Comments on: interactive tivo upgrade guide (over 44 models)

By: Michael Thurman

Michael Thurman — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:02:02 +0000

i am blind, and I’m trying to use the box, is there anyone who has added accessibility? since this is a linux box inside, it should be posible to add text to speech so it reads the menus, or just replace the entire operating system.. i have wo of the series 2 boxes laying around,but since i can’t see th emenus, the boxes are useless. I would happily pay for service if could actually operate these boxes. some of my blind friends tell me that making a box that can’t be operated by the blind is actually illegal in Australlia, even the cable comapnies down there are required by law to provide accessibility. with more people losing their vision every day… baby boomers are getting old now… we are going to see an ever increasing blin dpopulation who are willing to spen dmoney IF their needs are acomodaed please E mail me off list about any way that I might get the dumb box to talk to me s I can actually record and play back programs… E mail me off list at kb7nla@spamfoilGmail.com real people can remove the spamfil to E mail me thank you ps just to clarify I am not her to steal service, jut make th ebox talk, and posibly use an an alternative program guide source

By: kvd

kvd — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 03:29:12 +0000

im reading posts that hacking tivo is thievery but paying for a service to access the internet on a separate device on top of the internet service your paying for and to just record tv from your cable provider like a vcr is what i call thievery or at least a rip off and i cant believe idiots would ever pay for the service. and before i purchased mine i looked everywhere to see if a subscription is required and i couldn’t find anything. it should be posted on the box. and if i cant find a working hack im taking the piece of junk back to the store

By: eric

eric — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 05:01:38 +0000

@Don: IT’s not TiVo’s fauly you changed email addresses, credit cards of physical addresses. Use the same email addy that you’ve used. It’s your own damn fault for using an email address tied to your ISP. Just saying you’re a dumbass.

By: Don

Don — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:58:39 +0000

I don’t think it is possible to record using the Tivo without a subscription. Wouldn’t it be nice if they told us that on the box? Anyway, I’ve been looking for a free subscription service and haven’t found one yet. I’ve had my Tivo for 6 years, and while it’s better than most other DVRs that I’ve seen, I changed credit cards and have moved, therefore, my email has changed. Needless to say, I can’t log onto the website to update my CC information. This is the second time that I’ve been through this and I’m tired of it. I’m just going to go with a different DVR. At least I won’t have to pay for a service anymore and I can still record my favorite shows. The service price is too steep anyway, in my opinion. F TIVO!!

By: Em Jay

Em Jay — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 23:43:19 +0000

Is there a way to use a Tivo to record programs programs from a cable without a Tivo subscription? I have an old tivo and I want to use it as a simple VCR recorder. What should I do?

Jay

By: Travis H

Travis H — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:24:52 +0000

It is possible to use both hard drives in 1 box if you want!

By: Savannah

Savannah — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 23:41:19 +0000

I was wondering. We have a TIVO that is a series 2 that has 40 hours of play time. We have a lifetime subscription on it for years now. I bought a TIVO series 2 with 80 hours at a yard sale. Is it possible to put the bigger hard drive in the one that has a lifetime subscription or put the lifetime subscription on the new one without paying extra?

By: slack messiah

slack messiah — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 00:08:15 +0000

I recently picked up a Series 2 Tivo. I do NOT want to pay Tivo for their service, I’d just like to use it as a DVR. Is this possible? I know someone mentioned “stealing” their service. I do NOT want to steal anything, I just want to use the Tivo as a DVR.
Is this possible, as in someones done it and there’s instructions somewhere?
Or is possible that it can be done with some serious hacking, but no one’s done it & posted instuctions on how they did it?

By: slack messiah

slack messiah — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 00:06:26 +0000

By: Keloni

Keloni — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 04:56:17 +0000

Is it possible nowdays to redirect tivo to another data source other than the tivo service? I already pay shit lots of money for cable… I dont want another bill! If this is possible I might get Tivo if not… I will wait. Also, where can I find info on how to create my own data source… that is an option I am willing to consider as well.

By: Grimm

Grimm — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 04:20:01 +0000

We’re talking about two separate things here. 1) Is the TiVo hardware and 2) Is the TiVo service.

So yes if you buy the TiVo hardware you are not stealing by hacking/modifying/upgrading or destroying with a sledgehammer that hardware that you have legally purchased.

The TiVo service on the other hand has not been paid for and modifying the system to obtain that service without paying for it (as the first poster suggests) is flat out theft.

If your talking about getting an alternative service from a source that is free then that is another story. But the people that were getting jumped on for using the words “theft” and “stealing” are obviously talking about the suggestion of getting the TiVo service from tivo without paying for it.

By: m41888

m41888 — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 02:01:13 +0000

Hacking Tivo is not illegal. If I purchased a diamond ring for $2000 and decided to sell it for $200, the person buying the ring is not committing a crime.

Tivo sells their hardware at cheap prices, hoping people will pay for the service – unless bound by contract to use the service, it is legal to buy a tivo and not use the service.

I’m considering buying one and reprogramming it to do something like nate suggested earlier in this discussion – rather than using Tivo’s service, input my own service data – if anyone knows how, please contact me at M41888@gmail.com.

The DMCA protects intellectual property – so hosting a Tivo hard drive image is illegal. Telling how to modify the Tivo or releasing a “patch” is not.

If you want to use their service, you can – but no law can bind a citizen to any service unless they sign a contract stating they will use that service – this is why many new Tivos are now requiring a 1 year service when you buy it.

It’s good that Tivo is not narrow-sighted when it comes to hackers – and hackers have kept the secret pretty well on how to hack a tivo to steal service. Just realize that modification of the hardware is perfectly legal and we all have a right to do so.

By: broodlinger

broodlinger — Sat, 26 Nov 2005 13:30:29 +0000

Several points.

1. Tivo hardware is cheap and does not engender a great deal of respect for the company. I have spent over $300 on Tivo so far and I have to keep the case open for it to work.

2. Tivo software has not been enhanced in ~5 years, again not very impressive.

3. Tivo subscription service is a brain-dead business model that is rapidly destroying their company.

4. Stealing their (shitty) service is theft.

5. Redirecting Tivo to another program source is *not* theft. In fact it would create competition which is at the core of American ideals.

6. The DMCA is unconstitutional because it contradicts ordinary notions of property ownership, freedom of speech, privacy, religion (thought), and the right to bear arms (technology).

7. If you support the pacification of the American public then you are a traitor and you will be hanged.

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 01:22:13 +0000

People that work for Tivo responded to your question unfortuntely. Redirecting Tivo’s guide to use another source should not be illegal. You purchased your Tivo hardware and have the right to modify it. Unfortunately, DCMA has been abused by corporations to take your rights away. DCMA has many components that are simply un-american and should be changed. Those that oppose DCMA should find ways to subvert its intent.

I challenge the community to post ways to enhance Tivo to use free guide data available on the internet.

By: gary

gary — Tue, 09 Aug 2005 00:20:04 +0000

It is sad that we live in a world where theft is condoned and supported by the masses. Let’s steal music because we’re too cheap to pay for it and justify it by saying the RIAA is crooked. Let’s rip off TiVo and justify it by saying we’re starving students. If you cannot afford it, don’t buy a TiVo.