2 New Tivo HDs slow MRV transfer on wired network

[NYHeel]

I have 2 new Tivo HDs on Fios and they are both on a wired network. One of them (basement) is plugged directly into the router and the other (bedroom) is plugged into a switch (acting as a kind of coupler, as there are 2 devices there but only one ethernet cable) and then along an ethernet line to the router in my basement. Other than a switch and a long wired run my setup seems simple.

However, my transfer speed was recently only 12.41 MB/s so it took 2.5 hours to transfer a 2 hour show. Any ideas on why my transfer speed is so slow? Could my switch be causing a problem? At that speed I might as well just use wireless.

[bkdtv]

Are your TivoHDs both running the 11.0b software? TiVo improved MRV throughput in 9.4 and again in 11.0.

MRV throughput will be slower than normal during the initial guide indexing period (2-3 days after setup and 2-3 days after 11.0b is installed).

If both of your TivoHDs have had 11.0b for ~3 days, try the following for testing purposes: set both tuners on each TivoHD to channels you do not receive and then MRV a high-definition recording. The TiVos should report at least 29.5 - 30.5 Mbps. If they do not, then that suggests an issue with networking equipment.

[NYHeel]

Yes they both have 11.0. However, I did just do a transfer and I got 18.6 one way and 19.4 the other. So may be picking up a little. Also, that was with one of the Tivos recording something. I'll try your suggestion later tonight.

[lrhorer]

However, my transfer speed was recently only 12.41 MB/s so it took 2.5 hours to transfer a 2 hour show. Any ideas on why my transfer speed is so slow? Could my switch be causing a problem? At that speed I might as well just use wireless.
I think you mean 12.41 Mb/s, not MB/s. A transfer rate of 12.41 MB/s is 99.28 Mbps, which is almost faster than the absolute maximum ransfer rate of the Ethernet port. That said, performance will suffer if either or both TiVos are recording something - especially a couple of HD programs. While transferring, set all four tuners to channels for which you are not authorized. Make sure your switches are coming up as full duplex. Avoid transferring data shortly after a daily call or a software upgrade. You might consider gigabit switches, rather than 100M switches (or at least switches with gigabit uplinks), if there is any amount of inter-switch traffic. (The fact you have 2 devices in your bedroom more or less guarantees this at least occasionally.)

A proper setup should get performance somewhat similar to (but a bit lower than) this on one of my S3s:

http://fletchergeek.com/images/SN850039.JPG

[Dssturbo1]

yes, it can be a little inconvenient but they will definetely pick up speed if you have them set to blank channels, no recordings or viewing. I can get up to 54 Mb/s between 2 of my S3s and 44 Mb/s on my Tivo HD to S3. A HD <>HD transfer would be a little slower.

[bkdtv]

Note MRV on the Series3 is more than a third faster than the TivoHD. TivoHD->TivoHD transfers max out at around 30-31 Mbps.

The op does have Verizon FiOS, which offers more 17-19Mbps channels than any other provider, so average MRV throughput with two tuned HD channels will probably be a bit less than the typical Comcast customer (with re-compressed HD) would see.