Jumping Too Far Past Commercials

[SlaveToTheNeedle]

I have returned 2 series 3 units in the last 2 weeks. Both units exibited the same problem. When FForwarding past commercials it would somehow "jump" 6,8,10 or more minutes into the program. Others MUST be experiencing this problem if I had 2 units doing the same thing. I am now on my 3rd unit and hope this one works properly! Anyone know what the problem is? Is this a software issue that can be corrected remotely by TIVO cental? Or are there simply alot of faulty units on the market?
THANKS!

[gwsat]

Out of the box, the S3 remote’s skip ahead button takes you to the end of the recording. If you use the TiVo-Select-etc. Easter Egg, pressing the button will take you ahead 30 seconds. I have had my S3 for two weeks and pressing the skip ahead button has always moved to the end of the recording or skipped ahead 30 seconds one or the other, but never anything in between. My S1 worked exactly the same way.

[Mike Farrington]

You're hitting the PLAY button, or the FF button a 4th time to get back to normal viewing, right? Make sure you don't hit the JUMP button, that'll take you to the 15 minute hash marks.

Otherwise, I haven't heard about this before (but I didn't start paying attention to the S3 until after the most recent software upgrade). Did you let your S3's download the v8.01(c) upgrade before returning them?

[bsather]

My S3 started exhibiting this exact same behavior about a week ago. Up until now, it has been flawless. I notice it more on programs recorded OTA and SD programming, or maybe it's related to the fact drive is almost full. It is aggravating to say the least.

[SlaveToTheNeedle]

I have been a TIVO owner for about 7 years now. I know full well how the remotes work. There is A PROBLEM with these units! TIVO refuses to recognize it so I have simply continued and will continue to return my TIVO until they fix the problem! So far my most recent unit is working OK.

[Dr. Bear]

I have this problem with my S3, too. After fastforwarding through a commercial break, I press play and find myself at least five minutes into the show. This is only the case with SD programs, and I've found that if I FF at the second speed, rather than the fastest third speed, the timing works better and it jumps me back to the program's return. So FFing takes a little longer at only two arrows, but at least I'm not overshooting into the programs any more.

FWIW, I called TiVo to report the problem, and the rep I spoke to told me she'd heard of the problem before and if enough other people called to report it, maybe TiVo would fix it in a future software upgrade. So I feel your pain, SlaveToTheNeedle, but I'm not optimistic about a fix. Since I don't have trouble with FFing HD programs, I'm just hoping everything I watch will be high def soon and I won't have to worry about SD FFing ...

[CrispyCritter]

I have returned 2 series 3 units in the last 2 weeks. Both units exibited the same problem. When FForwarding past commercials it would somehow "jump" 6,8,10 or more minutes into the program. Others MUST be experiencing this problem if I had 2 units doing the same thing. I am now on my 3rd unit and hope this one works properly! Anyone know what the problem is? Is this a software issue that can be corrected remotely by TIVO cental? Or are there simply alot of faulty units on the market?
THANKS!If it happens on your third TiVo, then the root cause is probably your cable system (are you on a FIOS system or cable?) doing things to the signal. There has been at least one case where it was determined that the FIOS system was compressing the signal by removing frames, causing the TiVo to incorrectly count the number of key frames that were going by, messing up the FF (and FF correction) timing. If so, it's something that TiVo can work around in software eventually (the message I saw here on the forums someplace said that TiVo engineers had verified the problem and were working on it).

[terramar]

I have returned 2 series 3 units in the last 2 weeks. Both units exibited the same problem. When FForwarding past commercials it would somehow "jump" 6,8,10 or more minutes into the program. Others MUST be experiencing this problem if I had 2 units doing the same thing. I am now on my 3rd unit and hope this one works properly! Anyone know what the problem is? Is this a software issue that can be corrected remotely by TIVO cental? Or are there simply alot of faulty units on the market?
THANKS!

Sounds very similar to the problem I've reported and posted about several times. Are you on FIOS by any chance???

Tom

[Mike Farrington]

I have been a TIVO owner for about 7 years now. I know full well how the remotes work. There is A PROBLEM with these units! TIVO refuses to recognize it so I have simply continued and will continue to return my TIVO until they fix the problem! So far my most recent unit is working OK.I wasn't running to TiVo's defense and denying any problems may exist. Since you didn't provide any history, I had no way of knowing how much TiVo experience you have. I've answered quite a few questions on this forum from new members, and some of them barely know anything about their new TiVo. Gotta start a dialog somewhere.

[SlaveToTheNeedle]

What the HELL is FIOS?
No offense taken Mike!!
There is SOMETHING WRONG and at 800 bucks I REFUSE to just "live with it" I will keep returning TIVOS till it costs the company tens of thousands of dollars. Frankly I enjoy returning them and will do so weekly until they correct this KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM!!

[philwojo]

Or you could follow the proper sequence and call in to Tivo to report it and work with them. If you don't report it, and just return it Tivo will not be able to find the source of the problem. Maybe it is isoltaed to your setup or something you are doing specifically (or maybe not). But without opeing a case with Tivo and working with them the problem will never get resolved.

Phil

[aaronwt]

I haven't seen this problem yet with my three S3 boxes. Although now that I re-read the first post I don't use the FF. I use the 30 sec skip which is much faster than using FF to skip over commercials.

[hookbill]

I have been a TIVO owner for about 7 years now. I know full well how the remotes work. There is A PROBLEM with these units! TIVO refuses to recognize it so I have simply continued and will continue to return my TIVO until they fix the problem! So far my most recent unit is working OK.

So if your new unit is working, why are you complaining about it? You want someone else to justify that you had a problem? I don't get it.

[V7Goose]

I have observed this same problem with my S3 (FiOS with cable cards). I almost always use the middle speed, and if you watch the time marker while going forward or back at this speed, you see it jump around by two or three minutes. Very common for it to suddenly end up way to far forward when dropping back to play, EXACTLY like the original poster described. This IS a problem with the S3 and digital recordings.

[terramar]

I have observed this same problem with my S3 (FiOS with cable cards). I almost always use the middle speed, and if you watch the time marker while going forward or back at this speed, you see it jump around by two or three minutes. Very common for it to suddenly end up way to far forward when dropping back to play, EXACTLY like the original poster described. This IS a problem with the S3 and digital recordings.

The question is: is it just FIOS? It sure seems to hit FIOS users more, but it would hlpe to know if anyone else is having this trouble.

I hope that everyone on FIOS having these troubles is calling in and talking to tivo....perhaps we could start a list of case numbers, so reps can cross-reference all the complaints. I'd be willing to coordinate if that's what it takes.

Tom

[craigo]

The question is: is it just FIOS?


Nope..I have Cox and have the same issues. Doesn't happen to often, but I've definitely have ran into the same issue as the OP. I haven't paid attention to see if it only happens on SD channels. There's been a few threads about this.

[mattack]

There is SOMETHING WRONG and at 800 bucks I REFUSE to just "live with it" I will keep returning TIVOS till it costs the company tens of thousands of dollars. Frankly I enjoy returning them and will do so weekly until they correct this KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM!!

If you don't call Tivo, they won't know about the problem, and returning the hardware will do absolutely no good (except lose your recordings you've made).

It's clearly a software problem, not a hardware problem.

BTW, on my series 1s, I've had inexplicable jumps in the programming too.. very very infrequently, but I've had it jump back to the beginning once in a while (I did NOT use the skip button)

[GoHokies!]

Frankly I enjoy returning them and will do so weekly until they correct this KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM!!

Real mature. :rolleyes:

It obviously can't be a "known and documented problem" if you keep returning the boxes and don't open a case w/ Tivo and work with their engineers to try and get it fixed.

[SlaveToTheNeedle]

Fyi: I Have Called The Morons At Tivo 3 Times! They Simply Blow Me Off. This Is Why I Will Continue Replacing Units Until I Get A Proper Response From Tivo. When I Cost Them Money Then Maybe They Will Take Note!!

[Dr. Bear]

I don't have FIOS, and it's still a problem for me. I've tried the 30-second advance, but it just isn't as precise as FFing (or at least, FFing when the timing isn't all screwed up). I hope the engineers are looking at a fix for everybody, and not just FIOS customers.

So SlaveToTheNeedle, your current S3 is FFing properly?

[GoHokies!]

Fyi: I Have Called The Morons At Tivo 3 Times! They Simply Blow Me Off. This Is Why I Will Continue Replacing Units Until I Get A Proper Response From Tivo. When I Cost Them Money Then Maybe They Will Take Note!!
Like I Said Real Mature!

Instead Of Working With Tivo You Just Act Like A Small Child! Get Them On The Phone! Ask To Talk To A Supervisor! Get A Case Number! Call Back Again And Ask About The Case!

I Can Assure You That Tivo Doesn't Notice Your Little Shennanigans! Eventually Whatever Store Your Are Buying From Will Stop Letting You Return Things!

(It really is a pain in the neck to type like that - I'm not sure why people go to all the trouble to do all the work and go to the efforts to make thier posts less readable)

[hookbill]

Fyi: I Have Called The Morons At Tivo 3 Times! They Simply Blow Me Off. This Is Why I Will Continue Replacing Units Until I Get A Proper Response From Tivo. When I Cost Them Money Then Maybe They Will Take Note!!

I still don't understand your point. You came in here saying you had some type of problem with FF. You said your unit is working fine now. So why did you even come in here with any of this unless you were looking to stir up some type of trouble.

TiVo will not get any message by you simply returning a box to a store. That's not how it works. If you wanted it documented then you need to report it. Not happy with CSR? Ask for a Supervisor or a tech person. Also you can document it in other areas of this forum. But since your problem is resolved now why did you come in to complain about it?

I agree with GoHokies! You need an attitude adjustment. Grow up.

By the way---Has anyone taken a look at this guys handle? :rolleyes:

[gwsat]

Has this problem happened to anyone who has programmed and is using the 30 second skip ahead feature? If not, what’s the problem? TiVo’s 30 second skip ahead capability is a great feature, in a class with canned beer, sliced beer, and the Post-It Note. In my opinion at least, it’s the ONLY way to fast forward through commercials. Using the fast forward button instead of 30 second skip ahead button seems to me to be the wrong way to go.

[SlaveToTheNeedle]

Maybe I am the nut here, but I expect an organization to address an issue after 3 complaints to the company and the same 3 idiot replies. I don't mind spending 800 bucks on a piece of equipment but I do expect a company to at the very least RESPOND to my complaint. It is not MY RESPONSIBILITY to follow up with a KNOWN TSB. I assure you that SONY does not treat clients in this manner. I could give a rats behind if I have to return 10 units if they don't work properly. BTW: To respond to the one question, at this point my new unit "appears" to be operating correctly. If it craps out I will again call TIVO, get the same reply, and go get another unit!

[TexasAg]

Some folks just like raising a ruckus, and appear to have way too much time on their hands, and appear to crave attention in on-line forums.

Does that about cover it? :rolleyes:

[hookbill]

Some folks just like raising a ruckus, and appear to have way too much time on their hands, and appear to crave attention in on-line forums.

Does that about cover it? :rolleyes:

And very politely too. Feeling OK, TexasAg? :)

[gwsat]

What’s all this kindliness stuff? Let’s get some hate on here! :)

[TexasAg]

And very politely too. Feeling OK, TexasAg? :)

Feelin' fine, hookbill. And you've been nothing but polite (as usual). My comment was directed at the rather blustery OP. :)

[SlaveToTheNeedle]

I guess its my NY Metro upringing but I post the same way I would discuss this problem with friends. In this day and age of GW and the Evangelicals it appears to be blasphemy to simply speak your mind. Would people be happier if I laid 4-5 pounds of sugar coating on the facts? I simply stated that I have a defective piece of equipment thats quite expensive with extremely poor customer support. Is that "politically correct" enough?
Funny thing is I have probably sold at least a dozen lifetime subscriptions by telling people how GREAT Tivo is. In over 7 years of owning 3 Tivos I NEVER had a peroblem. Well NOW I DO AND I EXPECT TIVO TO BE A RESPONSIBLE COMPANY.

[GoHokies!]

What’s all this kindliness stuff? Let’s get some hate on here! :)

You rang? ;)

SlaveToANeedle (that is an "interesting" username, hookbill), as long as you keep talking to just first line CSRs, you'll always get the same answer. You need to talk to an engineer or a supervisor to get things documented correctly, which is the first step towards fixing the problem.

Or you can just keep acting immature. :rolleyes:

[GoHokies!]

I guess its my NY Metro upringing but I post the same way I would discuss this problem with friends. In this day and age of GW and the Evangelicals it appears to be blasphemy to simply speak your mind. Would people be happier if I laid 4-5 pounds of sugar coating on the facts? I simply stated that I have a defective piece of equipment thats quite expensive with extremely poor customer support. Is that "politically correct" enough?
Funny thing is I have probably sold at least a dozen lifetime subscriptions by telling people how GREAT Tivo is. In over 7 years of owning 3 Tivos I NEVER had a peroblem. Well NOW I DO AND I EXPECT TIVO TO BE A RESPONSIBLE COMPANY.

Most people have a bit of a difference between their (sometimes more formal) written and spoken communications. People who "write like they speak" are always going to come across poorly.

Especially when they misuse capital letters and punctuation as bad as you do. (not that I'm a grammar nazi, but I usually try to convey the fact that I have a high school education when I write)

This doesn't have anything to do with "GW and the Evangelicals", BTW. :rolleyes:

It's amusing that you point to a company known for it's draconian anti-consumer DRM policies (rootkit on your computer while playing a music CD, anyone?) as a shining example of what you look for in a company.

[SlaveToTheNeedle]

As for Sony at least I don't get CALCUTTA and some immigrant who has been "taught" how to speak with a NY "accent"!!
Sony has given me by far the best products and customer support of ANY electronics company I have dealt with. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SPOKE TO AN AMERICAN? BTW: "TALIKA" DOESN'T COUNT!!

[JohnBrowning]

I guess its my NY Metro upringing but I post the same way I would discuss this problem with friends. In this day and age of GW and the Evangelicals it appears to be blasphemy to simply speak your mind. Would people be happier if I laid 4-5 pounds of sugar coating on the facts? I simply stated that I have a defective piece of equipment thats quite expensive with extremely poor customer support. Is that "politically correct" enough?
Funny thing is I have probably sold at least a dozen lifetime subscriptions by telling people how GREAT Tivo is. In over 7 years of owning 3 Tivos I NEVER had a peroblem. Well NOW I DO AND I EXPECT TIVO TO BE A RESPONSIBLE COMPANY.

It is quite possible to speak and write politely while simultaneously speaking your mind and NOT being politically correct. I think the general consensus here is that you might have more success if you were firm, but, polite. Of course, you're obviously free to handle it as you please. Good Luck!

[GoHokies!]

As for Sony at least I don't get CALCUTTA and some immigrant who has been "taught" how to speak with a NY "accent"!!
Sony has given me by far the best products and customer support of ANY electronics company I have dealt with. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SPOKE TO AN AMERICAN? BTW: "TALIKA" DOESN'T COUNT!!

Just yesterday when I talked to a Verizon rep to up my minutes on my plan - turns out she was only about an hour up the road here in Maryland.

In all of my calls to Tivo, I've never run across anyone that sounded like they were Indian.

Location doesn't define how good or bad customer service is either, but way to just discount a whole nation. Your maturity is growing by leaps and bounds here.

I recommend you take our advice and quit before you get any further behind.

[CrispyCritter]

As for Sony at least I don't get CALCUTTA and some immigrant who has been "taught" how to speak with a NY "accent"!!
Sony has given me by far the best products and customer support of ANY electronics company I have dealt with. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU SPOKE TO AN AMERICAN? BTW: "TALIKA" DOESN'T COUNT!!The last time I talked to TiVo I did, and I imagine the same is true for you. When last I heard, TiVo customer service reps are not only all within the US; they are all given TiVos and expected to use them at home. Does Sony do that?

As other have said, your credibility suffers when you make outrageous claims with a ridiculously faked on-line accent.