Ethernet for TiVo

Use your Broadband Connection with your TiVo

Updated: December 21, 2000
Author: David Beckemeyer

The photo above shows a device that effectively gives the TiVo an Ethernet port to replace the phone line connection, causing the TiVo to use a Cable modem, DSL, or other broadband connection for its daily updates instead of making phone calls.

Overview
TiVo normally makes daily telephone calls for updates using a builtin modem. It actually dials a local Internet POP and establishes a normal PPP/IP connection, then communicates with TiVo servers via HTTP.

The modification described here creates a hard-wired PPP connection to a microcontroller serving as a proxyarp gateway, making the TiVo appear as though it's on the LAN.

With these modifications, Tivo will use any available broadband connection via the Ethernet interface to perform its daily updates.

The physical connection looks like this:

   +----------+                               +-------+
   |          |  DSS port  +---------+        |       |
   |  TiVo    |------------| Gateway |--------|  DSS  |
   |          |            +---------+        |       |
   +----------+                 |             +-------+
                   ethernet     |
                  --------------------------
                    |        |       |

The trick is enabling Internet connectivity over the DSS port while still allowing the TiVo to control the DSS receiver via the faster and far more reliable serial connection.

The Gateway Device
The device (shown above) has two serial ports and an Ethernet port. One serial port connects to the TiVo for the PPP connection and the other connects to the DSS for control of the DSS receiver. It is a small (3" x 5" x 5") device, requiring very low power. It has no hard drive, fan or other moving parts and is totally silent.

No physical modifications are required on the TiVo or DSS. The device connects to external ports on the TiVo and DSS (essentially splices into the connection between the TiVo and DSS).

Operation
With the device installed, the TiVo behaves normally and there is no special operation required. The TiVo thinks it is making daily calls as usual but really uses the local Ethernet and broadband connection for updates. The TiVo also thinks it's controlling the DSS directly and there are no noticable delays in channel changes or other DSS operations. All TiVo menus and other features operate normally.

Technical Information
Not the for faint of heart! If you have a fair bit of technical savvy and want to try to make one of these yourself, I've put together a very terse document that might help: How to build your own PPP/Ethernet Gateway for TiVo.