Hey, man, where are my pants? I have my hippo dignity!

Oz ,'Bring On The Night'


Buffistechnology 2: You Made Her So She Growls?  

Got a question about technology? Ask it here. Discussion of hardware, software, TiVos, multi-region DVDs, Windows, Macs, LINUX, hand-helds, iPods, anything tech related. Better than any helpdesk!


Jessica - Dec 05, 2004 7:22:24 am PST #362 of 10003
If I want to become a cloud of bats, does each bat need a separate vaccination?

The main problem I foresee with that, tiggy, is that you need the Tivo to be able to make outgoing calls on a regular basis (unless it's connected to your home network), in order to update its listings. So you'll probably want to install a phone jack in the room where the Tivo's going to go. (Or else just buy a really long phone cord and run it into the other room.)

Phone jack installation kits are dirt cheap, and the only technical skill required is the ability to use a pair of scissors.


Jon B. - Dec 05, 2004 7:22:30 am PST #363 of 10003
A turkey in every toilet -- only in America!

It needs to be connected to a phone jack (or an ethernet cable if you have a home network) on a regular basis to download the listings.

t edit Tivo Users Unite!


le nubian - Dec 05, 2004 7:25:57 am PST #364 of 10003
"And to be clear, I am the hell. And the high water."

you can get those wingdingies from Radio Shack that will turn an outlet into a phone jack. I heard such things aren't that expensive.


meara - Dec 05, 2004 7:34:09 am PST #365 of 10003

Yeah--if you don't have it connected, then the whole "guide" thing won't be updated.


tiggy - Dec 05, 2004 7:35:58 am PST #366 of 10003
I do believe in killing the messenger, you know why? Because it sends a message. ~ Damon Salvatore

hee!! thanks for all the responses. much appreciated.


Theodosia - Dec 05, 2004 8:03:54 am PST #367 of 10003
'we all walk this earth feeling we are frauds. The trick is to be grateful and hope the caper doesn't end any time soon"

A hundred foot phone cord could solve all your problems.


Zenkitty - Dec 05, 2004 8:06:39 am PST #368 of 10003
Every now and then, I think I might actually be a little odd.

All this talk about Tivos is tempting me to break my vow not to buy any more toys until my debts are paid off. Granted, I could stop reading the talk, but... nah.

So, Comcast offers a DVD recorder. Is that basically the same thing? Anyone know anything about it?


tiggy - Dec 05, 2004 8:07:19 am PST #369 of 10003
I do believe in killing the messenger, you know why? Because it sends a message. ~ Damon Salvatore

not really. my room is a converted garage. so the closest phone jack is up three steps to the kitchen. there's not really a way for me to run it without it getting in the way.


Ginger - Dec 05, 2004 8:44:20 am PST #370 of 10003
"It didn't taste good. It tasted soooo horrible. It tasted like....a vodka martini." - Matilda

I have the same issue as tiggy. My den is a former carport and the wall between it and the rest of the house is brick.

So, Comcast offers a DVD recorder. Is that basically the same thing? Anyone know anything about it?

I have the Comcast thing. I decided to try it to see whether it would be worth the money and effort it would take to either get a phone line in the den or set up a network. It updates itself over the cable, so that's not an issue. It's a lot more limited than Tivo. The memory isn't much--in practice, it seems to be about 12 hours. It also can only be set to record specific programs, not things like every movie with a specific actor. I am, however, already addicted to starting a show, wandering away for 15 minutes, then fast-forwarding through all the commercials.


Jon B. - Dec 05, 2004 9:39:21 am PST #371 of 10003
A turkey in every toilet -- only in America!

the wall between it and the rest of the house is brick.

Electric drills and masonry drillbits are your friends.