Home Networking & Tivo Desktop
I bought Tivo from Harvey Norman, thinking that it would connect to my PC, then I found out and was absolutely disgusted to find that I have to fork out an extra 200 bucks to buy software in order to do that. I am now down the path of trying to get HVN to accept return of my Tivo on the premise that I was mislead by omission of this detail. - anyone won this battle ? Interested in other opinions..
I thought I might have a go at using Tivo Desktop which is supposedly free. But yeh the Tivo acknowledges that the computer server exists but you cannot browse the files !
Upon discussion with Tivo I get:
"Your TiVo media device will only display a Media Access Key after purchase of the Home Networking Package on the My TiVo account associated with your TSN. If you purchase the TiVo Desktop Plus Key for $39.99 AU, you will receive a TiVo Desktop Plus Key. You will not receive a Media Access Key by purchasing the 'Additional TiVo Desktop Plus Key' alone. Please note, purchase of the Additional TiVo Desktop Plus Key requires the Home Networking Package to be purchased and activated on your account. The Home Networking Package includes a complimentary Desktop Plus Key, therefore, it is not necessary to purchase the Additional TiVo Desktop Plus Key unless you intend to install TiVo Desktop on additional computers on your home network."
Really it is much cheaper to go to ChinaVision & get their media server, or get a XBox & hook into a PC with two tuners or even an LG network enabled Bluray player - without the unbelievable constraints on recording/sharing that Tivo has. I cannot believe that Tivo in Australia is so greedy in this regard, especially when it would be a common requirement.
Tivo packaging and literature - clarity of detail.
I went to Google and typed in Tivo. Top sites are www.mytivo.com.au, wikipedia, and then www.tivo.com - not Tivo.com.au. Normally an international company would have a country selector if things are remarkably different, take Sony for instance: http://www.sony.com/. After looking through the Tivo.com.au site there is often redirectors to the US site - I found irrelevant links on how to adjust the Learning Tivo remote for instance via Tivo.com.au. I also found info about the media access key via the Australian site, but no reference that this key costs $200.00.
I had a look at the Tivo box and on the easily seen dark red background :
"And lots more ..
- Remote scheduling
- Online content
- Digital music and photos
- Extendable disc space (coming soon!)
in very small text on the light background, not easily seen when in a store, you have a reference to the Tivo web site., and get told that some of the features cost extra money. But when I read "Tivo box requires Broadband connectivity throught ethernet or wireless network adaptor sold separately..." I did not logically conclude that to talk to anything on my ethernet is going to cost a bomb.
Tivo HD Aus Breach ACCC laws!
I too purchased the Tivo HD under the same guise! I feel it is blatantly obvious that unfortunately Tivo Aus are NOT listening to their users. On top of this, I feel it is a "no brainer" they have breached both ACCC and Fair Trading laws by attempting to hide this fact on their web pages and boxed documentation because there has been NO obvious indication to this point, that Tivo's Aus network connection to a home computer or network is going to cost an extra $200.00 after purchasing the initial box.. I feel this is a recalcitrant attempt to mislead individuals even though they had done their research, by hiding this important fact. How thoughtless are Tivo Aus "powers that be" who are responsible for designing THIS business model! So my advice is to email the ACCC, Fair Trading (or both) explaining the dilemma of "being mislead RE: network connectivity"! (that everyone who has a home network (probably 80% of Tivo users) seem to be experiencing) and let these agencies adjudicate as to whether this is kosher or not - I know we will!
Good luck and let me know how you go :rolleyes: