[bproven]

Recently (last night) a lightning storm zapped the modem in my RCA Series2 DVR40 TiVo. It can no longer dial out.

The DirecTV rep wanted to replace it with a DTV DVR unit but I prefer Tivo. For now, I won't be able to order PPV, but more importantly, he says, not get software upgrades from TiVo. Eventually I guess this will disable the unit entirely.

What are my options?

Is there a regular MB in there that I can possibly replace the modem myself?

Can I buy a new TiVo unit directly from TiVo and purchase my TiVo Service from them? We have 3 other units from DTV, one is DVR, one has no recorder and one is also a TiVo (HUGHES?).

Any help appreciated.

 

[Da Goon]

If you feel up to it, you can hack the unit so you won't need the phone line for sw updates. Otherwise, you can get a used directivo off of ebay for quite cheap.

 

[bproven]

Thanks, those are good options. I'm positive I can deal with hacking the unit. I'm a developer and build my own pc's. Where can I find info on what is in there?

What about buying a new tivo? The faqs say they will work on any satellite service. I imagine I will be paying for two different dvr services but that's ok too...

With the ebay option I suppose I would not have to order the TiVo service?

 

[Da Goon]

If you're comfortable with it, just hack the box. Look in the underground forum. Or, better yet, look on ddb (deal data base . com , we can't directly link to it from here). Dual tuner tivos will only work with a single tuner with satellite and any standalone tivo will cost a good bit more, so I'd definitely just recommend to fix up your current unit.

 

[bproven]

Cool, I'll check it out.

 

[classicsat]

The modem is non modular. everything is soldered on the proprietary mainboard. If you can, you can replace components, but it is just easier to hack it to eliminate the call.

Anything with TiVo is a recorder, and Hughes "made" DirecTV TiVos, as well as non DVD DirecTV receivers.

Yes, you can buy a standalone TiVo and subscription, but you will lose dual tuners with DirecTV, and digital recording, and possibly suffer with the IR blaster.

 

[JimSpence]

What software does it have now? It might be at the current level.
If it is working, why bother with the modem? Except for PPV you don't really need it. You can order PPV using the online website.

Just be sure to clear the nag messages periodically.

There is also a place that does repairs, their name escapes me right now.

 

[shore]

If you have access to a FA120 USB Ethernet adapter (or "approved" equal) you can install it and set the area code to 877 and call in over the internet

I have used this in the past to update my sisters non-hacked unit.

 

[grecorj]

Not getting SW updates will not disable your unit; as someone else said, you'll just get "nag" screens asking you to dial in. If you can deal with that (and all you do is click past it once in a while), I'd say that's your best bet.

 

[bproven]

Cool, thanks everyone for all of your help.

Sounds like I'll be ok to leave it. We don't watch PPV. If/when I need to I will either hack it (and I assume update it directly somehow) or get an approved USB and let it update over my wireless network.

I'm glad I found this forum... I wish I knew about it before.

I'm definitely curious about upgrading my unit HD and finding out what TiVo desktop is!

 

[Dkerr24]

Cool, thanks everyone for all of your help.

Sounds like I'll be ok to leave it. We don't watch PPV. If/when I need to I will either hack it (and I assume update it directly somehow) or get an approved USB and let it update over my wireless network.

I'm glad I found this forum... I wish I knew about it before.

I'm definitely curious about upgrading my unit HD and finding out what TiVo desktop is!

You won't be able to order PPV via your remote, once the card fills up. Use the directv.com website to order your PPV.