Getting digital OTA on Series 2 through satellite receiver

[fishman919]

I found a few threads but no recent solution. I have a Series 2 connected to OTA analog and a DirecTv H20-100 HD receiver. The H20 has the digital OTA receiver built in. Since analog is going away, is it possible to have the series 2 receive the digital OTA channels through the H20? I understand this will be SD only.

[mr.unnatural]

You probably could, but why would you want to? All you need is an inexpensive digital converter box connected between your S2 Tivo and the antenna. I believe they're still offering the $40 Government coupons for the digital converters so you should be able to get one for next to nothing.

[robomeister]

You could try it. Try re-running Guided Setup and see if you can select the DirectTV receiver as your Sat and OTA source. Report back here if you were successful or not.

Good luck.
robomeister

[fishman919]

I ran through the guided set up, but only got options for Sat and Sat + Antenna. I'll double check tonight.

Yes, I can get a converter, but as far as I can tell the Series 2 will only control one set top box (DTV converter or satellite receiver, but not both). If this is not correct please let me know.

[ewilts]

is it possible to have the series 2 receive the digital OTA channels through the H20?
Absolutely, positively not.

The Series 2 has absolutely no ability to record a digital signal - it's an analog device only. If the H20 translates the digital signal to analog and presents that to the Series 2 just like some of the converter boxes, then you can record those, but they will be analog, not digital.

[BobCamp1]

I found a few threads but no recent solution. I have a Series 2 connected to OTA analog and a DirecTv H20-100 HD receiver. The H20 has the digital OTA receiver built in. Since analog is going away, is it possible to have the series 2 receive the digital OTA channels through the H20? I understand this will be SD only.

Yes, the Tivo is designed to do this. Many people have the same setup.

You want to select "satellite only" in the guided setup. Then Tivo will change the channels on your H20 receiver to tune in the locals.

Don't get a converter box -- you don't need one! With D*, you are paying for the local channels already unless you are grandfathered in. If you're bill says "NO LOCALS", you are grandfathered in and need to call D* to tell them you now want the locals.

[BobCamp1]

Absolutely, positively not.

The Series 2 has absolutely no ability to record a digital signal - it's an analog device only. If the H20 translates the digital signal to analog and presents that to the Series 2 just like some of the converter boxes, then you can record those, but they will be analog, not digital.

This post is wrong. You can use your Tivo to control your H20. The H20 outputs analog signals to your Tivo. The Tivo changes channels for you on the H20.

I have personally used this same exact setup in the past.

[ewilts]

This post is wrong. You can use your Tivo to control your H20. The H20 outputs analog signals to your Tivo. The Tivo changes channels for you on the H20.

I have personally used this same exact setup in the past.
My post was not wrong. I stated that the Series 2 can not record digital signals and that's 100% accurate. You are recording ANALOG signals which I suggested would be possible through the H20.

[fishman919]

Thanks for the responses. I'll try the "satellite only" option tonight.

Unfortunately my area's local channels are not available on Directv.

Recording analog at SD is ok for now. I'm trying postpone purchasing the Directv HD DVR for as long as possible. Part of this is financial, but I really would prefer the upcoming HD DVR from Directv with Tivo. We'll see if I can wait that long.

[scandia101]

My post was not wrong. I stated that the Series 2 can not record digital signals and that's 100% accurate. You are recording ANALOG signals which I suggested would be possible through the H20.

Correct, but you were responding pedantically to a poorly worded question where the intent is very clear.
Bravo for you.

[fishman919]

I tried "satellite only" without success. I tried again with "satellite + antenna" and selected "yes" to having a converter box, thinking it might accept the satellite receiver as a converter box. This didn't work either partly because the Tivo expected a converter box to be connected to RF-in. I'm using s-video inputs on the Tivo, but I don't think this is the root issue.

For this to work the Tivo needs to know it can use the H20 receiver for the digital OTA station and how to change to those channels (5-1, 11-1, etc). Any other tips would be appreciated.

[classicsat]

The least you could do is connect RF from the satellite box (using an RF modulator if needed) to the RF in on the TiVo, and use an IR code that works with the satellite receiver.

The most you could do is get an OTA digital convertor.

The Digital OTA support is only intended for the coupon eligible convertors.