Can I run the same line to BOTH Tivo and HR20 just to get the guide into the Tivo?

[orange-man]

I just got my HR-20 this weekend and still have my Tivo 10-250. I would like to keep the Tivo for OTA recording, but I need a satellite input for the Tivo to get a line. Running separate input from the dish is not going to be easy (I already have a separate OTA line so no problem there).

I was wondering if prior to going into the HR20, if had a splitter and fed a signal into the Tivo just to get the guide informtion. I know that you can't run two DVR's off the same line for everyday performance but I thought for just getting the program guide, it might be OK.

The obvious answer is to try it and see if it works, but I am wondering if I might mess something or short out a tuner or something. This is why I am asking in advance if I am about to do some harm to either box by feeding them the same signal.

I already have the HR20 set for OTA as well, but the hard drive isn't very large and I do like the Tivo functions, so I was trying to have the best of both worlds.

[Earl Bonovich]

I am not sure if it will work... or won't work...

Haven't seen someone ask that, or tried it.

[EricRobins]

How about connecting the one line to the HR10 and, once it gets the guide data, removing it, and putting it back to the HR20?

[orange-man]

How about connecting the one line to the HR10 and, once it gets the guide data, removing it, and putting it back to the HR20?

I tried that yesterday and it did work, but after a day, the Tivo notices that the signal is gone and it wouldn't look up wishlist items without a satellite signal. I Would like to use the Tivo functionality including wishlists and season passes for OTA. It would greatly increase my capacity, retain the Tivo functions for OTA and I only have to pay the monthly fee for the extra DVR.

You can do that for a day, but not constantly. The thought crossed my mind to do it every two weeks, but when it doesn't see the signal, the season pass and wish list stop functioning.

[Milominderbinder2]

The only thing the HR10 can do without a satellite signal is let you watch live TV.

- Craig

[orange-man]

In case anyone is interested, I tried what I described in my original post and it works great with no problems. I get the guide fed into the 10-250 and it can record OTA programs with no problems.

[mjones73]

Until the HR20 needs a different set of transponders then the HR10-250 uses for guide info it should work. If the HR20 tries to send a different voltage/signal combination up to the dish then the HR10-250 is sending they will conflict each other and may cause problems tuning stations on the HR20.

[orange-man]

Until the HR20 needs a different set of transponders then the HR10-250 uses for guide info it should work. If the HR20 tries to send a different voltage/signal combination up to the dish then the HR10-250 is sending they will conflict each other and may cause problems tuning stations on the HR20.

i did learn that if I tried to tune certain satellite stations on the HR10-250 it does create problems for the HR20 just as you described. I turned off every Season Pass and To Do list item on the 10-250 that doesn't involve OTA so all it will do is receive the guide information and do nothing actively with the satellites which I hope will be good enough.

[fullcourt81]

I just got my HR-20 this weekend and still have my Tivo 10-250. I would like to keep the Tivo for OTA recording, but I need a satellite input for the Tivo to get a line. Running separate input from the dish is not going to be easy (I already have a separate OTA line so no problem there)..

if your OTA antenna is near your Sat dish you can piggyback the OTA signal on the a coax connected to your dish for the 10-250, but not the HR-20, using diplexers, which I have never used, but many people here have.

The new DirecTV dish, switch, and receivers have made the use of diplexers a no-no, so there might be a bunch of surplus ones floating around.

[mjones73]

Good point, if there is a third line for OTA, diplex it together with a Directv feed so it can be used for OTA and guide info.

[carl6]

You will eventually always run into a problem with the split line. The Tivo is going to send a voltage/tone combination to the dish, always. There are four possible combinations. When the HR20 is asked to do something that uses a different voltage/tone mix than the Tivo is sending, you will have a problem.

Diplexing to the Tivo should work, as there will be no Ka low signals going to the Tivo, which is where the OTA overlap occurs. Use your third coax line to feed the Tivo, and diplex your OTA onto that.

Carl