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General discussion

Veronica -- Tivo Question

Mar 10, 2006 7:01AM PST

I was under the impression that in order to use Tivo, you had to have a phone line in order to run the setup and then you could use your LAN network for the regular updates. It sounds like you've circumvented that problem. I need details, because the lack of phone line for the initial setup is the only reason I don't have Tivo.

Discussion is locked

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Talked about previously...
Mar 10, 2006 7:24AM PST

I don't know if it was what Veronica did, but they've mentioned on the podcast before that you don't actually have to dial from your OWN phone line to setup the TiVo - so you could visit a friend's place or just do it in the store.

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new

on the new boxes, you just need an ethernet adapter if you don't have a phone line.

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Tivo makes me so mad!
Mar 10, 2006 11:33AM PST

Veronica, I totally feel for you with the Tivo setup problems. I had an approved wireless network adapter for Tivo, and one day Tivo updated their software, and it never worked again. Lots of people had the problem as well, but Tivo never really helped out.

If you want to know for sure that your adapter will work with Tivo, buy it directly from Tivo. That way, if it doesn't work, get on the phone with them and raise heck with them.

I blogged about my problem with the Tivo setup without landline issue a while back - I found it so annoying that I couldn't set it up over the network, even though I had the network adapter. I'm glad to see that is fixed.

http://www.mlik.org/index.php?p=117

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Two Tuners
Mar 10, 2006 11:44AM PST

I guess you don't have digital cable or you would just get a DVR from the cable provider. I don't think Apple will push a DVR, since it really isn't useful for satellite or digital cable. I don't care for Media Center pc's for that reason as well, not being able to use satellite or digital cable seamlessly.

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Now Among the Converted
Mar 10, 2006 12:17PM PST

After reading urisage's comments about doing the setup at the store, I went to the local Circuit City and asked about using one of their phone lines to do the initial setup. They were cool with it, so I bought the 80 hour Tivo. I noticed in the setup where it asked if you wanted to use the phone line or the network adapter. I got it setup and am waiting for my Tivo-approved wireless network adapter to set it up at the house.

I have a DVR from my cable company but the interface is horrible and I'm spending $10 a month for it and another $10 a month for their Digital Cable package in order to "qualify" for the DVR. So Monday, I'm returning the cable company's DVR, lowering to the Extended Basic package, and hopefully getting my network adapter.