How do I set up my Series2 DVR with a Digital Transport Adapter?

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Title	How do I set up my Series2 DVR with a Digital Transport Adapter?

Getting Started

Setup Instructions

When selecting the category for this type of incident, ALWAYS pick from within the "IR" tab, which is located within the "Channel Changing" tab.

If your cable provider is transitioning Extended Basic channels from analog to digital format, you may be offered a Digital Transport Adapter (DTA) to allow you to view the digital versions of these channels. When you connect the Digital Transport Adapter to your Series2 single tuner DVR, the DVR can record shows on these channels and display programming in Live TV.

If you have a Series2 DT (Dual Tuner) DVR, ask your cable provider to give you a standard cable box instead of a Digital Transport Adapter. For dual tuning, Series2 Dual Tuner DVRs require one composite and one coax connection. Because the Digital Transport Adapter uses the DVR’s coax input, these DVRs become single tuner when used with a DTA. Most cable providers offer at least one free cable box in place of a Digital Transport Adapter. Once you get your cable box, go to Series2 DT Hookup: Cable or Satellite Box for setup instructions.

Trying to connect a Tuning Adapter to your HD TiVo DVR? Click here .

Adding a Digital Transport Adapter to your existing setup

If you have cable without a cable box and your cable provider notifies you that you will now need a Digital Transport Adapter to view some of your channels, use the following procedure to connect the Digital Transport Adapter to your current setup. You do not need to unplug your TiVo DVR for this procedure.

Set the Channel switch on the back of the Digital Transport Adapter to 3.
Disconnect the cable from the Cable or Cable In connector on the back of your TiVo DVR and insert it into the Cable connector on the back of the Digital Transport Adapter.
Connect the To TV connector on the back of the Digital Transport Adapter to the RF In or Cable connector on the back of your DVR. You can use the coax cable supplied with the Digital Transport Adapter or the one that came with your TiVo DVR.
Connect the IR control cable that came with your DVR to the IR port on the back of the DVR and position one of the “blaster” ends over the IR sensor on the Digital Transport Adapter. Go to How to Set Up IR Channel Changing with a Digital Transport Adapter for complete instructions. If you no longer have your original IR control cable, you can order one from the TiVo Store.
Connect the power cable to the Digital Transport Adapter and plug the other end into a power strip or outlet. Your setup should now look similar to the following picture.
If the Digital Transport Adapter did not come pre-activated, contact your cable provider to get it activated. Comcast, for example, has set up an automated phone activation (1-888-634-4434) or you can activate on their website at http://www.comcast.com/digitalnow.
Repeat Guided Setup. To do this, press the TiVo button to go to TiVo Central and select Messages & Settings > Restart or Reset System > Repeat Guided Setup. During Guided Setup, choose Cable with Box as your signal source.

You will then be prompted to select your cable box brand from a list. The llist includes digital adapters. Depending on the brand of DTA issued by you cable company, select either Comcast Digital Adapter, Pace, Thomson, or Motorola from the cable box list. (You may need to look at the Serial Number label on the side of the DTA to find who manufactured your DTA.) If you cannot find the manufacturer in the list, or the listed options do not work trying the available RCA options may work.
When asked whether or not your cable box is digital select "I'm not sure." This ensures that the TiVo box enables all possible video ports so that you can see live TV.
Enjoy your new digital channels!

Your DVR can record one digital and one analog channel at a time, or two analog channels at a time. If you have a Series2 Dual Tuner DVR and your cable provider recently switched some channels from analog to digital this may create a recording conflict. For help, see Recording Conflicts: Troubleshooting.

Adding a Digital Transport Adapter when setting up the DVR for the first time

If you are setting up your TiVo DVR for the first time, you need to connect the Digital Transport Adapter to your new DVR and attach an IR control cable so that the DVR can control channel changing on the Digital Transport Adapter. The first time you start up the system, your DVR will prompt you to begin Guided Setup. During Guided Setup, you’ll be prompted to select a cable box. After you choose your Digital Transport Adapter model from the cable box list, your TiVo DVR will be able to control channel changing on the Digital Transport Adapter.

Connect the cable line coming from your wall to the Cable connector on the back of the Digital Transport Adapter.
Connect the To TV connector on the back of the Digital Transport Adapter to the RF In or Cable connector on the back of your Series2 DVR. You can use the coax cable supplied with the DVR or the one that came with your TiVo DVR.
Connect a composite cable (red, white, and yellow connectors) from the Audio Video Output jacks on the back of the DVR (you can use either set of output jacks, but we recommend set 1) to the composite input jacks on your TV.

If your TV only has one connector, connect a coax cable from the RF Out connector on the DVR to the RF In connector on the TV instead.
Set up either a network connection (recommended) or phone connection from the DVR to the TiVo Service using one of the following methods.
- Wired network connection: Connect a wired USB network adapter (sold separately) to one of the USB ports on the DVR and then connect an Ethernet cable between this adapter and a port on your router. For more information, go to How to connect a TiVo DVR to your network.
- Wired or wireless network connection: Connect a wired or wireless USB network adapter (sold separately) to one of the USB ports on the DVR. Please refer to TiVo-Compatible Network Adapters: FAQ for information on the TiVo Wireless adapter and a list of other compatible adapters.
- Analog phone connection: Phone connection is no longer supported.
Connect the IR control cable to the IR port on the back of the DVR and position one of the “blaster” ends over the IR sensor on the Digital Transport Adapter. Go to How to Set Up IR Channel Changing with a Digital Transport Adapter for complete instructions.
Connect the power cord from a wall outlet to the back of the DVR. Your setup should now look similar to the following picture.
Connect the power cord from a wall outlet to the back of the Digital Transport Adapter.
If the Digital Transport Adapter did not come pre-activated, contact your cable provider to get it activated. Comcast, for example, has set up an automated phone activation (1-888-634-4434) or you can activate on their website at http://www.comcast.com/digitalnow.
Turn on your TV. If you see the "Welcome to TiVo" screen, you are ready to begin Guided Setup. If your DVR did not come pre-activated, you can activate your TiVo service account during Guided Setup.

If you do not see the “Welcome to TiVo” screen, you need to find the correct input settings by pressing the Input or TV/Video button on your TV remote control until you see this screen. If you cycle through all the input settings and still do not see the “Welcome to TiVo”, make sure all the equipment is powered on, check all your connections, starting with Step 1, and try again.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup of your DVR. During Guided Setup, choose Cable with Box as your signal source. You will then be prompted to select your cable box brand from a list. The list includes digital adapters. Depending on the brand of DTA issued by you cable company, select either Comcast Digital Adapter, Pace, Thomson, or Motorola from the cable box list. (You may need to look at the Serial Number label on the side of the DTA to find who manufactured your DTA.)
When asked whether or not your cable box is digital, select “I’m not sure”. This ensures that the TiVo box enables all possible video ports so that you can see live TV.
Enjoy your TiVo DVR!

Article Number	000003729

URL Name	How-do-I-set-up-my-Series2-DVR-with-a-Digital-Transport-Adapter

Last Modified Date	3/20/2023 3:43 PM

Country	USA

Language	English

How do I set up my Series2 DVR with a Digital Transport Adapter?

Adding a Digital Transport Adapter to your existing setup

Set the Channel switch on the back of the Digital Transport Adapter to 3.

Disconnect the cable from the Cable or Cable In connector on the back of your TiVo DVR and insert it into the Cable connector on the back of the Digital Transport Adapter.

Connect the To TV connector on the back of the Digital Transport Adapter to the RF In or Cable connector on the back of your DVR. You can use the coax cable supplied with the Digital Transport Adapter or the one that came with your TiVo DVR.

Connect the power cable to the Digital Transport Adapter and plug the other end into a power strip or outlet. Your setup should now look similar to the following picture.

If the Digital Transport Adapter did not come pre-activated, contact your cable provider to get it activated. Comcast, for example, has set up an automated phone activation (1-888-634-4434) or you can activate on their website at http://www.comcast.com/digitalnow.

Repeat Guided Setup. To do this, press the TiVo button to go to TiVo Central and select Messages & Settings > Restart or Reset System > Repeat Guided Setup. During Guided Setup, choose Cable with Box as your signal source.

When asked whether or not your cable box is digital select "I'm not sure." This ensures that the TiVo box enables all possible video ports so that you can see live TV.

Enjoy your new digital channels!

Adding a Digital Transport Adapter when setting up the DVR for the first time

Connect the cable line coming from your wall to the Cable connector on the back of the Digital Transport Adapter.

Connect the To TV connector on the back of the Digital Transport Adapter to the RF In or Cable connector on the back of your Series2 DVR. You can use the coax cable supplied with the DVR or the one that came with your TiVo DVR.

Connect a composite cable (red, white, and yellow connectors) from the Audio Video Output jacks on the back of the DVR (you can use either set of output jacks, but we recommend set 1) to the composite input jacks on your TV.

Set up either a network connection (recommended) or phone connection from the DVR to the TiVo Service using one of the following methods.

Connect the IR control cable to the IR port on the back of the DVR and position one of the “blaster” ends over the IR sensor on the Digital Transport Adapter. Go to How to Set Up IR Channel Changing with a Digital Transport Adapter for complete instructions.

Connect the power cord from a wall outlet to the back of the DVR. Your setup should now look similar to the following picture.

Connect the power cord from a wall outlet to the back of the Digital Transport Adapter.

If the Digital Transport Adapter did not come pre-activated, contact your cable provider to get it activated. Comcast, for example, has set up an automated phone activation (1-888-634-4434) or you can activate on their website at http://www.comcast.com/digitalnow.

Turn on your TV. If you see the "Welcome to TiVo" screen, you are ready to begin Guided Setup. If your DVR did not come pre-activated, you can activate your TiVo service account during Guided Setup.

When asked whether or not your cable box is digital, select “I’m not sure”. This ensures that the TiVo box enables all possible video ports so that you can see live TV.

Enjoy your TiVo DVR!