I finally bought a Tivo. I do not have a phone line, so I need to hook it up through my broadband network. I pulled my hair out trying to figure out how to do this when I finally realized my problem (I think): I don’t have a home network.
Right now, I just have a cable modem that’s hooked to my PC via ethernet cable. I take it that I will now have to create a network in order to access Tivo’s service. I assume this means just bying some sort of ethernet hub. Correct?
If so, is this the arrangement I’ll need:
[ul]
[li]Coaxial cable from wall to modem (as I presently have)[/li][li]Ethernet cable from modem to hub[/li][li]Ethernet cable from hub to PC[/li][li]Ethernet cable from hub to Tivo[/li][/ul]
I realize wireless is an option, but given that I have a desktop PC, I’m content with the cheaper wired network.
Grammar Hijack: Where does the missing question mark go? Putting it before the colon seems odd because the thought is not complete until the end of the bulleted list. But putting at the end of the last bulleted line also seems odd.
(Here’s hoping I get an answer to the Tivo question before this thread degenerates into a grammar war.)
You are right on the money. I highly suggest a wired solution as wireless never works quite right.
You may need a USB->Ethernet adapter for your TiVo if it doesn’t have an Ethernet port built in. (Mine doesn’t, but they may have added them recently.)
As for the grammar hijack, I would avoid the issue entirely changing the question into a request. E.g., “Please tell me if the following is what I will need:”
Your thinking is correct, but instead of a hub, what you need is a router. A router will let multiple devices share one internet connection which is what you need since both your Tivo and PC need to communicate with the outside world.
Seconding (or thirding) what the others have said. Given that you don’t have a land line, you have to jump through a few hoops to get the thing properly set up.
As an aside - my Tivo + external wireless modem combo has worked like a charm for two years running.
It was a real bitch to set up though - as Tapioca notes - especially since I don’t have a phone line. The real problem was that my software wasn’t up-to-date enough to use the USB modem. I know there’s supposed to be a software work-around - i.e., the ,#401 thing - but it wouldn’t work for me. So I just carried the box over to my buddy’s house - hooked it up to his phone line - and let it download the latest update so that it could use the USB modem.
Has worked without fail ever since - and doesn’t even have a problem with my wireless security.
That said, I’ve never been able to get the damn thing to send TV shows over to my computer (yes, I have the TivoToGo or whatever it’s called update). I’ve probably spent a good solid twenty man-hours trying to get that thing to work to no avail. Oh well. Still love the Tivo!
I have a newer model, so it does have the ethernet jack built in. I’m hoping this means I don’t have to jump through Tapioca’s hoops (but I’ve bookmarked the page in case).
Regarding the grammar question (which has had only one taker): I knew I could reword to avoid the use of the question mark, but there has got to be an answer to that question, and I’m just curious.
You might try simply unplugging your ethernet cable from your pc and plugging it into your Tivo. That’s what I did before I bought an ethernet switch - I only needed a switch because there was already a router “upstream”.
When I plugged my ethernet cable into my Tivo, I was able to do the Guided Setup and everything worked fine. I’d change the cable from the Tivo to the pc when I wanted to go on line and put it back on the Tivo when I was done. This worked fine for at least a week before I bought the switch.
If you can find out what DVR series you have, plus the software version that will help greatly if any troubleshooting needs to be done. For instance, mine is a series 2 dvr running software version 8.1-01-2-540, yours sounds like maybe a series 3? which probably shipped with software version 7. something. These are important to know in order to find out if you NEED a phone line for initial setup, or need a newer software version loaded in order to be able to use the network feature.
The fact that you have the ethernet port in it already is great, you will probably have less to deal with than I did (mine only has a USB, so I had to get the $30 adapter). I use the same setup you described, but I have a wireless router instead of a “hub”. If a decent b/g wireless router is about $40, how much does a wired setup cost?
I’m REALLY new to the whole idea of networking and routers, having just gotten a laptop with wireless, but I learned a lot about how TiVo interacts with networks. I found the TiVo tech help forums to be quite helpful, but most Googleable information was woefully out of date.
Let us know if it works, and if not, go to messages and settings > account and system information > system information and get your series number and software version. Sounds to me like it should be relatively easy for you. Good luck!
I’m at work right now, so I can’t report back on that info just yet. I probably won’t deal with purchasing the router until Saturday, so I probably won’t have any info to give until this weekend.
I may try Papermache’s approach in the meantime, though.
Some of the confusion here is that you need a router…but you might already have one. Some cable modems act as routers, others don’t. (For the purposes of this dicussion, a hub and a switch are the same thing).
But I wouldn’t bother trying to figure it out. Routers aren’t very expensive, and these days they’re pretty much plug and play. The router will work even if all you needed was a hub, and it will provide an additional level of security for your system.
If you’ve got an ethernet port, you’re almost certainly a series 3 Tivo. You won’t need the phone at all; just plug in the network and you’re ready to go. The default settings are for a DHCP network, which is what the router will create out of the box.
Wired is faster than wireless, but it probably won’t matter for this application. And unless your TV is near your cable modem, it might be much easier to go wireless. (If you do that, you’ll need a wireless adaptor for the Tivo. They sell their own for about $50, or there are several other brands.)
Thanks for the advice, everyone, but I’ve done a 180. At least with Tivo.
I found out on Thursday eve that I could get a DVR unit from my local cable company (Comcast). It’s actually cheaper per month that Tivo, and I don’t even have to buy the unit. So I picked that up yesterday and hooked it up last night.
Since I never got Tivo hooked up, I don’t know what features I might be missing had I stayed with Tivo. But the Comcast unit has dual receivers and allows for series recording (I believe Tivo calls it a “Season Pass”)–two salient fetures that enticed me in the first place.
And I didn’t even have to jump through any hoops, ending up with Tapioca all over my face.
Uuuh… okay, maybe I shouldna worded it quite that way. :dubious:
I’m glad you got your problem solved. I have to say, though, this is one of the more hilarious opening paragraphs in a thread that I’ve read in quite some time.
Regarding the Comcast (actually, likely a Motorola 6412) DVR, I have both a TiVo and a 6412. The UI of the TiVo is absolutely spectacular while the Mot UI sucks badly. The advantage to the Mot box is the ability to record hi-def. If I was willing to put up with cable card hassles and was willing to shell out $700, I’d have a Series 3 TiVo and dump the 6412 in a heartbeat.
Not that it’s a world-shattering difference, but Costco online usually has a running deal on the Series 3 Tivos for about $150 less than buying them from Tivo (or about $650).
With TiVo you get more of a service than a DVR supplied by the cable company. TiVo will allow you to rate programs with a series of thumbs ups or thumbs downs. Based on your rating history, TiVo will suggest other programs you might like. Sometimes it’s not too accurate, but after a while it get’s to know your taste in TV and Movies. I have found several shows I never knew existed through the suggestion feature. I’m very happy to be watching a few of those shows now.
I’m sure there are other features that TiVo has that the DVR has, like being able to schedule recordings online perhaps, but I think that the suggestions are the main TiVo advantage servicewise.
In any case, you now have “pause to pee” technology, which is one of mankind’s greatest acheivements. Enjoy!
If I may ask, how much per month is it through TiVo and how much through Comcast?
About 16 months ago I was TiVo shopping and was told that it would cost ~$20 per month (IIRC). So I got a DVD-recorder instead. It just went caput (I discovered as I tried to set it to record 24 while I watched Heroes), and is out of warranty. So I’m back on the market. Now I’m told that it’s $5 per month for TiVo (plus buying the unit). Charter’s service is $15 a month.
But all I want to do is be able to watch 24 and Heroes.
I’m paying $11.95/month (plus tax) through Comcast.
The Tivo package I was going to go with (which was tied to a rebate) is $14.95/month requiring a 2-year contract. But Tivo may have other contracts: longer term/lower cost. Maybe others can confirm that.
