Home Networking Package Relaunched

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Bainn

44 posts

Geek

#65916 9-Aug-2010 11:15

I notice the Home Networking Package is now available to new users again. Couple of quick questions...

1) Does anyone happen to know why this was unavailable to new users for such a long time?

...and, most importantly...

2) Does anyone know if the PC software has been modified/improved?

I already have the home networking package, but the PC software has always been dodgy. I'm hoping they ironed out some of the problems with the software for relaunch, and existing users should reinstall the program.

meremaiden

134 posts

Master Geek

#365413 9-Aug-2010 14:25

Its well over 100$-- is it worth it?

Bainn

44 posts

Geek

#365423 9-Aug-2010 14:41

If my experience is anything to go by, it's not worth it.

Not sure if others have the same issues with the Home Networking Package that I do, but I can't fast foward recordings that I transfer from TiVo to my PC. If I try and move the par (on Windows Media Player) it restarts the recording.

I'm hoping this is no longer an issue since relaunching the product.

Don't get me wrong, I like the HNP, but it needs a lot of improvements. The transfer speed from TiVo to the PC for example is good.

minigopher17

281 posts

Ultimate Geek

#365435 9-Aug-2010 15:21

It's a shame it's $129 but it seems to be the only way to 'unlock' the TiVo so I'm able to transfer video files back and forth between it and my PC.

I'll be purchasing it, once I find a spare $129!

greg256

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#365437 9-Aug-2010 15:23

I think it depends on how often you watch video files (.avi, .mpg, etc). I that find using the Home Networking Package to move a file onto the TiVo is far more convenient than burning it to a disc and watching it from your DVD player. I also occasionally move things the other way, to edit and keep bits of programs I've recorded (using something like VideoReDo TV Suite, which now supports h.264). In short, I wouldn't be without it.

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#365444 9-Aug-2010 15:45

Bainn: I can't fast foward recordings that I transfer from TiVo to my PC. If I try and move the par (on Windows Media Player) it restarts the recording.

I don't have this problem and never did. Fast forward is not a problem.

The "relaunch" seems to me like they are just making it available for sale. There has been no indication that the functions of the program have changed.

My automated transfers have also stopped working. The whole program looks to me like something a student developed for a programming exercise.

josephhinvest

1543 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#365471 9-Aug-2010 16:18

I am a mac user, and therefore not officially supported by the TiVo desktop apps.
However using kmttg, I have a couple of times attempted to copy files off my TiVo. But it is very very slow over wifi, and I could not get the conversion to work correctly.

So I've had almost no use for my HNP.

Cheers,
Joseph

greg256

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#365473 9-Aug-2010 16:19

graemeh: My automated transfers have also stopped working. The whole program looks to me like something a student developed for a programming exercise.

Well, yes, there is that. My automated transfers have also stopped (except for one folder, strangely enough), so I do most transfers manually. It's a dog of a program alright, but until the free alternatives get better (PyTivo and KMTTG), I'll still be using it for most things.

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RockResearch

152 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#365735 10-Aug-2010 07:35

I have found HNP quite useful. It can be slow but I find having the computer closer to the Tivo helps to speed things up. This also prevents it from slowing down the network.

Having all media on the one device is really quite helpful.

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Bainn

44 posts

Geek

#366105 11-Aug-2010 08:45

So I'm thinking perhaps I need to wait for the transfer from TiVo to my PC to finish before I watch, that way I'll be able to fast forward through the ads? I'll check this out and see if there's a difference.

MikeB4

18435 posts

Uber Geek

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Trusted

#366121 11-Aug-2010 09:57

The price seems high. For the $129 what exactly do you get ?

After all you can stream to a Xbox 360, a PS3 even a TV at no extra cost.

minigopher17

281 posts

Ultimate Geek

#366126 11-Aug-2010 10:08

You get a MAK (media access key). 10 characters at $12.90 per character :P

It's there for people like myself who don't have an Xbox 360 or PS3 or a fancy enough TV that can stream directly from my PC.

I'm still looking for a spare $129 to purchase it. Maybe some ISP should provide a subsidy for being a loyal TiVo customer who missed out on the HNP being thrown in for free last January? I heard Whirlpool in Australia did a subsidy for HNP a while back.

scuwp

3888 posts

Uber Geek

#372061 24-Aug-2010 12:54

I went into the shop today to grab one of the $499 TiVo deals and they said the HNP was not available. Confirmed this with their call centre and on-line it still says "coming soon". Maybe they have pulled it again?

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

meremaiden

134 posts

Master Geek

#372066 24-Aug-2010 13:01

thats ridiculous! They need to get their #^#$ together!

graemeh

2078 posts

Uber Geek

#372074 24-Aug-2010 13:09

scuwp: I went into the shop today to grab one of the $499 TiVo deals and they said the HNP was not available. Confirmed this with their call centre and on-line it still says "coming soon". Maybe they have pulled it again?

It's listed as being $129 here https://shop.mytivo.co.nz/online/range

Just don't buy your Tivo there though as they are still listed at $750.