Tivo

Please Note: Our system supports the Tivo equipment but we do not support the upkeep and maintenance of the Tivo boxes.

The following documentation outlines how to setup TiVo in Bermuda. In August 2007 TiVo announced official support for TiVo in Bermuda, after seven months of negotiation. Once Bermuda CableVision, TiVo and Tribune Media came to agreement service was enabled under the 00532 zip code.

In order to get TiVo service in Bermuda, you need to do the following:

• Buy your TiVo (i.e. TiVo Dual Tuner or TiVo HD)
• Get a Digital Cable package from Cablevision
• Get a CableCARD from M&M Audio (only for TiVo HD users)
• Network your TiVo (so it can download program data)
• TiVo Guided Setup
• Activate your TiVo service (www.tivo.com)

Step 1: Buy your Tivo
The best place to buy your TiVo is online and have it shipped in via your ZipX service (www.zipx.bm) or bring it back with you on your next trip abroad. In addition, you occasionally find people selling their TiVos on EMoo (www.e-moo.com).If you buy your TiVo in a store, you don?t have to purchase the TiVo subscription, you are better off doing that online with TiVo.com.

Step 2: Digital Cable from Cablevision
Contact Cablevision and sign-up for a Digital Cable package (starting at $73 per month), if you already have digital cable then simply add another outlet & programming to your package. Cablevision may need to send someone to your house to install the additional jack. Please check www.cablevision.bm for all costs for your digital cable and additional outlet. You won?t need to get any of the DVR services from Cablevision. Also you won?t need to take your TiVo to Cablevision.

Note, if you have a TiVo HD (high definition) you won?t need to get a cable box, instead you will need a CableCARD. If you have a regular TiVo then you will need to get an additional cable box.

Get a CableCARD
If you have a TiVo HD (high definition) then you will need to purchase a CableCARD from M&M Audio (on Church Street, close to the Fire Station). Typically these cards are $195 each and come in two varieties:

• Single Stream - For watching & recording only one tv channel at any given time
• Multi Stream - Allows you to watch one channel and record another channel at the same time

Once you purchase this CableCARD it is yours, but you will need to activate it with CableVision before you can use it. You will need to provide CableVision with the following information from the CableCARD:

• CableCard # (i.e. 0-010-670-724-300)
• Host ID (#0-350-113-970-932)

For the TiVo HD you can either:

• Buy one single stream card (watch one channel at a time)
• Buy two single stream cards (watch one channel, record another at a time)
• Buy one multi stream card (watch one channel, record another at a time)

IMPORTANT: If you bring in your own CableCard then ensure that the serial number has a prefix of PKJ. Only serial numbers beginning with PKJ will work with CableVision?s billing system.

Step 3: Network your TiVo
Your TiVo needs to access the internet to download the latest channel data (what?s one when), software updates for your TiVo and access to online TiVo services such as:

• Amazon Unbox
• Home Photo & Music
  
  

Never hook up your TiVo?s phone jack because it will dial long distance and run up a large long distance bill for you. It is always recommended to buy a TiVo which has a built-in network card (i.e. TiVo Dual Tuner or TiVo HD).

Once you select your method of connecting to the Internet you will need to select an Internet Service Provider and signup for a package (if you haven?t done so already). Please note, it is not recommended to use CellularOne Bull service with TiVo because CellularOne cards require advanced knowledge to share out on your network.

Once you have internet setup, hookup your computer to it and ensure it is working. You will need to enable DHCP on your router (please see your friendliest geek for information on this). Once you have plugged in your TiVo to your home network, you are ready to do the Guided Setup.

Step 4: TiVo Guided Setup
Unpack your TiVo and follow the instructions in your package on how to hook it up. If you get stuck go to www.tivo.com for further support. Once you have it correctly hooked up start the Guided Setup. Note this documentation only shows the key screens for the setup.

• Bermuda is listed under the 00532 zip code.
• This will guide you through setting up your network connection.
• DHCP is the best way to get an IP address from your home network, but more advanced users can specify a static address.
• Select Bermuda Cablevision Ltd can complete the guided setup (plan for 20 minutes to do this).
• Once it is done your TiVo will take about 8 hours to crunch all the data, but you can use the TiVo while it is doing this.

Step 5: Activate your TiVo
Within 30 days you will need to activate your TiVo online at www.tivo.com. Average cost is $15 month depending on the number of TiVos you have and the term of your plan.

Other TiVo Goodies
It is strongly recommend you download TiVo Desktop for your home computer so that you can share your home photos and MP3 collection to your TiVo.

Special Thanks
Terry, Jeremy & Shavonne @ Cablevision
Christian, Alex & the rest of the TiVo Community in Bermuda

Latest Info
For the latest TiVo info in Bermuda go to: www.geek.bm
Or check us out at TiVo Bermuda Group on Facebook
Author: Michael W. Branco