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RAILhead · Dec 26, 2005, 09:40 AM

Ok.

Got a Tivo.
Got it updated.
Got a WG111 approved by Tivo (starts with 130).
WG111 works and I can change settings via Virtual PC.
Plugging it into the Tivo, though, I get NOTHING. The light doesn't even come on.

So...

I know the WG111 works and I can confirms it's approved via the serial number. I can also use it on my wireless network via Virtual PC.

So...

Either the USB ports on the Tivo are screwed, or there's something I'm missing somewhere as far as setup goes.

And...

I'm using 128-bit WEP on the AE network and I've set the passwords, etc.

Someone HELP!!

vmarks · Dec 26, 2005, 10:28 AM

Hi.

First, connect the usb wg111.
then reboot the tivo (yes, I know usb is hotplug, but you want the kernel to see and start the network for it on boot. linux can be like this.)

RAILhead · Dec 26, 2005, 10:30 AM

Done that over a dozen times.

I'm also on hold with Tivo, but I have a feeling this is an AirPort Extreme issue with the WG111 not joining for some stupid reason (even though the Netgear software in VPC shows it's connected and everything).

RAILhead · Dec 26, 2005, 10:53 AM

Okay, here's an update:

Apparently my Tivo *didn't* update the software to v7.2.1 yet, so that's what I'm doing. When I was reading about the WG111, it said you needed 7.2.1 for my model, and the way I interpreted the grid, it was saying our Tivo should already have v7.2.1.

So, now I'm downloading...so cross your fingers.

Hopefully the configuration i did to the WG111 via Virtual PC didn't screw everything up.

vmarks · Dec 26, 2005, 11:00 AM

ok, well, I typically start at the obvious and work my way to the complex. you're already on the right path it seems.

see if you look in tivo messages and setup, system information, which version of the tivo software you have? I think you may need to connect to the phone line and let it dial home and get version 7.2 for it to see the wg111.

expect this download to take about 3 hrs over the phone line.

RAILhead · Dec 26, 2005, 11:24 AM

It was 5.3 something, and yeah, it's taking a freaking long time -- but it will be worth the wait if it works. I just could have SWORN I already told it to force connect, though, but apparently not (my Tivo's name as I set it on the web site wasn't even listed in the settings).

We're about to head out for lunch, and I'll check it when we get back.

Thanks for the help so far, Vic!

RAILhead · Dec 26, 2005, 02:21 PM

Back home and Tivo says it's "Downloading. Phone in use..." so I guess that's what it's doing. Still.

=/

vmarks · Dec 26, 2005, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by RAILhead

Back home and Tivo says it's "Downloading. Phone in use..." so I guess that's what it's doing. Still.

=/

Cheer up - if and when this succeeds, everything thereafter will (A) be over the wg111, so it will be faster and (B) the updates will be smaller in size as patches, and (C) the updates will come around 2 or 3 in the morning so you're less likely to notice them.

k squared · Dec 26, 2005, 05:09 PM

You can check if the TIVO unit sees the adaptor through the Phone/Network menu. My TIVO regularly loses awareness of the adaptor after updates, with the solution being as simple as switching USB ports or rebooting the unit.

Once you get it set up, online scheduling rocks.

RAILhead · Dec 26, 2005, 05:25 PM

It hit me earlier that there are probably people all over the country trying to do the exact same thing I am since it's the day after Christmas. I checked things about 30 minutes ago and the download failed, so I restarted it.

My main thing is just to get to a point where I know that the WG111 will work because we can't get a phone line to that wall of the house.

I'll let it run all the rest of the day and keep my fingers crossed.

zerostar · Dec 26, 2005, 05:31 PM

luckily it downloads in sections so even if it fails you still get a certain amount of data, should be around 3hrs total of downloading if you are running at 56K more for 28.8....

RAILhead · Dec 26, 2005, 06:07 PM

Download finished and I just restarted the Tivo. It now says it's prepping for the upgrade and it could take an hour or longer.

I'll just be glad when the WG111's little blue light comes on.

RAILhead · Dec 26, 2005, 06:22 PM

SUCCESS!

It's already downloaded new data and it's currently loading it. Next on the agenda is to see if I can get the signal any clearer.

Thanks for the help!

Steve · Dec 26, 2005, 06:28 PM

Let us know if it works out

vmarks · Dec 26, 2005, 07:19 PM

s-video connections. seriously.

coincidentally, old macintosh keyboard cables are also s-video cables. I'm sure a fellow like yourself has a few old LC macs around

RAILhead · Dec 26, 2005, 09:00 PM

Using S-Video, but I'm thinking I may need a better amp to boost the signal.

Railroader · Dec 27, 2005, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by RAILhead

Using S-Video, but I'm thinking I may need a better amp to boost the signal.

How far are you sending the signal?

How long is your s-video cable?

RAILhead · Dec 27, 2005, 06:59 AM

Unfortunately, the family room is the farthest drop from the source, so by the time you factor in all the places it has to travel, it may be going around 70 some-odd feet. We had a bunch of cables hooked up for all the rooms in the house, and since we don't use them, I unplugged them all so that now I'm only splitting the source three ways:

1. Main cable comes in.
2. Splits, 1 to my cable modem, the other to the amp.
3. The amp cable splits into the cable for my office and to the cable for the living room.

As for the Tivo, I bring the cable from the wall and split it to go to the Tivo and to the DVD/VCR combo, so the final total of splits (after the signal is amped) by the time the signal gets to the Tivo is 2 (not counting the connection at the wall).

What I think I will do is try and find out what the absolute top quality best dadgum splitter is and buy some to try. I'm currently using a small 5-900MHz 2-way at the Tivo/DVD split -- but it gave a better image than the 5-1000MHz 4-way the cable company had used.

This brings-up another question:

If I have a 2-way splitter with both splits taken and a 4-way splitter with only 2 splits taken, will they "look" the same? Does a 4-way splitter degrade the signal 4 ways regardless of how many splits are actually used? I don't know if that question made any sense...

As for the S-Video, it's only a few feet long (just long enough to reach) -- but it's one of those really thin ones you get with most DVD players.

RAILhead · Dec 27, 2005, 08:43 AM

Okay, just ordered some hardware to see if it'll make any difference.

I found some splitters that are *supposed* to be about the best you can get: Channel Vision. They have DC pass capability (which I need) as well as the lowest insertion loss I could find. I'll replace all the 2-ways with these.

I then ordered a high-end Monster S-Video and RF cable. I know I paid a lot more than they're worth, but I'm interested to see if they make any picture quality difference. I can also return them if I don't want them, so I have nothing to lose.

zerostar · Dec 27, 2005, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by RAILhead

Unfortunately, the family room is the farthest drop from the source, so by the time you factor in all the places it has to travel, it may be going around 70 some-odd feet.

I wouldn't use an amp under 100 ft. I would try without the amp, all it may be doing is over-"blowing" the signal and the TiVo is fighting it trying to get it in spec. If you are using RG6 that is, if you are using 58 or 59 ymmv.

zerostar · Dec 27, 2005, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by RAILhead

As for the Tivo, I bring the cable from the wall and split it to go to the Tivo and to the DVD/VCR combo

Any reason for this? Why not just bring the cable to the TiVo then output from the tivo to the DVD/VCR? Your getting more loss thru the splitters then the 70 ft of cable.

RAILhead · Dec 27, 2005, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by zerostar

Any reason for this? Why not just bring the cable to the TiVo then output from the tivo to the DVD/VCR? Your getting more loss thru the splitters then the 70 ft of cable.

It was my understanding that the only way to record something on the Tivo and the VCR at the same time was to split the signal.

RAILhead · Dec 27, 2005, 02:17 PM

FWIW, I pulled the amp off the signal and noticed a MAJOR degradation, so I guess I *do* need the amp after all.

wnknisely · Dec 27, 2005, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by RAILhead

My main thing is just to get to a point where I know that the WG111 will work because we can't get a phone line to that wall of the house.

Check out the Tivo store:

http://www.tivo.com/2.7.1.asp

They just this day came out with a branded USB wireless G adapter. Having travelled around today looking for one, this is much easier.

RAILhead · Dec 27, 2005, 05:12 PM

Cool, but I got the WG111 working fine.

zerostar · Dec 27, 2005, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by RAILhead

It was my understanding that the only way to record something on the Tivo and the VCR at the same time was to split the signal.

If your using s-video for the TV, you can use the RF out of the Tivo to the VCR and record what you are watching live on the TiVo. Although you can record everything on the TiVo and then record to VCR option when you want to output to your VCR, but if it works for you the other way that is cool as long as you aren't loosing too much signal.

zerostar · Dec 27, 2005, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by RAILhead

FWIW, I pulled the amp off the signal and noticed a MAJOR degradation, so I guess I *do* need the amp after all.

Strange, should be plenty of "juice" from the poll to run 100+ ft of cable inside, is your amp adjustable? perhaps try upping it or lowering it to see if that helps?

vmarks · Dec 27, 2005, 11:05 PM

Hi.

900mhz splitters are weak. I use 2 ghz and higher splitters. I typically terminate ends I'm not using, or switch to a splitter with less outputs if I'm not going to use them all.

Ozmodiar · Dec 27, 2005, 11:17 PM

What are you trying to do? I don't know anything about Tivo, but all this technobabble has my interest peaked.

RAILhead · Dec 28, 2005, 05:48 AM

I'm wanting to improve the look of the Tivo's output. It's a bit grainy and "staticy" — and some people have told me that's normal due to the real-time compression it has to do. Others say the picture is as good as their normal signal. BUT, what looks "good" to different people is so subjective, so who knows.

Thus, I'm buying and testing high-end components (splitters, cables, etc.) to see if they'll make any difference in the signal.

This is the 2-way splitter I bought:
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/CV-...ers/Item/HS-2/

Here's the S-Video cable:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-7OCCi0B...mp;I=119UV1KS4

And I went ahead and grabbed another RF cable to go from the wall tot he Tivo, just for testing:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-7OCCi0B...mp;i=119MV3F2M

vmarks · Dec 28, 2005, 05:57 AM

M,

When viewing live tv, I see no artifacts or grainy picture. If I've recorded a show with lots of fast action at low quality, I'll see artifacts on motion.

Curious: what type of TV is this on? I'm using a 27" standard definition tube. Do you have an HD LCD or Plasma? I'm just trying to figure out where any differences in our setup exist.

RAILhead · Dec 28, 2005, 06:09 AM

It's a 32" JVC tube — nothing fancy, but she works great. =)

My new splitters — the old ones being the main culprits — will be here Jan 3rd (arrgh). If there's any better picture to be had, I'm guessing it will be made better with better splitters. Further, my new S-Video cable (don't know when it will get here) ought to help a tad.