New Years Resolution for your TiVo – a UPS
What’s the best thing you can do to keep your TiVo up and running? Get it on a UPS.
Here’s the basic idea: Your TiVo is a computer, and you probably have a UPS on your computer. For the same reasons, you should have one on your TiVo. It’s a computer also, and, frankly, the power supply in it likely isn’t as robust as the one in your computer.
If you’re wondering what a UPS is, it’s basically a battery that goes between your TiVo and your wall outlet. If the power drops – even a bit – then the UPS takes over and adds the power back into the equation from its battery. So the TiVo won’t see a power drop at all – and the drive inside the unit is much less likely to be damaged.
Many people have their units plugged into surge suppressors. That’s half the battle – those keep too much power from getting to the unit. But a UPS does both: it keeps too much or too little power from hitting the unit, and both can seriously damage a TiVo.
Consider this pretty inexpensive unit from Amazon, or find one at your local Staples or Office Depot. It’s a good investement.
We have more info on our site about using a UPS with your TiVo.
5 comments 
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March 13th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I just bought a 425va (230w) Battery Backup by CyberPower with serial shutdown of system if required .. it was for my wife’s new HP c6280 printer ..
I’m guessing the 425va is total & 230w is ups. It looks the same as the suggested APC unit.
Can I swap it out & use it on the DTiVo?
Whats the power consumption on the DTiVo?
I have APC Line Conditioners on the TV stuff where the new DTiVo will be used ..
May 12th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Whoa, that’s expensive. Can you recommend a quiet & cheap ups?
October 12th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I just bought this unit at a local Best Buy, on sale. $40
About the size of half a Tivo.
APC – 550VA Battery Back-Up System – Black
Model: BE550G | SKU: 9307788
Up to 65 minutes battery backup; 8 outlet.
Sale: $39.99
Reg. Price: $59.99
You Save: $20.00
Plugged in the Tivo and a smaller flatscreen LCD TV. They all seem happy together.
2009-10-12
October 12th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Just an FYI – we don’t recommend plugging a TV into the backup+surge ports on these units, because the TV uses so much more power, it can drain the battery down fast.
July 5th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
I just bought an upgrade HD for an ancient Tivo, a friend gave me. The HD didn’t work and I wanted more then 40hrs of tv recording.
I found your prices very reasonable and service quick and easy.
I am very pleased with the instructions. Changing out the HD took so little time I was amazed. I am a very happy Tivo watcher.