Using TivoWebPlus and Best Lan NetWork Adaptor

[restino]

A - What is the best brand/model/type of ***NOT WIRELESS*** LAN Network Adaptor to use for the HR10-250? I assume that is the standard and best way to access HR10-250 units via the web with TivoWebPlus?

B - Can I use any cheap one or does it have tobe specific so I dont have problems?

C - And what is the cheapest place to get 5 or more of teh ones I need for all my units?

D - To use the adapters I have to hack the software right? In other words I can just use the Instant Cake Dummy installer version and it will work. I have to use the PTV stuff and upgrade and choose to install the USB hack?

E - And if I do that, and then if the phone line gets plugged in and the software gets upgraded then all that gets lost right? Or maybe abrupt power offs can even screw that stuff up?

F - So that means once the upgrade/hacks are in place there is chances that stuff will go wrong to mess this up? Remember I have many of those units and many people that I cannot control with those boxes.

G - If a stable constant environment is what I need on most of the units then maybe the hacked stuff isnt the route to go due to instability and potential problems, etc? I mean the hacks are working most months and then something might make the hacks stop working kinda of stuff. I dont mean the Tivo standard features stop working.

THank you :up:

[wmcbrine]

A. I used to use an Xterasys XN-121, which is functionally equivalent to the Linksys model I used before that, but cheaper and with more stable connectors. (The Linksys is designed for portability, which isn't really an issue here.)

B. IIRC, only certain chipsets are supported. Just a few of these are widely used, and may even cover most device manufacturers. But you'd better check the list for yourself.

C.Once you know, you NewEgg. The Linksys is (was?) available at Best Buy, but it's hardly cheap there.

See the Underground forum for more info.

[whitepelican]

A - What is the best brand/model/type of ***NOT WIRELESS*** LAN Network Adaptor to use for the HR10-250? I assume that is the standard and best way to access HR10-250 units via the web with TivoWebPlus?

"Best" is obviously subjective. I've used the Netgear FA-120's and D-Link DUB-E100's for several years with no problems. What you need to look for is a USB 2.0 adapter to get better speeds.

B - Can I use any cheap one or does it have to be specific so I dont have problems?

Yes and no. You can use cheap ones, but they have to be specific. In other words, you just need to do some research and find the best price you can on adapters that will work.

C - And what is the cheapest place to get 5 or more of teh ones I need for all my units?

See above.

D - To use the adapters I have to hack the software right? In other words I can just use the Instant Cake Dummy installer version and it will work. I have to use the PTV stuff and upgrade and choose to install the USB hack?

Yes, you need to hack the box to use the network. You don't necessarily need PTVnet, you could manually hack or use the Zipper script found here in the Underground forum. Also, if you already have a working hard drive or image, then you don't necessarily need Instantcake either.

E - And if I do that, and then if the phone line gets plugged in and the software gets upgraded then all that gets lost right? Or maybe abrupt power offs can even screw that stuff up?

If the box is properly hacked, then it will not install software upgrades, so you won't lose your hacks. Power loss is not a problem either.

F - So that means once the upgrade/hacks are in place there is chances that stuff will go wrong to mess this up? Remember I have many of those units and many people that I cannot control with those boxes.

Once you have a properly hacked box, it should remain stable as long as you don't continue to mess with hacks and fudge something up yourself.

G - If a stable constant environment is what I need on most of the units then maybe the hacked stuff isnt the route to go due to instability and potential problems, etc? I mean the hacks are working most months and then something might make the hacks stop working kinda of stuff. I dont mean the Tivo standard features stop working.

The hacks won't stop working on their own, and they won't make the system any more unstable. The only real concern is if a newbie like yourself wants to continue to tinker with and install new hacks (it's hard not to at times) you could break something. But even then, it's just software, so you can always repair the damages you've done or re-install if you need to.

[restino]

Thanks for the great info!

Can I apply the USB changes to any original drive with normal the normal image without recreating the Tivo software or do I have to delete, restore and start from scratch with USB changes and a new Tivo image?

[whitepelican]

Thanks for the great info!

Can I apply the USB changes to any original drive with normal the normal image without recreating the Tivo software or do I have to delete, restore and start from scratch with USB changes and a new Tivo image?

You could use your current drive and software without changing anything. But a lot of folks find this a good time (before hacking the box) to buy a bigger replacement drive and set aside your stock drive so you always have a known good backup.