Any used Tivo 2 gotchas?

[dknapp]

I plan to buy a used, single tuner Tivo2. It was used on a Comcast cable system. I plan to use my unit on a Cox digital cable system. Is that going to work OK? I have both wired or wireless boradband for the internet connection. Any suggestions there? The unit does seem to have been well taken care of.

I don't really plan to do any recording that would need dual tuners so far as I can tell, but is there a way to add a second tuner? At most, we would use it to record shows while we were not at home.

Thanks in advance for any suggesions.

[LifeIsABeach]

No gotchas as long as the box is in good working order. No, it is not possible to add a second tuner.

[dknapp]

OK, thanks. This one also has a 300GB drive update. Can I make some sort of backup in case that goes south? Either image of whole disk or at least the O/S stuff. I understand the guts are Linux. I have doodled a little with that, but am by no means a distro geek.

[dwit]

OK, thanks. This one also has a 300GB drive update. Can I make some sort of backup in case that goes south? Either image of whole disk or at least the O/S stuff. I understand the guts are Linux. I have doodled a little with that, but am by no means a distro geek.

Yes, just go to mfslive.org for guides on saving a back up truncated image to your pc to restore to hard drive when necessary or copying the entire drive to another drive.

There are two methods: the linux cd or the winmfs method, which uses windows and is relatively simple to use.

[lastdeadcat]

Be aware that this ST Tivo is analog only. If you cable goes all digital it will need a cable box that will convert to a signal the TiVo can record. That means the input will the whatever the cable box can output. It will probably be composite or maybe S-Video with Red/White audio. Use S-Video is possible. The working tuner then will be in the cable box not the TiVo.

300 GBs for the hard drive is good. You can then record all your programs at "Best Quality". If the last owner still has the original drive, see if you can get it.

If you really like the TiVo you might than consider getting TiVo HD. If this one's drive goes out consider getting a modern TiVo unless this one has lifetime service. Then a new hard drive might be worth it to keep the lifetime subscription, but it will never record High Def. The forum sponsors sell pre-loaded replacement drives.

You can network this TiVo and move programs to your computer to save them. A TiVo brand wireless adapter will work and some others. Some USB ethernet adapters will also work for a hard wired connection. Use the hardwired connection if possible. Check the TiVo website for recommendations. Maybe the last owner has these that might be for sale as well.

After you use TiVo for awhile, you will find you are addicted to it. You will never what to watch TV any other way

[dknapp]

I was planning to always use the cable box for tuning anyway, as some channels are digital (the higher ones) and some are not. Good idea about getting the original drive. Current owner says it has been out of service for only about a month.

Will I be able to copy programs to my PC (Win XP Home) so I can then reformat them for playback on an iPod 40GB? My daughter would like to use the Tivo for time and playback shifting.

I actually hardly ever watch TV except the news, but am looking forward to recording the Tour de France, as we are bicycle geeks. Live coverage is 8 hours ahead of my time zone.

[dwit]

dknapp asked:...Will I be able to copy programs to my PC (Win XP Home) so I can then reformat them for playback on an iPod 40GB?...

Yes. About anything on that matter is covered in the Home Media-Tivo to Go forum section.