Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 005
EAN num: 9781592001118
ISBN number: 1592001114
Label: Course Technology PTR
Manufacturer: Course Technology PTR
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 424
Printing Date: August 11, 2003
Publishing house: Course Technology PTR
Sale Popularity Level: 674672
Studio: Course Technology PTR
Other books you might be interested in perusing:
Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
'Hacking the TiVo' provides a central, readable, and detailed guide to upgrading, maintaining, and enhancing TiVo systems. It clearly explains how to expand and upgrade the capabilities of both Series 1 and Series 2 TiVos from any Linux, Macintosh, or Windows PC. The book also explains how to network any model of TiVo, provides troubleshooting information for common modem and TiVo troubles, and explains where to get TiVo-related supplies and information over the Internet. The book also explains how to activate hidden features and capabilities using secret codes that are available on every TiVo, without even opening the box.
The book comes with a bootable CD that provides a complete Linux distribution containing all of the software you need to expand and work with both Series 1 or Series 2 TiVos from a Linux or Windows system, and also includes TiVo-related software for your Macintosh. The CD includes free software that enables you to integrate your TiVos with news, sports, and stock market information, acess Instant Messenger and Caller-ID features, and connect to and program your TiVo over your home network or the Internet.
The procedures described in the book can be performed by anyone who is comfortable with opening and upgrading any computer system, but is not just for beginners. For more advanced users, the CD includes cross-compilers for writing your own TiVo software and discusses the programming and execution environment provided on the TiVo. The book also explains how to access, log in on, and network any model of TiVo, even the latest Series 2 models.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
-
In a pretty good section on networking, von Hagen explains that the essence of Category 5 cable is "shielding that insulates the cable from outside electromagnetic influence and... not giving off poisonous smoke if the plastic exterior of the cable burns off."
Both statements are wrong. Cable and wire categories relate to data transmission speed, not shielding or insulation.
Von Hagen has impressive credentials and is apparently an expert on computers and TiVo, but that doesn't make him an expert on wire.
On the second page of the book, the publisher acknowledges the possibility of errors, and denies responsibility. That's irresponsible. These errors could have been easily corrected before publication.
The author can be forgiven. The publisher can not.
Rated by buyers 
-
Most, if not all, of the information in the book could be found free on http://www.tivocommunity.com. If you find the information in Tivo Community difficult to understand you probably shouldn't be hacking your Tivo, and this book isn't worth $20.
Rated by buyers -
If you are the type of person who builds PCs from scratch parts and you are also a Linux expert, this book is for you. Anyone else should take a long look before they buy it.
If you have a series2 Tivo read the bulleted points on page 223. Beware that one of the required items is very, very difficult to obtain.
Rated by buyers 
-
I'd seen reviews of multiple books about TiVo, but I have a Series 2, so this was the only book that covered it. It was great! Within a few hours, I'd upgraded my Series 2 to 200+ hours of recording time, and it was easy. Hacking the Series 2s isn't covered in any other TiVo book, and I bought the Keegan book at a bookstore, but it was no help. Von Hagen's books could be a little better organized, but it worked for me. I recommend it highly!
Rated by buyers 
-
CAUTION!!! Just finished upgrading the hard drive on my Series 1 TiVo. This book was full of errors and outdated information. Had I not bought Jeff Keegan's "Hacking TiVo" book at the same time as this book, I would have a TiVo boat anchor by now. Luckily, I am the cautious type and read both books before I started. I don't think the author, William von Hagen even proof read his work before it was published. Besides giving wrong information on setting up larger disk caches etc. the book was littered with lots of small typos such as MB instead of GB etc.
I did give this book an extra star for the user friendly language and explinations and the larger sized type. Jeff Keegan's book is a lot more technical, has less detailed explinations and smaller type.
Find other books like this one:
