[Mandlf]

The FAQ for the new HD TiVo says that only the TiVo branded wireless adapter will be compatible. Has anyone verified this? Does anyone know what is special about this adapter (other than TiVo getting the money from it...)?

 

[JacksTiVo]

The FAQ for the new HD TiVo says that only the TiVo branded wireless adapter will be compatible. Has anyone verified this? Does anyone know what is special about this adapter (other than TiVo getting the money from it...)?

I am not an expert, but my understanding is that the TiVo brand wireless adapter does some processing which frees-up the work load on the TiVo's unit's CPU. See the discussion at: http://www.tivolovers.com/2006/03/26/amazon-listing-tivo-wifi-adapter/#comment-1176 .

 

[Mandlf]

Thanks for the link. I'm using an off-the-shelf Linksys 802.11b adapter on my Series 2 and it works fine (even downloading Amazon Unbox movies.) I guess I'll try it on the new box and if it doesn't work I'll get the TiVo one.

 

[classicsat]

The point is that it is supported, not that others will not work.

What is special about it is that is specs are in total control of Tivo Inc, so that they can control if the spec changes, and if it does, they will know what it is, to be able to keep up on drivers for it. The fact it co-processes wireless networking is a bonus of TiVo going on their own, or a secondary reason.

The reason the Series 3 platform no longer "supports" the non-Tivo adapters, is because TiVo likely saw the Series 3 platform an opportunity make clean break from support of the unreliable market of PC adapters built for the PC market.