Three digital television transitions are being put into place almost simultaneously. Although they are very different, these transitions are designed to give you clearer pictures and more channels. Each one affects a different population of TiVo DVRs and may require some changes to your DVR setup. Read on to learn about these transitions and how you may be affected.

• February 2009 Digital Transition (over the air)

All full-power broadcast television stations will stop broadcasting analog over-the-air signals and will begin broadcasting only digital antenna channels. Series2 DVR owners who rely on a free over-the-air television signal received through a roof-top antenna, or “rabbit ears” will need to get a converter box. Series1 DVRs will no longer be able to receive antenna signals.

If you have one of these DVR models, click here for more information.

• All-digital headend transition

Some cable providers are converting to all-digital headends, eliminating analog channels altogether. Series1, Series2 single tuner, and Series2 DT dual tuner DVRs will need a cable box to receive digital channels. Series2 DT owners, in particular, will be affected because these DVRs will only be able to record one channel at a time.

HD TiVo DVRs (Series3 HD, TiVo HD, and TiVo HD XL DVRs) will need CableCARDs to provide tuning information for digital channels, to decrypt encrypted digital channels, and to decode copy-protected digital channels.

If you have one of these DVR models, click here for more information.

• Switched digital video (SDV)

SDV is a way to add new channel lineups on existing bandwidth by having channels “switch out” when no one requests them and “switch in” when someone want to watch them. This technology is being introduced in selected areas by major cable providers, but the number of cable headends that offer it is expected to increase over the next few years. Owners of HD TiVo DVRs with CableCARDs (Series3 HD, TiVo HD, and TiVo HD XL DVRs) who live in these areas will need to get free tuning adapters from their cable providers.

If you have one of these DVR models, click here for more information.

February 2009 Digital Transition

The U.S. Congress has mandated that all antenna television signals be broadcast digitally starting on February 18, 2009. This digital conversion does not apply to the cable industry. Some broadcasters have already made the switch to digital-only over-the-air channels.

Who is affected

• Series 1 and Series2 DVR owners who rely on free over-the-air antenna signals to receive channels.

Who is not affected

• Series2 DVRs with TiVo Service Numbers that begin with 542. These DVRs do not have antenna connectors.
• Series2 DT DVRs, which also do not have antenna connectors.
• All HD TiVo DVRs (Series3 HD, TiVo HD, and TiVo HD XL). These DVRs have built-in support for digital over-the-air signals.

What to do if you are affected

If you have a Series2 DVR, you will need to purchase an analog-to-digital converter box.

• Refer to Which digital converter boxes for antenna are compatible with my TiVo DVR? for a list of compatible boxes and for installation instructions.
• Go to https://www.dtv2009.gov between January 1, 2008 and March 32, 2009 to request a government coupon while supplies last. This site also has information on where to get a converter box.
• Click here for instructions on how to connect the converter box to your TiVo DVR.

If you have a Series1 DVR, digital antenna support is not available. Please visit the Digital Transition 2009 page to see if you are eligible for an upgrade from TiVo.

All-digital headend transition

A cable provider can send up to 12 standard-definition digital channels or up to 2 high-definition digital channels on the same bandwidth that is consumed by just one analog channel. In order to offer more channels, especially HD channels, some cable operators are eliminating analog channels, converting their cable headends to all-digital transmissions. Cable providers may notify basic cable customers that a cable box or CableCARD is required to receive digital channels. If you already have a cable box, it is unlikely that you will receive notice of the switch.

Who is affected

• Owners of HD TiVo DVRs that currently have basic cable (without CableCARDs).
• Series1 DVR or Series2 single tuner DVR that are currently receiving only basic (analog) cable channels.
• Owners of Series2 DT dual-tuner DVRs, who will only be able to view or record one channel at a time when the DVR is connected to an all-digital headend.

Who is not affected

• Series1 and Series2 DVRs that already have a cable box.
• HD TiVo DVRs that already have CableCARDs, or which use digital antenna input as the only channel source.

What to do if you are affected

• If you have an HD TiVo DVR that currently is set up to receive only basic (analog) cable channels, you will need to get CableCARD(s) from your cable provider before the DVR can tune to digital cable channels. The DVR has two digital tuners, but requires the CableCARD’s channel map, which lists the tuning frequencies for each channel, before the DVR can tune to in-the-clear (non-encrypted) channels. The CableCARD is also required to view encrypted and copy-protected digital channels.
• If you have a Series1 DVR or Series2 single tuner DVR that is currently receiving only analog cable, you will need to get a cable box from your cable provider to receive digital channels.
• If you have Series2 DT dual-tuner DVR that is currently receiving only analog cable, you will also need a cable box to tune to digital cable channels. 
• If your Series2 DT DVR already has a cable box connected, you will suddenly see the message “Searching for signal” when you tune to an analog channel (usually a channel under 100). You will still be able to receive channels marked “box” in your channel list, but you will not be able to view channels marked “cbl”. Because all digital channels must come through the cable box, and the signal coming out of this box cannot be split, you will only be able to view/record one channel at a time. For more information, go to How do I set up my Series2 DT DVR for all-digital cable?

Switched digital video (SDV)

SDV is a technology that allows cable providers to expand the programming they can offer by sending certain channels to customers’ homes only when the channels are requested. This uses the available bandwidth more effectively, allowing these providers to introduce more channels, particularly bandwidth-intensive HD channels.

Although only a very small percentage of TiVo customers are currently affected by switched digital services, this percentage is expected to increase due to the explosion of new HD program offerings. HD TiVo DVRs (Series3, TiVo HD, and TiVo HD XL DVRs) that have CableCARDs installed will require a Tuning Adapter to request channels.

If your cable provider offers SDV, this is good news, because it means you will get more programming choices. Your cable provider will send you a notice to tell you about the new channels that are available and will give you instructions on how to get a free Tuning Adapter for your DVR. (Some cable providers schedule appointments for an installer to come to your house and some allow you to pick up a Tuning Adapter at the nearest cable office and install it yourself.)

Who is affected

• Owners of HD TiVo DVRs with CableCARDs whose cable providers have implemented SDV.

Who is not affected

• Series1, Series2, and Series2 DT DVRs.
• HD TiVo DVRs that use antenna input as the only channel source.

What to do if you are affected

• Get a FREE Tuning Adapter from your cable provider. Your cable provider will also need to authorize your existing CableCARD(s) to display the new SDV channels.

For more information about how SDV works and how it will affect you, go to Switched Digital Video - Will it impact you?