How to Connect to TiVo Service

TiVo is an amazing Digital Video Recording (DVR) technology that allows you to keep up with all your favorite shows when you are too busy to watch TV. All you need are a TiVo box (equipment) and a subscription to the TiVo service to start recording your favorite shows to watch whenever you want. Connecting to TiVo service is easy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Hardware (cable, cable box, adapters, satellite receiver, antenna)
• TiVo package
• Phone line in working condition

1. Sign up for a TiVo service plan by choosing your TiVo package including payment plan.
2. Sign the agreement and make payment arrangements depending on your payment plan (prepaid or monthly). A pre-activated DVR will arrive at your doorstep.
3. Follow the steps below if you want to do the work yourself to activate your TiVo service and did not buy a TiVo Package Payment Plan.
4. Go online to the TiVo Web site (see below) and follow the steps on-screen.
5. Put together whatever hardware you need, such as Ethernet Cable, compatible Ethernet adapter, compatible wireless adapter, or USB cable--depending on the TiVo model you have chosen.
6. Connect the cables to the ports according to the instructions. Different hardware--like basic cable, cable box and satellite box--have specific requirements and setup methods.
7. Run the guided setup.
8. Choose phone dialing or network settings after initial setup. When the configurations are over and the guided setup has ended, the DVR will connect itself to the TiVo service to get program information for that day. Start breaking in your DVR.
   

Tips & Warnings

• To manually activate TiVo, you need a TiVo service number, a 15-digit number on the back of your DVR. It is also on the side of the TiVo shipping box, at the bottom of the label.
• Make sure that you have a working telephone connection for initial installation.
• The telephone line is necessary only for the installation. Afterwards, you can either still use it or switch over your connection to the other existing wired, wireless or broadband networks in your home.
• Don't worry about TiVo services disrupting your phone conversations or your Internet connectivity.
• Activating your TiVo service before the installation is always best.
• If the subscription needs to be reactivated, there may be additional fees.
• For connnections after September 6, 2005, you must sign up for at least 12 months of service. If you cancel service before the contract is up, then you have to pay early termination fees.

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