Bit torrent Question.. I need someone to walk me through like I am 5

[scubagal]

I have tried to figure out this Bit Torrent stuff FOREVER.. and never been able to get it to work.

This morning my husband tried, and again.. we are coming up :mad:

Using the bittorrent.com guide instructions.. the part we must be doing wrong is the web server part. Do I need a designated web server to download shows? I have my own personal website for business and Kevin has a web server for work, do we somehow need to tap into these?

I was thinking this was more like downloading like I used to from Napster, etc... but apparently not.

We also tried trackerless, since we don't have a tracker.. should we get a tracker? from?

Is there a Bit Torrent for Dummies instruction/site/help out there?

Please no laughing :)

[dswallow]

Install Azureus (http://azureus.sourceforge.net).

For now, just leave everything as it installs it by default.

Now use your web browser and go to a site like www.isohunt.com.

Use the search box up top (labeled "file") and type in a show name, like "shameless", leave the "extension" field blank, and press the "Torrents" button.

In the list that is displayed, the first one is likely to be "shameless SE3.EP1 divx"; click on that. It'll expand with more info. Click on the "Download .torrent" link; a dialog box will open asking what you want to do -- select "Open" or whatever similar thing to that is displayed depending on what browser you're using. This will open Azureus with the torrent file. Azureus will contact the tracker(s) identified in the torrent file and begin making connections with current seeders and leechers of that file in order to begin transferring data.

That should be the basics; now there's some issues to deal with further -- if you have a router/firewall you should configure it so the specified incoming port connects automatically to your machine. You can also specify some limits on how it'll use bandwidth as well as making it default to certain directories. But we can deal with things like that once you've come back and said you've got the basics going.

[jschuur]

Bonus points for promoting Shameless again, Doug! You got me interested in that show the other day too.

ScubaGal: The only time you'd need a web server and have to worry about tracker based vs trackerless is if you yourself have a large file that you want to start sharing with others, rather than downloading an episode that's already been 'seeded' (made available via BT) for others. Is that what you wanted?

[mattpol]

Also www.mininova.org is a good place for current TV show torrents.

[TBDigital]

In short, once you have your Bittorrent client of choice installed, and have found a reliable site that has the torrent files of shows you are interested in, download the .torrent file, and launch it. Your client will do the rest.

Check out http://slyck.com/bt.php?page=3 for various clients and .torrent file sites.

[SeanC]

If you are going to be downloading things that other parties would be interested in. And those parties would be interested in contacting your ISP and finding out who you are you should download Peerguardian (http://phoenixlabs.org/).

[thumperxr69]

In short, once you have your Bittorrent client of choice installed, and have found a reliable site that has the torrent files of shows you are interested in, download the .torrent file, and launch it. Your client will do the rest.

Check out http://slyck.com/bt.php?page=3 for various clients and .torrent file sites.

Yeah TBDigital Slyck is the best site to start at to see which Bittorrent to search from. :up:

T

[rloper]

If you are running a firewall of some kind (HW or SW) you need to forward a port to get things to work smoothly. Set up the firewall (if HW) to forward port 6881 (by default) to the system running Azureus. If its a SW firewall set it to allow incoming traffic through port 6881. Then run the testing in Azureus to verify proper operation.

Good luck!

[kiljoy]

You also need to forward the tracker port to the machine running bittorrent. Forward 6969 and 6881-6890. If you can't do a range in your router, do 6881. Each subsequent connection uses the subsequent port. I only forward the first, but the rest seem to do ok without any forwarding. The important one is forwarding 6969, after that, it's gravy.

Something to note, I may be doing something wrong, but every once in a while I'll click on one that says it's well-seeded, but it never starts. If you've got plenty seeding (say, >100) it should be fine.

Tony

[busyba]

Some tracker sites don't let you use their trackers on a "standard" bit torrent port.

Also, some ISPs throttle or block standard BT ports.

Your client software should allow you to specify an alternate port or range of ports. Something with 5 digits should be good.

[Redux]

You also need to forward the tracker port to the machine running bittorrent. Forward 6969 and 6881-6890

The early suggestion was to use Azureus and I think we're kindof following that lead.

[dswallow]

We're all getting ahead of scubagal, I think. Let's wait till she comes back with a progress report and take things one step at a time so as not to overwhelm her with conflicting info/purposes.

[busyba]

We're all getting ahead of scubagal, I think.
Asking a bunch of geeks a technical question... it was bound to happen. :D

[appleye1]

Yeah, if I was 5, I wouldn't know what in the hell you guys are talking about! :D

[DevdogAZ]

So Scuba, have you tried Doug's suggestion yet and had any success?

[busyba]

Yeah, if I was 5, I wouldn't know what in the hell you guys are talking about! :D

When I was 5, I would have. ;) :D

[efilippi]

May I add what seems to me a logical follow-up question? Now that I have found a torrent for my favorite show (Who's that girl?), is there a simple way for me to view it on my living room TV instead of my laptop?

[crowfan]

May I add what seems to me a logical follow-up question? Now that I have found a torrent for my favorite show (Who's that girl?), is there a simple way for me to view it on my living room TV instead of my laptop?Once you have the file downloaded, you can do what you want with it (convert it, burn it to DVD, etc). BT is precisely why I am looking to buy a DVD player that supports divx.

[mpauley]

Don't use Azureus, it's a resource hog (darn java depenencies) Give utorrent a try. Its small light weight and darn fast...

[dennisacevedo]

May I add what seems to me a logical follow-up question? Now that I have found a torrent for my favorite show (Who's that girl?), is there a simple way for me to view it on my living room TV instead of my laptop?

I found the easiest way to do this is buy a Philips DVP642 DVD Player and a handful of DVD+RWs (or even CD+RWs). This great DVD player will play .AVI and .MPG files right off the disc with no need to worry about "authoring" a DVD. Just copy the download shows onto the disc and pop it in the player.

You can usually find these at Walmart, Circuit City, Amazon, etc...

Don't use Azureus, it's a resource hog (darn java depenencies) Give utorrent a try. Its small light weight and darn fast...

I agree :up: uTorrent Rocks!

[Mabes]

May I add what seems to me a logical follow-up question? Now that I have found a torrent for my favorite show (Who's that girl?), is there a simple way for me to view it on my living room TV instead of my laptop?

Do you have a network with an ethernet connection?

http://www.iodata.com/products/products.php?cat=HNP&sc=AVEL&ts=2&tsc=15&sc=AVEL&pId=AVLP2%2FDVDLA

[jkindley]

I second that uTorrent rocks

Once you download the file you then go out and buy an old X-box ( $150) , void the warrenty by opening it up and add a mod card ( $45), get a 100Gig hard drive & install it, go to walmart and get the xbox remote ($35), download various files: Bios's, ftp program & XBOX MEDEA CENTER. Then you can watch the video that you just downloaded,

or like others you can convert it to DVD format and burn it to a DVD.

[efilippi]

My apologies to Scubagal for sort of hijacking her thread, but I fear one must be well over 5 to handle this. Or maybe under 60 is the real requirement.

I have a movie downloaded with Azureaus. It runs fine on my XP but I thought I'd try it on my imac, which has a wider screen. That doesn't seem to work. The movie avi file was encoded with DivX, according to the notes, and apparently that is Windows only? I've hunted all around the Quicktime site and can't get any satisfaction.

Blockbuster is just down the road...

[dswallow]

My apologies to Scubagal for sort of hijacking her thread, but I fear one must be well over 5 to handle this. Or maybe under 60 is the real requirement.

I have a movie downloaded with Azureaus. It runs fine on my XP but I thought I'd try it on my imac, which has a wider screen. That doesn't seem to work. The movie avi file was encoded with DivX, according to the notes, and apparently that is Windows only? I've hunted all around the Quicktime site and can't get any satisfaction.

Blockbuster is just down the road...
http://www.divx.com/divx/mac/

[efilippi]

http://www.divx.com/divx/mac/

Hmm, why couldn't I find that. :rolleyes:

20 bucks though, but I'll give it a try.

Thank you.

[THEROCKER]

What's the best and quickest way to convert Windows Media files to mpeg files, since most torrents are WM files? Thanks.

[DevdogAZ]

What's the best and quickest way to convert Windows Media files to mpeg files, since most torrents are WM files? Thanks.
Nearly every torrent I've ever downloaded has been an .avi file as opposed to a .wmv. If it says it opens with Windows Media Player that doesn't mean it's a Windows Media file. That's just the application that is associated with that type of file. It can easily be changed by right clicking on the file and choosing Properties.

[dswallow]

So... it's been 2 1/2 days since scubagal asked, and not a peep from her...

I'm surprised. Hope all is OK. Surely she knows you don't need to wait 2 1/2 days for answers to most requests here!

[scubagal]

Install Azureus (http://azureus.sourceforge.net).

For now, just leave everything as it installs it by default.

Now use your web browser and go to a site like www.isohunt.com.

Use the search box up top (labeled "file") and type in a show name, like "shameless", leave the "extension" field blank, and press the "Torrents" button.

In the list that is displayed, the first one is likely to be "shameless SE3.EP1 divx"; click on that. It'll expand with more info. Click on the "Download .torrent" link; a dialog box will open asking what you want to do -- select "Open" or whatever similar thing to that is displayed depending on what browser you're using. This will open Azureus with the torrent file. Azureus will contact the tracker(s) identified in the torrent file and begin making connections with current seeders and leechers of that file in order to begin transferring data.

That should be the basics; now there's some issues to deal with further -- if you have a router/firewall you should configure it so the specified incoming port connects automatically to your machine. You can also specify some limits on how it'll use bandwidth as well as making it default to certain directories. But we can deal with things like that once you've come back and said you've got the basics going.

Haven't read the rest of this thread yet- but this worked great- THANKS DOUG!

One more question.. we downloaded a couple things to try and they are on our tivo desktop, but I am assuming our problem is they are not in the right MPEG format. I think we need MPEG2 according to what I read somewhere on tivo... is there a converter I can get, or do I need to be downloading certain type of files only?

I am so close, I feel it... but we just can't figure it completely out. I really appreaciate the help... I am off to read the rest of this thread now, in case there is any more info I misssed..

But I wanted to thank you for this, it worked very easy!!!!

[scubagal]

We're all getting ahead of scubagal, I think. Let's wait till she comes back with a progress report and take things one step at a time so as not to overwhelm her with conflicting info/purposes.

Ha! Reading this thread just made my head spin.....

[scubagal]

Once you have the file downloaded, you can do what you want with it (convert it, burn it to DVD, etc). BT is precisely why I am looking to buy a DVD player that supports divx.

Ok.. this is what I think I need to do. Convert the mpg file downloaded and then we should be able to watch it from the Tivo? Now, we keep getting the error file not found or something, but from what I read somewhere... that is because it isn't the right format.

Am I going in the right direction?

[scubagal]

So... it's been 2 1/2 days since scubagal asked, and not a peep from her...

I'm surprised. Hope all is OK. Surely she knows you don't need to wait 2 1/2 days for answers to most requests here!


Ha! I know... but this is MrScuba's project and he isn't as lickety split on working on this.... he finally downloaded a test.... (Girls gone wild- um.. yeah)... and then today tried to watch it.

But he is obsessed now and refuses to get his own Tivo acct... so I am playing the middle man :D

But I really do thank you for all your help!!!!

[Idearat]

Ok.. this is what I think I need to do. Convert the mpg file downloaded and then we should be able to watch it from the Tivo? Now, we keep getting the error file not found or something, but from what I read somewhere... that is because it isn't the right format.

Am I going in the right direction?

Getting it into your TiVo is going to be another layer of work, and another loss of quality. Most of the TV shows I've downloaded have been in DiVx format ( still an AVI extension). Many times they're from HDTV content so I've downloaded stuff that's better quality than my DirecTiVo usually shows me.
While it's possible to convert that yet again into a TiVo friendly MPEG you're going to take a hit. Usually watching on the computer is the way to go. I ended up with a Mac Mini that's connected to my TV so I just watch downloaded stuff directly from it.
There are a few DVD players that will play DiVx content, and some other external hard drive media things. But if you had any of those you'd be up on DiVx already.

If you're going to be downloading much video, you're probably better off finding some way to connect the PC to the TV screen. Then you won't care what format its in and won't spend 45 mins to convert an hour show each time.

[lee espinoza]

the Videora TiVo Converter will make any file into a .MPG
http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/TiVo/

[DevdogAZ]

Wait. Are you people saying there's a way to transfer files from a computer to the TiVo? I've heard that "TiVo to Come Back" was in the works, but didn't know it was available yet. Is this what you're talking about?

On another note, why would you want to transfer these files to the TiVo? It's much easier to watch them on the computer and they're usually far better in quality. The stuff I download looks pristine while the stuff I transfer to my computer via TiVoToGo looks horrendous.

[Idearat]

Wait. Are you people saying there's a way to transfer files from a computer to the TiVo? I've heard that "TiVo to Come Back" was in the works, but didn't know it was available yet. Is this what you're talking about?

On another note, why would you want to transfer these files to the TiVo? It's much easier to watch them on the computer and they're usually far better in quality. The stuff I download looks pristine while the stuff I transfer to my computer via TiVoToGo looks horrendous.

The only time I bother converting downloaded video is if I really need to dump it to DVD for someone who is never going to figure out how to watch it on their computer. It's never as good as a high quality DiVx file from an HDTV source though.

[Redux]

Are you people saying there's a way to transfer files from a computer to the TiVo?Yes, you just ...
why would you want to transfer these files to the TiVo?... OK, never mind.

[crowfan]

I just bought the Phillips DVP 642 DVD player. It plays DivX files. I just take the AVI files that I get off BT, burn them to DVD, and the Philips plays them. Works and looks great. :up:

[THEROCKER]

What other programs can be used to convert avi to mpeg? Every program I use for that purpose is so slow. They take a dozen hours to do a full length movie. I've always wanted to watch my torrents on my Roku HD1000 but it only plays Mpegs. Thanks.

[DancnDude]

What other programs can be used to convert avi to mpeg? Every program I use for that purpose is so slow. They take a dozen hours to do a full length movie. I've always wanted to watch my torrents on my Roky HD1000 but it only plays Mpegs. Thanks.
I just purchased WinAVI Video Converter http://www.winavi.com that does it, and works fast. I converted a 2-hour show (well ok it had commercials removed so it was about 1.2 hours) in about 20 minutes from AVI to MPG2. You can download a trial that will convert things but put an annoying watermark on your movie.

[Mabes]

What about converting VOB to AVI? I'm skeptical there is a free solution, in which case it's not worth it to me, I'll keep them on my hard drive.

[Guindalf]

Don't use Azureus, it's a resource hog (darn java depenencies) Give utorrent a try. Its small light weight and darn fast...

Hmmm, I only manage to download at 320k/s with Azureus. Perhaps I should switch??? :rolleyes:

[scubagal]

Wait. Are you people saying there's a way to transfer files from a computer to the TiVo? I've heard that "TiVo to Come Back" was in the works, but didn't know it was available yet. Is this what you're talking about?

On another note, why would you want to transfer these files to the TiVo? It's much easier to watch them on the computer and they're usually far better in quality. The stuff I download looks pristine while the stuff I transfer to my computer via TiVoToGo looks horrendous.

We don't want to watch them on the computer... we basically are just trying to catch up one shows we missed the first few episodes, etc to get caught up.... so we were hoping we could download the shows, watch them together on the TV, get caught up, then delete.... I guess that isn't going to happen!?!??!

[DancnDude]

We don't want to watch them on the computer... we basically are just trying to catch up one shows we missed the first few episodes, etc to get caught up.... so we were hoping we could download the shows, watch them together on the TV, get caught up, then delete.... I guess that isn't going to happen!?!??!
Once you download the episodes, you need to convert them to MPG2 and then you can use TiVo2GoBack to get them from your computer to your TiVo. There's been talk of programs already in this thread that will do this conversion for you. I think people here have been waiting to see what questions/problems you are having with the BitTorrent step first though. Once you get that working and have a file, we could tell you what to do next.

[scubagal]

Once you download the episodes, you need to convert them to MPG2 and then you can use TiVo2GoBack to get them from your computer to your TiVo. There's been talk of programs already in this thread that will do this conversion for you. I think people here have been waiting to see what questions/problems you are having with the BitTorrent step first though. Once you get that working and have a file, we could tell you what to do next.

I am past that.. Doug's program worked great (earlier post on this thread).. now we downloaded a few things, they won't play or transfer- we tried converting it to a MPEG2, but I guess we didn't do it right, it said it was transfering, but when we go to play it, it is 0 seconds and nothing to play....

[Redux]

we downloaded a few things, they won't play or transfer- we tried converting it to a MPEG2, but I guess we didn't do it right, it said it was transfering, but when we go to play it, it is 0 seconds and nothing to play....Most of what you find to download will be .avi files. Tivoserver running on your Mac or pc will make those .avi files available to your Tivo just as if they were native tivo files.

[DancnDude]

I just did the sending to TiVo for the first time yesterday too ;) You do need to convert them to MPG2, but you have to use the settings from http://customersupport.tivo.com/knowbase/root/public/tv251080.htm?
It won't work otherwise. Lee Espinoza posted a few posts ago a program that converts the file for you into these settings although I havn't used it.

[JTAnderson]

What about converting VOB to AVI? I'm skeptical there is a free solution, in which case it's not worth it to me, I'll keep them on my hard drive.
You could try Virtualdub-MPEG2 (http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=Virtualdub-MPEG2).

[Jeeters]

I just bought the Phillips DVP 642 DVD player. It plays DivX files. I just take the AVI files that I get off BT, burn them to DVD, and the Philips plays them. Works and looks great. :up:Same here. I have two of them in fact; one for the livingroom and ended up getting another for the bedroom a couple months later. They're only something like $68 at Target.

Well worth the price, imo - previously, both my PC and I were spending way too much time re-encoding the divx files to mpg to play on my old DVD player. I now have a DVD+RW labled "torrents" that I continually copy fresh downloads to for viewing on the player.

The user interface of the DVP642 is a bit clunky when trying to select a file to play back. And trying to go back to the list of files when its playing something can be slow. But it's very reliable - has been able to play almost every divx and xvid file I've thrown at it with just a few exceptions. Good picture, too, progressive-scan and all.

[scubagal]

Most of what you find to download will be .avi files. Tivoserver running on your Mac or pc will make those .avi files available to your Tivo just as if they were native tivo files.

Hmm... this doesn't seem to be working, I downloaded a Greys Anatomy .avi file and it isn't even showing up in my 'Tivo Recording' file. The mpg is showing up, but not the AVI file, so this leads me to believe, we need to keep working on the converting... the one converter we tried obviously didnt convert it to mpeg2, or we don't have the right settings someone posted elsewhere in this thread.

SO frustrating... It isn't like I want to download a 100 things, just a few episodes of shows I missed :(

[crowfan]

I think Redux may be talking about a hacked TiVo....not sure though.

The troubles that you're having is exactly why I dropped $60 on a new DVD player. It was too much work and time to convert them all. Now I can just throw them on a disk and watch them that way.

Good luck!

[scubagal]

I am almost at the point crowfan.. really, I am.

I am using the software that Lee suggested, if this doesn't work, I give up.

[Idearat]

Most of what you find to download will be .avi files. Tivoserver running on your Mac or pc will make those .avi files available to your Tivo just as if they were native tivo files.
Unfortunately this is probably not going to be true. AVI isn't "Standard" by a long shot. You've got to have the appropriate CODEC for it to work. Something might play MPEG1 or MPEG2 AVIs, but not work with DiVx or others. Even if you can decode DiVx, you might not get the audio to work if the audio is AC3.

From it's Wikipedia entry: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVI)
An AVI file may therefore carry audio/visual data inside the chunks in almost any compression scheme, including: Full Frames (Uncompressed), Intel Real Time Video, Indeo, Cinepak, Motion JPEG, Editable MPEG, VDOWave, ClearVideo / RealVideo, QPEG, MPEG-4, XviD, DivX and others.

If using a computer, the player such as Windows Media or Quicktime will usually try to download the proper CODEC if it's not there when you try to play it. Once you've got the right CODEC, AVIs will all look the same to you, but doesn't mean they are.

[dswallow]

I generally just watch them on my computer. Occasionally I'll burn a CD or DVD and watch it on the 50" plasma. I have the Philips DVP642 and it really is a nice convenience to be able to just burn MPEG2/4/DivX files as is to a CD or DVD. I'd picked one up at BJ's for about $59, then picked up another one later just as a spare.

debtoine just pointed out this player to me today: Oppo OPDV971H 720p/1080i Upscaling DVD Player

It upconverts to 720p or 1080i, but more importantly also plays DivX and seems to have decent reviews. It's a bit more at $199, though.

[DevdogAZ]

Scuba, I'm unclear as to whether you were ever able to view the torrents that you downloaded. Were you able to view them on the computer but you want to figure out a way to play them on your TV? Or have you not even been able to get them to play on your computer yet? If it's the latter, a couple of CODECs are all you need. Then you can at least watch the shows and see how they look. Then you can decide if it's really that big of a hassle to watch on the computer vs. going through all the extra hassle to get the file to your TV.

[Redux]

Unfortunately this is probably not going to be true. AVI isn't "Standard" by a long shot. You've got to have the appropriate CODEC for it to work. Something might play MPEG1 or MPEG2 AVIs, but not work with DiVx or others. Even if you can decode DiVx, you might not get the audio to work if the audio is AC3.I'm very confused by this. Who is this "you" that you seem to think is going to have to decode something?

Yes, it is certainly quite possible that she'll eventually run into some show in the .avi wrapper that Tivoserver can't handle automatically, but it should be somewhat seldom; hasn't happened to me yet. When/if it happens, you can look into codecs and other methodologies if the specific show is important enough. Or you just discard it and get on with your life.

From a user perspective, the .avi is just _there_ like any other tivo file. There is no codec issue that the user needs to be aware of.

[lee espinoza]

I am almost at the point crowfan.. really, I am.

I am using the software that Lee suggested, if this doesn't work, I give up.
Thank you. I will be happy the software that I suggested might make you give up :up: :up: :o :p

[Vito the TiVo]

For playback of those torrents on a TV, try this:

http://www.supergooddeal.com/product_p/pmpeg4-15.htm

if you use it enough, it really is a good deal. I have one and it works awesome. Use it like a hard drive, dump your files on it in Xvid (or whatever) format, plug it in at the TV and use the remote to playback. Its the best money i've ever spent (after TiVo of course)



I feel I should say I've only had an occasional problem with a badly encoded episode or a huge HD feed. The occasional skip is usually ironed out with reencoding the audion in VirtuaDub.

Oh and the one that I got is 40gb for slightly more, but that was months ago and I don't see that product on the web. But the additional storage is really only for convienence... I mean how much can you watch at once?

[scubagal]

Scuba, I'm unclear as to whether you were ever able to view the torrents that you downloaded. Were you able to view them on the computer but you want to figure out a way to play them on your TV? Or have you not even been able to get them to play on your computer yet? If it's the latter, a couple of CODECs are all you need. Then you can at least watch the shows and see how they look. Then you can decide if it's really that big of a hassle to watch on the computer vs. going through all the extra hassle to get the file to your TV.

They were fine on the computer, can't get to the tivo.

But we have success! thanks EVERYONE in this thread.... especially Lee's software, because that worked.

Unfortunetly, our first download/convert/transfer happened to be Greys Anatomy in Spanish.... but at least we were able to successfully get it onto the tivo, even if we didn't catch we downloaded a non-english version... :D

I am not having much luck finding what I want on isohunt, not sure if it is just a smaller selection, but since it is so easy.... don't know, have to play more with Azures to see if I can use different search sites... but so far, I think we have solved our problem!!! Yeah!!!

[dennisacevedo]

I am not having much luck finding what I want on isohunt, not sure if it is just a smaller selection, but since it is so easy....

Some other torrent sites to try:

mininova (dot) org
torrentspy (dot) com
thepiratebay (dot) org

(i can't post URLs yet...)

Also, another good place to find shows is eMule.

emuleplus (dot) info

It's not a BitTorrent program, but IMO the best P2P available right now - like old-school napster, or Kazaa but without the spyware. Much better for older stuff too. e.g. Last night I found an old episode of Oprah with James Frey (Million Little Pieces) from October.

[MickeS]

OK, I don't understand you people. You're talking about playing back shows on your TV using the Philips DVP642 (I own one and it rocks, by the way), other media players, bla bla bla...


Did nobody read lee espinoza's message further up on the page? Go to http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/TiVo/ and download it. COnvert your files to TiVo format. Watch on your TiVo.

Why are you even talking about other means? :D

Since I installed Videora my DVP642 is just collecting dust. I used to do what some others in the thread say they do, burn .avi and other files to a CD/DVD and watch them on my DVP42... but Videora is literally one-click encoding to get it from MPEG-4 to tivo-compatible MPEG-2. And then I just walk over to my TiVo and start watching it later, when it's done encoding (on my PC it encodes in about half the playing time for a HDTV-rip mpeg-4).

TiVo can now play back all my converted torrent downloads... where is the marketing here, when even TiVo OWNERS seem to have no idea it can this?

[dswallow]

OK, I don't understand you people. You're talking about playing back shows on your TV using the Philips DVP642 (I own one and it rocks, by the way), other media players, bla bla bla...


Did nobody read lee espinoza's message further up on the page? Go to http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/TiVo/ and download it. COnvert your files to TiVo format. Watch on your TiVo.

Why are you even talking about other means? :D

Since I installed Videora my DVP642 is just collecting dust. TiVo can now play back all my converted torrent downloads... where is the marketing here, when even TiVo OWNERS seem to have no idea it can this?
I suppose one part of it is that some of us are DirecTV subscribers and use DirecTV DVR's.

Another part of it is that to place it on compatible TiVo's you must run through a conversion most of the time, and that conversion takes time. With the DVD player, one just burns the file that was downloaded onto a CD or DVD and plays.

[MickeS]

With the DVD player, one just burns the file that was downloaded onto a CD or DVD and plays.

Fair enough, I guess, if one is in a hurry. It takes about 20 minutes for me to convert a 43 minute show, but that's a good point. Same with DirecTV compatibility.

Personally, having the same control over the file as I would over a TiVO recording (pausing, switching to other recordings, instant replay) wins out easily though. Plus, not having to deal with discs, of course.

[nedthelab]

Wen getting a large torrent and it is broken up into many subfiles how does one bring them together as a single AVI or MPG?

Thanks

[dswallow]

Wen getting a large torrent and it is broken up into many subfiles how does one bring them together as a single AVI or MPG?

Thanks
Those are usually broken up as RAR files, a compression scheme similar to ZIP, that also offers a way to break up the compressed file into smaller pieces. Install a program like winrar (http://www.winrar.de/) to be able to reassemble the pieces.

[MickeS]

Normally that means it's in RAR-format (one file will have the ending .rar, the others will have .r01, .r02, .r03 and so on).

Install WinRAR (http://www.rarlab.com/download.htm) and use it to extract and combine the files into one video file (will do it automatically once you extract one of the files).

EDIT: darn, too late. :)

/Mike

[rseligman]

Other good torrent sites for TV are
http://www.torrentreactor.net/
http://www.torrentspy.com/

[rseligman]

Most of what you find to download will be .avi files. Tivoserver running on your Mac or pc will make those .avi files available to your Tivo just as if they were native tivo files.TiVo doesn't recognize .avi files. They have to be .mpg

[DevdogAZ]

Yes, you just ...
... OK, never mind.
OK, forgive me. I guess I really do want to know. What must be done in order to send torrent files to the TiVo?

[MickeS]

devdogaz, assuming you already know how "TiVoGoBack" works and have it setup, you just need to install http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/TiVo/

Then convert the file (change the options in the program so it outputs the converted file to your TiVo Recordings folder). That's it.

Note that by default the output of the conversion is 4:3 aspect ratio (the default is used when doing the "One CLick Transcoding"). Since many torrents are in 16:9, you'll have to change that (the little dropdown on the right of the conversion screen) for those files (that would be 3-click encoding :)). You can also change the default to be 16:9 so you won't have to change it for every file, and can use the one-click.

/Mike

[DevdogAZ]

devdogaz, assuming you already know how "TiVoGoBack" works and have it setup, you just need to install http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/TiVo/

/Mike
I don't. That's why I posted earlier in the thread about this. I had heard several months ago that TiVo was going to introduce something that allowed files to go back to the TiVo but hadn't heard anything else about it. I assumed it would be like most of TiVo's promised developments and not be available for quite some time. I don't keep up in the Coffee House like I used to, so if it's been introduced, I was unaware of it. Can you give me the quick overview of what I have to do to get it set up?

Thanks

[DancnDude]

I don't. That's why I posted earlier in the thread about this. I had heard several months ago that TiVo was going to introduce something that allowed files to go back to the TiVo but hadn't heard anything else about it. I assumed it would be like most of TiVo's promised developments and not be available for quite some time. I don't keep up in the Coffee House like I used to, so if it's been introduced, I was unaware of it. Can you give me the quick overview of what I have to do to get it set up?

Thanks
Download the latest version of TiVo Desktop. You'll be asked where you want to keep your TiVo recordings. All you need to do is put a TiVo-compatible MPG2 file in that folder (use the conversion program in this thread to get it to the right format). Then on your Now Playing list, you'll see your computer's name and a listing of all the files in that folder. If you select it, you have the option of transfering it to TiVo. If you don't see the item immediately in Now Playing, go into Music, Photos, and More first then go back to Now Playing (I had to do this last night to get mine to show up).

[MickeS]

Can you give me the quick overview of what I have to do to get it set up?


Essentially, all you need to do is install TiVo Desktop 2.2 on your PC, and set it up. You should then get a little computer icon iat the bottom of the "Now Playing" menu, where you can select the files (it will show .mpeg and .tivo files).

More details here: http://customersupport.tivo.com/knowbase/root/public/tv251080.htm

[quarkman97]

I generally just watch them on my computer. Occasionally I'll burn a CD or DVD and watch it on the 50" plasma. I have the Philips DVP642 and it really is a nice convenience to be able to just burn MPEG2/4/DivX files as is to a CD or DVD. I'd picked one up at BJ's for about $59, then picked up another one later just as a spare.

debtoine just pointed out this player to me today: Oppo OPDV971H 720p/1080i Upscaling DVD Player

It upconverts to 720p or 1080i, but more importantly also plays DivX and seems to have decent reviews. It's a bit more at $199, though.

My brother bought this Oppo player after he bought his 1080p Samsung and from what he experienced, it chokes on .avi files. YMMV

I, too, was looking for a divx solution after my old DVD player took a dump on me. Luckily, it was still under warranty (4-year service plan). I took it in and they gave me what I paid for it 3.5 years ago ($180) and I went with an LG (LGDVB418). It has all the HD hookups, 1080i upscaling, accepts memory cards, and does divx.

I highly recommend this player. It plays any .avi file I throw at it.

Thanks to Lee Espinoza for the link. I gotta check that out. I have a ton of TV on my PC that is in MPG format.


Separate question: Does uTorrent do safepeer or peerguardian?

[DevdogAZ]

Essentially, all you need to do is install TiVo Desktop 2.2 on your PC, and set it up. You should then get a little computer icon iat the bottom of the "Now Playing" menu, where you can select the files (it will show .mpeg and .tivo files).

More details here: http://customersupport.tivo.com/knowbase/root/public/tv251080.htm
OK, I don't know why I didn't know about this before. This is pretty cool. Now I can watch the stuff that I download on the TiVo and it's way higher quality that way than if I just record it originally with the TiVo.

I recant my earlier statement about why anyone would want to transfer the shows this way. It's easy and it looks great. Thanks for the info, people.

[bjheels]

OK, maybe I need to be treated like I am 4 years old. I followed dswallow's excellent instructions and downloaded shameless. When I launch WMP launches and plays the audio only. Apparently, I need a Codec? Should I find the codec or should I use an alternate player? Thanks for any assistance.

[dswallow]

OK, maybe I need to be treated like I am 4 years old. I followed dswallow's excellent instructions and downloaded shameless. When I launch WMP launches and plays the audio only. Apparently, I need a Codec? Should I find the codec or should I use an alternate player? Thanks for any assistance.
There are two video codecs you should definitely install: DivX and XviD, both freely downloadable. You should be able to find what you need from http://www.divx.com/divx/ and www.xvid.org.

[dennisacevedo]

OK, maybe I need to be treated like I am 4 years old. I followed dswallow's excellent instructions and downloaded shameless. When I launch WMP launches and plays the audio only. Apparently, I need a Codec? Should I find the codec or should I use an alternate player? Thanks for any assistance.

If you run the file on your computer, and the audio plays but the video doesn't, you probably are missing the right video codec (e.g. DIVX, XVID, Indeo).

If the video plays and the sound doesn't, you are missing an audio codec (usually AC3)

To check which codecs a video is using, open it in AVICodec:

avicodec (dot) duby (dot) info


A great alternate player is VLC. It has many codecs built in, plus will play a file before it is finished downloading.

videolan (dot) org / vlc

[Rainy Dave]

Thanks for the tutorial! I always able to download the 8-Jan episode of West Wing that my TiVo missed!

[bjheels]

There are two video codecs you should definitely install: DivX and XviD, both freely downloadable. You should be able to find what you need from http://www.divx.com/divx/ and www.xvid.org.


Thanks dswallow, that took care of it. I appreciate the help.

[beldar]

I began with the philips 642, added a norcent dp-220 (even cheaper, same decoder chip) for another room, but the intermediate step of burning the .avis to DVD got too annoying. Plus HR HDTV AC3 episode rips (e.g. Lost) don't play on either unit without some kind of reencoding.

Now I've gone the xbox media center route and couldn't be happier. The torrents all play directly off of the share where azureus drops them, and with the xbox in 720p output, HR HDTV rips look wonderful.

I'm not sure I can say what we're doing with our one-DVD-at-a-time netflix subscription, other than to note that xbox media center loves to play .iso images of dvds.

That $199 networked dvd player seems like a pretty good idea if you don't want to deal with hacking an xbox, but I'm a lot happier with a solution that's getting continuous software updates. And xbmc plays nearly everything.

[Redux]

TiVo doesn't recognize .avi files. They have to be .mpgYou said that in response to my:
"Most of what you find to download will be .avi files. Tivoserver running on your Mac or pc will make those .avi files available to your Tivo just as if they were native tivo files."

Maybe I phrased it badly. I'll try again.

Most of what you find to download will be .avi files. Tivoserver running on your mac or pc will make those .avi files available to your Tivo just as if they were native tivo files.

Of course it is always possible that a specific .avi file may be coded in a way not readable by Tivoserver, but I have not yet had that experience. The development team for Tivoserver seem committed to enlarge the scope of types of video files that can be served by the local computer to the Tivo, and I'm hopeful VOB files may be supported soon.

[lee espinoza]

Did nobody read lee espinoza's message further up on the page?


No I am invisible here. :( :( :D :p ;) :eek:

[kdmorse]

Edit: Oops - Smeeked.... ahh well

Once you have the video file locally, you can't beat the Videora Tivo Converter for the next step. Just point it at any media files you may have, and it'll transcode em, and if you like, drop them right in your local tivo video folder. They then show up accessablef by the tivo, which slurps them up and plays them.

http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/TiVo/

They also have a bittorrent client (Videora) designed specifically to track and download television series, and then use their tivo converter for one step downloading from the internet - right into the tivo, but I've not tried it. It may be simpler for one just getting started.

(Personally, I download with Azureus, and watch on whatever computer is closest)

-Ken

[lee espinoza]

anyone here using Tivoserver(for DIRECTV TIVO's) just make one of these directories below on your computer
1. c:\tmp
2. c:\cygwin\tmp
3. make a \tmp dir in the same directory as the tivoserver.exe

then tivoserver will transcode your file by its self

[crowfan]

What if I want to burn the AVI file (or the resulting MPEG file from the Videora converter) to a regular DVD to play in a regular DVD player (not a DivX player)? I have a BT file that I want to burn to a regular DVD for my father in law. What do I need to do with that?

[beldar]

What if I want to burn the AVI file (or the resulting MPEG file from the Videora converter) to a regular DVD to play in a regular DVD player (not a DivX player)? I have a BT file that I want to burn to a regular DVD for my father in law. What do I need to do with that?Spend some time poking around videohelp (http://www.videohelp.com/).

Guides like this one (http://www.videohelp.com/convert#4;62) have many ways to do various things. Other parts of the site have reviews of the various packages.

You probably don't want to convert from divx to videora for tivo to DVD--each reencoding will affect the quality.

[DevdogAZ]

OK, I've been able to transfer BT files to the TiVo for viewing. I now have a couple of questions:

First, as soon as I started doing this yesterday, my TiVo started acting up. It just spontaneously restarted about 5 times yesterday in the 12 hours after I downloaded Desktop 2.2 and transferred a file. It hasn't happened now since about 1 am so I'm hoping it's not an issue anymore, but could the installation of 2.2 and the transferring of files cause the TiVo to stop functioning properly?

Second, I used Videora to convert a couple of shows. One show that was in 16:9 I tried to convert as a 16:9 and it didn't work (showed multiple images on the TV). The second was a native 4:3 program and I converted it that way and it worked great. The third was a 16:9 program that I converted with the 4:3 setting and it looked horrible because it had stretched the picture vertically and made all the people tall and skinny. What is the proper Videora setting for converting a 16:9 program into a letterboxed 4:3 file so I can watch it on my 4:3 TV in the proper aspect ratio?

[PJO1966]

My turn to ask questions like a 5 year old. Unfortunately I'm one of those who can't put this on a TiVo, so I have to burn a DVD. I tested and none of my DVD players Play AVI files so I need to convert to burn a DVD. I downloaded AVI2DVD but get stuck when asked to choose an audio stream. there are no options in the scroll-down menu... it's blank. I made sure that there were no special characters in the file path name. I made sure to keep the path simple so I just dropped the file at C:\ with no subfolders and still have no luck.

This is my first attempt with bit torrent files. I managed to download the fila and am able to watch it on the computer. I'd really like to be able to watch this on the TV.

[crowfan]

Click the "this one" link in beldar's post (a couple posts up). The fourth link down on that page is DivXtoDVD 0.5.0. I used that the other day and it worked great. I was able to burn a DVD using the resulting files and Nero, and it played fine on my father in law's relatively old DVD player.

[MickeS]

could the installation of 2.2 and the transferring of files cause the TiVo to stop functioning properly?


Don't know. I have not had any problems at all. I suppose it's possible... but I suspect it's just a coincidence. That's just a guess though.

What is the proper Videora setting for converting a 16:9 program into a letterboxed 4:3 file so I can watch it on my 4:3 TV in the proper aspect ratio?

A 16:9 file should be converted using a "MPEG-2/720x480/16:9/xxx" profile. It will then show as a letterboxed 4:3 file on the TiVo. Not sure why the 16:9 you converted to 16:9 didn't work and showed multiple images. Maybe something wrong with the source file. I haven't had any problems with any files.

[PJO1966]

Click the "this one" link in beldar's post (a couple posts up). The fourth link down on that page is DivXtoDVD 0.5.0. I used that the other day and it worked great. I was able to burn a DVD using the resulting files and Nero, and it played fine on my father in law's relatively old DVD player.

That did the trick, thanks. Now I'm repeating the process after purchasing to get rid of that pesky watermark across the top of the screen.


:up:

[Paperboy2003]

OK, I've only played with torrents once or twice about a year ago and it was on a 'non-essential' computer. How 'dangerous' is it using these torrent sites. Am I going to end up downloading other nefarious programs along with the show? What do I have to concern myself with?

[DevdogAZ]

OK, I've only played with torrents once or twice about a year ago and it was on a 'non-essential' computer. How 'dangerous' is it using these torrent sites. Am I going to end up downloading other nefarious programs along with the show? What do I have to concern myself with?
I've been downloading bit torrents for a couple of years and never had a problem. You obviously want to have an anti-virus program running, and also run spyware and adware programs regularly. However, I've not found any torrent files that brought anything bad into my system.

[crowfan]

That did the trick, thanks. Now I'm repeating the process after purchasing to get rid of that pesky watermark across the top of the screen.


:up:Glad it worked for you.

Did the other program that you used first put the watermark on for you? I used that program by itself on a BT file, and then burned it to DVD using Nero, and it didn't have a watermark.

[dswallow]

OK, I've only played with torrents once or twice about a year ago and it was on a 'non-essential' computer. How 'dangerous' is it using these torrent sites. Am I going to end up downloading other nefarious programs along with the show? What do I have to concern myself with?
While you certainly could choose to download things that might be questionable ... hacked commercial software, for example, which very well might have viruses or other malware attached, if you're downloading television shows or other video material, you're going to be dealing with video files. Sometimes there'll be some other descriptive files or images included as part of the package, but generally nothing executable.

Bittorrent clients themselves have stayed pretty respectable (nothing at all like Kazaa where the client itself loaded up your system with malware). And they only share what you tell it to share and other torrents you download yourself, so they're not exposing anything on your system to others surreptitiously.

[PJO1966]

Glad it worked for you.

Did the other program that you used first put the watermark on for you? I used that program by itself on a BT file, and then burned it to DVD using Nero, and it didn't have a watermark.


The first one never worked for me because it wouldn't let me select an audio stream and couldn't continue without it.

[mtnagel]

With the talk of converting an avi to dvd files, if it's just a 42 min tv show, any reason not to just burn it to a video cd? Nero can make the video cd from the avi and it doesn't even take up the whole cd (at least for the one I tried). So is there any reason to go to DVD for just a TV show?

[dswallow]

With the talk of converting an avi to dvd files, if it's just a 42 min tv show, any reason not to just burn it to a video cd? Nero can make the video cd from the avi and it doesn't even take up the whole cd (at least for the one I tried). So is there any reason to go to DVD for just a TV show?
Video CD is 352x240 in NTSC, about 1/4 the resolution most TV show torrents are provided in, as most do come from HD feeds when available.

[mtnagel]

If you are going to be downloading things that other parties would be interested in. And those parties would be interested in contacting your ISP and finding out who you are you should download Peerguardian (http://phoenixlabs.org/).I downloaded it and at the end of the setup, it said it would launch it. I see it in my processes at pg2.exe, so does that mean it's working?

[mtnagel]

Video CD is 352x240 in NTSC, about 1/4 the resolution most TV show torrents are provided in, as most do come from HD feeds when available.Ah, I see. What about super video cd? Nero had that, but I didn't know what it was.

[dswallow]

Ah, I see. What about super video cd? Nero had that, but I didn't know what it was.
Super Video CD is 480x480 for NTSC, better certainly. And not really that far from what you'd get on a DVD, I suppose. Can your player handle DVD data formats on CD media?

[PJO1966]

I just watched a few minutes of Smallville after going through the whole process. It looked pretty good on my Zenith DVB 318 upconverted to 1080i. Maybe I'll eventually get something that will play AVI files directly. I'm intrigued by the Cintre MediaStore that was posted earlier in this thread. If I was employed I would have placed that order today. It looks pretty cool.

[mtnagel]

Super Video CD is 480x480 for NTSC, better certainly. And not really that far from what you'd get on a DVD, I suppose. Can your player handle DVD data formats on CD media?Not sure, but I just tried to do it in Nero and it said I needed to purchase something else (I only have the OEM version, so I'm not sure if that's why) and I don't want to do that. Thanks though.

[DevdogAZ]

A 16:9 file should be converted using a "MPEG-2/720x480/16:9/xxx" profile. It will then show as a letterboxed 4:3 file on the TiVo. Not sure why the 16:9 you converted to 16:9 didn't work and showed multiple images. Maybe something wrong with the source file. I haven't had any problems with any files.
Nope. I've tried several different files, all of which play fine on the PC, but they won't play properly on the TiVo. Does anyone else have any suggestions on how to make 16:9 torrent files play properly through the TiVo on a 4:3 TV?

[Mabes]

You could try Virtualdub-MPEG2 (http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=Virtualdub-MPEG2).

It worked, with a problem - I ended up with a 60 GB file :eek:

I'll check the settings and try again.

edit - I saved it as uncompressed, now I'm not sure what to use. I want to be able to make a DVD my friend can play, and he's got an old DVD.

Cinepak Codec by Radius? DivX 6.0? Intel 5.1? Microsoft Video 1? Xvid MPEG4?

Any of the above and burn with Nero as VCD?

edit again = like mtnagel, I can't make a VCD with Nero Express.

[mtnagel]

Any of the above and burn with Nero as VCD?

edit again = like mtnagel, I can't make a VCD with Nero Express.I was able to make a VCD, but not a Super VCD with Nero. With the VCD, as Doug mentioned the resolution is not great, so the quality won't be great. It was watchable for the episode I did last night, but not great.

[DevdogAZ]

It worked, with a problem - I ended up with a 60 GB file :eek:

I'll check the settings and try again.

edit - I saved it as uncompressed, now I'm not sure what to use. I want to be able to make a DVD my friend can play, and he's got an old DVD.

Cinepak Codec by Radius? DivX 6.0? Intel 5.1? Microsoft Video 1? Xvid MPEG4?

Any of the above and burn with Nero as VCD?

edit again = like mtnagel, I can't make a VCD with Nero Express.
You actually had 60GB of free space? Wow!!

If the friend's DVD player is old, you'll want to check that it will even play DVD+/-Rs before you spend too much time. I know my old DVD player will not play them at all but my newer one does.

[pigonthewing]

So why is the amount of traffic hitting PeerGuardian so disturbingly high when I'm not even running bittorent right now?

And, PS, uTorrent does rock. Thanks for the suggestion(s). ;)

[jkindley]

I was able to make a VCD, but not a Super VCD with Nero. With the VCD, as Doug mentioned the resolution is not great, so the quality won't be great. It was watchable for the episode I did last night, but not great.

The VCD is also MPEG 1 and not MPEG 2 so the compression is not nearly as good.

as I recal you need to download a mpeg 2 encoder to make Super VCD or DVD material. I think that is what Nero wants to sell you. You should be able find a mpeg 2 encoder on the net. for more info goto www.vcdhelp.com.

Jim

[Mabes]

You actually had 60GB of free space? Wow!!

If the friend's DVD player is old, you'll want to check that it will even play DVD+/-Rs before you spend too much time. I know my old DVD player will not play them at all but my newer one does.

New computer, with 160 GB to start.

A friend of his has made DVDs he can play and the first one I burned was with VOBs, with the entire structure intact. He does not get a no disc error, it tries to read it and gets stuck. The disc was over 4 MB, maybe that's a problem. My player can sometimes have problems in that case.

I think I'll try burning again, wtithout the special features and see what happens.

[ChickenCheese]

Thanks everyone for the easy bit torrent lesson! :up: I had no idea how any of this worked until now. A few questions though,

1. Are some bit torrent programs faster then others? It was going to take over 2 hours to download a 1/2 TV program last night. I have DSL and maybe it was the busiest time of day to be using it?

2. Peer Guardian - what does this do? Makes it so no one can tell who you are on the internet?

[Chibbie]

Thanks everyone for the easy bit torrent lesson! :up: I had no idea how any of this worked until now. A few questions though,

1. Are some bit torrent programs faster then others? It was going to take over 2 hours to download a 1/2 TV program last night. I have DSL and maybe it was the busiest time of day to be using it?

2. Peer Guardian - what does this do? Makes it so no one can tell who you are on the internet?

1. I don't think you would see much of a difference. A program like uTorrent uses less computer resources, but that won't affect the download speed significantly.

However, some torrents are faster than others. You want to look for a torrent with a lot of seeds (and leechers). The higher the number, the faster the download.

2. It allows you to block IP groups from your P2P connection. From Wikipedia;

PeerGuardian is often misunderstood as an application. Many presume that the purpose of the software is to hide the user's IP address from various groups, such as the RIAA and MPAA. This is nearly impossible and is thus a misconception of the intention of the program.

The design of PeerGuardian is to prevent the collection of evidence that can be used as proof that a particular IP address is connected to a particular network.

[nilegomez]

Haven't read the rest of this thread yet- but this worked great- THANKS DOUG!

One more question.. we downloaded a couple things to try and they are on our tivo desktop, but I am assuming our problem is they are not in the right MPEG format. I think we need MPEG2 according to what I read somewhere on tivo... is there a converter I can get, or do I need to be downloading certain type of files only?

I am so close, I feel it... but we just can't figure it completely out. I really appreaciate the help... I am off to read the rest of this thread now, in case there is any more info I misssed..

But I wanted to thank you for this, it worked very easy!!!!
I'm currently using WinAvi... it's the fastest encoder I've found, and the quality is decent (you can choose to encode by "quality" or "speed"... I use "speed" and I have no complaints about quality)... find it here: winavi[dot]com (wouldn't let me post the url, so I'm hoping you can decipher this? lol)

My problem is that once I get my mpg's into the "My TiVo Recordings" folder, my TiVo can see the folder but it can't seem to see the files? Can anyone direct me to a forum thread that addresses this issue please? I've tried searching, but so far haven't come up with anything helpful. At first I thought it might be a firewall issue, but I have no trouble playing the mp3s on my PC through TiVo, and if it can see the folder holding my files, shouldn't it be able to see the mpg's inside as well?

[GadgetFreak]

1. I don't think you would see much of a difference. A program like uTorrent uses less computer resources, but that won't affect the download speed significantly.

However, some torrents are faster than others. You want to look for a torrent with a lot of seeds (and leechers). The higher the number, the faster the download.


What would a typical download speed be? Most shows that I have tried download at 10-11kbs. Is this because of my router or my isp, or is that normal?

edit: isp = sbc dsl with a linksys router

[DevdogAZ]

What would a typical download speed be? Most shows that I have tried download at 10-11kbs. Is this because of my router or my isp, or is that normal?

edit: isp = sbc dsl with a linksys router
Every torrent is different as it depends entirely on how many other people are seeding the program at the same time. The way BT works is that as you are downloading a program, you are also uploading (seeding) those portions of it that you already have. Therefore, when tons of people are getting a particular show, the speeds can be very fast. I've had hour-long programs finish in half an hour or so. Other times, I've had hour-long programs that take several days, simply because there aren't many out there seeding.

There may be things you can do to increase your speed (such as opening ports, disabling firewalls, changing settings on the BT client, etc.) but I'm not a pro at that so I can't tell you what to do specifically. All I know is that my client works fine and there are times when something will d/l well over 100 kbs and other times it is only 1 or 2 kbs.

[dswallow]

What would a typical download speed be? Most shows that I have tried download at 10-11kbs. Is this because of my router or my isp, or is that normal?

edit: isp = sbc dsl with a linksys router
Have you looked at the SafePeer plugin for Azureus? It's a program that blocks access to many IP ranges. If your IP address happened to be among them, you might be just suffering an effect of people running SafePeer.

As mentioned, download speeds will vary, but if they are consistently 10-11kbps and you never see them go much higher for a sustained period, there could be something else going on; anything from ISP's running fancy software on their routers to throttle such peer2peer traffic, or some misconfiguration that's causing Bittorrent peers to throttle you or ignore you.

[ChickenCheese]

I read somewhere that limiting your upload speed to around 20 will help. Right now I think it's set at unlimited?
Does that sound about right?

[dswallow]

I read somewhere that limiting your upload speed to around 20 will help. Right not I think it's set at unlimited?
Does that sound about right?
You don't want to saturate your internet connection since there needs to be some bandwidth available to acknowledge packets as they come in. So keeping your upload speed limited to a portion of your max bandwidth, and similarly for your download speed, you will help things.

[quarkman97]

I limited my upload bandwidth to about 10 KB/sec and was getting crap download speeds. I couldn't figure out what the problem was with my download speed.

I adjusted it to the maximum upload and my torrent download speed jumped up to where it usually is. YMMV.

I've had it there ever since. I think I might drop it down to 30 and see what that gets me.

[DevdogAZ]

I usually keep my max upload at around 30 while I'm still receiving files, then I make it unlimited after they are finished and then leave them seeding until I've uploaded at least twice as much as I received.

[Jonathan_S]

I limited my upload bandwidth to about 10 KB/sec and was getting crap download speeds. I couldn't figure out what the problem was with my download speed.

I adjusted it to the maximum upload and my torrent download speed jumped up to where it usually is. YMMV.

I've had it there ever since. I think I might drop it down to 30 and see what that gets me.In general, bit torrent clients will devote more of their available bandwidth to the clients that are sending them data the fastest. So in a reasonably large swarm, you will get better download speeds (on average) when you upload faster. (For very small swarms it will matter much less, because you will be limited to the speed of the one or two clients that have the pieces you need).

However, I've noticed (as have others) that if you set the upload limit to unlimited you actually have (somewhat) lower average upload speed that if you set a limit at ~80% of your theoretical max upload speed.

In my case, my max upload is 2 megabits/s (256 Kbytes/s). I set the upload limit on Azurius to 200 Kbytes/s or about 78% of the max. This gave me the best performance.
Much higher than that, and I would see a jagged graph for upload speed, instead of a nice flat line. It would attempt to meet the higher cap, then for whatever reason wouldn't be able to sustain it and the upload speed would drop, then surge again. On average that was slower that just capping it at 200 Kb/s.

(Also, when in that surge and ebb mode bittorrent would noticeably impact web browsing by increasing latency of page load enough to be annoying.)

[chuckwny]

I am trying out the Azureus client but I am only seeing download speeds around 30kB. Is there a setting I need to adjust or something (I have DSL).

[mtnagel]

I am trying out the Azureus client but I am only seeing download speeds around 30kB. Is there a setting I need to adjust or something (I have DSL).I had tried BT several times in the past, but every time I would get horrible speeds. I assume it's because I couldn't figure out my network settings. Then I tried utorrent as someone here recommended and when it go through the setup, it linked to a couple web sites that walked me through the network settings and now it works fine for me (thank you everyone that's posted).

[jkindley]

When I download tv shows with > 200 seed's I usually get between 20 - 60 kbs speeds sometimes i get speeds as fast as 150 kbs ( pretty much maxing out my dsl).
The strange thing is that I have been downloading the Howard Stern show which always comes in at my full download rate ( 150~170 kbps). The amount of seeds for these shows is about the same as for the TV stuff that I get.

[Mabes]

In my case, my max upload is 2 megabits/s (256 Kbytes/s). I set the upload limit on Azurius to 200 Kbytes/s or about 78% of the max. This gave me the best performance.




200, wow. I've been setting mine at 35, which I read somewhere was about right for my speed, and getting about 50KBs down on a good torrent. But my speed is the same as yours, I'm going to try 200 on the next one.

[bigrig]

I use a hacked xbox over a wireless network to view files on the TV. I'm tempted to get the Linkplayer2 for HD files, but I don't think the wireless will be able to handle the bandwidth. :(

I was downloading a show the other night that had a ton of seeds, and I thought the speed should be better. I went into the Azureus transfer settings and saw that it had 80 connections max for individual torrents. I set it to unlimited and my speed rocketed up!

Matt

[malutchen]

I have tried to figure out this Bit Torrent stuff FOREVER.. and never been able to get it to work.

This morning my husband tried, and again.. we are coming up :mad:

Using the bittorrent.com guide instructions.. the part we must be doing wrong is the web server part. Do I need a designated web server to download shows? I have my own personal website for business and Kevin has a web server for work, do we somehow need to tap into these?

I was thinking this was more like downloading like I used to from Napster, etc... but apparently not.

We also tried trackerless, since we don't have a tracker.. should we get a tracker? from?

Is there a Bit Torrent for Dummies instruction/site/help out there?

Please no laughing :)


I got BitComet (which i guess is very similiar) I feel ya I am clueless and your thread is just making me more confused so if you learn anything please include me I would apprecaite it!

[Mabes]

Is it also true that if you are uploading at a greater rate than you are downloading your settings are off?

[SoBelle0]

Great info!! I got West Wing. Wow, it was really slow... but I got it and converted it for TiVo and am about to watch it. I was just going to burn it - but figured I may as well test out the Videora while I was at it. ;)
At this speed, I'm not sure just how useful it will be - maybe I can tweak the speeds like some of you have noted - but for a 'gotta have it' situation it worked like a charm.

Thanks for the thread scuba! and thanks for the info everyone!

[DevdogAZ]

SoBelle, will you be watching on a 4:3 TV? If so, let me know how it works. I'm still having problems converting 16:9 files to be viewed properly on my 4:3 TV. If anyone has any advice, feel free to share.

[ddockery]

Is it also true that if you are uploading at a greater rate than you are downloading your settings are off?

Not necessarily. Once again it dpends on who is conected to the torrent, what their settings are, and which pieces of the torrent they each have. The parts you need may be less common, and thus are being shared by less peers.

[MickeS]

devdogaz, I have converted several dozens of 16:9 files to letterboxed 4:3 using the MPEG-2/720x480/2Mbit/16:9/192kbps profile in Videora. Are you absolutely sure that this is the profile you are using (it is not the default profile, so unless you have set it as default profile, it will not use that when you click on "one click encoding")?

It seems odd it would work so well for me but not for you... also, I'm not sure it makes a difference, but maybe if it still doesn't work, verify that your TiVo is set to 4:3 format... it should be though, otherwise I guess other TV would look odd too.

[DevdogAZ]

Actually, I've read in several other threads and forums today that in order for this to work the TiVo needs to be set on 16:9. Supposedly it won't affect how the normal 4:3 video looks but it will allow the 16:9 stuff to display accurately. I don't know if this is correct since I haven't been home to try it since I read this info.

However, I've tried every single 16:9 setting on Videora and none of them have worked so I'm willing to try anything. Is it possible that it could be TV-specific, meaning some TVs will display the files while others won't? Could it be that different TiVo models have different capabilities?

I've downloaded the most current codec from www.divx.com and that doesn't seem to make a difference. Is there another codec that I could get that might have some effect?

[malutchen]

Great info!! I got West Wing. Wow, it was really slow... but I got it and converted it for TiVo and am about to watch it. I was just going to burn it - but figured I may as well test out the Videora while I was at it. ;)
At this speed, I'm not sure just how useful it will be - maybe I can tweak the speeds like some of you have noted - but for a 'gotta have it' situation it worked like a charm.

Thanks for the thread scuba! and thanks for the info everyone!


You sooo need to show me how to do that!

[SoBelle0]

SoBelle, will you be watching on a 4:3 TV? If so, let me know how it works. I'm still having problems converting 16:9 files to be viewed properly on my 4:3 TV. If anyone has any advice, feel free to share.
I am watching it on a 4:3 TV - and the picture is stretched. It's a bit of a bother... it definitely looked better on the laptop. I didn't change any settings within Videora - and plan to with my next try. I've got two more shows I dld... figured what the heck they can go while I'm sleeping. Ah, brings back days of dling music on dial-up. :) So, let's exchange notes if either of us comes up with a setting that makes it 4:3 size.

You sooo need to show me how to do that!
Sure! Hope this helps. I only remember generalities b/c I didn't do it all at the same time.

I downloaded uTorrent based on the recs here. I think page 1 or 2 of this thread...
Then used mininova.org to find the show I wanted. (Had to Google to get the right episode number and such b/c the descriptions are limited. For example, I wanted Sunday night's West Wing - which, turns out, is from Season 7 Episode 11 - so I found the file named west.wing.s07e11. That still probably isn't foolproof, just so ya know.) Double-clicked it and off it went. Downloading and so on - for a very long time.
Then the next night - I dld Videora. I think again page 1 or 2... and ran the recording thru it to convert it to a format TiVo could read.
Then moved the new file from the Videora folder into the TiVo Recordings folder and voila! it showed up in my Turtle directory on TiVo. Woo Hoo! :up:

Good luck!!

[DevdogAZ]

OK, I changed the TV Aspect Ratio on the TiVo to "16:9 Capable" and now the video plays without interlacing problems but it is stretched vertically so everything is tall and skinny. I was able to achieve this same result previously by converting 16:9 files using the 4:3 settings in Videora.

If anyone has had success converting a 16:9 .avi file and displaying it with the proper aspect ratio (letterboxed) on a 4:3 TV, please let us know how it's done. Thanks.

[SoBelle0]

Okay - I converted the second file using the profile suggested by MickeS - and it worked. I'm now watching it in letterbox. The picture looks great!! :up:

I'm converting my last one using that profile as well (now set as my default) - just to be sure it wasn't anything about that file that was diff. I'll post again and let you know how it turns out.

[cheerdude]

Thanks for the info... d/l my first torrent now (happens to be the last West Wing episode as well)

Got a question... searching through mininova; the description of the shows have, seemingly, several abbreviations. For example...

House - House S02E10 HR HDTV AC3 5.1 XviD-NBS vs.
House 2x10 (HDTV-FOV)[VTV]

The first one is almost twice the size of the other (and has more seeds & leechers) - but does that necessarly make it a better file? Especially when you are looking to convert it for TiVo viewing?

Thanks,

Jeff

[cheerdude]

On using the TiVo conversion tool - if you already have a widescreen TV (like I do), should I still use the settings that MickeS suggests or will the default work just as well?

[SoBelle0]

Jeff - I coulda brought you a DVD on Sat. Good luck with your dls. :)

Re: your 2nd question - I think the default includes 4:3 ratio info - which I think (but have no idea, for sure) means that it "modifies it to fit the screen" or whatever they say. So, you should probably still pick a 16:9 option - such as the one MickeS suggested. Let me know - 'cause soon enuf I'll have a fancy new TV as well and will want to use the right option.

I have no idea whatsoever about the various naming schemes used... or how to determine quality, etc. I just figure I got lucky that, thus far, the two I got were both in English and one had been edited to remove the commercials, the 2nd one is really crappy... and I'm converting the final one now.

[dswallow]

Thanks for the info... d/l my first torrent now (happens to be the last West Wing episode as well)

Got a question... searching through mininova; the description of the shows have, seemingly, several abbreviations. For example...

House - House S02E10 HR HDTV AC3 5.1 XviD-NBS vs.
House 2x10 (HDTV-FOV)[VTV]

The first one is almost twice the size of the other (and has more seeds & leechers) - but does that necessarly make it a better file? Especially when you are looking to convert it for TiVo viewing?
We're seeing more and more HD versions -- where the resolution is higher than the normal video files that'd be about 350MB/43 minutes of show. The "HR" there is referring to "high resolution"; the "HDTV" in both refers to the source being an HDTV/digital broadcast; "AC3 5.1" refers to the audio encoding; "XviD" is identifying the codec used to compress it; "NBS" and "FOV" are referring to the group of folks who are doing the captures and encodings which often helps people identify levels of quality when comparing multiple possible downloads.

[MickeS]

On using the TiVo conversion tool - if you already have a widescreen TV (like I do), should I still use the settings that MickeS suggests or will the default work just as well?

You should chose to encode to the same ratio that the source file is, no matter what aspect ratio your TV is - so if it's a 16:9 source, encode using a 16:9 profile (same for 4:3).

When you get your widescreen TV, change the "TV Aspect Ratio" in the TiVo settings to "16:9" - the 16:9 encoded files that had letterbox black bars when TiVo was set to 4:3 will then fill the entire screen.

[cheerdude]

Conversion completed - Transfering them to the TiVo now...

Which leads me to another question - Wired vs. Wireless ... except for the transfer speed, is there any difference in the quality of the video being transfered (either way)?

Thanks again,

Jeff

PS - Is it me... or has this thread been moved to the TV Show Talk forum? (Don't really notice too much, since I use "View New Posts")

[SoBelle0]

You should chose to encode to the same ratio that the source file is, no matter what aspect ratio your TV is - so if it's a 16:9 source, encode using a 16:9 profile (same for 4:3).

When you get your widescreen TV, change the "TV Aspect Ratio" in the TiVo settings to "16:9" - the 16:9 encoded files that had letterbox black bars when TiVo was set to 4:3 will then fill the entire screen.
Well, that makes so much sense. :) Thanks!!

[markz]

Ok, I am collecting questions as I read through this thread, so bear with me.

I second that uTorrent rocks

Once you download the file you then go out and buy an old X-box ( $150) , void the warrenty by opening it up and add a mod card ( $45), get a 100Gig hard drive & install it, go to walmart and get the xbox remote ($35), download various files: Bios's, ftp program & XBOX MEDEA CENTER. Then you can watch the video that you just downloaded,

or like others you can convert it to DVD format and burn it to a DVD.

Can these be bought already modded ready to go without all the extra steps?


I just bought the Phillips DVP 642 DVD player. It plays DivX files. I just take the AVI files that I get off BT, burn them to DVD, and the Philips plays them. Works and looks great. :up:

Can you burn to a CD-RW or DVD+/-RW and play it on the DVP 642 so that you can reuse the disk over & over? Or does it require using just a CD-R or DVD+/-R?




I see mention of TiVoGoBack and TiVo Desktop. Are they anything I can use with my two DirecTiVos? Can I upload anything to them to watch on the TV?



I see everyone talking about how uTorrent rocks. I have been using BitComet for quite some time. Is uTorrent better than that?



I think that is all. I have read the whole thread and am now submitting my questions!

[MickeS]

Can these be bought already modded ready to go without all the extra steps?

Look at eBay.

Can you burn to a CD-RW or DVD+/-RW and play it on the DVP 642 so that you can reuse the disk over & over? Or does it require using just a CD-R or DVD+/-R?


It can use /+-RW discs fine. The only thing I've had trouble playing on it is Qpel-encoded Xvid.

I see mention of TiVoGoBack and TiVo Desktop. Are they anything I can use with my two DirecTiVos? Can I upload anything to them to watch on the TV?
No, DirecTivo does not support this. Maybe there are hacks that let you, but "natively" they don't.

I see everyone talking about how uTorrent rocks. I have been using BitComet for quite some time. Is uTorrent better than that?

No idea. :) I've used BitComet and liked it a lot. Using Azureus now. I don't think it matters much.

[ddockery]

I prefer uTorrent to Azureus, because Azureus is a reource hog. At it's best it took over 40MB of memory, and uTorrent takes up 2-3MB. As far as performance on torrents, they are both very configurable and work well.

[efilippi]

Originally Posted by MickeS
You should chose to encode to the same ratio that the source file is, no matter what aspect ratio your TV is - so if it's a 16:9 source, encode using a 16:9 profile (same for 4:3).

But how does one know what the source file was encoded at? The descriptions don't include it, as far as I have seen. Heck, I'm happy when I get English instead of German! Is there some 'properties' option somewhere that looks into the avi file?

Another wierd thing happened to me today. I have a movie that runs very well on the pc, but only the video part. There is no audio at all and I can see a fleeting "error dowlonading codec" on the windows Media Player. But after I run it through Videora and watch it on Tivo, the sound is fine! How can that be?

[MickeS]

But how does one know what the source file was encoded at? The descriptions don't include it, as far as I have seen. Heck, I'm happy when I get English instead of German! Is there some 'properties' option somewhere that looks into the avi file?

Yeah, if you right-click on the file in Windows Explorer, and choose "Properties" and "Summary"-> "advanced", it should say the height and width there. Just divide the height by the width and you'll get the aspect ratio.

Also, if it's a HDTV rip (usually says in file name) it's 16:9.


Windows Media Player probably does not have that particular codec registered, or access to it or whatever, but Videora does.

I have seen it happen for me with Media Player Classic vs WMP. Media Player Classic can play anything I throw at it, while WMP stumbles quite often.

[efilippi]

Yeah, if you right-click on the file in Windows Explorer, and choose "Properties" and "Summary"-> "advanced", it should say the height and width there. Just divide the height by the width and you'll get the aspect ratio.


Yes, that works. My most recent movie shows 624 by 256 pixels. That divides to 2.4 which doesn't seem to be either 16:9 or 4:3. Something else, I guess?

No mention of codec used in audio section of the properties so I don't know how to solve the audio problem in Windows.

[Mabes]

Yes, that works. My most recent movie shows 624 by 256 pixels. That divides to 2.4 which doesn't seem to be either 16:9 or 4:3. Something else, I guess?

No mention of codec used in audio section of the properties so I don't know how to solve the audio problem in Windows.

Sounds like 2.35 to 1, which would be a widescreen movie.

[cheerdude]

Success!!!

Following all of the directions, I was able to watch West Wing and House on my TiVo from a torrent d/l. Had no problem with WW (jumped slightly in 2 places) and House's audio was slightly ahead of the video; but when I look at the WMP file, it was slightly ahead there as well... so it would appear to be just a "bad rip".

Amazing - thanks to all for the instructions (and to TiVo for doing GoBack). Wonder if they knew that it was going to be used like this (and is why they aren't saying much about it)?

Jeff

[MickeS]

efillipi, sorry I can't help you with that one...

[Redux]

"NBS" and "FOV" are referring to the group of folks who are doing the captures and encodings which often helps people identify levels of quality when comparing multiple possible downloads.I have been told this is also a good idea when you're buying used car stereo systems. Some groups of folks capture the entire wiring harness and all the connectors, others simply cut the wires. At the lowest quality, they just yank them out and run, and god knows what you're going to get.

It's always good to be able to identify levels of quality when comparing multiple possible sources.

[keyzersoce]

A word of warning: My son downloaded a movie a while ago. We just got a notice from our service provider that the releasing studio has tracked the download to our computer. The letter was one of those sreongly worded, legal "cut it out" forms. They say they haven't released any names yet, but they haven't been asked, either. Therefore, I suggest people use peerguardian, which we have just installed.

[mtnagel]

A word of warning: My son downloaded a movie a while ago. We just got a notice from our service provider that the releasing studio has tracked the download to our computer. The letter was one of those sreongly worded, legal "cut it out" forms. They say they haven't released any names yet, but they haven't been asked, either. Therefore, I suggest people use peerguardian, which we have just installed.Wow. That sucks. Was it really, "a movie" and not many movies?

[tase2]

First comment-this is a great and very informative thread. I have read up through around post 90 or so. As I have to leave now, I apologize if this has been asked and answered. Just give me a post # or something if so. :oe

This is my situation. I downloaded a concert video through utorrent and is now sitting on my hard drive 2.4gb. As I have an HR10-250 as my only Tivo, I believe I have no chance of viewing the video on my Tivo.(Please, Please correct me if this is wrong). I know I can watch it on my PC, but much prefer to watch it on my TV.

So I assume my only choice is to burn it to DVD and play it in my DVDplayer.
I have PowerDVD v.6 and the latest upgrade of Nero 6.

How do I burn what I believe is a MPEG video file from my HD to the DVD-R so I can play it in my home DVD player (Sony DVPNS50 DVD)?

[keyzersoce]

Wow. That sucks. Was it really, "a movie" and not many movies?

Yes. I usually download BBC shows, unavailable in the US, through UKNova.com. We have always used Netflix or our local video store to rent anything we wanted to see. Apparently, he and a friend were experimenting one night and downloaded a movie, just to see if they could. It just happened to be from a studio which is actively tracking downloads of their films.

As my dad used to say: When a flock of ducks pass overhead, you just point your rifle at them and pull the trigger, hoping you'll hit one. Today, you turned out to be the duck.

[mtnagel]

Yes. I usually download BBC shows, unavailable in the US, through UKNova.com. We have always used Netflix or our local video store to rent anything we wanted to see. Apparently, he and a friend were experimenting one night and downloaded a movie, just to see if they could. It just happened to be from a studio which is actively tracking downloads of their films.

As my dad used to say: When a flock of ducks pass overhead, you just point your rifle at them and pull the trigger, hoping you'll hit one. Today, you turned out to be the duck.What was the studio?

[keyzersoce]

What was the studio?


Avoiding the mention of any names, let's just say Spielberg, Geffen and Katzenberg are involved.

[MickeS]

So, Paramount then? ;)

[Mabes]

Yes. I usually download BBC shows, unavailable in the US, through UKNova.com. We have always used Netflix or our local video store to rent anything we wanted to see. Apparently, he and a friend were experimenting one night and downloaded a movie, just to see if they could. It just happened to be from a studio which is actively tracking downloads of their films.

As my dad used to say: When a flock of ducks pass overhead, you just point your rifle at them and pull the trigger, hoping you'll hit one. Today, you turned out to be the duck.

And the duck who gets hit is an innocent duck who rents or buys the things it wants unless it's not available to it. Oh, maybe the duck occasionally downloads a movie that it could rent at their video store, but the duck does not stop renting other movies. The duck rents as many movies as it can afford to rent, and this is something that the rifle owners will never understand.

There are bad ducks out there who will never pay for anything. But they've been around since the invention of the cassette tape and they will always be around, but they are not costing anyone any money. If those ducks could not get their movies/music for free, they would not go out and buy them. The industry will never get this, they didn't get it when cassettes became widely used, and they will not get it when they have destroyed bittorrent and some other method becomes available.

edit - sorry for the extended duck metaphor.

[Mabes]

A word of warning: My son downloaded a movie a while ago. We just got a notice from our service provider that the releasing studio has tracked the download to our computer. The letter was one of those sreongly worded, legal "cut it out" forms. They say they haven't released any names yet, but they haven't been asked, either. Therefore, I suggest people use peerguardian, which we have just installed.

I'm sure you know this, but others may not - using Peer Guardian does nothing to stop such warning letters, it does not hide your internet activity, it only makes prosecution difficult if you happen to get sued.

[tase2]

That sucks keyzersoce

You talk about bad timing on a post.

Any suggestions for my burning question? :confused:

[lee espinoza]

I have use bittorrnet(for over a 1 year) and NEVER got a call from my ISP(At&t/SBC) to "cut it out" but like keyzersoce dad said one day i may be the duck.

[Malcontent]

A word of warning: My son downloaded a movie a while ago. We just got a notice from our service provider that the releasing studio has tracked the download to our computer. The letter was one of those sreongly worded, legal "cut it out" forms. They say they haven't released any names yet, but they haven't been asked, either. Therefore, I suggest people use peerguardian, which we have just installed.

I would recommend that people out there to seriously look into using Newsgroups to download their movies and TV shows. It's a lot safer and faster. I pay $15 a month for a Newsgroups provider and I download at full speed and 100% without worry. There is a lot more stuff on the Newsgroups then there are on Bittorrent. Although it's a little bit more complicated process to learn then Bittorrent and does require a monthly cost to a Newgroups provider, the speed and peace of mind are worth it.

Here, check out these websites to give you an idea of how to get started with using newsgroups.

http://www.angelfire.com/gundam/newsgroupguide/

http://www.slyck.com/ng.php

[mtnagel]

I would recommend that people out there to seriously look into using Newsgroups to download their movies and TV shows. It's a lot safer and faster. I pay $15 a month for a Newsgroups provider and I download at full speed and 100% without worry. There is a lot more stuff on the Newsgroups then there are on Bittorrent. Although it's a little bit more complicated process to learn then Bittorrent and does require a monthly cost to a Newgroups provider, the speed and peace of mind are worth it.

Here, check out these websites to give you an idea of how to get started with using newsgroups.

http://www.angelfire.com/gundam/newsgroupguide/

http://www.slyck.com/ng.phpCouldn't the movie studios monitor that too? Or are you anonymous when you download something? No way to be tracked?

[dswallow]

Couldn't the movie studios monitor that too? Or are you anonymous when you download something? No way to be tracked?
Not anywhere nearly as easily; the only records that might exist are with the newsgroup provider and the only way they could access them is be working with the newsgroup provider. And there's tens of thousands, if not more, newsgroup providers... and it's voluminous, but possible, to just take newsgroup feeds and then you get most everything which makes it more difficult once more to prove specific interest/use of just one portion of it. And that's assuming the newsgroup provider actually has logging turned on.

P2P protocols communicate with peers, so all a movie studio need do is become a peer within the protocol being monitored and then record IP addresses to identify people who minimally had an interest in a given file; then they technically need to monitor and witness that IP address disseminating some portion of their copyrighted material (which is where SafePeer or PeerGuardian enter the picture by blocking such transfers to large blocks of IP addresses associated with media companies and related groups).

[Malcontent]

Couldn't the movie studios monitor that too? Or are you anonymous when you download something? No way to be tracked?

It would be very difficult for the studios to monitor you on newsgroups. I have not heard one story of anyone being busted for downloading movies from a newsgroup. Unlike Bittorrent, your not downloading or uploading from or to other people. Your downloading from your newsgroup provider. When you download with Bittorrent, other people can see your internet address. This doesn't happen with downloading from the newsgroups. Most of the big newsgroup providers (Newshosting, GigaNews) don't keep any logs or monitor WHAT you download. It's in their best interest not to record or monitor what you download. So, your pretty much anonymous while downloading from newsgroups. Newsgroups are just too large and decentralized to monitor. It's by far the safest way to download.

I know others here use newsgroups. I'm sure they will comfirm all this.

[nedthelab]

Hello,

I recently downlaoded a couple of Stargate eps that I missed, they came down fine as AVI files, when loading into media player I quickly see an error downloading CODEC and then the image plays fine but no audio, I can not tell what Codec might be missing - any advice?

Thanks

[cheerdude]

Probably DIVX or xVid ...

In my short BT history, I believe that some (most?) of the files will show what codec was used in the file's header.

[nedthelab]

I used DIVX as the player and is showed missing auido tag 8192 aquick search brought me to free-codec.com and low and behold that message means no AC3 filter- 2 mins later a quick download and audio is there

[mtnagel]

Not anywhere nearly as easily; the only records that might exist are with the newsgroup provider and the only way they could access them is be working with the newsgroup provider. And there's tens of thousands, if not more, newsgroup providers... and it's voluminous, but possible, to just take newsgroup feeds and then you get most everything which makes it more difficult once more to prove specific interest/use of just one portion of it. And that's assuming the newsgroup provider actually has logging turned on.

P2P protocols communicate with peers, so all a movie studio need do is become a peer within the protocol being monitored and then record IP addresses to identify people who minimally had an interest in a given file; then they technically need to monitor and witness that IP address disseminating some portion of their copyrighted material (which is where SafePeer or PeerGuardian enter the picture by blocking such transfers to large blocks of IP addresses associated with media companies and related groups).
It would be very difficult for the studios to monitor you on newsgroups. I have not heard one story of anyone being busted for downloading movies from a newsgroup. Unlike Bittorrent, your not downloading or uploading from or to other people. Your downloading from your newsgroup provider. When you download with Bittorrent, other people can see your internet address. This doesn't happen with downloading from the newsgroups. Most of the big newsgroup providers (Newshosting, GigaNews) don't keep any logs or monitor WHAT you download. It's in their best interest not to record or monitor what you download. So, your pretty much anonymous while downloading from newsgroups. Newsgroups are just too large and decentralized to monitor. It's by far the safest way to download.

I know others here use newsgroups. I'm sure they will comfirm all this.Alright, you guys convinced me to give this a try. Maybe I should start a "walk me through newgroups like I'm a 5 year old" thread, but I read through the guides you posted Malcontent and there are several choices of things, like subsribe to newzbin (costs $0.50) or use a free one (which one?) Also, which news server should I use? I don't anticipate downloaing much, but some plans have limits like 20 gb for $10 a month. That sounds like a lot, but for something like a movie, is it compressed at all like with the avi's with bittorrent or are they full size? If they are like 4 gb, then that's only 5 movies a month. So I don't know how much would be enough.

I guess I'm looking to start off as cheap as possible to just get my feet wet. Thanks for any tips.

[cheerdude]

Matt...

Use your ISP's news server for starters. See what their retention limits are... and then decide if it works with what you need... or if you want to go with another service.

It also appears that newzbin is a good service as well (especially if you are used to a bit torrent style of info).

Jeff

[Malcontent]

Alright, you guys convinced me to give this a try. Maybe I should start a "walk me through newgroups like I'm a 5 year old" thread, but I read through the guides you posted Malcontent and there are several choices of things, like subsribe to newzbin (costs $0.50) or use a free one (which one?) Also, which news server should I use? I don't anticipate downloaing much, but some plans have limits like 20 gb for $10 a month. That sounds like a lot, but for something like a movie, is it compressed at all like with the avi's with bittorrent or are they full size? If they are like 4 gb, then that's only 5 movies a month. So I don't know how much would be enough.

I guess I'm looking to start off as cheap as possible to just get my feet wet. Thanks for any tips.

I use www.newshosting.com as my newsgroup provider. I find them reliable and economical. And I would suggest http://www.newzbin.com/ I subscribe to them also.

I would suggest you start off with just the 10gig for $10 from Newshosting. And one month of newzbin.com for $2.00 for one month of service. You will be able to try this out for a month for a total cost of $12. If after a month you like it you can always increase your newshosting.com limit if you need too and can renew newzbin for another month. If this doesn't work out, your only out $12.

You are correct that an average DVD movie is 4 gigs in size. An average 1 hour tv show is around 350 megs in size. If you get the hang of this and like it, I feel that you will most likely would be better off going for the 'Unlimited" plan from Newshosting.com. For $14.95 a month, you can download an unlimited amount of giga bytes a month. I have the unlimited plan. Believe me, just downloading 2 DVD's a month is more then enough to make the $14.95 a month worth it. An average new DVD cost at least $20.

But I suggest you start off slow at first until you get the hang of it. Again, go with the 10 gigs for $10 and one month of Newzbin for $2. You can always upgrade your Newshosting.com plan at any time.

[The Spud]

I use Agent Premium News (http://www.forteinc.com/main/homepage.php). They have good retention and just increased their download limits. Their accounts start at $2.95/month for 7 gb. They also make an excellent newsreader called Agent. However I use Newsbin (http://www.newsbin.com/) (not Newzbin) for downloading stuff.

[mtnagel]

Thanks for the guys about news groups. I'll give it a try tomorrow probably.

[Markman07]

Has anyone heard of anyone getting a letter for downloading an OTA tv show using BitTorrent?

[mtnagel]

Has anyone heard of anyone getting a letter for downloading an OTA tv show using BitTorrent?Not 100% sure, but I just thought it was movies and music.

[MickeS]

Movie studios seem to be the most dedicated to enforcing copyright rules. Haven't heard or read about anyone getting busted for TV shows, but I guess that could happen too.

[Jeeters]

Probably a lot of it has to do with that fact that the movie studios have the MPAA doing all the dirty work for them have have lots of money to do so by pooling it all together from their various member studios. And the same goes for the RIAA and music studios. I don't think the OTA and cable networks have such a body to do this.? Too expensive an undertaking for a single network or television production company to do it on their own?

[JLWINE]

I certainly understand using bittorant for TV shows or radio broadcasts that you missed and can't find anywhere else. But what is the advantage of paying $15 a month to be able to download, convert and burn a DVD title. Isn't paying $18 a month to Netflix much easier?

[Jeeters]

...what is the advantage of paying $15 a month to be able to download, convert and burn a DVD title. Isn't paying $18 a month to Netflix much easier?Except with Netflix, you have to give the DVDs back.

[dswallow]

I certainly understand using bittorant for TV shows or radio broadcasts that you missed and can't find anywhere else. But what is the advantage of paying $15 a month to be able to download, convert and burn a DVD title. Isn't paying $18 a month to Netflix much easier?
Ignoring legalities...

I'd guess what's available on newsgroups probably are not all out on DVD yet. ;)

[Malcontent]

I certainly understand using bittorant for TV shows or radio broadcasts that you missed and can't find anywhere else. But what is the advantage of paying $15 a month to be able to download, convert and burn a DVD title. Isn't paying $18 a month to Netflix much easier?

The majority of the DVD are either already converted or are exact copies of the retail DVD. So, you don't have to convert them. You just burn them to a blank DVD using software like Nero. Which takes an average of 7 minutes.

You can also download software titles from the newsgroups. Not just movies and TV shows. Pc games, utilities, anti-virus, Playstation and Xbox games, ect. You can't get all that from Netflix.

[mtnagel]

Alright newsgroup experts. I downloaded 'something' and when I tried to run the rar files through winrar, I got a "the volume is corrupt" error and it won't create the file. What am I supposed to do now?

[ddockery]

Almost everything I've gotten from newsgroups also has PAR files. Basically, one of more of your rar files are corrput. Par files help you rebuoild them properly.

http://www.slyck.com/ng.php?page=6

[mtnagel]

Almost everything I've gotten from newsgroups also has PAR files. Basically, one of more of your rar files are corrput. Par files help you rebuoild them properly.

http://www.slyck.com/ng.php?page=6
Damn, you beat me too it. I did finally figure out the par files and I recreated the corrupt ones. Thanks though.

[cmontyburns]

Use your ISP's news server for starters. See what their retention limits are... and then decide if it works with what you need... or if you want to go with another service.

I think many ISPs don't provide access to the binaries newgroups. I know mine (SBC, pretty major) does not.

[mtnagel]

Conversion question. I've been using DIKO to convert from avi to DVD. It's worked great on all my avi's so far except one but that one didn't work in AVI2DVD either, so I assume it's the file. Anyway, DIKO gives you the option to make an iso file or the video_ts folder and vob files. So which is better, using DVD Decrypter to burn the iso or Nero to burn the vob files? Or the same?

[mtnagel]

Couple news group questions:

Is there a thing where you can request something?

And what about posting? Why would I do that? How would I do that? And wouldn't that be easy to track if you post something that is illegal to sue you?

Thanks!

[Malcontent]

Conversion question. I've been using DIKO to convert from avi to DVD. It's worked great on all my avi's so far except one but that one didn't work in AVI2DVD either, so I assume it's the file. Anyway, DIKO gives you the option to make an iso file or the video_ts folder and vob files. So which is better, using DVD Decrypter to burn the iso or Nero to burn the vob files? Or the same?

Both are fine. But DVD Decrypter does have a good reputation for burning ISO. I prefer ISO's just because they are easier to handle. ISO, is just one file to deal with. The video-ts folder, you have many files and sub folders to deal with. When ever possible, I use ISO, and DVD Decrypter to burn them.

[Malcontent]

Couple news group questions:

Is there a thing where you can request something?

And what about posting? Why would I do that? How would I do that? And wouldn't that be easy to track if you post something that is illegal to sue you?

Thanks!

You could post a message to a specific newsgroup requesting something you want. But honestly, I wouldn't bother. Thousands of messages are posted to newsgroups a day. It would most likey get lost (over looked).

Again, the newgroups providers don't keep logs that long. They only keep logs on posts for about 3 days (incase of spam) and then delete them. You wouldn't really need to post. Again, they don't log or monitor what you download.

Best advice is to keep checking for what you can't find at this moment. It will most likely be posted in the future.

[scubagal]

I got BitComet (which i guess is very similiar) I feel ya I am clueless and your thread is just making me more confused so if you learn anything please include me I would apprecaite it!

Well.. the thread has gone a different direction of late, but Doug's suggestion of Azarus, Lee's suggestion of the TIVO converter software both worked great and were the two things I needed to get what we wanted done. We are up and running, I have now seen season 1 and all episodes of season 2 to date of Grey's Anatomy.

So thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mtnagel]

Well.. the thread has gone a different direction of late, but Doug's suggestion of Azarus, Lee's suggestion of the TIVO converter software both worked great and were the two things I needed to get what we wanted done. We are up and running, I have now seen season 1 and all episodes of season 2 to date of Grey's Anatomy.

So thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Sorry about the switch in topic, but I think they are in a similar vein.

Oh and thanks for responding Malcontent!

[scubagal]

Sorry about the switch in topic, but I think they are in a similar vein.

Oh and thanks for responding Malcontent!

Don't be sorry!!!! My question(s) were answered, happy to see the thread with more info alive... I am sure these shall be my next questions, as I get more savvy in my downloading :D

[DevdogAZ]

Has anyone heard of anyone getting a letter for downloading an OTA tv show using BitTorrent?
While the movie studios and record companies stand to lose money from people using P2P services, OTA broadcasters actually can benefit from it. Sure, they own the copyright and could still attempt to pursue an infringement suit, but the fact that the content was publicly available for free would make it a difficult case to prosecute, and if people are able to download shows to catch up on episodes they missed, it increases the potential audience for the next episode that airs. Scubagal is a perfect example: were it not for bittorrent, she and her husband would not be watching the next episode of Grey's Anatomy, but thanks to it, they are now hooked. ABC lost nothing by the show being available for downloading and therefore it wouldn't be in their best interest to try to discourage this.

Sure, it could get to a point where too many people are downloading and it's hurting the on-air viewership of the show (thus hurting the advertising revenue), but in the mean time, it's still in the networks' best interest to let it be.

[mtnagel]

While the movie studios and record companies stand to lose money from people using P2P services, OTA broadcasters actually can benefit from it. Sure, they own the copyright and could still attempt to pursue an infringement suit, but the fact that the content was publicly available for free would make it a difficult case to prosecute, and if people are able to download shows to catch up on episodes they missed, it increases the potential audience for the next episode that airs. Scubagal is a perfect example: were it not for bittorrent, she and her husband would not be watching the next episode of Grey's Anatomy, but thanks to it, they are now hooked. ABC lost nothing by the show being available for downloading and therefore it wouldn't be in their best interest to try to discourage this.

Sure, it could get to a point where too many people are downloading and it's hurting the on-air viewership of the show (thus hurting the advertising revenue), but in the mean time, it's still in the networks' best interest to let it be.
So what would your take on downloading from HBO, Showtime, etc. be?

[Jeeters]

So what would your take on downloading from HBO, Showtime, etc. be?Don't know where they stand legally, but HBO definitely hates it. They are (were?) deliberately seeding fake bittorrents of their shows in order to exasperate and frustrate downloaders. i.e., they'd seed a file giving it a nice name and appropiate size that looks like the latest episode of "Entourage" or "Rome". People go through the time to download it only to find out that it's just a garbage binary file that doesn't play.

[Jeeters]

Sure, it could get to a point where too many people are downloading and it's hurting the on-air viewership of the show (thus hurting the advertising revenue).And costing them potential DVD sales, too, probably.

[DevdogAZ]

So what would your take on downloading from HBO, Showtime, etc. be?
From a prosecution standpoint, they have a much better case. Their content was not originally available for free and their revenue does not come from advertising but rather from subscriptions. However, the potential still remains for someone to get hooked on a show through P2P and then subscribe later where they otherwise would have had no interest in subscribing if they hadn't watched the show via P2P. Overall, however, I'd say that it would be frowned on much more than OTA TV broadcasts.

[mtnagel]

From a prosecution standpoint, they have a much better case. Their content was not originally available for free and their revenue does not come from advertising but rather from subscriptions. However, the potential still remains for someone to get hooked on a show through P2P and then subscribe later where they otherwise would have had no interest in subscribing if they hadn't watched the show via P2P. Overall, however, I'd say that it would be frowned on much more than OTA TV broadcasts.But couldn't you say the same thing about music? And the RIAA isn't buying that. Chances are if you are downloading the Sopranos, you will just continue to do it and never subscribe.

[DevdogAZ]

But couldn't you say the same thing about music? And the RIAA isn't buying that. Chances are if you are downloading the Sopranos, you will just continue to do it and never subscribe.
I agree. It's more likely that if you watched the show for free, you're not likely to start paying for it. Therefore, downloading shows that originally aired on pay channels is much more like downloading music than downloading OTA TV shows is.

[dswallow]

I agree. It's more likely that if you watched the show for free, you're not likely to start paying for it. Therefore, downloading shows that originally aired on pay channels is much more like downloading music than downloading OTA TV shows is.
Of course if you subscribe to the specific pay channel -- and moreso if you've always subscribed to it like since before the series in question was even a concept in the mind of its creator -- then you jump into wonderful arguments about the whole issue that will never be settled until someone with money gets sued for it. ;)

Usually, however, the complicating factor isn't just your consumption of downloaded material, but the fact you're also indiscriminately sharing the same material with others. With that in mind, the newsgroup method would likely be the safest refuge for someone doing this in large quantities.

[The Flush]

You can always go to the library and check out DVDs for free and rip/burn with DVD Decryptor or DVD Shrink. A friend who was not into Arrested Development borrowed my Season 1 DVDs and then got the second season from the library since I have bought it yet.

[MasterOfPuppets]

I've read most of the messages in here...and just a few pointers...
If you're looking for a modded/hacked-up Xbox, go to http://www.xbox-scene.org ...it's the best Xbox modding site around, they have a Buy/Sell/Trade forum there as well, just make sure you get references from people if you're looking to buy...
I just downloaded Videora and will give it a try...I've also had success converting files with Nero Vision and WinAvi...
And...reality is...you could be busted anytime for downloading anything of "gray market" calibur...but chances are that it won't happen, the whole thing with the RIAA and movie studios tracking people down gets overblown by the media in order to cause paranoia...as long as you take precautions, you should be fine...bit torrent is still more under the radar than most peer-to-peer apps...
http://www.xtvi.com/ also seems to be a decent TV torrent tracker...

[Malcontent]

Check this site out if your looking for Tv shows and use the Newsgroups to get episodes.

http://www.tvnzb.com/nzb

[dswallow]

Check this site out if your looking for Tv shows and use the Newsgroups to get episodes.

http://www.tvnzb.com/nzb
That's a rather rude thing to say about TiVo that they have in their banner. :p

[Malcontent]

That's a rather rude thing to say about TiVo that they have in their banner. :p


Yeah, I know. But I stopped being offended when I saw all the tv shows I can download. Many of which I wish I programmed my Tivo to record. It's a nice way to play catch up.

[markz]

Check this site out if your looking for Tv shows and use the Newsgroups to get episodes.

http://www.tvnzb.com/nzb

So what is a NZB? That's the format of the files you can download from them, right?

[mtnagel]

So what is a NZB? That's the format of the files you can download from them, right?Read this - http://www.slyck.com/ng.php?page=9 (and read the whole guide about mews groups if you need too). The main page was posted earlier in the thread by Malcontent and it helped me out a lot. I'd explain it myself, but I'm still not at the level where I can explain how things work. I've got them to work for me, but I couldn't explain it without a guide or something.

[MasterOfPuppets]

Lots and lots of TV Torrents (http://10mbit.com:6969/index.html?filter=TV+Show) ...

[efilippi]

I'm sorry I don't have the answer to your question, Cary, but I'm sure someone else will. Welcome aboard.

[markz]

After many glowing praises for the Philips DVP642 DivX-Certified Progressive-Scan DVD Player , I ordered one from Amazon.com. I should have it next week for only $57.99 shipped!

On another note, people were wondering how to play downloaded content on their TV. Today I had a Global Computer ad in my mailbox. One of the featured items looks like it would do just that!

It's an external hard drive (http://www.globalcomputer.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1815448&sku=TC3J-2064&CMP=EMC-GLOBAL&SRCCODE=GLOEM221) that has composite outputs and a remote control so that you can play things you download right on your tv.

[mtnagel]

It's an external hard drive (http://www.globalcomputer.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1815448&sku=TC3J-2064&CMP=EMC-GLOBAL&SRCCODE=GLOEM221) that has composite outputs and a remote control so that you can play things you download right on your tv.That enclosure is cool, but not $100 cool. If it were cheaper and I didn't just buy one last month, I'd buy it.

[markz]

That enclosure is cool, but not $100 cool. If it were cheaper and I didn't just buy one last month, I'd buy it.

Actually, it's $200. Even less cool!

[mtnagel]

Actually, it's $200. Even less cool!That's with a 100 gig hard drive too. You can buy the enclosure separately - http://www.globalcomputer.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1446493&sku=TC3G-5004 for $100.

[markz]

That's with a 100 gig hard drive too. You can buy the enclosure separately - http://www.globalcomputer.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1446493&sku=TC3G-5004 for $100.

Thanks, I hadn't seen that!

[xuxa]

Just a friendly reminder most everything discussed and instructed on in this thread is illegal. All television shows are copyrighted no matter what your personal reasons are. This thread BTW break rule number 5 of the forum rules.

5. No discussion of any illegal activity.

[MasterOfPuppets]

Fascinating stuff above this post...really...although I would guess that there's an outside chance that the (real) moderators may have noticed this thread sometime...

It's easy to play downloaded content on your Tivo...if your Tivo is networked with your PC...just use Videora to convert your files (see links in previous messages) and have it leave the converted file either in your "My Tivo Recordings" that Tivo Desktop made, or any other networked folder that you created in Galleon or something similar...you can then transfer the file from your PC to your Tivo using your Tivo, and even watch it as it transfers (I suggest letting the transfer get a few minutes head start though)...
Easy peasy, lemon squeezy...

[dswallow]

Actually there's nothing illegal at all about using a peer-to-peer program like Bittorrent clients.

It's not the program; it's what you do with it.

There's also nothing illegal about converting video formats.

So technically "most everything" discussed and instructed in this thread is legal.

[xuxa]

Yes Doug, but when you list sites like your second post describing how to download shameless etc., the wink wink nudge nudge aspect is a pretty lame argument. Pull all the links and discussion on downloading shows, and maybe you have a point. Its not the program it is the intent and you and others make the intent very clear here. This is no different than theft of service from Directv and/or Tivo. The thread instructs people on how to break copyright and steal shows. Using your argument I could post a users guide on how to decrpyt Directv signal using legal programs, because it is not the program but what you do with it. Let's see how long that thread would last.

The hacking tivo programs for free service and video extraction programs and conversions from ty files are explicity not allowed on this forum, this is no different.

[dswallow]

Yes Doug, but when you list sites like your second post describing how to download shameless etc., the wink wink nudge nudge aspect is a pretty lame argument. Pull all the links and discussion on downloading shows, and maybe you have a point. Its not the program it is the intent and you and others make the intent very clear here. This is no different than theft of service from Directv and/or Tivo. The thread instructs people on how to break copyright and steal shows. Using your argument I could post a users guide on how to decrpyt Directv signal using legal programs, because it is not the program but what you do with it. Let's see how long that thread would last.

The hacking tivo programs for free service and video extraction programs and conversions from ty files are explicity not allowed on this forum, this is no different.
There's always someone holier than thou on these forums. It's getting annoying.

If you believe there's a problem, report it to a moderator. Don't try to act like one.

[xuxa]

Where am I being holier than thou, don't get defensive , just see a discrepancy of the rules and I won't report this to a moderator not a snitch :).

[dswallow]

Where am I being holier than thou, don't get defensive , just see a discrepancy of the rules and I won't report this to a moderator not a snitch :).
Technically there's a lot of things that would be considered "illegal" or even "copyright violations" that go on in these forums. Downloading/exchanging images of TiVo's for example; people talking in roundabout ways about recreational drugs comes up occasionally; heck even soliciting a videotape or DVD copy (or perhaps actually providing one) is a copyright violation.

Now in the spirit of things, we do a decent job, I think. The vast majority of people using Bittorrent (at least of those inquiring here) are doing so to get a missed episode or an episode that was partially cut off. Yeah, still a copyright violation, but it's probably not one that's particularly cared much about, at least not yet. Now those people grabbing whole seasons to avoid buying a DVD set or grabbing episodes from pay channels to avoid having to subscribe are a different matter.

Of course even bringing this up is going to attract someone who'll say it's still illegal and I'm just rationalizing the illegal activity. Yeah, maybe so. So what?

Unlike movie "trading" online, television show "trading" really has been ignored. Intentional? Who knows.

The unfortunate thing is that these kinds of things are just going to be on the edge of a rather antiquated copyright law -- where the law really hasn't kept up with technology. We're slowly seeing the copyright owners recognize there's an online market; if they succeed in meeting that market then perhaps this sort of thing will diminish greatly on its own. Of course, if they do what the record industry does -- overprice everything -- then maybe not.

[xuxa]

Technically there's a lot of things that would be considered "illegal" or even "copyright violations" that go on in these forums. Downloading/exchanging images of TiVo's for example; people talking in roundabout ways about recreational drugs comes up occasionally; heck even soliciting a videotape or DVD copy (or perhaps actually providing one) is a copyright violation.

I agree but this thread isn't roundabout in any way, just look at the title

Now in the spirit of things, we do a decent job, I think. The vast majority of people using Bittorrent (at least of those inquiring here) are doing so to get a missed episode or an episode that was partially cut off. Yeah, still a copyright violation, but it's probably not one that's particularly cared much about, at least not yet. Now those people grabbing whole seasons to avoid buying a DVD set or grabbing episodes from pay channels to avoid having to subscribe are a different matter.

Remember this is a community of 100K plus members that list no theft of service etc. discussion as a very important issue. For example, Posting a way to get tvio for free when I pay for it on some boxes doesn't mean it is okay

Of course even bringing this up is going to attract someone who'll say it's still illegal and I'm just rationalizing the illegal activity. Yeah, maybe so. So what?

That is for each individual to decide obviously, but discussing like this and on this board where illegal talk is not permitted makes this currently illegal activity seem to be ok and not what this board is about as the sister site avsforum deleted many threads like this one.

Unlike movie "trading" online, television show "trading" really has been ignored. Intentional? Who knows.

Not true as noted in this thread in which you and others replied , pointing out how to defy the shutdowns :)http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=239554
and users have reported even in this thread the received cease and desist letters and then some post how to avoid detection.

The unfortunate thing is that these kinds of things are just going to be on the edge of a rather antiquated copyright law -- where the law really hasn't kept up with technology. We're slowly seeing the copyright owners recognize there's an online market; if they succeed in meeting that market then perhaps this sort of thing will diminish greatly on its own. Of course, if they do what the record industry does -- overprice everything -- then maybe not.

All opinion of course. Ever consider that all this "free" content that people feel like they should be able to get might decrease the quality in the long run and definitely in the short run. It looks like the companies are trying to meet the market i.e. itunes, google, tvio etc. The way to protest if you want to is not steal it, just don't buy it or watch it.

[DevdogAZ]

xuxa, give it up. You seem to show up in every thread that talks about BitTorrent and crap all over it. We get it. You think it's illegal and are trying to force your morality on the rest of us. Sure, it's probably a copyright violation. But if the copyright owner doesn't care, why should we? Obviously most people in this thread don't have a problem with it and apparently neither do the people who run the forum because it's been talked about ad nauseum for years.

You coming in this thread and trying to tell everyone they are criminals is no different than the people that show up in TV show threads and post about what a stupid show it is and why would anyone watch it? Those people get chased out of those threads for good reason and I think you should be chased out of this one. If you want to start a thread discussing the legality of downloading TV shows, go right ahead. I'll probably check it out and participate. But that's not what this thread is about. Quit crapping.

[xuxa]

xuxa, give it up. You seem to show up in every thread that talks about BitTorrent and crap all over it. We get it. You think it's illegal and are trying to force your morality on the rest of us. Sure, it's probably a copyright violation. But if the copyright owner doesn't care, why should we? Obviously most people in this thread don't have a problem with it and apparently neither do the people who run the forum because it's been talked about ad nauseum for years.

You coming in this thread and trying to tell everyone they are criminals is no different than the people that show up in TV show threads and post about what a stupid show it is and why would anyone watch it? Those people get chased out of those threads for good reason and I think you should be chased out of this one. If you want to start a thread discussing the legality of downloading TV shows, go right ahead. I'll probably check it out and participate. But that's not what this thread is about. Quit crapping.

Just because I am stating something that is be discussed here is illegal (not I think it is , it is) is not crapping on a thread :confused:

Show me a copyright holder of any of these shows discussed in this thread that doesn't care and you can "chase" me out of this thread. If the copyright holder does care shouldn't you care by that logic. Your TV thread analogy is based on opinions of the viewers liking the shows or not, not facts. This has not been talked about for years in detail like this "how to". To not state the facts in discussing this method is disingenuous to the board, thread and methods for 5 year olds :)

Don't kill the messenger ;)

[DevdogAZ]

Perhaps I misspoke (typed?) when I said the copyright holders don't care. Perhaps they do. However, unlike the MPAA and the RIAA, the TV studios haven't gone on the offensive to try and do anything about the sharing of TV shows. Maybe they correctly realize that it would be bad PR. Maybe the legal question is much murkier because nobody had to pay for the content in the first place. Maybe they actually like that BT gives more people the opportunity to watch their shows. In any case, the copyright holders of broadcast network TV shows are not making any effort to curtail the P2P sharing of their shows. When they do, feel free to come tell us we're being criminals. Until then, save it.

And you're not just the "messenger." Your opinion is that it's illegal. You're advocating your opinion. However, there are definite legal differences between sharing OTA TV shows and other media such as movies and music. Since there's no direct economic loss to the studios if someone downloads a TV show that they could have watched for free (and there's a good argument to be made that there is actually an economic benefit), prosecuting a copyright infringement case dealing with TV shows is going to be very difficult. Until that is successfully done, I'm not going to worry about it. You are welcome to worry about it all you like, but what's not appreciated is you telling other people what to worry about.

[MasterOfPuppets]

If you don't like something, don't use it...
I highly doubt anyone wants to hear you on your soapbox...

As for this thread breaking rules...it's been here for 20 days...it's not like the mods haven't noticed it sitting around...

[xuxa]

Perhaps I misspoke (typed?) when I said the copyright holders don't care. Perhaps they do. However, unlike the MPAA and the RIAA, the TV studios haven't gone on the offensive to try and do anything about the sharing of TV shows. Maybe they correctly realize that it would be bad PR. Maybe the legal question is much murkier because nobody had to pay for the content in the first place. Maybe they actually like that BT gives more people the opportunity to watch their shows. In any case, the copyright holders of broadcast network TV shows are not making any effort to curtail the P2P sharing of their shows. When they do, feel free to come tell us we're being criminals. Until then, save it.

And you're not just the "messenger." Your opinion is that it's illegal. You're advocating your opinion. However, there are definite legal differences between sharing OTA TV shows and other media such as movies and music. Since there's no direct economic loss to the studios if someone downloads a TV show that they could have watched for free (and there's a good argument to be made that there is actually an economic benefit), prosecuting a copyright infringement case dealing with TV shows is going to be very difficult. Until that is successfully done, I'm not going to worry about it. You are welcome to worry about it all you like, but what's not appreciated is you telling other people what to worry about.

This information is so incorrect I don't know where to begin. Do you even know who is the advocate for TV shows hint four letters starts with M ends with A, and they have and will continue to "make an effort" as noted in the thread I listed and in posts in this thread via cease and desist letters to users etc. No need to save it. If you are downloading copyright files via torrents you are breaking the law.

Sticking your head in the sand is your choice but not a wise one when ignoring the facts. Keep in mind it is very very easy to get your ip when using bitorrents even using peerguardian.

[DevdogAZ]

This information is so incorrect I don't know where to begin. Do you even know who is the advocate for TV shows hint four letters starts with M ends with A, and they have and will continue to "make an effort" as noted in the thread I listed and in posts in this thread via cease and desist letters to users etc. No need to save it. If you are downloading copyright files via torrents you are breaking the law.

Sticking your head in the sand is your choice but not a wise one when ignoring the facts. Keep in mind it is very very easy to get your ip when using bitorrents even using peerguardian.
I'd love for you to show us some verified instances of the MPAA (or anyone else) doing anything to curb P2P sharing of TV shows. You reference cease and desist letters that have been spoken of in this thread, but that was for a movie. I do not deny that the sharing is a violation of copyright law. All I'm saying is that it would be very difficult to prosecute and therefore it's not being done.

[Jeeters]

Hmm. Seems this thread has been successfully derailed.

[mtnagel]

Back on topic. I've been checking out news groups for a few days now and I don't like how you can't really find stuff that isn't new or popular. There are a couple lesser known bands that I've heard of that I'd like to check out. They are not there. I can't even find clips of their music to see if I like it. The way it's looking now, I probably won't be keeping my subscription. I'm not that big into movies and I can rent DVD's from work for $3 and I probably average 2 a month. A couple movies I wanted to see where coming out on DVD in a week or so, so I could have waited. With music, I love many types of music, but there are other sources that have more of what I'm looking for than news groups that I've been using for awhile. So I'm not getting much out of the news groups.

[xuxa]

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=239554 for one example as I listed before.

So you even admit to violating copyright law and still see no problem with it. Looting is also difficult to prosecute.

[dswallow]

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=239554 for one example as I listed before.

So you even admit to violating copyright law and still see no problem with it. Looting is also difficult to prosecute.
Some people exceed the speed limit and see no problem with it.

[xuxa]

yup and some get caught, that is all i am saying. People get away with breaking the law all the time, does that make it right?

Show me somewhere where tivo went after a user for theft of service, something that is forbidden to discuss.

[cmontyburns]

It's an external hard drive (http://www.globalcomputer.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=1815448&sku=TC3J-2064&CMP=EMC-GLOBAL&SRCCODE=GLOEM221) that has composite outputs and a remote control so that you can play things you download right on your tv.

If you're interested in that, you might check out LaCie's Silverscreen (http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10481) portable drive.

[mtnagel]

If you're interested in that, you might check out LaCie's Silverscreen (http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10481) portable drive.$50 more for 20 gigs less.

[NYCwbyfan]

Ok, heres my question...

I downloaded a movie and it comes in 2 folders, CD1 and CD2. How do I combine it so that my player knows to play them consecutively when watching the movie??

[cmontyburns]

$50 more for 20 gigs less.

Well, there's the software, looks, other considerations that might make it a better choice for someone besides simply the cost/capacity. Not endorsing the product nor do I have one. But common wisdom was that the iPod mini would be a flop for much the raeson you cited, and it only became the most popular player in the world. Personally, if I wanted something like this, I'd buy the LaCie before the other one.

[mtnagel]

Well, there's the software, looks, other considerations that might make it a better choice for someone besides simply the cost/capacity. Not endorsing the product nor do I have one. But common wisdom was that the iPod mini would be a flop for much the raeson you cited, and it only became the most popular player in the world. Personally, if I wanted something like this, I'd buy the LaCie before the other one.Well, with an iPod, looks and size are a lot more important than with a portable hard drive (and many would pay a premium (based on $/gig) for one). For a portable hard drive, I would buy the cheaper one . Plus, I posted the link for just the enclosure for $100 and you can find your own deal on the hard drive instead of being forced to pay what they are charging saving even more money.

[TivoFan]

I haven't bothered to read all of the posts in this thread, but I read enough to see that some people actually talked about shows they downloaded.

Think about that. You are admitting on a public forum participating in an illegal activity. Should the content holders ever wish to pursue legal action against you, you've already lost your case. Your only saving grace is the unlikelihood of them ever finding your post. Better hope they don't go looking.

And don't admit to anything you don't have to.

[dswallow]

I haven't bothered to read all of the posts in this thread, but I read enough to see that some people actually talked about shows they downloaded.

Think about that. You are admitting on a public forum participating in an illegal activity. Should the content holders ever wish to pursue legal action against you, you've already lost your case. Your only saving grace is the unlikelihood of them ever finding your post. Better hope they don't go looking.

And don't admit to anything you don't have to.
...Bob Loblaw...

[DevdogAZ]

...Bob Loblaw...
...'s Law Blog...

[dswallow]

Cute.

Bob Loblaw's Blog

[DevdogAZ]

Cute.

Bob Loblaw's Blog
Did you miss that episode where they talked about Bob Loblaw's Law Blog? Maybe you should go download it. ;)

[dcahoe]

Bit Torrent is powerful but is by far the most difficult P2P program I've ever used.

As others have said, your router/firewall is where most problems are found.

[efilippi]

I Should the content holders ever wish to pursue legal action against you, you've already lost your case.

Sounds to me like you're setting yourself up for consorting, accessory after the fact, something like that. I'll see that Mr. Loblaw defends you.