This is an excellent site with the best information on upgrading my TiVo unit. Everyone here has done an incredible job of clarifying the upgrade process.

I have a Series2 DirecTV TiVo Hughes HDVR2 with a 35-hour hard drive running software version 6.2. Like many others with several cell phones in the house, we recently dropped our landline phone line. It was only weeks later I realized... Opps! Even though it is not absolutely necessary... my DirecTV TiVo likes to have a phone line connection. I am thinking there has to be a way around this, so here I am.

I read the posts here at the PTV forum and, considering the extra advantages of PTVnet, I think I am ready to make the plunge to an upgrade kit (the 105 HR Replacement Drive Kit with PTVnet.)

I have a wired home network running WindowsXP SP2.

I will not be going wireless right now, so I am considering making a wired connection to my home network. My concern is the length of wire needed to make the connection. I know it is recommended NOT to run more than about 20 feet, yet I think my run is going to be closer to 35 to 40 feet. I know I may see some signal degradation or loss during a run that long, does anyone know is if is appreciable? Will it really make a lot of difference?

NOTE: Presently, I do not plan to download large files (movies or television programs) from my DirecTV TiVo to my PC.

In addition, does anyone know if PTV (or 9th Tee) will make a custom length TiVo Null Modem Serial Cable? On the other hand, is this not what I need? Should I just go USB to USB?

That's all for now and thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge and expertise.