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Game over :-(

8K views 85 replies 36 participants last post by  LarryDavid 
#1 ·
Looks like thats it folks

Two TiVo's I know in different parts of the country now get number not answered when I try to call in :(:down:

Ah well it was good while it lasted

altEPG here we come :up:

Furball
 
#31 ·
Got to be a good chance they'll not turn off the network access and even though I don't have it I very much hope they don't.

As an unofficial service, it arguably does not conflict with any agreement with Virgin. Assuming the core data is common with Virgin TiVo then it could well cost very little to run.

Next step for me is try the local call dial up - good spot that Gary
 
#37 ·
Good stuff! I just updated my TiVo with the prefix and it seems to be working! Thanks for keeping us updated on this stuff guys!

What's involved in the AltEPG stuff? I see that I need to update the hard drive, do I also need to install a network card too?
If the TiVo is within spitting distance of a networked PC, I recommend the serial cable method described here. See the post by Rachel for the hardware and the post by millsb on 5 June for link to the software.

Costs only a few pounds but just as effective as a network card and might also save you a small fortune in phone calls to the AltEPG number.
 
#38 ·
Whilst I currently only have dial-up available, sorry if this has been mentioned here or in the tivoland forum, but what are the prices like for the initial alt-epg call and then every day/night, like?

Considering it's an 01274 or 0845 number...

(Would prefer a serial cable, but my pc is all the way upstairs, plus I dont use it much (use a laptop) and they wouldnt be left on anyway)
 
#39 ·
I am also mulling over options for this, as I'm a tightwad and the 0845 number isn't covered by my 'unlimited' phone calls package (10.11p connection and 6.13ppm) .

The serial route is interesting, as I have a couple of old (PIII 600Mhz old) laptops with serial and ethernet (and built in V90 modem if needs be!) lying around which could be harnessed as a 'gateway'. The convenience being that they are small enough to set up and just dump behind or next to the TV with the lid shut and forget about them.

The next step of course would be looking at an open-source hackable router (like one of the Linksys jobbies) with a serial port ..... I'll leave that to someone with more time and inclination though ;)
 
#41 ·
An 01x number was chosen as the preferred dial-up number since most people have it in inclusive call packages (whereas an 0845 number would be excluded). If you're not on an inclusive call package then you will need to check the rate from your phone company since they are all different! BT charge up to 2p/min for 0845 and up to 7.6p/min for 01x (both are cheaper at weekends). Watch out for that insidious 'connection charge' for each call you make though!

The initial calls will take about 30 minutes. A Daily Call will take less than 5 minutes. Pete worked out the 'worst case' annual cost to be about £80 a year in call costs. i.e. still significantly less than the £120 a year we were paying to TiVo.


p.s. you should really be discussing this on the tivoland forum not on here. ;)
 
#44 ·
If the pc data source means leaving a computer on all year in the long run a network card may pay for itself in electric. Change of phone call plan may also be cheaper.

Automan.
Does anyone offer 0845 as inclusive? It just sounded like an interesting/fun bit of work to do tbh. My unix/linux skills are somewhat rusty these days and it would be a good kick-start at re-learning some of it (or at least get me interested again).

As people have argued, the electric cost vs the call cost vs not bothering at all means that ultimately the most likely scenario is that I'll be over to SKY+ exclusively and the TiVo will be mothballed (or sold). I had vague plans to pair it up with my old SKY SD box to keep it as an alternate recording possibility, as I liked the idea of the fun hacking that could be done with it (with or without the AltEPG image).

However as with most of my 'must do that one day' projects its likely that none of this would come to pass!
 
#49 ·
One possibility might be onetel (talk talk phone provider). I've been signed up to that for years, long before TT bought it. It doesn't cost anything other than the cost of the calls you make and is free to sign up to. I believe there are a number of these about now.

Their 0845 rates are only 1.53p off peak plus 12.5p connection charge.

You access that via an access number which I know still works.

You are supposed to use a # to signify the end of your number dial which >may< be a problem, but iirc it doesn't necessarily need that, it just waits for a bit and then assumes that you've finished dialling!

I might give that a bash tonight and report back.

Most providers will block known 'internet dialup' lines from their free packages. Dunno whether this applies to the TiVo 0845 no, as I have Sky as well.

As UUNet are now part of TalkTalk you would think they know about the number...
0845 isn't the 'official' designation for ISP access I don't think, so I would hazard a guess that 0845 plans should cover this number too. YMMV of course.
 
#50 ·
The problem with OneTel and other indirect providers is that they often plug into spare telco capacity, wherever they can find it. So one day you will get a solid connection, the next some flaky Voip job sent halfway across Europe that can't handle data very well.

But definitely worth a try. :)
 
#51 ·
FWIW at least one member has reported the altepg 0845 number to be included in his TalkTalk anytime plan,
but AFAIK there's no way to confirm other than checking your bill after the call, as he did.

As for the switch off -

I guess we have to wait until the data runs out now to find out how many really still use their tivos.

Altepg has 800ish users, but many will stick with the standard epg until data runs out,
either by choice or ignorance of altepg existing, or even not realising the switch off applies to them.

Many people will ignore messages until the tivo stops working.
 
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