ThomC
join:2004-12-07
Katonah, NY
1 edit | Tivo Series 3 with Cablecard Install Experience
Had my install Saturday. I had already run guided setup and had been playing with the S3 all week, so I knew what channels were coming in without the cablecards installed.
The installer was a nice guy but had never dealt with an S3 Tivo before. (Not a problem since I could deal with pretty much anything at the house myself). He only brought with him 2 cablecards. This could have been a problem, but luckily it was not. The cards he did bring with him had old firmware and had to be updated. This added about 20 minutes per card to the initial install time, (prior to being able to getting the cards binded to the S3).
After a 2 Hr + install I had serious doubts, as I had less channels than before and error messages on the CP screen of the cablecard. The installer gave me the line that it might take a couple of hours for things to start working. He left, but nothing improved in the next couple of hours. I called for them to come back because of this.
When the tech got back, he mentioned that there is someone at the main office named Connie who really knows her stuff, when it comes to cablecard. Unfortunately, we first had to go through several other layers, (2 or more hours worth), of not-so-smart, home office types who wanted to have me to, (among other things), call Tivo since "this is clearly a Tivo problem". Once I explained that my canceling my IO account made it their problem, the tech was able to get through to "CONNIE!!!"
Well long story short(er), after about another 20 minutes of us doing nothing on site, (except staying on hold on the phone), Connie told me to restart and run guided setup. Everything now worked!!!!!!
So the moral of the story is make sure your installer calls Connie. Clearly cablevision needs better trained CSRs in the call center to make these things work. This should have been a 30 minute phone call by me, (after I picked up the (recently firmware updated) cablecards at an office).
Other little notes:
The eject button of CC#1 was not working. This is a recurring Tivo problem (see Tivocommunity.com). If I was not able to make the cards work with Connie, this might have been more problematic. Fortunately the tech was a nice guy and saw that this was a separate issue.
When running guided setup, for my system I had to answer that I receive CH 1 as a sneak preview channel, (even though I don't), in order for me to get the correct channel lineup info.
Now that install is done, I could not be happier with the S3!!!
Anyone else have anything to add? |
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NS4683
join:2000-08-25
Hoboken, NJ | I have a Series 2 TiVo and I was really looking forward to getting a Series 3. I just can't justify the price tag at this point. But is this your first TiVo? How would you rate the quality of the recordings? |
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ThomC
join:2004-12-07
Katonah, NY
| said by NS4683  :I have a Series 2 TiVo and I was really looking forward to getting a Series 3. I just can't justify the price tag at this point. But is this your first TiVo? How would you rate the quality of the recordings? Used to have Directv Tivo DVRs. There is no conversion of the digital channels so it is "what goes in - comes out".
Analog channels look the same through the Tivo as they do straight into the TV. (IOW - BAD) |
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nydennis30
join:2003-08-11
Port Jefferson Station, NY | How is changing channels? Does it change at normal Cablevision speeds? or slower? |
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ThomC
join:2004-12-07
Katonah, NY
| said by nydennis30 :How is changing channels? Does it change at normal Cablevision speeds? or slower? Channel surfing is the same, but the guide is slower to load each page.
Here's my Pro's and Con's
Con's:
-Slower menu and guide page changing
-no picture in picture
-no 'info' surfing
-no way to see shows while in guide or menues
-esata port not yet enabled
-no interactive or VOD channels (this one I don't really care about, but thought I should mention it)
Pro's:
-DUAL BUFFERS THAT CAN BOTH BE PAUSED (HUGE,HUGE,HUGE)
-every recording has a 'resume from where playback left off' bookmark
-better search capabilities
-Wishlists
-the Tivo interface is so much easier to read
-the ability to eliminate channels from the guide
-one button to get to the guide or show info
-folders for recordings
-2 weeks of guide info
-slightly better PQ
Then there's the home network stuff. All I can say is "WOW". The DirecTV Tivos didn't have this so it's all new to me. Online recording scheduling, Podcasts, Internet Radio, MP3 playback and photo slideshows from your PC. Add third party apps and things like itunes playlists can be read. There is also an email client out there. Evidently the Series 2 DVRs also have multi room viewing and can make the video files portable. (This is not available on the Series 3 yet and may never officially be)
I'm trying not to be too big a Tivo-fanboy so don't get me wrong, the SA8300 is a fine box that does a good job,(I still have 2 of them). But the Tivo S3 is a big winner in my house. |
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RemyM
join:2005-02-14
Stamford, CT
| said by ThomC : ...the Tivo S3 is a big winner in my house. For $800 it better be. |
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MxxCon
join:1999-11-19
Brooklyn, NY
clubs:  
| reply to ThomC
said by ThomC :Con's:-no picture in picture -no 'info' surfing -no way to see shows while in guide or menues that's uber lame..what's the point of 2 cablecards if you can't do PiP.
-the ability to eliminate channels from the guide that's a must on all cableboxes 
i hate scrolling past 50 spanish channels i never watch
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ThomC
join:2004-12-07
Katonah, NY
1 edit | said by MxxCon
that's uber lame..what's the point of 2 cablecards if you can't do PiP.
The same could be said of having 2 tuners but only one buffer.
My preference is 2 buffers, (by a longshot). |
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MxxCon
join:1999-11-19
Brooklyn, NY
clubs: | for a box that cost $800+ and run linux that's very lame limitation.
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DCIFRTHS
join:2000-02-18
Hartsdale, NY
| reply to MxxCon
said by MxxCon :that's uber lame..what's the point of 2 cablecards if you can't do PiP.
Recording two channels at once (any combination of HD or SD). The S3 is a really nice piece of equipment. Worth every cent. |
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