[Dave with Bolt]

Hello,

I just received my Tivo Bolt from FedX delivery on Sunday (yes, Sunday @ 10AM). Having gone through initial set-up (lifetime subscription installed already by Tivo) of about an hour, I have a few questions about using the Bolt (Oct. 2019).

I have read about the heating issue & remedies thereof. How do you find the temperature on the menu OR do I need a thermometer w/readout for this? Being brand new, I don't want to open it up until I have to, apparently for hard drive replacement. I do have it elevated and the cable card door removed as I have read in postings, but is there an internal readout for heat?

For the channel search, the Bolt did fine with the guide, but actual results differed. Some weak channels did not televise, so I ran an antenna signal test. The signal on a strong channel was good, but taking the advice from the sidebar of going up or down channels, shuts off the Tivo, only to go through restarting process. Is this inherent or must I go through each channel by leaving the antenna strength page to return with desired channel to test? The strength meter appears fine on the one channel, drifting a little each second or two of time.

The channel up goes Cuckoo and the channel down does the reverse. Is there any way to silence this and all sound effects? It is disturbing coming from 15 years of Windows Media Center and the near silence it had.

What would it have taken Tivo to include a users manual? I went online to read it and it is short enough, yet inclusive for anyone who desires it.

If WMC didn't go belly up as of January 1st with no more TV guide, I would have stayed with it. Tivo was chosen as DVR of choice by many cord cutters, so here I am at this point frustrated at something seemingly untweakable compared to what WMC was. Does anyone have any methods of remedy for me or is it simply "get used to it, it's Tivo!"?

One last observation is that my remote (voice) uses 2 AA batteries inserted the same way. Is this a 3 Volt remote? What is the life span of your batteries? From what I remember, the lower the Voltage, the more efficient a device is. Anyone have a 9 Volt device and another like device that uses 2 AAA's? Sure, the 9 Volt device delivers, but the battery has a shorter life span versus the AAA device. OR am I wrong with this, being the batteries are inserted into the remote drawing 1 1/2 Volts TOTAL, extending the life expectancy of the batteries, thusly a highly efficient remote?

Thank-You for reading this and especially for remedies in your responses. Like I mentioned, Tivo is new to me and I wish to incorporate it into my life.

Regards,

Dave with Bolt

 

[jay_man2]

Bolt+ Overheating - Cooling Method? - Please Post Pictures

 

[302481]

No interest in EPG123? Works fine and would be much cheaper than Tivo.

I'll leave your other questions to others as my Tivo has never behaved the way you describe.

I personally use the far cheaper Amazon Recast. I also came from WMC many years ago.

 

[Dave with Bolt]

Bolt+ Overheating - Cooling Method? - Please Post Pictures

Thanks! I found it and ODT is 60 after about 7 hours on, recording about 1/4 of the time as test. Key test for 1st run is now for 3 hours / Sunday night. Seems OK so far. Thx jay-man2!

 

[jay_man2]

I took the cable card door off, and put my Bolt on a cooling fan. Last I checked the ODT was 47. 60 is kind of high.

https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-...d=1578271668&sprefix=aircom+s7,aps,115&sr=8-1

 

[Dave with Bolt]

No interest in EPG123? Works fine and would be much cheaper than Tivo.

I'll leave your other questions to others as my Tivo has never behaved the way you describe.

I personally use the far cheaper Amazon Recast. I also came from WMC many years ago.

I looked into EPG123, thought it was a way, but WMC computer is old and outdated (HP Z565, Z560, etc.). Something new and separate from computers as a stand alone so I could upgrade from Win7 to Win10 ... eventually (I have a 64 which can do so, the Z's only 32).

ATSC 3.0 is the thing, when will it roll out, 5 years or ? I figure $375 spent is $70/year over 5 years. Buying a Sunday paper for the TV guide at $1.75 per week times 52 = $91/year. Plus all the fooling around getting a newspaper (live where it would be stolen if I subscribed) and translating the guide into time and channel coordinates ... for the birds!

EPG123 would definitely be cheaper, but even that has a few bugs which, even being retired, don't need to address fixes. Tivo hopefully has enough going for it that I can live with, if nuances can't be remedied.

 

[Dave with Bolt]

I took the cable card door off, and put my Bolt on a cooling fan. Last I checked the ODT was 47. 60 is kind of high.

https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-Top-Exhaust-Receivers-Components/dp/B01LVW4SLP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10TVIL1TK47TW&keywords=aircom+s7&qid=1578271668&sprefix=aircom+s7,aps,115&sr=8-1

First time I "actually" looked at this (thought it was a replacement / substitute for oem fan). Read many kudos of the AC Infinity in the posts this last week. This one or another model? Which way will it circulate air, in or out? ODT still at 60 after checking; under 50 next goal (did I read someone had a 37 somewhere in these posts?). I'm sure removing the cover will decrease temperature, especially if I placed a 120mm fan (or 2) such as I have with my media center setup over the hot spots. The AC Infinity fan way is good to keep the Bolt intact and original, along with it's 30 day / 1 year warranty. BTW, the oem fan runs quiet ... maybe because of Oct. 2019 on cover.

 

[bruce316]

First time I "actually" looked at this (thought it was a replacement / substitute for oem fan). Read many kudos of the AC Infinity in the posts this last week. This one or another model? Which way will it circulate air, in or out? ODT still at 60 after checking; under 50 next goal (did I read someone had a 37 somewhere in these posts?). I'm sure removing the cover will decrease temperature, especially if I placed a 120mm fan (or 2) such as I have with my media center setup over the hot spots. The AC Infinity fan way is good to keep the Bolt intact and original, along with it's 30 day / 1 year warranty. BTW, the oem fan runs quiet ... maybe because of Oct. 2019 on cover.

I've tried a few fans with the bolt and the one linked in your post (S7) is the nicest looking one and the most effective, also quite expensive at $50. There is another AC Infinity fan (S4 linked below) that is cheaper and almost as effective but the bolt will run about 4 degrees hotter with that one and not look as nice, but it is only $14. These fans will sit under the bolt's cable card door that you took off and blow air into the bolt. If your bolt is running about 60 without a fan it will probably run between 45-50 with the fan. It's hard to get it running much cooler without a lot of modification, drilling holes into the case and such.

https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-MULTIFAN-Receiver-Playstation/dp/B00MWH4FL4/ref=sr_1_43?crid=3HDVG1ODCV6FM&keywords=ac+infinity&qid=1578276479&sprefix=ac+in,aps,180&sr=8-43

 

[bruce316]

Hello,

The channel up goes Cuckoo and the channel down does the reverse. Is there any way to silence this and all sound effects? It is disturbing coming from 15 years of Windows Media Center and the near silence it had.

Dave with Bolt

You can adjust the sound effects volume. Go to Settings, Audio & Video Settings, then choose Sound Effects volume. You can choose Low, Medium, High, or you can even turn them Off if you want.

 

[Dave with Bolt]

You can adjust the sound effects volume. Go to Settings, Audio & Video Settings, then choose Sound Effects volume. You can choose Low, Medium, High, or you can even turn them Off if you want.

THANK-YOU BRUCE!!! I found OFFFF!! The sound effects were too much ... how can anyone live with them?!

 

[Dave with Bolt]

Have I made a set-up error by selecting Tivo+ if I don't want it at this time? It appears at every 8th line of the channel guide as I scroll up or down. I don't need apps or movies, just a TV recorder. It is nice to know such a variety is available, but not now. One good thing about it is when I'm looking ahead in the guide, if I go on that space, I can leap ahead 2 hours at a time instead of 1/2. How do I get rid of it? TV guide real estate size is precious, every line of it. Shall resetting the box from scratch WITHOUT clicking on Tivo+ in the process do it? Dare I call Tivo with this dilemma?

 

[Mikeguy]

THANK-YOU BRUCE!!! I found OFFFF!! The sound effects were too much ... how can anyone live with them?!

I actually like the sound effects and miss them if they've gone away--but I also set the volume level to the lowest.

 

[bruce316]

Have I made a set-up error by selecting Tivo+ if I don't want it at this time? It appears at every 8th line of the channel guide as I scroll up or down. I don't need apps or movies, just a TV recorder. It is nice to know such a variety is available, but not now. One good thing about it is when I'm looking ahead in the guide, if I go on that space, I can leap ahead 2 hours at a time instead of 1/2. How do I get rid of it? TV guide real estate size is precious, every line of it. Shall resetting the box from scratch WITHOUT clicking on Tivo+ in the process do it? Dare I call Tivo with this dilemma?

I've gotten used to the Tivo+ info in the guide and I don't even notice it much anymore. Some people use Tivos with an earlier system version (TE3) that doesn't have Tivo+. It sounds like you have a newer bolt ota and if that's the case you have to run the newest system version TE4 Hydra. I'm not aware of any way to get rid of Tivo+ if your tivo runs TE4.

I actually like the sound effects and miss them if they've gone away--but I also set the volume level to the lowest.

I agree with you Mike, I like the tivo sounds also. But I also miss the little movie of the tivo guy that used to play when the tivo restarted so I'm probably more of a diehard Tivo fan than I care to admit.

 

[Mikeguy]

I agree with you Mike, I like the tivo sounds also. But I also miss the little movie of the tivo guy that used to play when the tivo restarted so I'm probably more of a diehard Tivo fan than I care to admit.

A miscalculation by TiVo, eliminating the TiVo guy and movie. They added character and generated goodwill. Likewise, TiVo should bring back TiVo merchandise--there is a place for (and monetary benefit from) fun.

 

[Dave with Bolt]

I drilled into my old HP Z565 & Z560, installed a 120mm fan in each with dust grill using a 4 inch hole saw, and they still work fine. Being not a day old yet, I would rather keep the Bolt oem as long as possible (warranty of 1 year), then decide on keeping the cover off, cover off with some fan arrangement to dissipate heat, or drill holes wherever needed with the likes of an S7 utilized and be showcased (if neatness counts). I am ready to drill if need be.

You guys, listen to what channel up sound effect sounds like ... a coo-cooo is what I heard until it was switched off. I found it condescending & demeaning acoustically to the point where that I thought I was in some Marx Brothers movie project as a Margaret Dumont substitute. And who knows what channel down might be associated with! LOL! The sound effects are one aspect I can live without, even though people have straight jackets ready for me when I crack, the Bolt now won't place me in one.

 

[Tony_T]

The ODT is OK at 60.

 

[JoeKustra]

If you use Lithium batteries they will display as 100% in System Information. When the show 90%, they are beginning to fail. They fail quickly and the first indication is loss of TV or AVR control since it seems IR functions need more power. Other batteries start at 90% but expire at a slower rate and don't last as long.

 

[V7Goose]

Being not a day old yet, I would rather keep the Bolt oem as long as possible (warranty of 1 year), then decide on keeping the cover off, cover off with some fan arrangement to dissipate heat, or drill holes wherever needed with the likes of an S7 utilized and be showcased (if neatness counts). I am ready to drill if need be.

The TiVo warranty is pretty much worthless, but I do understand if you want to leave the box untouched - nothing wrong with that.

Your absolute best cooling option is to use a flat blower placed on the shelf at the left rear corner of the Bolt and angled slightly so that the air sweeps across the back and some blows under that ugly hump. On a completely stock Bolt, this fan keeps the ODT at about 53 (with the fan running on low). It actually works best if the bolt is NOT raised up on any bumpers. The blower is very cheap on Amazon. I explain it better, with pictures, in this post: External Cooling Fan

Unless they have made changes to newer Bolts, taking off the CC door will do zero to help cool it if you do not actually have a cable card installed - that little cavity does not have an vents in it on my two Bolts. Remember that the only air intake on a Bolt is tiny little vents along the bottom of the left and right sides, so you must never place the Bolt on any soft surface like a towel or other cloth.

 

[stuart628]

THANK-YOU BRUCE!!! I found OFFFF!! The sound effects were too much ... how can anyone live with them?!

My wife and I love the sound effects lol....welcome to Tivo, SOLID dvr.

 

[Mikeguy]

Unless they have made changes to newer Bolts, taking off the CC door will do zero to help cool it if you do not actually have a cable card installed - that little cavity does not have an vents in it on my two Bolts. Remember that the only air intake on a Bolt is tiny little vents along the bottom of the left and right sides, so you must never place the Bolt on any soft surface like a towel or other cloth.

Maybe I got "lucky," but removing the cablecard compartment hatch door on my earlier-model Bolt box definitely did have a real, measurable effect in lowering the box's ODT (and no cablecard here).