How to Set Up a Series 2 TiVo

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  • The most complicated part of using a TiVo is setting it up. These instructions on how to set up a Series 2 TiVo will make the experience smooth and easy.

  • The most complicated part of using a TiVo is setting it up. These instructions on how to set up a Series 2 TiVo will make the experience smooth and easy.

  • Introduction

    • You now have the object that's about to become your best friend—a TiVo. Many people consider the TiVo a life-changing device. While it's incredibly easy to use, the setup can be a little complicated. Follow the instructions below, and your TiVo setup should come with no unexpected surprises!

  • Step 1: What you need to set up your TiVo

    • You should be able to just plug in your TiVo and have it work, right? Not exactly—it needs to be hooked up to your TV, and to something that will allow TiVo to contact the "mothership" and learn what television shows will be on for the next few weeks. If you make sure you have the following items on hand, and near both your TV and the TiVo, your experience will be much easier.
    1. A TiVo (naturally!).
      • If you buy a regular definition TiVo, you will not be able to record shows in high definition.
      • High definition TiVos do not currently work with satellite providers' high definition output.
    2. A coaxial cable, RCA cables (also called component cables), or S-Video cable to connect your TiVo to your television.
    3. A credit card, to sign up for TiVo's service.
      • You can have a TiVo without subscribing for their service, but you will have to program it manually.
    4. A land-line phone line, Ethernet cable (to connect your TiVo to your Internet modem) or TiVo Wireless G USB Adapter. This will allow your TiVo to communicate with TiVo central to get set up and find out what television shows are coming up.
      • TiVo is not compatible with VoIP phone lines, including phone lines from your cable provider.
      • If using wired-in cable, your Ethernet cable must go directly from the TiVo to the modem.
      • While other, cheaper Wireless G adapters supposedly work with TiVo, connection issues are notorious.

  • Step 2: Sign up for TiVo service

    • The most rewarding part of TiVo is the service. All you have to do is give TiVo the name of a show, or an actor, and it will record all episodes of that show or all shows with that actor. It will even start to record things it thinks you will like based on what you are already recording!
    • You can skip this step if you're planning to program your TiVo manually.
    1. Go to the Activate TiVo Service page.
    2. Provide TiVo with your service number. This number is written on the back of your TiVo.
    3. Give TiVo your email address. This will allow the company to contact you if something goes awry.
    4. The website will walk you through service payment options. Choose the package that's right for you.

  • Step 3: Plug everything in

    • Before you can get everything running, you need to plug your TiVo in not just to the wall, but to the TV and its method of connecting to TiVo central (whether it's the Internet or the phone). Don't plug the TiVo into the wall first; that will be our final step!

  • Connect TiVo to the Internet or a telephone line

    1. If you are using a telephone line, run a telephone cord from the jack in the wall to the appropriate TiVo jack.
    2. If you are using wired-in Internet, run an Ethernet cord from your broadband modem or router to the Ethernet port in the back of the TiVo. Make sure your modem is on and connected to the Internet.
    3. If you are using wireless Internet, connect the Wireless G adapter to the USB port on the back of the TiVo. Make sure your wireless modem is on and connected to the Internet.

  • Connect TIVo to cable

    • Current Series 2 TiVos will allow you to record one thing and watch another. This requires a little more effort, but it's well worth it.


    1. There should be a cable (in addition to the power cable) leading from your wall to your cable box. Unscrew the end that leads to the cable box.
    2. Take the coaxial cable splitter that came with your TiVo, and plug the cable coming from the wall into the "In" port on the cable splitter.
    3. Take one coaxial cable that came with your TiVo.
    4. Screw one end into one of the "Out" ports on the splitter.
    5. Screw the other end into the "In" coaxial port on your cable box.
    6. Take the other coaxial cable that came with your TiVo.
    7. Screw one end into the open "Out" port on the splitter.
    8. Screw the other end into the "In" coaxial port on your TiVo.
    9. Plug one end of a component cable into the appropriately colored "Out" ports on the back of your cable box.
    10. Plug the other end of this component cable into the appropriately colored "In" ports in the back of your TiVo.
    11. Don't leave the back of your TiVo just yet! Plug one end of a component cable into the appropriately colored "Out" ports on the back of your TiVo.
    12. Plug the other end of that component cable into the appropriately colored "In" ports on the back of your TV.

  • OR Connect TiVo to your satellite box

    • If your TiVo is going to record programming that is coming from your satellite box, it will need to be connected to both the satellite box and your TV. Essentially, it will be passing information from your satellite box to your TV, as it will need the satellite box to decode the information.
    1. Take the cables that currently lead from the back of your cable box to the back of the TV, and unplug them from the TV.
    2. If it is a coax cable (a single cable), plug it into the "In" coax cable port on the back of the TiVo.
    3. If it is an RCA cable (a cable with three heads on each end, probably colored red, white and yellow), plug them into the matching-colored "In" RCA ports on the TiVo.

  • Connect the serial cable to TiVo and the cable box

    • TiVo will also need to change channels on your cable box, which requires a separate cable. If you have a Motorola or General Instruments DCT 2000 series cable box, you will be able to use the serial cable. One end of this looks like the prong at the end of cables for headphones; the other end has a nine-pin serial jack, which looks like something you'd plug into a computer. If your cable box will not accept this cable, skip to the next step.
    1. Plug the nine-pin jack into the appropriate port on the back of your cable box.
    2. Plug the other end of the cable into the jack labeled "Serial" on the back of your TiVo.

  • OR Connect the IR cable to TiVo and the cable box

    • If you don't have a serial port on the back of your cable box, you will need to use the IR cable. One end of this looks like the prong at the end of a headphone cable. The other end looks like two antennas with bulbs on them - these are called the "IR Emitters". These bulbs imitate the beam of light sent by your remote control.
    1. Plug the cable into the port on the back of your TiVo box that is labeled "IR".
    2. Find the IR sensor on your cable box. It will be an open circle that is behind a dark translucent plastic panel. If you are having trouble locating it, a flashlight may help.
    3. Place one of the IR emitters on top of the cable box so that the bulb is facing down and in, toward the IR sensor.
    4. Place the other IR emitter underneath the cable box, so the bulb is facing up and in, toward the IR sensor. The two IR emitters should be facing roughly the same spot.
    5. Make sure the IR emitters extend out about 1.5 inches beyond the front of the cable box. This will ensure they hit the right spot.
    6. Use the pieces of adhesive supplied by TiVo to stick the IR emitters to your cable box.

  • Connect TiVo to your TV

    • To watch the shows you're recording, your TiVo must be hooked up to your TV.
    1. If your TV has RCA ports (three holes that are yellow, white and red), use an RCA cable. Connect the appropriately colored connectors to one set of "Out" ports on your TiVo to the appropriately colored "In" ports on the TV.
    2. If your TV has only a coaxial input, connect the coaxial "Out" port on the TiVo to the coaxial "In" port on the TV using a coax cable.

  • Bring TiVo to life!

    1. Using the power cord provided, plug TiVo into the wall. Your TiVo should spring to life!
    2. Look on the back of your TiVo. You will find a switch labeled "3" on one end and "4" on the other end. Which is it switched to? Turn your TV on, and switch it to that channel.
    3. If you don't see the "Welcome to TiVo" screen, press the "TV/Video" or "Input" button on your TV remote until you do.

  • Step 4: Go through Guided Setup

    • Guided Setup all happens on your TV screen, using your remote. Just follow what's on screen, and you should be set in just a few minutes!
    1. At the top of your remote, you will see a large round button with four arrows on it, pointing up, down, left, and right. You will click on the up arrow to go up in the menu selections and the down arrow to go down in the menu selections. The "Select" button below the large round button will allow you to select a menu option - or you can hit the arrow pointing right on the big round button.
    2. Your TV screen should say "Welcome". Click the "Start" button on your remote to start the guided setup.
    3. You must agree to the service terms to use TiVo. Highlight "I agree to the service terms", and press the Select button.
    4. If you have not activated your service yet, go up to Step 2 and follow the instructions there.
    5. If your service is activated, highlight "OK, I've activated my service" and press "Select".
    6. The next screen will ask for your zip code. This will allow TiVo to find out who your cable provider is.
      • If you're setting TiVo up for someone else, make sure to input their zip code and not your own!
      • If you're Canadian, press the "Info" button to input a Canadian postal code.
    7. On the "TV Programming Source" screen, select how you've been getting your TV: cable, satellite, antenna, or some combination of the above.
      • If your area is serviced by more than one provider, TiVo may ask you who your provider is.
      • If your area falls into two regions covered by one cable company, and you aren't sure which one, TiVo will be able to identify it by asking what channel certain networks (SciFi, Bravo, etc.) are broadcast on. Make sure to have your channel guide handy!
    8. The "TiVo Service Connection" window will ask whether you're connecting via the Internet or a phone line. Highlight your appropriate connection method, and press "Select".
    9. Your TiVo will now connect with TiVo Central to get set up! Be patient - this could take an hour or so.
    10. TiVo will let you know when it's done. It will continue to update program information in the background while you watch TV. If it's Wednesday and you can't find the listings for Sunday's big game yet, don't despair! It will have that information within a day or so.

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