Ok, I've about had enough...

[David D]

Some of you might have read my thread about my year old TiVo rebooting and the many calls to TiVo tech support. Eventually, it was decided that my TiVo's hard drive was failing and I was offered a replacement unit for $49. I decided to take them up on their offer, even though I wasn't happy about having to replace the unit after 13 months of ownership. The new unit arrived this past Monday and I hooked it up Tuesday night. All has been well, up until this evening...

Just got home a little while ago and turned on the TV to find that TiVo was on the "Almost there, just a few minutes more..." screen like the original unit was doing before. :mad:

I'm getting ready to call TiVo and have yet another chat with tech support, but am not very hopeful. I find it odd that my old unit was in that same state for a couple of minutes, then would resume normal operation shortly after the tv was turned on. I'm using HDMI connections. There seems to be a correlation between the tv being turned on and the TiVo booting up.

Any ideas? I really like our TiVo, but am getting frustrated enough to start exploring other options.

David

[moyekj]

If there is a correlation with turning TV on then 1st thing I'd try is connect to TV with component instead of HDMI.

[David D]

Just got off the phone with TiVo tech support. They suggested everything from installing a UPS, to using component video cabling, to moving the unit away from other components that may be causing electrical interference. Also said that too strong a signal and too low a signal could cause the unit to reboot (I'm using an antenna). Also said that the signal strength meter was only for use with digital cable and not antenna, so it would not help me determine if my signal was good or not. Really?... Nothing in my equipment setup has changed that coincides with this problem. I've been using the same setup since the initial TiVo install over a year ago.

Sorry if I seem a bit disenchanted, but I'm an electronic technician by trade and most of the help TiVo tech support has offered sets off my BS detector, or suggests that their product is very poorly engineered. It's a shame as I'm really quite pleased with it otherwise.

I'll give it another week or so and see how it does. In the meantime, if anyone has any more suggestions, I'm all ears.

David

[chrislemasters]

Voltage changes in that circuit? Some premieres seem to be sensitive to sag. Mine reboots if a clothes iron or vacuum is plugged into the circuit. Check with your handy multimeter.

[Ed_Hunt]

"Also said that too strong a signal and too low a signal could cause the unit to reboot (I'm using an antenna). Also said that the signal strength meter was only for use with digital cable and not antenna, so it would not help me determine if my signal was good or not. Really?"

That obviously is not true. Why would it differentiate between antenna strength and cable signal on the meters. That has to be one of the stupidest things i've ever heard a rep say.

[lpwcomp]

They suggested everything from installing a UPS,...

DavidThat at least is a good idea. Any computer, including a TiVo, is sensitive to voltage spikes and momentary outages.

[crxssi]

Just got off the phone with TiVo tech support. They suggested everything from installing a UPS, to using

If you are not using a UPS, then all troubleshooting is probably worthless until you get and use one. It is the right thing to do, regardless of what DVR you use, regardless if you are having equipment problems or not, regardless of how "good" or "bad" your power appears to be.

[lillevig]

Lots of good suggestions here but the quickest and cheapest may be to ditch the HDMI cable. I've seen a variety of issues with HDMI in general.

[scandia101]

Lots of good suggestions here but the quickest and cheapest may be to ditch the HDMI cable. I've seen a variety of issues with HDMI in general.

If someone handed me a set of component cables, I'd switch from hdmi right that minute - I'm just to lazy to go buy a set.

[farmermac]

David, I remember your first post. The only thing you can do (that's worth the time) is call TiVo be have them switch it out until you get a Stable box.

I had a very similar experience with multiple premieres and ended up just sticking to my s3 and buying a second s3.

[shwru980r]

If someone handed me a set of component cables, I'd switch from hdmi right that minute - I'm just to lazy to go buy a set.

You can just use old audio RCA cables, if you have them. No need to buy special ones for component video.

[lpwcomp]

You can just use old audio RCA cables, if you have them. No need to buy special ones for component video.Although the color coding does make it a bit easier to connect them properly. I'm using the set of component cables that were (I think) included with my THD to connect my DVD player to the TV.

[L David Matheny]

You can just use old audio RCA cables, if you have them. No need to buy special ones for component video.

Reasonably new audio RCA cables may be manufactured with the same type of cable used for video RCA cables, but I think some older audio cables may not have the proper impedance to carry video. Am I misremembering?

[TerpBE]

Do you have a slide remote, or anything else plugged into the Tivo via USB? If so, unplug it and try rebooting.

[lillevig]

If someone handed me a set of component cables, I'd switch from hdmi right that minute - I'm just to lazy to go buy a set.

I can't believe that you haven't collected a bunch of spare cables over the years. I've got two shoe boxes full of them. Everytime I buy a used Tivo I get more, on top of the ones that came with TVs, DVD players, etc. If I wasn't so lazy I'd mail you a set.

[scandia101]

I can't believe that you haven't collected a bunch of spare cables over the years. I've got two shoe boxes full of them. Everytime I buy a used Tivo I get more, on top of the ones that came with TVs, DVD players, etc. If I wasn't so lazy I'd mail you a set.

I've handed them all out to friends and family that are too stupid to know what they need to go out and buy. I do have one set of NIB composite cables, but that would only cover 3 of the 5 necessary connections.

I have been inspired and have ordered the cables I need. Actually, I needed to find $7 of qualifying items for free super saver shipping on Amazon while making another purchase, so I found some cables.

[David D]

If you are not using a UPS, then all troubleshooting is probably worthless until you get and use one. It is the right thing to do, regardless of what DVR you use, regardless if you are having equipment problems or not, regardless of how "good" or "bad" your power appears to be.

I'm going to get a UPS and see if that helps.


Lots of good suggestions here but the quickest and cheapest may be to ditch the HDMI cable. I've seen a variety of issues with HDMI in general.

I started having problems with the old box before switching to HDMI.


Do you have a slide remote, or anything else plugged into the Tivo via USB? If so, unplug it and try rebooting.

Nope, nothing else plugged into the TiVo.


So far, since I started this thread, we haven't had any additional reboots. Hopefully, it was just a glitch. I'll try the UPS and see how it does.

David

[shwru980r]

Reasonably new audio RCA cables may be manufactured with the same type of cable used for video RCA cables, but I think some older audio cables may not have the proper impedance to carry video. Am I misremembering?

I used some short audio cables that I had from the late 70's on a DVD player and the picture looked good to me.