I recently made the "switch" to digital cable...had basic cable before but as I have had the immediate need for Internet connection at home now (Neighbor canceled their connection? hehe) it was just as cheap to stick with Comcast and get their Digital Double Plan for $1 more than what I pay for just cable alone. The price is $62/month for 12 months...then gets JACKED up to $104...but will probably have better options by then.
Anyway, if you've read my earlier posting about the Verizon FIOS TV fiasco, this one went a little smoother. Perhaps I just researched it better, dunno.
Let me give you a little background on my home theater setup. I have a receiver which I use as the command center for a DVD writer and a TiVo Series 2 (not a dual tuner). I previously had no cable box as just using the analog cable. This allowed me to record a show on TiVo while simultaneously recording a show on my DVD burner...and if I really wanted to watch a third show live on the TV output.
The big dilemma with going Digital when you have a series 2 TiVo is that the digital signal gives you 1 channel per set top box..and it does not have the option for cable cards like the TiVo HD and Series 3 has.
Fortunately, for those that are curious, you can still get the analog signal until February when it is shut off.
I wanted to post this information for the poor sods like me that have a Series 2 TiVo and are going Digital now or soon. Here is the setup I have. Keep in mind I'm using an AV Receiver to connect all the components together...you may be able to bypass a receiver if you have enough inputs on the back/front of your TV.
Basically, you'll have your coaxial cable coming from the wall. I have a three way splitter. Invest in a good one with low loss...every piece of equipment you hook up will degrade the signal.
Anyway:
Coaxial cable from wall to IN on 3-way splitter.
Splitter Out 1 to Cable Modem.
Splitter Out 2 to DVD Recorder. A note on this: this will record analog only - and will work only until February when the analog signal goes bye bye. This is due to the fact the signal doesn't pass through the required digital set top box provided by Comcast. Before February I'll be purchasing another STB (Set Top Box) and then the Splitter Out 2 will go to Cable Box 2 In; then Cable Box 2 Out to DVD recorder IN.
Splitter Out 3 to the Comcast STB IN; Comcast STB Out to TiVo IN.
That is the extent of the coaxial cabling...you don't even need to run the coaxial from the TiVo to the TV if you use RCA cabling (the yellow,white,red wires) between the TiVo and the TV.
On the Cable Box, I have RCA cabling going from the Digital Out to the TiVo's RCA Input jacks. You can substitute the yellow cable (just leave it hanging) and use an S-Video cable instead if you want to. That's it for the cable box.
Now for the TiVo, I have RCA jacks from one of the set of outputs it has running to the receiver's Satellite inputs. This way, when I want to use the TiVo, the receiver has to be set to SAT (Satellite). I also use an S-Video cable from TiVo out to the Receiver IN. This allows me to not use the yellow cable. It also means the 2nd thing I need to do when using the TiVo is set the input (from the receiver's remote) to S-Video. If you don't have a receiver, you'd just run RCA cabling from the TiVo OUT to the TV's input...that easy!
One last thing for the TiVo and don't cringe. You'll need to use either:
1)Serial cable
2)IR "Blaster" cabling
This will allow you to change channels using your TiVo remote...what happens is you push the channel selection on your TiVo remote and the Serial or IR transmits the information to the cable box and changes that channel on the box too. Very odd I know.
Keep in mind not all STBs have serial ports and even if they do - ask someone high up at the cable company if the serial port is enabled...a lot of them block its use for some reason and you'll be scratching your head for weeks if you don't ask.
If you can't use the serial cable, use the IR cables. If you don't have the one that came with the TiVo, you can buy some at RadioShack. I actually lost my TiVo IR but had one that came with the TV oddly enough. You plug the IR cable in the back of the TiVo (stereo port - looks like a headphone jack) and the other end is the light-emitting portion...you place these lights facing the front of the cable box. When you go through the guided setup later for TiVo - you'll select the IR connection and TiVo will test everything for you!
Other cabling things I have going on is the digital audio out from DVD to receiver which is auto detected when on DVD setting on receiver...also RCA plugs going from DVD player to receiver - again so the receiver can control it.
If I've missed anything or you have any questions, let me know...it was a nightmare at first for me. A lot of research and since people always have different components...instructions vary.
Oh, for the TiVo setup. As I had regular cable previously, I had to reprogram my TiVo for the new lineup. Not much actually changed but trust me you need to do it.
What complicated things for me is that the Comcast tech had no idea what the fuck he was doing and I was trying to do the guided setup on my TiVo and my High Speed Cable Internet Connection Kit had not arrived yet so the guided setup could not continue (needs to contact TiVo servers).
So WORD OF WARNING. Once you start the TiVo guided setup, you are required to have an Internet connection or phone line active or you are screwed. Did I mention I don't have a phone line anymore? Haha.
Good thing was I got the cable modem kit that night and set everything up around 1/3 way through Lost. I had to watch 1/3 of the finale of LOST on DVD and the rest on TiVo.
ANYWAY, start guided setup on the TiVo when everything is connected including the Internet connection. You can start it by going to Settings and Channels I think. TiVo I think even warns you about not being able to go back but I never read directions. It will ask you bone headed questions and then set up your TiVo remote to control your STB.
I will probably remove the STB until February when it is required...and order the new one for my DVD recorder and maybe a third for the TV upstairs. Yes, you still get the analog signal and can use until February so take advantage.
I don't need to tell you that it would be advantageous to get a Series 3 or HD TiVo because you can have 2 cable cards stuck on there...you will be able to record 2 digital shows at once, don't have the channel changing issues and can record above SD (Standard Definition).
Well at least TiVo recently started allowing current TiVo Subscribers to purchase lifetime subscriptions again for new units...$299 (like it was originally). That is why I still have my series 2...it has lifetime service and was upgraded to hold a lot of material. So, if you feel like spending $700-800 on a second TiVo, be my guest....just remember you'll need to purchase a separate STB for your old series 2 before February.
I really only made the switch because I'd lost free Internet access from a friendly neighbor and was only $1 more a month....
But keep in mind it will start getting really busy with people switching over to digital next year...do it during the dog days of summer.
More adventures in home theater systems later.
10 comments:
You are incorrect in some of your statements regarding the digital changeover... the analog signal going dark in February 2009 is ONLY FOR BROADCAST TV (i.e. over the air). It does NOT affect people who have analog cable. Now, your local cable company will eventually switch to all digital and it may then affect you, but that will be different for each company and DOES NOT happen in February 2009. Most cable companies have said they will gradually transition over to all digital over the next few years.
Interesting, I did not know that it wouldn't be USA-wide. I know in Maryland the major cable company will not be allowing non-digital cable subs as of Feb, 2009. But that sounds right about over-the-air broadcasts.
There are a lot of scare tactics going on...but seriously though. How many people don't have more than just broadcast tv? Maybe a handful but those are the TV's people won't be using anyway.
I live in Annapolis, Maryland and use Verizon Fios. We went all digital and I lost my Tivo 2 dual tuner ability at the end of July 2008.
Hey Richard.
Can you elaborate on how you lost your Dual Tuner TiVo capability? My understanding was that it wasn't effected. Was it a software update...any news?
Hi, I just came across this blog, and I am so confused! I currently have an OLD version of Tivo. I can only record one thing at a time. I want to get a NEWER Tivo so I can record two things at a time, or watch one and record one. I have found a lot of them on craigslist, but now I am confused. My question is this:
will I be able to record two shows at one time come February if I only have basic cable and a Tivo series 2? or do I HAVE to get the tivo HD DVR?
Please answer me, I'm so confused!!
Hi BrittBix.
Yes, it is confusing. I have the old TiVo too but will not get rid of it..it has lifetime service :)
The Series 2 Dual Tuners will NOT work...reason being they don't have digital tuners in them and cannot accept cable cards.
You will need to purchase either a TiVo HD or a TiVo Series 3. Then you can use cable cards.
I've heard of people already having issues with their series 2 dual tuners not recording 2 shows.
My TV watching does demand recording two shows at once. So, since I have an old single-tuner TiVo I'll have to get an extra cable set top box to put on my DVD recorder so I can record shows on that too.
Keep in mind though - if when you normally record 2 shows, 1 is on what is now considered "broadcast tv", you could just have one set top box and have a splitter going into another recording device (DVD recorder) and record that way. See the first anonymous reply to my blog entry.
Well here in Portland Oregon we just were foreced by Comcrap to get their digital box. Now I can't record a show on Tivo while watching a diffferent show. Because the Tivo controls the Comcrap box, what Tivo is recording is what you see! I feel like Comcrap really f-ed us over on this and I have less capability now. Do I need to add a second DTA into the mix to get back to where I was before?
That sucks yoterryh. Well my area Comcast has not "gone digital". I have changed my setup currently....have an amplified splitter.
1-cablebox (controlled by tivo via IR blaster)
2-modem
3-DVD Writer
4-Computer TV tuner
I anticipate even when they do go digital we'll be able to receive most of the major networks through just the cable not using a box.
For your situation - have you tried a splitter? What happens if you just plug the cable from the wall into your TV? Any signal? Wondering if you'll get the major networks this route.
If you can get a signal without a box, you can split it.
However, if you want full capabilities of recording two "digital" channels, you'll need another box.
Consider if you have to do this that you may want to get an additional or replacement TiVo. I'm sticking with the Series 2 but if you look on eBay you can get a Series 3 or TiVo HD for a lot less now. And with these boxes you can get 2 cablecards instead of the annoying cable boxes...this way you can use your TiVo remote and also record two shows at once.
If you did not know, if you keep your old box activated, you can get a multi-Tivo discount subscription plan. Last time I checked it was around $8/month for service.
Comcast is eliminating all analog signals above channel 30 after September 15th or thereabouts. You will only be able to receive above channel 30 with either a box from Comcast or Tivo Digital DVR. In my case, my Tivo Series 2 will be useless above channel 30. Eventually, Comcast is going to eliminate ALL analog signals.
Really? Good to know. Most of the shows I record via USB tuner on my PC are the lower channels like ESPN anyway. My Tivo series 2 can be hooked up to my cable box that comes with the system setup. My Tivo HD is now on a single multi-stream cablecard which I pay like $4 a month extra for.
About your Series 2 - it is not useless, just a little more annoying to change channels. If your cable company has the serial port enabled, it lets you use your Tivo remote for channel changing quickly. If not, the IR blasters will let you use the cable box with your Tivo and you can still use the Tivo remote. I really didn't want to get rid of the extra 800GB space on my bad boy.
I didn't comment recently about what happened after my 12 months of Comcast at $64....took about 3 calls and 2 hours of waiting on the phone but got my bill to $80 total a month for 12 months instead of $110. Also got my high speed Internet boosted to 16 MB/s for free :)
Work the system and ye shall receive.
Oh, also got an amplified splitter which works wonders. The cable guy was surprised the cable modem was working through it (bi-directional) better than the usual non-amp splitter.
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