Re: Newbie Question: Seral connector

[Dgates]

I too am with Adelphia Cable in California. I know that I once tried
using a serial connection to my cable box and it did nothing.

I don't think that Adelphia has upgraded my (Motorola) cable box. So
the only part of the equation that has changed is that my TiVo is now
using System Software 3.0 (the one with the folders).

Any reason I should try the serial connection again?

Thanks in advance.




On Mon, 30 Jun 2003 16:45:24 -0400, "Augusta Eller"
> wrote:

>According to news I got from Tivo several weeks ago, serial control will
>work on series 2 Tivo's provided your cable company has upgraded its boxes
>and after you have downloaded the latest Tivo software. I have the correct
>comcast cable box but still have Tivo series 1 so I can't use serial
>control, but I guess I could if I bought a series 2 Tivo.\
>Go to the Tivo website and you can probably find the information there.
>
>"Scudder" > wrote in message
. com...
>> I just ordered Tivo, which should arrive in a few days.
>>
>> Meanwhile, I've read in the Tivo forums that the serial connection
>> between the Tivo and a digital cable box doesn't work (in most cases)
>>
>> Is this true? I'm planning on using it with a General Instruments DCT
>> box, provided by Adelphia cable in California. The box seems to have a
>> db-9 serial connector.
>>
>> TIA
>

--

[Scudder]

In article >, Dgates
> wrote:

> I too am with Adelphia Cable in California. I know that I once tried
> using a serial connection to my cable box and it did nothing.
>
> I don't think that Adelphia has upgraded my (Motorola) cable box. So
> the only part of the equation that has changed is that my TiVo is now
> using System Software 3.0 (the one with the folders).
>
> Any reason I should try the serial connection again?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
>
> On Mon, 30 Jun 2003 16:45:24 -0400, "Augusta Eller"
> > wrote:
>
> >According to news I got from Tivo several weeks ago, serial control will
> >work on series 2 Tivo's provided your cable company has upgraded its boxes
> >and after you have downloaded the latest Tivo software. I have the correct
> >comcast cable box but still have Tivo series 1 so I can't use serial
> >control, but I guess I could if I bought a series 2 Tivo.\
> >Go to the Tivo website and you can probably find the information there.
> >
> >"Scudder" > wrote in message
> . com...
> >> I just ordered Tivo, which should arrive in a few days.
> >>
> >> Meanwhile, I've read in the Tivo forums that the serial connection
> >> between the Tivo and a digital cable box doesn't work (in most cases)
> >>
> >> Is this true? I'm planning on using it with a General Instruments DCT
> >> box, provided by Adelphia cable in California. The box seems to have a
> >> db-9 serial connector.
> >>
> >> TIA
> >
>
> --
>

As the OP, I have been using my Series 2 Tivo (with v. 4.0 software)
for a few weeks, and the serial connector doesn't work. After speaking
with Tivo tech support (very helpful), they confirmed that it only
works with the latest Motorola box.

I then called Adelphia, and they were totally clueless. They barely
knew what Tivo was, and announced "We don't support it" They too said
that the serial connector on their boxes "wasn't used" and refused to
give me a later Motorola box.

One tip I discoved: with the original General Instruments DCT box, they
provided an IR cable which is meant to send the record command to a
VCR. Using this connector in place of the Tivo supplied IR blaster
results in a much better channel changing performance. The "cable box
end" of the cable ends in a clear plastic cube about 1/2" square which
sticks directly to the front of the cable box, resulting in the emitter
being about 1/2" from the remote receiver. Using this, my channel
changing problems stopped (even though I had tried every option,
including "slow" in my Tivo setup).

I have no idea if they can be purchased on the net, but it's a much
better design.

[Steven A. Zedeck]

Hi:
I have a Series 2 and my Tivo has firmware 4.x. When I go into the
setup menu, I select serial cable and it says that it works and that I
should
disconnect the IR cable. I can change channels on my Comcast cable box
(Motorola DCT200) and all is well, except for one thing.

Whenever I change change channels, its very jerky. For example if I was
viewing channel 30, then wanted to go to 31, it would tune to 31 for a
split second, then go back to 30 for a second (or so), then finally get
to the
correct channel, 31. It does this if I click on the Up/Down buttons or
via the numbers.

I also tried covering up the IR window on the cable box thinking that
it was inadvertently bouncing IR signals around. to no avail.

Any ideas ? Its very annoying to watch Tivo change channels. Shouldn't
this be smoother ?

PLEASE REPLY TO THIS GROUP, NOT DIRECTLY.
Thanks,
Steve
----

Aldo Pignotti wrote:

>Scudder > wrote in message . com>...
>
>
>
>>Brilliant! Electrical storms are rare in southern California, but I
>>have a feeling that all sorts of mishaps can befall a delicate piece of
>>electronics...
>>
>>
>
>Don't get your hopes up. I just got the right Motorola cable box
>from Comcast but it didn't have the latest firmware and its serial
>port doesn't work with my series 2 Tivo. Not only did no one at
>Comcast (who I spoke to) know what a serial port was, my ordering
>information didn't even get as far as the guy who actually delivered
>the new cable boxes.
>
>

[Eric]

try to set the DCT to "autotune" off and see if that makes a difference

Menu -> Setup -> Guide -> Auto-Tune = no -> OK -> exit

"Steven A. Zedeck" > wrote in message >...
> Hi:
> I have a Series 2 and my Tivo has firmware 4.x. When I go into the
> setup menu, I select serial cable and it says that it works and that I
> should
> disconnect the IR cable. I can change channels on my Comcast cable box
> (Motorola DCT200) and all is well, except for one thing.
>
> Whenever I change change channels, its very jerky. For example if I was
> viewing channel 30, then wanted to go to 31, it would tune to 31 for a
> split second, then go back to 30 for a second (or so), then finally get
> to the
> correct channel, 31. It does this if I click on the Up/Down buttons or
> via the numbers.
>
> I also tried covering up the IR window on the cable box thinking that
> it was inadvertently bouncing IR signals around. to no avail.
>
> Any ideas ? Its very annoying to watch Tivo change channels. Shouldn't
> this be smoother ?
>
> PLEASE REPLY TO THIS GROUP, NOT DIRECTLY.
> Thanks,
> Steve
> ----
>
> Aldo Pignotti wrote:
>
> >Scudder > wrote in message . com>...
> >
> >
> >
> >>Brilliant! Electrical storms are rare in southern California, but I
> >>have a feeling that all sorts of mishaps can befall a delicate piece of
> >>electronics...
> >>
> >>
> >
> >Don't get your hopes up. I just got the right Motorola cable box
> >from Comcast but it didn't have the latest firmware and its serial
> >port doesn't work with my series 2 Tivo. Not only did no one at
> >Comcast (who I spoke to) know what a serial port was, my ordering
> >information didn't even get as far as the guy who actually delivered
> >the new cable boxes.
> >
> >

[Bao H. Lammy]

"Eric" > wrote
> try to set the DCT to "autotune" off and see if that makes a difference

What is autotune? I see this on my box and don't know
what difference it makes.

[alphageek]

"Scudder" > wrote in message
. com...
> In article >, Dgates
> > wrote:
>
> > I too am with Adelphia Cable in California. I know that I once tried
> > using a serial connection to my cable box and it did nothing.
> >
> > I don't think that Adelphia has upgraded my (Motorola) cable box. So
> > the only part of the equation that has changed is that my TiVo is now
> > using System Software 3.0 (the one with the folders).
> >
> > Any reason I should try the serial connection again?
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Mon, 30 Jun 2003 16:45:24 -0400, "Augusta Eller"
> > > wrote:
> >
> > >According to news I got from Tivo several weeks ago, serial control
will
> > >work on series 2 Tivo's provided your cable company has upgraded its
boxes
> > >and after you have downloaded the latest Tivo software. I have the
correct
> > >comcast cable box but still have Tivo series 1 so I can't use serial
> > >control, but I guess I could if I bought a series 2 Tivo.\
> > >Go to the Tivo website and you can probably find the information there.
> > >
> > >"Scudder" > wrote in message
> > . com...
> > >> I just ordered Tivo, which should arrive in a few days.
> > >>
> > >> Meanwhile, I've read in the Tivo forums that the serial connection
> > >> between the Tivo and a digital cable box doesn't work (in most cases)
> > >>
> > >> Is this true? I'm planning on using it with a General Instruments DCT
> > >> box, provided by Adelphia cable in California. The box seems to have
a
> > >> db-9 serial connector.
> > >>
> > >> TIA
> > >
> >
> > --
> >
>
> As the OP, I have been using my Series 2 Tivo (with v. 4.0 software)
> for a few weeks, and the serial connector doesn't work. After speaking
> with Tivo tech support (very helpful), they confirmed that it only
> works with the latest Motorola box.
>
> I then called Adelphia, and they were totally clueless. They barely
> knew what Tivo was, and announced "We don't support it" They too said
> that the serial connector on their boxes "wasn't used" and refused to
> give me a later Motorola box.
>
> One tip I discoved: with the original General Instruments DCT box, they
> provided an IR cable which is meant to send the record command to a
> VCR. Using this connector in place of the Tivo supplied IR blaster
> results in a much better channel changing performance. The "cable box
> end" of the cable ends in a clear plastic cube about 1/2" square which
> sticks directly to the front of the cable box, resulting in the emitter
> being about 1/2" from the remote receiver. Using this, my channel
> changing problems stopped (even though I had tried every option,
> including "slow" in my Tivo setup).
>
> I have no idea if they can be purchased on the net, but it's a much
> better design.

I have Adelphia cable and Tivo. After a recent power outage one of my 3 GI
DCT1124 cable boxes took a surge and fried (despite the surge protecting
power strips). Adelphia exchanged it for a new Motorola DCT-2224 and it
speaks serial to my Series 2 Tivo.

Now if I could just find someone who will exchange the PC that also fried in
the surge. Damn power strips are worthless...

[alphageek]

"Eric" > wrote in message
om...
> try to set the DCT to "autotune" off and see if that makes a difference
>
> Menu -> Setup -> Guide -> Auto-Tune = no -> OK -> exit
>
I have never seen this on any of the DCT boxes I've had. Definitely not on
the 1124 or 2224, unless there is some secret handshake I don't know.

[alphageek]

"Steven A. Zedeck" > wrote in message
...
> Hi:
> I have a Series 2 and my Tivo has firmware 4.x. When I go into the
> setup menu, I select serial cable and it says that it works and that I
> should
> disconnect the IR cable. I can change channels on my Comcast cable box
> (Motorola DCT200) and all is well, except for one thing.
>
> Whenever I change change channels, its very jerky. For example if I was
> viewing channel 30, then wanted to go to 31, it would tune to 31 for a
> split second, then go back to 30 for a second (or so), then finally get
> to the
> correct channel, 31. It does this if I click on the Up/Down buttons or
> via the numbers.
>
> I also tried covering up the IR window on the cable box thinking that
> it was inadvertently bouncing IR signals around. to no avail.
>
> Any ideas ? Its very annoying to watch Tivo change channels. Shouldn't
> this be smoother ?
>
> PLEASE REPLY TO THIS GROUP, NOT DIRECTLY.
> Thanks,
> Steve
> ----
>
I experience the same oddity with a Motorola 2224 box and Tivo Series 2
using serial cable. Except sometimes it goes back to the original channel
and stays there, as if the cable box couldn't tune the new channel. If I
then change the channel manually on the cable box it works without fail.