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TiVo w/ on-screen Caller-ID via S-Video
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Posted by: Brad Bishop

I just found a combination that worked pretty well in lieu of TiVo actually adding the caller-ID function to their software.

I ordered a S-Video cable which splits out the luminance to RCA connections from NetMedia (http://www.caller-tv.com/ - you'll have to call them and order the S-Video adapter kit specifically from them). You can also order a Caller-TV unit from them which works well unless you have DSL. I have DSL so my old Caller-TV unit just doesn't work with my current setup. So I ordered a TV Messenger from Trinexus (http://www.trinexus.com/ - follow Products -> TV Messenger -> Order Online). Anyway, TV Messenger seems to happily function with the S-Video Adapter kit from the Netmedia (Caller-TV) folks.

Between the two, I prefer TV Messengers onscreen display over Caller-TVs, but that's just me. Both companies have always been friendly in my dealings with them.

My wife and I are once again happy with having the on-screen caller-id info.

Just FYI,

Brad

Posted by: fitsman

quote:
Originally posted by Brad Bishop
I just found a combination that worked pretty well in lieu of TiVo actually adding the caller-ID function to their software.

Is this really going to happen?

If not, I found a radio shack caller ID box with very large display. Each number is about 1.5 inches tall. The display is like a digital clock radio..black background with bright red led letters. its a clock when it is not showing the name of the person calling. It can EASILY be read from accross the room...(my room is 25 ft long and I can read it from the back and I have poor long vision for reading). It cost about $40. I dont have the part number. I found it in a add about 6 months ago and it had to be special ordered from the warehouse...Works great and I did not have to do anything to my HT wiring...which is what I really wanted. I spent alot of time and money getting the picture nice and I dont want to put any electronics in the middle that mess with it.

Posted by: Brad Bishop

I saw that and it was veto'd by my wife because it fit into the 'something else I'd have to dust' and 'ugly' category. It didn't strike me as ugly. It also has the benefit of working when the TV is off. You can usually find them on sale for $40-$50 if you wait them out. I think the regular price for them is ~$70.

Interestingly, my wife *hated* on-screen caller-ID. I'd get the complaint about it everytime it'd show up (this was a few years ago). She eventually became accustomed to looking at the TV screen when the phone would ring to see who was calling. This was via Caller-TV (http://www.caller-tv.com/) back when we had cable. Then I purchased two RCA-480s (satellite receivers for DirecTV) and she really liked the black-bar caller-ID info on the bottom of the screen. When I went to DirecTiVo she then hated the fact that it *wasn't* there. I tried hooking the Caller-TV back up only to find that it won't work with DSL (seems like a silly contraint to me). That led me to the S-Video/TV Messenger combination. She's happy with it now but still wishes that it was all integrated nicely into the DirecTiVo.

She also hated the DirecTiVo when we got it. She still doesn't admit to liking it but says it's just, 'OK'. I'm pretty sure that if it went away that she'd miss it, though. She uses it quite a bit for recording shows and pausing TV when she has to go do something.

Brad

Posted by: redheadboy

I have a caller id box that lets you record a name to go with a number. Now the box calls out who is calling if I have recorded a name. If it doesn't, I either look at the display to see who it is, or ignore it because it probably isn't someone I want to talk to.

Posted by: CoosCoos

quote:
Originally posted by fitsman
I found a radio shack caller ID box with very large display. Each number is about 1.5 inches tall. The display is like a digital clock radio..black background with bright red led letters. its a clock when it is not showing the name of the person calling. It can EASILY be read from accross the room...(my room is 25 ft long and I can read it from the back and I have poor long vision for reading). It cost about $40.

Is this what you have?:
http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/43/43-948.jpg
Link to Radio Shack

Price right now is $69. Is it readable in the dark? If so, this would be something I would buy.

Posted by: thadjosh76

I found the talking Caller ID boxes work great. You don't have to be starring at something when the phone rings and you don't need your glasses to hear them.

Posted by: Brad Bishop

I've got an AT&T 1782 talking caller-id answering system. It's a two-line unit with 22 (or 24) minutes of recording time. Works really well. You can get them at Staples online for ~$40. There is a $10 off coupon (http://www.dealnews.com/) for orders over $50 so if you order something else for around $10 you'll get it for near-free. It's pretty nice in that it sets the clock automattically (this just makes sense) and lines up the Caller-ID information with the messages left by the caller. I think it's great.

Anyway, it works great when I've associated a voice-announcement with a phone number, but when it reads off 10 digits of numbers, I have a hard time remembering who's number is who's. I like the on-screen caller-ID better, myself.

Enjoy!

Brad

Posted by: jeffw_00

I did a review of caller-id-on-TV boxes for Popular Home Automation Magazine - Basic things you should know:

Trinexus box is really well built, but I've heard they're in bankruptcy. I tried their box with the S-video cable from caller tv and got a slightly degraded picture- trinexus said it was because they use a non-standard termination.

caller-tv box is great - if it works for you. For some reason it didn't capture caller ID info reliably on my phone line. they said this happened with about 2% of their customers and for those they refund the money.

My suggestion - try caller-tv. if it doesn't work, try tri-nexus.
/j

ps - there was no other viable competition out there. Personally, I have the trinexus box hooked into the OUTPUT of my external video switcher so I get the info regardless of the video source

Posted by: Brad Bishop

Caller-TV was really particular about grounding. Both the wall outlet and the phone service panel need to be properly grounded. That usually straightened out the weird errors.

Brad

Posted by: wiz

I've got an almost free solution, my USR Courier modem supports CallerID. I've got freeware app that watches the line and calls out the phone number through the sound card. Only bad thing is the PC's in the home office and out of earshot of the family room.

I'd like something that would throw the display on the screen, seems like it would only take a half day of programming work for TiVo to do it, unless it needs some weird hardware modification for the modem.

Posted by: jmccorm

quote:
Originally posted by Brad Bishop
I've got an AT&T 1782 talking caller-id answering system. It's a two-line unit with 22 (or 24) minutes of recording time

I've been looking into these. It would be great to hook into my home's intercom system so we're not always dashing for the phone to figure out if we want to answer it. HA!

Maybe I misunderstood, but I thought that somewhere I came across a device that would give a shot at actually pronouncing the name.

BTW... does the numbers come out of the base unit, or over the phone?

Posted by: stormsweeper

Isn't the point of TiVo that you can pause TV so you can do other things?

Posted by: alan

quote:
Originally posted by stormsweeper
Isn't the point of TiVo that you can pause TV so you can do other things?

Yeah. I mean I'd pause for people I know, but I don't even want to pause for a telemarketer phone call. :D :D :D

Posted by: HelloNewman

quote:
Originally posted by stormsweeper
Isn't the point of TiVo that you can pause TV so you can do other things?

I think the point of TiVo is not to be able to pause live TV. It is to not be a slave to your TV. So what good is it to acquire TV independence if your still a slave to your phone.
Just a thought.
KS

Posted by: micro9aaa

I don't know if this helps, but many newer phones that have built-in caller-id can be programmed to use a special ring when someone calls who is in your speed dial list. This is what I use. If I hear the special ring, I know to answer the phone. If not....well, that is what answering machines are for.

Posted by: fitsman

quote:
Originally posted by CoosCoos
Is this what you have?:
http://www.radioshack.com/images/ProductCatalog/ProductImage/43/43-948.jpg
Link to Radio Shack

Price right now is $69. Is it readable in the dark? If so, this would be something I would buy.

Yes that is what I have. Ours does not have the Lock/Clock led's at the bottom right, but other than that its exactly the same. Yes you can see it in the dark...that is the only reason why I bought it. The talking one would be nice, but sometimes I have the music cranked and I would have to pause the music or movie to hear it.

Posted by: Bryanmc

quote:
Originally posted by fitsman

Yes that is what I have. Ours does not have the Lock/Clock led's at the bottom right, but other than that its exactly the same. Yes you can see it in the dark...that is the only reason why I bought it. The talking one would be nice, but sometimes I have the music cranked and I would have to pause the music or movie to hear it.

Does it go completely black when there isn't a call?

That looks pretty cool but I'd hate to add another set of lights to distract while watching a movie.

Posted by: fitsman

quote:
Originally posted by Bryanmc

Does it go completely black when there isn't a call?

That looks pretty cool but I'd hate to add another set of lights to distract while watching a movie.

Absolutly not. It shows the time, how many calls it has in memory and the date while there is no phone call comming in. Its pretty bright. It also has a flashing light in the top right. I put black electrical tape over that...it was very annoying.

Posted by: Brad Bishop

For the gentleman who wanted more info on the AT&T 1782:

AT&T and Lucent have a line of answering systems which have proven themselves to be clear and reliable over the years. The AT&T 1782 model is a two-line Caller-ID digital answering system that is normally priced around $100. I found it at Staples for $39.99 (http://www.staples.com/catalog/sear...rds=at%26t+1782). You may need to type in your ZIP code at the Staples site. Since it has Caller-ID it has the ability to set itself after the power goes out and do other neat things like announce the caller or have special out-going messages for certain callers. The real benefit is that it will line up the Caller-ID information on it's LCD screen with the message that someone left. This eliminates the step of having to write down the phone number. You can also dial the person back immediately with the Display Dial button. There is a review at Epinions (http://www.epinions.com/elec-Comm-A...> _Call_Waiting) and you can find the manual at AT&T (http://www.telephones.att.com/answer_manual.html) if you'd like to do more research. It's be a reliable answering system for us and, at this price, is actually a little cheaper than it's lower-end cousin, the AT&T 1760.

Use coupon code "74014" to get $10 off a purchase of $50 or more at Staples (from http://www.dealnews.com/).

I hope this answered all the questions.

Brad