Tivo on Second TV: Best Way?

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I have a 40Gig Tivo that I purchased about two years ago at CompUSA which I am using in one room (superfluous info points to my impression that its the newer Tivo type). I have a Comcast extended cable subscription, and, I have set up another room for using my computer with another TV set in it basically to watch live financial news broadcasts. The rooms are about 45 feet apart. I have read on this forum of the possibility of setting up one tivo to handle two TVs but I am unsure what an *SA* Tivo is or if my Tivo can handle this. I was unable to understand how I would use the remote in the second room as even the slightest obstacle in front of the Tivo prevents the signal from getting through. I have 2.5 basic questions:

1. Is doing what I describe above possible (it would be nice to have complete Tivo functionality on both sets). How do I get the remote to work?

2. If it's too much of a hassle, would it just be better to buy a second Tivo and use only the feature that records and allows one to skip back and replay the current channel? Can this be done WITHOUT activating any kind of a contract with Tivo (as I would prefer to avoid the additional cost of a second contract)?.

Thank you for any help or advice with this! :)

[LostCluster]

Linking one TiVo to two TVs is very possible. You'll need a wireless IR-to-RF converter, and also either long wires to connect the second TV or a wireless video sender to do it over air.

No, you can't use the TrickPlay (pause, FF, etc.) functionality without a subscription. However, since you already have a TiVo, that second subscription will only cost you $6.95 per month instead of the full-fare $12.95.

[bud8man]

You have a few options...
The TiVo can output a variety of ways and simultaniously.
Two RCA outputs and CATV out.
You could output to the TV in the room via the RCA option and use the CATV cable to output to the second TV.
In order to control the TiVo in the other room you will need to get an IR Blaster of some kind. Weaknees has an RF transmitter that replaces a battery in the remote. About $40 last time I looked.
Then their is the Terp Leap Frog. I have heard they have a phone wire connection unit (never seen it) and a wireless unit or two. I think Radio Shack sells a simar unit. Also allows remote control from other room. Watch out for interference from 2.4 ghz units or 900 mhz units (phones, microwaves, wireless routers, etc.).
Another option is to use the CATV wires in your home and hook up an AVCast system. More info at www.crossbarmedia.com. Can be had cheaper on eBay most of the time. This sytem actually allows you to broadcast your own channel on your cable so you can add units and channels. I have this set up. When my one unit was too loud for the bedroom it went to the basement. Never heard from it again. Still have 2 TiVo's in the bedroom with out the noise.

[gastrof]

Some TiVos have been built in the same housing as DirecTV satellite receivers, and some have DVD plays or even recorders built in.

An "SA" unit is a "stand alone" machine, where it's just a TiVo. Most fall into that catagory, I'd say.

[mick66]

No, you can't use the TrickPlay (pause, FF, etc.) functionality without a subscription.


That's just plain wrong information.
Yes, you can use the TrickPlay (pause, FF, etc.) functionality without a subscription. The only thing an unsubscribed S2 Tivo will do is play back live TV with all of the FF, RW and pause functions made possible by the 30 minute buffer.

[mick66]

An "SA" unit is a "stand alone" machine, where it's just a TiVo. Most fall into that catagory, I'd say.

There are two types of TiVos
1. DirecTv with TiVo
2. Everything else a.k.a SA (stand alone) TiVos, even those with dvd players/recorders

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... However, since you already have a TiVo, that second subscription will only cost you $6.95 per month instead of the full-fare $12.95.

I had completely forgotten about this which makes a second Tivo much more viable. I see that there is a new Tivo which allows one to record two programs at once and that, according to the Tivo agent, is currently priced at $250 - $150 rebate = $100 which is not a bad solution. Of course I would prefer to avoid the second Tivo altogether but doing this would be clean and easy. Thanks for pointing it out!

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bud8man,
Thank you for taking the time to write these details. I will look into this and perhaps post a question after I have done the research.

Mick,
I appreciate the definition and the confirmation that the Tivo can use that sole function without a contract.

Thank you very much folks! :) :) :)