Black & White Analog Channels

[jrm01]

I installed the TIVO Series 3 last week. Prior to the cable cards arriving I was having problems with the analog channels on one tuner - they were all black&white. The other tuner was fine.

After several days of struggles I finally got the cable cards installed and functioning properly, however, I still have the black & white picture on one analog tuner. The Digital and HD channels are all fine.

I spoke with TIVO and they had me switch HDMI to Component cables, but no help. They had me return the S3 to Best Buy to get a new one - still no help. They said I needed a signal amplifier on the line. I bought a +10dB and connected it in-line prior to TIVO - no help. I got Comcast to install a +15dB at my cable entry spot in the basement (and I removed the other one) - but still no help.

Before the amps my signal measured at +1 at the S3. Now it is at +13 and nothing has changed.

My other inputs to the TV (direct cable, antenna and VCR) all work fine on the analog channels.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Shawn95GT]

Swapping the boxes didn't help at all? That is wierd. There is always the chance you are VERY unlucky and got two bad boxes. I got two replacements on my #2 S3 before I got one that worked right.

They really wanted to blame my signal / stupid user / whatever, but I had a trump card. I had three S3s and the problem child was the odd-man out. Two replacements later, I have a happy S3 in the #2 slot.

[jrm01]

Swapping the boxes didn't help at all? That is wierd. There is always the chance you are VERY unlucky and got two bad boxes. I got two replacements on my #2 S3 before I got one that worked right.

They really wanted to blame my signal / stupid user / whatever, but I had a trump card. I had three S3s and the problem child was the odd-man out. Two replacements later, I have a happy S3 in the #2 slot.

Yeah, this is real frustrating. I'm at a loss as what to blame it on other than a bad analog tuner, but it's hard to believe that I could have gotten two of them. I'm going to call TIVO in the morning to see if they have any new ideas.

If I had gotten it direct from TIVO I would pack it up and return it to them. However, I got it at Best Buy (where I work) and I hate to stick them with another open box if that is not the problem.

[Shawn95GT]

In my case Tuner 2 wasn't black and while but I got horrible picture on anything analog.

Some people have reported that the F connectors were loose internally. If you don't mind popping the lid (and possibly voiding the warranty) you could check them.

[jrm01]

In my case Tuner 2 wasn't black and while but I got horrible picture on anything analog.

Some people have reported that the F connectors were loose internally. If you don't mind popping the lid (and possibly voiding the warranty) you could check them.

Thanks Shawn, but I would be reluctant to try that due to warranty issues. However, as an update to my problem, TIVO continued to issist that the problem was with Comcast, so I disconncted the cable and connected a set of rabbit ears to the Antenna lead and reran Guided Setup for antenna only. I knew the rabbit ears worked for analog and HD since I was already using them for a direct connection to the TV on another input.

Lo and Behold, the exact same thing happened, both Digital tuners were fine, one analog tuner was fine, and the other analog tuner was all black & white picture! I was sure that this proved that it was a TIVO problem.

I checked the Serial numbers for the first two units that I had, and found that the first 12 digits of the 15 digit number were the same. So I went back to Best Buy to exchange it for a second time. This time I checked all the serial numbers of what they had in stock. Five of them were almost the sae, so I picked the only one with a much different serial number. I came home, hooked it up and viloa, my problem has disappeared. All four tuners are working properly.

Since I took out the cable cards from the old unit and reinserted them into this unit I assumed I would have to call Comcast to get them re-paired and re-authorized, but actually they seem to be picking up all the channels the way the are, even the encripted HD channels. Think I'll leave things the way the are now for awhile and see if it causes problems.

All I have to do now is wait 2-3 days until TIVO updates my firmware to 8.1.1 (it's at 8.1a now.

What an experience!

[markp99]

jrm01,

I thought the CC's were tied to the hardware.

Anyway, glad to see you worked this thru to a successful end!

[jrm01]

jrm01,

I thought the CC's were tied to the hardware.

Anyway, glad to see you worked this thru to a successful end!

Yeah, I thought they were also. It's possible that I might have problems later, such as when CC firmware is updated, or I change service levels. Think I'll just wait and see.

[Shawn95GT]

Hmm so it was two bad ones.

Both of mine it was the 2nd tuner acting up too. I can see how it could be confusing while testing to verify both tuners but you'd think it's something that would be tested before it was sent down the line.