Need suggestion on upgrade - what would you do?

[bdsklar]

OK a few years ago i bought a DSR6000 and upgarded it myself - added a second drive..all is working fine. Several issues however:

1) Still on versoin 3.1 of software - not sure if that is because of the DSR6000, oer because teh software I used locks out any upgrades...none have ever come down teh phone line.

2) system is getting sloooooower.

3) Remote now working funny since i upgarded to 5.8 Ghz phone system and new wireless router from netgear (up and down buttons working wierd....on screen act as though they are continuously pressed) - cahnged batteries and rebooted but still an issue.

4) Looking to replace or upgrade but want to avoid my past mistakes - what model should i replace it with that is fast processor, works with directv (returned two DVR R15 pieces of crap) , will get upgrades and can work over wireless network (send fiels to my computer for viewing, update lists over the web, etc.) - suggestions?

5) Can DSR6000 be re-upgraded or should i not even bother at this point - has max 160 GB available drive space on two drives?

6) and if it can be, shoudl i attempt again or find a good comapny to perform this for me, or can the hard drives I have in there be salvaged for new system?

Thanks for the suggestions - my fiance actually thought this was the greatest invention and loves it - so simple even my 6 year old twins were able to handle it without training alomst 4 years ago!!

[goony]

If it were me, I would

1) Use your existing drives or get a new single drive that would be larger than both of them. In general, a single drive will run cooler and longer than dual drives.

2) Upgrade to V6.2 of software using an Instantcake (http://www.ptvupgrade.com/products/instantcake/) image. V6.2 is much faster than the older V3.1.x version

Make sure you obtain the proper image from Instantcake.

Hard drive size, in GB * 0.875 = rough recording hours capacity on a DTivo.

[Dkerr24]

If it were me, I would

1) Use your existing drives or get a new single drive that would be larger than both of them. In general, a single drive will run cooler and longer than dual drives.

2) Upgrade to V6.2 of software using an Instantcake (http://www.ptvupgrade.com/products/instantcake/) image. V6.2 is much faster than the older V3.1.x version

Make sure you obtain the proper image from Instantcake.

Hard drive size, in GB * 0.875 = rough recording hours capacity on a DTivo.

Goony: He can't upgrade to ver 6.2 as he has a older Series1 unit. He would need to purchase a Series2 unit to get the 6.2 software. Series1 will be stuck forever at 3.1xx.

[ForrestB]

DirecTV released version 3.5 software for the series 1 DirecTivo's about 10 months ago. I think it's a bit quicker - that's the only visible change.

If you like the series 1, then I suggest getting a refurbished or used series 2 DirecTivo's - it responds quicker (especially with larger hard drives), organizes your shows into folders and can be easily networked with a USB adapter. I suggest getting one of the models listed at the top of this page Tivo Zipper (http://www.mastersav.com/tivo_zipper.html)

[goony]

Goony: He can't upgrade to ver 6.2 as he has a older Series1 unit. He would need to purchase a Series2 unit to get the 6.2 software. Series1 will be stuck forever at 3.1xx.Yea, my badd - 6.2 is for S2 units only.

I second the suggestion of obtaining a S2 unit + appropriate USB-to-Ether adapter. and Zippering it. You can use your old drives in the S2 if you wish.

[bdsklar]

Prefer to get Series 2 for DirecTV - one site said wireless does not work with DTV versions of Tivo - on here it says works fine, interesting.

Series 1 would not allow larger partitions, so half the hard drive space is wasted on the 160GB drife i have in there.

Also, with teh recommendations you made, will updated system software install automaticlly in the future, or wil i need to hack it every time there is a software version upgrade? on Series 1 the new software would owwnlaod but never install - never could get 3.5 - as if it was coded not to accept upgrades!

Who sells compelte systems willl full functions and allows updates over teh internet/phone when they are submitted?

Thanks!

[ForrestB]

You'll need to hack the Tivo using the Tivo Zipper or another method, before the USB port will function. After that, you can attach a USB to Ethernet adapter or a 802.11b wireless adapter. If you want more speed over wireless, you can attach a 802.11g wireless ethernet bridge to the USB to Ethernet adapter.

Most users with hacked units don't have a phone line attached. As for updates, they are VERY infrequent. I've owned a series 2 DirecTivo for 3.5 years and there was exactly 1 software update from DirecTV during that time.

Your old Tivo should be running software 3.5 if it's connected to a phone line and hasn't been hacked. Have you tried restarting your Tivo (required to install a software upgrade)?

ebay.com is a great source of factory refurbished series 2 DirecTivo - cost is $50 to $70

[bdsklar]

thanks..the old series 1 dsr6000 was hacked using sleeper iso over 2 years ago...so it was connected to a phone line and download cmae...system rebooted...but still on 3.1 - so how do i get on 3.5 with it? How do i clean out teh system and start from scratch now and get all the good hacks with teh 3.5 software enhancements?

Thanks!