TiVo Mini Reviewer's Manual
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TiVo Mini Reviewer's Manual

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Note: This guide does not cover the new OnePass feature.
For information on OnePass and other new features,
see the TiVo Roamio Viewer's Guide or watch the instructional videos
available at tivo.com/howto.
TiVo
Mini
®
DVR Companion
Viewer's Guide

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  • Page 1 Note: This guide does not cover the new OnePass feature. For information on OnePass and other new features, see the TiVo Roamio Viewer’s Guide or watch the instructional videos available at tivo.com/howto. TiVo Mini ® DVR Companion Viewer’s Guide...
  • Page 2 Folder with Thumbs Up – contains all shows recorded as TiVo (Yellow triangle) In less than three days, this show will be deleted due to Suggestions.
  • Page 3 Welcome...
  • Page 4 ® This Viewer’s Guide describes features of the TiVo service running on the TiVo Mini DVR companion. Your use of this product is subject to TiVo's Service Agreement and Privacy Policy. Visit www.tivo.com/policies for the latest versions. Patented. U.S. pat. nos. at www.tivo.com/patents.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Recommended shows ......16 Appendix B: Copy Protection and the TiVo Service . . 59 Chapter 3: Watching shows .

  • Page 6: Using This Guide

    TiVo service. or live TV from a TiVo Premiere series DVR in your network or 2. Connect your TiVo Mini. If the TiVo service is the brains, the from other broadband sources. TiVo Mini is the body. Use the Start Here poster to connect the Host.
  • Page 7 “borrows” a tuner from the host DVR. You’ll choose a host Ethernet cable connected to your home network into your DVR and set it up to share a tuner with your TiVo Mini when TiVo Mini. you go through Guided Setup.

  • Page 9: Chapter 1: Quick Tours

    Quick tours Quick tour - The TiVo Central® screen Quick tour - My Shows Quick tour - Watching live TV...

  • Page 10: Quick Tour - The Tivo Central Screen

    The TiVo Central screen is the starting point for just about everything you do with your TiVo Mini. From the TiVo Central screen, you can find new shows to watch, explore great video on demand choices, and more. When your TiVo Mini is connected to a host TiVo DVR, you can also watch live TV and view your My Shows list —...

  • Page 11: Quick Tour - My Shows

    Quick tour - My Shows When your TiVo Mini is connected to a host TiVo DVR, all the shows recorded on the host DVR that are available to watch on your TiVo Mini appear on the My Shows list. That includes recordings, video podcasts, and downloaded shows! You can also see the My Shows lists of any other DVR on your home network.
  • Page 12 Deleting shows To delete an individual show or a group, highlight the show or group name and press CLEAR. Note that deleting a show on your TiVo Mini will delete it from the host TiVo DVR. Sorting shows You can view My Shows either alphabetically by title (from A to Z) or by date recorded. Press the blue button on your TiVo remote to change how the list is sorted.
  • Page 13 Quick tours Groups are on by default. To turn them off, press the red button on your TiVo remote to turn groups off. Press it again to turn Groups back on. Deleted shows go to the Recently Even if Groups are turned off, you’ll see the Recently Deleted group at the bottom of the My Deleted group, where they remain Shows list.

  • Page 14: Quick Tour - Watching Live Tv

    TV from any TiVo screen. Remember, your TiVo Mini must be connected for your TV. From the TiVo Central screen, to a host TiVo DVR, and the host must be set up to allow live TV on your Mini.For instructions select ‘Settings & Messages’, then on setting up your host DVR, see “Watching live TV”...
  • Page 15 Changing channels To move one channel at a time, press CHANNEL UP/DOWN on the TiVo remote. To go to a specific channel, use the numbers on your remote control, then press ENTER. (If you don’t press ENTER, the channel changes automatically after a few seconds.) To jump back to the previous channel on the same tuner, press ENTER again.
  • Page 16 Quick tours...

  • Page 17: Chapter 2: Finding Shows

    Finding shows Using the Guide to find shows Finding & recording shows Recommended shows...

  • Page 18: Using The Guide To Find Shows

    Guide Options and choose the view you want. The mini-guide is a smaller version of the program guide. It shows you what’s coming up on the channel you’re watching and the next two channels. Press SELECT while watching live TV to bring up the mini-guide.
  • Page 19 Finding shows Choosing channels for the guide You can use the Guide Options screen to choose which channels to display in the guide. All Display all channels available from your service provider, even channels you don’t receive. My Channels Display only the channels that are checked in the hosts’s Channel List (recommended).

  • Page 20: Finding & Recording Shows

    Finding shows Finding & recording shows It’s easy to find shows by searching or browsing. The TiVo service searches upcoming shows and movies available on TV or video on demand. And once you find something you like, you can choose to record it on your host DVR! Searching for shows (and more!) Search by show title, episode title, show description, or person name (actor, director, etc.).
  • Page 21 Browsing TV & movies Browse specific categories of TV shows and movies. 1. From the TiVo Central screen, select ‘Find TV, Movies, & Videos,’ then choose ‘Browse TV & Movies.’ You’ll be able to browse for shows using any of the following: Collections Browse shows that are grouped by related subject matter, like holiday movies or trendy topics.

  • Page 22: Setting A Show's Recording Options

    Keep Until Choose how long to keep a show (or each episode of a repeating recording) on the host DVR. ‘Space needed’ is the default setting, or choose ‘Until I delete’ and your host TiVo DVR won’t delete this episode to record something new.
  • Page 23 Finding shows • Start Recording Start recording up to ten minutes before a show is scheduled to begin. (This option is available only before recording starts.) Stop Recording Set a recording to continue — for a few minutes or up to three hours — •...

  • Page 24: Recommended Shows

    The Discovery Bar The Discovery Bar appears at the top of most TiVo screens. What you’ll see in the Discovery Bar depends on you! Often, Discovery Bar displays ideas for show you might like based on what shows you record and mark as your favorites.
  • Page 25 Finding shows TiVo Suggestions On TiVo DVRs, you can rate any show — whether it’s live, recorded, or listed in the program guide — by pressing the THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN button on your remote. ® ® You can give a show up to three Thumbs Up (great!) or three Thumbs Down (terrible!). TiVo Suggestions uses these ratings to create a list of shows you might like.
  • Page 26 Finding shows...

  • Page 27: Chapter 3: Watching Shows

    Watching shows Moving around with the status bar Getting information with the channel banner Customizing your video, audio, and display Parental Controls...

  • Page 28: Moving Around With The Status Bar

    Watching shows Moving around with the status bar In general, watching shows works the same whether you’re watching live TV or streaming shows. You can always press PLAY, PAUSE, FAST FORWARD, and REWIND to display a status bar and move around in the show. •...

  • Page 29: Getting Information With The Channel Banner

    Watching shows Getting information with the channel banner The channel banner displays the show’s title, description, ratings, and other information. It appears whenever you change the channel. To view the channel banner while watching a show, press INFO. The channel banner can be displayed in three different sizes. Press the RIGHT arrow to cycle through the sizes of the channel banner.

  • Page 30: Customizing Your Video, Audio, And Display

    ® You can customize your TiVo Mini to display your shows exactly the way you like to watch them using the choices available from the Settings menu. To view Settings, from the TiVo ® Central screen, choose ‘Settings & Messages,’ then ‘Settings.’ The settings for Audio, Video, Displays, and Channels all affect how you find and watch shows.
  • Page 31 Letterbox color Letterbox is used to fit a 16 x 9 show Choose which color the TiVo Mini should use when it adds letterbox or side bars to the picture: on a 4:3 screen, and sidebars are gray or black. Changing the color of the bars can be useful if you’re trying to determine whether used to fit a 4:3 show on a 16:9 bars on the screen are being added by the TiVo Mini or by the broadcaster.
  • Page 32 The supported formats will be automatically selected in the list of available video formats. If you are using an HDMI cable to connect your TiVo Mini to your TV, you can also set the output format to the optimal format for your TV by selecting ‘Auto Detect’ from the Video Output Formats screen.
  • Page 33 . If the icon is bright, alternate digital audio tracks are also available. Select the bright icon for options. Sound effects volume Change the volume of or turn off the TiVo Mini’s sound effects (the tones played when you press buttons on the remote control). The default is Medium.
  • Page 34 Lights on the Front of the TiVo Box You can change the display of the lights on the TiVo Mini’s front panel. You can choose to turn the lights on or off. Note that even if you choose to turn the...

  • Page 35: Parental Controls

    Watching shows Parental Controls Your TiVo Mini helps you make sure your family has access to only those shows you want them to watch. With Parental Controls, you can set limits on movie and television ratings, lock specific channels, and prevent streaming of recorded shows from a host TiVo DVR that don’t match the settings you choose.
  • Page 36 Watching shows Temporarily turn off Parental Controls Either enter the password to watch a show or channel, or select ‘Temporarily turn off Parental Controls’ from the Parental Controls screen. When Parental Controls are temporarily turned off, any show or channel can be viewed, but the password is still required to change Parental Controls settings.

  • Page 37: Chapter 4: Video On Demand

    Video on demand Video-on-demand options Photos, music, & apps...

  • Page 38: Video-On-Demand Options

    Video on demand Video-on-demand options Your TiVo Mini has access to movies, TV shows, and videos from a wide variety of video providers. Below are some of the most popular video providers, but be sure to check tivo.com see what great new videos might be available for rent or purchase.
  • Page 39 Video on demand Hulu Plus™ With Hulu Plus on the TiVo service, you can stream TV episodes and movies right to your TiVo Mini, with many titles in HD! The first time you use Hulu Plus, you’ll go through a one-time setup process. Just follow the on- screen instructions.
  • Page 40 (Using the LEFT arrow on your remote control will not take you to the previous menu.). You can also search and browse for YouTube videos using the TiVo menus. When you search or browse using the TiVo menus, shows available from YouTube display a YouTube logo on the right side of the screen.

  • Page 41: Photos, Music, & Apps

    Video on demand Photos, music, & apps Your TiVo Mini is really an entire digital home entertainment center, with access to your photos, music, and more! Photos You can watch slide shows of the digital photos stored on your PC, connect to your Picasa and Photobucket accounts to view photos stored there, and even watch home movies stored on your PC or Mac right on your TiVo Mini.
  • Page 42 To view music options, from the TiVo Central screen, select ‘Music & Photos’ for available options. Apps Apps are additional applications available on your TiVo Mini. Want to buy movie tickets on line? Watch music videos? Just go to TiVo Central and select ‘Apps.’...

  • Page 43: Chapter 5: Settings

    Settings Network settings Remote control settings Device settings Messages Account & system info Restart or reset system Standby...

  • Page 44: Network Settings

    Settings Network settings The TiVo Mini needs a network connection to stream shows from a host TiVo DVR. It also uses a network connection to make regular connections to the TiVo service, where it gets updated program listings, service updates, and other information. The Network screen includes details about the last successful connection to the TiVo service.
  • Page 45 TiVo Mini. However, if necessary, you can use this page to choose how the TiVo Mini receives an IP address, or you can assign a static IP address and other network information manually. Follow the on-screen instructions to configure your wired network.

  • Page 46: Remote Control Settings

    To reset all the programmable buttons: 1. Point the remote away from your TiVo Mini. 2. Press and hold the TV PWR and TiVo buttons simultaneously until the light on the remote lights, and remains lit when you release the buttons.
  • Page 47 Settings If you prefer, you can choose to have a press of the ADVANCE button move you to the end of a streaming show. Pressing it again takes you to the beginning of the streaming show. In this mode, the REPLAY button will always skip back eight seconds.

  • Page 48: Device Settings

    Devices.’ Connected TiVo DVR Use this setting to change which TiVo DVR this box uses as a host. The TiVo Mini will connect to this DVR for streaming shows, recording new shows, and watching live TV. Note: You can also watch recorded shows from other DVRs in your household without changing this setting.

  • Page 49: Messages

    Settings Messages From time to time, you may receive messages from the TiVo service. Messages may alert you to new TiVo service features, important TV schedule changes, channel lineup changes, or other information. When you receive a new message, the TiVo Central screen will display an envelope icon next to the ‘Settings &...

  • Page 50: Account & System Info

    CHANNEL UP/DOWN button to see the rest of the screen. Media Access Key Your Media Access Key keeps your TiVo Mini secure. Do not share this key with anyone outside your household. You may need to enter this key when you install TiVo Desktop or use other home networking features of your TiVo Mini.

  • Page 51: Restart Or Reset System

    From the TiVo Central screen choose ‘Settings & Messages,’ then ‘Help,’ then ‘Restart or Reset System.’ Restart the TiVo Box Shuts down the TiVo Mini and starts it up again. You may need to restart your TiVo Mini as a routine troubleshooting step.

  • Page 52: Standby

    SWAP button on the remote. When the TiVo Mini is in Standby: • Your TV shows a black screen and the lights on the front of the TiVo Mini go out. • The TiVo Mini will still connect to the TiVo service.

  • Page 53: Chapter 6: Troubleshooting

    Troubleshooting...
  • Page 54 My TiVo remote control doesn't work with my TiVo Mini. • Be sure you are using the TiVo Mini’s remote control, and that you hold it so that the TiVo button points toward the TiVo Mini. • Press any button on the remote. Does the light on the remote...
  • Page 55 My TiVo Mini can’t find a host TiVo DVR. • Make sure that the TiVo Mini and the host TiVo DVR are on the My Shows list same TiVo account, that both boxes are on the same network, that the host TiVo DVR is turned on, and that both the TiVo The My Shows list is empty.
  • Page 56 If you’re still having trouble, contact TiVo Customer Support at 1- your Mini. 877-367-8486 (1-877-FOR-TIVO). To make sure that host DVR is set up to allow live TV on your Mini, go to the host’s TiVo Central screen. Then go to ‘Settings & Audio and video Messages,’...
  • Page 57 Messages,’ select ‘Settings,’ then ‘Video,’ then ‘Letterbox • Try changing channels several times. Color.’ Since most broadcasters add black bars, making the TiVo Mini bars gray will help you determine the source of the • Press PAUSE, then PLAY. bars.
  • Page 58 TiVo Mini are secure. • The cables you are using to connect your TiVo Mini to your TV My audio system is set up to play in stereo, but it is only or other equipment may be damaged or defective. Try playing mono.
  • Page 59 Troubleshooting Restarting the TiVo Mini How do I restart the TiVo Mini? You may need to restart your TiVo Mini as a troubleshooting step. To restart the TiVo Mini: • Go to the TiVo Central screen and select ‘Settings & Messages,’...
  • Page 60 Troubleshooting...

  • Page 61: Specs

    Appendix A: Safety, FCC statement, back panel diagram, & specs Safety instructions FCC statement to the user Back panel reference Specifications...

  • Page 62: Safety Instructions

    To ensure proper function, make sure that the air vents are not blocked, do their cabinet design. Do not compromise these design standards by not put your TiVo Mini in an enclosed space, and do not place anything on applying excessive pull force to the front, or top, of the cabinet, which top of the TiVo Mini.
  • Page 63 Appendix A: Safety, FCC statement, back panel, & specs 11. Power Cord Protection — Power supply cords should be routed so that cleaning. If the product comes in contact with any liquid, unplug the they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or power adapter and let the unit dry thoroughly before plugging it back in.

  • Page 64: Fcc Statement To The User

    Appendix A: Safety, FCC statement, back panel, & specs FCC statement to the user This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.

  • Page 65: Back Panel Reference

    Component Video Output. Connects to a TV or A/V system to Ethernet. Use this jack to connect the TiVo Mini to your home provide video only. Component video provides a high-definition network using an Ethernet cable.

  • Page 66: Specifications

    Appendix A: Safety, FCC statement, back panel, & specs Specifications VIDEO OUT POWER HDMI (1) (combined audio/video) 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 0.6 A Component Video (1) AMBIENT (EXTERNAL) OPERATING TEMPERATURE Composite Video (1) 15 °C to 35 °C AUDIO OUT OPERATING HUMIDITY HDMI (1) (combined audio/video) 5% to 80%...

  • Page 67: Appendix B: Copy Protection And The Tivo Service

    Appendix B: Copy Protection and the TiVo Service...

  • Page 68: Copy Protection And The Tivo Service

    ® Copy protection and the TiVo service The TiVo service allows you to enjoy many kinds of media content: television programs, movies, digital music and photos, and new forms of entertainment delivered by broadband. Copyright is a form of legal protection provided to the authors of media content.

  • Page 69: Index

    24 deleted programs 5 troubleshooting 48 HD Recordings group 5 deleting all settings 43 auto-recording deleting shows TiVo Suggestions 17 the CLEAR button 4 Available From..., browsing 13 keeping recordings 14 Discovery Bar 16 about 2 blocking programs 28...
  • Page 70 Parental Controls Replay button 4 technical support, contacting 46 settings 27 reruns, skipping 14 thumb ratings Standby mode and 44 restarting the TiVo box 43 using for suggestions 17 temporarily disabling 28 Rhapsody Music Service 33 TiVo service password protection...
  • Page 71 Index connecting to 36 finding your service number 42 messages about 41 TiVo Suggestions about 17 settings 17 TV, browsing 13 video settings 22 troubleshooting 48 video on demand video providers, about 30 video providers, customizing in search results 30...
  • Page 72 Inserting the Batteries Remote Control Troubleshooting 1. Open the battery door: Press any button on the remote. Does the light above the TiVo button on Push the battery door where it comes to a point, near the center the remote flash? of the back of the remote, to open.
  • Page 73 TV or A/V receiver) Two Types of On-Screen Arrows To program your TiVo Mini box remote, Highlight Bar press the TiVo button to go to the TiVo The arrows that appear beside or near ® Central screen and select ‘Settings &...
  • Page 74 Press it again to clear the guide. Input to select the input (such as the TiVo box, DVD player, game system) your TV displays. Select to choose menu options or shows.

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