[GMC]

I have recently upgraded my Virgin cable to a V+ box.

Previously I had been using a Tivo to control my old Cable and Wireless Pace box using a red eye type of adaptor.

This old Pace box has now been "dumped" (at least I will be returning it to Virgin if they want it).

I now have a Samsung cable box as well as the V+ box.

Rather than not use the Tivo at all, I had thought about using the Tivo to just record and pause live TV. I can't use any of the other functions because I have nothing to control the Samsun box and there is no phone point near the Tivo.

I should add that the this configuration will only be used very infrequently so it is not while spending any money on it.

Can anyone advise me of what exactly I can do with the Tivo though. At the moment there is still program data there because I only unplugged the box last week.

Also, how long is the "live TV" buffer and can I save what is in the buffer?

Any advice or suggestions welcome.

I have added my name to the the Virgin V+/Tivo petition; I only wished something would come of this.

 

[blindlemon]

You should be able to control the Samsung cable box with the TiVo and have full functionality.

If you plug the TiVo into the phone once a week - eg. Sunday evening - and force a daily call that will keep the guide data 99% up to date.

Cost: maybe £5 for a phone extension cable...

 

[GMC]

Thanks

What would I need to control the Samsung box ?

 

[blindlemon]

The IR wands that you used to use for your Pace box

 

[GMC]

Dumb! - I had assumed it wouldn't work with the Samsung.

 

[blindlemon]

Just go into the STB control menu and choose the appropriate code. There's a list of supported STBs here

 

[Pete77]

Cost: maybe £5 for a phone extension cable...

As blindlemon says attaching a long phone cable (cost £5) to your nearest phone point and forcing a daily call once a week (preferably on a Monday) will keep the box up to date for recordings.

Or you could permanently install an extension in the room if you are prepared to get out a hammer and use a few extension wire clips on the skirting board.

Also the Samsung box is supported by Tivo but does not require the special cable adapter which needs to be removed between the Tivo box socket and the plug for the normal IR leads.

 

[Pete77]

Dumb! - I had assumed it wouldn't work with the Samsung.

Tivo still constantly adds IR codes for new Sky, Cable and Freeview boxes that come on the market. These are usually captured by TivoCommunity members using a Pronto remote unit and then sent to our moderator Gary Sargent who sends them on to Tivo to be amalgamated in to the list of supported boxes.

Several other Tivocommunity members use the Samsung Virgin Cable box with their Tivo.

 

[Pete77]

P.S. If you really have no need for the Tivo box now you have V+ (seems unlikely given other TivoCommunity member reports on the dumbness of the V+ as a PVR) then if you have a Lifetime Sub then don't forget it should fetch about £120 or more if you sell it on Ebay.

Unsubbed, unmodified Tivos now only fetch about £15 so are hardly worth selling.

 

[SJC]

My Samsung box works very well with Tivo, although it wasn't so good at 1st. Anyway I use IR code 200045 normal as well as both wands, one on top of the Samsung IR receiver and one bottom, slightly offset.
I would suggest using an "F" type connector to split your incoming cable feed, one to your V+ box and the other to Tivo. That way you have 2 independent live cable boxes for the cost of a £3 splitter and a metre of cable.