Free Tivo Desktop 2.6

[jimpmc]

I've read the threads about TiVo Desktop Plus 2.6.

But, are there any reasons to upgrade the free version from 2.5.1 to 2.6? Is there any new functionality?

-J

[SGR215]

While the benefits of the Plus version are debatable, it does add extra features the free version doesn't have. It'll let you play any video file you want on your Tivo. It does this by converting the video to MPEG2 automatically. Of course there are several free alternatives to this such as Pytivo which is what I use on my Ubuntu Server. I like it better then Tivo Desktop Plus mainly because Pytivo works on Linux. (Or any other OS for that matter)

[xboard07]

Pytivo also supports your folder structure for your video. Tivo collapses your folder structure and puts all your videos in one folder when browsing the video on your PC you want to transfer. For some reason Tivo won't add a simple feature like folder support. Very frustrating when I have to browse through a list of over 100 videos to find the one I want.

[magnus]

Tried 2.6 yet?


Pytivo also supports your folder structure for your video. Tivo collapses your folder structure and puts all your videos in one folder when browsing the video on your PC you want to transfer. For some reason Tivo won't add a simple feature like folder support. Very frustrating when I have to browse through a list of over 100 videos to find the one I want.

[Stainless Steele]

Don't ask me why just know that it is!

[xboard07]

Tried 2.6 yet?

I have 2.6 but folder support only works when the videos have been transferred to the Tivo. I'm talking about when browsing the files on my PC. Say I had episodes of Seinfeld and Frasier in separate folders on my pc, the Tivo still collapses the folder structure and shows them in one long list.

[magnus]

Yep, that's right. For auto transfers... it does have the folders but otherwise you're right they're a lumped into the main folder.


I have 2.6 but folder support only works when the videos have been transferred to the Tivo. I'm talking about when browsing the files on my PC. Say I had episodes of Seinfeld and Frasier in separate folders on my pc, the Tivo still collapses the folder structure and shows them in one long list.

[xboard07]

Seems really silly they haven't added this feature. I can't think of any real reason they haven't other than maybe an oversight.

[dylanemcgregor]

I believe the OP was asking is there any difference between regular TiVo Desktop 2.5.1 & regular TiVo Desktop 2.6. I don't know the answer to this, looking at TiVo's website I couldn't see any changes mentioned, but that doesn't mean there isn't any.

[magnus]

Ok, but that's not what the OP asked originally (they edited the post). I'm not sure that there is a difference.

I believe the OP was asking is there any difference between regular TiVo Desktop 2.5.1 & regular TiVo Desktop 2.6. I don't know the answer to this, looking at TiVo's website I couldn't see any changes mentioned, but that doesn't mean there isn't any.

[steve614]

WTF - the free version won't let you publish video folders? :mad:

I can't see paying $25 just to use this feature.:rolleyes:

[magnus]

I think that feature and the other one's offered for the plus version... make it worth the $25 for the upgrade.

WTF - the free version won't let you publish video folders? :mad:

I can't see paying $25 just to use this feature.:rolleyes:

[ZeoTiVo]

WTF - the free version won't let you publish video folders? :mad:

I can't see paying $25 just to use this feature.:rolleyes:

the 25$ mainly covers the conversion of video, which needs codecs to do that, which requires (for legit companies) a license for mepg conversion.

The 25$ is a one time fee to allow desktop to convert multiple formats which allows for manyuseful features. I paid for it in 2.5 so I could save shows straight to mpeg4 and did not have to do anyting but do the free download to upgrade to 2.6 with full desktop plus features.

well worth the 25$ one time fee for me.

[rainbow]

Does this mean that with the 2.6 plus I could download the files from tivo on to my pc (right now I use the tivo desktop) in the mpg format?

Right now, if I want to burn any of the files onto a dvd, i have to use a program to convert the tivo files to mpeg2 to be able to burn them onto a playing dvd.

If that is the case, it would be worth the $25 as it is extremely time consuming to convert those files.

[classicsat]

TD+ won't convert to MPG generally, just a few reduced resolution formats for portable devices.

Officially, Roxio 10 directly inputs the .tivo files and converts them to DVD fromat.

Unofficially, it would be better to buy the appropriate Video Redo software.
Un-unofficially, DirectShowDump and TyTools.

[rainbow]

Thanks. I think I will check out some of your alternatives to see how they work. I use "sonic my dvd" software right now (roxio 10 is their most current version I believe).

It takes so long with all of the edits I do removing commercials, etc. to get a show converted and then burned to dvd.

It would have been terrific to be able to skip that whole conversion thing, even if the commercials would still be there (though any shows that I would want to save on dvd I would most likely want the edit out the commercials anyway).

[ZeoTiVo]

Thanks. I think I will check out some of your alternatives to see how they work. I use "sonic my dvd" software right now (roxio 10 is their most current version I believe).

It takes so long with all of the edits I do removing commercials, etc. to get a show converted and then burned to dvd.

videoredo will do the transform part and knock out commercials and then you point to the mpeg and burn.

desktop plus will transform to things like H.264 and you have no control over the settings for the transform unless you want to edit a DLL. Plus the commercials are still there

[rainwater]

At this point, if you are running Vista, you should definitely NOT purchase TiVo Desktop Plus since it can not transfer large files to TiVos without failing. Since the main feature of the Plus version is transcoding files for GoBack, I think it is pretty shocking they continue to release TiVo Desktop with this issue.

[dylanemcgregor]

At this point, if you are running Vista, you should definitely NOT purchase TiVo Desktop Plus since it can not transfer large files to TiVos without failing. Since the main feature of the Plus version is transcoding files for GoBack, I think it is pretty shocking they continue to release TiVo Desktop with this issue.

I've been having this issue with files not transferring reliably in Vista using Tivo Desktop Plus 2.5.1 (get transfer error), but have found that if I keep trying they eventually work. Sometimes they work on the 1st try, sometimes not until the 4th or 5th...but the average has been on the 3rd manual try. These are with files generally in the 250 -350MB size.

My question is what will the auto-transfer do if it fails the first time it tries to transfer the recording? Will it try again? If the auto transfer doesn't work can I try manually resending the file?

[xboard07]

At this point, if you are running Vista, you should definitely NOT purchase TiVo Desktop Plus since it can not transfer large files to TiVos without failing. Since the main feature of the Plus version is transcoding files for GoBack, I think it is pretty shocking they continue to release TiVo Desktop with this issue.

I run Vista and have had no problems with transfers including large files.

[rainwater]

I run Vista and have had no problems with transfers including large files.

Transfers of non-.tivo files? I have tried on probably 5 different Vista machines and on several different networks/routers with the same results. By large, I mean 1.5gb or larger. AFAIK, .tivo files work just fine. Also, web videos will work fine since they are converted to .tivo files before they are transferred.

[Ed_Hunt]

I am running Vista and I have been able to transfer large files somewhat reliably. They don"t always transfer the first time but so far always the second shot. Telling someone not to buy the product if they are running Vista is just wrong.

[MickeS]

TDPlus 2.6 + pyTiVo pretty much covers everything I need on the video side.

I wish TiVo would improve the music player now.

[TrueTurbo]

I'm another happy TD+ 2.6 user on Windows Vista. It works perfectly fine on Vista, transferring small and large files, in both directions. Don't be put off from running TD 2.6 or from buying TD+ 2.6 if you are running Vista.

[rainwater]

I am running Vista and I have been able to transfer large files somewhat reliably. They don"t always transfer the first time but so far always the second shot. Telling someone not to buy the product if they are running Vista is just wrong.

Have you tried transferring a approximately 2gb non .tivo file using TiVo Desktop 2.5, 2.5.1, or 2.6? I know of no one who has gotten such a transfer to complete who is using TiVo and Vista. If you can, then you are the first to confirm that this is possible.

[hmeister]

Have you tried transferring a approximately 2gb non .tivo file using TiVo Desktop 2.5, 2.5.1, or 2.6? I know of no one who has gotten such a transfer to complete who is using TiVo and Vista. If you can, then you are the first to confirm that this is possible.

Hi...
Just a thought. Are you running a wireless connection or hard wired?
H.

[RonDawg]

Have you tried transferring a approximately 2gb non .tivo file using TiVo Desktop 2.5, 2.5.1, or 2.6? I know of no one who has gotten such a transfer to complete who is using TiVo and Vista. If you can, then you are the first to confirm that this is possible.

Before I "downgraded" from Vista to XP Pro, I was able to successfully download all my non-copy protected TiVo files, including HD ones.

I had trouble at first, but after searching the threads I found out it was due to my running Kaspersky Anti-Virus. Once I disabled it (I would unplug the modem to be safe) it worked fine under Vista. It's one of the few positive experiences I had with Vista.

[rainwater]

Hi...
Just a thought. Are you running a wireless connection or hard wired?
H.

I have tried every possible scenario. Wired PC, wireless PC, wired pc + wired tivo, different routers, different PCs, UAC enabled, UAC disabled, etc, etc. TiVo Desktop can not convert divx or mpeg-4 videos correctly. This has been verified by many different people. TiVo Desktop is not Vista compatible and it never has been when it comes to GoBack functionality.

[Mars Rocket]

I've read the threads about TiVo Desktop Plus 2.6.

But, are there any reasons to upgrade the free version from 2.5.1 to 2.6? Is there any new functionality?

-J

There are a ton of new podcasts available now that I never saw before upgrading, but I'm not sure if that was due to the new version or if it came about some other way.

[TrueTurbo]

I have tried every possible scenario. Wired PC, wireless PC, wired pc + wired tivo, different routers, different PCs, UAC enabled, UAC disabled, etc, etc. TiVo Desktop can not convert divx or mpeg-4 videos correctly. This has been verified by many different people. TiVo Desktop is not Vista compatible and it never has been when it comes to GoBack functionality.

I'm sorry you're having problems, but TD+ 2.6 is working flawlessly on my Vista installation! I'm transferring '.mp4', '.wmv' and '.mov' movies with easy and total accuracy to my TiVoHD. I also grabbed an 8GB recording from my TiVoHD to my Vista PC, again, flawlessly.

TD+ 2.6 is perfectly compatible with Vista from my perspective. I don't know what your specific problems are, but it's just not right saying TD isn't compatible with Vista when there are people here telling you it works fine for them. Clearly, it's not working for you and as I said, that's a shame, but hopefully, you'll eventually find out what's wrong with your specific setup and fix it.

[rainwater]

TD+ 2.6 is perfectly compatible with Vista from my perspective. I don't know what your specific problems are, but it's just not right saying TD isn't compatible with Vista when there are people here telling you it works fine for them. Clearly, it's not working for you and as I said, that's a shame, but hopefully, you'll eventually find out what's wrong with your specific setup and fix it.

Search for TiVo Desktop and Vista on this forum and you will find plenty of people with the exact same problem. I have even tried on a virgin Vista Home Premium with just the latest windows updates. I have about 30 different logs that show errors in TiVo Desktop causing these problems when transferring to a S3 or TiVo HD. Other people are reporting the same issue. You can transfer for about 20 minutes before the transfer fails and the video is removed from the Now Playing list. This has nothing to do with my setup unless you are suggesting that the default setup of Windows Vista is not what should be used.

[TrueTurbo]

Search for TiVo Desktop and Vista on this forum and you will find plenty of people with the exact same problem. I have even tried on a virgin Vista Home Premium with just the latest windows updates. I have about 30 different logs that show errors in TiVo Desktop causing these problems when transferring to a S3 or TiVo HD. Other people are reporting the same issue. You can transfer for about 20 minutes before the transfer fails and the video is removed from the Now Playing list. This has nothing to do with my setup unless you are suggesting that the default setup of Windows Vista is not what should be used.

The default setup for Vista is all I'm running and TD+ 2.6 is fine. Like all forums, people post when they hit a problem and are looking for help. People don't tend to post when everything is going alright. I'm in the 'everything is alright' category. The only reason I posted was because your blanket statement about TD+ 2.6 being incompatible with Vista is just plain wrong. Obviously, some people like yourself are having problems, but it's not because the software is incompatible. It's working fine for some.

To be honest, the only platform I've had problems with TD+ 2.6 on is Windows XP! The new features of 2.6 didn't work at all for me on XP. I was getting all the same errors that have been posted in this thread. Then I saw the post about 'Windows Messenger'. I had nothing to loose, so I installed it on XP and TD+ 2.6 is now fully working on XP as it has always been on Vista.

Before someone chimes in and repeats that TD+ 2.6 has no dependency on 'Windows Messenger', let's be clear, we know it doesn't! It's not the application itself that fixed TD+ 2.6 on my PC. The process of installing it has somehow fixed TD. Whether it's something that was added by the installation or something that changed, the fact is, TD+ 2.6 started working fully once 'Windows Messenger' was installed. :D

[rainwater]

The default setup for Vista is all I'm running and TD+ 2.6 is fine. Like all forums, people post when they hit a problem and are looking for help. People don't tend to post when everything is going alright. I'm in the 'everything is alright' category. The only reason I posted was because your blanket statement about TD+ 2.6 being incompatible with Vista is just plain wrong. Obviously, some people like yourself are having problems, but it's not because the software is incompatible. It's working fine for some.


Actually, you are one of only 2 people to confirm that Vista + TiVo Desktop + S3/TiVo HD works with large non .tivo files. If it works for you that is great. But since you are the only one to confirm that transfers to Series3 platforms works for you, that doesn't mean it isn't a major bug affecting most users.

[ZeoTiVo]

I think there may be some issue on the S3 platform and large files. I see it with DVD rips of 3gig to 6 gig - going TO the DVR(TiVo HD with DVR expander).

[monsterbucket]

I have TD+ running right now transcoding a .tivo file I downloaded from my HD Tivo and it seems to be working fine (I can see the target filesize growing) but there is no indication at all on tivo desktop that anything is happening.

Unless I am missing something this seems like a pretty lame setup if the tivo Desktop application can't show the progress of the conversion - how am I supposed to know when it's done (besides waiting for the filesize to stay static)?

[Mars Rocket]

Doesn't it show you if you click on the "Transfer Status" button?

[swkenney]

Will auto transfer continue to work if I close the Tivo Desktop application?

[CuriousMark]

Will auto transfer continue to work if I close the Tivo Desktop application?

Yes, you can close the desktop, but you must not pause the TiVo Server. If you pause it, then auto transfers will stop.

[FiosUser]

Tivo Desktop 2.6.x Does Not Reliably Convert for Portables.

I've been trying for a few days now and it seems that TD 2.6.x can only do one conversion at a time--the auto conversion doesn't work and it hangs up at the end of the first convert.

Anyone else have this problem?

Here are the steps:
1. I select a handfull of shows to transfer from Tivo (Let's say 5 shows).
2. All the shows get transferred to my PC OK
3. Then, the next morning I see only 1/2 of one file being converted and it seems to be stuck. I have to reboot to get it to start converting again.

I've tried converting to Apple Ipod and just to MPEG-4 and the same result happens.

What am I doing wrong?