Dish VIP211 and Tivo Series 2 Channel changing problem

[duda007]

I recently purchased an HDTV and upgraded my old Dish receiver to the Dish VIP211-HD. I cannot get the Tivo to change the channels on the receiver. I've called Tivo support several times and everything did not work. Here are a few things I've tried:

Placing the IR cables on the bottom of the receiver, on top, one further then the other.
I've tried several different codes.
I've tried a new guided setup.
The Dish remote DOES change the channels on the receiver.
The Dish VIP211 does except IR.

Does anyone know if this receiver is compatible w/ series 2? Tivo support says it is.

Has anyone else had the same problems?

Thanks,

AD

[ZikZak]

Reports on other forums seem to indicate that it uses the same code as the Dish-301. That would be code 10001. Try various IR speeds, and keep the ViP out of direct sunlight.

[Dieds]

I have the same problem. Only I cannot see where the IR plugs into the Dish ViP211. There isn't a seriel connection, either. I have TiVo working but cannot change channels. :(

Anyone have any ideas?

[ZikZak]

The IR doesn't plug into the sat box. You place the blasters in front of the box's IR remote sensor.

[Dieds]

The IR doesn't plug into the sat box. You place the blasters in front of the box's IR remote sensor.

Ahh, I see. So I plug the IR into the TiVo box and then place the blasters in front. That right? (and thanks!) :up: :)

[Dieds]

Just plugged the IR into the TiVo -- then ran the set up. Now everything works great. Thanks, ZikZak!

[duda007]

Is it changing the channels? What IR code did you use? Where exactly did you place the IR cables infront of the VIP211?

[Dieds]

yes, it changes channels now. I plugged the IR cable into the back of the TiVo then placed the blasters in front of the Dish receiver, specifically in front of those three "holes" in the center of the box (they are actually infrared sensors).

Make sure the blasters are positioned in front of the holes on the right and left (those are also called "blasters") -- the center hole is the IR sensor that talks to the Dish remote control. I ran the wires under the Dish box and used tape to secure them in front of the box, with the sensors facing their "counterparts."

Then don't forget you have to go into TiVo settings and then select "remote control" to change the connection from serial to IR. Then it should work. I didn't use a code but then again my TiVo was already set up. I moved from Comcast to Dish the other day.

If you are a new TiVo customer, I think the TiVo set up asks you what brand TV you are using and automatically assigns the code.

Hope this helps. :)

[duda007]

Did you put one on the bottom and one on top of the receiver?

[Dieds]

Did you put one on the bottom and one on top of the receiver?

No, they are both on the bottom of the Dish box. They are not actually on or touching the box... they are resting on the shelf where the box sits. And the IR sensors are pointing to the Dish box's blasters. I can snap a quick photo and attach it if that helps.

[duda007]

Please post the picture.

Thanks.

[Dieds]

Here you go. Hope this helps.

[duda007]

How do you change from serial to IR under the remote control? I don't see an option for it.

[Dieds]

How do you change from serial to IR under the remote control? I don't see an option for it.

Hmm, it might have been under "set up." I went through the entire setup and it was an option there. It was a choice between the seriel or IR setting for the remote. But I can't remember where to get to that setting directly. Sorry about that.

[duda007]

I can't get this thing to work. I've positioned just like yours and it won't change the channels. I even started the guided setup.

Could my receiver be bad? I can change the channels via the receiver remote fine.

Any suggestions?

[Dieds]

I can't get this thing to work. I've positioned just like yours and it won't change the channels. I even started the guided setup.

Could my receiver be bad? I can change the channels via the receiver remote fine.

Any suggestions?

I know mine didn't work until I changed from serial cable connection to IR connection in the guided tiVo setup screen. Have you tried that? I can't remember how to get to this particular screen, but try setting up your TiVo box from scratch and then be sure to look out for remote control settings.

[patricknh42]

I had the same problem no matter where i placed the ir blasters nothing would happen. While waiting on the tivo to update the channel list I reset my dish reciever remote channel to channel 1 which is tricky to do. Check the dish recievers book. Then when i manually went in to mess with it I found that 10001-B worked. One thing i did notice was that there's some heavy delay between it changing the channel so be patient. And if you hit a channel that you dont recieve and get the dish message you have to use the dish remote to go down because the ir blaster only blasts and exact channel number. Probably why theres delay in channel changing. But I hope that helps you out man I know it drove me nuts too.

[ldp604]

I was having the same problem trying to change channels on my satellite box. Before trying to get your Tivo to communicate with your VIP211, press the system info button on your satellite box. The "remote address" must be set to "1".

Mine was set to "4" and I could not get the Tivo to change the satellite channel. As soon as I changed that address to "1", I went back into my Tivo setup, and it changed channels just fine! Also, make sure your IR address is 10001-B, as mentioned previously.

Also, my IR cables are configured like the picture posted in this thread from a previous user. Two on the bottom, one in front of the left window, one in front of the right. I don't even have them taped down or have an "IR tent" and they are working great.