Please don't make me put these Tivos on ebay - Page 3

replaytv · 12-25-2011, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unitron

Are those $80 S2s lifetimed or did you get an early start on the eggnog?

all of these have lifetime

sll0037 · 01-04-2012, 12:19 AM

Hi There!

I noticed you were selling quite a few tivo's and you seem to be quite the expert so I thought I'd reach out for help.

My dad has Charter cable at his house, but he's using extremely old CRT tv's with no cable boxes. He simply connects the coax from the wall to the back of the tv and changes the channel on the tv with no guide from 1 to 99.

I recently bought him a newer LCD TV (monitor is probably the better term) that does no have the coax cable in connection. Therefore, he can't use it to view the cable since he has no cable box and I don't believe the TV has no tuner.

What's the best way to get the cable to the TV? He refuses to get or pay for a cable box. Would he need a cable card if I bought one of your Tivo's?

I'm basically looking for something that will allow him to take the coax to the TV without any monthly fees.

Sorry for the long winded post, but let me know what you think. I wouldn't want to buy a box he can't use or that will be a monthly expense for him.

Thanks for all the help!

unitron · 01-04-2012, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sll0037

Hi There!

I noticed you were selling quite a few tivo's and you seem to be quite the expert so I thought I'd reach out for help.

My dad has Charter cable at his house, but he's using extremely old CRT tv's with no cable boxes. He simply connects the coax from the wall to the back of the tv and changes the channel on the tv with no guide from 1 to 99.

I recently bought him a newer LCD TV (monitor is probably the better term) that does no have the coax cable in connection. Therefore, he can't use it to view the cable since he has no cable box and I don't believe the TV has no tuner.

What's the best way to get the cable to the TV? He refuses to get or pay for a cable box. Would he need a cable card if I bought one of your Tivo's?

I'm basically looking for something that will allow him to take the coax to the TV without any monthly fees.

Sorry for the long winded post, but let me know what you think. I wouldn't want to buy a box he can't use or that will be a monthly expense for him.

Thanks for all the help!

If it doesn't have a co-ax nipple on the back, then I assume it doesn't have a tuner of any kind, which means it's not a television, it's a video monitor.

Does it have built-in speakers?

If so, it probably doesn't sound nearly as good as the television he's been using. Of course that'll probably be true of the newer televisions as well.

(I know a little something about providing electronics for parents and the possible problems)

Maybe you should just hook that thing to a computer instead.

It sounds like he's been watching analog cable channels.

If you think Charter will continue to offer analog channels, then the dual tuner Series 2, the TCD649080 or the TCD649180, would work, letting him record one channel on one of the tuners and watch a second channel on the other tuner (or record on both at the same time and watch a previously recorded show).

It also has the virtue of being able to work with his old CRT coax in TVs.

One of the Series 3 platform machines would do the same thing, except for the co-ax output, as well as providing the ability to tune the new over the air broadcast digital channels.

Of course whichever TiVo you got would really need a subscription of some sort to keep from driving him nuts dealing with the nagging about no guide data, and to be able to record and play back.

Where are you, and he, geographically? Maybe we can find you a lifetime subscription-ed Craigslist bargain.

replaytv · 01-04-2012, 01:23 AM

sll0037s' Question: Would he need a cable card if I bought one of your Tivo's?

Answer: I don't think so. I believe the cable cards authorize a user for an encrypted signal, but others on this forum could tell you much better. I don't think your fathers cable is encrypted. (I don't have cable or satellite. I get all my TV from an antenna on top of the TV or the internet.)

If the TV doesn't have a tuner in it then he will need something to tune the channels for the TV. (I think most of the TVs now have built in tuners, but don't know. )
It sounds like the cable is providing analog signal, so a Series 1 or Series 2 Tivo could be the tuner if the TV doesn't have a tuner. And if he doesn't want TV program guide then it could just be used for a 1/2 hour time slipping and a lifetimed Tivo or a Tivo with monthly service wouldn't be required. If he wants to know what is scheduled on TV (TVguide) and to be able to record it, then a Tivo with lifetime service or paying a monthly fee would be required. If he wants the TVguide to see what is scheduled then he also must have broadband internet or a phone line to get that info downloaded.

If the new TV has a analog tuner built into it, and the only problem is there is no where to plug in the coax cable, then the only thing needed might be a RF modulator. They sell them at the thrift stores for $5 or so, or $30 retail. The RF modulator changes the coax signal into a signal on RCA jacks that will probably plug into the new TV.

The other option would be for him to drop his cable and use free broadcast antenna instead. And if his new TV has a digital tuner in it, he would only need a antenna ('rabbit ears' $5 at the thrift store) Or use a converter box if the new TV doesn't have digital tuner in it, or get a series 3 or series 4 Tivo that have built in digital tuners.

unitron · 01-04-2012, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by replaytv

sll0037s' Question: Would he need a cable card if I bought one of your Tivo's?

Answer: I don't think so. I believe the cable cards authorize a user for an encrypted signal, but others on this forum could tell you much better. I don't think your fathers cable is encrypted. (I don't have cable or satellite. I get all my TV from an antenna on top of the TV or the internet.)

If the TV doesn't have a tuner in it then he will need something to tune the channels for the TV. (I think most of the TVs now have built in tuners, but don't know. )
It sounds like the cable is providing analog signal, so a Series 1 or Series 2 Tivo could be the tuner if the TV doesn't have a tuner. And if he doesn't want TV program guide then it could just be used for a 1/2 hour time slipping and a lifetimed Tivo or a Tivo with monthly service wouldn't be required. If he wants to know what is scheduled on TV (TVguide) and to be able to record it, then a Tivo with lifetime service or paying a monthly fee would be required. If he wants the TVguide to see what is scheduled then he also must have broadband internet or a phone line to get that info downloaded.

If the new TV has a analog tuner built into it, and the only problem is there is no where to plug in the coax cable, then the only thing needed might be a RF modulator. They sell them at the thrift stores for $5 or so, or $30 retail. The RF modulator changes the coax signal into a signal on RCA jacks that will probably plug into the new TV.

The other option would be for him to drop his cable and use free broadcast antenna instead. And if his new TV has a digital tuner in it, he would only need a antenna ('rabbit ears' $5 at the thrift store) Or use a converter box if the new TV doesn't have digital tuner in it, or get a series 3 or series 4 Tivo that have built in digital tuners.

If the new "television" doesn't have a co-ax input, there's no way it has a tuner of any kind, because there's no way to get the signal into it.

Actually, if it doesn't have a tuner of some sort, it's not a television.

sll0037 · 01-04-2012, 01:45 AM

He's in Fort Worth, TX and I'm in Dallas, TX.

The "new" tv I gave him was a few years old 32'' Olevia LCD. It was used with a ReplayTV box by the previous owner. I don't believe it has any tuners in it, but I'm not entirely sure. I do know it doesn't have a coax in (ANT IN or Cable IN). I could only cycle through inputs using the source button and I couldn't change channels at all.

We tried a RF modulator and got nothing, but it was old and likely defective. We also tried an over the air convertor box and it would change through local over the air channels but no signal cause we didn't have rabbit ears. I believe the convertor box was changing the channels though.

He doesn't have a guide now so that's not a big deal but if I could get him one without a big increase in cost, then why not.

The main reason I got him the TV is his OLD CRT's look HORRIBLE and I just bought my little brother and sister a Wii. I'd like to put it in their living room so he can watch cable and they can play their games there.

What is time slipping?

Still the same recommendations?

sll0037 · 01-04-2012, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unitron

If the new "television" doesn't have a co-ax input, there's no way it has a tuner of any kind, because there's no way to get the signal into it.

Actually, if it doesn't have a tuner of some sort, it's not a television.

I believe it's probably more aptly called a monitor. I have a Pioneer Kuro 500M Monitor that has no speakers or tuner, but I always plan on having cable and my AVR and Home Theater set-up.

The Olevia in question has speakers, just no tuner as you said. Will the TIVO solve this problem?

cannonz · 01-04-2012, 02:09 AM

If he has landline phone one of replaytv's $80 lifetime series 2 will get him every channel he got before. Or for a $100 or so more could find a DT (dual tuner) lifetime like unitron described.

sll0037 · 01-04-2012, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cannonz

If he has landline phone one of replaytv's $80 lifetime series 2 will get him every channel he got before. Or for a $100 or so more could find a DT (dual tuner) lifetime like unitron described.

I'll be switching his landline to a wireless this month, but he does have broadband wireless internet.

cannonz · 01-04-2012, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sll0037

I'll be switching his landline to a wireless this month, but he does have broadband wireless internet.

I believe he has wifi adapters too, if not can be found for $25 or so.

replaytv · 01-04-2012, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sll0037

What is time slipping?

"time slipping" means that the Tivo or other recorder is always recording the last half hour or so of whatever channel it is tuned to. The Tivo is always on, even if you are not watching TV.
So if you are watching TV and the phone rings, you can just press the Tivo 'pause' button and answer the phone, then press 'play' when you are finished on the phone.

Your dad might be able to get a cable box from the cable company that will act like a tuner for the new TV.

sll0037 · 01-04-2012, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by replaytv

"time slipping" means that the Tivo or other recorder is always recording the last half hour or so of whatever channel it is tuned to. The Tivo is always on, even if you are not watching TV.
So if you are watching TV and the phone rings, you can just press the Tivo 'pause' button and answer the phone, then press 'play' when you are finished on the phone.

Your dad might be able to get a cable box from the cable company that will act like a tuner for the new TV.

So if I understand this correctly, these are my options.

1) Buy a non-subscribed box like your $25 Series 2 Tivo... this will provide him all the same cable channels without a guide and he can record the last 3 minutes of anything he is viewing.

2) Buy a lifetime Tivo for about $50-$80... this will provide all the same channels with a guide and the ability to record anything.

I'm also considering returning the TV to my friend, which he said would be ok. I paid $100 for it. I could then buy a brand new Panasonic VIERA TC-L32C3 32-Inch for about $280 and use no box at all like he has now.

unitron · 01-04-2012, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sll0037

So if I understand this correctly, these are my options.

1) Buy a non-subscribed box like your $25 Series 2 Tivo... this will provide him all the same cable channels without a guide and he can record the last 3 minutes of anything he is viewing.

2) Buy a lifetime Tivo for about $50-$80... this will provide all the same channels with a guide and the ability to record anything.

I'm also considering returning the TV to my friend, which he said would be ok. I paid $100 for it. I could then buy a brand new Panasonic VIERA TC-L32C3 32-Inch for about $280 and use no box at all like he has now.

For the most part, unsubscribed Tivos don't record. At least you can't go into the TiVo's Now Playing list and have the recording there available for replay. What they do is have a 30 minute buffer, or cache, recorded onto the hard drive, and what you see on the screen is a playback of that cache.

You can back it up, or fast forward from a backed up position, or pause.

Once it's been paused 30 minutes the point at which you paused it no longed exists in the cache, so it'll start playing from that point on.

It's like a 30 minute wide window that moves through time, never stopping.

I don't know if your dad objects just to the extra expense of a cable box (for which I can't blame him), or if it's "older person who doesn't want to have to deal with newer technology they aren't used to" syndrome.

If the latter, then a TiVo, especially an unsubscribed one, may not be for him (although if he gets a taste of doing his own slow motion replay on a ball game that might sell him on it).

You should see if that Panasonic has an NTSC cable tuner (analog) as well as ATSC (digital broadcast), since what you need is a way to tune analog cable channels.

Or you could look for a used analog cable box.

unitron · 01-04-2012, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sll0037

Hi There!

I noticed you were selling quite a few tivo's and you seem to be quite the expert so I thought I'd reach out for help.

My dad has Charter cable at his house, but he's using extremely old CRT tv's with no cable boxes. He simply connects the coax from the wall to the back of the tv and changes the channel on the tv with no guide from 1 to 99.

I recently bought him a newer LCD TV (monitor is probably the better term) that does no have the coax cable in connection. Therefore, he can't use it to view the cable since he has no cable box and I don't believe the TV has no tuner.

What's the best way to get the cable to the TV? He refuses to get or pay for a cable box. Would he need a cable card if I bought one of your Tivo's?

I'm basically looking for something that will allow him to take the coax to the TV without any monthly fees.

Sorry for the long winded post, but let me know what you think. I wouldn't want to buy a box he can't use or that will be a monthly expense for him.

Thanks for all the help!

Here's something else that might go well with that tunerless monitor.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ViewSonic-Ne...item5d31d2c85d

motorcycle_rider · 02-07-2012, 08:20 PM

Just want to give a thumbs up to replaytv. I have purchased one the the used Tivos he had and the transaction went perfectly. He took great strides in ensuring that we both understood what the purchase price and product would be. He continued communication all the way thru delivery of the product.

replaytv · 02-09-2012, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorcycle_rider

Just want to give a thumbs up to replaytv. I have purchased one the the used Tivos he had and the transaction went perfectly. He took great strides in ensuring that we both understood what the purchase price and product would be. He continued communication all the way thru delivery of the product.

Thanks a lot for the great 'feedback'. I guess I should have ask all my buyers to give feedback.

jwestover · 02-18-2012, 12:13 PM

Thoughts appreciated. I am a Tivo Fan Boy, but have been collecting some with lifetime subscription since 2003.

I use a Tivo Series 3 HD as primary DVR, Cox DVR HD also as balance.

I have some Tivo (non HD), one a Tivo Series 2 80 hour lifetime, another a Panasonic with the "Save to DVD" option, also a Lifetime.

Was thinking of selling at least one of the non HD, since I use the third room only when exercising, and one not a all right now.

eBay shows at least $100 value to sell. would also like to get an XL to replace the COX DVR, but not want to commit any more to COX cable cards. Any ideas on selling the Tivo Series 2 box

replaytv · 06-07-2012, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwestover

Thoughts appreciated. I am a Tivo Fan Boy, but have been collecting some with lifetime subscription since 2003.

I use a Tivo Series 3 HD as primary DVR, Cox DVR HD also as balance.

I have some Tivo (non HD), one a Tivo Series 2 80 hour lifetime, another a Panasonic with the "Save to DVD" option, also a Lifetime.

Was thinking of selling at least one of the non HD, since I use the third room only when exercising, and one not a all right now.

eBay shows at least $100 value to sell. would also like to get an XL to replace the COX DVR, but not want to commit any more to COX cable cards. Any ideas on selling the Tivo Series 2 box

Sorry about not responding to this, I must have missed it amongst the postings. Are you still looking for an answer on how best to sell your Series 2?