What is the best series 2 to grab off Ebay?

[sky12]

I'm looking to pick up another series 2 TiVo to replace an old old series one I have.
What is the best model to grab, in terms of adding HDs and hacking?
I just saw a TCD140060 for $30 that didn't sell, so some good deals seem to be about.
The internal storage isn't too big a deal since I'll be grabbing it a 250G drive right off the bat.
I'm not sure I'll be hacking right off the bat either as the latest series 2 units seem to serve me quite nice as they are. (I have a toshiba sd-h400 which I hacked, but I never do anything with it's hackedness)

Sky

[cheer]

Any should be fine other than the so-called Series2.5 units (the "night light" ones).

[Narf54321]

The TCD140 is reasonable, although the USB ports are 'slower' than later models. There's also some issues with using the 3.1.5 killhdinitrd kernel on it, but I think that's remedied by the latest 7.2.2 killhdinitrd kernel.

Any of the TCD240 models would be great. They're common and software hackable (via killhdinitrd).

Avoid the TCD540 (NightLight) models if you want to hack. They require a PROM chip replacement to do anything more than drop-in a larger hard drive.

[Offspring2099]

TCD240's might be a little harder to get on ebay, unless you are willing to fork over $60-$80 plus shiping. At least that's what I noticed. I think it's less of a headache to get a TCD540, Prom mod it and save yourself a head ache from lost auctions.

[sucram65]

I have a 140. I think they are nicer despite the usb 1.1 ports because they already have a bracket for two drives and presumably can run at higher temps. I monte from a 3.1.1c kernel to Jamie's custom 7.2.x kernel. I'll be trying a killed 7.2.2 kernel soon in the same monte setup soon.

[Narf54321]

TCD240's might be a little harder to get on ebay, unless you are willing to fork over $60-$80 plus shiping. At least that's what I noticed. I think it's less of a headache to get a TCD540, Prom mod it and save yourself a head ache from lost auctions.

I've always said a TCD240 at under $100 shipped is still a bargain, because they are software hackable. I've paid between $70 and $85 for my ebay TCD240's (plus between $11-18 shipping) and been very happy paying that (the remote controls alone are probably worth almost $30).

On the other hand, I recently PROM modded my "free" TCD540 NightLite model and cost me almost $150 in supplies to make it happen. That includes a willem programmer so I can actually do something with the new socket. So, "better" is arguable, and in many cases its simply more worthwhile on a money-basis to avoid the PROM mod altogether by getting a TCD240 unit.

[sucram65]

I have a 140. I think they are nicer despite the usb 1.1 ports because they already have a bracket for two drives and presumably can run at higher temps. I monte from a 3.1.1c kernel to Jamie's custom 7.2.x kernel. I'll be trying a killed 7.2.2 kernel soon in the same monte setup soon.


All things being equal, back in Novermber I got a 240 unit on craigslist for $30 that I gave to a friend as a birthday present.

[sky12]

Thanks for the advice everyone!
I just grabbed a 240 off Ebay for $47, shipping included.
No remote though, but I've a house full of those so that's no big deal.

Sky