dual tuner setup - help

[marakma]

I'm trying to set up my new dual-tuner Tivo with my Comcast cable box, but I can't get it to display premium/box channels. I think I've got everything hooked up correctly, but wanted to get some advice before I start trying to call any tech support (or give up and start weeping).

I've got a cable modem, so, the coaxial cable comes from the wall into a splitter, with one out going into the modem, and the other line going into the splitter that was in the new Tivo box. From splitter #2, coaxial cables going to the cable box RF In, and the Tivo RF In. Composite A/V cables connecting the cable box & Tivo, IR cable from the Tivo to the cable box remote sensor, and coaxial cable from the Tivo RF Out into the television. (My television is a little old, so it only has 2 video inputs - I use the S-Cable input for my dvd player, so the only other input is a coaxial 'cable in', there's nowhere for a composite a/v cable that's in the diagram.)

I'm getting reception on basic cable channels, but getting a black screen and eventual error message screen on any premium channel. Also, even on a basic channel, this message "Searching for signal on: Basic Cable In. Switch tuners for more info" comes onscreen.

So, does this sound like I've got something misconnected? Or is Comcast scrambling the digital channels in a way that my Tivo can't unscramble? Or do I need to buy a better television? Any help would be appreciated. :(

[mick66]

Did you switch tuners?
Pressing the 'Live Tv' button when watching live tv will switch tuners.

[marakma]

Switching tuners doesn't help - now I'm back to the "The TiVo DVR lost the signal from the cable/satellite box. Try these tips, one at a time" screen. (Though, I hadn't known that the "Live TV" button switched tuners, so thanks for that.)

(edited to add) My guess, from looking at other threads & google hits, is that the cable signals for premium channels has to be unscrambled by the cable box and sent out via the RF Out coaxial cable in order to be read by any other machine. In which case, I need to call Comcast and see if there's something they can do, and if they can't I'm screwed.

I'm not sure I understand how the dual tuner works. Is the TiVo getting a signal to one tuner via the Cable In coaxial and a signal to the other tuner via the Composite A/V cables from the cable box?

[marakma]

:o Nevermind, I think I've cracked it finally. I mistakenly had the IR cable plugged into the serial hole. Once I fixed that, I found the Video option in settings, and it figured out how to change channels.

Now the only wierd thing is that the signal from the TiVo to the television switched from color to black & white. The color seems to be slowly bleeding back in, so I'll wait a bit before I panic about that.

[JimSpence]

I would guess you are using the s-video cable to the TV. Reseat the cable or replace if necessary.

[marakma]

No, I'm using the Tivo's RF out coaxial cable into my TV's cable-in coaxial for the picture, and the right/left audio composite A/V cable goes from the Tivo into my stereo for the sound. My tv does have an s-video cable input, but I'm using it for the dvd player.

(edited to add) I've reseated all the coaxial cables at least once. It's strange, I lost the color before I got the digital tuner working, so, I can't figure out how I managed to lose it exactly.