WMP stopped converting .tivo files for my Pocket PC

[collitis]

A couple of weeks ago, Windows Media Player 10 stopped syncing Tivo files from my "My Tivo Recordings" folder to my Dell Axim (Windows Mobile 5). The big clue is that, during sync, it'd just hang on "Converting 0%". I thought it might be a bad codec, because I'd been having other problems, but then WMPENC.EXE started crashing, and I couldn't figure out how to repair it, so I wiped the drive (I was overdue for a rebuild anyway.)

Reinstalled XP Pro, SP2, with WMP 10, ActiveSync 4.2 and Tivo2Go 2.3a. It worked for a couple of days, then it stopped converting. It used to take a 360mb .tivo file and convert it to a 70mb .wmv for my handheld. Now it just copies the file onto my Axim's SD card.

I am on the road constantly, and having Tivo'd files on my handheld is a lifesaver. I sure could use an assist on this.

[l_emmerdeur]

Oooooohhhhh, you just gave me an idea!

(and apologies to the mods if I go into forbidden territory here, I REALLY don't want to, it's just that this technology still doesn't really work as intended)

I've been running Tivo Desktop ever since it was first released. Shows used to transfer without a problem, and with DirectShowDump I was able to get them onto my Archos AV700 (TD->DSD->WMP->AV700). Either the Archos or WMP was updated to play nice with the .tivo files, so I could convert the .tivo files using WMP straight onto the AV700.

Recently, I've had an issue in which files (any files) > 1Gb would not play past the 1Gb point in the file - even when converted to WMV files of about 200-300Mb in the syncing process to the AV700. This is a problem with the AV700 firmware, maybe they will fix it sometime before Our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

So I reverted to the standby TD->DSD->AVI->AV700, this time adding a step to create the AVI files the AV700 seems to always like, and keeping them under 1Gb in the process. Yes, I first tried recording at the lowest quality setting on the Tivo to minimze file size and avoid DSD (I really do like playing by the rules), but they were still usually larger than 1Gb.

Unfortunately, DSD doesn't want to play nice with the .tivo files any more. I have to transfer the file off the Tivo 2, 3 or even 4 times before it comes across and converts successfully.

I thought at first it might have to do with my switching from a wireless adapter to a wired connection - this cut my transfer times in half, and I figured maybe the increased speed was introcuding errors into the files. But the other change I've instituted between the two time periods where I've needed DSD was... Activestink 4! When I first used DSD, I still had Activestink 3 for my iPaq, but my new Verizon XV6700 needs Activestink 4.

I'm going to try installing Tivo Desktop on my other PC and see how it performs there, without Activestink 4.

[collitis]

You're the second person to tell me Activesync 4 might be the culprit. Unfortunately, the disk that came with the Axim has v4.1 on it, and that didn't fix the problem. I couldn't find old versions on the Microsoft site. Anybody know where I can find Activesync 3.x anywhere? I think we might be on to something here.

Also, it was suggested at work that a KB got pushed through via Windows Update. I'm hoping that's not it.

Forgot to mention (in case anybody's following along): upgrading to WMP 11 did not help.

*Sigh* What a stupid little adventure I've found myself on.

[l_emmerdeur]

I believe the Axim requires 4.0+ to sync, so that won't help you regardless.

[collitis]

What about older versions of Tivo Desktop?

[l_emmerdeur]

I might try that as well. I'll start with an older Tivo Desktop, see how that goes first.

[collitis]

Any idea where I can get Tivo Desktop 2.3 or earlier? That's the last known good version, and it's not evidently available on the TIVO site. Heck, I'll be happy with 2.1 if I can find it.