Freeview STBs and TiVo

Tim Downie wrote:
I know these things aren't normally worth attempting to repair but
because TiVo have just about giving up supporting new Freeview boxes for
the TiVo, I'd like to repair it if possible.

Actually, that's wrong, they haven't given up. :-)

The TiVo remote control database (and suggestions etc..) is still in
active support for newly released set-top boxes in DTT, Satellite and Cable.

For really new set top boxes, and with access to a Philips Pronto
learning remote, the IR commands of the original remote control can be
captured and sent to TiVo Inc.

http://www.garysargent.co.uk/tivo/stb-unsupported.htm

There is a lot of assistance on the UK section TiVo Community. We are a
helpful bunch compared to Sky who ru(i)n the phone line support.

Good luck with the cap repair!

--
Adrian C

In article ,
Tim Downie wrote:
I know these things aren't normally worth attempting to repair but
because TiVo have just about giving up supporting new Freeview boxes
for the TiVo, I'd like to repair it if possible. I'm no expert in this
field but would I be right in assuming that capacitor in the centre of
the picture isn't right?

If it is U/S, would it be a likely cause of the symptoms? It has 2200
microF, 10V, HD(M), 105C and HD243 printed on it.

Yes. The 105C suggests it's in a SMPS and that is the most likely source
of trouble.

--
*Plagiarism saves time *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"Adrian C" wrote in message
...
Tim Downie wrote:
I know these things aren't normally worth attempting to repair but
because TiVo have just about giving up supporting new Freeview boxes for
the TiVo, I'd like to repair it if possible.

Actually, that's wrong, they haven't given up. :-)

The TiVo remote control database (and suggestions etc..) is still in
active support for newly released set-top boxes in DTT, Satellite and
Cable.

Um, where's this list of STBs that they're now supporting (that's newer than
2 years old)?

For really new set top boxes, and with access to a Philips Pronto learning
remote, the IR commands of the original remote control can be captured and
sent to TiVo Inc.

No doubt they CAN be, but is that happening fast enough to cope with the
speed with which new STBs are coming out? I haven't got a Pronto or know
anyone who has. A support system that relies on the goodwill of the TiVo
community isn't what I'd call proper support by a manufacturer.

Having said that, given the age of my TiVo, I'm amazed that I get any
support at all. ;-)

http://www.garysargent.co.uk/tivo/stb-unsupported.htm

There is a lot of assistance on the UK section TiVo Community. We are a
helpful bunch compared to Sky who ru(i)n the phone line support.

Good luck with the cap repair!

Thanks

Tim

Tim Downie wrote:

Um, where's this list of STBs that they're now supporting (that's newer
than 2 years old)?


Updated in your Tivo. Unfortunately it's ordered by an assortment of
manufacturer names including some like "freeview 1 of 3" before dropping
to the second level list of receiver codes to try out.

Agreed, it would be helpful if this list were published.

For really new set top boxes, and with access to a Philips Pronto
learning remote, the IR commands of the original remote control can be
captured and sent to TiVo Inc.

No doubt they CAN be, but is that happening fast enough to cope with
the speed with which new STBs are coming out? I haven't got a Pronto or
know anyone who has. A support system that relies on the goodwill of
the TiVo community isn't what I'd call proper support by a manufacturer.

Unfortunately Thomson, the manufacturer quit any type of support a long
long time ago.

Having said that, given the age of my TiVo, I'm amazed that I get any
support at all. ;-)

TiVo US are still up and running and supporting the software update
services, as contracted. They don't obviously have anyone here employed
to purchase every set-top box sold in the UK market and make tests with
the UK TiVo hardware, so it's down to volunteers.

--
Adrian C

On Tue, 15 Sep 2009 22:55:38 +0100, fred wrote:

If it is U/S, would it be a likely cause of the symptoms? It has 2200
microF, 10V, HD(M), 105C and HD243 printed on it.

Try these:
http://uk.farnell.com/panasonic/eeuf...10v/dp/9691952

That's only 1000 instead of 2200.

Any stock problems and these will also work and have a slightly better
spec (at a slightly higher cost):
http://uk.farnell.com/panasonic/eeuf...10v/dp/9691979

Seems to be the proper replacement, assuming it's physically small enough
to fit. Strangely:
Farnell do these for 59p each exc. VAT, min. qty. 5, free postage,
total £3.44
CPC do these for 55p each exc. VAT, min. qty. 1, postage £5.95,
total £7.48
seeing as Farnell and CPC are supposedly the same company...

In article ,
Adrian C wrote:

Unfortunately Thomson, the manufacturer quit any type of support a long
long time ago.

Support from them when they were still flogging the machines was pretty
crap IME...

Having said that, given the age of my TiVo, I'm amazed that I get any
support at all. ;-)

I'm amazed there are still TiVo users here - I was begining to think I was
the only one left ;-)

Really wishing I'd paid the lifetime though....

Talking of TiVo, mine is beginning to get sick (bubbling mud in quiet parts
and disk whine). While I'm sure it could be repaired I'm pondering giving
up and jumping to Virgin Media V+

Anyone here got experience of V+ box? People complain it's slow to change
channel but I'm used to TiVo controlling Skybox so...

Darren

On 16/09/09 07:56, dmc wrote:

I'm amazed there are still TiVo users here - I was begining to think I was
the only one left ;-)

Really wishing I'd paid the lifetime though....

I know TiVos were well respected, though I've never used one, do they
still have "killer" features that aren't available anywhere else?

"dmc" wrote in message ...
In article ,
Adrian C wrote:

Unfortunately Thomson, the manufacturer quit any type of support a long
long time ago.

Support from them when they were still flogging the machines was pretty
crap IME...

Having said that, given the age of my TiVo, I'm amazed that I get any
support at all. ;-)

I'm amazed there are still TiVo users here - I was begining to think I was
the only one left ;-)

Really wishing I'd paid the lifetime though....

We took on gamble on it when we bought ours (just as they were disappearing
from the shops. So glad we did now. ;-)

Talking of TiVo, mine is beginning to get sick (bubbling mud in quiet
parts
and disk whine). While I'm sure it could be repaired I'm pondering giving
up and jumping to Virgin Media V+

Ours eventually needed a new hard-drive from tivoland but other than that,
has been absolutely reliable. Probably worth a shot if your's is getting
whiney.

Tim

"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...
On 16/09/09 07:56, dmc wrote:

I'm amazed there are still TiVo users here - I was begining to think I
was
the only one left ;-)

Really wishing I'd paid the lifetime though....

I know TiVos were well respected, though I've never used one, do they
still have "killer" features that aren't available anywhere else?

In my limited experience, the software & ergonomics of the TiVo still stands
head and shoulders above other PVRs. We have a Sony PVR as well which is a
huge pile of poo by comparison. You can request it to record programs by
genre or keywords in titles, a feature that I don't think is available in
other machines. It's easy say to ask it to record anything with "cycling"
or "athletics" or "sheep shagging" in the title. ;-)

Also, left to it's own devices, it will automatically record programs
similar to ones that you've recorded in the past building up a library of
"TiVo suggestions". These will never overwrite any specifically requested
recordings and are the first to be automaticaly deleted if space is needed.

Of course it will never do HD recording but I'l keep mine until it dies or I
die.

Tim

Andy Burns wrote:
On 15/09/09 20:39, Tim Downie wrote:

With a view to bringing it back for the dead I thought I'd have a
look inside the case for anything obvious. Well, I found this.

http://www.zen31010.zen.co.uk/images...wcapacitor.jpg

I know these things aren't normally worth attempting to repair but
because TiVo have just about giving up supporting new Freeview boxes
for the TiVo, I'd like to repair it if possible. I'm no expert in
this field but would I be right in assuming that capacitor in the
centre of the picture isn't right?

Yep, capacitors (especially within PSUs are a common failure)

Thanks to all for the advice. I've ordered a capacitor and will let you
know the outcome.

Tim