Networking two TiVos to share programs ?

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clive100

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Topic # 115018 11-Mar-2013 11:50

Has anyone been able to Network together two TiVos to share stored programs between machines ?
The support site in the States shows it can be done but those machines use a phone link & different firmware/software. I would be interested if anyone knows how to do it with the NZ TiVo 320 model ?

Klipspringer

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Reply # 777902 11-Mar-2013 11:53

Its possible but you need to buy the Home Networking Package

peng1nz

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Reply # 777921 11-Mar-2013 12:27

Yes it seems the Home Networking Package is required.
It is ridiculous that this feature (multi-room viewing) does not come as standard. After all we have already purchased multiple units.

I do wonder if there is a 3rd party software load that overcomes this limitation?

Klipspringer

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Reply # 777954 11-Mar-2013 13:03

peng1nz: Yes it seems the Home Networking Package is required.
It is ridiculous that this feature (multi-room viewing) does not come as standard. After all we have already purchased multiple units.

I do wonder if there is a 3rd party software load that overcomes this limitation?

Not aware of any 3rd party software that can do it. I think the key is sent from the factory so its not possible to hack it.

I don't mind paying the extra bit for this feature. I got a good deal on my Tivo. $250. and no monthly subscription required either. Also keep in mind that the HNP is for an unlimited amount of Tivo's on your network.

Skolink

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Reply # 777956 11-Mar-2013 13:05

peng1nz: I do wonder if there is a 3rd party software load that overcomes this limitation?

You don't actually need the PC software (TiVo Desktop Plus) which there are alterntives to.
Paying the money simply unlocks the functionality in the TiVo itself. If there was hack (which I'm sure there isn't) to enable the functionailty, it would involve replacing the PROM chip on each TiVo anyway.

mattwnz

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Reply # 777959 11-Mar-2013 13:09

Yes it is quite a bit for the home networking package, but it is a life subscription. So over 5 years, it works out to be about $20-30 per year. It does work well too, as the programs will transfer faster than they will play, so it will basically stream the program from one tivo to another. Plus you can also covert to watch on other devices.

allan

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Reply # 777975 11-Mar-2013 13:35

mattwnz: Yes it is quite a bit for the home networking package, but it is a life subscription. So over 5 years, it works out to be about $20-30 per year. It does work well too, as the programs will transfer faster than they will play, so it will basically stream the program from one tivo to another. Plus you can also covert to watch on other devices.

SD programs will transfer faster than they play. Not always the case with HD. I usually give an HD transfer a bit of a head start.

Home Networking package works just fine and also allows you to download and save to PC and play from there or convert to a range of other portable device formats.

Stu

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Reply # 777995 11-Mar-2013 14:18

I don't know of any way around the HNP requirement, but as mentioned it's not an expensive addition for what you get. You only need one HNP for all TiVo units on the network (at least, I don't know of any limit). We have three TiVos and can stream between them all. The streaming is a brilliant feature that works well and we use it often.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

mattwnz

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Reply # 778013 11-Mar-2013 14:41

allan:
mattwnz: Yes it is quite a bit for the home networking package, but it is a life subscription. So over 5 years, it works out to be about $20-30 per year. It does work well too, as the programs will transfer faster than they will play, so it will basically stream the program from one tivo to another. Plus you can also covert to watch on other devices.

SD programs will transfer faster than they play. Not always the case with HD. I usually give an HD transfer a bit of a head start.

Home Networking package works just fine and also allows you to download and save to PC and play from there or convert to a range of other portable device formats.

I have mine wired in, ratehr than using the wireless g connectors, so haven't noticed that.

clive100

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Reply # 778032 11-Mar-2013 14:53

Reading on the TiVo site it mentions additional Media Key purchases for addition units. So does that mean a initial home network package & an additional key purchase(s) for second & any subsequent machines ? If you purchase the software & keys how does the TiVos appear in each others menu & is this achieved through the wireless adaptors or additional cables ? Thanks.

mattwnz

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Reply # 778036 11-Mar-2013 14:56

Pretty sure it is just one media key per household and you can connect as many of your tivos to it. The other tivo will appear on the now playing list. You manage it all on the mytivo.co.nz website.

gregmcc

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Reply # 778050 11-Mar-2013 15:24

one media access key per account no matter how many tivo's on the network, this also covers 1 computer, additional computer I think require another key(?)

allan

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Reply # 778072 11-Mar-2013 16:33

You can give each machine a "friendly" name - e.g. Lounge, Bedroom and that is how they will appear. Each will appear at the bottom the other's Now Playing list and you can select it just as if you were still on the local Tivo. The screen background of the remote Tivo will be a different colour - e.g. blue vs green.