TiVo Hacks

This manual aims to let you get the most out of your TiVo or other personal video recorder (PVR). Armed with just a screwdriver and basic understanding of PC hardware (or willingness to learn), preeminent hackability awaits. First, the book covers tips for changing the order of recorded programs, activating the 30-second skip to blaze through commercials, and more, by using magical remote-control codes. Then, once you take the lid off your TiVo, you will learn how to gain even more fun and functionality. You can upgrade the hard drive for more hours of recording. Log in to the serial port for command-line access to programming data, log files, closed-captioning data, display graphics on the TiVo screen, and even play MP3s. Readers who use advanced hacks to put TiVo on their home network via the serial port, Ethernet, USB, or wireless (with 802.11b WiFi) will watch a whole new world open up. By installing various open source software packages, you can use TiVo for mail, instant messaging, caller-ID, and more. It's also easy to run a Web server on TiVo to schedule recordings, access lists of recorded shows, and even display them on a Web site. While TiVo gives viewers personalized control of their TVs, TiVo Hacks gives users personalized control of TiVo.