TiVo's Wireless G USB network adapter boosts performance

TiVo is busting out their very own Wireless G USB network adapter to help push those Housewives episodes around the home. Not only does it do the traditional wireless thang, but they've stuck the device with some processing duties usually associated with transferring TiVoToGo vids and Multi-Room Viewing, so you should see some performance enhancement in those activities. You can buy it direct from the ever smiling Mr. Tivo for a mere $50.

[Jonathan Dolph @ Dec 27th 2005 9:13PM]

Give Tivo Performance Boots!

[oneighturbo @ Dec 27th 2005 9:30PM]

ahhhh! why isnt this compatible with my DirecTV Tivo Series 2!!!!!!!!!



I know DireTV is makin their own but mine was purchased way before the agreement ended, which DirecTV is still selling.

[Jeff C @ Dec 27th 2005 9:47PM]

All TiVos before the "nightlight" versions were USB 1. I suppose it only taken ONE YEAR for an 802.11G adapter to show up.



And to think I had to use that as an example when I shut off my service last week.

[John M @ Dec 27th 2005 9:57PM]

Yeah, great, but does it support WPA? I hate having to downgrade my security to support wireless networking for the "network out-of-date TiVo".

[Steven Boger @ Dec 27th 2005 10:18PM]

JeffC, Tivo Series2 has had usb 802.11G support since Feb '05. D-Link DWL-G120, and Netgear WG111.



Note, that's not to say they were great. In fact, I went from a Linksys WUSB11 (good) to a DWL-G120 (connection issues), and right to a Linksys USB200M 100Mbps RJ45 wired solution (excellent).



Most people also don't seem to be aware that series2's can support USB 2.0. It's a massive difference with a hardwired USB200M.



If you NEED 802.11G, then consider a Linksys USB200M wired to a Linksys WET54G wireless-ethernet bridge. Works great, and speed is the USB2.0 max. (or better yet, use a cheap WRT54G with dd-wrt in bridge mode instead of an expensive WET-54G) Total cost is usually around 70 bucks...

[Jeremy @ Dec 27th 2005 10:35PM]

I just ordered two. I have three tivo units (1 is hardwired) Hopefully this will speed things up enought to justify the $100. I was just about ready to run ethernet cable through the attic but this may save me a lot of headache.

[p-diddy @ Dec 28th 2005 12:24AM]

So what is a "good" transfer time for these? I have a series 2 with the Netgear 802.11g adapter and I'm getting 2:1 transfers, e.g., a 15 minute show (robot chicken) takes a half hour. Not too bad for adult swim, but Lost, etc. is atrocious.



-p-

[decrypt @ Dec 28th 2005 12:37AM]

Still no WPA support though.... *sigh*

[Jess Kaufman @ Dec 28th 2005 1:10AM]

Wireless sucks, and this adapter will only make it a little less sucky. Try wired ethernet intead if possible, or, if not, get the fab Netgear Powerline Ethernet bridge. This is somewhat slow, but very reliable, much more than wireless.

[ronenosity @ Dec 28th 2005 1:11AM]

FYI to oneighturbo. I have the directv DVR, it sucks!!! I also have a directv tivo series 1 which I love. if anyone knows how to get one of those boxes, email me!

[Justin @ Dec 28th 2005 1:19AM]

#3: As far as I know, newer boxes before the nightlight boxes also support USB2.0 in hardware, but not software.

[MegaZone @ Dec 28th 2005 1:39AM]

All Series2 units have USB2.0 hardware, except for the very early boxes with model numbers started with 110/130/140. And all TiVo software has had USB2.0 drivers since 7.x. So it is not just the 'nightlight' boxes.



As for DirecTiVos - complain to DirecTV. They're the ones blocking network support. Probably to avoid making their R15 NDS boxes look even shittier than they do already, compared to the TiVo units.

[C.Hack @ Dec 28th 2005 8:29AM]

No WPA and $50?! What a joke.

[Jeff Costantino @ Dec 28th 2005 8:45AM]

Steven; I bought a 10/100 wired adapter for my 5400 series TiVo and it would only be 10% faster transferring a show to my PC. I forget the adapter name (it was a Dlink and on the supported adapter list) but it was painfully slow to send a show over.

[Pointlisse @ Dec 28th 2005 9:04AM]

Isn't this just a wireless bridge, of the same variety I and many others have been using for 2+ years? If not, why is it better than a bridge (if it is).

[Dan @ Dec 28th 2005 9:32AM]

Will this cure the stupid "message 86 error" I seem to get every day with my Linksys Wireless-B adapter attached to my Humax DVD-R Tivo? I reboot it everyday now. :(

[David Hakki @ Dec 28th 2005 10:24AM]

tivo doesnt work with direct tv because it sucks, infact TiVo sued direct tv for disableing TiVo, i personially like Cable and ethernet not wireless

[Santiago @ Dec 28th 2005 10:34AM]

useless if it doesn't have wpa. wep is so broken it's not even funny, and the security now podcast on twit taught me that mac address filtering is no security whatsoever (which was a big surprise). i recently removed my tivo from my wireless network and just moved by router to the living room and ran some ethernet cable.

[flash @ Dec 28th 2005 10:58AM]

While I would have liked to have seen this about a year ago when they first rolled out Tivo2go, it's a good sign. Looks like good funtionality, easy integration, and ok price. Much cheaper than the Xbox360's close to $100 wireless adapter.

[Carlton Bale @ Dec 28th 2005 11:02AM]

Be aware that only the Linksys USB200M v1.0 is supported. The newer v2.0 (which most stores have in stock now) will not work. Check the TiVo website for details: http://www.tivo.com/network



The internal chipsets of adapters keep changing even though the model numbers do not. That makes it difficult for TiVo to keep up. I'm glad they are now selling their own adapters that will definitely be compatible.



If you want WPA support, you have to get a wired network USB adapter and connect it from the TiVo to a wired-to-wireless bridge (aka gaming adapter). You then configure the bridge to connect to the WPA-encrypted wireless network. A Linksys WRT54G with third party firmware such as DD-WRT can do this as well. http://www.dd-wrt.com .

[John Corcione @ Dec 28th 2005 2:38PM]

I am a little frustrated as well. My Hughes DirecTV tivo (silver) receiver has 2 usb ports of which they are not "HOT" is a big dissapointment, I am running the 6.x software which is supposed to enable the usb ports!! SO u have to go looking for a 200 dollar mod to make your ports hot. Ridiculous. just my 2 cents.

[coglethorpe @ Dec 28th 2005 8:28PM]

I've had huge problems with WiFi signals in my house. It's good to see a products that can handle those issues.

[warrenpeace� @ Dec 29th 2005 11:01AM]

Nice, but you can't buy it in Canada. I've bought three different types/brands of adapter to find one that will work. There are always revisions to the adapters, which the TiVo drivers don't support. The last adapter I bought doesn't have drivers 'cause they weren't ready for the last software release. I have to let it sit here in a box waiting for the next release to use it. I thought TiVo releasing their own would be better, but it seems it'll just have different issues.



They'd better launch in Canada in April when they've said they would 'cause even my zealot-like love for TiVO is tiring out.

[Michael @ Dec 31st 2005 10:18PM]

Which version of the software will work (and work best) for Wireless? Is there a version that will support 802.11.g on a DirecTivo?



I have been told:

* version 4.0.1 will work with 802.11.b adapters but, is only USB 1.0.



* version 7.1 is best for ethernet but, does not support 802.11.g & will not work with DirecTivo.



Thanks in advance for everyone's advise.



Have a happy New Year.



Regards,



Michael

[Jared @ Jan 6th 2006 10:00AM]

Up and running with a pair of the new TiVo G adapters. I can now transfer Better quality shows in real time. A tremendous improvement.