How to install your TiVo^® HD DVR in 3 easy steps

Installing a TiVo HD DVR is easier than you might think. In fact, it comes down to three basic steps: connecting to your TV signal source (cable or antenna), to your TV, and to your home network.

When you purchase your TiVo DVR, look for the Start Here poster inside the carton. It guides you through the installation steps in greater detail than you see here, making setup even easier. You can also find Start Here posters for all TiVo DVR models at tivo.com/manuals.

Step 1: Connecting to your TV source

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If you have an antenna (indoor or rooftop), connect the Coaxial cable to the ANTENNA IN jack on the back of the TiVo HD DVR. Did you know that you can receive free HD broadcasts over the air with an antenna?

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If you have basic or digital cable, connect the Coaxial cable coming from the wall to the CABLE IN jack on the back of the TiVo HD DVR.

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Note: If you have a digital cable box, the Coaxial cable from the wall is probably connected to it. Disconnect the digital cable box and set it aside. You'll need to replace your digital cable box with CableCARD decoders from your cable company. Instructions for this are included in the TiVo HD DVR carton.

Once you've connected your TV source, you're ready for step 2.

Step 2: Connecting to your TV

Make sure you use an HD video cable (HDMI or Component Video) to connect your TiVo HD DVR to your TV. If you don't use an HD video cable, you won't see an HD picture.

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Choose the HD video cable you want to use: Component Video or HDMI. Both give you a true HD picture. (The HDMI cable may be sold separately.)

The advantage of HDMI is that it creates a digital connection between the DVR and the TV, providing digital audio as well as additional data such as digital closed captioning.

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If you choose the Component Video cable, connect it from the red, green & blue Component Video OUT jacks on the TiVo HD DVR to the corresponding Component Video IN jacks on your TV.

Since a Component Video cable carries video only, you'll also need to connect the red and white ends of a Composite A/V cable for stereo audio. You can connect audio directly to your TV, or to a home theater system. If you connect it to the TV, make sure you use the same input that you used for video.

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If you choose the HDMI cable, connect it from the TiVo HD DVR's HDMI jack to your TV's HDMI jack. Since HDMI carries both HD video and digital audio, you're all set.

If you want to connect audio to a home theater system instead, use the red and white ends of a Composite A/V cable for stereo audio, or upgrade to an optical digital audio cable (sold separately).

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Note: Always connect the OUT jacks of one device to the IN jacks of the next. Never connect an IN to an IN or an OUT to an OUT.

Once you've connected audio and video, you're ready for step 3.

Step 3: Connecting to your home network

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Is your home network wired (Ethernet) or wireless?

If it's wired (Ethernet), connect an Ethernet cable (sold separately) from the TiVo HD DVR's Ethernet jack to your home network.

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If your home network is wireless, connect the TiVo USB Wireless Network adapter (sold separately) to one of the TiVo HD DVR's USB ports.

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Follow the on-screen instructions to confirm your home network settings during Guided Setup (see below).

Note: For more on connecting to a home network, see How to connect your TiVo DVR to your network and the Internet.

Note: If you don't have a home network, you'll need to connect the TiVo HD DVR to your home phone line using the included phone cord. This allows the DVR to download program listings and other information from the TiVo service. But with a phone line connection, you won't be able to enjoy the broadband-connected features mentioned above.

Completing Guided Setup