TiVo and non-Freeview channels

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neilinnz

165 posts

Master Geek

#98226 27-Feb-2012 14:31

I cannot find the answer to this from searching GZ although it may have been mentioned before in other subjects so forgive me if it's already been answered.

Is it possible to watch/record non-Freeview DVB-T channels on the TiVo?
We have a few extra digital channels in Nelson (from MainlandTV) with some half-decent programs on them. My TiVo does locate the channels when it scans and they do appear in the list of channels as 350, 351 etc. but when you view any of them it's just a blank screen.
The two radio channels from MainlandTV do work and can be recorded fine on the TiVo.
All the TV channels can be tuned into and watched using the TVs tuner and an EyeTV tuner too.

Does anyone know the missing link here? It seems odd the channels are located OK, and that the two radio ones work fine. Is it likely MainlandTV are using a different compression or something the Tivo doesn't understand but the TV does? Or will the TiVo only show Freeview video channels?
I had a brief email from both TiVo and MainlandTV after enquiring with them - TiVo knew nothing and Mainland suggest it should work as it's just like any other digital TV channel.

Any ideas?

mattwnz

20164 posts

Uber Geek

#587411 27-Feb-2012 15:14

Does it work on a normal freeview approved box? Or does it only work on non approved boxes. Tivo isn't an official freeview box. It is probably up to the tv station to contact tivo about it, so it can be listed on their EPG

neilinnz

165 posts

Master Geek

#587425 27-Feb-2012 15:52

I'm not sure, I only know it works on a FreeviewTV and a PC TV tuner, but not the TiVo.
I just wondered if any other regions in NZ have other non-Freeview digital TV that does/doesn't work with the TiVo.

gregmcc

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#587470 27-Feb-2012 17:29

neilinnz: I cannot find the answer to this from searching GZ although it may have been mentioned before in other subjects so forgive me if it's already been answered.

Is it possible to watch/record non-Freeview DVB-T channels on the TiVo?
We have a few extra digital channels in Nelson (from MainlandTV) with some half-decent programs on them. My TiVo does locate the channels when it scans and they do appear in the list of channels as 350, 351 etc. but when you view any of them it's just a blank screen.
The two radio channels from MainlandTV do work and can be recorded fine on the TiVo.
All the TV channels can be tuned into and watched using the TVs tuner and an EyeTV tuner too.

Does anyone know the missing link here? It seems odd the channels are located OK, and that the two radio ones work fine. Is it likely MainlandTV are using a different compression or something the Tivo doesn't understand but the TV does? Or will the TiVo only show Freeview video channels?
I had a brief email from both TiVo and MainlandTV after enquiring with them - TiVo knew nothing and Mainland suggest it should work as it's just like any other digital TV channel.

Any ideas?

No, non-freeview channels cannot be viewed on a Tivo, the reason for this is that tivo in it's quest to become a freeview approved box, the software followed the guidelines setout by freeview regarding viewing of non-freeview or out of area channels, basically you can't view them.

Becaue Tivo allows transfer of recording to other devices it won't acheive the freeview approval.

neilinnz

165 posts

Master Geek

#587475 27-Feb-2012 17:53

That's a shame.
I could understand it if it was a Freeview approved box and MainlandTV would have to pay fees or whatever which are probably too costly for them.

One day we may get a simple TV system setup in NZ, where whatever box you buy just works with all the channels available to you!

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#587520 27-Feb-2012 19:29

No, non-freeview channels cannot be viewed on a Tivo, the reason for this is that tivo in it's quest to become a freeview approved box, the software followed the guidelines setout by freeview regarding viewing of non-freeview or out of area channels, basically you can't view them.

Becaue Tivo allows transfer of recording to other devices it won't acheive the freeview approval.

I wasn't aware that Freeview-approved terrestrial boxes aren't allowed to tune non-Freeview channels (certainly the FV-approved satellite box I installed for a relative will allow manual add of non-FV channels). Irritating that they have done this. Maybe if enough affected people bombard them with complaints they will add the ability to do this back in?

One of the things that has made me reluctant to pay for the home networking package is a suspicion that the file-transfer feature could be removed via a software update if Tivo pushes hard to get FV approval. (Well, actually both that suspicion that and the current dearth of good content on FV, which means that there is little on it that I actually *want* to record and transfer!).

gregmcc

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#587539 27-Feb-2012 20:00

JimmyH:

No, non-freeview channels cannot be viewed on a Tivo, the reason for this is that tivo in it's quest to become a freeview approved box, the software followed the guidelines setout by freeview regarding viewing of non-freeview or out of area channels, basically you can't view them.

Becaue Tivo allows transfer of recording to other devices it won't acheive the freeview approval.

I wasn't aware that Freeview-approved terrestrial boxes aren't allowed to tune non-Freeview channels (certainly the FV-approved satellite box I installed for a relative will allow manual add of non-FV channels). Irritating that they have done this. Maybe if enough affected people bombard them with complaints they will add the ability to do this back in?

One of the things that has made me reluctant to pay for the home networking package is a suspicion that the file-transfer feature could be removed via a software update if Tivo pushes hard to get FV approval. (Well, actually both that suspicion that and the current dearth of good content on FV, which means that there is little on it that I actually *want* to record and transfer!).

It would be unlikely they would remove the file transfer as this is one of the main selling points that makes Tivo standout from the other PVR's, and besides they would then have to refund all those people that paid for the home networking software and those that would want to return their tivo's because of that fact.

It's a bit like the software been updated on your car and they removed Reverse because it wasn't used that often

Skolink

1081 posts

Uber Geek

#587593 27-Feb-2012 21:41

neilinnz:
I had a brief email from both TiVo and MainlandTV after enquiring with them - TiVo knew nothing and Mainland suggest it should work as it's just like any other digital TV channel.

Any ideas?

Well you just need to pester TiVo to add the channels to the lineup. Mainland may not be able / willing to provide guide data, but at least you could do manual recordings or watch live TV.

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old3eyes

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#587690 28-Feb-2012 09:19

JimmyH:

No, non-freeview channels cannot be viewed on a Tivo, the reason for this is that tivo in it's quest to become a freeview approved box, the software followed the guidelines setout by freeview regarding viewing of non-freeview or out of area channels, basically you can't view them.

Becaue Tivo allows transfer of recording to other devices it won't acheive the freeview approval.

I wasn't aware that Freeview-approved terrestrial boxes aren't allowed to tune non-Freeview channels (certainly the FV-approved satellite box I installed for a relative will allow manual add of non-FV channels). Irritating that they have done this. Maybe if enough affected people bombard them with complaints they will add the ability to do this back in?

.

Unfortunately Freeview boxes don't pickup the non FV channels. I have a non FV box at home and it will pickup all the channels from Sky Tower like Shine and a bunch of Korean channels. The guy next door with his FV approved TV can't get any of these. They show up on the TiVo when tuned but there is no program content..

Regards,

Old3eyes

Gilco2

1556 posts

Uber Geek

#587698 28-Feb-2012 09:29

old3eyes:
JimmyH:

No, non-freeview channels cannot be viewed on a Tivo, the reason for this is that tivo in it's quest to become a freeview approved box, the software followed the guidelines setout by freeview regarding viewing of non-freeview or out of area channels, basically you can't view them.

Becaue Tivo allows transfer of recording to other devices it won't acheive the freeview approval.

I wasn't aware that Freeview-approved terrestrial boxes aren't allowed to tune non-Freeview channels (certainly the FV-approved satellite box I installed for a relative will allow manual add of non-FV channels). Irritating that they have done this. Maybe if enough affected people bombard them with complaints they will add the ability to do this back in?

.

Unfortunately Freeview boxes don't pickup the non FV channels. I have a non FV box at home and it will pickup all the channels from Sky Tower like Shine and a bunch of Korean channels. The guy next door with his FV approved TV can't get any of these. They show up on the TiVo when tuned but there is no program content..

My Freeview Approved satellite box can pick up non freeview channels and I watch SBS channels quite a bit on it. The only thing is on non freeview channels I only have now and next epg.
You say your neighbour with Freeview approved tV cant get Korean or Sine tV well of course he wont. Those channels are satellite and his tv is terrestrial

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

neilinnz

165 posts

Master Geek

#587701 28-Feb-2012 09:33

Skolink:
neilinnz:
I had a brief email from both TiVo and MainlandTV after enquiring with them - TiVo knew nothing and Mainland suggest it should work as it's just like any other digital TV channel.

Any ideas?

Well you just need to pester TiVo to add the channels to the lineup. Mainland may not be able / willing to provide guide data, but at least you could do manual recordings or watch live TV.

That's what I was hoping for. Not bothered about any EPG as it's not even given out anyway.
I have contacted TiVo again (sent to Oz I think) who are looking into it - I think that just means they've never heard of MainlandTV!

old3eyes

9120 posts

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Subscriber

#587910 28-Feb-2012 16:30

Gilco2:
old3eyes:
JimmyH:

No, non-freeview channels cannot be viewed on a Tivo, the reason for this is that tivo in it's quest to become a freeview approved box, the software followed the guidelines setout by freeview regarding viewing of non-freeview or out of area channels, basically you can't view them.

Becaue Tivo allows transfer of recording to other devices it won't acheive the freeview approval.

I wasn't aware that Freeview-approved terrestrial boxes aren't allowed to tune non-Freeview channels (certainly the FV-approved satellite box I installed for a relative will allow manual add of non-FV channels). Irritating that they have done this. Maybe if enough affected people bombard them with complaints they will add the ability to do this back in?

.

Unfortunately Freeview boxes don't pickup the non FV channels. I have a non FV box at home and it will pickup all the channels from Sky Tower like Shine and a bunch of Korean channels. The guy next door with his FV approved TV can't get any of these. They show up on the TiVo when tuned but there is no program content..
My Freeview Approved satellite box can pick up non freeview channels and I watch SBS channels quite a bit on it. The only thing is on non freeview channels I only have now and next epg.
You say your neighbour with Freeview approved tV cant get Korean or Sine tV well of course he wont. Those channels are satellite and his tv is terrestrial

No... They're on the DTT transmitted from the Skytower here in Auckland

Regards,

Old3eyes

Gilco2

1556 posts

Uber Geek

#587922 28-Feb-2012 16:56

old3eyes:
Gilco2:
old3eyes:
JimmyH:

No, non-freeview channels cannot be viewed on a Tivo, the reason for this is that tivo in it's quest to become a freeview approved box, the software followed the guidelines setout by freeview regarding viewing of non-freeview or out of area channels, basically you can't view them.

Becaue Tivo allows transfer of recording to other devices it won't acheive the freeview approval.

I wasn't aware that Freeview-approved terrestrial boxes aren't allowed to tune non-Freeview channels (certainly the FV-approved satellite box I installed for a relative will allow manual add of non-FV channels). Irritating that they have done this. Maybe if enough affected people bombard them with complaints they will add the ability to do this back in?

.

Unfortunately Freeview boxes don't pickup the non FV channels. I have a non FV box at home and it will pickup all the channels from Sky Tower like Shine and a bunch of Korean channels. The guy next door with his FV approved TV can't get any of these. They show up on the TiVo when tuned but there is no program content..
My Freeview Approved satellite box can pick up non freeview channels and I watch SBS channels quite a bit on it. The only thing is on non freeview channels I only have now and next epg.
You say your neighbour with Freeview approved tV cant get Korean or Sine tV well of course he wont. Those channels are satellite and his tv is terrestrial

No... They're on the DTT transmitted from the Skytower here in Auckland

Sorry I didnt know Shine was on Terrestrial anywhere, it isnt here in Tauranga and on the Freeviewnz site they list Shine as Satellite only

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#587988 28-Feb-2012 19:35

It would be unlikely they would remove the file transfer as this is one of the main selling points that makes Tivo standout from the other PVR's, and besides they would then have to refund all those people that paid for the home networking software and those that would want to return their tivo's because of that fact.

It's a bit like the software been updated on your car and they removed Reverse because it wasn't used that often

Granted - but then I would have said the same thing about the Sony Playstation and its ability to run linux (which was also a selling point for some), until a certain notorious firmware update retroactively removed this feature last year. Given the apparently parlous state of Hybrid, if the commercial imperative was sufficiently compelling then I wouldn't rule out them doing it.

gregmcc

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#588022 28-Feb-2012 21:02

To be honest Hybrid have made a total hash job of Tivo in NZ, it's a great PVR, easy to use, lots of neat features, but putting telecom in charge of marketing was the biggest mistake they made.

Mistakes made

1) no local support, please email someone in Aust....
2) Only 1 ISP zero rating caspa downloads, should have got at least all the major ISP's on board with this
3) Should have been sold in mainstream stores from day 1, not just Telecom

With the price been as low as $200 from Noel's and Bond and Bonds it's a fantastic deal.