Use Series II box with DirectTV?

[FinianLennon]

I have two Series II boxes (4 years old?) that I use in conjunction with my cable service. The cable service (Charter) quality is so bad that I'm seriously considering getting DirectTV or Dish.

Can I use my existing boxes with satellite service? They are networked and I use the music streaming option extensively and would hate to have to give that up. (Although, I suppose it might allow me to justify a more flexible system like a Sonos if I have to. Give up Tivo, that is. )

Finian

[supasta]

You can, but not without connecting it to a satellite box.

[ThreeSoFar]

Yes you can. Your TiVo will use an IR blaster to control the DTV set top box. For about $10, a Xantech IR blaster will do a better job than the ones that come with the TiVo.

You'll want to clarify exactly which DTV boxes TiVo can control (e.g., I bet it won't work with the DTV DVR). TiVo support (or this site) can likely answer that question.

Note if you had said Series 3, the answer would be NO. S3's work only with cable, and only withOUT an external set top box as a tuner.

[ThreeSoFar]

Also:

1) no HDTV

2) you can use both the DTV STB and analog cable (if you keep basic cable, say) as inputs.

[FinianLennon]

All:

That's encouraging.

I just found out that DirectTV requires a 36 inch dish to get international programming (I need the Korean package). I'm in a condo where I will need to install the antenna on my terrace so that's out of the question. Dish Network say that their Korean package can be received on their regular antenna so I guess it will have to be Dish.

So I need to check if the Tivo IR can control a Dish box.

Thanks for your help.

Finian

[JimSpence]

See the compatibility thread.
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=128743

[wolflord11]

I can understand why you are leaving Charter Cable. Down here, Charter was brought out by Newwave. It still sucks!

Your Series 2 Tivo's will work with both Directv or Dishnetwork standard Receivers. Connection will vary, but you can use the IR Controller. Tho there are better options availble - Low Speed Data Connector, or Serial.

Dishnetwork aint bad, but I would look further into Directv. You may need the larger Dish as they have told you, but maybe not.