Bad Tivo or Cable Card?

[m_jonis]

I got a new (my third one) TivoHD. It wouldn't get past the "powering up screen", so Tivo sent me a replacement.

That unit works fine, however, at least once/day it freezes up and the Tuning Adapter light starts flashing (obviously it can no longer talk to the TivoHD anymore if it's "locked up").

I've replaced the tuning adapter to rule that out, but the problem persists.

Tivo CSR tried to tell me it's because I have 100% signal strength (I should only get 70-80 he claimed) and that the voltage from the outlet should be exactly 110 volts (forget the fact, if I switch Tivo's around, it only the "bad" one continues to have problems).

I'm wondering if it's a bad Tivo HD or the cable card, causing the problem.

I suppose I can remove the cable card and wait a few days, but just wondering.

(It's not easy to switch the cable cards around as then I have to call TW Cable and hope I get a CSR that understands how to re-pair a card to the Tivo).

[orangeboy]

lrhorer, a member whose opinion I respect, explained to me in a simple way that yes, too high a signal is bad. He equated signal strength with temperature. Both too cold and too hot can produce undesired results. I'd rather be in 75 degree weather than in 50 degree or 100 degree weather. It seems the TiVo (in it's own way) does too!

[m_jonis]

Well in this case I'm pretty sure that's not it.

My other 2 TivoHD are just fine, and no matter which outlet/cable I use, this third unit has the problem.

I did drop the signal strength down by using a non-powered amplifier. Unfortunately NONE of the Tivo's can get all the channels now (they report 0 signal strength on TNTHD, for example), and the "problem" TivoHD just locked up again.

So I guess I'll try removing the cable card and see what happens, as TW won't be able to replace the card for another 4-5 days.

(Either that or the refurb unit Tivo sent out is bad as well)