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Series 2s and digital converter boxes?

Discussion in 'TiVo Coffee House - TiVo Discussion' started by gastrof, Apr 20, 2011.

  1. Apr 20, 2011 #1 of 6
    gastrof

    gastrof Hubcaps r in fashion

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    Potato and pen.
    I happen to have two of the digital converter boxes that Series 2s were updated to work with. I've been thinking about getting a Series 2 with Lifetime, and using it with one of those boxes, but I'm wondering if the Series 2 is able to tune sub-channels. DO sub-channels show up in the lineup when you go thru Guided Setup and say you're doing OTA with a converter box?

    Anyone have one and know?

    The work-around I'm using with one of my Series 1 machines doesn't allow for sub-channels, so a Series 2 looks appealing, but if they can't do the sub-channels either, it'll be a "never mind" situation.
     
  2. Apr 20, 2011 #2 of 6
    atmuscarella

    atmuscarella Well-Known Member

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    It has been awhile but I did use a Series 2 with a OTA converter box and yes the sub channels show up and are tunable with the TiVo.

    Good Luck,
     
  3. Apr 20, 2011 #3 of 6
    ggieseke

    ggieseke Well-Known Member

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    And remember that the 542s and 649s won't control a converter.
     
  4. Apr 20, 2011 #4 of 6
    gastrof

    gastrof Hubcaps r in fashion

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    Are those model numbers of Dual Tuner Series 2s?
     
  5. Apr 20, 2011 #5 of 6
    atmuscarella

    atmuscarella Well-Known Member

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    649 is a dual tuner 542 is a single tuner. At the end of the Series 2 run TiVo had to sell Series 2 TiVos that did not have OTA ability because it was after the date where any device that had an analog OTA tuner also had to have a digital OTA tuner. To get around that requirement they disabled the analog OTA tuner and sold them as a cable only device. When the OTA digital converter boxes came out the Series 2 TiVos that were cable only did not work with them - their model numbers were 542 & 649. They are fairly rare but out there.

    Good Luck,
     
  6. Apr 20, 2011 #6 of 6
    classicsat

    classicsat Astute User

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    The 542 are rare, 649 (The Series 2 DT) plentiful. AFAIK, the 542 units are 540 hardware, with a different TSN and software which recognizes it is a 542, and therefore does not allow antenna or antenna with box.

    Any other Series 2 will fully support most OTA converter boxes, with sub-channels.
     

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