DGW90 said:
Hello,
I too am trying to avoid using the phone line as it is long distance where I live. I've been looking on TIVO's webpage where they have developed their own wireless adapter. I'm new to this networking stuff. Can anyone tell me if that is all that I need to get. That looks like it hooks up to the DVR itself. What do I need to send the DSL signal from my computer/modem to the adapter? Any help would be greatyl appreciated.
Disclaimer: I am not a network expert, although I do have one that functions quite well, using wired and wireless connections plus WPA security. I am very far from a tivo network expert, because I haven't gotten this going at all. I am waiting on parts that arrive Monday.
Basically, you need a network, either wired or wireless, or both. There are many good wireless routers out there -- I have a Netgear WGT624 that I'm pleased with. It replaced a Linksys that I was not pleased with. Go to the routers web site (for example, netgear.com) for info on how to start a network. My router is a wireless access point (provides wireless signal) and four-port switch (provides four ethernet ports). I have two computers hooked to the switch via ethernet, plus laptops can roam around and connect wirelessly.
Tivo can hook up wirelessly (wifi) or wired (ethernet). Both solutions are somewhat complicated. If you want wireless, I'd go with the new Tivo wireless USB adapter. Price isn't bad, and you know it will work. You can't, however, use WPA security on your network with this adapter; you'd have to use WEP. (Look in this forum or elsewhere for info on this.) For this reason, I'm choosing to use a wireless bridge (aka gaming adapter) plus USB to ethernet adapter. I am relatively confident that this combo will a) let me use WPA, and b) be fast enough. But apparently not any old bridge plus usb adapter will work. List of good ones is at tivo.com and here.
If you can run ethernet to your tivo, then all you need is a usb to ethernet adapter.
In other words, there are a lot of factors you need to consider. Read this forum and give it some time to sink in. You'll figure it out.