Supported Network Adapters

Overview

All models of TiVos can be modified to include network adapters. Some models of TiVos support networking by default using the standard software. Some other versions of TiVos have to have their software modified to work with third-party network adapters.

TiVo Stand Alone and DirecTv Series 1 Networking

These TiVos do not have USB ports. It is necessary to connect a special network card directly to the main system board inside the TiVo case. Networks cards that work with Series 1 TiVos are the TiVonet card, the Turbonet Card, and the Cache Card.

TiVo Series 2 Standalone Networking

These TiVos have USB ports and have support for specific network adapters included in the default TiVo software. See this TiVo.com page for a list of suported wired and wireless network adapters.

DirecTV TiVo Series 2 Networking

These TiVos have USB ports but they are disabled in the TiVo software. These models have to be modified to run third-party software so that the USB ports can be enabled and the network card divers accessed. The default list of supported network adapters are similar to the wired ones listed on this TiVo.com page, but are not updated as frequently as is the support on StandAlone Series 2 TiVos.

TiVo Series 3 Stand-Alone Networking

Series 3 TiVos include a network port. It is not necessary to add a network adapter to these models.

High-Speed USB 2.0 Backport Drivers

To increase speed and enable support for a much wider variety of network adapters, it is necessary to install Jamie's USB2.0 Backport Drivers. However, this can only be performed on a modified TiVo (see instructions elsewhere on this site for modifying you TiVo to run third-party software.)

List of Supported Adapters for USB 2.0 Backport Drivers

For a complete and up-to-date list, click here for SD Units and here for the HR10-250.

This section contains information about the various network adapters which are supported by a Zipper enabled TiVo.

• Wireless Adapters (according to tivo.com)

NOTE 1: No wireless G adapters are supported. NOTE 2: The HR10-250 does not support any of these wireless adapters. See the 'Wired' section below for details.

• • Belkin F5D6050
  • Belkin F5D6050 ver. 2000
  • Dell True Mobile 1180
  • D-Link DWL-120 ver. A
  • D-Link DWL-120 ver. D
  • D-Link DWL-120 ver. E
  • D-Link DWL-120 + AirPlus
  • D-Link DWL-122
  • Hawking WU250
  • Linksys WUSB11 ver. 2.6
  • Linksys WUSB11 ver. 2.8
  • Linksys WUSB11 ver. 3.0
  • Linksys WUSB11 ver. 4.0
  • Linksys WUSB12
  • Microsoft MN-510
  • NETGEAR MA101 ver. A
  • NETGEAR MA101 ver.B
  • NETGEAR MA111 ver. 1
  • NETGEAR MA111 ver. 2

• Wired Adapters (all units - including the HR10-250)
  • NETGEAR FA120 -- hard to come by, but seems to be the favorite.
  • D-Link DUB-E100 -- also hard to come by, but is next in line for popularity.
  • Hawking UF200/TRENDnet TU2-ET100
  • Linksys USB200M version 1 -- see this link for details on determining version[1].
  • Linksys USB200M version 2 - supported in the Zipper versions greater than 1.7.
  • Airlink AGIGAUSB - supported in the Zipper versions greater than 1.7. This adapter has become pretty hard to find lately (discontinued?)
  • Airlink ASOHOUSB - supported in the Zipper versions greater than 1.7. Available from Fry's/Outpost for $12.99 + shipping here: http://www.outpost.com/product/4415686
  • If you purchased a Belkin F5D5050, you might be able to get it work by replacing ax8817x.o with pegasus.o in the zipper.sh script. Otherwise, buy an FA120.

Note: TiVo Software version 6.x loads the TiVo drivers automatically, so the limited list of adapters shown here only apply to older TiVos. DirecTivos with 6.x will work with any adapter shown on Tivo's list

Gigabit Ethernet Support

The backport drivers will allow use of a gigabit ethernet USB adapter in your TiVo. This is useful for those wanting to speed-up the show extraction process. To see any speed increase, it is necessary that your network meets the following criteria:

• Must be running a Gigabit Ethernet Switch
• Must be running a Gigabit Ethernet card in your desktop PC (the one connecting to the TiVo)
• Must be running with Jumbo Frames enabled - the switch to Gigabit Ethernet alone does not increase transfer rates all that much.

The following Gigabit Ethernet Adapters are currently known to be supported by the backport drivers:

• Airlink101 AGIGAUSB Gigabit Ethernet USB 2.0 Adapter
• Linksys USB1000 Gigabit Ethernet USB 2.0 Adapter