The TiVo Wireless G Adapter is here!

[TiVoJerry]

It's not too often that I am given the opportunity to make a product announcement, but this was just too good to pass up! Many of you have heard rumor of a TiVo-branded wireless 802.11g adapter (TiVoPony showed it back in the summer) and it has now come to fruition. And I don't feel like I'm biased when I say that this is one good-looking adapter! http://www.tivo.com/2.7.1.asp

And this is the first 802.11g adapter that is compatible with ALL TiVo Series2 standalone platforms (even the first generation models with the 110, 130, and 140 TSN prefixes)!! It has a full MAC chipset to optimize performance with a TiVo DVR (cannot be used on a PC or Macintosh).

For those of you who were following this thread, you may have noticed that one was visible on my desk.

[Dan203]

I noticed it on your desk, but I had seen one before so I wasn't allowed to point it out.

Dan

[MickeS]

It does indeed look really nice!

It has a full MAC chipset to optimize performance with a TiVo DVR (cannot be used on a PC or Macintosh).

What does this mean in terms of real transfer speed numbers? Will the seemingly unbreakable barrier around 600kB/s using wifi USB adapters finally go away, giving it full 802.11g capacity?

/Mike

[dirtypacman]

Thanks for the heads up!!!

[cheerdude]

Sweet... Ordered mine (x2)

[DCIFRTHS]

Originally Posted by TiVoJerry

..... It has a full MAC chipset to optimize performance with a TiVo DVR (cannot be used on a PC or Macintosh). ....

Would you elaborate?

[jsmeeker]

yay!!

Finally, it makes it to market.

[ChuckyBox]

For those of you who like to see the insides of things, here is a link to the documents filed with the FCC. The "internal photos" show enough detail to read part numbers.

Let the speculation begin...

[DCIFRTHS]

Link to the chipset...

[MickeS]

That does indeed seem to be the chip used in this device.

The on-chip processor and memory are capable of running all wireless functions on-chip, allowing embedded system designers to add wireless LAN technology to a variety of platforms without burdoning the host processor.

So this should increase the transfer speed, since the TiVo will not have to do the WiFi-related processing, just like using a USB-ethernet adapter increases the speed, correct?

[jbondsr]

Will Tivo support WPA?

[Dan203]

Originally Posted by jbondsr

Will Tivo support WPA?

That will require a software upgrade on the TiVo itself. As of right now TiVo only supports WEP regardless of the brand of the adapter you're using.

Dan

[DCIFRTHS]

Originally Posted by Dan203

That will require a software upgrade on the TiVo itself. As of right now TiVo only supports WEP regardless of the brand of the adapter you're using.

Dan

This is one reason why I don't like to use wireless for TiVo.

[MickeS]

DCIFRTHS,
you can go the bridge route, then you can get a wireless tivo with WPA.
I bought a refurbished WPA-enabled 802.11g bridge and a used USB-ethernet adapter for about what this new TiVo adapter costs.

/Mike

[Gunnyman]

would the drivers for this puppy be in 6.2 software?

[davezatz]

FYI the adapter doesn't plug directly into the back of the TiVo... you'll need to use the USB extension cable which isn't visible in the TiVo store photos. My current adapter works reasonably well and I prefer less cable clutter, but I do have a new adapter on order for the sake of testing. When I'm done, I'll raffle it off. (Unless the speeds are blazingly fast, then it's all mine.)

[jkalnin]

Anyone care to tell us how much faster this will make transfers? What is the max transfer rate with this puppy?

[Dan203]

This may take the burden of WiFi off of the processor, but I wouldn't expect a huge difference in TTG transfers since the main factor causing slowness there is processing power required to mux the streams into a single file. Although it could have a significant impact on MRV transfers since they don't require the muxing process.

I'd actually be interested in seeing a comparison when someone gets one.

Dan

[TiVoJerry]

The full MAC architecture of the TiVo Wireless G adapter does indeed offload work from the CPU of your TiVo box, which in theory can result in an increase in networking throughput. In real-world use, wireless throughput depends on your network environment, what other processes are running on your TiVo box, and a host of other factors. Some users will see a noticeable improvement in wireless throughput for the TiVo adapter compared to other wireless adapters, and others will not.

With regard to WPA, at this time the TiVo Wireless G adapter does not support WPA, and supports WEP only. We are aware of our customers’ desire for WPA, and are investigating WPA implementation for a future software release.

[pawchikapawpaw]

oooo, it's pretty.

one question, though, before i buy it, i have the d-link adapter on my tivo, can i still use that one on my computer, or is it gone?

[Dan203]

Originally Posted by pawchikapawpaw

I have the d-link adapter on my tivo, can i still use that one on my computer, or is it gone?

It should still work when connected to a computer provided that computer has the proper drivers installed. The TiVo software doesn't do anything to 3rd party adapters that would cause them to only work on a TiVo.

Dan

[TiVoJerry]

Originally Posted by Gunnyman

would the drivers for this puppy be in 6.2 software?

Nope. SW 7.2.1 or higher is required.

Originally Posted by pawchikapawpaw

one question, though, before i buy it, i have the d-link adapter on my tivo, can i still use that one on my computer, or is it gone?

That depends on whether or not you ever saw a screen advising you of a firmware update when you first plugged the D-Link into the TiVo. If you saw it, it probably will not work on any other device...as the screen would've warned you explicitly. If you did not receive a firmware update, then it should work. My advice to you is try the adapter on your computer before committing to buying the new adapter.


Sorry Dan203. In most cases your statement would be correct but there are times when a firmware upgrade was installed that warns the user that the adapter will not be usable again on other devices. It's not common but it does happen.

[petew]

Originally Posted by Dan203

It should still work when connected to a computer provided that computer has the proper drivers installed. The TiVo software doesn't do anything to 3rd party adapters that would cause them to only work on a TiVo.

Dan

Actually that not entirely correct. I believe Tivo will change the firmware rev on certain wireless adapters. If the adpater is moved back to a PC it's necessary to flash the firmware again, back to a rev supported by the current windows drivers.

There's a thread somewhere in the forums, I just can't find it!

[pawchikapawpaw]

Originally Posted by TiVoJerry

Nope. SW 7.2.1 or higher is required.




That depends on whether or not you ever saw a screen advising you of a firmware update when you first plugged the D-Link into the TiVo. If you saw it, it probably will not work on any other device...as the screen would've warned you explicitly. If you did not receive a firmware update, then it should work. My advice to you is try the adapter on your computer before committing to buying the new adapter.

i think i had the firmware update screen when i first used it. it was way back, so i can't remember for sure.

(ooops, i think my steel toe boot accidentally made its way into the tivo cabinet and unplugged it and smashed the adapter. over and over again. ugh, the tragedy. i guess i'll have to buy that thing you guys are hawking to us.)

[Dan203]

I stand corrected!

Dan

[ZeoTiVo]

Originally Posted by petew

Actually that not entirely correct. I believe Tivo will change the firmware rev on certain wireless adapters. If the adpater is moved back to a PC it's necessary to flash the firmware again, back to a rev supported by the current windows drivers.

There's a thread somewhere in the forums, I just can't find it!

I also think it was mainly early on with B adapters and I do not recall seeing any reports on having to do this with G adapters

[petew]

The adapter in question was the D-Link DWL-122

And here's a thread that may help restore it for use with a PC:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...d.php?t=235316

[TiVoJerry]

Originally Posted by davezatz

FYI the adapter doesn't plug directly into the back of the TiVo... you'll need to use the USB extension cable which isn't visible in the TiVo store photos.

If you click on "View more images" below the image on the store page, you'll see a side view with the cable, a view of it closed, and a view of the carton.

[ChuckyBox]

Originally Posted by TiVoJerry

If you click on "View more images" below the image on the store page, you'll see a side view with the cable, a view of it closed, and a view of the carton.

But is the cable included in the package with the adapter? I would guess it is, but maybe the text description of the product ought to include that information.

[megazone]

Yes, the cable is included.