Dignan: yeah, i'll have to check the Family Guy thing again, it was really weird. I'll just have to set manual records when i see that happening i guess.

A Series1 DirecTiVo is just as hackable as a Series1 Stand Alone. I have turbonets in mine and can extract shows

I should have specified that i need info on the Series 2's =]

A Series1 DirecTiVo is just as hackable as a Series1 Stand Alone. I have turbonets in mine and can extract shows.

Really? I didn't realize that. Then I can hack my DTiVo. Hmm....

I can offer verification of that.

Dealdatabase is a good source for Tivo hacking information.

I'll be getting my DirecTivo in a few days. Hughes GXCEBOT (Series 1). I won't go into the hack details - because yes, I am in Canada. Saves me the trouble of having to "really" hack a stand alone to get Canadian listings though.

Anyway, hacks for series 2 are harder to come by, but some are available. I can't be certain if extraction had already been done in a straight-forward manner.

Bruno

You can get extraction with the Series 2 via a USB to Ethernet adapter and some software. The Series2 are about a year old, so there are fewer hacks available, but I assume that'll pass in time.

Loren, I'm not sure what's going on with your Family Guy settings... mine records them all and I assume we're getting the same info from the Cartoon Network to the Tivo... I'd just delete the season pass and re-add it.

The only time I miss a show is when 3 overlap or when a network switches an air time at the last minute.

Well my buddy and I got his USB Ethernet dongle working on his Series 2 DirecTivo. He was hoping he could get by without having a phone plugged in, but DirecTV really wants that in for PPV. We never did try any extraction, but we had an IP, and successfully could telnet into the DirecTivo. Granted it was a PITA to do, but you can get ethernet working there too!

Well I went out and got a Tivo Series 2 80 hr. I love it. I have one problem which I hope someone here can help with. I know how to hookup the DVD player, cable box and Tivo or connect the tivo, cable box and split the signal to record something and watch something else at the same time. I can't seem to figure out how to connect everything together. Cable box, tivo, DVD and TV. The problem I see is that I have only one set of A/V inputs on my tv. Is there a way to connect it all together so I can..

1) Watch one show and record another at the same time (by spliting the cable line)
2) Watch a DVD and record something to tivo at the same time.

I'd like to do all of this without changing up all my connections all the time.

Thanks,

If you have only one set of inputs on the TV, you'll need an external switcher. I have a Sima SVS-4 and love it. They have a newer model, the SVS-4D, that should be the same thing plus digital audio. It auto-switches inputs. In your case, that means that you'd leave the DVD player off until you wanted to watch something on it. When you power it up, it'll autmoatically switch to the DVD input. When you cut it off, it'll switch back.

Mine was only $100 when I got it, but they seem to be more expensive now.

Thanks. I was hoping there was something I was missing. Would this work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3058447113&category=14968

I realize it is probab;y a manuel process to switch but would it work. I'm not to keen on spending $100 for something.

This would allow me to watch tv while recording something else or watch a DVD while something is recording?

I do have an VCR which doesn't record anymore but the tuner in it still works. Could I use that instead? It has a video out as well.

Thanks,

Beware the dark side of Tivo:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/992089.asp?0si=-

You can use that one, but I think you can find a brand new one of those for that price. There are many others that will work, too. I don't know the quality of all of them, though.

If you have a VCR that has two inputs and you can switch between them, that'll work, too, but again, I don't know anything about what it might do to the quality of the signal.

Other things to consider:

- A new television that's modern enough to have multiple video inputs.

- An audio amplifier which contains audio and video switching capability.

Yeah, basically you want an input selector and a cable splitter. You can get the splitter at any Radio Shack, just make sure to get one that's more than 1GHz.

I've got a pretty good input selector, but it's only RCA and S-Video. It's an RCA VH920.

On one hand, I would recommend it because it will respond to the button of the remote for the device you're using.

On the other hand, the remote sensor (on mine, at least) bites hard. I think I might have gotten it to recognize the IR code one time.

Anyway, I don't use this device as my main selector. It's actually what I use to switch between video game systems. I would suggest, at this point, that you get a full-on receiver and a nice set of speakers. Receivers aren't as expensive these days. Heck, you can get a decent Sony for under $150.

But yeah, an input selector is the easy way to go.

If you have a VCR that has two inputs and you can switch between them, that'll work, too, but again, I don't know anything about what it might do to the quality of the signal.

Remember that if you send a DVD player's video-out into the video-in of a VCR, it will be macrovision protected. The picture will waver between dim and bright.

This counts for S-video and composite video, but not for RF output, IIRC.

Thats not good.

Yes a new TV would be ideal but at this point, kids, mortgage payment and the holidays take precedence.

What to do...

I have a great set of speakers with center channel and surround. I could use a new receiver, but they can get a little pricey, especially since knowing me I would want a high end product.

Would something like this work?

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000AA9E8/103-0212806-0243865?v=glance&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER&st=electronics

It would certainly be cheaper considering the alternatives. I'm not sure if the Tivo conection and DVD conection are separate or not. If they spooled into on connection to the TV that would probably solve my problem.

Beware the dark side of Tivo:

Funny . . . as I mentioned before, my DVR (not a Tivo) has caused me to watch LESS TV more effeciently.

Would something like this work?

Didn't you already buy your Tivo? Because that's what that is. I think someone was talking about it near the top of this thread.

Yes,

It's a Tivo. But it has a DVD player built in. With this in mind my thinking is the need of only one line out to go to the TV, since I only have one to use. Currently I would need two. One for the Tivo, one for the DVD player. My options are, if that is the case, either one, keep my current Tivo (I just bought it yesterday) and then spend around $100 or so for a good device that will add input and outputs to my tv or return the Tivo I have and get the combo unit for only $50 more than I spent on my current Tivo.

Just weighing my options.

I personally don't like those switching devices. I prefer using a home theatre receiver to do video/audio switching. In your case, I think the DVD/Tivo combo would be best. This Crutchfield photo shows only one set of video outputs, so you only need one input on your television.

Reading all your posts I was not sure, but does your TV have the normal cable input (RF) and one set of RCA inputs?

Also does your DVD player have an RF input and output?

If both of these are true then you can get a cable spiltter from Best Buy. Run one cable to your TiVo and now you can conect the TiVo your TV with the RCA's. Now connect the other cable to your DVD RF in and connect the RF out to your TV RF in. Now you can use your TV's remote to change inputs on the TV, or maybe if your lucky the new TiVo remote can change in the inputs on your TV.

Are you even running S-Video to your TV? Even if you are... a $15 two or three way switch will do fine. Unless you're using a high-def or plasma or very large screen tv, i wouldn't worry about it. I used a game switcher cheapy for 3 years on my 27" and couldn't tell the difference from when it was connected and wasn't. Save the money until you can afford a decent reciever with tons of ins and outs.

For the record, the Sima Copymaster2 fixes the macrovision problem. And it works like a champ. I've had one for 4 years or so now, perfect piece of equipment.

Keep in mind, if you buy a single Tivo with the DVD built in, if one or the other breaks, you have to buy the whole set again. If the DVD player is no longer up to snuff you lose your TIVO or TIVO comes out with an HDTV version that you MUST have you lose your DVD player. I personally just don't like buying devices that depend on each other. At least whith numerous smaller devices, if I want to upgrade, I can one piece at a time, making the hit a little less painful.

Yes,

It's a Tivo. But it has a DVD player built in. With this in mind my thinking is the need of only one line out to go to the TV, since I only have one to use. Currently I would need two.

I understand what you're trying to do, and what the unit is, but I was checking because I was confused as to why you would buy a Tivo and then consider exchanging it for the type of unit suggested in the second reply of the thread I know the feeling of wanting a product that badly, though I would say: have both!

My other question would be: I'm gathering from your reply to my suggestion of a receiver that you have one already. Your current receiver doesn't have enough inputs for two components? If it's as old as you say it is, I would definitely upgrade it. The most recent component in my system is the receiver, and in many ways it's the most important. I was so happy when I upgraded, because my new one kicked the crap out of the one I got for half off at Radio Shack

The suggestion earlier in this tread was for a combo unit with a DVD recorder. This is slightly different because it just has a DVD player, not DVD recorder. I'd admit I should have done better research. I wasn't aware there were also DVD player/Tivo combo units. I should have assumed there would be. Oh well. Anyway for the $50 more I can get the functionality I want with the combo unit or spend more for separate components. At this point the combo unit seems the best choice. I understand that if one breaks I'm out of luck with both. Generally I try to keep away from from combo units for the point made above, if something breaks I'm out to components, not just one. For an extra $50 I think I am willing to give it a shot.

No, my DVD player does not have an RF input and output. The DVD player is about 3 years old at this point. My receiver is 10 years old. Neither have ever failed me and up to this point I never had a need to upgrade to new components. I guess I have a reason to now. Someday I will, but I can't do everything at once.

Ah, understandable. That does look like a good solution. Have you set up your subscription with Tivo yet? Did you get the monthly or lifetime subscription?

For the record, the Sima Copymaster2 fixes the macrovision problem.

Yeah, I've got a similar box from back in the days when I ran my DVD player through the VCR. I didn't want to cloud the issue by bringing it up.