Comcast to D12-100 migration

[scubapilot2000]

Hi,

I've been researching around the forum and haven't quite found a complete answer.

I currently have a Tivo Series2 80hr box that I've been using with Comcast for several years. I purchased a lifetime subscription so I pay no monthly fee.

I recently moved to Directv for all of the TVs in my house. I would like to now use my Tivo with one of the Directv boxes. It's a D12-100.

The back of my Tivo box has a USB port and the back of the D12-100 also has a USB port. Is it just that simple to connect the two for channel changing? or do I use something different?

Also when I go into the Tivo setup menu, I look to change boxes. It gives me a list of box manufacturers to change but non say DirecTV or D12. What do I change it to in order to get the right channels and will it then download the correct guide based on the channel setup?

Is there anything I'm missing?

Thanks

[wmcbrine]

You'll have to use either the serial port or an IR blaster for remote control, not USB.

You need to Repeat Guided Setup and select Satellite (and a bunch of other things) before you'll get the option to change the box. Assuming that the D12-100 is supported, which I don't know.

[ggieseke]

It's supported using IR (I think it's code 10074) and there's a DirecTV option in the IR database. Did you tell it that you are on satellite now and not still on cable?

Another option is to use the serial cable with a $35 USB translator (http://www.patersontech.com/).

[scubapilot2000]

Am I missing something on the USB translator? I look at the picture and I don't have anything on the back of my Tivo for the serial port as pictured. My Serial port looks like a headphone jack. I did use that for my comcast.
I've included a photo of the back of my Tivo and the back of my DirecTV box. Any help would be appreciated.

[scubapilot2000]

I guess I need to have 5 posts to post a photo

[scubapilot2000]

Here are the pictures

DirecTV

http://www.finpivot.com/other_photos/CIMG0130.jpg

Tivo

http://www.finpivot.com/other_photos/CIMG0135.jpg

[ggieseke]

The Serial port jack does indeed look like a headphone jack on one end (see https://www.tivo.com/buytivo/tivogear/accessories/items/moreimgs_accessories_A00010_ajaxpopup.html). The other end plugs into the USB translator, which plugs into the D12.

If you don't have the one that came with your TiVo you can pick up another one for about $7 at the TiVo online store.

[scubapilot2000]

Ahhh!!!! Got it! makes perfect sense. Now I just need to find the serial cable and IR blaster cable again.

In most people's opinion does the serial cable method work better than the IR method? When I was with comcast, I used serial and don't have any experience using IR

Thanks so much!

[ggieseke]

I use IR with old Hughes boxes that don't have any other inputs and it works perfectly. I have heard good things about the Paterson device from others, and it does have two advantages over IR if you don't mind the additional cost.

1. If you have multiple sat boxes in the same room you don't have to worry as much about about IR interference - just tape over the 'eye'.

2. Some people have been told that they have to get the H20 to receive local channels even though they don't have the high-def package. In that case IR won't work because that box always tunes to the HD version of the channel and all they end up recording is an order screen. You can program the translator to manually add an up arrow to those channels to solve that little problem.