TiVo: Spring 08 software update speeds navigation

[Skaggs]

Forthcoming TiVo software update promises faster operations

From Engadget HD



If you've been doing a decent job of restraining yourself from hurling all sorts of foreign objects around the house due to the sluggishness in your TiVo's operations, you should certainly reward yourself with a baked good. Moving forward, you'll likely be tested a lot less, as a forthcoming software update (version .8) promises to "significantly" speed up common tasks. More specifically, getting to TiVo Central, navigating around your Now Playing list, channel changing, starting a recording, and setting up a Season Pass have all been tweaked to react faster (exact improvements shown above). Additionally, TiVo users will soon have access to a so-called Priority Page on the firm's website where they can "sign up for this service update sooner than the scheduled rollout," which should occur naturally in "the next few weeks."

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Administrator note: The priority software download page is only for Series 2 owners.

[Skaggs]

This update will reportedly also address (according to TiVoJerry) the problem where Scientific Atlanta M-CARDs cards stop displaying video on digital channels every few days and video is restored by rebooting the box. Read the text below:

TiVo is actively working with Cisco (SA) and Cox to resolve a problem where on certain Cox headends TiVo boxes using Scientific Atlanta M-CARDs cards stop displaying video on digital channels every few days and video is restored by rebooting the box (or using a workaround involving tuning to analog channels that has been previously described in this forum).

***A key distinguishing sign of the SA problems is an error loading any of the CableCARD menus ("Failed to load"). On S3 only, another indication is if they're not getting *any* digital cable channels (including unencrypted). Also on S3 only, when tuned to a digital cable channel, it will display "No Information Available" on the 3rd screen under "SA CableCard CA Screen."

We understand the frustration this problem has caused for our loyal customers. Given the intermittent nature of the problem, progress has been slow and root cause is still not understood. Our spring software release will improve the behavior for the TiVo HD platform (the cards will be reset when they stop working, but any recordings in progress when he card resets will be partials). We will continue to troubleshoot this issue until it is resolved as well as investigate reports of other CableCARD issues on both the S3 and TiVo HD platforms.

***Lastly, if you're seeing "Not Ent" on the 3rd or 4th screen under "SA CableCard CA Screen", you're going to have to call the cable company to let them to send a hit to the box. At some point, the headend was not properly communicating with the card, and the cable company needs to update the card's authorizations. This is NOT related to TiVo software.

Again, we know this is frustrating and are working as hard as possible with these two companies to resolve the issue. Thank you for your continued support and detailed reports, they are very useful.

Link to TiVo website where this is posted.

[hurnik]

I hope so. It's become quite annoying when I come home to the GSOD (gray screen of death).