Unencrypted Local HD Channels?

[WaldorfSalad]

I just got a Tivo HD and set it up this afternoon for cable but I don't have cable cards yet. It picked up the regular cable channels in the 1 - 99 range, went online and downloaded some stuff across my home network, and those standard cable channels are in the guide but I was expecting it to also pick up my unencrypted HD local channels that are on various sub-channels. My TV (Sony SXRD) picks them up when I do a scan on it so I know I can get them. What am I doing wrong on the Tivo HD and how can I get those channels?

Also, I have not yet activated the Tivo service and was under the impression that guide data and the abillity to record current and future programs from the guide was not available until you subscribe to the Tivo service yet I'm currently available to record. Is this feature available initially for some trial period perhaps? If so, how long will it be available?

[BigJimOutlaw]

To find the unencrypted channels, force a channel scan (Not another Guided Setup, but find it under Settings > Channels > Channel Scan). That should hopefully dig them up.

These channels aren't reported to Tribune Media (where the lineup comes from) so that's why they're not automatically included with the initial setup.

[bkdtv]

From what I recall, every TiVo includes a 7 day trial, but some network features aren't active/enabled until you subscribe.

As indicated by the poster above, you can run a Channel Scan to add Clear QAM channels to your lineup. Once you install a CableCard, these channels will be remapped to the appropriate numbers in the cable company's lineup with guide information.

If you are new to TiVo, and/or or came from a DirecTiVo, be sure to see the tips link in my signature.

[WaldorfSalad]

From what I recall, every TiVo includes a 7 day trial, but some network features aren't active/enabled until you subscribe.

As indicated by the poster above, you can run a Channel Scan to add Clear QAM channels to your lineup. Once you install a CableCard, these channels will be remapped to the appropriate numbers in the cable company's lineup with guide information.

If you are new to TiVo, and/or or came from a DirecTiVo, be sure to see the tips link in my signature.I'm coming from an HR10-250. Your tips are great, thankyou! Now, if I could just stop hitting that Aspect button when I want to access the List the way it was on the HR10-250 remote!!!!

[RoyK]

In order to get all my channels to show up I had to tell it during guided setup that I intended to install cablecards but didn't have them yet. Then do a cable scan as BigJimOutlaw outlined above after guided setup is finished. After that my locals were picked up

If I didn't tell guided setup that I was going to use cablecards it wouldn't find my local HD unencrypted channels.

Crazy, but that's what was necessary.

[JoeTaxpayer]

If I didn't tell guided setup that I was going to use cablecards it wouldn't find my local HD unencrypted channels.


I used the advice here to see the local unencrypted. I can see them or force an instant recording, but cannot set up a future recording even thru the manual recording method, of just choosing a channel and time. Any way to get around this?
I understand no guide data, but no problem, for just a few shows the date/channel is enough for me to know what's there.

[RoyK]

I use manual recording of clear QAM all the time because of a cablecard issue.

Try connecting to the tivo service.

If it doesn't work after that you'll probably have to register before it will.

[fire100]

I used the advice here to see the local unencrypted. I can see them or force an instant recording, but cannot set up a future recording even thru the manual recording method, of just choosing a channel and time. Any way to get around this?

Only way around is to rent a cable card from your local cable company. I just did this myself, and only subscribe to basic cable. Once you do that, your local HD's will appear in high numbers (786,787, etc.) with valid Guide Data. I pay $2.00 a month for each card with Charter.

[JoeTaxpayer]

Only way around is to rent a cable card from your local cable company. I pay $2.00 a month for each card with Charter.

Right now with no card I get up to the 90's, so expanded basic is what that is on my system. Comcast will charge $6.95 outlet fee + $1.50 for second card = $8.45. $200/yr to get box 2 and 3 to HD isn't yet worth it for me, I'll transfer from the carded TiVo for now. I may look for a programmable remote to make this happen, just to beat the system. It's a rare time that I'd really want to record 3 channels at once in HD.

[jrm01]

I used the advice here to see the local unencrypted. I can see them or force an instant recording, but cannot set up a future recording even thru the manual recording method, of just choosing a channel and time. Any way to get around this?
I understand no guide data, but no problem, for just a few shows the date/channel is enough for me to know what's there.

That was a bug in 11.0 software that caused the Manual recording problem with "no guide data" channels. It has been fixed in 11.0b software which I had installed last week and tested. It should be rolling out to everyone soon.

[bkdtv]

I'm coming from an HR10-250. Your tips are great, thankyou! Now, if I could just stop hitting that Aspect button when I want to access the List the way it was on the HR10-250 remote!!!!If you still have your HR10-250 remote, you can use that.

DirecTiVo remotes are compatible with the TivoHD.

[WaldorfSalad]

If you still have your HR10-250 remote, you can use that.

DirecTiVo remotes are compatible with the TivoHD.Yes, I'm thinking of buying an extra HR10-250 remote off of eBay as I'm always using the List button. WTF were Tivo thinking when they removed it!

[WaldorfSalad]

To find the unencrypted channels, force a channel scan (Not another Guided Setup, but find it under Settings > Channels > Channel Scan). That should hopefully dig them up.

These channels aren't reported to Tribune Media (where the lineup comes from) so that's why they're not automatically included with the initial setup.OK, I did that and there were 450 channels found. They showed up as addable in Channel List. I used Channel List to add a bunch of them to the Guide but when I opened the Guide they weren't there. When I went back to Channel List they were all gone!

[jrm01]

After you finished adding them did you remember to arrow over to the DONE button to add them?

[JoeTaxpayer]

That was a bug in 11.0 software that caused the Manual recording problem with "no guide data" channels. It has been fixed in 11.0b software which I had installed last week and tested. It should be rolling out to everyone soon.

I see 11.0-01-2-652

I look forward to the update. Good news.

[bkdtv]

OK, I did that and there were 450 channels found. They showed up as addable in Channel List. I used Channel List to add a bunch of them to the Guide but when I opened the Guide they weren't there. When I went back to Channel List they were all gone!I would not mess with your favorites list until you get the 11.0 software. When you do modify your Channel List under 11.0, make sure you click "Done" rather than clicking the back button; clicking the back button will cancel all your changes.

The behavior you describe was especially common under the original software when the TiVo is processing new guide information, which occurs for the first few days after guided setup, as well as software updates. During that indexing period, changes made to the channel list do not update for 30-40 minutes; and if you re-entered the channel list before then, you would reset the changes. Wait 2-3 days after guided setup (or after the 11.0 software update) and you should be able to edit your channel list without issue.

Basically, there are a whole host of issues with the original 8.1.7 software from early 2007. TiVo addressed a number of issues shortly after release, and more issues were fixed several months later.

[WaldorfSalad]

I would not mess with your favorites list until you get the 11.0 software. When you do modify your Channel List under 11.0, make sure you click "Done" rather than clicking the back button; clicking the back button will cancel all your changes.

The behavior you describe was especially common under the original software when the TiVo is processing new guide information, which occurs for the first few days after guided setup, as well as software updates. During that indexing period, changes made to the channel list do not update for 30-40 minutes; and if you re-entered the channel list before then, you would reset the changes. Wait 2-3 days after guided setup (or after the 11.0 software update) and you should be able to edit your channel list without issue.

Basically, there are a whole host of issues with the original 8.1.7 software from early 2007. TiVo addressed a number of issues shortly after release, and more issues were fixed several months later.Thanks for the info. It sounds like I need to wait for the v11 update and activation before trying to get too deep into the product. Also, I've tried using TiVo desktop (Free not Plus edition) but it says there is no Tivo on the network (which there is because the Tivo has an IP address and go online). Maybe this is because I still have v8.1 and have not yet activated Tivo service. Sounds like new TivoHDs should be shipping with newer firmware instead of the old v8.1. I suspect they get a lot of support calls because of the issues.

[RoyK]

When you register your tivo you will need to go to the DVR Preferences page on the tivo website (after you login) and name your tivo and enable downloads and transfers for your tivo.

[TracySMiller]

Hey, guys. I have a question. I asked this in another thread in this same forum, but have not gotten any responses, so I thought I'd try this thread, since my question is related. I have run across a few posts that mention you can get local HD channels by ordering only "Basic Cable" (not the "Expanded Basic"), as long as you have the two cable cards. Is this right?

Currently we have the "Digital Home" tier with Charter Cable, which includes channels 2-99, plus a few others, plus all the non-premium HD stuff, like TNTHD, TBSHD, A&EHD, and of course, ABC, NBC, CBS, & FOX in HD. For this we pay the $59.99/month, plus the $5.00 "HD Equipment Upgrade", plus the $2.00 for each CableCard. After taking a close look at our viewing habits, we find that 80% of what we watch is on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. We have Netflix for movies, and the other assorted shows (mainly on FX, Sci-Fi, or HBO), we can download or rent the DVD's.

Can we get just the "Basic Cable" for around $20, keep the Cable Cards ($4.00 total), and get ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX in HD?

[bkdtv]

Hey, guys. I have a question. I asked this in another thread in this same forum, but have not gotten any responses, so I thought I'd try this thread, since my question is related. I have run across a few posts that mention you can get local HD channels by ordering only "Basic Cable" (not the "Expanded Basic"), as long as you have the two cable cards. Is this right?Yes, although you only need one M-CARD (or two S-CARDs) for a TivoHD. The older TiVo Series3 always requires two cards to support both tuners.

Can we get just the "Basic Cable" for around $20, keep the Cable Cards ($4.00 total), and get ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX in HD?Yes. Many on the forum do exactly that.

[kb7oeb]

Yes, I'm thinking of buying an extra HR10-250 remote off of eBay as I'm always using the List button. WTF were Tivo thinking when they removed it!

I discovered this wonderful button existed when I got a harmony remote and it works great on a S3. I'm sure Directv wanted the button because AFAIK no regular Tivo has one.

[bkdtv]

I discovered this wonderful button existed when I got a harmony remote and it works great on a S3. I'm sure Directv wanted the button because AFAIK no regular Tivo has one.For others, instructions to get the LIST button on a Harmony remote can be found in this post (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=7097286#post7097286). If you decide you want a HR10 remote, there's a purchase link for that too.

[JoeTaxpayer]

11b is now loaded on my TiVos and the non-carded one still cannot record the xx-x as it can't see guide data. Funny thing to me, Comcast is passing along a channel 7-2 which is a broadcast HD movie channel courtesy of our Ch 7 station. It's nowhere on the Comcast lineup that I can find at any price. So cards will actually kill my ability to see this station. TiVo submitted a ticket to try to address this issue in my area.

[jrm01]

Joe,

Just to clarify your situation, are you saying that:

1. You have a THD without cablecards
2. You are receiving clear-QAM HD channel with no Guide Data (naturally).
3. After receiving the 11.0b update you deleted and then recreated a Repeat Manual Recording (by Time & Channel)
4. The SP does not record and when you check Recording History it says "Not Recorded since it was no longer in the Guide"

That is the exact problem that 11.0b fixed for me.

[JoeTaxpayer]

jrm -

I have multiple TiVos -

My Series 3 (no cards) can now record xx-x channels, it sees them when in the record manually menu. It has 11.0b-01-2-648

The HD (also no cards) lets me view those channels (as I scanned and added them) but when in the manual menu, they do not show at all. It has 11.0b-01-2-652 which I trust is because it's a different model.

I've not scanned the carded Series 3 as I kinda don't care, it's recording HD from the 800 series channels tuned with the card's help.

As far as (3) goes, I was never able to see these channels for any manual advance recording. So, that's where I am. Having the second box work is great, I'd never need a third tuner for nonbroadcast HD, and I'm set with 2 HD broadcast-only, and 2 All-HD.
The remaining issue with the third TiVo is now my curiosity more than my needing anything. Again, thanks for your response.

[WaldorfSalad]

Yes, although you only need one M-CARD (or two S-CARDs) for a TivoHD. The older TiVo Series3 always requires two cards to support both tuners.

Yes. Many on the forum do exactly that.How do you get cable cards with a Basic cable subscription? They (Comcast) say you have to go with at least the digital (I forget the exact name) tier.

[bkdtv]

My Series 3 (no cards) can now record xx-x chanels, it sees them when in the record manually menu. It has 11.0b-01-2-648

The HD (also no cards) lets me view those channels (as I scanned and added them) but when in the manual menu, they do not show at all. It has 11.0b-01-2-652 which I trust is because it's a different model.You can't schedule manual recordings from QAM channels until you've enabled (checked) them in your Channel List.

I would re-verify that you enabled (checked) those channels under Settings -> Channels -> Channel List. I know in the past, I've checked a number of channels and then accidentally hit the back button (which cancels the changes) rather than selecting OK to save the changes.

[bkdtv]

How do you get cable cards with a Basic cable subscription? They (Comcast) say you have to go with at least the digital (I forget the exact name) tier.Some Comcast reps make it difficult to obtain CableCards without a digital subscription. If you can't find a rep that will allow you to do that, you can order the cheapest level of digital service with a CableCard, and then call to cancel the digital service after it is installed.

A number of Comcast service areas are offering a promo with six months of digital service for ~$30/mo, so you might consider that if available.

[JoeTaxpayer]

I would re-verify that you enabled (checked) those channels under Settings -> Channels -> Channel List.

Well, that did it. Even though I could see them and scroll through, they were not checked. I am now fully functional.
Tonight I will have a beverage in your honor.
Thanks, much!

[jrm01]

Joe,

Glad the mystery is solved. That is what I had suggested this morning in your other post, but I guess you missed it.

I assume that you did check to see that the channel was still marked as a channel that you receive.

[JoeTaxpayer]

Joe,

Glad the mystery is solved. That is what I had suggested this morning in your other post, but I guess you missed it.

Brain cramp, I missed the part about "marked", thought that seeing it, by channel surfing, that I was set. So I appreciate your not giving up on me and being patient. When my cable provider (Comcast) pulls the plug on its analog transmission, I'm sure I'll be back for more support. For now, life is good. :up:

[bkdtv]

Brain cramp, I missed the part about "marked", thought that seeing it, by channel surfing, that I was set. So I appreciate your not giving up on me and being patient. When my cable provider (Comcast) pulls the plug on its analog transmission, I'm sure I'll be back for more support. For now, life is good. :up:
I suppose you have your guide set to show all? That can be pretty messy with hundreds of channels.

You can press ENTER from the guide and choose to show only subscribed channels or favorites. I have ~50 channels in my guide and that makes guide navigation much faster.