Hooking TiVo up to the home network
I recently upgraded from dial-up Internet to the high-speed service offered by my cable TV provider. They supply one modem per account, and there are two computers in my household. So the next thing I did was install a Netgear wireless network, which was an easier undertaking than I expected.

The Linksys wireless network adapter simply plugs into the USB port on the back of the TiVo recorder. It comes with an extension cord, so you can place it elsewhere, if you like.

With the WiFi network in place, the only extra gadget I needed for the Home Media Option was a network adapter. TiVo recommends a couple of Linksys models. I chose the $70 Linksys WUSB12, a pocket-sized unit designed for use with laptop computers.

I plugged the adapter into the TiVo's USB jack and turned on my TiVo and TV. I was greeted with a screen that said, "Wireless firmware update required." I was warned that the adapter may no longer work with my personal computer after the firmware update. Fortunately, I wasn't planning on using the adapter with my laptop, so I launched the update.

Up next came the Wireless Checklist screen which tells you that you need to know the name of the network and all of the password details. If you set up your own network, you should be familiar with this stuff. If someone else set up your network, you may need help with this installation, too.

The next step in the setup process is network selection. Netgear was listed right there in the menu, and the Link light on the adapter was blinking. It appeared that TiVo had picked up the signal. But it wouldn't connect with my network.

I gave the Troubleshooting option a try. One of the suggestions was to simply unplug the adapter and the TiVo, and then plug them back in. That did the trick!

The network connection process took about 15 minutes. By my standards, it was easy. One little problem was deftly handled by the built-in troubleshooting tip.

Making music and photo files available to the network
Now that I was connected to my network, I needed to make some of the music files and digital photos on my desktop PC available to the TiVo.

The TiVo Desktop software is simple to install and use.

I had already downloaded the TiVo Desktop software from the TiVo website. It lets you browse your hard drive for the tunes and pictures you want to hear or view in the living room. Drag the files into the "publish" area, and you're set. That's all there is to it. It won't let you publish files your TiVo can't display or play back.