From: whit3rd on
On Nov 25, 6:47 pm, lbbss <labi...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
> Sorry, the full model name is  Toshiba rs-tx20 with tivo.   I am still
> not clear on how you get the free subscription, by way of an antenna,

The subscriptions came in multiple varieties, one of which is
'product lifetime', i.e. prepaid. If this unit has that kind of
subscription already, you can use an IR sender glued to
the digital-converter to do the channel changing, after the
TiVo downloads any needed updates to know what
codes to send.

The 'updates' only happen if you have some kind of subscription
active.
From: whit3rd on
On Nov 26, 6:55 pm, lbbss <labi...(a)yahoo.com> wrote:
>    Any advise on how to do a bare minimum test?

If it has the remote, connect it to a TV and look at 'messages
and settings' 'account and system info' 'System Info'
and find out what the TiVo account status is: if it's
'discontinued' you won't get free recording.

Product Lifetime is the best indication, but other statuses
leave open the possibility to record by time and set the
channel manually on your converter.