TTG on mac - NOT!

[sonicboom]

I was excited about TTG *finally* becoming available on the S3, after over a year of waiting. Unfortunately Tivo in their infinite wisdom chose to ignore the hottest selling platform out there: mac.

Tivo Decode Manager is a good Indy attempt at delivering the missing functionality, but it's unreliable (flaky network downloads), and therefor not worth using.

Toast... well, I already paid $800 for my S3 plus $300 for service. I'm not paying Roxio $80 for Tivo's missing functionality.

On top of it all, even Apple dropped the ball, where the mpeg2 playback plug-in for quicktime is broken for Leopard (10.5). So even if you could download the content, you couldn't use Front Row or AppleTv to view it (which is quicktime based), without first doing a conversion to mp4.

Yuck!
The planet's aren't aligned yet.

While the feature is technically available to those who have plenty of time and patience, I will not consider TTG a feature until the proper tools are available to simplify the user experience (that which defines tivo in the first place).

[Neenahboy]

On top of it all, even Apple dropped the ball, where the mpeg2 playback plug-in for quicktime is broken for Leopard (10.5).

Really? So THAT'S why I couldn't cut the commercials in MPEG Streamclip.

[sonicboom]

Really? So THAT'S why I couldn't cut the commercials in MPEG Streamclip.

Right. MPEG Streamclip leverage's quicktime's mpeg2 decoder. So neither work.

[doormat]

On top of it all, even Apple dropped the ball, where the mpeg2 playback plug-in for quicktime is broken for Leopard (10.5). So even if you could download the content, you couldn't use Front Row or AppleTv to view it (which is quicktime based), without first doing a conversion to mp4.

Was it supposed to be there in the first place? IIRC, you had to buy the MPEG2 QT plugin for tiger, why would leopard be any different?

[sonicboom]

Was it supposed to be there in the first place? IIRC, you had to buy the MPEG2 QT plugin for tiger, why would leopard be any different?

No leopard wasn't supposed to have it. The purchased mpeg2 QT plug-in doesn't work in leopard.

[hearncl]

On top of it all, even Apple dropped the ball, where the mpeg2 playback plug-in for quicktime is broken for Leopard (10.5). So even if you could download the content, you couldn't use Front Row or AppleTv to view it (which is quicktime based), without first doing a conversion to mp4.

The Apple Mpeg-2 plugin for Quicktime works fine for me running Leopard. Likewise, TiVoDecode Manager Mpeg-2 import option works for downloading, and MPEG Streamclip (with Mpeg-2 plugin) for editing. At least on my Mac.

[TexasGrillChef]

Apple Computers still only represent less then 24% of the market share....

[Dunnie]

TivoDecode doe snot properly decode 1080i still .... lots of audio hiccups.

[pkscout]

Here's a link to the fourm specifically for MRV and TiVoToGo.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=35

[Chimpware]

The Apple Mpeg-2 plugin for Quicktime works fine for me running Leopard. Likewise, TiVoDecode Manager Mpeg-2 import option works for downloading, and MPEG Streamclip (with Mpeg-2 plugin) for editing. At least on my Mac.


Same here no problems in Leopard.

[bsaxton]

I use VisualHub for converstions and either Safari or TivoDecode Manager to download. I have been having bad luck getting the .tivo files off the HD TiVo though... it seems that if the stream has any kind of interruption, the file cannot be downloaded... anybody have this issue? Any ideas how to get around it? I wonder if firefox would do better...

[Televisionary]

For folks whose MPEG 2 is broken (or who just want more formats supported through QuickTime) try Perian, at http://perian.org/. It's free, it extends QuickTime so it works with AppleTV and FrontRow, it's Leopard-compatible, and it works well.

From their website:
Perian enables QuickTime application support for additional Media Types:
**** AVI, FLV, and MKV file formats
**** MS-MPEG4 v1 & v2, DivX, 3ivX, H.264, FLV1, FSV1, VP6, H263I, VP3, HuffYUV, FFVHuff, MPEG1 & MPEG2 Video, Fraps, Windows Media Audio v1 & v2, Flash ADPCM, Xiph Vorbis (in Matroska), MPEG Layer II Audio
**** AVI support for: AAC, AC3 Audio, H.264, MPEG4, and VBR MP3
**** Subtitle support for SSA and SRT

[sonicboom]

The Apple Mpeg-2 plugin for Quicktime works fine for me running Leopard. Likewise, TiVoDecode Manager Mpeg-2 import option works for downloading, and MPEG Streamclip (with Mpeg-2 plugin) for editing. At least on my Mac.

Hmm, what kind of mac do you have? G4? I think the mpeg2 playback problem may only be an issue on the Intel-based platforms.

[sonicboom]

For folks whose MPEG 2 is broken (or who just want more formats supported through QuickTime) try Perian, at http://perian.org/. It's free, it extends QuickTime so it works with AppleTV and FrontRow, it's Leopard-compatible, and it works well.

From their website:

I've tried Perian (which looked really cool), and it doesn't work with QT on Leopard either (on Intel macs).

[sonicboom]

Apple Computers still only represent less then 24% of the market share....

It's true that Apple computers have a smaller market share than windows-based machines.

The more interesting stat would be what percentage of Tivo owners also own macs. Given Tivo appeals to people who want a positive and simple user experience, I would think that number would be quite high.

Even if we go with your 24% number (and growing rapidly - note macbooks are the number one selling laptop)... that's a large customer base to leave hanging.

[hearncl]

Hmm, what kind of mac do you have? G4? I think the mpeg2 playback problem may only be an issue on the Intel-based platforms.
I've tried it on both on an Intel Mac Pro and a PowerBook G4 since installing Leopard. However, I only installed Leopard a few days ago and haven't given downloading, editing, etc. a lengthy workout yet.

[Chimpware]

Hmm, what kind of mac do you have? G4? I think the mpeg2 playback problem may only be an issue on the Intel-based platforms.

I have an Intel iMac with Leopard and no problems, have both Perian and Apple MPEG-2 codec so I can not be sure which is making it work properly. I will say that when I play back downloaded shows using Quicktime I have no audio, but when I use the Toast Media Player, mPlayer for OSX, MPEG StreamClip or VLC all have audio and play fine.

[dig_duggler]

I've tried Perian (which looked really cool), and it doesn't work with QT on Leopard either (on Intel macs).

Perian works just fine. I've got it running on both my iMac and my mini (both Intel based). Worked in Tiger, works in Leopard.

[sonicboom]

Hmm, so Perian and/or apple's QT mpeg2 plug-in are working for you guys on Intel macs running Leopard. Ok, that's promising. Then there must be something up with my config.

How did you install?

1) upgrade
2) archive and install
3) erase and install

I did option 1. I wonder if I have cruft left-over from Tiger that's interfering.

[dig_duggler]

I did an archive and install. Perian was working before and after.

[sonicboom]

I just reinstalled leopard using option #2 (archive install) and reinstalled the mpeg2 QT plug-in and perian... no luck :-(

[sonicboom]

The Apple Mpeg-2 plugin for Quicktime works fine for me running Leopard. Likewise, TiVoDecode Manager Mpeg-2 import option works for downloading, and MPEG Streamclip (with Mpeg-2 plugin) for editing. At least on my Mac.

Hearncl, you mentioned in another thread that quicktime plays the video but not the audio:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=372849

Is this your definition of "working"?

I too can watch the mpeg2 video in QT, without audio... but I don't consider this working. Apple's QT mpeg2 plug-in is supposed to do audio and video playback (like it did in Tiger).

So it seems your plug-in is broken on Leopard too.

[dsm363]

Apple probably only has around 6% of the market but it's typically a rather affluent one that TiVo shouldn't ignore.

[hearncl]

Hearncl, you mentioned in another thread that quicktime plays the video but not the audio:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=372849

Is this your definition of "working"?

I too can watch the mpeg2 video in QT, without audio... but I don't consider this working. Apple's QT mpeg2 plug-in is supposed to do audio and video playback (like it did in Tiger).

So it seems your plug-in is broken on Leopard too.
Sorry I was not clear. According to this download page for Apple MPEG-2 plug-in (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=1A4D9E81&fnode=home/shop_mac/software&nplm=D2187Z/A), QuickTime does not support MPEG-2 files containing AC3 (Dolby Digital) audio. If I play a HD file downloaded with TiVoDecode Manager in QuickTime, I get the video but no audio. If I play it in VLC media player I get both video and audio. This was the case in Tiger, and is in Leopard.

I use MPEG Streamclip to edit the downloaded files, and the Apple MPEG-2 plug-in is needed for this application.

[sonicboom]

QuickTime does not support MPEG-2 files containing AC3 (Dolby Digital) audio.

Good to know. Thanks.

[jjamezz]

arghhhh I bought Roxio's BS... sad it don't work

[inaka]

Toast... well, I already paid $800 for my S3 plus $300 for service. I'm not paying Roxio $80 for Tivo's missing functionality.
If you do any CD/DVD burning on the Mac, Toast 8 is a must.
As a bonus you get TTG which works flawlessly.

It's really your call, but Toast is well worth the purchase, even without the Tivo functionality.

[fatespawn]

If you do any CD/DVD burning on the Mac, Toast 8 is a must.
As a bonus you get TTG which works flawlessly.

It's really your call, but Toast is well worth the purchase, even without the Tivo functionality.

Well, I'd say TOAST is a must.... but not necessarily Toast 8. And reading both the roxio forums and these forums, TTG is hardly flawless. He may own an earlier version. If you want the seemless Tivo integration (once they actually get it working again) Toast 8/Popcorn 3 is a must.

I am an owner of Toast 7 and don't feel Toast 8 adds anything beyond what I've been using the past 2 years.

[jjamezz]

Are you telling us that you've got this 'great app' working with a Series 3 Tivo???

... if so, please tell us how.... as it doesn't even recognize that I have any Tivo's on my network (my Series 2's are with my mother... Series 3's here at my place are not even recognized... arghhhh)

me

[Chimpware]

Are you telling us that you've got this 'great app' working with a Series 3 Tivo???

... if so, please tell us how.... as it doesn't even recognize that I have any Tivo's on my network (my Series 2's are with my mother... Series 3's here at my place are not even recognized... arghhhh)

me

Try rebooting the Tivos, worked for me. I have Tivo Transfer working on my network with Leopard.

[dig_duggler]

TivoDecode doe snot properly decode 1080i still .... lots of audio hiccups.
ah, it is not just me.

[A-1]

We covered a lot of this Here already.

Some really good info in this thread.
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=371298&highlight=No+love+for+Mac

[cokyq]

I have an S3 & the original Phillips series 1. I am also a mac user. Toast Tivo transfer app works fine. The programs transfered to the mac can be burn to DVD just fine. Unfortunately, if you try to use VisualHub to convert the TiVo file to my iPod it fails because of the protection in the TiVo files. Toast should provide a tool for exporting the files to other formats like mp4/h.264. I would like to transfer my TiVo programs to my iPod touch and watch them while traveling.

If anyone has a way to move the TiVo files to an iPod, please write.

Thanks.

[minckster]

cokyq, Toast transfers to iPod. See http://www.roxio.com/enu/support/toast/v8/tivo_export.html

[fatespawn]

I have an S3 & the original Phillips series 1. I am also a mac user. Toast Tivo transfer app works fine. The programs transfered to the mac can be burn to DVD just fine. Unfortunately, if you try to use VisualHub to convert the TiVo file to my iPod it fails because of the protection in the TiVo files. Toast should provide a tool for exporting the files to other formats like mp4/h.264. I would like to transfer my TiVo programs to my iPod touch and watch them while traveling.

If anyone has a way to move the TiVo files to an iPod, please write.

Thanks.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=373217

See post #6

Then open terminal and copy/paste this and press enter.

defaults write com.roxio.Toast "tivo export mode" -integer 1

[minckster]

OT: fatespawn, you can get the link to an individual post by clicking on the number in the post's upper right-hand corner, For the post that you just mentioned, it's http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=5674101&&#post5674101