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Thread: Home Networking & Tivo Desktop

  1. #1

    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.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
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    Perth, Western Australia
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    I am not aware of anyone who tried to take a TiVo back based on networking not being included. I haven't even heard of anyone who thought that it was included.

    What made you think it was part of the base package?

    The HNP was only released earlier this year for Australian TiVo's.

    It has been on special for $99 a couple of times since it's release.

    Peter.
    Please search this forum and our Website for your TiVo questions before starting a new thread. Thanks!

  3. #3

    Unhappy Awareness of networking

    I bought the Tivo from Harvey Norman and was told it could connect to my PC, that is why I was under the impression that it would do so without any further costs. I can understand that extra moneys might be required if you wanted to convert file formats or edit movies, but to simply transfer files to and from the Tivo unit is completely unreasonable.

    The other problem is that Tivo Desktop is supposedly free and there is no clarity that it won't work on Australian Tivo units. You install it, and it even has an 'Australia' selection option and away you go. The next thing is you spend hours disabling every single port on your firewall and run port checking software only to find out that there is a critical element missing from the Aussie Tivo units - the Media Access Key.

    It is also to easy to go straight to tivo US & there is no "what country are you from selector", so it is easy to mistakenly read and follow the spiel they offer.

    Maybe not many people bought their units from Harvey Norman or want to connect to their PCs. But I was one of them and I am highly dissatisfied by the whole exercise. I agree that Tivo is good quality and at $700 it is on the peak especially since it has no DVD/Bluray capability, but at $900 it is a rip off.

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Location
    Victoria
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stuart View Post
    I bought the Tivo from Harvey Norman and was told it could connect to my PC, that is why I was under the impression that it would do so without any further costs.
    The salesperson is right and wrong here. Yes the TiVo *can* connect to a PC. However at no additional cost was the stumbling block here either on your part of assuming or the salesperson telling you otherwise. Not sure which as you have not said.

    The other problem is that Tivo Desktop is supposedly free and there is no clarity that it won't work on Australian Tivo units.
    Maybe it is just me but the first Q&A on this page should have at least hinted something contrary: http://support.mytivo.com.au/index.p...on=show&cat=78

    "How to Transfer Home Videos from your PC to your TiVo media device

    Before you begin, you must have purchased the Home Networking Package and have TiVo Desktop 2.7 version for Australia installed on your PC."


    It is also to easy to go straight to tivo US & there is no "what country are you from selector", so it is easy to mistakenly read and follow the spiel they offer.
    Why would you go to the USA website when even the retail box (not to mention the instruction manual and even some pages on the on-screen menus) directs you tivo.com.au ?


    Maybe not many people bought their units from Harvey Norman or want to connect to their PCs. But I was one of them and I am highly dissatisfied by the whole exercise. I agree that Tivo is good quality and at $700 it is on the peak especially since it has no DVD/Bluray capability, but at $900 it is a rip off.
    Each to their own I guess. Your original question was whether anyone else has had success with a refund. As far as I know nobody else has wanted/needed to pursue this option. Let us know how you get on when you chat with the manager of the Harvey Norman store you purchased the unit from.
    Darren King
    OzTiVo Repairs and Modifications
    If your TiVo requires repairs or modifications
    then visit: http://kingey1971.wix.com/tivorepairs

    NOW ALSO REPAIRING FETCH TOO!

  5. #5

    Thumbs down 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.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Location
    Victoria
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    Ah yes now I see the problem.

    Well then in that case your original question was whether anyone else had had any luck with the tact of approaching Harvey Norman expressing their dissatisfaction. Like I said I am not aware of anyone else who has publicly expressed similar issues with lack of understanding. So therefore you are (to my knowledge) breaking new ground here.

    Then if you feel like it let us all know how you fared with your appeal.
    Darren King
    OzTiVo Repairs and Modifications
    If your TiVo requires repairs or modifications
    then visit: http://kingey1971.wix.com/tivorepairs

    NOW ALSO REPAIRING FETCH TOO!

  7. #7
    Hello to you all,
    I'm a happy new purchaser of a Tivo and am trying to get my head around a few things. I'm kinda in the same boat as Stuart, in as much as I was mislead into thinking I could record to my p.c. I was wondering Stuart, how did you go? Also I've been looking at third party software but as you all know, we need a "media access key", anyone have any success without the key or any success with a third party program. Be interested in what you have to say. All the best.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia
    Posts
    3,037
    Without a MAK the the only way to remove programs from the TiVo is by swapping the Prom and running hacked software on the unit.

    Peter.
    Please search this forum and our Website for your TiVo questions before starting a new thread. Thanks!

  9. #9

    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

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stuart View Post
    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/.
    As they say, garbage in garbage out. If you had used Google correctly and only specified that you were after pages from Australia you would have received relevant search results.

    As an example if you do a Google search for "landcruiser features" you will probably find information on Landcrusier from all over the world. They will describe standard features not found on Australian Landcruisers. Are you going to complain to the ACCC because a Google search told you the car had a feature only to find that it does not after buying it?

    At least the bones of the Lancruiser are similar the world over (except what side the steering is on). The US TiVo HD uses the NTSC broadcasting format while we use PAL. The US TiVo HD uses ATSC for Digital broadcasts while we use DVB-T. The US TiVo HD has a connection for Cable TV and a Phone line, but ours does not. The US TiVo HD is 110V only, while ours are universal 110V-240V. The US TiVo HD is actually vastly different to ours, in both physical hardware and software features.

    Really you should have only looked at the first hit you got www.mytivo.com.au for official information on the Australian TiVo.

    The Australian TiVo is not sold by TiVo and TiVo Inc have no stake in Hybrid who sell the TiVo under license here in Australia. So unlike your Sony comparison there is no US owned TiVo subsidiary in Australia. Information on the US tivo.com website is about US models only.

    It would be nice if TiVo Inc did offer to refer AU inquiries to the AU website, but it is not TiVo Inc who are selling TiVo boxes here, hybrid has no control over TiVo Inc's website.

    Quote Originally Posted by Stuart View Post
    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.
    the home page of www.mytivo.com.au has a section titled "Home Networking Package" and there are numerous links to information about the extra package. The $199 price is clearly shown in the shop which is the only place you can buy the package.

    Quote Originally Posted by Stuart View Post
    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.
    You did not quote the text on the box accurately.

    It actually has:

    And lots more ** (Coming Soon) sticker
    • Remote scheduling
    • Online content
    • Digital music and photos
    • Extendable disc space (coming soon!)
    You missed the important "**" as with all sales brochures, you need to read the terms relating to the "**", Which in this case says:

    ** Extendable disk space and access to some services and content sold separately"
    Digital Music and Photos are a service and do cost extra.

    Quote Originally Posted by wikitec View Post
    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.
    It costs nothing connect your TiVo to your home network, how do you think the Guide, Radio podcasts, Showcases, Downloadable movies, Horoscopes etc get on to your TiVo? They all come via internet using the included Ethernet (or extra cost wireless) connection your home network.

    Quote Originally Posted by wikitec View Post
    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!
    Hybrid originally wanted to use the same business model as used in the US where you pay US$12.95 per month with a minimum 1 year term. But their retail partner Harvey Norman told them they would not be able to sell a box which has an ongoing subscription cost. So they were forced into using the lifetime subscription model, which costs US$399. A US TiVo HD with Lifetime subscription costs US$299 + US$399 = US$698 (~A$786).

    I'm getting a little sick of people complaining about being misled by hybrid about this TiVo's features. It is your fault for comparing a totally different US model to the Australian TiVo.

    Can you point out anywhere in the Australian TiVo website or any other Australian marketing that may have misled you into believing the features were included with the Australian TiVo?

    While I do not agree with the pricing Hybrid have chosen for the Extra's like HNP and the add on drive and I have other issues about how they are doing business, I do not believe they have done anything to mislead any Australian consumers about HNP.

    Peter.
    Last edited by petestrash; 06-10-2009 at 09:21 PM.
    Please search this forum and our Website for your TiVo questions before starting a new thread. Thanks!

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