Moron wants easy Tivo-Vonage Connection - sticky

megory · 07-01-2007, 09:13 AM

I loved my Tivo! I never was competent to hack it.

When I went to Vonage, I devoluted to Scientific Atlanta through BrightHouse and use it with my HDTV and my analog.

Periodically, I look here and on Tivo's website to see if there's any easy solution--and everything I read makes my eyes cross and my ADD brain shut down. I admit it, I'm a moron.

But I'm a moron who totally misses her TiVo! I am so fed up with SA.

I keep my old TiVos in storage. I tried to give them away to friends and relatives, but they wanted their easy DVR (sob, I understand). And right now, I'd go buy a new TiVo if I could figure what WiFi equipment to buy to make it work. PLUS the Vonage.

I don't use any hard wiring for my computers either.

Hey, I'm pretty computer savvy for a moron. But, in my advancing, addlepated years, I want a guide of what to do, and a list 1, 2, 3 . . . rather than being an experimenter.

Is there a sticky . . . what equipment to buy (e.g. what Linksys Router) to use with TiVo in a WiFi household? Heck, I don't totally care if I have telephone access so long as I have TiVo.

But, the instructions have to be easy!

I know I'm seeking the improbable, and I know there's a plethora of info out there -- but it all seems to be contradictory.

Sigh.

clem2270 · 07-01-2007, 09:40 AM

hello megory,

Maybe I am not understanding your problems with connecting your TiVo DVR's.

Are your DVR's TiVo branded? or are they DirectTV branded? Do you have Series 2 or 3 TiVo's?

I would think that connecting your TiVo's would be as easy as purchasing the TiVo wireless USB network adapter's and using the network setup routine in your TiVo to get it to connect to your wireless broadband router.

I'm assuming that you have a wireless router since you have mentioned having Vonage, that requires a high speed internet connection, and you already mentioned having your existing computers on a wireless connection.

maybe you could provide further info on what equipment you have.

I hope this helps.

*****************************
UPDATE:

Sorry, megory; I failed to read your equipment listing under your posting.

Since you have Series 2 boxes, you should be able to purchase the TiVo branded USB adapters, and run the setup option to get them connected to your Internet connection.

dylanemcgregor · 07-01-2007, 09:53 AM

Megory,

It used to be a bit complicated to get your TiVo set-up on a wireless network and I know there have also been problems if you use Vonage and want to have your TiVo update the guide data with that...but these difficulties have pretty much been solved over the last couple of years provided that you have a S2 stand alone TiVo. If that is the case you just need to do what clem2270 suggested and:

1) Get the TiVo branded wireless G adapter. There are other adapters that will work, and some might be a bit cheaper, but those require extensive checking to make sure that they have all the right firmware.

2) Plug the USB adapter into a USB port on the back of the TiVo
3) Go to Network options and have TiVo walk you through connecting to your wireless network.

It should really be that simple. If you have an older S1 TiVo it can be done also, but it is a bit more complicated as TiVo never intended to support network access for those machines.

-Dylan

megory · 07-01-2007, 10:14 AM

Indeed. My laptop is 100% WiFi, which does require a router <g> and mine is a simple old wireless

LinkSys 54GS WiFi
LinkSys RTP300 (VOIP-not connected)
On-hand: 2 Linksys Wireless G USB Adaptors

All my TiVos are Standalones. I go back to Sonys (boy did I love them!) and forward to Humax. If I figure this

At present, due to some moronic state, I do NOT have my Vonage connected, because I haven't had the time (these things take me days and maximum stress) to figure it out or to purchase the correct equipment. I use my cellphone for all calls and only keep the Vonage for potential TiVo.

My present 54Gs is connected to my Brighthouse modem, so I have WiFi access to my computer laptop.

So, in reality, NO, I don't have telephone access in my house.

TM

jrm01 · 07-01-2007, 10:25 AM

Don't know much (anything?) about Vonage, but there is an archived link that might help you:

http://archive2.tivocommunity.com/ti...hreadid=167909

clem2270 · 07-01-2007, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megory

Indeed. My laptop is 100% WiFi, which does require a router <g> and mine is a simple old wireless

LinkSys 54GS WiFi
LinkSys RTP300 (VOIP-not connected)
On-hand: 2 Linksys Wireless G USB Adaptors

All my TiVos are Standalones. I go back to Sonys (boy did I love them!) and forward to Humax. If I figure this

At present, due to some moronic state, I do NOT have my Vonage connected, because I haven't had the time (these things take me days and maximum stress) to figure it out or to purchase the correct equipment. I use my cellphone for all calls and only keep the Vonage for potential TiVo.

My present 54Gs is connected to my Brighthouse modem, so I have WiFi access to my computer laptop.

So, in reality, NO, I don't have telephone access in my house.

TM

if you connect your TiVo's via your wireless Internet connection, then you do not need to have a "phone" connection for the daily programming guide update, your DVR's will update via your broadband connection.

wolflord11 · 07-01-2007, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megory

LinkSys 54GS WiFi
LinkSys RTP300 (VOIP-not connected)
On-hand: 2 Linksys Wireless G USB Adaptors

At present, due to some moronic state, I do NOT have my Vonage connected, because I haven't had the time (these things take me days and maximum stress) to figure it out or to purchase the correct equipment. I use my cellphone for all calls and only keep the Vonage for potential TiVo.

TM

The Linksys RTP300 is Vonage enabled. It used to be shipped out by Vonage before they switched to different Routers.

All you need to do to enable service is to call Vonage and give them all the details off the back of the Router. So you have all the equipment needed for Vonage Service.

megory · 07-01-2007, 05:47 PM

Yes, thanks. I wasn't very clear. Since I'm totally WiFi now, and the Vonage router isn't, I don't have it connected. I do have the occasional message which I receive by email.

Is it necessary to have the Vonage phone connected in order to use it for Tivo?

megory · 07-01-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clem2270

if you connect your TiVo's via your wireless Internet connection, then you do not need to have a "phone" connection for the daily programming guide update, your DVR's will update via your broadband connection.

Now that is very, very interesting! I really thought I had to have it connected to a telephone for daily updates. If I can simply connect my TiVo through my SA converter (I'd switch to a cheaper unit and get rid of the Scientific Atlanta DVR) . . . but wait . . . then I don't need any wireless whatsoever, correct?

If all the updating is done through the converter, why the need for any LinkSys?

I was excited at first, but now I'm more confused.

What I'm reading is that you say I don't need Wifi for Tivo, because it will update through my cable. That doesn't feel correct. If it is, I'm thrilled.

wolflord11 · 07-01-2007, 07:20 PM

If you have Cable internet (Broadband) then you do not need a phone line at all. Connect your tivo up to the network.

You will need a Series 2 Tivo unit. The ST (Single Tuner) needs a USB adapter to connect to the network. The DT (Dual Tuner) has a built in Ethernet card in the unit.

This is a simple connection:

Cable Modem to Router (Linksys RTP300) then 1 connection to your PC. A Second connection to your Tivo unit.

Not only does the Tivo get all its quide data over the interent, but you can also use TivoToGo and trnasfer recordings to your PC. From there you can watch them, or burn them to DVD.

ZeoTiVo · 07-02-2007, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megory

Now that is very, very interesting! I really thought I had to have it connected to a telephone for daily updates. If I can simply connect my TiVo through my SA converter (I'd switch to a cheaper unit and get rid of the Scientific Atlanta DVR) . . . but wait . . . then I don't need any wireless whatsoever, correct?

If all the updating is done through the converter, why the need for any LinkSys?

I was excited at first, but now I'm more confused.

What I'm reading is that you say I don't need Wifi for Tivo, because it will update through my cable. That doesn't feel correct. If it is, I'm thrilled.

you are making this way too complicated and getting it wrong. Like Wolflord said, all you need to do is hook up the TiVo on your internet connected network and TiVo does the rest without any need for a phone line or vonage.

start with this page from TiVo.com on getting your TiVo connected. it is simple with no need for complicating this.
http://www.tivo.com/mytivo/domore/ge...ted/index.html

PS - since you have wirekess already I would get the TiVo wireless adapter as they are much faster than any other wireless adapter you can put on the TiVo, plus you get a much more reliable setup for less throubleshooting hassles.

megory · 07-02-2007, 03:59 PM

Apparently I AM complicating it too much! But I'm confused and don't see the picture.

First of all, to my mind, I don't have a network to connect to. so I don't know what I'd hook to what.

All I see connected (as I picture this) is the Tivo and my TV connected and my Bright House descrambler connected as I had two TiVos connected before except I don't need to have a telephone line any more.

And that sounds quite simple, but it doesn't make sense to me. I like it, because it sounds as simple as the SciAtl POS connection. I just don't believe it.

Please straighten me out.

ZeoTiVo · 07-02-2007, 04:09 PM

the WiFi is your network.

The brighthouse modem is your connection to the Internet and the outside world. your laptop has a wireless adapter which connects to your WiFi router - the router connects to the brighthouse modem which connects to the Internet. Via that you can browse web sites and so forth on the laptop.

So now get a wireless adapter for the TiVo. This wireless adapter will connect the TiVo to the Wifi router which connects to the bright house modem which connects to the Internet. Via that your TiVo can connect to TiVo servers also on the Internet and get the guide data and updates and Yahoo apps and so forth. This completely bypasses the need for a phone line and nothing needs to be connected to the phone line jack on the TiVo.

The web site I linked to previously in this thread will let you browse to pages that explain how to set the Tivo up to use a network connection. It is simple TiVo menus and quite painless.

so just get a TiVo wireless adapter and then follow the instructions to plug it in to the TiVo and use the menus to setup the TiVo to use the network. That is all you have to do.

megory · 07-06-2007, 07:58 AM

After whining and sighing a lot, I finally bit the bullet and ordered the service. First, I ordered the adapters:

USB200M Linksys Compact 10/100 USB Network Adapt 1
AG0100 TiVo branded wireless G adapter (AG0100)

But of course, nothing will arrive until next week. Meanwhile, I am champing at the bit! I really want to see if I can actually connect and receive on this Humax, or if I will need to buy the 180 hour DT before I can TiVo again in the comfort of my home

While I wait, I am going to use one of my Linksys Compact Wireless G USB adapters (2.4 GHz -- 802.11). It is NOT on the TiVo list of approved WiFi adapters, so I am merely hopeful, not expectant!

Also meantime, my WiFi is WPA not WEP. This concerns me a bit.

Input?

ZeoTiVo · 07-06-2007, 09:43 AM

TiVo software version 8.1 or later also supports WPA encryption for DVRs equipped with TiVo Wireless G Adapters. not sure why you ordered two different adapters,

here are two links that show you how to hook up to existing wireless network

http://customersupport.tivo.com/Laun...chor=undefined

http://customersupport.tivo.com/Laun...chor=undefined

PS - the TiVo most likely does not have 8.1 on it since it has been idle. so use WEP on your WIFI or just hook up a cable directly to router until the TiVo gets a chance to update - usually about two days at most after activating it. I think a new DT will come with at least 8.1 on it now.

megory · 07-06-2007, 03:23 PM

Thanks Zeo. Haven't a clue how to hook up cable to a router until it updates. I have it all connected now with the non-reg USBg as heretofore mentioned.

I can see a screen, but my latest problem is I cannot find the Humax remote anywhere! I have several of my Sony remotes -- but -- ah well.

I was going to order the DT today (together with a dual tuner) but something is wrong with their ordering system. All my (charge card, address, etc.) info comes up with the old tuner, but not with a purchase. I'm not ready to go through all that again, so I won't buy now. TiVo sure doesn't set things up to make it easy for a customer!

Oh, yes, thanks for the links.