Will any 'ole USB to Ethernet adapter work?

[vasilemj]

So I've been thinking of ditching my wireless connection in favor of a hard-lined ethernet adapter for my TiVo. I see hundreds of cheap, generic USB to Ethernet adapters on eBay and I'm wondering if these will work just as well as some of the name-brand models out there (such as the Linksys USB200M).

Has anyone trie one of these cheap and dirty models and had any success?

[mike3775]

Before I bought my series 2 DT, I used a cheap USB to Ethernet adapter I bought off of Ebay and it worked fine.

I tried the wireless thing that Tivo sells, and my signal was always poor, even when the damn thing was sitting right next to the router.

[classicsat]

Most of the el-cheapo adapters are Realtek based, so incompatible with TiVo.

Get one of the known compatible ones, or do your homework and get one that uses a compatible chipset.

[F8ster]

Here's the list of TiVo-blessed ones:

http://customersupport.tivo.com/LaunchContent.aspx?CID=1faa0420-0e05-4b2e-9a42-253346b15256

[supasta]

Spend a few extra bucks and invest in the TiVo branded wireless adapter. Well worth it.

[steve614]

Spend a few extra bucks and invest in the TiVo branded wireless adapter. Well worth it.

So I've been thinking of ditching my wireless connection in favor of a hard-lined ethernet adapter for my TiVo.
:rolleyes:



:D

[supasta]

:rolleyes:



:D
Good catch, I complete missed that, didn't I. :o

[steve614]

Good catch, I complete missed that, didn't I. :o
Of course, you have a point if the OP is wanting to try and increase his speed. :)

[vasilemj]

I actually do have the TiVo branded wireless adapter so that begs the question....will I see a noticeable transfer speed improvement by going wired instead of wireless. Right now my wireless transfer speeds average about 550-600 kb/s.

The trouble is when I'm downloading from TiVo Desktop (version 2.2) and I'm downloading multiple files at a time, it seems to drop my connection for some unknown reason. This is very frustrating when I set it up before I head to bed for the evening.

Using TiVoPlayList I don't seem to have this problem but I'm wondering if using a wired connection would allow me to have more success using TiVo Desktop.

[wolflord11]

Get a name Brand Adapter. Make sure it is compatible with Tivo, and all will be good.

I tried several of the cheap Adapters off Ebay, and they did not work. Not to worry, used them with my Home Network setup :D

You will see a vast improvement in speed going from wireless to wired.

[steve614]

I actually do have the TiVo branded wireless adapter so that begs the question....will I see a noticeable transfer speed improvement by going wired instead of wireless. Right now my wireless transfer speeds average about 550-600 kb/s.
Transfer speeds will be different depending on what model Tivo you have.
For example, I have an S2 540 model ST Tivo and use a wired network.
My transfer times are only slightly faster than real time.
The trouble is when I'm downloading from TiVo Desktop (version 2.2) and I'm downloading multiple files at a time, it seems to drop my connection for some unknown reason. This is very frustrating when I set it up before I head to bed for the evening.
You could try and change your wireless frequency channel.
IMO, a reason to go wired (even with a possible loss in xfer speed).
Using TiVoPlayList I don't seem to have this problem but I'm wondering if using a wired connection would allow me to have more success using TiVo Desktop.
Don't know since I have never used a wireless network.
I can only report that I have NO problems with TD 2.2 and my wired connection.

[danneauxs]

I posted some time ago about a little adapter I bought on ebay for like $7 shipped. It works in my series2. I only get about 2-3 Mbits, but if I dissconect the component video cable going into my tivo unit my speed always increases to 4 Mbits. I've never messed with the router or any settings to try to tweak my speed if I even could, but had the cables dissconected one day and did a transfer and noticed the speed increase.

If needed I can try to find my receipt for the seller and brand.

Danneauxs

[dylanemcgregor]

I posted some time ago about a little adapter I bought on ebay for like $7 shipped. It works in my series2. I only get about 2-3 Mbits, but if I dissconect the component video cable going into my tivo unit my speed always increases to 4 Mbits. I've never messed with the router or any settings to try to tweak my speed if I even could, but had the cables dissconected one day and did a transfer and noticed the speed increase.

If needed I can try to find my receipt for the seller and brand.

Danneauxs

I'd love to know what this is. I've been trying to buy the Linksys for a couple of weeks, but TiVo seems to have trouble taking my money.

[classicsat]

Plug it into your PC and see what the USB VID and PID is in device manager, or use USBview, on the PC. Report back here with the VID/PID.

[juddmike]

I have a 3-year-old TiVo-branded Series 2.

Started out using the Linksys USB ethernet adapter, the damn thing was so touchy from a physical perspective, crappy design, the hinge-door-thingy eventually broke off.

Now using the StarTek mini adapter, which I notice CompUSA have sold out, and have had no problems at all. Plugged it in, worked first time, sensible design too.

I'm not blessed with Cat-5 wiring throughout and the WiFi thing was never reliable, so I went with the Netgear Powerline Ethernet adapters. You need at least two (one at your router and one at each device) and they run $30-40 each, but they work like a charm

[JamieP]

Plug it into your PC and see what the USB VID and PID is in device manager, or use USBview, on the PC. Report back here with the VID/PID.You can also get those ID's from the windows driver .inf file, if you want to know before you actual purchase the hardware, and windows driver downloads are available.