Registered: Jun 2004
Location:
Posts: 2

Hi all, sorry if this has already been answered in the forums. I tried the search but didn't turn up any quick answers.

I'm not a total newb when it comes to hacking hardware. My XBOX and 3com Audrey are completely hacked through and through. I understand hacking the Tivo requires a bit of unix/linux knowhow which I lack, but can learn quite fast.

Questions:

1) Am I correct when I say Series2 Tivo is harder to hack but has a faster processor, USB, and the Media Option?

2) Are there any other significant differences?

3) What is the best internet resource on hacking Tivos that might be equivalent to xbox-scene.com?

4) What Tivo units are the most hackable?

5) What Tivo units are the least hackable?

6) Would most people recommend getting Series2 or Series1 for hacking and features/functionality?

7) What Tivo units are considered the best in reliability and hackability?

8) What Tivo units are crap?

9) What's the best place to buy Tivo inexpensively?

10) What's the best place to buy Tivo hardware hacks?

I'm really anxious to get a Tivo and get hacking away, I just don't want to get stuck with something that can't do it all or is a piece of crap. Maybe this can end up being a sticky post?

Thanks in advance for the help!

-jer

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location: Danbury, CT
Posts: 1308

If you want to hack you want to pickup a used Series 1 off of ebay.

__________________
Jeff

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Registered: Feb 2001
Location: indianapolis
Posts: 393

The Series 1 is the most hackable, but the series2 is much more capable. There have been major strides in the hackability of the series 2, such that you can now run TiVoWEB on it, and reportedly even run SA software on DTiVo hardware.

In the end, though I think you will find MUCH less success in hacking the TiVo than in your other exploits. The Xbox and Audrey are basically normal computers confined to do simple tasks. The TiVo is simple hardware - barely more than enough to get the designed job done. They don't have much left over resources, or access via the OS to do anything you would like.

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Registered: Jun 2004
Location:
Posts: 2

Are any particular Series1 models better than others?

I know some Tivos have different versions of Tivo software installed. Does that make a difference?

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Registered: Feb 2004
Location: Ontario Canada.
Posts: 2490

My answers:

1: Yes (but AFAIK, the processor speed isn't terribly noticable, as it does soem of the MPEG work that was strictly hardware on an S1). Also, I hear the S2 is a less robust hardware build (except for the modem, I think it is better than the damage prone S1 modems). The S2 Peanut has a couple more buttons (although either series peanut is otherwise cross compatible)

2: The PSU is weaker, and there is no stock space for a second HDD, on the S2s.

3: We can't name that forum here.

4: S1 Stanalones

5: DVD combos (they use V5 software, which used a totally different security system than the pain SA and D Tivos use).

6: S1 are easiest to hack, however onece you get by the security on an S2, it is pretty simple sailing. V4 S2s have a few more software features (such as folders and HMO)

7: Series 1s hands down.

8: Not too sure, but I think the DVD combos reportedly have poor PQ, and the S2s have a worse encoder than the S1.

9: Can't say, but maybe take your chances on an as-is S1 Tivo on E-bay
(I did). More than likely, it will have a blown modem in that case.

10: Check the sposors at the top of the page for hack vendors.

__________________
Tivo is Sony SVR2000, 80 GB HDD.
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Why do you keep rewinding that? Because with TiVo, I can.

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