Innovative and Tivo

TiVO is a subscription-based service and can be used in conjunction with any cable provider provided that Innovative can supply you with a cable card.

Actually david there are connection problems as those of us who live here know. The new hdtv tivo does not seem to be compatable with innovative.

A Series 2 Tivo works fine with Innovative's set top box. I know there are compatibility problems with Choice's set top box.

FWIW I have a "Replay TV" which was a Tivo competitor. I could never get it to download the program guide for Innovative despite the fact that it was in the list. I had to do a crazy hack and build a server to make it work, and after a few months this stopped as well.

Does anyone know if Innovative is providing Cable Cards yet? I think the FCC mandates that all US cable companies provide these, although I wouldn't be surprised if Innovative just ignores the mandate. With a cable card you shouldn't even need an Innovative box (one reason I refuse to use them, their boxes are 10 years out of date), you would just plug the cable card into the Tivo and use the Tivo's guides etc. Easier said then done of courses with Innovative I'm sure.

Sean

When you think cable in the USVI think US cable in the early 90's. They are only now going digital. Many customers are still analog. No HD.

I had no idea there were no HD channels there. Are there any HD over-the-air channels?

No HD over the air. In fact no digital over the air. The Feb 09 deadline for conversion to digital will most likely be waived for the VI. I can pick up 4 digital channels from PR with my roof mounted antenna.

The only HD available down here is via Dish network.

I can confirm what has already been written. My Series 2 unit works with Innovative but the bargain priced HD unit I got for a steal at Costco ($169) turned out to be incompatible due to the lack of cable cards. I'm holding on to it in hopes that cable technology will catch up soon (or if I get around to a satellite setup soon.)

No HD over the air. In fact no digital over the air. The Feb 09 deadline for conversion to digital will most likely be waived for the VI. I can pick up 4 digital channels from PR with my roof mounted antenna.

The only HD available down here is via Dish network.

Actually Innovative is now sending down 2 digital stations using clear QAM. One of course is WTJX (total of 4 stations with subcarriers) and the other popped up randomly last week, its the NFL network. I have an HDTV with an ATSC tuner and was surprised when NFL network popped up last week! Both however are only being sent in 480i so while they are digital (clear QAM) they ARE NOT EDTV or HDTV.

Why would the FCC give the VI a pass on the Feb 2009 deadline? That is absurd. They should also enforce the cable card guideline in the territory.

Sean

Actually Innovative is now sending down 2 digital stations using clear QAM.

Why would the FCC give the VI a pass on the Feb 2009 deadline? That is absurd. They should also enforce the cable card guideline in the territory.

I said no digital OTA. I do not subscribe to Innovative cable.

The USVI gets a pass on many Federal Regulations. You must not have lived down here very long. We have a landfill just off the departure end of runway 10 on STX. FAA regulations prohibit a landfill within 10,000 feet of a runway because they attract birds. The FAA started warning the VI government in 1986 that they would decertify the airport if the landfill was not moved. The landfill is still there and so is the airport. The VI government has not even identified a place for a new landfill.

For many years the pump on the sewage treatment plant on the south shore of STX was broken. The treatment plant was bypassed and raw sewage was pumped into the ocean. EPA threatened a lawsuit against the head of public works. No action was ever taken.

I said no digital OTA. I do not subscribe to Innovative cable.

The USVI gets a pass on many Federal Regulations. You must not have lived down here very long. We have a landfill just off the departure end of runway 10 on STX. FAA regulations prohibit a landfill within 10,000 feet of a runway because they attract birds. The FAA started warning the VI government in 1986 that they would decertify the airport if the landfill was not moved. The landfill is still there and so is the airport. The VI government has not even identified a place for a new landfill.

For many years the pump on the sewage treatment plant on the south shore of STX was broken. The treatment plant was bypassed and raw sewage was pumped into the ocean. EPA threatened a lawsuit against the head of public works. No action was ever taken.

I realize you were talking about OTA, I was just providing info that there is some DTV available (albeit on Innovative) that you can get with a Tivo/OTA/Clear QAM receiver without Innovative's horrid old digital cable boxes. Also, I thought that WTJX (PBS) has been available on DT 44 for a few years? Is that not you're experience? I don't have an OTA antenna hooked up right now and it sounds like you've got a nice rooftop guy if you're getting PR stations!

I was sort of asking the question rhetorically about the pass on the Feb 2009 deadline. I am VERY involved with the issue of the digital changeover. I've spent my life working in the broadcast technology industry and have served on committee's educating people about the changeover and upgrading the MATV systems at residential complex's to work after February 2009. The FCC and commerce has been adamant about this deadline, mainly because they've sold parts of the old TV spectrum already which means that others have the right to use it free and clear at some point after the changeover (source: http://www.broadcastlawblog.com/archives/on-line-media-700-mhz-reclaimed-tv-spectrum-auction-rules-adopted-a-preview.html). I have not seen anything about an exception being granted for the VI yet though, does anyone have any info on this? The VI stations may not get a pass on this one because of the spectrum ownership issues. Also, note the PR they've put out specifically mentions the VI as being a place where you can get your converter box coupons ( http://www.commerce.gov/NewsRoom/PressReleases_FactSheets/PROD01_005167, and http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/cb08ffse-03.pdf). The have given an exemption to LPTV stations on the changeover so who knows, the VI may end up left behind again as the rest of the world moves to digital broadcasting.

I am well aware of the dump situation at the airport and the sewage treatment issues, you bring up an interesting point that the VI gets many free passes. When a plane goes down into the oil refinery because a bird strike it will be sad and we will be in real trouble. We still have raw sewage going out to sea by F'sted as well from time to time which is also unacceptable, but that's life here. I have been on island for over 5 years, not sure if that qualifies as a long time by the standards on this board or not, and I will assume that the remark was not meant to be patronizing as the islands are too small for such things 🙂

Sean

You rock Sean, thanks for all the good info.