Series 2 DT issue

paulrk · 02-20-2009, 01:05 PM

Well, I have my TiVo Series 2 DT set up, (almost). Everything works until I come to the section where it asks you if you see the channel in the background. I see it on first one, but not the second. It tells me to check the cables, which I do, and everything seems to be in order. The only things different are the A/V Cables. I have A/V cables going from the cable box to the TiVo, but the TV doesn’t have a connection. As recommended, I have the coaxial cable going from the TiVo to the TV. As a result I can copy one channel, but not another. Now remember, I’m an old man, so nothing too technical.

Thanks in Advance.

scandia101 · 02-20-2009, 01:38 PM

If you know your cable works and believe that there should be a picture, just say yes and continue and everything should be fine when you complete the setup. It's a known problem.

paulrk · 02-20-2009, 01:42 PM

I did, and it didn't work. I also tried different cables, but with no luck.

bedelman · 02-20-2009, 01:46 PM

Just to be sure -- did you "lie" to the TiVo during setup and say that you saw a picture when you really didn't. If not, that's what you need to do.

You can address the video issue later -- once guided setup is finished by going into Settings -> Video

- Bob

paulrk · 02-20-2009, 02:27 PM

I lied. What do I do next?

bedelman · 02-20-2009, 03:00 PM

Finish guided setup and see if you're able to get a picture when you're done.

If not, go into System Information and see what's shown for...

Program Source (1)
Program Source (2)
Source Input (1)
Source Input (2)

and see if this lines up with the way you have it connected.

Let us know

paulrk · 02-20-2009, 03:33 PM

Bob:
In the System Information it says

Program Source (1): Cable Box, IR
Program Source (2): Cable without Box

Source Input (1): Composite Video, L/R Audio
Source Input (2): Coax RF In

Paul

bedelman · 02-20-2009, 05:07 PM

Do you have a picture on a channel below 100? (assuming that they're set to "cbl" in the channel list screen)

Do you have a picture on a channel from 100 and up?

With Series 2 DT boxes, the "normal" configuration is to have a piece of coax going from the wall to the RF-input on the TiVo as well as the A/V (red/white/yellow) cables going from the outputs on the cable box to the inputs on the TiVo. Channels below 100 are usually set with only the "cbl" checkbox checked on the Channel List where channels from 100 and up will have only a "box" checkbox checked.

- Bob

WayneCarter · 02-20-2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulrk

Well, I have my TiVo Series 2 DT set up, (almost). Everything works until I come to the section where it asks you if you see the channel in the background. I see it on first one, but not the second. It tells me to check the cables, which I do, and everything seems to be in order. The only things different are the A/V Cables. I have A/V cables going from the cable box to the TiVo, but the TV doesn’t have a connection. As recommended, I have the coaxial cable going from the TiVo to the TV. As a result I can copy one channel, but not another. Now remember, I’m an old man, so nothing too technical.

Thanks in Advance.

Do you have a "coax" (RF) cable to TO TiVo? For the Dual tuners to work, a TiVo S2DT MUST have an RF signal (the cable box can still be used but it can only tune 1 signal at a time, the second signal MUST be RF).

To use the dual tuners with a cable box, you need to split the signal from the cable drop (a splitter is provided with TiVo). One of the splitter's outputs goes to TiVo's RF input, the other to the cable box. The cable box's A/V out goes to TiVo's A/V in. In guided setup, you need to "tell" TiVo that it is using a cable box and a direct cable input (I forget the exact terminology - sorry).

paulrk · 02-20-2009, 09:53 PM

Yes, I have it hooked up that way, just as the poster requires.

bedelman · 02-20-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulrk

Yes, I have it hooked up that way, just as the poster requires.

And what about whether you get a picture on those various channel ranges as I posted before

Quote:

Do you have a picture on a channel below 100? (assuming that they're set to "cbl" in the channel list screen)

Do you have a picture on a channel from 100 and up?

With Series 2 DT boxes, the "normal" configuration is to have a piece of coax going from the wall to the RF-input on the TiVo as well as the A/V (red/white/yellow) cables going from the outputs on the cable box to the inputs on the TiVo. Channels below 100 are usually set with only the "cbl" checkbox checked on the Channel List where channels from 100 and up will have only a "box" checkbox checked.

paulrk · 02-21-2009, 06:12 AM

Bob:
I have to use the Cable Box remote to get 2-99.

Paul

P.S.:
I'll be checking periodically today. I have to get my taxes done. Thanks for all your help, and don't give up on me.

bedelman · 02-21-2009, 09:51 AM

If you're using the cable box remote -- and you're seeing the channel change on the television -- and the cable is split from the wall with one end going to the TiVo and the other end going to the cable box...

The input source to which your television is set, isn't going to your TiVo. Although if this is the case, then you wouldn't be seeing any TiVo menus either -- which you must be seeing if you're able to give us information from your System Information screen.

Or -- when you're using your cable box remote to change the channel and the feed is coming through the TiVo -- what channel does the TiVo think it's on? (press the INFO key on the TiVo remote to see that) -- but then you are seeing a picture...

So, I'm a bit confused -- or there's some detail that's missing...

paulrk · 02-21-2009, 12:37 PM

Bob:
I'm starting to get a bit confused, as I am sure you are. I don't think there is anything missing. I double checked the wiring, everything is as it should be. The Channel Listing has channels 2-30 with cbl only checked., 31-99 just have the cbl option. I just checked the channels and I have to use the cable box remote to change 2-30. The TiVo remote will change 31-99, and beyond.

I can record 1 item at a time, when I try to record the 2nd it tells me I have to cancel the first.

Also, can you explain the 1 2 switch in the center of the remote?

Paul

bedelman · 02-21-2009, 01:12 PM

Thanks --

If you use the TiVo remote to change the channel to channel 2 through 30, do you get any video. If you do, what channel are you actually seeing (or is the screen blank) and what channel does the TiVo "think" it's on based on what appears on the upper right corner of the banner when you press the INFO button on the TiVo remote?

The 1/2 switch on the remote is for the situation where you have more than one TiVo and you want to use the same remote for the different TiVo boxes (and each box has a different remote "address"). The 1/2 switch has nothing to do with the tuners on a single TiVo box in case you might be wondering that.

- Bob

paulrk · 02-21-2009, 04:44 PM

When I use the Tivo remote on channels 2-30, I get a message at the top of the screen which describes the station programming, but no picture, then that goes away, and at the bottom of the screen a message which says: "Searching for signal on: cable in". On channels 31-99, I get the actual channel, with picture. this again with the Tivo remote.

bedelman · 02-21-2009, 05:17 PM

Please check the cable connection into the back of the TiVo. Make sure that it's going into the RF-input (and not the RF-output) -- if you can, work back along that cable and check to make sure it's connected to the "out" connection on the splitter as well (where the other "out" connection goes to your cable box)

The TiVo isn't getting an analog cable signal -- and one cause could be the cable connection. This assumes that your cable provider is putting an analog cable signal on the line. Even in Chicago where Comcast went to all digital -- they continued to carry the local broadcast channels over analog.

If your cable provider only sends digital signals over the wire, you'll need to change the checkboxes on the Channel List for those channels so that only "box" is checked and not "cbl" -- and the only way the TiVo will be able to get a signal will be by going through the cable box -- and you will not have any dual tuner capability as a result.

You can tell if your cable provider is pushing out any analog channels if you have a regular (non-digital) television connected directly to the cable coming from the wall. If the television can get a channel, then that channel will be analog.

- Bob

paulrk · 02-21-2009, 05:28 PM

I'll look into your suggestions this evening, and I won't bother you until tomorrow.

paulrk · 02-22-2009, 07:26 AM

Bob:

Your latest suggestions worked, I can change all channels with Tivo remote. Can only record one show, though.

I can only get channels "out of the wall" by using a converter box. I guess Verizon FIOS only a sends Digital signal.

Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it. I there is ever a way I can record 2 programs let me know.

Paul

lafos · 02-22-2009, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulrk

Bob:

Your latest suggestions worked, I can change all channels with Tivo remote. Can only record one show, though.

I can only get channels "out of the wall" by using a converter box. I guess Verizon FIOS only a sends Digital signal.

Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it. I there is ever a way I can record 2 programs let me know.

Paul

Verizon FIOS is all digital. You will get nothing with a coax connection from the wall directly to the TiVo, only through the box. So you will be limited to one channel recording with the S2DT.

Other cable companies have at least some analog channels. Your latest post was the first mention of your provider, hence the diagnostics Bob suggested.

paulrk · 02-23-2009, 06:47 AM

I'm not a very technical person, so as a result, I never thought to mention my cable service. I guess that would have saved a lot of diagnosis.

Too bad you can't use one of the converters used on TVs using antennas, to allow you the use of the dual tuner, or can you?

bedelman · 02-23-2009, 09:09 AM

You can't use those converters with your FIOS service, can you?

You can use those digital converters for over-the-air (OTA) signals for those Series 2 TiVo boxes that were designed to work with an antenna (which is not the case with the Series 2 DT). In either case, the TiVo controls it like it would with a cable box or satellite receiver -- and the Series 2 TiVo boxes can only work with one external STB (set-top box)

The Series 3 boxes (including the TiVo HD and TiVo HD XL) however, are a different case -- since they have digital tuners and CableCard slots. You could use one of those in place of both your Series 2 DT and the Verizon cable box -- and you could record two things once as well.

- Bob

classicsat · 02-23-2009, 09:13 AM

Nope, The antenna convertors will not work on cable at all, and the Series 2 DT will work with only One (1) box. Dual tuner on that model requires an analog cable lineup. To get dual tuner on an all digital service such as FIOS requires a TiVo HD with cablecards.

paulrk · 02-23-2009, 10:46 AM

This Forum is a wealth of information. Thanks!

paulrk · 02-25-2009, 10:38 AM

One last question:
I now know that because I have Verizon FIOS, and it only broadcast in digital, my Series 2 DT can only record one program at a time. Can I still record 1 program and watch another, or is that lost too, and is there anything TiVo can or will do to allow 2 recordings, or a record and watch? Also, is it possible to replace the analog tuner with a digital?

bedelman · 02-25-2009, 10:51 AM

To watch one program and record another with a Series 2 DT, you'd have to get a separate cable box from Verizon for the television itself. There's no way to change out the tuners inside the Series 2 itself -- however, the Series 3 boxes (including TiVoHD and TiVoHD XL) do have digital tuners -- and can record two things at the same time.

My son has Verizon FIOS with a TiVoHD using CableCards and he has been very happy with it.

- Bob

paulrk · 02-25-2009, 12:11 PM

Bob:

Does that mean I need 2 cable boxes and the Tivo for 1 TV?

Paul

bedelman · 02-25-2009, 12:55 PM

Each device (the TiVo and the television) would need to have it's own cable box assuming that your television doesn't have a digital tuner in it. If the television is relatively new, it very well may have a digital tuner.

Do you happen to know if the television does have a digital tuner in it? If it does, then it could possibly be made to work without getting a cable box for it.

- Bob

paulrk · 02-25-2009, 01:17 PM

Bob:

I got the Tivo from a friend who was going to DirectTV. I presently have the Tivo on my old TV (1991), but plan on moving it to my 32" Samsung Digital when I have a better understanding of the unit. If I have to record a station I'm watching, I might as well keep using the VCR. I'm asking all these questions because I'm in the 30 day period where I can opt out of the contract.

Paul

bedelman · 02-25-2009, 01:24 PM

Paul,

Even the VCR won't be able to record anything different from what you're watching -- furthermore most VCR's don't have the ability to control a cable box at all so you won't be able to schedule any recordings either.

I would think that the digital television would be able to accept the signal direct from Verizon FIOS (and thereby tune to a different channel than what is being used by the cable box) -- but seeing as I'm not a Verizon FIOS customer I can't comment fully. Perhaps someone else reading this thread will do so.

Since you're within your 30 days, you may want to consider getting a TiVo HD instead of the Series 2 DT -- since the TiVo HD will do what you want -- and it will be able to handle High Definition content when you do decide to move it to the 32" Samsung.

- Bob