PDA

View Full Version : Connecting two tivos

jw144
08-30-2006, 06:18 PM
Sorry about the basic question that's probably been asked a thousand times. A year ago I got a two tv setup for Directv, one with tivo. After a year, we can't live without the dvr and want a second one for the other tv. Is it possible to connect the two tivos and share what has been recorded on them? I'm not sure if it is worth the money to buy/lease the new dvr if I can't record on one tv and watch on the other. I never know which tv I want to watch The Simpsons on.
litzdog911
08-30-2006, 06:38 PM
What brand/model Tivo do you have? Modern stand-alone Tivos (not DirecTV Tivos) are easily networked and can share recordings. Check out the information on Tivo-to-Go and Tivo Desktop at Tivo's forum.
goony
08-30-2006, 07:18 PM
If you have multiple DTivos (i.e. DirecTV DVR with integrated Tivo) modified with the Zipper (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=265929) (and connected to your home network) you can do the same MRV (multi-room viewing) as the standalone Tivos can do.

If the DTivo has USB ports on the back it is a Series 2 and can be Zippered (with the exception of the R10 DTivo which requires hardware modifications).

Note: If you get a new standard definition satellite DVR from DirecTV it won't be a Tivo-based unit - you must find them as refurbs, used, new "old stock", etc. One person found one at a garage sale for $1!
goony
08-30-2006, 07:24 PM
Do you pay your DVR fee to Tivo Inc. or is it part of your DirecTV bill? That will tell us if you have a standalone Tivo or a DirecTV DVR with Tivo.
jw144
08-30-2006, 09:27 PM
Thanks for the replies. I pay as part of my Dtv bill. It's a Samsung SIR-S4080R, which has a couple USBs, but presumably the ones that are inactive that I've heard about.
So it sounds like Zippering is my best option, assuming that model can be done without any modifications. I got the unit before Dtv started leasing, so I could modify, but that kinda scares me.
I talked to a guy at Directv today and he said my only option through them was to get a remote that can control the main tivo and do some sort of mirroring type of stuff, which I don't really understand. But with the distance between the tvs, a remote with a 50 foot range that he was talking about wouldn't cut it anyway.
Thanks for the help.