Quick Start

NZTivo, New Zealand specific Tivo information.

Just give me the goods!

This is a very quick overview so that you can quickly evaluate the procedure to get a Tivo delivered, and decide whether it’s something that you want to embark upon. If it’s a yes, then you can go through the rest of the information referenced to on this site.

Please note, all Tivos referred to on this site are Series 1 Tivos, available only through certain sources such as Ebay. Do not attempt to purchase a newer Series 2 Tivo (as seen on www.tivo.com) for use in NZ.

Different nzTivo Recipes:

Config 1 = Tivo uses Set Top Box (eg Sky), Internet Connectivity by Local Area Network, with Guide Data for all channels*.

Config 2 = Tivo uses Set Top Box (eg Sky), Internet Connectivity by Dial Up Modem, with Guide Data for all channels*.

Config 3 = Tivo has PAL tuner added, Internet Connectivity by LAN or Dial Up Modem, with Guide Data for all channels*.

Config 4 = Tivo has PAL tuner added, Internet Connectivity not essential, with No Guide Data.

Config 5 = Tivo uses VCR as tuner or external tuner, manual change of channels (unless IR codes are found for VCR), Internet Connectivity not essential, with No Guide Data.

*Those channels which are available through Sky (Digital)/Saturn, guide data not avaiable for some local-only channels.

Configs 1 & 2 Prerequisites:

• Sky Digital Service (Satellite) or Saturn Cable Service
• Appropriate Decoder Box provided by Sat/Cable service
• TV with Composite (RCA type) or S-Video Inputs

These configs require Internet to be available either shared from a Computer or LAN or a dial-up account provided by an ISP.
This is required for a short time every few days to download guide data.

All Configs

You will need to decide what Tivo config will suit you best. If you want to get the most from your Tivo, its full potential is realised by receiving guide data (EPG) – so that it can schedule recording accurately and use the smart recording options like wish lists and season passes. To utilise this, you then need to have a decoder box/Set Top Box (STB) so that the Tivo can then change the channel on the STB when it is time to record. If you get a Tivo with a PAL Tuner (UK Model – but read below for more info) or get your US one modified with a Tuner, then you can also use the guide data for all of the Free To Air channels such as One,TV2,3,C4,Prime etc. And the Tivo will tune to the channel and record when the time is right.

Subjective Note: To be honest, here is the best and easiest config in this author’s opinion: Sky or Saturn Digital Service, US Tivo, Internet by way of LAN or shared from a PC. You get all the FTA Channels, the Tivo changes channel on the STB (by way of InfraRed Blasters – work like a remote) and it’s the cheapest and easiest to get up and running.

Again, you will need to source a Series 1 Tivo, which can be purchased through methods described later in this document
Configs 3 & 4

If you must tune in by an aerial for some reason you will need a Tivo with a PAL Tuner. A UK Series 1 Tivo has a PAL tuner already installed, and is good to go. A US Series 1 Tivo will require a separate purchase of a PAL tuner and for it to be installed by someone who is experienced in electronics soldering – someone also willing to take the risk also OR contact Darren King in Melbourne Australia who comes highly recommended from the OzTivo site. This costs $100AUD for the part and for him to install it, plus it will add to your shipping costs. Although, there is a problem with stereo sound (mono sound is only available) with an added PAL tuner. See this PAL Tuner note.
The PAL Tuner costs about $30 on its own, if you know someone who’s willing to attempt the modification for you. They can be purchased from George at Eklectic Systems (ww.eksys.com). Be prepared to damage your Tivo, if you don’t know what you’re doing though! The Stereo modification seen on the OzTivo site will not work in NZ due to the NICAM sound standard and as stated previously, is mono sound only.Tuner How To explains how to add the tuner. – PDF sourced from Oztivo

Subjective Note: UK Tivos which work well from word of mouth, can be expensive due to their short supply (the TiVo venture in UK failed after a short period of time. If you look at Thompson Tivo’s on ebay.co.uk, they often get to £150-£200 very quickly, which is quite a price to pay before you add any of the other costs involved.

Hacking the box

A series 1 Tivo is a custom Linux multimedia device. There are settings that need to be made on the Tivo’s Linux operating system (and files to be copied) which is accessed by either a network adapter (turbonet/cachecard/airnet) or by a serial cable that connects to a PC.

A new, and preferably large Hard Disk Drive is required (as Series 1 Tivos are usually shipped without a HDD) or your Tivo may have an existing HDD (say, from a UK Tivo). The HDD can be any ATA PC-type 3.25″ Hard Drive, see below for sizes/recording hours. Either way the HDD to be used in a Tivo in a NZ setup will need to be formatted by a specially configured Image of a pristine Tivo created by the Australian collaborative effort known as OzTivo.

If you will be connecting to the internet to retrieve guide data, through a LAN, you will need a network card that is custom to the Tivo. This is also a good idea if you plan to connect to the Tivo quite a lot, but requires a network with a DHCP server, FTP Client and Telnet Client. If you are not so familiar with this technology, it is not too hard to get up to speed, and besides, it is advisable to have some technical nous before attempting the project as a whole. The alternative is purchasing the serial cable, and doing things from a terminal session.

Estimated Costs

Sky and Saturn Digital not included, Check related website for current pricings

Tivo Series 1 and Accessories Series 1 Tivo and accessories available from Eklectic Systems or Poweron
These have a 120v/240v Power Supply and require only a power cable to be purchased – you may even have one lying around

$US90 – Series 1 Tivo, NO Hard Disk Drive (or original 20-40Gb), with new remote, IR Blaster, power cord, A/V cable, S-video cable, and hard drive bracket w/screws

$US70 – The TurboNet card with installation kit (2 ft patch cord & RJ45-RJ45 connector). Required for Configs 1 & 3

The AirNET card ($US70) or CacheCard ($US100) are also available as a special order items (add 3-4 days to shipment). Alternative to Turbonet for Configs 1 & 3

Note: AirNET cards require a customer supplied 802.11b wireless card based on the Intercil Prism2/2.5 chipset. The CacheCard requires a customer supplied PC133 512MB SDRAM DIMM memory module.

$US10 – An optional serial cable w/null adaptor to connect to a PC is Required for Configs 2&4 – $US85 Shipping for a TiVo kit (with or without TurboNet) via USPS global Priority mail (5-7 business days) to Australia or New Zealand.

Hard Disk Drive

Tivo will work with any type of ATA HDD (not Serial ATA though). It will work with ATA66,100,133 drives fine and 5400 or 7200RPM doesn’t matter. You will be pushing to find a non 7200RPM drive anyhow.

$NZD200 – Set aside about this much for a brand new 500Gb 7200rpm HDD. Available from any PC vendor. Seagate and Maxtors have had good feedback. Get something new that will be reliable – any HDD surface errors will impact on playback of recorded shows. Try to get a ‘quiet’ HDD, or one that is 5400rpm or can be slowed down by software (Maxtor Accoustic Management) – as you will have to live with it during recording/playback. Seagate 7200.7 seem to be quiet enough at their default speed.
Also, buying the HDD locally is a very good idea, maybe you can skim a few dollars buying an included large HDD from the Tivo supplier but I would recommend against this.