mikefischer99
@verizon.net
| CableCard TiVoHD install Picked up a Tivo HD today at Best Buy. Called Verizon and asked for CableCard and they were very helpful. In fact, they said they would be here tomorrow to deliver and install the card (or cards, don't know yet)! I'll reply once the install is done and summarize how the process went.
While I was on the phone I added telephone to my service, bringing me up to Verizon triple play level. Previously I was just using TV and Internet through Verizon (had telephone through Cox Cable).
Have had a few months experience with the Motorola DVR so hopefully I can make a few comparisons once the TivoHD is working. | |
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 KenAF
join:2006-01-23
Arlington, VA | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install If they bring MCARDs, you just need one. If they bring the older 'S' CableCards, you need two. | |
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 | JPL
Premium
join:2007-04-04
West Chester, PA | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install I've got a stupid question with regard to this. Wouldn't that impact your monthly lease fees? I mean if they bring MCARDs you're leasing 1 card. If they bring the older cards, you're leasing 2. Just wondering. | |
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| | KenAF
join:2006-01-23
Arlington, VA
3 edits | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by JPL  :I've got a stupid question with regard to this. Wouldn't that impact your monthly lease fees? I mean if they bring MCARDs you're leasing 1 card. If they bring the older cards, you're leasing 2. Just wondering. That's right.
If your local Verizon office only has the older 'S' CableCards, then you are stuck paying 2x2.99= $5.98/mo. If your Verizon office has depleted their 'S' CableCard stock and you get an MCARD, then you only pay $2.99/mo.
All you can do is ask the sales rep to add a note for the installer ("bring MCARD if available") to your order.
(As of April, Motorola ships nothing but MCARDs so eventually that is all FiOS will have.) | |
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| | | JPL
Premium
join:2007-04-04
West Chester, PA | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install Thanks for the info, Ken. Good to know. I'll keep that in mind if I ever decide to swing for a tivo. | |
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| | | DGGSLF
join:2007-04-14
Lynn, MA
| Hey KenAF.
I have two CableCARDs in two seperate TVs. My install happened back in early March 2007. Here's my question: How do I tell by looking at the Version of the CableCARD (accessible via the TV menu), if I have an "M" card or "S" card? Right now it says I have a Motorola Version 04.21 cards.
Are they "M" cards? | |
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| | | | KenAF
join:2006-01-23
Arlington, VA
1 edit | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install The MCARDs clearly say MCARD in large letters on side with the text. If you don't see that, you have the older 'S' CableCards. I don't think there is any way to tell from the TV menu, you would have to pull it out.
As far as I know, Verizon didn't take any shipments of MCARDs until Motorola stopped shipping the older 'S' CableCards in April. | |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX
| Yep I picked up a TivoHD and my cablecard appt is next tuesday. You officially suck.
In the meantime I can just have the box record some of the analog channels.
--
Mac Chatter
»www.macchatter.net | |
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mikefischer99
@verizon.net
| The installer only had SCards. I wonder if in a few months there will be a way to trade up for a single MCard to cut the monthly fee in half.
Install went pretty smoothly, and all my channels seem to be working fine! Already feeling the stress level drop as my wife is happy to have the Motorola box out of the house... she's programming the TiVo for our shows as I type... | |
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| harley3k
join:2007-04-10
Flower Mound, TX
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by mikefischer99 :
Install went pretty smoothly, and all my channels seem to be working fine! Already feeling the stress level drop as my wife is happy to have the Motorola box out of the house... she's programming the TiVo for our shows as I type...
Good to know.... what part of the country are you in?
-h | |
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mikefischer99
@verizon.net | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install Harley, I'm in Northern Virginia (Fios's DC area).
My only complaint now is the typical "one channel much louder than another" issue. | |
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| 
PetDude
Premium,Mod
join:2001-02-20
Annapolis, MD
clubs:
Host:
Speakeasy
Philadelphia & Nor..
HughesNet Satellite
WildBlue Satellite
Other Satellite
| Exact same situation here in MD. I picked up the Tivo HD at the local Best Buy Monday morning. Called VZ and they scheduled the tech for today. Tech arrived and installed two SCards (no MCards available here either). The install took about 45 minutes. The tech then waited around for the next 25 minutes or so for the guided set-up to complete in order to make sure all was well with the install, and it was. All channels look great! And like at your house, the whine level here has dropped significantly. I have to admit, I'm pretty stoked to have the Tivo back as well.
--
Free your mind and your ass will follow | |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX | Install is tomorrow. I'll update when everything is done.
--
Mac Chatter
»www.macchatter.net | |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX
| Installed and working in less than 30 minutes..
Works great so far. Flower Mound Tx.. They had moto cards so hopefully I'm not going to see the issues others have had with the sci atl cards.
--
Mac Chatter
»www.macchatter.net | |
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JeepMatt
Delaware Fios
Premium
join:2001-12-28
Wilmington, DE | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install My one question with TIVO is, I'm assuming none of you care(d) about On Demand?
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"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!" | |
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| | KenAF
join:2006-01-23
Arlington, VA
4 edits | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by JeepMatt :My one question with TIVO is, I'm assuming none of you care(d) about On Demand? It's not that I don't care about 'On Demand.' I just think Verizon's 'On Demand' is inferior to what I get with the Tivo. For me, the Tivo is a superior 'On Demand' box.
With the 'On Demand' programming on FiOS, you are limited to categories and content setup by Verizon. Someone at Verizon or TVN defined those categories and they maintain them by recording and copying content from their channels into those categories. This is exactly what a Tivo does. In fact, many VOD providers use what is essentially a "lite" version of Tivo -- equipped with massive drive arrays -- to maintain their 'On Demand' content.
A Tivo equipped with a large hard drive is like having an 'On Demand' system customized specifically for your tastes. You decide what categories of content you want on the box. You decide when content expires and is replaced.
The concept of of content-based recording -- recording based on content, without regard for date, time, or channel -- isn't easy for some to understand. Some are so accustomed to recording based on program title or from a specific channel at a specific time that they can't comprehend a method of recording that ignores the date, time, channel, and even the title. Most cable company DVRs, including the Verizon DVR, do not support any form of content-based recording.
The Verizon DVR
- won't record all presidential debates and stick them in a 'Presidential Debates' folder.
- won't record all cancer-related news and programming and stick them in a 'Cancer / Health' folder.
- won't record all arthritis-related news and programming and stick them in a 'Arthritis / Health' folder.
- won't record all 2007 Action movies in HD and stick them in a '2007 Movies / Action / HD' folder.
- won't record all interviews with Paris Hilton and stick them in a 'Paris Hilton Interviews' folder.
- won't record all documentaries on global warming and stick them in a 'Global Warming / Educational' folder.
- won't record all programs on the Battle of the Bulge and stick them in a 'Battle of the Bulge / History' folder.
- won't record all Jazz concerts in HD and stick them in a 'Jazz / Music / HD' folder.
- won't record all new series pilots and stick them in a folder for you to sample.
You get the idea. The Tivo does.
Some now have HDTV Tivos with 320+ hours of HD storage and 2000+ hours of SD, and hard drives continue to increase in size and fall in price. Verizon's VOD system currently has "thousands of hours" of SD available via VOD if you subscribe to all premium packages. At the moment, they have no HDTV VOD.
I do agree that VOD is advantageous for situations where you subscribe to a new premium channel and immediately have access to all episodes of a past season. But most people don't change their programming package on a regular basis. And if you are subscribed, the Tivo will grab content that you've requested without you having to know about it or schedule a recording for it. | |
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| | | blue_trooper
join:2007-04-17
Exton, PA
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by KenAF :said by JeepMatt :My one question with TIVO is, I'm assuming none of you care(d) about On Demand? It's not that I don't care about 'On Demand.' For me, the Tivo is a superior 'On Demand' box. With the 'On Demand' programming on FiOS, you are limited to categories and content setup by Verizon. Someone at Verizon or TVN created those categories and they maintain them by recording and copying content from their channels into those categories. Verizon may define the categorization but the content is defined by the networks. e.g. You can go to HBO.com and see what is available onDemand and that will hold for Comcast, Verizon, etc.
There is also onDemand content that is not in regular broadcast rotation. HBO will often have old seasons of current or former series that they are not actively broadcasting (e.g. you can watch Carnivale onDemand right now if you are so inclined). Also there is always a good selection of kids shows (from Nick, etc.). I'd rather pull up onDemand and ask my daughter which Blue's Clues she wants to watch than have my DVR cluttered with episodes (besides, OnDemand has the vintage "Steve" episodes and not the new ones with the lame "Blue's Room" segments!).
Music videos are something else I watch onDemand. If I get tired of channel surfing or if SportsCenter isn't on I'll scroll through the 100's of available videos and find a few I'm interested in seeing.
IMO - We don't have the perfect solution yet. | |
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| | | | KenAF
join:2006-01-23
Arlington, VA
4 edits | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by blue_trooper :There is also onDemand content that is not in regular broadcast rotation. HBO will often have old seasons of current or former series that they are not actively broadcasting (e.g. you can watch Carnivale onDemand right now if you are so inclined). Like I said, one of Verizon's VOD advantages is that you you get access to a library of content the day you subscribe. You don't have to wait. This is a short-term advantage, though, unless you are regularly subscribing and un-subscribing to premiums.
said by blue_trooper :Also there is always a good selection of kids shows (from Nick, etc.). I'd rather pull up onDemand and ask my daughter which Blue's Clues she wants to watch than have my DVR cluttered with episodes (besides, OnDemand has the vintage "Steve" episodes and not the new ones with the lame "Blue's Room" segments!). What you've described is the old way of doing things. I guess you have never seen Tivo's Kid Zone?
You might want to check it out:
»www.tivo.com/whatistivo/tivofeat···ing.html
Basically, it creates separate Tivo environments for kids and adults. The kids environment is restricted to their content and your environment is displayed using a passcode. When they get up in the morning (or home from school) and turn on the TV, they have their version of the DVR. When you sit down at night to watch your programs, you get your version of the DVR.
said by blue_trooper :Music videos are something else I watch onDemand. If I get tired of channel surfing or if SportsCenter isn't on I'll scroll through the 100's of available videos and find a few I'm interested in seeing. If you had a Tivo, you could just create a wishlist for your favorite music genre, or favorite artists, and it would record those concerts for you -- and only when HD if you want -- and stick them in a folder. | |
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| | | | | blue_trooper
join:2007-04-17
Exton, PA
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install The Tivo folders are a great thing and a significant advantage over the Verizon DVR, but for VOD I'm talking about content that is available but isn't being broadcasted. There is no way Tivo is going to have that material for me. For music, I'm not talking about concerts (e.g. on MHD) I'm talking about going through the MusicChoice lists and finding the video for The Shins' "Australia", Lily Allen's "Alfie" or slightly older stuff like Radiohead's "Karma Police".
Likewise, I don't think Nick is broadcasting the older (better) Blue's Clues, or that HBO is broadcasting "Carnivale", but they are available onDemand.
(okay, plate o' shrimp... 30 seconds after typing "Karma Police" what just came on the radio? (on XPN in Philly) Weird.) | |
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| | | | | | KenAF
join:2006-01-23
Arlington, VA
4 edits | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by blue_trooper :Likewise, I don't think Nick is broadcasting the older (better) Blue's Clues, or that HBO is broadcasting "Carnivale", but they are available onDemand. HBO and Showtime rebroadcast all of their original programming in a continual cycle. This week, HBO is on Carnivale episode 16 of 24, and the cycle repeats again with episode 01 in two weeks.
If you created a Tivo season pass for Carnivale today, you would have every episode in a folder by September 14.
said by blue_trooper :I'm talking about going through the MusicChoice lists and finding the video for The Shins' "Australia", Lily Allen's "Alfie" or slightly older stuff like Radiohead's "Karma Police". Of course, if that's what you like, you could create a Tivo wishlist for those as well and it would grab them whenever they are shown on MTV or any other music channel. That's the nice thing about content-based recording; you tell the box what you want and it finds it automatically without any effort on your part. | |
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wmcbrine
Touched by His Noodly Appendage
join:2002-12-30
Laurel, MD
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by KenAF :Of course, if that's what you like, you could create a Tivo wishlist for those as well and it would grab them whenever they are shown on MTV or any other music channel. Nope -- the guide data isn't specific enough to cover individual music videos (with the possible exception of a program like "Rockin' America" on Wam; but in that case, I've found that the guide data isn't totally reliable). You have to resort to recording whole multi-hour blocks of videos, and hoping that the ones you want show up.
However, a while back, Tivo announced a deal with Music Choice. So far, nothing has come of it; and I don't know if it would include videos like the ones on Fios VOD anyway. But it might. | |
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| | | | | | | | kes601
join:2007-04-14
Virginia Beach, VA
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by JeepMatt :Ken- Thanks for all the info on Tivo. I hate you all!  You now have me seriously thinking about getting one for 1 of my TV's. I got a Circuit City email today knocking off 10%, so it would only be $269 to get one. Maybe i'll go check one out today and play with it a bit. I'm with you on that. After my issues with the DVR the last few days I'm about over it. | |
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| | | | | | | | | harley3k
join:2007-04-10
Flower Mound, TX | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install
Has any one gotten a TivoHD setup in Texas yet (Flower Mound area, or nearby)? I'm wondering if they have the Multi-Stream cards yet.
Also, what's the install fee for the cablecards?
thanks,
-h | |
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| | | | | | | blue_trooper
join:2007-04-17
Exton, PA | See if your Tivo can find "High School Musical 2" any time before Friday!
(Apparently a Verizon VOD exclusive, I hear Comcast VOD doesn't have it. My daughters were excited.) | |
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matcarl
join:2007-03-09
Franklin Square, NY
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by blue_trooper :See if your Tivo can find "High School Musical 2" any time before Friday! (Apparently a Verizon VOD exclusive, I hear Comcast VOD doesn't have it. My daughters were excited.) It's on Disney On Demand under DCOM | |
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mikefischer99
@verizon.net | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install Ken, your post summarizing what makes Tivo great was... great! I liked the idea of recording all the tv show pilots, but I can't figure out how to do that. What am I missing? | |
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| | TheOtherPete
join:2001-06-28
Boyds, MD
| said by JeepMatt :My one question with TIVO is, I'm assuming none of you care(d) about On Demand? Correct.
Is VZ's On Demand programming in HD? I didn't think so but maybe something has changed. | |
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JeepMatt
Delaware Fios
Premium
join:2001-12-28
Wilmington, DE
 ·Verizon FIOS
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install Hey guys-
I've always been up on technology but never thought about Tivo.
One last question-
Since you have the cable cards and all in the system - do you still need to have a phone line or ethernet connected to these new guys?
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!" | |
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| | | | TheOtherPete
join:2001-06-28
Boyds, MD
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by JeepMatt :Since you have the cable cards and all in the system - do you still need to have a phone line or ethernet connected to these new guys? Yes, for the guide data and software updates.
The tivo guide data is different (and superior IMHO) to the VZ guide. | |
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acvthree
@verizon.net
| The Ethernet connection also provides a lot of additional features like being able to play music or view pictures stored on your PC.
There are also features like internet radio from Live365, yahoo weather, downloading movies or programs from Amazon unbox.
The HDTivo is much more than just a DVR.
Al | |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX
1 edit | No, all the tivo needs nowdays is a network connection so it can download music, movies, and updates.
Tivo can take advantage of Amazon Unbox and right now the quality while slightly less than a dvd it's still great. To me it's like my mp4 converted movies watched over my Apple Tv.
The only VOD we ever watched was for HBO and Cinemax. It was okay, but the content sucks and repeats often. With Tivo we turn on suggestions, thumb up everything we like and it does the recording for us. When I want to watch something I did not expressly tell it to record I look in the suggestions folder and there's always something I want to watch in there.
I have to add to this.
Tivo uses Tv Guide and now you get descriptions of the episode not just a general description of the program. Also as a past tivo user I never had issues with missing shows. Not saying it did not happen, but never as often as FIOS dvr's have managed to do it. | |
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Teasip
join:2001-05-14
Plano, TX | Someone recently did and commented about how it wasn't the Motorola card that they were given. | |
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See 10 replies to this post |
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Teasip
join:2001-05-14
Plano, TX
| harley3K, you can get a 10% discount from Circuit City through their recent email (assuming that you received it). My previous post was all messed up. NOCMan in Flower Mound made the switch and said that he DID get the Motorola card vs. the SciAt card. | |
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| harley3k
join:2007-04-10
Flower Mound, TX
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install Killthee, I don't think I could get that link to work.
Amazon.com has it (on August 25th at least) for $285.81, and the wireless USB network adapter for 37.41, and no sales tax, so I guess I could wait a little bit.
-h | |
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| | Killthee
join:2002-09-09
Los Angeles, CA
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by harley3k :Killthee, I don't think I could get that link to work. Amazon.com has it (on August 25th at least) for $285.81, and the wireless USB network adapter for 37.41, and no sales tax, so I guess I could wait a little bit. -h Sorry about that ^_^; Try this link:
»www.fatwallet.com/cash-back-coup···uit-City
Click on the "10% Off w/ $199 Purchase" link -> Log in/create a FW account or click continue shopping -> Add TiVo to CC shopping cart and go to checkout (discount should be applied in step 2 of checkout)
If you pre-ordered the final HP book from Amazon or know someone who did, don't forget to use the $5 off any August purchase at Amazon coupon. I just got the wifi adapter for $32 shipped. | |
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Lee GWB
Yaco
Premium
join:2001-10-13
Allendale, NJ | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install Hi,
Does the Tivo use its own guide? Or VZ's? I had the model with Directv.
Thanks
Lee | |
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mxmumtuna
join:2000-08-11
Ashburn, VA
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by Lee GWB :Hi, Does the Tivo use its own guide? Or VZ's? I had the model with Directv. Thanks Lee It's own.
--
»www.brambletonian.net - Brambleton, VA - First FTTH community in the US | |
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jvanbrecht
join:2007-01-08
Bowie, MD
| Okay, I am responding to a number of posts in the thread, but I am too lazy to reference them all.
To the guy who just recently bought his hd tivo and wireless card and talking about amazon unbox, be aware that you cannot just select a movie and start to watch it, it has to download it first, and over the wireless network, it can take some time, so prepare ahead of time (say the night before when selecting movies). Additionally they will delete themselves after 2 weeks if you do not watch it, ot 72 hours after you first hit the play button on it (I think its 72 hours...)
To the others talking about hacking their tivos with lrger drives, don't bother, it voids your warrenty, and the esata port on the back has been enabled, so you can purchase a large esata disk array and have all the storage you want without opening and voiding your warranty. The downside is that once you connect the esata array, it gets married to the tivo, and you cannot use it elsewhere (no other tivo), and if you want to attach it to your computers, you will need to format it.
I have one of the original $800 ones (curse them for releasing a cheaper one 3 months later on me...). I also have 3 very hacked directv series 2 tivo's, which although I do not have directv anymore, I can still use them as media storage devices. A update in the near future will enable tivo to go on the series 3 boxes, however, this will exclude all hd content, additionally you can run the tivo desktop software, and store content on your pc (video, audio, pictures etc) and stream them directly to any tivo to go enabled devices, including watching any programming on any of the older tivo's.
I personally, could care less about VOD, I had directv before, never had it, don't care about it. I do have a normal STB in the bedroom on my tiny ass TV if I want to watch something on vod, but otherwise, the loss of that function for the gains of what tivo provides... is negligible.
Eh.. thats it for now heh... | |
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See 45 replies to this post |
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dunninger
join:2000-10-12
Arlington, VA
| I apologize for asking a similar question a few months ago and potentially hijacking this thread, but I was hoping that maybe one of the folks switching to TIVO from the FIOS DVR has come up with a solution.
I currently have COMCAST analog service and a Series 2 DVR. I can watch anything recorded on the TIVO from any room in the house because I have the AVCAST media kit which allows me to control and watch my TIVO from any of my tvs by switching them to a designated channel and using remote IR blasters.
I have FIOS for broadband but have been hesitant to switch my TV's because I like TIVO and the multi-room functionality. I see my choices as follows if I switch to FIOS:
1) Get the multi-room DVR which does multi-room viewing better than my current setup.
2) Keep my series II or get an HD TIVO, but give up my multi-room options.
3) Use two DVR's, perhaps one FIOS and one TIVO.
4) Setup some other system to broadcast the TIVO output to the other tv's. Does anyone use such a setup with FIOS and TIVO?
I am hoping that someone has worked out a solution for number 4. Any ideas? | |
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mikefischer99
@verizon.net
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install Dunninger-
My set up sounds similar to what you want.
I have my TivoHD in my family room, hooked up to my plasma HDTV via component (soon to be HDMI). I have the *composite* outputs of the Tivo going into a ChannelVision modulator. The ChannelVision converts the signal into "Channel 65" (or whatever channel I want) on a coax (RG-6) cable which gets feed back into my whole-house cable system.
Then, from any room in the house, I can tune a TV to channel 65 and see the output from the Tivo. By each TV I have a Powermid IR wireless transmitter so I can control the Tivo from the other rooms. | |
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KenAF
join:2006-01-23
Arlington, VA | Tivo just released another software update for the TivoHD today. We'll see how it goes. | |
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JeepMatt
Delaware Fios
Premium
join:2001-12-28
Wilmington, DE
·Verizon FIOS
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install Thanks for the heads-up Ken.
I just checked it out over on tivocommunity.com - some folks are now reporting no blocking.
Maybe i'll set mine up before Monday so I'm sure to get the software download.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!" | |
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runciter
join:2000-07-22
Centreville, VA
clubs: | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install Matt,
Let us know how it goes... More than a few of us are probably eager to know the outcome.  | |
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KenAF
join:2006-01-23
Arlington, VA
1 edit | Yesterday's TivoHD update appears to have fixed the intermittent pixelization with FiOS. I have not seen any pixelization since the update. | |
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JeepMatt
Delaware Fios
Premium
join:2001-12-28
Wilmington, DE
·Verizon FIOS
1 edit | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install That's great news Ken. I'll most likely pick it up tomorrow - let it download the software updates - and then let it rest until Monday morning when VZ comes.
I was checking out Tivocommunity - and it looks like most FIOS and Motorola card-using customers were fixed. | |
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legalaliens
join:2007-02-23
Fairfax, VA
1 edit | I am considering getting a TivoHD (the $299 one) to use with my FiOS TV service in Northern Virginia (Fairfax). I have a few questions.
1) Verizon doesn't currently give out M-Cards, correct? Just the S-Cards (yes, I saw the above post, just want to confirm).
2) Assuming Verizon will give me two S-Cards, what functionality will I lose (from my current Motorola boxes)? I have read that if I use a Series 3 or TivoHD with S-Cards, I will not be able to access VOD or PPV - is that correct?
3) Is there any other functionality I will lose? | |
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JeepMatt
Delaware Fios
Premium
join:2001-12-28
Wilmington, DE
·Verizon FIOS
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install Legal-
You will lose On Demand and the interactive guide - along with Widgets.
However, Tivo HD offers their own guide - their own weather and traffic widgets - and much more.
You will love it! And yes, I rec'd two S-Cards.
--
"ONE team - ONE city - ONE dream!!" | |
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| | kes601
join:2007-04-14
Virginia Beach, VA | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install See, now you are making us on the fence what to jump over and get a Tivo. If a new DVR does not fix my multiroom units problem then I will be next in line for a Tivo. | |
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chazas
join:2007-08-16
Arlington, VA
| You will lose video on demand. You will lose the new guide - but you will get Tivo's vastly superior guide interface,which is the entire point, IMO.
My little Tivo man is back in my life as of today and I love him. Especially combined with FIOS' great picture - best of both worlds, as far as I'm concerned. | |
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Teasip
join:2001-05-14
Plano, TX
1 edit | One of our N. Texas members recently received the M card (no need for dual cards) as I understood (NOCMan as I recall). | |
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See 7 replies to this post |
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snappakazoo
Inconceivable
join:2000-09-10
Wyckoff, NJ
| I am in NJ and I recently picked up two Tivo HD. One for an HD TV and one for a standard TV.
OHere is my experience with installing cablecards...sort of long...
I picked up two Tivo HD. I got one from Circuit City for $270. Since they only had one, I drove down to BestBuy and they matched my price. I bought at B&M stores in case I ran into a problem. I know I paid a bit more, including tax, but I consider insurance against a problem.
I called Verizon to install the cable cards. It took 15 minutes of holding and transfers to get to the right rep. She did not really know how to order the cards but eventually got them ordered. Sadly, they would not let me pick them up. I stopped in the Paramus office to try to get some, but they don't stock them. 
The installer came this morning. He admitted on arrival that he had never installed cable cards before. This was not unexpected. I was an early adopted of FIOS internet and FIOS TV in my area and I was the first install for the techs on both occasions.
Prior to the installer coming, I had setup the Tivos and done the guided setup.
He brought S cards. He had not heard of M cards. We put the first card into the slot and started the process. After a minute or so, the Cablecard info was populated on the screen.
First problem was his software asked for something called POD ID#. He did not know what that was. Initially he left it blank but that gave an error. Finally, we saw that Tivo was giving up a number that Tivo called 'Cablecard' which was a derivation of the UA #. He entered that and his software proceeded to initiate then activate the cablecard. A two step process on his software.
Next problem. Tivo came up with an error 161.4. We were not clear what this meant. He called support and while waiting for someone to help him, the channels started to work. My interpretation is that it takes a little time for the activation to work its way through the system. The Tivo however is impatient and after initiation of the card, it gives the error while waiting. It took about 5-10 minutes for the channels to start working after each card was installed.
We proceeded to get the other three cards working. After the cards are installed, Tivo does another guided setup. Took time, but clearly you can't skip that. All my channels, premium included, work great. So far, no pixelization.
As for standard TV, I connected using an 'S' cable and told Tivo fixed 480i. That may be wrong, but the picture is fine. There is one unexpected benefit of having the Tivo HD on a standard TV. I can watch the HD channels on my regular TV. They are sometimes letter boxed or don't fill the whole screen. Otherwise they look fine. My hope is that once multi-room viewing is enabled, this means if I record something in HD in the LR, I will be able to watch it in the bedroom even though it is not HD.
A few pieces of advice from my experience:
- Write down the Card info before installing them. I copied the cards prior to starting on my FAX machine
- Have internet access for the installer. In both rooms, I had wired access for him to use. I could have given him access to my wireless network, but then he would have my double secret key 
- Be patient
One note: During the install process, my 10 year boy was dancing around the room saying 'We have Tivo, we have Tivo, we have Tivo'
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Let me 'splain. [pause] No, there is too much. Let me sum up. | |
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See 63 replies to this post |
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KenAF
join:2006-01-23
Arlington, VA
4 edits | Repost...
For those looking to upgrade the drive in the TivoHD, here are some instructions:
Detailed Instructions
Instructions Summary
(1) Remove the outer case and existing drive using a torx screwdriver in the T10 size. If you don't have one of appropriate length, you can purchase the Star Driver T10 Ampro (9014713) from Advance Auto Parts for about $4.
(2) Download WinMFS here.
(3) Shut down Windows and attach original TiVo drive. You can open your computer and attach it with a SATA cable, or attach it externally using a SATA->USB adapter like this.
(4) Boot to Windows XP (SP2) or Vista, run WinMFS, and click 'Select Drive' to select the drive you attached.
(5) In WinMFS, click the 'Backup' option. Save the file to your hard drive.
(6) Shut down the computer and attach the new, larger drive. You can disconnect the original Tivo drive.
(7) Turn the computer back on, run WinMFS, and click the 'Restore' option. Select the file you saved to your hard drive in step #5.
(8) You're done. Install the new drive in the TivoHD.
Note that won't backup your existing recordings. The "Backup" option in WinMFS just backs up the Tivo software and your configuration, not the recordings.
If you want to backup your recordings, you need to choose the MFSCopy option in WinMFS which requires that the original Tivo drive and new drive be connected at the same time -- in which case you may want 2x SATA -> USB adapters.
Be sure to purchase a hard drive with appropriate noise output and heat dissipation. Many retail drives will make your TivoHD sound like a jet engine. You can buy the same quiet Seagate DB35 drives used by Weaknees right here. For the TivoHD and Series3, you need the SCE version, available in 500Gb ($150) and 750Gb ($265) sizes.
said by CeeZee :said by KenAF : It is very easy to upgrade a TivoHD. It took me about 30 minutes. Do you know if there is a Mac version of the process? Or do you absolutely need to use a WinPC. There isn't a simple Mac program with menus to click for backup and restore.
You can upgrade with a Mac, but then you've got to boot using the MFS Live Boot CD. That's more complicated but instructions are here. | |
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| rich111
join:2007-08-21
Armonk, NY |  Re: CableCard TiVoHD install
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| | KenAF
join:2006-01-23
Arlington, VA
1 edit | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by rich111 :Ken, in (4) you state "Boot to Windows". Is this different than just turning the pc back on. Does this imply I need to start from a CD and not from base hard drive? It just means to turn the PC back on. I will clarify that in the other post. | |
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| | | | KenAF
join:2006-01-23
Arlington, VA
2 edits | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by mistrb :My question is, do I have to have a HD TV to get the HD Tivo Series 3? I really am not ready to buy a HDTV today. I want to wait until around Christmas or Superbowl time to buy it. But I don't mind switching to FIOS because I am tired of DirecTV. The FiOS has s-video and composite outputs so it works just fine on older TVs.
You get all the FiOS SD channels, as well as the FiOS HD channels. The FiOS HD channels are downconverted to SD through s-video and composite. On a 4:3 SD TV, so you can choose to display HD channels in letterbox or crop off the sides to fill a 4:3 screen -- you can switch between these aspect modes with one button press on the remote. | |
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CeeZee
join:2007-04-11
Wynnewood, PA
1 edit | I switched from DirecTV to Fios earlier this summer. The increase in picture quality was astounding even though I was still using my old non-HD TV. So you won't be disappointed by making the switch and keeping your old TV for a while.
However, we were so wowed by the PQ we went out after two weeks and bought the HGTV we were going to wait until Christmas to buy .... just a warning
Edit: And some (most?) folks are saying the picture quality is even better with the Tivo instead of the Fios DVR. | |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX | FYI
If you have a verizon wireless phone you can schedule shows using the tivo app under get it now.
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Mac Chatter
»www.macchatter.net | |
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| Hooper
Premium
join:2001-10-22
Villanova, PA
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by NOCMan :FYI If you have a verizon wireless phone you can schedule shows using the tivo app under get it now.  You had to mention that. Damn Verizon got in bed with Qualcomm and their worthless BREW technology. Makes it difficult for folks using devices with a real OS on it. And to think VZW wants to use that platform for its applications to business users. | |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install The new motorola Q now has BREW.. | |
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| | | Hooper
Premium
join:2001-10-22
Villanova, PA
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by NOCMan :The new motorola Q now has BREW.. Not that I don't believe you, but where did you see this? | |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX | Re: CableCard TiVoHD install Seems to be called VzAppZone and it's not clear on what you really get for it.
Course a iPhone could do this though the browser | |
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| | | | | Hooper
Premium
join:2001-10-22
Villanova, PA
| Re: CableCard TiVoHD install said by NOCMan :Seems to be called VzAppZone and it's not clear on what you really get for it. Course a iPhone could do this though the browser Unless it is Get It Now! It ain't BREW. Windows Mobile devices don't do BREW. Neither do RIM/BB devices.
Pretty narrow minded of Verizon to release an app that can only be used by a minority of THEIR customers at best. | |
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machete
join:2007-07-26
| Hold that thought ... VZ anounced early this year at CES that they will be coming with a Brew app to basically do an enhanced version of what you can do Tivo on the go. The screen shots show a cooler app.
No idea when that is coming out but if I don't remember wrong they said Q4 07. Right on time for C-mass season. | |
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