Is it possible to network four tivo's?

[Jay Church]

Howdy! I'm a newbie and I'm sure I'm going to offend somebody sooner or later, seems we have some pretty thin skinned posters here, but I really don't mean to. If someone is willing to help me, great, if I'm considered offensive, let me know and I'll jump back off.
My question is: is it possible to network 4 tivo's with eithernet cable so I can get the downloads to my tivo's over the internet without having to use a router? I have googled, searched other forums, even went to the tivo website, haven't been able to find any info at all. I'm sure there is a specific forum for this question, but I haven't been able to find it.
jc

05122008%20640.jpg

[redwudz]

Your post would be better here. The other thread was for information, not posting questions.

Moderator redwudz

And welcome to our forums.

[painkiller]

Not that I am 100% positive, but I would think you would need a router.
I have only two Series 2 Tivos, but "have" to use a router for a couple reasons.
These versions/models only have the USB ports, so I had to get the USB to Ethernet Linksys adapters for them.
Since I have DSL, these are connected to my wired/wireless router so that they can see each other as well as using the broadband for daily internet access to update the schedule.
(Which makes me wonder how you would update your TIVOs without connecting to the internet in some fashion by way of wireless, or wired, router.)

Since mine are wired, I could in fact, plug in up to four TIVOs (if I had that many) using ethernet - to a router.
Even if I used the wireless adapters for the TIVOs ($59 or so at Best Buy) then I would think you would still require a router for the same reasons I list above.

Hope this is of some use to you.

[Jay Church]

Thanks for the response. At least now I have the confidence to know the router is probably the only option. I do have one more question. Besides the four TiVo's, I have the desk top computer and a NetFlix direct stream box for NetFlix instant viewing. That means I need a total of 6 ethernet cables. Can I "Piggyback" two routers to have enough cables? I've only found one thread post on a forum, I don't remember which one now, that addressed my issue and I couldn't make heads or tails of what he/she was talking about. I'm not a techie. Any advice?
Next question. How do you guys get graphics or jpg images on your Author panel? I tried but all I accomplished was getting a link at the bottom of my post.
jc

[redwudz]

You use one router and a switch. They don't need configuration, just plug and play. Some examples: http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=30&name=Switches You can plug several together if needed. I use one router and two switches on my LAN.

[painkiller]

I do the same thing that Redwudz does.
I use one Linksys WRT54S router (which has 4 ethernet ports and wireless, for 802.11b/g).
And one D-Link switch (8 ethernet ports).

The only difference between a switch and a router is that part of the router which incorporates the ability to connect to your modem (DSL or Cable) for internet access. (Connections for DSL and cable modems are NOT the same.)

Some routers can be "extended" but that would be too much trouble (and expensive) for you at this time.

A switch is less expensive. I use an 8-port switch that allows network speeds from 10 to 100 to 1,000 (seen as 10/100/1000, on the box). You can get a 5-port switch for less money.

It is simple to connect the two (switch and router), just run an ethernet cable from one port to another. Then it's like having 9 ports (for a 5-port switch and a 4-port router). That's all you would have to do.

I don't know anything about an "Author Panel."

[redwudz]

I missed that part of Jay Church's post about a "Author Panel", but he's probably asking how to post screenshots: https://forum.videohelp.com/topic271697.html

[Jay Church]

Hey, you guys are awesome. Thanks for all the info.
What I meant by the "Author Panel" is how do I put a picture or graphic under my name, where you, redwudz, have the animated cat. I will check out the link you put in your post, thanks.
As for the routers, I have a wireless/wired Linksys router that I use as a wired router. My son has a D-Link router for me if it will work to "extend" the ports, as I see now that it will. Thanks so much for the help. I just hope that someday I'll be able to help somebody else as much as you guys have helped me.
Go Chargers! (Since the Broncos are out of it)
jc

[redwudz]

What I use for a avatar is a 'animated gif'. It consists of two gif pictures, shown alternately. You can go to this site to see some examples and a freeware online program to convert them to a size for our forums, 80 X 80 pixels max, 10K filesize: http://www.gifworks.com/

I would avoid too much movement, as it can be distracting.