TiVo HD install on VZ FiOS, 8/1/08

[DingoBoi]

I just got off the phone with 2 extremely pleasant & helpful sales reps at TiVo and Verizon. I have had enough of my VZ branded DVRs failing in various ways and decided to come back to TiVo.

I noticed that the Series 3 Digital Media Manager was not on the TiVo web site. I was told by their sales rep that it was removed about 2 days ago. The unit has been discontinued due to poor sales in comparison with the less expensive TiVo HD. So if you want the THX box, you'll need to find one in stock at a retailer.

I ordered one TiVo HD refurb @ $179, and one new TiVo HD, because the lifetime subscription discount ($299) for the 2nd box only aplies to brand new units. Only a $20 difference, so I got one new box. I also got 2 refurbed wireless adapters. I had wanted to ask someone in the know about using 3rd party adapters, but I got itchy & just wanted to get it done.

From Verizon, I ordered two Multi-stream Cable Cards. Verizon will not allow customer install of the cable cards, but they also agreed not to charge me for the install visit, (just ask nicely) scheduled for next Friday, August 1, to ensure I have the TiVo boxes in hand.

I read a thread that mentioned some pixelization problems with FiOS that seem to be solved by properly attenuating the hot FiOS signal. Are there any other common woes that I might expect during install & set-up, or anything to watch for during my warranty period?

I'll post a follow-up to in this thread to review my installation process.

[jlb]

This thread should provide you some useful info, if it isnt the one you already reviewed....

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=315826

[acvthree]

The only other thing is that if you are planning on a lot of MRV and your wireless signal isn't perfect, you might want to consider powerline Ethernet. I've got several friends using this and they a very pleased with the throughput.

Al

[rainwater]

The only other thing is that if you are planning on a lot of MRV and your wireless signal isn't perfect, you might want to consider powerline Ethernet. I've got several friends using this and they a very pleased with the throughput.


The TiVo branded adapters will give you the the same basic performance as wired in most cases. Unless you have border line signal quality, it isn't worth it to try to do hard wired (obviously if you are on the edge of the signal you can't easily do ethernet without some type of bridge anyway).

Btw, the TiVo branded adapters are the only usb adapters that will work on a TiVo HD.

[NotVeryWitty]

From Verizon, I ordered two Multi-stream Cable Cards. Verizon will not allow customer install of the cable cards, but they also agreed not to charge me for the install visit, (just ask nicely) scheduled for next Friday, August 1, to ensure I have the TiVo boxes in hand.
Please let us know if you actually get Multi-stream cards. From everything I've read on other forums, VZ has not actually started giving out the M-cards yet. Maybe you'll be one of the first (more likely you'll end up having to settle for, and pay for, four S-cards).

Also, be leary that they don't charge you for the install visit. All too often, what the CSRs say has no relation to what the VZ billing department does.

Good luck with your Tivo HDs.

[DingoBoi]

Please let us know if you actually get Multi-stream cards. From everything I've read on other forums, VZ has not actually started giving out the M-cards yet. Maybe you'll be one of the first (more likely you'll end up having to settle for, and pay for, four S-cards).

Also, be leary that they don't charge you for the install visit. All too often, what the CSRs say has no relation to what the VZ billing department does.

Good luck with your Tivo HDs.

I actually work for a different part of Verizon, and I am exquisitely familiar with the sales & billing processes. I fully expect to be billed for the visit & then have to call back in to get the charge waived. The rep who placed the order made notes on my account to indicate the visit was to be free of charge.

Thanks for the warning about the cards. I'll be sure to check them out before they are installed. Hoping the card type is easily discernable from exterior markings.

Fingers crossed!

[kingkong316]

I actually had verizon at my home today installing the cable cards into my TivoHD. 1st Verizon doesn't offer the multistream cars. (Atleast not right now) they told me I had to order two and they brought out two s-cards.

I did get the tivo working alright but it took 5 hours. The tech said he had done about a half dozen over the last three years. But he had trouble following the instructions with the tivo. Need less to say I was reading the instructions to him and telling him what to do by the end. It was already 8 PM and I was hungry. However if everything is done right I wouldn't think it would take longer than 30 Mins.

Oh also my tech did test the signal strength before he put the cards in and fix that at the same time.

My only piece of advice is the tivo is having trouble once the tech as them activated try restarting the tivo. Seems pretty simple but it worked for me.

If you have any specific questions let me know.

[DingoBoi]

My brother is actually a FiOS installer, and I finally got in touch with him yesterday after trying all week. He wasn't even aware there were different kinds of Cable Cards, and was not certain if the VZ cards were S or M Cards. So he gave me a Motorola Part number, and best I can figure is that yes, they are S Cards. So he's going to bring 4 instead of 2 (2 TiVo HD's).

I'll be calling back the girl who took my order to make sure she's informed of her error about the M Cards. Nothing irks me more than when a salesperson promises something they cannot deliver. And seeing as how I work for this company, it's personally embarassing to boot.

I actually hooked up both TiVo HD units yesterday & went thru initial setup, then left them plugged in to download any software/firmware/guide updates overnight.

I have TiVo's Cable Card install instructions all printed out at home as well, so I am hoping the install goes fairly smoothly. I'll update here after we're done.

[DingoBoi]

Well, it took a little while to get done (About 90 minutes total for both units), but went about as well as could be expected. Installed the cards & called the FSC to activate them, repeated the Guided Setup, and attenuated the SNR to 31db on both units. I don't pay for premium channels, but I do watch mostly HD. All channels appear clear, and both cards show to be working normally in the diagnostics menu. Went ahead & set up 2 shows to record at once during the day today, just to test it out.

Not sure if I will set any Season Passes yet, as the all-digital transition (and complete channel realignment, which could temporarily goof up the guide) is due to hit Tampa FiOS this weekend, according to my brother.

Disappointed that VZ is not using M Cards, but so be it. At least I have a DVR that should actually record what I ask it to record now.

[bwbates69]

Glad it went smoothly for you. I had Verizon come out about 6 weeks ago to install 2 S-Cards into my TivoHD that I purchased after becoming frustrated with the VZ DVR failing to record on quite a few occasions. There are things I liked about the VZ DVR, such as being able to see at a glance how much drive space you have, but when a DVR doesn't record properly then it is pretty much useless.

As for my Cable Card install; fortunately my tech had done quite a few installs on TiVos already, our only real problem came when he had to update the Router. Basically he gave me a usb drive and had me try to run a program to update the Router Firmware. But for some reason it did nto want to work via my computer. Fortunately we plugged in his laptop directly to my router and were then able to upgrade the firmware.

But I have been VERY happy with my TivoHD since...save for some wishlist items.

And so far I haven't been charged the service fee.

[DingoBoi]

Sitting here just now, one of my TiVo HD units just went from showing me "Jaws" to "Welcome. Powering Up." Kinda freaked me out. But the 2nd splash screen said "Installing a Service Update." I guess they like to do these things at this hour. May be unfortunate for me, since I work graveyard shift & often watch my recorded programs at this hour on weekends.

bwbates... you described my feelings about the VZ DVR fairly well. The intermittent willingness to record, coupled with a complete inability to discern between first run & repeat and the occasional spontaneous reboot made it impossible to continue paying for the privilege of having that machine take up space in my home.

Curious as to why your tech had to update your router. I went on using my existing router with its firmware in tact. No problems so far. Tested out the Amazon download, worked properly. Tested the podcast download, no worries. Transferred a recording between DVR's. It's been frighteningly simple thus far. Frankly, I'm waiting for something to go wrong. lol

[wmcbrine]

Sitting here just now, one of my TiVo HD units just went from showing me "Jaws" to "Welcome. Powering Up." Kinda freaked me out. But the 2nd splash screen said "Installing a Service Update." I guess they like to do these things at this hour.Yes, they have a bad policy of auto-rebooting to install software updates without prompting.

May be unfortunate for me, since I work graveyard shift & often watch my recorded programs at this hour on weekends.Fortunately this only happens a few times per year.

[Mr. Happypants]

I'm almost afraid to ask, but will any of this work with a S2 Dual Tuner unit? I just turned on my sets last night, and was welcomed by the Huge Red Verizon Message. I'm fixing to call Vz Customer Service today, just thought I'd try here first!

[Ziggy86]

attenuated the SNR to 31db on both units

How did you do this?

[wmcbrine]

I'm almost afraid to ask, but will any of this work with a S2 Dual Tuner unit? I just turned on my sets last night, and was welcomed by the Huge Red Verizon Message.You need a digital cable box for the TiVo to control. Verizon will give you one, the DCT-700, for free. However, your S2DT will then become a single-tuner unit.

There are many threads on this subject already.

[Mr. Happypants]

Yup, already have that Verizon box, so I guess my fairly new S2 is now a half-baked single tuner unit. Peachy.