TIVO setup issue with FIOS TV
mayday11
Newbie

I have a Tivo Series 2 Dual Tuner DVR that is not working with my FIOS TV service installed on 5/4/09.  Tech who did the install left me with the TV/Tivo on to "run through a 4-6 hour setup that Tivo requires." After 8 hours and no TV/Tivo service, I called Verizon tech support.  Result of call was to disconnect Tivo connection from the TV, so at least the TV would work.  I contacted Tivo support to troubleshoot and after many connects/disconnects was told the issue appeared to be with the cable box.  So, I called Verizon back and was told I need a cablecard installed on the Tivo box and scheduled a time for a tech to do this.  Well, I called Tivo back and they told me that my DVR unit does not use a cablecard andVerizon needs to give me a different cable box.  HELP!  I'm totally confused and frustrated! (and yes, I am somewaht technically-challenged)  Anybody have a clue what's going on here???

0 Likes
Re: TIVO setup issue with FIOS TV
MoopMeep
Enthusiast - Level 3

I believe only the series 3 uses a cablecard. I believe the series 2 is like the series 1, you have IR blasters and you put them in front of the cable box.

What exactly was the issue you ran into? Did tivo complain it couldn't get a signal?

0 Likes
Re: TIVO setup issue with FIOS TV
mayday11
Newbie

The original issue was I did not have a picture on any of the video inputs and the Tivo remote did not work.  That's when Verizon tech support had me disconnect the Tivo connection to the TV (red/white/yellow cable).  At that point, I got a picture on video input 3.  Verizon tested signals/box remotely and everything checked out.

The opposite became the issue when I contacted Tivo tech support.  Went through various connects/disconnects with all the wiring and  got the Tivo screens to display, but after going through Guided Setup was unable to get a TV picture. Tivo did not check signal (as far as I know), but I noticed the red light on the Tivo box was on tonight which indicates items I have scheduled to record were recording (so the signal must be okay).

0 Likes
Re: TIVO setup issue with FIOS TV
KenAF
Specialist - Level 2

The TiVo Series2 is an older (outdated) model that can only record analog signals.  It can record analog channels directly, or it can record the analog output of another bo.


Verizon FiOS does not have any analog channels, so the built-in analog tuners in the TiVo Series2 are useless.  The TiVo Series2 can only record the SD output (composite or s-video) from a Verizon STB.  You haven't mentioned what kind of Verizon STB you have or how it is connected to the TiVo Series2.  If you are using the Motorola QIP2500 STB, you should have its s-video and analog stereo outputs connected to the appropriate inputs on the TiVo, with a serial cable between the two for control.

 

If you can still return the TiVo Series2, you might do so and get the TivoHD instead ($250 from Amazon.com).  The TivoHD is model designed for digital channels and digital cable systems like FiOS. More information on the TivoHD can be found in the AVS TivoHD FAQ.

0 Likes