.tivo to proper resolution on Archos

[apocrates]

Hi folks,

I tried searching for a string that would touch on this, but I'm unable to find something - hence the post :o

Here's the situation:
1) I've got TiVo to Go Desktop Plus
2) I've downloaded shows to my laptop
3) I've successfully converted them to a format my Archos 504 can read via WM10
4) I attempt to view it on the device, and it's in 320x240 resolution, not 640x480 which is optimal for this unit.

How do I convert the .tivo files 1) to archos readable format, and 2) in the desired resolution? :confused:

thanks everyone!

[apocrates]

BTW - I'm not looking to remove any DCMA or DRM that's encoded into these .tivo files - just trying to do what's LEGALLY available already through existing tools :)

[classicsat]

You might try tweaking the xml file in the TiVo desktop folder in Program Files.

[apocrates]

You might try tweaking the xml file in the TiVo desktop folder in Program Files.

Is there a resolution variable in the xml file? Just want to make sure I know what to modify :)

thanks!

[Dan203]

Specifically there is an XML file called encodeprofiles.xml in the C:\Program Files\TiVo\Desktop\Plus folder. Open it in in NotePad and change the hrez and vrez values for the profile you use in TiVo Desktop. This will make it so your video is encoded at the resolution you provide.

Dan

[apocrates]

Thanks Dan - I'll give that a shot this afternoon and let you guys know how it goes! :)

[rambler]

Please post back with the values you found used best.

[apocrates]

Specifically there is an XML file called encodeprofiles.xml in the C:\Program Files\TiVo\Desktop\Plus folder. Open it in in NotePad and change the hrez and vrez values for the profile you use in TiVo Desktop. This will make it so your video is encoded at the resolution you provide.


Hey there Dan - don't have a Plus folder - any ideas as to what else I can do?

[apocrates]

OK, updates:

1) the file was in C:\Program Files\TiVo\Desktop\Support
2) I modified the following xml code to reflect 640 by 480:
<tivotrans:Profile name="MPEG-4" audioresamplerate="24" audiobitrateK="128" hrez="640" vrez="480" vbitrateK="590"
filetype=".mp4" framerate="29.97"
3) I ripped 2 shows, placed them in the WM10 synch to my Archos 504
4) I was disappointed, as it didn't change the resolution.

Any other suggestions gang? Should I reboot before expecting this change to take effect?

Thanks,
Paul

[stevereis]

OK, updates:

1) the file was in C:\Program Files\TiVo\Desktop\Support
2) I modified the following xml code to reflect 640 by 480:
<tivotrans:Profile name="MPEG-4" audioresamplerate="24" audiobitrateK="128" hrez="640" vrez="480" vbitrateK="590"
filetype=".mp4" framerate="29.97"
3) I ripped 2 shows, placed them in the WM10 synch to my Archos 504
4) I was disappointed, as it didn't change the resolution.

Any other suggestions gang? Should I reboot before expecting this change to take effect?

Thanks,
Paul

What do you mean when you say you "ripped 2 shows"?
My understanding is that when you use WM10 to synch, it is WM10 doing the conversion to WMV or some compatible format and not TiVo Desktop.
The settings you edited are only applied on-the-fly when you download a show from the TiVo in the specific format (this is also available only if you have TiVo Desktop Plus).
So, you would have to have the PLUS version and re-download the shows with the MPEG4 output selected to see any difference.
FYI, There is a STICKY THREAD (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=305532) in this forum that describes a tool to convert the .tivo files after they have been downloaded by processing them through the TiVo Desktop Plus codecs so you do not have to re-download.


Even if you take care and do this extraction from TiVo and conversion properly, it's still possible WM10 is converting the shows yet again on sync with the Archos. If you think this is the case, try changing your 504 to a USB drive instead of a PMC device and just drop the MPEG4 file directly to the drive to eliminate the WM10 sync/convert process.

Note, I do not have the PLUS pack but I do have an older Archos unit (AV500), which has the same screen resolution 480x272 and roughly the same level of codec support. I use Direct Show Dump to get am mpg file and then use AutoGK to convert to DivX or XviD MPEG4 with MP3 audio and just drop the files onto the Archos and bypass WM10 sync/conversion and the results are great.

[mfrns0123]

Not sure if this will help, but I have an Archos 504. Here is what I do. Run .Tivo file through DirectShowDump utility, then I take the mpg and run it through Lathe Omniquiti... http://www.omniquiti.com/store.php , Then sync it with WMP. kind of a pain but I had many problems trying all kinds of other methods. Files look great now on my Archos...

also, I have Tivo Desktop Plus and none of the conversion formats look good on my Archos..

[apocrates]

Thanks guys - when I said I "ripped 2 shows" i was referring to the process of converting them from .tivo to something edible by my archos. I'm one of the cd ripping dorks of the last century, sorry i mixed tech terms :)

I have TiVo Desktop Plus, which allowed me to set the output file type to MPEG4, however in Windows Media Device Mode I wasn't able to transfer the files, as the unit claimed they weren't compatible. So, I took your advice, selected the USB Hard Drive mode, and dropped the MPEG4 converted ".tivo" files on the unit. Sadly, same result - no dice. It won't recognize them in the video area of the device, and even when I browse to them, it won't play them.

I'm kind of curious - what's the point of having the MPEG4 output if the file isn't actually able to be read by devices (aside from a WM equipped laptop) that support MPEG4??

Thanks guys - still looking for suggestions!
-paul

[Dan203]

Your Archos is probably looking for an AVI, and TiVo is using an MP4 wrapper. You should be able to convert them using VirtualDub (http://virtualdub.sourceforge.net/). Just open the MP4 file in VirtualDub then select File->Save As. In the Save As dialog change the Video Mode at the bottom to Direct Stream Copy, then save the file as an AVI. This will create an AVI file which should play on your Archos just fine.*

Dan

* Note: I've never actually done this with TiVo converted files, so there could be some incompatibility I'm not aware of. However it's worth a try.

[apocrates]

Hi Dan - Thanks, the Archos is compatible with "MP3, WAV, WMA and protected WMA music files, JPEG, BMP, and PNG picture files, and MPEG-4 and WMV video files" according to the specs. I've got both avi and wmv vid's on the unit now, and in theory should have no problem with MPEG4 clips like this... I'll see if VirtualDub helps...

Any other good suggestions? :) I'm tryin to make this as painless as possible :)

[Dan203]

MPEG-4 is a video compression scheme, mp4 is the wrapper format used to contain the audio and video in a single file. Your Archos may be able to play MPEG-4 video just fine, but if it can't read the mp4 wrapper then it wont even know where to start. That's where VirtualDub comes in, it moved the MPEG-4 video from the mp4 file over to an avi container which your Archos does know how to read.

Although one thing you may run into trouble with is the audio. I believe that TiVo uses AAC audio, and I'm not sure whether your Archos can decode that or not. If it can't then it can still be fixed with VirtualDub, but it's going to require a few more steps. Although if you get to that point you may just want to go back to converting the .tivo files directly with WMP.

Dan

[ACraigL]

Convert .tivo files for the Archos (PMA400):
http://www.pointlisse.com/PMA430/html/showArticle.cfm?articleID=46

PocketDivXEncoder instructions here:
http://www.pointlisse.com/PMA430/html/showArticle.cfm?articleID=26

Andrew

[apocrates]

Thanks Dan- I'm a little bit of a n00b, so I appreciate you explaining the mp4 thang. Please forgive the n00b questions, but you're saying VDub changes the wrapper to something more edible by the Archos...If this works, then I can safely remove the WM10 step and just transfer the file to the device.

For the DivX encoder, would it require me to have a special codec installed on the Archos? Would this solve the "wrapper" issue i'm running into? :)

Thanks again everyone!
-paul

[Dan203]

Yes, if the VDub thing works then you should be able to transfer the files directly to the Archos and skip the WM10 step.

I've never used that PocketDivXEncoder program so I have no idea if it'll do what you need or not.

Dan

[apocrates]

Yes, if the VDub thing works then you should be able to transfer the files directly to the Archos and skip the WM10 step.

I've never used that PocketDivXEncoder program so I have no idea if it'll do what you need or not.

Dan

Hey there Dan - just tried running these mp4 shows through VDub, but it's saying it can't detect file type for the .tivo files :(

Other suggestions?

[rambler]

I've used TVHarmony to convert .tivo files to .avi, then loaded them onto my 504.

TVHarmony is kinda user unfriendly however.

[apocrates]

Dan, you're right, TiVo files are AAC encoded, and the Archos doesn't natively play the AAC without the add in plugin purchased from the Archos website. So, I've taken the plunge, spent the $20 and will let you know once it arrives. Totally retarded that I have to go this length in order to convert these files.

Again, will keep you posted.

[apocrates]

ok, so I just installed the plug-in, which btw, requires a firmware upgrade to something above 1.4.something - the one I installed was 1.6.something. The plug-in is $20, and enables a few other media types to be played, so I'm hoping this all pays off.

Now, TiVo ToGo desktop plus DOES create an mp4 file in a separate folder which will work once the plug in is installed in the root of the device.

Thanks again everyone for your help!
-paul

[Dan203]

I'm glad to hear it worked out for you.

Dan

[steve614]

Dug up this old thread looking for something else.

I just wanted to report that if you convert a .tivo file to mpeg, Windows 7 will convert that mpeg for an Archos player ( I have a 604 WiFi).
You get the option when you drag and drop copy.