S3 is here! Question about setup

[sriggins]

This unit is built so nice!

So I had to turn off WPA on my router so the S3 could connect - I guess I don't even have 8.1 yet? WIll know once its done loading data.

Anyway, my cable cards come tomorrow bu I was thinking I could replace the comcast tonight, just not get HD or HBO, right?

Are season passes smart now so they will grab the HD version if avail, or do I still have to specify exactly which channel to grab the show from?

Thanks!

[GoHokies!]

You won't have 8.1 until you force a couple of calls, most likely. You'll see it in a few days or you can force them back to back if you're not. ;)

You can certainly swap out the Comcast box - once you do a channel scan you should even be able to see your local channels in HD (but they won't have guide data).

Season passes are still the same - they only apply to one channel, so when you set it up you'll choose which version of the channel you want.

Welcome to the land of Tivo HD!!!

[sriggins]

Thanks Hokies!

Its in the middle of loading data, 13% done.

I set it to forced 1080i so my TV would not change resolutions so often. I'll have to compare the scaler in the S3 to the scaler in my mits (which is new)

Steve

[MsUnderstood]

3 things I've learned about the High Def channels:

Even if the show isn't broadcast in High Def you should record it in High Def because the signal is better.

If you are watching a commercial previewing a show (even on High Def) and the thumbs up appears to record that show, it will default to recording that show on Standard Television (so avoid those thumbs up recordings).

After you've had high def, you don't wanna go back. I accidently recorded 2 programs on "regular TV" and pouted all through the shows (not really). The solution I found was to check the To Do List once a week and fix any problems where High def was not recording.

[lcann44]

3 things I've learned about the High Def channels:

Even if the show isn't broadcast in High Def you should record it in High Def because the signal is better.

True, but remember it uses more disk space. If you need disk space then it may be smarter to record either digital or analog.

If you are watching a commercial previewing a show (even on High Def) and the thumbs up appears to record that show, it will default to recording that show on Standard Television (so avoid those thumbs up recordings).

Again true, but I love TiVomatic so I have to counter your thumbs down review of it with a thumbs up. :)

After you've had high def, you don't wanna go back. I accidently recorded 2 programs on "regular TV" and pouted all through the shows (not really). The solution I found was to check the To Do List once a week and fix any problems where High def was not recording.

Problem is easily avoided by setting up a season pass. However if you just look up a regular program you'll be happy to know that version 8.3 has a "HD" selection now when your searching for shows. Should make it even easier.

[sriggins]

I've been on HD for 16 months with the awful Comcast DVR. I was just fed up with it and not willing to see how well a TiVo on 6412 worked.

I have a Mits 57732 which is gorgeous so I can't wait to see the TiVo quality, if its any better or worse than the Comcast. The Comcast DVR did do a nice pic, but man it would mess up in so many ways (stutter, no audio, you name it) it was a joke.

I WILL miss audio in my menus when choosing a program to record tho (I often do this when watching something, well listening to a show, and am reminded to add a new show, I can multitask heh)

[GoHokies!]

Thanks Hokies!

Its in the middle of loading data, 13% done.

I set it to forced 1080i so my TV would not change resolutions so often. I'll have to compare the scaler in the S3 to the scaler in my mits (which is new)

Steve
No problem! :D

The fixed/native thing is really based on your personal preference and your TV. The delay is pretty long on my Sammy (1-2 seconds) and I honestly can't see the difference between 720p and 1080i, so it's 1080i for me!

[MsUnderstood]

Ah yea disk space is the issue. Watch em quick and or don't set "Keep til I delete" unless they are the really really important shows, like Heroes!

Depends on your viewing habits. If you are gonna wait til the weekend then pick and choose HD. If you watch most stuff next day then you should be okay.

If only Tivomatic was HD compatible!

Season Pass, what is that? :)

Lcann is totatlly right--get those season passes setup NOW--that way you don't miss extra airings of shows (like when Law and ORDER SVU shows up on Sat night).

[sriggins]

Thanks Hokies and MS :)

I can't set up until tomorrow AM when the cable cards come, I want to make sure the HD is working properly first.

[sriggins]

ok I got 8.1 now.

I hear there is an 8.3 also?

[Bierboy]

Yes...it's still being rolled out, but I'd venture to say (guess) that most S3 owners now have it.

[sriggins]

Cool thanks, will keep an eye out for it!

[gwsat]

No problem! :D

The fixed/native thing is really based on your personal preference and your TV. The delay is pretty long on my Sammy (1-2 seconds) and I honestly can't see the difference between 720p and 1080i, so it's 1080i for me!
I agree. I use 1080.i fixed, too. I did the same with my old SA 8300HD. Doing so makes things run faster, I think.

[fred2]

If folks don't mind my asking a question in this thread. S3 on order.

Does the S3 automatically deal with conflicts using its dual tuner or does one have to manually tell "tuner1" to record Heroes and "tuner2" to record 24? Or similar. Or does the Tivo automatically "realize" that you have selected to record two shows at the same time and sort it out itself?

Oh, another noobie question: I'm OTA. When I initially scan, will it show analog and digital in one long list? Or does it distinguish between digital and analog? My Sony TV is either in Digital Mode or analog so using channel up will only deal with one type or the other? I guess one can EXCLUDE (or hide) analog?

Thanks.

[sriggins]

If folks don't mind my asking a question in this thread. S3 on order.

Does the S3 automatically deal with conflicts using its dual tuner or does one have to manually tell "tuner1" to record Heroes and "tuner2" to record 24? Or similar. Or does the Tivo automatically "realize" that you have selected to record two shows at the same time and sort it out itself?

it deals with it :)

[AgentSmith]

I've been on HD for 16 months with the awful Comcast DVR. I was just fed up with it and not willing to see how well a TiVo on 6412 worked.

I WILL miss audio in my menus when choosing a program to record tho (I often do this when watching something, well listening to a show, and am reminded to add a new show, I can multitask heh)
Almost the same story here too. I went from an S2 DTiVo to cable and the crappy dual tuner Mot DVR when I bought an HDTV because of DTV's various problems (HD locals, MPEG 4, jettisoning TiVo, etc). I've been wrestling with it long enough. After the Mot DVR decided not to record The Sopranos Sunday night, I'd had enough. Found the Welcome Back deal, and mine will be here tomorrow.

I will NOT miss the preview video window/audio in menus. Often, I had both tuners churning away, and found myself desperately trying to hide the middle of an in-progress program from myself so as not to spoil it. There was no recourse, shy of muting the receiver and/or playing something previously recorded.

BTW, you CAN set up when you receive it. Not a bad idea to get the S/W up to date, get it settled into your home network, etc. You'll just need to re-run guided setup when the Cablecards are installed.

[David Platt]

Does the S3 automatically deal with conflicts using its dual tuner or does one have to manually tell "tuner1" to record Heroes and "tuner2" to record 24? Or similar. Or does the Tivo automatically "realize" that you have selected to record two shows at the same time and sort it out itself?

The dual tuner implementation is completely transparent. You never have to worry if you already have a single item set up to record on a timeslot when adding a second show; TiVo does all of the work for you. If you already have two things set up to record, TiVo will tell you when you try to set up a third recording.

[sriggins]

Pressing Live TV shows my guide, doesn't swap tuners. Odd.

[SeanC]

Pressing Live TV shows my guide, doesn't swap tuners. Odd.

Why doesn't my S3 swap tuners when I press LiveTV? (http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=4798573&&#post4798573)

The link will take you to the most relevant part of the thread, so start there and read on, but I would suggest taking the time to read the whole thread.

[sriggins]

Thanks sean! I searched for "swap tuners livetv" but didn't find that thread!

Maybe harmony is using older codes. I guess I could learn the new remote someday and upload them to logitech

[gwsat]

In order that there be no mysteries nor any need for additional research, the Live TV button is supposed to work this way: If you are in a program or a menu, pressing Live TV should take you to a show being received on one of your tuners. Pressing the Live TV button a second time should take you to the show currently being received on the other tuner. It’s that simple -- if all is working according to plan. :)

[buzzword]

I just got my S3 (two of them!) yesterday as well, cable guy shows up Friday.

I have a question, once he's installed the cable cards and activated them, is it ok to disconnect the cables in order to move the Tivo? I want to leave it outside my cabinet so cable card slots are accessible for install, and move it into the cabinet after he leaves (moving some other stuff around and replacing my directivo in there now)

I'm assuming once the cable cards are activated I can disconnect and reconnect the cable from the Tivo and the cable cards will still be active and all will be well... but I want to be 100% sure, it makes sense the cards would simply reconnect with the cable co., but who knows what gyrations the cable co's are putting cable card users through.

[SeanC]

I just got my S3 (two of them!) yesterday as well, cable guy shows up Friday.

I have a question, once he's installed the cable cards and activated them, is it ok to disconnect the cables in order to move the Tivo?

Yes, you should absolutely be able to do that with no adverse effects.

[sriggins]

I'm assuming once the cable cards are activated I can disconnect and reconnect the cable from the Tivo and the cable cards will still be active and all will be well... but I want to be 100% sure, it makes sense the cards would simply reconnect with the cable co., but who knows what gyrations the cable co's are putting cable card users through.

There is one potential issue - After seeing your TiVo in action the cable guy might disconnect it and make a run for it. :)

[ChickenCheese]

I just got my S3 (two of them!) yesterday as well, cable guy shows up Friday.

I have a question, once he's installed the cable cards and activated them, is it ok to disconnect the cables in order to move the Tivo? I want to leave it outside my cabinet so cable card slots are accessible for install, and move it into the cabinet after he leaves (moving some other stuff around and replacing my directivo in there now)

I'm assuming once the cable cards are activated I can disconnect and reconnect the cable from the Tivo and the cable cards will still be active and all will be well... but I want to be 100% sure, it makes sense the cards would simply reconnect with the cable co., but who knows what gyrations the cable co's are putting cable card users through.

I was in the same situation. I left the S3 outside my cabinet so the cable guy could get to the cablecard slots easily. After he was done, I had to unhook everything to move it into the cabinet.

Everything was fine!

[YupYup]

Oh, another noobie question: I'm OTA. When I initially scan, will it show analog and digital in one long list? Or does it distinguish between digital and analog? My Sony TV is either in Digital Mode or analog so using channel up will only deal with one type or the other? I guess one can EXCLUDE (or hide) analog?

They show up in one long list, but then you can go to the "Channels You Receive" menu and deselect the analog channels. I sometimes find it useful to record both the analog and digital channel on some shows that I don't want to miss, and where I've found that the local station doesn't provide as much attention/service to their digital broadcast (a couple of weeks ago the local Fox broadcast of Idol went dead on the digital channel half way through the show, while the analog broadcast continued without incident).

[buzzword]

Yes, you should absolutely be able to do that with no adverse effects.

Great! Thanks.

I currently have the HR10-250 HD DirecTivo, but got tired of DirectTV lagging so far behind on all the new features (and the fact that I can dump my phone co. and get newly offered 10mb cable internet access doesn't suck either)

And thanks to all others who responded as well...