[crxssi]

My tuning adapter started the stupid blinking yellow light a few days ago and rebooting it didn't help. So I can only get non-SDV channels. I contacted Cox yesterday, asked for cable card support, and was led through the standard waste-of-time reboot this and that crap. A service tech came to my house just now and didn't even come in. He told me that Cox is changing their network and TiVo isn't currently supported. He had been to 5 other TiVo-owner's houses this morning saying the same thing. All he can do is offer me a Cox DVR (at a charge, of course). He said that they are upgrading the network and that it is possible it might work again later, but they don't know, and it doesn't seem likely.

To say I am angry is an understatement. If this is true, why didn't the people at support know it? Why didn't they inform TiVo users? I am now going to call TiVo and let them know what I was told, and then start up the chain at Cox.

 

[crxssi]

Hmm. TiVo support is no longer available on the weekends. I called Cox back to complain and they said they have no indication that TiVo support is being dropped and will supposedly have someone else call me with more information. They scheduled another service tech to come out Monday...

 

[KevTech]

Any Cox stores in your area?

 

[Tanic]

Tuning Adapter tech support is 877-820-8202. They are open Saturday.

 

[crxssi]

Mystery solved. The OUTPUT coax of the tuning adapter had a 9db attenuator on it feeding the TiVo because the signal used to be too hot. We removed that attenuator and the tuning adapter started working immediately. This doesn't make much sense to me, since the input to the TA was NOT being attenuated. And I had no tuning or picture problems on the TiVo, other than the missing SDV channels from the TA. The only thing I can think of is that the load on the output was affecting the input, somehow. I even put back the attenuator and it stopped working, then took it out and it started working again.

The part about TiVo not being supported was just bad information from the first technician. I would like to edit the thread title to de-sensationalize it, but there doesn't appear to be that option on the forum.

 

[JoeKustra]

The part about TiVo not being supported was just bad information from the first technician. I would like to edit the thread title to de-sensationalize it, but there doesn't appear to be that option on the forum.

Glad you figured it out. To get the thread title changed, click on Report (bottom left of each post) and ask the Moderator.

 

[rrwcm]

Mystery solved. The OUTPUT coax of the tuning adapter had a 9db attenuator on it feeding the TiVo because the signal used to be too hot. We removed that attenuator and the tuning adapter started working immediately. This doesn't make much sense to me, since the input to the TA was NOT being attenuated. And I had no tuning or picture problems on the TiVo, other than the missing SDV channels from the TA. The only thing I can think of is that the load on the output was affecting the input, somehow. I even put back the attenuator and it stopped working, then took it out and it started working again.

The part about TiVo not being supported was just bad information from the first technician. I would like to edit the thread title to de-sensationalize it, but there doesn't appear to be that option on the forum.

Is the attenuator the small thing that looks like a coax splitter? I have often wondered if that thing was needed. I am now on Spectrum.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[crxssi]

Is the attenuator the small thing that looks like a coax splitter? I have often wondered if that thing was needed.

No. An attenuator is a small resistor/filter-like device that has 1 female and 1 male F connector. It reduces the RF power of the signal by the number of decibels on the label attached to it. Some devices, including the TiVo, will have difficulty tuning if the signal is too strong. Attenuators are used to reduce the signal power to try to bring them into "spec". They can be used in series, so you can use one or several, of any value, and add up all those values for the total attenuation strength. The signal can be too "hot" for many reasons, almost all of which would be the cable company's "fault."

If a signal is too "cold" (weak) you would need a powered amplifier, but this will also amplify noise which can interfere with decoding the signal. If a signal is out of spec, the cable company is required to correct it (at THEIR cost), UNLESS the loss of signal or interference is due to your own, in-house wiring (which happens a lot, also). This can be due to long runs, incorrect type of cable, incorrect termination, incorrect fittings, incorrect splitters, over-splitting, damaged cables, running close to sources of RF (radio interference), etc. This is why there is a "demark" at your building. The cable company is responsible only for bringing a correct signal to that point, after that, it is your (the building owner's) problem. The cable company might help diagnose or fix your inside wiring, but they have the right to charge for that.

 

[rrwcm]

Thanks for a thorough explanation! I would like to also ask about tuning adapters. I assume that they are still needed. I have six (6) Tivo's and all have tuning adapters. Some have flashing yellow lights and others no lights lit. All seem to be working fine.
Questions:
1) Is there any meaning to the lights on the TA?
2) If the TA is removed will the Tivo still receive all channels?
3) Why is the cable feed run thru a splitter with one output going to the TA and the other output going to the Tivo? How does the TA output get into the Tivo?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[UCLABB]

Thanks for a thorough explanation! I would like to also ask about tuning adapters. I assume that they are still needed. I have six (6) Tivo's and all have tuning adapters. Some have flashing yellow lights and others no lights lit. All seem to be working fine.
Questions:
1) Is there any meaning to the lights on the TA?
2) If the TA is removed will the Tivo still receive all channels?
3) Why is the cable feed run thru a splitter with one output going to the TA and the other output going to the Tivo? How does the TA output get into the Tivo?

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

You need to tell us what brand TA you have.
The channels you receive with or without the TA is dependent on your provider and what channels you subscribe to.
Sometimes using the output of the TA rather that a splitter results in issues and always problem if using MOCA.
The TA communicates with the TiVo via the USB connection.

 

[rrwcm]

Great information! I have looked all over my TA's and could not find the manufacturer. See photo for what I found.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[crxssi]

Thanks for a thorough explanation! I would like to also ask about tuning adapters. I assume that they are still needed.

Depends on cable company. With Cox, it is neeed.

I have six (6) Tivo's and all have tuning adapters. Some have flashing yellow lights and others no lights lit. All seem to be working fine.

If they are like the Motorola, a blinking yellow light means it is not working. So you will be able to tune only non-SDV channels.

2) If the TA is removed will the Tivo still receive all channels?

Nope, not if the cable company is using SDV.

3) Why is the cable feed run thru a splitter with one output going to the TA and the other output going to the Tivo?

Because the TiVo is a tuner and has to be plugged into the Coax also. But most TA's have an in and an out, so a splitter with those types is not needed. The TA is essentially just a cable modem with a USB port. It is a shame they are required, since the TiVo is, no doubt, already connected to your cable company's IP through the network port and could request channels that way, if the cable company and TiVo got it worked out.

How does the TA output get into the Tivo?

USB

 

[crxssi]

Great information! I have looked all over my TA's and could not find the manufacturer. See photo for what I found.

That is Motorola, same TA that Cox uses. Blinking yellow = not working. Either it is defective, or it is not registered with the head end at cable company, or coax signal is missing, too weak, too strong, or incorrectly filtered. Of course, try power cycling it as first step. I got so tired of power cycling mine, I put a power timer on it that reboots it every day at 2am.