newb question - unsupported drive

[nploop102]

Does TiVo know if I use an unsupported drive?
Yes. When you attach an unsupported drive, that information is reported to TiVo when your box connects to the service to download guide information.

This kinda left me hanging...So now they know, now what? Do they disable service? Charge additional fees? Warranty voided? What is it they do with this information?

BTW, I just switched from ReplayTV to TivoHD...mostly because of the HD capability and dual-tuner. I must say, the recording behavior is something I will need to get accustomed to. Also upgraded to a 1TB WD as soon as I got the cablecards going.

[lessd]

Does TiVo know if I use an unsupported drive?
Yes. When you attach an unsupported drive, that information is reported to TiVo when your box connects to the service to download guide information.

This kinda left me hanging...So now they know, now what? Do they disable service? Charge additional fees? Warranty voided? What is it they do with this information?

BTW, I just switched from ReplayTV to TivoHD...mostly because of the HD capability and dual-tuner. I must say, the recording behavior is something I will need to get accustomed to. Also upgraded to a 1TB WD as soon as I got the cablecards going.

TiVo has never cut off service for changing out the drive, the only problem you could run into is if you have a new TiVo that needs warranty service.

[mattack]

Though one thing that has been rumored about in the past is that they heavily track how many OS updates happen, so if you repeatedly install a drive with an older version of the OS, which then gets updated, supposedly *something* will happen.. (I don't know what..)

[lessd]

Though one thing that has been rumored about in the past is that they heavily track how many OS updates happen, so if you repeatedly install a drive with an older version of the OS, which then gets updated, supposedly *something* will happen.. (I don't know what..)

Why would one do that on a single TiVo, drives don't fail that often.

[RonDawg]

I've upgraded the drives on a TiVo 3 times, with a 4th to happen later this year after my TiVoHD is off warranty. I've NEVER had a problem with TiVo shutting off my service, or giving me other problems, because of an upgraded drive.

While TiVo does not officially sanction drive upgrades except for the official Western Digital My DVR Expander on the Series 3 and TiVoHD models, as long as you don't engage in piracy TiVo has pretty much turned a blind eye to the practice.

[jlib]

Though one thing that has been rumored about in the past is that they heavily track how many OS updates happen, so if you repeatedly install a drive with an older version of the OS, which then gets updated, supposedly *something* will happen.. (I don't know what..)Why would they care how many times you replace a defective drive? If it is not sourced it is just made up.

[ZeoTiVo]

Why would they care how many times you replace a defective drive? If it is not sourced it is just made up.

in days of old - a lot more hacking went on and images for TiVo were openly put on web sites. The code from TiVo was proprietary but they use open source within it so there was a battle over all open sourced or not. TiVo took actions to protect their proprietary claim and I think this is some holdover from those more wild and wooly times.

Unless you plan on sharing TiVo source code with everyone, nothing will happen. Like Ron Dawg said, normal upgrade the drive activity is just fine by TiVo. I have never even heard of a warranty issue over upgrading a drive.

[ruinah]

When I called to cancel a Series 2 yesterday (replaced with a Tivo HD) the guy on the phone said the hardware is mine, so I am free to sell it or do whatever I wanted with it. So, to me I think that if you buy the hardware, you should be able to do whatever you want with it. Same goes with cell phones. I have a Samsung I760 and Verizon removed ICS so you can't tether without their software. Well, if I want ICS I should be able to install it to my device since I own the Windows Mobile OS license on the device.

[nploop102]

Thanks for the replies. The FAQ section just happen to catch my eye and got me wondering. As long as they don't drag my butt to court for swapping out drives or charge me more money, I don't care if they monitor how many drives I've swapped or what shows I record.