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Second TiVo
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Posted by: a319driver

I want to put a DirecTiVo on my boat. I have a lifetime sub to TiVo now on a standalone. Can I just 'add' my new DirecTiVo? Thanks in advance!!!!

Posted by: scarabus

Nope. You can't even transfer your lifetime sub to your other TiVo.

TiVo gotta make a profit somehow.

Posted by: a319driver

Bummer...not even using the image off my original??? Are they that smart??? :) Thanks for the quick reply

Posted by: srs5694

The TiVo's subscription is tied to the serial number encoded in its ROM, not to information stored on the hard disk. If you pull a hard disk from a TiVo with lifetime subscription and put it in a compatible model (same manufacturer and type) with a monthly subscription, the "Franken-TiVo" will report itself as having a monthly subscription, at least after its first call in (I'm not sure about before that). In your specific case (SA TiVo at home, DirecTiVo on your boat), you couldn't even juggle hard disks to good effect. I don't know precisely what would happen if you tried, but I'm sure the TiVo wouldn't work correctly.

Now, if you traded in your SA TiVo for a DirecTiVo, the story might be different. With DirecTiVos, the second unit in a household gets free TiVo service, although you need to pay a $5/month "mirroring" charge. I don't know, though, if the TiVo in the boat would qualify as being in the same household as your land-based TiVo. Also, the DirecTiVo pricing is in flux; right now, it's $10/month or $250 lifetime, but TiVo's announced that lifetime is going away and the monthly rate will be dropping to $5/month. The "free" TiVo service on mirrored units might or might not survive this change. It might be worth investigating this option further, though.

Posted by: a319driver

Thanks srs5694. Dang boat is getting expensive!!!! Anyone have any other ideas? I appreciate it!!

Posted by: dsmdriver

You can afford a boat that is big enough for a DirectTV reciever with TiVo, a TV, and who knows what else, but you're worred about $10 a month for service?

Anyway, your best option is to sell your current SA TiVo on Ebay, buy a DirectTiVo for your home, and then just pay the mirroring fee ($5) in order to get both Directv access and TiVo access on the boat. This only works if all your recievers are DirectTiVos.

Remember that DirectTiVos need to make a phone call once a month, so you either need a phone line on the boat or you need to bring it landside and make a call.

Does DirectTV even work on a boat? I would think any wind gust or wave would move the boat enough to totally ruin the alignment. Or are you gettin' one of those super-fancy self-aligning antennas?

Posted by: a319driver

It would be for the dock. I guess if I have to quit being cheap, I want it all. Does anyone know if the Directway satellite internet will work w/ TiVo??? Don't the DirecTiVos get their guide data from the DSS data stream. I used to have a DirecTiVo for a very short while and DTV told me that they didn't require a phone line. Once again, everyone, thanks for your help!!

Posted by: dsmdriver

Directivos get their data via the sat, but require a call once a month to verify that you have paid for your TiVo service, even if you have lifetime service.

Posted by: a319driver

Unfortunately, there is no phone service to be had on the dock. Hmmmm...any other ideas, anyone??? THanks!!

Posted by: scarabus

quote:
Originally posted by a319driver
Unfortunately, there is no phone service to be had on the dock. Hmmmm...any other ideas, anyone??? THanks!!

Get a TurboNet card and a couple of wireless access points. Then you can make the call over the 'net. If it's a long way to the nearest net point it's possible to use old sat dishes to make a narrow band boosted signal.

Or just take the box home every 2-3 weeks and plug it in.

Or find a clever way to link the modem into a cell phone.
Do they still make acoustic couplers, anyone?

Posted by: a319driver

Now we're talkin!!! Might end up doin a SAT phone..could take it home, but I'm lazy. Thanks for the ideas. I'll figure out somethin. Thanks again!!