How to Hook Up a Comcast Digital Box With a TiVo Series2

Hooked up to a cable box, a TiVo can record cable programming, but may cause some channel issues.

The Series2 TiVo can record digital and analog signals. To record all-digital programming, users will have to interface their Series2 TiVos to their cable boxes. While linked to a cable box, the TiVo will be able to record programming and access TiVo's broadband features. However, in many cases, dual-tuning TiVos won't be able to record two programs at once. There are two types of Series2 TiVos: single-tuner (ST) and dual-tuner (DT). With IR cables, these TiVos can be hooked up to a cable box to allow users to watch and record cable channels and access TiVo's features as well.

Things You'll Need

• TiVo Series2 (ST or DT)
• Cable box
• IR cable
• Composite cables
• Landline/Internet access
• Coaxial cable
• Phone line/Ethernet cable/wireless adapter

Instructions

Series2 ST

1. Screw the RF coaxial cable from the wall into the RF In connector on the cable box.

2. Connect a second RF coaxial cable from the cable box's RF Out connector to the TiVo's RF In connector.

3. Connect the IR control cable to the cable box and the TiVo box. Place the two ends (emitters or "IR blasters") of the IR cable on the top and bottom of the cable box with the ends protruding 1 1/2 inches out from the box. The ends should be placed above/below the box's IR sensor.

4. Plug composite A/V cables to your cable box's A/V Out connectors. Connect the other end of the composite cables to the TiVo's A/V In connectors.

5. Interface the television with the TiVo by connecting A/V cables from the TiVo's A/V Out connectors to the television's A/V In connectors.

6. Set up a connection between the Tivo and a landline or Internet connection. A landline (phone) connection requires a phone line plugged into the TiVo and a wall jack. For Internet access, the Series2 ST requires a wireless connection to a wireless router. The Series2 ST does not support a wired Ethernet connection.

7. Plug the TiVo box into a wall outlet.

Series2 DT

1. Unplug the RF coaxial cable from the wall. Connect it to the In connector of a splitter. From the two Out connectors on the splitter, run a RF coaxial cable to the RF-In connectors on your TiVo and cable box.

2. Connect composite cables from your cable box's A/V Out connectors to the TiVo's A/V In connectors. Interface the TiVo with the television set by running A/V cables from the TiVo's A/V Out connectors to the television set's A/V In connectors

3. Set up the IR/channel-changing cable. Connect the cable from the TiVo's Serial output jack to the cable box's serial or nine-pin serial connector.

4. Place the two ends of the IR cable above and below the IR sensor of the cable box. Optimally, the two ends will protrude 1 1/2 inches from the box.

5. Connect the TiVo to either a landline (phone) or Internet connection. For phone connections, connect a phone jack to the phone line on the back of the TiVo and a wall jack. For Internet connectivity, use either an Ethernet cable for wired connections or a wireless adapter for wireless connectivity with your wireless router.

   Plug your TiVo into a power source.

Tips & Warnings

• All channel switches on the back of the boxes should be set to the same channel.

• Using a Series2 TiVo with a digital cable box may create some problems with programming lineups and recording. For increased compatibility and easier installation, newer TiVo models do not require the use of a cable box.

References

• TiVo Support
• TiVo Support

Resources

• TiVo to digital adapter
• TiVo IR cables