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TiVo Hacked to Include Ethernet
snmcbride writes "Bob Edwards, Paul Mackerras, and Andrew Tridgell have hacked a 3com ISA network card into a Phillips TiVo. They've used a custom adapter to connect the ISA card to TiVo's proprietary bus. This will likely be the largest hack since adding more storage space to the TiVo became easy. A lot of people now have broadband at home, and it would be nice to pull TiVo's data via DSL or Cable." Here's a more
direct link since Tivo's forums have bogged a bit.
As many of you know, the TiVo runs linux. The guide data and software updates are usually downloaded in a nightly call to either a 1-800 number or a local UUnet access number.
What has been done is set up the 'DSS' port (also a serial port) to be a linux console. Another hack has made it redirect the 'nightly call' through the serial port as PPP instead of the modem. This way you can hook it up to a box with a PPP server and a cable modem, but you only get 115,200 bps.
This will allow the TiVo to connect to a network and get TiVo guide data without the serial port hack.
Currently, this will NOT let people download TiVo video data to the computer. It is stored in a proprietary format that has not been hacked yet.
Whatever support the Ethernet has in tivo, it is from hacking the backend linux part. The front end, the graphical shell that you see on the TV (its called myworld) has NO SUPPORT for this.
As for why TiVo never put Ethernet support in the thing, it was a corporate decision. TiVo has deals with a few major networks, including NBC. These nets hate having their stuff put on the internet minus ads. Ethernet would make this easier. Since the phone connection is toll free or local, they decided to go with a phone-only system. I dont blame them.
--IronHelix
So does this mean that Jeff K. will be able to HaX0R into your TiVo late at night? I'd hate to think what could be done with that dangerous power... maybe something like those spy movies where the evil genius broadcasts the same mind-control show on every channel.
:)
N4st0r, trixx0r h0bb1tz0rz! Th3y st0l3 0ur pr3c10uzz!
The TiVo does make a PPP connection to UUNet servers nightly, where it then downloads the guide data via FTP. These FTP servers are accessible via the Internet, but the rest of the Internet is not accessible via TiVo's UUNet connection. TiVo probably won't be too upset about this hack since it will reduce some of their dial-up costs, unless somebody decides to circumvent TiVo's guide data and start importing data from another Internet source (trust me, not too hard at all). Then again, this could also be done over the current modem connection. The main reason I'm attracted to this hack is that it now allows me to add/remove/edit recording schedules on the fly without being at home and without having to wait until it places the daily call.
While I certainly wouldn't knock the impressive nature of hacking an ISA NIC onto a proprietary bus, there have been a few articles recently on setting up a TiVo to connect to a Linux PPP server behind a cable modem or your broadband of choice, which isn't a difficult thing to accomplish. This was discussed recently discussed in a Slashdot article, and also make sure to check out the TiVo forum here. Lastly, be sure to check out LinuxToday, as there have been a few articles recently on this same topic.
Interested in open source engine management for your Subaru?
In case you want to skip the forum messages (or it get's /.ed) here is story on http://linuxcare.com.au/tridge/tiv o-e thernet/
Sequence for the typical Tivo article on slashdot:
1. Wow, a new hack!
2. Click on the avsforum link just to find it's slashdotted, pissing off the people who actually are creating the hacks.
3. "Won't this let us steal service (not that I'd do that)?"
4. "Does this mean I can not pay for a subscription now?!"
5. "I don't own a Tivo, but I have all these assumptions about how the Tivo works that I'd like to throw out and have disproved by anyone who knows anything about a Tivo."
6. "What's the point, Tivo is just digital VCR. Did I mention I don't own nor understand a Tivo?"
7. Click on avsforum a few more times.
8. "Tivo is a dumb idea, just buy a video capture card."
9. "Aren't they violating the GPL?"
10. "Tivo won't like this and will stop it, even though it doesn't harm them in any way."
-- cc on avsforum
Well, this is apparently going to be asked repeatedly, so I will answer. Yes, the TiVO service uses a TCP/IP service to get it's program guide information. It is a proprietary protocol, where the unit sends in it's ID etc encrypted over the protocol to the tivo service which then verifies that the unit in question has an up to date service agreement and then proceeds to send the program data. They do have an 800 number, however, they also use multiple local dialups to keep costs down, which are basically just POPs in different locations that will allow them to dial up to the internet to get to tivo's servers. Therefore, anyone using the service through broadband will still need to pay the subscription fees to TiVO ... until someone figures out how to download it and redistribute it to others over another channel. I hope that explains something :)
Revelations 0:1 - The beginning of the end.