Several general questions...

[aluter2277]

First of all, I am fairly experienced with capturing and manipulating (editing, encoding, etc.) video files. However, I am new to the whole tivo process. I have just purchased a series 1 off of ebay and would like to be able to extract video from it. I have several questions and would appreciate any help.

1. I have been told that no subscription is required for some of the series 1 models. Is this true? Does this depend on the software I am running? If so, which version should be installed?

2. I plan on installing a network card in order to send data to and from the tivo. Can I simply set up an ad hoc network between my computer and the tivo or will I need some type of infrastructure (hub, switch, router, etc.). Also, I presently do not have a broadband connection, will this hamper my data transfer in any way.

3. I have searched this forum and the web and have found many helpful guides and links. However, I am still in the dark on a few issues. What is tytools and how is it used? Is it the best software for video extraction? Other software needed?

Finally, I realize I have asked a lot of simple questions and appreciate anyone who takes the time to help me out. Also, if anyone has a link to a good step-by-step guide for series 1 video extraction that would be excellent.

Thanks, great forum

aluter2277

[dave-o]

I know it can be frustrating to get started in the Tivo Hacking world. This board is a great place to start, and it's members are extremely knowledgable. I myself, am pretty new at this and I've gained much from lurking here. I have a feeling that those that can probably best answer your questions will roll their eyes and click the back button after they get done reading your post. These guys (I can't really include myself in this group) have answered questions like this so often their sick of it. If you had truly searched this forum, you wouldn't be asking these questions.

That said, I'll try and help:
1. I have been told that no subscription is required for some of the series 1 models. Is this true? Does this depend on the software I am running? If so, which version should be installed?
Talk of free service on this board is prohibited. Anyways, Tivo is worth paying for.


2. I plan on installing a network card in order to send data to and from the tivo. Can I simply set up an ad hoc network between my computer and the tivo or will I need some type of infrastructure (hub, switch, router, etc.). Also, I presently do not have a broadband connection, will this hamper my data transfer in any way.
Yes, depending on your hardware you can set up an ad-hoc or infastructure network. The tivo is a computer running the linux operating system. If your network card is supported under linux, it can and probably already has been compiled for the tivo. If you aren't going to be posting your extractions to teh internet, there is no need for any connection to the outside at all. A fast LAN connection is neccesary for the large file transfers.


3. I have searched this forum and the web and have found many helpful guides and links. However, I am still in the dark on a few issues. What is tytools and how is it used? Is it the best software for video extraction? Other software needed?
Tytools is a client/server type application that allows your PC to retrieve shows from your tivo. I use it and I think it is a great program. The best? hard to say, its preference. Search "Extraction" and read the stickies. The process is pretty well explained.

Good Luck,
Dave

[captain_video]

Try this link for a video extraction tutorial:

http://www.alt.org/wiki/index.php/TivoHackingLinks

You'll need a special network adapter for your series 1 Tivo. There are a couple of different versions to choose from: Tivonet (no longer in production), Turbonet, Airnet (for wireless networks), and cachecard. Check the 9th Tee website for links and info on these.

[classicsat]

1. I have been told that no subscription is required for some of the series 1 models. Is this true? Does this depend on the software I am running? If so, which version should be installed?

You can use the "golden" Series ones as a basic recorder for timed recordings. You can do nothing involving the guide (Season passes, wishlists, etc), without service. Using them in such a way is generally not considered theft of service, not even by Tivo Inc. (unless the owners of this board consider otherwise, then I'll back off)

If you can use one like that depends on if it came from the factory with 1.3 or less software, regardless of the software on it now. Generally, all Philips S1 units
and Sony SVR2000s built before Oct. 2001 are the ones that don't need service to just record.

[aluter2277]

Classic,

That is exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks for the help.

aluter2277