[sniperlv]

So after reading this part of the forum for the past few days. I have decided to get the HD model Tivo. Can't let you guys have all the fun with pixelization . I wasn't going to purchase one until they had the MRV ready, but hopefully they will have that soon. I have already scheduled an install with Cox Phoenix for Sunday morning. Now I have a few questions.

Do I need a phone line to do the initial setup? Hope not because I have Voip and not sure that will go over to well.

Before Cox gets here on Sunday do I need to register the box and put it on my account? Will this work without the Cable Cards?

After all is said and done I am gaining around 27 more channels including Showtime. and saving like $6.00 bucks a month after paying Tivo the $6.95.

 

[bkdtv]

Disclaimer

Be aware that the $270 TivoHD currently suffers from random pixelization on most cable systems that use Scientific Atlanta CableCards. Some find this tolerable while others do not. Tivo is working on a software update to eliminate that issue, but if your cable company uses Scientific Atlanta CableCards, you might want to hold off until that update is released, especially if you are picky about video glitches.

On the other hand, if your cable company uses Motorola CableCards, then the TivoHD is absolutely fantastic with the latest software update. Run, not walk, to buy the TivoHD if your cable system uses Motorola CableCards.

Generally, if a provider uses Scientific Atlanta boxes, they use Scientific Atlanta CableCards. Likewise, if a provider uses Motorola boxes, then they use Motorola CableCards.

Do I need a phone line to do the initial setup? Hope not because I have Voip and not sure that will go over to well.

You need either a phone line or broadband Internet. Broadband Internet is preferred. You can 1) run ethernet cable from your router directly to the TivoHD, 2) use a ethernet -> wireless bridge (these are sold as wireless gaming adapters), or 3) you can buy the Tivo wireless adapter.

If you can't use the broadband connection, the TivoHD will work over the phone line with most VoIP services, but downloads take much longer that way. Obviously, the downloads are much faster when using broadband Internet. Connecting the Tivo to your network also allows you to take advantage of the Tivo's home network features, such as Internet video downloads.

Before Cox gets here on Sunday do I need to register the box and put it on my account? Will this work without the Cable Cards?

You have 7 days to register the box and then another 30 days after that to cancel.

The TivoHD will work without CableCards but you won't get your subscription digital cable channels without them.

 

[Dr_Diablo]

So after reading this part of the forum for the past few days. I have decided to get the HD model Tivo. Can't let you guys have all the fun with pixelization . I wasn't going to purchase one until they had the MRV ready, but hopefully they will have that soon. I have already scheduled an install with Cox Phoenix for Sunday morning. Now I have a few questions.

Do I need a phone line to do the initial setup? Hope not because I have Voip and not sure that will go over to well.

No, in my case when I had my Tivo setup ten days ago, I had neither a phone or ethernet cable attached..

Before Cox gets here on Sunday do I need to register the box and put it on my account? Will this work without the Cable Cards?

I opted to have mine registered before the cable guy showed up... Without the cards I could only view channels 2 thru 99, the analog feeds... It would be wise to have your service started before the tech comes to your residence. That way he can ensure you have all the channels you are paying for...
It was a mess dealing with the SA cards... He had to try 10 cards to get two working... No MC available with my cable provider...

After all is said and done I am gaining around 27 more channels including Showtime. and saving like $6.00 bucks a month after paying Tivo the $6.95.

The reception was fair, until the cards were introduced to the Tivo, then the pixelation problerms began...

Good luck with your setup...

 

[TiVotion]

So after reading this part of the forum for the past few days. I have decided to get the HD model Tivo. Can't let you guys have all the fun with pixelization . I wasn't going to purchase one until they had the MRV ready, but hopefully they will have that soon. I have already scheduled an install with Cox Phoenix for Sunday morning. Now I have a few questions.

Do I need a phone line to do the initial setup? Hope not because I have Voip and not sure that will go over to well.

Before Cox gets here on Sunday do I need to register the box and put it on my account? Will this work without the Cable Cards?

After all is said and done I am gaining around 27 more channels including Showtime. and saving like $6.00 bucks a month after paying Tivo the $6.95.

First of all, I have to say, WOW! Your cable company works on Sunday? I wish ours did around here.

I would get the box plugged in and set up as soon as possible. Walk all the way through guided setup. TiVo will tell you you need cablecards, but just continue on anyway. You can complete setup without them. Once setup finishes, it will take serveral hours to load and properly index the guide data. Give it several hours. Later on today, or early tomorrow before the installer comes, I would force several connections to the TiVo service to download the latest software version. To see if you've got it, you'll need to go into the system information screen (Messages and Settings > Account & System Info > System Info). Page down, and if you see the Status: "Pending Restart", you can manually re-start TiVo (Messages and Settings > Restart or Reset > Restart) to load the new software. Once restarted, your new software version should be "8.1.7b2-01-2-652".

If you do this, you might be able to have the latest software version before the cablecards are installed (which may or may not prevent you from noticing some of the macroblocking issues that have been reported as your first viewing experience). It's also ok to get the software update after the cards are installed, but you'll get a head start this way.

 

[sniperlv]

Thanks for the fast replies. Yup they work on Sundays I was kinda shocked myself. So after going to Circuit City to get the HD Tivo I decided to go ahead and upgrade my entire room where I am putting the HD Tivo. So I picked me up a 50 inch Plasma and a stand also. This 300 dollar Tivo has costed me 2k now. This TV / Tivo stuff is is like a Crack addiction.

 

[jrm01]

Hope you also got the 4-year service plans on everything, home installation, tv callibration, power center surge protectors, complete new cabling, upgrade to your broadband, wireless adaptor, and oh, don't forget the 5.1 surrund sound home theater system.

If not, you'll be ready for another "fix" later tonight.

 

[sniperlv]

No I just got the extended warranty on the TV. Had the surround sound, surge protectors, broadband by ethernet cable already behind TV. Hope I don't need another fix tonight. If I do my GF will have to get another job.

 

[navman]

Any luck with getting tivohd hooked up?

 

[CCourtney]

FWIW, I was able to set up my TiVo HD over VoIP line (Vonage)

I recently moved to a new house and don't have Ethernet pulled everywhere yet and my generic WiFi USB Network adapter wouldn't work and my 50ft Ethernet Cable wasn't long enough (Router downstairs SE corner of house, Home Theater upstairs NW corner of house.) Needless to say I got the TiVo Wireless G the next day.

CCourtney