TiVo TiVo Mini LUX DVR Extender

I live in an early 1900s urban row house. I recently added a TV in the bedroom above a primary TV on the 1st floor. My Tivo Bolt was connected to the WIFI on that primary TV on the main level and to an OTA indoor antenna. In order to improve local station reception, I moved the Bolt and antenna to the 2nd floor TV. The Tivo Mini needs to connect by either a coax or ethernet cable to the same modem/router to which a subscription TIVO device is connected (my Bolt). This is simply due to the Mini lacking a WIFI connection. You can add a TIVO WIFI adapter or MOCA bridge, but I decided a cabled connection to the Verizon FIOS ROUTER would improve the signal reception. Our FIOS is a lower-cost MPS package offered by Verizon. Our program streaming has recently become strained resulting in periods of a lot of buffering on FIOS. My research into options to connect the Mini to the Bolt indicates most Tivo users seem to use WIFI or existing coax cables in the walls to connect the TIVO units. Instead, I chose CAT8 Ethernet cables. The coax cables in my walls are many and dubious as to their course and soundness.
In one of my images, you will see the Mini’s connections to my FIOS router. I ran a new CAT8 Ethernet cable from the FIOS router through a vent to the upstairs TIVO Bolt and a second new CAT8 cable from the Mini to the same router. It works beautifully! The CAT8 Ethernet connection has vastly improved and stabilized streaming versus the prior WIFI connection to the Bolt. The signal and resting TV image are clear and sharp. We stream a great deal since “cutting the cable” several years ago. Netflix, YouTube and other streaming services are now quite consistent.
The Mini accesses all the TIVO services on the upstairs Bolt with the lighted keys of the included TIVO voice command remote control. I can do all TIVO FUNCTIONS on the Bolt through the new Mini. The system works very well and I recommend the TIVO Mini via CAT8 Ethernet cables. (I love the flat, white CAT8 cables for data transmission and the ability to hide them in the wall.)

ave the original Bolt, 4 tuner, cable card or or OTA (have had for 6 years, gofigure). I purchased this 2 pack, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00684D77A?psc=1, though only needed one. I also have another Bolt (same type) in a box from 6 years ago.

First set up, ordered 10 ft and 6 ft https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZHRMJRF?psc=1. I have had a https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BN5Z2WM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for 5 years now. I finally dishoarded the living room (don’t ask) and unpacked my two year old TV. Signal was great, even better when connected to the Bolt.

I knew that the TiVo bolt I had would create a bridge, so did not need an adapter. TiVo customer service recommended a 3 way splitter, so I ordered https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077ZSL9VR?psc=1. (I had my doubts because creating a Moca with regular splitter, the RF signals from Comcast blocked out the OTA signals – same RF bands)

What the Holland diplexer does, the satellite in removes the lower band RF signals, allowing the bridge to be developed with the D band of Moca. However, there is an e and f band, which the mini lux needs for setup.

So, first set up Moca with Holland diplexer, antenna to uhf/vhf in, satellite in to splitter dividing cable and modem in wall. Out end goes to TiVo Bolt. Verify Moca has Mac ID and IP address. Connect the TiVo Mini (use modem first to verify signal in other room). You won’t be able to set up the Moca yet with the Mini lux.

With 3 way splitter, change out two way splitter to wall outlet, and connect antenna, coax to TiVo box, and modem to splitter on the 3 way side. Do not worry if the antenna gets blocked out (try to do when no recordings scheduled).

Again, set up bridge with this set up. Force connection with TiVo service (in network settings). Try the set up again with Mini Lux. It should now go through. You will find that the Moca IP and Mac should be the same on the host (bridge) as before, Since I did not upgrade software on bolt, the mini automatically recognized and downgraded to TE3 menus.

When set up complete, re set up Holland diplexer, keep 3 way splitter attached (though use only two connections, if you need to set up Moca again, this will come in handy). Connect the satellite in to the 3 way splitter, and have the other cable go to modem. I did not need to set up bridge again, but did force connection to TiVo service again.

Works to this day, no loss of signal, several weeks. I added a 1.5 ft white rg6 cable for the in to TiVo Box, and adjusted cords and amplifier for best signals.