Quote Originally Posted by kelnt
As far as "bypassing TIVO service" is concerned: When TIVO starts providing guide data for satellite service other than DISH or DIrectTV, then I'll consider the aurgument, until then I don't see how my satellite situation is any different than the AUS situation is, especially regarding "bypassing" TIVO service.
I assume things have not changed at TiVo, previously people who were using FTA satellite TV as their source and therefore not using Dish, directv or any other single provider would use a generic satellite headend and then just choose which FTA services they recieved. This was available for any service that Tribune Media Services had guide info for.

This was provided by a standard subscription or lifetime service, and was arranged over the phone through customer service using your unique tivo ID.

Going back to your original question:

Quote Originally Posted by kelnt
I recently setup an FTA satellite reciever (Vistar 2000) ... I would like to try the serial cable, as I have an rs232 port on the back of my reciever.
Are you sure there is the facility to control channel change via the RS-232 port. The Vistar 2000 is fairly basic unit, and I can only find reference to the port being used for software upgrades or copying setup between boxes.

Have you tried using http://anastasia.geomonkeys.com/irSliceCreator.zip on your TiVo to capture IR codes.

Peter.