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

These should be easy but I can not find sufficient answers on the net in
general or TIVO web sites. If easier, please refer me to a web site
with the answers.

Program TIVO over the internet. One place on the TIVO website says it
is not possibe, another says it is? Can I and, if so, how?

Update TIVO programming over broadband. How do I do this? Can I do
this over coax to TIVO or do I need it to network to my PC?

TIVO Desktop. I still don't understand what this is. I install it on
my PC but do I use this to access my TIVO unit? If so, what do I gain?

Upgrade my sw to TIVO 4 or 5. Does this refer to TIVO Desktop or do I
upgrade the software on my TIVO unit?

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

A lot of what you ask depends on the type of Tivo DVR you have, which
you did not specify:

> Program TIVO over the internet. One place on the TIVO website says it
> is not possibe, another says it is? Can I and, if so, how?

Yes, it's very easy w/ Series 2 standalone Tivos:

http://customersupport.tivo.com/kn [...] v2056.htm?

Note that broadband conneccted Tivos update much more frequently than
phone-connected ones.

>
> Update TIVO programming over broadband. How do I do this? Can I do
> this over coax to TIVO or do I need it to network to my PC?

Yes (for standalone series 2 Tivos), but not over coax, you must network
it with a compatible adapter (it must connect to your home network, not
necessarily your computer):

http://customersupport.tivo.com/kn [...] v2006.htm?

Wired connections:

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

Wireless connections:

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

Directivos already get their programming over satellite.

>
> TIVO Desktop. I still don't understand what this is. I install it on
> my PC but do I use this to access my TIVO unit? If so, what do I gain?

See http://www.tivo.com/4.9.4.1.asp

Basically you get access to music and photos on your computer from your
Tivo, plus Tivo-to-go which allows you to download movies from your Tivo
to your computer. Be sure to check out the JavaHMO extension (3rd party
software).

> Upgrade my sw to TIVO 4 or 5. Does this refer to TIVO Desktop or do I
> upgrade the software on my TIVO unit?

Standalone series 2 DVR's should be automatically updated to SW version
7. If you have another type of Tivo your options will be different.
Post with exactly what you have and we can give you better info.

Randy S.

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

Old Guy wrote:
> These should be easy but I can not find sufficient answers on the net in
> general or TIVO web sites. If easier, please refer me to a web site
> with the answers.
>
> Program TIVO over the internet. One place on the TIVO website says it
> is not possibe, another says it is? Can I and, if so, how?

You can log in to TiVo.com and select from an online program guide to
*request* new recordings on your TiVo. You cannot see if there are
conflicts, etc., but your TiVo will notify you via email if it was able
(or unable) to schedule your request. That is the extent of programming
possible on an unmodified TiVo.

> Update TIVO programming over broadband. How do I do this? Can I do
> this over coax to TIVO or do I need it to network to my PC?

You connect TiVo to your network using a USB-Ethernet adapter (TiVo.com
lists compatible wired or wireless USB adapters).

> TIVO Desktop. I still don't understand what this is. I install it on
> my PC but do I use this to access my TIVO unit? If so, what do I gain?

TiVo Desktop allows you to transfer shows from your TiVo to a local PC
hard drive for later / mobile viewing, synching to a compatible mobile
device or burning to DVD. At this time, you cannot tranfer shows *back*
to the TiVo, so it does not lend itself to supplemental storage uses,
but it is particularly nice for laptop users who travel: they can take
their favorite programs with them and watch them on the road. You can
also publish specific music or photo directories on a host PC and listen
to / watch them thru your TiVo.

> Upgrade my sw to TIVO 4 or 5. Does this refer to TIVO Desktop or do I
> upgrade the software on my TIVO unit?

Software upgrades are managed by the TiVo service. You will get the
latest upgrades when you connect to the TiVo service for the first time.
Without substantial hacking, you cannot control the upgrade schedule.

- John

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

Randy S. wrote:
> Old Guy asked:
>>
>> Update TIVO programming over broadband. How do I do this? Can I do
>> this over coax to TIVO or do I need it to network to my PC?
>
> Yes (for standalone series 2 Tivos), but not over coax, you must network
> it with a compatible adapter (it must connect to your home network, not
> necessarily your computer):
>
> http://customersupport.tivo.com/kn [...] v2009.htm?

Note: If you have a PC connected directly to a cable modem, you will
need to buy a network hub or a cable-modem/DSL firewall router, so
that there will be a place where your TiVo can plug in to.
-Joe

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

John wrote:
> Old Guy wrote:
>
>> These should be easy but I can not find sufficient answers on the net
>> in general or TIVO web sites. If easier, please refer me to a web
>> site with the answers.
>>
>> Program TIVO over the internet. One place on the TIVO website says it
>> is not possibe, another says it is? Can I and, if so, how?
>
>
> You can log in to TiVo.com and select from an online program guide to
> *request* new recordings on your TiVo. You cannot see if there are
> conflicts, etc., but your TiVo will notify you via email if it was able
> (or unable) to schedule your request. That is the extent of programming
> possible on an unmodified TiVo.
>
>> Update TIVO programming over broadband. How do I do this? Can I do
>> this over coax to TIVO or do I need it to network to my PC?
>
>
> You connect TiVo to your network using a USB-Ethernet adapter (TiVo.com
> lists compatible wired or wireless USB adapters).
>
>> TIVO Desktop. I still don't understand what this is. I install it on
>> my PC but do I use this to access my TIVO unit? If so, what do I gain?
>
>
> TiVo Desktop allows you to transfer shows from your TiVo to a local PC
> hard drive for later / mobile viewing, synching to a compatible mobile
> device or burning to DVD. At this time, you cannot tranfer shows *back*
> to the TiVo, so it does not lend itself to supplemental storage uses,
> but it is particularly nice for laptop users who travel: they can take
> their favorite programs with them and watch them on the road. You can
> also publish specific music or photo directories on a host PC and listen
> to / watch them thru your TiVo.
>
>> Upgrade my sw to TIVO 4 or 5. Does this refer to TIVO Desktop or do I
>> upgrade the software on my TIVO unit?
>
>
> Software upgrades are managed by the TiVo service. You will get the
> latest upgrades when you connect to the TiVo service for the first time.
> Without substantial hacking, you cannot control the upgrade schedule.
>
> - John

Thanks for the responses from all.
Easy followups.
Connecting TIVO to a network. I already have a wireless network but
signal strength is poor where the TIVO is. Can I hard-wire TIVO t oa
wireless adapter? (I have 3 unused LAN ports.)
I note in some research on the net I connect TIVO to a network by
Ethernet. Hate to seem hopelessly ignorant, but I have 3 possible phone
lines (if that is the terminology) in the one phone wires in my house.
Can I connect Ethernet jacks to, say, line 3, or does Ethernet require
special wiring?

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

> Thanks for the responses from all.
> Easy followups.
> Connecting TIVO to a network. I already have a wireless network but
> signal strength is poor where the TIVO is. Can I hard-wire TIVO t oa
> wireless adapter? (I have 3 unused LAN ports.)

Well, hardwiring a wireless connection is a bit of an oxymoron. I think
you mean can you hardwire the Tivo to a LAN port, which the answer to is
yes. My original post has links for connecting via a wired connection.
You just need to use a usb-to-ethernet connector rather than a
usb-to-wireless connector.

> I note in some research on the net I connect TIVO to a network by
> Ethernet. Hate to seem hopelessly ignorant, but I have 3 possible phone
> lines (if that is the terminology) in the one phone wires in my house.
> Can I connect Ethernet jacks to, say, line 3, or does Ethernet require
> special wiring?

Fast Ethernet (100 Mpbs over copper) requires Category 5 network wire
(or better, cat. 5e or cat. 6 work also). Most phone wire is category 3
or worse. In many newer homes (like, say, built within the last 2-3
years) they are using Cat. 5 or better for *all* non-electrical wiring,
since it's cheap. But that's not necessarily the norm, building
construction practices change very slowly. But even if you have Cat. 5
in your walls, you can't "split" a single cable, Ethernet requires a
dedicated cable (it uses more than a single pair).

Randy S.

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

> Fast Ethernet (100 Mpbs over copper) requires Category 5 network wire
> (or better, cat. 5e or cat. 6 work also). Most phone wire is category 3
> or worse. In many newer homes (like, say, built within the last 2-3
> years) they are using Cat. 5 or better for *all* non-electrical wiring,
> since it's cheap. But that's not necessarily the norm, building
> construction practices change very slowly. But even if you have Cat. 5
> in your walls, you can't "split" a single cable, Ethernet requires a
> dedicated cable (it uses more than a single pair).
>
> Randy S.

Actually, I should mention that there are phone line networking devices.
They will limit your speed somewhat, but if you have no other options,
they will work.

Randy S.

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

Randy S. wrote:
>
>> Fast Ethernet (100 Mpbs over copper) requires Category 5 network wire
>> (or better, cat. 5e or cat. 6 work also). Most phone wire is category
>> 3 or worse. In many newer homes (like, say, built within the last 2-3
>> years) they are using Cat. 5 or better for *all* non-electrical
>> wiring, since it's cheap. But that's not necessarily the norm,
>> building construction practices change very slowly. But even if you
>> have Cat. 5 in your walls, you can't "split" a single cable, Ethernet
>> requires a dedicated cable (it uses more than a single pair).
>>
>> Randy S.
>
>
> Actually, I should mention that there are phone line networking devices.
> They will limit your speed somewhat, but if you have no other options,
> they will work.
>
> Randy S.

Well, my phone lines were replaced last year. How do I tell if they're
Cat-5? And where do I learn about phone line networking devices. For
TIVO use, speed is a minor concern.

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

Old Guy wrote:
> Randy S. wrote:
>
>>
>>> Fast Ethernet (100 Mpbs over copper) requires Category 5 network wire
>>> (or better, cat. 5e or cat. 6 work also). Most phone wire is
>>> category 3 or worse. In many newer homes (like, say, built within
>>> the last 2-3 years) they are using Cat. 5 or better for *all*
>>> non-electrical wiring, since it's cheap. But that's not necessarily
>>> the norm, building construction practices change very slowly. But
>>> even if you have Cat. 5 in your walls, you can't "split" a single
>>> cable, Ethernet requires a dedicated cable (it uses more than a
>>> single pair).
>>>
>>> Randy S.
>>
>>
>>
>> Actually, I should mention that there are phone line networking
>> devices. They will limit your speed somewhat, but if you have no
>> other options, they will work.
>>
>> Randy S.
>
>
> Well, my phone lines were replaced last year. How do I tell if they're
> Cat-5? And where do I learn about phone line networking devices. For
> TIVO use, speed is a minor concern.

You'd have to pull out the cable from the wall some and look for
markings on it. It would have to be round, with 8 wires (4 pairs) in
it). But it's highly unlikely you could use it for networking purposes
unless you had an entire spare cable pulled to that spot, and that your
cables are all home run back to a central point (as opposed to being run
in series from outlet to outlet).

There are lots of phoneline networking kits, you can check here to start:

http://www.netronixinc.com/product_others.htm

Phoneline networking really hasn't caught on all that much.

Randy S.

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

Randy S. wrote:
> Old Guy wrote:
>
>> Randy S. wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>> Fast Ethernet (100 Mpbs over copper) requires Category 5 network
>>>> wire (or better, cat. 5e or cat. 6 work also). Most phone wire is
>>>> category 3 or worse. In many newer homes (like, say, built within
>>>> the last 2-3 years) they are using Cat. 5 or better for *all*
>>>> non-electrical wiring, since it's cheap. But that's not necessarily
>>>> the norm, building construction practices change very slowly. But
>>>> even if you have Cat. 5 in your walls, you can't "split" a single
>>>> cable, Ethernet requires a dedicated cable (it uses more than a
>>>> single pair).
>>>>
>>>> Randy S.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Actually, I should mention that there are phone line networking
>>> devices. They will limit your speed somewhat, but if you have no
>>> other options, they will work.
>>>
>>> Randy S.
>>
>>
>>
>> Well, my phone lines were replaced last year. How do I tell if
>> they're Cat-5? And where do I learn about phone line networking
>> devices. For TIVO use, speed is a minor concern.
>
>
> You'd have to pull out the cable from the wall some and look for
> markings on it. It would have to be round, with 8 wires (4 pairs) in
> it). But it's highly unlikely you could use it for networking purposes
> unless you had an entire spare cable pulled to that spot, and that your
> cables are all home run back to a central point (as opposed to being run
> in series from outlet to outlet).
>
> There are lots of phoneline networking kits, you can check here to start:
>
> http://www.netronixinc.com/product_others.htm
>
> Phoneline networking really hasn't caught on all that much.
>
> Randy S.
Well, I have Cat-5 - 4 pairs. And I have the home runs. But, I only
have one cable - using it for line 1 (regular voice). Thanks for the help.

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

On 2005-06-20, Old Guy <jay.lunis@gmail.com> wrote:
> Randy S. wrote:
>> Old Guy wrote:
>>
>>> Randy S. wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Fast Ethernet (100 Mpbs over copper) requires Category 5 network
>>>>> wire (or better, cat. 5e or cat. 6 work also). Most phone wire is
>>>>> category 3 or worse. In many newer homes (like, say, built within
>>>>> the last 2-3 years) they are using Cat. 5 or better for *all*
>>>>> non-electrical wiring, since it's cheap. But that's not necessarily
>>>>> the norm, building construction practices change very slowly. But
>>>>> even if you have Cat. 5 in your walls, you can't "split" a single
>>>>> cable, Ethernet requires a dedicated cable (it uses more than a
>>>>> single pair).
>>>>>
>>>>> Randy S.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Actually, I should mention that there are phone line networking
>>>> devices. They will limit your speed somewhat, but if you have no
>>>> other options, they will work.
>>>>
>>>> Randy S.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Well, my phone lines were replaced last year. How do I tell if
>>> they're Cat-5? And where do I learn about phone line networking
>>> devices. For TIVO use, speed is a minor concern.
>>
>>
>> You'd have to pull out the cable from the wall some and look for
>> markings on it. It would have to be round, with 8 wires (4 pairs) in
>> it). But it's highly unlikely you could use it for networking purposes
>> unless you had an entire spare cable pulled to that spot, and that your
>> cables are all home run back to a central point (as opposed to being run
>> in series from outlet to outlet).
>>
>> There are lots of phoneline networking kits, you can check here to start:
>>
>> http://www.netronixinc.com/product_others.htm
>>
>> Phoneline networking really hasn't caught on all that much.
>>
>> Randy S.
> Well, I have Cat-5 - 4 pairs. And I have the home runs. But, I only
> have one cable - using it for line 1 (regular voice). Thanks for the help.

Perfect. You should be able to convert it to do both voice and networking
then.

--
This is my .sig

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

>
> Well, I have Cat-5 - 4 pairs. And I have the home runs. But, I only
> have one cable - using it for line 1 (regular voice). Thanks for the help.

Well, you're close. You could use the existing cable to pull another
cable through if you're comfortable pulling cable. That's probably your
best long term solution, but it would involve crawling around in your
attic, and I'd imagine it was pretty hot up there right now.

Also, be aware that just having 4 pairs doesn't make it cat 5, if that's
the only thing you're basing your assessment on. All Cat 5 cable has 4
pairs, but not all cables that have 4 pairs are cat 5! In fact, I think
even cat 3 has 4 pairs as well. You need to see the markings on the
outer sheath.

Randy S.

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

>>Well, I have Cat-5 - 4 pairs. And I have the home runs. But, I only
>>have one cable - using it for line 1 (regular voice). Thanks for the help.
>
>
> Perfect. You should be able to convert it to do both voice and networking
> then.
>

Is there a way to do that within spec? I'd be afraid to wire 2 pair for
100 Mbps ethernet and use 1 of the unused pairs for a voice line. You'd
be risking cross-talk and data loss. A long time ago, I used to piggy
back 2-10 Mbps ethernet lines on one cable for emergency use only, but I
don't think fast ethernet is as forgiving.

Randy S.