Well if there is an easier way (like hacking the TIVO to output the desired codes in the first place) I'm all ears. But since its not a Tivo 1, I doubt there is an easy way to do that. (Tivo is the reason there is a GPL version 3, because they complied with the GPL 2, but still manage to lock the user out of creating new customization for the device)

I think with my research I've found more about the Arduino sets and that (similar to raspberry PI), you can upload small programs that can run on the device. It seems like the Arduino could do what I'm looking for (and gets the problem into my domain (coding)) Apparently the Arduino boards can be obtained rather cheaply.

I saw a few good other options if money wasn't a limit.

But I agree, I'd rather not re-invent a rock dispenser to slow down, if someone has new adapter breaks for me. But I guess, I only found this site once I had envisioned a potential solution.