TiVo hardware question

Twobit Whore · 07-27-2007, 05:21 PM

So I just helped my mom move recently and I found an unopened TiVo box that she got free with her LCD TV about a year ago. I was just rummaging around and saw it and thought maybe I would hook it up and just use it as a VCR-like deal. Searching comes up with hardware hacks and whatnots, but I don't really want to get into all that. Is it possible to just hook it up and use it like a VCR or is it going to take some coaxing? If it's too much trouble then it isn't worth it.. I won't use it enough to matter anyway, just thought it would be neat to have yet another power-consuming heat-producing gadget laying around.

EmpireF4i · 07-27-2007, 08:31 PM

Im pretty sure you have to have the service for it. I think its like $5 a month to have DV-R acess. I dont think it will work by just pushing the record button.

Vorph · 07-27-2007, 08:56 PM

$5 a month is what it costs for TiVo with DirecTV. Normal TiVo costs $12.95-$16.95. You're mostly paying for access to the program guide, and depending on which revision you have some DVR functions might work. It's generally not worth using without a subscription though.

I'm also not even sure how you go about subscribing to the service with a unit like that. Generally you get a contract for 1-3 years at the time you buy it, kind of like cell phone service.

Twobit Whore · 07-28-2007, 05:42 AM

Well I did more research and it seems the old Series 1 units would work pretty much without service, but those are impossible to get now. They also had some 3rd party units that came with TivO Basic, which is the same as the contract except you get a 3day program guide vs. 2 weeks and you don't get a season pass thing which learns your viewing habits. It's only available on offbrand models, and they don't make em anymore.

Anyway, mines just a plain standalone series 2.. and I went ahead and hooked it up. For some odd reason the thing seems to work without service. I know it isn't activated because it sent me a message saying I need to activate. Maybe it's a free trial period, I don't know.. but for now I can use the guide, and record.

The main reason I want it though is just for the live tv functions, like pause and replay. With sports season coming up it will come in handy.. plus I am often called away for a few minutes and it's really annoying when I am into a show at the time. That part works great so I think I will keep it hooked up just for that.

Overall though it is much inferior to the digital cable's DVR. There is no watching on thing and recording another with this. It's more like a VCR, where you have to watch what you record (or turn the TV off and watch nothing). My mother had cable company DVR and it could record I believe 2 things at once, record one while you watch another.. etc. It's also cheaper than TiVo (no unit to buy, less per month).. so if I really like this one I may 'upgrade' to that.

07-27-2007, 05:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Twobit Whore Insert Quarter Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 9,038 -23 Internets	TiVo hardware question So I just helped my mom move recently and I found an unopened TiVo box that she got free with her LCD TV about a year ago. I was just rummaging around and saw it and thought maybe I would hook it up and just use it as a VCR-like deal. Searching comes up with hardware hacks and whatnots, but I don't really want to get into all that. Is it possible to just hook it up and use it like a VCR or is it going to take some coaxing? If it's too much trouble then it isn't worth it.. I won't use it enough to matter anyway, just thought it would be neat to have yet another power-consuming heat-producing gadget laying around. __________________ I got a list of demands written on the palm of my hand. I ball my fists and you gonna know where I stand.

07-27-2007, 08:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Vorph Never Go Full Retard Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hell Posts: 5,649	$5 a month is what it costs for TiVo with DirecTV. Normal TiVo costs $12.95-$16.95. You're mostly paying for access to the program guide, and depending on which revision you have some DVR functions might work. It's generally not worth using without a subscription though. I'm also not even sure how you go about subscribing to the service with a unit like that. Generally you get a contract for 1-3 years at the time you buy it, kind of like cell phone service. __________________ Last edited by Vorph : 07-27-2007 at 09:01 PM.

07-28-2007, 05:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Twobit Whore Insert Quarter Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 9,038 -23 Internets	Well I did more research and it seems the old Series 1 units would work pretty much without service, but those are impossible to get now. They also had some 3rd party units that came with TivO Basic, which is the same as the contract except you get a 3day program guide vs. 2 weeks and you don't get a season pass thing which learns your viewing habits. It's only available on offbrand models, and they don't make em anymore. Anyway, mines just a plain standalone series 2.. and I went ahead and hooked it up. For some odd reason the thing seems to work without service. I know it isn't activated because it sent me a message saying I need to activate. Maybe it's a free trial period, I don't know.. but for now I can use the guide, and record. The main reason I want it though is just for the live tv functions, like pause and replay. With sports season coming up it will come in handy.. plus I am often called away for a few minutes and it's really annoying when I am into a show at the time. That part works great so I think I will keep it hooked up just for that. Overall though it is much inferior to the digital cable's DVR. There is no watching on thing and recording another with this. It's more like a VCR, where you have to watch what you record (or turn the TV off and watch nothing). My mother had cable company DVR and it could record I believe 2 things at once, record one while you watch another.. etc. It's also cheaper than TiVo (no unit to buy, less per month).. so if I really like this one I may 'upgrade' to that. __________________ I got a list of demands written on the palm of my hand. I ball my fists and you gonna know where I stand.

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07-27-2007, 08:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
EmpireF4i Right as the mail Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,425 -26 Internets	Im pretty sure you have to have the service for it. I think its like $5 a month to have DV-R acess. I dont think it will work by just pushing the record button.