Any electronics experts know about Tivo innards?

[TerpBE]

I initially started this thread (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=455152) when I thought there might be a FIOS problem, but now I think it's more appropriate to discuss here.

I have a S3 with lifetime service that suddenly lost all channels. It will actually work intermittently, but when it does it shows a signal strength that peaks around 50. Previously the signal strength was always 90+, and if I plug my other tivo (HD) into the same coax, it still shows a nice, strong 90+ signal strength. I've tried swapping cablecards too, with no luck. Since it's a nice strong signal coming in, but Tivo is only "seeing" a weak one, I've pretty much narrowed down the source of the problem to be something within the Tivo box itself.

So now I'm wondering if there's anything I can do to fix it. I took apart the Tivo yesterday and made sure that the internal wires are secure. While I was looking at it, I noticed a couple of things and had some questions:


The coaxial antenna/cable plugs on the back go into a box that has two wires coming out of it. Could I swap these two cables and plug my coaxial cable into the "antenna" jack instead of "cable"? If so, it could help me rule out the plug/jack as the source of the problem.
The two wires from the coax "box" each connect to a separate "box" (tuner?) on the tivo circuit board. Each of those "boxes" has a second jack that is unoccupied. Does anybody know what that second jack is for? Would the Tivo work if the wires were plugged into the lower jack instead of the upper one? (I realize this is a long shot, but I don't have a whole lot to lose at this point).


Is there anything else I can do to try to get my tivo to tune in the signal correctly? I'm not sure if it helps, but this problem may have been related to the box running hotter than normal due to insufficient ventilation.

[Thom]

TiVos are known to lose the signal when the signal is too stong. Try getting an inexpensive signal attenuator to connect between the TiVo and the incoming cable.

[TerpBE]

TiVos are known to lose the signal when the signal is too stong. Try getting an inexpensive signal attenuator to connect between the TiVo and the incoming cable.

The problem is:

- This Tivo had been functioning fine for over a year with the same connection
- I tried it in a different location (where my TivoHD works fine), and had the same problem
- When the S3 does (occasionally) work, the signal strength peaks around 50. If the problem was that it was too high, I'd expect it to peak near 100.
- Wasn't the "signal too strong" problem fixed with one of the software updates?

[lew]

Tivo will swap your unit for a refurbished unit. The swap is instead of repairing the unit. You'll have to pay for the swap (repair). Tivo will transfer your LS to the replacement box at no cost if you have LS for less then 3 years. More then 3 years tivo will charge you for the refurbished unit and charge you to transfer LS.

[TerpBE]

It's over 5 years old. I'll probably call Tivo and see what they can offer me, but I was hoping to exhaust any options with this box first.

[shwru980r]

Try an antenna to see if you can get over the air channels.

[MichaelK]

it's worth getting an attenuator from verizon (or even rat shack with your own money). I dont have fios but there's multiple threads here and even official mention at times that the fios signal is "too hot" for tivos.

perhaps verizon changed something in their plant and the one wonky tivo you have is just more susceptable then the other.

I was actually surprised when my inlaws got fios with fios dvr's that the official install had 3db attenuators at their STB's. So if you don't have that already I'd try that before spent time, money, or energy on anything else. Might be a wild goose chase but it's worth the shot in my mind.

[TerpBE]

Try an antenna to see if you can get over the air channels.

Unfortunately I think I'm out of range for any over-the-air broadcasts.

it's worth getting an attenuator from verizon (or even rat shack with your own money). I dont have fios but there's multiple threads here and even official mention at times that the fios signal is "too hot" for tivos.

perhaps verizon changed something in their plant and the one wonky tivo you have is just more susceptable then the other.

I was actually surprised when my inlaws got fios with fios dvr's that the official install had 3db attenuators at their STB's. So if you don't have that already I'd try that before spent time, money, or energy on anything else. Might be a wild goose chase but it's worth the shot in my mind.

Maybe it is worth a shot. I'll see what I can find.

[ThAbtO]

I think maybe you have cable cards that was not properly paired, if you are losing channels. If so, call the cable co. and have them do a 'maintenance hit' or re-pair. It doesn't hurt to double check the cable card numbers as well.

[TerpBE]

I think maybe you have cable cards that was not properly paired, if you are losing channels. If so, call the cable co. and have them do a 'maintenance hit' or re-pair. It doesn't hurt to double check the cable card numbers as well.
That's not the case here. These cablecards have been working fine for over a year. Plus they do work occasionally, but usually only for a few minutes at a time. When they do work, the signal strength only peaks at around 50% though. If the cablecards weren't paired correctly, I'm pretty sure that I'd never get any channels.

Also, I tried swapping out the cablecard from my TivoHD (since FIOS cards aren't paired to the hardware), and got the same result.

[TerpBE]

Does anybody know where to get an attenuator? I went to Radio Shack, and they didn't carry any. The guy said he doesn't think anybody has even asked for one in a decade. It doesn't look like they're on their web page either.

I'd prefer to get one at a store rather than online so that I can return it without losing any money if it doesn't work for me.

[lessd]

Does anybody know where to get an attenuator? I went to Radio Shack, and they didn't carry any. The guy said he doesn't think anybody has even asked for one in a decade. It doesn't look like they're on their web page either.

I'd prefer to get one at a store rather than online so that I can return it without losing any money if it doesn't work for me.

Just use cable splitters as each two way splitter will give you about a 3.5db loss (50% drop in signal), if you need two splitters than you can purchase 7db attenuator or keep using the splitters.

[ThAbtO]

Go to Amazon.com and search for attenuator, just saw a bunch of them, as low as $2.25 so far.

[dcstager]

Try another coax cable. The simple solution is usually correct.