Best off-the shelf TIVO replacement

Forums › TiVo › Best off-the shelf TIVO replacement

1 | ... | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

mattwnz

20147 posts

Uber Geek

#1890934 26-Oct-2017 18:56

Kookoo:

So I gave away my old Tivo to sonyxperiageek, and thought we'd get by without a PVR while I'm waiting for a good deal for an off the shelf unit.

You know where I'm going with this - after a couple of months of looking I came to realise we didn't need a PVR at all. So the best replacement for a Tivo is - not having one. Personal view obviously.

So what are you doing as an alternative. Maybe you are using a paid subscription service instead?

mattwnz

20147 posts

Uber Geek

#1890947 26-Oct-2017 19:22

Spong:

Latest news is that the expected final official software update for the Tivo has just begun being pushed out. This was expected. Here are the words of Tivo Dan (remember him?)

"Just tidy up post service, fix a few things that might have been ugly post end of service, and use Network time servers to set time instead of the mothership Haven't checked if we are saying publicly or not, but the patches are just maintain usability/sanity post service shut off, were not disabling anything"

This doesn't impact on work being done by the community developers, but it does mean there will be some Tivos floating around with the current version software (Vers: 11.3b8-01-2-663) and most are expected to receive the new version any day (Vers: 11.3b10.2017.10.11-1506-01-2-Z-663)

Obviously the developers will update the patch to identify which version software your Tivo is running, and apply the correct version patches. This is one of the reasons the new software hasn't been released prior to now.

Stocks of the PROM chips for the hardware portion of the mod are extremely low in NZ thanks to Australia and NZ's incredibly slow mail service. Hard to believe it, but Melbourne to NZ takes 2-3+ weeks by Airmail! Everyone will get theirs as soon as chips and/or sockets arrive.

So will people need to make sure they get the final update, or doesn't it matter for modding it?

I am wondering if they are releasing a software update, why they can't program it to get the EPG data from the aerial, or they couldn't add an option in the settings to enter the URL of an EPG data source.

Spong

1005 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1891032 26-Oct-2017 21:36

mattwnz:

So will people need to make sure they get the final update, or doesn't it matter for modding it?

I am wondering if they are releasing a software update, why they can't program it to get the EPG data from the aerial, or they couldn't add an option in the settings to enter the URL of an EPG data source.

No as mentioned above, it won't matter if Tivos do get the latest update or not. The release version of the Community software patcher/installer will check to see which official software version you have, and then patch the Tivoapp on your hard disk, then install the utils etc. As the new official "close off" software has just starting pushing out, the developers will be analyzing it over the next few days to find the entry points. The final community release software should be able to cope with either. The only situation it won't be able to cope with will be Tivos that haven't been online for well over a year, as they'll have an even earlier version software. The patch will not be able to complete.

There will also be a few brand new unused Tivos out there, that have never been powered up (I bought one last week). These can be brought onboard by installing an image from another Tivo with recent software that's been set to "Clear & Delete" . You can then do a Guided setup connected to the official Tivo Mothership over the next few days, or you can apply the Community patcher/software when released, and then go through a Guided Setup connecting to the new Community Mothership even if the Tivo has never been activated. I've tested these scenarios already.

Getting the EPG from the aerial wasn't something that was considered possible. The new Community Mothership will closely follow what has been happening since 2009.

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

Kookoo

787 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1891867 28-Oct-2017 14:14

mattwnz:
Kookoo:

So I gave away my old Tivo to sonyxperiageek, and thought we'd get by without a PVR while I'm waiting for a good deal for an off the shelf unit.

You know where I'm going with this - after a couple of months of looking I came to realise we didn't need a PVR at all. So the best replacement for a Tivo is - not having one. Personal view obviously.

So what are you doing as an alternative. Maybe you are using a paid subscription service instead?

Yes I am. But I've been doing it for a while now and it hadn't occurred to me that I might not need the TiVo.
So now the combination of on-demand, Netflix, and the occasional broadcast satisfies my entire family's needs as far as TV viewing goes. Basically, it took me getting rid of TiVo to understand I no longer needed TiVo.

Hello, Ground!

Spong

1005 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1892036 28-Oct-2017 22:53

An update on PROM chips and the Software Update process to come.

I received a shipment of 58x pre-programmed PROM chips from Darren today, and more sockets arrived on Friday, both sooner than expected, so anyone whos been waiting for them, should have them soon. If anyone would like PROMS and sockets, or would like them replaced in your Tivo here in Auckland, please PM me. I'm prepared to do small quantities for now, and the software update when it is ready for release.

As mentioned previously, the software is not quite ready yet. Installation of the software update will be fairly simple. You'll need a USB memory stick (4GB or up should be fine) and a PC with a spare SATA connector or a USB to SATA adapter. The document will be easy for most Geeks to follow. Basically you'll download a Puppy Linux ISO and create a bootable USB stick using a small Windows app. You'll then extract the contents of a zip file (containing the patch and utils) into the root of the USB stick. You'll then connect your Tivo hard disk to either of the SATA connections above, and set your PC to boot from your newly created USB stick (This can be a challenge for some modern Win8/10 PCs with secure boot). From there, the process is simple and menu driven. You'll choose your Tivo drive from the list of drives it finds, and great care has been taken to ensure it only patches Tivo drives. The final installer will likely have a few new features that I haven't seen yet in the test versions. Once complete, you reattach your Tivo drive. This process should allow you to keep all of your recordings intact. I think it's likely you'll need to recreate your Season Passes etc, and it maybe necessary to "Clear program information and ToDo List" from the "Restart or Reset" Menu, before doing a forced Network connection to the new OzTivo Mothership to get the new EPG data, but that step hasn't been confirmed yet.

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

sailedpeep

83 posts

Master Geek

#1892094 29-Oct-2017 11:38

b0untypure1:

Thanks for posting the thread. I got my parents a new panasonic recorder for $399 last weekend. They really struggle with technology and a TiVo took about 3 weeks for them to learn. They picked up the new unit in one day and said in some ways its easier to use, just need to ignore other options within the menu that they don't need to use (it appeared overwhelming at first).

So if anyone out there has questions or family that need help moving away from TiVo I can recommend the panasonic PVR units. Noels is running super low on stock as many people are looking for TiVo alternatives atm.

One of my biggest reservations about getting the T2200 for my folks is the crummy software that I experienced on a friend's unit. How would you say the Panny compares to the TiVo in terms of basic ease of use?

dangergadget

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1907354 24-Nov-2017 21:00

Here's my $0.02 on this topic. For some of us the best off the shelf Tivo replacement is..... Tivo! Updated with the new software 'hack' that is. User sweet308 in Wellington just upgraded our Tivo unit very quickly and for a reasonable price much less than buying a new unit. As he himself said he's not running a commercial business but just doing it to help people. It's great to not have to throw the unit to waste when it can still work perfectly well. There seems to be people doing this all over New Zealand so perhaps try PM'ing your local person from the 'Tivo service ending' thread.

As for the functionality of the Tivo, you'd hardly know it has the "oztivo hack" except for a bit of text when you first turn it on again. It simply now works again with a full programme guide (one week worth not two but we would never have noticed). As a bonus the skip forward and back buttons now work so you can skip ads with 7 or so presses of the skip forward button (we are using a logitech harmony remote). Otherwise the Tivo just carries on working as before. No having to fork out $300 or $500, no having to learn a new and worse interface. Hope this helps someone.

Tradepub

Free professional, reference and technical white papers (affiliate link).

Skolink

1081 posts

Uber Geek

#1907406 24-Nov-2017 21:53

dangergadget:

Here's my $0.02 on this topic. For some of us the best off the shelf Tivo replacement is..... Tivo!

Someone is now selling pre-modded TiVo on Trademe (with a discount if you send your non-modded one). So TiVo really is 'off the shelf' now.

cafeg

697 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1907412 24-Nov-2017 22:00

I agree completely. I tried the others as replacements and the Tivo is the only one of its kind.

Panasonic - I couldn't like them as they were clunky and had too many screens coming up which could have been automatic, The live pause I just couldn't live with at all, asked Panasonic and they said they are all like that ?? I guess we are spoilt by Tivo pause as its instant on 2 tuners.

Dish TV T2200 - I still have this as a backup and it was about the closest to Tivo, live pause is ok but its only on 1 tuner at a time whereas Tivo pauses 30 mins on both tuners. But quite liveable. The enhanced guide was good to better than the freeview one. Only glitch I found was that season pass recordings stopped at times for no reason and it kept more than 4 recordings of the same show., But I still liked it and it could've replaced Tivo.

In summary there is still nothing out there like Tivo and now its modded it will go for years to come !!

Well done to all the volunteers in OZ and NZ that made this a reality..

red89mx

81 posts

Master Geek

#1907962 26-Nov-2017 13:39

Second the thanks to all folks helping with modding the Tivo's...particularly thanks to Sweet, Darren (Dr Tivo) and others.

I have both Tivo's modded and still have two pana's i purchased as insurance. Wife still trying to watch the recorded progs on her Tivo before we look to doing the 2TB upgrade, her external Tivo 1TB HDD creates complications.

Love having Tivos back.....the Pana's are OK, mainly use for Netflix and overflow recording.

Agree the best tivo replacement is a modded Tivo ....just got to keep it operational now.

jonathan18

7413 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#1908249 27-Nov-2017 08:53

dangergadget:

Here's my $0.02 on this topic. For some of us the best off the shelf Tivo replacement is..... Tivo! Updated with the new software 'hack' that is. User sweet308 in Wellington just upgraded our Tivo unit very quickly and for a reasonable price much less than buying a new unit. As he himself said he's not running a commercial business but just doing it to help people. It's great to not have to throw the unit to waste when it can still work perfectly well. There seems to be people doing this all over New Zealand so perhaps try PM'ing your local person from the 'Tivo service ending' thread.

As for the functionality of the Tivo, you'd hardly know it has the "oztivo hack" except for a bit of text when you first turn it on again. It simply now works again with a full programme guide (one week worth not two but we would never have noticed). As a bonus the skip forward and back buttons now work so you can skip ads with 7 or so presses of the skip forward button (we are using a logitech harmony remote). Otherwise the Tivo just carries on working as before. No having to fork out $300 or $500, no having to learn a new and worse interface. Hope this helps someone.

That's great to see someone's offering this service; we've got two TiVos I'd be interested in getting 'fixed' but I'm not practical in the sense I'm not comfortable doing it myself. How does one contact sweet308 or anyone else who's able to do this? And what sort of price are we looking at?

Many thanks.

Spong

1005 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1908362 27-Nov-2017 11:48

jonathan18:

dangergadget:

Here's my $0.02 on this topic. For some of us the best off the shelf Tivo replacement is..... Tivo! Updated with the new software 'hack' that is. User sweet308 in Wellington just upgraded our Tivo unit very quickly and for a reasonable price much less than buying a new unit. As he himself said he's not running a commercial business but just doing it to help people. It's great to not have to throw the unit to waste when it can still work perfectly well. There seems to be people doing this all over New Zealand so perhaps try PM'ing your local person from the 'Tivo service ending' thread.

As for the functionality of the Tivo, you'd hardly know it has the "oztivo hack" except for a bit of text when you first turn it on again. It simply now works again with a full programme guide (one week worth not two but we would never have noticed). As a bonus the skip forward and back buttons now work so you can skip ads with 7 or so presses of the skip forward button (we are using a logitech harmony remote). Otherwise the Tivo just carries on working as before. No having to fork out $300 or $500, no having to learn a new and worse interface. Hope this helps someone.

That's great to see someone's offering this service; we've got two TiVos I'd be interested in getting 'fixed' but I'm not practical in the sense I'm not comfortable doing it myself. How does one contact sweet308 or anyone else who's able to do this? And what sort of price are we looking at?

Many thanks.

I'm in Auckland and have been modifying Tivos from the beginning with around 80x done so far, and no returns. I'll send you a PM with details.

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

1 | ... | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10