Weird Problem with S3 and Cable...

cotton168 · 09-21-2006, 04:47 AM

Used the Search function to see if anyone had this problem on their new Tivo, but couldn't find any so I thought I would create a new thread.

I currently have my S3 set up using the Charter Cable SA3100 box. However, going through setup and everything, the only channel that will display anything is my Channel 3 which is public access. It gets weirder...If I press the channel +/- on the cable box, the Tivo channel stays at channel 3 and displays whatever channel I have from the cable box. If I change the channel on my Tivo, it does not display anything and gives me a dialog saying "Searching for signal on: Cable In. See 'Messages & Settings/Troubleshooting' for info. Yeah, that didn't work. Anyone here have this problem and can it be resolved?

I already missed Bones and couldn't record it, but I also don't want to miss other shows that are coming like CSI, Grey's Anatomy, etc.

I am currently waiting for Charter to come to install cable cards this Friday but would like it working before then with basic cable.

Combat Medic · 09-21-2006, 04:52 AM

The whole point of the S3 is that it replaces the cable box. Remove the box from the picture and plug the cable line right into the S3.

tenement9 · 09-21-2006, 08:46 AM

You need to get cable cards to get digital cable. Then you just plug the wire into the tivo and record. It is your new cable box. It sounds like you are using your cable box to decode the channels, so if your stb and tivo are on channel 3 there is no decoding issues. Change your cable box to channel 4 and then there is a decoding conflict. You need cable cards.

Chester_Lampwick · 09-21-2006, 09:03 AM

More money than brains......

TechDreamer · 09-21-2006, 09:29 AM

I wish I could spend $800 on stuff just Because I felt like it.

cotton168 · 09-21-2006, 10:32 AM

Thank you to Combat Medic and tenement9 for helping me out.

To Chester_Lampwick and TechDreamer, I think your comments are uncalled for. TivoCommunity is a place for people to share info/support, not to ridicule someone for having a question. Yes, it might be dumb, but Tivo's website and manual did not offer any help. To be called "dumb" like Chester said is just plain rude.

Hope you all have a good day...

reh523 · 09-21-2006, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chester_Lampwick

More money than brains......

This is funny!!!!

classicX · 09-21-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotton168

Tivo's website and manual did not offer any help.

The reason there is no help on using a cable box is because there is no cable box support. The instructions clearly say how to connect it. While the comment may have been excessively rude, you should ahve read the instructions before connecting it.

Good luck with your Tivo.

reh523 · 09-21-2006, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotton168

Thank you to Combat Medic and tenement9 for helping me out.

Tivo's website and manual did not offer any help.

Hope you all have a good day...

Where did you look on Tivos website, it wasn't here

cotton168 · 09-21-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicX

The reason there is no help on using a cable box is because there is no cable box support. The instructions clearly say how to connect it. While the comment may have been excessively rude, you should ahve read the instructions before connecting it.

Good luck with your Tivo.

Hey ClassicX, I did not think about the cable box issue.

However, even after taking the cable box out of equation, I am still unable to receive channels 2-99. I'll go back and check again.

cotton168 · 09-21-2006, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reh523

Where did you look on Tivos website, it wasn't here

Yeah, it wasn't there and I tried a search for it as well and turned up nothing on Tivo's message boards. One way or another, I'll figure the thing out. Was up until 3:30am trying to get the thing to work so as a last resort, turned to the Tivo Community to see if I could get an answer.

cotton168 · 09-21-2006, 11:14 AM

Okay, took all your suggestions and used the cable from the wall directly into the Tivo and I was getting no pictures. I tried changing channels repeatedly to no avail until I decided to restart the Tivo. Once that happened, everything came on.

Thanks to everyone who offered their suggestions and help. It was greatly appreciated!

Chester_Lampwick · 09-21-2006, 03:22 PM

cotton168,
Sorry about the comment, I know it was rude. It was too funny to pass up really. I mean, anyone who would buy a Series 3 the week it was released, would likely know exactly what it was for. I thought you may have been a troll......

ThePlungerMan · 09-21-2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotton168

If I press the channel +/- on the cable box, the Tivo channel stays at channel 3 and displays whatever channel I have from the cable box.

Hey, you accidentally found a work around. You must be a man and didn’t read the instructions first. Right on.
Lets here it for the boys.

cotton168 · 09-21-2006, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chester_Lampwick

cotton168,
Sorry about the comment, I know it was rude. It was too funny to pass up really. I mean, anyone who would buy a Series 3 the week it was released, would likely know exactly what it was for. I thought you may have been a troll......

Hey Chester!

Thank you very much for your apology. No, I'm not a troll and I absolutely love this community when I first found it.

I'm glad you got a laugh out of it though and again thank you very much for your apology.

cotton168 · 09-21-2006, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePlungerMan

Hey, you accidentally found a work around. You must be a man and didn’t read the instructions first. Right on.
Lets here it for the boys.

PlungerMan, now if you think I was a guy, would I have a screen name of "cotton"?! LOL I am a lady who doesn't like to read instructions because I was very excited about the S3 working. Unfortunately, without the CCs, I have to record Grey's Anatomy tomorrow while I record CSI tonight. Cannot wait until this nightmare is over!!!!

ThePlungerMan · 09-21-2006, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotton168

PlungerMan, now if you think I was a guy, would I have a screen name of "cotton"?! LOL I am a lady who doesn't like to read instructions because I was very excited about the S3 working. Unfortunately, without the CCs, I have to record Grey's Anatomy tomorrow while I record CSI tonight. Cannot wait until this nightmare is over!!!!

Do you know you can set up without the cards with cable and get the basic main stations 2,4,5,7,11etc. Good luck Ms. Cotton

cotton168 · 09-21-2006, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePlungerMan

Do you know you can set up without the cards with cable and get the basic main stations 2,4,5,7,11etc. Good luck Ms. Cotton

LOL Mr. PlungerMan! Yes, I actually go that setup thanks to the help of a few people. I currently am watching CSI right now.

Cannot wait for the HD to kick in. It is going to look very good!!

Chester_Lampwick · 09-22-2006, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotton168

Hey Chester!

Thank you very much for your apology. No, I'm not a troll and I absolutely love this community when I first found it.

I'm glad you got a laugh out of it though and again thank you very much for your apology.

No problem! I don't have issue with anyone who owns a TiVo, we're all "right-thinking" people.

I do have issue with the people who say, "Why would I buy a Tivo for x dollars when I can rent my cableco DVD for $10/month?" To which I reply, "yes and it's much cheaper to have a monkey for a spouse, it's nearly the same..."

Anyhow, I'll try to give a heads up when I'm teasing from now on.....

cotton168 · 09-22-2006, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chester_Lampwick

No problem! I don't have issue with anyone who owns a TiVo, we're all "right-thinking" people.

I do have issue with the people who say, "Why would I buy a Tivo for x dollars when I can rent my cableco DVD for $10/month?" To which I reply, "yes and it's much cheaper to have a monkey for a spouse, it's nearly the same..."

Anyhow, I'll try to give a heads up when I'm teasing from now on.....

You're absolutely right Chester. For me, the Tivo is just a better interface than the cable companies' devices. That's just my opinion, but I like it much better. When my cable company was trying to get me to switch to their DVR instead of the Tivo S3, I told them that I liked it better than theirs. It's just a matter of ones tastes.