Running out of space on your TiVo but not ready to buy a new one? Disk Jockey maker Diskology has announced plans to release software tools to enable Mac users who also have digital video recorders (DVRs) like the ones made by TiVo to upgrade their DVRs with new, larger hard drives.
DVRs connect to your television and enable you to record your favorite shows to an internal hard disk. The manufacturers of these devices generally don’t endorse user upgrades of the hard disks — indeed, you’ll likely void your warranty — but that hasn’t stopped enterprising TiVo users from hacking their systems regardless. It’s just that up until now, you’ve needed some Unix skills and a PC to do it in order to set up the disk.
Diskology CEO Tony Overbay claims the new tools, in conjunction with his company’s Disk Jockey product — a hardware-based hard disk copy, backup and diagnostic tool — enable TiVo users to upgrade the hard disk drives in their DVRs within about a half an hour. The software tools work on both Mac OS X and windows, and can be accomplished on the computer using either FireWire or USB through the Disk Jockey.
The software tools will ship in February, available as a free upgrade to Disk Jockey customers.
Look for Diskology at the Granite Digital booth, #2525 in the South Hall, when the exhibit hall opens Tuesday. Show specials on the Disk Jockey will be available. Macworld Conference & Expo runs through January 9, 2004.