[tommiet]

As the thread for this issue is getting L O N G..... How about a sticky to show how to get this fixed?

ISSUE: When selecting a DVR event to watch, you see the arrows and an ad TRY to start. Screen will go blank (device is hung.) A reboot is needed before you can do anything.

FIX: Complete an online service ticket (or call) TiVo letting them know of the issue. They will REMOVE the ads per device. If you have more than one DVR, you will need to do a ticket for each one. My BOLT had the ads removed about 2 days after I did the ticket.

You can tell when the ads have been removed when you no longer see the arrows when you start a DVR event.

 

[slowbiscuit]

And then a month or so later they'll be back...

The real fix is to downgrade to TE3 if you can.

 

[bobfrank]

As the thread for this issue is getting L O N G..... How about a sticky to show how to get this fixed?

ISSUE: When selecting a DVR event to watch, you see the arrows and an ad TRY to start. Screen will go blank (device is hung.) A reboot is needed before you can do anything.

FIX: Complete an online service ticket (or call) TiVo letting them know of the issue. They will REMOVE the ads per device. If you have more than one DVR, you will need to do a ticket for each one. My BOLT had the ads removed about 2 days after I did the ticket.

You can tell when the ads have been removed when you no longer see the arrows when you start a DVR event.

slowbiscuit has the best solution. Except I would say to UPGRADE to TE3. I don't consider TE3 a downgrade from TE4.

 

[tommiet]

Not surprised the TE3 gestapo chimed in.... I still think that the TE3 folks need their own forum.

DOWNGRADING is not a fix. And YES... it is a downgrade.

If your a TE3 user... please disregard all my post... Problem solved.

 

[ryanmcv]

Chatted with an agent on tivo.com; she said the "feature" will be removed from my boxes (Roamio Pro and Mini Vox) within 2-3 days. Fingers crossed...

 

[Fofer]

And then a month or so later they'll be back...

The real fix is to downgrade to TE3 if you can.

That's a crappy "fix" as it also removes the exclusive advantages of TE4.

The real fix is opting out, and/or using PiHole, at least in order to enjoy the un-compromised "best of all worlds" in the final months of TiVo's existence. Why limit yourself to an outdated feature set? Might as well enjoy what we have to the fullest, before the company finally dies.

 

[bobfrank]

Not surprised the TE3 gestapo chimed in.... I still think that the TE3 folks need their own forum.

DOWNGRADING is not a fix. And YES... it is a downgrade.

If your a TE3 user... please disregard all my post... Problem solved.

Sorry. Since my attempts to help you are so offensive, I'll try to ignore your posts in the future.

 

[bobfrank]

That's a crappy "fix" as it also removes the exclusive advantages of TE4.

The real fix is opting out, and/or using PiHole, at least in order to enjoy the un-compromised "best of all worlds" in the final months of TiVo's existence. Why limit yourself to an outdated feature set? Might as well enjoy what we have to the fullest, before the company finally dies.

The use of TE4 also removes some of the exclusive advantages of TE3. So the preference depends on which features are most important to you.

 

[Fofer]

The use of TE4 also removes some of the exclusive advantages of TE3. So the preference depends on which features are most important to you.

Of course. So to label the downgrade as "the real fix" isn't universally true, in the slightest. It's a workaround with compromises.

 

[KevTech]

Of course. So to label the downgrade as "the real fix" isn't universally true, in the slightest. It's a workaround with compromises.

Guess it depends what is important to you.
For me TE4 is an incomplete Tivo experience.
TE4 takes more button presses to do almost anything than TE3 does.
I tried for months to like TE4 then went back to TE3 which for me makes Tivo a complete Tivo again.
I could care less for CEC or autoskip so I do not see how anything is compromised other than gaining some functionality back.
I feel going from TE4 to TE3 is actually an upgrade.

 

[Fofer]

Yah, and I consider downgrading to TE3 to be a major step backwards. I’d rather give up TiVo completely than go in that direction.

So we’re an an impasse and that advice is still not “the real fix.”

 

[tommage1]

Hmm, TE3 to TE4 or TE4 to TE3, upgrade or downgrade. The only way to look at it is on an individual basis, some prefer TE3, some TE4. I like the term "sidegrade" though it sounds funny. At least should not offend anyone "I" prefer TE3, for me who pretty much just uses the DVR part of the Tivo it is faster moving through menus, I get to what I want in less time with less clicks usually. And I like the guide better, and the way transfers between Tivos and computer work. But that's just me, I DO run a Bolt on TE4 to get used to it in case it becomes mandatory (opted out on prerolls) and to test my external 3.5 drive setup (no problems so far). But I still like my TE3 better, for reasons mentioned.

By the way, that gray arrow screen, got it on the TE 4 Bolt quite awhile ago, I created a thread about it. And I was OPTED OUT already. Sometimes froze the Tivo completely, sometimes could get get to recording by pushing the "zoom" button on a white non voice remote. No other buttons worked, not even skip. Did not get fixed until I called them.

 

[bobfrank]

Of course. So to label the downgrade as "the real fix" isn't universally true, in the slightest. It's a workaround with compromises.

I wasn't the one who used the term "the real fix." Your suggestion for "the real fix" by opting out and/or using PiHole isn't universally true either. Opting out isn't a permanent fix for some people since it's been reported here by several that the pre-roll adds sometimes come back. People have also posted problems with trying to use PiHole.

Also, how is TE4 the "best of all worlds" when I have to give up the guide I prefer as well being unable to upload videos from my computer to my Tivo?

"Upgrading" to TE3 may not the THE real fix, but it is A real fix for many.

 

[Fofer]

Opting out isn't a permanent fix for some people since it's been reported here by several that the pre-roll adds sometimes come back.

So? Anyone can contact TiVo again, takes a few minutes, and get them removed, again. I don't need a permanent fix. What I want is the latest and greatest and don't want to "downgrade" to TE3. And I'll do what it takes to get the end result I want. As I said, I know TE3 well and would rather stop using TiVo entirely than downgrade back to that old UI. I vastly prefer TE4.

People have also posted problems with trying to use PiHole.

And others who have installed PiHole and configured it properly have reported success, removing the pre-rollads along with TiVo+ guide ads too.

There are many approaches to this. Calling any one of them "the real fix," I do agree, misses the point.

 

[slowbiscuit]

The real fix is opting out,

But as we've seen due to their incompetence, that's not a fix.

 

[Fofer]

But as we've seen due to their incompetence, that's not a fix.

False. It removes them. As does PiHole.

 

[KevTech]

And others who have installed PiHole and configured it properly have reported success, removing the pre-rollads along with TiVo+ guide ads too.

The ads and Tivo+ in the guide are not what bothered me.

What did bother me is having to push buttons on the remote more times to do the same thing like playing a recording or to get to the same location in the UI. Not being able to load my videos from my PC > Tivo is big too as Plex for me is just junk as far as how much you can control FF, RW, Etc.

I bet you are one of those people who likes to take the long drive in your car to get to the same location while I prefer to go the way that uses the least fuel.
Time to give it a rest as everyone knows you are a TE4 fanboy so go enjoy your TE4 while I enjoy my complete TE3 Tivo experience.

Seriously dude give it a rest.

 

[Fofer]

Then you’re in the wrong thread, If that’s not what bothered you. You simply prefer TE3 over TE4. So why are you posting here?

No, for me, downgrading to TE3 results in a demonstrably lesser experience. I’ve used both extensively, and am fully informed about the capabilities of each.

So no, you sound like a TE3 fanboy and I won’t give my participation in this conversation “a rest.” Seems strange that you can’t handle that. Just ignore me if my posts bother you so much

 

[Fofer]

And? That doesn’t change anything I said in my post. I’ve been using TiVo since 2000. You’re still in the wrong thread.



(EDIT TO ADD: This was in response to a post made by KevTech where he seemed to be trying to tout his expertise in the subject, because he was “using TE4 before any of us knew what TE4 was.” He has since deleted his post.)

 

[Charles R]

No, for me, downgrading to TE3 results in a demonstrably lesser experience.

Same experience here. Used TE3 for "decades" and upgraded to TE4 on release day. Was happy until guide ads hit and I installed TE3 thinking I'd switch (back). No way... after a couple of days I couldn't go back as the user experience was greatly reduced.

Via my existing Pi-hole I blocked mm1.tivoservice.com and the guide ads were gone. Happy once again until months later Pre-roll ads struck. Keeping mm1.tivoservice.com blocked prevents both or just blocking prod.adgwy.tivo.com blocks the Pre-roll ads.

For the heck of it I called TiVo (five minutes) to opt-out and a few days later I was. Even if I didn't have Pi-hole in use (it blocks up to 30% of my network's DNS requests) one call (every so often?) is a small price to pay...