How should I set up...

Big time noob questions, but I am frustrated and am hoping everyone will be patient with me :)

I switched to dish a month ago, and have been VERY pleased with the service... But I do have questions... Here is what I have...

I am subscribed to the HD Silver package.
I have the VIP 211 reciever hooked up HDMI to my TV and optical audio to my stereo reciever.
I have an OTA tuner, and recieve FOX, ABC, NBC in HD (although, its not 100% reliable).
I have a stand alone Tivo Series 2 DVR - I have a lifetime subscription for the unit, so I don't want to spend the money if i don't need to.

Currently, I don't have the Tivo hooked up...

What is the most ideal setup? I feel as though I am missing out on something (probably not, but I am new to sattelite television).

What is the best way to hook up my Tivo? I tried hooking up the Tivo, and couldn't get it working as I had hoped. I know that before I had dish, we had comcast, and the tivo was great. I changed all the channels with it, paused live tv, and used my tivo as the central unit.

I really appreciate any help you can offer.

I have a TiVo Series 2 hooked to my Vip622. I first had it on the TV2 output using composite and RCA connections, but changed it to TV1 because the IR blaster cannot control channel changes on TV2 (it's RF only). BTY I am now using the S-Video connector instead of composite.

Now I have moved it back to TV2 and just set my 622 to autotune to the right channel at the same time as my TiVo would record, but I have very simple recording habits.

TV1 is probably the best way to connect except it interferes with my HD viewing since TV1 is the only HD output. I had to start a recording on TV2 and play it on TV1 as it recorded to watch something else if the TiVo was using TV1.

I used the same IR blaster codes that I had when the same TiVo was connected to a Dish 301.

Big time noob questions, but I am frustrated and am hoping everyone will be patient with me :)

I switched to dish a month ago, and have been VERY pleased with the service... But I do have questions... Here is what I have...

I am subscribed to the HD Silver package.
I have the VIP 211 reciever hooked up HDMI to my TV and optical audio to my stereo reciever.
I have an OTA tuner, and recieve FOX, ABC, NBC in HD (although, its not 100% reliable).
I have a stand alone Tivo Series 2 DVR - I have a lifetime subscription for the unit, so I don't want to spend the money if i don't need to.

Currently, I don't have the Tivo hooked up...

What is the most ideal setup? I feel as though I am missing out on something (probably not, but I am new to sattelite television).

What is the best way to hook up my Tivo? I tried hooking up the Tivo, and couldn't get it working as I had hoped. I know that before I had dish, we had comcast, and the tivo was great. I changed all the channels with it, paused live tv, and used my tivo as the central unit.

I really appreciate any help you can offer.

First off use the built in ATSC tuner in the vip211. It will integrate your locals into your EPG.

As far as hooking up your TiVo. Take the composite or S-video out of your 211 and run them and the red/white audio cables to your TiVo.

I have a TiVo Series 2 hooked to my Vip622. I first had it on the TV2 output using composite and RCA connections, but changed it to TV1 because the IR blaster cannot control channel changes on TV2 (it's RF only). BTY I am now using the S-Video connector instead of composite.

Now I have moved it back to TV2 and just set my 622 to autotune to the right channel at the same time as my TiVo would record, but I have very simple recording habits.

TV1 is probably the best way to connect except it interferes with my HD viewing since TV1 is the only HD output. I had to start a recording on TV2 and play it on TV1 as it recorded to watch something else if the TiVo was using TV1.

I used the same IR blaster codes that I had when the same TiVo was connected to a Dish 301.

The 622 is a fully functioning DVR so why use a TiVo? The 622 records HD as well. The 622 will record both TV1 and TV2 simultaneously. It will also record OTA HD.

The 622 is a fully functioning DVR so why use a TiVo? The 622 records HD as well. The 622 will record both TV1 and TV2 simultaneously. It will also record OTA HD.
I had the extra TiVo and it is networked to two computers and a second Tivo. I record on the Tivo and transfer the recordings to my PC. It is 480i but good clear picture and I archive programs that I like since Dish has chosen not to implement USB external HD for archival purposes. I can burn programs to DVD and play them anywhere on any DVD player.

could you elaborate on the IR blasters for the Tivo?

I took thereccomendations offered...I took the S-videoout on the VIP 211 and put it to the in of the Tivo.... But now, I don't know what to do....

Should I run a seperate video out on the Tivo and run it to a different input on the tv? Then it seems kind of a pain to use the tivo - having to switch the inputs of the TV in order to watch the tivo...

I have my Tivo directed to a 19" SD TV and my 622 goes to my CRT projector, but yes, you will need to use another input to watch what is coming from the Tivo.

Actually my SD TV is so old that I use a Sony VCR to switch unputs and send the signal to to the TV on RF ch 3.

The back of the TiVo has a 1/8 inch phono plug that connects to IR emitters. These emitters are signaled by the TiVo to send IR signals that mimic the IR remote on the 622 so the TiVo controls channel changing on the TV1 output of the 622. This way the TiVo can change the channel of the 622 to the channel the TiVo wants to record.