| Author |
Message |
Top Spin
Guest
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 Posted:
Wed Oct 27, 2004 6:28 am Post subject:
Nothing but snow on TV |
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When I turned the Tivo-TV on yesterday, there was nothing but snow on
all channels and the TiVo button did nothing. The other (non-TiVo) TV
in the house is connnected to the same cable system and was fine.
Since TiVo was recording something (red light on), I thought I better
wait until it was finished to do anything. Today, I unplugged the
TiVo, waited a few minutes, and plugged it back in. The "TiVo
restarting" screen came up and then the "Almost done, just a few more
minutes". After about 10 minutes, the TV came on but it was jumping
all over the place. Even the TiVo screen were jumpy.
After a few minutes, TiVo put up a message saying something like it
could not get a good tune on the channels. It made several suggestions
for what to do, but they were hard to read because odf the screen
jumping so badly.
I tried changing channels. The channels to change and they are right
from what I can tell through the jumpiness.
I then tried the restart TiVo. It again went through the restart.
Those screen were a little jumpy, but when the TV finally came on, the
jumpiness was as bad a ever.
Should I try unplugging it again?
I would prefer not doing a complete erqase and restart as we have
quite a few shows recorded and dozens of wishlists.
Thanks
--
Using a TiVo Series 2 (TCD24008A)
For email, use Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com
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Lenroc
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Oct 27, 2004 6:28 am Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 19:28:11 -0700, Top Spin wrote:
| Quote: | I then tried the restart TiVo. It again went through the restart.
Those screen were a little jumpy, but when the TV finally came on, the
jumpiness was as bad a ever.
|
"Jumpiness" meaning stuttering, like you're watching streaming video on a
56k connection, or something else? That could indicate a failing hard
drive, or a problem with the software.
| Quote: | Should I try unplugging it again?
|
Have you checked all the video cables between the cable box (or the wall)
and the TiVo, and between the TiVo and the TV?
Unplug each and plug it back in to make sure no connections are loose. You
don't need to unplug the power from the TiVo.
Also, if it's feasible, try using the TiVo on the other TV temporarily,
and try to use different cables as well.
--
Lenroc |
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Top Spin
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Oct 27, 2004 6:48 am Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 19:24:43 -0700, Lenroc
<lenroc@NOSPAMFORYOU.hotmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: | On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 19:28:11 -0700, Top Spin wrote:
I then tried the restart TiVo. It again went through the restart.
Those screen were a little jumpy, but when the TV finally came on, the
jumpiness was as bad a ever.
"Jumpiness" meaning stuttering, like you're watching streaming video on a
56k connection, or something else? That could indicate a failing hard
drive, or a problem with the software.
|
Jumpiness meaning the picture is there, but
Then after a few seconds, a TiVo screen comes up that says:
"The TiVo DVR cannot display live TV."
It then lists 6-7 things to try, all of which I did except for a
complete restart.
I then tried to play a recorded show and the same thing happened. Even
the TiVo screens (Now playing, etc.) have the same jumpiness. The
picture comes on and off, there are colored bars though it that go on
and off, and it jumps back and forth between the TiVo screen and the
live TV show. When the recorded movie started, it ws also jumpy and
the live TV show (World Series game) kept flashing in and out and
sometimes it would be like a ghost image on at the same time as the
recorded show.
I think the thing is possessed. Where's Father Damien?
| Quote: | Should I try unplugging it again?
Have you checked all the video cables between the cable box (or the wall)
and the TiVo, and between the TiVo and the TV?
Unplug each and plug it back in to make sure no connections are loose. You
don't need to unplug the power from the TiVo.
Also, if it's feasible, try using the TiVo on the other TV temporarily,
and try to use different cables as well.
|
--
Using a TiVo Series 2 (TCD24008A)
For email, use Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com |
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Lenroc
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Oct 27, 2004 7:34 am Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 19:48:51 -0700, Top Spin wrote:
| Quote: | Jumpiness meaning the picture is there, but
|
Did you forget to finish this sentence? I don't understand...
If it's only static or in any way resembles 'bad reception', the TiVo
itself is probably fine. But if it's something like a bad webcast or it
seems like the TiVo is having problems keeping up with the video, I'd
suspect a hardware or OS issue...
Have you done anything inside the box, like replace the HD?
--
Lenroc |
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Top Spin
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Oct 27, 2004 8:46 am Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 20:34:22 -0700, Lenroc
<lenroc@NOSPAMFORYOU.hotmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: | On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 19:48:51 -0700, Top Spin wrote:
Jumpiness meaning the picture is there, but
Did you forget to finish this sentence? I don't understand...
|
I guess I did. I explained it later. The picture is unstable. You can
tell what it is, but that's about it. Also, it keeps jumpng back and
forth between the TiVo screens and live TV.
| Quote: | If it's only static or in any way resembles 'bad reception', the TiVo
itself is probably fine. But if it's something like a bad webcast or it
seems like the TiVo is having problems keeping up with the video, I'd
suspect a hardware or OS issue...
Have you done anything inside the box, like replace the HD?
|
I haven't touched the box. I did THINK about sending it to weaknees to
be upgraded, but never got around to it.
New development: My wife just came in and turned the TV on, but she
grabbed the wrong remote -- the cable remote. She also pressed the
wrong button and ended up turning the cable box off. Now the picture
is crystal clear. Of course, it cannot get live TV, but the recorded
programs are all there - including ones that were recorded in the past
day since this problem opccurred.
So, I can eliminate the TV and also the signal into the TiVo box. The
problem has to be with the cable box (my thinking) or with the cable
box/TiVo combo.
Thoughts? Shall I call the cable company (Comcast)? (ugh)
--
Using a TiVo Series 2 (TCD24008A)
For email, use Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com |
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Radar
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Oct 27, 2004 3:56 pm Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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Check you cables
| Quote: |
Should I try unplugging it again?
I would prefer not doing a complete erqase and restart as we have
quite a few shows recorded and dozens of wishlists.
Thanks
--
Using a TiVo Series 2 (TCD24008A)
For email, use Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com |
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Joe Smith
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Oct 27, 2004 11:28 pm Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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Top Spin wrote:
| Quote: | I guess I did. I explained it later. The picture is unstable. You can
tell what it is, but that's about it. Also, it keeps jumpng back and
forth between the TiVo screens and live TV.
New development: My wife just came in and turned the TV on, but she
grabbed the wrong remote -- the cable remote. She also pressed the
wrong button and ended up turning the cable box off. Now the picture
is crystal clear. Of course, it cannot get live TV, but the recorded
programs are all there - including ones that were recorded in the past
day since this problem opccurred.
So, I can eliminate the TV and also the signal into the TiVo box. The
problem has to be with the cable box (my thinking) or with the cable
box/TiVo combo.
|
That is the symptoms of having to video sources trying to drive the
came wire at the same time. Possible causes:
*) Video signals (yellow RCA jack) from two devices combined via
a "Y" adapter.
*) RF from cable box (channel 3 or 4) and RF from TiVo (channel 3 or 4)
both going into a splitter/combiner going to the TV.
*) Defective bypass switch inside the TiVo causing the equivalent
of the above scenario.
To test the last one, go to TiVo Central to get a static TiVo screen.
Then unplug and replug the connectors on the back of the TiVo one at
a time to see which one causes the problem. Also, use the menu to
set your TiVo to Standby to see if that changes the symptoms.
-Joe |
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Top Spin
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Oct 29, 2004 5:09 am Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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On Wed, 27 Oct 2004 19:28:16 GMT, Joe Smith <Joe.Smith@inwap.com>
wrote:
| Quote: | Top Spin wrote:
I guess I did. I explained it later. The picture is unstable. You can
tell what it is, but that's about it. Also, it keeps jumpng back and
forth between the TiVo screens and live TV.
New development: My wife just came in and turned the TV on, but she
grabbed the wrong remote -- the cable remote. She also pressed the
wrong button and ended up turning the cable box off. Now the picture
is crystal clear. Of course, it cannot get live TV, but the recorded
programs are all there - including ones that were recorded in the past
day since this problem opccurred.
So, I can eliminate the TV and also the signal into the TiVo box. The
problem has to be with the cable box (my thinking) or with the cable
box/TiVo combo.
That is the symptoms of having to video sources trying to drive the
came wire at the same time. Possible causes:
*) Video signals (yellow RCA jack) from two devices combined via
a "Y" adapter.
*) RF from cable box (channel 3 or 4) and RF from TiVo (channel 3 or 4)
both going into a splitter/combiner going to the TV.
*) Defective bypass switch inside the TiVo causing the equivalent
of the above scenario.
To test the last one, go to TiVo Central to get a static TiVo screen.
Then unplug and replug the connectors on the back of the TiVo one at
a time to see which one causes the problem. Also, use the menu to
set your TiVo to Standby to see if that changes the symptoms.
-Joe
|
OK. I tried the above -- I think.
First of all, here 's how the boxes are connected. There are no
splitters and all of the cables are fairly new and are not frayed or
loose.
Back of the TiVo box, from left to right:
Audio/Video Output. There are 2 vertical rows, numbered 1 & 2, each
with 3 jacks: red (R) yellow (Y) and white (W):
1. Red Yellow White combo cable connected to TV Ext 2 input
2. Red Yellow White combo cable connected to Cable box Audio/Video
Audio/Video Input. These is a single vertical row with 3 jacks: red
(R) yellow (Y) and white (W). These have no cables connected at all.
This puzzles me. There are 2 sets of 3-wire cables connected to the
output jacks and none to the input. But this hasn't changed in months
and it has been working.
SVideo. No cables connected.
RF In & Out. No cables connected.
Here, again, are the symptoms.
1. If I turn the TV on, the picture is jumpy -- a kind of rolling and
flickering, like an old tube TV with a bad tube. Not exactly
horizontal hold, but similar. Also bright red and blue horizontal
bars, fuzzy and 2-3" wide. And if I press the TiVo button, the picture
jumps back and forth between the TiVo screen and live TV. I can change
channels. After a few seconds, TiVo puts up a screen saying that it
cannot tune the channels and offering several solutions, none of which
work.
2. If I turn the cable box off, everthing immediately clears up. I
still get the message screen that TiVo cannot tune the TV, but no
jumping and I can watch recorded shows without problems.
3. If I turn the TV off, TiVo continues to operate normally. That is,
it will record shows perfectly clear even though those same shows
cannot be viewed live without the jumpiness.
I conclude that
(a) The TV is fine because it can play recorded shows perfectly if the
cable box is off.
(b) The signal into the TiVo is fine because it can record shows,
therefore the cable box is fine.
(c) The cables are fine otherwise TiVo could not record shows or the
TV could not replay them.
The problem must be the TiVo box or my setup.
Can I move the 3-wire cable (RWY) that now goes from the cable box
output to the TiVo output #2? I am quite sure that the way it is now
is the way it has been for months. Can I hurt anything by moving
cables around like that?
Thanks
--
Using a TiVo Series 2 (TCD24008A)
Connected to Comcast Digital Cable (basic)
For email, use Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com |
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Top Spin
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Oct 29, 2004 5:30 am Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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|
On Wed, 27 Oct 2004 19:28:16 GMT, Joe Smith <Joe.Smith@inwap.com>
wrote:
| Quote: | New development: My wife just came in and turned the TV on, but she
grabbed the wrong remote -- the cable remote. She also pressed the
wrong button and ended up turning the cable box off. Now the picture
is crystal clear. Of course, it cannot get live TV, but the recorded
programs are all there - including ones that were recorded in the past
day since this problem opccurred.
So, I can eliminate the TV and also the signal into the TiVo box. The
problem has to be with the cable box (my thinking) or with the cable
box/TiVo combo.
That is the symptoms of having to video sources trying to drive the
came wire at the same time. Possible causes:
*) Video signals (yellow RCA jack) from two devices combined via
a "Y" adapter.
*) RF from cable box (channel 3 or 4) and RF from TiVo (channel 3 or 4)
both going into a splitter/combiner going to the TV.
*) Defective bypass switch inside the TiVo causing the equivalent
of the above scenario.
To test the last one, go to TiVo Central to get a static TiVo screen.
Then unplug and replug the connectors on the back of the TiVo one at
a time to see which one causes the problem. Also, use the menu to
set your TiVo to Standby to see if that changes the symptoms.
-Joe
|
Oooppps. I forgot to add that I tried unplugging one cable at a time.
The culprit seems to be the yellow cable going from the cable box
output to the TiVo output #2. When I unplugged that one, the screen
went black. None of the others had any effect.
--
Using a TiVo Series 2 (TCD24008A)
Connected to Comcast Digital Cable (basic)
For email, use Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com |
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Seth
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Oct 29, 2004 5:40 am Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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|
"Top Spin" <ToppSpin@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:b373o0lp8toubfajs9r74l5c1rmnmiifbm@4ax.com...
| Quote: | On Wed, 27 Oct 2004 19:28:16 GMT, Joe Smith <Joe.Smith@inwap.com
wrote:
Oooppps. I forgot to add that I tried unplugging one cable at a time.
The culprit seems to be the yellow cable going from the cable box
output to the TiVo output #2. When I unplugged that one, the screen
went black. None of the others had any effect.
|
Outputs from your cable box should be going to the inputs on TiVo. Don't
know how it ever recorded hooked up like you describe. |
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Top Spin
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:00 am Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 01:40:10 GMT, "Seth"
<seth_lermanNOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: | "Top Spin" <ToppSpin@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:b373o0lp8toubfajs9r74l5c1rmnmiifbm@4ax.com...
On Wed, 27 Oct 2004 19:28:16 GMT, Joe Smith <Joe.Smith@inwap.com
wrote:
Oooppps. I forgot to add that I tried unplugging one cable at a time.
The culprit seems to be the yellow cable going from the cable box
output to the TiVo output #2. When I unplugged that one, the screen
went black. None of the others had any effect.
Outputs from your cable box should be going to the inputs on TiVo. Don't
know how it ever recorded hooked up like you describe.
|
Well, you are right. I moved the cables from the cable box that were
going into the TiVo output to the TiVo input and everything is fine
again.
We have at least 2 mysteries here:
1. What heppened. There's no one in the house but my wife and I. I
know I haven't touched those cables or anything on the whole TV cart
for months. My wife ways she hasn't either and I believe her because
she never touches anything electronic and to not believe her would be
bad for my health.
2. How was it working at all before? With the cables plugged in wrong,
the TiVo was able to record shows just fine. How can that be?
Oh, well.
--
Using a TiVo Series 2 (TCD24008A)
Connected to Comcast Digital Cable (basic)
For email, use Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com |
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Seth
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Oct 30, 2004 2:45 am Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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|
"Top Spin" <ToppSpin@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0cc3o0ph6iigil6mdk2tnm3s5rafkec128@4ax.com...
| Quote: |
1. What heppened. There's no one in the house but my wife and I. I
know I haven't touched those cables or anything on the whole TV cart
for months. My wife ways she hasn't either and I believe her because
she never touches anything electronic and to not believe her would be
bad for my health.
|
Possible you did that while troubleshooting the initial issue? Someone
knocked cables loose while cleaning and put them back wrong and didn't tell
you?
| Quote: | 2. How was it working at all before? With the cables plugged in wrong,
the TiVo was able to record shows just fine. How can that be?
|
Don't see how it worked before, but as long as it is working now that it is
hooked up correct... |
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Top Spin
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Oct 30, 2004 4:45 am Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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|
On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 22:45:30 GMT, "Seth"
<seth_lermanNOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote:
| Quote: | "Top Spin" <ToppSpin@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:0cc3o0ph6iigil6mdk2tnm3s5rafkec128@4ax.com...
1. What heppened. There's no one in the house but my wife and I. I
know I haven't touched those cables or anything on the whole TV cart
for months. My wife ways she hasn't either and I believe her because
she never touches anything electronic and to not believe her would be
bad for my health.
Possible you did that while troubleshooting the initial issue?
|
I did not touch the cables other than to push them in more securely.
| Quote: | Someone knocked cables loose while cleaning and put them back wrong
and didn't tell you?
|
That's the most likely scenario, but hard to believe. The cleaning
people only come twice a month and they were here over a week before
the trouble started. Plus, they would have had to knock all three
cables from just that one set loose and then replace all three in the
wrong place.
| Quote: | 2. How was it working at all before? With the cables plugged in wrong,
the TiVo was able to record shows just fine. How can that be?
Don't see how it worked before, but as long as it is working now that it is
hooked up correct...
|
The most puzzling thing of all is that some functions were working
with it hooked up that way. TiVo was able to record shows prefectly
well with the cable output hooked up to the TiVo output. I bet I could
put it back that way and record a show. How can that be?
Oh, well.
--
Using a TiVo Series 2 (TCD24008A)
Connected to Comcast Digital Cable (basic)
For email, use Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com |
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Joe Smith
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:22 pm Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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Top Spin wrote:
| Quote: | Audio/Video Output. There are 2 vertical rows, numbered 1 & 2, each
with 3 jacks: red (R) yellow (Y) and white (W):
1. Red Yellow White combo cable connected to TV Ext 2 input
2. Red Yellow White combo cable connected to Cable box Audio/Video
|
There's your problem. You should never connect the cable box
audio/video output to the TiVo audio/video outputs.
| Quote: | Audio/Video Input. These is a single vertical row with 3 jacks: red
(R) yellow (Y) and white (W). These have no cables connected at all.
This puzzles me. There are 2 sets of 3-wire cables connected to the
output jacks and none to the input. But this hasn't changed in months
and it has been working.
|
This is where the cables coming from the cable box are supposed to go.
The proper connection is:
Cable box input = coax from cable TV company.
Cable box output = audio/video going into TiVo's input jacks.
TiVo coax input and coax output = not connected.
TiVo audio/video input = receives signal from cable box output.
TiVo audio/video output #1 = goes to TV
TiVo audio/video output #2 = unused, or can go to VCR input.
| Quote: | Can I move the 3-wire cable (RWY) that now goes from the cable box
output to the TiVo output #2?
|
Yes, that is what you must do.
| Quote: | Can I hurt anything by moving cables around like that?
|
Of course not.
-Joe |
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Top Spin
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Oct 30, 2004 5:34 pm Post subject:
Re: Nothing but snow on TV |
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On Sat, 30 Oct 2004 09:22:04 GMT, Joe Smith <Joe.Smith@inwap.com>
wrote:
| Quote: | Top Spin wrote:
Audio/Video Output. There are 2 vertical rows, numbered 1 & 2, each
with 3 jacks: red (R) yellow (Y) and white (W):
1. Red Yellow White combo cable connected to TV Ext 2 input
2. Red Yellow White combo cable connected to Cable box Audio/Video
There's your problem. You should never connect the cable box
audio/video output to the TiVo audio/video outputs.
|
Yes, that's what I thought. I was very surprised to discover that that
was how they were connected. But,
(a) Unless someone changed them, they had been that was for a year. I
certainly did not touch them and neither did my wive. No one else
lives here.
(b) The TiVo was still able to record shows off the cable with them
connected that way. Can you explain that?
| Quote: | Audio/Video Input. These is a single vertical row with 3 jacks: red
(R) yellow (Y) and white (W). These have no cables connected at all.
This puzzles me. There are 2 sets of 3-wire cables connected to the
output jacks and none to the input. But this hasn't changed in months
and it has been working.
This is where the cables coming from the cable box are supposed to go.
The proper connection is:
Cable box input = coax from cable TV company.
Cable box output = audio/video going into TiVo's input jacks.
TiVo coax input and coax output = not connected.
TiVo audio/video input = receives signal from cable box output.
TiVo audio/video output #1 = goes to TV
TiVo audio/video output #2 = unused, or can go to VCR input.
Can I move the 3-wire cable (RWY) that now goes from the cable box
output to the TiVo output #2?
Yes, that is what you must do.
|
That's what I did and everything is fine. In fact, the picture is much
clearer than it has ever been. I used to get some breaking up of the
picture on some channels. That is now gone, which also makes me think
that the cables had been connected wrong for some time. I have no idea
how it ever worked nor why it suddenly stopped working.
| Quote: | Can I hurt anything by moving cables around like that?
Of course not.
-Joe
|
--
Using a TiVo Series 2 (TCD24008A)
Connected to Comcast Digital Cable (basic)
For email, use Usenet-20031220 at spamex.com |
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