Transfer of long shows to PC is a problem-4096 max file size

[conradiii]

My TDP will not transfer movies longer than 3 hours or home movies that seem to have much higher file sizes. I did find something close to an answer on this site but I am scared to mess with my PC. (changing FAT to NTS...?)

Is there a better way?

[westside_guy]

My TDP will not transfer movies longer than 3 hours or home movies that seem to have much higher file sizes. I did find something close to an answer on this site but I am scared to mess with my PC. (changing FAT to NTS...?)

Is there a better way?

Switching your PC's filesystem from FAT32 to NTFS allows your computer to have much larger files. FAT32 has a maximum file size of roughly 4 gigabytes.

You don't say which way you're transferring though. Is the problem that your computer won't accept the movies, or are you trying to transfer them to your Tivo? If the latter, then your computer's max filesize isn't the issue here.

NTFS is Microsoft's preferred filesystem for NT-type operating systems - meaning Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. It has journaling, for one thing. Journaling helps prevent the corruption of files.

To be honest I'm a bit surprised that anyone's computer nowadays has a FAT32 file system. Are you sure yours does?

Edit: I see that you mention the direction you're transferring in the subject line - so ignore paragraph 2.

[RoyK]

You can check the file system a partition is using by going to My Computer, right clicking the drive --e.g. c: --and choosing properties. The file system is shown at the top of the window that opens.

Fat32 partitions can be converted to NTFS without damaging files by using the convert command. See here (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb456984.aspx)

However I'd get Acronis TrueImage or something and do an image backup first just to be safe.

[steve614]

I can vouch that a conversion from FAT32 to NTFS causes no problems...but since YMMV, a HD backup before conversion wouldn't be a bad idea.

[ciper]

Consider running check disk (chkdsk) on the drive before hand to fix any errors. The conversion process can be sped up if you defrag the drive before hand. Once you're ready run "convert c: /fs:ntfs " from a command prompt and be patient.

[conradiii]

Thanks all.

I checked things out and my C drive was NT.. not Fat but my WD TB external drive was Fat. I checked the users manual and they said that the factory default is that way. Who knows why! anyway, I copied what I had on it and formatted it. I forgot to copy over the users manual though. NBD. I am now copying everything back and have noticed that in my Tivo play list (on the PC) it now shows 6,345 KB so therefore I am assuming that the problem is solved. we'll see.

In the meantime I did check on something else I was doing and it refers to the first answer I received here. I transfered a file from the PC to my Tivo and it did not work. I have Desktop plus and the file plays on the PC but the Tivo box says that the file format is not accepted. It is a .avi file form my digital camera.

I have seen some talk about pyTivo being good but I am afraid again. I would prefer to just use Tivo stuff. I would rather pay the money than use something that mostly computer people use.

Any suggestions?

[lafos]

AVI is a container that could house many file formats, xvid, divx, H264, etc. If you used a digital camcorder, it could be a pretty big file. You'll need some sort of tool to convert the file to other formats, the info is on tivo.com or in the TiVoToGo forum. pyTiVo could work. I've never used it, so can't say.

[RoyK]

pytivo is super! Try it.

[steve614]

My digital camera also uses an incompatible AVI format.

I use SuperC (free) to convert to mpeg that will transfer to Tivo.
I'm sure there are other solutions, as well.