(Scott Heitshusen) shaped the electrons to say:
1. USB
a. From what I've read the USB ports are v1.1 but it appears there
is a hack to move it to 2.0. Is this correct? What is the process?

I've heard that there is, but I don't know the details.

b. Are there any plans for being able to use the USB port for
anything other than networking? Say, for plugging a USB HD into to
expand recording options? Or saving/restoring settings on a key/thumb
drive? etc.

Just rumors, nothing announced. TiVo has, in general terms, talked
about things like MP3 players, etc. But never in specific terms, just
in terms of what is possible.

2. VIDEO ON HOME MEDIA: Has there been any thought to having the Home
Media option being able to play video from a computer as well? e.g.
Home Movies edited on a computer to be published on the TiVo server
and played through the Tivo?

Yes. TiVoToGo may support this. Mostly when anything is said about
TiVoToGo it is all about moving content from the TiVo to a PC, but
TiVo did a survey earlier this year about what people wanted, etc, and
about half the survey was made up of questions relating to moving
content *to* the TiVo. So they're obviously thinking about it.

3. 802.11g: With USB 1.1 it is a waste of money to go the 'g' route
(unless question 1a above can be done), but I have read conflicting
reports about 'g' products even working. Wouldn't a 'g' device fall

11g products are not supported, period. The TiVo doesn't have any
drivers for the chipsets used in 11g devices, even if they can fall
back to 11b.

4. PRE-JULY 2004 & POST-JULY 2004: I suspect that the unit I got was
so cheap so as to clear out these pre-July 2004 models and make room
for the Post-July 2004 ones. Are there any big differences between the
two (other than being black and silver respectively)?

Software. The new units run 5.x software which includes a newer
kernel with LBA48 support for large drives. And they have some more
bells and whistles, like being able to control the LEDs on the front,
etc. I don't know if there are any deeper changes, but the basic
functions are the same.

5. HARD DRIVE REPLACEMENT OR UPGRADES:
a. From what I've read, it is better to replace the original
(keeping it in a safe place in case of emergencies) with a new one.
What is the capacity limit on the replacement (and/or additional) hard
drive(s) that can be used? 160Gig? 250? No limit?

In your unit - 137GB. That's a kernel limitation. In the new 540*
units, no current limit. Drives over 300GB have been used
successfully.

b. It appears that when doing hacks/hard drive work the drives
should be the master and slave ones on the computer and then a program
booted from CD. However, I currently have a tower with four hard
drives (five partitions), an old Zip, and an re-writter all hooked up.
I have two more IDE spaces available but they are on a secondary PCI
Promise IDE controller. Can I hook up the TiVo drive(s) to this and
have the CD-ROM boot up find it Ok or should I find an old machine,
take out the hard drives, and hook everything up through it instead
for simplicity?

Probably, but it depends on your system and how those drives show up
in the scheme. You can always try it - see:
http://www.newreleasesvideo.com/hinsdale-how-to/

6. One more question, please: what are your favorite sites for help
with TiVo hacking?

There are several - DealDatabase.com is the most popular site. See
the links he
http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=tivolovers

-MZ, RHCE #806199299900541, ex-CISSP #3762
--
URL:mailto:megazoneatmegazone.org Gweep, Discordian, Author, Engineer, me.
"A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest men" 508-755-4098
URL:http://www.megazone.org/ URL:http://www.eyrie-productions.com/ Eris

On 8 Sep 2004 08:37:15 -0700, (Scott Heitshusen)
wrote:

1. USB
a. From what I've read the USB ports are v1.1 but it appears there
is a hack to move it to 2.0. Is this correct? What is the process?

Some models may have USB 2.0 hardware, but the drivers are still for
1.1. It may be possible to add these drivers yourself, but I don't know
the particulars.

b. Are there any plans for being able to use the USB port for
anything other than networking? Say, for plugging a USB HD into to
expand recording options? Or saving/restoring settings on a key/thumb
drive? etc.

Expanded storage? Doubtful. Backing up user settings? Now, THAT would
be killer.

2. VIDEO ON HOME MEDIA: Has there been any thought to having the Home
Media option being able to play video from a computer as well? e.g.
Home Movies edited on a computer to be published on the TiVo server
and played through the Tivo?

Don't know. Should be possible from a technical standpoint. Keep an
eye on TiVo2Go, due later this year.

3. 802.11g: With USB 1.1 it is a waste of money to go the 'g' route
(unless question 1a above can be done), but I have read conflicting
reports about 'g' products even working. Wouldn't a 'g' device fall
back to the 'b' speed/standard automatically? I have a D-Link 614+
that is 802.11b but will be looking to move up to 'g' soon. As I look
into networking options for the TiVo I want to build in at least a
little obsolescence insurance. With that setup what option would y'all
recommend?

Since newer models do have USB 2.0 ports, it seems that it is only a
matter of time until the required USB and wireless drivers are added.

I'd go with one of the officially supported adapters, if I were doing
wireless. Me, I just love pulling cable. :)

See http://customersupport.tivo.com/know...ic/tv2006.htm? for
a list of supported Ethernet adapters.

4. PRE-JULY 2004 & POST-JULY 2004: I suspect that the unit I got was
so cheap so as to clear out these pre-July 2004 models and make room
for the Post-July 2004 ones.

This is my assessment as well.

Are there any big differences between the
two (other than being black and silver respectively)?

The newer design (post July 2004) has LBA48 support, and ships with
software version 5.0. Plus they look cooler.

5. HARD DRIVE REPLACEMENT OR UPGRADES:
a. From what I've read, it is better to replace the original
(keeping it in a safe place in case of emergencies) with a new one.

It's a matter of preference and your comfort level, really. I keep
backups of my TiVos on CD-R discs. I can re-image onto a new HDD and be
up and running within an hour or two--less if I have a spare HDD laying
around the house.

I do have a 20GB Series1 HDD shelved, mainly because I have no other use
for it.

What is the capacity limit on the replacement (and/or additional) hard
drive(s) that can be used? 160Gig? 250? No limit?

All models are limited to two hard drives.

137GB per drive on older models. Newer models with the LBA48 kernel
have no practical hardware limit with today's available drives. LBA48
addresses up to 144PB, IIRC.

I recall reading that the MFS file system has a limit of 256GB per
partition. I am not sure how this affects large (250GB) B drive
upgrades.

For what it's worth, Weaknees is selling a 700-hour 2x300GB Series2 at
http://www.weaknees.com/tivo/tivo_700.php

One guy is even working on 2x400GB.

b. It appears that when doing hacks/hard drive work the drives
should be the master and slave ones on the computer and then a program
booted from CD. However, I currently have a tower with four hard
drives (five partitions), an old Zip, and an re-writter all hooked up.
I have two more IDE spaces available but they are on a secondary PCI

Simply disconnect the drives that you won't be needing. Use the primary
and secondary IDE channels on the motherboard. That leaves you space
for TiVo A and B drives, a CD-ROM drive, and a FAT/FAT32 drive to hold
your backup.

See the Hinsdale FAQ at
http://www.newreleasesvideo.com/hins...to/index9.html

6. One more question, please: what are your favorite sites for help
with TiVo hacking?

www.google.com :)

Also see www.tivocommunity.com and http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/

--
TiVo Series 2 60hr (upgraded to 310:09 + Lifetime)
Philips Series 1 HDR212 (upgraded to 156:29 + TurboNet)
I watch too much TV, but no one cares except my wife.

On 8 Sep 2004 08:37:15 -0700, (Scott Heitshusen)
wrote:

1. USB
a. From what I've read the USB ports are v1.1 but it appears there
is a hack to move it to 2.0. Is this correct? What is the process?

Some models may have USB 2.0 hardware, but the drivers are still for
1.1. It may be possible to add these drivers yourself, but I don't know
the particulars.

b. Are there any plans for being able to use the USB port for
anything other than networking? Say, for plugging a USB HD into to
expand recording options? Or saving/restoring settings on a key/thumb
drive? etc.

Expanded storage? Doubtful. Backing up user settings? Now, THAT would
be killer.

2. VIDEO ON HOME MEDIA: Has there been any thought to having the Home
Media option being able to play video from a computer as well? e.g.
Home Movies edited on a computer to be published on the TiVo server
and played through the Tivo?

Don't know. Should be possible from a technical standpoint. Keep an
eye on TiVo2Go, due later this year.

3. 802.11g: With USB 1.1 it is a waste of money to go the 'g' route
(unless question 1a above can be done), but I have read conflicting
reports about 'g' products even working. Wouldn't a 'g' device fall
back to the 'b' speed/standard automatically? I have a D-Link 614+
that is 802.11b but will be looking to move up to 'g' soon. As I look
into networking options for the TiVo I want to build in at least a
little obsolescence insurance. With that setup what option would y'all
recommend?

Since newer models do have USB 2.0 ports, it seems that it is only a
matter of time until the required USB and wireless drivers are added.

I'd go with one of the officially supported adapters, if I were doing
wireless. Me, I just love pulling cable. :)

See http://customersupport.tivo.com/know...ic/tv2006.htm? for
a list of supported Ethernet adapters.

4. PRE-JULY 2004 & POST-JULY 2004: I suspect that the unit I got was
so cheap so as to clear out these pre-July 2004 models and make room
for the Post-July 2004 ones.

This is my assessment as well.

Are there any big differences between the
two (other than being black and silver respectively)?

The newer design (post July 2004) has LBA48 support, and ships with
software version 5.0. Plus they look cooler.

5. HARD DRIVE REPLACEMENT OR UPGRADES:
a. From what I've read, it is better to replace the original
(keeping it in a safe place in case of emergencies) with a new one.

It's a matter of preference and your comfort level, really. I keep
backups of my TiVos on CD-R discs. I can re-image onto a new HDD and be
up and running within an hour or two--less if I have a spare HDD laying
around the house.

I do have a 20GB Series1 HDD shelved, mainly because I have no other use
for it.

What is the capacity limit on the replacement (and/or additional) hard
drive(s) that can be used? 160Gig? 250? No limit?

All models are limited to two hard drives.

137GB per drive on older models. Newer models with the LBA48 kernel
have no practical hardware limit with today's available drives. LBA48
addresses up to 144PB, IIRC.

I recall reading that the MFS file system has a limit of 256GB per
partition. I am not sure how this affects large (250GB) B drive
upgrades.

For what it's worth, Weaknees is selling a 700-hour 2x300GB Series2 at
http://www.weaknees.com/tivo/tivo_700.php

One guy is even working on 2x400GB.

b. It appears that when doing hacks/hard drive work the drives
should be the master and slave ones on the computer and then a program
booted from CD. However, I currently have a tower with four hard
drives (five partitions), an old Zip, and an re-writter all hooked up.
I have two more IDE spaces available but they are on a secondary PCI

Simply disconnect the drives that you won't be needing. Use the primary
and secondary IDE channels on the motherboard. That leaves you space
for TiVo A and B drives, a CD-ROM drive, and a FAT/FAT32 drive to hold
your backup.

See the Hinsdale FAQ at
http://www.newreleasesvideo.com/hins...to/index9.html

6. One more question, please: what are your favorite sites for help
with TiVo hacking?

www.google.com :)

Also see www.tivocommunity.com and http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/

--
TiVo Series 2 60hr (upgraded to 310:09 + Lifetime)
Philips Series 1 HDR212 (upgraded to 156:29 + TurboNet)
I watch too much TV, but no one cares except my wife.