How do I watch recorded shows on my computer?

[RainPure]

My computer (Vita Ultimate) is connected to my Tivo HD unit with an ethernet cable.

Is there any way to watch recorded shows on my computer?

[Enrique]

Yes, Tivo Desktop. But you will need your Media Access Key.

http://www.tivo.com/mytivo/whatsnew/tivodesktop/

How to Find Your Media Access Key:

Step 1: Go to the "TiVo Central" menu on your TiVo.

Step 2 : Select the "Messages and Set Up" button.

Step 3 :Click on "Account and System Information." You will find your Media Access Key there.

[steve614]

You also have to go to your account at Tivo.com and allow your DVR to enable transfers.

[Turtleboy]

And I don't think you can hook your computer directly to your Tivo, but have to go through a router.

[LoREvanescence]

And I don't think you can hook your computer directly to your Tivo, but have to go through a router.


Actually, believe it or not, that actually works. I had to do that at my university for a few months as their firewall completely blocked my tivo out as an unauthorized device because "No Anti Virus software was detected by the network", and it was not a mac, or windows with the latest security updates.

When hooking of the tivo this way, I could get my internet via wireless g with my laptop, then make a shared internet connection through my laptop to the tivo to get HME apps.

Without a shared internet connection, only transfers would work.

It was a nightmare to get my university to create an exception for my tivo/ it's mac address to bypass the firewall, but I was finally able to get someone who took the time to create a rule for my tivo.


So in short, yes. Connecting a tivo directly to a pc does work for transfers.

[steve614]

So in short, yes. Connecting a tivo directly to a pc does work for transfers.

Keep in mind you may need a 'crossover' ethernet cable for a direct connect.

[LoREvanescence]

Keep in mind you may need a 'crossover' ethernet cable for a direct connect.

I used a Cat 6 Ethernet cable. Not sure if that is a cross over cable or does anything special over a normal cable. But that's what it says on the side of the cable.

[ZeoTiVo]

I used a Cat 6 Ethernet cable. Not sure if that is a cross over cable or does anything special over a normal cable. But that's what it says on the side of the cable.

cross over is cat 5 or 6 but the ends are crossed so that out on one side goes to in on the other side and replaces what a router would do internally.

Not everything needs a cross over and I think TiVo falls into that group (not sure though)

the main thing is you will have to set IP address manually

[LoREvanescence]

cross over is cat 5 or 6 but the ends are crossed so that out on one side goes to in on the other side and replaces what a router would do internally.

Not everything needs a cross over and I think TiVo falls into that group (not sure though)

the main thing is you will have to set IP address manually

The ends on my cable were most definitely not crossed. So the tivo looks like it does fall inot that group that does not need a crossover cable.

I don't think you even need to set a manual ip address. I think I picked the option to have tivo pick out it's own and it worked.

[steve614]

Not everything needs a cross over and I think TiVo falls into that group (not sure though)
Last time I did the direct connect, it was almost 4 years ago with a S2 540 and I had to use a crossover cable.
Of course, something could have changed between then and now.

I don't think you even need to set a manual ip address. I think I picked the option to have tivo pick out it's own and it worked.

Yeah, that worked for most people, but I chose to manually enter one because of the problems people reported having at the time.

[LoREvanescence]

Last time I did the direct connect, it was almost 4 years ago with a S2 540 and I had to use a crossover cable.
Of course, something could have changed between then and now.



Mine was a Series 3, so that could make a difference too

[classicsat]

It is my understanding the ethernet ports on the HD models are auto crossover.