TIVO frequencies?

[hilofer]

Okay I know that most if not all electronic devices bleed RF interference, and TIVO being no different than any other computer must do the same. Has anyone been able to pick up TIVO output on their scanner? Specifically in the 800-900 mHz range? I only ask this because believe it or not I am picking up what appears to be a neighbors' tivo output! I can hear what is being played on their tivo, along with the various "beep boop" noises that tivo makes when you press the buttons. And.......this is *really* freaky...I can hear what the people in the house are saying when the tivo is active, almost like TIVO has a microphone picking up what is going on. This is infrequent but it does occur. Needless to say I have locked out that freq cause its a litle un-nerving to eavesdrop on people. I'm trying to understand *how* this is happening more than anything. Thirthy plus years of scanning and I am scratching my head over this one...HELP!

 

[ltng92]

Are you hearing this on any frequency in particular? I own a TIVO and did a scan in the 800-900 MHz range and heard nothing.

 

[mikepdx]

Okay I know that most if not all electronic devices bleed RF interference, and TIVO being no different than any other computer must do the same. Has anyone been able to pick up TIVO output on their scanner? Specifically in the 800-900 mHz range? I only ask this because believe it or not I am picking up what appears to be a neighbors' tivo output! I can hear what is being played on their tivo, along with the various "beep boop" noises that tivo makes when you press the buttons. And.......this is *really* freaky...I can hear what the people in the house are saying when the tivo is active, almost like TIVO has a microphone picking up what is going on. This is infrequent but it does occur. Needless to say I have locked out that freq cause its a litle un-nerving to eavesdrop on people. I'm trying to understand *how* this is happening more than anything. Thirthy plus years of scanning and I am scratching my head over this one...HELP!

It doesn't sound at all like the Tivo is the source of transmission,
but a transmitter w/mic placed somewhere within range of Tivo audio
and those conversing.

In regards to it happening only when the Tivo is on, maybe they're turning
everything on at once with the switch on a power strip, and the wireless device
is on that circuit.

Maybe it's a baby monitor (??) of some kind. Are baby monitors 900 MHz??
or some type of wireless mic that your neighbor has inadvertantly left on.
There are wireless cameras around with mics. I have one that transmits the audio
along with the video.

If you know the precise frequency you hear it on,
do a search as to what is assigned to that freq.
It will probably come up as a low power cordless device frequency.

Why don't you tell them that you're a radio hobbyist, and explain what's going on?
You need not mention overhearing private conversations, just mention the TV audio.

 

[N4JNW]

Are you maybe picking up a cordless phone? Do you only hear it sometimes or all the time?

Some baby monitors are 900 mhz, and lots of cordless phones are too..

 

[hilofer]

Believe me I have thought of the obvious things too. They are elderly so no baby monitor or cordless mic would be involved. It's not a cordless phone pick up as no conversation with someone on the other end of the phone is taking place, just normal talking as if you were in your living room. It *only* seems to pick up when they are playing back something that has been recorded by tivo. In other words I only hear them when the tivo is playing back. I don't have the freq in front of me as I am at work, but will post it later when I get home.

 

[N4JNW]

That's odd.... Very odd.....

 

[shaft]

TiVO to the best of my knowledge wouldnt transmit anything what you are hearing. They do have wireless LAN capabilities (depending on the model or accessories connected to it) but that would be in the 2.4 ghz range since it would be an 802.11x device.

There must be some sort of wireless xmitter in the residence. You sure there is no baby monitor? I know you said they are elderly, but do they have little grandkids that visit?

 

[bezking]

Audio bug? Do they claim to work for the state dept?

 

[boatbod]

Could it be one of those medical alert type systems? I believe they have microphones so the person can talk to a dispatcher when summoning help after a fall etc.

 

[robsterw]

This is very interesting. Weird, but interesting.

It would be funny if you could broadcast on that same frequency to see what happens ;-)

But then again, they are older folk. Don't wanna give 'em too much of a scare.

 

[hilofer]

Frequency is 904.600. I have heard it on no other freq so far. I know that falls in the range of cordless phones and whatnot but this is not a two-way conversation going on. And it *always* is accompanied by the tivo loud and clear. If it was a wireless mic you would think that it would pick up voice without the tivo at some point in time but this has been going on for months. Every once in a while I have unlocked to the channel just to see if it has cleared but it is persistent. Not sure about medical alert devices or wireless video/cameras, doesn't seem a real probablility knowing their lifestyle. Possibly a wireless LAN...I just don't know. Anybody find anything interesting on 904.600?

 

[mikepdx]

Very strange situation, indeed.

Just as an experiment, I unplugged the telephone line from
my 900 MHz cordless base.

I press the 'Talk' button, then the "Speakerphone" button
on the cordless handset...

I now have a mediocre room bug.

BUT... this would not explain the constant transmission.
The battery in the handset would go dead pretty quick.

I wonder if cordless bases that have a speakerphone
on them transmit everything over the air while in speakerphone
mode, even if the handset isn't being used. Hmmm...

On the subject of baby monitors, they're not just for babies.
Perhaps someone listening in on an enfermed person.

 

[N4JNW]

Do you know them well?

Maybe you should stop by for a visit and do some scanner snooping.. Cram your scanner in your pocket, crank the squelch all the way up. Drop by, and casually stroll around the room where the TiVo is, and when you get close enough to the transmitting source, the squelch should break, alerting you that you're close to it.

Got a stubby race type scanner antenna you can throw on your scanner? Low Profile will draw less attention, and decrese sensitivity as well.

 

[fuzzymoto]

You're hearing perhaps cordless headphones or cordless speakers. I've heard what you're describing and yes I can hear a TV in the background and even the noises of pressing microwave oven buttons and general room conversation. You're hearing a cordless headphone, speaker or baby-type monitor (yes even the elderly babysit sometimes)....and yes the elderly may need cordless headphones to hear the TV

 

[hilofer]

You're hearing perhaps cordless headphones or cordless speakers. I've heard what you're describing and yes I can hear a TV in the background and even the noises of pressing microwave oven buttons and general room conversation. You're hearing a cordless headphone, speaker or baby-type monitor (yes even the elderly babysit sometimes)....and yes the elderly may need cordless headphones to hear the TV

That is the best theory so far, hadn't thought about wireless speakers.....and it would make sense..but how are you/we hearing ambient background noises such as conversations? Shouldn't the transmitter/speakers only be audio output and not acting as a microphone?
They don't babysit and are not hard of hearing....when I said elderly i mean mid 50's or early 60's in age..not deaf or infirm in any way.
Still puzzling........

 

[fuzzymoto]

I think some of the older model cordless headphones use a microphone instead of a direct plug to a headphone jack. I think originally they were low-tech hearing aids...so you can hear TV and the wife yelling at you at the same time.

 

[madnachos]

I have 4 Tivo's in the house and get zero interference from them and certainly nothing like you are describing, however, I often pickup baby monitors on those freqs...especially 902.3000 which is pretty close to what you are picking up.

 

[Mac128k]

My vote is also for a device to help the hard-of-hearing listen to the TV.

 

[radio10-8]

904.600

Do they have a wireless headset telephone like a Plantronics Wireless Phone Headset System? I have scanned phones like these at businesses and medical offices an 95% of the freqs I caputred are 904.600 as the headset to base freq. I hear everything even when phone is off, according to Plantronics the headsets are always hot so they can accept a signal from the base, thus an open line into your neighbors home. Newer Plantronics phones are now 2.4ghz and are not hot with live mic rather mic is off and a seperate receiver is on.

 

[Deeke]

There is a wireless transmitter you can get to broadcast tv locally from room to room.
He might be using that. Hook an external antenna to your tv and select the input as antenna and not cable.. You might get a picture. The audio might travel further though.