Setting Up Canadian TiVo

To Beverly Hills and back

There is a process that must be followed once you get that much-anticipated TiVo hardware. Although you avoid the potential nightmare of trying to point a satellite dish through the poplar trees and out into the cosmos, TiVo's set-up isn't as simple as one would hope. This is especially true for those of you north of the border, since many will have to jump through some additional hoops in order to connect to the TiVo service.

To make things simple, we've broken down the instructions into a step-by-step list. Print these off and keep them handy - and please, if someone is helping you with the set-up, try not to kill each other in frustration.

• Proceed through the TiVo system's instructions up to the point where you're prompted for questions on your television's connection.
• Make sure to answer "antenna," when queried about your TV connection.
• Enter an American zip code when prompted. This can be hard to think of on the spot, but the easiest is "90210." Remember the show? Dynamite TV. If a Beverly Hills zip code doesn't suit you, do a Google search for "American zip codes."
• Allow TiVo to scan for stations. Shortly after this, TiVo will dial out.
• Once this is complete, you'll be congratulated and told that you're all done. Not quite. Press the TiVo button at the top of your remote before celebrating too much.
• At the TiVo main menu, select:
  • "Messages and Setup," then
  • "Phone and Network Setup," and finally
  • "Connect to the TiVo service now."
• At this point, TiVo will connect to the central service for about an hour's time. It will download brand spanking new software, including the tools that will allow you to enter your own Canadian zip code (and you thought you could pass yourself off as a Beverly Hillbilly forever).
• The sad part here is that you'll be starting all over. (Sigh.)
• Once the downloading process is finished, choose
  • "Messages and Setup," then
  • "Restart or Reset System," and finally
  • "Restart the TiVo DVR."
• Sit back and relax, since TiVo will again take its sweet time initiating the new software (10 minutes, in most cases). You'll be returned to the main menu once this is complete.
• When faced with the main menu, select
  • "Restart or Reset System," then
  • "Repeat Guided Setup."
• When asked for your zip code this time, simply press "Enter".

The system will now allow you to enter your Canadian postal code. Stand tall, salute the maple leaf, watch hockey.

At this point the service should be fully connected, so you can start recording those Red Green episodes at will.