Help! My TiVo and Direct TV don't get along!

[nic7977]

If anyone has any light to shed on my sad situation, please feel free!

I have had a regular run-of-the-mill TiVo (no dual tuner) for about 6 months and I LOVE IT! We "make out" everyday and I can't watch normal real time TV anymore! LOL. However, I just got Direct TV (installer was a complete moron) and now things are not the same. I reformatted my TiVo for satellite use, installed an IR cable so TiVo could change satellite channels and my satellite is generally working with TiVo. The problem is :

For some reason, I lose Direct TV reception entirely when I hook up a splitter so I can watch one channel while TiVo records another. This means that if my heavenly TiVo is taping something, I have to either watch while it tapes or Go watch something in another room until its done. I can not figure out how to get the same splitter hook-up to work with satallite as it did with cable. Does anyone know how I can do that? :confused: Please?

[phox_mulder]

Read this FAQ: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=55509


phox

[John T Smith]

As it says in the FAQ, a splitter does not work with DirecTv

[rlj5242]

What John and phox failed to mention is that you will need a second DirecTV receiver to watch one channel live while recording another on your Tivo.

-Robert

[nic7977]

Well I do have two DirecTV receivers (separate rooms). But before, when I had cable, I hooked up a splitter between the tv and TiVo so I could watch channel A and record on channel B at the same time. Are you saying this is no longer possible? :(

[nic7977]

[QUOTE=phox_mulder]Read this FAQ:



Thanks phox, but the thing is, I don't want to split DirecTV, I want to split TiVo. I have two DirecTV receivers (separate rooms) and have no need to split them. I do however want to watch one channel on TV#1 while TiVoing something on that same tv. Possible?

[MikeMar]

[QUOTE=phox_mulder]Read this FAQ:



Thanks phox, but the thing is, I don't want to split DirecTV, I want to split TiVo. I have two DirecTV receivers (separate rooms) and have no need to split them. I do however want to watch one channel on TV#1 while TiVoing something on that same tv. Possible?

wouldn't you need to run one line from the wall into the reciever, then into the tivo, then into the tv

and then run a second line from the wall (different line) into a 2nd reciever and then into the TV a different way.

[John T Smith]

>want to watch one channel on TV#1 while TiVoing something on that same tv

As far as I know, you have always been able to watch a PRE-RECORDED show from the hard drive while recording another show to the hard drive at the same time

To be able to watch a LIVE program from the feed while recording another program to the hard drive REQUIRES two separate feed lines

With cable Tivo, you have one feed line and the signal is split INSIDE the box to go to the two tuners (as far as I know, there is no such thing as a Tivo box with only one tuner)

With DirecTv you must have TWO feed lines, since there is no "splitter" inside the box

[rlj5242]

But before, when I had cable, I hooked up a splitter between the tv and TiVo so I could watch channel A and record on channel B at the same time. Are you saying this is no longer possible? :( Before, you had a tuner in your Tivo and a tuner in your TV that would tune in the signal from the cable. Now your DirecTV receiver is the tuner. Connecting the satellite dish to your TV either directly or with a splitter on the line to your satellite receiver will do nothing. But it is still possible.

Well I do have two DirecTV receivers (separate rooms). You have all of the receivers that you need. Just run a cable from the other run to your TV. You may need some type of system to relay your remote signals to your other satellite receiver. Those aren't that expensive.

Most of the time we suggest that you drop your standalone and buy a DirecTivo. You posted in our forum, what do you expect us to do? They are becoming hard to find so make a decision quickly.

-Robert

[dtremain]

Somewhere along the line you might want to remember that the installer was not a "moron." You simply didn't understand what you were going to need.

He simply did his job.

[PHijduk]

Thanks phox, but the thing is, I don't want to split DirecTV, I want to split TiVo. I have two DirecTV receivers (separate rooms) and have no need to split them. I do however want to watch one channel on TV#1 while TiVoing something on that same tv. Possible?

Nic,
Sorry to say but with your Stand Alone Tivo and single DirecTV receiver (in the same room) you are stuck with Watch live TV or Watch a show already recorded while the unite records a live show.

RLG explains it best when he/she states with cable your TV and Tivo were able to tune channels independently of each other off one line with a splitter. With satellite the TV cannot tune in without the use of a receiver, will not split in anyway after the receiver and the receiver does the tuning.

This is where the Satellite DVR Receivers come in handy as they receive two incoming signals (requires two lines) and allows one of the two signals to always be viewed or both record while you watch a previously recorded show. You do have to pay an extra $4.99 a month to subscribe to the PVR function in addition to any upgrade costs (if any for the new equipment) from DirecTV.

My current configuration is a Hughes HDVR2 Tivo and a Series 2 Stand Alone Tivo connected to a DirecTV receiver. I understand your question completely. I hope this helps with all the other responses.

Phijduk

[nic7977]

Nic,
Sorry to say but with your Stand Alone Tivo and single DirecTV receiver (in the same room) you are stuck with Watch live TV or Watch a show already recorded while the unite records a live show.

RLG explains it best when he/she states with cable your TV and Tivo were able to tune channels independently of each other off one line with a splitter. With satellite the TV cannot tune in without the use of a receiver, will not split in anyway after the receiver and the receiver does the tuning.

This is where the Satellite DVR Receivers come in handy as they receive two incoming signals (requires two lines) and allows one of the two signals to always be viewed or both record while you watch a previously recorded show. You do have to pay an extra $4.99 a month to subscribe to the PVR function in addition to any upgrade costs (if any for the new equipment) from DirecTV.

My current configuration is a Hughes HDVR2 Tivo and a Series 2 Stand Alone Tivo connected to a DirecTV receiver. I understand your question completely. I hope this helps with all the other responses.

Phijduk

Thank you! I gotcha now. I guess its just gonna have to do then. Thanks for the patient reply.

[nic7977]

Somewhere along the line you might want to remember that the installer was not a "moron." You simply didn't understand what you were going to need.

He simply did his job.

Actually, he was a moron. He took 4 calls for directions to get to my house when he was two blocks away. When I asked him to stay put and I would go and meet him where he was so he could follow me to my house, he didn't. Instead he took off and drove around some more. THEN when he arrived and installed the system, he left every kind of wire from my wall jack (cable, internet and phone) hanging out of the wall and the jack on the floor. Uh, exposed wire, not good for kids. THEN he left some of his equipment in my attic, left live wires hanging from my house and took over 4 hrs to leave me with this mess. After he left we realized we no longer had phone or DSL service. He was asked by customer service if he needed assistance while he was at my house, he said no. Kind of moronic behavior if you ask me. Then again, who am I but a lowly customer. I am not complaining about DirecTV dude, just a separate complaint entirely about the tech. You didn't see this man do what I saw him do. Very unprofessional, rude, and in no way interested in my concerns about hanging wires! What is that?