Convert UHF to VHF?

[Enrique]

Right now I can't pay for cable so I got my self a S2 Tivo that can recored OTA(UHF and VHF)but it well not get here tell Friday or next Wednesday, So right now I am using my DT tivo that can record VHF and 99% of my networks do broadcast in VHF but some only do UHF(ABC,FOX,myNetworkTV) Sooo is there anything that can convert UHF to VHF so my DT tivo can record them?

[hefe]

Your question isn't clear. If the TiVo has a standard television tuner in it (NTSC, not the new digital OTA) then it doesn't care what frequency it is. It can tune any valid channel, from VHF Low through UHF.

You don't need to "convert" the frequency. Perhaps you are asking something else, and just not using the right terminology...

[phox_mulder]

Your question isn't clear. If the TiVo has a standard television tuner in it (NTSC, not the new digital OTA) then it doesn't care what frequency it is. It can tune any valid channel, from VHF Low through UHF.

TiVo DT can only record from Cable, and some lucky VHF frequencies (2-13) that happen to be on the same frequency as 2-13 on Cable.
Usually OTA 2-13 are slightly off frequency from CATV 2-13, but in some areas they are close enought for recording with the TiVo DT.

In answer to the OP's question, I'm just not sure.
Google might find something, but I'm going to guess it isn't consumer grade or consumer $$.

Just had an out there thought though, do you have a VCR?
You could try tuning it to the UHF frequency, then piping it into the TiVo, it would show up as channel 3 VHF.
You wouldn't be able to record anything else while the VCR was plugged into the TiVo though.

OK, I'm getting dangerous, just had another thought.
Tune the VCR to the UHF frequency you desire, but hook it to the composite (yellow/red/white) inputs on the TiVo.
Do guided setup telling the TiVo you have a cable box hooked up, and lie when it asks if the channel changed etc.

Maybe you can now record your UHF program from the "cable box".

You'd have to make sure the VCR is tuned to the channel you want to record, as the TiVo wouldn't really be controlling it.


phox

[Enrique]

TiVo DT can only record from Cable, and some lucky VHF frequencies (2-13) that happen to be on the same frequency as 2-13 on Cable.
Usually OTA 2-13 are slightly off frequency from CATV 2-13, but in some areas they are close enought for recording with the TiVo DT.

In answer to the OP's question, I'm just not sure.
Google might find something, but I'm going to guess it isn't consumer grade or consumer $$.

Just had an out there thought though, do you have a VCR?
You could try tuning it to the UHF frequency, then piping it into the TiVo, it would show up as channel 3 VHF.
You wouldn't be able to record anything else while the VCR was plugged into the TiVo though.

OK, I'm getting dangerous, just had another thought.
Tune the VCR to the UHF frequency you desire, but hook it to the composite (yellow/red/white) inputs on the TiVo.
Do guided setup telling the TiVo you have a cable box hooked up, and lie when it asks if the channel changed etc.

Maybe you can now record your UHF program from the "cable box".

You'd have to make sure the VCR is tuned to the channel you want to record, as the TiVo wouldn't really be controlling it.


phoxLooks like that is the way is it working out I am only getting 2-12, mmm I might try that out(the dangerous thought :D) see if that works(Just need to get a VCR from someone).

Thanks.

[hefe]

TiVo DT can only record from Cable, and some lucky VHF frequencies (2-13) that happen to be on the same frequency as 2-13 on Cable.

Oh, I see. I haven't had cable for over 13 years. I didn't realize anybody would actually equip a device to be CATV exclusive. Seemed like TV tuners that were also "cable ready" had become the norm so long ago, I'd think it would be trivial to use them everywhere.

[mattack]

Oh, I see. I haven't had cable for over 13 years. I didn't realize anybody would actually equip a device to be CATV exclusive.

This is because there was a FCC mandate to not sell anything that could tune analog OTA without also having an ATSC (digital/HDTV) tuner in it. The Series 3 & Tivo HD have that.

The S2DT was sort of (IMHO) an interim product to compete with dual-tuner cable boxes.. which also can't record OTA BTW.

[classicsat]

If your TV has a VHF/UHF tuner, just use that for a few days, until the other arrives.

[JimSpence]

Anyone remember the days when you needed a UHF converter for the VHF only TVs?

[painkiller]

Yes, I remember those days.

I also remember watching my father put a special, colored lens in front of our B&W television so we could see it in color.

Yuch!

[wmcbrine]

BTW, not that it would help the OP, but I have an old box from Radio Shack that converts cable channels to the UHF band (i.e., to make a "cable-ready" TV out of an OTA-only set).

[classicsat]

If one is willing to mess around, one of those old UHF block convertors could. In their original condition, they would convert midband (and maybe superband) cable to UHF. You would have to modify it to convert from UHF to midband cable.

[kb7oeb]

Come February 2009 it will not matter because your analog over the air channels will cease broadcasting so your S2 will work for now but you should have a plan for when only digital broadcasts are available.

Series 3 or Tivo HD has digital built but you can add a digital box to an S2, the most popular way is to use older directv hd satellite boxes that can also receive over the air digital. The older units do not require a satellite subscription to use the over the air tuner but the new ones do. Some standalone digital tuners will also work, I can verify personally that the LG 3510 works fine.