First thoughts on Series 2 TiVos

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First thoughts on Series 2 TiVos

After some initial setbacks (had to take the box to a friend's house to use his phone line, which required 3 forced calls to pick up the 4.0 OS), the SuperTivo project is finally underway and I'm enjoying the new Series 2 features. In the past few hours of tinkering, here are some highlights and lowlights of the new system:

highlights

The new 34-button remote makes an already great tool even better. They've added a few new buttons, including a TV input button and info buttons, and a single remote can now power two different systems in a house.

My favorite new feature on the remote is the finer-grained "universal" remote control capabilities. In the past, the power/mute/volume buttons could be programmed to control the TV. The problem was, once I got a home theater system, I stopped using the TV's built in speakers altogether and those two buttons became useless on the Tivo remote. So that forced me to use two remotes at all times, one to turn on the TV and control tivo, the other to control the volume and system input. I wanted to get down to one remote and almost sprang for a whole Pronto system.

My prayers were answered with the new remote. I can have the tv power button work the power on my tv, but the mute and volume buttons work with my home theater setup. I can finally go down to one remote, and it even works with my home theater system that offered almost nothing in terms of codes for its universal remote.

Other things I noticed right away were the Now Showing list has sort options which enables you to make Groups (folders) to organize shows. That'll be great when I've got 50-100 things in the list.

Getting the Tivo onto my open, wireless network was fairly smooth, and updates after switching to the network were very quick and started happening automatically every 30 minutes or so.

lowlights

One problem I found after changing to a network setup: when repeating guided setup, the tivo box still tries to use a modem even though I'm successfully connected to a wireless network. I couldn't escape the guided setup's failed phone calls until I added the backdoor network dialing prefix. When your call fails, you have to change dialing prefix, telling it to use ,#401, or [pause] [enter] 4 0 1. Then it connected in seconds and finished setup. I shouldn't have to know how to complete this hack for a network-connected Tivo.

A couple hours ago, I purchased the Home Media Option for it, but so far forced connections haven't seemed to download and install the software yet (though the box is going through its first batch of network data, which warned me that it'd take 4-8 hours to complete first). When I've got the HMO running, I'll post a full review.

Next up for this project is adding in the second 120Gb hard drive and Weaknees Twinbreeze upgrade bracket and parts.

by Matt Haughey July 20, 2003 in SuperTiVo Project, TiVo

Comments

Thanks for the update! Quick question: are you using WEP on your home wireless connection? Or any kind of security?

Posted by: pb at Jul 21, 2003 8:50:58 AM

Er, uh, I hate to point this out, but the ability to control a receiver's volume/mute via the remote has been around since at least 11/22/00, which was when I activated my first tivo. Until I bought my series 2 a few months ago, I was using my original remote to control first a Sony receiver (no digital, but old-style dolby surround) for the last couple of years, a JVC home theater receiver.

On another note, I've also got the tivo-recommended usb wifi adaptor and have been very happy with it. In my series 1, I had an internal AirNet card from 9th Tee, which worked equally well, but this was a hell of a lot cheaper.

Posted by: jburka at Jul 21, 2003 8:57:04 AM

My wireless is open, but you can have WEP on, though you need to use the TiVo remote to enter the hash.

You could control power and volume buttons for different boxes on the series 1? I can't believe I never found how to do that.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Jul 21, 2003 9:15:07 AM

Is this one of the Hughes Series 2 DirecTiVo's? Or is it a 'regular' series 2?

Just wondering if Hughes has freed their captured series 2 owners to use the cool new features yet :)

Posted by: Steve Dossick at Jul 21, 2003 11:07:10 AM

Steve, it's a standalone series 2 direct from TiVo (I think made by AT&T). Directivo owners are still trapped.

By the way, I have music from my martian drive working on the TiVo, by streaming a mapped drive from a PC (direct connections to the martian don't seem to work). I'll write up the HMO in a couple days and spell it all out.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Jul 21, 2003 11:17:38 AM

If you could go the other direction TiVo --> Martian Drive (or your computer), could you could skip the new hard drive installation and use external storage for more program space?

Posted by: pb at Jul 21, 2003 2:47:28 PM

yes, you can use the remote control from a series one tivo to control an a/v setup. it's in the remote setup configuration. i think this may have been new in the 2.0 or 2.5 software.

the power button still controls the television, but the volume and mute buttons control the receiver.

Posted by: jim winstead at Jul 22, 2003 1:55:59 PM

I have been thinking of going to TiVo for a long time and now that I can get a hugh drive with up to 80 hours of recording time I'm ready to take the plunge. The only question I have is this. How easily does the TiVo interface with your digital cable hardware and any other gadgets that you may have. My current setup has a digital cable box, a VCR and a DVD player connected to my TV with the sound being driven into my home entertainment sound system. I also have a home network and would like to know if I can send video out through the TiVo to TV in another room.

Posted by: Bob T. at Jul 23, 2003 8:11:44 AM

Bob, I've got the same setup at home. Digital cable box, DVD, VCR, all going through a home theater, and a wireless network. It's not too hard to add in a Tivo, you basically put it between the cable output and the home theater input.

As for sharing video with other rooms, the only way to do that now is to buy an additional tivo, plus the home media option, to move shows around from place to place.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Jul 23, 2003 8:30:52 AM

Thanks for the info Matt. So the connection sequence would be from the wall mount to the cable box to the TiVo then out to the other equipment? Is there a place that can tell me if my area has a toll free number for the TiVo updates? I really don't want to have to pay for 10-15 minute long distance calls every day.

Posted by: Bob T. at Jul 23, 2003 10:28:23 AM

Yeah Bob, that's exactly how the setup goes. I don't know if they offer 800 numbers, though I'm sure they must do something to accomodate rural and/or remote subscribers.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Jul 23, 2003 1:07:58 PM

Dual tuners DVRs only seem available if one is using DirectTV. Does anyone know of a dual tuner DVR that will connect directly to cable (I have no converter box) or an adaptor that will allow connection of a dual tuner DirectTV DVR to regular cable?

TIA,
David

Posted by: David Hamlin at Sep 10, 2003 1:52:37 PM

The only non-directv DVR I know of that can do dual tuners is the TIme Warner one that they are giving to their digital cable customers in limited markets.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Sep 10, 2003 4:29:58 PM

Hey, is there any way to add an external USB hard drive to the Tivo so you could dump shows onto it so you can watch them later?

Thanks!

Posted by: Tracy at Sep 26, 2003 10:22:31 AM

Are the new Series 2 Driectv TIVOS any faster when asking it to record a show or save a show already recorded with the "save until I delete" option? Seems like mine can take 30-60 seconds many times.

Jim

Posted by: Jim Claxton at Dec 6, 2003 5:40:28 AM

Is there a better way to control a Motorola cable box that does not have the serial port activated than the Tivo IR emitters. They are unreliable when having the Tivo change the cable box to record or just watch live TV.

Posted by: jonathan at Jan 2, 2004 12:58:01 PM

I want a dual-tuner TiVo, and I can't get one from my cable company, so I was on the verge of ordering DirecTivo. But the attached comment on your message board scared me - what do you mean by "trapped?"

- Pete

Just wondering if Hughes has freed their captured series 2 owners to use the cool new features yet :)

Posted by: Steve Dossick at July 21, 2003 11:07 AM

Steve, it's a standalone series 2 direct from TiVo (I think made by AT&T). Directivo owners are still trapped.

Posted by: Pete at Feb 4, 2004 1:51:16 PM

"trapped" in the sense that the Home Media Option is still not available to DirecTiVo owners, almost a year after it came out on series 2 units.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Feb 5, 2004 10:33:51 AM

Samsung SIR-S4040R for Directtv Remote Problem:

Samsung remotes do not function properly with Zenith tv's (perhaps others too). I have been through 3 remotes. Same trouble. Frequently the remote changes the TV channel to 2 or 4 or changes the TV input to video. The SAT/TV switch is on SAT when this happens and it's random. Samsung says the IR codes used by Tivo are close to those used by Zenith.

Does anyone know how to fix this?

Thanks!

Posted by: Nancy at Feb 11, 2004 8:05:01 AM

Aside from the HMO limitation, are there other drawbacks to the DirecTivo route? Limited HD? I can still use a WUSB11 for my program guide information, right?

I am a Dish Network subscriber annoyed with the Viacom issue and am looking for an alternative. I would love to go the 2 tuner route with DirectTV but I know that the Tivo / Direct TV market is huge. I'd like to get a fast track education on the pro's and con's of the receiver options.

Posted by: Todd Becker at Mar 9, 2004 3:28:46 PM

Nope Todd, there's no allowing for use of a WUSB11 for updates, though you can get most of your data from the satellite.

Currently I run my directivo without a phone line. It runs fine but I can't order instant pay-per-view that gets tivo'd automatically.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Mar 9, 2004 3:39:41 PM

I've got one of the very first Tivos and I'm considering buying a Series 2 to replace it. My one major complaint has been the way the original Tivo works with Digital Cable boxes. Basically it takes forever for Tivo to change channels and the channel changing is unreliable when it has to go through a digital cable box. But it works great when Tivo is the reciever (a la analog cable). Has this been fixed in series 2 Tivos?

Posted by: Micah DesJardins at Mar 16, 2004 7:26:58 AM

I'm the lucker winner of a gateway 42" plasma tv. There isn't a remote control code for the tivo remote. Am I stuck using both remotes forever (the TV remote to turn on and off and adjust the volumn, and the Tivo to navigate through shows)? I'm dying over here people. somebody save me. I know Gateway doesn't make the TV. Somebody give me the answer, c'mon- I need it like pookie needed crack...

Posted by: David at Aug 12, 2004 1:13:20 PM

David, you can definitely program series 2 TiVo remotes to talk to most TVs. I would suggest taking a look at TiVo's website, to see if you can find the original manuals in downloadable format. They have a range of codes and instructions on how to teach the TiVo remote to control your TV or home theater system volume.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Aug 12, 2004 2:02:15 PM

I want to hook up two series 2 boxes to the same tv in order to record two shows at once my question is- is there a way to change the IR code set so I can control these boxes seperatley with seperate remotes but with the boxes stacked on one anther?

Posted by: derek at Dec 13, 2004 10:46:09 AM

I just bought an external hard drive and would like to be able to use it for my Direct Tivo system to increase my hard drive capacity. Can this be done.

Posted by: Jeff Killian at Feb 26, 2005 4:43:15 PM

You can't connect an external HD to a TiVo.

Out of the box, DirecTiVo's only support one HD.

There are a variety of kits available at the various online tivo stores like 9thtee.com etc which allow for the addition of multiple drives inside. You need a power cable splitter, better IDE cable and a mounting kit. Another option is to completely swap out the smaller drive in the unit for a larger one.

Posted by: Rob Bruce at Apr 8, 2005 6:35:44 PM

I'm still waiting for Directv to let us use our tivos with our computers!

Posted by: Todd Lokken at Oct 7, 2005 10:46:56 AM

Matt,
I have a Samsung SIR S4040R DirecTV DVR. I am attempting to hook this up to my wireless network at the house. I have read your articles on the Linksys WUSB hookup. Is there anyway that I can get this rolling either via hack or via connection? Also, is there a website that guides me through this?
Thanks in advance,
Joeywa

Posted by: joeywa at Oct 26, 2005 3:12:20 PM