XfinityTV and Equipment

[ccshamp]

When the digital channels came, my service went. I own a TiVo Series2 with lifetime service. We finally calle to get help with setup (been trying to make it work myself for 2 months). Two nice techs came yesterday and said that Comcast simply doesn't work with TiVo. I can't understand this since we had to pay to get a special DTA box and it doesn't say anywhere that it won't work with TiVo. As I say, they were very nice but had no idea about how we could continue to use TiVo. They verified it was set up correctly. Any assistance would be appreciated.

[rog286713]

since you now need a cable box to view the channels, you would need to get a tivo with a cable card.   Its the same as if you have a vcr, once you add the box all you can do is keep the box on channel 3 and the recorder in your case will only record what the box is set on.  Comcast does work with tivo but to get digital service you need either a comcast supplied digital box or a tivo with a cable card.  The DTA box takes the digital signal and downgrades it to analog, it is made for older type tube tv's so you can still watch. 

[JayInAlg]

A series 1 or 2 Tivo will certainly work with a Comcast DTA or full SD cable box.  First thing you must have the IR blaster that came with the Tivo.  If you don't have the IR blaster, you need  to order one from Tivo first.

Once you have the IR blaster, follow Tivo's directions HERE.  If will work if you follow the directions.  A dual tuner Tivo will only be able to record one channel unless you add a second full SD cable box that has composite video outputs. 

Running the complete Tivo on screen setup from the start will step you through the proper steps to get it working.  The Tivo operating system is designed to work with this equipment, but you must start over by setting up the Tivo from scratch like it's a new unit.

It does work, I've setup many with this configuration and am running a series 1 at home with a DTA.

[replayx2]

Comcast should supply you with up to two DTA adapters at no charge. You can connect these to your TIVO's and control them with the IR blasters that are available from TIVO or can by found on eBay.

[ccshamp]

I do have the IR blaster and had set it up with that previously. I had followed these directions because we have a Series2

http://support.tivo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1277

[ccshamp]

We got the standard cable box as it notes.

[robpeet]

Comcast is unreal. They totally wipe out the usage of any TIVO you might have, but also any VCR's you have. They are now useless, unless you rent another one of their converter boxes. I have a high def. TV in the bedroom, and it used to get Hi-Def channels. Now, I need a converter box that DOESN"T allow my Tv to show in Hi Def through the converter box.  Same with my TIVO. I need a box to run the TIVO, but the channel selection feature on TIVO is useless. You have to set the TIVO to channel 3 and control what programs you can record ONLY IF the conveter box is on the channel you want>>> I am stitching to ATT as soon as possible. I am tired of the garbage that Comcast makes one purchase/rent to get only low def programs. I am appaled my town of Northbrook, IL tolerates this cable provider.

[JayInAlg]

A series 1 or 2 Tivo can and does switch channels on the DTA once you add the IR blaster that came with the Tivo.  If you don't have the IR blaster, then you can order one on Tivo's web site.

[rwbil]

JayInAig,

I am having the same problem and do not follow your solution.  I have the Series 2 TIVO.  Comcast was still offering the lower channels with analog, now they just ended that.  I had split the cable.  One going to the Comcast Box and then using the IR blaster to control it.  So that provided one digital channel.  And I had the cable going to the TIVO which could tune the lower analog channels.  But now I only get one channel. 

The TIVO only has one IR blaster port.  Can you provide details how I can connect my Series 2 TIVO which can record 2 analog channels or one analog and one digital channel, to record 2 digital channels at once. 

I tried connecting the DTA but I have to switch that channel with a remote.  How can TIVO control it??, while simultaneously using the IR blaster to control the cable box??

Thanks in advance,

Robert

[JayInAlg]

A dual tuner series 2 can record two channels at once, but you need one full cable box with a composite video output to feed the video in on the Tivo, and a DTA or another full  cable box with a RF output to feed the RF antenna in.

Basically, one box will feed the composite video input, the other box (DTA or full) with RF will feed the antenna RF input.

Tivo support has this all explained at this page. which can explain it better than I can here.

The official Tivo IR blaster has two blasters connected to a single cable.  It is available from Tivo if the original one was lost.

[rwbil]

I have seen that page, but the configuration they show only works if you have an analog channel.  In fact that is the configuration I currently have.  But TIVO can only tune an analog channel.  And that configuration shows the line being split where one input goes directly to the TIVO.

I want to try what you are suggesting.  I have that IR Cable but the two blasters are to go on the top and bottom part of the Box.  Are you stating you can seperate the blasters and use one for the box and one for the DTA converter?  Do you have a site that shows that being done, because it is not shown on that link.  And I am confused how to set it up to do that. 

If you split the top and bottom IR blaster and use one for the Box and one for the DTA it would be blasting both the DTA and the Box to change to the same channel at the same time.  So how would that work.  The Tivo has to be able to change the DTA indepently from the Box.  How can one IR blaster accomplish this.  Is there a selection on TIVO to seperte the top and bottom blaster so they work independtly????  Where are instructions for that??

[Sha_bu]

Hi:  Don't know if you've had a response yet and hopefully you have your TiVo working.  But Comcast absolutely does work with TiVo, probably the best of all cable providers.  It really all depends on the tech that comes out for the install.  I've not had any problems (west coast) and for the most part, everything has worked great.  That said, Comcast's all digital switch over has rendered my 1st generation box unworkable, so am not a big fan of their right now.

[Janny7]

Sha_bu -- Are you saying that my TiVo Series 1 is dead now that Comcast did the all-digital switch? Say it isn't so . . . . please?

[JayInAlg]

A Series 1 or 2 will work with a DTA digital adapter or full cable box if you add the IR blaster that came with the Tivo.  You would need to run guided setup again.

There are full instructions at tivo.com here.

You might want to think about replacing the old series 1 with a new Premier which will give you a great Tivo experience.

I had the DTA working on my series 1.

New digital Tivo's are on sale until Feb 5.

[Janny7]

Thanks, Jay, but this is a free-to-me TiVo with a free lifetime subscription, so I'm not thinking too hard about moving up in the world!  :  )