TiVo - Any gotchas?

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zaptor

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#105215 29-Jun-2012 12:34

Planning to dropkick My Sky HDi after Olympics (that thing is $100 per month, and virtually all the HD content we record is TV1-3). Sky must be drowning in money.

On the verge of purchasing a TiVo box from NL (while I can still get one). Briefly considered an X-9200HD, but too expensive, plus SBS is/will be history, and Sky card will be useless once we drop it.

The home network setup is attractive, but, I won't be purchasing a 2nd one anytime soon.

I understand TiVo recordings are not encrypted, and can be copied to PC if desired (how hard is that?). Does anyone know if the TiVo uses a common codec, or can I just play those files unmodified on my PC (Win 7 & XP)?

Also, I get the impression the EPG (via internet) on TiVo is better than the Freeview DVB-T one, is that true?

How hard is it to connect an external HDD to the TiVo? - not the "official" $399 (quoted price) version.

TIA.

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#648152 29-Jun-2012 12:42

Copying to PC over the network is very slow, the files are very large and there are very few programs that will handle the format although you can just play them through VLC player. Also you need to buy a Media Access Key MAK which is an additional $120 some odd and without it you cannot take any recordings from the TiVo.

I once tried to connect an external drive to the TiVo via eSata using an enclosure but TiVo didn't recognise it. I believe that you have to have a specific brand of drive/enclosure.

Other than that TiVo is awesome, mine is over two years old and no problems yet. Although I believe there is a fairly high out of the box fail rate if the post here are anything to go by.

Skolink

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#648180 29-Jun-2012 13:17

Yes TiVo is awesome, and the EPG is enhanced compared to the standard over-the-air guide allowing smarter recording features.
Its network 'media player' functionality is so-so, requiring software running on a PC to serve the files, and even then it doesn't play all formats. But as a PVR it is fantastic.
If you want to expand the drive size it is much better to replace the internal drive. You can only use an official external drive, and if you remove it (or it fails) you loose all your recordings as they straddle both drives.

zaptor

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#648191 29-Jun-2012 13:33

Kiwi1971: Copying to PC over the network is very slow, the files are very large and there are very few programs that will handle the format although you can just play them through VLC player. Also you need to buy a Media Access Key MAK which is an additional $120 some odd and without it you cannot take any recordings from the TiVo.

I called the local 0800 TiVo number and was told the TiVo doesn't copy to PC. I read elsewhere on geekzone that HNP was removed (from sale). However, it appears that it may not really be worth it. Does the TiVo not have an ethernet connection? If so, is it only 100Mb? (is it wireless only?)

Kiwi1971: I once tried to connect an external drive to the TiVo via eSata using an enclosure but TiVo didn't recognise it. I believe that you have to have a specific brand of drive/enclosure.

Right. I did find the official extended drive here: TiVo 1TB Expander . That's a lot cheaper than the Telecom price (athough, they don't have it in stock).
I understand Netgear sell a NAS unit which will work with TiVo - but, the cost is an issue for me.

Kiwi1971: Other than that TiVo is awesome, mine is over two years old and no problems yet. Although I believe there is a fairly high out of the box fail rate if the post here are anything to go by.

Cool. Hopefully the one I get doesn't manifest those problems.

DanHybrid

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#648197 29-Jun-2012 13:44

Hi Zaptor,

Just to clarify, yes the TiVo does have Ethernet, yes it is only 100Mb.

HNP was temporarily (few weeks) removed from the store, due so some server issues our end dealing with provisioning of the functionality. They were resolved a while ago, and HNP is available for purchase.

Dan

zaptor

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+1 received by user: 39

#648198 29-Jun-2012 13:47

Skolink: Yes TiVo is awesome, and the EPG is enhanced compared to the standard over-the-air guide allowing smarter recording features.
Its network 'media player' functionality is so-so, requiring software running on a PC to serve the files, and even then it doesn't play all formats. But as a PVR it is fantastic.
If you want to expand the drive size it is much better to replace the internal drive. You can only use an official external drive, and if you remove it (or it fails) you loose all your recordings as they straddle both drives.

Yeah, I think given the relatively low price (currently), and the nicer EPG + features (which people have commented about including yourself) it's a good deal.

I did wonder about it as a media player. Although, it's as a PVR I'm really only focused on.

It's interesting, having read a bit about the state of current media player/PVR/HTPC device interaction and software that it doesn't really seem that easy for the average Joe or Jane. I guess from that perspective there is definitely a market for something that "just works".

Kiwi1971

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#648201 29-Jun-2012 13:55

DanHybrid: Hi Zaptor,

Just to clarify, yes the TiVo does have Ethernet, yes it is only 100Mb.

HNP was temporarily (few weeks) removed from the store, due so some server issues our end dealing with provisioning of the functionality. They were resolved a while ago, and HNP is available for purchase.

Dan

To add to this, you can log into the device over your network but would require a MAKey in order to do this.

Even over ethernet the transfer speed is painfully slow. Recordings are from memory about 2GB per half hour, or is it hour and more for HD content, so storing them would require a lot of space unless you converted them but there are very few programs that handle the file types and they are paid apps.

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

mattwnz

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#648202 29-Jun-2012 13:56

Kiwi1971: Copying to PC over the network is very slow, the files are very large and there are very few programs that will handle the format although you can just play them through VLC player. Also you need to buy a Media Access Key MAK which is an additional $120 some odd and without it you cannot take any recordings from the TiVo.

I once tried to connect an external drive to the TiVo via eSata using an enclosure but TiVo didn't recognise it. I believe that you have to have a specific brand of drive/enclosure.

Other than that TiVo is awesome, mine is over two years old and no problems yet. Although I believe there is a fairly high out of the box fail rate if the post here are anything to go by.

You can use third party programs to transfer and convert them to play in other formats, such as playing them on your ipad etc. It isn't really that slow, although it depends on the program. eg a half hour program on tv4 takes about 15 minutes to transfer. Obviously full hd content will take longer. You can just transfer and convert them overnight when the network isn't busy.

Also transferring over Ethernet, rather than wireles is faster.

zaptor

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+1 received by user: 39

#648203 29-Jun-2012 13:57

DanHybrid: Hi Zaptor,

Just to clarify, yes the TiVo does have Ethernet, yes it is only 100Mb.

HNP was temporarily (few weeks) removed from the store, due so some server issues our end dealing with provisioning of the functionality. They were resolved a while ago, and HNP is available for purchase.

Dan

Cheers. Is the URL available for it, or is it only visible for a registered/activated TiVo account?

mattwnz

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+1 received by user: 4797

#648204 29-Jun-2012 13:57

Kiwi1971:
DanHybrid: Hi Zaptor,

Just to clarify, yes the TiVo does have?Ethernet, yes it is only 100Mb.

HNP was temporarily (few weeks) removed from the store, due so some server issues our end dealing with provisioning of the functionality. They were resolved a while ago, and HNP is available for purchase.

Dan

To add to this, you can log into the device over your network but would require a MAKey in order to do this.

Even over ethernet the transfer speed is painfully slow.? Recordings are from memory about 2GB per half hour, or is it hour and more for HD content, so storing them would require a lot of space unless you converted them but there are very few programs that handle the file types and they are paid apps.

http://code.google.com/p/kmttg/

DanHybrid

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#648208 29-Jun-2012 14:00

zaptor:

Cheers. Is the URL available for it, or is it only visible for a registered/activated TiVo account?

Hi Zaptor,

Store link is here https://shop.mytivo.com.au/online/au/home-networking-package (yes that's an AU store)

If you decide to purchase it, wait until you get the TiVo and set up your account.

Cheers,
Dan

zaptor

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Ultimate Geek
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#648210 29-Jun-2012 14:14

mattwnz:
http://code.google.com/p/kmttg/

Interesting. Cheers.

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

zaptor

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#648896 1-Jul-2012 09:45

Right, have installed the TiVo, and created an account.

Just how long does it take to activate the actual TiVo? How much difference does it make to existing - non-activated - functionality?

compost

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#649284 1-Jul-2012 22:13

zaptor: Right, have installed the TiVo, and created an account.

Just how long does it take to activate the actual TiVo? How much difference does it make to existing - non-activated - functionality?

"Activation can take up to 24hours to complete"

http://support.mytivo.co.nz/index.php?action=artikel&id=7

A time-poor geek is hardly a geek at all

mattwnz

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#649291 1-Jul-2012 22:37

zaptor:
mattwnz:
http://code.google.com/p/kmttg/

Interesting. Cheers.

It's good software, and is the only way to tell how much diskspace the tivo is using. It takes a bit of fiddling to get it working and finding the tivo etc, but once setup it is worth it.

zaptor

745 posts

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+1 received by user: 39

#649456 2-Jul-2012 11:26

compost:
zaptor: Right, have installed the TiVo, and created an account.

Just how long does it take to activate the actual TiVo? How much difference does it make to existing - non-activated - functionality?

"Activation can take up to 24hours to complete"

http://support.mytivo.co.nz/index.php?action=artikel&id=7

Contacted Telecom in the end (it was way past 24 hours, was hoping to have a play during the weekend). Basically rebooted, downloaded an update, rebooted again, and voila it's working now.

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