A few Tivo NZ questions

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neilinnz

165 posts

Master Geek
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#94896 21-Dec-2011 09:55

Like a few others on these forums I have sent my MySky HDi box back to Sky as we only ever watched and recorded the free channels and FreeviewHD is now in our area. I can now record TV on our computer and play it back on the Apple TV so we still record programs and watch them time shifted.
We are thinking of getting a Tivo to make it a little easier to book and playback TV but I have a few questions first which I can't seem to get definite answer to so I am hoping some Tivo users out there can help.

If you're watching a program that's been on 15 minutes and you haven't changed channel then you hit record - does it record the whole program from the beginning? So if something looks interesting can you hit record, then go into recordings and start it from the beginning?

Can you start watching a recording only a few minutes after it's started recording so you're only a few minutes behind live or do you have to wait until it's finished recording?

Is there any way of getting the recordings onto a Mac? Can you export to a USB drive and move them, or is there software to allow you to do this over your network? I can only find references to Windows software.

If the hard drive fails can you replace it yourself?

Finally, how good is the iOS software for booking programs remotely? Can you add a program and series link it (something the Sky app couldn't do).

Thanks

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696 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#560168 21-Dec-2011 10:03

neilinnz:
If you're watching a program that's been on 15 minutes and you haven't changed channel then you hit record - does it record the whole program from the beginning? So if something looks interesting can you hit record, then go into recordings and start it from the beginning?

Yes and yes . Edit. It will only have the preceding half hour or so [please correct me if this it is longer] , so if it is an hour in, it won't go all the way back to the beginning but 15 - 30 minutes is fine.

Can you start watching a recording only a few minutes after it's started recording so you're only a few minutes behind live or do you have to wait until it's finished recording?

You can start watching it, you eventually catch up as you skip ads though

Is there any way of getting the recordings onto a Mac? Can you export to a USB drive and move them, or is there software to allow you to do this over your network? I can only find references to Windows software.

Not my area. PC only here.

If the hard drive fails can you replace it yourself?

Apparently you can from what I read here

Finally, how good is the iOS software for booking programs remotely? Can you add a program and series link it (something the Sky app couldn't do).

Easy peasy Japanesey, You can either set to record, or set to record with options such as series link.

Thanks

graemeh

2080 posts

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#560182 21-Dec-2011 10:29

neilinnz: If you're watching a program that's been on 15 minutes and you haven't changed channel then you hit record - does it record the whole program from the beginning? So if something looks interesting can you hit record, then go into recordings and start it from the beginning?

Yes and it can be on either tuner (it has two).

neilinnz: If the hard drive fails can you replace it yourself?

Yes but you will need a disk image. I have upgraded one of mine to 1tb and the process was slow because I wanted to copy the stored recordings but not difficult.

Not sure if you can do this using MacOS. I did mine using a Linux machine but apps exist for Windows too.

If your hard drive has failed before you replace it you will need to get a disk image from another Tivo owner.

Klipspringer

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#560185 21-Dec-2011 10:35

neilinnz:
If you're watching a program that's been on 15 minutes and you haven't changed channel then you hit record - does it record the whole program from the beginning? So if something looks interesting can you hit record, then go into recordings and start it from the beginning?

From my experiences, yes. Similarly you can hit rewind on live TV. Tivo has two tuners, so its should also be possible to do the same for whatever channel the second tuner is tuned into, even if u not watching it. But could be wrong about that.

neilinnz:

Can you start watching a recording only a few minutes after it's started recording so you're only a few minutes behind live or do you have to wait until it's finished recording?

Also possible. But once you hit the add breaks you quickly catch up to live TV.

neilinnz: If the hard drive fails can you replace it yourself?

Probably, but it seems complex. There is a guy I saw on trademe who replaces harddrives. But if you a real geek you could probably do it yourself.

scuwp

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#560186 21-Dec-2011 10:40

Kiwi1971 has most of the answers for you (Edit: and others have beaten me to it).

The TiVo constantly records 1 hour of the channel the tuner is set to (it has 2 tuners so it keeps an hour on each), so provided you don't change the channel it will record back to the start of the program on each tuner up to a maximum of one hour (there is a button to swap between tuners).

You can start watching a recording as soon as it starts, or the easier way is just to rewind to the start of the program (provided it is not more than 1 hour back). If you fast forward through the adverts then eventually you will catch up to the live broadcast.

Not sure about the Mac question, but you need to buy the 'Home networking package' to get anything off the TiVo. Not sure if that is compatible with Mac.

There is a way to replace the hard drive yourself with a generic one off the shelf (search YouTube for tutorial) but it is kinda like 'hacking' the system. Been ages since I looked at it but I think the process requires the working original and a few cables/hardware. If the original dies then the quick answer I think is no you can't, unless you get an image of someone else's device

The 'MyTiVo' website is very easy to use to remotely book recordings. You have to ensure a bit of time though as the TiVo only connects every couple of hours to get program details. You have access to all recording functions including series recording.

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

neilinnz

165 posts

Master Geek
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#560192 21-Dec-2011 10:52

Thanks for your replies, the answers are very useful.

PimpMyMagic

267 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#560202 21-Dec-2011 11:20

Further to the previous reply.

Yes, TiVo loop records the actively tuned channel for approx a half hour.
I've never been sure about using the "Instant Record" button but instead go to the EPG, select the programme and book it using whatever options I choose. It will then record it from the beginning for you, provided you're less than half an hr in.
It may be that TiVo also loop records the second tuner as well, so you may be able to do the same thing with whatever is on that channel. I'm not too sure about that though. You can toggle between tuners without changing their selections by pressing the "Live TV" button.

You need the Home Desktop Package (which is quite pricey) to transfer files to your PC. It was made for the PC and I think development was continued for a MAC version though I'm not certain if it was ever completed for NZ. It's certainly available in the US. See,
http://www.tivo.com/mytivo/howto/record-once-watch-anywhere/howto_transfer_shows_pc.html
Some of the features in here will not be available in a NZ version though. (Writing HD files to Disc)

If you obtain the HNP you get a "Media Access Key" number. With this you can log into the TiVo HD from your PC browser and see all the files to download them.

Replacing a failed Hard Drive will depend on the nature of the failure. You can replace a still working drive, but will need Linux to format your new drive. It also has several partitions with different Linux formats being used for different partitions. There's Internet available software to clone from your original drive, but you'll need two available Sata Ports on a Linux PC to do this.
If your drive has failed you'll need a very accommodating TiVo owning friend to lend you the HD from their machine. (It'll also help if he is the type to enjoy the beers you are about to buy him.)

So in summary, it is possible to replace the HD yourself if you're confident in messing with both software and hardware. Not for the faint hearted or those concerned with warranty maintenance.
If you buy a larger drive, you can also add one extra partition appropriately formatted to a max of 1GB to extend your storage capacity.

As an aside I also find the Vuze Torrent software package excellent to use with Tivo. It has a built in package to transcode your downloads to a TiVo recognizable format and a built in server which has them appear in your Now Playing list.

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neilinnz

165 posts

Master Geek
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#560226 21-Dec-2011 12:26

I'm a little confused about the PC access.
If you buy a $299 Tivo from Noel Leeming you then also have to buy a Home Network Package to be able to do any of the PC side stuff? If so, how much does that cost?
Can you use the free Tivo Desktop software with the $299 Tivo at no extra cost and pull files from the Tivo onto a Windows PC (but not Mac) which can then be converted to iTunes etc. for iOS viewing?

old3eyes

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#560238 21-Dec-2011 12:53

This is the link to the Home Network package
https://shop.mytivo.com.au/online/nz

Pricing now seems to be in $AU. Mine here cost me NZ$132

Regards,

Old3eyes

Klipspringer

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#560241 21-Dec-2011 13:01

old3eyes: This is the link to the Home Network package
https://shop.mytivo.com.au/online/nz

Pricing now seems to be in $AU. Mine here cost me NZ$132

Some of the Tivo's I have seen on trademe have this package included. Look for the holiday editions, saw one for $275

PimpMyMagic:

As an aside I also find the Vuze Torrent software package excellent to use with Tivo. It has a built in package to transcode your downloads to a TiVo recognizable format and a built in server which has them appear in your Now Playing list.

Do u need the Tivo home networking package for this to work? Looks good, want to try it out.

graemeh

2080 posts

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#560252 21-Dec-2011 13:21

Some of the Tivo's I have seen on trademe have this package included. Look for the holiday editions, saw one for $275

Just be careful with this, the package with the holiday editions (well the ones I saw) had a time limit and if you didn't activate it in time you missed out.

RXV

126 posts

Master Geek
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#560262 21-Dec-2011 13:51

neilinnz: We are thinking of getting a Tivo to make it a little easier to book and playback TV but I have a few questions first which I can't seem to get definite answer to so I am hoping some Tivo users out there can help.

I'd say do it - brilliant device, better than MySky. I've had mine a couple of weeks now, and I am not missing Sky at all. Actually I really love the TiVo - it is my favourite gadget.

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allan

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#560265 21-Dec-2011 13:56

graemeh:
Some of the Tivo's I have seen on trademe have this package included. Look for the holiday editions, saw one for $275

Just be careful with this, the package with the holiday editions (well the ones I saw) had a time limit and if you didn't activate it in time you missed out.

Yes I just bought one (new) via Trademe and it was the Holiday edition, but the sticker said it had expired last year some time I think. Shows you how long they have been in stock

graemeh

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#560279 21-Dec-2011 14:26

allan:
graemeh:
Some of the Tivo's I have seen on trademe have this package included. Look for the holiday editions, saw one for $275

Just be careful with this, the package with the holiday editions (well the ones I saw) had a time limit and if you didn't activate it in time you missed out.

Yes I just bought one (new) via Trademe and it was the Holiday edition, but the sticker said it had expired last year some time I think. Shows you how long they have been in stock

It's very old stock. When I got mine in January the offer had already expired.

The good thing though is you only need one key per household so if you can find a Tivo with one you're sorted :)

PimpMyMagic

267 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#560524 22-Dec-2011 01:25

BraaiGuy:

Do u need the Tivo home networking package for this to work? Looks good, want to try it out.

I shouldn't think so. I run Vuze on a different PC from the one running my HNP.

Vuze installation or operation didn't ask for my MAK. (Media Access Key).

It's available as freeware so it doesn't cost to try it.

riahon

946 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#560533 22-Dec-2011 03:57

I can send video files back and forth between mac and tivo WITH the home networking key, however you need Toast to do so. It is another cost which irked me. I am also one of those that jumped in early on so paid the much higher price - a crystal ball is what I want for xmas now as the at the current price I could have bought 3 for the price I paid.

Still a great device and I love using it and despite the price I paid, it was still the best value pvr for me when I bought it.

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