Convert Tivo2 single tuner to dual tuner?

[BoulderTraveler]

I have lifetime service on a 540. Any update since the 2007 thread that would make it easy to convert the single tuner to a dual tuner and maintain the current lifetime service?

[scandia101]

I have lifetime service on a 540. Any update since the 2007 thread that would make it easy to convert the single tuner to a dual tuner and maintain the current lifetime service?

The number of tuners on a Tivo is not software related. it's purely a matter of the hardware.

[classicsat]

And any hardware modification (and necessary software modification) would be outside the scope of this forum.

The only practical thing you can do is use your exisitng Product lifetime to qualify for an Multi-Service-Discount Product Lifetime rate on a new dual tuner HD TiVo.

[BoulderTraveler]

I assumed I would have to change hardware. For example, can I just purchase a series 2 dt, as they are cheap without a service contract, pull everything out and install it into my lifetime service single tuner? Should I assume this solution is way to simple? The HD can be upgraded without affecting the lifetime service agreement, but the dual tuner modification is going to far?

[Raymond Day]

You can't take all out of the lift time TiVo and put it in a HD one. The life time number is on a chip. It can be programed. But that's hard.

Just wait. I am sure some time TiVo will have it so if you buy a HD TiVo you can trasfore a life time from a S1 or S2 to a S3 HD. That's what I am waiting for.

-Raymond Day

[gastrof]

You can't take all out of the lift time TiVo and put it in a HD one. The life time number is on a chip. It can be programed. But that's hard.

Just wait. I am sure some time TiVo will have it so if you buy a HD TiVo you can trasfore a life time from a S1 or S2 to a S3 HD. That's what I am waiting for.

-Raymond Day

The OP hasn't said anything about a Series 3 TiVo HD.

He wanted to move a second tuner from a Series TWO dual tuner TiVo into his existing Lifetime machine. (The reference to upgrading an HD is talking about putting in a bigger Hard Drive.)

The described messing with the tuners can't be done without major hacking, and as mentioned messing with the hardware isn't a subject for these forums.

[gastrof]

...The HD can be upgraded without affecting the lifetime service agreement, but the dual tuner modification is going to far?



Apparently. Besides, as mentioned it'd involve MAJOR hacking, if possible at all.

Probably be better for your sanity to just find another Lifetimed Series 2 on eBay, and use the two machines as your two tuners.

[classicsat]

The Product lifetime status is actually held on TiVo's servers, tied to a TSN (and its private key).

On the TiVo itself, the TSN and the public key are held on the crypto chip. While it it may be possible to move it to another model board, the TiVo software or TiVo service may balk.

[RonDawg]

Probably be better for your sanity to just find another Lifetimed Series 2 on eBay, and use the two machines as your two tuners.

Better yet find a Lifetimed S2DT, and either sell the old one to try to recoup some of the cost, or put it in a different room for a third tuner and for MRV.

[chicagobrownblue]

1) I'd call up Tivo and nicely ask to trade up to a Series 2 DT. If the first Tivo rep does not offer a solution you like, call back in a week or so. They may do this for a fee.

2) See if the folks from DVRUpgrade.com can help you. They are very knowledgeable and customer friendly.

Caution: a dual tuner will NOT work if you have digital cable; it uses an external digital cable box which Tivo can control for just one channel at a time. So, I could almost swap with you except I have an upgraded, larger Hard Drive.

[scandia101]

Caution: a dual tuner will NOT work if you have digital cable; it uses an external digital cable box which Tivo can control for just one channel at a time. So, I could almost swap with you except I have an upgraded, larger Hard Drive.

It also won't work if your source is OTA with antenna.

[telcoman]

The number of tuners on a Tivo is not software related. it's purely a matter of the hardware.

I searched and found this old thread.
Our first series 2 single tuner TIVO with lifetime service died. The fan ran but nothing on the screen. After researching I concluded it had a defective power supply.

I had a old dual tuner TIVO series 2 unsubscribed TIVO in the basement that was upgraded a few years ago to series 3. I discovered that the power supply in that machine was compatible to the single tuner series 2.
I swapped power supples.
Viola the single tuner series 2 powered up fine with the swapped power supply.

Now here is my question.

Is it possible to turn my single tuner series 2 with lifetime that has a 40g hard drive into a series 2 dual tuner keeping the lifetime sub using parts on hand from the two TIVO's?
The unsubscribed series 2 dual tuner now has a 80g hard drive with a defective power supply taken from the single tuner lifetime series 2 TIVO.

If the dual tuner is hardware related I guess I just can't swap hard drives?
Or can I?

[stevel]

No, you can't just swap drives and change the number of tuners. The lifetime sub is tied to the motherboard of the box for which it is purchased.

[dwit]

I searched and found this old thread.
Our first series 2 single tuner TIVO with lifetime service died. The fan ran but nothing on the screen. After researching I concluded it had a defective power supply.

I had a old dual tuner TIVO series 2 unsubscribed TIVO in the basement that was upgraded a few years ago to series 3. I discovered that the power supply in that machine was compatible to the single tuner series 2.
I swapped power supples.
Viola the single tuner series 2 powered up fine with the swapped power supply.

Now here is my question.

Is it possible to turn my single tuner series 2 with lifetime that has a 40g hard drive into a series 2 dual tuner keeping the lifetime sub using parts on hand from the two TIVO's?
The unsubscribed series 2 dual tuner now has a 80g hard drive with a defective power supply taken from the single tuner lifetime series 2 TIVO.

If the dual tuner is hardware related I guess I just can't swap hard drives?
Or can I?

Forget about somehow "making a single tuner tivo become a dual tuner unit". Not going to happen.

With the right software and know how, you can upgrade the hard drive to virtually any larger hard drive. May also require the use of an (inexpensive) sata to pata adapter for the hard drive.

[replaytv]

But Tivo will not supply OTA antenna line up, so U won't have the correct lineup and thus not the dash channels such as 7-3.

[scandia101]

Series 2 Dual tuner will work with antenna with a digital converter boxBut Tivo will not supply OTA antenna line up, so U won't have the correct lineup and thus not the dash channels such as 7-3.

"Will work" isn't what I'd call the ability to partially work with an extremely limited number of converter boxes or Dish network receivers with no guide data.