Activating new Tivo Seriers 2

roehrle · 06-15-2007, 03:32 PM

Just bought a new series 2 tivoDVR from Circuit City on sale because my old unit was acting up recently . The last week or two stopped re-booting but I thought it would be good idea to get a new unit with a great price just in case the old one finally quits.
I started to switch units and I noticed there isn't an activation slot to put the old card in like I heard people do in the past with new units. Do I have a problem using this new unit ?? I tried calling DTV but they said they were unusually busy and I have to go out so I didn't bother to wait thinking I could probably get an answer to my problem here by the time I come home tonight..
Anybody know what I have to do to get the new unit to work in place of the old unit ??

JimSpence · 06-15-2007, 04:44 PM

Exactly what model did you buy? Some DirecTV units have the access card slot behind a door in front. Others are in the back. It should have had the access card with it.

It is a DirecTV Tivo, right?

Dkerr24 · 06-15-2007, 05:26 PM

Sure sounds like the OP bought a Standalone Tivo. I can't imagine any Circuit City still having DTivo series2 units on the shelf since it's been over 2 years since any were manufactured.

ttodd1 · 06-15-2007, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roehrle

Just bought a new series 2 tivoDVR from Circuit City on sale ...

OP didn't say it was a DTivo......

JimSpence · 06-15-2007, 07:06 PM

True, that's why I asked the question.

It was somewhat assumed because he said he called DirecTV.

So, will the OP tell us what he bought?

jmoak · 06-15-2007, 07:11 PM

Bless his heart, he does list a SD-DVR40 and an R-15 in his sig. (no sa listed)

wolflord11 · 06-15-2007, 07:12 PM

If its a Directv/Tivo unit then do the following:

Call Directv and tell them you are replacing the Old unit with a New One. Simply switch access cards from the old to new unit, and make sure its activated, then remove the old unit from your account.

If its a Stand alone Series 2 Tivo unit, then calling Directv is a waste of time. You need to contact Tivo.

wolflord11 · 06-15-2007, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dkerr24

Sure sounds like the OP bought a Standalone Tivo. I can't imagine any Circuit City still having DTivo series2 units on the shelf since it's been over 2 years since any were manufactured.

Some Circuit City stores still have the odd Directv/Tivo R10. They are hard to come by, but can be found.

roehrle · 06-15-2007, 07:43 PM

Sorry I didn't reply sooner but I had to go to my grandson's play-off game
The model number is TCD649080. It's a Tivo DRV
Has a 80 hr dual tuner. I thought that a series 2 unit was what my SD-DVR40 and r-15 was

supasta · 06-15-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roehrle

Sorry I didn't reply sooner but I had to go to my grandson's play-off game
The model number is TCD649080. It's a Tivo DRV
Has a 80 hr dual tuner. I thought that a series 2 unit was what my SD-DVR40 and r-15 was

This is a standalone TiVo. There is no slot for the access card.
To use this box you need to connect it to a DirectTV receiver.
Here is a link containing setup instructions:
http://customersupport.tivo.com/Laun...chor=undefined

Also note that this box WILL NOT function as a dual tuner when using a satellite source, unless you also have a basic cable connection.

Something tells me that there is a return in your future.

What model was the old unit that died?

roehrle · 06-15-2007, 08:21 PM

The old unit isn't dead. I had a lot of problems with it re-booting but the last couple weeks it has been running good. I think this was a problem everyone had but it seemed mine took longer to go away.
Yes I probably will be taking this unit back. When I saw the Series 2 I just assumed it was the same as my SD-DVR40 R-15 since they are also Series 2. I also bought a 80Hr HD drive for the SD-Dvr40 so I guess I'll be going with that when the Sd-40drv goes. This new unit was only $50 after the $200 rebate which really seemed like a great buy.

JimSpence · 06-15-2007, 09:12 PM

That is a good buy if you want an SA TiVo. In your case, you'd have to get a regular DirecTV receiver with its $4.99 mirroring fee plus the $12.95 month fee to TiVo. Long run, not so good.

Arcady · 06-16-2007, 01:39 AM

The R15 isn't even a TiVo...

Maybe you need new glasses?

roehrle · 06-16-2007, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcady

The R15 isn't even a TiVo...

Maybe you need new glasses?

True ,but what I was trying to say was that I'm able to use both units with my DTV but won't be able to use the new unit with my present set-up. As Jim stated it won't be a good deal if I keep the new unit....Going back tomorrow

Thanks for all who took the time to inform me about my situation. I should have posted before buying but seeing the Series 2 I thought it would be compatible.Live and learning the hard way ...

wolflord11 · 06-16-2007, 09:13 AM

Technically the R15 is a Series 2.5, not a Series 2.

Then only way to use the Tivo Stand Alone Series 2 would be to get a Standard Directv receiver. Currently they are shipping the D11 or D12. The D11 is hopeless. The D12 alot better.

The SD-DVR40 you have is a Series 1 Directv/Tivo unit. They are the best that Directv and Tivo have ever had. You would be best to return the Series 2 tivo, and use the Money to purchase another Directv/Tivo unit on EBay. You get Dual Tuners, Dual Buffers, Tivo, the whole lot in One Unit.

supasta · 06-16-2007, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolflord11

Technically the R15 is a Series 2.5, not a Series 2.

All that aside...The OP bought a SA TiVo to replace his DTiVo receiver. He now has a different problem which is that.

Arcady · 06-16-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolflord11

Technically the R15 is a Series 2.5, not a Series 2.

The R10 could technically be considered a Series 2.5. The R15 is not a series anything, since it is not a TiVo and doesn't run TiVo software. Nowhere on an R15 would it say "Series2" and for that matter, no DirecTiVo says Series1 or 2 on it anywhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolflord11

The SD-DVR40 you have is a Series 1 Directv/Tivo unit.

The SD-DVR40 is technically a Series2, since it has USB ports and you can enable MRV through hacking. Old Stuff Like the SAT-T60 and DSR6000 are Series1 boxes.

rminsk · 06-16-2007, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolflord11

Technically the R15 is a Series 2.5, not a Series 2.

Technically the R15 is not a TiVo so you could call it any series you want. I prefer to call it "Series Plorange"

roehrle · 06-16-2007, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supasta

All that aside...The OP bought a SA TiVo to replace his DTiVo receiver. He now has a different problem which is that.

OK... what is my new problem other than having to make a trip back to CC tomorrow

ttodd1 · 06-16-2007, 04:38 PM

He meant if you were gonna keep it....

wolflord11 · 06-16-2007, 05:16 PM

The new problem is that if you kept the unit, you cannot use it with a Directv/Tivo unit. So you would need to get a Stand alone Directv unit in order to use it.

Still the best bet would be a replacement Series 2 Directv/Tivo unit, or a Series 1.

My DSR6000 is a Series 1 Directv/Tivo unit and probally the best DVR I have ever had.

roehrle · 06-19-2007, 07:00 PM

Just a follow up on my Tivo. I was considering selling it on Ebay but it looked a little too iffy about the chances of getting my money back so today I took it back to Circuit City for a complete money refund. I was pleasantly surprises about how easy and fast.it was. .

gdish · 12-15-2007, 11:50 PM

Glad I found this thread. I was thinking of buying the SA TiVo (TCD649080). But I have DTV (receiver only, no DVR). It sounds like what I need to do is find something like a Hughes SD-DVR40, but those can apparently only be had as used gear (ebay, etc.).

If I got my hands on this SD-DVR40 or equivalent, how would I activate the TiVo service for it? Contact DTV and tell them I upgraded to that unit and then start paying them the $5.99/mo?

I had heard rumours that DTV might team with TiVo again, but since they just bought ReplayTV, I kinda doubt it now.

Thanks for any advice/tips. Is the Hughes model above the best option (I have no HD in my near future)?

Greg

JimSpence · 12-16-2007, 12:38 PM

You have to call DirecTV to activate the DirecTV DVR with TiVo units. Your additional cost is for the DVR service as you mentioned. If this is an additional receiver on your account there will also be a $4.99 mirroring fee (unless you take a receiver off your account). There is also the possibility that DirecTV will require you to buy ($20) an access card.

Don't hold your breath about DirecTV and TiVo making nice nice again. All they've done is extend their contract for updating current models.