New TV - Tivo configuration

[tonylee]

I've just bought a new HD ready TV with an integrated digital tuner. I'm having a few problems with the set up. I have Tivo, Sky Plus (HD Box on order!) and a DVD. My previous TV was just configured with the external aerial in to Tivo RF in. Then Tivo RF out in to TV aerial socket. When I repeat this set up with the new TV with integrated Digital tuner and then auto programme the TV Tuner, it does not pick up any ITV channels on digital, or some of the other digital channels. It does pick up ITV on the analogue set up, but the picture is poor. Previously it was good. If I connect the external aerial directly in to the TV it loads all channels. However, if I do that then Tivo is not connected to the aerial and does not record and presumably won't pick up channel updates from the daily call. My Tivo TV scart is plugged in to the TV and the Tivo Aux scart in to Sky Plus Digibox. This may have something to do with Freeview reception in my area, but I don't see how I can receive some Freeview Channels, but not others. Any suggestions?

Also do I need to do anything with Tivo set up to recognise the new TV, as I now appear to have analogue access to standard TV channels, a number of freeview digital channels and all the Sky channels. Not sure how Tivo differentiates between the analogue and freeview channels.

[cwaring]

I think the problem is that Tivo doesn't work with TV that have integrated Freeview tuners, whether you use it or not. I'm sure some will be along shortly who can confirm or denouce my supposition :)

[mjk]

I think the problem is that Tivo doesn't work with TV that have integrated Freeview tuners, whether you use it or not. I'm sure some will be along shortly who can confirm or denouce my supposition :)

Carl is, of course, correct. Well, mostly :)

The digital tuner in the IDTV is not going to magically turn your TiVo into a Freeview receiver. It still has an analogue tuner and while it could accept the putput of the TV's digital tuner up the SCART socket, it will only be the channel that you are watching on the TV at the time and this will of course change when you change channel on the TV.

The IR database does not have codes for most IDTVs, and anyway, if you did want to use that tuner you would have to watch anything that TiVo was recording. (You couldn't even watch a previously recorded programme.) This would be a fairly unsatisfactory way to go about things.

Whereas set-top boxes originally seemed to be a bit of an inconvenience, I am now convinced that they are the ideal solution and TV sets should reduced to just a monitor with a comprehensive set of inputs (ideally without sound capabilities either.

Every time I switch on my TV I contemplate how little of it I actually use. I don't use the tuner (video comes from Sky, Freeview, TiVo, VCR or DVD), the teletext decoder (no use with any digital source), the amplifier or the speakers (sound is fed to a 7:1 amplifier and speaker system which takes optical digital feeds wherever possible). Doing it this way brings much better audio and should produce cheaper TVs. I find it pretty irritating that so many flat panel monitors come with built-in speakers. At the very least they should be a detachable option, and personally I would rip out the (usually pathetic amplifiers) as well.

After that rant, I would suggest that the best solution to tonylee's problem is to give TiVo its own free-view set-top box over which it can have full control. Or you could splash out on a Sky multi-room sub and let it have its own sky digibox.

[cwaring]

Carl is, of course, correct. Well, mostly :)
I can accept 'mostly' ;)

the teletext decoder (no use with any digital source)
Just to say that there are some channels on Telewest's digital service that has still has the old analogue teletext subtitles, so I would say "limited use" :D

Oh, and not all of use have 7.1 surround, etc. and find standard TV speakers quite acceptable ;) Would agree about the tuner, though ;)

[mjk]

I can accept 'mostly' ;)

I didn't want to go overboard!!

It is an old Denon 7:1 system, and my wife hates it!! Wants to know why we can't have "an ordinary TV"! (And she hates TiVo, especially suggestions. She thinks it is telling her what she ought to watch!) Makes for interesting discussions at times!

[geekspeak]

Could this be a problem with the Tivo RF out being on the same frequency as the freeview ITV mux. You can use the Tivo menu to change the Tivo RF out. You will need to retune the tv to tivo unless you only watch Tivo via. scart. Otherwise your Tivo may just be degrading the freeview signal too much. Ensure your aerial cables in and out of Tivo are good quality and as short as possible!

If you are asking about recording freeview on Tivo, then ignore me - I'm talking rubbish!

[tonylee]

Thanks for suggestions, haven't had time to test yet, will let you know what works

[Pugwash]

I've recently added a MCE2005 box to my set-up, and none of the pass-throughs on cards worked right for me. I bought a 6-way splitter-booster from Focus for about £8 and some extra aerial leads and although it makes a mess on the wiring it makes the signal path a lot cleaner.