TiVo won't change channels to DirecTV locals

ALooneyGuy · 05-25-2005, 11:22 AM

I have a strange problem that started yesterday on two identical TiVo/DirecTV setups. These are series 1 TiVos connected to DirecTV D10 receivers via serial cable. Both setups worked flawlessly until yesterday. Now, whenever I try to change channels to anything under 100 (locals) with the TiVo remote, the DirecTV receiver doesn't change channels. Also, if I use the TiVo remote to tune them in where they really are (ie channels 908-928 instead of 4, 7, 9, etc.) they don't work either. If I use the DirecTV remote, they work. If I use the IR blaster instead of the serial connection, they seem to work. Obviously, I'd rather use serial, since it SHOULD be more fool-proof. Has anyone else experienced this strange problem or have a remedy for it?

Thanks in advance!

Groch · 05-25-2005, 11:37 AM

I just ran into the exact same problem. Using a D10 with a Sony SVR-2000. My system has worked flawlessly for weeks. All of the channels work but not the locals. Locals work fine using the DirecTV remote. I did not know the IR Blaster worked.

There must have been a firmware change in the D10 in the last day or so.

I guess I have to use that as a workaround until something better shows up.

Guyute1210 · 05-25-2005, 01:10 PM

Well i have a D10-100 with my SAS2 unit. Looks like i'm going to have to check out and see if the TiVo will tune to my locals.

ALooneyGuy · 05-25-2005, 01:11 PM

Thanks - let us know what you find out.

Guyute1210 · 05-25-2005, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALooneyGuy

Thanks - let us know what you find out.

I called home, and had my fiance check the locals, and they still work as expected. BTW i have D*Tv Pittsburgh, PA locals plus NY and LA feeds for the BIG 4, and they all work. Oh and i do use the Home-Control serial cable that i didnt mention earlier

ALooneyGuy · 05-25-2005, 02:02 PM

OK - keep an eye on it, and see if it keeps working. Like I said, both of mine were fine until sometime yesterday. If it is a firmware update that somehow broke this functionality, everyone might not receive it at the same time.

Guyute1210 · 05-25-2005, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALooneyGuy

OK - keep an eye on it, and see if it keeps working. Like I said, both of mine were fine until sometime yesterday. If it is a firmware update that somehow broke this functionality, everyone might not receive it at the same time.

I'll keep an eye out, and check it again when i get home tonight and post tomorrow Maybe I'll even call D*Tv to see if they did/are doing do a firmware update before this happens to me.

ALooneyGuy · 05-25-2005, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groch

I just ran into the exact same problem. Using a D10 with a Sony SVR-2000. My system has worked flawlessly for weeks. All of the channels work but not the locals. Locals work fine using the DirecTV remote. I did not know the IR Blaster worked.

There must have been a firmware change in the D10 in the last day or so.

I guess I have to use that as a workaround until something better shows up.

OK, I have spoken to DirecTV tier 2 support about this, and we came to the conclusion that it could be an issue with the spot beams. Groch, since you're in Colorado as am I, and we're both having problems, and the only other person to chime in is not having problems, and he is in Pennsylvania, it sounds like a possibility. He sent some data to my receivers, but I'm not at home yet, so I don't know if it did any good.

When I get home and have a chance to power cycle my receivers, I'll let you know if it did any good.

apmusicman · 05-25-2005, 08:36 PM

When I spoke with tier 2 support they said that there was nothing they could do and that everything should be working fine. Nevermind that it isn't.

Anyway, I'm in UT and just got the DTV upgrade yesterday and that's when I've started having this problem. How did you come to the conclusion that it was the spot beams? My technician said that there was no data he could send to my receivers to help them out.

If you could let me know what happens or how to get this "fix data" I would appreciate it. Thanks!

Andrew

ALooneyGuy · 05-25-2005, 09:30 PM

I spoke to tier 2 again, and no solution thus far. We just thought it might be spot beams since it is the local channels that are causing problems. Turns out that wasn't the case. Tell me about this DTV upgrade. Sounds to me like that might be our next suspect...

apmusicman · 05-25-2005, 10:27 PM

DirecTV (or DTV for short) did a firmware upgrade the other day and my TiVo hasn't been able to switch to the local channels since. When I asked DTV if they had sent out an upgrade, they said they had and that I had received it. When I told them that it had mucked up my TiVo they said basically that it's TiVo's problem.

When I called TiVo, they said that firmware upgrades by DTV often cause problems with stand alone TiVo s. He said that there was no solution yet, but they'd look into it. In addition, a technican from DTV is supposed to contact me tomorrow about the issue. When he does, I'll let you know what he said.

Also, let me know if you find out anything. Thanks!

Andrew

Msbob · 05-26-2005, 12:57 AM

Yesterday I also recieved the update on all of my D10 reciever boxes. DTV claims that they didn't touch the low speed data port with the update. Using the home control cable I'm only able to channel change above 200. Hopefully someone will come up with a solution (I have 3 tivos on this setup).

ALooneyGuy · 05-26-2005, 09:07 AM

I would like to urge everyone who is having this problem to call DirecTV tech support and keep bugging them. It's the old theory of "the squeaky wheel gets the oil." If enough of us keep pestering them, hopefully they'll fix what they broke.

apmusicman · 05-26-2005, 10:21 PM

I spoke with DTV tech support again today and they told me the same thing, in that they didn't touch the data port. They also told me they don't service that particular data port either. Nevermind that it's on their box.

Anyway, supposedly someone is supposed to be looking into it. In the meantime, I thought that I'd ask if anyone who is still reading this thread if they had recently received the 7.1b update from TiVo. Would this have anything to do with our most mysterious problem?

Andrew

ALooneyGuy · 05-27-2005, 01:02 PM

I'm still using a series 1 TiVo. Also, I have 2 essentially identical setups with a TiVo connected to a D10 receiver. The main difference is that one TiVo is not connected to a phone line. Once every 10 days or so I'll connect it and force a call. This is the main reason I'm sure it wasn't TiVo that broke the serial functionality.

Guyute1210 · 05-27-2005, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apmusicman

I spoke with DTV tech support again today and they told me the same thing, in that they didn't touch the data port. They also told me they don't service that particular data port either. Nevermind that it's on their box.

Anyway, supposedly someone is supposed to be looking into it. In the meantime, I thought that I'd ask if anyone who is still reading this thread if they had recently received the 7.1b update from TiVo. Would this have anything to do with our most mysterious problem?

Andrew

I got 7.1b about 5 days before your OP. I have no issues, and it actually sped up my menus, but the "Bad Bong" on the ToDo list is still there.

Guyute1210 · 05-27-2005, 01:54 PM

I just called D*Tv and appearently the update is going out to all D10 models and is a rolling rollout schedule. The East Coast (where i'm at) is scheduled to start on June 14th. I wonder if there is a way short of unplugging my Sat box from not getting these updates.

The cust support person i talked to said other that unplugging the box, the update will come down. I stressed to her how unacceptable this would be if i was unable to get my locals, and she said she you note it for someone to look at. I told her i wanted someone in level 2 support or an engineer to see this, so maybe they can fix the issue before it gets to me. Looks like when i have more time tonight after work, i'll be calling them back and just asking for Level 2 support to start with, and go from there.

Msbob · 05-27-2005, 09:34 PM

I spoke with Direct TV again and no luck. The person kept telling me to call Tivo. I insisted that he check with with a head technician and after about 20 minutes they told me they had no information. I am mad as heck as I went to direct TV to get out of the IR fort business and now I have them again

. I wish something could be done about this....

ALooneyGuy · 05-30-2005, 11:39 AM

Any news on this? I plan on resuming my personal crusade tomorrow (after the holiday).

apmusicman · 05-31-2005, 12:58 PM

Tonight I plan on contacting D*TV because when I spoke with them last Thursday they assured me that an engineer would be looking into the problem, and that I should call and see what progress, if any, had been made. My expectations are not hight, but hey, what do you do.

In any case, I'm continuing my crusade for this as well. Let me know if you make any progress.

Erictaub · 05-31-2005, 01:50 PM

Wanted to add my voice to this problem. I was away for the weekend; when I checked this morning, I found that the D10 box will no longer tune channels using the TiVo remote. The DirecTV remote does work. Saw that the DirecTV firmware upgrade came to me this Monday early morning.

Using the direct cable rather than IR. Repowered both the D10 and the TiVo to no avail.

AirShark · 05-31-2005, 03:13 PM

Same here in Hollister, CA. I refuse to use IR for an extended period of time....that's why I bought two D10 boxes and home control cables. If this persists....as much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my TiVo....I'll be looking elsewhere I think. My setup has been working FLAWLESSLY for months without even one missed channel change.....this is a sad turn of events.

Guyute1210 · 05-31-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirShark

Same here in Hollister, CA. I refuse to use IR for an extended period of time....that's why I bought two D10 boxes and home control cables. If this persists....as much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my TiVo....I'll be looking elsewhere I think. My setup has been working FLAWLESSLY for months without even one missed channel change.....this is a sad turn of events.

Please guys, MAKE SURE YOU CALL AND COMPLAIN!

Nothing will get fixed, if no one calls.

Erictaub · 05-31-2005, 04:36 PM

I spoke to a supervisor of DirecTV tier 2 support today. He knew nothing of the problem. We tried a few things, but nothing worked. HIS boss told me to call TiVo (natch) which I did do, and they also knew nothing of this problem.

The DirecTV guy said that they'd log the issue; I also directed him to this discussion thread, which he said he'd read.

So who knows what'll happen.

Tom Wolf · 05-31-2005, 07:34 PM

I am in LA and have the same problem (D10s with Tivo). No channel changing with the Tivo remote anymore. The DTV receiver gets the command because the screen gets blacks for a seconds but the old channel comes back. Tivo indicates that a channel change occured though.
I caught the firmware update last night. Tivo recorded the Jay Leno show and recorded the update process.
I will call DirectTV to complain. This is not a Tivo problem!

Tom

Tom Wolf · 05-31-2005, 08:47 PM

I just spoke with a Tivo supervisor. His only recommendation: use the infrared connection! I am flabbergasted! I don't even know if I still have these cables. His advice: buy some!
This is frustrating. DirecTv killed the functionality of both my Series 1 and Series 2 Tivos.
When I asked Michael if they could not inform DirecTV what they have done to the Tivo service he told me that Tivo cannot influence what DirecTV does with their units and how they program their upgrades.

Come on! These two companies have worked together for years and they know each other very well. I am sure a call on a high executive level could solve the problem.
And if DirecTv doesn't want to play ball, shouldn't then Tivo change their programming to make the Tivos work again with the DirecTV units? It is also Tivo I pay, not only DirecTv.

Right now my Tivos are of no use anymore. I get my VCR out of the closet. And if this problem is not resolved quickly Tivo is losing a subscriber who stood by them from day 1.

AirShark · 05-31-2005, 10:04 PM

Wow Tom....nice to hear that the folks at CS are being sympathetic to our problem

I have recommended and signed up so many people in the 3 years that I've been a loyal customer that I lost count some time ago. I can't believe I'm seeing my absolute favorite company play "go ask your mom" with this particular problem.

It's only been a few days since this has happened, let's give TiVo and DTV a little time to figure out what went wrong. I'm hoping that there are people that deal with this kind of thing behind the scenes and that someone actually cares about us.

Pony? Bill? Anyone at TiVo listening?

Can we get a quick word on this issue please? Your CS staff either doesn't know, doesn't care, or doesn't have the power to escalate problems of this nature. In the past, we at this board have always had your assistance to give us the "non-bs" upfront answer to our problems, concerns, and compliments. I hope that we can count on you once again.

Even if all you can say is "Sorry guys, you're out of luck", I'll take it. At least I'll be able to search for another solution/provider instead of holding my breath waiting for it to "maybe" be fixed.

BTW, I called DTV as well with this issue. Their response you ask? "Go ask your Dad"

dylanemcgregor · 05-31-2005, 11:00 PM

Can you guys confirm that this is only happening with the D10 receiver? I'm setting up my aunt with a SA and DirecTV (receiver is RCA DRD420RE). I was about to buy her the home control cable from TiVo, but I don't want to do this if it isn't going to work.

Thanks,
Dylan

rahvin · 05-31-2005, 11:02 PM

Same situation on my end. D10 with a series 2 and the home control cable and can no longer change to local channels. Either Tivo or DirecTV needs to fix the problem. I'll call both when I get time.

ALooneyGuy · 06-01-2005, 01:38 AM

Looks like some more folks have gotten the so-called "upgrade." Welcome to the thread. Misery loves company

I made my obligatory call to DirecTV today. The guy I talked to said they were aware of the problem and would attempt to fix it in a future upgrade. He offered no timetable, however. I plan on wasting as much of their time as possible until this gets repaired.

As for the "upgrade", was anything actually fixed or added that anyone has noticed, or did it just break this vital functionality?