Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

The max USB cable length I can find is 20 feet. there are 12'
extensions, but
what would happened if I were to splice several cables by hand?
Make it 60 feet. I want to be able to hook tivo up to my PC just for
the updates, and eliminate my land line totally.

Would this work? Why couldnt Tivo have used a 1 gig eithernet bus
instead?

Thanks

Dano

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

In article <g3p66197t0pbnvnfs7j20ftkrhlvtuqc5o@4ax.com>, babs@earlylink.com wrote:
> The max USB cable length I can find is 20 feet. there are 12'
> extensions, but
> what would happened if I were to splice several cables by hand?
> Make it 60 feet. I want to be able to hook tivo up to my PC just for
> the updates, and eliminate my land line totally.

You should use a USB ethernet solution. Plug the USB ethernet device into
the TiVo, string some CAT5 cable over to near your PC and plug it into a
hub attached to your broadband device.

> Would this work? Why couldnt Tivo have used a 1 gig eithernet bus
> instead?

I don't think you can connect your TiVo to your PC via just a USB cable.
You have to go through TCP/IP (or serial but that's really a different
topic altogether).

TiVo could have used a 1GB ethernet port but it would have added more cost
and it wouldn't improve the transfer speed (the speed being limited by the
CPU in doing the encryption of the data stream). Now, a 10/100 port would
have been cheaper and potentially easier for users to deal with, but
whatever.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

babs@earlylink.com wrote:
> The max USB cable length I can find is 20 feet. there are 12'
> extensions, but
> what would happened if I were to splice several cables by hand?
> Make it 60 feet.

Maximum USB cable length is 15' due to power and attenuation limits.
Splicing several together would only yield a non-functional cable. If
you really need a long USB cable you have to look for "Active" cables,
which are out there in up to 20' lengths, but *those* you can daisy
chain together.

> I want to be able to hook tivo up to my PC just for
> the updates, and eliminate my land line totally.
>
> Would this work?

No. You need to connect via Ethernet and a USB/Ethernet adapter (or use
wireless and a USB/Wireless adapter), Tivo doesn't support a direct USB
connection.

> Why couldnt Tivo have used a 1 gig eithernet bus
> instead?
>

As someone else has pointed out, GigE is still not cheap. Arguments
have been raised as to why USB was used rather than 10/100 Ethernet,
mostly revolving around flexibility (allowing for other uses in the
future) and cost, but no one knows the answer for sure here.

Randy S.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On 2005-04-18 03:46:40 -0400, babs@earlylink.com said:

> The max USB cable length I can find is 20 feet. there are 12'
> extensions, but what would happened if I were to splice several cables by hand?
> Make it 60 feet. I want to be able to hook tivo up to my PC just for
> the updates, and eliminate my land line totally.
>
> Would this work? Why couldnt Tivo have used a 1 gig eithernet bus instead?
>
> Thanks
>
> Dano

One solution is to get a USB wireless receiver and hook it to your
Tivo. You will have to add a wireless router to your broadband
internet service but they are very cheap now.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 08:26:50 -0000, Mike Hunt <in2sheep@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>In article <g3p66197t0pbnvnfs7j20ftkrhlvtuqc5o@4ax.com>, babs@earlylink.com wrote:
>> The max USB cable length I can find is 20 feet. there are 12'
>> extensions, but
>> what would happened if I were to splice several cables by hand?

Thanks for all your help. You guys are great!

Now then, is there a place/faq that takes you step by step
on how to set it all up?

I looked on the Tivo community site, but its single topics. Cant find
a step-by-step overall how to set it up.

Again, all I really need it to do is the daily callup thru internet
instead of the (soon to be gone) land line. This is the way to go,
right?

thanks again....

Dano

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

> Thanks for all your help. You guys are great!

Glad we could get you headed in the right direction.

>
> Now then, is there a place/faq that takes you step by step
> on how to set it all up?
>
> I looked on the Tivo community site, but its single topics. Cant find
> a step-by-step overall how to set it up.

Hmm, actually I thought these pages were pretty good for step-by-step:

wireless: http://customersupport.tivo.com/kn [...] v2008.htm?

wired:
http://customersupport.tivo.com/kn [...] v2009.htm?

(the links on the page will take you to related topics like what
adapters are compatible and troubleshooting)

>
> Again, all I really need it to do is the daily callup thru internet
> instead of the (soon to be gone) land line. This is the way to go,
> right?

Yep, you've got it. It will also allow you to do Home media options
(like playing music from your computer and viewing photos), as well as
Tivo-to-go. Also make sure to check out the JavaHMO application which
will expand your capabilities to viewing weather, movie times, etc.

If you run into any specific questions while you're setting up, please
post, but I think you'll find it's not too tough. If you decide to go
wireless, security is probably the most complex thing, but plenty of us
here have lots of experience with that.

Tivo's also recently released a software development kit and implemented
an xml over http interface, so expect lots of neat new things to be
available over the network as well within the next year or two.

Randy S.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Mon, 18 Apr 2005 22:31:42 -0400, "Randy S."
<rswittNO@SPAMgmail.com> wrote:

>
>> Thanks for all your help. You guys are great!
Randy

I hooked it up ok. Was ready for the addressing numbers, but the
blasted thing figured out its settings all on its own. Talk about
plug-n-play...

Now on to all the software..

Thanks again Randy

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

> I hooked it up ok. Was ready for the addressing numbers, but the
> blasted thing figured out its settings all on its own. Talk about
> plug-n-play...
>
> Now on to all the software..
>
> Thanks again Randy
>

Are you using wireless or wired? If wireless, that's not so good, it
means your security is wide open. If wired, it's no big deal, I doubt a
burgler is going to break into your house to use your network
connection. ;-)

Randy S.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 08:28:47 -0400, "Randy S."
<rswittNO@SPAMgmail.com> wrote:

>
>> I hooked it up ok. Was ready for the addressing numbers, but the
>> blasted thing figured out its settings all on its own. Talk about
>> plug-n-play...
>>
>> Now on to all the software..
>>
>> Thanks again Randy
>>
>
>Are you using wireless or wired? If wireless, that's not so good, it
>means your security is wide open. If wired, it's no big deal, I doubt a
>burgler is going to break into your house to use your network
>connection. ;-)
>
>Randy S.

No, it's wired. I've never really trusted wireless networks. Now I see
I still have the old software in tivo. I put in for an upgrade (to
7.1) on tivo's "get to the front of the line" form. It says this could
be up to 3 days.... sound right to you?

One last question. I used to put the tivo output to my pc capture card
to edit and burn on dvd (for my use only). Would transferring "togo"
the file and doing an unwrap be of any better quality?

Dano

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

> No, it's wired. I've never really trusted wireless networks. Now I see
> I still have the old software in tivo. I put in for an upgrade (to
> 7.1) on tivo's "get to the front of the line" form. It says this could
> be up to 3 days.... sound right to you?

I don't really know for certain, but I think I've heard from others on
this group that it's getting pushed out pretty fast now (assuming you
have an eligible box). Series 1 Tivos won't get it and neither will
Tivo's with integrated DVD recorders (though the latter will eventually
with a subsequent release).

>
> One last question. I used to put the tivo output to my pc capture card
> to edit and burn on dvd (for my use only). Would transferring "togo"
> the file and doing an unwrap be of any better quality?

Yes, the quality would be better because you're removing the
digital-analog-digital conversion path. Be aware that TTG transfers are
not quick right now, even over a high speed network, not because of
network limitations but due to encryption problems. It's not a big deal
if you don't burn shows to DVD that often and use some planning, just
queue up the transfers several hours before you plan to burn them.

You'll need the special Tivo version of Sonic's MyDVD to burn to DVD or
you can look into an alternative (though more arcane) method to
unencrypt the .tivo files.

Or, (as someone is sure to point out!) you can hack your tivo to remove
the encryption in the first place. Only go there if you're willing to
crack open your Tivo.

Randy S.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

> Be aware that TTG transfers are not quick right now, even over a high speed network, not because of
> network limitations but due to encryption problems.

Oops! I meant encryption limitations, not problems.

Randy S.

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

In article <h0ea6199lofq324dvibf6db7makmgpcp7c@4ax.com>,
babs@earlylink.com wrote:

> On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 08:28:47 -0400, "Randy S."
> <rswittNO@SPAMgmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >> I hooked it up ok. Was ready for the addressing numbers, but the
> >> blasted thing figured out its settings all on its own. Talk about
> >> plug-n-play...
> >>
> >> Now on to all the software..
> >>
> >> Thanks again Randy
> >>
> >
> >Are you using wireless or wired? If wireless, that's not so good, it
> >means your security is wide open. If wired, it's no big deal, I doubt a
> >burgler is going to break into your house to use your network
> >connection. ;-)
> >
> >Randy S.
>
> No, it's wired. I've never really trusted wireless networks. Now I see
> I still have the old software in tivo. I put in for an upgrade (to
> 7.1) on tivo's "get to the front of the line" form. It says this could
> be up to 3 days.... sound right to you?
>
> One last question. I used to put the tivo output to my pc capture card
> to edit and burn on dvd (for my use only). Would transferring "togo"
> the file and doing an unwrap be of any better quality?

yes

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

Here in the United Kingdom a 50 foot USB extender cable can be bought from a
major supplier to industry their URL is
http://www.lindy.com/uk/catalog/07/02/03/index.php. Lindy are a well
respected company and I doubt if they would sell anything that would not do
the job ob.

Clive


<babs@earlylink.com> wrote in message
news:g3p66197t0pbnvnfs7j20ftkrhlvtuqc5o@4ax.com...
> The max USB cable length I can find is 20 feet. there are 12'
> extensions, but
> what would happened if I were to splice several cables by hand?
> Make it 60 feet. I want to be able to hook tivo up to my PC just for
> the updates, and eliminate my land line totally.
>
> Would this work? Why couldnt Tivo have used a 1 gig eithernet bus
> instead?
>
> Thanks
>
> Dano

Archived from groups: alt.video.ptv.tivo (More info?)

I have used the TTG for the past few days, the quality is what ever
you record it in the first place.... I'm talking series 2 tivo here. I
have mine hooked into my wireless network, and moving the programs
over to my computer really takes no longer than downloading them... I
have never been a big fan on sonics products but I must say, I am
impressed with their special edition for tivo. they make it really
easy to convert and burn the programs, I just have the demo for now,
but I plan to buy the program. I am so used to waiting for someone to
post what I want to a newsgroup, downloading it, hoping its good
quality, then having to use two or three programs to convert and burn
the program, it is nice just to use the TTG and Sonics MY DVD... its
kinda sweet.

I love my series 2 tivo and TTG....

Just MHO

On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 17:37:41 GMT, Jack Zwick <jzwick3@mindspring.com>
wrote:

>In article <h0ea6199lofq324dvibf6db7makmgpcp7c@4ax.com>,
> babs@earlylink.com wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 19 Apr 2005 08:28:47 -0400, "Randy S."
>> <rswittNO@SPAMgmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >> I hooked it up ok. Was ready for the addressing numbers, but the
>> >> blasted thing figured out its settings all on its own. Talk about
>> >> plug-n-play...
>> >>
>> >> Now on to all the software..
>> >>
>> >> Thanks again Randy
>> >>
>> >
>> >Are you using wireless or wired? If wireless, that's not so good, it
>> >means your security is wide open. If wired, it's no big deal, I doubt a
>> >burgler is going to break into your house to use your network
>> >connection. ;-)
>> >
>> >Randy S.
>>
>> No, it's wired. I've never really trusted wireless networks. Now I see
>> I still have the old software in tivo. I put in for an upgrade (to
>> 7.1) on tivo's "get to the front of the line" form. It says this could
>> be up to 3 days.... sound right to you?
>>
>> One last question. I used to put the tivo output to my pc capture card
>> to edit and burn on dvd (for my use only). Would transferring "togo"
>> the file and doing an unwrap be of any better quality?
>
>yes