract with the complex. The service is also an odd one, its called Nova cable, but the few times the cable has gone out (due to weather) the error message looks similar to a DrectTV error message (dont know if thats useful info or not). The basic set-up is normal enough, there is a huge satellite dish in the middle of the complex, and each apartment is provided with a coaxial cable outlet, no boxes whatsoever, just straight cable, out of the wall. Also, the channel line-up is completely unique to any channel line-up in my city that Im aware of.

So, Ive had some people tell me I can still get it to work with this scenario, and some tell me I cant. I figure there are some experts here that can give me a definitive answer, maybe even someone in the same situation.

ALSO....

While i have your attention, I might as well try and kill 2 birds with one stone. If in fact it is compatible with my type of cable, Im also without a phone line. I currently have wireless internet. Ive seen the many wireless internet threads above so obviously Tivo is compatible with it (yes i verified it works with my adapter), but I was unclear on whether you need a phone line for the initial set-up or not. Can I start the whole process exclusively with my wireless internet?

Thanks in advance, any help would be greatly appreciated

[terryfoster]

First, the newest TiVos with the newest software versions do not require a phone line for setup.

Second, if you can provide TiVo with a copy of your cable lineup as provided by your apartment complex, or something like that, they can create a lineup for you. I can guarentee this works as the University of Michigan dorms have their own cable lineup and I was able to get a lineup created.

[Bierboy]

...I've also been to BestBuy to ask questions, but quite frankly, those guys just didnt really know what they were talking about either....Whoa...now THERE'S a surprise. :rolleyes:

[TiVoMonkey]

Visit http://www.zap2it.com/ and enter your ZIP code.

If your apartment complex cable company is listed there, then TiVo will also list it when you setup.

Zap2it uses the same listings as TiVo.

[LifeIsABeach]

If it is not listed then fill out the form below. They will ask for the name/phone number of your cable provider. You will also need to fax them a full lineup. I think it took a week or two to create the listings for my apartment complex, but that was over 5 years ago. Hopefully the process is more streamlined now. Good Luck and Welcome to the TiVolution!

http://customersupport.tivo.com/caseSubmitLineup.asp

[ZeoTiVo]

Visit http://www.zap2it.com/ and enter your ZIP code.

If your apartment complex cable company is listed there, then TiVo will also list it when you setup.

Zap2it uses the same listings as TiVo.


and if you do not see it there then follow TerryFoster's advice to send the lineup to TiVo. Many have done that before and TiVo will add it so you can download it.
I looked for the web page to submit it but I could not fin it. it is somewhere at www.tivo.com


edit beat by LifeIsAbeach while I tried to find the URL - to the victor goes the spoils :)

[mearlus]

But here is the problem....I live in an apartment complex in which the cable is provided. Its also impossible to pay for a seperate cable service because no one else in town provides there due to an exclusive contract with the complex. The service is also an odd one, its called Nova cable, but the few times the cable has gone out (due to weather) the error message looks similar to a DrectTV error message (dont know if thats useful info or not). The basic set-up is normal enough, there is a huge satellite dish in the middle of the complex, and each apartment is provided with a coaxial cable outlet, no boxes whatsoever, just straight cable, out of the wall. Also, the channel line-up is completely unique to any channel line-up in my city that Im aware of.

My employer provides bulk internet to some apartment complexs, through that process I've learned a bit on how their "cable" tv works and such. The DirecTV error you see is most likely accurate ;)

The building owners most likely have their own DirecTV head end system. What I have seen is a site with about 3-4 full racks of DirecTV recievers that decode the signals from the satellite. They then combine all those analog signals onto a main line that feeds the rest of the building ala 'cable tv'. So the building owner pays bulk roylaty fees to DirectTV and then distributes the channels they want, on the channels that they want. Sometimes they pipe security camera video on a channel too. It's a really neat concept, but the systems I've seen are bulky and expensive. 30-60K $ of hardware, which is probably why there is an exclusive contract w/ them for 'cable tv'.

The company that does this in my area actually does have their channel line up online. I saw it recently when I looked at zap2it.com surprisingly enough.

[MikeMar]

If you get your unique cable lineup set, how does it handle if a channel is added or deleted? How will they know?

Do you have to tell them yourselves everytime?

[LifeIsABeach]

If you get your unique cable lineup set, how does it handle if a channel is added or deleted? How will they know?

Do you have to tell them yourselves everytime?

Whenever we have a lineup change (which is seldom) I use the link above to report the changes. They are very good with getting the changes in quickly.

[GuRu44]

Thanks for the help so far! Im glad I found this place.

[GuRu44]

Visit l*ink removed* and enter your ZIP code.

If your apartment complex cable company is listed there, then TiVo will also list it when you setup.

Zap2it uses the same listings as TiVo.

Thats great. It does in fact list my cable provider as well as a reference to my exact Apartment Complex. Thats a good sign Im guessing.

[Stylin]

If the TiVo you buy has initials "SS" beside the UPC code, you should be able to use your wireless adapter for out the box setup.