Adding a Tivo with NO service just to network?

It's possible to use a hacked dtivo as a dumb media server for MRV transfers, but with a StandAlone, an active subscription would still be needed.

 

Nope.

All you can do without sub is buffer LiveTV and view existing recordings.

Recording and transfers requires subscription.

 

I read its possible as a standalone. I am trying to figure this out too if someone could point me in the right direction on the hack.

 

No, it's not possible on a SA. Well anything is technically possible, but since tivo offers these features as a paid service, it's considered theft of service. A 6.2x directv tivo can be used as a dumb MRV box without a subscription, provided the right patches have been applied. Google for superpatch.

 

Thanks for the info. My issue is that my subscription has already been canceled and it seems that superpatch requires the subscription to be on, unless I am not understanding it right. I just want to be able to transfer files back and forth.

 

I was thinking of adding another DTivo to my gameroom for exactly this purpose. Would the box still have to be hooked up to at least one coax line to prevent the "unable to find satellite" nag screen? I'm currently using all my coax lines. If the box requires a coax hookup to prevent the nag screen, it would be a dealbreaker for me.

Thanks,
Aaron

 

Yes, the superpatch requires the subscription be active. On a standalone, all the superpatch does is disable encryption and some other things. You simply need to sub to transfer recordings back and forth.

I think you can use a DirecTV-TiVo as an MRV client with no satellite no problem.

 

So it sounds like the bottom line is that if you want to view movies on one Tivo in another room, you need a sub. for both. I have a Tivo with a full sub. and one with Tivo basic. I wanted to watch the movies already recorded on one Tivo on the other one.

 

Correct. With 2 standalone tivo's both need active subscriptions. If you have 2 Directv /w Tivo's you can use 1 as an unsubbed dumb MRV box. OR if you 1 standalone and 1 Dtivo the standalone requires a subscription but you can use the Dtivo as a dumb MRV box.

 

I have 3 DTivo receivers but only 2 are activated, the 3rd one is deactivated, all 3 have been hacked with "the zipper" so I can "MRV" with all 3 receivers? I can transfer recordings back and forth between the 3 receivers then? another thing as well, does the unactivated receiver need an access card for MRV to work?thanks

PS-all 3 receivers have the 6.2a OS version

 

can someone answer my questions please?

 

yes it will work
no access card needed

 

thanks Gunnyman, now time to replace the fuse on my deactivated receiver

 

No access card is needed to use the DTivo as a media store.

But if you want to also view stored media on a TV connected to that DTivo you will need an access card (it does not have to be subscribed), otherwise you will have a banner on the bottom of the screen saying "Please insert a valid access card"

 

which is easily removed iff hacked.

 

There's even a tivoapp patch available to get rid of this message.

 

Humm, I wasn't aware of that one. It isn't part of the superpatch?
Does it have a name?
Do you remember where it is posted?

 

Nope. Google for tivoapp patches. Check the thread in the first hit. It's on page 5 of that thread.