Converting Video to transfer to TiVo

[rassi]

I've been trying to convert some video to transfer to my TiVo. I have some luck with some files, but problems with others.

The particular video I'm fighting with right now is in a 16:9 screen ratio. I can watch it on my TiVo if during the converting I let the program change it to 4:3, but otherwise it doesnt' work. Unfortunately, changing it to 4:3 makes everyone look like a stick-figure... (grin)

It's originating in PAL format, so during the first pass I'm converting it to NTSC. It's ending up as an AVI with a resolution of 640x388. 29.97 frame rate. xVid compression.

Usually I then use Videora TiVo to convert to Tivo format. The one-click conversion changes it to the 4:3 ratio that squishes everything. When I tried manually choosing a 16:9 ratio (and leaving all the other settings the same as the one-click ones) when I try to watch the resulting video after transferring to the TiVo, I have a bunch of vertical lines in the video and it's really unwatchable. It looks fine watching on my PC.

I guess I'm wondering what I need to do to get it from my NTSC converted format into TiVo format. I have read the TiVo help file at http://customersupport.tivo.com/knowbase/root/public/tv251080.htm but I guess that doesn't help me... I don't know alot about converting video, so any tips would help.

Thanks!

[naiLS1]

I'm having the same problem. I'm trying to convert to Tivo format using Videora. My source video is already 4:3 letterboxed. I just need to convert it to Tivo format. Whenever I use Videora it gets stretched out vertically--it completely removes the letterboxing. How can I fix this?

[jsnell]

New series of Doctor Who, eh? :-)

[naiLS1]

rassi, I was messing around with it some more today and figured it out. I took snapshots of the settings I used. PM me your email address and I can send the snapshots to you.

Oh, and thanks for the constructive response, jsnell.

[jkalnin]

Are the settings a secret? Post the fix!

[rassi]

PM sent, naiLS1....

[MKREdit]

rassi, I was messing around with it some more today and figured it out. I took snapshots of the settings I used. PM me your email address and I can send the snapshots to you.

Oh, and thanks for the constructive response, jsnell.
If posible I'd like to see that snap shot also. The technique I'm using now is a bit cumbersome, functional but cumbersome anything to lighten the load would be great.

[anollmann]

so nobody is going to share how to make it work?

[rassi]

After sending my PM to naiLS1 , I never got a response...

Still hoping for someone to have a solution. I've tried several different ones, and have had no success.

For now, I'm stuck with converting to DVD and burning it for playing on my DVD player.

[Narkul]

Same problem here on my 540 series unit, however, if I transfer the same videora converted video to my living room 240 series, the vertical lines are gone.

[Narkul]

Converted the same file again reducing bitrate from 4mbs to 2mbs and this one plays fine on the 240.

[MKREdit]

Converted the same file again reducing bitrate from 4mbs to 2mbs and this one plays fine on the 240.

Was the aspect ratio correct? The problem I have that I assume everyone else is having is that the shows I download are from the UK and in 16:9 and getting them into a properly letterboxed 4:3 is difficult.

[MKREdit]

A couple of experiments later....

I came up with a technique that may resolve the problem. I managed to convert my UK (PAL) .avi's to (NTSC) .mpg's that play as they should on my TiVo. This proceedure is simple straight forward and is probably the easiest one I've tried.

What you need:
Your video file (obviously)
Nero 7 Ultra w/Nero Vision 4 (You may be able to do it with Nero 6 but I can't confirm that)

1. Start Nero and select Nero Vision.
2. Choose Make Move from the What would you like to do? box.
You are then presented with the Nero Vision Express 3 video editor (crude but for what we want to do its perfect)

3. Click the filmstrip tab in the upper right hand section
4. Click the Browse for media button and add your video file
5. Drag the file into the timeline and click on Next
6. Click on Export Movie
7. Select an export template choose DVD then press configure
8. On the general tab make sure video mode is set to NTSC
9. On the DVD-Video tab select the following:
Aspect ratio = 4:3
Quality setting = Standard play
Sample format = Automatic
Encoding mode = Fast Encoding (1-Pass)
Audio format = Automatic

10. Once settings are complete click on OK
11. *Set the Output file name then click on Export
12. For those of you getting shows from the UK. You will recieve a dialog box stating that you have more PAL than NTSC material YOU MUST SAY NO TO THIS you can set nero to always convert to NTSC and to not see that dialog again if you wish it's up to you. Saying yes in this dialog will create a video that plays fine on your PC but not your TiVo

Once done transfer to your tivo

* I still have not found a way to name the file so that multiple episodes go into 1 folder on the tivo I have one Idea that I will try probably tomorrow.

[MickeS]

You guys might want to check out this thread:
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=283897

There is a bug on some TiVo models, which leads to them not properly displaying the widescreen 16:9 in letterbox 4:3 mode. The first post gives settings for Videora for a workaround.

EDIT: Justin Thyme put together a table which lists the display behavior for the different TiVo models (at the time).

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=6385

/Mike