What order to setup TivoHD with Cable company?

[Microman66]

Trying to help wifes Aunt and Uncle that live in a retirement community (Leisure World Seal Beach, Ca). Currently they have an S2, and use the analog guide they get thru Tivo.

They bought a new HD TV. They also bought a TIVO HD at Costco.

Should I set up the TIVO HD box for them, and split the cable that comes in, so that it gets a cable signal (I dont think it is encrypted since their TV can scan and get most all channels), and then sign up for TIVO HD at $12.95 a month for them?

The box may not need a card since the channels don't seem to be encrypted.

But one thing I would surely need to do first is to install the Tivo HD, and get it turned on, right? And then see what the guide choices are, and whether it works? And then possibly have them come out and set it up with a card, if needed.

Then I need to leave the other S2 on, long enought for her to get the recorded programs watched.

Sound right?

[CrashHD]

They bought a new HD TIVO. They also bought a TIVO HD at Costco.

What is the difference between an HD Tivo, and a Tivo HD?

[pilotbob]

They bought a new HD TIVO. They also bought a TIVO HD at Costco.


I assume you mean HD TV and TiVO HD?



Should I set up the TIVO HD box for them, and split the cable that comes in, so that it gets a cable signal (I dont think it is encrypted since their TV can scan and get most all channels), and then sign up for TIVO HD at $12.95 a month for them?

The box may not need a card since the channels don't seem to be encrypted.


The TV possibly has a QAM tuner. And it will recieve the digital channels without a cable card. Or, it is recieving the analog channels. Are you sure you are getting digital/hd on your TV?

I think the TiVO will recieve the digital channels without the cable card, but it won't work... the guide will only include the analog channels. So getting cable cards with TiVO HD is a MUST.

BOb

[Microman66]

Yes, the tv will scan for channels, but hang at about 77%, but there is the HD channels around 9xx or so. They also get the Audio channels, which they dont see before this.

Will give it a try this week, and then have cable company out so they can insert card, so they get the GUIDE for digital channels. Either two cards, or one mcard.

[scandia101]

The digital channels will also cost more monthly beyond the extra cost of a cable card.

[BruceShultes]

What type of retirement community is it?

If it is one where many apartments are in the same building, the retirement community maybe providing the cable service and it might not be digital.

If that is true the only way you will be able to receive HD channels is OTA.

Make sure you test it during the evening. You should be able to find a channel which you know is SD and compare the picture to an HD one on one of major networks.

[jlb]

......I think the TiVO will recieve the digital channels without the cable card, but it won't work... the guide will only include the analog channels. So getting cable cards with TiVO HD is a MUST.

BOb

Clarification.......

The TiVo will be able to scan for, and tune, the in the clear digital and HD channels. It will be able to do trick play on these channels. It will be able to do manual recordings on these chanels.

It won't be able to associate guide data with these channels without cablecards. Thus, cablecards a must for being able to set up Season Passes on the in the clear digital/HD channels.

[Microman66]

Hooked up the TIVO and paid the fee with TIVO. It upgraded the System overnight. Did a RESETUP, to setup the unit, and chose just CABLE, and did a scan. Cable cards wont be here for a week. Dont think I saw anything but the 1-99 channels. THink I saw lots of channels scanned, maybe 500, but only saw 1-99 in a guide.