Burning a DVD of a Tivo HD program file on either a PC or iMac

[MikeCG]

I have a Windows Vista laptop and a pre-Intel iMac, both of which burn single layer "standard" DVDs, and both of which are networked, as are my two Series 3 Tivos, using an Airport (pre-n) Extreme. I want to be able to save an HD program on my Tivo, then burn it to a "standard" DVD for playback on a non-BluRay/non (now dead )HD DVD. Can that be done on either or both of my computers?

I am confused as to what kind of Tivo Desktop software is necessary for the Windows computer and/or the iMac. I see the PC Desktop software discussed on the Tivo site, but don't seem to find Mac Desktop software, although it may well be there, somewhere. Also, when I am through doing what I have to do by way of installing necessary Tivo and Roxio software, WILL I BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH MY ULTIMATE AIM, i.e., record an HD show on Tivo and burn it to a standard single-layer DVD, then play it back (at as high a definition as it can, even though not HD quality) on a standard DVD player?

I've read somewhere on the Roxio site that Toast does not "now" support burning to DVD HD programs stored on an HD Tivo (Series3, HD or whatever), but that it is "coming." Then, I found somewhere on the Roxio site this statement about Toast 9: "New! Burn HD TiVo TV shows and movies to Blu-ray, HD DVD, and standard DVD discs for playback on any compatible Blu-ray or HD DVD set top box!"

The Roxio info on Popcorn3 is simply not clear (to me) on the question.

I apologize for such a long question, but would like a definitive answer so I won't be spending $$$ and not winding up with what I want. Hope you can understand my confusion and what I am trying to accomplish.

Can anyone help?

[dlfl]

TiVo Desktop (free version) plus VideoReDo TVSuite ($75 but can be free trialed uncrippled for free) on your laptop.

TVSuite will have to re-encode your HD resolution to 720x480 to put it on a non-blue ray DVD and that will be slow -- but you have to do that no matter what method you use if you're going from HD to a SD DVD.

Search this forum for VideoReDo to see user comments.

[wtb]

I am trying this too. I tried a bunch of different ways, but either they crashed or there was some other problem. Below is the latest.

Using Toast 8, I was able to download the HD file and export a MOV file. When I imported it into iMovie, it crashed after editing it a bit. I tried saving a MOV file from Final Cut Express with chapter markers, but it took 24 hours or so for one 90 min show (Masterpiece PBS HD show) and the quality was degraded. I tried last night importing into iDVD one show (leaving the intro and trailing stuff) and burning an image overnight, but I think I ran out of disk space. I'll try that again tonight.

This is on a new MacBook Pro middle speed (2.6G?).

[MikeCG]

for both comments. I will try the Tivo Desktop and TV Suite on my Vista laptop, using the free trial, and see how that works. I'll post a report when I have something to report. In the meantime, if anyone else has a suggestion, I'm all ears.

[dlfl]

for both comments. I will try the Tivo Desktop and TV Suite on my Vista laptop, using the free trial, and see how that works. I'll post a report when I have something to report. In the meantime, if anyone else has a suggestion, I'm all ears.
Be sure to do the free-trial registration of TVSuite or it will be crippled to 15 or 30 minute video lengths.

[MikeCG]

Thanks for the tip. I hadn't realized there was a difference in the types of trials.

[wilsonsoohoo]

Toast 8 and Toast 9 can download programming from your Tivo and convert it to DVD. There are a whole slew of things the program is supposed to do but doesn't; however, making a DVD from a Tivo download has gone very well the two times I've tried it.

The picture quality in the standard def DVD was darn respectable. I use a dual G5.

[MikeCG]

I did the Desktop-TV Suite procedure on my Vista laptop and it worked like a charm, at least on the one program it tested it on. I didn't keep close track of the time, but an hour non-High Def program didn't take 25 minutes to author and burn, which is fine for me. TV Suite is not entirely intuitive and I have a lot to learn, but I made a DVD, and that was my objective.

Thanks to you all for your help.