Which wired USB Adapter would you pick?

Bryanw20 · 01-07-2006, 10:21 PM

Looks like I'll be returning my 200M to Compusa when I get a chance this week.
Now that I've had a chance to research it looks like my local store has these models instock:
Netgear FA120 $30
Belkin F5D5050 $25
Linksys 100M $35
Linksys 200M $30 (hopes of a ver 1)

Compusa Brand $22 (another post seems this will work)

I have a refurb 80h Dvdr and don't plan on using the TTG feature, just the broadband features. Even if I don't plan on TTG I would still like to get a 2.0 just because I can, so I think that leaves the NG FA120 or a possible old 200M.

Any suggestions, objections to which I should get.

Promise I'm almost done bugging the group!

Bryan

holowac · 01-07-2006, 10:53 PM

I picked up a Linksys USB 200M ver.1 a few weeks ago at a local Radio Shack. I was previously using a D-Link Wireless G USB Adapter DWL G122 ver A2, but wanted to improve the thru-put by going wired. The 200M seems to work fine but I don't have another wired unit to compare it with. Perhaps someone else in the Community could provide a more definitive answer.

MonkeyBoy668 · 01-08-2006, 04:40 AM

Personally, my Tivo has a 200M rev1. I didn't even know they had a rev2, guess I snuck in under the wire when I busted my old 200M and bought the new one a couple months ago.

Frankly given the fragility of the Linksys design I'm leaning towards getting a Netgear FA120 for the 40hr refurb I just ordered. Well, that and an SMC 802.11g bridge. Tivo will probably roll out WPA support 2 weeks after I get everything in place, but meh... I just hope it all works...

Bryanw20 · 01-08-2006, 10:33 AM

I also noticed while I was at Compusa in Vegas next to their brand adapter was a usb <-> usb data transfer cable to move files between computers. Would this thing work with Tivo? Again I guess probably not, but gotta ask.

classicsat · 01-08-2006, 07:39 PM

The FA120 is the one to pick.
It has only one version, is USB 2.0, uses a standard USB A/B cable, and has a real RJ45.
None of your other choices feature all those.
The Belkin and Linksys USB100M are USB 1.1 only.

You can only use network adapters, as USB-USB transfer cables aren't supported at all.

cassiusdrow · 01-09-2006, 03:51 PM

I'll add another vote for the Netgear FA120, because it is USB 2.0 and uses a real RJ45 ethernet jack. I have one on both of my TiVos and have had no problems with them. I get about 900k transfer rates during TiVoToGo transfers.

The first adapter I bought was a Linksys USB200M, but it always gave me problems because of the skimpy ethernet jack. It dropped packets like crazy and even came unplugged by itself once.

Nora · 01-09-2006, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassiusdrow

I'll add another vote for the Netgear FA120

Ditto. Just hooked this up with no probs.

Bryanw20 · 01-11-2006, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nora

Ditto. Just hooked this up with no probs.

Thanks group, did the exchange last night at compusa for the FA120

Pluged in and it automatically decided to use it vs the phone line. with the desktop I can see Tivo, Tivo can see my photos & music. Now how do I turn on the Yahoo and/or any other toys?

Thanks for the tips!

Fraser+Dief · 01-11-2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassiusdrow

The first adapter I bought was a Linksys USB200M, but it always gave me problems because of the skimpy ethernet jack. It dropped packets like crazy and even came unplugged by itself once.

I'm assuming the connector is the same as my USB100M. At first when I plugged it in, it was very loose, just sitting in there, and it did come loose. I found the next time I plugged it in that if I did it just right, it snapped into place and the tab locked, just like in a normal router, etc. Wouldn't come loose even with some shaking.

The Linksys adapters are fussy, but you can get a solid connection. Just in case anyone searches for this.

petew · 01-11-2006, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryanw20

Now how do I turn on the Yahoo and/or any other toys?

Sign up at http://research.tivo.com/onlineservices/

emrobin · 02-23-2006, 03:12 AM

I bought the Linksys USB200M v.2 10/100 Ethernet USB adapter, but the TiVo site says you need the 7.2.2 updated for it to work. It appears there are many people on this site who are already using this. Are they blowing smoke about the upgrade? Can I plug it in and use it now with my Series2 DVR with update 7.2.1? I bought it so I could turn off my home phone since we use our cell phones for everything and the home phone is only there for the TiVo updates. I'd love to save the $37 my local phone is costing me. I'm basically paying $50 a month to have TiVo and want to get this up asap so I can cancel my local phone service.

petew · 02-23-2006, 08:57 AM

Sign up here http://research.tivo.com/wired/ for the 7.2.2 software.

dcahoe · 02-23-2006, 09:00 AM

I use the Netgear FA120.

Picked it up for $11 shipped on eBay. Refurbished, but looks and works great!

Sweet.

dtreese · 02-24-2006, 09:37 AM

I'm another Netgear user. One on each TiVo, and I get excellent transfer speeds.

mr.cello · 03-14-2006, 11:14 PM

So has anyone used the NetGear FA120 with the 7.2.2? Is it actually running at 2.0 speeds? What kind of speedups have people seen?

gtadell · 03-15-2006, 09:01 AM

Will the wired ethernet connectors like the Netgear FA120 give me more speed than the Tivo branded 802.11G wireless adapter?
I am currently using 802.11b wireless. My tivo is close enough to my router that I could wire it if that would offer better speed for TivotoGo transfers.

cassiusdrow · 03-15-2006, 10:08 AM

I have two Netgear FA120 adapters, one connected to a 240 series 2 TiVo and another connected to a Pioneer 810. Both units are running 7.2.2, and everything works great.

I would speculate that any wired USB 2.0 adapter would be faster than any wireless adapter, but I'm not sure if TiVo's wireless adapter does any special processing. I've never used it.

petew · 03-16-2006, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtadell

Will the wired ethernet connectors like the Netgear FA120 give me more speed than the Tivo branded 802.11G wireless adapter?
I am currently using 802.11b wireless. My tivo is close enough to my router that I could wire it if that would offer better speed for TivotoGo transfers.

You don't state what speed you currently get, but it's almost certain that a wired adapter would be faster.

Joey Bagadonuts · 03-17-2006, 07:03 PM

Just another vote for the Netgear FA120 adapter. The most difficult thing about the "install", is breaking through the cellophane the box is wrapped in.

carlandmel · 03-18-2006, 07:12 AM

I just went from wireless to wired using the FA120. Couldn't be any easier to get up and running. The speed is significantly faster than my old 802.11b wireless connection.

usnret · 03-18-2006, 08:15 AM

Concur on the FA120. Stupid question: How exactly does one find the transfer speed??

cassiusdrow · 03-18-2006, 11:13 AM

I use Galleon for TiVoToGo transfers and it stores the overall transfer rate after it completes.

skw · 03-18-2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey Bagadonuts

Just another vote for the Netgear FA120 adapter. The most difficult thing about the "install", is breaking through the cellophane the box is wrapped in.

Another proponent of the Netgear FA120 here.

For me the most difficult thing was waiting for it to arrive. I ordered it from Amazon at a nice price with free shipping, but it took several days to get here. I would have bought it locally, but I couldn't find it anywhere.

LOTS of places around here have the Netgear 200M and nothing else, so I tried that. I bought one that wasn't labeled as a V2 on the outside, but it was on the inside, so I had to return it. I am glad I got my money back, because the construction of the 200M was really, really flimsy.

Sirshagg · 03-20-2006, 03:21 PM

Just replaced some Linksys USB 200M ver.2's with the Netgear FA120.

dtreese · 03-21-2006, 01:09 AM

This should give you an idea of how the Netgears work:

Tonight, I began a transfer, and I gave it about a minute after the start before I began watching the program. The first commercial break was at 10 min., and when I hit the ff button, it was just wrapping up the transfer. That was basic quality, though. I always get far better than real-time, even with highest quality. If I wait just a couple of minutes before watching a transfer (enough time to ff through the post-intro commercials) I never catch up to the transfer front, even with highest quality. This is in comparison to when I used to have it wireless b & pretty much had to wait until the transfer was done before trying to watch.

I don't have any hard numbers for you, but the Netgear adapters have made multi-room TiVo much, much better for me.

Joey Bagadonuts · 03-21-2006, 02:56 AM

Quote:

For me the most difficult thing was waiting for it to arrive. I ordered it from Amazon at a nice price with free shipping, but it took several days to get here. I would have bought it locally, but I couldn't find it anywhere.

Just an FYI. I think CompUSA might be the best place to purchase this adapter. http://www.compusa.com/ In search box at top of page type in FA120 and hit enter.

Joey Bagadonuts · 03-21-2006, 03:05 AM

Speaking of adapters and such....can anyone recommend a good site to use to purchase 200' of CAT5E or CAT6 cable with the connectors already wired? I can't find any place that has lengths greater than 100'.

dcahoe · 03-21-2006, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey Bagadonuts

Speaking of adapters and such....can anyone recommend a good site to use to purchase 200' of CAT5E or CAT6 cable with the connectors already wired? I can't find any place that has lengths greater than 100'.

You could always buy two 100' cables and get an in-line coupler to connect them together. I know this probably makes the cost unattractive though.

Joey Bagadonuts · 03-21-2006, 06:53 AM

Quote:

You could always buy two 100' cables and get an in-line coupler to connect them together. I know this probably makes the cost unattractive though.

It's not so much the cost as the concern that by coupling two 100' sections (I didn't even know that was possible), it might adversly effect the continuity and speed of the connection. Will that be a factor?

smithrl · 03-21-2006, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey Bagadonuts

Speaking of adapters and such....can anyone recommend a good site to use to purchase 200' of CAT5E or CAT6 cable with the connectors already wired? I can't find any place that has lengths greater than 100'.

There are lots of sites which will make custom cables for you.

See, for example: http://cables.com/Merchant5/merchant...gory_Code=L1PC

Or find a local student who is into networking. They will have RJ-45 crimpers and will have (or can buy) bulk cable and assemble one the exact length you need.