D* HDTV service and Tivo Series 2 SD

[ams30gts]

my girlfriend has and old school sd dtv setup with a standalone tivo (lifetime sub). they just got a hdtv, but have not upgraded to the hdtv directv service yet. im pretty sure i can call and get hd receivers and dish for free etc...but im wondering if her tivo will work with this. anyone have experience with this?

[Coffey77]

Some of it depends on how your TiVo sets up. If it's a DIRECTV brand one, there should be no problem and it should work seemlessly except that you won't get any HD channels obviously. If it's a "general" TiVo, I believe they'll act a bit differently as you'll need a DIRECTV receiver to attatch it to. Even if it's an HD receiver, you'll still only be able to record an SD signal. I hope that's what you're asking. :)

If you need more information, please post your TiVo type/model as that may help other replies know a bit more about your setup.

:welcome_s to the Forum!!

[ams30gts]

ok will do. ill get that info tonite

the tivo box was purchased from the tivo web site some years ago. not too long after the series 2 came out. theres some RF wires connecting a directv receiver to the tivo.

[terryfoster]

You can replace the standard D* receiver the TiVo is connected to with a HD receiver. Make sure to use the s-video input on the TiVo. They can setup season passes to record the HD channels (which will be recorded in SD of course, but if they're home they can watch the shows in HD live if they change the input on the TV from the TiVo to the HDMI/Component input. They'll also get a widescreen recording if they aren't able to watch live that they can use to fill the screen by either stretching or zooming.

I ran a very similar setup before TWC provided HD-DVRs. It's a little funky, but it works.

[Coffey77]

To be honest, you are better off, since you're going to ask for new HD service anyway, to get more HR20s. Re-signing up could give you a CSR advantage on what package and price they'll give you. If you don't get a price you want, hand up and try calling back and getting a new CSR. That type of TiVo with the IR, in my experience, is quite annoying and slow to react.

[ams30gts]

thanks for the good info guys.

my real concern is the lifetime sub to tivo. is there no way it can transfer to the dtv dvr? or anything similiar to that?

[JLucPicard]

I don't believe so. My standalone TiVos with lifetime subs on them are connected to LifeLine cable, but I get my internet though the cableco, and my bill winds up being cheaper when I sub to the LifeLine service as well. Or, you use a D* receiver to feed the TiVo.

[Stuart Sweet]

You can't transfer a lifetime Tivo sub to HR20, but you may be able to get a great deal on an HR20 to offset the extra cost.

[ams30gts]

You can't transfer a lifetime Tivo sub to HR20, but you may be able to get a great deal on an HR20 to offset the extra cost.


my GF called retentions today and got

HR20 (free)
H20 ($99)
5 lnb dish installed (free)
6 months HD service (Free)

all gonna be installed friday

i wish we could have gotten the H20 free, but she is very happy with what she got. we are going to put the tivo in her brothers room.

i guess im going to head to bestbuy tonite and get her new HDTV tonite with the 3 yrs no interest financing. any recommondation on either the sansung 32in or the sharp 32in?

[MikeR7]

don't 'buy anything less than 42":lol:

[ams30gts]

don't 'buy anything less than 42":lol:



hahha i wish we could. 42in plazma is only like $200-300 more...but its not going to be wall mounted. its going into a entertainment center with only space for this

possibly a 37in lcd

[Chip Moody]

If that's a series 2 Tivo, you can use a cable from these folks: http://www.patersontech.com/products/usbtvtranslator.aspx
and hook the Tivo up to the new H20...

- Chip

[Pink Fairy]

We got ours at Best Buy yesterday because of the no interest deal. 3 years is hard to beat when i know we will have it paid off way before then :)