TiVo - I Like!

[jyl]

Santa brought me a 80-hour TiVo!

Took about 2 hours to hook it up to the existing TV / cable system - most of that was waiting for the TiVo to dial home and program itself - and the WLAN network.

Reactions so far:
- What a great way to watch TV. It's as if all the network and cable programmers care only about me, and as soon as I get near the couch, they kick "Friends" and "Oprah" off the air and slot in auto racing, skiing, flyfishing, and whatever else I feel like watching at the moment.
- Amazing how short a 1 hour program is when you zap all the commercials. Also amazing how little I miss sitting through the 20th repeated ad for credit counseling or "rock hard abs" (the demographics of Speed Channel must be pretty pathetic).
- I can feel the beginnings of a different way of thinking about TV. Instead of a stream of instantly discarded images, it is content to be captured, saved, and maybe collected in a library. I'm not sure this is a good thing; may have to resist.
- I'm gonna need more space -- been investigating hard drive upgrades.

Anyone else use TiVo and have helpful hints, reactions, etc to share?

[Robert Coats]

I got the 40-hour version for Xmas. So far, so good. I need to get a couple of wireless bits so it will connect to my home LAN, then I'll be set.

I don't think I'll archive much at this time. Never bothered to hold on to any VHS tapes I'd made of broadcast shows with the old VCR. If it is a set of shows I *really* like, I'll wait for the commercial DVD, which usually has more content (such as The Simpsons).

But I do agree with your initial thoughts...what a cool way to enjoy television...on your terms.

Leaves more time to wrench/modify/drive the 911!

[jyl]

Are you all set on how to do the WLAN bit?

If it helps, the TiVo (at least the standalone one that I bought - I don't know about the ones that are integrated with DirecTV boxes and so forth) come with version 3.x of the TiVo software, that supports connections via phone or wired Ethernet, not wireless/WLAN. So you first go all the way through the TiVo setup process using a regular phone line, and in the process theTiVo downloads and installs v4.0 of the software, which does support WLAN. Then you plug the WLAN adapter into the TiVo's USB port, enter the necessary WLAN information, change the connection from phone to wireless, and do a test connection to make sure it works. Went without a hitch for me.

Also, TiVo's website recommends the Linksys WUSB WLAN adapter but only the old version (Linksys v2.6) works. The current Linksys v2.8 and v3.0 that are in the stores do not work with the existing TiVo software (not even TiVo v4.0). TiVo has "beta" software that does work with the current Linksys v2.8 and v3.0 adapters, but you have to specially request it and then wait for a reply. Quite a misstep by TiVo, I think!

Anyway I went to Best Buy and bought a Microsoft "510" USB wireless adapter - it is also listed on TiVo's compatibility page, works perfectly with both my TiVo and my existing Linksys "b" WLAN, is nice and small, comes with a long enough USB cable (about 4'), and cost about $50.

I know anyone can get this info from http://www.tivocommunity.com but maybe this will save you some time.

[Robert Coats]

Originally posted by jyl
Are you all set on how to do the WLAN bit?

My Tivo is not near a phone jack, so I decided to go wireless, network connection. I already have a small wireless network set up to share my CAT5-based 'net connection. However, I did not realize (until today) the wireless access point box I've been using is an 802.11a, not the 802.11b that Tivo requires.

So, I got the WUSB12 "pen-style" wireless adapter (as recommended by Tivo) but still need to buy an 802.11b wireless access point box. Linksys makes one, the WAP11, which should do the trick. I'll know in the next day or so. Yes, I do have the latest Tivo software, 4.x something.

Also, I've already decided after only having Tivo for a couple of days to go ahead and pay the lifetime subscription fee. However, I'm not sold on the Home Media Option. I don't have a sound system hooked up to my TV, no .mp3 files on my computer, and really don't see much value in displaying photos on the TV. The remote, 'net-based scheduling feature seems kewl, but not sure it alone is worth the $100. Now if the wife becomes a Tivo user and we put another unit upstairs, I think having Home Media Option to share recordings between the units would make the deal okay.

[jyl]

Mine isn't near a phone jack either, so I had to string together numerous old phone cords to reach a jack for the initial setup. I gather you can enter a code at the dialing screen to make the TiVo to use LAN/WLAN for the initial setup, but it seemed easier to dig through the junk boxes.

I didn't really "get" the HMO either. I could certainly see it being handy if you have multiple TiVos in different rooms. Unfortunately, I have only one digital cable box.

We probably should have done the lifetime fee, but I was feeling cheap - and wasn't too sure how long the lifetime of this particular TiVo unit would be. I've since done some research on TiVo upgrades and I see that my TiVo can be upgraded to a ridiculous number of hours (>350), so that concern was probably misplaced.

Well, I'm off to watch some vintage Star Trek episodes - no more "paid programming" for me!

[Paul T]

Tivo will change the way you watch TV forever...I bought mine a year ago and was unsure whether or not I'd even like it. Boy, was I wrong! I can't imagine living w/o it now. I watch almost nothing straight off the air anymore. preferring to let Tivo record it and then cut a 60 minute show down to 35 or 40. Make sure to set up a "keyword" recording set to "Porsche" (like you haven't done that already!) . Tivo will pick up some great stuff that might air at 2:00 am on a Wed that you would otherwise not see. I've got the DirectTV integrated box, which does not support the LAN connections, so phone line is the only way to go. I'm contemplatiing a hard drive upgrade also, mine is an old 35 hour unit which just isn't enough anymore!

[cstreit]

So does the TiVO sense commercials and skip then automatically, or do you just FF then like on a VCR?

[12own911]

Unlike Replay you have to ff through commercials on TIVO.... of course Replay is being sued for this.

[Moses]

OK, let me get this straight. tivo requires an 802.11b wireless network which is good because I have Snow Airport (Mac) network running Macs and a PC.(802.11b)

But I also have DirecTV, and the DirecTV/Tivo combo boxes don't allow wireless networking?

Question: Why would a DSL connection be better than a phone line for Tivo? The picture is coming via cable/satellite. How does a DSL connection help?

[Robert Coats]

Originally posted by Moses
Question: Why would a DSL connection be better than a phone line for Tivo? The picture is coming via cable/satellite. How does a DSL connection help?

(1) A DSL connection is always on, and downloads program listings, messages, firmware updates, etc. from Tivo's computer faster than the modem built into the Tivo unit (that relies on your phone line.)

(2) A DSL connection does not use the voice part of you phone line, so you can always use your phone.

(3) If you upgrade and get the Home Media Option on your Tivo, you can use the DSL connection to remotely schedule recordings from anywhere on the internet. Say you are work, and realize Dr. Phil is doing a show on "Men Who Love Porsches and the Women Who Adore Them." You get to any computer with internet access, log in to the Tivo site, find the show, then remotely command your Tivo to record it.

(4) Also with the Home Media Option and a network connection, you can browse photos and play .mp3 music files on your home computer and play/display them on your Tivo/TV.

(5) Finally, if you get a second Tivo, having a network connection means they can "talk" to each other, and you can watch a show you recorded on unit #1 from the TV where unit#2 is connected.

I went with the network option since (a) I already had DSL and wireless stuff setup and (b) I did not have a phone line close enough to the Tivo unit. While I'm still undecided on paying extra ($100 fee) for the Home Media Option, the remove scheduling is kewl as I travel a bit and it'd be nice to check listings from on the road and command my Tivo to record a show or two.

[jyl]

Moses, you should be able to use a standalone TiVo with your DirecTV unit, and the standalone TiVo would have wireless capability. However, I think there's other considerations, e.g. whether you'd get the TiVo guide or the DirecTV guide, how many tuners you'd have, how upgradeable/hackable the DirecTV combo unit is, etc.

I don't have DirecTV so I don't really know any more about it, but you can ask over at http://www.tivocommunity.com

Edit: another factor is how the standalone TiVo would control your DirecTV box (to change channels) - whether you could use a serial cable connection (if enabled on the DirecTV box) or have to hang IR emitters on the DirecTV box (not so elegant).

[jyl]

Robert, if you do get HMO could you post your impressions?

I'm already realizing that a single TiVo box is a bit of a bottleneck, since we have four people who all seem to want to watch different things - cartoons, auto racing, and West Wing - on two different TVs.

So I'm considering the HMO too, more for the multi-TiVo capability than the remote scheduling though.

[Robert Coats]

Originally posted by jyl
Robert, if you do get HMO could you post your impressions?

Went ahead and got it last night. So far, have only tried the photos and music publishing options, and they work fine.

Photos: You use the remote to navigate published folders on your PC much like menus in a DVD, pretty straightforward. You can manualy browse images, or run a slide show from all images in a folder. There are also some images downloaded from Tivo, but not sure why.

Music: I ripped a few .mp3 files from CD to my PC, and the music options are just as flexible with the Home Media Option. You can select tracks, shuffle, etc. much like any standard audio CD player.

Remote scheduling: Haven't tried it yet

Sharing Recordings Between Multiple Tivos: Only have one, but I can see we'll likely get another very soon. Nothing to report on this feature yet.

[cowtown]

I'm jealous of you guys. I've been thinking about getting a TIVO, just to avoid the commercials. I'd like to keep my basic cable ($10/month) and just use a standalone TIVO box. But I'm confused about a few things:

1) So only the new Series2 hardware can use a LAN connection instead of a phone line? I've got a LAN available for it, but no phone connection anywhere near our TV.

2) Can it work with wireless 802.11g? Or at least can I plug it in to a wired 100mbps switch? Does the switch need to have special capabilities to support TIVO, or is it just like any other IP device?

3)Does the lifetime subscription follow the hardware or the user? The TIVO site says hardware, but the TIVO forum people (including a few TIVO employees) are swearing up and down that it applies to the account, not the box...?

4)I understand the standalone (not DirectTV) TIVOs have only one tuner built in. But I could still record one thing on the TIVO while I watch something else through the TV tuner, right? It's just that I'd be watching the commercials if I were doing this.

[Decolliber]

I have satellite TV (DirectTV). Does tivo work with that?

[12own911]

yeah... have I got a deal for you... TIVO for $99 if you have DIRECTV... Friends and Family deal... call me for into. I work there.

[Robert Coats]

Originally posted by cowtown
1) So only the new Series2 hardware can use a LAN connection instead of a phone line? I've got a LAN available for it, but no phone connection anywhere near our TV.

It's my understanding only the Series2 Tivo boxes have the USB ports, which allow the connection of either a wired or wireless network adapter.

2) Can it work with wireless 802.11g? Or at least can I plug it in to a wired 100mbps switch? Does the switch need to have special capabilities to support TIVO, or is it just like any other IP device?

It requires 802.11b connection for wireless use. For wired use, standard USB/Ethernet adapter is okay. It's my understanding it works just like any other IP device.

3)Does the lifetime subscription follow the hardware or the user?

The lifetime subscription follows the hardware, for as long as it lasts. If the hardware breaks, so does the subscription. If you sell the unit, you can get a lot more for it if you'd paid for the lifetime subscription, since it "stays with the hardware."

4)I understand the standalone (not DirectTV) TIVOs have only one tuner built in. But I could still record one thing on the TIVO while I watch something else through the TV tuner, right? It's just that I'd be watching the commercials if I were doing this.

Correct.

[Moses]

Originally posted by Robert Coats
It's my understanding only the Series2 Tivo boxes have the USB ports, which allow the connection of either a wired or wireless network adapter.

It requires 802.11b connection for wireless use. For wired use, standard USB/Ethernet adapter is okay. It's my understanding it works just like any other IP device.

The lifetime subscription follows the hardware, for as long as it lasts. If the hardware breaks, so does the subscription. If you sell the unit, you can get a lot more for it if you'd paid for the lifetime subscription, since it "stays with the hardware."

Correct.

So it looks like the new Samsung (SIRS-4120R) is the beast to buy! USB ports, 120 gigs, two tuners. Wow!

[Paul T]

The Series 2 boxes have the USB ports, but these only work on the standalone. The integrated DirectTV/Tivo box has the ports, but they are dead. Also no HMO option avavilable either due to this...at least that's the way I understand it, I'm no expert though.

Tivocommunity is the place for questions.

[jyl]

Or buy a cheap 40 hour standalone TiVo and upgrade it to 330+ hours for around $300. You don't get the two tuners, I guess. But even with a single-tuner TiVo like mine you can watch a previously recorded program while recording a new program.