New S3, new FiOS, what to do first?

Make sure that the installer brings TWO CableCARDs.

Cable up your TiVo S3 with RF cable input and the A/V outputs to your TV.

My Verizon installer tried to use his laptop computer in the van to activate the CableCards but ended up having to call in to a tech help-desk to have a person back at the contol center activate them.

Don't let him leave until you can confirm that all digital channels and premium channels are working.

S2 peanut will work fine but you won't have the 'aspect' button to toggle through the zooming modes when watching a 4:3 show.

MikeyB said:

Simple situation: I'm moving. I have a new S3 (still in the box) and I'll be getting FiOS service at my new home. What should I to prepare for the install?

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Run "Guided Setup" before your FiOS install.

Will I have any trouble with running the Guided Setup without having the TV service? I haven't run GS since I setup my two S2s. I could get the S3 hooked up to my current analog service, but I wasn't sure how that would effect the FiOS install. Am I better off just running GS without the coax at all? I'd go ahead a have the S3 call home for 9.1 updates (or whatever version) before the FiOS installer comes.

A J Ricaud said:

Run "Guided Setup" before your FiOS install.

Click to expand...

I ran GS before Verizon arrived to install the cable cards. Once the cards were installed and activated only 1 card or tuner was active. If we tested the cable cards they passed but we could only view/record one channel at a time. We had to re-run GS to get the second card/tuner activated.

I may have been a glitch but I had two S3's installed at the same time and we had to re-run GS on both.

YMMV

Be sure on the 2 cable cards. What they call an "M-card" is for Motorola, not Multi-Stream. You need 2 cards.

Otherwise, my setup (2 Tivo HD units) went flawlessly.

Brad

mwr10 said:

I ran GS before Verizon arrived to install the cable cards. Once the cards were installed and activated only 1 card or tuner was active. If we tested the cable cards they passed but we could only view/record one channel at a time. We had to re-run GS to get the second card/tuner activated.

I may have been a glitch but I had two S3's installed at the same time and we had to re-run GS on both.

YMMV

Click to expand...

Sounds like I'll be better off waiting to run GS until the installer arrives.

andrews777 said:

Be sure on the 2 cable cards. What they call an "M-card" is for Motorola, not Multi-Stream. You need 2 cards.

Otherwise, my setup (2 Tivo HD units) went flawlessly.

Brad

Click to expand...

I was sure to ask for two cards when I placed the order. No one has yet to see any FiOS Multi-Stream cards yet, so I was certain I'd need two. Luckily, the rep who took my phone order seemed knowledgeable and placed the order correctly. Now, I just have to tell my wife that I forgot about the TV in the bedroom. Doesn't matter much since we never really watched it anyway. Maybe it'd be a good enough reason to pick up a THD.

MikeyB said:

Sounds like I'll be better off waiting to run GS until the installer arrives.

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I don't think it hurts to run it multiple times.

Brad

True. I guess I'll set it up this weekend and use it for a couple weeks. Then re-do it when the FiOS service is ready.

Better to run guided setup first, get the Tivo all patched and stabilized, and then wait for the install.

Then you'll need to run it again when the two CC's are successfully installed, and at that point all you'll be downloading is new guide data.

I think that'll be my plan. I'll just run it twice. I was thinking it would be a good idea to have it all patched before the CC install. I'll just use it with my existing cable to get it ready to go.

Here is a slightlty different twist on a new FIOS install question.

I might be one of the first people in the Pittsburgh area to get FIOS TV (currently on Comcast) on 10/15. I recently purchased a Tivo HD and hooked the coax to verify that the Tivo was working (still need to test the HDMI connnection).

My question: When running the guided setup, I don't think FIOS was an option in the cable provider list. Do I contact Tivo to verify that the guide data for Verizon will be available?

Thanks.

You'll need to request that TiVo create a channel lineup for your FiOS in P'burg. I forget what the link is, but you can do that through the TiVo site.

MikeyB said:

You'll need to request that TiVo create a channel lineup for your FiOS in P'burg. I forget what the link is, but you can do that through the TiVo site.

Click to expand...

Thanks MikeyB!

I was able to submit a request at the following link:

http://customersupport.tivo.com/LineUpForm.aspx

DinoBambino:
I got Verizon FIOS TV here in Pittsburgh (actually, Mt. Lebanon) on Tuesday, Oct. 16. So far, it is spectacular! Much better video quality and more channels for less $ than Comcast.

The only problem is that there is no cable line-up for FIOS for my 15228 zip code. So, I put in a request on Tuesday. Not sure I sent it to the right part of Tivo, so I will send to the link suggested from MikeyB.

Thanks,
Alan

DinoBambino:
You'll never believe this. If you want to get the right cable lineup for Pittsburgh (South Hills/Mt. Lebanon), instead of entering a Pittsburgh zip code like 15228, enter 18914 for now. This is in Bucks County, PA near Philadelphia. This is a Verizon FIOS area, and for some reason one of the lineups shown is Pittsburgh. I'm sure Tivo will correct this at some point, but for now 18914 will work for Pittsburgh.

Let us know if this works for you or anyone else in the Pittsburgh area.

Good Luck!

Alan

Get a HD TV too

MikeyB said:

Simple situation: I'm moving. I have a new S3 (still in the box) and I'll be getting FiOS service at my new home. What should I to prepare for the install?

Click to expand...

Hook up the S3 to a network or phone line and either an antenna or an analog cable source or both, run guided setup, and let it run and call home enough to get the latest software upgrade.

you'll need to repeat guided setup when the installer shows up with cablecards, but having the box running the latest software is likely to result in fewer problems during the install.