Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

3 things every novice seems to overlook re: Tivo:

1) You now have an extra remote to deal with. When you have your Tivo
remote in hand, you don't want to have to grab your TV remote just to
adjust the volume, use the mute function or turn the power on or off
on your TV. Be sure to follow the instructions on the inside front
cover of your manual which will allow you to program your Tivo remote
to gain those TV controls.

2) To be able to watch one channel while recording another, you do
*not* have to use a splitter to split your cable signal between your
Tivo and your TV as outlined on page 18 of your manual, in fact I
recommend against doing that. Instead, just follow the instructions
re: "Standby" mode (it's on page 100 of my manual -- probably the same
as yours). To expand on this, here's an example:

If you've programmed something to record from 7pm - 7:30pm, around
6:59pm (if you are on a different station) you will receive a message
on your screen that says: Tivo needs to switch stations in 1 minute in
order to record "Jeopardy" on channel 7. It then gives you 2 choices:
"OK to switch channels and make the recording" (the default) or "No,
skip the recording and leave me on this channel". This is where it's
confusing because you actually want to make the recording, but watch
another channel. What you do is:

a. Choose "OK to switch channels and make the recording". If you're
not around when it's asking, that's OK because that's the default
choice which Tivo will make anyway.

b. Go to Tivo Central by pushing the very top button on your Tivo
remote.

c. Choose "Messages and Setup" from the menu.

d. Choose "Standby" from the following menu.

Tivo will still show the red recording light on the front panel because
it's recording your selection but other functions can now be performed
by your TV remote like changing to a different channel.

3) Fast Forwarding thru commercials

When fast-forwarding, do *not* hold down the fast-forward button
thinking that will make it go faster. The Tivo methodology is 1 click,
2 clicks or 3 clicks of the fast forward button to get the desired
speed. When you get used to it, you'll probably find that the
double-click speed (the second of 3 possible speeds) is ideal to get
thru commercials. If you go to far, remember that there is an "instant
replay" button that recoups 8 seconds (that button is just below the
"fast rewind" button.

For example, what typically happens:

You get to a commercial on something you've Tivo'd. You double-click
the fast-forward button to access the second of three available fast
forward speeds. You then have your thumb on the "Play" button (above
the yellow Pause button). When the commercial ends and your program
begins, you push the "Play" button. If you've gone a bit too far,
rather than using the "Rewind" button (which all novices tend to do),
hit the "Instant Replay" button (just below the "Rewind" button) and
that will get you back 8 seconds -- hit it again to recoup another 8
seconds, etc., etc.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

> 2) To be able to watch one channel while recording another, you do
> *not* have to use a splitter to split your cable signal between your
> Tivo and your TV as outlined on page 18 of your manual, in fact I
> recommend against doing that. Instead, just follow the instructions
> re: "Standby" mode (it's on page 100 of my manual -- probably the same
> as yours). To expand on this, here's an example:

<snip>

While you're not incorrect, I prefer the flexibility of using the
splitter (which doesn't remove any of the options you've described). It
just provides more options, such as allowing for an in-line VCR for
backup, 2nd reciever box for scrambled channels, etc.

>
> 3) Fast Forwarding thru commercials
>
> When fast-forwarding, do *not* hold down the fast-forward button
> thinking that will make it go faster. The Tivo methodology is 1 click,
> 2 clicks or 3 clicks of the fast forward button to get the desired
> speed. When you get used to it, you'll probably find that the
> double-click speed (the second of 3 possible speeds) is ideal to get
> thru commercials. If you go to far, remember that there is an "instant
> replay" button that recoups 8 seconds (that button is just below the
> "fast rewind" button.
>
> For example, what typically happens:
>
> You get to a commercial on something you've Tivo'd. You double-click
> the fast-forward button to access the second of three available fast
> forward speeds. You then have your thumb on the "Play" button (above
> the yellow Pause button). When the commercial ends and your program
> begins, you push the "Play" button. If you've gone a bit too far,
> rather than using the "Rewind" button (which all novices tend to do),
> hit the "Instant Replay" button (just below the "Rewind" button) and
> that will get you back 8 seconds -- hit it again to recoup another 8
> seconds, etc., etc.

I think you'll find most of that unnecessary as Tivo's fastfoward
function rewinds a bit automatically anyway, and compensates for the
typical overshoot. OTOH, if you use the 30 second skip function, then
the 8 sec instant replay button is invaluable.

Randy S.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

"davidsf" <davidsf@usa.net> wrote in message
news:1114973377.824562.279480@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>3 things every novice seems to overlook re: Tivo:
>
SNIP

>
> 2) To be able to watch one channel while recording another, you do
> *not* have to use a splitter to split your cable signal between your
> Tivo and your TV as outlined on page 18 of your manual, in fact I
> recommend against doing that. Instead, just follow the instructions
> re: "Standby" mode (it's on page 100 of my manual -- probably the same
> as yours). To expand on this, here's an example:
>
> If you've programmed something to record from 7pm - 7:30pm, around
> 6:59pm (if you are on a different station) you will receive a message
> on your screen that says: Tivo needs to switch stations in 1 minute in
> order to record "Jeopardy" on channel 7. It then gives you 2 choices:
> "OK to switch channels and make the recording" (the default) or "No,
> skip the recording and leave me on this channel". This is where it's
> confusing because you actually want to make the recording, but watch
> another channel. What you do is:
>
> a. Choose "OK to switch channels and make the recording". If you're
> not around when it's asking, that's OK because that's the default
> choice which Tivo will make anyway.
>
> b. Go to Tivo Central by pushing the very top button on your Tivo
> remote.
>
> c. Choose "Messages and Setup" from the menu.
>
> d. Choose "Standby" from the following menu.
>
> Tivo will still show the red recording light on the front panel because
> it's recording your selection but other functions can now be performed
> by your TV remote like changing to a different channel.
>

Doesn't this assume that you are NOT using the video out from Tivo to a
video input to the TV? If you are using video inputs to the TV changing the
TV channel won't do any good, will it?

TC

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On 1 May 2005 11:49:37 -0700, "davidsf" <davidsf@usa.net> wrote:

>3 things every novice seems to overlook re: Tivo:
>
>1) You now have an extra remote to deal with. When you have your Tivo
>remote in hand, you don't want to have to grab your TV remote just to
>adjust the volume, use the mute function or turn the power on or off
>on your TV. Be sure to follow the instructions on the inside front
>cover of your manual which will allow you to program your Tivo remote
>to gain those TV controls.
>
>2) To be able to watch one channel while recording another, you do
>*not* have to use a splitter to split your cable signal between your
>Tivo and your TV as outlined on page 18 of your manual, in fact I
>recommend against doing that. Instead, just follow the instructions
>re: "Standby" mode (it's on page 100 of my manual -- probably the same
>as yours). To expand on this, here's an example:
>
>If you've programmed something to record from 7pm - 7:30pm, around
>6:59pm (if you are on a different station) you will receive a message
>on your screen that says: Tivo needs to switch stations in 1 minute in
>order to record "Jeopardy" on channel 7. It then gives you 2 choices:
>"OK to switch channels and make the recording" (the default) or "No,
>skip the recording and leave me on this channel". This is where it's
>confusing because you actually want to make the recording, but watch
>another channel. What you do is:
>
>a. Choose "OK to switch channels and make the recording". If you're
>not around when it's asking, that's OK because that's the default
>choice which Tivo will make anyway.
>
>b. Go to Tivo Central by pushing the very top button on your Tivo
>remote.
>
>c. Choose "Messages and Setup" from the menu.
>
>d. Choose "Standby" from the following menu.
>
>Tivo will still show the red recording light on the front panel because
>it's recording your selection but other functions can now be performed
>by your TV remote like changing to a different channel.
>
>3) Fast Forwarding thru commercials
>
>When fast-forwarding, do *not* hold down the fast-forward button
>thinking that will make it go faster. The Tivo methodology is 1 click,
>2 clicks or 3 clicks of the fast forward button to get the desired
>speed. When you get used to it, you'll probably find that the
>double-click speed (the second of 3 possible speeds) is ideal to get
>thru commercials. If you go to far, remember that there is an "instant
>replay" button that recoups 8 seconds (that button is just below the
>"fast rewind" button.
>
>For example, what typically happens:
>
>You get to a commercial on something you've Tivo'd. You double-click
>the fast-forward button to access the second of three available fast
>forward speeds. You then have your thumb on the "Play" button (above
>the yellow Pause button). When the commercial ends and your program
>begins, you push the "Play" button. If you've gone a bit too far,
>rather than using the "Rewind" button (which all novices tend to do),
>hit the "Instant Replay" button (just below the "Rewind" button) and
>that will get you back 8 seconds -- hit it again to recoup another 8
>seconds, etc., etc.


Wow!

You are a genuis!!!

Imagine knowong what every single Tivo owner knows or doesn't
know.

Have you considered work as a stock picker. Your clairvoyance could
make you rich!!!

Sean

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

"davidsf" <davidsf@usa.net> wrote in message
news:1114973377.824562.279480@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> 1) You now have an extra remote to deal with. When you have your Tivo
> remote in hand, you don't want to have to grab your TV remote just to
> adjust the volume, use the mute function or turn the power on or off
> on your TV. Be sure to follow the instructions on the inside front
> cover of your manual which will allow you to program your Tivo remote
> to gain those TV controls.

Instructions are also available on the Tivo itself, in the Settings menu.
Tivo can also control your home theater receiver, which is where I run my
volume controls (except Tivo doesn't know about my receiver because it's not a
major brand).

Ken

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

In article <1114973377.824562.279480@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
davidsf <davidsf@usa.net> wrote:
>2) To be able to watch one channel while recording another, you do
>*not* have to use a splitter to split your cable signal between your
>Tivo and your TV as outlined on page 18 of your manual, in fact I
>recommend against doing that. Instead, just follow the instructions
>re: "Standby" mode (it's on page 100 of my manual -- probably the same
>as yours).

This only works if you are using the TiVo's RF (i.e. coax) output to
connect to your TV. And if you do that, you've lost some amount of
picture quality *and* you are listening to everything in mono. If
your TV has the appropriate inputs, you are much better off connecting
the TiVo using the composite video (or, better yet, the SVideo) and
stereo audio outputs. Yes, you will then have to use a splitter, but
your recorded programs will look and sound much better.