S2 TIVO and Fios

[timmo]

Ok - an apology in advance - I have searched and read what I can, but I can't find an answer to the following question:

Can I use my two S2's (240 and 540) when we get Fios? If so, what will I need to change/do/add?

Yes, I realize that I will be able to view TV in HD, but buying 2 new HD Tivo's (one for TV room and one for bedroom) is out of the question, and as for switching, reviews of Verizon's DVR are really bad.

Thanks
Tim

[classicsat]

Yes.
You will just need a FIOS STB for each, unless you want it to just record the local channels. HD will not go through them. You will have to watch HD direct without DVR functionality, unless you get the Verizon DVR, or an HD-TiVo.

[JustAllie]

I'm using a Series 2 TiVo with a FiOS set-top box right now. In my area, you can even connect it via the serial cable, which changes channels more reliably than the infrared cable. Hopefully the same will be true for you. :)

Do not let the Verizon techs convince you that FiOS doesn't work with TiVo. All you'll miss is pay-per-view, video on demand, and their interactive program guide. You don't need any of those if you have TiVo and Amazon Unbox. OK, pay-per-view is apparently of interest to some people for certain sporting events. But hopefully you're not one of those people.

[Generic]

Do not let the Verizon techs convince you that FiOS doesn't work with TiVo. All you'll miss is pay-per-view, video on demand, and their interactive program guide. You don't need any of those if you have TiVo and Amazon Unbox. OK, pay-per-view is apparently of interest to some people for certain sporting events. But hopefully you're not one of those people.

Actually, you can still use VOD/PPV with the S2 and the Verizon STB. Just use the Verizon remote to go into the VOD/PPV menu and watch what you want. Just realize that doing this will mess up any scheduled recordings or Tivo suggestions as it will record what you are watching on VOD/PPV and not the scheduled recording.

EDIT: Are the 240 and 540 dual tuners? If they are then I don't know if it will work. I only have a single tuner Tivo and VOD/PPV work for me.

[timmo]

I'm using a Series 2 TiVo with a FiOS set-top box right now. In my area, you can even connect it via the serial cable, which changes channels more reliably than the infrared cable. Hopefully the same will be true for you.

Thanks for the great info (and no, we could care less about sporting events!). So, as I hear it, we get them to install an STB. I am guessing that we will need one for each TV and Tivo?

Just to clarify - we will need to connect the STB and Tivo together via a serial cable? Or are they connected differently?

Thanks
Tim

[Marc]

You will just need a FIOS STB for each, unless you want it to just record the local channels.
That's not necessarily true in all areas as Verizon is starting to roll out FiOS in new areas without analog signals, so you would need a Verizon box at each non-digital TV hookup.

Thanks for the great info (and no, we could care less about sporting events!). So, as I hear it, we get them to install an STB. I am guessing that we will need one for each TV and Tivo?

Just to clarify - we will need to connect the STB and Tivo together via a serial cable? Or are they connected differently?
Yes, you'd probably need their regular set-top box ($4.99/month). You would connect it to your TiVo via S-Video and L/R audio cables, and then you could set it up to change channels either via a serial cable, if that functionality is enabled on your box as it's not functional in all FiOS locations, or via an infrared blaster.

They do have a slightly cheaper set-top box ($3.99/month), but I don't know if TiVo can control it. Verizon will mandate that you have at least one of the normal boxes anyway, so you might as well get them both the same for consistency between the two TiVos.

[classicsat]

EDIT: Are the 240 and 540 dual tuners? If they are then I don't know if it will work. I only have a single tuner Tivo and VOD/PPV work for me.

Yes, they are single tuner.