burning to DVD drive

[mekemosabe tivo]

I just bought an external DVD burner that I use for burning things from from my computer to DVD. Can I use this DVD burner to burn shows on my tivo to DVD? Can I hook it up to the USB port in the back of the DirecTV Tivo unit? Thanks for your help.

[JimSpence]

The USB ports are not enabled. The best way is to just connect the DVD recorder (it is a standalone right?) as if it were a VCR. See the manual for what connections to use. And like a VCR, make sure you select the DVD recorder input to be recorded.

[mekemosabe tivo]

Yeah, it's a standalone (computer external drive). I think the only connectors on the back of the DVD drive are firewire and USB?... I'll have to check when I get home. Is there a connector w/ video components and a USB?

[rlj5242]

Yeah, it's a standalone (computer external drive). Jim means standalone like this model - link (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7032784&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat13900050019&id=1099395252109) .

Most of us use a DVD recorder similar to that one.

-Robert

[Guindalf]

Standalone means it can work without a computer. Yours is actually an external - picky, I know, but it explains it better. A standalone would be more like a VCR that records to DVD without the computer.

You can't use yours to burn DVDs from TiVo. Well, it IS possible, but it involves method we're not allowed to discuss here.

[mekemosabe tivo]

Thanks for all your help.

Guindalf -- Why is it "okay" to burn to a standalone but not to an external? Makes no sense.

[Guindalf]

Thanks for all your help.

Guindalf -- Why is it "okay" to burn to a standalone but not to an external? Makes no sense.

The rules for this forum were created before DVD burning was an option and copying the files to a computer meant making a perfect digital copy as opposed to an analog VCR copy. This was equated with "theft of service" as the files could be used to reproduce a movie or show in it's original aired quality. Also, playing with the actual .tivo files could encourage hacking the box and stealing service from TiVo, I guess.

[mekemosabe tivo]

It seems to me a VCR allows for "theft of service." That's too bad b/c my external is a dual layer which allows for >8GB of space.

[rlj5242]

It's the talk digital extraction that causes problems with the owners of this forum. Archiving to a VCR is not a problem because it is analog. Archiving to a standalone DVD recorder or going to a computer via a video capture device is not a problem either because both signals have been downgraded by going to analog at one point. We discuss that all of the time.

-Robert

[Want1394]

So, to give the OP a workable answer, get one of the many available video input devices that connect to a USB port on your computer. Then you can capture the output of the DirecTiVo to your computer and transfer the files to your DVD drive. It's just another step from using a stand-alone DVD recorder, but works just fine. (and doesn't offend any of the "no extraction" rules.)

[Synthohol]

Rlj5242, that is not true anymore, there is no need for that rule since TiVo2Go came along.
you download shows DIGITALLY from TiVo to PC through a digital media (cat5 cable) and burn them DIGITALLY to DVD.
the rule was for people who removed the TiVo HDD and used a computer to "extract" the shows digitally.
since TiVo OFICIALLY supports this feature(TiVo2Go) and provides links to software to do it, the rule is null and void as far as anyone with an IQ over 15 can tell.

unless you are an idiot and actually go the long way and remove the HDD and perform the naughty. that is :)

[mekemosabe tivo]

Want1394 -- can you give me a name of (or link to) a couple of good/cheap video input devices? And, do I need any software to do what you describe? You guys are all very helpful... thanks a bunch.

[Synthohol]

mekemosabe tivo use TiVo2Go and a supported software from TiVo.com with the external burner.

[mekemosabe tivo]

Synthohol -- I have a DirecTV unit, which doesn't support TiVo2Go.

[Want1394]

mekemosabe tivo use TiVo2Go and a supported software from TiVo.com with the external burner.Please, please don't continue to post incorrect answers in the DirecTiVo forum - it isn't helpful and just confuses many folks.

[Want1394]

Want1394 -- can you give me a name of (or link to) a couple of good/cheap video input devices? And, do I need any software to do what you describe? You guys are all very helpful... thanks a bunch.Gosh, there are so many, and I'm not sure "good" and "cheap" go together - you will have to figure that out from reviews, etc.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814144308


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814144308

are a couple. Look for units from Plextor, Pinnacle, Dazzle, Diamond, and others.