How to connect a TiVo box to your network

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When you connect your TiVo box to a home network, you get a lot of extra features such as YouTube videos, Rhapsody music, Amazon Video On Demand, and the many new features offered by TiVo Desktop and TiVo Desktop Plus. You can also schedule recordings online with as little as two hours’ notice.

You can connect your box to your home network using either a wireless or wired connection. Click a link to go to the instructions:

Connecting your TiVo box to a wirless network using the TiVo Wireless G Adapter

Connecting your TiVo box to a wireless network using the TiVo Wireless N Adapter

Connecting your TiVo box to a network using a wired connection

For information on how to set up the equipment to create a basic home network, go to How to set up a home network.

Connecting your TiVo box to a network using a wired connection

All wired routers and most wireless routers have at least 2 Ethernet ports for connecting the router to other devices on the network using Ethernet cables. If you have a wireless router and your TiVo box is close to the router, you may want to use one of these wired connections, because it is usually faster than a wireless connection.

Series2 DT (dual tuner) boxes and all HD TiVo boxes have built-in Ethernet support, so they require only a standard CAT-5 Ethernet cable (sold separately) to make the connection to the router.
Series2 boxes require a USB wired adapter and a CAT-5 Ethernet cable, both sold separately. For a list of compatible wired adapters, go to Which network adapters work with my TiVo box? At least one compatible USB wired adapter is usually available for purchase at the TiVo Store.

Creating a wired connection to a Series2 DT or HD TiVo box

Connect one end of a CAT-5 Ethernet cable (which is the standard Ethernet cable for home or office use) to a port on the router.
Connect the other end of the cable to the Ethernet port on the back of the box.
Configure your TiVo box to connect to your home network. You can do this either during Guided Setup, or at any time after Guided Setup.
- If this is a new TiVo box, plug in the box. After the box starts up completely, it will automatically begin Guided Setup. During Guided Setup, you will be prompted to enter settings that will allow the box to connect to your network.
- If the box has already completed Guided Setup, you just need to configure it to connect to your new network. To do this, go to Messages & Settings > Settings > Network & Phone. Select Use network instead if the box previously was connecting to the TiVo service using a phone connection. Select Change network settings if you are setting up the network with a different router. Follow the prompts to connect your TiVo box. For more information, go to How to configure network settings on your TiVo box.

Creating a wired connection to a Series2 box

Connect an Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the wired adapter.

Insert the USB connector on the adapter into one of the USB ports on the back of the Series2 box.

Insert the other end of the Ethernet cable into a port on your router.
Configure your TiVo box to connect to your home network. You can do this either during Guided Setup, or at any time after Guided Setup.
- If this is a new TiVo box, plug in the box. After the box starts up completely, it will automatically begin Guided Setup. During Guided Setup, you will be prompted to enter settings that will allow the box to connect to your network.
- If the box has already completed Guided Setup, you just need to configure it to connect to your new network. To do this, go to Messages & Settings > Settings > Network & Phone. Select Use network instead if the box previously was connecting to the TiVo service using a phone connection. Select Change network settings if you are setting up the network with a different router. Follow the prompts to connect your TiVo box. For more information, go to How to configure network settings on your TiVo box.