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PTVnet Software Utility CD
For select DirecTV Series2 DVR Systems running 3.1.1e or 6.2
The PTVnet software CD is designed as a DIY utility for people with moderate PC
technical ability, and who want to quickly and easily build or configure a drive
(or two) for their Series2 DirecTV DVR with USB networking access. The CD is
designed to be used in combination with a user-supplied drive that has already
been upgraded and expanded using MFStools, or can be used on new drives, in
combination with an MFStools created backup image. PTVnet is designed to augment
your existing upgrade drive with the additional features and capabilities
described below.
In order to use the PTVnet Software Utility CD, the end-user is expected to have
relatively basic PC skills; they must be able to burn a standard ISO to CD media
and have the ability to temporarily connect a hard drive to a standard Intel or
AMD PC, and configure it to boot from the CD/DVD device. There are no system
software requirements (the PTVnet Software Utility CD contains its own operating
system), however it should be known that in rare cases some PC's are unable to
boot the CD or have incompatible firmware.
Key Features
USB drivers for Ethernet networking
LBA48 enhancements support > 137GB hard drives
PTVnet application suite
InstantCake Companion
USB 2.0 Ethernet Networking
The PTVnet CD will install and enable USB 2.0 networking drivers so that your
DirecTV DVR can be connected to a home network. Using a USB Ethernet adapter,
such as the Linksys USB200M, you can connect your DVR to any network and it will
obtain a DHCP assigned IP address from any standard router, such as the Linksys
WRT54G. For those interested in wireless connectivity, use of a bridging device
may also be added, such as the Linksys WGA54G. Installation of basic networking
drivers is intended as a facility for applications support (see PTVnet
application suite below), not for completion of the daily call - please see
Advanced Features for more discussion
USB 1.1 Ethernet Networking (6.2 version only)
USB 1.1 provides support for older USB devices, whereas USB 2.0 support requires
use of the more current and slightly more expensive USB 2.0 adapters. This
is a feature not provided in the PTVnet 3.1.1e version. When using the
PTVnet CD, the user is asked which driver set to use -- we recommend using USB
2.0 support whenever possible.
Large Drive Support (LBA48)
A current limitation of the 3.1.1e Software for these units is the inability to
address more than 137GB per installed drive (maximum of two drives per unit).
This is due to addressing limitations within the linux kernel. The PTVnet CD
will install a custom-built kernel with LBA48 functionality. This allows full
utilization of drives as large as 400GB (and possibly larger).
Full LBA48 support is now included as part of the TiVo/DirecTV 6.2 operating
environment. Improvements to the PTVnet (and InstantCake) installers for 6.2, now
allow use of up to 400GB drives (maximum of two per unit)!
PTVnet Application Suite Synopsis
TiVoWebPlus and TiVoWeb are web server components installed and configured for
access through a standard web browser (IE or Firefox, preferred). HackMan is a
hack management module integrated with TiVoWeb components to make it easier to
obtain the status of running/installed mods, enable/disable them, and also do
basic and safe editing of system startup files. YAC and Elseed are caller-id
support utilities designed to display caller-id info on your screen when
activated. TELNET/FTP are standard Linux utilities for remote shell access and
file transfer (FTP does not enable transfer of video content which is stored
differently than standard TiVo operating system files and applications). Busybox
is a lightweight UNIX toolbox that provides the functionality of many common
utilities for your TiVo.
Enhanced InstantCake Support
The PTVnet CD configuration tool is expected to be used in conjunction with a
one or two drive set configured with 3.1.1e of the TiVo DVR operating
environment. For those using InstantCake, or those with their own 3.1.1e backup,
the CD boot scripts will give the user the option to supply one or two blank
drives, and execute a support script (an enhanced version of the standard
InstantCake software) to restore the image to the new drive set.
In addition to this giving the end-user the opportunity to create a drive set
utilizing the full capacity of the supplied drives (The PTVnet CD is
lba48-aware, whereas the standard InstantCake CD is not), additional support
options are also embedded into the build script -- user may choose to not expand
their drive image, and/or not increase the default size of swap space. This can
be useful if restoring to an original-sized TiVo drive is required; a current
"shortcoming" of the standard InstantCake build scripts.
Advanced Features
Other advanced features of the PTVnet CD and the configuration scripts allow for
the enabling / disabling of ptv_flags read by system startup files at TiVo boot
time. Flags configurable by the PTVnet CD installation include automatic
enable/disable of TELNET, FTP, DHCP (static may be configured via remote access
with additional instructions to follow), FIRSTIME boot (InstantCake or 3rd party
image builds alleviates requirement for clear and delete everything ), AUTOMATIC
upgrade of software (allows prevention of auto upgrade to preserve existing
hacks until future OS releases are supported), and other potential 'aftermarket'
hacks TBD.
Supported TiVo Models
The EXCLUSIVE list of supported models is as follows:
Hughes HDVR2
Hughes SD-DVR40, SD-DVR80, SD-DVR120
Philips DSR7000
Philips DSR704, DSR708
RCA DVR39
RCA DVR40, DVR80, DVR120
Samsung SIR-S4040R, SIR-S4080R, SIR-S4120R
Other models may be supported in the future.
If its not on the list, its not
supported.
To Purchase
First, determine which software your TiVo is running. Then select your
TiVo model from the list below.
Support Resources
For the most part, the PTVnet software CD contains freely and publicly available
components found at popular enthusiasts' sites such as DDB and TCF. Some of the
technology is exclusively licensed for commercial redistribution, but is also
freely and publicly available for end-users. Much of the CD's value contains
hand-coded scripts designed to seamlessly integrate and implement components of
the application, as such work is no longer considered to be trivial by all but
those with advanced technical capabilities, and extreme patience. We greatly
appreciate the efforts and creations of the really smart people that have
created and contributed to the avocation of TiVo upgrading. Their contributions
to the community are the cornerstone of the services we provide, and we couldn't
do so without them.
PTVupgrade offers free support resources thru their
community forums. We do
our best to provide good examples and documentation of usage, as well as respond
to queries to unique or not-often-repeated questions. We do not offer private
(individual) support for any reason or at any price for any DIY utilities. We do
offer professional installation services and pre-configured kits for those
without the time, patience, or skills to use DIY utilities. If you have
questions, please browse our knowledgebase here and come to our free interactive
forums and ask your questions there.
Disclaimer
The PTVnet Utility CD is NOT a means to circumvent the data encryption used by
DirecTV for storage of recorded material on the DVR, nor is it product which
installs an alternative software version on your DVR to allow you access to
features only intended for standalone units. The PTVnet Utility CD IS an
enhancement utility to designed to effectively and legally integrate your DVR to
your home network, and give you the opportunity to explore an enhanced
relationship with your DVR.
You should already know that tampering with the software on your TiVo hard drive
can be risky and result in a non-working TiVo. We do provide services to get you
up and running should encounter any problems, however we are not responsible for
any damage you may incur. With that said, we are known for only releasing stable
and mature products and you should have nothing to worry about. Our best advice
is to always make a backup, and TEST it first. If you do this, no matter what
may happen, you can almost always restore a backup to get your TiVo running
again.
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