Has anyone gotten a CECB with the coupon that works with the original TiVo? Called both TiVo and Sony support and they were no help. TiVo did say that they were "working on it" though and to check their website for press releases. Hopefully they will have some guidance before mid-June when my coupons expire. Thanks in advance.

Will

Figured this out in case anyone is interested. Bought the Digital Stream DTX9950 from Radio Shack. Went through TiVo Setup and chose Cable with Over The Air stations as provider then chose use Cable Box and Zenith box with code 10013 Fast. My TiVo is no longer obsolete!! Next step is buy a backup DTX9950 with my other coupon.

Figured this out in case anyone is interested. Bought the Digital Stream DTX9950 from Radio Shack. Went through TiVo Setup and chose Cable with Over The Air stations as provider then chose use Cable Box and Zenith box with code 10013 Fast. My TiVo is no longer obsolete!! Next step is buy a backup DTX9950 with my other coupon.
holtwm,
Which TiVo do you have? The reason I ask is I have the Series 2 with dual tuners and I managed to get it to work without cable by selecting that I did in set up. I only have until 6/27 to get converter boxes. ?? Can you record as before?? Also, do you use the converter box or the TiVo to change channels and how did you set up all the cables?

My TiVo is a Series 1 dolphinlover821. It records as before. The TiVo changes channels on the CECB through the IR blaster. The CECB is connected to the TiVo through a composite video cable and Stereo RCA audio cables. Hope this helps. If you follow my steps you should be good to go!

My TiVo is a Series 1 dolphinlover821. It records as before. The TiVo changes channels on the CECB through the IR blaster. The CECB is connected to the TiVo through a composite video cable and Stereo RCA audio cables. Hope this helps. If you follow my steps you should be good to go!
Holtwm,
Now I really wish my Series 1 didn't die and the only choice I had for replacement was the Series 2 DT. TiVo was very nice, for about $180 (cost + S&H) they sent me the Series 2 and I was able to keep my lifetime subscription even though my warranty had expired about 1 yr & half prior to the Series 1 dying. Problem is that Series 2 doesn't work without cable. I did indicate I have cable in set-up so I can use TiVo remote & record channels 3,5,8,10, & 13 but not 21,25, or 33. I can live with that as I refuse to pay the outrageous price for cable and satellite isn't even an option. However, I am beginning to realize that I may have to just kiss the TiVo goodbye after 2/19/09. I certainly can't afford a new one or the new lifetime subscription price to buy a new one even if they do come out with a dtv compatible device -- which I don't see happening.

Well thank you for answering my question, I should have know the glimer of hope I had was going to be short lived.

Dawn

Holtwm,
Now I really wish my Series 1 didn't die and the only choice I had for replacement was the Series 2 DT. TiVo was very nice, for about $180 (cost + S&H) they sent me the Series 2 and I was able to keep my lifetime subscription even though my warranty had expired about 1 yr & half prior to the Series 1 dying. Problem is that Series 2 doesn't work without cable. I did indicate I have cable in set-up so I can use TiVo remote & record channels 3,5,8,10, & 13 but not 21,25, or 33. I can live with that as I refuse to pay the outrageous price for cable and satellite isn't even an option. However, I am beginning to realize that I may have to just kiss the TiVo goodbye after 2/19/09. I certainly can't afford a new one or the new lifetime subscription price to buy a new one even if they do come out with a dtv compatible device -- which I don't see happening.

Well thank you for answering my question, I should have know the glimer of hope I had was going to be short lived.

Dawn
Hi,
I just finished setting up my Series2-DT to work with a Digital Stream DTX9950 CECB... it's a little early yet to tell for sure if there are any unexpected glitches but, so far, all looks good.
The CECB is connected to the Tivo with a 3-wire AV cord (not supplied with the box) and IR-Blaster. The Tivo is set up for Dish Network (Dish commonly maps local stations to the same channel number on their receivers) with the sat box brand set to HITACHI.

Channel changing works fine for me with this setup... the Tivo sends out the base channel number (for example: 10) and, after a short pause, the CECB fills in 10-1 and changes channels.
The only drawback is that you can't access additional sub-channels (10-2, 10-3, etc.) but, in my area, the locals broadcast little or nothing on the 'extended' sub-channels.

The next step was deleting the hundreds of unneeded Dish Network channels so I was left with the 7 local stations of interest (makes the whole thing easier to work with).
Also, the IR sensor on the Digital Stream unit is just under the TR in DIGITALSTREAM so that's where you point your IR-Blaster emitter(s). You might also want to set up the CECB's channel list (auto scan plus editing) and do any antenna tweaking before hooking up to your Tivo so you're not working with too many unknown conditions at one time (makes locating problems easier).
Good luck!

Hi,
I just finished setting up my Series2-DT to work with a Digital Stream DTX9950 CECB... it's a little early yet to tell for sure if there are any unexpected glitches but, so far, all looks good.
The CECB is connected to the Tivo with a 3-wire AV cord (not supplied with the box) and IR-Blaster. The Tivo is set up for Dish Network (Dish commonly maps local stations to the same channel number on their receivers) with the sat box brand set to HITACHI.

Channel changing works fine for me with this setup... the Tivo sends out the base channel number (for example: 10) and, after a short pause, the CECB fills in 10-1 and changes channels.
The only drawback is that you can't access additional sub-channels (10-2, 10-3, etc.) but, in my area, the locals broadcast little or nothing on the 'extended' sub-channels.

The next step was deleting the hundreds of unneeded Dish Network channels so I was left with the 7 local stations of interest (makes the whole thing easier to work with).
Also, the IR sensor on the Digital Stream unit is just under the TR in DIGITALSTREAM so that's where you point your IR-Blaster emitter(s). You might also want to set up the CECB's channel list (auto scan plus editing) and do any antenna tweaking before hooking up to your Tivo so you're not working with too many unknown conditions at one time (makes locating problems easier).
Good luck!

fredmertz,
I have the Digital Stream 9950 so that is good. I have not tried to hook it up yet (still in the box). I have a few questions though, I am unfamiliar with some of the terms you used (novice here). What is TR? How do I "point" the IR-Blaster emitter (s)

This is my current set-up. (Gerhard911 did the diagram in response to me in another thread -- just want to make sure I give credit and I have no idea how to do the diagram.)

Code:
------------
| OUT | <=== Tivo (RF input or output ?)
TV <=== | IN |
| OUT | <=== Phillips Antenna <=== external antenna cable from wall
------------

This is the only way I was able to get "decent" reception on the tv and use the TiVo. A/V (red,white,yellow) cables connected to TiVo & Tv.

Gehard911 suggested I change set-up to this:
Code:
------------
| OUT | ===> Tivo (RF input)
Phillips Antenna ===> | IN |
| OUT | ===> TV (RF Input)
------------
Did not work, tv reception was awful & no sound on some of the few channels that came in.

Sooooooo, if I understood what you said I should just hook up the DS 9950 and change settings on the CECB 1st (select channels) and adjust antenna for "clearest/strongest" picture, then hook up the TiVo? Which leads me to question where in my crazy (but it works) set-up do I place the CECB and then where do I add the TiVo?

Thank you for your information & assistance :)

Sorry Dawn no idea what diagram means but you want to have the CECB connected to your antenna and then have the A/V cables from the CECB connected in to the TiVo. TiVo then connects in to the TV same as you had it before you got the CECB. The only change is that your TiVo is getting its programming from the CECB rather than directly from the antenna. You also need the IR blaster in place in front of the CECB so that the TiVo can tell it what to do ie change channels. Hope this helps. Sounds like the only difference is that you need to choose Dish as your provider rather than Cable.

Sorry Dawn no idea what diagram means but you want to have the CECB connected to your antenna and then have the A/V cables from the CECB connected in to the TiVo. TiVo then connects in to the TV same as you had it before you got the CECB. The only change is that your TiVo is getting its programming from the CECB rather than directly from the antenna. You also need the IR blaster in place in front of the CECB so that the TiVo can tell it what to do ie change channels. Hope this helps. Sounds like the only difference is that you need to choose Dish as your provider rather than Cable.

Holtwm,
TY for responding. I am assuming (I know bad idea LOL) that IR blaster is in the TiVo? How do I place the CECB in front without blocking the signal to the TiVo & the CECB? Right now the TiVo is on-top of useless VCR on-top of cardboard box, no room for anything else. I had planned on just placing the CECB on-top of the TiVo.

As far as the diagram...Gerhard 911 made it to help explain my current set-up which is: Coax from wall into Phillips antenna; Coax out from Philips to splitter out; TiVo Coax from TiVo RF in to splitter out; Coax from tv RF to splitter in; red,white,yellow composite from TiVo to front of tv

| OUT | <=== Tivo (RF input or output ?)
TV <=== | IN |
| OUT | <=== Phillips Antenna <=== external antenna cable from wall

Yes, this is a non-standard use of splitter, but it was the only way to get semi-decent reception on the tv & be able to use the Series 2 dual tuner TiVo. :rolleyes:

Soooooo I hook up CECB between Phillips & splitter. My tv doesn't have anymore A/V plugs to use. TiVo does though, so do I use A/V from TiVo to the CECB?

Sorry, I am a concrete thinker, abstract is difficult for me to wrap my mind around. LOL Percocet could be part of the problem too :cool:

Thanks again for your much welcomed information,
Dawn

IR blaster is a device that plugs into the back of the TiVo and.then you place the other end pointing at the front of the CECB. It kind of looks like a microphone and was included with your TiVo when you bought it (hopefully).

Wouldn't worry about splitter for dual tuner feature right now esp since it won't work at all after Feb. Disconnect everything and connect as stated above and you should be good to go. Easiest way comparable to current is just to use RF cables to put the CECB between the antenna and the TiVo. Use channel 3 or 4 switch on back of CECB. Keep red,white,yellow composite from TiVo to front of tv. Don't forget IR blaster so TiVo can tell the CECB what to do!

IR blaster is a device that plugs into the back of the TiVo and.then you place the other end pointing at the front of the CECB. It kind of looks like a microphone and was included with your TiVo when you bought it (hopefully).

Wouldn't worry about splitter for dual tuner feature right now esp since it won't work at all after Feb. Disconnect everything and connect as stated above and you should be good to go. Easiest way comparable to current is just to use RF cables to put the CECB between the antenna and the TiVo. Use channel 3 or 4 switch on back of CECB. Keep red,white,yellow composite from TiVo to front of tv. Don't forget IR blaster so TiVo can tell the CECB what to do!

I will search my bag of Coax, phone cords, etc. But I doubt I have the IR blaster. Tivo sent me this refurbished TiVo 2 DT to replace my dead Series 1. So unless the IR blaster came with my original Series 1 I will have to buy one. So aggravating the extra money I am having to put out to keep "free tv" :mad:

Thank you so much for helping me :)