[parent723]

I just got my new TiVo HD and installed it. I haven't activated it on my TiVo account yet because I want to make sure it works or I am returning it. Comcast will deliver the CableCards on Thursday.

It will not get ANY of the regular channels. I called TiVo tech support and they said I SHOULD be getting those channels. The weird thing is, I get the HD version of the channel (ex. NBC is channel 8). I don't get channel 8, but I do get channel 8-1.

Is this normal? The tech guy said he had never heard of this before and he would pass it up the food chain. When I asked if they would call me back with a resolution he said, "Probably Not!". That's NOT customer service, IMHO.

 

[bkdtv]

When you ran through guided setup, did you select "Cable and OTA" or just "OTA"? If you just selected OTA, you won't see cable channels until you run guided setup again and select "Cable and OTA" ?

Try running through guided setup again under Messages & Settings -> Restart or Reset System -> Repeat Guided Setup.

 

[Zaph32]

You may have a "trap" out on your line. That prevented me from getting any "basic" (analog) cable channels until install day.

I was, however, able to get OTA which it sounds like you are as well, since youre getting 8-1.

 

[parent723]

The weird thing is that it works just fine with the Comcast PVR.

 

[ZeoTiVo]

how did you physically set up the TiVo HD?
what answers did you provide during guided setup?

 

[parent723]

Setup on TiVo - Cable from wall into TiVo (no spliter). Guided setup with "Cable Only" option.

It tests channel 32 to verify my cable guide. It shows the channel during the test, however after about 2 minutes none of the channels work. All I get is a WHITE screen (except for the 8-1 type channels - only about 6 of them).

 

[ZeoTiVo]

Setup on TiVo - Cable from wall into TiVo (no spliter). Guided setup with "Cable Only" option.

It tests channel 32 to verify my cable guide. It shows the channel during the test, however after about 2 minutes none of the channels work. All I get is a WHITE screen (except for the 8-1 type channels - only about 6 of them).

ok that does look like some sort of block on analog channels and you are seeing only the QAM channels broadcast in the clear as required by the FCC. The TiVo HD(or S3) will pick up these channels but there is no guide data for them. They correspond to OTA channels in the area.

This leads me to believe that the cable company is somehow blocking access to these channels as they have to leave the QAM channels alone. IF you were getting no channels at all I would suspect the Tivo instead. Might be some way the cable company came up with to prevent theft of service by needing any digital reciever to be registered in sime way - in this case the cable cards. But that is just speculation on my part

 

[parent723]

thanks for the intelligent answer! I hope the guy coming out on Thursday will know exactly what to do.

I really appreciate your help.

 

[rainwater]

thanks for the intelligent answer! I hope the guy coming out on Thursday will know exactly what to do.

I really appreciate your help.

Just give him the instructions for the CableCard install. The CableCards will work fine if installed correctly. If your cable box is working, then he will not need to do anything special to get the CableCards working as long as he follows the directions.

 

[jrm01]

While you are waiting for the cc you may want to test it with OTA signal (any cheap antenna).

It could be a Tivo problem with the analog tuners.

 

[parent723]

It does get the OTA HD channels through the Comcast cable which is weird. Just not the the regular (digital or analog) channels.

 

[parent723]

Install went SWEET! The only problem was a bad card. The installer got a new one from the shop and everything worked. No issues AT ALL!

 

[ZeoTiVo]

It does get the OTA HD channels through the Comcast cable which is weird. Just not the the regular (digital or analog) channels.

Glad the install went well. Perhaps your cable company is all digital in your area except for the OTA channels which they must send through in the clear for any tuner out there. Basically what I said before.

So enjoy the TiVo HD, it sounds error free in my opinion

 

[parent723]

So far SO GOOD! I do love TiVo vs. Comcast. I only wish the TiVoToGo worked on this box like it does on my Series 2!