My dad got me a 80 hr. TiVo box for Christmas and I can’t wait to get it hooked up and going. But first I have a few questions for the TiVo-using Dopers out there:
(I saw there have been many old TiVo threads on the boards, but many of them were pretty old (and possibly out of date) and didn’t answer all the questions I had.)
[ul]
[li]I know the lifetime subscription is the better deal, but can I go monthly for a few months until I get some extra cash, and then switch?[/li][li]On the box, it says I can connect TiVo using my existing broadband connection, but I haven’t found anything in the manual aside from using a phone line. Anyone know anything about this?[/li][li]OK, let’s say I don’t use my broadband connection and use phone instead. I already have a two-way splitter on my phone, with both jacks used for some funky DSL setup we have. Can I just get a 3-way splitter and do it that way?[/li][li]I’ve heard a lot about hacking TiVo. I know this would violate my warranty, but I’m still curious. Anyone know any good hacks or good resources for learning them?[/li][li]In general, how can I best take advantage of this wonderful thing? Should I go nuts giving thumbs-up and thumbs-down to everything? Any little-heralded uses for TiVo I should be aware of?[/li][li]Overall, how is this going to change my life?[/li][/ul]Of course, anything above and beyond these questions is appreciated. Thanks!!
The “sjkip to the end of the program button” can be reprogrammed to be the “skip 30 seconds ahead button.” My bud phatlewt can explain how. He just got TiVo last week and also help with the technical stuff.
From a non-technical perspective, TiVo rocks. When you watch “live” TV you will be annoyed that you can’t fast-forward through comemrcials. You will become addicted to the instant replay function. You will have all your favorite shows on tap whenever you care to see them.
TiVo’s great. I wouldn’t worry about using your broadband connection – after the original set-up (which takes maybe half an hour of phone time), you’ll never notice TiVo making its nightly program guide calls. It figures out what time of day you’re least likely to be using the phone and makes the call then – it also checks the line and will terminate the call if you pick up the phone to call your Aunt Sue. Finally, TiVo continues to function normally while it’s making the calls in the background, so there’s really no need for a speedy phone connection.
I just have to give this word of warning with Tivo:
If you have children in the house, and you watch adult programming, don’t be surprised when you occasionally turn on the TV and Tivo has switched the channel to your favorite adult programming.
Twice our unit has decided that we would much rather record adult programming than continue watching PBS Kids. It will give you a warning screen asking if you’d like to change over, but if the only person in the room is four they don’t press the “NO” button and hilarious hijinks will ensue.
That said, Tivo is the single greatest invention EVER!
Yes, you can get the lifetime subscription at any time.
There are certain brands of USB->Ethernet connectors that the Tivo can use to access the data directly over the internet. See the tivo community link in #4 for more info.
You can probably get away with just adding another splitter.
The 30 second skip ahead hack is possibly the most useful one they’ve found, short of upgrading the hard drive.
I’m not too religious with the thumbs up and down buttons, but I do use them from time to time when it seems to be recording suggestions that have nothing to do with my normal viewing habits. For example, for a short while there, it started recording Spanish language programs even though nobody in the house speaks Spanish.
Overall, you’re going to watch more TV, but you’ll do it much more efficiently and possibly in less time.
I am lazy, so this is from memory. To turn on 30-second skip:
Select-Play-Select-3-0-Select
It should bong when you’re done.
Most “hacking” that people do is to replace the hard drive. It’s simple if you’re used to putting together PC’s from scratch. Probably horribly complicated if you’re not. The software is easy, the connections can be tough. Personally, I originally bought a 14 hour one a few years ago, and upgraded the drives slowly… now mine has a 120 GB drive in it. Which is enough space for anyone.
It is the button across from the replay button – its a small one with an arrow touching a vertical line. Prior to the hack it skips to the end of the program (kinda worthless, IMHO.) Below and to the right of the play/fast forward/etc. circle of buttons.
Unhacked, this button has another function: When you’re in fast forward mode, pushing this button skips you forward to the next 15 minute mark in the program. For example, let’s say I just want to see the reveal on a Trading Spaces. I start the program, press fast forwards, and the “skip to end” button. The program jumps to the 15 minute mark. I press the button twice more, and I’m at the 45 minute mark, without having to fast forwards through the whole program. I mainly use this to see if it’s an episode I’ve watched before.
You will need to get an Ethernet adaptor for the TiVo’s USB port. They can be acquired at your local computer store for less than $20. Then follow the instructions here.
Sure. You may need a special filter for the phone jack, depending on your DSL configuration.
Check out the TiVo Community Forums. They have more info than you can shake a stick at. There’s tons of stuff that can be done, from installing bigger HDs to reconfiguring the TiVo software to writing your own software extensions for it.
Personally, I set up a bunch of season passes for all my favorite shows. I keep the suggestions on, and I thumbs-up and thumbs-down all the suggestions it records. Occasionally it will find a new show that I really like and I’ll add it as a season pass. Anything you add as a season pass is automatically recorded as a thumbs-up, so it will find old episodes in syndication and similar stuff automatically.
Mine has changed my life dramatically. I don’t watch a huge amount of TV, but I am a devoted fan of the shows I do watch. I no longer have to plan my work or social schedule around when my favorite shows come on. I go out and do whatever I want, whenever I want, confident that my TiVo will record what I want to see. It’s infinately better than a VCR, since mine can hold up to 80 hours, and only need to be told to record a particular show once.
You might also want to check out the TiVo Home Media Option. For an additional one-time fee, you can activate TiVo’s MP3 and Photo sharing features, and will be able to stream MP3s from your home PC (you must connect the TiVo to your home Ethernet network.) I ripped my entire CD collection to MP3, and stream them to my TiVo which is hooked up to my living room’s stereo system. Totally rad.