How will Tivo Series 2 sets be able to tune the upcoming DTV Broadcast Converters?

[MikeRivers]

To answer my own question, yes, it does work with the LG code set, and there aren't many choices either, just fast, medium, and slow. I have mine working with fast and it still takes several seconds to change channels, but it works. I had thought of LG shortly after I got back from Radio Shack with an IR diode, made up the cable, and found that none of the Zenith codes worked. I knew it was an LG product and should have looked there first.

What I discovered is that it sends a preceding zero for single digit channels, and that can confuse the DTV converter because the sub-channel isn't specified. On the DTV remote, if I want, for example, the top level channel of the Channel 4 stack (Channel 4-1 in DTV language) I'd just hit the 4 button. It seems to be happy enough with 04 coming from the TiVo, but when you get into the two-digit channels, it interprets 26 as 2-6 and there ain't none, so it stays where it is.

The trick is to enter 261, and that sends it to 26-1. In fact, this answered another question for me, that yes, it's possible to record any of the channels. If I want to record a program on 26-4, I enter that as Channel 264. Even though TiVo doesn't know what's on that channel, it still accepts it in the manual recording program.

Pretty cool, actually.

[cia_viewer]

Originally Posted by MikeRivers

Pardon the possibly naive question, but is your DTT901 on the list of supported boxes for your TiVo now? Or are you running it as "same as" something else?

I have a Series 1 TiVo (Sony DVR-2000) and no subscription. I've been recording one channel at a shot using an Insignia DTV converter (same as the Zenith DTT900) and was about to investigate whether I could use the TiVo to change channels on it so I could program multi-channel recordings. I know how to make an "IR Blaster" but the trick is to find the right codes.

There's a long list of tuner boxes, but since the TiVo hasn't been "legit" with a subscription since early this year, it doesn't know about my converter. I thought maybe a Zenith unit would be a good place to start, but when I select that from the setup list, it just gives me a phone number and tells me to call TiVo. Since I don't have a subscription, I don't expect that will get me anywhere.

Any shortcuts? Or do I just have to start from the top and test them all until I find one that works enough to use?

My DTT901 might be treated as same as DTT900 because TiVo is not supporting the analog pass through feature of DTT901. My DTT901 is powered on 24/7 and controlled by my S2 TiVo via the IR Blaster.

This is accomplished with updated software.

The (hyphen/dot) delimiter for DTV sub-channels is accomplished by the tiny [->|] button at the right edge of the remote 3/8 inch below the fast forward [>>] button and 5/8 inch above the [3] button.

[herfmonster]

I didn't see this answered here after 28 pages of thread, but can my Toshiba SD-H400 control a Tivax STB-T9 via the serial port?

[classicsat]

Currently only IR is supported for the DTA converters.

[herfmonster]

Any idea on weather or not that will be implemented? I seem to recall some people missing a season pass here or there because of of an IR blaster failure or mishap. Wouldn't the serial port be a more reliable control method?

Currently I am deciding between a serial port channel changing capability (potentially)(for reliability, which I prefer) and S-Video output (for better picture)(It would be nice to have both)

I am basically biding my time until I can get my Nero LiquidTV / TiVo PC box built

[magnus]

Any details on the features? Will D* allow for the Tivo premium features on these boxes or are they going to be watered down like before?

Originally Posted by TiVoJerry

Hence our excitement over the recent announcement that our partnership with DTV has taken an exciting turn.

[David_NC]

Originally Posted by herfmonster

I didn't see this answered here after 28 pages of thread, but can my Toshiba SD-H400 control a Tivax STB-T9 via the serial port?

Does the STB-T9 even have the capability of being controlled by the serial port? If the manufacturer didn't set it up for serial control, its doubtful Tivo would take the trouble to modify their software to use a third-party serial control hack.

[gastrof]

Originally Posted by herfmonster

Any idea on weather or not that will be implemented? I seem to recall some people missing a season pass here or there because of of an IR blaster failure or mishap. Wouldn't the serial port be a more reliable control method?

Currently I am deciding between a serial port channel changing capability (potentially)(for reliability, which I prefer) and S-Video output (for better picture)(It would be nice to have both)

I am basically biding my time until I can get my Nero LiquidTV / TiVo PC box built

Do the digital converter boxes even HAVE serial ports on them? My two (different brands) sure don't.

Are TiVos being made to work with digital OTA tuners of all kinds, or just the "little" boxes meant to sort of rescue old TVs? The ones the government coupon program would apply to?

[herfmonster]

The Tivax STB-T9 does have a serial port on back. So far I have only found two OTA converter boxes that do. I haven't researched all the approved boxes yet.

Also... good question about non coupon boxes...I'd like to hear the answer to that one as well.

[TiVoJerry]

1> magnus, i'm not in a position to answer your question. It also doesn't fit the discussion of this thread.

2> We are not working on getting serial control to work with OTA boxes.

3> Our main focus has only been on the models covered by a coupon. Now that the software is available to the public, we won't be proactively purchasing and testing models. Instead, it falls to CS (usually me) to work with individuals to capture IR and test before adding new codes. This process takes a bit longer and we will only focus on models currently for sale that are primarily intended for use as an OTA digital converter.

[gastrof]

For the moment I've found a nearly tolerable way to handle a Series 1 and a converter box. (Series 1s aren't being updated to control them.)

I went thru Guided Setup all over again, telling the TiVo it'd be working with Dish Network and my local cable company's extended basic feed.

Satellite box thru the A/V inputs, cable thru the RF.

Thing is, there's no satellite box, just a Dish-made converter box.

After setup I deleted (unchecked) all the cable/satellite type channels from the list, and now all it has is my OTAs and my cable channels.

The Dish box has its own event timer (to work with old analog recorders and keep them running), so I can set both boxes to record a show off the OTA feed, and the TiVo gets the OTA digital channel when it records.

The one downside is that I'm not using an IR blaster to control the converter box's channel changes (which I could do since it responds to the Dish satellite IR codes), and so the TiVo has no control at all of the converter box. It's a little annoying to have to reach for the other remote when I want to watch one of the OTAs thru the converter. (When I'm channel surfing on the TiVo, no matter what OTA channel I hit it's always the same channel...whatever one the converter is actually tuned to. )

I may set things up with an IR blaster, and see how it goes. (I hate the idea of the IR blaster "mis-firing" and ruining a recording, but to have the TiVo actually get the thing to change channels is an intriguing prospect.)

No access to the sub-channels, tho'. I'd thought the Dish satellite boxes with OTA were for digital channels, not analog. Funny the subs didn't show up in the channel list. Still, it's better than nothing. (And the only real subchannels in my area are on a PBS station, which I don't often watch, let alone record.)

Can't find my original IR blaster, but I'm getting a new one. This is gonna be fun.

[herfmonster]

Thanks Jerry I might spring for the one with the S-Video out then

[ronniejay]

Circuit City liquidated stores now have the zenith converter boxes at 10% off the $59.99 reg. price. Houston Sharpstown store has hundreds of them. I need 2 more. Will follow them thru next price breaks. Tweeter going out of business store here in Houston has the Tivo HD unit at $269.

[classicsat]

Originally Posted by gastrof

Do the digital converter boxes even HAVE serial ports on them? My two (different brands) sure don't.

In my research some have a 1/8" service port, none have a full 9 pin serial port.

[David_NC]

Originally Posted by classicsat

In my research some have a 1/8" service port, none have a full 9 pin serial port.

The manual for the Tivax STB-T9 shows a 9-pin serial connector, but the only reference to it is as a "service port". I doubt you could change channels using serial without hacking the software.

[Meklos]

Any boxes yet that are confirmed controllable by a S2 that have a QAM tuner? Don't necessarily care about the coupon...

[kb7oeb]

Old LG HDTV tuners respond to the Zenith codes but unless your cable company maps the local channels to match OTA you won't get guide info

[nately]

Is there any word on whether the Dish/Echostar converters will be supported? I have a TR-40CRA (very close to a DTVPal), which I get the impression is a pretty common option. I was dismayed to find out it isn't supported yet. The typical EchoStar codes (10001, 10043) are sending the right signals to the box, but it doesn't "know" the right sequences because the converter takes 5-digit channel numbers and the TiVo sends a '0' instead of a '-'...

Are there any advanced settings where I can fix this myself? The TiVo lets you choose 1-digit or 2-digit input, but that doesn't seem to do anything.

[nately]

Originally Posted by TiVoJerry

We got a DTVPal in and testing shows that we will not be able to support it. Channel changing protocol on all other models we've tested relies on using a delimiter (the dash/dot). Some models will even work if you just enter numbers with no delimiter, but will still work normally when the delimiter is sent. Unfortunately, this model specifically requires entering leading zeroes when you want to go to a subchannel and does not have a delimeter whatsoever.

I quote from the manual:
"To change to a sub-channel, enter "0" before entering the channel number. For example, to change to channel 9-2, enter "0092" on the NUMBER PAD."

We would've liked to have had better news since this seemed to be a model that some of you were interested in.

Oh well, just found this post. It really seems like an arbitrary minor detail (the delimiter) is going to be a pain for people with DVRs, universal remotes, etc. So the TiVo really can't be taught to enter the channel as 5 digits with leading zeros? There aren't any satellite receivers that require channels this way?

[classicsat]

Its not that it cannot be "taught", it is that the software uses "-", and is considered finished. Adding support for the Echostar box would mean having to re-write the portion the system software responsible for changing channels on the DTA boxes..

[nately]

Originally Posted by classicsat

Its not that it cannot be "taught", it is that the software uses "-", and is considered finished. Adding support for the Echostar box would mean having to re-write the portion the system software responsible for changing channels on the DTA boxes..

I guess my (fanciful workaround) suggestion was to add it as an alternative "satellite service" with Echostar IR signals and 5-digit channel numbers. That probably wouldn't change the software, but probably would confuse the hell out of people and require an additional set of program guides.

[newskilz]

Originally Posted by gastrof

For the moment I've found a nearly tolerable way to handle a Series 1 and a converter box. (Series 1s aren't being updated to control them.)

I went thru Guided Setup all over again, telling the TiVo it'd be working with Dish Network and my local cable company's extended basic feed.

Satellite box thru the A/V inputs, cable thru the RF.

Thing is, there's no satellite box, just a Dish-made converter box.

After setup I deleted (unchecked) all the cable/satellite type channels from the list, and now all it has is my OTAs and my cable channels.
[snip]
The one downside is that I'm not using an IR blaster to control the converter box's channel changes (which I could do since it responds to the Dish satellite IR codes), and so the TiVo has no control at all of the converter box. It's a little annoying to have to reach for the other remote when I want to watch one of the OTAs thru the converter. (When I'm channel surfing on the TiVo, no matter what OTA channel I hit it's always the same channel...whatever one the converter is actually tuned to. )

I may set things up with an IR blaster, and see how it goes. (I hate the idea of the IR blaster "mis-firing" and ruining a recording, but to have the TiVo actually get the thing to change channels is an intriguing prospect.)

No access to the sub-channels, tho'. I'd thought the Dish satellite boxes with OTA were for digital channels, not analog. Funny the subs didn't show up in the channel list. Still, it's better than nothing. (And the only real subchannels in my area are on a PBS station, which I don't often watch, let alone record.)

Can't find my original IR blaster, but I'm getting a new one. This is gonna be fun.

So what I gathered is that you are already paying for cable service, wouldn't that already have your local stations on it, or does it not carry them and that's why you are trying to get a digital OTA converter box working?

Originally Posted by gastrof

The Dish box has its own event timer (to work with old analog recorders and keep them running), so I can set both boxes to record a show off the OTA feed, and the TiVo gets the OTA digital channel when it records.

Huh? you are setting BOTH boxes to record a show off OTA feed? what two boxes are you talking about? I must be missing something here. Anyway, if you have the correct setup, you won't need any type of 'event timer' or anything for the TiVo to work; as long as you have a true converter box,it can be set to never turn off or go into power save mode. Also, curious as to where you are getting or going to get your OTA guide data from?

As for the IR blasters, shouldn't be a problem at all; my S1 hasn't missed anything due to the box not receiving the needed channel change info. The blasters should come with double sided tape stuff and so you just stick the blasters over the converter box IR sensor, and set up the TiVo to control that box-which sounds like you already have but just didn't have the blasters yet. And yes it is fun, especially when you get it working just like it was all part of the TiVo to begin with.

[aarevi]

There are some threads on this forum from people who have have successfully used certain HD ATSC and Directv boxes for OTA digital. With some homework I think it can be done easily...

[Mindflux]

I apologize for not reading all 30 pages of this thread. I'm looking at getting one of the government subsidized Converter Boxes. Can I control any of these with the TiVo series 2 with the IR Blaster? I'm not doing OTA with an Antenna, I just want to take my coax in from my wall (which is analog currently) and use the digital converter and record/watch it on my Series 2 (DT) I'm picking up tomorrow.

[pcbrew]

If you are not using an antenna then your do not need one of these converter boxes.

From your description, you have analog cable. The S2DT will work just fine and you can record 2 things at once while watching another recorded show.

Only the analog OTA signals are going away in Feb 2009. Analog cable will still be available for as long as the cable company decides to keep it. Even after the cable co switches to digital, you can use the S2 as a signle tuner with one of their digital cable converter boxes.

[Mindflux]

Originally Posted by pcbrew

If you are not using an antenna then your do not need one of these converter boxes.

From your description, you have analog cable. The S2DT will work just fine and you can record 2 things at once while watching another recorded show.

Only the analog OTA signals are going away in Feb 2009. Analog cable will still be available for as long as the cable company decides to keep it. Even after the cable co switches to digital, you can use the S2 as a signle tuner with one of their digital cable converter boxes.

I have digital cable, however on the coax jack I'll be using the S2 on I'll just get basic Analog cable as far as I know. Since you need a TWC Decoder box or a CableCard??

[pcbrew]

The S2 accepts analog cable directly - no extra box is needed.

If you want to get digital channels, you will need a TWC cable box. Feed the output of that to the S2. The S2 can change channels on the TWC box using IR blasters.

[aatol79]

I doubt if anyone has suggested to TiVo that if they aren't going to have a tuner change option for S1 and S2, to offer a "trade-in" credit towards the purchase of a S3. Certainly they would want S1 and S2 customers to continue their subscriptions, which otherwise would be terminated and effect their cash flow.

[cia_viewer]

Originally Posted by Mindflux

I apologize for not reading all 30 pages of this thread. I'm looking at getting one of the government subsidized Converter Boxes. Can I control any of these with the TiVo series 2 with the IR Blaster? I'm not doing OTA with an Antenna, I just want to take my coax in from my wall (which is analog currently) and use the digital converter and record/watch it on my Series 2 (DT) I'm picking up tomorrow.

I am running strictly OTA (Over The Air) with an antenna system in the attic.

My Zenith DTT901 (CUSALZK)(April 2008) has been running 24/7 in digital mode for 4 months driven by a S2 TiVo with an IR blaster.

[bgiannes]

i've been using my series 2 w/ the OTA box for months.

Then i had a bad disk, which i just replaced with a new one, loaded the image (5.3 i think), then updated to 9.3.2a update. No problems.

Then i when to the setup guide, and selected Digital box, then after tivo connect and downloaded stuff it goes to a "please wait" screen. it just gets stuck!? After leaving to run all night not change.

now if i unplug the tivo, and then run the guide and pick OTA analog (no box) the guide don't get stuck.

then i took out the new drive and dropped in a 120 old i had laying around, and did the same steps.... i got the same result, stuck on "please wait"!?

so i put the new drive back in...... what now?

is there a bug in the guide?

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UPDATE
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see fix here http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...82#post7014182