Connectivity
From TivoZA
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In order for the TiVo to update it's guide data, you need some form of access to the Internet. There are a variety of options in this regard, by default the TiVo would make use of it's internal modem but it can also update the guide data manually or automatically via a network, serial or wireless connection.
Although the TiVo likes to download the guide data on a daily basis, this is unnecessary and you can customise which days of the week the TiVo should be allowed to connect by making use of the "SpecifiedDaysZA" script.
The below discussion lists the different connectivity options, the actual installation instructions are available in the "Perform network configuration" section of the "Preparing the TiVo drive" guide. If you are experiencing problems with your network setup, have a look at the TivoZA Networking forum (http://tivoza.nanfo.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=3) and the "Troubleshooting connectivity problems" guide.
Manually uploading the guide data
For users who don't have Internet access at home, you are still able to download the guide data elsewhere (i.e. work, school, Internet cafe, etc) and upload this to the TiVo. Using this method requires that you either have a TiVo Network Card or make use of the included TiVo serial cable.
Details are how to manually upload the guide data are available in the "Manually uploading the guide data" guide.
Internal modem
As mentioned above, this is the default form of connection for the TiVo. The TiVo has a built in modem and going this route requires nothing more than a telephone connection and an dial-up Internet account (most ADSL offerings include dial-up access as well).
Internal modem + Wireless telephone extension
For many users the internal modem is the simplest and cheapest option but they don't have a telephone connection near the TiVo. There is nothing stopping you running cables from the telephone box to the TiVo (I've run 30m long telephone cables without hassle). However a simpler option may be to purchase a wireless telephone extender. Wireless telephone extenders transmit their signal over the power line so wherever you have a power plug you can get telephone access.
There are many different wireless telephone extenders available but whichever you choose make sure it can run over a 220V power line, most that are available on international sites only work over a 110V power line and using a step down transformer will prevent the device from working. The only unit I'm aware of locally is the "Easy Jack (http://www.easyplug.co.za/easyjack.htm)", Makro sells these for R399 (this includes both the Base and Extension unit).
Serial connection
If you would prefer the TiVo to retrieve guide data using your PC's Internet access (i.e. ADSL, 3G, ISDN, dial-up, etc) without purchasing a TiVo Network Card you can make use of the TiVo Serial Cable (supplied as standard with the unit).
This has the added advantage of giving you some of the network features such as TivoWebPlus, telnet access, etc. Unfortunately the connection is not that quick so streaming recorded shows to PC/XBox/etc is not possible. Although it's technically possible to download recorded shows using the serial connection, the speed would result in one show taking most of the day (if not more) to download so a serial connection is not recommended for this either.
The "Serial Connection" guide provides details on how best to connect using the serial cable.
Network access (Wired)
The best method for getting your TiVo connected is by using a TiVo Network Card (i.e. Turbonet, X-factor or CacheCard) and a wired network connection to your either your PC, router, switch or hub. By doing so you can make use of your PC or network Internet connection (i.e. ADSL, 3G, ISDN, dial-up, etc).
The TiVo offers some really great features such as streaming recorded shows to PC, XBox or another TiVo, downloading and uploading recorded shows as well as backing them up to DVD, a full featured web based interface allowing for such things as remote scheduling of recordings via the Internet plus much much more. For many of these extended features you will require a network card for the TiVo. If you have broadband then getting a TiVo network card will also save you the cost of the call charges for the downloading of the guide data. There are a couple of different network cards available. For information on what cards are available, their costs and how to get them have a look at the "Tivo Network Cards" guide.
Network access (Wireless: WiFi)
For most users, their PC and/or network environment doesn't extend as far as the TV and running cables into the lounge may not seem too appealing. The most common solution to this is to setup a WiFi network.
Although there are WiFi adapters for the TiVo, the only adapter for a TiVo series 1 is the Airnet. Since the Airnet costs $70, requires the additional purchase of a specific PCMCIA network card and its stability is somewhat questionable it's not the recommended route to go for WiFi access.
The better option is to purchase one of the alternate Tivo Network Cards (i.e. Turbonet, X-factor or CacheCard) and connect that to a wireless ethernet bridge or router. There are a variety of wireless ethernet bridges/routers available, two of the cheaper options are the "SMC SMCWEBT-G EZ Connect g 2.4GHz 108 Mbps (http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?products_id=8323)" and the "Netgear Cable/DSL 54 Mbps Wireless Router (http://www.digitalplanet.co.za/shop/product.asp?StockID=60637)".
Keep in mind when considering this route that you will need two wireless ethernet bridges/routers, one that the TiVo connects to and another that connects to your PC, router, switch or hub. Although this will give your TiVo full networking abilities, you may struggle to stream recordings as WiFi network transfer speeds are not as fast as wired network transfer speeds. Things like walls and "noise" from other devices will hamper the WiFi transfer speed even further. Although this may prevent your from streaming your recorded shows, you will still have all the other network benefits and you can download shows and view them on a PC or back them up to DVD.
Network access (Wireless: Ethernet over power)
As explained above, most users PC and/or network environment doesn't extend as far as the TV and running cables into the lounge may not seem too appealing. Although the most common solution to this is to setup a WiFi network this is often not viable due to interference from other devices and the fact that a WiFi network would itself interfere with other devices such as a wireless video sender.
The next best wireless networking method is "Ethernet over power", this works by transmitting the network data over the power line so wherever you have a power plug you can get network access. The other benefit is that setup is real simple as although data encryption is available it's not as complex as WiFi.
There are many different "Ethernet over power" devices available but whichever you choose make sure it can run over a 220V power line, most that are available on international sites only work over a 110V power line and using a step down transformer will prevent the device from working. Two of the units that should work locally are "Netgear XE102 (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.netgear.de%2FProdukte%2FPowerline%2FXE102%2Findex.html&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools)" and the "NeverWire (http://www.easyplug.co.za/neverwire.htm)".
Like the WiFi setup this will give your TiVo full networking abilities but you may struggle to stream recordings as the network transfer speed is only 14Mbps compared to a wired networks 100Mbps. All the other network benefits will still be available and you can still download shows and view them on a PC or back them up to DVD.
