Multi-room viewing

[2njl]

How well does this actually work, especially if the "main TiVo" is on 802.11g?

I'm considering getting a second TiVo (540040s on ebay without service are cheap, and I have a lifetime service unit), but my wife doesn't want another out by the TV. She says it'll have to live in my office, where I don't even have a TV. All program watching would probably be from the TV where our original unit lives. I would probably hook the second unit either to a video capture card or directly to a monitor (hey...a use for the s-video input on my 2005FPW:) for occasional monitoring.

I just know that the few times I've experimented with either TiVo Desktop or the https server, downloading from the TiVo seemed awfully slow.

[Joeg180]

I Pick programs let them transfer between the TiVo units and watch them later. I haven't really timed the transfer rate. Both of my units are wired.

[jjberger2134]

I have experienced the following transfer speeds (approximate). My network is wired though.

Basic 2x, Medium 1.5x High 1.25x and Best bewteen .75x and 1.0x.

In theory wireless speeds should be slower than what I have.

[Shawn95GT]

I record everything at best quality and can usually transfer faster than real time (across the wireless bridge) at .75x - 1.25x with the norm being the 1.25x.

Transfer from Tivo to the PC is MUCH slower than MRV.

[Jonathan_S]

I record everything at best quality and can usually transfer faster than real time (across the wireless bridge) at .75x - 1.25x with the norm being the 1.25x.Which basically means you can start watching instantly (give or take a few seconds), but if it was recorded on Best the first time you try to ff through commercials you'll probably run into the end of the currently transferred buffer before you get to the end of the commercial break.

But if you waited a few minutes, you wouldn't notice it was transferring. Otherwise you have to deal with occasionally catching up to the transfer. (But that is no worse that watching something almost live and catching up to live).

[Shawn95GT]

Exactly :).

[LifeIsABeach]

I'm considering getting a second TiVo (540040s on ebay without service are cheap, and I have a lifetime service unit)

Just an FYI. You will need to purchase service on the second unit even if you just want to use it to watch transferred shows. The good news is that since it is your second TiVo it would be at the discounted rate of $6.95/month. Sorry if you knew this already. Couldn't tell for sure from your post.

[Denverhoss]

Just an FYI. You will need to purchase service on the second unit even if you just want to use it to watch transferred shows. The good news is that since it is your second TiVo it would be at the discounted rate of $6.95/month. Sorry if you knew this already. Couldn't tell for sure from your post.

I picked up an S2 Tivo from a friend moving out of the country. I already use one with lifetime service, and I wanted to use the second one without service - just to view shows recorded on the other box (like my PC can do). When I hooked it up, I could see it from my PC, but the Tivo desktop software said transfers were disabled. From the Tivo itself I couldn't see the other Tivo or the PC.

There's no cable box at the second TV, so I really don't want to record anything there. So here's the question. If I get a month of service and set the used Tivo to share recordings across the network (I forget what the wording is on that option), could I then end my subscription the next month and still have it able to connect to the other Tivo? The way the Tivo desktop could see it but said transfers were disabled made me think that changing that setting may help - but that setting doesn't even show up on the menu with no active service.

Anyone tried this? Thanks!

BTW, Yes - I'm cheap. And No, I'm not trying to "steal" anything...

[mick66]

Nope. As soon as it runs out of guide data, it enters boat anchor mode whether or not the account is current.