The TiVo Wireless N Adapter Unboxing & Giveaway

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TiVo kindly overnighted the new Wireless N Network Adapter ($90) for a ZNF unboxing and giveaway.

Unlike their 802.11g USB TiVo adapter, this is more of a “network bridge” in a pretty sleek package. Other than the serious cable clutter, which won’t fly in my household. As a wireless bridge, the adapter connects to a TiVo (Premiere, Series3, TiVoHD, S2 DT) via Ethernet rather than USB — and needs to be configured beyond the DVR. WPS-enabled wireless routers should provide two click configuration with the adapter in client mode. However, I got this unit going in bridge mode simply by connecting it to my laptop via Ethernet and browsing to 192.168.10.1, where I provided my network details. As I utilize a hidden SSID, of limited security benefit, I jumped out of the wizard and into the manual configuration area. However, setup is quite straightforward and presented much more clearly than my ASUS bridge. (Find TiVo’s adapter manual here.) Those with more than one device to wire and some network savvy may prefer buying or building an access point for the same money. Although you won’t be treated to the TiVo branding seen on the Wireless N Network adapter, splitter cable, and power adapter.

Entering the TiVo Wireless N Network Adapter giveaway is as easy as it gets, simply leave a comment below. (US residents in the lower 48 only, please.) I’ll choose one winner at random in a few days.

Click to enlarge:

165 thoughts on “The TiVo Wireless N Adapter Unboxing & Giveaway”

  8. Any idea how much of a speedup we’ll see while transferring between Tivo HD’s? I thought that the processing power was the limitation rather than the bandwidth?

  9. Pete, on the Series3 and TiVoHD, Ethernet over USB will provide a speed boost. However, you’ll never truly maximize those 802.11N speeds due to limitations in TiVo architecture. The Premiere is where folks would benefit most. THD/S3 will see some improvement over TiVo’s USB adapter, but the ceiling is just much lower in general on that platform.

  12. How does this ‘adapter’ compare to any other Wireless N bridge? It’s obviously quite compact/svelte, but it’s also slightly more expensive.

  13. Hi Dave – thanks for the greats pix and information on the N Adapter! bet that improves Netflix streaming! Sure would love to get one – your giveaway would be real nice about now, thanks for making it available!

  15. I wonder if the speed up over the old TiVo “g” is worth getting an “n” router? Does this offer any advantage over just getting an AirPort Express as the bridge?

  16. “of limited security benefit” You’ve obviously never been war driving, hidden SSIDs show up in Netstumbler just like ones that are broadcasted. So all you are doing is making it harder for you to connect your devices, lechers next door can still connect just as easily.

  24. Ben, you’re not giving me enough credit. I’m the dude doing the i.TV/TiVo packet analysis earlier this week. Like you, I’m a network guy by day. I know the value (none really) of a hidden SSID. But it’s still good practice to rename and obscure. My real security is the WPA2.

  25. Can you plug this into a switch and provide network for everything else in your entertainment center?

  28. I just picked up a wireless G adaptor not realizing the N was this close. Too late to return so I’d love to start my TiVo speed upgrades now….especially with a free one! Can’t beat that!

  44. This would be nice to have. Still afraid to hook back up my Tivo wireless G adapter. I was convinced it killed my first Tivo HD a couple years back. Hook a brother up, home slice.

  45. At this price, I’m not sure why you wouldn’t buy a full wireless bridge like one from D-link. I use one for one my TivoHDs, with two band N support and five ports on the back.

  46. My G is definitely bottlencking my Premiere to Premiere transfers at 12mb or so. Woudl love to see how the N Boosts my speed (ethernet on onside hooked up to a dual band N Router)

  47. Now if only 802.1N would become a standard. So that my provider can supply me with a new modem/router! Would love to have the new TiVo adapter!

  51. Free is always the right price. I’m still stuck with a DTivo but I’m sure this would work as a bridge for some of my other equipment.

  56. They should have built this into their new TiVo Premiere. Why should we have to pay an extra $90?

  57. Great info and pix, as always, Dave!
    Any idea what the speed limit is on the TivoHD? I’ve known for a while there was some sort of limit but never read what it is.

  60. This would be a vast improvement over my old “B” wireless. Yup, I’m cheap and believe in “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

  69. i get why they chose this weird cable configuration, but i don’t understand why they didn’t go with USB power at least…

  75. Nice to see they’ve hooked this into ethernet – I was wondering how you’re supposed to wire up the bluetooth remote dongle, a tuning adapter, and the wireless adapter.

  85. Hey Dave,
    I definitely will take a chance on this one!!
    I am using a real old LinkSys on my TIVO that BARELY does the job. And ZATZNOTFUNNY. I need this!.

    Please help improve my TIVO viewing.
    Thanks as always,
    Ron P.

  88. I guess this is the final N spec (as opposed to draft)? My router still hasn’t provided a final N spec firmware.

  89. Thanks for the info Dave. I’d love to win this, but failing that I might just buy a bridge and name it London.

  91. Whoa, that’s a lot of cables. I would have liked it if they could at least do power over USB or ethernet instead of making me take up another outlet.

  93. would be nice to get up on n. While my current network is fast enough for netflix, I dont like that my wireless bridge is the bottleneck.

  97. The G speed does do the trick, but we all know that faster is better. Well, that’s what my girlfriend sez!

  108. This could replace the Tivo wireless G that I bought last week not knowing that the N was going to be released. Thanks a lot BB!

  110. Too bad they didn’t make it plug and play like the wireless “g” adapter. Not a fan of the additional power needed but if I win I can’t complain.

  111. I ought to win it.

    I’ve got a Mac Mini and a TiVo. The two would go great together with an ethernet bridge…

  112. Wow, they should have had these built into their units by now. Wouldn’t cost them more than $15

  131. I’m saving up already for a TiVo Premiere to replace my old Series 2. And another $90 for the N adaptor. Hrrrmm. Be really, really, nice to have though.

  132. I own 2 tivos and 2 tivo G adapters. I recently upgraded to a tivo premier. This adapter would go quite nicely. :-)

  138. Haven’t been able to afford new toys for a while, this could be a great way to get upgraded to N.

  141. Airport Extreme or an other router as a wireless bridge is better solution, plus you have 3 ethernet ports for other devices. Airport Express, same price as the new TiVo wireless adapter, same speed.

  144. I would love to win. I am guessing it will take a manual setup for an Airport Extreme — it’s not real clear from Tivo’s instructions. If I win, I’ll post steps for other Mac users in the Tivo community forum:)

  145. Would someone post some alternate model “N” bridges that would work in place of this TiVo Wireless N Network Adapter?

  146. While, I’d love to get a higher transfer speed on my TIVO (particularly for Netflix type operations), the steep price tag would prevent me from rushing out to buy this. Is it actually possible to use any other brand of N adapters?

  150. My wife was first only going to kill me because I spent $500 on the new Premiere xl. Now she’s going to chop me up because I have Ethernet cable running through the hallway! Help me win this. I beg you!

  156. looks interesting, but I’m also considering a wireless bridge. I’d like to have something that can connect my Tivo and BluRay player.

  158. I would love one of these. I would love to see the specifics on how much improvement I would see if I used this with a Tivo HD or Series 2.

  162. I would love to see how this works with my setup, TiVo OTA and Netflix. G is good, but N should provide a bit more bandwidth. Thanks for the chance to enter.

  164. This would greatly simplify my setup. I currently use an old Belkin G router in bridge mode and connect to Tivo but would prefer to move to N.

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