Will my TIVO work with the new Digital Cable?

Question

Comcast is trying to get everyone to move to digital. I have an old Tivo unit and I'm concerned that it will not work with the new Digital programs. Just getting a new digital channel Box won't allow the Tivo to change the channels, so this would make me assume that I may have to get a new Tivo. I"m not really wanting to go this route since I don't have the Bucks at the time and not sure if they even MAKE a Tivo which works with Digital Cable. I'm not looking for "guesses" or the like, I'd like to hear from anyone who has had the same situation or who has an intimate understanding of the problem and it's solution.

(Thanks Todd)

I got the unit used and do not have a manual, but I do know it has the mini-jack (1/8" standard Serial) on the back as I am using it to run a replacement Modem. I am thinking this is what you meant about a Serial Port on the back.

Answer 1

I have a Series2 Tivo and it works as it should with digital cable. Look on the back of you Tivo box and see if there are plugs for a Serial Cable or IR Cable. If there is either of these, your Tivo will work just fine with the newer digital cable box. If not, refer to your users manual and I'm sure it'll tell you if it will work.

Answer 2

It will depend on what Tivo model you have. If it is a Tivo Series 2 DT which is for Dual Tuner then it will work with Digital Cable except as I will explain below.If it si a Series 1 or Series 2 with a Single Tuner it will not work with digital cable. With the Tivo Series 2 DT (Dual Tuner) you can either record 1 digital channel and 1 analog channel at the same time, or you can record 2 analog channels at the same time, it will not record two digital channels at the same time. ONLY DirecTV Tivo's were made with Dual Tuners that are STRICTLY for ALL Digital recording. Check out this link from Tivo to better explain the Tivo's as I listed above:
http://dynamic.tivo.com/2.0.boxes.step.1.asp

I hope it works out for you. If you have any further questions please feel free to send me an email. If you want to search for these kind of Tivo issues then check out this site: http://www.dvrplayground.com